Sorry JedRothwell but here i can be on the same line... I think this is the master failure since 1989.
Things that "excite" all matters should not be so underestimated as always.. This is the case also for this R20, its matter shouldn't be the key point.
Materials are the key to cold fusion.
Materials are the key to cold fusion.
No. The key to unlocking the secret of cold fusion is a new crazy IDEA!
I replicated the Mizuno-type air flow calorimeter. I still have it.
i improved the calorimeter heat recovery by about 15-18% and reduced the settling time by about 500-1000% mostly by eliminating the acrylic box material and using foam board instead. By setting time I mean how long it takes for a temperature level increase to stabilize at the new input power level.
Smoothing the intake air measurement with a dedicated inlet tube, and providing an exhaust outlet with a simple diffuser/baffle provided more consistent accurate air flow and and temperature measurements.
The inlet air temperature measurement is especially susceptible to an eddy effect in the original design at the rectangular air inlet (a hole in the acrylic box). The eddy effect, in turn, is affected by the airflow inside the calorimeter box, which is affected by large internal objects. The apparent inlet temperature could be affected by as much as 5 C by changing the shape of the inlet thermocouple and relative position at the inlet. This was completely eliminated by a dedicated inlet tube and thermocouples isolated from the box interior upstream in the inlet tube a bit.
The reflective foil insulation Mizuno used on his calorimeter may have some radiant heat-blocking ability but it is terrible as insulation (R1.5) and the main problem is that the sizeable mass of acrylic must heat up to equilibrium at each temperature step, while foam board is almost insensitive to changes. Testing with an acrylic window up to 20 cm x 70 cm in the foam replacement box had only minor losses and could easily be an acceptable solution for those that *must* look inside the calorimeter.
I tried a whole bunch of shenanigans with the calorimeter to see if it could be fooled easily, but it is pretty sturdy overall. The improved version can sense me breathing at the inlet.
Overall, the Mizuno-type mass air flow calorimeter should be capable of measurement and comparison of various heat levels from about 75 W to 800 W, which is the scope of the experiments reported.
The simple improvements I made cost little and resulted in something like 96% heat recovery compared to about 82-86% in the original design.
I still have the improved calorimeter set up and ready to go.
Oh, get the bricks out of the calorimeter. Lol.
They slow it down by 45 minutes to settling just by being in the box.
Preferably not in India.
A sentiment unbefitting a thoughtful person.
By setting time I mean how long it takes for a temperature level increase to stabilize at the new input power level.
Generally referred to in my branch of science as 'Time constant;. The time it takes for the system to equilibrate (Sunday word) after any change of state.
The inlet air temperature measurement is especially susceptible to an eddy effect in the original design at the rectangular air inlet (a hole in the acrylic box).
Yes. Mizuno used a round inlet for that reason. With a long hose attached. This matters on the outlet side. For the inlet temperature, you can use the ambient temperature. It should agree with the inlet temperature just inside the box. If it does not, you have a big problem!
He also tested extensively and repeatedly to ensure the temperature is the same at many points in the face of the orifice. He confirmed the airflow is uniform by using some flowmeters that cover the entire orifice
These are real concerns. They are important.
The simple improvements I made cost little and resulted in something like 96% heat recovery compared to about 82-86% in the original design.
That is impressive. Good job.
Display MoreYes. Mizuno used a round inlet for that reason. With a long hose attached. This matters on the outlet side. For the inlet temperature, you can use the ambient temperature. It should agree with the inlet temperature just inside the box. If it does not, you have a big problem!
He also tested extensively and repeatedly to ensure the temperature is the same at many points in the face of the orifice. He confirmed the airflow is uniform by using some flowmeters that cover the entire orifice
These are real concerns. They are important.
That is impressive. Good job.
As long as there is a good room temperature thermocouple for comparison to the inlet thermocouple, inlet temperature problems are unlikely to be unnoticed.
I also temporarily added a tiny 1 W fan attached to the end of a stiff wire and positioned it variously to blow air already inside the box around in different ways, but that had very little effect. Mostly it made the eddy problem obvious enough that I was able to figure out what was happening with that, and fix it.
Most of my durability tests were only really feasible after switching the acrylic box to foam board. The very rapid response to temperature change, about 3 seconds, means that it was easy to immediately get feedback from any adjustments, good, bad, or indifferent.
Generally referred to in my branch of science as 'Time constant;. The time it takes for the system to equilibrate (Sunday word) after any change of state.
Settling time is quite often used in EEE.
For a more precise definition, you need to know the shape of the temp curve. Normally it is exponentail and then settling time is characterised by an actual exponential time constant, and specified is e.g. half-life time T2: Y = Y0 + F(t) where F halves every T2 seconds. Or exponential time constant Y = Y0 + Ae-t/tau where tau = log2e T2 (log2e ~ 1.44).
Where you have a feedback-controlled system you can get a temp curve that looks linear (roughly) until it gets close to the final temperature.
Anyway P here has done quite excellent work with Mizuno's air flow calorimeter. Reducing the time constant makes it in every way much easier to use and check, and means that results are more informative. Even if they are then negative. It is still useful work.
I still have the improved calorimeter set up and ready to go.
Will you use hydrogen or deuterium in your reactor? and at what pressure?
Will you use hydrogen or deuterium in your reactor? and at what pressure?
Air. Or at least what little air remains inside a solid ceramic cylinder at glowing hot temperatures, anyways.
