The effect of thermal radiation on the solidification dynamics of metal oxide melt droplets

Cooling and solidification of metal oxide droplets in water are considered, using a single-particle model which takes into account heat conduction and thermal radiation transfer within the particle. It is shown that, for millimeter-size particles, near-infrared absorption of the particle's substance determines the solidification pattern and dynamics. For semi-transparent aluminum oxide particles, the rate of surface solidification is controlled by convective heat transfer. For opaque corium particles, thermal radiation from the particle surface leads to fast surface solidification. The impact of so-formed crust layer on subsequent particle fragmentation is discussed with respect to its influence on steam explosion.