Neutral atmospheres discharge reactions

The microstructure of these steels has little effect on corrosion in the atmosphere or in neutral or alkaline solutions. In acids, however, microstructure can have a significant effect because the carbide morphology affects the hydrogen discharge reaction. Untempered martensitic and pearlitic structures generally show the lowest rates of attack in acids, whereas tempered martensite and spheroidized structures show much higher rates [2],... 

Opportunities for reactions on the surfaces of plants, by the formation of potential differences, are likewise continually present. In other words, Berthelot ascribes a leading part in natural syntheses to atmospheric tensions, which can neutralize one another in the form of invisible discharges (convective discharges) through thin strata of air acting like dielectrics. 

The product species detected in this simulation study were compared (Table 5.2) with the species detected in field observations [ 106]. It is foimd that the neutral species observed in the laboratory resemble the constituents observed in the Earth s atmosphere. On the basis of this resemblance, it is concluded that the MW discharge-induced chemistry observed in the N2/O2/H2O plasma may be helpful for understanding atmospheric chemistry. Laboratory simulation experiments can yield results directly applicable to the Earth s atmosphere. It should be noted, however, that there are significant differences in the relative amounts of the prodncts, especially for NO and HNO2. The ionic products were compared with those detected by Eisele et al. [107] in a remote desert area of southeastern Arizona and on top of Moimt Washington in New Hampshire. No agreement in terms of the prodncts, except for one species at miz 60. A number of ionic clusters with NO+ and H2O+ produced by gas-phase ion-molecule reactions were detected, bnt the NH + prodncts observed by Eisele were not observed. This difference remains imexplained at this time. The as-yet-nnidentified ionic species at mIz 60 in both stndies is probably NO (NO), which is present with considerable intensity in the plasma at a H2O partial pressure of 1 Pa. It is assumed that some of the ionic prodncts foimd in the simnlation study... 

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