JPH04212092A - Method and apparatus for generating nuclear fusion and heat energy output apparatus - Google Patents

Abstract

PURPOSE:To prevent an excessive short-circuit current and to generate nuclear fusion in a highly efficient manner by alternately applying voltage across the discharge electrodes arranged in opposed relationship so as to hold a dielectric therebetween to generate discharge so as to stretch over the discharge electrodes and the dielectric. CONSTITUTION:A plate-shaped discharge electrode 3 is provided to a dielectric 112 so as to be embedded therein along the dielectric 112 and needle discharge electrodes 4(4-1-4-4) composed of a hydrogen occluding material are arranged in closely opposed relation to the dielectric 112 on the surface of the electrode 3 so that the tips thereof are thrust in a nuclear fusion generating vessel. Fin- shaped heat transfer parts 111 are constituted so that the surface areas coming into contact with a coolant thereof are increased in order to radiate the heat generated in the electrodes 4 to the coolant. When the shape of the electrode 3 provided to the rear of the dielectric 112 in opposed relation to the electrodes 4 is not formed into a plated shape but formed into a rod shape and the electrode 3 is formed from the hydrogen occulding material such as palldium, nuclear fusion can be efficiently generated.

Description

[Detailed description of the invention]

0001

[Industrial Application Field] The present invention provides a nuclear fusion generation method that uses a method of storing hydrogen in a hydrogen storage body to react deuterium stored in the hydrogen storage body to easily perform cold fusion. and regarding its equipment.

Furthermore, the present invention relates to a thermal energy output device that can obtain thermal energy larger than input energy with high efficiency by using the above-described nuclear fusion generation method.

0003

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION Currently, it is being considered to switch the energy supply source from fossil fuels such as petroleum to energy sources such as nuclear power and the sun, and further to energy sources such as rapid multiplication and nuclear fusion reactions. These new energy sources can be used as secondary energy sources to effectively and conveniently use water, cause less environmental pollution, have a wide range of uses, and can be used as a means of energy storage. The use of hydrogen is being considered because it can be transported.

[0004]Currently, hydrogen is transported and stored as high-pressure gas or liquid hydrogen. However, it is not necessarily an efficient hydrogen storage method from the viewpoint of safety, transportation/storage efficiency, and economy.

[0005] In recent years, hydrogen storage materials have attracted attention as a method of storing hydrogen because they can store hydrogen at a density equal to or higher than that of liquid hydrogen.

[0006] Conventionally, as a method for storing hydrogen in a hydrogen storage body made of a hydrogen storage metal or the like, a container containing the hydrogen storage body is filled with hydrogen gas at several to tens of atmospheres, and a binary system of metal and hydrogen is created. There is a method of absorbing hydrogen by utilizing the solid solution equilibrium state of metal hydrides under high pressure.

This usually means that the hydrogen content in the hydrogen storage body depends on the hydrogen gas in the container and the temperature of the hydrogen storage material, and if a metal or alloy is the storage material, the hydrogen gas must be pressurized or the hydrogen It takes advantage of the fact that the hydrogen content in the hydrogen storage body increases rapidly as the temperature of the storage body decreases.

On the other hand, as mentioned above, nuclear fusion is being considered as a new energy source, but conventionally, the nuclear fusion process uses a mixed gas of deuterium (D2) and tritium (T2) to generate a high-temperature plasma of deuterium. is held by the action of a magnetic field,
A mixed gas of D2 and T2 is compressed to a high density and reacted before the plasma is scattered (inertial confinement). In order to confine and maintain high-temperature plasma for as long as possible, a very large and expensive tokamak system (D-T) is used.
A nuclear fusion device (reaction) has been adopted.

However, when such a nuclear fusion device is used as an energy generation source, there are the following problems. First, in a tokamak-type fusion device, the tritium used in the fusion reaction and the device that causes fusion are extremely expensive, and a large space is required to install the device, and the device that causes the fusion reaction requires a large amount of space. Therefore, there was a problem in that high-temperature plasma was formed, which was dangerous.

However, recently, a cold fusion reaction (D-D
There have been reports that it causes a reaction. For example, “S
．． E. Jonesetal, Nature 338 (19
89)737. Observation of C
old nuclear fusion in
"Condensed Matter" reports that during electrolysis, 2.5 MeV neutrons were detected using a highly sensitive measurement device, and that a very small amount of nuclear fusion reaction was occurring due to the generation of these neutrons.

A similar method of generating thermal energy using nuclear fusion is described in J. Electroanal. Chem.
, 261 (1989) pp301-308 (Marti
nFleischmann & Stanley
(co-authored by Pons), and Cde
w VanSicklen & S E Jo
The theory of nes [J. Phys. G: Nucl. Phys.
．． 12 (1986) pp. 213-221]
As in a recent experiment by E. Jones, deuterium generated by applying an electric field between a negative electrode made of Pd or Ti and a positive electrode made of Pt in a heavy water electrolyte is stored in the negative electrode. There is a method for generating thermal energy associated with nuclear fusion, in which the thermal energy generated during nuclear fusion is superimposed (hereinafter referred to as "electrolytic fusion method").

On the other hand, for a nuclear fusion reaction in the gas phase, a hydrogen storage metal (palladium metal) that has sufficiently stored deuterium gas is used as a discharge electrode to cause a discharge in deuterium gas, and within the discharge electrode Nobuh is the method to generate nuclear fusion
iko WadaandKunihide Nis
hizawa on November 29, 1989 (Japanese Journal of
Applied Physics, Vol. 28.
No. 11, November, 1989, pp. L2
017-L2020) (hereinafter referred to as "discharge electrode fusion method").

[0013]

[Problem to be solved by the invention] Comparing the above two nuclear fusion methods ("electrolytic fusion method" and "discharge electrode fusion method"), the discharge electrode fusion method has better hydrogen storage capacity than the electrolytic fusion method. Since the electric field strength near the metal electrode can be significantly increased, the kinetic energy of deuterium ions due to the electric field can be increased. This is much more essentially advantageous both for storing deuterium in the hydrogen storage metal electrode and for generating fusion within the hydrogen storage metal electrode.

However, in the conventional discharge electrode fusion method, sparks are generated between the discharge electrodes, resulting in an electrical short circuit between the electrodes, causing an unnecessary excessive current to flow between the electrodes, resulting in There was a disadvantage that the efficiency of output energy with respect to energy was significantly reduced.

[0015] Furthermore, there are disadvantages in that a high voltage must be applied between the electrodes, and a high voltage generator is required.

[0016] Furthermore, as traces of deuterium gas in the hydrogen storage metal electrode being instantly blown out after nuclear fusion has occurred, there are traces of bubbling and discharge on the relatively surface layer of the hydrogen storage metal electrode. remains, and subsequent sparks may not cause nuclear fusion.

Furthermore, in this conventional discharge electrode nuclear fusion method, neutrons generated by nuclear fusion tend to exit the hydrogen storage metal electrode, and the medium in which the hydrogen storage metal electrode is placed is heavy water (liquid). However, since the neutrons are not deuterium gas (gaseous), the utilization efficiency of using the generated neutrons to generate thermal energy is extremely low, but it can be improved to improve the efficiency of extracting thermal energy by the discharge electrode fusion method. There is still a lot of room left.

For example, an example of a conventional device that embodies the discharge electrode fusion method is the device shown in FIG.

In the figure, 20 is a glass flask;
21 and 22 are palladium (Pd) electrodes. The flask 20 is filled with deuterium gas, and the electrodes 21 and 22
Nuclear fusion is generated by applying an alternating current voltage between them and causing a discharge. However, in the conventional device shown in FIG.
It was also impossible to extract the heat generated by 1 and 22.

