HYDROGEN CLEANUP,

In hydrogen-discharge experiments and in the design of hydrogen-filled devices, the influence of the discharge on the equilibrium state of the hydrogen-metal system in the container requires careful consideration. Contrary to normal expectations, the heat of the discharge does not increase the observed molecular gas pressure according to the equations of state for homogenous systems. Instead, a temporary pressure decrease occurs. This anomalous behavior is caused by the interaction of the discharge products with the hydrogen-metal system surrounding the discharge. The phenomenon has been studied in several structures. The discharge parameters were varied from steady state to very narrow pulse conditions over a wide range of voltage and current. Analysis of the data reveals that an intimate relationship exists between the power dissipated in the discharge and the establishment of a new equilibrium state for the hydrogen-metal system. Spectroscopic measurements show that this is due to the generation of atomic hydrogen in the discharge and that the anomalous behavior is due to a depletion of the atomic gas. The experimental techniques, the fundamental relationships, the theoretical considerations, the influence of the physical state of the nickel, and the long-term effects are discussed. Author