CA2178086A1 - Method for producing heat - Google Patents

Abstract

Employing cavitation as an energy source, excess energy is produced, as well as transmutation of elements. Particularly, deuterium oxide (14) is subjected to cavitation under transient bubble formation conditions in the presence of a metal surface (26), whereby colapse of the bubbles at the metal surface results in the production of heat and the transmutation of the hydrogen isotope. Various metals can be used, as well as various parameters as to temperature, pressure, acoustic energy (12), acoustic frequency, and composition of the reactants, which may be employed to vary the results.

Description

2 i 7 8 n 8 6 PCTIUS94113824 .

METHOD FOR PRODUCING HEAT
CROSS~ ; TO RELATED APPIIICATIONS
This application is a cnnt;n11~tinn-in-part of application Serial No. 08/160,941, filed December 3, 1993, which is a rnnf;n~ tion-in-part of application Serial No. 07/782,558, filed October 5, 1991, now iqh~nrln INTRODUCTION
Terhn; cal Field The field of this invention rnnrPrnR the production of heat 10 as a result of atomic reactions within a metal lattice.
Backqround of ~he Invention With increasing pop1ll~t;nnR and increasing dependence upon enerqy utilization to m-;nt~;n societies, the search for energy sources which are alternatives to the ones used today 15 has been diligently pursued. One of the major efforts has been ~; rert~d to atomic fusion, wherein atomic plasma is --;ntA;n~d in a magnetic bottle. The high energies released by the fusion of elements results in the production of substantial heat in high energy particles and radiation.
20 While this approach to the proA-lrtinn of energy has many attractions, as yet it has not been successful in m3;nt~;n;nr~ the production of heat for an GYt~n~lorl period of time, it produces radioactive ash, and the success of the method is still relegated to an uncertain future.

WO 95/16995 2 ~ 7 8 0 8 G PCT/US94113824 Therefore, whik~ ùch prom1se 3till exists for this approach, for the time being no significant reliance may be made upon its success.
An alternative approach to fusion, re~erred to as "cold 5 fusion" has also been reported. However, this approach has received some skepticism in the literature and has not been shown to be reliable in its repro~7l7rih;lity~ Nevertheless, a large number of investigators have shown that one can produce heat by fusion of hydrogen isotopes, with the 10 re8ultant production of tritium, 3He and 4He. There i8 now 3uf f icient evidence in laboratories around the world to e8tablish that the presence of hydrogen isotopes in a metal lattice under electrolytic conditions results in the prn~7.l7~-t i nn of heat beyond that introduced in the 15 electrolytic system, as well as the production of elements of higher atomic number than the isotopic ~lyur U~ l employed.
The cold fusion systems to date have not 8atisfied the needs for i ~ve:d reliability, ease of operation, reduced r7"~r.on~7,~n(-e on materials ior which there i8 inadequate 2Q characterization, and higher ~f~ n~; es of energy production as compared to energy input.
S7JMM~R~ OF THE lNV~;Nl'lON
Energy i5 produced by directing trAnR;Pnt cavitation bubble r-nl 1 AraG at a metal surface with A~7anrh~7 hydrogen isotope .
25 The conditions under which the bubble collapses and the material content of the bubble are selected to provide excess heat over the energy introduced into the system, as well as to provide elements of higher and/or lower atomic number. The system may be 7777;ntAinf~7, in an electromagnetic 30 ~orce field or acoustic field during the reaction. The resulting heat may be transferred to a heat acceptor or ~ransformed directly into a different form of energy.
Devices are provided for performing the method.

