EP0731973A1 - Procede de production de chaleur - Google Patents

Procede de production de chaleur

Info

Publication number
EP0731973A1
EP0731973A1 EP95911550A EP95911550A EP0731973A1 EP 0731973 A1 EP0731973 A1 EP 0731973A1 EP 95911550 A EP95911550 A EP 95911550A EP 95911550 A EP95911550 A EP 95911550A EP 0731973 A1 EP0731973 A1 EP 0731973A1
Authority
EP
European Patent Office
Prior art keywords
heat
metal surface
bubbles
liquid medium
energy
Prior art date
Legal status (The legal status is an assumption and is not a legal conclusion. Google has not performed a legal analysis and makes no representation as to the accuracy of the status listed.)
Withdrawn
Application number
EP95911550A
Other languages
German (de)
English (en)
Other versions
EP0731973A4 (fr
Inventor
Roger S. Stringham
Current Assignee (The listed assignees may be inaccurate. Google has not performed a legal analysis and makes no representation or warranty as to the accuracy of the list.)
E-QUEST SCIENCES
Original Assignee
E-QUEST SCIENCES
Priority date (The priority date is an assumption and is not a legal conclusion. Google has not performed a legal analysis and makes no representation as to the accuracy of the date listed.)
Filing date
Publication date
Application filed by E-QUEST SCIENCES filed Critical E-QUEST SCIENCES
Publication of EP0731973A1 publication Critical patent/EP0731973A1/fr
Publication of EP0731973A4 publication Critical patent/EP0731973A4/fr
Withdrawn legal-status Critical Current

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Classifications

    • G—PHYSICS
    • G21—NUCLEAR PHYSICS; NUCLEAR ENGINEERING
    • G21B—FUSION REACTORS
    • G21B3/00—Low temperature nuclear fusion reactors, e.g. alleged cold fusion reactors
    • Y—GENERAL TAGGING OF NEW TECHNOLOGICAL DEVELOPMENTS; GENERAL TAGGING OF CROSS-SECTIONAL TECHNOLOGIES SPANNING OVER SEVERAL SECTIONS OF THE IPC; TECHNICAL SUBJECTS COVERED BY FORMER USPC CROSS-REFERENCE ART COLLECTIONS [XRACs] AND DIGESTS
    • Y02—TECHNOLOGIES OR APPLICATIONS FOR MITIGATION OR ADAPTATION AGAINST CLIMATE CHANGE
    • Y02E—REDUCTION OF GREENHOUSE GAS [GHG] EMISSIONS, RELATED TO ENERGY GENERATION, TRANSMISSION OR DISTRIBUTION
    • Y02E30/00—Energy generation of nuclear origin
    • Y02E30/10—Nuclear fusion reactors

