Study of the microstructure of ceramics from different producers used for protecting precious metal thermocouples

Results are provided for a study of the microstructure of ceramics from four different producers by means of a scanning electron microscope and x-ray microanalysis. Results show that ceramic specimens often do not correspond to claimed parameters. The main disadvantages are ceramic structural inhomogeneity, presence of phases of a different nature, intergranular pores and cracks, and alkali impurities. The ceramics of only one producer correspond to the main parameters for this class, and this is provided by high production technology and starting material quality. Translated from Novye Ogneupory, No. 7, pp. 31–35, July 2008.     

The FLASH instrument for water vapor measurements on board the high-altitude airplane

A fluorescent airborne stratospheric hygrometer (FLASH) for precise water vapor measurements on board a high-altitude airplane in the upper troposphere and the lower stratosphere has been developed and produced at the Central Aerological Observatory. The range of measured water vapor concentrations is 0.5–300 ppmv at altitudes of 8–21 km. The results of laboratory tests of the instrument are compared to the data of the other hygrometers. Some results of water vapor measurements on board the Geofizika M55 high-altitude airplane in different regions of the Earth are presented.     

Chemical aspects of coal metamorphism and the formation of low-molecular volatiles

The change in elementary composition of coal’s organic mass is analyzed. The state of the carbon dioxide, water and methane in coals beds of different metamorphic development is considered.     

Heats of combustion from lignite to graphite

The variation of the combustion rate in the course of fossil-fuel metamorphism from lignite to anthracite and to graphite is due to the relative rates of two opposing but interrelated processes: deoxidation, which raises the heat of combustion; and molecular transformation with increase in condensation of the organic mass, which lowers the heat of combustion.     

Fuel-element simulator for investigating thermal-hydraulic accidents in water-water reactors

Power Physics Institute, Obninsk. Translated from Atomnaya Énergiya, Vol. 73, No. 6, pp. 470-474, December, 1992.