Investigation of anomalous heat production in Ni−H systems

Summary

Anomalous heat production in a nickel rod loaded with hydrogen has been reported by Focardiet al. (Nuovo Cimento A,107 (1994) 163). We have investigated this phenomenon by repeating the experiment. We found the results previously published to be consistent with our observations; namely we measured higher temperatures for the same input power when hydrogen is absorbed during a heating cycle. Nevertheless this temperature rise does not appear to correspond to an increase in heat production. We have added a temperature sensor to the container of the experiment. The temperature of the container follows the same temperature with input power curve irrespective of whether there is an anomalous absorption of hydrogen or not; therefore we have no evidence that this temperature increase corresponds to another source of heat. In conclusion, we have observed all the effects discovered by Focardiet al., but our results imply that there is no production of power associated with the absorption of hydrogen by nickel.