The electromagnetic performance of a surfatron-based coaxial microwave plasma torch

Low power microwave plasma torches are of particular interest to analytical chemists. The torch design investigated herein, called TPS, is based on the known surfatron structure to which a coaxial section is added consisting of an impedance transformer followed by the metallic nozzle at the tip of which the discharge occurs. A series of experiments illustrate the main electromagnetic features and performance of this novel coaxial microwave plasma torch operating at 2.45 GHz and with input power in the range 10–180 W. A specially devised slotted coaxial line with a movable probe arrangement can be inserted into the torch in place of the transformer section to provide in situ measurements of the plasma impedance. Analyzing these results, we show that the shape of the torch tuning characteristics can be controlled to improve the power transfer to the plasma and stability of operation with respect to changes in discharge conditions; under these conditions, the design of the device can be simplified. The procedures presented have a general character and can be applied to various torch configurations.     

New design of a radio-frequency plasma torch

A numerical model has been developed for predicting the two-dimensional flow and temperature fields in a radio-frequency (rf) plasma torch. The method employed here is based on Boulos' model with the exception of the boundary conditions for the electric and magnetic field equations. Calculations have been made for the confirmation of a new sample injection method, which is capable of completely evaporating refractory materials at high feeding rates without interfering with the stability of the plasma. In the newly designed torch, the reagent is radially injected into the hottest part of the plasma through quartz capillary tubes set symmetrically between an inductor coil. Experimental investigations have also been performed for verifying the proper function of the design. These results provide evidence that our radial injection method developed here is more effective in practical processing than the conventional axial injection methods.     

The determination of trace metals in microlitre samples by plasma torch excitation

A method is described for multi-element analysis in which microlitre samples of solutions of inorganic and organic materials are used. Samples are introduced into the high-frequency plasma torch by means of a small heated nebulizer, and the emission is recorded by conventional spectrographic techniques. Detection limits for various metals are in the range l0⁻⁹–10⁻¹⁰ g; at the 10⁻⁹ level, precision is of the order of 5%. Examples of the application of the method to the determination of trace elements in oil, organic compounds and blood are given.     

Synthesis of brominated cardanol derivatives and their effeciency as fire retardants for wood

The synthesis of a fire retardant based on bromo derivatives of cardanol was examined and the composition, structure, and fire-protective efficiency of this retardant were studied.     

The behavior of titanium,stainless steel,and copper-nickel alloys as plasma torch cathodes

Cathode erosion continues to be a problem hindering the widespread application of plasma technology. In this work, cathode erosion was studied on titanium, stainless steel 314, copper-nickel 10% and 30%, and copper 122 for magnetically rotated arcs operating in argon, nitrogen, and argon/hydrogen mixtures at a constant magnetic flux density of 0.1 T Titanium and stainless steel gave very low erosion rates in argon (0.2 and 0.3, g/C respectively). Cupronickels were shown to be suitable for nitrogen and hydrogen plasmas. The slope of hydrogen solubility versus temperature in the cathode material was found to be important in determining hydrogen plasma erosion characteristics. When the plasma gas has a high solubility in the cathode material, or can react with the cathode, a negative erosion rate may result. When gas solubility in the cathode is low, oxide stability and mode of electron emission may govern the erosion rate. A high gas solubility in the cathode material, as with hydrogen, can result in mechanical erosion due to micro-explosions near the cathode surface.     

Characterisation of soot particulates from fire retarded and nanocomposite materials, and their toxicological impact

Polyamide 6 (PA 6) and polypropylene (PP) containing fire retardants, nanofillers or a combination of both additives have been investigated using the steady state tube furnace (ISO TS 19700). The samples were tested under three different fire conditions, to determine the effect of additives on the soot production or toxic product yields. The particle size distribution of the soot was investigated with a cascade impactor, and the separated soot fractions examined by SEM. The predicted deposition based on aerodynamic size of particulates in the human respiratory tract shows clear differences between the pure polymer and its additive counterparts. In all ventilation conditions the virgin polymer produces the least amount of soot, both the additives used (fire retardant and nanoclay) increase the amount of soot, mainly within 0.5-1.0 μm range, for each fire condition. A large contribution to the total soot mass originated particles smaller than 0.5 μm.     

