TPi January 2020

Business & market news

Nuclear reactor business remains lucrative for international valve manufacturers

Framatome is involved in the construc- tion of numerous facilities across the world including some in Europe and even two new blocks at the Hinkley Point location in the UK. Manufacturing company is Sempell is supplying eight damped check valves (main feedwater damped check valves – MFDCV). Its design was developed to prevent pressure surges which can result from double pipe breaks in the feedwater pipes in the nuclear power plant. In 2021 Sempell will also supply six pressuriser safety relief valves (PSRV) for Blocks 1 and 2 at Hinkley Point C. Although these two new blocks are emerging in the UK, “the idea of an atomic energy renaissance in Europe is far removed.” Innovations in the fields of valves and pumps will be presented at Valveworld Expo from 1 to 3 December 2020 in halls 1, 3 and 4 at the Düsseldorf Fairgrounds in Germany. Valveworld Expo www.valveworldexpo.com Sempell www.sempell.com

Due to the Fukushima Daiichi nuclear disaster in 2011 and the rise in renewable energy, some countries are dubious about nuclear energy and some experts are not sure if the construction of new nuclear facilities will prevail in the long run. Nuclear technology is expensive and there is now a cheaper alternative in the form of renewable energy. However, for the foreseeable future, nuclear power plants will be on the rise, especially in Asia, according to the organisers of Valveworld Expo. This claim is supported by figures from the International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA) which says there are currently 450 nuclear power plants in operation in 31 countries and the IAEA expects an increase in capacity of more than 1.9 per cent by 2030. “Europe is reticent about building new facilities; however, Poland will soon start using nuclear technology in several power plants. According to the World Nuclear Association, 164 nuclear power plants are already under construction worldwide and another 350 are planned,” said a spokesperson for Valveworld Expo. Suppliers of valves for nuclear reactors are following the developments of

the nuclear energy sector closely, as nuclear plants have a great need for valves. Dr Tomas Hahn, member of Framatome GmbH’s management committee and responsible for clients, politics and innovation, said: “In one nuclear power plant there are around 20,000 valves, of which around a third are large valves, so in practically every area of the plant.” Many different types of valves are used in nuclear plants and Valveworld Expo added: “The demands on them are high, but they differ according to their purpose. Safety valves are of paramount importance.” Of those nuclear plants currently being built, French nuclear reactor business

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TUBE PRODUCTS INTERNATIONAL January 2020

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