Definitions

  • the field of this invention concerns the production of heat as a result of atomic reactions within a metal lattice.
  • Energy is produced by directing transient cavitation bubble collapse at a metal surface with adsorbed hydrogen isotope.
  • 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 maintained in an electromagnetic force field or acoustic field during the reaction.
  • the resulting heat may be transferred to a heat acceptor or transformed directly into a different form of energy.
  • Devices are provided for performing the method. BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
  • Figure 1 is a schematic of a device for heat production
  • Figure 2 is an enlarged view of the reaction vessel shown in Figure 1;
  • Figure 3 is a projected view of the window and related elements as shown in Figure 2 in an exploded relation;
  • Figure 4 is an alternative embodiment of the subject device
  • Figure 5 is a further alternative embodiment employing a plurality of cells for heating a flowing exchange fluid
  • Figure 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 diagrammatic form of a reactor.
  • Figures 9a, b, c and d are enlarged views of portions of the reactor.
  • Methods and apparatuses are provided for the production of heat, as well as the production of elements of higher and/or lower atomic number than the isotopic hydrogen and other atomic nuclei which serve as the reactants.
  • the method employs directing high energy low atomic number atoms into a matrix, particularly a metal matrix, in which molecules of at least one hydrogen isotope are adsorbed. A significant number of parameters are involved in determining the efficiency of energy production and the nature and efficiency of new atomic isotope production.
  • the parameters of interest include the manner in which the high energy bubbles are produced, particularly the parameters associated with the formation and characteristics of transient bubbles 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 the stream of particles emanating 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 absorbed on the solid surface, the nature of the solid surface, its formation, and its acoustic properties, as well as the manner in which the heat is employed.
  • the first consideration will be the composition of the fluid in which bubbles are formed.
  • the fluid will include a hydrogen isotope: hydrogen, deuterium and tritium and their respective nuclei, which include a proton, deuteron and triton.
  • other low atomic number elements may be present particularly as ions, such as lithium (6) .
  • 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, particularly lithium, bismuth, calcium, mercury, uranium, thorium, and the like, nitrogen, phosphorous, boron, usually non-metallic elements of the first and second rows, particularly of columns 1 to 5 or metallic elements which form hydrides.
  • compositions may include hydrogen molecules, deuterium molecules, water, heavy water (deuterium oxide) , tritium oxide, alkanes of from 1 to 12 carbon atoms (methane, butane, etc.) , alkanols of from 1 to 12 carbon atoms (methanol, ethanol, pentanol, etc., silanes, metal hydrides, and the like.
  • the choice of compound will depend upon many factors, such as the temperature and pressure at which the method is operated, the nature of the surface, so as to maintain an active surface and avoid undesirable coatings or corrosion of the surface, and the like.
  • Individual compositions or combinations of compositions may be employed, where the isotopes which are employed may be the same or different. Under the conditions of the method, the composition will be a mobile liquid which is capable of forming bubbles .
  • the bubbles are referred to as transient cavitation bubbles, since they generally survive only for a single cycle.
  • the energy density concentrated in the bubble is transferred 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 10 orders or greater, as compared to the original energy of the bubble.
  • the bubbles will be at least 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 100 microns.
  • the liquid used for the formation of the bubbles will normally be degassed and then regassed with an appropriate gas.
  • an appropriate gas Preferably, inert gases, particularly noble gases will be used, with the higher atomic weights providing for greater mass and slower heat transfer.
  • the preferred gases will be hydrogen, deuterium, nitrogen, helium, argon and xenon, particularly argon and xenon individually or in combination.
  • Bubbles may be produced by a wide variety of methods, using acoustical devices, mechanical devices, fluid flow devices, and the like. Conveniently, the bubbles are produced by an induced pressure wave.
  • acoustical devices one may use a sonicator, employing a piezoelectric vibrator transducer, or other oscillating electronic or mechanical devices.
  • the particular manner in which the bubbles are formed is not critical to this invention, although it has been found that a sonicator is particularly convenient in providing for energy control and bubble formation.
  • One or more devices may be used so that a plurality of surfaces may be subjected to cavitation, e.g. devices on opposite sides of a metal foil serving as a cavitation surface.
  • the acoustic wave which is produced may be a non-focused wave.