The present invention has been made to solve the above-mentioned problems of the prior art, and its main purpose is to provide a nuclear fusion generation method and apparatus in which reaction efficiency is dramatically improved. be.

Another object of the present invention is to provide a thermal energy output device with improved efficiency by utilizing the above-described nuclear fusion generation method.

[0022]

[Method and Means for Solving the Problems] A nuclear fusion generation method that achieves the object of the present invention includes
Alternate voltage is applied between discharge electrodes, at least one of which is made of a hydrogen storage material, and which are arranged to face each other with a dielectric material interposed therebetween, thereby causing a discharge across the dielectric and the discharge electrode made of at least the hydrogen storage material. It is characterized by causing nuclear fusion to occur.

[0023] A nuclear fusion generator for achieving the object of the present invention includes a container that contains deuterium gas, a container that is filled with deuterium gas, and a container that is disposed facing each other with a dielectric material interposed therebetween. It is characterized by comprising a discharge electrode, at least one of which is made of a hydrogen storage material, and voltage application means for applying an alternate voltage between the discharge electrodes to cause discharge.

[0024] A thermal energy output device using a nuclear fusion method that achieves a further object of the present invention includes a container containing deuterium gas, and a container filled with deuterium gas and arranged in the container and facing each other with a dielectric material interposed therebetween. a discharge electrode, at least one of which is made of a hydrogen storage material, and a voltage application means for generating a discharge by applying an alternating voltage between the discharge electrodes; and heat generated by the discharge electrode made of the hydrogen storage material. a heat transfer body for transferring heat to the refrigerant, and a kinetic energy heat conversion body for converting the kinetic energy of neutrons due to nuclear fusion generated at the discharge electrode made of the hydrogen storage material into heat. Features.

[0025]

[Operation] The present invention stores deuterium in a hydrogen storage metal electrode of a discharge electrode, at least one of which is made of a hydrogen storage material, and which is placed facing each other with the dielectric material loaded in deuterium gas. By applying alternating voltage between the discharge electrode and the discharge electrode to generate a discharge across at least the discharge electrode made of a hydrogen storage material and the dielectric material, excessive excess penetrating between the discharge electrodes is eliminated. The present invention provides a highly efficient nuclear fusion generation method characterized by generating nuclear fusion by causing deuterium ions to accelerate and collide with an electrode made of a hydrogen storage material without flowing a short-circuit current.

Furthermore, in the present invention, the hydrogen can be removed by forming a stronger electric field (for example, an electric field near the local discharge starting field strength) (than in the electrolytic fusion method) near the discharge electrode made of the hydrogen storage material. Deuterium can be stored more efficiently in a discharge electrode made of a storage material, thereby further enhancing the nuclear fusion reaction.

Furthermore, in the present invention, heat is transferred from the discharge electrodes generated by the nuclear fusion directly or to a dielectric between the discharge electrodes, and this dielectric is brought into contact with a refrigerant to transfer heat to the refrigerant, and the Thermal energy is obtained with high efficiency by converting the kinetic energy of neutrons generated by nuclear fusion at a discharge electrode made of a hydrogen storage material into heat using a kinetic energy heat converter.

Furthermore, the present invention provides traces of the electrode made of the hydrogen storage material after nuclear fusion occurs (deuterium gas inside the electrode made of the hydrogen storage material after nuclear fusion occurs), which inhibits the occurrence of repeated nuclear fusion. As traces of the instantaneous ejection of hydrogen, traces of bubbling and discharge remain on the relatively surface layer of the electrode made of hydrogen storage material, making it difficult for nuclear fusion to occur even with subsequent sparks.) It has a refresh function that removes the traces and repeatedly generates nuclear fusion by applying a high frequency voltage between the discharge electrodes, at least one of which is made of a hydrogen storage material, which are disposed facing each other with a dielectric material in between to cause a discharge. It is something that can be done.

In the present invention, the hydrogen storage material constituting at least one of the discharge electrodes may be a single metal or an alloy. For example, Ca, Mg, Pd, Ti, Zr, V, Nb,
Single metals such as Fe and La, and alloys containing one of these as a compositional component can be used. Examples of the above-mentioned alloys include Pd-based alloys, Mg2Cu; Mg2Ni, etc.
g-based alloy, TiFe; TiCo; TiMn; TiCr2
Ti-based alloys such as , Zr-based alloys such as ZrM2, etc. can be used.

[0030] Furthermore, rare earth alloys containing rare earth elements such as Ca and Mm (misch metal) may also be used, such as La-Ni alloys such as LaNi5, CaMmNi
Mm-Ni alloys such as Al can be usefully used.

Among these, Pd and Ti are particularly preferably used in the present invention.

The amount of hydrogen stored in the hydrogen storage material varies depending on the type of storage material, but is approximately 700 to 100% of the volume of the storage body.
0 times more hydrogen is stored.

[0033] This approximately corresponds to the volume reduction rate when hydrogen gas is liquefied.

Various studies have been conducted on the activation mechanism of hydrogen (in the following explanation, when the word "hydrogen" is used unless otherwise specified, it includes deuterium and tritium) and hydrogen storage metals. However, it has not yet been fully elucidated.

It is said that hydrogen forms hydrides through the following elementary reaction process with metals or alloys as hydrogen storage materials. The elementary reactions are: ■ Physical adsorption of hydrogen molecules onto the surface of the hydrogen storage material, ■ Dissociation of hydrogen molecules and chemisorption of atomic hydrogen, ■ Penetration of hydrogen atoms into the surface layer, ■ Penetration of hydrogen atoms into the hydrogen storage material. Diffusion/dissolution, ■Precipitation of hydride from a saturated hydrogen solid solution, etc.

Furthermore, since hydrogen exhibits high reactivity with metals or alloys, there is a possibility that some kind of catalytic action exists on the surface of the hydrogen storage metal.

[0037] In general, hydrogen storage materials undergo volumetric expansion as they absorb hydrogen, and are likely to become powdered due to the distortion. In order to prevent the electrode made of the hydrogen storage material from becoming powder due to this, it is effective to make the electrode with a molded and solidified product of hydrogen storage material powder bound with an inorganic substance such as Cu or an organic substance such as silicone rubber. .

[0038] Furthermore, in order to efficiently penetrate hydrogen atoms (deuterium atoms, tritium atoms) deep into the electrode, a thin layer of a hydrogen storage material having an ultrafine particle structure is provided on the surface of the hydrogen storage body by, for example, the CVD method. It is effective in the present invention to make the desired electrode or to make the desired electrode from the ultrafine particle structure of the hydrogen storage material itself.

In the present invention, in order to form a strong electric field near the discharge electrode made of a hydrogen storage material, it is preferable to configure the discharge electrode made of the hydrogen storage material as follows.

That is, the electrode composed of the hydrogen storage material used in the present invention can be used, for example, as the core electrode of a cylindrical electrode structure in a concentric cylindrical arrangement, or as the center electrode of a spherical electrode structure in a concentric spherical arrangement. Electrode, needle-like electrode in an electrode structure of a needle-like electrode and a flat plate electrode, either needle-like electrode in an electrode structure of a needle-like electrode and a needle-like electrode, in a cylindrical electrode structure with a semi-concentric cylindrical arrangement Preferably, it is one of the core electrodes.

[0041] The electrode made of the hydrogen storage material that can be used in the present invention should have a shape as described above, with a small radius of curvature and a width equal to or narrower than that of the counter electrode. Therefore, the electric field in the vicinity can be easily strengthened.

[0042] Deuterium gas used in the present invention is a better electrical insulator than heavy water, which is a liquid, and therefore has a higher electrical insulation breakdown strength than heavy water.

