ASN Report 2017

404 ASN report on the state of nuclear safety and radiation protection in France in 2017 Chapter 14  - Nuclear research and miscellaneous industrial facilities deployed a groundwater drainage system to prevent the risk of soil liquefaction in the event of an earthquake, in compliance with an ASN requirement. A level 1 significant event was notified in this facility in 2017 concerning the presence of a quantity of material in excess of the authorised quantity in the criticality unit where repackaging was to take place. This event had no impact, either on the workers, or on the environment. ASN will check the implementation of the corrective actions decided on by CEA. In 2018, ASN will set out the conditions for continued operation of the facility, in the light of the conclusions of its periodic safety review, transmitted in December 2013. Spent Fuel Testing Laboratory (LECI) (Saclay) The LECI (BNI 50) was notified by CEA on 8th January 1968. An extension was authorised in 2000. The role of the LECI is to study the properties of materials used in the nuclear sector, whether or not irradiated. The LECI also has a role to provide support for the delicensing of the Saclay Centre. ASN considers that the level of safety of the facility is satisfactory. However, the 2017 inspections identified two points requiring particular vigilance: a shortage of personnel during the second half of the year with a heavier annual surveillance programme than previously, and the prevention of fire risks, more particularly during hot spot work. Following the periodic safety review, ASN monitored the improvements plan that CEA undertook to implement. It notably required the reinforcement of the seismic resistance of building 625 before the end of the 1st half of 2021 and the removal of all objects and materials from the Célimène cell by 31st December 2023. Research and development laboratories Alpha facility and Laboratory for Transuranian Elements Analysis and Reprocessing Studies (Atalante) (Marcoule) The main purpose of the Atalante facility (BNI 148), created in the 1980s, is to conduct research and development on the recycling of nuclear fuels, the management of ultimate waste and the exploration of new concepts for fourth generation nuclear systems. In order to expand these research activities, rooms are being fitted out to host the activities and equipment from the Lefca on the CEA Cadarache centre. In 2017, ASN considers that the level of safety of Atalante is on the whole satisfactory. However, given the activities performed in Atalante and the modifications in progress (transfer of a part of the Lefca activities), the licensee must maintain rigour in the application of the operating rules. The inspections conducted by ASN in 2017 concerned management of the fire risk, the consideration of external hazards (lightning risk) and compliance with the licensee’s commitments made following the inspections, significant events and authorisations, whether issued by ASN or by the management of the CEA Marcoule centre as part of the internal authorisation process. These inspections enabled ASN to see that these topics are dealt with satisfactorily by the licensee. The periodic safety review conclusions report transmitted by CEA at the end of 2016 is being examined by ASN and will be presented to the GPU at the end of 2018. ASN will then rule on the continued operation of the facility. 1.2.4 Fissile material stores Central Fissile Material Warehouse (MCMF) (Cadarache) Built in the 1960s, the MCMF (BNI 53) is used for storage of enriched uranium and plutonium. Its main activities are the acceptance, storage and shipment of non-irradiated fissile materials pending reprocessing and intended for use in the fuel cycle. Given the facility’s insufficient seismic resistance, ASN instructed CEA to evacuate the nuclear materials stored in it before 31st December 2017, the date on which CEA definitively shut down the MCMF. In 2017, the initial version of the decommissioning plan was the subject of various ASN requests which, depending on their nature, will need to be taken into account either during the operations to prepare for decommissioning, or during the drafting of the decommissioning file. ASN considers that operations in the MCMF facility are both well-organised and efficient. The same operational rigorousness shall be applied during the operations to prepare for decommissioning, scheduled as of 1st January 2018. Owing to the change in the operating team on 1st January 2018, ASN considers that CEA will need to ensure the correct handover of information and to maintain the level of skills within the facility. The periodic safety review file, received at the end of 2017, will be examined in 2018. The decommissioning file is expected by November  2018. Magenta facility (Cadarache) The Magenta facility (BNI 169), which replaces the MCMF, is dedicated to the storage of non-irradiated fissile material and the non-destructive characterisation of the nuclear materials received. Its creation was authorised in 2008 and its commissioning on 27th January 2011. In 2017, ASN deemed that the latest version of the Magenta safety analysis report, which was brought into line with the actual status of the facility, was applicable. ASN underlines the considerable activity at Magenta owing to storage clearance operations at the MCMF and ÉOLE- Minerve. It considers that the Magenta facility is operated rigorously and that its level of safety is satisfactory. 1.2.5 The Poséidon irradiator (Saclay) The Poséidon facility (BNI 77) at Saclay, authorised in 1972, is an irradiator consisting of a cobalt-60 source storage pool, partially topped by an irradiation bunker. The facility features a submersible chamber and a test cell. R&D activities on the behaviour of materials under radiation are also carried out there. The main risk in the facility is that of exposure to