Effect of temperature gradient on chemical element partitioning in corium pool during in-vessel retention

Abstract The paper presents some results of the ISTC (International Science and Technology Center)-financed project 'Investigation of Corium Melt Interaction with NPP Reactor Vessel Steel' (METCOR). In the METCOR experiments the metallic phase of a two-liquid system was produced by the interaction between hot suboxidized corium and cooled VVER vessel steel, with the steel being corroded. Models of corrosion mechanisms in the considered conditions are used to systematize data on the limiting temperature of corrosion/(dissolution) of the vessel steel. A considerable influence of thermal gradient conditions is shown, which has to be taken into account in the analysis of molten pool behaviour.