Solar panel has a panel body of fluid tight insulating material, stable at the stagnation temperature reached during use of the panel, which has a rectangular base with surrounding side and end walls, a number of longitudinally extending parallel channels defined by separating walls and a continuous inwardly extending ledge spaced from the upper edge of the side and end walls and having the same height as the separating walls. An absorber plate rests on the ledge of the panel body, covering the channels, and a cover plate is provided spaced from the absorber plate to form an air chamber with the end and side walls, held inplace by retainer devices. Integral fluid flow passages are provided terminated in inlet or outlet passages.    USE/ADVANTAGE -   In a solar heat collector. Provides a low cost panel construction which can make the collection of solar heat an economic proposition.
(JP93072714-B)      The cell comprises a solid electrolyte composed of a hybrid-type ion conductor made by polymerising a mixt. of a phosphoric acid ester monomer with a salt contg. the same type of alkali ion as the negative electrode contains.    Used for portable power sources. (J61256573-A)
The electrochemical battery contains a positive plate, solid polymer electrolyte and a negative plate. The polymer has the formula ((CatAn)w(NP(R2))n (where Cat = cation selected from main gp. and sub-gp. of Gps. I and II, a transition gp. of III-VIII gps. and a lanthanide element; An = Anion; R = polar organic residue; w = ratio of (CatAn):polymer repetitive unit NP(R)2, approx. 10 power -3 to 4.0; n = approx. 10-20000.    USE -   The polymer has high conductivity at room temp.
The amt. of mercury to be added to the znc anode of a galvanic cell with a manganese dioxide cathode and an alkaline (pref. aq. KOH) electrolyte in order to provide adequate shelf-life or storage stability is reduced to 0.04-3 (esp. below 1) wt.% by adding to the cell both. (a) at least 0.001 (pref. below 0.2) wt.% of a cpd. having polyethylene oxide linkages; and (b) at least 0.005 (pref. below 0.06) wt.% of indium. CAU wts. are based on the wt. of zinc).    ADVANTAGE -   By using both (a) and (b) (cf US3847669 and DE1086309 resp. in which only (a) or (b) is used) there is obtd. a synergistic-type effect such that the amt. of mercury required to reduce reaction between the alkali and zinc is markedly reduced while still providing acceptable shelf-storage life. (19pp)
Battery includes a number of cells, a common electrolyte manifold, an anode and a cathode, each cell comprising: parallel anode and cathode plates with one end adjacent the manifold and the other remote from the manifold; and a layer of insulation around each adjacent end of the plates contiguous with the manifold.    In an embodiment, one battery unit comprises a collector plate and a cell.    ADVANTAGE -   The collector plate and the insulation layers minimise short circuiting of the cells. (claimed).
A through-conductive plate is formed by: (1) dispersing conductive tin oxide coated glass in a softened resin and (2) forming the resin into a sheet.    The glass is pref. glass fibre of dia. 1-20 microns. Thickness of the tin oxide coating is pref. from a monolayer to 10 microns. The coated fibres are present in a pref. amt. 20-80 wt.% in the resin. Resin is pref. a polyolefin, esp. polypropylene.    The plate is pref. 1-20 mils thick and pref. has protective surface layers comprising a metal film or a film of resin contg. conductive particles. Pref. conductive particles are of lead or graphite.    USE/ADVANTAGE -   Plates are esp. useful in the fabrication of bipolar or monopolar plates for lead-acid batteries. They can also be used in electrolysis cells, fuel cells, electrophoresis cells, etc. Method provides a simple and reliable process for forming stable, lightweight conductive plates.
Film is mfd. by coating on base, a cpd. contg. a copolymer produced by copolymerising acrylonitrile of 25 - 95wt.% with a copolymerisable monomer of 75 - 5wt.% and an organic solvent to dissolve the copolymer. Film is used for solar heat collectors. (J57144849-A)
Appts. has a fluid inlet and outlet connected to provide a flow which reverses at least once to increase exposure time to solar energy. The appts. comprises a hollow body with internal partitions spaced in parallel and providing a reversing flow path.    The appts. is pref. formed integrally of plastics and is rectangular with alternate partitions projection from one wall towards the opposite wall and ending short of it to form the flow path. The body pref. has edges for mounting in a frame in any desired position or attitude, with the frame carrying a pane of glass spaced from the appts., a heat-absorbing membrane on the pane side nearest the appts. and insulation within the frame adjacent theappts. on the side remote from the pane. The plastics is e.g. polyethylene.    USE -   E.g. for heating swimming pool water.
(A) The following thin film solar cell modules are claimed: (i) a module comprising several thin film solar cell panels, each panel being positioned optically in series with all the others so that light can pass through the panels to produce electrical current in each panel; (ii) a module comprising a first solar cell panel contg. an array of thin film silicon (TFS) solar cells and a second solar cell panel contg. an array of thin film copper indium diselenide (CIS) solar cells, the two panels being sepd. by a transparent insulating layer; (iii) a module comprising (a) a first solar cell panel contg. an array of solar cells consisting of a TFS semiconductor sandwiched between a transparent conductive zinc oxide layer and a transparent conductive tin oxide layer deposited on a transparent substrate and (b) a second solar cell panel contg. an array of solar cells consisting of a CIS semiconductor sandwiched between a zinc oxide semiconductor layer deposited on an insulating substrate, the zinc oxide semiconductor contg. a first thin high resistivity zinc oxide layer and a second thick low resistivity zinc oxide layer, the transparent conductive zinc oxide layer of the first panel facing the low resistivity zinc oxide layer of the second panel, the first and second panels being sepd. by a transparent insulating layer.    ADVANTAGE -   The photoconductive device provides max. utilisation of light energy and has enhanced efficiency.
