Weekly report : from November 21, 2002 through November 27, 2002

Press release

November 28, 2002

Treatment activity :
During this week, 39.7 tons of spent fuel assemblies from EDF power plants have been processed on the site.

From all treated assemblies, a total of 920 tons have been processed to date this year.

Four of the six lines of vitrification of fission products (1) were in service. Since the beginning of the year, 529 canisters have been produced.

It should be noted that the facility of hulls compaction (ACC) produced 225 canisters of compacted residues (2) since its startup at the end of the year 2001.

The actuality, it is also.....

Welcome to our japanese trainees
A fourth team, of 10 japanese trainees, will arrive on the December, 2th on the plant to receive training on facility operating and maintenance. This session, called " model campaign " is part of the COGEMA-JNFL (3) cooperation program of assistance for the start up of the japanese spent fuel reprocessing plant in Rokkasho Mura previewed for 2005.


(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.
(2) It is about the metal envelope of the spent fuel assemblies as well as metal waste resulting from maintenance operations of the installations.
(3) JNFL : Japan Nuclear Fuel Limited