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1

Studies on magnetron-sputtered zirconium-silicide coatings deposited on zirconium alloy for the enhancement of their high-temperature oxidation resistance

Starosta W., Semina V. K., Smolik J., Waliś L., Rydzewski M., Sartowska B.

Nukleonika

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2018

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Vol. 63, No. 3

73--79

EN

Zirconium alloys used widely in nuclear industry as fuel claddings are prone to violent oxidation in water steam atmosphere in the case of loss of coolant accident (LOCA). Accompanying generation of large quantities of heat and explosive gaseous hydrogen may lead to destruction of nuclear core. As the safety of nuclear installations is of primary importance, intensive research works are conducted on the development of so-called accident tolerant fuels much less prone to oxidation. In this paper, the application of external zirconium-silicide coatings deposited by magnetron sputtering is proposed. The preliminary results of their synthesis and studies of air oxidation properties at elevated temperatures are presented.

2

Burnishing treatment of the faying surface of the pipe flange

Starosta W.

Journal of KONES

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2017

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Vol. 24, No. 4

297--303

EN

On ships for connecting pipes in seawater installations, fire and other installations and for joining pipes to fittings or receivers, flange-type couplings are often used. It is important to ensure tightness between pipe flanges (ASME). If the system pressure does not exceed 1.6 MPa, “open” flange packing using flat gasket rings is used. Rubber, textolite, polyvinyl chloride or metals and alloys with good plastic properties (e.g. aluminum, copper, Monel alloy, Armco iron) can be used as a sealant material (depending on pressure in installation). The tightness of the joint determines the quality (geometric structure) of the surface of the flange at the contact point with the gasket. Reduced roughness ensures even distribution of surface mounting pressures on flange joint gasket. This article deals with the assessment of the use of burnishing as a finishing treatment for flange faces and the selection of rolling parameters. Samples used for the tests were made of S235J2 carbon steel. Burnishing treatment was done with the SKUV20 tool. The working element of the tool was in the shape of a roller. Burning was performed using the following parameters: the burnishing force (Fn) – 600 N, 800 N and 1000 N; Feed rate (f): 0.08 mm/rev, 0.13 mm/rev, 0.24 mm/rev; the speed of burnishing (vn) – for a diameter of 55 mm – was 45 m/min, 65 m/min, 78 m/min. The research was carried out on the basis of trivalent plan Hartley. As the output variables (dependent variables), the roughness reduction index (KRa) and the (Su) were adopted. Based on the multiple regression analysis, it was found that the greatest impact on reducing roughness and surface hardening of burnished material has burnishing force. The dependence between dependent variables and Fn is proportional. The effect of the burnishing speed (vn) on the values of KRA and Su parameters is statistically insignificant. Machining of the active surface of the pipe flanges should be carried out with a burnishing force of 1 kN, a feed rate of 0.08 mm/rev and a burnishing speed of 45 m/min.

3

Modification of zirconium alloy surface using high intensity pulsed plasma beams

Sartowska B., Starosta W., Barlak M., Walis L.

Archives of Materials Science and Engineering

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2016

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Vol. 77, nr 2

53--57

EN

Purpose: The aim of the research was to identify possibility of extending the life time of zirconium claddings. Materials used in nuclear reactors work in extremely hard conditions: irradiation, corrosion, stress. Zirconium alloys, due to their good water corrosion and radiation resistance at normal working conditions of nuclear reactors are used as cladding material for fuel elements. In the case of loss-of-coolant accident (LOCA), the extremely fast oxidation of zirconium at steam or air/steam mixture at temperatures above 800°C results in intense hydrogen generation and possible hydrogen-oxide mixture explosion. The development of the solution to minimize the risk of the accidents mentioned above is urgently needed. The concept of Accident Tolerant Materials (ATM) has been developed recently. Design/methodology/approach: Zirconium surface were treated with 30 high intensity pulsed plasma beams (HIPPB) Cr+Ar, Y+Ar or Al+Ar, with energy density of 4.0 J/cm2. Oxidation tests: autoclave (water, 360°C, 19.50 MPa) for 7 and 40 days and oven (700°C and 800°C/1000 s/air) followed by cooling in water were performed. Samples were characterised with: SEMs, EDS and GXRD. Findings: Zirconium samples with modified surface layer showed the higher resistance for oxidation in simulated conditions of normal work of PWR reactor and in elevated temperatures. Originality/value: Carried out work was connected with new concept of development accident tolerant materials - ATM.

