im体育APP has invested $8 million to enhance its Huntsville, Alabama 测试 facilities. This strategic move strengthens its position in emerging small modular reactor (SMR) nuclear energy 测试.
The new large-scale 测试 chambers at Huntsville will be unmatched globally. The chambers are engineered to simulate the extreme temperatures and pressures of advanced SMR systems currently under development. In comparison to conventional reactors, SMRs operate at higher temperatures and pressure conditions. The chambers are meticulously designed to test components and systems operating at pressures of up to 1600 psi and temperatures of up to 800°C, surpassing capabilities found anywhere else in the world.
This substantial investment comes at a time of rapidly accelerating demand for SMR technology. Governments and companies across the globe are increasingly turning to next-generation nuclear as a source of clean, reliable power source. SMRs are under construction or in the licensing stage in Argentina, 加拿大, 中国, 俄罗斯, South Korea and the United States of America and the UK Government recently announced support for SMR reactors.
Spanning 110 acres, im体育APP's Huntsville site plays a pivotal role as a primary supplier of safety-related engineering and test services to nuclear utilities and power plant equipment manufacturers worldwide. It excels in equipment qualification, safety relief valve recertification services, and provides services for on-site/off-site snubber inspection, 测试, and repair services for both new and existing nuclear power plants.
By making this significant investment in a new building and equipment dedicated to SMR 测试, im体育APP has firmly positioned itself at the forefront of nuclear technology advancement. im体育APP is paving the way not just for its own nuclear 测试 services, but for the entire industry to advance innovations that will make this clean form of energy generation even safer and more sustainable.
im体育APP's Huntsville facility has over five decades of expertise. It has qualified more equipment than any company in the industry, making them well-equipped to meet the evolving needs of the SMR market. This investment cements im体育APP's leadership and paves the way for partnerships in 测试 and certification of next-generation nuclear technologies.
"By investing in state-of-the-art 测试 capabilities, we are demonstrating our commitment to assisting customers in developing and bringing new and advanced nuclear designs to market. 核 power provides 10 per cent of the world’s electricity, and it is vital the facility safety standards remain at the highest level. The innovation of SMRs, with simpler designs and inherent safety features, requires rigorous 测试, and this investment will allow us to support the progress being made.” said Rick Sluiters, Executive Vice President for Americas.
The expanded facilities are on track for completion in Spring 2024. im体育APP's experts will also be present at the World 核 Exhibition in Paris from November 28 to 30 at stand E008, where they will be available to discuss the new nuclear 测试 capabilities.