by Dott. Giuliano Bettini
Retired. Earlier: Selenia SpA, Rome and IDS SpA, Pisa
Also Adjunct Professor at the University of Pisa
Adjunct Professor at Naval Academy, Leghorn (Italian Navy)
Abstract
In the present article I would like to answer a question posed by L. Kowalsky in a recent paper: how can 30% of nickel in Rossi’s reactor be transmuted into copper? “Everything should be made as simple as possible, but not simpler”, says a guy. I apologizes if I am too simplistic here.
Introduction
The interest on Andrea Rossi’s Nickel-Hydrogen Cold Fusion technology is accelerating [1]. However, Rossi says that about 30% of nickel was turned into copper, after 6 months of uninterrupted operation. Kowalski [2]. says that “this seems to be impossible because the produced copper isotopes rapidly decay into Ni”. But how it works?
How it works
Following Focardi Rossi [3]. a Ni58 nucleus produces a Copper nucleus according to the reaction
Ni58 + p → Cu59
Copper nucleus Cu59 decays with positron (e+) and neutrino (ν) emission in Ni59 nucleus according to
Cu59 → Ni59 + ν + e+
Then (e+) annichilates with (e-) in two gamma-rays
e- + e+ → γ + γ
Starting [3] from Ni58 which is the more abundant isotope, we can obtain as described in the two above processes Copper formation and its successive decay in Nickel, producing Ni59, Ni60, Ni61 and Ni62. Because Cu63, which can be formed starting by Ni62, is stable and does not decay in Ni63, the chain stops at Ni62 (i.e. Cu63). Each process means some MeV.
Of course how can a proton p gets captured by the Ni58 nucleus? (and subsequent Ni59, Ni60, Ni61 and Ni62). Following Stremmenos [4]. a neutron-like particle, an electron proton pair, a mini-atom, a proton masked as a neutron, gets captured by the Ni58.
If the masked proton becomes a neutron the result is Ni59.
In order to have Cu59 (increase of atomic number from 28 to 29) the electron (of the masked proton) gets ejected from the nucleus. The masked proton becomes a proton.
The same process holds for all the subsequent transformations, until Cu63.
It remains to be understood the issue of the gamma radiation in the MeV range.
Numbers
I am an electronic engineer, so I need easy numbers in order to understand.
However “Everything should be made as simple as possible, but not simpler”, says a guy. Maybe I am too simple here.
Let’s calculate.
MeV for each Ni transformation
I read that starting from Ni58 we can obtain Copper formation and its successive decay in Nickel, producing Ni59, Ni60, and Ni62. The chain stops at Cu63 stable.
For simplicity I assume all the Nickel in the reactor in the form Ni58.
For simplicity I suppose for each Ni58 the whole sequence of events from Ni58 to Cu63 and as a rough estimate I calculate the mass defect between (Ni58 plus 5 nucleons) and the final state Cu63.
Ni58 mass is calculated to be 57.95380± 15 amu
The actual mass of a copper-Cu63 nucleus is 62.91367 amu
Mass of Ni58 plus 5 nucleons is 57.95380+5=62.95380 amu
Mass defect is 62.95380-62.91367=0.04013 amu
1 amu = 931 MeV is used as a standard conversion
0.04013×931 MeV=37.36 MeV
So each transformation of Ni58 into Cu63 releases 37.36MeV of nuclear energy.
Nickel consumption
According to many blogs in the Internet “One hundred grams of nickel powder can power a 10 kW unit for a minimum of six months”.
How much of Ni58 should be transformed, in six months of continuous operation, in order to generate 10 kW?
I follow a procedure outlined in [2].
10 kW is thermal or electrical (?) power. The nuclear power must be larger. Assume a nuclear power twice:
20 kW = 20,000 J/s = 1.25 x 10**17 MeV/s.
Each transformation of Ni58 into Cu63 releases 37.36MeV of nuclear energy.