In the present invention, deuterium cations (1
By being placed in the electric field formed between the electrodes, H2)+ is attracted to the electrode made of the hydrogen storage material, which serves as a negative electrode, and is stored in the electrode made of the hydrogen storage material. After storage, a high electric field is created between the discharge electrodes by applying an alternating voltage, preferably a high frequency voltage of 1 kHz to several tens of MHz, between the discharge electrodes, at least one of which is made of a hydrogen storage material, and which are disposed facing each other with a dielectric interposed therebetween. generate. In this way, a strong discharge is generated across the discharge electrode made of the hydrogen storage material and the dielectric material, and the deuterium ions, which are sufficiently accelerated and have a large fusion cross section, are transferred to the discharge electrode made of the hydrogen storage material. It is possible to generate nuclear fusion with a high probability by making the collision reach the electrode. In this method, since a solid dielectric is disposed between the discharge electrodes, the voltage that can be applied between the discharge electrodes can be increased until just before dielectric breakdown occurs in the dielectric. For this reason, the electric field strength between the dielectric and the electrode made of hydrogen storage material exposed to deuterium gas can be significantly increased. Therefore, deuterium ions that have been sufficiently accelerated and have a large fusion cross section can be transferred to an electrode made of a hydrogen storage material without causing a spark discharge or breakdown discharge that penetrates the discharge electrodes and short-circuits them as in the past. Because it is possible to generate a sufficiently strong electrical discharge that can reach a collision toward Extremely effective. The theoretical basis for the effectiveness of this method has not yet been clarified and remains at the level of speculation, but this sufficiently powerful discharge causes the electrode made of the hydrogen storage material to momentarily and locally become hot. Not only will it become
A shock wave, preferably a high-energy shock wave, is applied to the hydrogen storage material constituting the electrode to remove the internal constituent atoms (not only the constituent atoms of the hydrogen storage material but also the deuterium occluded inside the hydrogen storage material). It is thought that the nuclear fusion reaction is promoted by causing the atoms (this also applies to atoms) to violently vibrate instantaneously. Alternatively, by applying a shock wave to an electrode made of a hydrogen storage material, it is possible to easily generate lattice vacancies or lattice defects caused by interstitial atoms in the hydrogen storage material used as a negative electrode. The distance between deuterium atoms can be significantly reduced, and as a result, the probability of encounter between deuterium atoms increases, increasing the probability of nuclear fusion occurring and/or increasing the reactivity of nuclear fusion.

In the present invention, as the impact energy wave applied to the electrode made of hydrogen storage metal, in addition to the impact voltage shown as one of the preferred examples, impact current, giant pulse laser, etc. , impulse sound waves in the wavelength range of ultrasonic waves and extreme ultrasonic waves. It is preferable that these shock waves have high energy. Among these, it is preferable to apply an alternating voltage that is simple, has a sufficiently high impact effect, and is capable of producing a strong discharge. The waveform of the applied alternating voltage may be any shape such as rectangular, curved, pulsed, etc. Further, the alternating voltages may be applied continuously or may be applied to the electrodes at appropriate time intervals.

For the refrigerant and neutron kinetic energy heat conversion means used in the present invention, a liquid containing hydrogen atoms as its structural atoms is preferably used, and an electrically insulating liquid is particularly preferably used.

In the present invention, when a discharge such as a glow discharge or a corona discharge is caused to occlude deuterium in a discharge electrode made of a hydrogen storage metal, or in a discharge electrode made of a hydrogen storage metal, In order to promote the resulting nuclear fusion reaction, the voltage applied between the discharge electrodes is as follows:
If an alternating voltage such as an alternating voltage is used, discharge can be caused continuously. In order to cause nuclear fusion among these,
When the voltage phase is so polar that at least the hydrogen storage metal electrode becomes the cathode side for a certain period of time, deuterium cations (deuterium nuclei) violently collide with the hydrogen storage metal electrode that stores deuterium, making it effective. be. The alternating voltage for this purpose may be an alternating voltage with a DC voltage superimposed, a simple alternating voltage, or an alternating pulse voltage.

In the present invention, the dielectric material sandwiched between the discharge electrodes may be ceramic such as alumina, mica, heat-resistant glass, etc., but is preferably a green sheet kneaded with powder such as alumina, which has good thermal conductivity. Hardened ceramic is better. Furthermore, the shape of this dielectric material may be a plate shape, a plate shape with a specific curvature, or a cylindrical shape.

Furthermore, this dielectric may be placed in contact with the electrode made of the hydrogen storage material or may be placed in a non-contact manner. Furthermore, one electrode may be closely covered with this dielectric material. If one electrode is closely coated with this dielectric, the other electrode must be exposed to deuterium gas, and this electrode must naturally be a hydrogen storage material.

[0049] Specifically, the container for storing deuterium gas used in the present invention may be, for example, a container made of glass or stainless steel, and the high voltage part in the present device is this container. It is placed electrically insulated from the container.

The heat transfer body used in the present invention for transferring the heat generated by the discharge electrode made of the hydrogen storage material to the refrigerant is one end of the discharge electrode made of the hydrogen storage material or the discharge electrode made of the hydrogen storage material. Covering one end (heat transfer body) of a good heat conductor connected to the electrode or a dielectric body (a dielectric body sandwiched between discharge electrodes) in contact with a discharge electrode made of a hydrogen storage material with a coolant liquid, It may be one in which the heat generated by the discharge electrode is transferred to a refrigerant (coolant). At this time, refrigerant (
one end of a discharge electrode in contact with a coolant) or one end of a good thermal conductor connected to this discharge electrode, or one end of a dielectric (a dielectric sandwiched between discharge electrodes) in contact with a discharge electrode made of a hydrogen storage material ( In order to increase the surface area of the heat transfer body (heat transfer body) and improve heat conduction, one end thereof may be shaped into a helical shape or provided with fins, etc., to increase the surface area in contact with the coolant.

[0051] The neutron kinetic energy heat converting means provided outside the storage means for converting the kinetic energy of neutrons generated by nuclear fusion in the discharge electrode means into heat may contain hydrogen atoms as its structural atoms. Salmon fluid is preferably used.

More specifically, a hydrocarbon liquid such as water, normal octane or normal decane, or a hydrogen silicide liquid (neutron moderating liquid) such as silicone oil, which has a high density and can be expected to have a cooling effect by convection, is provided. That's fine.

[0053] A refrigerant for cooling the heat generated by the discharge electrode and a neutron moderating liquid, which is a neutron kinetic energy heat converter for decelerating neutrons and converting neutron kinetic energy into heat, are electrically connected. When the same continuous liquid is used, it is preferable that the liquid be an electrically insulating liquid containing hydrogen atoms as structural atoms.

[0054]

DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS FIG. 1 shows a typical example of a nuclear fusion generator and a thermal energy output device using nuclear fusion, which exhibit the features of the present invention.

FIG. 2 shows an example of a voltage waveform applied between discharge electrodes that can be used in the present invention.

FIG. 3 shows an example of various combinations of discharge electrodes used in the nuclear fusion of the present invention, in which an electrode made of a hydrogen storage material is disposed close to the dielectric between the electrodes without contacting them. show. FIG. 4 shows an example of various discharge electrode structures used in the nuclear fusion of the present invention, in which an electrode made of a hydrogen storage material is set in contact with a dielectric between the electrodes.

