The Energy Catalyzer is an apparatus built by Andrea Rossi^[1], with support from his scientific consultant, the physicist Sergio Focardi. It is claimed by the two that the device transforms energy stored in its fuel (hydrogen and nickel) into heat by means of cold fusion of the two components, with a consequent observed production of copper.^[2]

According to Focardi, "the hydrogen is heated at a given temperature with a simple resistor. When the ignition temperature is reached, the energy production process starts: the hydrogen atoms penetrate into the nickel and transform it into copper.”^[3]

January 2011 demonstration

The apparatus was demonstrated in an industrial hangar outside Bologna to invited journalists and scientists on January 14, 2011.^[4] During the demonstration, which lasted for about one hour, the reactor was "ignited" with electrical current passing through a resistance. It was claimed that the electrical power fed to the apparatus was about 1 kW on average (although reduced to about 400 watts for a few minutes), and that it produced heat energy of approximately 12 kW which was used to evaporate water. The water temperature was raised from 20°C to about 101 °C and the output was claimed to be dry steam. A power gain factor of about 30 is claimed.^[5]

The intensity of the radiation emitted from the part of the apparatus where the alleged fusion process is taking place was measured both before and after ignition.^[6] No significant difference in activity was detected when the apparatus was in an idle and "working" mode. This result conflicts with current theoretical and experimental knowledge of nuclear fusion processes and interaction between radiation and matter, according to which excess radiation would be generated, allowed to escape the apparatus, and subsequently detected. No gamma ray spectroscopy was performed due to restrictions from Rossi and Focardi.^[6]

Giuseppe Levi ^[7], a nuclear physicist from INFN, helped organize the demonstration. He confirmed that the reactor produced about 12 kW and also stated that the energy was not likely to be of chemical origin since there was no measurable hydrogen consumption.^[5]

18 hour test

Levi strengthened his statement, saying that all chemical energy sources were excluded, after another test which was performed in Bologna from February 10 until February 11, 2011, and which lasted for 18 hours. In this test, to avoid uncertainties related to the boiling of the water the flow rate was increased, so that while the water increased in temperature it did not boil. This test was performed by Levi and Rossi and was not public. ^[8]

According to Levi the process was 'ignited' by an electrical resistance powered with approximately 1,250 watts for ten minutes. The power was subsequently decreased to less than 100 watts, enough to maintain operation of the electronic equipment controlling the process. The unit was loaded with hydrogen before ignition, and the test was then run with the hydrogen bottle closed. Total consumption of hydrogen was, according to Levi, at the most 0.4 grams. The output power was in excess of 15kW, corresponding to a total energy release during the trial of approximately 1GJ (gigajoule), more than is available from any non-nuclear energy source.^[8]

Bologna, March 29 2011 tests

In March 29, 2011 two Swedish physicists, Hanno Essén, associate professor of theoretical physics and a lecturer at the Swedish Royal Institute of Technology and former chairman of the Swedish Skeptics Society and Sven Kullander, Professor Emeritus at Uppsala University and also chairman of the Royal Swedish Academy of Sciences’ Energy Committee, participated as observers in a test of a smaller version of the Energy Catalyzer. The test ran for six hours and the calculated energy produced was about 25 kWh. ^[9] In their report ^[10] they write "Any chemical process should be ruled out for producing 25 kWh from whatever is in a 50 cubic centimeter container. The only alternative explanation is that there is some kind of a nuclear process that gives rise to the measured energy production." According to Lewan^[9], they were given a sample of the nickel powder used in the unit as well as some Rossi says have been used for 2.5 months; analysis showed the unused powder was pure nickel while the used powder contained 10 percent copper and 11 percent iron. They prefaced their discussion in the report with a disclaimer: "Since we do not have access to the internal design of the central fuel container and no information on the external lead shielding and the cooling water system we can only make very general comments."

Evaluation of the device

The mechanism by which the Energy Catalyzer generates excess energy – if it does so – is not known. Rossi claims in a patent application^[11] that this is a fusion process involving nickel and hydrogen, forming copper. This fusion reaction should generate substantial amounts of gamma radiation both directly and as the result of electron-positron annihilation, however none was detected during a public demonstration of their device in January 2011.

Rossi and Focardi have been unable to publish their work in a peer-reviewed scientific journal,^[12] instead presenting their work in Rossi's self-published blog titled the Journal of Nuclear Physics.

Rossi's patent application received an unfavorable preliminary report on patentability,^[13] citing serious deficiencies in both the description of the device and in the evidence provided to support its feasibility.

Commercial plans

Rossi claims he has an agreement with the newly formed Greek company Defkalion Green Technologies ^[14] as his first client. According to the agreement Rossi will supposedly deliver a one megawatt heating plant, consisting of 300 reactors of 4 kW ^[9] connected in series and parallel. The plant which would supply heating for Defkalion's own purposes only, is supposed to be inaugurated in October 2011. ^[15]

Rossi claims he will not be paid by Defkalion until the installation is delivered and works. ^[16] The company’s spokesman Symeon Tsalikoglou has confirmed the agreement. ^[17]

Defkalion has also been featured on national Greek television ^[18] and in the national business newspaper Ependitis. ^[19] According to Defkalion and Rossi the agreement gives exclusive rights for Defkalion to manufacture and sell the energy catalyzer throughout Greece. ^[17]

See also

• Cold fusion

References

External links

• http://www.washingtontimes.com/news/2011/mar/17/nuclear-future-beyond-japan/ FRANK PERLEY: Nuclear future beyond Japan - Purported cold fusion advance aimed at energy woes] By Frank Perley - The Washington Times: Nuclear future beyond Japan - Purported cold fusion advance aimed at energy woes - 6:43 p.m., Thursday, March 17, 2011
• Italian scientists claim to have demonstrated cold fusion, physorg.com, January 20, 2011
• Cold Fusion: “You have to embrace this”, Mats Lewan, Ny Teknik, February 23, 2011
• This is how Rossi is financing his E-cat, Mats Lewan, Ny Teknik, March 10, 2011
• Rossi Energy-Catalyzer (E-Cat) Low-Energy Nuclear Reaction Device Portal, New Energy Times
• The Rossi 10kW Reactor Scott Chubb, Infinite Energy (Issue 96), March/April 2011
• Proving the Rossi eCat is Real Alan Fletcher, Fletcher Automation Research. This site by attempts to prove that the Rossi eCat is real -- by evaluating and eliminating all possible fakes. It is updated as new experiments and information becomes available