THAI Database for Validation of LWR Containment Safety Analyses Codes

The present paper provides a synthesis of selected experimental database from national and international (OECD/NEA) THAI projects focused on containment safety of LWRs. Since 2000, more than 200 experiments have been conducted in 60 m3 THAI and 80 m3 THAI+ (extension of THAI in 2015) covering various aspects of containment safety, like thermal-hydraulics, water hydrodynamics, hydrogen risk and fission products distribution behaviour. THAI experimental research also covers investigations related to performance behaviour of mitigation systems employed in light water reactor containments, e.g. BWR suppression pool, passive autocatalytic recombiner, spray. The experimental database facilitating phenomenological insights as well as assessment and validation of safety analyses codes towards mitigation, and management of severe accidents is highlighted with emphases on the employed boundary conditions. Finally, re-orientation of THAI experimental research in the frame of future National THAI and OECD/NEA THEMIS follow-up projects is briefly discussed with emphasis on passive safety systems related investigations including those relevant for water cooled SMRs.