  • an acoustic device 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 substantially from input and output. Since the system generates a substantial amount of heat, there will be a substantial rise in temperature of the fluid during its residency in the reactor. While one would not require fluid flow, if there was an efficient way to remove the heat from the liquid, so as to provide a substantially isothermal condition in the reactor, the most convenient way to maintain the temperature is to control the rate of flow of the liquid through the reactor and the temperature of the liquid entering the reactor. Depending upon the desired exit temperature and the other parameters associated with the reaction, the temperature of the entering fluid may be ambient (20°C) and up to about 100° C or greater, preferably from about 20°C to 80°C.
  • the temperature of the entering fluid will depend upon the temperature of the exiting fluid, the heat exchange employed, the nature of the composition being used, and the like.
  • the exit temperature which reflects the reactor temperature will be below about 350°C and may be as low as about 55°C, usually not lower than about 75°C, again depending upon the general operating conditions of the reactor and heat exchange. Desirably the exit temperature will be at least about 75°C, preferably at least about 100°C, and generally not more than about 250° C, usually not more than about 200°C.
  • the pressure in the reactor will be high enough to maintain a liquid phase, so that the higher the temperature to which the fluid reaches in the reactor, 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.
  • the pressure will generally be at 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 bubbles may be cycled, so as to be on a portion of the time and off a portion of the time. It is found that the reaction continues after the energy source is turned down or off, so that one can cycle the energy source while still retaining energy output. Depending on the degree to which the energy output can vary during a cycle, the on-off periods can be varied greatly, with one or the other period being of greater duration.
  • the time ratio of the on period to off period will be in the range of about 0.001 - 1000:1, usually in the range of about 0.01 - 100:1, frequently in the range of about 0.04 - 10:1. By allowing the reaction to proceed in the absence of energy input, a higher ratio of energy output to energy input may be achieved.
  • a sonicator finds particular use.
  • the energy provided by the sonicator will generally be a least about 1 W/cm 2 , frequently at least 2 W/cm 2 , and usually not greater than about 10 W/cm 2 , more usually not greater than about 5 W/cm 2 , generally being greater than about 1, usually 3, W/cm 2 , at the cavitation surface.
  • the frequency will usually be at least about 5Hz, more usually at least about 10Hz and could go to 1MHz or greater, generally not greater than about O.lMHz, usually not greater than about lOKHz. Ranges of interest include from 5Hz, usually from 10Hz to lOKHz, and from 40KHz to about O.lMHz.
  • the frequency will affect the size of the bubble, so that one can control the energy density of the bubble and the energy which is dissipated upon collapse by the energy of the transducer, the frequency of the transducer, and the temperature of the fluid. These factors are therefore interactive in controlling the energy at which the bubble collapses.
  • sonication Other parameters associated with sonication include the cycling schedule, where the sonication is on from 10 to 95% of the time and off the other portion of the time where each cycle will be from about 0.1 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 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 surface, this also must be given consideration in the operation of the reactor.
  • the direction of the wave can affect the direction of the stream of the components 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.
  • the subject method is designed to provide for asymmetric transient cavitation providing for a violent collapse directing the bubble contents into the metal.
  • the reactor may be maintained in the presence of an electromagnetic field, where the field is created by an electrical or magnetic field.
  • the field 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 transmission of energy to the solid surface.
  • An electric field in the range of 5- 100 volts may be employed.
  • the field may be maintained by two poles of a magnet.
  • the field will generally be of about 100 to 10,000 gauss, more usually of about 1000 to 6000 gauss.
  • the component providing the solid cavitation surface may take many forms, such as film, foil, 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 crevices.
  • the hydrogen isotope absorbing material may be used as the sole material or may be coated onto a different material, such as a ceramic, thermally stable plastic, metal alloy, or the like.
  • the surface will comprise a metal that is capable of adsorbing or absorbing a hydrogen isotope, which includes metals (stable isotopes) of Groups IV and VIII of the Periodic Chart; specific metals find use, such as palladium (Pd) , uranium (U) , thorium (Th) , titanium (Ti) , vanadium (V) , chromium (Cr) , niobium (Nb) , tantalum (Ta) , hafnium (Hf) , platinum (Pt) , rhodium (Rh) , iridium (Ir) , as well as such metals as aluminum (Al) , nickel (Ni) , bismuth
  • the metal may be a pure metal or an alloy, e.g. steel, stainless or carbon, or combination of metals, such as the lanthinides, e.g. aluminum lanthinide, misch metals, comprising small amounts of cerium and samarium, in conjunction with larger amounts of such metals as nickel, V 5 Fe, etc.
