Results from experiments in the PANDA Facility of PSI: Building condenser tests

The ALPHA project, which was initiated at PSI in 1991, is aimed at the investigation of safety characteristics of passive containment cooling systems and is presented in some detail. After the description of the main project goals, the envisaged project environments, and the identification of the main thermal-hydraulic containment phenomena, the large-scale containment facility PANDA with its modular structure is introduced. Based on a review of all projects performed in the PANDA facility till now, the main experiences and results of the various investigations are summarised. A detailed description of the Building Condenser system simulation in the integral test facility PANDA is given, related to the investigation of the passive containment cooling system of the SWR 1000. Together with the main objectives of the investigation, and the test matrix, some specific experimental results, the main findings and conclusions from the experimental investigation are presented. Finally, open questions and related possible future projects, are identified. (orig.)