Phase transition of ionic salts and nuclear reactor radiation field

Abstract

The behaviour of HgI 2 electrical conductivity curve at melting temperature was studied in the core of light water reactor. The melting point was found to be shifted regularly by the heat production - 0.3 centigrade per MW. The solidification point was not behaving that regularly and some of factors controlling this process, like the degree of overheating after melting, are discussed. The slope of the jump part of the conductivity curve is not influenced by the core radiation.