Evaluating the KELPO-based utilisation of serially manufactured valves in nuclear power plants : technical, procedural and economic considerations from a supplier’s perspective

Abstract

In 2018, the Finnish nuclear operators launched the KELPO project to develop national licensing and qualification practices, with one key objective being to enable the use of serially manufactured standard valves in nuclear facilities. In 2020, requirements for approving such equipment were incorporated into STUK’s YVL guides. At the same time, a declining number of manufacturers and suppliers has led to rising costs and longer lead times for nuclear-classified equipment, even though strict nuclear-specific requirements do not necessarily improve product quality, and the serial valve industry has already demonstrated the ability to meet quality and reliability standards in conventional applications. The use of serially manufactured standard valves, therefore, offers operators a means to mitigate the economic impacts of ageing plants and equipment.

Thesis explores how the KELPO approach can be implemented from the manufacturer’s perspective and how its principles can be translated into practical procedures for all parties, from suppliers to nuclear power plant operators. By describing the challenges and process steps for both nuclear-classified valves and KELPO valves on the manufacturer side, the work guides organizations representing the manufacturer and its products at the customer interface. The suggested improvements in cooperation with business partners promote harmonized and efficient methods for handling requests and technical details, leading to clearer communication among operators, partners, and manufacturers, and enabling the systematic use of KELPO-compliant serial valves in nuclear projects.