A METHOD AND APPARATUS FOR GENERATING THERMAL ENERGY

Abstract: The invention relates to a method and an apparatus for generating thermal energy from a cold nuclear fusion reaction by having at least a first hydrogen-absorbing material (3) placed either under a high hydrogen content atmosphere or in contact with a hydrogen-releasing material. The method comprises an initial step of heating to a predetermined reaction-initiating temperature, and a second or concurrent step of applying a predetermined sequence of current pulses to the first material. By adjustment of the pulse strength or frequency, the excess thermal energy produced by the reaction can be adjusted.

Description: A method and apparatus for generating thermal energy DESCRIPTION Field of the Invention This invention relates to a method and a device for generating thermal energy by a physical phenomenon ascribable to cold nuclear fusion δ reactions. More particularly, the invention relates to a method of generating thermal energy from a cold nuclear fusion reaction by having at least a first hydrogen-absorbing material placed either under a high hydrogen content atmosphere or in contact with a hydrogen-releasing material, 0 which method comprises an initial step of heating to a predetermined reaction-initiating temperature. The invention also relates to an apparatus implementing the method. Prior Art As is well known, cold nuclear fusion reactions have been reported by 5 several research laboratories throughout the world. To better appreciate the physical phenomenon which underlies such reactions, reference can be had to an article "Can binuclear atoms solve the cold fusion puzzle?" by G. F. Cerofolini and A. Foglio-Para, FUSION TECHNOLOGY, Vol. 23, pages 98- 102, 1993, where the physical 0 phenomena involved in cold fusion are summarized along with the chemical and nuclear reactions associated with it. More pertinent works are indicated in the article references. The matter is of great practical interest. A well-recognized fact in this technical field is that several materials are 5 . apt to absorb hydrogen and its isotopes. These materials have been successfully employed in the construction of electrodes for cold nuclear fusion apparatus, and include palladium, titanium, platinum, nickel, and niobium. The experiments carried out so far have shown that by storing hydrogen, or isotopes thereof, into the crystal lattice of certain metals selected from the transition group, an anomalous production of thermal energy is obtained as the hydrogen concentration rises above the typical values for thermodynamic equilibrium. Under such conditions, transmutation of the affected materials, i.e. hydrogen and metal, would also occurs. The physical phenomenon underlying this invention is akin to that type of reaction and its attendant transmutation. Such phenomena have been designated LENRs (Low Energy Nuclear Reactions) in scientific circles, since all of the experimental evidence available lead to the conclusion that cold nuclear fusion involves interactions at atomic nucleus level. Cold nuclear fusion was first investigated by M. Fleischmann and S. Pons and the relevant results were disclosed in 1989. An International Patent Application No. WO/ 9010935 was filed by these two research scientists. The phenomenon that they considered was the loading of deuterium by palladium or titanium electrodes. During the loading, an unexpected generation of thermal energy was observed which has since been attributed to the occurrence of a nuclear fusion reaction among the deuterium atoms, to yield helium. Conventionally, deuterium has been obtained from either a gaseous fuel, e.g. hydrogen gas mixtures, or a liquid fuel, e.g. solutions of electrolytic hydrogen compounds in heavy water. A disadvantage connected with the use of such "fuels" is a scattering of the fusion material, namely of the hydrogen. The latter is promptly released and allowed to escape as a gas from the whereabouts of the electrode right when its concentration in the electrode attains a useful value for fusion initiation. In addition, as the electrode temperature rises, liquids start boiling, while the atom concentration of gases decreases, which hinders fusion. Intensive research work has been devoted during the last decade to overcoming the difficulties posed by the need to exceed the conditions of thermodynamic equilibrium of the hydrogen absorbed in the metal. This work has resulted in the development of various apparatus for making a metal matrix absorb hydrogen efficiently. The best known of these apparatus are listed herein below: 1) simple low- voltage electrolytic cells; 2) polarized cathode electrolytic cells; 3) high-voltage discharge electrolytic cells; 4) high-temperature gas cells; 5) discharge in a, gas between two electrodes; 6) heating metal hydrides with current pulses and a magnetic field; 7) AC power cells. The above experimental apparatus are all directed to create initiating conditions in the metal material for the spontaneous production of excess energy. Actually, in none of these apparatus are the parameters kept under control which govern the reaction, and only a few simple open-loop measurements of the amount of heat generated and of the reaction products, such as He, T, etc., are taken. For instance, at the end of the experiments, the resultant