Differential Thermal Analysis for ECAT Testing

ion · 2015.03.20, 14:54:06

As some may know I have devised a method for ECAT type LENR testing. I have evaluated the protocol using hardware and software outlined in other LENR threads with some preliminary graphic test results, some of which start here:

http://www.overunityresearch.com/index.php?topic=2741.msg44296#msg44296

If you have no access to the private threads here at OUR, ask the administrator for access if you have interest in the subject and developed methods.

Below are a few open posts I made at OU.com briefly describing the test setup:

http://www.overunity.com/15567/andrea-rossi-vindicated-cold-fusion-takes-another-step-towards-credibility/msg440599/#msg440599

http://www.overunity.com/15567/andrea-rossi-vindicated-cold-fusion-takes-another-step-towards-credibility/msg440609/#msg440609

http://www.overunity.com/15567/andrea-rossi-vindicated-cold-fusion-takes-another-step-towards-credibility/msg440614/#msg440614

I have long been a believer in the value of differential test methods, and on my bench you will find information of prior differential testing devices built for specific analysis of e.g. small electronic circuits. This method is as old and precise as the balance weighing scale.

The protocol uses a branch of calorimetry known as "Differential Scanning Calorimetry", specifically "Differential Thermal Analysis".

Here is what one person (MarkE) said about the test method I employed:

QuoteThis technique while not perfect, is massively more objective and reliable than anything we have seen from either Rossi or his sycophant supporters over these past four years. This method measures the temperature using reliable thermocouples, and has a pretty good control in the form of the coupled master / slave heaters first run together both with dummy loads and then side by side one still with a dummy load and the other with the LA|H test load. Anyone who has considered handing cash over to Rossi should be paying Vortex1 for his valuable services.

and

QuoteSo far this looks like very good work and makes all the nonsense from: Rossi, Levy et-al, and Parkhomov sad jokes by comparison. Your attention to setting up a consistent and reliable basis of comparison between a null control and the unit under test is what everyone who wishes to perform a meaningful experiment should do, but sadly many do not.

From Verpies:

QuoteVery well ION, I would do it the same way.

From PhysicsProf:

QuoteWOW! very impressive, ION.

With those supportive comments, I might add that I will be available to consult with others, both within and outside of this setting. PM me here.

Also if I have forgotten or otherwise not included supportive statements from anyone, PM me and I will include them here.

Briefly, with this method, the temperature profile of a "Sample" is compared to a "Reference" and any departure from the reference profile is recorded in a real time chart recorder display of time and temperature. Separate matched furnaces are used to heat the sample and reference material.

To get up the learning curve on DSC and DTA, I highly recommend this book:

https://books.google.com/books?id=tRt-Z5Duz7QC&pg=PA13&lpg=PA13&dq=dual+sample+differential+scanning+calorimeter&source=bl&ots=7D0RsTDeGY&sig=ytxak4siViErwEv8HPfH7n8Yg8k&hl=en&sa=X&ei=CIQJVcGMPMeWgwSi1YKwCA&ved=0CEoQ6AEwBw#v=onepage&q=dual%20sample%20differential%20scanning%20calorimeter&f=false.

There are also many other good books available on the subject matter. I might note that these methods have been highly developed over many decades and they are mature test methods.

Why did I do this? After reading the Lugano report, I was amazed at how such a simple proof of concept could be so obfuscated by a group that claim to use scientific method. From my background in test, measurement, and control of heated systems, it was easy for me to spot the many flaws in the report and the test method employed. I have critiqued the Lugano report and will present that in a separate chapter. There are also inconsistencies in the latest report from Parkhomov, and many questions arise concerning the validity of the report.

Later in this thread I will go over some of the many methods one may utilize to derive quantitative as well as qualitative results in LENR testing specific to ECAT type devices. I will also describe the apparatus I developed specifically for ECAT high temperature analysis using a dual furnace, dual sensing and control approach.

I might add that Defkalion was using DTA to test Rossi's ECAT as early as January 2012 according to NyTeknik.

http://energycatalyzer3.com/news/further-lenr-tests-at-defkalion-and-leonardo-corp

Attached are some images of DSC and DTA from the web. Stay tuned for more.

Regards, ION

PS. This thread will be locked until fully developed, but interested comments may post to:

http://www.overunityresearch.com/index.php?topic=2884.msg47289;topicseen#msg47289

ion · 2015.03.24, 22:44:33

Here I will be expanding upon the Differential Thermal Analysis method that was created specifically for the ECAT testing.

Apologies to all that have already seen this in the private threads, I just want to document and add to it on my bench.

The work I have done in this field utilizes a master heater and a tandem slave heater. They are Nichrome heating elements and are wound on alumina tubes. Dummy samples inserted into the tubes are used initially to calibrate the system, then the active sample is introduced into the slave heater, while the master (temperature controlled heater) retains the reference sample.

In calibration runs, I was able to maintain 1 degree C matching on the heaters up to 1200 C. Then the active sample was introduced into the slave. In testing thus far, there was no temperature rise above the master controlled heater. My containers were not pressurized and I believe the Hydrogen was able to leak out without embedding into the Ni powder. Next step: sealed containers, but this will wait for outdoor testing.

I used DASYLab as the data logging and control platform, an 8 channel thermocouple data acquisition module from MCC DAQ, the TEMP-TC, and a specially built phase angle controller suitable for inductive loads driving a General Radio step down transformer with matched 24 Volt secondaries for the heaters. Isolated secondaries were used to avoid data contamination that might occur from thermionic currents induced into the measuring thermocouples by the high temperatures . This prevented a return path for such loop currents and contributes to the low noise high performance and stability of temperature sensing and control. It is an improvement and departure from the earlier methods I attempted whereby the thermocouples could share a ground loop via the heater current induced thermionic emission.

I might add that the entire test setup equipment was paid for out of pocket at a cost of less than $1000 and the powders were donated by a "benefactor". This research is not out of reach for any university science project, for that matter, and it can be skillfully done on a budget for less than $200

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A Differential Scanning Calorimeter compares the energy needed to heat a reference sample, such as Nickel powder, with the active sample being tested e.g. in this case Ni plus Li Al H. The two samples are in separate alumina tube furnaces and heated with separate electric heaters of Nichrome wire wound on over the tubes, while monitored with separate thermocouples using a data logging acquisition pod. The samples are heated to a high temperature at a controlled rate.

The electric heaters for each sample is controlled so that if there is an exothermic reaction, the heat input to the heater is decreased so that the heating rate is constant. The amount of heat energy from the exothermic reaction is measured based on this reduced energy input to the electric heater.

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In this tailored method of Differential Thermal Analysis, only one heater is temperature controlled, variously named the reference, master, or control. The slave or sample heater is a matched in power to the reference and tracks temperature, but is not part of the control loop, therefore it is free to rise above the target setpoint if there is an exothermic source within the slave's heating tube.