Abstract:
In France, all the research reactors are subject by law to periodic safety reassessment which is necessary to maintain them in operation. These safety reassessments are based on a conformity exam and a safety reassessment and take into account operation feedback experiment. It allows us to identify the gap between the present situation and the requirements due to the current rules and to check the possibility of implementation. At the end of these safety reassessments, refurbishment work is defined (seismic reinforcement, fire protection, ...) according to the life expectancy forecast for the facility. The French Nuclear Safety Authority expresses its needs, gives its formal approval to the modifications of the reactor and, finally, gives its authorisation to continue the operation of the reactor. The French Atomic Energy Commission (CEA) operates ten research reactors covering the whole scope of use. All these reactors are subject to the safety reassessment described above. After a brief review of these reactors, the paper will focus on the safety reassessment of MASURCA and will give an overview of the refurbished reactors ready to operate for the next decades.