  • the metals are capable of high valency and high ratio of hydrogen isotope adsorption and absorption, going from palladium, to titanium, to zirconium, to vanadium, molybdenum and tungsten.
  • the volume of the reactor may be varied widely, depending upon the manner of 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 heat transfer, and the like. It would generally be desirable that the bubbles will expand or travel not more than about 500 ⁇ , preferably not more than about 250 ⁇ from their site of initiation to the surface at which they collapse. Therefore, the film of liquid between the bubble 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.
  • fluid may be present surrounding the lattice to add to the volume and enhance heat transfer.
  • the volume will be 0.02 - 10 ml per unit cm 2 , more usually about 0.2 ml per unit cm 2 .
  • the total circulating volume will usually be at least about 0.5 ml per unit cm 2 , more usually at least 2 ml per unit cm 2 , and has no upper limit other than one of convenience and the intended use.
  • hydrogen isotope gas Prior to or during the time of initiation of transient bubble formation, hydrogen isotope gas will be absorbed to the lattice surface.
  • the presence of the hydrogen isotope on the surface can be achieved in a variety of ways, depending upon the nature of the surface.
  • a number of metals, particularly metals such as palladium and titanium will absorb the hydrogen isotopes on their surface, so that no additional energy is required.
  • electrolysis may be carried out, where the lattice surface may be one electrode and the fluid may comprise a source of 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.
  • 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.
  • the critical elements will be the (lattice) collapsing bubble surface, the source of transient bubble formation, and the bubble forming fluid.
  • the fluid is deuterium oxide which has been degassed and to which a monatomic inert gas has been added, e.g. argon.
  • the pressure and temperature of the entering fluid is determined.
  • the total volume of the reaction fluid may also be selected, where the total volume may be 2 to 100, more usually 3 to 10 times the reactor volume. Assuming flow of the reaction fluid, circulation of the fluid may begin.
  • electrolysis may begin, to provide for adsorbed or absorbed hydrogen isotope on the lattice collapsing bubble surface.
  • Bubble formation may then begin by providing for transient bubble formation, using a sonicator.
  • the acoustic density, pulse cycle and power amplitude can then be set to provide for the desired energy for the transient bubbles.
  • the reaction may then be allowed to proceed for sufficient time, usually at least about 1 min and generally at least about 5 min and maybe 2 weeks or longer, depending upon the needs for the energy, the nature of the system, and the like.
  • thermoelectric devices which may be attached to the reactor, particularly on the opposite side from the transient bubble forming device
  • the heat may be directly transformed into electricity.
  • Various devices which may be employed to produce electricity include thermo ⁇ electric cells, Seebeck devices, bimetallic motor devices, etc.
  • a heat exchanger which may be concentric tubes, where the fluid from the reactor flows past the heat receiving fluid.
  • vanes where the fluid from the reactors pass through vanes in a bath, which contains vanes for the heat receiving fluid, so as to maintain the bath at a constant temperature.
  • Various other heat exchange mechanisms may be employed.
  • the first system is a dual system, which uses light water in the sonicator or energy transducing portion and heavy water in the reaction system.
  • the heavy water provides the heat production.
  • a single system is used where heavy water serves in both the sonicator and the reaction system, providing heat production.
  • reaction volume 14 made up of the elements 18, 20, 22, 26, 36, 38, 39 and 42 monitored by thermocouples 148 and 149.
  • thermocouples 152 and 151 • The sonication volume 16 made up of the elements 12, 22, 81, 96, 97, 98, 99 and 100 monitored by thermocouples 152 and 151.
  • reaction volume heat exchanger 162 made up of the elements 52, 54, 56 and 44 monitored by thermocouple 154.
  • thermocouple 163 made up of the elements 70, 77, 79 and 83 monitored by thermocouple
  • 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 monitored by thermocouples 153 and 152.
  • the experimental apparatus for creating the environment for this phenomenon consists of two closed circulation systems that maintain the proper external pressure and temperature so that cavitation bubbles can be produced over extended time periods.
  • the larger system is the sonication system in which water was circulated through a 15 L heat exchanger 83 as shown in Figure 1.
  • An external pressure of air or nitrogen 65 is maintained to reduce cavitation in the sonication system allowing more acoustic energy into the reaction volume 14.
  • the latter system was concentric with the sonication volume 16 and was located above it.
  • the two reservoirs of the two systems were separated by a 1 mm (40 mil) stainless steel disk 22.
  • reaction reservoir 18 In the 15 ml reaction reservoir, 18, heavy water was circulated at a rate of 300 ml/min by flow meter 51 through a 3.3 L heat exchanger 162. The external pressure of the gases was adjusted to a value in the reaction volume system to optimize the character of transient cavitation bubbles.