Spectrometric determination of various metals by high-frequency plasma torch

Summary Several analytical conditions and detection limits of various metal elements were examined with regard to the determination of these elements by photoelectric spectrometry in the combination of high-frequency plasma torch apparatus and Ebert-type grating spectrometer (GE-340), using nitrogen as the carrier gas. All the calibration curves for the elements showed good linearity and standard deviations of calcium, zinc, tin, lead, and bismuth were in the range of 1.0–3.2%. It was found that, among the various elements, aluminium, zinc, tungsten, and lead, which are difficult to be determined by flame-spectrometric analysis, can be determined with good sensitivity and high precision by the present method.

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Zusammenfassung Zur spektrometrischen Bestimmung verschiedener Metalle wird eine Kombination von hochfrequenter Plasmaflamme und Gitterspektrometer vom Ebert-Typ (GE-340) benutzt, wobei Stickstoff als Trägergas dient. Alle Eichkurven weisen eine gute Linearität auf; die Standardabweichungen für Ca, Zn, Sn, Pb und Bi liegen im Bereich von 1,0 bis 3,2%. Al, Zn, W und Pb, deren Bestimmung nach der flammenspektrometrischen Methode Schwierigkeiten bereitet, können mit Hilfe des beschriebenen Verfahrens mit guter Empfindlichkeit und hoher Genauigkeit bestimmt werden.

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Dedicated to Prof. Dr. H.Kaiser on his 60th birthday.     

阻燃剂FR-421的研制

研究开发阻燃性能优越、与合成材料相容性好、低毒无烟、耐久的阻燃剂是当务之急。磷酸酯齐聚物是近十几年来出现的一种高分子聚合物阻燃剂 ,与小分子阻燃剂相比 ,具有分子量高、蒸汽压低、迁移性小、耐久性好、毒性低、多功能等特点 ,可用于ＰＥ、ＡＢＳ、ＰＥＴ、ＳＡＮ、ＰＰ等合成材料的阻燃[1 - 3] 。本文以四溴双酚 -Ａ、2 ,3-二溴丙醇、三氯氧磷为主要原料 ,按下面的路线合成了四溴双酚 -Ａ磷酸酯齐聚物阻燃剂 (以下简称为阻燃剂ＦＲ - 42 1 )。1　实验部分1 .1　药品与仪器四溴双酚 -Ａ和三氯氧磷 (工业品 ,连云港双菱化工集团公司 …     

TG-MS analysis for studying the effects of fire retardants on the pyrolysis of pine-needles and their components

Thermogravimetry-mass spectrometry (TG-MS) was used to study the effect of the inorganic salts (NH₄)₂SO₄ and (NH₄)₂HPO₄, active substances of many commercial forest fire retardants, on the pyrolysis of Pinus halepensis needles and their main components (cellulose, lignin and extractives). These salts seemed to affect the pyrolysis of cellulose by increasing significantly the char residue, decreasing the pyrolysis temperature and changing the composition of the evolved gases, that is, increasing levoglucosenone and decreasing oxygen containing volatile products. (NH₄)₂SO₄ seemed to have negligible effect on the pyrolysis of lignin, while (NH₄)₂HPO₄ increased the char residue and decrease the relative contribution of guaiacols in the evolved gases. No effects of the inorganic salts on the extractives were observed. Finally, the inorganic salts seemed to affect the pyrolysis of pine-needles, mainly the cellulose component, but the effects were not as intense as in the pyrolysis of cellulose.     

Determination of the arc-root position in a DC plasma torch

The behavior of an arc operated in the nontransferred mode with a conical-shaped cathode and a nozzle-shaped anode is studied by applying general tyro-dimensional conservation equations and auxiliary relations for the simulation of arc channel flows. The position of the arc-root attachment at the anode surface is determined by using Steenbeck's minimum principle, which postulates a minimum arc voltage for a given current and certain given boundary conditions. The overall effects of the anode-arc root on the plasma flow are, studied by comparing the results with those of the transferred mode of operation. Specific arc-channel diameters are chosen in the simulation in order to verify flit, numerical model through comparisons with experimental results. The results show that Steenbeck's minimum principle is useful for determining the position of the arc-root attachment at the anode surface. Application of this method for control of the arc-anode attachment may be valuable in the design and operation of plasma spray torches to avoid jet instabilities.     

