Experimental Research on Steam Condensation on Cold Surface: Facility Design

Abstract

The passive containment cooling system (PCCS) of the 3rd generation APWR utilizes natural phenomena to transfer the heat released from the reactor to the environment during postulated designed basic accidents. Steam condensation on the inner surface of the containment shell is one of the most dominate mechanism to keep the ambient conditions within the design limits. Extensive experiment and theoretical research shows condensation is a complex process, gas pressure, film temperature and velocity of the gas have impact on the heat transfer coefficient. To span the expected range of conditions and provide proper model for evaluating the condensation heat transfer process, SCOPE test facility was designed by State Nuclear Power Technology Research & Development Centre (SNPTRD) in various conditions anticipated the operating range of CAP1400 in accident conditions. Pressurized test section with a rectangular flowing channel was used, with one of the walls cooled to maintain low temperature for condensing, supplying systems was designed for different pressures, gas temperatures, velocities and coolant water temperatures. Facility components, test section structure, supplying systems and measurement technology were described in this paper, also results of some pre-tests was introduce to show property of the facility.