Recently revisited TH issues and associated R&D A French perspective

Abstract

This paper presents an overview of some recent evolutions in the field of thermal-hydraulics (TH) within nuclear safety studies in France, therefore restricted to Pressurized Water Reactors (PWR) design, from the perspective of the French Technical Support Organization IRSN (Institut de Radioprotection et de Sûreté Nucléaire). These evolutions can concern either the hypothetical accident scenario (recently raised questions, modified rulemaking, new methodology) or the development of recent sources of knowledge (experimental programs, advanced numerical simulation tools).