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Home > Markets > Power > Market Update: Nuclear Power
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Market Update: Nuclear Power
Flexibility, collaboration key in market evolution
According to the American Society of Mechanical Engineers (ASME), by 2010 the Asian region alone will demand 5,000 billion kWh (18 000 billion MJ) of energy each year. And with growing concerns on the continued use of coal and a focus on developing clean energy generation technology, it is no surprise that nuclear market activity is growing worldwide.
Europe and Asia lead in the construction of proposed nuclear power reactors, some of which are planned to be the latest Gen III reactor designs. As of December 2006, the World Nuclear Association had documented 220 planned or proposed reactors to be built by nations globally.
In addition to surges in construction of new nuclear power plants there is also significant replacement activity. Many original nuclear power plants are approaching the end of their licensing agreements, and are seeking 20-year operating license extensions from nuclear oversight bodies such as the Nuclear Regulatory Commission (NRC). And through planned outages, many facilities are updating their equipment and technology.
Because the nuclear market is one of the most highly regulated industries, suppliers are constantly challenged to interpret nuclear standards, customer requirements, and regional regulations. Swagelok focuses on being flexible and adaptable to the unique needs of this industry. According to Tony Laurinaitis, power market manager, Swagelok Company’s culture and business processes that are focused on delivering high-quality products and services makes it a natural fit in meeting the strict requirements in this industry.
“In order to serve both new construction and replacement projects, we are concentrating on supplying a comprehensive product solution for fluid technology systems,” said Laurinaitis. “Not only can we now provide a wide selection of nuclear grade products for the regulated portion of the plant, but we can also provide valued service by working with customers to update and fine-tune the vast number of technical specifications that are associated with this industry. This is a valued service as the nuclear industry is experiencing a significant workforce shortage due to retirement of experienced and knowledgeable technical staff.”
This collaborative approach has resulted in the award of three major nuclear projects to Swagelok in the last calendar year, located in Asia, Europe, and North America. Each will demand a high level of cooperation between Swagelok and customers to understand and meet specific project requirements.
Code-Compliant Products
Historically, Swagelok has supplied the nuclear market at several levels, growing its product offering from fittings to valves and other fluid system components. Today, customers can access both nuclear grade products for the regulated portion of the plant, and off-the-shelf products to meet general needs.
Swagelok holds N and NPT certifications from the ASME, with qualifying products often referred to as “N-Stamp” products, and also has capability in meeting the French code, RCC-M. N-Stamp products available from Swagelok include:
- Bellows-sealed valves
- Manifold valves
- Bellows-sealed manifolds
- Needle valves
- Check valves
- Ball valves
- Fittings
- Tubing and piping
“Beyond meeting customer and code requirements, many products also provide the ability to significantly reduce installation costs,” said Laurinaitis. “For example, a Swagelok ¼ in. U series bellow-sealed valve with the similar flow and pressure characteristics to a typical ¼ in. process type valve provides a much smaller footprint at a significantly reduced weight. This reduction in product size and weight can provide a significant time savings in installation since heavier and larger components require more structural support hardware to meet seismic requirements.”
Commercial Grade Dedication
In addition to nuclear code compliant products, Swagelok is developing a commercial grade dedication process in 2008. Commercial grade dedication is an alternative process developed by the Electric Power Research Institute (EPRI) and approved by the NRC that establishes guidelines for the use of off-the-shelf commercial grade products.
As a supplier of commercial grade dedicated products, Swagelok can be more flexible in offering products for replacement projects and broaden customer access to high-quality products. Swagelok 60 series ball valves, bellows-sealed manifolds, tubing, and piping are being evaluated for this process.
“Commercial grade dedication is another way Swagelok is increasing our product offerings to the nuclear market,” said Laurinaitis. “We hope we can better serve the broadening market segment.”
For more information on how Swagelok serves the power market, visit the Power market page on the swagelok.com® Web site.
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Severe-Service Union-Bonnet Needle and Instrumentation Blowdown Valves
Swagelok® needle valves with union-bonnet construction are available in a variety of materials, with working pressures up to 10 000 psig (689 bar) and temperatures up to 1200°F (648°C). 
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