L’Associazione Italiana Pressure Equipment (AIPE) è orgogliosa di annunciare la costituzione del gruppo di lavoro internazionale italiano IIWG III, Italian International Working Group III dedicato al Nucleare – Sezione III del codice ASME (American Society of Mechanical Engineers).
The new IIWG III is aimed at stakeholders, nuclear supply chain organizations, expert technicians operating in the nuclear sector in the design and production of components for new generation nuclear plants, Small Modular Reactors (SMR) and Generation IV reactors that refer to the ASME Code, to contribute to the sharing of experiences and the continuous improvement of the Codes.
This initiative represents a significant step for the Italian nuclear industry, promoting innovation, safety and competitiveness at an international level.
The divisions of Section III Nuclear of the ASME Code are:
- Division 1: Requirements for components, supports and main support structures of Class 1, 2, 3 and MC (III Generation Reactors and SMRs)
- Division 2: Code for reinforced concrete components
- Division 3: Containment systems and transport packaging
- Division 4: Fusion energy devices
- Division 5: High temperature reactors (IV Generation Reactors and Advanced Small Modular Reactors).
This initiative develops following the Memorandum of Understanding signed in 2021 between AIPE and ASME, and pursues the following objectives:
- Promotion of technical excellence: through collaboration and the exchange of
knowledge between experts in the sector, the working groups aim to maintain and
improve the technical and safety standards of Italian
nuclear plants. - RegulatoryDevelopment: the working groups will provide important support in the development
of ASME standards, facilitating the certification process and improving
international competitiveness. - Training and Professional Development: The initiative will provide training and professional development opportunities for engineers and technicians, strengthening the skills and knowledge needed to work in the nuclear sector.
- “The establishment of the new Italian working group IIWG III for Section III of the ASME represents an important milestone for the nuclear industry of our country, as it will contribute to strengthening Italy's position in the global energy panorama, especially in view of recent developments in the energy transition in Europe. Particular attention will be paid to Small and Micro Modular Reactors, latest generation reactors, smaller, more efficient and safer than older generation reactors. The context and the calculation codes in a sector undergoing technological evolution are an essential component of their feasibility and safety.”, declared Paolo Fedeli, President of AIPE.
Da diversi anni AIPE partecipa attivamente, tramite le proprie aziende associate, ai lavori dei Working Group italiani delle sezioni V (Controlli Non Distruttivi), VIII (Recipienti a Pressione) e IX (Saldatura, Brasatura e Fusione), per i quali ha anche messo a disposizione una segreteria.
“L’istituzione del nuovo gruppo di lavoro italiano IIWG III per la Sezione III dell’ASME rappresenta un traguardo importante per l’industria nucleare del nostro paese, poiché contribuirà a rafforzare la posizione dell’Italia nel panorama energetico globale, soprattutto in vista dei recenti sviluppi nella transizione energetica in Europa. Verrà dedicata particolare attenzione agli Small e Micro Modular Reactors, reattori di ultima generazione, più piccoli, performanti e sicuri rispetto ai reattori di vecchia generazione. Il contesto ed I codici di calcolo in un settore in via di evoluzione tecnologica sono una componente essenziale della loro fattibilità e sicurezza.“, ha dichiarato Paolo Fedeli, Presidente di AIPE.
Giancarlo Gobbi, ASME Liaison per l’Europa: “In Italia sono 20 le realtà certificate ASME Sezione III, di cui 5 per la produzione di componenti (Manufacturers) e 15 per i materiali (Material Manufcaturers) . Le aziende italiane certificate da ASME che operano ormai da anni nel settore nucleare globale, sono al primo posto tra le aziende certificate da ASME in Europa. Il nuovo gruppo di lavoro IIWG III nasce dalla necessità dell’industria italiana di condividere le proprie esperienze, per facilitare la comprensione e il continuo miglioramento del Codice. Siamo certi che AIPE, l’associazione più rappresentativa del settore, giocherà un ruolo fondamentale nell’avvio del nuovo gruppo di lavoro“.
Information on the ASME Italian working groups – Italian International Working Group (IIWG): The ASME working groups bring together the best Italian experts in Pressure Equipment to share experiences and propose revisions to the ASME Code. Currently in our country there are three active working groups related to Section V, IIWG V (Non-Destructive Testing), Section VIII, IIWG VIII (Rules for the construction of pressure equipment) and Section IX, IIWG IX (Qualifications for welding, brazing and melting).
The most common form of membership is that of Member, which involves full participation in the development of standards and voting on all committee actions, with the obligation of attendance. A second, less binding form of membership is that of Contributing Member, where attendance at meetings is encouraged but not mandatory.