PNNL

Abstract

We report measurements of He, 3He/4He, Ne, and thirteen other components ( H-2, HD, D-2, CH-4, H-2O, HDO, D-2O, N-2, CO, C-2H-6, O-2, Ar, and CO-2) in four samples of gas sent to us in 1999 by researchers at Stanford Research International (SRI). Three samples were collected from SRI Case-type stainless steel cells containing ~10g of Pd/C catalyst initially loaded with ~3 atm D-2 at ~200 oC, and the fourth sample (not identified) was stated to be a ?control?. Case and the SRI workers have claimed to observe 4He in concentrations of ~100 parts per million (ppm) and up to 11 ppm respectively produced in these cells via the fusion reaction D + D = 4He + 23.8 MeV. Our results show no evidence for 4He addition that cannot be readily explained by leaks from the atmosphere into the SRI cells. One sample appears to be identical in composition to air, and the other three have been seriously affected by leak(s) into and from the SRI cells. The rare gas ?forensic? evidence includes 3He/4He ratios, and He, Ne concentrations that are almost identical to air values. The samples also show high N-2 (a primary indicator of air), low O-2, and high CO and CO-2 due to reaction of incoming atmospheric O-2 with C in the catalyst. In two samples, the original D-2 (or H-2) has almost completely disappeared by outflow through the leak(s). These results have obvious implications concerning the validity of the excess 4He concentrations claimed by Case and the SRI workers.