The INB 57 closes. Spring of a new age

The government decided to close the research center INB 57 (Basic Nuclear Installation). This action fits into a policy of denuclearization. It will be an example of dismantling. The end of the works is planed for 2010. The planning and the description of the main actions are also included, according the four following stages: installations decommissioning, cleansing, dismantling and denuclearization. Established on the Cea of Fontenay-aux-roses in France, the INB 57 activities tied up around three main research axes. The first axis was the development of studies on the irradiated fuel processing, fuel coming from EDF power plants. Facing the american process Purex, french scientist developed their own process: the wet process. The second axis concerned the radioactive wastes management. Many research as the wastes milling, the vitrification, the lixiviation or the decontamination have begun on this site. The third axis deals with the studies about the transuranium elements understanding. These radio-elements of atomic number higher than 92, does not exist in the nature. Useful applications have been found. (A.L.B.)