FAQ - Make your own deuterium from heavy water!! The video

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Jim Kovalchick
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Re: FAQ - Make your own deuterium from heavy water!! The video

Post by Jim Kovalchick »

Mark,
I also found that quickly capping the nipple on my fusor end helps eliminate the need to purge and prime between between syringe change outs.

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Re: FAQ - Make your own deuterium from heavy water!! The video

Post by Frank Sanns »

Nice videos Mark. Great explanations and walk throughs.

I keep thinking there must be a better and more voluminous way to store the D2. Maybe a bubbler into a glass or metal flask with a stopcock or valve. Bubble away until you have a liter then you don't have to PEM cell each time. The bubbler of course could not be full of water or even deuterated water. Mineral oil comes to mind. It is a common liquid used in bubblers where the off gasses cannot come in contact with water because.
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Re: FAQ - Make your own deuterium from heavy water!! The video

Post by Mark Rowley »

Thanks Frank

Making deuterium is almost of no consequence. Takes roughly 15 minutes for 100mL. I’ll start the PEM cell at the same time I begin heating up the diff pump. Everything readies up at about the same time. Not to mention all the other things to do before a fusion run, more often than not the gas is ready before I am.

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Re: FAQ - Make your own deuterium from heavy water!! The video

Post by Rex Allers »

I made this post yesterday in another thread. Richard asked me to repost it here and keep all the discussion in the FAQ, so...

Mark,
Congrats on your video. Not only on the content but also the production, very good video and audio.

----
I thought I'd post a bit of stuff here rather than in the FAQ version. My thought is, if there is any discussion here, the end results can be gleaned and used to update the FAQ. The goal is keeping as much chatty evolution out of the FAQ as possible.

-- So, 1st question. Mark, you mention that after a few uses your gas-holding syringe might stick a little as it fills, and how to deal with that. So I would expect the same could happen as it empties. Have you noticed any glitches in the flow rate into the chamber from stiction as the D2 is being pulled out?

-- Not directly related to producing D2, you have two valves in the path between the storage syringe and the chamber. You mention the metering valve closest to the chamber has fine control. You mention the other is a medium flow valve (my words, I didn't check the video). I'm curious if this medium flow valve plays much part in the metering of the D2 into the chamber or is it more of an on/off and the finer metering valve does all the real control?

You know how you use them and how they interact. I'm asking based on what I think I would expect. Just curious.

-- In your video, there seem to be long rods/knobs on the two valves. I presume these are just extensions that you added. No problem, just might help the viewer understand what they are seeing if there was a comment in any text footnotes to the video.

-- It might also help the full story to mention what the two valves are (Swagelok SS-SS4 or something). No need in the video, just follow-up in the post.

-- *Yes, my last three are not directly related to PEM D2 production. I don't intend these to be critical, I thought it just might fill out the usage story a bit.

---------------------------
In 2018 I posted a message in the New User Chat forum about using these small PEM cells. Here's the link (still surviving) --
viewtopic.php?f=46&t=12567

At the time Richard wanted me to move it to a FAQ post. I intended to do that. But first
I wanted to put together a small humidity sensor and measure the H (or D) output to see if a small humidity filter in-line was worth the effort. I never did those tests so I never posted to a FAQ.

So maybe I should still tweak up my old post a bit and make it into an additional FAQ.

Commentariate: Should I do that? If I do, should I put it into Mark's (via Richard) FAQ message or should I make it a separate FAQ and reference Mark's?

----
Now, two key differences in what my old post put together, vs. Mark's simple, straightforward usage.
I added two small chambers on the O2/water side made from small syringes (no plunger, just cut off cylinders as small reservoirs). See pics in my linked post.

The first of these two add-on tubes connects as closely as possible to the bottom nub on the O2/water side. The plan is to initially fill with water/D2O to a level equal to the top of the PEM membrane. The idea is to provide a small external reservoir so the liquid level on the membrane drops slower as the liquid is converted to gasses.

The second tube is connected to the top O2 output on the PEM cell. This O2 gas is allowed to just escape. In operation I noticed that the O2 bubbles in the cell were pumping a small amount of liquid out of this port as they escaped. The purpose of this second tube is just to provide a place to capture any expelled liquid and let it drain back into the PEM chamber.