WO 95/1C995 PCrlUS94/13824 3RIEF D~SCRIPTION OF THE DRAWIN~S
Figure l is a schematic of a device for heat production;
Figure 2 is an enlarged view of the reaction vessel shown in Figure l;
Figure 3 is a projected view of the window and related ~1 ' q as shown in Figure 2 in an P~l r~ od relation;
Figure 4 is an alternative embodiment of the subject device;
Figure 5 is a further alternative: ~ a; t employing a plurality of cells for heating a flowing exchange fluid;
lO Figurç 6 is a schematic of an alternative embodiment demonstrating electricity output;
Figure 7 is an alternative embodiment of reduced size for providing heat;
Figure 8 is a cross section in diay~ tic form of a l~ reactor; and Figures 9a, b, c and d are enlarged views of portionG of the reactor .
DESCRIPTION OF THE SPECIFIC ~1~30DIMENTS
Methods and apparatuses are provided for the production of 20 heat, as well as the production of .ol ntq of higher and/or lower atomic number than the isotopic hydrogen and other atomic nuclei which serve as the r~PrtAnts. The method employs directi~g high energy low atomic number atoms into a matrix, par~icularly a metal matrix, in which molecules of 2~ at least one 11yd~u~ isotope are Ata~qrlrh~ A significant number of parameters are involved in ~etermining the ef f iciency of energy production and the nature and 21781~8~
Wo9~/16995 PCrlUS9~/1382 ef~iciency of new atomic lsotope production. The parameters of interest include the manner in which the high energy bubbles are prDduced, particularly the parameters associated with the formation and characteristics of transient bubbles 5 and their collapse against a solid surface, which parameters include the nature of the composition within the bubble, the size of the bubble, the energy employed in forming the bubble, the temperature and pressure at which the bubble is formed and collapses, the pulse cycle, and the direction of 10 the stream of particles ~--n:~t;n~ from the bubble. Other parameters may include an electromagnetic force field in which the bubble is formed and collapses, as well as the solid surface upon which the bubble collapses, the manner of absorption or adsorption and composition of the element 15 absorbed on the solid sur~ace, the nature of the solid surface, its fcrmation, and its acoustic properties, as well as the manner in which the heat is employed. (While adsorption is frequently considered the manner iIl which a gas, such as deuterium binds to a metal such as palladium, 20 in the present invention, the gas atoms enter into the metal lattice and interact in the lattice. In effect, the gas atoms are absorbed in the metal lattice. ~ithout ;nt-~n~n~
to provide any theoretlcal basis for the events which occur in the lattice by use of the term absorption, it would 25 appear that absorption better describes the event. ) The first c-nn~ ration will be the composition of the fluid in which bubbles are formed. For the most part, the ~luid will include a hydrogen isOtope: hydrogen, deuterium and tritium and their respective nuclei, which include a proton, 30 deuteron and triton. Also, other low atomic number elements may be present particularly as ions, such as lithium t6) .
The hydrogen isotope may be present as a diatomic molecule, as a molecule in which the isotope is bonded to another atom, such as oxygen, carbon, alkali or other metal, 35 particularly lithium, bismuth, calcium, mercury, uranium, thorium, and the like, nitrogen, phosphorous, boron, usually non-metallic ~lements of the first and second rows, WO 95/1699S PCrlUS94/13824 particularly of columns 1 to 5 or metallic elements which form hydrides. The compositions may include hydrogen lec~ P, deuterium molecules, water, heavy water (deuterium oxide), tritium oxide, alkanes of from 1 to 12 5 carbon atoms (methane, butane, etc. ), alkanols of from 1 to 12 carbon atoms ( th~nnl, ethanol, pentanol, etc., silanes, metal hydrides, and the like. The choice of ~ will depend upon many factors, such as the temperature and pressure at which the method is operated, the nature of the 10 surface, 80 a3 to maintain an active surface and avoid undesirable coatings or corrosion of the surface, and the like . Individual compnc; t; nnR or combinations of compositions may be employed, where the isotopes which are employed may be the same or di~ferent. Under the conditions 15 of the method, the composition will be a mobile li~uid which is capable of forming bubbles.
The bubbles are referred to as transient cavitation bubbles, since they generally survive only for a single cycle. Thus, the energy density ~nn~ f~nt~ated in the bubble is transferred 20 to the surface without repetitive expansion and contraction of the bubble. This process increases the energy density in the collapsing bubble by many orders of magnitude, usually lo orders or greater, as compared to the original energy of the bubble. For the most part, the bubbles will be at least 25 about 1 micron and not more than about 250 microns, usually less than about 100 microns, more usually in the range of about 10 to loo microns.
In order to provide for nucleation, the li~uid used for the formation of the bubbles will normally be degassed and then 30 regassed with an appropriate gas. Preferably, inert gases, particularly noble gases will be used, with the higher atomic weights providing for great~r: mass and slower heat tra~sfer. The preferred gases will be hydrogen, deuterium, nitrogen, helium, argon and xenon, particularly argon and 35 xenon individually or in combination. By initially degassing with a vacuum, the pressurizing gas may then be WO 95/16995 2 ~: 7 8 ~ ~ ~; PCT/US94/13824 introduced at the desired pressure and m:~;ntcin~ at the ~P~ PCtPrl pressure during the run.
Bubbles may be produced by a~wide variety of methods, using acoustical devices, me~ànical devices, fluia flow devices, 5 and the like. Conveniently, the bubbles are produced by an induced pressure wave. For acoustical devices, one may use a snn;~-~tnr~ employing a piezoelectric vibrator tr;lncr~- n Pr, or other oscillating electronic or mechanical device3.
Alternatively, one may use jets, Venturi tubes, porou8 10 devices providing for flow-through pressure differential, propellers, rotating or centrifugal devices which produce turbulence, hydraulic pistons, etc. The particular manner in which the bubbles are formed is not critical to this invention, although it has been found that a sonicator is 15 particularly convenient in providing for energy control and bubble formation. One or more devices may be used 30 that a plurality of surfaces may be suhjected to cavitation, e.g.
devices on opposite sides of a metal foil serving as a cavitation surface. The acoustic wave which is produced may 20 be a non-focused wave. Where other than an acoustic device is used for bubble prnrlllnt;nn, one may augment the energy of the bubble by using an acoustic device in conjunction with the other device.
The temperature of the fluid will vary subst~nti~lly from 25 input and output. ,3ince the system generates a substantial amount of heat, there will be a 5~1hct~ntial rise in temperature of the l~luid during its resiaency in the reactor. While one would not require fluid flow, if there was an efficient way to remove the heat from the liquid, 30 30 as to provide a 3ub3t~nt;~11y isothermal condition in the reactor, the most convenient way to ~~int~in the temperature is to control the rate of Elow of the liquid through the reactor and the temperature of the liquid entering the reactor. Depending upon the desired e2it temperature and 35 the other parameters associated with the reaction, the temperature of the Pnt~rin~ fluid may be ambient ~20C) and WO 95/lC995 2 1 7 8 0 ~ 6 PCrlUS94/13824 up to about 100 C or greater, preferably from about 20C to 80C. The temperature of the entering fluid will depend upon the temperature of the exiting fluid, the heat t~ ildll!l~
employed, the nature of the composition being used, and the 5 like. The exit temperature which reflects the reactor temperature will be below about 350C and may be as low as about 55C, usually not lower than about 75C, again ~P~F-nrli ng upon the general operating conditions of the reactor and heat exchange. Desirably the exit t, dLu~e 10 will be at least about 75C, preferably at least about 100C, and generally not more than about 250 C, usually not more than about 200OC. The pressure in the reactor will be high enough to -~;ntA;n a liquid phase, 80 that the higher the temperature to which the fluid reaches in the reactor, 15 the higher the pressure required to maintain the composition in the fluid phase, in relation to the vapor pressure of the composition in the reactor. For example, deuterium oxide at about 350C would require about 200 atm. to r-;nt~in a liquid phase. Therefore, the pressure will generally be at 2 0 least one atm ., usually at least two atms ., and not greater than about 200 atm., preferably not greater than about 150 atms .
The energy source for the production of bub~les may be cycled, 50 as to be on a portion of the time and off a 25 portion of the time. It is found that the reaction ~nt;nll~ after the energy source is turned down or off, 80 that one can cycle the energy source while still ret~ i n; n~
energy output. Depending on the degree to which the energy outp~t can vary during a cycle, the on-off periods can be 30 varied greatly, with one or the other period being of greater duration . The time ratio of the on period to of f period will be in the range of about o.OOl - 1000:1, usually in the range of about 0.01 - 100:1, frequently in the range of about 0 . 04 - lo: l . By allowing the reaction to proceed 35 in the absence of energy input, a higher ratio of energy output to energy input may be achieved.

W095/16995 2l78b&6 Pcrll~ss4ll3824 For prn~ rtinn of bubbles, as already indicated, a sonicator ("tr~3nC~i11rl~r'~ finds particular use. The energy provided by the sonicator will generally be a leàst about 1 W/cm2, frequently at least 2 W/cm2, and u~ ùally not greater than 5 about 10 W/cm2, more usually not grèater than about 5 W/cm2, generally being greater than about 1, usually 3, W/cma, at the cavitation surface. The frequency will usually be at least about 5~z, more usually at least about lO~z and could go to lMEIz or greater, generally not greater than about 10 O lME~z, usually not greater than about lO~Hz. Ranges of interest include from 5Hz, usually from lO~z to lOR~Iz, and from 40RHz to about O . lMEIz . The frequency will affect the size of the bubble, 80 that one can control the energy density ol~ the bubble and the energy which is rlicc~rate~
15 upon collapse by the energy of the tr~nRr~llr~r, the freruency of the transducer, and the temperature of the fluid. These factors are therefore interactive in controlling the energy at which the bubble collapses.
Other parameters associated with sonication include the 20 cycling schedule, where the sonication ic on ~rom lo to 95~
of the time and of f the other portion of the time where each cycle will be from about o . 1 to 1200 sec. A more complex pattern of a non-uniform time for each cycle or cycle component may be employed. The maximum acoustic power 25 amplitude will generally be in the range of about 1 to 50, usually about 5 to 20, and preferably about 3 to 6 atms/cm2.
Since the energy at which the bubble collapses can mechanically erode the metal curface~ this al~io must be given consideration in the operation of the reactor.
30 Depending upou the nature o~ the surface, it9 ability to withstand the forces of the collapsing bubble without erosion, the ease of r.-rl~l , and the cost of the surface, one may ~ ,, ice the efficiency of the system in producing heat for ~rt,on~ periods of operation and 35 infrequency of replacement of the solid suri-ace.