A long-term heat accumulator for cooperation with heat pump circuits for the long-term heat supply for buildings consists of a cylindrical outer shell of concrete rings with a concrete bottom and a concrete top. The top plate is situated below the frost limit. Inner heat insulation layers are composed of internally ribbed chambers of rigid PU or similar plastic material, filled with loose material, e.g. straw or granules. A plastic foil around them keeps water out. Hot melt is used to join them together.    ADVANTAGE -   This creates a low-cost, low-loss heat accumulator.
Button cell comprises a metal anode, a depolarising catalytic air cathode and a liquid electrolyte contained in a sealed cylindrical case of predetermined height. The case is perforated near the cathode to permit ambient air to enter the cell. A cylindrical cap one end of which is closed is mounted so as to engage the case of the cell so that its height can be increased to the desired value.    ADVANTAGE -   Batteries of multiple cells can be constructed while avoiding the problem of spillage of liquid electrolyte.
Surface-protecting material consists of TFE-hexafluoropropylene copolymer film whose surface is sputter etched at h.f. The surface treated has a hot melt adhesive layer contg. UV absorbent and antioxidant.    USE/ADVANTAGE -   Material is esp. suitable as a protective material for solar batteries and has improved moisture resistance.    In an example, one side of FEP film (thickness: 100 microns) was sputter etched by applying h.f. voltage of 13.56 MHz and at a charging voltage of 3 W/cm2 and atmos. pressure of 0.1 Torr (argon gas). Hot melt adhesive layer (thickness: 350 microns) was formed on the treated surface. The hot melt adhesive layer consisted of EEA (100 pts.wt.), 2(2'-hydroxy-5-tert-octyl phenyl)benzotriazole UV absorbent (0.5 pts.wt.) and antioxidant tetrakis (methylene-3(3,5-di -tert-butyl-4-hydroxyphenyl) propionate) methane (0.3 pts.wt.).
A heat accumulating particulate material is dispersed in a matrix such as concrete. The heat accumulating particulate material is formed by encapsulating a latent heat accumulating agent with an organic membrane to give fine particles.    USE/ADVANTAGE -   A material with improved heat conductivity and corrosion resistance without supercooling and phase sepn., useful as a component for heat accumulating walls, floors and roofs of buildings utilising solar energy, etc.    In an example, the heat accumulating agent includes paraffin, calcium chloride hexahydrate, etc., the material for the organic membrane is acrylic and polypropylene resins, gelatin, cellulose, etc. and the matrix is concrete, phenol resin, etc. The heat accumulating agent is encapsulated with the organic membrane by a conventional method to give a particle with a dia. of 50 microns -2 mm. The particle is uniformly dispersed in the matrix and the mixt. is solidified to give blocks for construction.
Material is obtd. by dispersing a heat accumulating particulate material into a matrix such as concrete. The heat accumulating particulate material is formed by filling a latent heat accumulating agent into voids of inorganic fine particles.    USE/ADVANTAGE -   Material with improved heat conductivity and corrosion resistance is produced without supercooling the and phase sepn., useful as a component for heat accumulating walls, floors and roofs of buildings utilising solar energy, etc..    In an example, the heat accumulating agent included paraffin, calcium chloride 6 hydrate, etc., the inorganic particle perlite, etc. and the matrix concrete, phenol resin, etc. 80g of a particle material consisting of 50g perlite and 30g paraffin, and 225 g concrete were mixed and to the mixt. was added 113g water and the new mat. was solidified in a columnar die, radius 2 cm and height 12cm, to give blocks for construction.
Material is made by encapsulating latent heat accumulating agent with an organic membrane to form fine particles.    USE/ADVANTAGE -   Material with improved heat conductivity and corrosion resistance without supercooling and phase sepn. is obtd. Useful as a component for heat accumulating walls, floors and roofs of buildings utilising solar energy, etc.    In an example, the heat accumulating agent includes paraffin, calcium chloride hexahydrate, etc. and the organic membrane is acrylic or polypropylene resin, gelatin, cellulose, etc. The material for the organic membrane is selected on the basis of compatibility with the heat accumulating agent and the matrix. The heat accumulating agent is encapsulated with the material for the organic membrane by a conventional method to give a particle with a dia. of 50 microns - 2 mm. The particles are uniformly dispersed in a matrix such as concrete to give blocks for construction.
Material comprises a latent heat accumulating agent introduced into voids in inorganic fine particles.    USE/ADVANTAGE -   Improved heat conductivity and corrosion resistance without supercooling and phase sepn. Useful as a component for heat accumulating walls, floors and roofs of buildings utilising solar energy, etc.    In an example, fine perlite particles, paraffin with a m.pt. of 42-44 deg.C and calcium chloride hexahydrate are mixed. The mixt. is heated to 60 deg.C under reduced pressure, after making sure that the paraffin and calcium chloride hexahydrate are completely melted and absorbed into the voids of the perlite particles. The pressure is returned to normal and the particles are cooled. The material may be coated with an organic material to be encapsulated.