In FIG. 1, 1 is a fusion generation container (storage means), 2 is a disk-shaped lid that closes the fusion generation container 1, and 3 is a plate-shaped discharge buried inside the fusion generation container along the dielectric material. The electrodes 4-1 to 4-7 are needle-shaped electrodes made of a hydrogen storage material that are placed close to and opposite to the dielectric layer on the surface of the plate-shaped discharge electrode 3 so that the tip thereof pierces the inside of the fusion generation vessel 1. discharge electrode. 5 is a needle-shaped discharge electrode 4 made of a hydrogen storage material.
-1 to 4-7 and the plate-shaped discharge electrode 3 to apply alternate voltages to cause discharge near the tips of the discharge electrodes 4-1 to 4-7; 5-1 is the power supply V1; Figure 2(a)
A power supply that generates a voltage waveform in which there are pulse pauses between successive pulses of alternating polarity as shown in Reference numeral 5-2 indicates a power supply V2, which continuously generates the continuous pulses shown in FIG. 2(b). 6 is a vacuum pump for first removing the air inside the fusion generation vessel 1, and 7 is a vacuum pump that fills the inside of the fusion generation vessel 1 with deuterium gas after the air has been removed and removed (10-3 Torr to several atmospheres). 8, 9, 10 are valves that can be opened and closed; 11 is a discharge electrode 4 (4-1 to 4-4) made of a hydrogen storage material;
7) Dissipates (heat transfer) the heat generated inside to the coolant (refrigerant)
A fin-shaped heat transfer portion (heat transfer body) for improving heat radiation by increasing the surface area in contact with the coolant at least at one end of the discharge electrode 4 or one end of a good heat conductor connected to the discharge electrode. , 12 is a shielding container containing atoms with an atomic number higher than iron, 13 for absorbing electromagnetic waves such as gamma rays and accommodating a coolant and a neutron moderator;
is a coolant for cooling the heat transfer part (heat transfer body) 11 of the discharge electrode 4 made of Pd as a hydrogen storage material whose temperature has increased in the shielding container 12 due to heat generation outside the fusion generation container. A liquid having a neutron kinetic energy heat conversion means (neutron moderating liquid) for converting the kinetic energy of neutrons exiting the container 1 into heat, 14 is a heat exchanger, and 15 is water carried in. , water that carries the steam that originally became steam in the heat exchanger 14, water/steam pipes that serve as steam conduction paths, 16 a turbine, 17 a generator directly connected to the turbine, and 18 a generator that turns the turbine. This is a condenser that cools the steam used for water and returns water. In FIG. 1, the turbine 16, generator 17, and condenser 18 are indicated by broken lines.

Further, the discharge electrode to which the voltage generated by the power source V2 (5-2) is applied can be selected by switching the switch 19. Alternate voltages are applied by a power source 5 to the needle-shaped discharge electrode 4 and the plate-shaped discharge electrode 3 made of a hydrogen storage material. The electric field strength near the tip of the needle-shaped discharge electrode 4 made of a hydrogen storage material is at least equal to or higher than the electric field strength at which ionization discharge (meaning glow corona discharge/corona discharge) starts. When a negative voltage phase is applied to the needle-shaped discharge electrode 4 made of a hydrogen storage material with respect to the plate-shaped discharge electrode 3, the electric field strength around the discharge electrode 4 is at least as low as the electric field around it is concentrated. The electric field strength is greater than the starting electric field strength for ionization discharge (meaning glow corona discharge/corona discharge). For this reason, deuterium in the vicinity of the discharge electrode 4 made of a hydrogen-absorbing metal having an ionization discharge starting electric field strength or higher becomes a cation and is pulled by the electric field to the discharge electrode 4 made of a hydrogen-absorbing metal and collected. The collected cations turn into neutral atoms by the discharge electrode 4 and are stored in the discharge electrode 4 made of a hydrogen-absorbing metal. If the discharge current per surface area of the discharge electrode 4 is increased, deuterium can be stored in the hydrogen storage metal of the discharge electrode 4 more efficiently per unit time. When enough deuterium is stored in the hydrogen storage material of the discharge electrode 4, nuclear fusion can occur.

Further, after deuterium is sufficiently stored in the hydrogen storage material of the discharge electrode 4, or during the storage, the dielectric material (acicular discharge electrode) on the surface layer of the needle-shaped discharge electrode 4 and the plate-shaped discharge electrode 3 4
A sufficiently high alternating voltage is applied between the discharge electrodes 3 and 4 as shown in FIG. By applying a voltage to generate a discharge across at least the discharge electrode made of the hydrogen storage material and the dielectric material sandwiched between the discharge electrodes, hydrogen storage material can be extracted from the hydrogen storage material with a higher probability than the conventional discharge electrode fusion method. Nuclear fusion can be caused inside the discharge electrode 4. This means that the discharge electrode 4, which is made of a hydrogen storage material, will instantly become hot locally due to intense discharge occurring across the discharge electrode 4 and the dielectric layer on the surface of the discharge electrode 3. In addition, enough deuterium generates shock waves in the electrode made of this hydrogen storage material, causing the atoms inside (not only the hydrogen storage material but also the deuterium atoms) to violently and instantaneously vibrate, making it easier for nuclear fusion to occur. It seems that there are. In addition, a sufficiently high instantaneous electric field voltage between the two electrodes (a voltage that will definitely cause breakdown between the electrodes if there is no dielectric layer between the discharge electrodes 4 and 3) is applied. By applying the voltage and causing a discharge, lattice defects are caused in the hydrogen storage material, which significantly shortens the distance between deuterium atoms in the hydrogen storage material.By increasing the probability of encountering deuterium atoms, it is possible to increase the probability of nuclear fusion. It is working effectively to generate

FIGS. 2A and 2B show examples of voltage waveforms applied to the discharge electrodes 3 and 4 by the power source 5. Reference numeral 5-1 denotes a power source V1, which generates a voltage waveform in which a pause state of pulses exists between successive pulses of alternating polarity as shown in FIG. 2(a). Reference numeral 5-2 indicates a power supply V2, which continuously generates the continuous pulses shown in FIG. 2(b).

The pulse rest state in FIG. 2(a) is for storing deuterium gas in the fusion generation vessel 1 in the discharge electrode 4 made of a hydrogen storage material. In other words, the electric field strength near the tip of the discharge electrode 4 becomes too high for discharge, and the discharge electrode 4 becomes hot even locally, and after nuclear fusion occurs, the inside of the discharge electrode 4 This is to prevent deuterium gas from being occluded. Therefore, Figure 2
In (a), the pulse is paused in order to store deuterium gas in the discharge electrode 4, but at this time, by applying a weak voltage between the discharge electrode 4 and the plate-shaped discharge electrode 3, the discharge The deuterium ions generated by causing a weak corona discharge near the tip of the electrode 4 are pulled to the discharge electrode 4 by an electric field, and are actively pumped into the discharge electrode 4 without raising the temperature of the discharge electrode 4 to the extent that it impedes storage. By storing deuterium gas in the discharge electrode 4, the efficiency of actively storing deuterium gas in the discharge electrode 4 can be increased. At this time, the voltage applied between the discharge electrode 4 and the plate-shaped discharge electrode 3 is higher than the voltage required to start discharging near the tip of the discharge electrode 4, and preferably has a voltage value close to this discharge voltage value.

Furthermore, before the occurrence of nuclear fusion decreases and deuterium gas is actively stored in the discharge electrode 4, the electric field strength near the tip of the discharge electrode 4 becomes excessively high for discharge. It is effective to continuously apply an alternating voltage including pulses to the discharge electrodes 3 and 4 for 10 cycles or more so that the electric field strength is too high for the following reason. The reason for this is the traces of the electrode made of hydrogen storage material after nuclear fusion occurs, which inhibits the occurrence of repeated nuclear fusion (the traces of deuterium gas inside the electrode made of hydrogen storage material being blown out instantly after nuclear fusion occurs) As a result, traces of bubbling and discharge remain on the relatively surface layer of the electrode made of hydrogen storage material, making it difficult for nuclear fusion to occur even with subsequent intense discharge.)
is removed by discharge near the tip of the discharge electrode 4 (perhaps by sputtering effect), and a refreshing effect can be obtained in which nuclear fusion occurs again at the electrode 4 made of a hydrogen storage material that stores deuterium.

