Emerson Extends FIELDVUE^® Digital Valve Controller Capabilities to Nuclear Safety Related Applications 

FIELDVUE^® DVC6000 now validated for critical nuclear valve applications

MARSHALLTOWN, IOWA  (June 1, 2006) -- Emerson Process Management announces the availability of Fisher^® FIELDVUE^® digital valve controllers for highly critical valve applications within nuclear power generating facilities.

To qualify for critical nuclear valve applications, the Fisher FIELDVUE valve controllers achieved “commercially-dedicated status through a testing and dedication process, conducted in accordance with the industry-sponsored Electric Power Research Institute (EPRI) guidelines.  This process validates the use of commercial grade digital equipment for safety-related applications. The EPRI digital component evaluation process is defined in the publication, “Guideline on Evaluation and Acceptance of Commercial Grade Digital Equipment for Nuclear Safety Applications, TR-106439”. The guideline is endorsed in the Nuclear Regulatory Commission’s Standard Review Plan NUREG-0800.

The FIELDVUE DVC6000 instrument was tested to more than 11,000 rads total integrated dose – and includes an extreme-temperature elastomer package. The DVC6000 may be mounted directly on the valve, or its electronic and pneumatic module may be remote-mounted at distances of up to 300 feet, enabling the customer to move the more sensitive components to a safer location, helping to avoid any impact on operation due to temperature, radiation and vibration on the valve.  

FIELDVUE instrument technology is proven in the over one-half million units sold worldwide.  The DVC6000 provides highly accurate valve positioning as well as high-speed, stable valve response. For nuclear use, it incorporates the top-tier, performance diagnostic capability that analyzes valve and instrument operation while the valve remains in service.  These diagnostics help avoid unplanned shutdowns, eliminate unnecessary maintenance work, keep technicians out of harm’s way and provide an accurate picture of valve performance.

Fisher FIELDVUE digital valve controllers are HART communicating, microprocessor-based, current-to-pneumatic instruments. They can be installed and commissioned in a fraction of the time required by their analog predecessors, and their fewer moving parts mean increased reliability. The FIELDVUE DVC6000 in combination with AMS^™ ValveLink^® software powers the Emerson PlantWeb^® digital plant architecture by monitoring device health and predicting emerging operating problems.

The innovative FIELDVUE instruments are a key component that powers Emerson PlantWeb^® digital plant architecture to proven savings of more than 30 percent of project costs, and greater than 2 percent operations savings, including benefits of predictive valve maintenance.

For additional information on the FIELDVUE digital valve controller contact an Emerson Process Management sales office and request brochure part no. D351331X012. 

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