Long Term Passive Core Cooling Tests

The Oregon State University work was conducted in a brand new facility. The tests went so well that work planned for several months was completed in just six weeks, with the last test performed in August, 1994. The Oregon State testing focused on 30 small-break loss-of-coolant accidents (LOCAs). Using a one-quarter scaled model that replicates the AP600, the tests simulated the transition from LOCA events into long-term cooling, relying on coolant injected from the passive safety systems. The tests validated computer codes, proving that the AP600 core will be adequately cooled at all times.