Patent Document

CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS 
     Not applicable 
     STATEMENT REGARDING FEDERALLY SPONSORED RESEARCH OR DEVELOPMENT 
     Not applicable 
     INCORPORATION-BY-REFERENCE OF MATERIAL SUBMITTED ON A COMPACT DISC 
     Not applicable 
     BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 
     1. Field of the Invention 
     This invention relates generally to electrolytic cell  10   s  and more particularly to a method of using electrolytic cell utilizing a gaseous electrolyte within a sealed chamber filled with a mixture of packed palladium black powder and gamma ray emitting powder by passing an electric current therethrough. 
     2. Description of Related Art 
     The utility of converting electric current into heat for external use is obvious and well known. Common electrolytic cells utilizing a water-based electrolyte wherein an electric current passes through the liquid electrolyte flowing through or held within the electrolytic cell to produce the chemical breakdown of water into hydrogen and oxygen and the production of heat as a byproduct are also well known. 
     If a process by which the measured output of gamma rays (from a contained source of radio-nuclei) could be decreased (without shielding), the process could be of benefit, Since gamma rays (or gamma photons) are the most penetrating of the entire EMF spectrum (after cosmic rays), then exposure to them by all life will lead to subsequent damage of biological nucleic acids (DNA or RNA), as well as other cellular processes. This phenomenon is put to use by means of gamma sterilization (using cobalt-60 as a source) in the medical and food industries. 
     Throughout the nuclear industry, great care is taken to prevent general exposure to gamma rays, especially in nuclear power generation and the handling of radioactive materials during the fuel cycle processes. At the end of this cycle, there remains radioactive elements with high gamma ray outputs which must be sequestered and shielded from the biosphere for many years. 
     Experiments performed over the past six months in Nassau, Bahamas have apparently demonstrated reduced gamma emission from a radium-226 source. 
     The present invention utilizes a form of electrolytic cell having a gaseous electrolyte in the form of hydrogen or deuterium gas and catalytic particles comprising palladium black powder combined with gamma ray emitting radioactive particles, powder or liquid such as a radium nitrate solution uniformly blended into a dried admixture with the palladium black. The mixture is chambered within a non-conductive housing and compacted and held within the housing by conductive end members which are sealingly engaged within the preferably cylindrically configured non-conductive housing. By passing electrical current through the chamber containing the radioactive mixture and hydrogen or deuterium gas, gamma ray emissions are reduced. 
     BRIEF SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION 
     This invention is directed to an electrolytic cell and a method for accelerating the reduction of gamma ray emissions from a radioactive substance, the cell comprising a non-conductive housing and a conductive end member sealingly positioned in and extending from each open end of the housing. The end members have spaced apart proximal ends to define, in cooperation with said housing, a chamber. Radioactive gamma ray emitting powder or granules in an admixture with palladium black powder or particles are closely packed into the chamber and against each proximal end. A longitudinal gas passage extends through each end member in gas communication with the chamber. Each gas passage is sealably closeable, one gas passage being connectable to a source of pressurized deuterium gas deliverable under pressure into the chamber to charge the catalytic particles. A distal end of each end member is connected to an electric power source wherein, when electric current flows through the end members and across the chamber which is filled with the admixture and hydrogen or deuterium gas, the gamma ray emission count decays at an abnormally high rate. 
     It is therefore an object of this invention to provide a gaseous electrolyte electrolytic cell for accelerating the decay of radioactive material. 
     It is yet another object of this invention to use a hydrogen or deuterium gas electrolyte activated electrolytic cell for reducing the gamma ray emission of a radioactive material. 
     In accordance with these and other objects which will become apparent hereinafter, the instant invention will now be described with reference to the accompanying drawings. 
    
    
     
       BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE SEVERAL VIEWS OF THE DRAWING(S) 
         FIG. 1  is a section view through an electrolytic cell  10  for use in accordance with the present invention. 
         FIG. 2  is a diagram of Uranium  238  decay. 
     
