The PASTELS phase 1-tests conducted at the PKL test facility this week aims at collecting the first operating experience with a passive decay-heat removal system on the secondary side of a Western-type (Framatome) PWR.
The objective of the experimental activities is to collect experimental data on the heat removal capacity of the SACO in the vertical straight-tube configuration under different boundary conditions and operating states. Both PASTELS phase-1 parameter studies focus on heat transport phenomena in the SACO straight tubes and provide a database for improvement and further development of calculation models in so-called thermal-hydraulic system codes.
The overall goal of the EU-funded PASTELS project is to advance the technical readiness level (TRL) of passive safety systems for future Western-type LWR and improve methodologies and tools applied in the design and safety analysis of such systems.
