A study was carried out of the physical processes occurring during the manufacture of solid frozen balls from a mixture of mesitylene and meta-xylene in a ratio of 3 to 1 used in the IBR-2M cryogenic moderator. The similarity of the balls with Rupert’s drops and the presence of the reverse Leidenfrost effect during the manufacturing process are shown. Based on the results obtained, the device for the production of mesitylene ball was optimised and the concept of an automatic device with a high design productivity of ⁓ 1.3 l/h was developed.

In the course of the work, the stages of developing the technology for manufacturing methane balls and the device for their production were also identified, and options for their implementation were proposed.