WO1997043768A1 - Coproduction of energy and helium from d¿2? - Google Patents
Coproduction of energy and helium from d¿2? Download PDFInfo
- Publication number
- WO1997043768A1 WO1997043768A1 PCT/US1997/008033 US9708033W WO9743768A1 WO 1997043768 A1 WO1997043768 A1 WO 1997043768A1 US 9708033 W US9708033 W US 9708033W WO 9743768 A1 WO9743768 A1 WO 9743768A1
- Authority
- WO
- WIPO (PCT)
- Prior art keywords
- fuel gas
- catalyst
- catalysts
- metallic catalyst
- active
- Prior art date
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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
- That screening process consists ofthe side-by-side, or se ⁇ quential, contacting ofthe reduced, and devolatilized, catalyst with H 2 and D 2 gases at about 1 to 3 atm gauge pressure, and about 150 to 200° C
- Those catalysts which are specifically inactive show no incremental temperature differential between H2 and D 2
- the specifically active catalysts show an increased temperature due to the D 2 of at least about 2° C , and preferably greater than 5°C , compared to the H 2
- the most important element ofthe instant invention is the discovery and identification of specifically active metallic hydrogenation catalysts.
- specifically active metallic hydrogenation catalysts There are innu ⁇ merable candidate such catalysts, and only some relatively small proportion thereof, is specifically active in the instant process.
- Central to this invention was the determina ⁇ tion that such specifically active catalysts do exist, and that identification thereof is an empirical process, wherein many negative results may be traversed before positive results occur. And so far, there is no reliable guide to make an a priori selection among the candidates.
- the most easily categorized specifically active catalysts are the supported platinum-group-metal (PGM) hydrogenation catalysts, already well known to be ac ⁇ tive catalysts, and widely used in the process industries. Those PGM's most widely used are Pt and Pd, of course, although Rh and Ru may be used, and even sometimes Ir. Both Pt and Pd have been found to yield spe ⁇ cifically active catalysts, with indications that Rh is also useful. Ru, when and as identified as a specifically active metal, may be preferred because of its very low cost, and potential durability in use.
- the platinum group metals may indeed be specifically active in other forms, such as Pt or Pd black, or as sponge, and so forth.
- Supported Ni catalysts are also widely used in the process industries, al ⁇ though generally not nearly so active as the PGM catalysts. Ni, when and as identi ⁇ fied as specifically active in the instant invention, would be a preferred embodiment, because ofthe very low cost and wide availability compared to the PGM's.
- the various supports may be those used for the PGM's. In general, however, the level of Ni loading is higher than for the PGM's, being usually greater than 10%.
- Raney Ni is also sometimes used in the process industries, and would be similar in utility to the supported Ni catalysts, when and as identified as specifically active.
- Various other metals are known to be active hydrogenation catalysts, and might be found to be specifically active in some embodiments. Of possible utility are supported Re, Raney Co, and Ti, and the rare earths in various forms.
- the supporting material may be any one of those known and commonly used, such as activated carbon, graphite, alumina, silica, kieselguhr, clay, zeolites, and so forth.
- the specifically active catalyst may either be in powdered or otherwise finely divided form, or may be in the form of porous aggregates, such as pellets or cylin- ders. It is critical that the catalyst must be able to absorb or adsorb a large quantity ofthe fuel gas comprising D 2 .
- the fuel gas to be contacted with the specifically active catalyst comprises D 2 .
- the actual D 2 content need not approach 100%, however.
