AN ISOPERIBOLIC CALORIMETER TO STUDY ELECTROCHEMICAL INSERTION OF DEUTERIUM INTO PALLADIUM

The design and the operational characteristics of a new isoperibolic c alorimeter that is developed to study the electrochemical insertion of deuterium into palladium are described. The design is simple and invo lves inexpensive materials to build. It possesses a number of distinct advantages that makes it suitable for thermal measurements in other e lectrochemical systems. It is insensitive to the nature and the locati on of the heat source within the electrochemical cell. The calibration constant is found to be stable with +/- 0.5 % uncertainty over a wide range of input power levels up to 22 W It also has the capability of operating over a wide temperature range. In principle, the calorimeter can be used up to 600-degrees-C, provided that the electrochemical ce ll design and materials are chosen appropriately. The design also prov ides flexibility to adjust the sensitivity Of the calorimeter accordin g to the needs of the system under study.