ASN Report 2017

402 ASN report on the state of nuclear safety and radiation protection in France in 2017 Chapter 14  - Nuclear research and miscellaneous industrial facilities Phébus reactor (Cadarache) The Phébus reactor (BNI 92) is an experimental pool type reactor with a power of 38 MWth, situated in Cadarache, which was authorised by Decree 77-801 of 5th July 1977. This reactor was intended for the study of light water reactor severe accidents resulting from the loss of the protection and safeguard systems, as well as for the definition of operating procedures to prevent core melt, or at least mitigate its consequences. The final tests were carried out in the Phébus facility in 2007. In 2014, CEA transmitted a file presenting the operations in preparation for final shutdown and decommissioning, along with the reactor decommissioning plan. In 2015, it was authorised to begin the first of the scheduled decommissioning preparation operations. The deadline for submission of the Phébus reactor decommissioning file was set at 29th June 2018 (see box above). CEA also transmitted the reactor periodic safety review file in November  2017. The Phébus decommissioning file and periodic safety review file will be examined jointly. In 2017, ASN examined several noteworthy modification files concerning the removal of Spent Fuel Elements (ECI) and the removal of fissile materials which were irradiated little if at all. The ECI removal operations should be completed by CEA in 2018. ASN notes that the initial schedule for ECI removal was not met because the receiving facility was unavailable, thus affecting the schedule for the decommissioning preparation operations. In 2018, ASN will be vigilant with regard to the resumption of the ECI removal operations. In 2017, ASN also carried out a general inspection of the facility, which demonstrated the need to create storage zoning in the BNI for waste without an immediate disposal route. 1.2.3 Laboratories The irradiated materials and spent fuel assessment laboratories These laboratories are investigative tools available to the nuclear licensees. From the safety viewpoint, these installations must meet the same standards and rules as the fuel cycle nuclear installations, although the safety approach is also proportionate to the specific risks and detrimental effects they represent. Active Fuel Examination Laboratory (LECA) (Cadarache) LECA (BNI 55) was commissioned in 1964 and is referred to as a “hot” laboratory, enabling CEA to carry out destructive and non-destructive examinations of spent fuel from the nuclear power, research and naval propulsion sectors. As the facility is an old one, its seismic resistance was partially reinforced starting in 2010. During the examination of the last periodic safety review, the Advisory Committee for Laboratories and Plants (GPU) considered that the steps taken by CEA for reinforcement were unable to demonstrate the stability of the main building in the event of a Safe Shutdown Earthquake (SSE) and that the LECA should be shut down as rapidly as possible. ASN considers that the SSE resistance of a nuclear facility is a fundamental requirement for its continued operation. It therefore asked CEA to present it with its strategy for final shutdown of the LECA in the medium term and, in the near future, to take compensatory measures to reduce the radiological consequences of a possible accident (collapse of the building followed by a fire) as a result of an SSE. In 2018, ASN will set out its requirements with regard to this strategy. The inspections carried out in 2017 confirm that the deviations observed during the inspection have effectively been dealt with by the licensee. Nonetheless, ASN remains vigilant in the way organisational and human factors are taken into account. The LECA extension Treatment, Clean-out and Reconditioning Station (STAR) (Cadarache) The STAR facility (BNI 55) is a high-activity laboratory comprising shielded cells. The STAR facility is an extension of the LECA laboratory. It is designed for: ཛྷ ཛྷ the stabilisation and reconditioning of irradiated fuel rods surplus to requirements with a view to storing them in the Cascad facility (see chapter 16); ཛྷ ཛྷ destructive and non-destructive examinations of spent fuels, performed in shielded cells. Its creation was authorised by the Decree of 4th September 1989 and its definitive commissioning was declared in 1999. ASN regularly checks compliance with the commitments made by CEA within the context of the facility periodic safety review, completed in June 2009. Following this review, CEA in particular made a commitment to implement a project (called STEP) for redevelopment and for installation of new equipment, in particular for handling purposes. The purpose of STEP is to improve the safety of fuel receiving and transfer to the STAR shielded cells. In May 2014 ASN prescribed the operating procedures associated with this project. The delays in this project led ASN to serve CEA with formal notice to commission STEP before 30th April 2017. During the inspection of 19th May 2017, ASN observed that STEP equipment had been commissioned. FOCUS Requirement for CEA submission of the decommissioning files for the Phébus reactor Several facilities operated by CEA have been definitively shut down in recent years. This is notably the case of the Phébus reactor. Article L. 593-24 of the Environment Code states that “If a basic nuclear installation stops functioning for a continuous period of more than two years, its shutdown is deemed definitive” . Pursuant to this text, on 27th July 2017, ASN ordered the submission of the Phébus decommissioning file on 29th June 2018.