material is analyzed to check for any transmutations. Experimental tests carried out by the Applicant have rather led to the conclusion that, for this research field to yield practical results, the determining parameters of cold nuclear reactions should be carefully controlled. The underlying technical problem of this invention is to provide a method and an apparatus with such functional and structural features that controlled generation of excess thermal energy is actually achieved based on a controlled type of cold nuclear fusion phenomenon. Summary of the Invention The concept behind this invention is one of confining the hydrogen to the interior of a metal matrix selected from the transition metal group, using a loading process which may be of different kind, such as electrolysis, gas pressure, temperature, etc.. Where the metal is nickel, upon delivery of a predetermined amount of energy, e.g. in the form of an electric current, a suitable temperature increase of this starting metal structure enables to achieve an initiation state for the generation of excess thermal energy over the input energy expended to bring the structure to said state.- Also, when the energy input flow is suitably adjusted by modulating the amount of current supplied over time, energy can be amplified to a greater or lesser extent for a given average power by acting on the strength and the frequency vs. time of the current pulses. Based on this concept, the technical problem is solved by a method as previously indicated and defined in Claim 1. The technical problem is further solved by an apparatus as previously indicated and defined in Claim 5 foil.. The features and advantages of the method according to the invention will become apparent from reading the description that follows of an embodiment thereof, given by way of example and not of limitation with reference to the apparatus shown in the accompanying drawing. In the drawing: Brief Desciption of the Drawing Figure 1 is a schematic representation of an energy-amplifying apparatus or reactor implementing the method of this invention. Figure 2 shows schematically a control module incorporated in the apparatus of Figure 1. Figure 3 shows schematically a particular of an embodiment of the apparatus according to the invention. Detailed Description With reference to the drawing, an apparatus according to the invention, for producing excess thermal energy, is generally shown at 1 in schematic form. The apparatus 1 comprises basically a reactor 5 wherein a cold nuclear fusion reaction takes place in accordance with the inventive method. The reactor 5 comprises a backing 2 having good electrical insulation and thermal conduction characteristics. For example, the backing 2 may be a substrate of silicon carbide or synthetic diamond. However, other materials, e.g. a semiconductor substrate, could be used instead. The reactor further comprises a metal layer 3 bonded to the backing 2. The layer 3 may be a thin layer, film, or rod of a metal material capable of absorbing an adequately large amount of hydrogen. Metal materials of this kind are to be found in the transition metal group and may be nickel (Ni), palladium (Pd), or tungsten (W), for example. In some cases, a semiconductor material can be used. The reactor 5 comprises a reaction chamber 4 fully enveloping the metal layer 3. A cap 6 is secured onto the backing 2 and jointly delimits the reaction chamber 4. The chamber 4 is to contain a reactive material such as hydrogen (H 2 ), deuterium (D2), or a compound appropriate to release these gases under the process conditions considered by the method of this invention. Essentially, the metal material of the layer 3 inside the chamber 4 is placed under an atmosphere exhibiting a high hydrogen content, or alternatively, is contacted with a hydrogen-releasing material, such as silicon nitride deposited by a PECVD process. Provided on the opposing ends of the metal layer 3 are respective electric contact terminals which are connected to a control module 8 outside the reaction chamber 4. The control module 8 may be an electronic microcontroller of the integrated type, arranged to control the reaction parameters as explained hereinafter. A temperature sensor 9 is mounted inside the reaction chamber 4 and connected to the control module 8 for monitoring the reaction temperature. Advantageously in this invention, the apparatus 1 further includes a thermoelectric converter 1 1 , which is associated with the backing 2 to pick up excess thermal energy generated from the cold fusion reaction. The converter 1 1 is placed in a cooling fluid path 12 along which a means 13 of circulating the coolant, at least one radiator 14, and temperature sensors 7 connected to the control module 8, are also provided. The converter 1 1 is further connected electrically to electric power storage 10, e.g. a floating battery, to allow the electric energy produced to be picked up. The storage battery 10 has output terminals 15 connected to the control module 8 to supply power as required for initiating and controlling the cold fusion reaction. It should be noted, for the sake of completeness, that a loop-back electric connection 16, between the electric energy tap downstream of the converter 1 1 and the power supply to the terminals of the metal layer 3, is also provided and placed under