Physical modelling of the motion of a liquid metal melt along the surface of a heated rod

Pavel D Lobanov,Ilya A Klimonov,Ivan G Kudashov,Vladimir I Chukhno,Anton A Butov,Eduard V Usov,Nikolay A Pribaturin,Alexander E Kutlimetov,Alexander I Svetonosov,D.M Markovich,P.A Kuibin,M.A Vorobyev

doi:10.1051/epjconf/201919600009

Abstract

The investigation of the melt flow of a liquid metal along the surface of a heated rod is carried up. In the experiments, the metal from the upper volume was drained over the surface of a quartz tube, heated from the inside. This pipe is used to simulate a fuel column. A high-speed video of the process was produced. Data are obtained on the features of the flow of a metal melt. The stages of formation of droplets are shown. The data on the shape and velocity of the droplet movement are given. It is shown that in the air atmosphere around the test section when the first drop passes on the surface of quartz, a trace is formed, along which the metal moves in the future. Direct and curvilinear rivulet flows on the rod's surface are also observed.

Highlights

One of the most serious accidents in the operation of nuclear power plants is the melting of the claddings of fuel elements with the subsequent release of radioactive substances into the environment
The purpose of the present paper is a physical modeling of the motion of a liquid metal melt along the surface of a heated rod
The lead bismuth eutectic alloy melt was used as the model of melting fuel cladding

Summary

Introduction

One of the most serious accidents in the operation of nuclear power plants is the melting of the claddings of fuel elements with the subsequent release of radioactive substances into the environment. Full-scale experiments of the destruction and melting of the fuel pin's cladding are extremely difficult and very expensive. In such conditions it is extremely difficult to obtain data about the process in real time. Experiments are carried out recently using low-melting metals and model substrates [1,2,3]. Papers have appeared in which low-melting metals are used to simulate the interaction of the melt of a reactor core with a pool filled with water. The purpose of the present paper is a physical modeling of the motion of a liquid metal melt along the surface of a heated rod. The lead bismuth eutectic alloy melt was used as the model of melting fuel cladding

Objectives

Methods

Results

Conclusion