  • the two concentric 7.5 cm diameter acoustically connected systems were run at steady state temperature conditions (where input and output power are maintained at a steady state after an initial start-up period) .
  • the reaction reservoir 18 contained the palladium foil 26. Critical temperatures 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 energy delivered to the Pd foil 26 was about 3 watts/cm 2 .
  • the containment for the sonication system and horn was 1/2 inch thick expandable aluminum split sliding cylinders 96 and 97, and for the reaction volume, a 3/4 inch thick stainless steel ring 20. This describes a special configuration of the sonicator volume in Figure 1 where one may move the horn 12 with respect to the stainless steel separator disk 22 to allow better control of the acoustic energy delivered to the reaction volume.
  • the pressure gauges were digital compound gauges from TIF Instrument Co., which measured a pressure of 30 inch Hg(60 psig) .
  • the gas mixers 46 and 66 were 25 ml Pyrex bulbs.
  • the gas or gases in the reaction volume were deuterium 62 and/or argon 64.
  • the gas in the sonication volume was nitrogen 65.
  • the flow meters were from Key Instrument, (Trevose, Pennsylvania) with an acrylic body and a stainless steel float.
  • the circulating pumps 50 and 72 were magnetically driven 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 circulating heavy water was to Teflon ® and stainless steel.
  • the valves were FEP Teflon ® from 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 HH20SW multiprobe switch boxes.
  • the reaction volume interior material exposure to the circulating heavy water was FEP and 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 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 sonication volume 16 was machined from an aluminum block to accommodate a 63.5 mm (2.5 inch) horn 12.
  • the heat exchanger 162 for the reaction volume 14 was a polyethylene container 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 stainless heat exchange coil element 44, then back to the reaction volume.
  • the heat exchanger for the sonication volume 163 was a polyethylene container 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 volume.
  • the apparatus was first cleaned then bolted together and the reaction system was pressurized with deuterium or argon testing for tightness and leaks. When satisfied that the system was tight, the degassed heavy water 121 was added to the reaction volume loop and circulated, removing any remaining system gas bubbles to the gas mixing bulb 46. The addition of water to the sonicator loop and its pressurization with nitrogen 65 was the next step.
  • the purpose was to reduce the cavitation in the sonication 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 of bubbles was repressed by the high external pressure) .
  • the apparatus was brought close to the operating temperature by filling the two heat exchangers, 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 respective systems. At this point, the reaction volume was filled with gas to the appropriate external pressure; then, the initial temperatures were measured, the sonicator 78 was turned on, the time was noted, and the run was started.
  • FIG. 3 B is the detail of the reactor from Figure 1.
  • a stainless steel reaction volume 20 which consists of a top 36 machined of aluminum allowing for viewing through ports 40 and supporting a FEP sealed window 42. The seal is made by "0" rings 110.
  • the bottom is a stainless steel disk 22 with two insulating FEP flat gaskets 108 sealed by “O” rings 111 and 112.
  • the window 36 is fastened to the reaction volume via stainless steel ring 39 cushioned by "O" ring
  • FIG. 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 the system by FEP insulator 25. The other electrode 32 is attached to the stainless steel disk 22 making it the other electrode.
  • the reaction vessel is clamped together and to the rest of the system using nylon bolts 38.
  • the output of the reaction vessel is 28 and the input is 30.
  • the heat generated within the reaction vessel 218 is surrounded with heat exchange liquid 281.
  • the system depicted in Figure 4 includes a piezoelectric crystal or ceramic sonicator 276, which is positioned adjacent to the reaction 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 embodiment. However, in this particular embodiment it completely surrounds the reaction vessel and sonicator, rather than being just beneath it.
  • a coolant pump 272 will circulate water into and out of this cooling medium 281.
  • Appropriate heat exchanger and the like may be affixed to the structure in a manner similar to the principal embodiment, within the containment vessel 212.
  • reaction vessel 218 is positioned in the center of such containment vessel, with the cooling medium 281 surrounding it within the containment vessel.
  • control stem 214 Entering into the containment 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 indicating devices 225 and pressure indicating devices 224, may be positioned adjacent to the control stem 214 with the necessary electrical leads.
  • conduits 228 and 230 are provided to the reaction vessel. These conduits may be used in a manner similar to the conduits in the principal embodiment to control to a degree the heat within the reaction vessel, should such control be necessary.
  • the liquid in reaction volume 218 is kept circulating by pump 250. The excess heat generated in reaction volume 218 is exchanged with the fluid 281 of the containment system.
  • 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 containment vessel.