    
    
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION 
     Referring now to  FIG. 1 , an electrolytic cell  10  in accordance with the present invention is there shown generally at numeral  10 . This cell  10  includes a non-conductive cylindrical housing shown generally at numeral  12  and open at each end thereof. This housing  12  is formed of vitreous lab-quality glass having a wall thickness of 2 mm, an outside diameter of 11 mm, and a length of 3 cm, producing a chamber volume of 7.63 cm 3 . 
     Conductive (preferably brass) end members  14  and  16  are fitted into each end of the housing  12  and are sealably engaged against the inside diameter of the tubular housing  12  by elastomeric O-rings  54 . End plates  18  and  20  are positioned against the outer ends of each of the end members  14  and  16 , respectively, and are held substantially parallel one to another and spaced apart by elongated threaded fasteners  22  which are spaced apart in a triangular or rectangular pattern as desired. 
     Conductive brass adaptors  36  and  38  are fitted into threaded engagement with mating apertures in each end of each end member  14  and  16 , respectively. These adaptors  36  and  38  have a longitudinally extending aperture therethrough into which conductive tubular extensions  44  and  46  are sealably engaged and longitudinally extending therefrom as shown in  FIG. 1 . Each of the end members  14  and  16  further include a longitudinally extending passageway  26  and  28 , respectively, which are each in fluid communication with the extension tubes  44  and  46 , respectively. 
     A closely packed admixture of gamma ray emitting powder or particles  34  is positioned between the proximal end faces of each of the end members  14  and  16 . Details of the composition of these catalytic particles  34  and the method of compressing them are discussed herebelow. 
     A d.c. or a.c. voltage source is applied during operation of the cell  10  between each of the conductive tubular extensions  44  and  46 . The chamber which contains the catalytic particles  34  may be completely closed to atmosphere by valves  48  and  50  during calibration and operation of the cell  10  or may be opened to introduce the hydrogen or deuterium gas during charging of the cell  10   10 . The charging process will be described more fully herebelow. 
     A thermocouple  56  is placed directly against the outer surface of the non-conductive housing  12  and in close proximity to the center of the catalytic particles  34 . A temperature read out  58  is provided which will read the surface temperature of the housing  12 . 
     A layer of insulation  60 , although now not preferred, is wrapped around the housing  12  and the exposed outer surfaces of each of the end members  14  and  16  up to each of the end plates  18  and  20  as shown. This insulation  60  is held in place by at least one wrap of non-conductive tape  62  such as duct tape and is provided for more accurate and consistent temperature readings. 
     This mechanism and the catalytic particles  34  are formed as an admixture of nano-palladium black and zirconium oxide, with a solution of radium nitrate added to this admixture, and then dried. This now radioactive particle mixture  34  is placed into the chamber of the electrolytic cell  10  and a gamma ratemeter G probe  64  placed in close proximity, with the distance of the probe  64  window and it&#39;s geometrical relationship to the cell  10  remaining unchanged at approximately 1 cm from the side of the cell  10  throughout the experiment. 
     Decay of Radium-226 
     Radium-226 is the decay daughter of thorium-230, and the fifth daughter of uranium-238. By means of alpha particle and gamma emission, Ra-226 decays to radon-222 and has a half-life of 1600 years (about 1% of the Ra-226 is transmuted to radon-222 in 25 years), with the final decay product being lead-206 (stable) after seven more decay steps. 
     An excellent diagram of U-238 decay series from Argonne National Laboratory is reproduced in  FIG. 2 . Starting at radium-226, about halfway down the diagram, the following decay series is shown: 
     radium-226           radon-222         polonium-218         lead-214         bismuth-214         polonium-214         lead-210         bismuth-210         polonium-210         lead-206 (stable)
     The modes of decay and half-lives are as follows: 
                                         TABLE 1                           Ra-226   alpha   1600   years           Rn-222   alpha   3.8   days           Po-218   alpha   3.1   minutes           Pb-214   beta   27   minutes           Bi-214   beta   20   minutes           Po-214   alpha   160   microseconds           Pb-210   beta   22   years           Bi-210   beta   5.0   days           Po-210   alpha   140   days                        
The major gamma emitters in this series are Pb-214 and Bi-214.
 