I am welcome to any comments and especially about me posting my old message as a FAQ and also if my two external small cylindrical chambers are worth the effort.
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Re: FAQ - Make your own deuterium from heavy water!! The video

Post by Mark Rowley »

Hi Rex and thanks for the compliments.

Regarding the first question:
Yes, I have noticed the plunger slightly surge forward during fusor operation. However, the needle valves appear to regulate flow in a way where such movement has no effect. I have directly observed zero movement on the vacuum gauge and no noticeable change in neutron production or Star luminosity during those instances. From my experience, the only negative issue of the sticky syringe is during the filling process.

Second question:
Yes, two valves with one being a fine adjustment SS-SS4 needle valve followed by a medium flow valve, which is then followed by the syringe input tubing. Surprisingly, the medium flow valve is the main point of adjustment followed by the SS-SS4. Quite honestly, I could probably loose the SS-SS4 and suffer no significant issues with gas flow adjustment. Typically, the SS4 is opened about 3 turns and left alone. But again, as we know all fusor designs and assemblages are different. For PEM cell D2 I didn’t want to get too much into the specifics of my system other than the universal need for purging that valved feed line.

Third Question:
The extensions are just lexan rods I put in place to make it easier to adjust from a standing position.

Rex, I like your original PEM cell build. Having a more elaborate system to provide a constant flow is quite interesting. Something along those lines would be good for a larger chambered system where a 100mL syringe would be consumed rather quickly.

Regarding the humidity, I haven’t noticed anything Earth shattering. If you recall, I built a cold trap last year that had mixed results but leaned in the direction of some improved neutron count. I’m now somewhat skeptical of those results as it was only used on the older 2.75” cross fusor. After building the current and slightly larger system, I’ve since realized the 2.75” lacked stability. The new system being stable enough to walk away from is more suitable to testing the cold trap. I may revisit that arrangement and compare findings with this new system.

Overall, my main focus is simplification on all fronts. I understand comparatively complex PEM cell arrangements can be built but for an FAQ I think simple and basic is good. It offers an encouraging starting point for the newbie.

Mark Rowley
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Re: FAQ - Make your own deuterium from heavy water!! The video

Post by Richard Hull »

This is all chatty stuff....But real stuff that totally belongs in this FAQ. I try to retrieve the best jewels like Mark's videos into the FAQs.

Chattiness in the FAQs by old boys with knowledge to contribute can be as chatty as they want. It must all be content based from knowledge or good questions from those out of their depths who have viewed all the videos and all the replies and still need answers. Only then should anyone ask a question or go chatty. I was totally amazed when Mark just plugged in the batteries in the original video?!?!! What? Where's the D2O? It was not covered at all! Thus I questioned. Mark went back to the video camera and did a first rate job of teaching how to prep the cell. I was made smarter for the question and now all others will be, too.

This FAQ Chatty? Yes! Valuable to the FAQ? Yes!

Rex, should you pull together a decent FAQ related to your work, it should be a separate FAQ. Keep me in the loop.

This and any FAQ can be as chatty as it needs to be as long as there is content of value, new experiences and better ideas.

Richard Hull
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Re: FAQ - Make your own deuterium from heavy water!! The video

Post by Richard Hull »

I want to make it plain what you get when you order the reversible fuel cell model FCSU-023 ($65.00)from Fuel Cell Earth on line. You can save $10.00 by ordering the electrolyzer only cell as noted above.

I heard in the video that stuff comes with the "kit" according to Mark Rowley.

To obtain the single cell on the website nothing is mentioned of a kit or what comes with it that I could see. They did offer kits of 5 cell educator kit and lots of kits with a cell a motor or a fan or a solar cell or any number of classroom and teaching kits. But not one mention of anything coming with the single cell purchase at $65. While I am not planning to turn the heavy water I have on hand into deuterium, I felt that one never knows what the future may bring, plus it seemed a cool thing to have. I figured I would just receive the cell and could scrounge the rest. I did look at their accessory page and you could buy all the cables, tubing and everything as extras. I did not want to pay their prices, so I just ordered the cell figuring I either already had most of the extras needed or could fashion what I needed.

Finally, these folks do not like the USPS. They must have a brother-in-law at FED EX or have a vast stock holding with FED EX. Using their cheapest offered shipping option from Massachusetts was $19.00!!

