Dryout Heat Flux During Penetration of Water Into Solidifying Rock

A model for the dryout heat flux during penetration of water into solidifying rock is developed by combining steady-state one-dimensional phase change theory with available semiempirical equations for (i) the dry out heat flux in a porous medium and (ii) the permeability of hot rock cooled by water. The model is in good agreement with measurements made during the pouring of water onto molten magma. The implication of the model with respect to stabilizing molten-nuclear-reactor-core material by flooding from above is discussed.