4

Surface layer of austenitic stainless steel formed by alloying with REE using high intense pulsed plasma beams (HIPPB)

Sartowska B., Barlak M., Waliś L., Starosta W., Senatorski J.

Inżynieria Materiałowa

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2013

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Vol. 34, nr 6

837--840

EN

The aim of this work was to investigate the changes of stainless steel surface properties (morphology, REE concentration, presence of identified phases) and functional properties (wear and high temperature oxidation resistance) after REE addition with remelting of the surface layer. Modification of the near surface layer of AISI 316L steel was based on the incorporation of rare earth elements (REE) using high intensity pulsed plasma beams (HIPPB) as DPE – Deposition by Pulsed Erosion. DPE is unique technique because melting and doping of the near surface layer occurs in a single step. Samples of AISI 316L steel were irradiated with short (μs scale), intense (energy density 3 J/cm2) pulses. The pulse energy density was sufficient to melt the near surface layer of steel. Heating and cooling processes were of non-equilibrium type. The plasma pulses contain both ions/atoms of (Ce + La) from electrodes material and the working gas – nitrogen. Scanning electron microscopy (SEM), energy dispersion spectroscopy (EDS) and X-ray diffraction analysis were used for initial and modified surface characterization. The wear tests and high temperature oxidation processes were carried out. An improvement of tribological properties and increasing of high temperature oxidation resistance of modified surface layer was observed as compared with initial material.

PL

Celem pracy było zbadanie zmian właściwości powierzchniowych (morfologia powierzchni, koncentracja REE, obecność zidentyfikowanych faz) i właściwości użytkowych (odporność na zużycie przez tarcie i wysokotemperaturowe utlenianie) po domieszkowaniu REE z jednoczesnym przetopieniem warstwy wierzchniej stali austenitycznej. Modyfikacja warstwy wierzchniej stali AISI 316L polegała na wprowadzeniu do jej warstwy powierzchniowej pierwiastków ziem rzadkich (REE) za pomocą intensywnych impulsów plazmowych (HIPPB) metodą DPE – Depozycja przez Impulsową Erozję (Deposition by Pulse Erosion). Metoda DPE jest unikatową techniką, ponieważ stopienie i domieszkowanie warstwy wierzchniej materiału przebiega jednocześnie. Próbki stali AISI 316L zostały naświetlone krótkimi (skala μs), intensywnymi (gęstość energii 3,0 J/cm2) impulsami. Gęstość energii pojedynczego impulsu była wystarczająca do stopienia warstwy wierzchniej stali. Procesy grzania i chłodzenia miały charakter nierównowagowy. Plasma zawierała jony/atomy pochodzące z materiału elektrod (Ce + La) i azotu jako użytego gazu roboczego. Materiały wyjściowy i modyfikowane scharakteryzowano za pomocą: skaningowej mikroskopii elektronowej (SEM), mikroanalizy rentgenowskiej (EDS) i dyfrakcji promieniowania rentgenowskiego (XRD). Zostały przeprowadzone badania odporności na zużycie przez tarcie oraz odporności na wysokotemperaturowe utlenianie. Uzyskano poprawę właściwości tribologicznych oraz zwiększenie odporności na wysokotemperaturowe utlenianie warstw modyfikowanych w porównaniu z materiałem niemodyfikowanym.

