Computational and Experimental Studies of Mixing of a Light Gas in the ERCOSAM–SAMARA Projects

Severe accidents in NPP with VVER can be accompanied by hydrogen entering the containment space. The aim of the present work is an experimental and computational study of the possibility of hydrogen stratification in the containment in a scenario replicating the sequence of events occurring during a severe accident with hydrogen emission in a light-water reactor taking account of the impact of accident control on the distribution of a light gas. Euratom and the government corporation Rosatom performed the studies as part of two parallel projects – ERCOSAM and SAMARA. The experimental studies show that heat exchangers aand recombiners do bring about complete mixing of the light gas; a sprinkler system affords mixing of the stratified layer. The experimental studies confirm the results of numerical modeling.