A Barrel of a Hundred High Temperature E-Cats

Andrea Rossi, the inventor of the E-Cat (Energy Catalyzer), has revealed that the upcoming high temperature plant will be very compact in size. In fact, if the plant performs as he expects, a megawatt of power -- in the form of heat -- will be produced from a barrel sized container! 

By Hank Mills
Pure Energy Systems News

The high temperature E-Cat technology, as described in a series of online "leaks" by the consultant of Rossi's military customer, seems to be very promising. According to the information provided by the consultant and Rossi himself, a single, small "hot cat" (weighing about ten pounds or 4.5 kilograms) can produce high temperatures up to 1,200 degrees Celsius or higher. At the same time, Rossi asserts that a single module can produce approximately ten kilowatts of power. Most importantly, it is alleged these temperatures and power output levels can be achieved with total stability -- along with kilowatts more output than input. 

If the claims made about the high temperature "hot cat" prove to be accurate, this radically evolved version of the original E-Cat could provide a near total solution to the world's energy crisis. Hopefully, we won't have too long to wait for confirmation (yea or nay) of these claims, because in early September at the Zurich conference, a test report is to be released. Then, only several weeks later, in October, scientists affiliated with the University of Bologna will release a more comprehensive review of the tests they have performed. 

Although days can seem like weeks and months can seem like years, when waiting for confirmation of Rossi's claims about the hot cat, some of his recent comments about first high temperature, one megawatt plant provide us with some information to think about while we try to remain patient. Moreover, the assertions he has provided about the first high temperature E-Cat plant are truly fascinating and make me more hopeful than ever. 

The most shocking tidbit that Rossi has revealed is that the actual "hot cat" portion (or heat producing part) of the one megawatt plant will be very small. It will consist of a "barrel" shaped container, 1.2 meters in diameter and .4 meters thick. This container will be filled with 100 (one hundred) individual "hot cat" modules. Each of these individual modules will weight approximately 4.5 kilograms and have a surface area of 1,200 centimeters squared. Water will pass over the inner and outer surfaces of each module and be converted to high temperature steam. To try and prevent heat from being lost to the environment, the "drum" containing the modules will be covered in thermal insulation. 

Due to the small size of the "drum", I do not think it is unrealistic to think that it may be possible to fit both the heat producing components and the turbine generator in the same container. There will probably be engineering issues with this, of course. I do think that they will be able to be overcome in time. 

According to Rossi, experts have indicated to him that with the very high temperature steam, he is capable of producing heat-to-electric conversion efficiencies -- utilizing high tech, modern steam turbine generators -- of around 50%. I think this is probably a best case scenerio, and it is likely the average efficiency (with a less costly turbine) might be around 40%. However, I think if his claims about the hot cat are verified by the University of Bologna scientists and others, there will be a global race to produce higher efficiency turbines. Actually, I think there will be a large financial incentive for companies to develop a variety of high efficiency conversion technologies. 

Interestingly, Rossi claims that the first one megawatt hot cat plant, for internal testing, is currently being constructed. If the turbine generator portion of the plant can achieve a 40% efficient conversion of heat to electricity, an output of 400 kilowatts of electricity should be produced. It is stated that at peak the "drive" (which is needed for stability) consumes 250 kilowatts of electricity. This would only leave 150 kilowatts of left over power. But if the plant self sustains half of the time (one hour with the drive active and the next hour without it), the average power consumption would only be 125 kilowatts. If the one megawatt of heat produced by the plant is divided by 125 kilowatts, the result is a COP of 8. If you subtract 2 units out of the 8 total units to account for various other losses, the result is a COP of 6 -- just like Rossi has talked about all along. 

To make the plant even more economical for certain customers that have specific needs, the one megawatt plant is being designed to utilize either natural gas or electricity for the "drive." Personally, I do not like the idea of natural gas being used. We need to get away from fossil fuels all together. But to be reasonable, I must admit that using natural gas could make financial sense in many situations. It may cost less to produce a unit of heat, for the "drive", with natural gas than it would using electricity. 

Maybe in the not too distant future, I hope that the "drive" will be eliminated all together (except for the radio frequency stimulation that consumes only a tiny amount of power) and neither electricity from the grid or natural gas will need to be used. In such a situation, only a tiny portion of the output would need to be re-routed to the input for the plant to be closed looped. However, this brings us to another point. It has been stated that those in charge of the certification process will not, at least for now, allow an E-Cat to produce the power needed to sustain its own drive. Basically, they are forbidding the use of closed loop mode. In simple terms, when the "drive" is turned on they claim it must be powered from an external source of power -- like the power grid or a tank of natural gas. 

I think that those in charge of the certification are trying to be extra careful, because from their view point, they are in the process of approving the world's first practical cold fusion technology. They want to be overly conservative, because the decisions they make now could have an impact on future certifications for years or decades to come. 

I'm not too concerned about their decision, however. If Rossi's technology turns out to be everything he claims it to be, there will be a huge demand for closed looped systems. Personally, I want a way to be disconnected from the power grid all together, and I think the E-Cat may provide such an opportunity in the future. I'm sure others will feel the same way. The demand will accelerate the evolution of the technology, and closed looped systems will be produced and certified. 

There is a lot of controversy about the E-Cat technology, and with the stunning claims being made, I understand why many people, including myself, want solid evidence. However, I think if we are all patient, the evidence, hopefully, will be forthcoming. 

Rossi kept his word about the one megawatt, low temperature plant in 2011 by successfully constructing and testing it. It turned out his claims about it were honest. I think he is also being honest about the high temperature E-Cat, and that we will eventually see evidence -- from third parties -- of his claims. Of course only time will tell. While you wait, keep checking back to PESN for the latest news. 

PS: To read many of Rossi's posts about the one megawatt, high temperature E-Cat plant, you can read the comments he has made on his blog, here.

 

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