COMPANY NEWS
IMI’s Maxseal nuclear valves extend life of Argentinian reactor
Written By IMI Publications
October 6, 2026
IMI has supplied 31 nuclear-certified solenoid valves, based on an established design already proven in industrial applications, to extend the operating life of a nuclear reactor at a plant in Argentina.
The replacement valves were required because the original valves had become obsolete.
The plant is among the many nuclear facilities worldwide built before 1990, with around two-thirds of the global reactor fleet dating from before this time.
As these legacy plants continue to operate, components from their original designs can become outdated, with products no longer manufactured or supported, and in some cases no longer meeting the qualification and compliance requirements of today’s nuclear industry.
IMI Maxseal valves were selected to replace obsolete equipment and support the continued operation of the nuclear reactor.
At the Argentinian plant, IMI’s legacy Herion valve range needed to be replaced with a modern alternative that could meet up-to-date nuclear regulatory standards and support the long-term future and safety of the facility.
IMI’s team worked with the client’s engineers to develop a proven valve replacement solution based on IMI Maxseal technology, involving updates to polymetric and elastometric materials to meet radiation resistance standards. As a result, it was able to demonstrate the IMI Maxseal nuclear technology range’s ability to perform critical safety functions in severe nuclear environments. Extensive qualification testing provided proof of the valves’ ability to withstand seismic, vibration, radiation ageing and loss-of-coolant accidents (LOCA).
As well as the existing industrial credentials, including hazardous area certifications such as ATEX and IECEx, the Maxseal nuclear range now features certifications required for nuclear applications, including:
IEC/IEEE 60780-323:2016
IEEE 382:2019
IEC/IEEE 60980-344:2020
Marc Norris, Technical Director, Process Automation at IMI, said: “The challenges faced in Argentina are by no means unique. Across the nuclear industry, operators are seeking ways to extend the lives of existing reactors while replacing obsolete equipment meeting modern safety standards.
“By using a technology platform with a legacy of severe service performance, we were able to build on existing evidence, field experience and engineering knowledge. That meant we could provide the customer with a long-term replacement for the obsolete valves.”
IMI has an extensive legacy in the nuclear industry, having supplied valves for use in all current and planned European Pressurised Reactors (EPRs), including the forthcoming Sizewell C facility in the UK.