- An atomic proportion of H 2 of a few percent is not especially detrimental. Only at levels of 5% to 10% does the dilution effect of H 2 become large enough to slow down the reaction notably Any content of O 2 in the fuel is detrimental, because it catalytically reacts with D 2 to form D 2 O, which may be inactive And H 2 O, HDO, and D 2 O are undesirable, be ⁇ cause they may preferentially occupy the specifically active sites, preventing the de ⁇ sired self-reaction of D 2 N 2 seems to serve merely as a diluent in the fuel gas, and has almost no effect in any reasonable proportion CO may also sometimes be only a diluent CO 2 may preferentially occupy active sites and may be undesirable But both CO and CO 2 are unlikely major constituents of any fuel gas
- He being the product ofthe instantly desired reaction, might seem to be an important, and negative component ofthe fuel gas But it appears that the extreme vigor ofthe desired reaction causes such localized disruption, on an atomic scale, that He is released, rather than being trapped in the catalyst Thus, He seems to serve merely as a diluent, as does N 2 Only when the fuel gas reacts to such a degree that the He content rises to 5%, or 10%, or more, is it desirable to institute some sort of bleeding ofthe contaminated fuel gas, and replenishment by fresh D 2
- the temperature under which the instant self-reaction is conducted is impor- tant.
- the reaction proceeds at a reasonable rate, and the temperature level is high enough so that heat can be transferred to wa ⁇ ter, creating steam—being that highly desirable vehicle whereby to power turbines, or to carry energy from place to place
- temperatures less than about 150° C the desired reaction is slower, and the temperature difference to create steam impracti- cally low
- the operational temperatures may desirably be quite higher than
- the D 2 fuel may remain in close association with the catalyst at temperatures even well in excess of 200°C , and even at temperatures fa ⁇ voring devolution ofthe D 2 from the catalyst, increased pressure may be employed to counter the trend.
- the upper limit on this reaction may be set by the strength of the materials used, and may extend to 300°C, or 500°C, or even higher.
- the pressure used in this process is not so important as the temperature. Es ⁇ pecially at the lower operating temperatures of 150-200°C, the fuel is highly ab ⁇ sorbed in, or adsorbed on, the catalyst even at 1 atm. absolute. And some ofthe ac- tive catalysts so strongly attract the fuel that a partial vacuum may appear. Thus it is that a wide range of pressures may be usefully employed. Sometimes a partial vac ⁇ uum may be present. Generally, 1-10 atm. absolute is easily obtained, easily con ⁇ tained, and useful. Under special conditions, pressures up to 100 atm. or higher may be desirable, and useful.
- the apparatus used is generally any leak-tight container capable of tempera ⁇ ture and pressure regulation, and fitted with tubes through which to circulate water, or other heat-transfer fluid. The specific configuration may vary widely.
- the catalyst must be in good thermal contact with the tubes carrying heat-transfer fluid ("steam tubes"), so as to facilitate removal ofthe energy generated.
- the catalyst must be in good contact with the fuel gas, so as to replen ⁇ ish the fuel converted. This generally may mean that the catalyst lies only in a thin layer, with all same being near to a gas-catalyst interface. A layer about one inch thick is approximately the upper limit in this sense.
- the fuel be continuously fed through a bed ofthe catalyst.
- the preferred reactor design is either a stationary (or preferably a fluidized) bed of catalyst surrounding and in close contact with the heat- transfer tubes, and through which the fuel gas is circulated under forced draft, to en ⁇ sure continuous contact between catalyst, and fresh fuel.
- the materials of construction can be simple steel, even carbon steel. There is nothing to cause corrosion or embrittlement (save hydrogen embrittlement) At most costly, 302 or 304 stainless steel may be advantageously employed. Exotic materials, such as 316 stainless, or zirconium, are quite unneces ⁇ sary. And because the product is helium, a most inert and benign gas, the process produces no dangerous effluent, (being even much less damaging to the environment than CO 2 ). Thus, after processing the bled material to recover useful D 2 fuel, the product He can even be vented to the atmosphere, if desired, as it generally will be
- the instant invention relies on such a screening test That test need not be exact in detail, but must involve contacting the reduced, devolatilized candidate catalyst with gases, comprising H 2 and then D 2 , at a temperature between about 150°C. and 200°C. (higher temperatures can be used, but are unnecessary), and ini ⁇ tially at 1-3 atm. absolute (the pressure will generally change as the test proceeds)
- gases comprising H 2 and then D 2
- gases comprising H 2 and then D 2
- H 2 reference gas said stable temperature being the "reference" temperature
- the H 2 gas is devolved by pulling a good vacuum for some minutes (some catalysts are quite reluctant to devolve adsorbed or absorbed H 2 )
- the experiment is re ⁇ peated, employing the same apparatus, heat input, and configuration, but with D 2 in- stead ofthe H 2 .
