CAREM. Annex 14

In order to assess the CAREM primary circuit numerical modelling a High Pressure Natural Circulation Rig (CAPCN) was built in the decade of the 90s. The CAPCN resembles CAREM in the primary loop and steam generators, while the secondary loop is designed just to produce adequate boundary conditions for the heat exchanger. The CAPCN rig reproduces most of the dynamics phenomena of the RCCS, except for 3-D effects. Several tests were performed covering thermal hydraulics, reactor control and operating techniques around the nominal operational point. Indicative values of the main variables corresponding to the CAPCN operation at full power are shown. Most of the tests performed consisted of an initial self-steady state in which a pulse-wise perturbation induced a transient. In this case the perturbation is a thermal unbalance as severe as possible for operational transients. The following test groups were performed: - Preliminary tests to characterize components and equipment; - Thermal balance test, instrumentation calibration and evaluation of their accuracy; - Dynamic test around the operational nominal point without control: thermo-hydraulic response evaluation; - Dynamic test with the control loops (power pressure); - Dynamic test at low pressure and temperature