A polyaniline (I) of thickness 0.3-5 mm is claimed, which may be subjected to redn. and/or treatment with an alcohol. (I) is insol. in DMF, and can be integrated as a unit with a C-contg. thin film. (I) is prepd. by electrolytic oxidative polymerisation in an electrolyte contg. 0.1M- to 4M-fluoroboric acid and 0.05M-to 5M-aniline, at -10 to +30 (pref. -5 to +20) deg. C and a current density of not above 50 (pref. 30) mA/cm2. The process is carried out in a cell with horizontally-arranged electrodes, so that (I) is deposited on the lower (anode). A thin C-contg. film is pref. used as the anode, and the deposited (I) is treated as above. Specifically (I) is composed of fibres of dia. up to 0.4 microns, and has density ca. 0.4 to 1.1 g/cm3 and thickness 0.1 to 3 mm.    USE/ADVANTAGE -   (I) is useful as the positive and/or negative electrode in cells (claimed), for use, e.g., in photoelectric applications, electromagnetic screening, etc.. The cells have a high energy density and good long-term performance.
An integrating receiver for laser radiation is a detector with a first cylindrical element of a first material, surrounded by a tubular second element of another material which is also permeable for the laser radiation to be received. The first material has, however, a greater refractive index than the second. One of the faces of the cylindrical first element carries a detector for the laser radiation.    ADVANTAGE -   This is a simple design of a receiver and has a larger reception area for the laser radiation.
Appts. has a pressurisable bladder engaging and extending around the periphery of a closed frame. A sheet membrane extends across the frame to contact the frame top surface, fasteners connected to the membrane periphery extending around and embracing the bladder and fixed to a load-bearing member at the frame lower edge, so that inflating the bladder stretches the membrane and applies a radially compressive force to the frame.    The member may be the lower part of the frame, a flexible cable or a second lower membrane. The fasteners are pref. formed by woven material with strands in a bias pattern symmetrical w.r.t. a perpendicular to the frame at all points along the frame. The frame is pref. circular.    USE/ADVANTAGE -   For membrane supporting reflective surface as heliostat in a solar energy collection system, loads membrane and frame simultaneously.
Polymerisable liq. compsn. (I) contains: (A) 10-50 (15-45) wt.% diethyleneglycol bis(allylcarbonate) monomer; (B) 20-70 (30-60) wt.% diethyleneglycol bis(allylcarbonate) oligomer (II); and (C) 5-50 (10-45) wt.% tris(hydroxyethyl) isocyanurate tris(allylcarbonate).    CH2=CH-CH2-O-C(:O)O(R-O -C(:O)O)n-CH2-CH=CH2 (II)    R = radical of diethylene glycol; n = 2-5 (pref. 3). (I) also contains 1-6 wt.% of free radical initiator (III). A process for prepn. of claimed optical glass substitutes of (I) is also claimed.    USE/ADVANTAGE -   (I) does not show shrinkage, breakage or sepn. from the mould during casting into substitute optical glasses.. Such glasses are used in the prodn. of protection shields, solar panels and general lenses.
(JP93055985-B)      Prodn. of sintered Ni base plate comprises sintering Ni powder in a reductive atoms. contg. water vapour to produce a sintered Ni block and heat treating it in an atmos. contg. O2 at 160-300 deg.C.    USE -   Used for Ni-Cd storage cells. (J61216244-A)
C material is made from sheet of fibre impregnated with thermosetting resin by divisiding a forming plate put on the sheet laid on another forming plate and pressed to form ribs between divisions.    USE -   For making jigs, fuel cells etc..
Compsn. contains a bisphenol epoxy resin(s) the sum of xiXi being 400-1000 where xi is the wt.% of the epoxy resin i on the basis of all epoxy resins used and Xi is the mean mol.wt. of the epoxy resin i, 20-50 wt. pts. of an acid anhydride curing agent of which 10-65 mol % is modified by esterification with a polyalcohol on the basis of 100 wt.pts. of the epoxy resin(s) and 1-5 wt.pts. of an organic metal cpd. on the basis of 100 wt.pts. of the epoxy resin + the curing agent.    If two epoxy resins (30 and 70 wt.% and mean mol. wts. 2000 and 500 respectively) are used, the sum xiXi = 0.3 x 2000 + 0.7 x 500 = 950.    USE/ADVANTAGE -   Compsn. gives a coat with excellent curing characteristics in the air, light transmission properties, surface hardness, wear, heat, water, weather, scratching and flexing resistance, adhesion to battery surface, screen printability and printing dimensional accuracy.
Solar collectors with coated membrane comprises (i) vinylidene fluoride copolymer with functional gp. or (ii) copolymer and curing agent.    Pref. copolymer (i) comprises of (i) 50-99 mol% of fluoride and (2) 1-50 mol% of cpd. with vinyl gp.. Cpd. (2) includes e.g. CF2= CFOK (CF2)m (CH2)nX, CH2=CYCOO(CH2)pX, CH2=CHO(CH2)qX or CH2= CYCOOH (X is -OH, -COOH or glycidyl; K is O or 1; m is 0-10, n and q are 0-4; p is 1-4; Y is -H or methyl). Small amt. of other monomer e.g. tetrafluoroethylene or chlorotrifluoroethylene or hexaflouropropene are combined. The mol wt. of the copolymer ranges 10,000-500,000 pref.. The copolymer is micicible to acrylate resin. Agent includes e.g. hexamethylene diisocyanate, diethylene tetramine, benzyl dimethylamine or pyromellitic, anhydride. The copolymer and agent are added in an organic solvent, and coating material is obtd. Solvent includes e.g. ethyl acetate, methyl ethyl ketone, tetrahydrofuran, ethanol o or toluene. Material contains inorganic fillers esp. black fillers.    Filler includes e.g. Fe, Cd, Cr, Cu, Mo, Pb, Sr, CuO-Cr2O3-Fe2O3, Fe2O3-SiO3-Al2O3-CaO or ZnC-Cr2O3-K2O. The ratio of polymer content and the fillers ranges 10/90-40/60 wt.    USE/ADVANTAGE -   The coating material with improved anticorrosion, transparent, weather resistant and photo-absorbent properties, is obtd.