Wo 95/16995 217 8 0 8 ~ - - PCT/US9~113824 _ g _ There i3 a correlation between the acoustic energy input and the excess heat produced in microfusion devices that points to a coupling of the transient cavitation bubbles (TCB) and - the excess heat. At low and high ~lct rnAl pressures in the 5 reactor there is little if any excess heat g~n~rAt,od. At low pressures the bubble formation is suppressed with no effective TCB fnrm-tinn in either case. The TCB formation and the excess heat formation is dictated by the temperature and the acoustic enerry in and delivered to the reactor.
10 It is found that the direction of the wave can affect the direction of the stream of the ~-, P of the bubble.
Therefore, the sound wave front should be directed parallel to the solid surface, so as to provide for the primary direction of the bubble stream toward the solid surface.
15 The subj ect method is designed to provide for asymmetric transient cavitation providing for a violent collapse directing the bubble rrnt~ntc into the metal.
The reactor may be m-intAin~d in the presence of an electromagnetic field, where the field is created by an 2 0 electrical or magnetic f ield . The f ield may be produced by employing two electrodes, where one of the electrodes may be a metal plate for transmitting sound waves and the opposite electrode may be grid-like or mesh, which allows for observation of the solid surface and trAnPm;CPi~n of energy 25 to the solid surface. An electric field in the range of 5-100 volts may be employed. Alternatively, the field may be m-;nt~in~d by two poles of a magnet. The field will generally be of about 100 to 10,000 gauss, more usually of about 10 0 0 to 6 0 0 0 gaus s .
30 The ~ LI~L~L providing the solid cavitation surface may take many forms, such as film, foi1, plate, particles, grid, mesh, e.g. having a "wool-like~ structure, such as steel wool, etc. The surface may be smooth, crazed, etched, sputtered, etc., preferably having bubble nuclei forming 3 5 crevices . The hydrogen isotope absorbing material may be Wo 95tl6995 2 1 7 ~ ~ 8 ~ PCI/~JS94/13824 used as the s~`material or may be coated onto a different material, such as a ceramic, thermally 3tahle plastic, metal alloy, or the like. The surface will comprise a metal that is capable of A~q~lrh;ng or Ah~30rhin~ a l1Y~1LUY~1 isotope, 5 which includes metals (stable isotope8) of Groups IV and VIII of the ~?eriodic Chart; specific metals find use, such as rAl1A~illm (Pd), uranium (IJ), thorium (Th), titanium (Ti), vanadium (V), chromium (Cr), niobium (Nb), tantalum (Ta), hafnium (lIf), rlAt;nllm (Pt), rhodium (Rh), iridium (Ir), as 10 well as such metals as Alll~;nl-m (Al), nickel (Ni), bismuth (Bi), iron (Fe), molybdenum (Mo), tungsten (W) ,etc. The metal may be a pure metal or an alloy, e.g. steel, stainless or carbon, or combination of metals, such as the lAnth;nides, e.g. aluminum lAnth;n;de, misch metals, 15 compri8ing small amounts of cerium and samarium, in conjunction with larger amounts of such metals as nickel, V~;~e, etc. Desirably, the metals are capable of high valency and high ratio of l~y~l~ Uy~l isotope adsorption and absorption, going from pa~ladium, to t; tAn;l~m~ to zirconium, 20 to vanadium, molybdenum and tungsten.
The volume of the reactor may be varied widely, ~ron~;n~
upon the manner o~ ~formation of the bubbles, the energy available for formation of the bubbles, the desired size of the bubbles, the efficiency of heat transfer, the manner of 25 heat transfer, and the like. It would generally be desirable that the bubbles will expand or travel not more than about 50011, preferably not more than about 2501~ from their site of initiation to the surface at which they collapse. Therefore, the film of liquid between the bubble 30 generator and site of collapse generally will be thin. The diameter of the collapsing bubble will generally be in the range of about less than 1 micron to greater than 1 cm, more usually in the range of about 1 micron to 50 microns. In addition, fluid may be present surrounaing the lattice to 35 add to the volume and enhance heat transfer. Generally, in relation to the lattice area, the volume will be ~ . 02 - 10 ml per unit cm2, more usually about 0.2 ml per unit cm2.

WO 95/16995 2 1 7 8 ~) 8 6 PCrlUS94113824 The total circulating volume will usually be at least about o . 5 ml per unit cm2, more usually at least 2 ml per unit cm~, and has no upper limit other than one of convenience and the; nten~l~fl use .
Prior to or during the time of initiation of transient bubble formation, hydrogen isotope gas will be absorbed to the lattice surf ace . The presence of the hydrogen isotope on the surface can be achieved in a variety of ways, ~1~pF.nr~inr upon the nature of the surface. A number of lO metals, particularly metals such as palladium and titanium will absorb the hydrogen isotopes on their surface, so that no additional energy is required. Alternatively, electrolysis may be carried out, where the lattice surface may be one electrode and the fluid may comprise a source of l~ hydrogen isotope atoms. Other ways for providing absorption include loading under pressure or in the metallurgical manufacturing process or the like.
The metal surface may provide for compound formation, such as oxide formation or may be initially formed as the oxide.
20 The oxide will tend to slow the reaction, so that under conditions where one wishes to have a slower reaction, oxide formation can be used with advantage.
In carrying out the process, the critical ~1 tc Will be the (lattice~ collapsing bubble surface, the source of 2~ transient bubble fnrr-t;~n, and the bubble forming fluid.
For illustrative purposes, it will be assumed that the fluid is deuterium oxide which has been dega3sed and to which a monatomic inert gas has been added, e.g. argon. The pressure and temperature of the entering f luid is 30 determined. Besides the reactor volume, that portion of the f luid that occupies the reactor and is sub; ect to bubble formation, the total volume of the r~Artir,n fluid may also be selected, where the total volume may be 2 to lOO, more usually 3 to lO times the reactor volume. Assuming flow of 3~ the reaction fluid, cirr11lAt;rn of the fluid may begin.

