Base level source - PEM cell related items

Links to primary sources of hardware and other materials for the amateur scientist for assembly and operation of a fusion system. General useful supplies for the experimenter are also allowed. Make title specific to the URL supplied with any needed information.
Post Reply
User avatar
Richard Hull
Moderator
Posts: 14976
Joined: Fri Jun 15, 2001 9:44 am
Real name: Richard Hull

Base level source - PEM cell related items

Post by Richard Hull »

Due to a recent construction forum FAQ post with great videos on how to use the "reversible" PEM fuel cell module to make one's own deuterium gas from Heavy water, I attach the following URL.

https://www.fuelcellearth.com/fuel-cell ... MbEALw_wcB

It is key to obtain a reversible cell and not the common one way power type fuel cell. see the videos for a complete video based explanation of how to save a bit of money and hassle trying to obtain tanked cylinders of high pressure deuterium gas. At the above site go to the accessories page to obtain most all of the supplies in the videos.

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
Rex Allers
Posts: 570
Joined: Sun Dec 30, 2012 3:39 am
Real name:
Location: San Jose CA

Re: Base level source - PEM cell related items

Post by Rex Allers »

I disagree about a reversible cell being key.

A reversible cell can be used to make deuterium, no problem. But for this application we only need the electrolyzer function. There are cells dedicated for this and in my current searches for vendors, the electrolyzers seem to be a little bit cheaper than reversable.

Here's the best value I've found from the company that makes them...
https://www.horizoneducational.com/pem- ... unit/p1173

I don't really know, but looking at them I don't see any visible difference between the reversible and the electrolyzer. Maybe there is a difference in the membrane but I can't see it.
Rex Allers
Rex Allers
Posts: 570
Joined: Sun Dec 30, 2012 3:39 am
Real name:
Location: San Jose CA

Re: Base level source - PEM cell related items

Post by Rex Allers »

Here's the longer form of my recent vendor searches.

Small PEM Cells and D2O
Vendors
Working links in 2021:

Some intro notes:
Horizon Fuel Cell Technologies seems to be behind the little fuel cells some of us have adapted for deuterium production. Their main website:
www.horizonfuelcell.com
seems, now, to only be about commercial fuel cell things.

Today I found they have another web site:
www.horizoneducational.com
that is the source for the small PEM cells we like.
They also seem to have the best prices.

For D2 we only need the electrolyzer function. These dedicated cells seem to also be cheaper than the reversable ones.

In my searches, I have only looked at the listed prices as of today (30-Apr-2021). I haven't compared any shipping charges.

====
Horizon Educational -- www.horizoneducational.com
Electrolyzer -- $49
https://www.horizoneducational.com/pem- ... unit/p1173

----
Fuel Cell Earth
Reversable -- $65
https://www.fuelcellearth.com/fuel-cell ... uel-cells/

Horizon PEM Blue Electrolyzer -- $54
https://www.fuelcellearth.com/fuel-cell ... ctrolyzer/

----
Fuel Cell Store www.fuelcellstore.com

Note: This was where I bought in about 2015. Their small PEM cells now look to be a different design from the original Horizon devices. I'm not sure if there are any pros or cons to this different design. They also seem to be more expensive.

Electrolyzer -- $80
https://www.fuelcellstore.com/hydrogen- ... ell-5-e103

***====***
Deuterium oxide
United Nuclear -- http://unitednuclear.com
D2O -- $90 (for 100 g) - larger and smaller amounts are available
https://unitednuclear.com/index.php?mai ... cts_id=135
Rex Allers
User avatar
Richard Hull
Moderator
Posts: 14976
Joined: Fri Jun 15, 2001 9:44 am
Real name: Richard Hull

Re: Base level source - PEM cell related items

Post by Richard Hull »

Note: the $90 for 100 grams from united nuclear went up last year to $125/100 grams. Now, as of this date, 10/18/22, it is $195/100grams.
Inflation has hit the electrolyzer biz here at fusor.net. Naturally, 100 grams will create more D2 gas than most anyone will ever use. United Nuclear does offer smaller amounts, but they have scaled upwards proportionally, as well.

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
User avatar
Emma Black
Posts: 198
Joined: Wed May 11, 2022 9:42 am
Real name: Emma Black

Re: Base level source - PEM cell related items

Post by Emma Black »

As of last week according to Zack from United Nuclear they are out of D2O until Q1 of 2023 at the earliest. I wonder if the price may go up again once it's back.

If your in europe www.silantes-shop.com has the best prices I could find without going though a load of hoops. However minimum order is 1000g for $900.
User avatar
Bob Reite
Posts: 576
Joined: Sun Aug 25, 2013 9:03 pm
Real name: Bob Reite
Location: Wilkes Barre/Scranton area

Re: Base level source - PEM cell related items

Post by Bob Reite »

Back before I got tanked D2, I had to get the D2O from Sigma-Aldrich. United Nuclear was out of it when COVID hit in 2020. I had purchased the minimum quantity of 10 grams of D2O from United Nuclear back in 2014, which lasted a few years.
The more reactive the materials, the more spectacular the failures.
The testing isn't over until the prototype is destroyed.
User avatar
Emma Black
Posts: 198
Joined: Wed May 11, 2022 9:42 am
Real name: Emma Black

Re: Base level source - PEM cell related items

Post by Emma Black »

I wanted to switch over to tanked D2, no local suppliers stock it for a sensible price and importing is proving a pain. Even a couple of the hydrostik 11l cartridges I bought from Andrew got stopped.

A local company had one Hydrofill unit from Horizon in the clearance section half price £500. Probably shouldn’t but I impulse bought it. Had to buy the regulator and cartridges from Horzon themselves but talked them into giving me a discount.

Once everything arrives I will have tanked D2 on tap. Cool apart from the cost.
User avatar
Richard Hull
Moderator
Posts: 14976
Joined: Fri Jun 15, 2001 9:44 am
Real name: Richard Hull

Re: Base level source - PEM cell related items

Post by Richard Hull »

Fabulous! Against all odds. The result of deep scrounging. Where there is a will there is often a way. Great job in going tanked.

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
User avatar
Emma Black
Posts: 198
Joined: Wed May 11, 2022 9:42 am
Real name: Emma Black

Re: Base level source - PEM cell related items

Post by Emma Black »

As an update I can recommend silantes for D2O - arrived quickly to a residential address with zero hassle. They even take paypal.

Image
Post Reply

Return to “Primary Sources for Fusor Related Items”