5

Wettability of carbon and silicon carbide ceramics induced by their surface alloying with Zr and Cu elements using high intensity pulsed plasma beams

Barlak M., Piekoszewski J., Sartowska B., Waliś L., Starosta W., Kierzek J., Pochrybniak C., Kowalska E.

Nukleonika

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2012

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Vol. 57, No. 4

477-483

EN

Joining of metals with ceramics is very difficult, because properties of these materials are very different. One of the methods of improving mechanical strength of the obtained joints is the introduction of an additional interlayer to the joining area. This paper presents the Zr and Cu-rich layers in C and SiC substrates obtained using the high intensity pulsed plasma beams method. The results of Zr plasma modifications were beneficial and similar to the results obtained in previous works with Ti. The measured contact angles were below 90 centigrade. The results with Cu plasma were unfavourable with contact angles close to 180 centigrade. Apart from the sessile-drop test and to extend the range of analysis, the investigated samples were examined by stereoscopic optical microscopy (OM), scanning electron microscopy (SEM), energy-dispersive X-ray spectroscopy (EDXS), grazing angle X-ray diffraction (GXRD), and Rutherford back scattering (RBS) measurements.

6

High - temperature oxidation resistance in yttrium implanted stainless steel

Barlak M., Piekoszewski J., Werner Z., Sartowska B., Waliś L., Starosta W., Kierzek J., Kowalska E., Wilhelm R. A., Pochrybniak C., Woźnica M.

Nukleonika

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2012

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Vol. 57, No. 4

473-476

EN

Austenitic AISI 304, 316L and ferritic 430 stainless steels were implanted with yttrium to fluences ranging between 1 x 1015 and 5 x 1017 ions/cm2. The samples were subjected to oxidation in air at a temperature of 1000 centigrade for a period of 100 h and next examined by stereoscopic optical microscopy (OM), scanning electron microscopy (SEM), energy dispersive X-ray spectrometry (EDX) and Rutherford back scattering spectrometry (RBS). The results obtained with the use of ion implantation are discussed.

7

Application of nuclear techniques for characterization of materials surfaces : own investigations examples

Sartowska B., Piekoszewski J., Waliś L., Starosta W., Barlak M., Nowicki L., Ratajczak R.

Nukleonika

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2012

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Vol. 57, No. 4

521-528

EN

Different methods and techniques for material characterization are often used as a standard procedure for the determination of material properties. Nuclear techniques provide new and more detailed information about the investigated materials. The main goal of the carried out experiments was to improve surface properties including wear, corrosion and high temperature oxidation resistance. Modification processes were carried out using high intensity pulsed plasma beams - HIPPB (106-108 W.cm-2) generated in a rod plasma injector (RPI). In most solid materials such treatment leads to a fast transient melting of the surface layer of the substrate followed by rapid crystallization. Heating and cooling processes are of non-equilibrium type. Initial and modified materials were characterized using different investigation methods including nuclear techniques. Results of the used nuclear techniques such as nuclear reaction analysis (NRA), Rutherford backscattered spectroscopy (RBS) and conversion electron Mössbauer spectroscopy (CEMS) are presented in the paper.

8

A method for production of nanoMOF and prelimiary characterization by selected analytical techniques

Starosta W., Sartowska B., Łyczko K., Maurin J., Pawlukojć A., Waliś L., Buczkowski M.

Nukleonika

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2012

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Vol. 57, No. 4

581-583

EN

Metal-organic frameworks (MOFs) are a class of porous hybrid materials comprising metal ion-based vertices and multitopic organic ligands (linkers). The possibility of combining a wide range of metals with similarly large number of available ligands opens ways to design the structures meeting specific purposes. At present, many potential applications of MOFs may require them to be constructed at the nanometer length scale (nanoMOFs). The possibility of filling the track-etched membrane pores with MOF HKUST-1 has been demonstrated in this work.

