Study on contact melting process of vertical cylindrical materials in a circular container

Abstract

In view of the reactor core melting in a severe reactor accident, the contact melting process of vertical cylindrical materials inside a circular container is investigated. The melt analysis model and governing equations are established by the contact melting theory. The dimensionless analytical expressions of melting velocity and melting height were obtained by theoretical solution. The influence of temperature difference, cylinder solid size and filling rate was discussed and analyzed. It is found that the melting velocity decreases gradually during the melting process. Before all the molten liquid submerges the solid, the buoyancy of solid increases gradually and the melting velocity decreases rapidly. After all the molten liquid submerges the solid, the buoyancy and gravity decrease at the same time, and the melting velocity changes gently. Compared with the melting of an individual solid with the same height and volume, the melting velocity of multiple cylindrical solid can be effectively accelerated.