- the catalyst candidate is deemed not specifi ⁇ cally active (it is fairly difficult to be certain that anything much less than 2°C is a genuine result, and not merely some experimental artifact) If the temperature reached with D 2 is at least 5°C. greater than that with H 2 , the catalyst is clearly spe ⁇ cifically active And temperature differences greater than 10°C have been measured in practice.
- the cooled vessel is filled with 2 atm of H 2 , and the heating jacket is heated with a specific value of volts and amperes (in my case, about 50 V and 1 5 A.), and the temperature observed until it reaches a level which remains steady for at least about one hour, in the range of about 150-200°C
- the vessel is then carefully devolatilized by pumping off the H 2 , and cooled Then 2 atm. of D 2 gas is added , and the heating jacket heated with the same value of volts and amperes The temperature is then carefully followed until it reaches a rea- sonably steady level, usually in one or 2 hours If the observed temperature is well in excess of that reached with H 2 , then there is apparent reaction with D 2 which does not occur with H 2 , and the catalyst is deemed specifically active
- the specifically active catalysts never reach a totally stable temperature with D 2 , said temperature always slowly increases over weeks of time
- the vessel was then sealed, and alternatively heated to about 100°C, and evacuated with a good mechanical vacuum pump, until the pressure in the vessel at 100°C. was much less than 1 psia. Then the vessel was filled to 32 psia with high purity (grade 4.7) hydrogen gas.
- the vessel After heating for several hours, at 60 V. on the heating mantle the vessel stabilized at 156°C. and 18 1/2 psia.
- the vessel was evacuated well with the mechanical vacuum pump, and filled to 32.5 psia with grade 2.5 deuterium. The vessel was then heated again for several hours, and at 60 V. on the heating mantel, the vessel stabilized at a tempera ⁇ ture of 166°C.
- the current to the heating mantle was 1.79 A for the H 2 run, and 1.78 A for the D 2 run, thought to be indistinguishably different.
- the temperature difference for D 2 over H 2 , at the same power input is 10°C, corresponding to a few watts of power generation.
- Example I was repeated using 21 9 g of 1 % Pd on activated carbon, of 55% H 2 O content, and the same procedure to remove the residual water from the catalyst
- the vessel stabilized at a temperature of 152°C , and 31 psia, at 60 V. on the heating mantle
- the vessel stabilized at 167 5°C and 39 5 psia, at 60 V on the heating mantle
- Example I was repeated, using 19 2 g of 5% Pd on activated carbon, of 38% H 2 O content, and the same procedure to remove the residual water from the catalyst
- the vessel stabilized at a temperature of 165°C , at 60 V on the heating mantle
- Example II was repeated using a very similar, but different, 1% Pd catalyst The temperature reached with H 2 and D 2 was almost the same, thus showing no specific activity
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- Physics & Mathematics (AREA)
- Engineering & Computer Science (AREA)
- Plasma & Fusion (AREA)
- General Engineering & Computer Science (AREA)
- High Energy & Nuclear Physics (AREA)
- Catalysts (AREA)
Abstract
Description
Claims
Priority Applications (3)
Application Number | Priority Date | Filing Date | Title |
---|---|---|---|
EP97926467A EP0897580A1 (en) | 1996-05-10 | 1997-05-12 | Coproduction of energy and helium from d 2? |