  • an appropriate power supply 227 is provided to the sonicator 276.
  • the second alternate embodiment of a microfusion device consisting of multiple 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 fashion of earlier stated technology.
  • the acoustic energy is 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 the mini devices.
  • the crystal 376 is bonded to the metal membrane 322 which is in contact with the deuterium oxide in volume 318.
  • volume 318 Also in volume 318 is the palladium wire or wool 326 which provides the surface and lattice for the heat producing fusion events.
  • the threaded hex sealing nut 310 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 "O" ring 305.
  • Operation of the second alternate embodiment follows generally that of the first alternative embodiment.
  • 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 contained in reaction volume 318, then through the wall of body 342.
  • the heat is transferred to the circulating liquid 381 and carried to the point of use.
  • the heat generated by fusion events is transported by pipe 300 circulating 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 circulating liquid which can be extracted at some point downstream for the users' benefit, then returned as cool liquid for reheating and reuse.
  • the third alternate embodiment of a fusion device is shown.
  • the heat generated within the reaction vessel 418 is converted to electricity- or electrical current by means of a thermoelectric device 402 (TED) using the heat differential developed between the palladium lattice 426 and the heat exchange fluid 470.
  • the TED 402 can take the configuration shown schematically in Figure 6, which is a series arrangement.
  • the system depicted in Figure 6 includes a sonicator 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 contained in insulated box 412.
  • the entire system is contained in the box 412 so as to capture most of the heat generated by all factors (cavitation, electronics, and lattice events) .
  • the sonicator 476 is 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 components therein dry.
  • the TED 402 is a sealed volume which consists of the palladium 426 and the outer wall 447, and can be filled with deuterium gas 462.
  • the reaction volume is situated in the center of confinement vessel 412 with the heat exchange liquid surrounding it within the containment vessel.
  • stem 414 which is used to provide conduit means for appropriate conductors 416 leading to the electric input for the sonicator 476.
  • Another conduit 466 performs the function 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 palladium lattice, and (2) acting as a conduit for the electric energy transported to the outside of containment 412 and 447 by leads 406.
  • the energy generated by TED is carried by 406 to the collection and distribution device 444.
  • Other control devices for measuring pressure and temperature can be placed near either conduit 466 or 414 as a matter of practicality.
  • the conduit 466 can be used.
  • the circulation of deuterium ox_de 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 and traveling back into the reaction volume 418 through the bottom.
  • the control of the temperature of the system is maintained at a steady state to maintain the best environment for cavitation. It may be appropriate to keep the fluid 470 cool by circulation to the outside environment for heat exchange via conduits 478 and 474 by pump 472.
  • pump 602 circulates D 2 0 into reactor 600 through conduits 606 and 608.
  • conduits 606 and 608 empty into reaction volume 604 are heaters 614 and 616 located outside of the acoustic field generated by sonicators 610 and 612.
  • sonicators 610 and 612. Located in the reaction volume 604 is metal lattice 618.
  • D 2 0 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.
  • D 2 0 flows back to the pump 602 whereby it is recirculated into the reactor 600.
  • FIG 8 is depicted a cross section in diagrammatic form of a reactor 600.
  • the reactor 600 has an upper aluminum ring 632 and a lower aluminum ring 634.
  • An upper sonicator 612 and lower sonicator 610 are employed to provide for 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 incoming liquid to the desired temperature.
  • Upper and lower ring insulators 636 and 638 respectively are provided for insulating lower and upper metal (e.g.
  • Electrodes 640 and 642 which electrodes also serve to transmit the energy from the sonicator to the fluid in reactor volume 604.
  • the electrodes 640 and 642 are connected to circuit 644 to provide for a continuous electrical field during the course of the reaction.
  • the reactor is shown in greater detail in Figures 9a, b, and c.
  • the apparatus employed was substantially as described for Figure 1.
  • the apparatus comprised two closed circulation systems, in which the proper external pressure and temperature were maintained to produce cavitation bubbles over extended time periods at steady state conditions. Bubbles were produced on the surface of a palladium foil by an acoustic generator operating at 20Khz providing a non- focused acoustic field with an average intensity on the foil of about 3W/cm 2 and an amplitude of about 3 atms.
  • the container comprising the sonicator provided for water circulation at a rate of 600ml/min through a 15 L heat exchanger.
  • An external pressure of about 6 atm of nitrogen was maintained in the sonicator flow system to reduce cavitation in this system.