9

Zastosowanie metod jądrowych w badaniach modyfikowanych warstw wierzchnich stali

Sartowska B., Waliś L., Starosta W., Barlak M.

Inżynieria Powierzchni

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2012

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nr 2

74-76

PL

Modyfikację powierzchni stali przeprowadzono przy wykorzystaniu intensywnych impulsów plazmowych (106-108 Wcm-2). Nastąpiło przetopienie warstwy wierzchniej i jednoczesne wprowadzenie wybranych pierwiastków. Materiały wyjściowe i zmodyfikowane zostały scharakteryzowane wykorzystując różne metody badawcze, w tym metody jądrowe takie jak: metoda reakcji jądrowych (NRA), spektroskopia rozpraszania wstecznego Rutherforda (RBS), spektroskopia Mössbauera w wersji elektronów konwersji (CEMS).

EN

Modification processes of steels surface were carried out using intense pulsed plasma beams (106-108 Wcm-2). The surface layers were melted and chosen elements including nitrogen and rare earth elements (REE) were simultaneously incorporated to the melts. Initial and modified materials have been characterized using different investigations methods including nuclear techniques as NRA, RBS and CEMS.

10

Radiation synthesis of silver nano- and microparticles in cellulose fibers

Chmielewska D. K., Sartowska B., Starosta W., Walo M.

Nukleonika

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2010

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Vol. 55, No. 3

345-349

EN

Polymer nanocomposites containing metal nanoparticles have attracted a great interest due to their unique chemical and physical properties. “Green” chemistry promotes application of natural fibers in such structures, among them cellulose is one of the most frequently used. However, cellulose fabric have ability to absorb moisture, so under certain conditions of humidity and temperature they can be subjected to microbial attack. One of the most popular and best known antibacterial agents is silver, which serves as a potential antibacterial material acting against an exceptionally broad spectrum of bacteria including activity against antibiotic-resistant bacteria. Silver nanoparticles (Ag NPs) were grown at the cellulose fibers surface by direct reduction of AgNO3 with electron beam (EB) application. Nanocomposites obtained according to the method described in the text were investigated with X-ray diffraction (XRD), scanning electron microscope with back-scattered electrons detector (SEM-BSE) and energy dispersive spectroscopy (EDS) as well as thermogravimetric analysis (TGA) in order to determine influence of different size silver particles on fibers thermal properties.

11

Montmorillonite modified by unsaturated compatibilizing agents and by ionizing radiation as a potential filler in polymeric composites

Nowicki A., Przybytniak G., Starosta W., Sartowska B.

Nukleonika

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2010

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Vol. 55, No. 3

351-357

EN

For last several years we have studied modifications of montmorillonite (MMT) with different agents and the structural changes resulting from the processes. The aim of present work was focused on the preparation of polymer composites from epoxy resin and dispersed phase modified chemically and subsequently activated by irradiation. The paper presents investigations concerning intercalation of MMT by the synthesized unsaturated organophilic agents (on the basis of quaternary ammonium salts). The process was studied by: wide-angle X-ray scattering (WAXS), Fourier- -transform infrared spectroscopy (FTIR) and thermogravimetric analysis (TGA); additionally mechanical properties of the polymer composite as well as its microscopic structure were tested. It was found that unsaturated quaternary ammonium salts can intercalate between MMT layers. The possibility of radiation-induced compatibilization between modified MMT particles and polymeric matrix was also studied. It was confirmed by electron paramagnetic resonance (EPR) spectroscopy that in the synthesized salts stable radicals are formed during irradiation, however their influence on mechanical properties of the final composite is insignificant.

12

Modification of selected properties of polypropylene membrane using plasma treatment and electron irradiation

Buczkowski M., Sartowska B., Starosta W., Kunicki J., Wawszczak D.

