ILE DE FRANCE-GRANDE COURONNE

Purpose/type: pool with an open core for studies of materials and the production of radioelements

Period of operation: since 1966

Power: originally 50 MW thermal; today 70 MW thermal

Fuel: originally, uranium enriched to 93%; from 1979 to 1995, Caramel fuel at 7.5%; presently, silicide fuel ( the conversion to silicide fuel was begun in 1995 and completed at the end of 1996) [Con viii.96]); the fuel is still in the form of plates.

Moderator and coolant: light water

2.5 tons of Caramel fuel from Osiris were reprocessed in Tor-UP1 in 1996-97 [CEAD 98]; the 4 t of Caramel fuel remaining in 1998 were scheduled to be packaged in the ISIA lab at Marcoule then stored in the Cascad installation at Cadarache [CEAD 98]. The silicide fuel cannot be treated by the Purex process. Osiris produces 120 kilograms per year of this fuel, which are sent to Cadarache to be stored in Pegasus. After cooling, the silicides will be stored in the future installation, Cascad II [CEAD 98]

Osiris has taken over part of the experimental program of Siloé at Grenoble, which was shut down in 1997. Osiris is carrying out tests of the high-density uranium/molybdenum fuel that is under development for research reactors [NucF 29.iii.04].  

In 2005 the ASN evaluated the response of the CEA to the actions it had requested after a re-examination of safety in 1999.  Despite the renovations carried out in recent years, ASN considered that, because of the age of Osiris, it should not continue to operate after 2010 [ASN 05].  Nevertheless, the CEA has requested authorization to operate Osiris until 2015 and, in support of the request, transmitted to ASN a plan called Amenophis to further increase the safety of the reactor [CEASAC 07, p. 13].  The alterations comprising Amenophis would be carried out by the end of 2010.  ASN expected to make a decision as to the date for final cessation of operations in 2009 [ASN 07].
                                                                                               

Isis

Purpose/type: pool type, critical model of Osiris

Period of operation: since 1966

Power: 700 kW thermal

Fuel: originally uranium enriched to 93%; Caramel from about 1978 to about 1999; presently silicide fuel [Con i.00; DSIN 98]. Isis can use irradiated elements from Osiris

Moderator: light water

In October 1999, an inspection by DSIN revealed that the management of the core was not in conformity with the authorizations given to the operator [DSIN 99].

In 2007 Isis took over the work of training that had been performed with Ulysse [ASN 07].

Purpose/type: caisson type, heavy water/pool type, light water; intended essentially for basic research

Period of operation: since 1980

Power: 14 MW thermal

Fuel: uranium enriched to 93%, in the form of eight plate elements

Moderator/coolant: light water

The MTR fuel from Orphée that was stored at Saclay in 1995 was reprocessed in UP1 [CEAD 98].

With a view to the continued operation of the Orphée, ASN asked that the CEA re-examine its safety.  ASN anticipated receiving a complete file on the re-examination in the third quarter of 2008 and being able bring the reactor before the permanent group of experts on nuclear reactors at the end of 2009 [ASN 07].

The reactor operated for 200 days in 2007 [CEASac 07].

--revised January 6, 2009

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