Interaction between a UO sub(2+x)-ZrO sub(2)-Fe(Cr, Ni)O sub(y) melt and a concrete based on ZrO sub(2)

The results presented below concern the process of interaction between molten oxidized corium and zirconia concrete. Experiments were performed with the use of induction melting of corium in a cold crucible. Experimental data on the ablation rate are presented. The experimental data are used to propose a simplified model for evaluating the ablation rate under the assumption that it is proportional to the degree of nonsaturation of the melt. An empirical dependence of the coefficient of proportionality on the corium temperature and the initial concentration of iron oxides in the melt is presented.