COMPREHENSIVE FORENSIC ANALYSES OF DEBRIS FROM THE FATAL EXPLOSION OFA COLD-FUSION ELECTROCHEMICAL-CELL

Selected components of explosion debris from the SRI International inc ident of January 2, 1992 were subjected to forensic analyses to elucid ate potential causes of, or contributing factors to, the explosion. In terrogation of the debris encompassed nuclear, chemical, physical, and materials investigations. Nuclear studies for the determination of tr itium and neutron-activation products in stainless steel and brass wer e conducted. No evidence for signature species indicative of orthodox nuclear events was detected. The inorganic and particulate analyses we re likewise negative with respect to residues of unexpected chemical s pecies. Such target compounds included conventional explosives, accele rants, propellants, or any exceptional industrial chemicals. Materials characterization identified the type of stainless steel used in the m anufacture of the electrolytic cell as one relatively high in Mo conce ntration, probably type 316. Metallurgical analyses of the cell vessel wall and its detached base provided no evidence of corrosion or hydro gen embrittlement, leaving only ductile failure of the weld as contrib uting to the incident. The weld was found to have missed the center-li ne of the step joint, and the average penetration of the weld was meas ured to be 54%. The GC-MS analyses of trace organic components in the explosion debris provided a most interesting result. Although no evide nce of organic explosives, oxidizers, or other unusual compounds was d etected, the presence of an organic oil in the interior of the electro chemical cell was established. It is likely that the source of this oi l was lubricating fluid from machining the metal cell components. If r esidues of hydrocarbon oils are present during ''cold fusion'' experim ents, the potential exists for an explosive reaction in the enriched o xygen atmosphere within the pressurized headspace of an electrolytic c ell. It is possible that the oxidation of organic oil contributed to t he total energy inventory, and perhaps the initiation, of the subject explosion.