Quenching of hot oxidizing surfaces

A one-dimensional time-dependent rewetting model is developed and assessed to describe the interrelated processes of conduction, convective cooling an d exothermic steam-metal reactions at the vapor zirconium-cladding interfac e during quenching of degraded fuel rods. Upstream of the quench front a co nstant heat transfer coefficient is assumed whereas a heat flux profile of general spatial shape may be prescribed downstream. The quenching velocity history and the temperature profile are computed analytically via a Green's function approach. Numerical results of the present model compare favorabl y with published experimental data. (C) 2001 Elsevier Science B.V. All righ ts reserved.