Phase Composition and Its Spatial Distribution in Antique Copper Coins: Neutron Tomography and Diffraction Studies

The chemical and elementary composition, internal arrangement, and spatial distribution of the components of ancient Greek copper coins were studied using XRF analysis, neutron diffraction and neutron tomography methods. The studied coins are interesting from a historical and cultural point of view, as they are “Charon’s obol’s”. These coins were discovered at the location of an ancient Greek settlement during archaeological excavations on the “Volna-1” necropolis in Krasnodar Region, Russian Federation. It was determined that the coins are mainly made of a bronze alloy, a tin content that falls in the range of 1.1(2)–7.9(3) wt.%. All coins are highly degraded; corrosion and patina areas occupy volumes from ~27 % to ~62 % of the original coin volumes. The neutron tomography method not only provided 3D data of the spatial distribution of the bronze alloy and the patina with corrosion contamination inside coin volumes, but also restored the minting pattern of several studied coins. Taking into account the obtained results, the origin and use of these coins in the light of historical and economic processes of the Bosporan Kingdom are discussed.

About the possibility of identification of articles from steels, aluminum, copper and alloys on their basis on the expanded micro-impurity elemental composition

Possibility of determination of the fragments and articles made of different grades of steel aluminium and copper alloys and their affiliation to the common melt was examined via the methods of photoelectric spectral analysis based on composition of micro-impurities. Chemical elements with micro-impurities were revealed; they allow to determine affiliation of metal fragments to one melt. Ultimately possible deviations of micro-impurities within one melt were obtained. The technique allowing to establish affiliation of fragments to the common melt based on their elementary composition of micro-impurities with minimal amount of measurements was suggested based on the obtained results. The minimal geometric size of a sample available for analysis was determined; it allows to classify the examined fragments to one melt based on the results of investigation of expanded elementary composition of micro-impurities. Practical opportunities of this technique were displayed on the example of the alloys with different chemical composition.

Ontological Crystallization of the Sustainable in Culture

The article analyses crystallization as a mechanism for the formation of cultural phenomena and types. The crystal metaphorically symbolizes the simplest mode of stability of all objects of existence. The characteristics of a crystal include a symmetrical, equilibrium, regular arrangement of elements in the structure of a solid. The essence, the identity of a crystalline body is determined by this structure, and not by the elements themselves, which in some cases can be arranged in a different order with the same elementary composition of matter, forming a different body. The crystallization of cultural traced the stages of Genesis (formation of identical culture) and further existence (repetition of the existing form in the process of growth) of the cultural system. The preservation of the cultural type can be traced in various sections of the space-time continuum: at the level of the people or nation, at the level of social stratification, at the level of ontogenesis.

FORMS OF ORE COMPONENT OCCURRENCE AND CONDITIONS OF THEIR TRANSPORT INTO BROWN COALS WITHIN THE ZONES OF CONTRAST JUNCTION BETWEEN SEDIMENTARY BASINS AND OROGENS USING THE ZEYA-BUREYA BASIN AND TURAN MASSIF AS AN EXAMPLE (FAR EAST, RUSSIA)

The conditions for the formation of Paleogene-Neogene metalliferous coals in a setting of tectonic movement intensification in the zone of junction between the Turan massif and Zeya-Bureya basin have been studied. The massif with the Selemdzha-Tomsk and Arkhara grabens separated by the Bureya horst and bounded by the systems of northeastern strike-slip faults was found to have a keyboard structure. The research showed that the most favorable conditions for the ore microcomponent accumulation in coals through the erosion of the Late Cretaceous ore-bearing chemical residue were within the submerged blocks of the massif. The paleodrainage system carrying microcomponents drained the grabens and the associated sedimentary sub-basins of the Zeya-Bureya basin eastern margin. Ore components were transported mainly in solution and as solid clasts to the areas of coal accumulation as evidenced by the resemblance of the elementary composition of coals in the Zeya-Bureya basin and geochemical anomalies of the Turan massif.

Cuatro ‘Botijuelas’ recuperadas en el Noroeste de Iberia. Procesos de manufactura y reutilización

Resumen: La botijuela, “anforeta de Indias” o “olive jar” es un recipiente cerámico de época moderna y contemporánea, de distribución planetaria y vinculada originalmente al comercio marítimo ibérico, empleado como transporte de alimentos, siendo reutilizado frecuentemente y utilizado de diversas formas que no tienen relación con su uso primario. En Galicia se empiezan a documentar con cierta frecuencia estos recipientes pero todavía no se ha realizado ningún estudio sobre las mismas. En este trabajo se presentan los resultados del análisis arqueométrico de cuatro vasijas (tomografía, mineralogía y composición elemental), procedentes de colecciones particulares gallegas, tras haber realizado sobre las mismas un estudio tipológico y formal, y de cara a profundizar en su manufactura, procedencia y cronología (ésta última a partir de la comparación tipológica). Palabras clave: Chaîne opératoire, DRX, FRX, TAC, época moderna. Abstract: Four ‘Botijuelas' recovered in the Northwest of Iberia. Processes of manufacture and reuseThe “anforeta de Indias”, “botijuela” or “olive jar” is a ceramic container of modern and contemporary period, of planetary distribution and linked originally to the Iberian maritime trade, to transport foods. These items were recycled frequently and used with no relation with his primary use. In Galicia these containers are documented frequently but there is not a complete study about then. In this work we present the results of the archaeometric analysis of four vessels (tomography, mineralogy and elementary composition), after having made on the same a typological and formal study, to deep on his manufacture, chronology and origin. keywords: Chaîne opératoire, DRX, FRX, TAC, Early modern period.

Study of elementary composition and structural characteristics of high-ash brown coal of angren deposit

The results of the study of the composition and characteristics of high-ash brown coal of the Angren deposit, used in the power industry of the Republic of Uzbekistan are presented. A feature of this coal is the presence in the composition of the fuel of various clay rocks that fall during mechanized mining from the surrounding rocks. Dependencies have been determined showing the effect of the composition of the fuel and the parameters of its characteristics on mechanical, chemical and thermal processes, as well as on the chemical composition of brown coal ash.

Valorization of Bio-Briquette Fuel by Using Spent Coffee Ground as an External Additive

The present study investigates the quality changes of wood bio-briquette fuel after the addition of spent coffee ground (SCG) into the initial feedstock materials (sawdust, shavings) in different mass ratios (1:1, 1:3). Analysis of SCGs fuel parameter proved great potential for energy generation by a process of direct combustion. Namely, level of calorific value (GCV = 21.58 MJ∙kg−1), of ash content (Ac = 1.49%) and elementary composition (C = 55.49%, H = 7.07%, N = 2.38%, O = 33.41%) supports such statement. A comparison with results of initial feedstock materials exhibited better results of SCG in case of its calorific value and elementary composition. Bulk density ρ (kg·m−3) and mechanical durability DU (%) of bio-briquette samples from initial feedstock materials were following for sawdust: ρ = 1026.39 kg·m−3, DU = 98.44% and shavings: ρ = 1036.53 kg·m−3, DU = 96.70%. The level of such mechanical quality indicators changed after the addition of SCG. Specifically, SCG+sawdust mixtures achieved ρ = 1077.49 kg·m−3 and DU = 90.09%, while SCG + shavings mixtures achieved ρ = 899.44 kg·m−3 and DU = 46.50%. The addition of SCG increased wood bio-briquettes energy potential but decreased its mechanical quality. Consequently, the addition of SCG in wood bio-briquette has advantages, but its mass ratio plays an important key role.