Inżynieria Materiałowa

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2007

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Vol. 28, nr 3-4

508-511

EN

Atmospheric pressure plasma barrier discharge and swift electron beam radiation have been used for changing properties of polypropylene microporous CelgardŽ 2500 membrane in order to use its as a separator in high energy electrical batteries. Above plasma discharge has been realized by a low frequency (0.25 kHz) generator at 12 kV pulses in presence of different gases. After plasma treatment the membrane became more hydrophilic. The best results were obtained for nitrogen plasma treatment when the wetting angle decreased by 40 % (in comparison with the result for the initial membrane). Observations made by using scanning electron microscope have shown essential changes of surface layer structure of the membrane in above case. After swift electron beam treatment (at energy 10 MeV) the membrane became more hydrophilic but in a smaller extend in comparison with the plasma treatment. In practice the radiation dose should not be higher than 14 kGy because of decreasing of strength parameters of the membrane. Samples of the Ž 2500 membrane after plasma or radiation treatment were applied as separators in a laboratory electrolytic cell. Promising results concerning determination of dependence area resistance vs. current density in the electrolyte for above samples have been obtained.

PL

Barierowe wyładowanie plazmowe przy ciśnieniu atmosferycznym oraz promieniowanie przyspieszonych elektronów zostały wykorzystane do zmiany własności hydrofobowej, mikroporowatej membrany polipropylenowej CelgardŽ 2500 pod kątem zastosowania jej w wysokoenergetycznych bateriach elektrycznych. Powyższe wyładowanie plazmowe prowadzono przy zastosowaniu niskoczęstotliwościowego (0,25 kHz) generatora dającego impulsy wysokiego napięcia - 12 kV w obecności różnych gazów roboczych. Po obróbce plazmowej membrana CelgardŽ 2500 stawała się bardziej hydrofilowa. Najlepsze wyniki uzyskano przy wyładowaniu w atmosferze azotu, kiedy kąt zwilżania zmniejszył się o ok. 40 % (w stosunku do wartości tego kąta dla membrany wyjściowej). Obserwacje prowadzone z wykorzystaniem skaningowego mikroskopu elektronowego wykazały istotne zmiany powierzchniowej struktury takiej membrany. Po obróbce omawianej membrany wiązką elektronów o energii 10 MeV również następowała zmiana jej własności w kierunku hydrofilowości ale w mniejszym stopniu niż w przypadku obróbki plazmowej. W praktyce okazało się, że stosowane dawki nie powinny przekraczać 14 kGy ze względu na obniżanie się parametrów wytrzymałościowych napromieniowanej membrany. Próbki membrany CelgardŽ 2500 obrobione plazmowo czy radiacyjnie zastosowano jako separatory w laboratoryjnej komórce elektrolitycznej. Uzyskano zachęcające wyniki przy badaniu zależności rezystancji powierzchni owej od gęstości płynącego prądu przez elektrolit w przypadku takich próbek.

13

Studies on template-synthesized polypyrrole nanostructures

Starosta W., Buczkowski M., Sartowska B., Wawszczak D.

Nukleonika

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2006

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Vol. 51,suppl.1

35-39

EN

The paper presents a short review of recent achievements in the rapidly growing field of the template synthesis of nanostructures together with their possible application. The results of our own work, concerning the polypyrrole nanotubules synthesis inside pores of track-etched membranes, have been presented as well. Finally, the kinetics of nanotubule growth process using the SEM method and permeability for air of the resulting structures has been also determined.

14

The behavior of amorphous alloys under swift heavy ion irradiation at room temperature

Didyk A., Hofman A., Savin V., Semina V., Hajewska E., Szteke W., Starosta W.

