Hello Gang,
Based on my understanding of this process from the very limited information
about this process, I believe I have identified the heat source of the process.
I do not believe the heat source is LENR.
The following is based on my understanding of the procedure.
1. Spark Plug on T, fired by an AC source or buzz (doorbell)
2. Propane flow thru this Tee fittings towards the Flat Plate Heat Exchanger
(FPHE). Presumably, excess Propane flows out the other port towards the
atmosphere.
3. On the other side of the FPHE, water is pumped in and "Vigorous Steam" is
observed coming out.
4. No mention of spark rate, propane flow rate, water flow rate or steam flow
rate or how dry the steam is. Since the claim is that "vigorous" steam is
seen. It is safe to assume that wet steam is seen as dry steam is invisible.
5. Claim that the process is operating at 650C.
6. No mention on whether the reaction in constant or whether the steam output
fluctuates.
7. Cotton swab on the Tee fitting reveals black soot. It appears from the
statement that very little black soot is being produced.
Based on these observations, I can draw the following hypothesis:
1. The sparking of propane appears to produce very little black soot. This is
consistent with results from the free standing sparking of a hydrocarbon gas.
It appears very little nanotubes are being formed.
Formation of nanotubes will result in significant quantities of "web like"
black substances on the Cathode and distributed on the reactor wall. This
process appears to produce none of this. Besides, AC excitation to produce an
arc WILL NOT produce Carbon Nanotubes. The nanotubes need to attach to the
cathode for it to grow. AC excitation will blow it all over the place
preventing growth.
2. The claim that the process operates at 650c appears to be inconsistent with
what we know about these FPHE. Copper brazed FPHE of the kind being sold by
dudadiesel are not designed to operate at 650c. Operating at such high
temperatures and pressure will delaminate the individual plates apart since
they are only brazed with copper. Copper quickly loses its strength at these
temperatures. It is not unusual for copper to loose 90% of its rated tensile
strength at these temperatures. Hence, a FPHE rated at 400c and 300 psi would
degrade to 30psi at 650c.
If you are familiar with FPHE design, you will notice that certain areas are
sealed by as little as 2 mm of brazed copper. It does not appear that this can
withstand 650c and the corresponding steam pressure at these temps.
3. Propane rate flow is not mentioned. Hence, it is possible that very little
propane is flowing into the FPHE. If that is the case, there would be negative
pressure on the FPHE at certain times that would suck in outside air. The
outside oxygen would then chemically react with propane to produce the heat.
And since we don't know the rate of water flow, we can not really tell how much
energy is being produced.
Let me know where I'm wrong.
The Hexane/Propane process by Mint appears to be valid at first glance. But
looking deeper at the process reveals several engineering inconsistencies. I
was prompted to study this process in detail and now, I don't know what to
believe. Right now, I am once again leaning towards "Baloney" for this process.
But, I am willing to be wrong once again and I reserve the right to change my
mind. That after all is the essence of scientific discovery.
Jojo
