Development of technologies on innovative-simplified nuclear power plant using high-efficiency steam injectors (1) demonstration test of SI core coolant passive injection system

We are developing technology for 'Innovative Simplified Nuclear Power Plants' in order to further improve the economy and safety of nuclear power plants. Our technology development aims to significantly simplify equipment and reduce physical quantities by applying 'High-Efficiency Steam Injectors (SI)', which are applicable to a wide range of operation regimes beyond the performance and applicable range of existing steam injectors and enables unprecedented multistage and parallel operation, to the low-pressure feedwater heaters and Emergency Core Cooling Systems of nuclear power plants, as well as achieve high inherent safety to prevent severe accidents by keeping the core covered with water (a Severe Accident-Free Concept). This report describes the test to demonstrate the visualization of water injection into the core by a Low-Pressure Steam Injector, with an aim to validate the capability of a Steam Injector-driven Core Coolant Passive Injection System to keep the core covered with water. This research project is carried out by Tokyo Electric Power Company, Toshiba Corporation, and six Universities in Japan, funded from the Institute of Applied Energy of Japan as the national public research-funded program. (authors)