Activation
Process by which a stable atomic nucleus is transformed into a radioactive nucleus. This transformation takes place when exposed to radiation, for example a neutron flux.

AGM / EGM
The Board of Directors must call an Annual General Meeting of Shareholders once a year for ordinary management actions: approval of the financial statements, election of board members, etc. The Extraordinary General Meeting of Shareholders is called to approve strategic and exceptional decisions: a merger, and increase or decrease in capital, etc.

ALARA
Means As Low As Reasonably Achievable.

It is the level of emission or pollution which must not be exceeded, by combining technical caution and economic profitability.

ANDRA
French National Radioactive Waste Management Agency.

AREVA
To know the origin of AREVA name.

AREVA University
AREVA University is what is called a "corporate university". Corporate universities first appeared in Western Europe during the 1980s, but it is over the past recent decade that, due to globalization, they, actually, were more actively developed. They strengthen company culture, -- for instance in the event of a merger --, support change, provide an opportunity for internal exchange and creation of knowledge, etc. A corporate university may use several ways of doing this, including creating training centers, setting up strategic reflection “labs”, organizing conferences by external speakers or seminars on cross-company topics for managers, future leaders or senior executives, etc.




Biological shielding
Screen to protect workers in nuclear facilities from the effects of ionizing radiation and reduce the doses they receive.

Blowdown valves
Steam generated during production is captured at the tail end of the piping system. Once cooled, water is recycled for steam production.

BWR
Boiling Water Reactor: nuclear reactor moderated and cooled by ordinary water, brought to boiling point in the core under normal operating conditions.




Cask
Package designed to provide complete containment of certain radioactive materials (spent fuel, vitrified waste, etc.).

Casks
Assemblies of components necessary to ensure containment of radioactive material during transport. These may include various specific materials (such as those which absorb radiation, or which provide thermal insulation), service equipment, shock-resistant structures, and mechanisms for handling and attaching.

CEA
Commissariat à l'Energie Atomique
The CEA is a French public institution involved in fundamental and technological research. Its current aims are to improve current performance in the nuclear industry and develop nuclear energy for the future.

Centrifuge
A process to enrich uranium 235 for use as reactor fuel. Centrifuging consists of separating uranium isotopes using extremely high-speed rotation. This advanced process is more economical than gaseous diffusion.

Cladding
a leaktight metal tube which encapsulates nuclear fuel to protect it from corrosion and prevent the dispersion of fission products. The cladding is the first protection barrier.

Cleanup
Operations encompassing reprocessing and conditioning of nuclear waste, decontamination of equipment and installations, dismantling of decommissioned sites and radiation protection of humans and the environment.

CNP-1000
China National PWR. 1,000 MW Pressurized Water Reactor (PWR). It includes improvements developed for the French nuclear power program.

Code
Set of scientific software applications enabling engineers to calculate the dimensions of certain hardware (or all hardware) and to verify its behavior in all operational modes, including hypothetical modes, in order to meet the dependability requirements applying to reactors.

Conditioning
Operation involving conversion of waste into a form suitable for shipment and/or interim storage and/or final disposal.

Control rod assembly (RCCA)
Component containing neutron absorbers which control the nuclear reaction. Dropping the control rods, into the core, slows down or stops the nuclear chain reaction.

Conversion
All of the chemical transformations involved in obtaining uranium hexafluoride from uranium ore.




Decontamination
A physical, chemical or mechanical operation designed to remove or reduce radioactive or chemical materials in a facility, in an open area, on equipment or on personnel.

Dismantling
Physical dismantling of all non-reusable facilities and equipment in the context of decommissioning (activities performed following shut-down of a nuclear plant or mine, from site closure to removal of radioactivity from the site).




Enrichment
Process by which an element's content of a fissile isotope is increased. For example, the fissile uranium 235 content of natural uranium is 0.7% and the non-fissile uranium 238 content is 99.3%. To make it utilisable in a pressurized water reactor, the proportion of uranium 235 is increased to around 3 or 5%.

EPR
The EPR is a third-generation pressurized water reactor (PWR). This reactor generates about 1,600 MWe of electric power and features enhanced safety and simplified operations and maintenance. It also has a projected service life of 60 years, compared with a 40-year service life for other power reactors.
View the 3D video clip about EPR.

EURATOM
European Atomic Energy Community. Treaty establishing the European atomic energy community, created by the Treaty of Rome of March 25, 1957 with the treaty founder of the EEC. Its mission consists in contributing, by means of the development of nuclear energy, by pooling know-how, infrastructure and financing and by ensuring security of supply under centralised control. It gathers the main member states of the European Union.




