Overview of Physical and Chemical,Operational Properties of Nitrous Oxide Used as a Propellant for Low-thrust Rocket Engines

The results of a system analysis of the efficiency of nitrous oxide(N_2O) as a propellant component for small space vehicles(SSV) were presented. A criterion for mass efficiency of the SSV propulsion system(PS) is determined. The current global state-of-the-art of SSV PSs is shown. The application field of nitrous oxide in SSV PSs is calculated and mass efficiency of N_2O application is quantitatively determined. An overview of physical and chemical as well as operational properties of nitrous oxide as a promising, non-toxic component of rocket propellant is provided. Main physical and chemical constants of gaseous and liquid nitrous oxide; chemical properties of N_2O, thermal stability of N_2O, catalytic decomposition of N_2O, a mechanism of decomposition of N_2O, catalysts for decomposition of N_2O, ballast additives to N_2O, application of nitrous oxide, nitrous oxide as a rocket propellant, production of nitrous oxide, toxicity of nitrous oxide, fire hazard of N_2O, requirements to equipment when handling N_2O; storage and transportation of N_2O are considered. It is demonstrated that nitrous oxide is a chemical compound meeting the requirements to rocket propellants, including those related to the environmental friendliness of propellants. With 75 references.     

Characterizing pathological imperfections in macromolecular crystals: lattice disorders and modulations

Macromolecular crystal structure determination can be complicated or brought to a halt by crystal imperfections. These issues motivated us to write up what we affectionately call ‘The Definitive Hitchhiker’s Guide to Pathological Macromolecular Crystals: Lattice Disorders and Modulations’. Perhaps the most challenging imperfections are lattice order–disorder phenomena and positional modulations. Many of these types of crystals have been solved, and progress has been made on the more challenging forms. Diagnostic tools and how to solve many of these problem crystal structures are reviewed. New avenues are provided for approaching the solution of incommensurately modulated crystals. There are a good number of case studies in the literature of lattice order–disorder phenomena and crystallographic modulations that make it timely to write a review. This review concludes with a projected pathway for solving incommensurately modulated crystals, personal views of future directions and needs of the crystallographic community.     

Solvent Extraction of Copper from Sulfate–Chloride Solutions Using LIX 84-IC and LIX 860-IC

ABSTRACT

The effect of chloride ions on the copper extraction equilibria, the rate of extraction, copper/iron selectivity, and chloride extraction was studied for organic phases containing pure ketoxime (LIX 84-IC) and pure nonylaldoxime (LIX 860N-IC). In these systems, the used aqueous phase contained total chloride concentrations from 0 to 110 g/l. It was determined that the chloride ions in the aqueous solution had a large negative effect on the extraction equilibria for LIX 84-IC and a small effect for LIX 860N-IC. This deleterious effect is attributed to an increase in the hydrogen ion activity coefficient in the presence of chloride ions. The chloride accelerated the rate of copper extraction even though the reaction was fast in all the tested conditions. An increase in the temperature from 25°C to 35°C affected positively the extraction equilibria for LIX 84-IC.     

Effects of SiC particles codeposition and ultrasound agitation on the electrocrystallisation of nickel-based composite coatings

This study analysed the influence of the codeposition of SiC particles with different sizes: 50 nm, 500 nm and 5 μm, and the type of bath agitation (stirring or ultrasonic) on the electrocrystallisation of nickel coatings. The composites matrix microstructure was analysed by means of SEM, EBSD and XRD, to evaluate the grain size, crystal orientation, and internal stresses and was benchmarked against pure nickel samples electrodeposited in equivalent conditions. The codeposition of nano- and microsize particles with an approximate content of 0.8 and 4 vol.%, respectively, caused only a minor grain refinement and did not vary the dominant?<?100?>?crystal orientation observed in pure Ni. The internal stress was, however, increased by particles codeposition, up to 104 MPa by nanoparticles and 57 MPa by microparticles, compared to the values observed in pure nickel (41 MPa). The higher codeposition rate (11 vol.%) obtained by the addition of submicron-size particles caused a change in the grain growth from columnar to equiaxial, resulting in deposits with a fully random crystal orientation and pronounced grain refinement. The internal stress was also increased by 800% compared to pure nickel. The ultrasound (US) agitation during the deposition caused grain refinement and a selective particle inclusion prompting a decrease in the content of the particles with the larger particles. The deposits produced under US agitation showed an increase in the internal stresses, with double values compared to stirring. The increase in the deposits microhardness, from 280 HV in pure Ni to 560 HV in Ni/SiC submicron-US, was linked to the microstructural changes and particles content.

Graphical abstract

     

Formation of new functional materials and device heterostructures on the basis of nanosystems of superionic conductors

Search for conditions of conservation of fast ionic transport (FIT) in nanosystems of advanced superionic conductors (ASIC)[1-4] and synthesis of new types of device thin-film heterostructures on this basis is a fundamental scientific problem. ASICs (α-AgI, solid electrolytes of the family RbAg4I5, etc. ) are crystals with a record high level of ionic conductivity and a low value of activation energy E～0. 1 eV.     

应用泡沫浮选萃取法从排放水中回收钼

根据实验室的试验结果，推荐应用浮选萃取联合工艺从水溶液中回收Mo(Ⅵ）。这一工艺包括制取以钼酸铵形式的商品，和对所有的有机试剂作再生处理。萃取Mo(Ⅵ）的准备系统，应包括在反萃取胺和用NaOH使水溶液碱化到pH=12以后，通过添加水溶液以使煤油、壬醇和AHII捕收剂按规定的比例进行混合等作业。对在萃取器中获得的混合液进行相分离后，有机溶液可用作泡沫浮选萃取Mo(Ⅵ）的萃取剂，而水溶液则加入到原始溶液中。     

Zu Fragen der Ausbildung und Weiterbildung im österreichischen Bergbau

Training and continuous education is today for the management of a mineral producing operation more important than ever before. The focus of education today in the field of mineral producing industry has not only to be dedicated versus the needs of the industry but also versus the importance of the ever increasing need of societal acceptance of industrial operations. Therefore it is expected that graduates from mining schools not only have a good knowledge of technical and economical subjects but also a good background for the realisation of environmental and safety targets for the people at work and in the neighbourhood of an operation. A strong request to the education and training at university level is therefore not only to deliver a broad knowledge but also the formation of a basis which allows to obtain authority for functions as “safety expert”, “Mine rescuer”, “waste disposal expert” and others. In the text the contents of the BSc study program “Natural resources” are reviewed and the training and education for a “Natural Resources Manager” together with the required continuous education is discussed.