Characterization of d.c. plasma torch voltage fluctuations

The arc root fluctuations at the anode-nozzle of a d.c. plasma spray torch with a special configuration of the electrodes allowing to work with the same gas flowrate with nozzle diameters ranging from 6 to 10 mm were systematically studied. The plasma gas was Ar/H2 (25 vol % H2), the current was varied between 200 and 600 A and the plasma gas flowrate between 24 and 80 slm. After 30–60 mn working the nozzle wall started to be sufficiently eroded to have a stagnant arc spot which lived until arcing created another one. It was shown that the life time of the upstream arc spots were 30–40 % longer than the downstream ones which could play an important role in the electrode erosion. Dimensional analysis allowed to find a relationship between the nozzle diameter D, the arc current I and gas flow rate G and the mean spot lifetime which is closely connected with the difference between D and the electrical diameter of the arc column. The comparison of voltage signal and light emission at a point of the plasma jet close to the nozzle exit on its axis allowed to determine the mean electrical field within the plasma column and the mean position of the arc root. The comparison with the electrode erosion area for well defined conditions showed a good correlation with the calculated arc root position.     

Thermal degradation and fire resistance of unsaturated polyester, modified acrylic resins and their composites with natural fibres

The thermal degradation and fire resistance of different natural fibre composites were studied. Unsaturated polyester (UP) and modified acrylic resins (Modar) were used as matrix composites. The smoke emission of the materials was also analysed, as well as, the performance against the fire of the biocomposites and glass reinforced composites was compared. Thermal degradation indicated that the Modar matrix composites were more resistant to temperature than the composites with UP matrix. Flax fibre, due to their low lignin content, exhibit the best thermal resistance among the natural fibres studied.From the results obtained about the thermal and fire resistance of the composites it is possible to conclude that the flax fibre seems to be the most adequate to be used, due to the long time to ignition and the long period prior to reach the flashover. On the other hand, the jute fibre composites showed a short duration but a quick growing fire with the lowest smoke emission. The low smoke is an important advantage, which reduces one of the main hazards of fire.     

The effects of intralayer metal composition of layered double hydroxides on glass transition, dispersion, thermal and fire properties of their PMMA nanocomposites

A series of aluminum-containing layered double hydroxides (LDHs), containing Mg, Ca, Co, Ni, Cu and Zn as the divalent metals, have been prepared by the co-precipitation method and used to prepare nanocomposites of PMMA by in situ bulk polymerization. The additives were characterized by Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy, X-ray diffraction spectroscopy (XRD) and thermogravimetric analysis while the polymer composites were characterized by XRD, transmission electron microscopy, differential scanning calorimetry and cone calorimetry. Polymerization of methyl methacrylate in the presence of these undecenoate LDHs results in composites with enhanced thermal stability. The glass transition temperatures of the composites and the pristine polymers are found to be around 110 °C; this suggests that the presence of these additives has little effect on the polymer. It is found that the additive composition and the dispersion state of LDHs agglomerates in the polymer matrix influence the fire properties of composites as measured by cone calorimetry.     

Determination of platinum, palladium and silver in geological materials and their concentrates by fire assay and emission spectrography

A method is described for the determination of platinum down to 10 ng, palladium to 5 ng and silver to 10 pg in 50 or 100 g of sample. Fire-assay techniques are used to preconcentrate these metals into a bead which is first treated with nitric acid to dissolve palladium and silver and then with aqua regia to dissolve platinum. Both solutions are diluted and adjusted to pH 4, then analysed by optical emission spectrography of the residue from a measured volume evaporated on a pair of flat-top graphite electrodes. This method requires much less sample handling than most published methods for these elements.     