I was very pleased that their single cell offering comes as a ready to rock and roll "kit" which they do not offer as a kit in their on-line literature. So, don't buy the accessories!
I attach an image of what I received. Much of this is not made totally clear in the videos and definitely not in the literature. I felt that Mark must have purchased a kit from them as he does mention some of the stuff comes with the "kit". Anyway, here is what I received for my $65.00 +$19.00

The only thing you will need, as Mark points out is heavy water, and if for a fusor, a large 50-100ml syringe (see his video as the syringe is of a specific type.)

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Re: FAQ - Make your own deuterium from heavy water!! The video

Post by Mark Rowley »

Richard,
We’re definitely on the same page today. I woke up thinking I should post a picture of what a kit consists of. And low and behold I see your post! Perfect!

Yes, shipping charges are brutal. However, that brings me to a potential point of concern. 2-3 years ago, Horizon cells were marketed everywhere. eBay, Amazon, and a host of other websites marketing the product. Amazon was great as shipping cost was minimal if not “free”. However, about 18 months ago (pre covid) it all dried up. Almost appeared like the company was going out of business as you could not find them anywhere except through the place we’re now getting them.

I’m somewhat inclined to think the company is struggling or has moved on to different interests. Being as such, I’d recommend anyone who’s remotely thinking about generating their own deuterium to get one soon. If they don’t go out of business, good. But as a precaution, getting one now may be in ones best interest. And if you do, keep it sealed in the plastic pack until needed.

Last week I ordered one more for reserve.

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Re: FAQ - Make your own deuterium from heavy water!! The video

Post by Aidan_Roy »

There is also this website here, from horizon themselves, with a single cell price at $49 and $18 shipping for me. Not much but a little bit cheaper than what I saw Richard payed. I have yet to look at his source but seeing as I’m in Massachusetts it might be worth a peak. Hope this helps.

https://www.horizoneducational.com/pem- ... 173?v=1313
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Re: FAQ - Make your own deuterium from heavy water!! The video

Post by Rex Allers »

Back near the begining of this FAQ thread Richard asked about the D2 volume from one cell charge. Mark replied,

"One full PEM cell is good for a little over three 100mL charges. One could probably get 4 but running the cell dry is a sure way to damage it."

Tonight I thought I'd try to do some calculations, and they came out to support that observation. Nice when that happens.

First, I wanted to measure, fairly accurately, the volume to fill my Horizon electrolyzer cell.

I have a 1 ml syringe.
1 ml syringe.jpg
I filled the syringe to the 1 ml mark, pusing out any air bubbles all the way through the tubing that would attach to the bottom cell nub. I slowly pushed the liquid into the cell
and when it filled to the top, the syringe read right at .6 ml. So:

0.4 ml to fill the cell.

In the calculation section that follows, the constants at the top came from the "CRC Handbook of Chemistry and Physics".

I think I got it right. Let me know if I messed anything up.

===================================
Any gas volume
24.47 liter/mole (@ STP)

Atomic Weights:
----------------
D, 2.014
O, 15.995

D2 mole = 4.028 g
O mole = 15.995 g
D2O mole = 20.023 g
------------------
D2O density = 1.105 g/ml
------------------

1 ml D2O = 1.105 g
= 1.105 / 20.023 = .05519 mol
= .05519 * 24470 = 1350.5 ml of D2

-----------------
My measurement of liquid volume to fill chamber of
Horizon electrolyzer cell is:
0.4 ml

We don't want to run it dry, so say we only consume
2/3 of that volume. That is about:
0.26 ml

So D2 electrolyzed would be:
1351 * 0.26 = 351 ml
of D2 generated.

Using all the D20 in the cell would yield
1351 * 0.4 = 540 ml
of D2

========
Here's another calc. I bought a bottle with 100g of D2O

100g / 20.023 = 4.994 mol
4.994 * 24.47 = 122 L of D2 for the bottle
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Re: FAQ - Make your own deuterium from heavy water!! The video

Post by Richard Hull »

We ran these calcs way back. We determined you get a lot more D2 via electrolyzation per unit dollar spent than tanked gas. A 50 liter tank can cost over $350 now with about $100 being the disposable, non-refillable tank. So in a large tank 100 liters might cost $500 in bulk. This is opposed to about $80-100 for D2O with similar gas capability and a lot of electrolyzation passes. The sole advantage to the tanked gas is you avoid a bit of a hassle every time you want to do fusion and have to be very mindful of not running out of D2 at a critical moment of operation. Obtaining some of those larger capacity storage cells for the electrolyzer would help obviate this though. I note Mark's process seems to warrant only pure D2 gets into his fusor. This is very important and demands evacuation of the lines which require a bit of forethought in construction design if you plan on getting your gas this way. This isn't present with tanked gas as you are constantly connecting and disconnecting you gas bottle, (syringe) if you electrolyze.

