I studied hydrogen explosions under contract for about one year in 1992 and learned a great deal about reaction kinetics. We found stoichiometric mixtures 2H2 and O2 to be explosive when contained within large dimensions. Oppositely, collecting the gases within 1/4" tubing results in an implosion as the rate of forming liquid water by quenching outpaces the H2O gas formation. At SRI I suspect they had a small volume over water and a reaction would quench at the water surface.
However, a large sample of palladium with a PdD ratio approaching one becomes a dangerous proposition. The deuterium in the lattice undergoes very large amplitude vibrational modes. If the delicate equilibrium is disturbed (for example by a shock) then all that vibrational energy will be released in a process known as RECALESCENCE. The stored energy is equivalent to the energy in a plastic explosive The palladium goes to red heat immediately and releases all the deuterium and ignites the H2 + O2. The reaction kinetics favoring liquid formation are sharply decreased and the combination of deuterium release and H2 + O2 recombination make a formidable reaction. The SRI analysis did not include the recalescence aspect and it was by far the greater source of energy. ________________________________ From: Jed Rothwell <[email protected]> Sent: Tuesday, February 7, 2017 9:49 PM To: Vortex Subject: Re: [Vo]:Nickel powder size is important <[email protected]<mailto:[email protected]>> wrote: I too reviewed the SRI report. The first thing I looked for was a relief valve. There was none. There was a relief valve. It was blocked, and it failed to work. I have the full report somewhere. I will upload it. - Jed
