🚀 go-pugleaf

In FD676  jr@ksr.com (John Robinson) (5 Jan 93 16:51:10 GMT) writes:

> But if nitrogen correlates to excess heat, and oxygen is present, are
> we simply finding a way to catalyze nitrogen burning?

Making nitrogen oxides (there are plenty to choose from) isn't
generally an energy-releasing process.  On the other hand, making
ammonia, NH3, from H2 and N2 releases more than 40 kJ per mole.  (This
reaction, enhanced by high temperature, high pressure, and an iron
catalyst, is used on a large scale for commercial manufacture of
ammonia.)  It is conceivable, under the special conditions existing at
a Pd or Ni cathode under hydrolysis, that this reaction could proceed
slowly.

To explain 50 watts of Mills power this way would require over a liter
per minute of N2 consumption.
Tom Droege note that this _would_ consume hydrogen.

> This could be tested in a closed cell by flushing with nitrogen...

... or in an open one by sparging with argon.
                                               - Cheers,  Chuck