control by the control module 8. The method of this invention provides for the use of a first amount in solid form of a first material capable of absorbing hydrogen, e.g. the conductor or semiconductor layer 3, in order to generate excess thermal « energy by a cold nuclear fusion reaction. As said before, this first material can be selected from palladium, titanium, platinum nickel and alloys thereof, or from any other conductor or semiconductor materials exhibiting this absorptive property for hydrogen. The method of this invention also provides for the use of a second amount of a second material capable of releasing hydrogen in gas or ion form. The hydrogen is caused to at least partially contact said first amount within the reaction chamber 4. When nickel is used, the first amount is heated initially at least above a predetermined temperature. This initial heating could be provided by the medium under which both amounts are placed in the reaction chamber 4. Usually, by delivering a predetermined amount of energy from an outside supply, such as the storage battery 10, the reactor can be brought to temperature, pressure, electric polarization, and other conditions as appropriate to concentrate hydrogen or hydrogen compounds (D, T) within the layer 3. With nickel, initial heating is effective to promote the absorption of hydrogen into the first amount, which process can be enhanced by a suitable layout of the materials and the source of heat. It is noteworthy that hydrogen, which constitutes the fusion fuel, cannot readily escape into the solid materials, and that the operating temperature ceiling is quite high and corresponds to fusion of the material in solid form wherein the hydrogen is trapped. Tests carried out by the Applicant have shown that, by confining hydrogen to within the crystalline matrix of the first amount of metal material, the temperature of the whole metal structure can be made to rise, thereby achieving essentially an amplification of the input energy. This sharp rise in temperature is afforded by a predetermined amount of electric energy being supplied to the reactor from outside. More particularly, the material in which the reaction takes place (layer 3) is applied a train of high-density current pulses whereby the conditions for initiating an exothermic balance chain of nuclear reactions are attained. Essentially, when hydrogen concentration is sufficiently high in the matrix of the layer 3, cold fusion reactions with exothermic balance are initiated by applying current pulses effective to bring the current density up to values close to 10 6 Amps per square centimeter. Furthermore, by acting on the strength and frequency of the electric current pulses fed into the layer 3 of metal material, the energy amplification can be adjusted as desired. Applicant's tests point at a high production of thermal energy occurring in the layer 3 of conductor or semiconductor material from nuclear reactions, even with a small amount of material. In a preferred embodiment, the metal layer 3 is laid in a twisting pattern, as shown schematically in Figure 3, to combine the effects of both the high current density and the magnetic field. In fact, the magnetic field can expand the collision section of the interaction of particles having magnetic momentum. Experimental tests carried out in the absence of a magnetic field, have confirmed, however, the effectiveness of current density alone. For improved efficiency of the apparatus, the reaction chamber 4 may be equipped with a magnetic circuit 20 oriented as shown in Figure 3, for example, which further enhances the reaction rate. Essentially, excess thermal energy is generated in the reactor 5 from a nuclear fusion reaction. Therefore, lacking appropriate control of the reaction, the first amount of material would become ever hotter and ultimately cause the reactor components to melt. An estimate of the heat produced within the reactor is demonstration of the non-chemical nature of the reaction. In view of the wide gap existing between chemical and nuclear energy, power generators can be produced with the apparatus of this invention which are compact, non-radioactive, and environmentally favorable. The method of this invention will now be described in detail. If the mere natural motion of the electrons around the atomic nuclei of the hydrogen-absorbing metal material were to be relied upon, the amount of heat energy produced would be insufficient. Accordingly, it must be arranged for at least the first amount to be subjected to a flow of electric current adequate to promote the interaction of the electrons and the atoms of the metal lattice and the protons (ionized hydrogen) therebetween. Unlike conventional apparatus, the metal or semiconductor material of the layer 3 is electrically connected, in this invention, to the control module 8 in order to be fed a current effective to bring the material to an operating condition, and through control of the energy output, it is adapted to receive feedback initiating pulses so as to maintain optimum running conditions by acting on the energy input. Essentially, as the reaction rate increases due to hydrogen absorption, the rise in temperature is detected by the sensor 9, and the control module 8 acts by feedback on the strength and the frequency of the current pulses being supplied to the