Wo 95/16995 2 1 7 ~ O ~ ~i PCr/USs4/13824 ~

Where a hydrogen isotope is present in the fluid, electrolysis may beg~ts provide for ;~ nrhr.rl or ~h~nrh~
l~ydr ~Iy~l~ isotope,'~ the lattice collapsing bubble surface.
Bubble formation may then begin by providing for transient 5 buhble formation, using a snnir~tnr. The acoustic density, pulse cycle and power amplitude can then be set to provide for the deGired energy for the transient bubbles. The reaction may then be allowed to proceed for ~llfcir;Pnt time, usually at least about 1 min and generally at least about 5 10 min and maybe 2 weeks or lonyer, depending upon the needs for the energy, the nature of the system, and the like.
various systems may be employed in conjunction with the heat formation. By employing thermoelectric devices, which may be attached to the reactor, particularly on the opposite 15 side from the transient bubble forming device, the heat may be directly transformed into Pl ertri ri ty. Various devices which may be employed to produce electricity include thermo-electric cells, Seebeck devices, bimetallic motor devices, etc. Alternatively, one may employ a heat exchanger, which 20 may be concentric tubes, where the 1uid ~rom the reactor flows past the heat receiving fluid. one may also provide for vanes, where the fluid from the reactors pass through vanes in a bath, which contains vanes for the heat receiving fluid, 80 as to r-int~;n the bath at a conatant temperature.
25 Various other heat exchange r ~^h~n; ~ may be employed.
Alternatively, one can uae the 1uid, aa a lir~uid or vapor to drive various mechanical devices, e.g. tl'rhin~, to provide mechanical or electrical energy directly, where all or a portion of the heat g~nPr~tpd in the reactor may be 3 0 dissipated.
There are two different systems which will be considered in the figurea. The first system is a dual sy3tem, which uses light water i~a the sonicator or energy tr~n~lr;nrJ portion and heavy water in the reactiorL system. The heavy water 35 provides the heat production. In the second syatem, a single system is used where heavy water serves in both the WO 95/16995 2 1 7 8 ~ 8 ~ PCrlUS94/13824 sonicator and the reaction system, providing heat i?roduction .
For ~urther understanding o~ the invention, the drawings will now be considered.
5 FrRrT ~T-TT'RN~TIVE EM;30DIMENT
The apparatus elements shown in Figure 1 can be gathered into subgroups or systems called " ~ntq which are convenient for calorimetric mea~u,~ q. These ~ , - q are:
The reaction volume 14 made up of the elements 18, 20, 22, 26, 36, 38, 39 and 42 monitored by thermocouples 148 and 149.
The sonication volume 16 made up o~ the elements 12, 22, 81, 96, 97, 98, 99 and 100 monitored by 15 thermocouples 152 and 151.
The reaction volume heat P~rh~n~Pr 162 made up of the Pl R 52, 54, 56 and 44 monitored by thermocouple 154 .
The sonication volume heat exchanger 163 maae up o~ the elements 70, 77, 79 and 83 monitored by thermocouple 155 .
The reaction volume system pump 165 is element 50 and is monitored by thermocouples 150 and 148.
The sonication volume system pump 164 is element 72 and is monltored by thermocouples 153 and 152.
The experimental apparatus ~or creating the environment ~or this ~h~l- nn congists o~ two closed cirr~ t; nn systems that m;:;nt:3;n the proper P~tPrn~l pressure and temperature WO 95/16995 ~! 1 7 ~ 0 8 ~ PCT/US94/13824 80 that cavitation bubbles can be produced over el-t--n~
time periods. The larger system is the sonication Gystem in which water was circulated through a 15 L heat ~ J ~ 83 as shown in~ Fir,ure 1. An ~tPrnAl pressure of air or 5 nitrogen 65 is r-~nt~;n~d to reduce cavitation in the aonication sy~tem allowing more acoustic energy into the reaction volume 14 . The latter syatem was rrnr~ntrl c with the aonication volume 16 and was locat.ed above it. The two re8ervoir8 o~ the two sy~;tems were.~èparated by a l mm (40 10 mil) stainless steel disk 22. In the 15 ml reaction re8ervoir, 18, heavy water was circulated at a rate of 300 ml/min by flow meter 51 through a 3.3 L heat .ol~rh~nr~r 162.
The e~tPrn~l preaaure of the gaaes was adjuated to a value in the reaction volume ayatem to optimize the character of 15 transient cavitation bubblea. The two concentric 7.5 cm diameter acouatically connected ayatema were run at steady state temperature conditiona (where input and output power are r-;nt~in~-l at a ateady atate after an initial atart-up period) . The reaction reaervoir 18 rr,nt~in,~A the palladium 20 foil 26. Critical temperaturea were monitored at various points in the two systems, tracking the total energy input and output with time. The acoustic field was generated by a 64 mm ~2.5 inch) titanium acoustic horn 12 tuned to 20 Khz. The acoustic ener~y delivered to the Pd foil 26 was 25 about 3 watta/cm2. The rnnt~ or the ~nir~tirn aystem and horn was 1/2 inch thick ~ n~hl P aluminum split sliding cylinders g6 and 97, and for the reaction volume, a 3/4 inch thick stainleas steel ring 20. This describes a special configuration of the ~n1 r~tr~r volume in Figure 1 30 where one may move the horn 12 with respect to the atainles3 ateel aeparator disk 22 to allow better control of the acouatic energy delivered to the reaction volume.
The pressure gaugea were digital compound gauges from TIF
Instrument Co., which measured a pres~ure o~ 30 inch lIg(60 35 psig). The gaa mixera 45 and 66 were 25 ml Pyrex bulba.
The gas or riase~3 in the reaction volume were deuterium 62 and/or argon 64. The gaa in the aonication volume was WO 95/16995 217 ~ PCT/US94113824 nitrogen 65. The flow meters were from Key In3trument, (Trevose, Pennsylvania) with an acrylic body and a stainless steel float.
The circulating pumps 50 and 72 were magnetically driven 5 from Micro Pumps, located in Concord, California, with Teflon~ gears and a stainless steel body, part 07002-23, coupled with a variable speed motor, part 07002-45. The pump's interior material exposure to the cirr~ ;n5 heavy water was to Teflon~ and stainless steel. The valves were 10 FEP Teflon~ ~rom Galtek Corp., as were the tubing and fittings. The thermocouples were type K from OMEGA along with the No. 871 output thermocouple reading devices and the ~H20SW multiprobe switch boxes. The reaction volume interior material e~ u~ ~ to the circulating heavy water 15 was FEP a~d stainless steel. The input and output ports were supplied with Teflon~ fittings for the FEP tubing which was used throughout the apparatus.
The electric isolation of the reaction volume was accomplished using Teflon~ gaskets 108 shown in Fig. 2 with 20 the sandwiching of reaction volume 14 and separating disk 22 to the sonication volume with six 12.7 mm (1/2 inch) nylon bolts 38. The s~ni~tinn volume 16 was ~~hin,of~ from an aluminum block to ~ t~ a 63 . 5 mm (2 . 5 inch) horn 12 .
The heat exchanger 162 for the reaction volume 14, was a 25 polyethylene ~nt~inPr with stirrer 54 for the light water coolant 56, which received from the reaction volume the hot heavy water from reaction volume 14, which then passed through a coiled 1/8 inch 8t~;nl~q heat exchange coil element 44, then back to t~e reaction volume. The heat 30 ~ lall~r for the sonication volun~e 163 wa6 a polyethylene ~lnt~in~r 83 with stirrer 77 for the light water coolant 70, which received from the sonication volume the hot light water 81 which then passed through a coiled 1/4 inch copper heat exchange coil element 79, then back to the sonication 3 5 volume .

217~0~S

The apparatus wa3 first cleaned then bolted together and the reaction system was pressurized with deuterium or argon testing for tightness and leaks'~, When sati5fied that the system was tight, the ~lPr~ $l heavy water 121 waa added to 5 the reaction volume lo~ and circulated, removing any rPm~;n;nr system gas bubbles to the gas mixing bulb 46. The addition of water to the Elnn1 r~tnr loop and its pressurization with nitrogen 65 was the next step. The purpose was to reduce the cavitation in the Snn;rz,tinn 10 volume 81 (the acoustic pressure, which was delivered to the stainless steel disk, did not produce cavitation damage in the sonication volume because the formation o~ bubbles was repressed by the high Pl~tPrn~l pressure) . The apparatus was brought close to the operating temperature by filling the 15 two heat Pl~r~ngprs~ 162 and 163, with preheated water.
Both the heat exchangers were stirred with stirrers 54 and 77. The two pumps 50 and 72 were turned on circulating the heavy and light water through their re3pective systems. At this point, the reaction volume was filled with gas to the 20 appropriate P~rt~rni~l pressure; then, the initial temperatures were measured, the sonicator 78 was turned on, the time was noted, and the run was started.
Figure 3 B is the detail of the reactor from Figure 1. A
8t~;nlPc~ gteel reaction volume 20 which consists of a top 25 36 --rh;nP~ of aluminum allowing for viewing through ports 40 and supporting a FEP sealed window 42. The seal is made by '~O'~ rings llQ. The bottom is a stainless steel disk 22 with two insulating FEP flat gaskets 108 sealed by "O" rings lll and 112. The window 36 Ls fastened to the reaction 30 volume via stainless steel ring 39 cushioned by `O-t ring 109 .
Figure 3 A shows the reaction volume. Electrodes 32 are passed through ports 113 and 114. One electrode 32 is attached to the grid 24 which is insulated from the rest of 35 the system by FEP insulator 25 The other electrode 32 is Wo 95/1699S ~ 1 7 8 0 ~ 6 PCr/US94113824 attached to the stainless steel disk 22 making it the other electrode .
The reaction vessel is clamped t~reth~r and to the rest of the system using nylon bolts 38. The output of the reaction vessel is 28 and the input is 30.
Referring now to Figure 4, an Al t~rnAtF~ a; ' of the cold fusion device described above follows.
In this particular embodiment, the heat generated within the reaction vessel 218 is ~u~, uullded with heat exchange liquid 281.
The system depicted in Figure 4 includes a pi~70Pl rrtric crystal or ceramic cnn;cAtnr 276, which is positioned adjacent to the r~Art;nn vessel 218 and which is immersed in a cooling medium 281. This particular cooling medium 281 is comparable to the cooling system described in the principal ' ,ra,; Xowever, in this particular emhodiment it _ let~-l y surrounds the reaction vessel and sonicator, rather than being just beneath it. In like manner, a coolant pump 272 will circulate water into and out of this cooling medium 281. Appropriate heat f~rrhAnr~r and the like may be affixed to the structure in a manner similar to the principal ~mhoa;-- , within the rnntA; t vessel 212.
~t~nntA; vessel 212 is used in a descriptive sense to indicate that the entire structure may be cnnt~;n~ within one vessel . ) The reaction vessel 218 is positioned in the center of such cnntA; t ves8el, with the cooling medium 281 surrounding it within the rnntA; t vessel.
Entering into the l~nntA;nm~nt vessel is a control stem 214 which is used to provide conduit means for appropriate conductors 216 leading to the sonicator 276 . Other control devices, such as temperature ;n~a~;rAt;nr devices 225 and pressure indicating devices 224, may be positioned adjacent to the control stem 214 with the n~c~ccAry electrical leads.