Fission
Fission occurs when a neutron hits a heavy nucleus, splitting it into two smaller nuclei (or fission products) and releasing neutrons, radiation and a large amount of heat. It is the basis of nuclear electric power generation.

Fission products
Fragments of heavy nuclei produced by nuclear fission (breakdown of uranium 235 or plutonium 239 nuclei) or by subsequent radioactive decay of nuclides formed in this process. Fragments from the fission process and their daughter products are called "fission products". In reprocessing plants, fission products are separated by solvent extraction after the fuel has been dissolved in nitric acid; they are concentrated by evaporation, stored for conditioning by vitrification, and poured into stainless steel canisters.

FTSE 100
Nicknamed "Footsie," the FTSE 100 is the reference index on the London Stock Market. It was set up in 1984 and is made up of the top one hundred English capitalisation companies. Most share purchases and sales are based on the values of this index. In London, 80% of all transactions are based on Footsie values.

Fuel assembly
A bundle of fuel rods filled with uranium pellets. A reactor core holds from 100 to 200 fuel assemblies, depending on the type of power plant.




Gamma radiation
Radioactive nuclei release their excess energy by emitting rays. This applies to helium (alpha rays), electrons (beta rays) or light spots (photons: X rays or gamma rays) nuclei.

Gaseous diffusion
Molecular separation process based on the different passage times of molecules through a semi-permeable membrane due to differences in size and mass. In 235U enrichment of nuclear fuel, the 235UF6 and 238UF6 in uranium hexafluoride are separated in this way.

Gharials (Gavialis gangeticus)
The gharial is one of the most endangered of the crocodile species. It is found only in India and Nepal, but has totally vanished from Bhutan and Bangladesh with the destruction of its habitat.

Greenhouse gas substitutes
A gas which can replace those substances responsible for the greenhouse effect such as carbon dioxide (CO2), methane (CH4), nitrous oxide (N2O) and chlorofluorocarbons (CFC), without producing the same negative effects (particularly an increase in the planet's temperature).




IFRS standards (International Financial Reporting Standards)
IFRS standards are international account standards established by the ASB (International Accounting Standards board).

In situ leaching
Recovery of certain compounds contained in a powdery, permeable or porous medium by injecting a solvent into the material to be processed. Can be used directly in highly fragmented ground ("in situ leaching") or on material that has been removed, broken up and placed in a suitable area ("heap leaching"). Leaching is used to recover metallic elements such as uranium. It's also how runoff water carries away certain components from waste.

INES (International Nuclear Event Scale)
The International Nuclear Event Scale (INES) is to facilitate media and public understanding of the safety significance of nuclear incidents and accidents.

Only events affecting nuclear plant safety and transportation of radioactive materials are concerned by this scale. They are classified at eight levels (0 to 7), depending on their gravity. Events rated 1 to 3 are referred to as incidents, those rated at higher levels (4 to 7) as accidents. Events with no safety implications are classified at level 0 and termed 'deviations". Events unrelated to safety are said to be "off scale".

In-service inspection
Various tests carried out at regular intervals in a nuclear plant during a planned outage.

Instrumentation and control
Collection of systems which make it possible to automatically monitor, carefully regulate and ensure the safe operation of a given piece of equipment in a nuclear plant.

Intrinsic safety systems
Use of such systems, unlike with active safety systems, reduces the need to use an outside energy source to carry out this function.

IPCC (or GIEC in French)
Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change or GIEC in French (Groupement Intergouvernemental sur l'Evolution du Climat). Made up of UN experts, the Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change was created in 1988 on the initiative of the G7 countries. Today it reports to the World Meteorological Association (WMO) within the scope of the United Nations Environment Program (UNEP). Its role is to assess scientific, technical and socio-economic information relating to the risk of human-induced climate change. For this purpose, it has published several reports which forecast an average increase in world temperatures in a hundred years.

ISO 14001
One of the series of ISO 14000 international standards, it establishes environmental organization and management system requirements to prevent pollution and to reduce the effects of a given operation on the environment.

ISO 9002
One of the series of ISO 9000 international standards, it establishes quality organization and management system requirements to demonstrate the quality of a product or service based on client requirements.

Isotopes
Elements whose atoms have the same number of electrons and protons but a different number of neutrons.

For example, there are three uranium isotopes:
- uranium 234 (92 protons, 92 electrons, 142 neutrons),
- uranium 235 (92 protons, 92 electrons, 143 neutrons),
- uranium 238 (92 protons, 92 electrons, 146 neutrons).