The number of Ni58 transformations should thus be equal to (1.25 x 10**17)/37.36 = 3.346 x 10**15 per second.
Multiplying by the number of seconds in six months (1.55 x 10**7) the total number of transformed Ni58 nuclei is 5.186 x 10**22.
This means 5 grams.
The order of magnitude is not exactly the same but seems to be plausible. This means also 5 grams of Nickel in Rossi’s reactor transmuted into (stable) Copper after six months of continuous operation at the rate of 10 kW.
Conclusions
Rossi says that about 30% of nickel was turned into copper, after 6 months of uninterrupted operation. At first glance this seems to agree with calculations based on simple assumptions.
References
Christian Scholl:
It is like to ak if safe boats are necessary on a ship if all precautions have been taken. Note: our demo was made by a prototype.
Warm Regards
A.R.
Dear Andrea Rossi,
Lithium fires can be very dangerous.
They usually occur when batteries are overheated (charging too fast) or overcharged (over 95%).
Did E-Cat SKL with 3KW exceed the maximum charge for Twizy ?
Do you think shielding is necessary if all precautions have been taken?
Kind regards,
C.SCHOLL
@Steven Nicoles Karels,
your calculations are correct if soalr panels are exposed to South and in Sahara or Desert of death.
I have solar panels installed facing due South. The production over 10 years is 3500 KWH / for 300 w installed
The cost of solar electricity is therefore 5.7 cts / KWH over 10 years
To compare with 2.83 cts / KWH for E-cat NGU.
Best regards,
Christian
Christian SCHOLL:
Yes,
Warm Regards,
A.R.
Dear Andrea,
E-Cat NGU produce electricity, a noble and universal energy.
E-Cat SK only produce heat, are simpler, cheaper and seem more suitable for heating homes.
Your priority is to develop E-Cat NGU.
Do you intend to produce E-Cat SK in the future ?
Best regards,
Christian
Christian Scholl:
1- close
2- 30 W
3- see http://www.ecatorders.com
4- same as in 3
Dear Andrea,
You continued to improve your E-cat SKL Heat Energy Production.
1 Did you get Sigma 5?
2 What is the minimum power in KW?
3 What will be the selling price per KW?
4 When do you plan to market these E-Cats?
My best regards.
Christian
Christian Scholl:
No, they use radioactive isotopes, as far as I can read; to turn the heat released by the radioactivity probably they use the Seebeck effect.
Warm Regards,
A.R.
Dear Andrea Rossi
Is this new nuclear battery in reality a zéro point energy Battery ?
https://www.independent.co.uk/tech/nuclear-battery-betavolt-atomic-china-b2476979.html
Best regards
C.SCHOLL
Christian SCHOLL:
Thank you for the link,
Warm Regards,
A.R.
Dear Andrea Rossi,
A video on alternative energy sources
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=8FKtI1cal4U
Best regards,
Christian
Christian Scholl:
1- It is possible
2- Should be 30
3- It can work also in the total dark, although moonlight is more romantic…
4- Please read point 2
Warm Regards,
A.R.
Mats Heijkenskjold:
NGU: Never Give Up.
Yes,SKLep NGU is the updated model designed after the failure of the EV test we made.
Dimensions and weight are going to be modified, as you can see also in our website
http://www.ecat.com
Warm Regards,
A.R.
Dear Andrea,
NGU, what is the meaning of the letters?
The electrical difference between the “old” SKLep and the new NGU? Are they not in principle the same?
Thanks for some clarification!
Best regards
Mats Heijkenskjold
Hello Andrea Rossi,
Some questions about the E-Cat NGU.
1) Will it be interconnected between solar panels and inverter?
2) E-Cat NGU has a high COP, probably close to 50?
3) In this case, the solar inverter can work at night with moonlight?
4) What is the expected KWH production amplification factor?
Best regards,
Christian
Christian SCHOLL:
Great !
Warm Regards,
A.R.