Production of ⁴He in D₂-Loaded Palladium-Carbon Catalyst II

Measurements of He, ³He/⁴He, Ne and 13 other components (H₂, HD, D₂, CH₄, H₂O, HDO, D₂O, N₂, CO, C₂H₆, O₂, Ar, and CO₂) in four samples of gas from SRI International (SRI) are reported. Three samples were collected from SRI Case-type stainless steel cells containing ~10 g of Pd/C catalyst initially loaded with ~3 atm D₂ at ~200°C, and the fourth sample (not identified) was stated to be a control. Case and the SRI researchers have claimed to observe ⁴He in concentrations of ~100 parts per million (ppm) and up to 11 ppm, respectively, produced in these cells via the fusion reaction D + D = ⁴He + 23.8 MeV. Others found no evidence for ⁴He addition that cannot be readily explained by leaks from the atmosphere into the SRI cells. One sample appears to be identical in composition to air, and the other three have been seriously affected by leak(s) into and from the SRI cells. The rare gas "forensic" evidence includes ³He/⁴He ratios and He and Ne concentrations that are almost identical to air values. The samples also show high N₂ (a primary indicator of air), low O₂, and high CO and CO₂ due to reaction of incoming atmospheric O₂ with C in the catalyst. In two samples, the original D₂ (or H₂) has almost completely disappeared by outflow through the leak(s). These results have obvious implications concerning the validity of the excess ⁴He concentrations claimed by Case and the SRI researchers.