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Calorimetry, excess heat, and Faraday efficiency in Ni-H{sub 2}O electrolytic cells

Journal Article · · Fusion Technology
OSTI ID:159673
Apparent excess heat is observed in light water electrolytic cells containing a variety of nickel cathodes, a platinum anode, and an electrolyte of K{sub 2}CO{sub 3} in H{sub 2}O. High-accuracy calorimetric measurements show apparent excess heat in the range of 15 to 37% of input power if a 100% Faraday efficiency is assumed for H{sub 2} and O{sub 2} gas release. The H{sub 2} and O{sub 2} gases released during electrolysis are recombined in a vessel external to the cell, and the quantity of recombined H{sub 2}O is compared with the quantity of H{sub 2}O expected from 100% efficient electrolysis. The measured Faraday efficiency is shown to be significantly < 100%, and conventional chemistry can account for the entire amount of observed apparent excess heat to within an accuracy of better than 0.5%. 15 refs., 5 figs., 5 tabs.
OSTI ID:
159673
Journal Information:
Fusion Technology, Journal Name: Fusion Technology Journal Issue: 4 Vol. 28; ISSN FUSTE8; ISSN 0748-1896
Country of Publication:
United States
Language:
English