Corium Experiments; Pedestal Behaviors Using Lead Part II

Following the initial published findings of our corium experiments in lead, an additional run was done. Read about the initial lead experiment here and the corium experiments in glass here.

This follow up run of the lead experiment was done using the same process as the initial one but included a new “floor”. The new lead volume was 250g. Of that about 150g fell through to the “floor” (about 60%).  A different material was used as the containment floor. On the previous experiment it was noticed that the ceramic saucer used as a floor had adhered to the lead and appeared to have acted as a heat sink. In this version a steel food container lid was used to determine if the lead would behave differently without the ceramic heat sink effect.

The lead melt on the steel lid above. A portion of the lead left the pedestal as seen in the lower section. The run off was due to the lead still being slightly liquid when the pedestal was lifted. The lead at the edge then ran under the pedestal. The lead did flow quickly when heated. It also partially solidified quickly.
  Close up of the lead that left the pedestal via the doorway. This is more than the earlier run.  
 Close up of the tea strainer partially lined with aluminum foil to hold the lead weights used in the experiment.

Lead “corium” melt underside. This version showed no adhering as was seen in the ceramic version. The new version on steel showed some considerable gas pockets on the underside but the center is mostly flat. Compared to the previous version using ceramic where there was more of a raised area in the center.

Side view of the melt mass. It appears somewhat thinner than the previous experiment. The composition of the floor and volume of the melt that fell contributed to the different outcome.

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