Trusted Automation, Control Technologies and Industry Expertise for Next-Generation Reactors
As the world looks to reduce its dependence on fossil fuels and rely more on clean energy sources, nuclear energy is a proven option with the capacity to produce vastly expanded supplies of carbon-free electricity on a global scale.
More than 440 commercial nuclear power reactors operate in 30 countries, supplying 15 percent of the world’s electricity. As of 2010, there are about 65 nuclear plants under construction – including more than 25 in China, 11 in Russia, five in India and five in Korea – and hundreds more could be built by 2030.
For more than 35 years, Emerson – the world’s largest control valve and pressure instrumentation manufacturer – has supported nuclear facilities worldwide with Fisher nuclear-certified valves and associated services and Rosemount nuclear-certified pressure transmitters and accessories. Our valves and transmitters are installed in a large majority of the world’s nuclear facilities, and are supported globally by a dedicated Emerson Process Management staff with decades of cumulative nuclear industry experience.
Emerson’s Fisher control valves are designed to help maintain reactor coolant temperature and provide easier maintenance and longer service life. Fisher valves also are designed and tested to perform at high seismic loads related to earthquakes, which is critically important to helping make nuclear plants safe and reliable. Emerson performs seismic testing on its wide range of nuclear valves at the new Emerson Innovation Center, Fisher® Technology facility in Marshalltown, Iowa (USA).
Emerson’s Rosemount pressure transmitters are designed to measure and control safety- related reactor plant parameters such as reactor coolant flow, reactor level, and steam generator level to help with safe reactor operation. Rosemount transmitters are designed and tested to perform under normal operating conditions, during seismic events, and under potentially harsh environments of prolonged high temperature and radiation.
Emerson has a long-term agreement with Westinghouse Electric Company, a global leader in nuclear plant products and technologies, to provide the key control system technology for the automation of nuclear power plants that utilize the Westinghouse AP1000® design and other plant designs. The AP1000 is fast becoming the new nuclear plant technology of choice throughout the world. In the United States, the AP1000 is the selected technology for more than half of the announced plants. Emerson’s Ovation expert control technology was recently selected for four new AP1000 nuclear reactors in China.
Emerson Process Management also provides advanced machinery health monitoring designed to specifically work with the Westinghouse AP1000.
Other Emerson businesses also serve the nuclear power industry, including Emerson Industrial Automation which provides ASCO solenoid valves and Leroy-Somer generators used in nuclear power plant operations. Emerson’s ASCO nuclear-qualified valves are used primarily as pilot valves for handling oil-free instrument air and inert gas in nuclear power plants. These valves are designed to meet the most stringent environmental conditions and meet or exceed the applicable IEEE standards.
Emerson is one of the only digital automation suppliers with a complete offering of technologies, services and dedicated staff for the global nuclear industry. With interest in nuclear power generation on the rise, Emerson is applying its decades of experience and technology expertise to help ensure the efficient, reliable and safe operation of next-generation nuclear facilities around the world.
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Emerson Process Management > Power & Water Solutions
Emerson Process Management > Fisher > Nuclear Expertise
Emerson Process Management > Fisher > Nuclear Products
Emerson Process Management > Rosemount Nuclear > Nuclear Products
Emerson Process Management > Asset Optimization > Machinery Health
Emerson Industrial Automation > ASCO Valves
NEWS RELEASES
Emerson to supply key safety related Fisher® control valves to SNPEC for Sanmen 2 and Haiyang 2 nuclear power plants in China (January 27, 2011)
Emerson to supply critical safety related Fisher® control valves to Westinghouse for Sanmen and Haiyang nuclear power plants in China (August 23, 2010)
Nuclear power plant control valve experts meet at Emerson Innovation Center (August 31, 2010)
Emerson opens $30 million global innovation center (May 11, 2010)