reactor 5 so as to keep the reaction temperature constant. The number of reactions is dependent non-linearly on the current density, since initiating the production of energy causes the system to increase the number of useful events. The energy amplification tends to increase by an estimated factor of 10. The control module 8 enables the number of useful events to be reduced and/ or adjusted to achieve the balanced condition for a near-constant power output. Also, if the thermal energy generated were not extracted from the converter 1 1 and the coolant path 12, the temperature of the reactor 5 would keep rising and result in destruction of the apparatus by melting. By contrast in this invention, the thermal energy generated can be regulated by controlling the strength or the frequency of the current pulses applied to the electrodes of the metal reaction layer 3. By interrupting the flow of current, the rate of thermal energy generation can be reduced, and the process stopped altogether by removing any residual thermal energy through the cooling system. In fact, the ultimate objective of the invention is the production of energy in a controlled fashion. In this context, it is of the utmost importance that the concentration of hydrogen in the conductor material, expressed as atoms per cubic centimeter, be adequate to initiate a significant number of fusion phenomena per unit volume. In the instance of a conductor such as nickel being placed on a solid hydrogen-releasing source, e.g. PECVD deposited silicon nitride, the concentration would be for the nitride of about 10 22 atoms per cubic centimeter of hydrogen. Since the atomic concentration for nickel is 9xl0 22 , the nitride should be ninefold thicker than the nickel if the nickel is to be loaded to a ratio H/Ni= l / 1. The thermal energy generating apparatus described hereinabove can be used to advantage in a cold nuclear fusion reactor to provide a complete plant capable of generating energy for human use. An advantage of using an apparatus according to the invention in a reactor is that the process temperature can be brought to fairly high levels (above 800 degrees Celsius), if desired, so that the output of a possible thermodynamic cycle of conversion of heat to work can also be fairly high.

Claims: CLAIMS 1. A method of generating thermal energy from a cold nuclear fusion reaction by having at least a first hydrogen-absorbing material placed either under a high hydrogen content atmosphere or in contact with a hydrogen-releasing material, which method comprises an initial step of loading the hydrogen into the first material either by application of heat, pressure, or a polarization to initiate said reaction, and is characterized in that said first material is applied a predetermined sequence of high- density current pulses. 2. A method according to Claim 1, characterized in that said predetermined sequence of current pulses has varying frequency. 3. A method according to Claim 1 , characterized in that said current pulses have varying strength. 4. A method according to Claim 1 , characterized in that current density within said first material is in the range of a million Amps per square centimeter. 5. A method according to Claim 1 , characterized by continual monitoring of the reaction temperature and adjustment of said current pulse sequence to suit. 6. A method according to Claim 1 , characterized in that at least part of said thermal energy is stored up by a thermoelectric conversion process. 7. An apparatus for generating thermal energy, comprising: a reaction chamber (4) containing at least a first material (3) in solid form, which material is capable of absorbing hydrogen from a high hydrogen content atmosphere; and a means of loading hydrogen into the first material by application of heat, pressure, or a polarization; characterized in that it further comprises: a means of applying a predetermined sequence of high-density current pulses to said first material (3). 8. An apparatus according to Claim 7, characterized in that it comprises a temperature sensor located inside said reaction chamber (4) and an electronic controller (8) effective to drive said means of applying to said first material (3) the predetermined sequence of current pulses according to the sensed temperature. 9. An apparatus according to Claim 8, characterized in that it comprises a backing (2) for said first material (3), and comprises a thermoelectric converter (1 1) bonded to said backing (2) for storing at least part of said thermal energy as electric energy in a storage battery. 10. An apparatus according to Claim 9, characterized in that said electronic controller (8) is feedback connected between the output of the converter ( 1 1) and said means of applying the predetermined sequence of current pulses to said first material (3). 1 1. An apparatus according to Claim 7, characterized in that current density within said first material is in the range of a million Amps per square centimeter. 12. A cold nuclear fusion reactor, incorporating at least one thermal energy generating apparatus as claimed in any of Claims 7 to 1 1.

Inventors: MASTROMATTEO UBALDO, MASTROMATTEO, UBALDO
Applicants: MASTROMATTEO UBALDO, ST MICROELECTRONICS SRL, MASTROMATTEO, UBALDO, STMICROELECTRONICS S.R.L.
Application year: 2000
Main classification: G21B1
IPC codes: G21B3