FIGS. 3 and 4 show examples of various combinations of discharge electrodes that can be used in the nuclear fusion of the present invention. Figure 3 shows an example in which an electrode made of a hydrogen storage material is set close to the dielectric between the electrodes without contacting it, and Figure 4 shows an example in which an electrode made of a hydrogen storage metal is set in contact with the dielectric between the electrodes. Examples are shown below.

The discharge electrode system including the discharge electrodes 3 and 4 shown in FIG. 3 is almost the same as the discharge electrode system shown in FIG. This is an example in which the device is set close to, without contacting, a dielectric material. At the rear end of the discharge electrode 4 made of a hydrogen storage material, there is provided a device for dissipating (heat transfer) the heat generated in the discharge electrode 4 (4-1 to 4-7) made of a hydrogen storage material to a coolant (refrigerant). A fin-shaped heat transfer portion (heat transfer body) 111 is provided to increase the surface area in contact with the coolant and improve heat radiation.

In this discharge electrode system, the plate-shaped discharge electrode 3 is provided so as to be buried inside the plate-shaped dielectric material.
The plate-shaped discharge electrode 3 may be exposed and provided behind the dielectric plate. Furthermore, if the discharge electrode 3 provided behind the dielectric plate 112 facing the needle-shaped discharge electrode 4 made of a hydrogen storage material is made into a rod shape instead of a plate shape, and made of a hydrogen storage material such as palladium, , can efficiently generate nuclear fusion. That is, by applying the same alternating voltage between the discharge electrodes 3 and 4, nuclear fusion can be easily generated not only in the discharge electrode 4 but also in the discharge electrode 3.

FIG. 4 shows examples of discharge electrode systems in which electrodes made of a hydrogen storage material are set in contact with a dielectric between the electrodes. In the figure, 112 is an electrically insulating dielectric. 1
13 is a dielectric 112 in which the heat generated in the discharge electrode 4 made of a hydrogen storage metal is transferred to the alumina dielectric, and the transferred heat is radiated (heat transferred) to the coolant (refrigerant). This is a heat transfer portion (heat transfer body) provided to increase the surface area of the end portion of the heat exchanger and bring it into contact with the coolant 13 to improve heat dissipation. This purpose is the fin-shaped heat transfer part (heat transfer body) 11 in FIG. 1, and furthermore the heat transfer part (heat transfer body) 111 in FIG.
is the same as However, since the heat transfer part (heat transfer body) 113 is not electrically connected to the discharge electrode 4, ordinary water, which does not have high electrical insulation properties, can also be used as the coolant 13, which also has the purpose of slowing down neutrons. It is very effective in this respect. Water also contains a lot of hydrogen atoms, and it is highly effective in slowing down the kinetic energy of neutrons through collisions, and the hydrogen atoms obtain this energy, converting the kinetic energy of neutrons into thermal energy, and also has a high cooling effect. Being able to use this is extremely valuable.

The heat transfer part (heat transfer body) 113 is set to come out between the fusion generation vessel 1 and the shielding vessel 12 in FIG. 1, and is brought into contact with the coolant 13 which also has the purpose of slowing down neutrons. Naturally, the discharge electrode system is set to be located within the fusion generation vessel 1 filled with deuterium.

FIG. 4A shows a discharge electrode system in which the surface of a linear discharge electrode 3 is coated with a dielectric material 112 such as alumina.
In this example, two linear discharge electrodes 4 made of a hydrogen storage metal such as Pd are wound parallel to each other in a helical shape on the surface of the electrode 12. The switch 19 is used to alternately apply a voltage to the discharge electrode 3 to the two linear discharge electrodes 4 as shown in FIG.

FIG. 4B shows a discharge electrode system in which a plate-shaped discharge electrode 3 and a linear discharge electrode 4 made of a hydrogen storage material such as Pd are opposed to each other with a layer of dielectric material 112 such as alumina sandwiched therebetween. This is an example of a layout. At this time, a linear discharge electrode 4 made of a hydrogen storage material such as Pd is arranged approximately along the center of the width of the plate-shaped discharge electrode 3, and a plate-shaped discharge electrode 4 provided in contact with the surface of the plate-shaped discharge electrode 3 is arranged approximately along the center of the width of the plate-shaped discharge electrode 3. It is provided on and in contact with the dielectric 112 .

FIG. 4(c) shows a discharge electrode system in which a U-shaped discharge electrode 4 made of a hydrogen storage material such as Pd and two discharge electrodes 3 are arranged with a plate-shaped dielectric 112 sandwiched therebetween as shown in the figure. is located opposite. More specifically, the two discharge electrodes 3 are provided opposite to each other on two vertical sides of the U-shape as shown in the figure. In the figure, for ease of understanding, the width of the U-shaped discharge electrode 4 is drawn much thicker than the width of the discharge electrode 3.
It is preferable that the width of the electrode is narrow and approximately equal to the width of the discharge electrode 3 in order to discharge the edge of the discharge electrode 4.

FIG. 4(d) shows an example in which the opposing discharge electrodes 3 and 4 are exposed. When the discharge electrode 3 is exposed and arranged on the back side of the dielectric 112, a hydrogen storage material such as Pd is used as the material of the discharge electrode 3, and the width of the discharge electrode 3 and the width of the discharge electrode 4 are set to be almost the same, Nuclear fusion can be caused not only by the discharge electrode 4 but also by the discharge electrode 3. In this way, nuclear fusion could be efficiently generated at the same time using two opposing electrodes. The switch 19 is a switch for selecting which electrode among the discharge electrodes 3 is to be discharged for nuclear fusion. At this time, two linear discharge electrodes 3 are exposed and placed on the back surface of the dielectric 112, and when a hydrogen storage material such as Pd is used as the material for the discharge electrodes 3 and a hydrogen storage material such as Pd is used for discharge, one of the wires at the same time. It is selected whether to generate a discharge at the edge of the shaped discharge electrode 3 that is in contact with the dielectric 112 to generate nuclear fusion.

[0072] The shape of the electrode made of the hydrogen storage material used in the present invention is selected to have a small radius of curvature as described above, and a width equal to or narrower than that of the counter electrode. Therefore, the electric field in the vicinity can be easily strengthened.

In the present invention, the deuterium gas charged between a pair of electrodes disposed in a container containing deuterium gas is generally known as a good electrical insulator. In the case of deuterium gas, the higher the pressure, the higher the gas density, but at room temperature, no matter how high the pressure of this gas is, it will not liquefy. Incidentally, the critical pressure and critical temperature, which are the limits for deuterium liquefaction, are approximately 12.8 atmospheres and approximately -24 atmospheres, respectively.
It is 0 degrees.

[0074] Deuterium gas used in the present invention is a better electrical insulator than heavy water, which is a liquid, and therefore has a higher electrical insulation breakdown strength than heavy water.

FIG. 6 shows the discharge characteristics of deuterium gas. This characteristic indicates the dielectric breakdown voltage when a DC voltage is applied between a pair of spherical electrodes with a diameter of 0.5 inches facing each other, and the deuterium gas pressure (torr ) and the electrode gap length (cm) is an actual measurement value of dielectric breakdown pressure (V).

Since the electric field between the electrodes in such an electrode configuration is approximately equal, discharge means a dielectric breakdown voltage, that is, a spark discharge voltage that suddenly leads to dielectric breakdown without reaching partial discharge. From this figure, the partial discharge inception voltage can be approximately determined.

