CENTRE

Purpose: production of electricity and plutonium

Installations : Saint-Laurent A1 and A2 shut down, B1, and B2, graphite storage center

Type : natural uranium graphite gas reactors and pressurized water reactors (class CP2)

Location : Saint-Laurent-Nouan (Loir-et-Cher) on the Loire, between Blois and Orléans

Operator : Electricité de France

Period of operation : since 1969 (A1, 1969-1990; A2 1971-1992; B1 and B2, since 1981)

Fuel : natural uranium metal, low-enriched uranium oxide, and mixed uranium oxide and plutonium oxide

Nuclear materials : uranium, plutonium, tritium

Nominal capacity : A1, 480 MW electric net; A2, 420 MW; B1 and B2, 915 MW each

Actual production : cumulative at end of 1998, 96.8 TWh gros (47.9, 48.8 TWh gros) plus 189.6 TWh net (94.6, and 95.1 TWh net respectivement)

St Laurent B1 and B2 use Mox fuel.

The decree authorizing final shutdown operations for St Laurent A1 and A2 was signed 11 April 1994. Execution of the operations has been delayed because of problems encountered during the opening stage of the work [DSIN 00]. Total dismantling of A1 is planned for 2044; of A2 for 2046. Each reactor is estimated to contain 8250 t of contaminated or activated metal, concrete, and heat insulation, and 4000 drums of technological waste. Each also houses 3400 t of graphite.

In addition, silos store 1930 t of graphite sleeves [Andra 00].

                                                                                                         Revised 10/7/01

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