W095/l6995 2l7~n8~i PCTIUS94113824 In order to provide deuterium oxide and deuterium to the reaction vessel 218, cnnrllli tc 228 and 230 are provided to the reaction vessel. These cnnrlll;tq may be used in a manner similar to the conduits in the principal embodiment to control to a degree the heat,~ithin the reaction vessel, should such control be n~n~ ~ry The liquid in reaction volume 218 is kept circlllAf~n~ by pump 250. The excess heat generated in reaction volume 218 is ~ with the fluid 281 Qf the ~nnt:: i ' system. On the other hand, it may be appropriate to keep the structure at a heat ~m~wh~t higher than in the principal embodiment, thereby rl~p~n~l;n~ upon coolant medium 281. In that vein, conduit 274 and return conduit 278 may be provided to the coolant medium 281 so that water or- heat transfer material may be circulated by pump 272 to the ~'nnt:~1 t vessel. Finally, an appropriate power supply 227 is provided to the sonicator 276.
O~eration of the Fir~t Alternate Embodiment Operation of the alternate embodiment follows generally that of the principal ~ 9; t, The heat generated in reaction volume 218 with the interaction of cavitation bubbles on the surface of Pd wool or wire 226 is removed guickly through the thin wall 242 and the liquid circulated via pump 250.
Heat exchange liguid is circulated through heat exchange coil 279 (space heater). The liquid circulation is accomplished with pump 272 replacing the hot liguid 281 with cool liquid via conduits 27~ and 278.
gECOND AITERNATE EMBODIMENT
Now referring to Figure 5, the second alternate ' ~ t of a microfusion device iB shown, consisting of multiple 30 small devices 302 that are closed systems acting in concert.
These devices take the sum of the heat generated in all mini devices in the flow pipe system 300 and in the fluid 381, circulate it, and use the heat for some specified purpose.
The heat generated within reaction volume 318 is in the I WO 9S/16995 217 ~ ~ 8 ~ ~ PCT/US94/13824 fashion of earlier stated technology. The acoustic energy i8 supplied by the piezoelectric crystal 376 via electric conduit 301 which also transfers temperature information to soni-control 378 for control of the heat transfer for all of 5 the mini devices. The crystal 376 is bonded to the metal membrane 322 which is in contact with the deuterium oxide in volume 318 . Also in volume 318 is the pAl l A~ m wire or wool 326 which provides the surface and lattice for the heat producing fusion events. The threaded hex sealing nut 310 10 seals the acoustic membrane 322 via "O" ring 307 to the body 342 of the reaction volume. The volume 318 is equipped with a filling port 330 and pressure release valve 393. The mini devices are sealed into the tube or heat flow pipe 300 via threaded element 346 and i,o.. ring 305.
O~eration of the Second ~l ternate Embodiment Operation of the second alternate: ' ~.li follows generally that of the first alternative ~mhotli~Ant. The heat generated in reaction volume 318 from the interaction of cavitation bubbles on the surface of Pd wool or wire 326 is removed quickly through the wall of 342. The liquid in 302 relies on convection from the wire 326 to the liquid ~ ntAin,~ in reaction volume 318, then through the wall of body 342. Here the heat is transferred to the circ~ t;ng liquid 381 and carried to the point of use. In summary, the heat generated by fusion events is transported by pipe 300 circ1-lAt;n~ liquid 381 at a rate controlled by valves 371 to a device similar to that found in the first alternate embodiment. The mini microfusion cells embedded in the pipe 300 serve to provide constant and even heat to the cirr1llAt;n~ liquid which can be extracted at some point downstream for the users' benefit, then returned as cool liquid for reheating and reuse.