     Gamma Emitting Material 
     An extremely fine palladium black was prepared by dissolving 20 grams of palladium chloride in 200 mls of distilled water (acidified to ˜pH 2 with HCl). Approximately 50 grams of zinc metal shavings were added to the beaker, and then allowed to stand for a one week. The reduced Pd black powder (formed around the zinc) was vigorously stirred into the solution and then poured into another beaker, leaving the un-reacted zinc behind. The Pd black solution was then allowed to settle, the supernatant siphoned off, and replaced with 200 mls distilled water and allowed to settle again. 
     This process was repeated ten (10) times in order to rid the solution of zinc ions, avoiding filtration. The reason for not filtering the Pd black out of the solution using paper was to avoid losing the finer particles through the paper. After the final siphoning, the wet Pd black was transferred to an evaporating dish, and dried in a vacuum over calcium chloride. The resulting Pd black produced in this manner is extremely fine, and is called nano-Pd. 
     After drying, the 2.5 grams of the nano-Pd was thoroughly mixed with 5.5 grams of zirconium oxide powder (ZnO). An aliquot of radium nitrate solution was then combined with the powder mixture, which was then dried at 70C, then re-ground in a mortar. 
     The powder described above was prepared on 19 Jul., 2007, and then stored in a capped plastic tube, about ten times its volume. 
     Chamber Loading 
     Approximately 2.63 gm of one of the above-described radioactive powder  34  was loaded into the chamber formed between the proximate opposing faces  30  and  32  of each of the conductive end members  14  and  16  within the cylindrical housing  12 . The particles  34  were placed within the chamber in several stages or layers totaling more than one and preferably five to ten layers. A small quantity (approximately ⅕ of the total of the catalytic particles) was placed into the chamber with the cylindrical housing  12  in an upright orientation and only one of the end members  14  or  16  in place. The particles  34  were tamped with a 1 kg load for approximately 2-5 minutes after each layer of the conductive particles were placed within the chamber. The total length of the chamber was approximately 10 mm. 
     After both end members  14  and  16  were in position and the end plates  18  and  20  held as shown in  FIG. 1 , slight tightening of the elongated threaded fasteners  22  at  24  was effected. This further compressed the conductive particles  34  and secured the end members  14  and  16  in proper positioning within the housing  12 . A resistance of in the range of 10-150 ohms was targeted. 
     To insure a sealed chamber, approximately 100 p.s.i. of either hydrogen (H 2 ) or deuterium (D 2 ) gas was introduced into one of the tubular extensions  46  through valve  50  as shown by the arrow, while the other valve  48  was closed. The pressurized hydrogen or deuterium gas within the chamber was allowed to sit in the pressurized condition for approximately twenty-four hours. 
     The gamma ratemeter probe placed 1.0 cm from the outer glass wall of the cell  10 . Since alpha and beta radiation cannot penetrate the glass, any radiation registered was due to gamma. The basic idea of the experiment was to let the powder sit in the cell  10 , while counting the gammas daily as the daughters came to equilibrium, especially Pb214 and Bi-214 since they are major gamma emitters. In the tight confines of the closed cell  10 , the Rn-222 (some of it gaseous) is trapped, and on it&#39;s subsequent decay to Po-218 (a metal), is adsorbed onto particles nearby [see CRC, Handbook of Physics and Chemistry, Radon, 1968-1967, pg. B-132]. All gamma counting was done using a Technical Associates Ratemeter/Sealer (Canoga Park, Calif.), model #PRS-5 and Probe model #BGS 251. Counting was performed for 30, 60 and 90 minute periods several times per day, and the CPM calculated by hand. The average daily gamma counts observed were as follows: 
     
       
         
               
               
               
             
               
               
               
             
           
               
                   
                 TABLE II 
               
               
                   
                   
               
               
                   
                 DAY 
                 CPM (counts per minute) 
               
               
                   
                   
               
             
             
               
                   
               
             
          
           
               
                   
                 1 
                 1320 
               
               
                   
                 2 
                 1443 
               
               
                   
                 3 
                 1614 
               
               
                   
                 4 
                 1625 
               
               
                   
                 5 
                 1694 
               
               
                   
                 6 
                 1778 
               
               
                   
                 7 
                 1789 
               
               
                   
                 8 
                 1856 
               
               
                   