Isotopic separation
Operation involving the separation of different isotopes of a chemical element, particularly to obtain uranium 235, necessary for the fabrication of nuclear fuel from natural uranium. There are different processes for isotopic separation, such as gaseous diffusion or centrifuge separation.

ITER
ITER - International Thermonuclear Experimental Reactor - is a multinational collaboration between all the countries involved in fusion research worldwide. The initiative will lead to the construction of a controlled fusion demonstration power plant that will be used to validate the potential of this energy source.

To learn more about ITER:
Visit the www.iter.org web site




LHC
Large Hadron Collider at CERN, particle physics center, located in Geneva (Switzerland).




MOX
Mixed oxides. Mixture of uranium and plutonium oxides used to make certain types of nuclear fuel.




Neutron
An electrically neutral particle which, together with the protons, forms the nucleus of the atom.

Nuclear ingineering
Operations encompassing studies, construction and optimization of installations for nuclear operators worldwide.

Nuclear island
The entire nuclear steam supply system and installations related to fuel, as well as the equipment needed for operation and safeguard of the installation.

Nuclear reactor
System in which controlled nuclear reactions are sustained, releasing heat that makes steam. The steam activates a turbine, which powers an electric generator.

Nuclear safety
All the measures taken to ensure that nuclear equipment and installations operate safely, to prevent incidents and limit the consequences.

Nuclear steam supply system
Boiler system in which the heat source is a nuclear reactor.




Occupational safety
All the measures taken to protect people and to prevent accidents from occurring or reoccurring.

OHSAS 18001
An international standard setting the requirements for occupational health and safety management systems.

Ore
Mineral or aggregate of materials containing chemical substances which can be isolated through industrial processes.




Plutonium
Element of atomic number 94, chemical symbol Pu. Plutonium 239, a highly fissionable isotope, is produced in nuclear reactors using uranium 238.

Pressurizer
Component which function it is to create and maintain pressure in the reactor coolant system at a level which prevents boiling.

PWR
Pressurized Water Reactor: reactor that is moderated and cooled with light water kept liquid in the reactor core with the appropriate pressure under normal operating conditions. View the 3D video clip about PWR.




Radiation, ionizing radiation
Electromagnetic waves (such as radio waves, light waves, UV or X-rays, etc.), and particles (electrons, protons and neutrons) or groups of these particles.
The energy of these waves or particles is respectively proportional to their frequency and velocity. These types of radiation act on irradiated objects by stripping electrons from their atoms, leaving ionized atoms (electrically charged) in their wake, whence the generic name of ionizing radiation.

Radiation protection
The branch of nuclear physics involved in protecting people from ionizing radiation. By extension, the term "radiation protection" encompasses any measure designed to protect personnel and public health from ionizing radiation and to ensure compliance with regulatory requirements.

Radiation protection
Branch of nuclear physics involved in protecting people from ionizing radiation. By extension, all preventative and monitoring measures designed to protect personnel and public health from the harmful effects of ionizing radiation, including those in the environment, and to ensure compliance with regulatory requirements.

Reactor coolant motor-pump
Pump ensuring the circulation of the water in the reactor coolant system, in a PWR, at nearly 1,500 turns/minute and pumps about 20,000 m3 water/hour.

Reactor core
Area in a nuclear fission reactor which contains the nuclear fuel and which is constructed to contain a nuclear fission chain reaction.

Recycling of spent nuclear fuel
After three to four years in the reactor, the spent nuclear fuel must be unloaded. At that time, it is 96% recoverable uranium, 1% plutonium and 3% fission products. The uranium and plutonium recovered in the spent-fuel reprocessing operations at the AREVA NC La Hague plant are recycled and used in the fabrication of new fuel.
- The recovered uranium has properties similar to those of the concentrate made from mined uranium.
- The plutonium, which is produced while the fuel is in the reactor, possesses great energy-generating potential. One gram of plutonium will produce as much energy as 100 grams of natural uranium or one to two tons of oil.
This is the reason why the recovered plutonium is used to manufacture MOX fuel (a mixture of uranium and plutonium oxides).

Residue(s)
Non-reusable material remaining after a physical or chimical operation. In the field of reprocessing the term has a more specific meaning and covers all waste that has undergone packaging.

Runners
Piping system used for the transportation of the melt plastic from the heating part of the machinery to the mould.




SBF 120
Introduced on December 8, 1993, the SBF 120 (Société des Bourses Françaises) is an index containing the top 120 stocks in terms of liquidity and market capitalization. The index contains the 40 stocks from the CAC 40 and 80 stocks listed on the Premier Marché. The CAC 40 is a real-time indicator, while the bigger SBF 120 is a working tool for portfolio managers. It has been continuously calculated and broadcast since April 18, 1994 and represents 90% of transactions on the Paris Stock Exchange.

