Vogtle units 3 and 4 will be the first new nuclear reactors built in the U.S. in over 25 years. Engineering and construction activities are underway, with plans to begin commercial operation of Unit 3 in 2016 and Unit 4 in 2017.
Emerson’s Fisher control valves covered by the purchase orders are identical to those selected for the first four AP1000 nuclear power plants being built in China.
As part of the AP1000 plants’ passive residual heat removal system, the valves will help achieve proper plant cooling during shutdown. Emerson developed a specially modified ball valve that fits in the limited space available while meeting three key requirements: highly efficient flow during shutdown to provide cooling through a natural convection process without the assistance of the reactor coolant pump; tight shut-off when the plant is in operation to maintain efficiency; and accurate throttling control for all flowing conditions. Extensive testing demonstrated to Westinghouse that the new valve design could meet all specified flow requirements.