                 18 
                 1977 
               
               
                   
                 20 
                 1995 
               
               
                   
                 21 
                 1997 
               
               
                   
                 23 
                 1992 
               
               
                   
                 26 
                 1962 
               
               
                   
                 27 
                 2041 
               
               
                   
                 28 
                 1942 
               
               
                   
                 35 
                 1946 
               
               
                   
                   
                 (before deuterium gas admission/ 
               
               
                   
                   
                 voltage/current applied) 
               
               
                   
                 35 
                 1621 
               
               
                   
                   
                 (after deuterium gas admission/ 
               
               
                   
                   
                 voltage/current applied) 
               
               
                   
                   
               
             
          
         
       
     
     Deuterium Gas Admission (D 2 ), Voltage (V) and Current (T) 
     Before the addition of D 2 , the cell  10  resistance (R) was 150,000 ohms. After the D 2  addition, R dropped to 20 ohms. This drop in R is due to the swelling of the Pd particles as they absorb the D 2  gas. After the D 2  addition, a power (P) of 5 watts was applied, V=10 volts, I=0.5 amps for several hours. Applied power varied over subsequent days varied in time between approximately 3 to 9 hours per day, and 1 to ten watts. 
     The cell  10  temperature never exceeded 220 degrees C. (average of three (3) thermocouples  56 ,  56   a  and  56   b  attached to the outside of the glass body). The D 2  pressure in the cell  10  was maintained at between 1 psi and 20 psi. The gas was held in the cell  10  as a static system (no flow), although fresh gas could be allowed to flow through it for flushing. 
     It is interesting to note that neither D 2  flushing nor heating/cooling had any effect on gamma output when re-measured immediately afterward. 
     
       
         
               
               
               
               
               
               
             
               
               
               
               
               
               
             
               
               
             
               
               
               
               
               
               
             
               
               
             
               
               
               
               
               
               
             
           
               
                 TABLE III 
               
               
                   
               
               
                   
                   
                   
                   
                 D.C. 
                   
               
               
                 DAY 
                   
                 CPM 
                 POWER 
                 VOLTS 
                 AMPS 
               
               
                   
               
             
             
               
                   
               
             
          
           
               
                 36 
                   
                 1578 
                 5 
                 10 
                 0.5 
               
               
                 37 
                   
                 1618 
                 5 
                 10 
                 0.5 
               
             
          
           
               
                   
                 Power on all night at 2.5 W 
               
             
          
           
               
                 37 
                   
                 1489 
                 5 
                 10 
                 0.5 
               
               
                 38 
                   
                 1608 
                 5 
                 10 
                 0.5 
               
               
                 39 
                   
                 1692 
                 0 
               
               
                 40 
                   
                 1835 
                 5 
                 10 
                 0.5 
               
               
                 41 
                   
                 1938 
                 5 
                 10 
                 0.5 
               
               
                 46 
                   
                 2076 
                 0 
               
               
                 47 
                   
                 1964 
                 5 
                 10 
                 0.5 
               
               
                 48 
                   
                 2043 
                 5 
                 10 
                 0.5 
               
               
                 53 
                   
                 2219 
                 0 
               
               
                 55 
                   
                 2133 
                 5 
                 10 
                 0.5 
               
               
                 56 
                   
                 2154 
                 5 
                 10 
                 0.5 
               
               
                   
                   
                   
                 R drops to ~5 ohm 
               
               
                 57 
                   
                 2007 
                 5 
                 5 
                 1 
               
               
                 58 
                   
                 2029 
                 5 
                 5 
                 1 
               
               
                   
                   
                   
                 R drops to ~2 ohm 
               
               
                  59* 
                   
                 2082 
                 2 
                 2 
                 1 
               
               
                 60 
                 2017           
                 1521 
                 8.3 
                 1.85 
                 4.5 
               
               
                   
                   
                 (5.5 hrs P on) 
               
             
          
           
               
                   
                 R drops to ~0.4 ohm @ temp −160 C. 
               