SBF 250
A Paris Stock Exchange index of 250 stocks with the largest market capitalizations. It includes the 40 stocks from the CAC 40, 120 stocks from the SBF 120 and 90 other stocks. The SBF 250 is representative of all the listed sectors. It is calculated twice a day, at session opening and closing.

Semiconductor
Strictly speaking, a material whose electrical conductivity is less than that of good conductors (metal), but greater than than of insulators. Semiconductive materials are simple elements (silicon or germanium) or compounds such as gallium arsenide or indium phosphide. The term 'semiconductor' is commonly used to refer to components produced with semiconductive materials. The electronics industry uses a large amount of semiconductors.

Steam generator
Heat exchanger ensuring the transfer of heat from the water in the primary circuit to the water in the secondary circuit. The latter water is transformed into steam, which drives a turbine connected to a generator, thereby producing electricity.

Succession planning
The succession plan is an annual list of possible replacements for company positions in case of a sudden or general vacancy.

SWR-1000
Siede Wasser Reaktor. 1,000 MW boiling water reactor (BWR) It incorporates advanced safety features.

Systems integration
The capacity of an IT services company to design and set up a complete system according to general client specifications, using software and hardware supplied by several different vendors.




Ten-year inspections
Every ten years, nuclear plants undergo a complete inspection of their equipment known as the ten-year visit.
The condition of the plant is checked by carrying out an in-depth inspection of its main components: the reactor vessel, primary system, containment, etc.

Thermonuclear fusion
The fusion of light atoms, such as hydrogen, is the nuclear process that generates energy in stars like our Sun. It is also a process that contributes in no way to the greenhouse effect or atmospheric pollution.

THOR
A treatment plant in which liquid or solid wastes such as decantation sludge, evaporation concentrates, sand, gravel, soil, ashes and ion-exchange resins are encapsulated in concrete.

Transformers
A device used to transform one type of energy into another, possibly with a change in voltage and power from one electrical circuit to another. It may be electromagnetic or electrodynamic (motor) opto-electric (solar cell) or electrochemical (battery), etc.

Transport Emergency Plan (TEP)
In the event of an incident during the transport of radioactive material, an Emergency Transport Intervention Plan is immediately activated.

A specially-trained and equipped mobile intervention unit goes quickly to the scene of the incident and keeps informed in real time the Operational Tracking Center, which plays a pivotal role.

Transportation systems
All infrastructures employed to transmit massive amounts of electrical energy over long distances, generally at high or very high voltage.

Treatment of used fuel
Treatment of used fuel to extract fissile and fertile materials (uranium and plutonium) for purposes of recycling and to condition the various waste types in a form suitable for disposal. Fission products and transuranics are vitrified.




Unit
Electricity production facility, composed of a nuclear steam supply system - with a reactor - and a turbine-generator assembly. A nuclear power plant usually consists of several units on the same site.

Universal canisters
Compacted canisters are placed in universal canisters for compacted waste. Use of the universal canister facilitates handling, transportation and storage.

UP1 treatment plant
First French plant for the chemical treatment of used fuel. It closed down in September 1997 and is currently being cleaned up and dismantled.

Uranium
Chemical element with the atomic number 92 and symbol U with three natural isotopes: uranium 234, uranium 235 and uranium 238. Uranium 235 is the only naturally occurring fissile nuclide, a property that explains its use as a source of energy.

Uranium concentrates
The uranium ore is being extracted, crushed and ground, it is then submitted to a series of chemical treatments and thus concentrated into a yellow paste like substance called "yellow cake".

Uranium hexafluoride
The uranium contained in nuclear fuel must be enriched in fissile uranium 235. In enrichment by gaseous diffusion, the uranium is first converted into a gas called "uranium hexafluoride", or UF6.

Uranium 235
Uranium 235 is the only naturally occurring fissile nuclide, a property that explains its use as a source of energy. An isotopic separation process is used to "enrich" the natural uranium in uranium 235.




Vessels
Thick-walled steel container enclosing the reactor core and the systems controlling the reaction, through which the primary water circuit flows under pressure.

Vitrification
Process used to solidify concentrated solutions of fission products and transuranic elements separated during spent fuel reprocessing by mixing them with a glass matrix at high temperature.

More about it, visit the AREVA NC web site.

Zirconium
Zirconium is a metal highly resistant to corrosion at high temperatures. Zirconium alloys are used in the manufacture of nuclear fuel assemblies (grids, tubes, guide tubes...).