WO95/16ggs 2~-8(3~i PCTIUS94/13824 -THI~D ~T-'rT'RI`T~TE EM30DIMENT
Now referring to Figure 6, the third alternate: ~;m~nt of a fusion device is shown. In this .omhorl; - , the heat generated within the reaction vessel 418 is converted to electricity- or electrlcal current by means of a thermoelectric device 402 (TED~ using the heat differential developed between the pAl 1 Arli lattice 426 and the heat exchange tluid 470 . The TED 4t~2 ca~ take the configuration shown schematically in Figure 6, which is a serieA
aLL,.~J . ~t. In Figure 6, there is a tem~erature gradient between the two elements 426 and 442. The system depicted in Figure 6 includes a so~icator 476 mounted on metal membrane 422 forming a wall of reaction volume 418. The reaction volume 418 is immersed in a heat exchange liquid 470 r~ntA;n,~l in insulated box 412.
The entire syfitem is cnntA;n~l in the box 412 80 as to capture mo~t of the heat g~onf~rAt~d by all factor~3 (cavitation, electronics, and lattice events). The Sf~n; rAtr~ 476 i9 protected, as is the power supply and control for the sonicator 424 and the temperature sensing and control 425, from the liquid 470 by shield 497, keeping the electrical ~ therein dry. The TED 402 i8 a sealed volume which consists of the rAl l A~l; llm 426 and the outer wall 447, and can be filled with deuterium ga~ 462.
2~ The reaction volume is situated in the center of confinement vessel 412 with the heat exchange 1 iquid ~LL, L~ .ling it within the cnntA; vessel_ E~tering into the rr~ntA; ~ volume is stem 414 which is used to provide conduit means ~or appropriate conductors 416 leading to the electric i~put for the Gonicator 476. Another conduit 466 performs the functiQn of (1) allowing deuterium pressure to both the reaction volume 418 and the TED volume 447 for the purpose of keeping the deuterium at equilibrium pressure in the pAl l Ar~ m lattice, and (2~ acting as a conduit for the 35 electric energy transported to the outside of r~nt;l; t 412 and 447 by leads 406. The energy generated by TED i~3 Wo gS/l6995 2 1 7 8 ~ PCr/US94113824 carried by 406 to the collection and dlstribution device 444. Other control devices for measuring pressure and temperature can be placed near either conduit 466 or 414 as a matter of practicality.
5 In order to provide deuterium oxide to the reaction volume 418, the conduit 466 can be used. The circ~ t;nn of deuterium oxide through the reaction volume 418 is via convection with the hot liquid in 418 rising into volume 446, then settling down after cooling through conduit 430 10 and traveling back into the reaction volume 418 through the bottom. The control of the temperature of the system is m-int~in~ at a steady state to r~int~in the best environment for cavitation. It may be appropriate to keep the fluid 470 cool by circulation to the outside environment 15 for heat exchange via conduits 478 and 474 by pump 472.
OT~eration of the Third Al ternate T'm~r,diment Operation of this alternate ' ~(1i follows generally that of the first alternate embodiment; however, in this instance, a sonicator is operated adjacent the reaction 20 vessel 418, thereby causing microfusion to occur in the m-faced thermoelectric device TED 402. Microfusion events raise the temperature at the hot junction 426 of the TED creating an ell~rtrir~l current within the system. Such current is tapped off through lead 406. A positive 25 deuterium pressure is m-int~in.o~ in the TED rnnt~inm~nt 447.
FOURTH AT TE~NATE EMBODIM~NT
Ref erring now to Figure 7, ln the f ourth alternate t pump 602 circulates D2O into reactor 600 through conduits 606 and 608. Where conduits 606 and 608 empty into 3(~ reaction volume 604 are heaters 614 and 616 located outside of the acoustic field generated by sonicators 610 and 612.
Above and below reaction volume 6~4 are sonicators 610 and 612. ~ocated in the reaction volume 604 is metal lattice Wo 95JI6995 217 8 ~3 8 6 PCTt7i~Sg 7tl3824 618. D2O flows out of reactor 600 through conduits 620 and 622 through flow meter 624 and into bubbler 626. Pressure devices 628 control the pressure in the bubbler 626 and reactor 600. 7~2O flows back to the pump 602 whereby it i8 5 recirculated into the reactor 600.
. . .
In Figure 8 is depicted a cross section in di~ayL tic form of a reactor 600. The reactor 600 has ah upper aluminum ring 632 and a lower ;71l7m;nl1m ring 634. ~h upper sonicator 612 and lower snn; ~ 7tnr 610 are emplo~ed to provide for lo transient bubble formation above and below metal foil 618.
The metal foil 618 is placed in the reactor area 604. The reactor area 604 has input ports 604 and 606 and output ports 620 and 622. Heaters 636 and 638 are provided for heating the ; n~; n~ liquid to the desired temperature .
15 Upper and lower ring insulators 636 and 638 respectively are provided for insulating lower and upper metal (e.g.
8t-7inlP~7 steel [S.S.] )electrodes 640 and 642, which electrodes also serve to transmit the e7 ergy from the sonicator to the fluid in reactor volume 604. The electrodes 6~0 and 642 are connec:ted to circuit 644 to provide for a rnntinllnus electrical field during the course of the reaction.
The reactor is shown in greater detail in Figures 9a, b, and c.
The following examples are offered by way of illustration and not by way of limitation.
7~pr7? Tr~ENTA:l~
The apparatus employed was sub6tantially as described for Figure 1 The apparatus comprised two closed ~-irClll;7tinn systems, in which the proper P~tPrn;71 pressure and temperature were Ir-int,7;nPd to produce cavitation bubbles over PxtPnr7Pd time periods at steady state conditions.
Bubbles were produced on the surface of a palladium foil by WO 95116995 ~ ~ 7 ~ D 8 5- PCTIUS94/13824 an acoustic generator operating at 20Khz providing a non-focused acoustic field with an average intensity on the foil of about 3W/cm~ and an amplitude of about 3 atms.
The cr~nt~;nPr comprising the sonicator provided for water 5 circ-llAt jt~n at a rate of 600ml/min through a 15 L heat exchanger. An ~YtPrnAl pressure of about 6 atm of nitrogen was ~;nt~;nPd in the sonicator flow system to reduce cavitation in this system. The fluid in the reaction vessel and the fluid in the c~n;~t;on vessel are separated by a 10 lmm stainless steel disc. The reaction volume in the reactor is 15ml and the reaction medium is circulated at a rate of 300ml/min through a 3.3~ heat exchanger. The PYtPrn ~l pressures of gases were varied in the reaction volume system. The acoustic field was generated by a 64mm 15 titanium acoustic horn tuned to 20 KHz. The sonication vessel was a 13mm thick aluminum cylinder, while the reactor vessel was a l9mm thick stainless steel cylinder. The ;ntPrnAl walls of the reaction vessel were either FEP or stainless steel. Electric isolation of the reaction volume 20 was accomplished using Teflong gaskets which sandwiched the reaction volume and disc to the ~ n;~t;~n unit. the p~ foil was 50x50xO . lmm ~Johnson Matthey Chemicals Iltd. ) weighing 3g, and 99 . 9975~ pure . The foil was suspended by being held at its corners by an FEP supporter 25 in a plane parallel to that of the stainless steel disc.
The heavy water employed was 99 . 9~ pure, was (1P~ Prl and pressurized with deuterium and/or argon, prior to use. The deuterium was shown to have 14 ppm 4He.
In carrying out the process, the apparatus was ~irst cleaned 30 and then bolted to~PthPr. The reaction system was then pressurized with deuterium and/or argon and tested for tightness and leaks. The reaction medium was then added to the reactor and circulation system, carrying ~ln~--ntP~l gas bubbles to the gas phase of the gas mixing bulb where the 35 bubbles were removed. water was then added to the sonicator system and pressurized with nitrogen. The apparatus was 217~Q8~.
WO 95/16995 ,~ , PCTIUS9~/13824 then brought close to the operating temperature by f illing the two heat ~Yt~h~n~rS with preheated water, with stirring of the water in the heat exchangers. The pumps were then turned on to circulate the f luids in the two systems . The 5 reaction volume was then pressurized with deuterium and/or argon, where different ~Ytc.rn~l gas prQssures were employed for different runs. After pressurizing the system, the initial temperatures were measured, the sonicator turned on, and the run begun. ThP ~uu~les were employed to determine the temperature of each ~ in each run . For the first 2 to 3 hours of each run, the temperatures of all components increased and then leveled off as the system approached steady state. Excess heat was determined by a steady-state measurement technique by measuring the heat 15 output from each , -~t of a system in a single run. The following table indicates the results of a number of 8tudies .

