National Heritage
Laboratory Complex of Experimental Facilities for Conducting Experiments under Conditions of High Gas and Hydrostatic Pressures and Temperatures

 

Resolution of the Cabinet of Ministers of Ukraine

The Laboratory Complex of Experimental Facilities for conducting experiments under conditions of high gas and hydrostatic pressures and temperatures was granted the status of National Heritage by the Resolution of the Cabinet of Ministers of Ukraine dated November 4, 2022, No. 1243.

Description of the Laboratory Complex

The unique, multifunctional Laboratory Complex of Experimental Facilities for conducting experiments under conditions of high gas and hydrostatic pressures and temperatures (hereinafter referred to as the Complex) is intended for performing research within a wide range of isostatic (gasostatic and hydrostatic) pressures and temperatures. The key features of the Complex include:
- the capability to simultaneously operate multiple (up to six) high-pressure chambers (chamber volumes ranging from 10 cm³ to 24,870 cm³, pressure up to 200 MPa); 
- controlled heat treatment (up to 1100°C) under conditions of isostatic pressing;
- independent control of temperature, pressure, and holding time in each chamber.

The Laboratory Complex of experimental facilities for conducting experiments under conditions of high gas and hydrostatic pressures and temperatures is intended for performing research within a wide range of isostatic (gasostatic and hydrostatic) pressures and temperatures. The Complex enables:
the investigation of the effect of hot isostatic pressing on the mechanical properties of titanium alloys, aluminum alloys, stainless steels, and other materials;
- testing the behavior of materials and systems under extreme conditions, in particular for the needs of the nuclear power industry;
- hydrothermal synthesis of new materials and nanopowders for applications in radioelectronics and medicine;
- saturation of research objects with various gases under high-pressure conditions;
- investigation of the electrical properties of materials and nanostructures directly under pressure;
- and the study of processes occurring under the simultaneous action of high pressures and temperatures in order to address challenges in the geological domain, where the investigation of physical parameters of mineral matter, their changes, and interrelationships over a wide range of pressures and temperatures constitutes an integral component of fundamental комплексних geophysical studies of the deep structure of the Earth.

The Complex includes:
- a specially constructed and equipped facility for operation under high-pressure conditions, comprising six compartments with reinforced concrete walls and the required ventilation system. The total area of the facility is 266.7 m²;
- a high-pressure experimental installation;
- the “Gazostat” complex.

High-Pressure Experimental Installation

A distinctive feature of this installation is the use of a large-volume high hydrostatic pressure chamber with external heating.
The installation consists of two racks and a high hydrostatic pressure chamber, in which the following functional units are implemented: a compressor unit, a chamber temperature control unit, and a high-pressure chamber (Fig. 1). Heating of the high-pressure chamber is provided externally.

Technical Specifications of the Installation:

Number of hydrostatic pressure chambers: 1
Internal dimensions of the high-pressure chamber: diameter 120 mm
Channel length: 2200 mm
Isostatic pressure: 1–200 MPa
Temperature range: 20–300 °C
Working medium: liquid

“Gazostat” Complex

The Gazostat Complex includes:
High Hydrostatic and Gasostatic Pressure Experimental Installation
A distinctive feature of this installation is the capability to simultaneously operate six externally heated chambers (three hydrostatic pressure chambers and three gasostatic pressure chambers), with independent pressure and temperature control in each chamber.
The installation consists of four racks, functionally comprising: a compressor unit, a chamber temperature control unit, a block of high hydrostatic pressure chambers, and a block of high gasostatic pressure chambers. Heating is provided by an external heater. Pressure and temperature control in the chambers is performed independently for each chamber.

Technical Specifications of the Installation:

Number of hydrostatic pressure chambers: 3
Number of gasostatic pressure chambers: 3
Internal dimensions of the high-pressure chambers: diameter 6–12 mm
Channel length: 150 mm
Isostatic pressure: 1–200 MPa
Temperature range: 20–750 °C
Working medium: gas, liquid

High Gasostatic Pressure Experimental Installation

A distinctive feature of this installation is the use of internal heating of the working volume and the presence of eight electrical feedthroughs into the working volume.
The installation consists of three racks, in which the following functional units are implemented: a compressor unit, a chamber temperature control unit, and a high-pressure chamber (Fig. 3). Heating is provided by an internal heater.

Technical Specifications of the Installation:
Number of gasostatic pressure chambers: 1
Internal dimensions of the high-pressure chamber: diameter 32 mm
Channel length: 130 mm
Isostatic pressure: 1–200 MPa
Temperature range: 20–1100 °C
Working medium: gas