In the present invention, a small amount of tritium (1H3) may be contained in the deuterium gas. If not only deuterium gas but also a small amount of tritium gas is included, neutrons with higher kinetic energy can be emitted when nuclear fusion occurs, and the kinetic energy of these neutrons can be converted into kinetic energy heat. It is effective in that a large amount of heat energy can be extracted by the exchanger.

In the present invention, as the impact energy wave applied to the electrode made of the hydrogen storage material, in addition to the impact voltage shown as one of the preferred examples, impact current, giant pulse laser, etc. , impulse sound waves in the wavelength range of ultrasonic waves and extreme ultrasonic waves. It is preferable that these shock waves have high energy. Among these, it is preferable to apply an alternating voltage that is simple, has a sufficiently high impact effect, and is capable of producing a strong discharge.

In the present invention, glow corona discharge,
When generating electric discharges such as corona discharge, and in order to promote the nuclear fusion reaction that occurs within the discharge electrodes made of hydrogen storage material, a strong electric discharge is generated between the discharge electrodes with a dielectric material sandwiched between them. In this case, if the voltage applied between the discharge electrodes is an alternating voltage such as an alternating voltage, continuous discharge can be caused. In order to cause nuclear fusion, at least when the electrode side made of a hydrogen storage material is in a cathodic voltage phase, deuterium cations (deuterium nuclei) must be transferred to the electrode made of a hydrogen storage material that stores deuterium. It is effective because it collides violently with the The alternating voltage for this purpose may be an alternating voltage with a DC voltage superimposed, a simple alternating voltage, or an alternating pulse voltage.

In this case, if the rising voltage of the pulse waveform is earlier in time, a discharge delay occurs and a higher voltage is actually applied to the gas region between the electrodes, which further increases the probability of nuclear fusion occurrence due to the impulsive voltage application. From above, a shocking voltage can be applied with a pulse width of a few nanoseconds to 1000 microseconds, more preferably 100 nanoseconds to 600 microseconds.

The alternating voltages to be applied may be applied to the electrodes continuously or at appropriate time intervals.

[0082] When applying alternating voltages to the electrodes with a time interval (rest time) as described above, the time interval (rest time)
It is desirable that the pause time is several tens of seconds or more.

The voltage waveform applied between the discharge electrodes is shown in FIG.
It is not limited to the sawtooth voltage waveforms shown in a) and (b); in addition to these, voltage waveforms such as rectangular waveforms, triangular waveforms, and sine waveforms, as well as voltage waveforms in which DC voltage is superimposed on these waveforms, can be used. It may be applied. Similarly, the frequency of the voltage waveform to be applied is basically not limited, but it is preferable to apply a high frequency voltage of 1 kHz to several tens of MHz to achieve high thermal output energy and high density neutron beam source. It is effective in that it allows you to obtain

Further, the magnitude of the voltage is desirably set to a value as large as possible within the range of a value that is greater than a value that causes partial discharge in the discharge electrode and less than a voltage that would destroy the dielectric.

In the present invention, the dielectric material sandwiched between the discharge electrodes may be ceramic such as alumina, mica, heat-resistant glass, etc., but it is preferable to use a green sheet kneaded with powder such as alumina, which has good thermal conductivity. Hardened ceramic is better. The thickness of the dielectric is preferably 1 mm or less, preferably 500 micrometers or less, and more preferably about 20 to 200 micrometers.

If the thickness of the dielectric is within the above range, there is no need to increase the power supply voltage. The shape of the dielectric may be a plate, a plate with a specific curvature, or a cylinder.

Furthermore, this dielectric may be placed in contact with the electrode made of the hydrogen storage material or may be placed in a non-contact manner. Furthermore, one electrode may be closely covered with this dielectric material. If one electrode is closely coated with this dielectric, the other electrode must be exposed to deuterium gas, and this electrode must naturally be a hydrogen storage material.

In order to ensure that the potentials of a plurality of discharge electrodes 4 are determined independently of each other at a certain time, a discharge made of a hydrogen storage metal whose temperature has increased due to heat generation outside the fusion generating vessel within the shielding vessel 12 is required. A coolant for cooling the heat transfer part (heat transfer means) 11 of the electrode 4 and a neutron kinetic energy heat conversion means (neutron The liquid 13 together with the moderator liquid must be electrically insulating. The electrical resistivity of this liquid 13 is at least 100 V/m
30 seconds after applying an electric field of m or more, the electrical resistivity is 101
It is preferable that it is 2 Ωcm or more.

In the present invention, the material constituting the shielding container 12 preferably contains atoms with an atomic number higher than that of iron, and specifically, Fe, Pb, Co, Ni, stainless steel, etc. are used. Composite materials in which these metals and concrete form a multilayer structure are also suitably used.

In the fusion generator of the present invention, if the discharge electrode system is made replaceable, it is very convenient as a fusion thermal energy output device in that the used discharge electrode system can be easily replaced. . In particular, Figures 4(a) and (b)
, (c), and (d), when the discharge electrode 3 and the discharge electrode 4 are fixed in contact with the dielectric 112, this discharge electrode system (discharge electrode 3, The discharge electrode 4 and the dielectric material 112 sandwiched therebetween can be replaced.

(Example 1) As shown in FIG. 1, a fusion generating vessel 1 was sealed with a disc-shaped lid 2, and a 150-μm-thick alumina plate as a dielectric material was buried inside the vessel along with an alumina plate having a thickness of 150 μm. A plate-shaped discharge electrode 3 was arranged. Furthermore, Pd as a hydrogen storage material is placed close to and facing the dielectric layer made of alumina on the surface of the plate-shaped discharge electrode 3 with a gap of 10 μm so as to penetrate into the inside of the fusion generation vessel 1. Needle-shaped discharge electrode 4-1
~4-7 was placed.

[0092] Needle-shaped discharge electrodes 4 (4-1 to 4-1) made of Pd
4-7) is provided with a fin-shaped heat transfer portion as a heat transfer body in order to improve heat radiation efficiency.

[0093] A double-structured shielding container 12 having a stainless steel layer covered with a concrete layer containing Pb was provided surrounding the fusion generation container. Inside the shielding container 12 and in a space outside the fusion generating container, there is a fin-shaped heat transfer section 11 provided on the discharge electrode 4 made of Pd whose temperature has increased due to heat generation.
As a liquid 13 that has the function of a coolant for cooling the fusion generator, and also has the function of a neutron kinetic energy heat conversion means for converting the kinetic energy of neutrons exiting the fusion generation vessel 1 into heat. , filled with silicone oil manufactured by Toshiba Silicon Co., Ltd., which has high electrical insulation properties (viscosity: 200 cs, electrical resistivity: 1013 Ω·cm or more).

[0094] The air inside the fusion generation vessel 1 is pumped by the vacuum pump 6.
After the air was removed, deuterium gas was introduced from the deuterium gas cylinder 7 into the fusion generation vessel 1 to fill it. In this example, the pressure of deuterium gas was atmospheric pressure.

Valves 8, 9, and 10, which can be opened and closed, were used to remove air from the fusion generation vessel 1 and to introduce deuterium gas into the fusion generation vessel 1.

Needle-shaped discharge electrodes 4-1 to 4- made of Pd
Power sources 5-1 and 5-2 were connected so that alternating voltages were applied between the discharge electrodes 7 and the plate-shaped discharge electrodes 3 to cause discharge near the tips of the discharge electrodes 4-1 to 4-7. Reference numeral 5-1 denotes a power supply V1, which generates a voltage waveform in which a pause state of pulses exists between successive pulses of alternating polarity as shown in FIG. 2(a). Also,
Reference numeral 5-2 indicates a power supply V2, which continuously generates the continuous pulses shown in FIG. 2(b).

