Areva defects in the tank of the EPR known since 2006? – L’Usine Nouvelle

 Abnormalities in the tank of the Flamanville EPR were measured in 2006. Yet it was not until 2015 that the strength of this key part of the nuclear reactor is queried. For its part, Areva is justified from all desire dissimuné indicating that all information has been submitted on time.
 

 

 Last April, the Nuclear Safety Authority (ASN) let loose a bombshell by revealing problems on the quality of the cover and the bottom of the tank steel for the Flamanville EPR. Excessively high levels of carbon could lead to fragility of this centerpiece, under enormous pressure loads and temperature.

 After this first staggering blow for the French nuclear industry, the Chained Duck, in its issue of July 8, according to a document sent to Areva by the IRSN (Institute for Radiological Protection and Nuclear Safety) indicating that Areva knew this defect since 2006. According to the weekly, Areva has concealed information. IRSN evokes in turn a lack of responsiveness of the manufacturer.

 On the side of Areva, it formally denies concealing any information. The first carbon measurements were made in 2007. They then used to orient the part in the right direction for the work of blacksmiths. “ Both measures appear in the documents submitted to ASN in 2008, but at the time the issue was not yet the resilience of the room ,” said a spokesman. However, the company recognizes that a posteriori “ away (note: in carbon levels measured) was higher than expected Perhaps there he has a share of default and interrogation. else? (Editor’s note: Areva and among ASN / IRSN) “asked the spokesman

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  Areva and ASN back-to-back

 Doubts about the quality of the piece would not have occurred at Areva in 2012, when the company launched tests on a sacrificial piece. In 2014, this led him to discover the anomalous atoms in the lid and the bottom of the tank. The information was transmitted to the ASN, which made this public failure in April 2015. “ We have always provided all the information required by the regulations ” insists spokesman for Areva. For their part, the ASN and IRSN claim they are aware only since 2015 anomalies.

 While the actors record the buck, Areva management launched two studies. One of the tank to see if it is usable or not. The ASN’s response is expected in the first half 2016. EDF is confident about the subject, ASN continues to talk about a serious defect. In addition, an external audit was launched on factories of Creusot and Chalons / Saint-Marcel (Saône-et-Loire).

  A must recapitalization

 All these questions about the possibility of using the cell of the EPR slow down the ongoing negotiations on the new Areva reactors and services which party should be sold to EDF. By coincidence, that same Wednesday, July 8, two MPs of the Finance Commission, the General Economy and Budgetary control handed over their report on the financial situation of Areva. Marc Goua, PS deputy of Maine-et-Loire, and Hervé Mariton, Republican MP for the Drôme, consider that the disintegration between the activity of Areva reactors and uranium activity makes sense. But they alert the Government to the fact that the scope of reorganization is not enough. “ Areva needs 7 billion in the next three years and the group can not cope ” says Hervé Mariton. “ A lasting solution must also go through a recapitalization of the company by the State, the French actors or foreign actors ,” the deputy.

  Ludovic Dupin