New power source from fractional quantum energy levels of atomic hydrogen that surpasses internal combustion

• Published in: Journal of molecular structure Vol. 643; no. 1; pp. 43 - 54
• Main Authors: Mills, R.L., Ray, P., Dhandapani, B., Nansteel, M., Chen, X., He, J.
• Format: Journal Article
• Language: English
• Published: Elsevier B.V 19-12-2002
• Subjects: Atomic hydrogen; Catalyst; Extreme ultraviolet spectroscopy; Fractional Rydberg states; Helium–hydrogen mixtures; Atomic hydrogen; Extreme ultraviolet spectroscopy; Helium–hydrogen mixtures; Catalyst; Fractional Rydberg states
• ISSN: 0022-2860; 1872-8014
• DOI: 10.1016/S0022-2860(02)00355-1

Extreme ultraviolet (EUV) spectroscopy was recorded on microwave discharges of helium with 2% hydrogen. Novel emission lines were observed with energies of
q·13.6
eV where
q=1,2,3,4,6,7,8,9, or 11 or these lines inelastically scattered by helium atoms wherein 21.2
eV was absorbed in the excitation of He (1s
2) to He (1s
12p
1). These lines were identified as hydrogen transitions to electronic energy levels below the ‘ground’ state corresponding to fractional quantum numbers. Significant line broadening corresponding to an average hydrogen atom temperature of 33–38
eV was observed for helium–hydrogen discharge plasmas; whereas pure hydrogen showed no excessive broadening corresponding to an average hydrogen atom temperature of ≈3
eV. Since a significant increase in H temperature was observed with helium–hydrogen discharge plasmas, and energetic hydrino lines were observed at short wavelengths in the corresponding microwave plasmas that required a very significant reaction rate due to low photon detection efficiency in this region, the power balance was measured on the helium–hydrogen microwave plasmas. With a microwave input power of 30
W, the thermal output power was measured to be at least 300
W corresponding to a reactor temperature rise from room temperature to 900
°C within 90
s, a power density of 30
MW/m
3, and an energy balance of about −4×10
5
kJ/mol H
2 compared to the enthalpy of combustion of hydrogen of −241.8
kJ/mol H
2.