October 28th E-Cat Test Pre-Game Thread (gather here for news and discussion)

Yes, I know we’re three days away from the test of 1 MW E-Cat plant, but since most people following the story are focused on the October 28th event in Bologna, I thought it might be useful to have a place where people can gather to share news and views about the upcoming test.

I will update this post as interesting or significant information about the test comes to light, and would invite readers to share anything they feel is worthwhile in the comments section below.

And like any good pre-game show, if anyone wants to go out on a limb and make a prediction about what’s going to happen — go right ahead!

Oct. 25th. 10:38 GMT
One question mark about this event still out there is whether Andrea Rossi will share his theory about what is happening inside his reactor. During the past year he has said that he thinks he understands the physics of what is happening, and that he would share that at the launch of the 1MW plant. Now it’s not clear if that will happen.

Rossi was asked today on his site if he was still planning to share his theory, and he answered, “Yes.” (not saying when he would do that). In another comment, when asked what gave him the idea that hydrogen and nickel could produce a nuclear reaction, Rossi replied “As soon as possible I will give this info when it will be possible to disclose the theoretical bases, that for now I have to maintain confidential.”

So it sounds like he would like to share his theory, and he plans to do so, but he may be under some constraints as to when that will happen.

Oct. 26th. 01:38 GMT
Andrea Rossi has just posted some numbers for the amount of fuel required to run a 1 MW plant for 180 days:

“Grams/Power for a 180 days charge
Hydrogen: 18000 g
Nickel: 10000 g”

According to my calculations this would compute to:

100 g of hydrogen, and about 56 g of nickel per day to run a 1 MW plant; OR
4.17 g of hydrogen, and 2.3 g of nickel per hour.

Fuel use would be 0.00417 g of hydrogen, and 0.0023 g of nickel per kWh.

I’m not sure what the costs of hydrogen or nickel are, but these are miniscule amounts of fuel, so surely we are talking about tiny fractions of a penny per kWh.

Oct. 26th. 10:53 GMT

In response to a poster wishing Rossi well for the upcoming test, Rossi writes, “Thanks to you all. I am under tremendous pressure right now.”

Oct. 27th. 10:43 GMT

Anyone want to make a guess on who Rossi’s Mystery Customer is? You can go out on a limb here.

Oct. 27th. 16:43 GMT
Rossi posts:

“Thank you: now it’s 4 p.m. of the 27th, and we are finishing the cosmetics of the plant. I think tomorrow we will make, with the help of God, a good job. My work, basically, is finished. Within one hour the Consultants of the Customer will arrive to start the check of all the parts of the plant and prepare all their stuff for the test of tomorrow. Until some hour ago I felt a strong pressure, now, at the eve of the battle, as usual, I am recovering all my coldness and calm. We are ready.”