Mark seemed to do OK for his runs with just a 100ml syringe once he got his operation down to a routine.

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Re: FAQ - Make your own deuterium from heavy water!! The video

Post by Jim Kovalchick »

I have been using a 150 ml syringe, but I usually fill to 120. I have found that with my leaky 6 inch tee chamber running at 0.01 mbarr, and around 40 kV and 10 mA, I use about 60 ml before my chamber gets too hot to keep neutron numbers from falling. This is usually 15 minutes.

With regard to shuttling syringes and the resulting need vent and purge, I will be adding fittings and clamp valves to eliminate the need to separate the tubing.
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Re: FAQ - Make your own deuterium from heavy water!! The video

Post by Frank Sanns »

Anybody know how the Hydrofill PEM unit gets the pressure in the Hydrostick canisters up to 400 psi? Whatever THAT is would solve all the problems for a reasonable compact storage reservoir.
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Re: FAQ - Make your own deuterium from heavy water!! The video

Post by Mark Rowley »

Frank, hopefully Andrew Seltzman sees this post. After all the work he’s done on the little cylinders I’m fairly sure he has the answer.

Regarding the need for such a big reservoir I think we should ask ourselves a few questions…

How many folks build neutron capable fusors that go anything beyond “the big win”?

Out of that tiny fraction that do, how many get their systems efficient enough to begin activation work?

Out that smaller fraction, how many people add the necessary cooling to keep “activation capable” neutron output sustainable past 20-30 minutes?

In reality, we’re only talking about the rarest of rare occurrences. Being as such, it appears there are only three situations where a large reservoir would be needed:

1) a fusor capable of very long operational periods

2) a fledgling fusor builder who is still learning the ropes of gas handling and throttle efficiency. With certainty, I can say I wasted quite a bit of gas when I was getting my system off the ground. However, if I had a big reservoir, maybe I wouldn’t have focused as much as I have on gas use efficiency. Regarding that phase of learning, the occasional re-filling of the syringe was of no consequence.

3) a large chambered fusor

As discussed before, most if not all Fusors are as unique as a fingerprint. Gas effeciency will greatly depend on chamber size and the type of secondary pumping system one uses (not to mention smaller factors like needle valve types and such).

As long as ones system is small (cube fusor, 2.75” type, my cylinder system, etc) and cooled, making a 100mL syringe last a full hour at the mega n/s mark is attainable. As of now the best I’ve done is a bit over 45 minutes. My only limitation was a psu issue several months ago which has since been fixed. There was more than enough gas left in the syringe to take it home.

My main point of all this is of course directed to the newbies and rookies. For them, a PEM cell and syringe is all they need. It’s important to highlight, especially in a FAQ which is mostly frequented by the new folks.

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Re: FAQ - Make your own deuterium from heavy water!! The video

Post by Frank Sanns »

My chamber is one of the larger ones at over 22 liters. As such, outgassing is a big issue so it takes gas. Normally I run a heavy deuterium stream to keep the chamber flushed of any outgassing. The ruddy color disappears in an hour or so with a good deuterium stream. That is for those of us that are not running everyday or like me, opening it up often to run different geometries and shell configurations. .

The large chamber has way more surface area to dissipate the heat. So a big chamber is good and a big chamber is bad. Still, in 20 years, I am only on my second cylinder. In my area, cylinders are hard to come by to purchase. The local dealers want you to pay a monthly leasing fee. No go for me as it takes me a long time to use a bottle. Some out of state suppliers will sell then there is the hazardous shipping charges.

I have a couple of PEM cells and have wanted to use the deuterium from them as the flush gas and the gas to bring it up to higher pressure between runs. I just don't want to dawdle with it every time I want to flush. It would be great to get enough to be able to sparge with no mind to how much is being used. I may just run my high vacuum pump and pull down a container and back fill it with electrolyzed D2. Running at some pressure would be a win. Hopefully Andrew can shed light.

