Areva - Reference Document 2016

GLOSSARIES

TECHNICAL GLOSSARY

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FINANCIAL GLOSSARY

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TECHNICAL GLOSSARY

> Actinide Chemical element whose nucleus contains from 89 to 103 protons. In ascending order: actinium, thorium, protactinium, uranium and transuranics (more than 93 protons). Neptunium, americium and curium are often called minor actinides. > Activation Process by which a stable atomic nucleus is transformed into a radioactive nucleus. The transformation mainly takes place when an atomic nucleus bombarded by a neutron flux captures a neutron. > Air treatment system Generally used to reduce emissions of pollutants to the atmosphere (CO, dust, NOx, SOx, HCl, dioxins, etc.). May also be used to maintain an atmosphere that is favorable to machinery placed in a corrosive environment, such as offshore wind turbines, where the humidity and salinity of the air can cause rapid deterioration of the equipment. > ALARA (“as low as reasonably achievable”) Concept used to keep public and personnel exposure to ionizing radiation as low as reasonably achievable, taking into account social and economic factors. > Americium Artificial element included in transuranics. It has several isotopes, all of which are radioactive. It is formed in nuclear reactors by neutron capture on the uranium and plutonium, followed by radioactive decay. > Anaerobic Characteristic of a medium defined by the absence of oxygen. Anaerobic fermentation is the biological degradation of organic matter by microorganisms in the absence of oxygen. > Alloy Metallic compound consisting of a mixture of several metals.

> ANDRA ( Agence nationale pour la gestion des déchets radioactifs ) An établissement public à caractère industriel et commercial (EPIC, public industrial and commercial agency) created by French law on December 30, 1991 in charge of long-term radioactive waste management and disposal operations. It has three areas of responsibility: p an industrial mission, by which the agency provides for the management, operation and monitoring of radioactive waste disposal centers, designs and builds new centers for waste that is not acceptable in existing facilities, and defines radioactive waste packaging, acceptance and disposal specifications in accordance with nuclear safety rules; p a research mission, by which the agency participates in and contributes to research programs pertaining to the long-termmanagement of radioactive waste, in particular in cooperation with the Commissariat à l’énergie atomique et aux énergies alternatives (CEA, atomic energy commission); and p an information mission, in particular through the periodic development of a register of all radioactive waste and materials on French territory. > ARIA scale European severity scale for industrial accidents made official in 1994 by the Committee of Competent Authorities of the Member States, which implements the Seveso directive. It is based on eighteen technical parameters designed to objectively characterize the effects or consequences of accidents: each of these eighteen parameters includes six levels. The highest level determines the accident’s severity index.

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2016 AREVA REFERENCE DOCUMENT