Nukleonika

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2005

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Vol. 50, nr 4

149-152

EN

Experimental results of irradiation effects by heavy ions with high inelastic energy losses at the surfaces of some amorphous alloys are presented. It was shown that all studied alloys strongly swelled: up to 15% for Ni58Nb42 under irradiation with the 305 MeV 86Kr ion at a fluence of 1015 ion/cm2. Besides, the sputtering (evaporation) process takes place, too. Calculations of the temperatures on the ion trajectory axis were presented. It was shown that the calculated temperatures are higher than the melting temperature and the evaporation temperature, too. From these findings we can conclude that the sputtering (evaporation) of atoms in amorphous alloys is present.

15

Membrany trekowe: właściwości i zastosowanie mikrofiltracji

Wroński S., Adach A., Buczkowski M., Starosta W.

Inżynieria i Aparatura Chemiczna

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2005

|

Nr 4

39--40

PL

Przedstawiono podstawowe właściwości membran trekowych oraz omówiono obszary ich wykorzystania. Przedyskutowano wyniki prac własnych dotyczące modyfikacji powierzchni membrany, wyników filtracji na płaskich przegrodach i w filtrach dynamicznych. Przedstawiono mechanizm separacji na membranach trekowych w filtrach dynamicznych.

EN

Essential properties of Particle Track Membranes as well as areas of their application were presented. Results of authors' own works concerning surface modifications and filtration of suspensions in flat cassette filters and dynamic filters were discussed. The mechanism of separation in PTM membranes of dynamic filter s was presented.

16

The influence of defect structure on the surface sputtering of metals under irradiation of swift heavy ion in the inelastic energy loss region

Cheblukov Y., Didyk A., Hofman A., Semina V., Starosta W.

Nukleonika

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2004

|

Vol. 49, nr 1

15-21

EN

The results of the influence of heavy ion irradiation in the inelastic energy loss region on the structure of some metals such as nickel, single crystal tungsten, chromium-nickel stainless steel and cold-deformed gold are presented. It was shown that the sputtering (evaporation) yield strongly depends on the density of defects in these metals. The sputtering yield starts to grow strongly with the increase of damages created by elastic and inelastic energy heavy ion losses. The stainless steel surface structure behaved differently under irradiation than the pure metal surface structure.

17

Alternatywne wykorzystanie oleju rzepakowego

Starosta W.

Czysta Energia

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2004

|

Nr 5

19-19

18

Mikrofiltracja próbek wody poddawanych zmianom temperaturowym

Buczkowski M., Wawszczak D., Sartowska B., Starosta W.

Zeszyty Naukowe. Inżynieria Środowiska / Politechnika Śląska

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2002

|

z. 46

147-154

PL

Próbki wybranych trzech rodzajów wody, zawierające rozpuszczone składniki mineralne poddano procesowi mikrofiltracji za pomocą zestawu membran trekowych. Inne próbki tych samych rodzajów wody zostały wymrożone, a następnie przeprowadzono powtórnie proces mikrofiltracji. Metodą wagową wyznaczono masę otrzymanego osadu w zastosowanych przedziałach mikrofiltracyjnych. Scharakteryzowanie składników tego osadu było możliwe dzięki zastosowaniu skaningowego mikroskopu elektronowego.

EN

Samples of three water types with dissolved mineral ingredients were microfiltrated by using particle track-etched membranes. Another samples of the same water types had been freezed out and then also microfiltrated. The mass of extracted sediments measured by an analytical balance has been determined for chosen microfiltration ranges. Description of ingredients of such sediments was possible by using SEM.

19

Modelowanie mikrofiltracji w filtrach dynamicznych przy użyciu membran trekowych

Adach A., Wroński S., Buczkowski M., Starosta W., Sartowska B.

Inżynieria Chemiczna i Procesowa

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2001

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T. 22, z. 3B

169--174

PL

Rozpatrzono koncepcję oporów równoległych przy założeniu permeacji filtratu przez osad szczątkowy zajmujący część powierzchni membrany oraz permeację przez powierzchnię membrany wolną od osadu w wyniku samooczyszczania powierzchni z jednoczesnym fragmentarycznym blokowaniu porów [2,3]. Prezentowane w tej pracy wyniki, uzyskane na podstawie komputerowej analizy powierzchni membrany. umożliwiły skorelowanie ułamka powierzchni membrany wolnej od osadu szczątkowego i szybkości ścinania na powierzchni membrany.