Effect of the spatial network structure and cross-link density of diene rubbers on their thermal stability and fire hazard

The paper presents the results of investigating the effect of the density and spatial network structure of diene rubbers (NBR and SBR) on their thermal properties and fire hazard. The rubbers were either conventionally cross-linked by means of sulfur and organic peroxide or nonconventionally with the use of iodoform (CH₃I). Based on thermo-kinetic analysis, the destruction activation energy of the elastomers investigated and their vulcanizates was determined under air and inert gas. The analysis of particular stages of their thermal decomposition was also presented. During the combustion of the elastomeric materials obtained, it has been found that their fire hazard depends not only on the elastomer chemical structure but also on the method of its cross-linking.     

Separation of mixtures at nano length scales: blow torch and levitation effect

A new conceptual basis for the separation of multicomponent molecular mixtures is proposed. A separation method where different components of the mixtures are driven in opposite directions is realized by a judicious combination of two effects, viz., levitation and blow torch effects. Monte Carlo simulations of two Lennard-Jones binary mixtures with different-sized components are shown to be separated well if at least one of the components lies in the anomalous regime and the others lie in the linear regime. A separation factor of 10(8) is obtained on nano length scales as compared to 10(3), obtainable through conventional methods of separation on macrolength scales.     

Thermal imaging of microwave fields inside the surfatron and the microwave plasma torch

A new method is introduced for imaging microwave fields, such as those found in microwave-plasma support structures. The method relies upon the darkening that such fields cause in heat-sensitive paper, such as that used in some telefax printers. With this new method, the microwave-frequency electric fields inside two microwave-plasma support structures, the surfatron and the microwave plasma torch, have been measured and subsequently imaged in three dimensions. The images reveal that the surfatron and microwave plasma torch have different operational behavior. As expected, the electric field strength inside the surfatron exponentially falls off down the length of the quartz plasma tube. The field inside the microwave plasma torch initially diminishes, but then increases in strength towards the end of the tube. An aerosol was introduced into the surfatron to observe the effect of water vapor on the electric field strength and distribution. The exponential axial decay of the electric field in the ‘dry’ surfatron plasma, characteristic of a surface wave propagating down a quartz plasma tube, is extended further down the quartz tube in the ‘wet’ plasma. A drop in plasma conductivity is likely the origin of the elongated propagation of the surface wave.     

Growth rate studies of CVD diamond in an RF plasma torch

This paper addresses the complex chemistry in the boundary later over a substrate in a chemical vapor deposition rector at atmospheric pressure. In this study, a highspeed plasma (140m/s) was created using a radio-frequency inductively coupled plasma torch for the deposition of diamond thin films. Growth rates on the order of 50 m/ h were obtained for well-faceted continuous films grown on molybdenum substrates positioned normal to the plasma flow. The highest growth rates were obtained at substrate temperatures of 1370 K and a feed gas ratio of 2.5% CH₄ in H₂. Growth rates are compared to predicted results obtained from numerical simulations, based on a one-dimensional stagnation-point flow, and are/mend to be in good agreement. Several other surface analysis techniques were used to characterize the deposited films, inchaling SEA/, Raman spectroscopy, transmission electron microscopy. Rutherfard backscattering spectroscopy, and hydrogen-forward recoil spectroscopy. Optical emission spectroscopy was used to characterize the RF plasma during the deposition process. Results from these studies form an important database for the validation and improvement of current models of the atmospheric-pressure diamond CVD environment.     

The fire retardant behaviour of huntite and hydromagnesite - A review

Naturally occurring mixtures of hydromagnesite and huntite have found important industrial use. Their endothermic decomposition over a temperature range similar to that of commonly used polymers and their release of water and carbon dioxide, has led to such mixtures being successfully used as fire retardants. They have replaced aluminium hydroxide and magnesium hydroxide in many applications. The current understanding of the thermal decomposition mechanism of both minerals and their combination in natural mixtures has been reviewed and related to their fire retardant action. Both minerals contribute to the reduction in flammability of polymers although the extent of these interactions has not been fully investigated. However, the fire retardant mechanism of these minerals appears more complicated than either aluminium hydroxide or magnesium hydroxide.