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GLOSSARIES
1. Technical glossary
> ITER (International Thermonuclear Experimental Reactor)
Research initiative that is the product of international scientific cooperation whose
objective is to build a controlled fusion demonstrator to validate the potential of
nuclear fusion energy.
> Leaching,
in situ
leaching, heap leaching
Extraction of metals through selective dissolution of ore using chemical solutions,
whether acidic or alkaline. Leaching may be static, in the case of ore that is placed
in a heap on an impermeable pad and sprayed; dynamic, in the case of ore mixed
with solutions in a processing plant; or in situ, where solutions are injected into the
geologic layer containing the ore and pumped out.
> Light water
Consisting of hydrogen and oxygen (whereas heavy water is a combination of
oxygen and deuterium), it is used in some reactors both to cool the fuel and to
recover the energy produced, and to slow the neutrons so as to increase the
probability of fission.
> Local information and consultation committee
Established near all “Seveso high threshold” chemical industry facilities, the
committee’s mission is to create a framework for dialogue and information on action
taken by the operators of regulated facilities, under the oversight of government
agencies, to prevent the risk of a major accident at the facilities.
> Local information commission
Instituted near a site with one or more regulated nuclear facilities (INB). Their general
mission is to provide follow-up, information and consultation in matters pertaining
to nuclear safety, radiation protection and the impacts of nuclear operations on
people and the environment. The CLI publishes the results of its work in a form
that is easily understood by the public.
> Local information commission for major energy facilities of
the Tricastin site
Local information commission set up for the Tricastin nuclear site in France.
> Mine tailings
Earth, sand or rock that contains little or no uranium, but that must be extracted to
gain access to the ore itself. The naturally occurring radioactivity of mine tailings is
comparable to that of the surrounding rock.
> Moderator
Material designed to slow neutrons produced by nuclear fission.
> MOX
MOX fuel is a conventional nuclear fuel. It differs from UO
2
fuel, a basic nuclear
fuel fabricated only with uranium, in that fact that it contains a low proportion of
plutonium from recycled used fuel mixed with uranium (MOX means Mixed Oxides
of uranium and plutonium). The proportion of plutonium varies according to the
type of fuel, and is generally between 5 and 10%.
> MSNR (
Mission de sûreté nucléaire et de radioprotection
)
The nuclear safety and radiation protection mission (MSNR) reports to the French
Ministries of Environment and Economy; it participates in government missions
concerning nuclear safety and radiation protection. In particular, in liaison with the
Autorité de sûreté nucléaire (ASN), it recommends government policy in matters of
nuclear safety and radiation protection, except for operations and facilities involving
national defense and radiation protection for workers. It oversees the activities of the
ASN on behalf of the Ministers in charge of nuclear safety and radiation protection.
> Nacelle
The nacelle is installed at the top of the wind turbine tower and generally houses
the mechanical, pneumatic, electrical and electronic components needed for the
operation of the wind turbine (directional system, gear box, generators, converters,
instrumentation and control system, etc.).
Almost all horizontal axis wind turbines use forced direction. The nacelles are
therefore equipped with a system that uses electrical motors and gear boxes to
make sure that the rotor – and thus the nacelle – is always oriented in the direction
of the wind.
> National radioactive waste and materials plan (
Plan
national de gestion des matières et des déchets radioactifs
,
PNGMDR)
The PNGMDR is an operational tool for broad-based planning of waste and
materials management. Governed by the law of June 28, 2006 on the sustainable
management of radioactive waste and materials, its chief goal is to regularly report
on the radioactive materials management policy, to assess new requirements, and
to set future objectives to be met. The PNGMDR is updated every three years in the
form of a published report. The current version is the 2013-2015 edition.
> NEA (Nuclear Energy Agency)
Specialized agency of theOrganization for Economic Cooperation andDevelopment
(OECD) whose mission is to assist its member countries in maintaining and further
developing, through international cooperation, the scientific, technological and legal
bases that are indispensable to the safe, environmentally friendly and economical
use of nuclear energy for peaceful purposes.
> Neutron
Electrically neutral particle that enters into the composition of the atom’s nucleus,
along with the protons.
> Neutron poison
Substance which, when placed or produced in a nuclear reactor, can slow or stop
the fission chain reaction by absorbing neutrons.
> Non-proliferation
Designates the political and/or technical means used to prevent nuclear proliferation.
The international non-proliferation regime consists of the set of international
policies and instruments that work to prevent states from acquiring weapons of
mass destruction or the means of acquiring them, in violation of their international
commitments. The Non-Proliferation Treaty (NPT) is based on distinguishing
between nuclear weapons states (NWS) and non-nuclear weapons states (NNWS).
The NWS pledge not to transmit their nuclear weapons knowledge to the NNWS,
which agree not to acquire a nuclear deterrent capability. In exchange, the NNWS
are entitled to access nuclear technologies for peaceful purposes.
2016 AREVA
REFERENCE DOCUMENT
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