CHAMPAGNE-ARDENNES Purpose: production of electricityInstallations: Nogent-sur-Seine 1 and 2 Type : pressurized water reactors (class P’4)Location : near Nogent-sur-Seine (Aube) on the Seine 120 km above the center of ParisOperator: Electricité de France Period of operation: since 1987 (went critical in 1987 and 1988 respectively) Fuel : low-enriched uranium oxideNuclear materials : uranium, plutonium, tritiumNominal capacity : 2,620 MW electric net (1,310 MW per reactor)Actual production : at the end of 2000, 192.6 TWh net (95.9 and 96.7 TWh net respectively)May 17, 1994, the prefect authorized the reactor to release copper and zinc into the Seine. The reason: the tertiary circuit, of reactor 1 in particular, has a tendency to acquire tarter. To combat this, EDF uses sulfuric acid and brass balls (alloy of zinc and copper) in the pipes. The reactor releases several tons per year of these metals; and the condenser circuit loses 1 to 2% of its substance each year [Comba ii.95]. |