This speculation reads much like
Science-Fiction, but it is grounded on the previously mentioned hypothetical
implications (and interpretation) of the Mizuno free-neutron
experiment....
For the sake of argument (and realizing that this is FAR from certain), let's consider that a possible implication of the Mizuno experiment is that in nature there exists a sub-population of deuterons (which we can call metastable) which will release a neutron with only the slightest inducement - such as a rapidly changing magnetic field.
For the sake of argument (and realizing that this is FAR from certain), let's consider that a possible implication of the Mizuno experiment is that in nature there exists a sub-population of deuterons (which we can call metastable) which will release a neutron with only the slightest inducement - such as a rapidly changing magnetic field.
The source of this metastable deuterium is not
important for this - it could be related to the Mills hydrino or not. The
second (possible) over-generalization to be made here is that we and Mizuno are
dealing with an NMR effect. If so then an RF component will more than substitute
for the cold temperature. If the Mizuno-effect were simply an NMR effect aimed
at this sub-population of deuterons, then the RF would be an very adequate
substitute and might even free-up a larger sub-population of neutrons, assuming
there is more than one spectrum - perhaps even a range of metastable
states. There is adequate (arguable) evidence for this proposition.
The population of this metastable species would be small in any event. Otherwise it would have been noticed previously in medical MRI testing. Actually there is anecdotal evidence that it has been noticed in MRI testing (more on that later). If my numbers from this experiment are accurate, then about one in every 10^18 deuterons could be metastable in this lowest way (Mizuno-effect) for just a simple time-varying magnetic field. Is this hopeless to commercialize, even if replicated and proven to be absolutely true?
The population of this metastable species would be small in any event. Otherwise it would have been noticed previously in medical MRI testing. Actually there is anecdotal evidence that it has been noticed in MRI testing (more on that later). If my numbers from this experiment are accurate, then about one in every 10^18 deuterons could be metastable in this lowest way (Mizuno-effect) for just a simple time-varying magnetic field. Is this hopeless to commercialize, even if replicated and proven to be absolutely true?
Yes, it is hopeless - but the more interesting
question is what is the minimum population which would be useful, and is there a
range of metastability, and how does one accomplish this NMR stripping, if such
a higher population exists? I suspect that the minimum level of metastables
for commercial use will be about one metastable in every 10^12 to
10^13 normal deuterons. This is in a range where it would not have been
noticed previously. Here is why.
First, let's emphasize that it all depends on whether the same effect (free neutrons from magnetic spin-flipping) can coaxed out of bulk water - where you have the much higher density but only 300 'normal' deuterons per million hydrogen atoms. And then from that small population of normal deuterons, the metastable population is taken.
First, let's emphasize that it all depends on whether the same effect (free neutrons from magnetic spin-flipping) can coaxed out of bulk water - where you have the much higher density but only 300 'normal' deuterons per million hydrogen atoms. And then from that small population of normal deuterons, the metastable population is taken.
All-in-all, if only Mizuno's numbers were used,
there could be in the neighborhood of 10^10 neutrons per Kg of water being
processed - all sounding rather hopeless at first, until one realizes that the
flow through a hydroelectric dam is immense and each neutron can convert a cheap
thorium 232 to valuable 233 etc. The average annual flow of the Columbia river
is 265,000 cubic feet or 7,000 tons per second.
IF (huge "if") there exists a more advanced process of freeing neutrons via NMR techniques - then when sited at a hydroelectric dam and using a much higher and rapidly fluctuating magnetic field of say 4 Tesla or more, then the economics could 'conceivably look somewhat more enticing - IF you own the dam and IF cheap HTSC magnets are on the horizon... and IF the population of metastables is indeed above a threshold level which is higher than Mizuno found using his under-powered cell.
IF (huge "if") there exists a more advanced process of freeing neutrons via NMR techniques - then when sited at a hydroelectric dam and using a much higher and rapidly fluctuating magnetic field of say 4 Tesla or more, then the economics could 'conceivably look somewhat more enticing - IF you own the dam and IF cheap HTSC magnets are on the horizon... and IF the population of metastables is indeed above a threshold level which is higher than Mizuno found using his under-powered cell.
Too many linked-together "ifs" for you? Well...
suspend disbelief for a moment long, and let me finish this premise before
rolling back the eyes in total incredulity.
The neutron is so valuable a commodity, and the deuterium in water is so ubiquitous and potentially cheap (if one does not have to separate the deuterium out of bulk water), that there could be a window of opportunity here for a commercial venture using free neutrons from bulk water to breed valuable isotopes for medical, or power uses, or to sell to the Pentagon.
To cut to the chase, the crux of the economic issue is - can you produce neutrons this way which are much cheaper than those produced in a nuclear reactor? I wrote an essay some time back on the "most valuable commodity on earth" ... (can't remember if I posted it to Vo or not) but anyway, the free neutron ranks right up there, way ahead of diamonds and gemstone, for instance, in terms of value per unit weight.
The neutron is so valuable a commodity, and the deuterium in water is so ubiquitous and potentially cheap (if one does not have to separate the deuterium out of bulk water), that there could be a window of opportunity here for a commercial venture using free neutrons from bulk water to breed valuable isotopes for medical, or power uses, or to sell to the Pentagon.
To cut to the chase, the crux of the economic issue is - can you produce neutrons this way which are much cheaper than those produced in a nuclear reactor? I wrote an essay some time back on the "most valuable commodity on earth" ... (can't remember if I posted it to Vo or not) but anyway, the free neutron ranks right up there, way ahead of diamonds and gemstone, for instance, in terms of value per unit weight.
Of course, that end-game payoff is a huge way
off. First one must replicate the experiment, and then, if successful - try
to find ways to do the same thing using much higher field-strength and NMR
but at ambient temperatures. This scenario is only mentioned at all in order to push the
understanding of whether or not there would be a possible 'reward' for such
efforts - the successful end-game... and 'fonly such-and-such a population of
metastables existed (therein is the component of the argument bordering on
SciFi ;-)
Lets see... rounding off the work-year to 8000+
hours, or 30,000,000 seconds with downtime and say using the Columbia
river flow or 10 million Kg/second we have approx 3x10^14 Kg/year of water
flow and over 10^18 of potential free neutrons (based on the lower Mizuno
numbers).... not nearly enough...
A Kg of free neutrons will convert approximately
230 Kg of thorium, costing only about $40,000 into the fissile isotope,
valued at maybe a quarter billion. BUT the low percentage of potential
metastables found by Mizuno (even IF that is the accurate conclusion
of what has been found by him - and many very observant people would
dispute that conclusion) is about million times too few.
Are there more to be had by applying a little more
NMR power?... or did I loose your train-of-concentration back on the fourth
"if"?
Jones