Storage compsn. comprises a cementitious matrix material and pellets or granules of a crystalline straight chain alkane having at least 14C atoms and a heat of fusion above 30 cal/g. The cementitious material is hydraulic cement, gypsum, lime or plaster of paris. The pellets or granules are formed by dissolving or dispersing the alkane in a compatible polymer and grinding or cutting the polymer.    USE/ADVANTAGE -   The compsn. can be used as a building material which can store and release thermal energy at temp. within the range 10-65 deg. C, e.g. for solar passive, solar, active, off-peak electric load levelling or bridge deck deicing.
Covered semiconductor silicon electrode is prepd. by exposing a thiophene cpd. to light and polymerising the thiopene cpd. electrolytically on the surface of a silicon semiconductor and forming a film of the polymer. Thiophene cpds. is e.g. thiophene, 3-methyl thiphene, 3-ethyl thiophene, 3,4-dimethyl thiophene, 2,2'-bithiophene and 2,2'-dithienyl ethylene. The cpd. is dissolved in e.g. acetonitrile. Tetrabutyl ammonium trifluoromethane sulphonate is added as supporting electrolyte, and a silicon semiconductor electrode having the surface etched with HF is dipped in the soln. together with Pt, etc. as counter electrode. The surface of the silicon semiconductor electrode is irradiated with light from e.g. halogen lamp. A positive voltage is impressed simultaneously on the surface of the silicon semiconductor electrode. Electrolytic polymerisation is caused on the surface of the semiconductor electrode. Polymer film has high electroconductivity because the film contains ions of supporting electrolyte. Uniform thin film is prepd. easily.    USE/ADVANTAGE -   The covered semiconductor electrode exhibits stable and high performance in aq. electrolyte soln. as working electrode for wet photocell being durable for a long time without causing delamination of coated film due to high adhesion of covering thiophene cpd. polymer. The electrode is useful for wet photocell for conversion of solar energy to electric energy.
Photo-electric conversion element having a transparent front electric pole, has a light activating layer and a rear electric pole, the light activating layer contg. an azo pigment having the formula (I) (A = coupler residue).    USE/ADVANTAGE -   Used for photosensors or image sensors for organic solar cells. The light activating layer is produced by coating with an azo pigment dispersion, and the prodn. cost is lowered. High conversion efficiency is obtd..    In an example, 1.8 g azo pigment of formula (I) and 18 g butyral resin were ) dissolved in tetrahydrofuran (5%) + 7.2 g tetrahydrofuran, were ball-milled for 24 hrs to give a slurry.
Semiconductive org. thin film is prepd. by treating thin film of phthalocyanine dye with plasma. Pref. phthalocyanine cpds. are expressed by the formula (I) M is H, Li, Na, K, Cu, Ag, Au, Be, Mg, Ca, Ba, Zn, Cd, Hg, Al, Se, Ga, Y, In, Tl, Si, Ti, Ge, Zr, Sn, Hf, Pb, V, Nb, Sb, Ta, Cr, Mo, W, Mn, Te, Re, Fe, Co, Ni, Ru, Rh, Pd, Os, Ir, Pt, La, Ce, Pr, Nd, Pm, Sm, Eu, Gd, Tb, Dy, Ho, Er, Tm, Yb, Lu, Th, Pa, U, Np, Am; or their mixts., or a cpd. expressed by (M(Pc))Ix, (M(Pc)O), (M(Pc)O)Ix, (M(Pc)O)Brx, (x is or above 5.5; Pc is phthalocyanine). Film is formed by the vapour deposition of dye cpd. on an electrode plate, or forming powdery cpd. to film using binder resin. The thickness of the film is below 100 micron, (from several hundreds Angstroms to 10 micron). The film is treated with low temp. plasma generated by exciting gaseous N2 or Ar under low pressure by glow or hf-discharge. Pressure is 0.01-10 Torr, (0.01-1.0 Torr). Pref. intensity of plasma is above 0.2 W/cm2, (0.4-0.8 W/cm2).    Treating time is above several tens sec., (2-6 min.).
A solar module has a solar cell embedded in synthetic resin, at the edge of which there is at least one means of fixing the module (e.g. hole, pin etc.)    In an example, solar cells (7) are embedded in resin (2), together with two frame members (10,11); these members have respectively (10) a fixing hole (12) and (11) a threaded fixing pin (13). By these means the module can readily be attached to a backing, with or without an intermediate spacer to allow air to pass over the underside of the module.    The polymer (2) can be made with recesses for the solar cells (7), the wire (3) between them, and the gripping devices for the module and frames (10,11). This has the advantage that all the constituent parts then have approx. the same thermal expansion. The frame members (10,11) can be metal, glass cloth, or various types of resins (e.g. epoxy, acrylic etc.) The polymer (2) can be e.g. thermoplastic films welded together.    ADVANTAGES -   The module can easily be firmly attached. It has a stable mechanical construction and is cheaply made.
