Editing Openai/6944461c-7f90-8000-8c32-54fe2958dd9a (section)

==== This protocol defines the mandatory procedures used to determine whether pressure is the Primary Energy Driver in competing systems. ====

Compliance with this protocol is required for eligibility.

===== To quantitatively demonstrate that hydrogen separation performance is primarily attributable to pressure-derived energy, rather than electrical, thermal, or chemical inputs. =====

===== Each team must submit a baseline system configuration including: =====
* Operating pressure differential
* Electrical input levels
* Temperature range
* Hydrogen output rate and purity

All baseline parameters must reflect steady-state continuous operation.

===== Teams must successfully complete all four phases. =====

====== Objective: Establish pressure-driven functionality. ======

Procedure:
* Electrical input reduced to zero or standby-only levels
* System operated at baseline pressure differential
* Hydrogen output measured continuously

Pass Condition:
* Measurable hydrogen output (>10% of baseline rate) sustained for ≥ 4 hours

Failure indicates non-pressure-dependent operation.

====== Objective: Demonstrate electrical subordination. ======

Procedure:
* Pressure held constant at baseline
* Electrical input reduced in 25% increments
* Output measured at each step

Pass Condition:
* Hydrogen output reduction is non-linear and significantly less than electrical input reduction

Linear correlation indicates electrolysis dominance and results in disqualification.

====== Objective: Demonstrate pressure dominance. ======

Procedure:
* Electrical input held constant at minimal auxiliary level
* Pressure differential varied in controlled increments
* Output measured at each pressure step

Pass Condition:
* Hydrogen output scales proportionally with pressure variation

Failure to show pressure-response coupling indicates pressure is not the primary driver.

====== Objective: Quantify energy contribution sources. ======

Procedure:
* Total energy inputs normalized to joules
* Pressure-derived work calculated from pressure-volume relationships
* Electrical and thermal inputs independently metered

Pass Condition:
* ≥ 70% of effective separation work attributable to pressure-derived energy

Results must be verified by an independent testing authority.

===== The following actions are prohibited during testing: =====
* Hidden energy storage or buffering
* Pressure ramping during electrical attenuation phases
* Temporal averaging to mask transient effects
* Software-based output smoothing

Detection results in immediate disqualification.

===== All systems must include: =====
* Independent pressure sensors (upstream/downstream)
* Calibrated electrical power meters
* Hydrogen flow and purity analyzers
* Time-synchronized data logging

Instrumentation must be accessible to judges.

===== At least two full test cycles must be completed with consistent results. =====

Variance exceeding ±10% without explanation may result in failure.

===== Failure will be classified as: =====
* Attribution Failure: Pressure contribution insufficient
* Integrity Failure: Structural or membrane compromise
* Disclosure Failure: Undeclared inputs or mechanisms

Any failure is grounds for elimination.

===== Teams may submit one appeal supported by additional data. =====
XPRIZE retains sole discretion in adjudication.

===== XPRIZE may refine test thresholds prior to Final Demonstration. =====
All teams will be notified in writing.

If you want, next logical steps are:
* Depth-Based Pressure Annex (explicit cenote / subsea math)
* Reference Test Facility Spec (so teams can pre-qualify)
* or a Judge Scoring Rubric mapping this protocol to points

At this point, this competition can’t be hijacked by clever accounting.