Tests for cold fusion' in the Pd-D sub 2 and Ti-D sub 2 systems at 40-380 MPa and minus 196-27C

Journal Article · Mon Jan 01 00:00:00 EST 1990 · Journal of Fusion Energy; (United States)

DOI:https://doi.org/10.1007/BF02627579· OSTI ID:7250332

Blencoe, J G; Naney, M T; Wesolowski, D J; Perey, F G ^[1]

---

1. Oak Ridge National Lab., TN (United States)

Experiments have been conducted on the Pd-D{sub 2} and Ti-D{sub 2} systems at 40-380 MPa and {minus}196-27 C to investigate the possibility that cold fusion occurs in palladium and titanium deuterides generated by reaction with high-pressure D{sub 2} gas. In experiments completed to date, reactions between high-purity Pd or Ti and D{sub 2} were monitored with: (1) an array of three BF{sub 3} neutron detectors, (2) an internal, type-K sample thermocouple, and (3) and internal, type-K reference thermocouple located approximately 10 cm above the sample thermocouple. Using a {sup 252}Cf source, the efficiency of the BF{sub 3} detector array was determined to be approximately 6%. During experimentation, the three neutron detectors were immersed in a water bath thermostated at 27C. The neutron count rate, D{sub 2} pressure, sample and reference thermocouple readings, and bath temperature were recorded continuously at time intervals ranging from 6 seconds to 10 minutes. Experimental results obtained so far range from negative to potentially significant. No sustained heat production has been observed in any experiment. Thermal pulses that persist briefly after pressurizing Pd with D{sub 2} gas are attributable to small amounts of chemical heat released when Pd and D{sub 2} react to form palladium deuteride. No sustained neutron flux above background was observed in any Pd-D{sub 2} experiment. On the other hand, in a Ti-D{sub 2} experiment just completed, potentially significant results were obtained. During this experiment, there was a period of 5 consecutive hours when count rates rose to approximately 60 counts/hour above the average background rate. This detector count rate corresponds nominally to 1,000 neutrons/hour emitted from the Ti-D{sub 2} sample. However, due to several deficiencies in detection methods and equipment, the authors cannot demonstrate conclusively that their experimental data are valid. They are upgrading their neutron detection equipment.

• DOE Contract Number: AC05-84OR21400
• OSTI ID: 7250332
• Journal Information: Journal of Fusion Energy; (United States), Vol. 9:2; ISSN 0164-0313
• Country of Publication: United States
• Language: English

Related Subjects

70 PLASMA PHYSICS AND FUSION TECHNOLOGY
DEUTERON REACTIONS
COLD FUSION
PALLADIUM
TITANIUM
BF3 COUNTERS
CHEMICAL COMPOSITION
EXPERIMENTAL DATA
FUSION YIELD
NEUTRON DETECTION
NEUTRONS
PERFORMANCE
PRESSURE VESSELS
THERMOCOUPLES
BARYONS
CHARGED-PARTICLE REACTIONS
CONTAINERS
DATA
DETECTION
ELEMENTARY PARTICLES
ELEMENTS
FERMIONS
HADRONS
INFORMATION
MEASURING INSTRUMENTS
METALS
NEUTRON DETECTORS
NUCLEAR REACTION YIELD
NUCLEAR REACTIONS
NUCLEONS
NUMERICAL DATA
PLATINUM METALS
PROPORTIONAL COUNTERS
RADIATION DETECTION
RADIATION DETECTORS
TRANSITION ELEMENTS
YIELDS
700360* - Fusion Reactions- (1992-)