For the new people, more gas makes getting to neutrons a little faster, especially in a less refined chamber or with little experience.

Just some thoughts from another angle.
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Re: FAQ - Make your own deuterium from heavy water!! The video

Post by Andrew Seltzman »

As far as the Hydrofill units go, I believe they just use back pressure from the fuel cell to achieve the high pressure. There are no active compressor components in the system, the H2 or D2 output of the cell goes through some sort of moisture separator, thorough a molecular sieve canister to trap any additional moisture and to the metal hydride cartridge fitting (in parallel with a pressure switch/sensor). The molecular sieve canister is regenerated by occasionally purging D2 from the metal hydride back through the sieve and out to the atmosphere. The fuel cell is backed by a hefty 1/2" thick aluminum backing to withstand the pressure.

I made two youtube videos on the Hydrofill units
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=7tC-uMBQv4g
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=N-WEIwiA3Co

I'm pretty sure the hydrofill units run a Pressure Swing Adsorption cycle for hydrogen purification:
https://www.peakscientific.com/discover ... n-methods/
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Re: FAQ - Make your own deuterium from heavy water!! The video

Post by Richard Hull »

I find Mark's reasoning quite sound. The DIY in-it-to-win-it types are best served by syringe fed electrolizers. Those few long term fusioneers might wish to invest in either tanked gas, if they can obtain it, or try out the Hydrofill tanked system. Mark, once he got his operation down, notes that the 100cc syringe works great for him. Guys with Mastodon sized fusors are pretty much doomed to tanked systems that can supply large volumetric gas flow rates over sustained operational periods. Again, sustained operation periods it seems tend to demand active coolant systems. This is especially true for activation work on elements of the activation isotopes sought with half-lives on the order of many minutes to a few hours.

The fabulous advantage to tanked gas is that no matter what, you are ready to go at a moments notice for years into the future off of one tank!! (assuming intermittent use in low volume fusors) I am still using the same tank I installed in 2016! No fiddling with the PEM system. This being said, I am now fully equipped with a PEM cell system and 300ml of D20! (belt and suspenders)

Note: Tanked D2 can now be obtained easily without much hassle, if you have the money and desire from the suggested vendor in the trading post section on prime resources.

viewtopic.php?f=75&t=13889



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Re: FAQ - Make your own deuterium from heavy water!! The video

Post by Mark Rowley »

As a final installment to the PEM video series, I made an unboxing vid to compliment Richards recent post about the kit.

https://youtu.be/dGlxx4_Ov0g

Richard, maybe this is something you can add to the first post under the other videos. That way they’re all together for easy initial access.

Since this new cell is defined for long term storage, I elected to vacu-seal it. As stated in the video, Horizon used to have them vacu-sealed but it seems now they’re just kept in a ziplock. Kinda odd since Horizon originally recommended against unsealing the cells until ready for use. Being as such, I decided to lightly vacu-seal it. I avoided a hard vacuum as there was concern about damaging the membranes.

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Re: FAQ - Make your own deuterium from heavy water!! The video

Post by Frank Sanns »

Andrew and Mark.

High pressure coming from the blue PEM cells is not possible. They will blow out at very low pressures. The membranes are delicate and cannot take 4 psi let alone 400. Either the PEM cell is vastly different in the HYDROFILL unit to achieve the 400 psi or the adsorption of the hydrogen onto the metal hydride takes place at a very low pressure yet gives the volume of hydrogen (deuterium) that would be equivalent to an open cylinder at that pressure.

As for finding the original Horizon cells, yes there are far fewer of them but they have been replaced by this other ones, also from China, for around half the cost. I have no idea of their quality but at $30 a piece, it looks to be a good unit consider maybe. They are all over eBay.

Mark, It might be good to add all of your links to your original thread starter here so people do not have to read through all pages to find them.
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Re: FAQ - Make your own deuterium from heavy water!! The video

Post by Mark Rowley »

Frank,
I’ve seen the Chinese versions before but elected not to get one due to the month long shipping times. But you’ve convinced me to give it a shot. Ordered this morning so it should be here by mid to late June. Total cost inc shipping was $34. It’ll be a worthwhile comparison for the community… especially if they work equally well!

