Development of Plasma Research and Technologies at the Gas Institute of the National Academy of Sciences of Ukraine and the Global Situation

Abstract

A multi-faceted analysis of the development of the subject of plasma research and technologies was performed, the center of which is the production of hydrogen from hydrocarbon-containing raw materials. The competitive selection of scientific and technical (experimental) developments under the state order, the implementation of which will begin in 2024 at the expense of the state budget, objectively proved the relevance of the subject matter of the department of plasma processes and technologies. Indeed, immediately two of the total number of 25 competitive works are directly based on plasma technologies in the field of competence of the department. The in-depth history of the initiation at the world level of plasma research or the “fourth state of matter”, as it was called in the 19th century, is analyzed; the outstanding role of the Ukrainian scientist Ivan Pulyuy is shown in it (in addition to his already well-known X-ray research, which is similar in terms of experimental technique). Peculiarities of the early formation of the problem of gasification of hydrocarbon-containing raw materials (as the basis of modern plasma technologies of hydrogen production) are also analyzed on the basis of a comparison of publications from the early period of the existence of the former USSR and Germany. In order to return to historical justice, the most prominent role of the former director of the Gas Institute of the National Academy of Sciences of Ukraine, Academician V.F. Kopytov in the establishment of the institute as a powerful scientific organization and a scientist who also actively supported the development of research into high-temperature processes and plasma technologies. Individual scientific achievements of employees of the department of plasma processes and technologies at various stages of its formation and development are analyzed. The directions of development of plasma technologies are classified according to the physical state of the plasma and areas of application; the developments of the institute are briefly presented according to the directions where they are carried out. Bibl. 77, Fig. 6.