AU31230/97A AU3123097A (en) | 1996-05-10 | 1997-05-12 | Coproduction of energy and helium from d2 |
JP54103197A JP2001510555A (en) | 1996-05-10 | 1997-05-12 | D Simultaneous production of energy and helium from 2 |
Applications Claiming Priority (2)
Application Number | Priority Date | Filing Date | Title |
---|---|---|---|
US64411896A | 1996-05-10 | 1996-05-10 | |
US08/644,118 | 1996-05-10 |
Publications (1)
Publication Number | Publication Date |
---|---|
WO1997043768A1 true WO1997043768A1 (en) | 1997-11-20 |
Family
ID=24583524
Family Applications (1)
Application Number | Title | Priority Date | Filing Date |
---|---|---|---|
PCT/US1997/008033 WO1997043768A1 (en) | 1996-05-10 | 1997-05-12 | Coproduction of energy and helium from d¿2? |
Country Status (4)
Country | Link |
---|---|
EP (1) | EP0897580A1 (en) |
JP (1) | JP2001510555A (en) |
AU (1) | AU3123097A (en) |
WO (1) | WO1997043768A1 (en) |
Citations (4)
Publication number | Priority date | Publication date | Assignee | Title |
---|---|---|---|---|
EP0394204A1 (en) * | 1989-04-18 | 1990-10-24 | Ente per le nuove tecnologie, l'energia e l'ambiente ( ENEA) | A system for producing neutrons and heat by nuclear fusion in a gas absorbed on a metal |
WO1990014668A2 (en) * | 1989-05-04 | 1990-11-29 | Cravens Dennis J | Cold fusion propulsion apparatus and energy generating apparatus |
WO1991001037A1 (en) * | 1989-07-13 | 1991-01-24 | Shaffer George E | Chemo-nuclear fusion methods |
WO1993005516A1 (en) * | 1991-08-28 | 1993-03-18 | Southern California Edison | Producing heat from a solute and crystalline host material |
-
1997
- 1997-05-12 AU AU31230/97A patent/AU3123097A/en not_active Abandoned
- 1997-05-12 EP EP97926467A patent/EP0897580A1/en not_active Withdrawn
- 1997-05-12 WO PCT/US1997/008033 patent/WO1997043768A1/en not_active Application Discontinuation
- 1997-05-12 JP JP54103197A patent/JP2001510555A/en active Pending
Patent Citations (4)
Publication number | Priority date | Publication date | Assignee | Title |
---|---|---|---|---|
EP0394204A1 (en) * | 1989-04-18 | 1990-10-24 | Ente per le nuove tecnologie, l'energia e l'ambiente ( ENEA) | A system for producing neutrons and heat by nuclear fusion in a gas absorbed on a metal |
WO1990014668A2 (en) * | 1989-05-04 | 1990-11-29 | Cravens Dennis J | Cold fusion propulsion apparatus and energy generating apparatus |
WO1991001037A1 (en) * | 1989-07-13 | 1991-01-24 | Shaffer George E | Chemo-nuclear fusion methods |
WO1993005516A1 (en) * | 1991-08-28 | 1993-03-18 | Southern California Edison | Producing heat from a solute and crystalline host material |
Non-Patent Citations (3)
Title |
---|
AIELLO ET AL.: "nuclear fusion experiment in palladium charged by deuterium gas", FUSION TECHNOLOGY., vol. 18, no. 1, August 1990 (1990-08-01), LAGRANGE PARK, ILLINOIS US, pages 115 - 119, XP000159671 * |
FOCARDI S ET AL: "ANOMALOUS HEAT PRODUCTION IN HI-H SYSTEMS", IL NUOVO CIMENTO, vol. 107A, no. 1, 1 January 1994 (1994-01-01), pages 163 - 167, XP000519191 * |
MCCRACKEN G M ET AL: "EXPERIMENTAL SEARCH FOR 'COLD FUSION' IN THE DEUTERIUM-TITANIUM SYSTEM", JOURNAL OF PHYSICS D. APPLIED PHYSICS, vol. 23, no. 5, 14 May 1990 (1990-05-14), pages 469 - 475, XP000125851 * |
Also Published As
Publication number | Publication date |
---|---|
AU3123097A (en) | 1997-12-05 |
JP2001510555A (en) | 2001-07-31 |
EP0897580A1 (en) | 1999-02-24 |
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