Some Characteristics of Heat Production Using the “cold Fusion” Effect

Additional evidence is presented to show that heat production resulting from the Pons-Fleischmann Effect has a positive temperature coefficient, has a critical onset current density, and originates at the palladium cathode. Introduction The Pons-Fleischmann effect is proposed to produce energy by initiating a fusion reaction between two deuterium atoms within an electrolytic cell. While an understanding of this phenomenon is still lacking, the reality of anomalous heat production has been established by many studies. Work done during this program demonstrates that the effect can be reproduced when the proper palladium and protocols are used. During the first part of the study[1], the methods of Takahashi[2] were used with success. The present study reproduced the effect using the addition of aluminum to the electrolyte as first suggested by McKubre et al.[3]. These studies also revealed several of the reasons why negative results were obtained in the past. This work further defines conditions that influence excess heat production. The effects of current density and cell temperature are explored. The location within the cell from which excess heat production originates is also determined. Experimental The study uses a closed, stirred, pyrex-glass, isoperibolic-type calorimeter as described previously[1]. Calibrations were done using the electrolytic method before excess energy was observed and an internal heater after excess heat production started. Generally, calibration was done before and after excess heat production. No significant changes were observed in the calibration constant during the study. The total uncertainty in the measured heat value was about ±4%. Because random variations of ±0.2 watt were observed, excess heat was not claimed unless the excess exceeded 0.5 watt. Details of the calorimeter design and the calibration methods are described in reference 1. A palladium cathode obtained from Tanaka Metals Company, Japan, (Batch #4) was used after being washed with acetone. This was charged with deuterium in 0.4M LiOD at 20 mA/cm2 until the D/Pd ratio became constant at 0.84 after 9 hours. The charging behavior was similar to that produced by Batch #1 which produced significant excess heat.[1] Electrolysis was continued with variations in cell current, cell temperature, and periodic calibrations without the production of excess energy. After 575 hrs, excess heat was observed following the addition of 28 ppm of aluminum to a new electrolytic solution. Once excess power was observed, the magnitude of the excess increased each time the cell current was raised to 2.5 A as shown in Fig 1. Eventually, excess power became stable and the study was commenced. The excess volume in this sample is 2% when the D/Pd ratio is 0.7. 1