I added the unboxing vid to the original post on page 1.

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Re: FAQ - Make your own deuterium from heavy water!! The video

Post by Richard Hull »

I have significantly reorganized the original post. I now feel that this first posting FAQ is a stand alone video, extravaganza of great and lasting value when the videos are viewed as I have edited them in sequential order. Much of the following replies are dealt with in this one original posting now. I struggled with erasing posts that were made superfluous in many following replies but demurred, wishing to leave things intact. Fabulous work on Mark's behalf in successive videos now organized for proper and complete perspective.

To Frank:
I think, rather than confuse folks, we will let the original reversible PEM cell presented in the original FAQ posting, now in a fine order of videos, to stand alone. For those who wish to follow the replies they will stumble onto the Electrolyzer only cell and the Chi-Com yet cheaper cells that you posted on. They can choose and experiment with the unknowns should they wish at their convenience. We really wish that very complete initial posting to be the complete exposition on the subject.

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Re: FAQ - Make your own deuterium from heavy water!! The video

Post by Mark Rowley »

Shipping on the Chinese PEM cell was surprisingly fast (10 days!). Tracking was accurate which provided updates every 2 days or so.

So here’s the initial report:

Unboxing
The packaging was the typical padded speedpak envelope. The cell within was contained in a Mylar type ziplock bag. No instructions, no extra parts, just the cell all by its lonesome. If anyone decides to go this route first, they will be required to purchase or fabricate the wiring, silicone tubing and plugs, and filler syringe.

Physical Comparison
Other than the shape of the plastic frame, the membrane cell itself appears to be the same size as the Horizon cell (pictured in blue). Close inspection of the membranes reveal some slight differences (texture, perforation size, etc) but nothing strikingly obvious.

3EDD1E2B-7D92-4B97-AF88-9A8EE1CBAB4A.jpeg

There’s no indication in English to identify which is the hydrogen side or the D2O fill side. However, the negative polarity side (black terminal) is typically the H output side. This was confirmed during operation.

Making Deuterium Gas
Operation appeared to be identical with the Horizon unit. However, D production really slowed down after 70mL or 15 minutes of operation. To get a full 100mL charge took roughly 30 minutes. That’s 15 minutes longer than the Horizon. During operation there was no hint of any wet or damp deuterium product. No condensation in the lines or within the negative polarity side of the cell.

4199D1D7-4CEC-4F06-B9DA-93DC993CBBC9.jpeg

Deuterium Performance
Operating the fusor did not reveal any remarkable differences with this deuterium product. Fusor operational settings which typically produce 1.5E+6 n/s TIER were the same with both cells.

Questions Remain
Providing it’s maintained properly, the Horizon cell has been proven to last years. Will this cell have similar longevity?

The slowing down of deuterium production after 15 minutes is concerning. Will this improve, get worse, stay the same?

Will the cell withstand back pressure as well as the Horizon unit does?

All these questions can only be answered after several months to a year or continual usage. Additionally, as others try these cells it may identify mine as a lemon, top performer, or just the average.

As of now, I would recommend for the new fusorist to buy a Horizon kit or one of their electrolyzer cells before considering one of these….at least right now.

Mark Rowley
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Richard Hull
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Re: FAQ - Make your own deuterium from heavy water!! The video

Post by Richard Hull »

Thanks for this report on the chi-com electrolyzer. The slow down, in my book, means "spend the long buck" go Horizon.
The content and value of this FAQ keeps on improving thanks to Mark's continuing effort.

Richard Hull
Progress may have been a good thing once, but it just went on too long. - Yogi Berra
Fusion is the energy of the future....and it always will be
The more complex the idea put forward by the poor amateur, the more likely it will never see embodiment
John Futter
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Re: FAQ - Make your own deuterium from heavy water!! The video

Post by John Futter »

Mark
The difference could be that the chinese version uses Chafion not Nafion. Nafion is now out of patent protection but I think they have guarded their IP well so there could be quite major differences.
We have bought some @ work will report when measurements are done
Arun Luthra
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Re: FAQ - Make your own deuterium from heavy water!! The video

Post by Arun Luthra »

What is the story behind the odd looking needle valves with transparent cylinders with green caps?

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=hUxv6gB3SlA
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