LANGUEDOC-ROUSSILLON CODOLET-CENTRACO Purpose: reduction of the volume of wastes and development of processesInstallations: incinerator and melting unit Type: industrial pilot for the treatment of wastes of so-called “weak” activity Location: an area of 11 ha at Codolet (Gard), next to the Cogéma establishment at Marcoule Owner: Socodei (EDF through Charth 51%, Cogéma 49%) Period of operation: 1999- Raw materials : wastes with radioactivity characterized as “low”The wastes come from EDF, Cogéma, other French producers. The CEA signed a five-year contract with Socodei in 1999 for the incineration of 200 tons per year of solid waste and possibly liquids ( ie conditional on the liquids being accepted by Socodei). If the quantity of French wastes is not sufficient, other European countries. The maximum alpha radioactivity of the wastes is 370 Bq/g. Beta gamma activity of the wastes must be no more than 20,000 Bq/g [Greppo 98]. INCINERATOR The incinerator has a nominal capacity of 5000 t/yr of waste, about 1500 t of liquids and 3500 t of solids. Incineration takes place in a three-chamber static furnace at a temperature greater than 1100° C. The unit can process 620 kg/h of solid waste and 300 kg/h of liquid waste. The incineration unit began burning radioactive waste in April 1999. During 2000 Centraco received 1,366 t of waste for incineration and treated 1,727 t. [ Cli Gard 13.vi.00]. The unit produced its first tubes designed for the manufacture of radiological protection devices in June 2000 [Cli Gard 27.vi.00].MELTING UNIT The melting unit includes an induction furnace with a capacity of about 4 t. “Space is sufficient for the possible installation of a second furnace.” Without a second furnace, nominal capacity is 4500 t/yr. The melted metal is cast in the form of ingots and tubes [Greppo 98]. The melting unit began processing radioactive material in February 1999. During 2000 Centraco received 1366 t to melt and treated 1405 t. [ Cli Gard 13.vi.01]. AUTHORIZATION FOR RELEASES The authorization for releases dated 7 May 1998, permits the release, in the form of gas, of 2000 GBq of tritium, of 2000 GBq of carbon 14, of 1 GBq of beta-gamma emitters, and of 0.2 MBq of alpha emitters per year.In regard to chemical gaseous releases, the melting unit is authorized to release 4.8 t of CO, 4.8 t of HCl, and 28.8 t of SO2 per year; the incineration unit to release 13.8 t of CO, 0.940 t of HCl, 5540 t of SO2, 55.3 t of Nox, and 100 pg/Nm3 of dioxines per year. The authorization for liquid releases amounts, for radioactive releases to 0.006 GBq of alpha emitters, to 4 GBq of cesium 137, to 26 GBq of beta gamma emitters, and to 10 000 GBq of tritium per year. The liquid chemical releases authorized equal 270 t of chloride, 300 t of sodium, and 255 t of sulfates per year [CLI Gard 27.vi.00]. |