             
          
           
               
                 61 
                   
                 1559 
                 0 
                   
                   
               
               
                 62 
                   
                 1459 
                 6.6 
                 1.65 
                 4.0 
               
               
                 63 
                   
                 1620 
                 8.7 
                 1.93 
                 4.5 
               
               
                 64 
                   
                 1704 
                 9.5 
                 2.12 
                 4.5 
               
               
                 65 
                   
                 1670 
                 9.45 
                 2.10 
                 4.5 
               
               
                 66 
                   
                 1921 
                 0 
               
               
                 67 
                   
                 1871 
                 8.64 
                 1.92 
                 4.5 
               
               
                 68 
                   
                 2042 
                 0 
               
               
                 70 
                   
                 2143 
                 8.55 
                 1.90 
                 4.5 
               
               
                 71 
                   
                 2060 
                 8.78 
                 1.95 
                 4.5 
               
               
                 72 
                   
                 2063 
                 0 
               
               
                 73 
                   
                 1930 
                 8.6 
                 1.91 
                 4.5 
               
               
                 74 
                   
                 1770 
                 8.64 
                 1.92 
                 4.5 
               
               
                 75 
                 2028           
                 1780 
                 8.64 
                 1.92 
                 4.5 
               
               
                   
                   
                 (8 hrs P on) 
               
               
                 76 
                   
                 2021 
                 0 
               
               
                 77 
                   
                 2229 
                 0 
               
               
                 80 
                   
                 2014 
                 8.15 
                 1.87 
                 4.53 
               
               
                 81-82 
                 2030           
                 1707 
                 8.42 
                 1.85 
                 4.55 
               
               
                   
                   
                 (32 hrs P on) 
               
               
                 83 
                   
                 1957 
                 0.36 
                 0.36 
                 1.0 
               
               
                 84 
                 1714           
                  930 
                 3.33 
                 1.11 
                 3.0 
               
               
                 85 
                  991           
                  884 
                 0.38 
                 0.38 
                 1.0 
               
               
                   
                   
                 (8 hrs P on) 
               
               
                   
               
               
                 *After the 59th day, the power supply was changed to Norbatron DCR 150-10 in order to attain a higher amperage at low CELL 10 resistances; the Lodestar was only capable of 3.0 amps. 
               
             
          
         
       
     
     Discussion 
     A literature search, along with talks with nuclear physicists and a medical radiologist, have yielded no reasonable explanation to explain the drop in cell  10  gamma output Argon is known to have a high solubility in Pd [see Mellor, A Comprehensive Treatise on Inorganic and Theoretical Chemistry, 1932, pg. 616], and one would reasonably expect radon to have at least some solubility. This would not necessarily block gamma emissions however. Indeed, gamma emissions are seen to increase in the closed cell  10  before the addition of D 2  and power application. 
     Once daughter isotope (secular) equilibrium has been reached, the only known way to reduce, or change, the gamma output of the source is to bombard it with neutrons (usually causing counts to increase). Since PB-214 and Bi-214 are the strongest gamma emitters in the series, then it is predominantly their radiation that is being counted. These two radioisotopes also come to secular equilibrium in about 38 days (ie, approximately ten half-lives of radon-222). If Pb-214 and BI-214 levels are somehow reduced by the combination of D 2  and electron flux (in the presence of nano-Pd and ZrO particles), then this would account for the observed data. However, nearing the end of the experiment (when the counts are less than 1320), it seems to appear possible that the Ra-226 itself has been affected. Gamma ray spectroscopy could be used to answer this important question. 
     Other metal oxides may be used as a carrier catalyst such as TiO 2 , Z n O 2 , C a O, N i O and B a O, so long as they are not reducible by H 2  or D 2  at temperatures less than in the range of 400° C. (cell operating temperature). 
     Since the glass tube of the cell  10  (containing the powder) has a1.0 cm ID, then the electron flux through the cross-sectional area of the powder is 3.57×10^19 electrons per second at 4.5 amps. Increasing the current, while cooling the cell  10 , would certainly be worth investigating (the glass should be used below 400C. This would increase the “concentrated negativity” in the powder, a parameter that seems to have an effect on the gamma decrease. Certainly, it is known that simply heating radioactive matter in a furnace has no bearing on it&#39;s radiation output. An increase in powder radioactivity, as well as trying other radioactive materials (especially some without radioactive daughters), would be very interesting. 
     This experiment will be repeated again with a more sensitive gamma ratemeter. A new Scintillation counter, including a PRS-5 Scaler/Ratemeter/Analyzer and a PGS-3 Gamma Scintillation Probe with a bismuth germinate 1″ thick was used in the experiment herebelow. In the repeated experiment, as reported in Table I below, the results generally mirrored the above experiment. 
     This above experiment was again repeated using alternating current (a.c.). Again, a significant reduction (5.6%) in gamma ray emissions was realized in less than 7 hours of testing. 
     