  • the fluid in the reaction vessel and the fluid in the sonication vessel are separated by a 1mm 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 3.3L heat exchanger.
  • the external pressures of gases were varied in the reaction volume system.
  • the acoustic field was generated by a 64mm titanium acoustic horn tuned to 20 KHz.
  • the sonication vessel was a 13mm thick aluminum cylinder, while the reactor vessel was a 19mm thick stainless steel cylinder.
  • the internal walls of the reaction vessel were either FEP or stainless steel. Electric isolation of the reaction volume was accomplished using Teflon ® gaskets which sandwiched the reaction volume and disc to the sonication unit.
  • the palladium foil was 50x50x0.lmm (Johnson Matthey Chemicals Ltd.) weighing 3g, and 99.9975% pure.
  • the foil was suspended by being held at its corners by an FEP supporter in a plane parallel to that of the stainless steel disc.
  • the heavy water employed was 99.9% pure, was degassed and pressurized with deuterium and/or argon, prior to use.
  • the deuterium was shown to have 14 ppm 4 He.
  • the apparatus was first cleaned and then bolted together.
  • 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 unwanted gas bubbles to the gas phase of the gas mixing bulb where the bubbles were removed.
  • Water was then added to the sonicator system and pressurized with nitrogen.
  • the apparatus was then brought close to the operating temperature by filling the two heat exchangers with preheated water, with stirring of the water in the heat exchangers.
  • the pumps were then turned on to circulate the fluids in the two systems.
  • the reaction volume was then pressurized with deuterium and/or argon, where different external gas pressures were employed for different runs.
  • a 35ml gas sampling bulb equipped with 2 isolation valves and a gas syringe port, was inserted between isolation valves in the reaction volume system at the end of each heavy water run. A portion of the gas was transferred to the sampling bulb. The bulb, containing wet gases, was then removed from the system and 1 to 3ml of the gas transferred through the syringe port to a valved gas syringe. The gas from the gas valved syringe was then injected into the port of a mass spectrometer for analysis. l ⁇ l of pure 4 He was injected directly into the mass spectrometer and served as a rough quantitative standard. The resolution of the mass spectrometer was about 0.01 mass units. This resolving power easily resolved the mass peaks, 4 He and D 2 . The potential for contamination of the gas with 4 He from the argon and/or deuterium is unlikely, because in those runs where heat was not produced, 4 He could not be detected.
  • the 4 He found by MS analysis may not account for all the excess heat. If DD fusion events occurred in the palladium lattice, then perhaps there were other fusion events that followed, energized by the DD events, causing small changes in the palladium lattice isotope distribution and perhaps some transmutation. Other possibilities for the generation of excess heat Q(x) , such as transmutations in the cavitation exposed palladium lattice, could be found by analyzing the exposed palladium foil, using an Inductively Coupled Plasma Mass Spectrometer (ICP-MS) .
  • ICP-MS Inductively Coupled Plasma Mass Spectrometer
  • the palladium foil which had a purity of 99.9975%, used in runs I, J, K, L, M, R, and S had a certified elemental analysis by the vendor for 72 elements.
  • 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 the certified elemental analysis) .
  • the ICP-MS analysis measured small differences in isotope concentrations of metals in the palladium foil lattice with masses similar to those of the palladium isotopes.
  • the two palladium samples were dissolved in nitric acid, 0.024 gm before and 0.022 gm after exposure, and analyzed.
  • the suspect stable transmuted isotopes in the mass range of interest were blocked from analysis by the high concentrations of the stable isotopes of palladium foil.
  • the possible stable transmutations originating from palladium changes in the lattice and impurities that might be present are blocked to any ICP-MS analysis of low concentration transmutations or impurities, because of the high concentration of Pd isotopes.
  • the low concentration isotopes can be analyzed below Pd mass number 100 and above mass number 112.
  • the isotope Cdll4 is the only isotope definitely found in excess when compared to the unexposed palladium.
  • the strip in the lower right defines the scope of the transmutation analysis.
  • Table 2 the ICP-MS analysis of the unblocked cadmium isotopes found in the exposed and unexposed palladium foil is shown.
  • Column 1 is a list of fusion reactions of a hot alpha or a deuteron with a palladium lattice isotope forming 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 palladium foil before the exposure to the cavitation process.
  • Column 4 is the ion count of the palladium foil after the exposure to the cavitation process.
  • 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 foil.) The relative sensitivities of Cd and Pd, which were not measured during the analysis, are related to their relative average ionization potentials which are close in value.
  • Column 6 is the list of cadmium isotopes.
  • Column 7 is the natural abundance of some of the stable cadmium isotopes.
  • the ion counts for the metal isotopes are close to the ppm concentration that existed in the 3 gm 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 30+10 ppm in the exposed sample when compared to the unexposed palladium sample.

