An investigation of energy balances in palladium cathode electrolysis experiments
In recently publicized cold fusion experiments at the University of Utah, generation of excess heat was reported. To investigate mechanisms that may contribute to energy flows in electrolysis cells, a series of experiments was performed at the Idaho National Engineering Laboratory (INEL). Ordinary water (H/sub 2/O), heavy water (D/sub 2/O), and mixture of the two were used in the INEL experiments. Cathodes used include a 51-/mu/m Pd foil and 1-mm diameter extruded wire Pd rods in two configurations. Energy balances in these experiments revealed that some of the required voltage to sustain a given current is due to irreversibilities associated with cell operation. Particularly significant are electrolyte resistance and activation energy polarization effects. Energy balances in the INEL experiments showed there was no significant net grain or net loss of energy. Cell overpotential curves were fit well with a Tafel equation, with parameters dependent on electrode configuration, electrolyte composition, and temperature. Water evaporation and interactions of hydrogen isotopes with the Pd cathode were evaluated and found not to be significant to energy balances. No ionizing radiation, tritium production, or other evidence of fusion reactions was seen in the INEL experiments. 4 refs., 6 figs., 2 tabs.
- Research Organization:
- EG and G Idaho, Inc., Idaho Falls, ID (USA)
- DOE Contract Number:
- AC07-76ID01570
- OSTI ID:
- 5757157
- Report Number(s):
- EGG-M-89203; CONF-8905126-4; ON: DE89016268
- Country of Publication:
- United States
- Language:
- English
Similar Records
Time-dependent energy efficiency losses at nickel cathodes in alkaline water electrolysis systems
Analyses of palladium cathodes used for heavy water electrolysis
Related Subjects
70 PLASMA PHYSICS AND FUSION TECHNOLOGY
700000* -- Fusion Energy
73 NUCLEAR PHYSICS AND RADIATION PHYSICS
ALLOYS
CATHODES
DEUTERIUM
ELECTRODES
ELECTROLYTIC CELLS
ENERGY
ENERGY BALANCE
EVALUATION
FREE ENERGY
HEAVY WATER
HYDROGEN COMPOUNDS
HYDROGEN ISOTOPES
ISOTOPES
LIGHT NUCLEI
NUCLEAR REACTIONS
NUCLEI
NUCLEOSYNTHESIS
ODD-ODD NUCLEI
OXYGEN COMPOUNDS
PALLADIUM ALLOYS
PALLADIUM BASE ALLOYS
PHYSICAL PROPERTIES
PLATINUM METAL ALLOYS
STABLE ISOTOPES
SYNTHESIS
THERMODYNAMIC PROPERTIES
THERMONUCLEAR REACTIONS
WATER