First, a pulse voltage whose polarity alternated was applied between the plate-shaped discharge electrode 3 and the discharge electrodes 4-5, 4-6, and 4-7 using the power source V1 (5-1).

The applied waveform was as shown in FIG. 2(a), the absolute value of the pulse peak voltage value was 2 kV, one cycle was 10-5 seconds, and the pause time was 20 seconds.

When nuclear fusion was generated using the above-described configuration and method, it was possible to output thermal energy greater than electrical input.

Specifically, the output of thermal energy was more than twice the input electrical energy.

Next, power supply V1 (5-1) is not used, and power supply V2 (5-2), switch (SW) 19, and discharge electrode 4-
1, 4-2, 4-3, and 4-4 were used to cause nuclear fusion. The applied voltage waveform is shown in Figure 2(b), the absolute value of the pulse peak voltage value is 2 kV, and one cycle is 10-
It was 5 seconds (100kHz).

In FIG. 1, reference numeral 19 denotes a switch, and by switching the switch 19, the discharge electrodes 4-1 and 4 made of hydrogen storage metal disposed below the plate-shaped discharge electrode 3 are activated.
-3 and the discharge electrodes 4-2 and 4-4 are alternately and intensely discharged to more reliably cause nuclear fusion with a high probability;
A process was provided in which the intense discharge was stopped and deuterium was occluded and stored in the discharge electrode 4 made of a hydrogen storage material. This changes the voltage waveform shown in FIG. 2(a) to the discharge electrodes 4-5 to 4-
I was able to obtain the same effect as the method of adding 7.

(Comparative Example) FIG. 5 shows a conventional discharge electrode fusion method apparatus. In the figure, 20 is a glass flask, 21 and 22 are palladium (Pd) electrodes, the flask 20 is filled with deuterium gas, and an alternating current voltage is applied between the electrodes 21 and 22 to cause a discharge, resulting in nuclear fusion. to occur. However, with this method, it was not possible to convert the neutrons generated by nuclear fusion into heat, nor to cool the heated electrodes 21 and 22 to extract heat without causing electrical leakage. .

(Example 2) Nuclear fusion was generated under the same conditions as in Example 1 except that the discharge electrode system was configured as shown in FIG. 4(a).

[0105] The electrode configuration of this example is that the linear discharge electrode 3
, a dielectric material 112 made of alumina covering the discharge electrode 3
, two discharge electrodes 4 made of Pd as a hydrogen storage material are wound on the surface of the dielectric 112. One of the discharge electrodes 4 can be selected arbitrarily.

[0106] Since such an electrode configuration is adopted, a breakdown discharge in which the discharge path penetrates cannot occur in the discharge path at any location between the discharge electrode 3 and the selected discharge electrode 4. Therefore, a plurality of discharges were formed almost simultaneously along the discharge electrode 4 while a voltage was applied between the two electrodes. When the same voltage (FIG. 2(b)) as in Example 1 is applied, multiple discharges are formed and nuclear fusion occurs at multiple locations, so nuclear fusion can be generated more efficiently than in Example 1. This enabled us to efficiently obtain thermal energy.

(Example 3) Nuclear fusion was generated under the same conditions as in Example 1 except that the discharge electrode system was configured as shown in FIG. 4(b).

The electrode structure of this embodiment includes a plate-shaped discharge electrode 3 provided inside a plate-shaped dielectric 112 made of alumina,
It consists of a linear discharge electrode 4 made of Pd that faces the plate-shaped discharge electrode 3 in parallel with the plate-shaped dielectric 112 in between.

[0109] With such an electrode configuration, a breakdown discharge in which the discharge path penetrates cannot occur in the discharge path at any location between the two electrodes. Therefore, while a voltage was applied between the two electrodes, a plurality of discharges were formed almost simultaneously along the long axis direction of the linear discharge electrode.

[0110] In response to the application of the same voltage as in Example 1 (FIG. 2(a)), multiple discharges are formed, and nuclear fusion occurs at multiple locations within the hydrogen storage body in response to the multiple discharges. Nuclear fusion could be generated more efficiently than in Example 1.

[0111] Furthermore, thermal energy could be obtained efficiently.

(Example 4) Nuclear fusion was generated under the same conditions as in Example 1 except that the discharge electrode system was configured as shown in FIG. 4(c).

The electrode configuration of this example includes two discharge electrodes 3 provided inside a plate-shaped dielectric 112 made of alumina.
, consisting of a U-shaped discharge electrode 4 made of Pd and facing parallel to the discharge electrode 3 with the plate-shaped dielectric 112 in between.

[0114] With such an electrode configuration, a breakdown discharge in which the discharge path penetrates cannot occur in the discharge path at any location between the two electrodes. For this reason, while a voltage was applied between the two electrodes, multiple discharges were formed almost simultaneously along the long axis direction of the linear discharge electrode, so the same voltage application as in Example 1 (Fig. Regarding a)), nuclear fusion could be generated more efficiently than in Example 1.

(Example 5) Nuclear fusion was generated under the same conditions as in Example 4 except that the discharge electrode system was configured as shown in FIG. 4(d).

[0116] In the electrode configuration of this example, a dielectric material 112 made of alumina is sandwiched between the discharge electrode 4 made of Pd as a hydrogen storage material and the discharge electrode 3 (Pl) made of Pd as a hydrogen storage material exposed. It was arranged as follows.

[0117] By the switch 19, the two discharge electrodes 3
It was chosen to alternately discharge.

[0118] Since such an electrode configuration is used, nuclear fusion occurs not only at the discharge electrode 4 but also at the selected discharge electrode 3, so that nuclear fusion can be generated even more efficiently than in Example 4. This allowed us to obtain thermal energy.

(Example 6) Same as Example 1 except that the absolute value of the peak voltage value of the pulse whose polarity changes alternately, which is applied between the plate-shaped discharge electrode 3 and the discharge electrode 4, was set to 4 kV. produced nuclear fusion. Nuclear fusion occurred with a high probability, and thermal energy could be output more efficiently than in Example 1.

(Example 7) Nuclear fusion was generated in the same manner as in Example 1, except that the frequency of the pulse with alternating polarity applied between the plate-shaped discharge electrode 3 and the discharge electrode 4 was set to 10 MHz. . In this case, a larger thermal energy output than in Example 1 could be obtained.

(Example 8) Nuclear fusion was generated in the same manner as in Example 1, except that molded ultrafine powder of a hydrogen storage material was used as the plate-shaped discharge electrode 3 and the discharge electrode 4.

In this case, deuterium can be efficiently stored in the discharge electrode made of a hydrogen storage material, so Example 1
It was possible to output heat energy more efficiently than before.

(Example 9) Instead of the applied voltage shown in FIG. 2(a), a weak voltage was applied between the discharge electrode 4 and the plate-shaped discharge electrode 3 when the pulse was at rest in FIG. 2(a). Nuclear fusion was generated in the same manner as in Example 1 except that the voltage was applied.

[0124] Here, the weak voltage was set to a value higher than the voltage necessary for the vicinity of the tip of the discharge electrode 4 to start discharging, and a value close to the voltage necessary for the vicinity of the tip of the discharge voltage 4 to start the discharge.

By applying this weak alternating voltage,
A weak corona discharge is caused near the tip of the discharge electrode 4 to generate deuterium ions, and the deuterium ions can be actively stored within the discharge electrode 4 by the electric field.
Nuclear fusion could be generated more efficiently than in Example 1, and thermal energy could be obtained more efficiently.

