Composition, Structure, and Thermal Expansion of Ca3Fe4S3O6 and CaFeSO

The iron calcium oxysulfides Ca₃Fe₄S₃O₆ and CaFeSO are synthesized by reacting mixtures of CaO and FeS in an inert atmosphere. Their elemental compositions and lattice parameters are determined by x-ray microanalysis and x-ray diffraction. From the temperature-dependent lattice parameters of the oxysulfides (measured up to 1020 K), their thermal expansion coefficients are evaluated.     

Effect of sodium carbonate on the oxidation of sublimates during niobium electron-beam remelting

The effect of sodium carbonate additions on phase formation during the air oxidation of the sublimates of niobium electron-beam remelting is studied by derivatography, X-ray diffraction analysis, and electron-probe microanalysis. The composition of the oxidation products changes with the heating temperature. The formation of sodium niobates and aluminates is detected by X-ray diffraction analysis at temperatures higher than 600°C. The oxidation of the sublimates is completed by the formation of sodium metaniobate and aluminate. Sodium carbonate additions are shown to accelerate the oxidation of the sublimates.     

Effect of the cooling rate on the phase composition and structure of copper matte converting slags

The effect of the cooling rate on the phase composition and microstructure of copper matte converting slags is studied by X-ray diffraction, combined thermogravimetry and calorimetry, mineragraphy, and electron-probe microanalysis. The compositions of oxide and sulfide phases are determined, and the forms of nonferrous metals in slags cooled at a rate of 0.3 and 900°C/s are revealed. At high cooling rates of the slags, iron silicate glass is shown to form apart from sulfide phases. Repeated heating of the slags leads to the development of devitrification, “cold” crystallization, and melting. A decrease in the cooling rate favors an increase in the grain sizes in oxides (magnetite, iron silicates) and sulfides (bornite-, sphalerite, and galena-based solid solutions).     

Hydrocracking of vegetable oil on boron-containing catalysts: Effect of the nature and content of a hydrogenation component

Catalysts based on metals (Pt, Pd) and metal oxides (NiO, Co₃O₄, MoO₃, WO₃), supported on the surface of borate-containing aluminum oxide (B₂O₃–Al₂O₃), in the hydrocracking of sunflower oil at a temperature of 400°C, a pressure 4.0 MPa and a mass hourly space velocity MHSV 5.0 h^–1 are compared. H₂ TPR and IR spectroscopy of adsorbed CO and ESDR show that the hydrogenation catalyst components are Pt⁰ and Pd⁰, a mixture of Ni²⁺ + Ni⁰, Co²⁺ + Co⁰, or a mixture of the highest and partially reduced oxides of Mo and W. It is established that catalysts containing Pt, Pd, NiO and Co₃O₄, ensure complete oil hydrodeoxygenation. The main oxygen removal reactions in Ptand Pd-systems are decarboxylation and hydrodecarbonylation. For catalysts with NiO and Co₃O₄, characteristic reactions are reduction and methanation. The highest yield of the diesel fraction was obtained on Pt/B₂O₃-Al₂O₃ catalysts with metal contents of 0.3–1.0 wt %. Along with n-alkanes, the diesel fractions obtained on these catalysts include cycloalkanes and iso-alkanes (up to around 40 wt %) and aromatic hydrocarbons present in trace amounts. Hydrocracking on the Pt system at 400°C for 20 h with MHSV of 1.0 h^–1 produces a diesel fraction with a yield of at least 82.0 wt % and the content of iso-alkanes at least 76.1 wt %.     

“Selective” Hydrotreating of Catalytic Naphtha Cuts

To ensure a sulfur content on the level of 0.05–0.10 wt. % in catalytic naphthas, hydrotreating technology has been developed for hydrogenating primarily sulfur compounds and diolefin hydrocarbons. Monoolefinic hydrocarbons are converted to an insignificant degree, which preserves the high octane number of the naphtha obtained. The process is conducted at a pressure of 2–3 MPa, temperature of 250–350°C, and feedstock space velocity of 5–10 h^–1. The possibility of selective hydrotreating of mixed catalytic and thermal naphthas was demonstrated. The technology has been industrially tested with positive results.     

MASHA separator on the heavy ion beam for determining masses and nuclear physical properties of isotopes of heavy and superheavy elements

The MASHA mass spectrometer designed for identifying superheavy elements by their masses is described. The separation efficiency has been measured in the autonomous mode using four calibrated leakages of noble gases. The total separation efficiency of the mass spectrometer with a hot catcher and an ion source based on the electron cyclotron resonance has been determined using the ⁴⁰Ar beam. Test experiments have been carried out, in which α-active Hg isotopes produced in complete fusion reaction ⁴⁰Ar + ¹⁴⁴Sm → ^{184 ? xn} Hg + xn, have been detected in the focal plane of the mass spectrometer. The separation time and efficiency have been determined for short-lived Hg isotopes.     

Thermal Expansion of Troilite and Pyrrhotine in Helium and Air

High-temperature x-ray diffraction is used to determine the lattice parameters of synthetic troilite (sealed-ampule method) and pyrrhotine prepared via thermal dissociation of natural pyrite. The results are presented in the form of best fit polynomials in temperature. The gaseous environment (helium or air) is found to have a significant effect on the temperature variation of the lattice parameters.