Electrochemically active Ni compsn. (I) consists of amorphous nonmagnetic Ni powder (II) obtd. by redn. of Ni salts (III) with borohydrides (IV), pref. NaBH4 or ammino borohydrides.    (II), mixed with magnetic Ni and/or graphite powder in porous bags, tubes or other (non)metallic composite electrode structures, is oxidised (electro)chemically for use as positive electrode for alkaline accumulators. The compsn. can be mixed with thermoplastic plastics or incorporated in thermoplastic plastics felt and pressed onto a Ni conductor to porous electrode structures. It can also be used in conjunction with unplated C fibre felt or Ni-plated C fibre or synthetic fibre mats. If insulating plastics electrode mouldings are used, the compsn. is contained in an electrolyte-permeable or porous Ni metal cage.    The aq. (III) soln. may contain up to 10% of other metal ions, e.g. Co, Mn, Cu, Ag, Te or Se, which are also reduced by (IV).    USE/ADVANTAGE -   (I) can be used in alkaline accumulators as Ni positive compsn. instead of the usual Ni(OH)2, since it is reversibly oxidisable in alkaline electrolytes.
Solar heat collector appts. comprises foamed resin injected between the bottom wall and a heat collecting plate of a heat collector contg. water in water pipes in grooves cut into the bottom wall.    USE -   For heat collectors. (J59027154-A)
Transparent electroconductive film is prepd. by forming plasma-polymerised film of tetramethyl Sn and O2 on a substrate and has electroconductivity of 1 x 10 power-3 - 1 x 10 power-2 S/cm and rectifying factor of at least 5. The electroconductive film is prepd. in a bell jar type reactor. A glass plate having In/Sn oxide film with surface reactivity of 15 ohm/cm2 is placed on the lower electrode and the electrode is heated to 50-200 deg. C. Gaseous tetramethyl Sn is fed into the reactor at a feed rate by controlling the temp. or pressure of monomer container.    O2 and carrier gas (e.g. N2, Ar or He) are fed into the reactor at a flow rate of at least 10 times of tetramethyl Sn. High frequency wave having frequency of most pref. 13.56 MHz is applied to the upper parallel plate electrode under deg. of vacuum of 0.001-100 Torrs and tetramethyl Sn is low temp. gas plasma polymerised to provide electroconductive film.    USE/ADVANTAGE -   The film has rectifying activity and high chemical and physical stability and high mechanical strength. It is used as an electrode material for image tubes for various display elements and solar cell, as photoelectric conversion elements or as selective light wave transmission film for solar cell or I.R. rays.
Transparent electroconductive film is prepd. by introducing gaseous tetramethyl Sn and O2 in amt. of 10 times of tetramethyl Sn into plasma reactor and applying high frequency voltage to form plasma and to form film polymerised by plasma on substrate.    Amt. of O2 in gaseous mixt. controls electroconductivity of formed Sn oxide film. Amt. of O2 of at least 100 times of tetramethyl Sn reduces film-forming rate or degrades deg. of vacuum in reactor. Plasma is pref. low temp. gas plasma produced by applying high frequency voltage of 13.56 MHz for its easy generation and stability and glow uniformity.    USE/ADVANTAGE -   Process uses commercially simple equipment to provide transparent electroconductive film with stable properties on wide range of substrates. Film has high transparency, electroconductivity and chemical, mechanical and physical resistance. It is useful for image tubes for various display elements, electrodes for solar cell, photoelectric conversion element or selectively I.R. ray transmissible film by laminating with Au or Al.
Non-aq. electrochemical cell consists of active metal anode; cathode and an electrolyte in an oxyhalide polariser, and is improved by adding a catalyst (A) for redn. of the polariser. (A) is a monomeric or polymeric tetraphenyl- or tetramethoxyphenyl- porphyrin complex of Co or Fe. Pref. the anode is Li; the cathode C and the electrolyte is LiAlCe4 in S0Ce2.    USE/ADVANTAGE -   Addn. of (A) increase the cell voltage and extends the discharge life.
Solar heat collector, using pigment of metal fine powder treated to form black surface layer, has heat collecting plates, each formed by coating compsn. composed of the pigment and urethane binder on plastic resin plate. (J58085058-A)
In mfg. method for acetylene high polymer by polymerisation of acetylene in presence of catalyst system comprising mainly transition metal element cpd. and organic metal cpd. improvement comprises using acetylene with purity of over 99.99% as acetylene material.    USE/ADVANTAGE -   It was difficult to obtain acetylene high polymer from high purity acetylene (about 99.9%). Invention provides mfg. method of high performance acetylene high polymer using highly pure acetylene (over 99.99%) , useful for prim. and sec. batteries, solar battery and photoconductive material.
An electrochemical fuel cell comprises at least one electrode with a catalytic surface for a gas phase reaction, and an acid electrolyte. A layer bonded to the catalytic surface, comprises a fluorinated acid-contg. polymer of formula: R1-CF=CF-R2-X, X= -SO3H, -PO3H2, -P(R)-O2H, -B(R)OH, -P(OR)OH, Si(OR)2OH or -CO2H, R and R1 = F or 1-10C perfluoroalkyl, R2 = (CFR3)n, n =0-5, R3 =F or 1-3C perfluoroalkyl.    Pref. X= -PO3H, or -P(R)O2H, or pref. -SO3H. The electrode has a surface of 5 mg/cm2 of 10% Pt/C; and the layer comprises 1.5-2.5 mg/cm2 of perfluorohydrocarbon binding material and 1-10 mg/cm2 of polymer.    USE/ADVANTAGE -   Improved performance for fuel cells operating with phosphoric acid electrolyte.
