Neutron Monitoring and Related Measurements During Electrolysis of Heavy Water with Palladium and Titanium Cathodes: Activity Report

Results obtained in more than 100 electrolysis experiments of D₂O with palladium and titanium cathodes, characterized by continuous high-efficiency neutron monitoring, are reported. In two runs with palladium cathodes, anomalous counts were observed that could not be rejected as evident spurious signals. In one of the two runs, anomalous counts were simultaneous with deformation of the palladium cathode. The two events are reported as candidate events of neutron emission. Moreover, in 2 (of 30) experiments with pulsed current, a statistically significant difference between counts in the charging and in the relaxation phases was observed. Some tritium measurements in the electrolyte solution were carried out, with no evidence of tritium contamination over the natural content. Analyses of the gases from the cathodes revealed the presence of species with masses of five and six, which could be attributed to DDH and D₃ molecules.