       
         
               
             
               
               
               
               
               
               
             
               
               
               
               
               
               
             
           
               
                 TABLE V 
               
             
             
               
                   
               
               
                 SCINTILLATION COUNTER DATA Ra CELL 
               
             
          
           
               
                   
                   
                   
                 Volts 
                   
                   
               
               
                 Day 
                 CPM 
                 Power 
                 (DC) 
                 Amps 
                 Comments 
               
               
                   
               
             
          
           
               
                 1 
                 30610 
                 0 
                 0 
                 0 
                   
               
               
                 2 
                 30253 
                 0 
                 0 
                 0 
               
               
                 4 
                 29949 
                 0 
                 0 
                 0 
               
               
                 5 
                 30330 
                 0 
                 0 
                 0 
               
               
                 6 
                   
                   
                   
                   
                 D 2  Flush/fill to 20 psi 
               
               
                 6 
                 29145 
                 0 
                 0 
                 0 
               
               
                 6 
                 28533 
                 10.45 
                 2.75 
                 3.80 
                 (during warmup) 
               
               
                 6 
                 26664 
                   
                   
                   
                 (3 hrs. on) T ~187° C. 
               
               
                 7 
                 28112 
                 0 
                 0 
                 0 
               
               
                 7 
                 27388 
                 9.57 
                 1.91 
                 5.01 
                 (during warmup) 
               
               
                 7 
                 25153 
                 8.9 
                 1.75 
                 5.07 
                 (7 hrs. on) T ~190° C. 
               
               
                 8 
                 26778 
                 0 
                 0 
                 0 
               
               
                 8 
                 26372 
                 10.2 
                 1.93 
                 5.30 
                 (during warmup) 
               
               
                 8 
                 24104 
                 9.35 
                 1.69 
                 5.53 
                 (7 hrs. on) 
               
               
                 9 
                 26223 
                 0 
               
               
                 9 
                 25609 
                 9.94 
                 1.84 
                 5.1 
                 (during warmup) 
               
               
                   
                   
                   
                   
                   
                 T~184° C. 
               
               
                 9 
                 24850 
                 9.94 
                 1.84 
                 5.1 
                 (8 hrs. on) T ~184° C. 
               
               
                   
               
               
                 Observation: ~17% reduction 
               
             
          
         
       
     
     
       
         
               
             
               
               
               
               
               
               
             
               
               
               
               
               
               
             
           
               
                 TABLE V 
               
             
             
               
                   
               
               
                 A.C. VOLTAGE TRIAL (60H 3 , Sine wave) 
               
             
          
           
               
                 Day 
                 CPM 
                 Power 
                 Volts (AC) 
                 Amps 
                 Comments 
               
               
                   
               
             
          
           
               
                 1 
                 25965 
                 0 
                 0 
                 0 
                   
               
               
                 1 
                   
                   
                   
                   
                 D 2  flush/fill to 20 psi 
               
               
                 1 
                 25777 
                 0 
                 0 
                 0 
               
               
                 1 
                 25560 
                 10.25 
                 1.85 
                 5.54 
                 (during warmup) 
               
               
                 1 
                 24623 
                 9.94 
                 1.82 
                 5.46 
                 (6 hrs. on) 
               
               
                   
               
               
                 Observation: ~5.6% reduction 
               
             
          
         
       
     
     While the instant invention has been shown and described herein in what are conceived to be the most practical and preferred embodiments, it is recognized that departures may be made therefrom within the scope of the invention, which is therefore not to be limited to the details disclosed herein, but is to be afforded the full scope of the claims so as to embrace any and all equivalent apparatus and articles.

Technology Category: 3