Nuclear power plants are one of the most efficient generators of electricity. Without them, our world would look quite different from how it looks now, and our lives would be altered significantly.
However, nuclear power can not be generated without significant risks. It is imperative that the equipment in these plants can function properly in highly volatile conditions where power surges, high radiation, and fluctuating temperatures contribute to swift aging and degradation. Without proper nuclear quality assurance, small problems can turn into major disasters.
Obsolete Machinery
A study done by Scientech in 2004 on equipment obsolescence revealed that an average of 27% of equipment in aging nuclear power plants was obsolete which means that they are no longer supported by the original manufacturer. This lack of support raises serious problems for power plants that can not afford to refit their entire system.
Fortunately, manufacturers such as R.A. Hiller are aware of the problem and are taking steps to help refit aging and obsolete nuclear power plant equipment.
New, IEEE Certified Nuclear Equipment
Hiller spent over a year of research and development designing the Pneumatic and Hydraulic Rotary Actuators. They are the only models qualified by test to IEEE 323, IEEE 382 and IEEE 344 - safety as defined by those IEEE codes, for cyclic aging, thermal aging, radiation, vibration and designbase events.
The new Rotary Actuator models are specifically engineered not only to withstand the severe conditions to which they are subjected daily, but also to fit into the very spaces occupied by their most common predecessors:
This spatial consideration along with the fact that the Rotary Actuators can be mounted in any orientation, saves nuclear power plants thousands of dollars in equipment redesign and refitting costs.
The Actuators are available to 400 psig operating pressures providing the highest torque density of any Rotary Actuator. And of course, they meet and exceed both seismic and environmental qualifications for nuclear power plant equipment severe duty applications.
Hiller also offers a wide variety of Hydraulic Linear Actuators as well as their pneumatic and electric counterparts.
Hiller has not limited itself to innovating new nuclear power plant parts. Acknowledging the constant shortage of spare parts for aging machinery, Hiller keeps thousands of factory replacement parts in stock.
As experts in their field they are often called upon to provide nuclear plant maintenance and spare part installation.
