Waste minimization in reprocessing plants: The La Hague experience
- Cogema La Hague (France)
The Environmental Rio Summit held in 1992 ended with a public commitment of industrial countries in favor of sustainable development. France`s long-standing reliance on nuclear energy has been for years a confirmation of such a commitment, which led to drastic reductions of toxic emissions and to an improvement of air and water quality even in advance on the Rio decisions. The early choice of a closed fuel cycle is fully consistent with such a policy. Spent fuel reprocessing significantly contributes to environmental protection and conservation of natural resources: waste are safely conditioned in a form adapted to their nature and recycling of energetic materials allows for the recovery of nearly 20,000 TOE per tonne of spent fuel. Industrial firms have been engaged for 10 years or more in a reassessment of their production processes, in order to optimize both their economic performances and their environmental impact. To meet these objectives, they focus in particular on waste minimization and recycling. The full Reprocessing-Conditioning-Recycling (RCR) concept is an integral part of the French nuclear policy, initiated in the 1970s. COGEMA operates the World`s largest reprocessing plant in La Hague, France with a 1600t/year reprocessing capacity. The plant serves the French utility and 27 electricity utilities from other countries.
- OSTI ID:
- 469731
- Report Number(s):
- CONF-960804-Vol.1; TRN: 97:008545
- Resource Relation:
- Conference: SPECTRUM `96: international conference on nuclear and hazardous waste management, Seattle, WA (United States), 18-23 Aug 1996; Other Information: PBD: 1996; Related Information: Is Part Of Proceedings of the international topical meeting on nuclear and hazardous waste management (SPECTRUM `96): Volume 1; PB: 885 p.
- Country of Publication:
- United States
- Language:
- English
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