The method comprises forming an assembly of inner cylindrical and outer casing in such a manner that the inner cylinder is supported to provide an insulation space occurring between adjacent side walls of inner cylinder and outer casing which is uniform and areas occurring above a top wall of the inner cylinder and below a bottom wall thereof are sealed from the insulation space. Polyurethane foam precursors are injected into the insulation space while the interior of the inner cylinder is kept constant pressure. The precursors are allowed to react in the insulation space to form polyurethane foam.    A lower pad is placed on or adjacent to a bottom wall of the outer casing in bearing engagement with a base wall of the inner cylinder to seal a bottom area between the bottom wall and the base wall from the insulation space.    ADVANTAGE -   Centralisation of inner cylinder eliminates its deformation when foam is introduced.
New conductive polymer soln. comprising polymer (a) contg. at least 50 mol.% of repeating unit having the general formula (I), a dopant and an organic solvent (b). In formula (I) R1-R4 can be 1-5C alkyl or 1-5C alkoxy gps. R1-R4 can be the same of different nut must not be all H. Dopant is one fo Cl-, I-, Br-, F-, ClO4-, IO4-, SbF6-, SiF4-, AsF4-, HSO4-, FSO4-, SO42-, CF3SO3-, CF3COO-, NO3- and maked up 10-90 mol.% of the soln. (a) makes up 0.01-90 wt.% of the soln. It can be an aniline deriv. (b) is a ketone,an ether etc. or a mixt. of these. Process for utilising the soln. comprises moulding it into the desired shape, removing the organic solvent by evacuation under low pressure, and heat- or wind-drying.    USE/ADVANTAGE -   Has a high conductivity. The soln. is useful as an electrolytic soln. for cells, capacitors, etc..The articles produced from it can be used as various electronic components.
Cell is formed of an alkaline electrolyte, an MnO2 cathode and a gelled anode of Zn amalgam, a starch graft copolymer gelling agent and a liq. petrolatum binder in an amt. 0.02-0.2 wt.%.    Binder may alternatively be a halocarbon, esp. a fluorocarbon, oil.    ADVANTAGE -   Homogeneity of the anode compsn. is maintained during transport and storage.
Film comprises synthetic resin top layer (A) having a thickness of up to 10 microns, an electroconductive layer (B) of a dried electroconductive paint contg. 0.01-0.5 g/m2 of carbon black, a base layer (C) of a synthetic resin having a m.pt. of 180 deg. C or higher, and a heat meltable layer (D) of vinylidene chloride type copolymer prepd. by emulsion polymerisation and having a drying loss of 0.01-2%, The layers are laminated in sequence (A), (B), (C) and (D).    The synthetic resin top layer is e.g. acryl type resins, styrenic resins, PVC resins, etc. The binders of the electroconductive layer are e.g. ethylene-vinylacetate copolymer latex, acryl type latex, etc. The base layer (C) is e.g. polyester, nylon, polyimide, etc.    USE/ADVANTAGE -   Film is used for packaging a solar cell using a glass susbtrate, and other electronic parts to avoid adherence of foreign matters, and has no tackiness or blocking. The interior of the package can be seen from the outside.
Thin small prod. e.g. gasket for button type cell, is injection-moulded using a pin gate, prod. is injection-moulded from a thin terminal part using pin gate system. In the injection moulding, the hole size of the pin gate is the same as the thickness of prod. or an oversized holes having size larger than the thickness of the prod.    USE/ADVANTAGE -   In a mould having an oversized pin gate a gate can be increased in area, and this eliminates defect in which an air vent is choked with injection gas (monomer) corrosion of mould increases grinding and repair times increase, and mould life is decreased.
A solar energy system has an insulated reservoir immediately adjacent to an energy trap comprising a block panel between an external transparent panel and chamber contg. water. The wall between the chamber and the reservoir is perforated at its upper and lower regions to induce convection cycling of heated water from the zone adjacent to the panel to the reservoir chamber.    Pref. the insulating walls of reservoir, and particularly the perforated partition wall, are made of a material sufficiently flexible to tolerate differential thermal expansion effects, pref. are made of a non-rigid (expanded) polyethylene or polyurethane. Pref. the insulating layer is covered on each face by impermeable flexible PVC film. Back diffusion through the openings in the upper part of the partition wall is pref. prevented by non-return valves comprising pendant flaps of flexible film, pref. PTFE.    USE/ADVANTAGE -   For traps mounted in a vertical or inclined position, for use as a primary or through the partition or from a part of the reservoir sealed off from the region adjacent to where water circulates through the perforated wall. The integral heated water storage eliminates joints/pipework/ insulation/ pumps/power supplies/associated with remote storage units and facilitates installation and access.
A primary or secondary electrochemical generator, comprising several cells consisting of a negative electrode (with a negative active material of Li, Mg or their alloys), a solid polymeric electrolyte (based on polyethylene oxide, polypropylene or their derivs. forming a complex with an alkali salt) and a positive electrode, is provided with (i) an electrolyte heating system comprising a pyrotechnic compsn. and a primer for heating the electrolyte to 140-600 deg.C and (ii) a positive material selected from oxides such as MnO2 and CrO2, sulphides such as FeS2, TiS2 and MoS3, sulphur, polysulphides and their derivs.    ADVANTAGE -   The thermal battery is opt. rechargeable, can operate at much lower temps. than prior art batteries (e.g. 150-170 deg.C compared with 450-550 deg.C when a lithium negative electrode is used) has a long operating life and gives higher power (e.g. 1000 W compared with 200 W).
