ABSTRACT
A differential scanning calorimeter was designed to study the thermal analysis of the materials for the nuclear reactor/allied facilities. The hardware and software were developed for measuring the calorimetric signals and had various features for the thermal analysis of the material. The processing of calorimetric signals was carried out by a programmable system-on-chip. Using a programmed temperature profile, the differential scanning calorimeter setup was tested, calibrated, and validated with standard aluminum and indium metal samples. It was found that the obtained results agree with the literature values. The methodology for the experiment was optimized. Various experiments were carried out, and the thermal analysis of different materials for nuclear reactors was investigated and studied. The instrumentation is also compact, accurate, reliable, and cost-effective for the thermal analysis of materials.
ABSTRACT
An isopiestic experimental facility for the measurement of vapor pressures has been designed, fabricated, and commissioned. Using the vapor pressure data as a function of temperature, useful thermodynamic properties of alloys and compounds of interest can be derived. The isopiestic facility comprises a pair of furnaces, temperature controllers, thermocouple movement mechanism, user interface, and data collection. Four such experimental setups have been commissioned. This experimental facility is useful to determine the vapor pressures of a volatile component over the condensed phases as a function of temperature and composition. Using the vapor pressure data, the thermodynamic properties of various systems can be determined. The experimental setup was validated by a Pr-Cd isopiestic run, and the results are compared with the data reported in the literature.