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  • Physics & Mathematics (AREA)
  • Engineering & Computer Science (AREA)
  • Plasma & Fusion (AREA)
  • General Engineering & Computer Science (AREA)
  • High Energy & Nuclear Physics (AREA)
  • Physical Or Chemical Processes And Apparatus (AREA)
  • Heating, Cooling, Or Curing Plastics Or The Like In General (AREA)

Abstract

L'utilisation de la cavitation en tant que source d'énergie permet la production d'énergie excédentaire et la transmutation d'éléments. De l'oxyde de deutérium (14) est, plus particulièrement, exposé à la cavitation dans des conditions de formation de bulles transitoires en présence d'une surface métallique (26), la désintégration des bulles sur la surface métallique entraînant la production de chaleur et la transmutation de l'isotope d'hydrogène. On peut utiliser divers métaux ainsi que divers paramètres relatifs à la température, la pression, l'énergie acoustique (12), la fréquence acoustique et la composition des réactifs pour faire varier les résultats.
EP95911550A 1993-12-03 1994-12-01 Procede de production de chaleur Withdrawn EP0731973A4 (fr)

Applications Claiming Priority (5)

Application Number Priority Date Filing Date Title
US340256 1989-04-19
US16094193A 1993-12-03 1993-12-03
US34025694A 1994-11-16 1994-11-16
PCT/US1994/013824 WO1995016995A1 (fr) 1993-12-03 1994-12-01 Procede de production de chaleur
US160941 1998-09-25

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EP0731973A1 true EP0731973A1 (fr) 1996-09-18
EP0731973A4 EP0731973A4 (fr) 1996-12-04

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AU (1) AU688475B2 (fr)
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HU216218B (hu) * 1997-05-09 1999-05-28 Vjacheslav Aleksandrovich Gontar Eljárás és berendezés a kavitációeffektus hasznosítására folyadékokban
WO2001039200A2 (fr) * 1999-11-24 2001-05-31 Impulse Devices, Inc. Reacteur nucleaire a cavitation a base de liquide, comportant un systeme de traitement externe du liquide du reacteur
US20050123088A1 (en) * 2003-08-22 2005-06-09 Roger Stringham Cavitation reactor and method of producing heat
US20060198486A1 (en) 2005-03-04 2006-09-07 Laberge Michel G Pressure wave generator and controller for generating a pressure wave in a fusion reactor
ITRM20060520A1 (it) * 2006-10-02 2008-04-03 Consiglio Nazionale Ricerche Apparecchiatura e procedimento per l abbattimento della radioattivita di materiali radioattivi mediante reazioni nucleari indotte da ultrasuoni a cavitazione
WO2010070271A1 (fr) * 2008-12-17 2010-06-24 David John Crouch Appareil calorigène
RU2503159C2 (ru) 2009-02-04 2013-12-27 Дженерал Фьюжен, Инк. Устройство для сжатия плазмы и способ сжатия плазмы
KR101488573B1 (ko) 2009-07-29 2015-02-02 제너럴 퓨전, 아이엔씨. 발사체 재순환을 이용한 플라즈마 압축 시스템 및 방법
JP2018014292A (ja) * 2016-07-22 2018-01-25 有限会社イデアリサーチ 電池装置
EP3497382B1 (fr) 2016-08-09 2019-12-25 Sabanci Üniversitesi Dispositif de collecte d'énergie
JP3215177U (ja) * 2017-12-21 2018-03-01 雄造 川村 電池装置

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JPH03226694A (ja) * 1990-02-01 1991-10-07 Semiconductor Energy Lab Co Ltd 電気化学型低温核融合方法

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JPH02281185A (ja) * 1989-04-21 1990-11-16 Yasuyuki Sugano 常温核融合超音波促進法
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WO1995016995A1 (fr) 1995-06-22
JPH10508372A (ja) 1998-08-18
EP0731973A4 (fr) 1996-12-04
AU1907895A (en) 1995-07-03
CA2178086A1 (fr) 1995-06-22

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