Natural circulation phenomena and modelling for advanced water cooled reactors

Based on an IAEA coordinated research project focused on the use of passive safety systems and natural circulation to help meet the safety and economic goals of advanced nuclear power plants, this publication includes the identification and definition of the thermo-hydraulic phenomena that affect the reliability of passive safety systems, characterization of each phenomenon, integral tests to examine the passive systems and natural circulation, and a methodology for examining passive system reliability.