Weekly report : from February 26th to March 4th 2009

3/6/2009
Press release

Treatment activity:
The treatment of belgian research used fuel began and the shearing of EDF used fuel are in progress. From all treated assemblies, a total of  169.5 tons have been processed.

During this period, 21 canisters of vitrified fission products has been produced(1) in the vitrification facilities. Since the beginning of the year, 82 canisters have been produced.

The facility of hulls compaction (ACC) produced 29 canisters of compacted residues. Since the beginning of the year, 265 canisters have been produced.

The actuality, it is also...
A maritime convoy of fuel MOX to Japan left on Thursday, March 5th the port of Cherbourg. On board, some recycled fuel MOX made to MELOX who will be in charge of in 3 Japanese nuclear power plants. This fuel will allow to feed with electricity 3 500 000 persons during one year.

The recycled fuel MOX allows to produce some electricity without emission of CO2. It is used since the 70s. At present, 36 nuclear reactors work in the world with this fuel. 10 % of the French electricity is produced thanks to the fuel MOX.

(1)The fission products (ultimate residues of spent fuel) are incorporated in heated glass to approximately 1100°C. The whole is poured in stainless steel containers. The fission products are an integral part of stable, compact and resistant glass. This process is called vitrification.