(Example 10) Before applying the weak alternating voltage, the discharge electrodes 3 and 4 were connected so that the electric field strength near the tip of the discharge electrode 4 was too high for discharge. Nuclear fusion was generated in the same manner as in Example 9, except that alternating voltage including pulses was continuously applied for 20 cycles. By applying this alternating voltage, traces of bubbling and discharge occurring on the surface layer of the discharge electrode 4 made of Pb were removed, so nuclear fusion could be reliably generated again. For this reason,
Thermal energy could be obtained more reliably than in Example 1.

(Example 11) Nuclear fusion was generated in the same manner as in Example 1 except that the discharge electrode made of Pd as a hydrogen storage material was changed to a discharge electrode made of Ti as a hydrogen storage material. Similar results to Example 1 were obtained.

As explained above, according to the nuclear fusion generation method, device, thermal energy output device, and electrical energy output device of the present invention, by utilizing nuclear fusion,
Thermal energy or electrical energy could be obtained with high efficiency.

More specifically, the present invention provides discharge electrodes, at least one of which is made of a hydrogen storage material, charged in deuterium gas and arranged to face each other with a dielectric material in between. By storing deuterium and applying an alternating voltage between the discharge electrode and the dielectric, a discharge is generated across at least the discharge electrode made of a hydrogen storage metal and the dielectric. We were able to obtain a highly efficient nuclear fusion generation method characterized by generating nuclear fusion by causing deuterium ions to accelerate and collide with an electrode made of a hydrogen storage material without passing an excessive short-circuit current.

Furthermore, in the present invention, by forming a stronger electric field near the discharge electrode made of the hydrogen storage material, deuterium is more efficiently stored in the discharge electrode made of the hydrogen storage material, and the nuclear fusion reaction is accelerated. I was able to further increase this.

[0131] Furthermore, the present invention provides a method for inhibiting the occurrence of repeated nuclear fusion, such as traces of an electrode made of a hydrogen storage material after nuclear fusion has occurred (deuterium gas in the electrode made of a hydrogen storage material after nuclear fusion has occurred). As traces of the instantaneous ejection of hydrogen, traces of bubbling and discharge remain on the relatively surface layer of the electrode made of hydrogen storage material, making it difficult for nuclear fusion to occur even with subsequent sparks). It has a refresh function that removes the traces and repeatedly generates nuclear fusion by applying a high frequency voltage between the discharging electrodes, at least one of which is made of a hydrogen storage material, which are disposed opposite to each other to cause a discharge.

Furthermore, in the present invention, heat is transferred from the discharge electrodes generated by the nuclear fusion directly or to a dielectric material between the discharge electrodes, and the dielectric material is brought into contact with a refrigerant to transfer heat to the refrigerant; Thermal energy could be obtained with high efficiency by converting the kinetic energy of neutrons generated by nuclear fusion at a discharge electrode made of a hydrogen storage metal into heat using a kinetic energy heat converter.

[Brief explanation of the drawing]

FIG. 1 is a schematic diagram for explaining a nuclear fusion generation method, a thermal energy output device using nuclear fusion, and an electrical energy output device of the present invention.

FIG. 2 is a diagram showing an example of a voltage waveform applied between discharge electrodes that can be used in the present invention.

FIG. 3 is a diagram showing an example (Pl) in which a discharge electrode made of at least a hydrogen storage material and a dielectric are configured in a non-contact manner among various discharge electrode configurations that can be used in the present invention.

FIG. 4 is a diagram showing an example in which at least one discharge electrode is in contact with a dielectric among various discharge electrode configurations that can be used in the present invention.

FIG. 5 is a schematic diagram showing an example of a conventional apparatus for generating discharge electrode fusion.

FIG. 6 is a diagram showing the electrical breakdown voltage (spark discharge voltage) of deuterium gas.

Claims (25)

[Claims] Claim 1: A discharge made of at least a hydrogen storage material is produced by applying an alternating voltage between discharge electrodes, at least one of which is made of a hydrogen storage material, and which are charged in deuterium and are disposed facing each other with a dielectric interposed therebetween. A method for generating nuclear fusion, characterized in that nuclear fusion is generated by generating electric discharge across an electrode and the dielectric. 2. The nuclear fusion generation method according to claim 1, wherein at least one of the discharge electrodes is plural. 3. The nuclear fusion generation method according to claim 1, wherein at least one of the discharge electrodes is coated with the dielectric. 4. The nuclear fusion generation method according to claim 1, wherein the discharge electrode made of the hydrogen storage material is disposed in contact with the dielectric. 5. The nuclear fusion generation method according to claim 1, wherein the discharge electrode made of the hydrogen storage material is a molded body of hydrogen storage material powder. 6. The discharge electrode made of the hydrogen storage material is P
2. The method for generating nuclear fusion according to claim 1, which comprises d or Ti. 7. The nuclear fusion generation method according to claim 1, wherein the discharge electrode made of the hydrogen storage material is needle-shaped. 8. The method of generating nuclear fusion according to claim 1, wherein said alternating voltage comprises a sawtooth pulsed voltage whose polarity is alternately reversed. 9. A container for containing deuterium gas, a discharge electrode disposed in the container filled with deuterium gas, at least one of which is made of a hydrogen storage material and placed facing each other with a dielectric material in between. A nuclear fusion generator comprising: voltage application means for applying alternate voltages between the discharge electrodes to cause discharge. 10. The fusion generator according to claim 9, wherein at least one of said discharge electrodes is plural. 11. The fusion generator according to claim 9, wherein at least one of the discharge electrodes is covered with the dielectric. 12. The fusion generator according to claim 9, wherein the fusion generator is disposed in contact with the discharge electrode made of the hydrogen storage material. 13. The fusion generator according to claim 9, wherein the discharge electrode made of the hydrogen storage material is a molded body of hydrogen storage material powder. 14. The nuclear fusion generator according to claim 9, wherein the discharge electrode made of the hydrogen storage material is made of Pd or Ti. 15. The nuclear fusion generator according to claim 9, wherein the discharge electrode made of the hydrogen storage material is needle-shaped. 16. The fusion generator of claim 9, wherein said alternating voltage comprises a sawtooth pulsed voltage whose polarity is alternately reversed. 17. A container for containing deuterium gas, a discharge electrode disposed in the container filled with deuterium gas, at least one of which is made of a hydrogen storage material and placed facing each other with a dielectric material in between. Voltage application means for applying alternating voltage between the discharge electrodes to cause discharge, a refrigerant, a heat transfer member for transferring heat generated at the discharge electrode made of the hydrogen storage material to the refrigerant, and a neutron A thermal energy output device characterized by having a kinetic energy thermal converter for converting kinetic energy into heat. 18. The thermal energy output device according to claim 17, wherein at least one of the discharge electrodes is plural. 19. The nuclear fusion generation method according to claim 17, wherein at least one of the discharge electrodes is covered with the insulator. 20. The nuclear fusion generation method according to claim 17, wherein at least one of the discharge electrodes is disposed in contact with the dielectric. 21. The thermal energy output device according to claim 17, wherein the refrigerant and the kinetic energy heat converter are liquids containing hydrogen atoms as structural atoms. 22. The thermal energy output device according to claim 17, wherein the discharge electrode made of the hydrogen storage material is a molded body of hydrogen storage material powder. 23. The thermal energy output device according to claim 17, wherein the discharge electrode made of the hydrogen storage material is made of Pd or Ti. 24. The thermal energy output device according to claim 17, wherein the discharge electrode made of the hydrogen storage material is needle-shaped. 25. The thermal energy output device of claim 17, wherein said alternating voltage comprises a sawtooth pulsed voltage whose polarity is alternately reversed.