The radiator for infrared rays, etc., is obtained by forming a film composed of a hardener consisting of a ladde-type silicone oligomer contg. Si and O as main components and a small amount of an organic substance and at least one oxide of Si, Ti, Al, and Zr and also at least one oxide of Fe, Mn, Cu, Co and Ni on the surface of a heat-resistant glass or an electrically insulating base material.    USE/ADVANTAGE -   The radiator has high radiating efficiency for infrared rays and is effectively used for medium temperature -type heating systems using infrared rays, which is excellent in heat resistance and corrosion resistance.    In an example, 60 pts.wt. GR-650 (a silicone oligomer) 20 pts.wt. ZrO2, 10 pts.wt. Al2O3, 10 pts.wt. Fe2O3.MnO2.CuO, and 180 pts.wt. xylene are mixed,and the mixture is coated on a glass material, heated to 200 deg.C, and allowed to cool gradually to form a film 10-15 micron thick.
A unit comprises an adaptor post (12), a U-tube heating coil (14) and a cap (24) with the assembly mounted over a battery terminal post. The coil is complementary to and fits slidably in a circumferential groove in the post intermediate its base and upper rim, with the cap fitting on the rim and frictionally engaging a shoulder.    The cap prevents the coil from sliding in the groove and a battery cable connector preventing removal of the cap. The post is of good thermal conductivity to transmit heat from coil to battery, and the cap is pref. of glass-filled polypropylene. The adaptor post pref. has an axial hole in its base to frictionally fit on the terminal post.    USE/ADVANTAGE -   Partic. for vehicle battery, allowing efficient operation in cold weather.
Charge-transport substance comprises (A) poly(2-carbazolyl (9))ethylacrylate. Electrophotosensitive material contains a layer contg. (A). Photoconductive toner contains (A). P'lymer (A) has pref. wt. average molecular wt., 20,000-80,000, esp. 40,000-70,000, glass transition pt., 80-110, esp. 95-106 deg. Polymer (A) is produced by polymerising 2-(carbazolyl)ethylacrylate in the presence of a radical polymerisation initiator, e.g., azobisisobutylonitrile, dicumylperoxide or dilaurylperoxide. The electrophotosensitive material comprises, e.g., a photoconductive layer contg. (A) as an electron donating cpd. and an electron accepting cpd., and a conductive support. Cpd. (A) is used as a charge transport cpd., as it is or is used with polyester to be reinforced.    USE/ADVANTAGE -   The charge-transport substance has a high positive hole mobility and the electrophotosensitive material and photoconductive toner has high sensitivity and is useful for electrophotography, solar battery, etc. Polymer (A) is easily soluble in solvent, e.g., cyclic ethers, e.g., tetrahydrofuran; aromatic solvents, e.g., toluene or xylene and has a good film-forming properties.
Compsn. comprises (a) a copolymer composed of 40-98 wt.% methylmethacrylate, 0 1-6.5wt.% alkyl acrylate, 1-59.7 wt. % aromatic vinyl and 1-25 wt.% maleic anhydride, blended with (b) a graft copolymer prepd. by (1) adding 100 prt. by wt. of a rubbery copolymer latex based on the copolymer with 0.1-5 prt. by wt. of an acid gp.-contg. copolymer latex (based on the copolymer) to grow particles of the rubbery copolymer latex to 0.12-0.4 micron and (2) graft-polymerising 100-1000 prt. by wt. of a monomer mixt. consisting of 50-100 wt.% at least one monomer of methylmethacrylate or styrene and 50-0 wt.% other copolymerisable mono- or poly-functional monomers in presence of 100 prt. by wt. of rubbers copolymer latex whereby the compsn. contains 1-70 wt.% rubber-like copolymer of which the particles have been grown.    The rubber copolymer latex is prepd. by emulsion - polymerising 30-99 wt.% alkylacrylate having 2-8C alkyl, 70-1 wt.% 1,3-butadiene and 10-0 wt.% copolymerisable mono-or poly-functional vinyl type monomers. The acid gp. contg. copolymer latex is prepd. by emulsion polymerising 3-40 wt.% acrylic, methacrylic,itaconic, crotonic, maleic, fumaric, cinnamic, sorbic, or p-styrene sulphonic acid, 97-35 wt.% alkylacrylate having 1-12C alkyl gps., amd 0-40 wt.% copolymerisable monomers in one or more steps.    USE/ADVANTAGE -   Compsn. gives mouldings with high heat and impact resistance useful for car exterior parts, electric equipment, etc..
The lower, black flexible plastic plate pref. of PVC supports a black plastic coil which is covered by a corrugated, transparent sheet to match the pitch of the coil tubes. The shape of the whole panel conforms to that of the swimming pool.    One end of the panel has a pair of wheels for easy removal and replacement. Water from the pool is pumped through the solar panel which may be either over the pool or alongside.    USE -   For heating and covering of outdoor swimming pools.
