Melting and relocation behavior of metal and force balance analysis of metallic droplet

In this paper, the heating, melting and relocation behavior of zinc was carried out based on the MEREA (Metal mElting and RElocation progression Apparatus) facility. Metal melt tests with different axial power distributions were conducted. The visualizing data, temperature profiles and parameters of the relocation process were obtained. As the temperature rises, the metal melted and relocated downward. The melt solidified in lower colder parts and formed melt accumulations. The increasing volume of accumulations causes some bulges on the metal surface and further cracks. Then melt flowed out through the cracks and aggregated into some metallic droplets. As the droplet volume increases, it relocated downward as a rivulet driven by gravity. Besides, some droplets might depart at the surface and fall into the lower head in an approximately free fall. The onset of melt droplet motion (slip or departure) was analyzed based on the force balance method. Some important model parameters and criteria of the droplet motion were also obtained based on the MEREA experimental data. The results of this research can provide a better understanding of the relocation behavior of metal and offer references for model development and verification.