The role of the substrate depends on the mechanism. While all of the
proposed mechanism are applied to Pd, this does not mean Pd is the
only material that supports the NAE. People have used Ti, Ni, various
alloys, and various oxides with success. Once the NAE can be made on
purpose and in large amount, use of Pd will not be necessary. So, why
keep using Pd as the example? Palladium only has historical interest
because F-P chose this material. It actually is the worst choice, as
many people have found. Ni apparently is a better choice, but this
metal has not been explore enough to give it credibility and is
surrounded by controversy thanks to Rossi. The idea that Ni only works
with H and Pd only works with D is not supported by any credible
understanding of the process and too few studies have been done to
determine if the idea is correct or not. We need to keep an open mind
and not focus only on Pd.
Ed Storms
On May 4, 2013, at 10:02 AM, Jed Rothwell wrote:
I wrote:
An automobile catalytic converter has very little Pd in it. The
metal is exposed to a terrific flow of hot gas. Yet the Pd does not
sublime or vaporize.
Plus, most of the hot gas must come in contact with the Pd
particles, because it is all catalyzed (cleaned up). I assume if
there was a lot unprocessed nitric oxide left over they would add
more Pd.
A lot of the Pd does, gradually, erode. Or sublime, I guess you
would call it.
Because Pd is expensive, I assume that the Pd is spread as thinly as
possible, with the least amount of metal you can use to achieve
complete catalysis. I am going out on a limb here, but I also assume
that one of the limiting factors is the heat. You could not expose a
much smaller sample of Pd to this much heat without it melting, or
vaporizing.
Assuming this is about the best that modern technology is capable
of, I figure this indicates approximately how much Pd you would need
in a Pd-based cold fusion heat engine with the capacity of an
automobile engine. I am assuming you have complete control over the
reaction and you can make the Pd as hot as you like, up to the
melting point, so the practical limit is the heat transfer capacity
of the metal and substrate. As Jones Beene indicated.
- Jed
