I've been reading quite some theories and views on what exactly Rossi's / Defkalion's processes might be. Here's my current view focussing on the main effects only. Comments and (dis)agreements are welcome:
The main chain of fusions/transmutations is in my view: Ni58+p > Cu59 + e- > Ni59 +p > Cu60 + e- > Ni59 + p > Cu60 + e- > - - - - - > Cu63 + e-. All Cu isotopes in the range of Cu59 - Cu62 have relative short half-life. The longest half-life is that of Cu61 (3.3 hours). This is why Rossi's process needs quite some time to shut down. The fusion/transmutation chain stops at Cu63 because Cu63 is stable with an extreem long half-life. Protons (p) are provided by (absorbed) Hydrogen ions. Electrons (e-) are released due to Vibrationally Promoted Electron Emission (VPEE). The released energy is caused by two sources: 1. The emitted electrons e- (with very high kinetic energy, 5 - 8 MeV); the electrons are absorbed by the reactor wall causing eddy currents that are converted into heat due to resistance of that wall material. Those eddy currents also may be the cause of the extreemly high magnetic fields that have been observed (Defkalion). 2. The ß+ decay energy of Cu(x) > Ni(x) + e+ + ve (2 -4 MeV) of each decay step in the chain, causing the Ni/Cu powder to heat up. Some ballpark figures on the total energy generated and the amount of fuel involved: Assuming all the Nickel in the reactor in the form Ni58 and finally all transmutted into 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. Delta mass 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. So, without further energy losses it requires 2 - 3 grams of Ni and approx. 0.2 grams of H2 to produce 10KW of heat over a 6 months period continuously.
