Sliding spark ignition system with an inductance and capacitor in series with a three electrode spark plug

Contents of elements in metals, e.g. aluminum in steel, which are present as a total quantity in an elemental/dissolved form and in a non-elemental or separated form, are determined by sparking the surface of the metal under an inert atmosphere. The spectral signal is simultaneously measured as a function of time, and a signal is obtained which initially exhibits an intensity peak, from which the non-elemental or separated element content can be concluded, and the signal then stabilizes at a stationary value from which the total content (Ct) of element can be concluded. The elemental/dissolved proportion (Cs) can be concluded from the total area (P1) below the peak, from the area (P2) under the stationary intensity measured over a time (t2 -t1) and from the total content (Ct).

Method of determining elements in metals by means of optical emission spectrum analysis

A method of determining the consumption of fuel elements for nuclear reactors, according to which the fuel is contained in a graphite covering or matrix. Traces of the component parts of the surface of a fuel element are volatized in an electric arc, and the arc light is split up by means of a UV-spectrograph. Subsequently, the lines of the carbon and of the beryllium formed during the irradiation in the reactor are scattered, whereupon the intensity proportion of one or more of the beryllium lines lying in the UV region and one or more of the carbon lines lying in the UV region are compared with one another.

Uv-spectrographic analysis of beryllium and carbon for determining nuclear reactor fuel element consumption

A pulse generator generates high voltage discharge pulses in a manner that may be controlled and monitored. Pulse generator operation may be monitored to measure characteristics associated with pulse generator operation and to produce pulse generator data representative of those characteristics. Pulse generator operation may be monitored by monitoring the discharge pulses produced by the pulse generator and/or the charging of energy storage elements within the pulse generator in preparation for a subsequent discharge pulse. The pulse generator data may be used, for example, to identify pulse generator wear or degradation, to identify problems with pulse generator operation, and/or to control pulse generator operation for improved performance. The pulse generator may also be configured and controlled to generate a high-voltage initiation pulse to initiate a subsequent discharge pulse while being contained within a relatively small form factor. The pulse generator may be used in spectroscopy systems or other systems using high voltage discharge pulses.

Irish Paul R

Papers

Method of spectrographic analysis