5. MOX fuel fabrication

The experience accumulated since the 1960s in fuel fabrication for fast-neutron reactors or enabled the ramp-up of MOX production for pressurized water reactors. The COCA (CObroyage CAdarache) process, a direct result of this experience, was implemented in COGEMA's CFCa production line at Cadarache. It supplied the first French MOX rods, before being replaced in 1996 by the MIMAS (MIcronisation MASter blend) process, also used by COGEMA at the MELOX plant and by BELGONUCLEAIRE at Dessel. The latter process has the particular advantage of being more flexible and adaptable to the different nuclear oxide powders supplied to the manufacturer...