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Equipment/Supplies Pg 5 |
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EQUIPMENT / SUPPLIES (Pg 6) |
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DEUTERIUM |
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For the amateur attempting to do fusion with a Hirsch-Meekes fusor, Deuterium is a necessity. It is the collision of Deuterium atoms in the fusor which will hopefully result in the formation of a new element or isotope, and the release of high energy neutrons. The obvious source is a small bottle of Deuterium gas, with the associated regulators and plumbing.
An alternative, though, is to obtain Heavy Water (Deuterium Oxide, or D2O) and then use electrolysis to release the deuterium as a gas. This is the route which we chose to follow.
Fortunately, small quantities of heavy water are not controlled, and we were able to obtain 200 cc of 99.9% pure Deuterium Oxide from Wilmad Labglass. We really didn't need that much, but once again we were faced with a minimum order for international customers. |
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Update: We now understand that relatively high flow-through of Deuterium in the fusor is required, or at least desired, and that therefore electrolysis of heavy water may not be a suitable source of deuterium. |
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Deuterium Oxide (Heavy Water) |
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Shown is one of two containers purchased.
We did not actually need that much, but the manufacturer's minimum order for out-of-country purchase meant that we had to buy the two.
(By the way, did you know that if you make an ice cube of heavy water, and place it in a container of tap water, the ice cube will sink?) |
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NEUTRON
MODERATOR |
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The Completed Moderator shown with the Helium 3 neutron detector installed. The moderator is made from a 22 1/2 inch section of 6 inch diameter thin-wall PVC tubing. The bottom was closed with a disk of 1/4 inch plywood, sealed with Varathane and then epoxied into place. The center tube is 1 inch I.D. copper.
Between the tubes is almost 20 pounds of paraffin wax.
For this application, the cable length shown may be excessive. |
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The top of the moderator, with copper inner tube and paraffin visible. The space between the tubes was first filled with small chunks of solid paraffin, and then melted paraffin was added in several consecutive pours. |
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The bottom of the moderator, showing the sealed plywood disk epoxied into place |
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