WO 95/1699~ 2 1 7 8 ~ ~ 6 pCllUS94/13824 .C
~ N~ i ~ N ~i ~r) N ~Y) (n ~i N N N ('7 ~'1 ~ 1`7 N ~) N ~1 O
. .
H ~ h ,i o N N N r ~ c o 3 N N N N ~`; N N N N ~1 ~i 3 3 ~ o a) r c~ D ~ m r ~ g E~ Ln v -oU o U~ O N N ~ C~ r~ ~i N ~ i ~ E~ ' O
:~ ~ a ~i ~1 u~ a) N
'i+~ +~ ~ +~ +~ +~ +
oo z ,~ O ~ m m ri H _ f~) (`7 (~ ~ O ~ 0 o ~ ~r ~ U r ~ CQ 'i 'I u~ z V S E~ m N ~ o ~ i ~i ~i ~1 0 LD LD O ~a 3 ~: C

,¢ LU i O
~i Z H i~ I z p~ ~ I~ . ~ ~N i U
- Z Y l¢ ~ ~,) ~ Li V '~ ID L~i Wo 95/16995 2 1 7 8 ~ ~ 6 PCT/US94/13824 On many or~A~;nn~ following heavy water-deuterium runs, the palladium foil was found to be discolored and ~ f~ ~
where on some ocrAAinn~ the foil partially melted, displaying both high discoloration and ~" 'nPnt holefi about 5 5mm in diameter. The monitoring of steady state heat energy output (about 400 watts over 24 ~to 72 hours) ; nri; nAt~l that heavy water-deuterium runs were~characterized by an output energy a3 high as 10 0 w3~s more than that f ound in comparable light water-lLy~ L runs. A comparison of heavy 10 water runs I, J, L, M, R and 5 to light water run K, as well as a comparison of heavy water runs A and B to the light water run C ;n~ At~-q a correlation between excess heat and 4He production.
In order to measure the 4He produced, a 35ml gas ~ 1 in~
5 bulb, equipped with 2 isolation valves and a gas syringe port, was inserted between ;~nlAt;r~n valves in the reaction volume system at the end of each heavy water run. A portion of the gas was transferred to the ,l;n~ bulb. The bulb, ~nntA;n;n~ wet gageg, was then removed from the system and 20 1 to 3ml of the gas transferred through the syringe port to a valved gas syringe . The gas f rom the gas valved syringe was then injected into the port of a mass qre~ t~ for analysis. 1~L1 of pure 4He was iniected directly into the mass 3pectrometer and served as a rough quantitative 25 standard. The re301ution of the maas ~e.:L,- ter was about o . 01 mass units . This resolving power easily resolved the mass peaks, 4He and D2. The potential for nnntAm;nAtion of the gas with 4He from the argon and/or deuterium is unlikely, because in those runs where heat was not produced, 30 4He could not be detected.
The pAl 1 Atiium Foil Analvsis The 4He found by MS analysis may not account ~or all the excess heat . If DD fusion events occurred in the pAl l A~ m lattice, then perhaps there were other ~usion events that 35 followed, energized by the DD events, causing small changes WO 95/16995 2 1 7=8 o ~ ~ PCrlUS94/13824 in the pAllA~;llm lattice isotope distribution and perhaps some trAnp~-~lt~tinn. Other possibilities for the generation of excess heat Q(x), such as trAn~ ~t;ons in the cavitation exposed palladium lattice, could be found by 5 analyzing the exposed palladium foil, using an Inductively Coupled Plasma Mass Spectrometer (ICP-MS). In an ; ntl~r.on~ nt laboratory, a comparative analysi3 was made of before and after cavitation-exposed palladium sample using a Perkin Elmer Sciex Elan 500 ICP-MS, with a resolution of 10 one mass unit. This analysis looked for changes in the before and after ~ U~ULC of the metal rAl l A~ m lattice samples, and was done six months after the completion of the above study.
The p~llA~ m foil, which had a purity of 99.9975~, used in 15 runs I, J, K, ~, M, R, and S had a certified ~ Al analysis by the vendor for 72 .~l~ A. The lattice impurities of interest for this particular analysis were rhodium at less than 3 ppm, silver at less than 1 ppm, and cadmium at less than 1 ppm (below the level of detection of 20 the certified rl ~ Al analygis) . The ICP-MS analysis measured small differences in isotope rnnrrntrpt;nnR of metals in the palladium foil lattice with masses similar to those of the palladium isotopes . The two r~l l A~ m samples were dissolved in nitric acid, O . 024 gm before and O . 022 gm 25 after exposure, and analyzed.
Some of the suspect stable trAnl ~1 isotopes in the mass range of interest were blocked from analysis by the high concentrations of the stable isotopes of pAllallillm foil.
The rnP~;hlf~ stable trAn~ Ptinnq orig;n~t;nr, from 30 pAl l A~ lm changes in the lattice and impurities that might be pre~ent are blocked to any ICP-MS analysis of low cnnrl~ntrAt;nn transmutations or impurities, because of the - high rnnrF~ntration o~ Pd isotopes. The low rnnr-~ntration isotopes can be analyzed below Pd mass number 100 and above 35 mass numher 112. The isotope Cdll4 is the only isotope deiinitely found in excess when compared to the unexposed 21~118~

r~ 7m The strip i~l the lower right defines the scope of the 'cransmutation analysis.
Small differences in ion counts from the two dissolved ps:llArl;~ 3amples, before and after, were measurable only 5 for those isotopes that were not blocke~d by the r~
isotopes. It would be of intere8t to measùre any changes i~
the palladium i30tope distribution, b~t~ these changes would be 80 small in the r~ m ric,~,i system and therefore -~C;hle to detect. This blocking limited detection of 10 possible tr atinnq to the two cadmium isotopes Cdll2 and Cdll4, with the i~otopes Cdll3 and Cdll6 not likely tr~n~ ~t;on candidates. Only for the isotope Cdll4 was the difference in ion counts, equivalent to 30 :: 10 ion counts, statistically significant as an analytical re8ult.

WO 95/16995 2 1 ~ 8 ~ 8 ~ PCT~S94113824 Ul ~` ~D In r ~` N
N ~ N C) ~I N ~I N
~D
~ U
cq N ~~. E-l H H +l +l '¢ ~ N ~ ~1 U~ ~
~: Z E~
O
~ ~ Z ~ I` ~ ~ ~
O ~ ~ ,~ o +l -H +l H
t` t~ N N
N ~ ~ ~1 Nz +i -H +I t~
X
O O ~1 O ~ ~ ~ O
Z D. .¢ ~1, Z

W095/16995 2l7~n8~i PCr/US94/13824 -In Table 2, the IC~P-,D~S: anaiysis of the llnhl ork~d cadmium isotopes found in the exposed and unexposed p~ m foil is shown. Column 1 is a list of fusion reactions of a hot alpha or a deuteron with a p~ m lattice isotope forming 5 a cadmium isotope. Column 2 is the ion count of the acid used to dissolve the sample. Column 3 is the ion count of the p~l l A~ m foil before the e~o~u~ ~: to the cavitation process. Column 4 is the ion count Qf the palladium foil after the ~O~U1C: to the cavitation process.
10 Column 5 is the change in ion counts between columns 2 and 3 taken together when compared to column 4. (The change in the ion count is close to ppm values for cadmium in the palladium ~oil. ) The relative sensitivities of Cd and Pd, which were not measured during the analysis, are related to 15 their relative average irni7:~tion potentials which are close in value.
Column 6 is the list of cadmium isotopes. Column 7 is the natural ~hlln~l~nro of some of the stable cadmium isotopes.
The ion counts for the metal isotopes are close to the ppm 20 Cl-nr~ntration that existed in the 3 r~m palladium foil, before and after the runs I-S in Table 1. No Cdll6 was found in the exposed sample and little, if any, Cdll2 and Cdll3. The analysis did find Cdll4 at a level 30~10 counts, which relates to about 30ilO ppm in the exposed sample when 25 1 _ ~d to the unexposed p~ m sample.
The above result could be attributed to a redistribution of a cadmium cnnt~mi n~nt in the system in the course of heavy water-deuterium runs. If such c~nt~m;n~t;on was present, it would have led to an increase in all cadmium isotopes. In 30 particular, if a level of the isotope Cdll6 had been found, rrnt;tmi n:qt j rn could explain the analytical result . On the other hand, there being no Pdll2 isotope, no Cdll6 could have been formed through a tr~n~ at i r,n process of r~ m in the after sample. The latter was the case;
35 there were nP ~ hl ,~ rli fff.~f-nr~ in the ICP-MS ion 2~78086 WO 95/16995 PCrNS94113824 counts for the isotope Cdll6. The presence of Cdll4, without the presence of Cdll6, points to a trqnl ~tinn -h;~n;r~ rather than to a cadmium cnnt~min~tinn source.
In the next study, palladium and titanium foils were 5 employed, where the titanium foil had a size of 50mm x 50mm x 0.2mm (-2 grams). The ~LuceduL=8 employed have been already described a~ove, f~ r;f;5~ conditions being provided in the following table.