EN

A proposed separation mechanism of the PTM membranes includes filtrate permeation through the residual cake covering a part of the membrane and filtrate permeation through the membrane free of the residual cake, resulting from the self-cleaning action, with partially blockage of pores effect [2, 3]. The inspection of the photographs of the membrane surface allowed to correlate the fraction of membrane free of residual cake with the shear rate on the separation surface. Hence, an idea of the of the parallel microfiltration resistances seems to be applicable.

20

Multicounter neutron detector for examination of content and spatial distribution of fissile materials in bulk samples

Świderska-Kowalczyk M., Starosta W., Żółtowski T.

Nukleonika

|

1999

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Vol. 44, nr 4

619-634

EN

A new neutron coincidence well-counter is presented. This experimental device can be applied for passive assay of fissile and, in particular, for plutonium bearing materials. It contains of a set of the 3He tubes placed inside a polyethylene moderator. Outputs from the tubes, first processed by preamplifier/amplifier/discriminator circuits, are then analysed using a correlator connected with a PC, and correlation techniques implemented in software. Such a neutron counter enables determination of the 240Pu effective mass in samples of a small Pu content (i.e., where the multiplication effects can be neglected) having a fairly big volume (up to 0.17 m3), if only the isotopic composition is known. For determination of neutron sources distribution inside a sample, a heuristic method based on hierarchical cluster analysis was applied. As input parameters, amplitudes and phases of two-dimensional Fourier transformation of the count profiles matrices for known point sources distributions and for the examined samples were taken. Such matrices of profiles counts are collected using the sample scanning with a detection head. In the clustering process, counts profiles for unknown samples are fitted into dendrograms employing the "proximity" criterion of the examined sample profile to standard samples profiles. Distribution of neutron sources in the examined sample is then evaluated on the basis of a comparison with standard sources distributions.

PL

Zaprezentowano detektor studzienkowy neutronów. Ten nowy układ doświadczalny może być stosowany do pasywnych badań materiałów rozszczepialnych; w szczególności tych zawierających izotopy plutonu. Składa się on z zespołu helowych (3He) liczników neutronów umieszczonych w polietylenowym moderatorze. Sygnały wyjściowe z liczników po przejściu torów składających się z przedwzmacniaczy, wzmacniaczy i analizatorów jednokanałowych są analizowane za pomocą korelatora połączonego z komputerem i technik korelacyjnych zaimplementowanych w oprogramowaniu. Taki wielolicznikowy detektor neutronów pozwala - przy znajomości składu izotopowego badanej próbki - na określenie masy plutonu jako masy efektywnej 240Pu w próbkach o małej zawartości Pu (gdzie można zaniedbać efekt mnożenia neutronów), o dość dużej objętości (do 0.17 m3). Dla określenia rozkładu źródeł neutronów wewnątrz próbki zastosowano metodę heurystyczną i analizę skupień. Parametrami wejściowymi są tu amplitudy i fazy dwuwymiarowej dyskretnej transformaty Fouriera dla macierzy profili zliczeń zebranych dla znanych rozkładów źródeł punktowych i dla badanych próbek. Macierze profili zliczeń sporządzano za pomocą skanowania próbek głowicą detekcyjną. Podczas procesu analizy skupień, profile zliczeń dla badanej próbki umieszczano w dendrogramie z zastosowaniem kryterium "odległości" macierzy dla niej uzyskanej od obiektów, którymi są macierze profili zliczeń dla układów źródeł traktowanych jako standardowe. Oszacowania rozkładu źródeł w badanej objętości dokonano przez analizę miejsca przyłączenia badanego układu w drzewie skupień, tj. w dendrogramie.