WO 95/16995 2 1 ~ 8 0 8 6 PCT/US94113U4 ' X
V ~ "
, .. ...
~ O ~ ~ o ~ _ ~1 e O
rl ~
C O .~ "
-dX 3 ~ ~
. ~ e ~il ~ I_ ~1 WO 95/16995 2 1 7 ~ ~) 8 5 PCrlUS94113824 The above results demonstrate a number o:E f actors . First, there is substantially greater heat being produced as compared to the amount of heat which is introduced into the - system as various forms of energy. Thus, the total energy 5 which is obtained from the sy3tem is greater than the total energy which is introduced into the system in the various forms of heat, -h~nicAl energy and electrical energy.
Secondly, helium is produced in amounts substAntiAl 1y greater than can be ~rlA;n~d by ~nnt~m;n~tinn of the 10 system. The exce3s helium is produced substwntiA7~y reproducibly and correlate3 with the amount of heat produced with the system. Furthermore, trAnl At; nn appears to occur in the fnrm-t;nn of cadmium from rAll~ m Finally, using titanium foil, a substAntiAlly ~nh~n~-~d ratio of 31Ie 15 to 4~Ie i8 obtained, which requires that there be production of 3~e from the interaction between deuterium and the titAnil~m foil. The subject invention therefore provides a number of important r~pAh; 1 i ties, in that heat can be produced, novel isotopes can be produced, and most 20 importantly, energy which is employed can be amplified in a safe way with simple devices u~ing ;nPyr~nqive' clean material~ .
All publications and patent applications cited in this specification are herein incorporated by reference as if 2~ each individual publication or patent application were specifically and individually indicated to be incorporated by ref erence .
Although the foregoing invention has been described in some detail by way of illustration and example for purpose3 o~
30 clarity of understanding, it will be readily apparent to those of ordinary skill in the art in light o~ the tF-a~h;n~
of this invention that certain changes and modifications may be made thereto without departing from the spirit or scope of the <l~e.lded claims.

Claims (23)

WHAT IS CLAIMED IS:

1. A method for producing heat, said method comprising:
forming high energy transient bubbles in a hydrogen isotope containing liquid medium at a temperature below about 350°C in the presence of a metal surface, whereby said bubbles direct said hydrogen isotope at high energy into said metal surface with formation of heat in excess of the heat generated by the bubble bursting; wherein said metal surface is titanium or said forming cycles energy input; and collecting the resulting heat.

2. A method according to Claim 1, wherein said hydrogen isotope is deuterium, said liquid medium is deuterium oxide, and said liquid medium is at an elevated temperature and pressure.

3. A method according to Claim 2, wherein said temperature is at least about 10°C and said pressure is at least about 2 atm.

4. A method according to Claim 1, wherein said metal surface is a metal of Groups IV to VIII of the Periodic Chart.

5. A method according to Claim 4, wherein said metal is titanium.

6. A method for producing heat, said method comprising:
forming by acoustical means high energy transient bubbles in a hydrogen isotope containing liquid medium at a temperature below about 350°C in the presence of a metal surface, whereby said bubbles direct said hydrogen isotope at high energy into said metal surface with formation of heat in excess of the heat generated by the bubble bursting;
wherein said forming cycles energy input; and collecting the resulting heat.

7. A method according to Claim 6, wherein said acoustical means comprises a sonicator producing sound waves at a frequency of at least 10 KHZ and at an energy at said metal surface of at least 1 W/cm2.

8. A method according to Claim 7, wherein said sonicator comprises a liquid reservoir at an elevated pressure, wherein said sonicator liquid reservoir and said liquid medium are separated by a thin metal plate.

9. A method according to Claim 7, wherein said liquid medium comprises deuterium oxide at an elevated pressure under an argon atmosphere.

10. A method according to Claim 7, wherein said metal surface is a metal of Group IV to VIII of the Periodic Chart.

11. A method according to Claim 10, wherein said metal is titanium.

12. A method according to Claim 6, wherein said temperature is at least about 10°C and said liquid medium is at an elevated pressure of at least about 2 atm.

13. A method according to Claim 6, wherein said liquid medium is maintained in an electromagnetic field as a result of a magnet or an electrical current in proximity to said liquid medium.

14. A method according to Claim 6, wherein said metal comprises deuterium prior to initiating bubble formation.

15. A method according to Claim 6, wherein said liquid medium comprises deuterium oxide, wherein said deuterium oxide has been degassed and repressurized with at least one gas selected from the group consisting of deuterium, argon and krypton.

16. A method for producing heat, said method comprising:
forming by pulsed acoustical means high energy transient bubbles in a deuterium oxide at a temperature between about 10°C and 350°C at a pressure of at least 2 atm of a gas selected from the group consisting of deuterium and argon in the presence of a palladium or titanium metal surface, whereby said bubbles direct deuterium atoms at high energy into said metal surface with formation of heat in excess of the heat generated by the bubble bursting; and collecting the resulting heat.

17. A method for producing heat, said method comprising:
forming high energy transient bubbles in a hydrogen isotope containing liquid medium at a temperature below about 350°C in the presence of a titanium surface, whereby said bubbles direct said hydrogen isotope at high energy into said metal surface with formation of heat in excess of the heat generated by the bubble bursting; and collecting the resulting heat.

18. An apparatus for producing heat, said apparatus comprising:
a reaction vessel comprising an inlet and an outlet and opposed walls;
a bubble collapsing metal surface in between said opposed walls, said metal surface capable of absorbing a hydrogen isotope;
means for producing transient asymmetric high energy bubbles directed against said metal surface in a liquid medium, when said liquid medium is present in said reaction vessel, wherein energy is transferred through a continuous liquid medium to said metal surface;
means for heat transfer from heat produced in said reaction vessel to a heat receiving means.

19. An apparatus according to Claim 18, wherein said bubbles producing means is a sonicator capable of producing sound waves at at least about 10 KHz to provide energy at said metal surface of at least about 1 W/cm2.

20. An apparatus according to Claim 19, wherein said sonicator comprises means for pulsing said means for producing transient asymmetric high energy bubbles.

21. An apparatus according to Claim 18, wherein said metal surface is a metal of Groups IV to VIII of the Periodic Chart.

22. An apparatus according to Claim 18, wherein said heat transfer means comprises a circulation system which includes said continuous liquid medium and a heat exchanger positioned exterior to said reaction vessel.

23. An apparatus according to Claim 18, wherein said heat transfer means comprises a bimetallic thermo-electric means for converting heat into electrical energy.