Solar blind UV filter comprises four cells arranged axially in series inside a black anodised Al shell. Counting from the inlet end, the 1st cell contains Cl2 gas, the 2nd contains Tl-doped KI, the 3rd contains a soln. of ''Cation X'' (2,3-dihydro-5,7 -dimethyl-1H-1,4- diazepine perchlorate) in glycerol and the 4th contains NiSO4.6H2O crystals.    USE/ADVANTAGE -   The filter is useful for improving the performance of light detectors. It gives high transmission in the 0.25-0.285 micron wavelength region, with a sharply defined band edge at ca. 0.28 microns, and eliminates light leak problems.
A process for enhancing the bonding strength between ''FEP Teflon'' (RTM), and a solar cell which it protects, involves (a) plasma etching one surface of an ''FEP Teflon'' substrate and then (b) bonding the plasma etched surface of the substrate to a surface of a solar cell, or to an anti-reflective coating on this surface, under a temp. and pressure and for a time sufficient to cause the atomic surface layers of the cell, of the coating, to interact with the atomic surface layers of the substrate.    USE/ADVANTAGE -   The solar cells are esp. for space applns. ''FEP Teflon'' may be replaced by other polymers which can be plasma-etched. ''Teflon'' or other polymers may be used similarly for protective encapsulants for semi-conductors, metals, glass, insulators other thin film structures (claimed), or for integrated circuits or anti-reflective (AR) coatings. The composite structure has better mechanical, optical and electrical properties. Mechanical degradation and failure, and delamination, are prevented. Resistance to UV and electron radiation, temp. cycling, and high temp. humidity, is better. The composites are more easily soldered and welded.
A roof is made of light alloy sheets forming the bases of solar heating panels.    The sheets are pref. of an aluminium and manganese alloy and may be covered with double 6mm thick panels of cellular polycarbonate. The sheets may be 1-2mm, thick and formed with gutters. Sheets 1.5 m wide and 4.8 m long can be bolted to 12 x 12 cm or 15 x 15 cm timbers to form the roof with expansion flanges at their edges. The panels may have polyisocyanate foam bases and neoprene or polyurethane joints.
Crosslinked methacrylic resin plate of thickness at least 1mm, width 915mm and length 1300 mm and swelling degree under 170% and free from partial depressions on the surface, consists of methyl methacrylate as main monomer ingredient.    ADVANTAGE -   Methacrylic resin plate has improved heat and impact resistance, etc. and good appearance.    In an example, 13.5 kg methyl methacrylate, 1.5 kg 1,3-butylene glycol dimethacrylate and 15 g tert-butylperoxy isobutyrate are polymerised in a cell at 60-120 deg.C to give a transparent homogeneous plate (5 x 1090 x 2070mm) with a swelling degree of 30% and a deflection temp. under load of 120 deg.C without depressions throughout the surface.
Non-aq. cell includes a cathode-electrolyte soln. comprising a solute dissolved in a liq. active cathode and also contg. one or more cpds. of B and elements of Gps. VIA and VIIA and/or Li-B cpds., to alleviate initial discharge voltage delay. The concn. of the additive(s) is pref. 0.01-1.5M more pref. 0.1-1.0M.    Additive is a B halide and/or sulphide and is pref. BCl3, BBr3, B2S3, B2O3, LiBO2, Li2B4O7, LiB2 and/or LiB12. A vinyl polymer is also present in an amt. of at least 0.05 g/l, pref. at least 0.075 g/l.    ADVANTAGE -   Excessive passivation of the active metal anode is also prevented.
Transparent cover for a solar collector comprises a plastics sheet, transparent to thermal radiation and visible light and resistant to effects of UV light and weather and possessing high scratch resistance, with high elasticity and low thermal expansion. This sheet (9) is pref. polyethylene terephthalate.    It is firmly clamped at one end to the absorber plate and rests upon the profiles or corrugations, esp. ducts. It is fixed at one end and tensioned at the opposite end to give a defined prestress. The prestress can be applied by a special angle iron of 90-140 degrees angle extending across the entire width of the plate.    USE/ADVANTAGE -   As a cover for a solar collector. Simple but effective.
(JP92076229-B)      Module comprises CdS/CdTe type solar cell elements formed on a base board and protective film formed on the solar cell elements. This film is made of a deriv. of a resin contg. active H and perfluoroalkylene gp.    USE -   For d-c power sources. (J61101083-A)
Light entrance apertures are provided in the side wall of a chute. Each aperture has a larger cross-section on the side of the wall remote from the rolling surface of the chute and a photocell is located in this enlarged part.    Light sources are fitted to the other side wall of the chute, and the signals from the photocells are transmitted to an analyser by leads which may be screened; the apertures may be filled with transparent resin or a plexiglass plug may be fitted to protect the photocells. The apertures are positioned at different heights to detect coins of different sizes.    USE/ADVANTAGE -   No optical fibres are used and transmission of the detected signals is simplified.
(JP93088514-B)      The process comprises coating a polyethylene-polyethylene oxide mixt. on the surface of a light metal e.g. Li or Na as cathode active substance and assembling it with an anode.    USE -   For portable power sources.
Polybenzopyrroline (Cpd. A) comprises the structural units of formula (I) and/or (II). In the formulae R1, R2 = H or below 6 C satd. hydrocarbon gps.; Y1, Y2 = anions; one of R1Y1 and R2Y2 may be removed.    Y1 and Y2 include e.g. halogens, BF4, PF6 ions. Cpd. A is produced by treating dicyanobenzene with bases (e.g. sodium, lithium hydroxide), or treating the polybenzopyrroline prepd. with acids or halides (e.g. HBF4, methyl iodide).    USE/ADVANTAGE -   Cpd. A is stable in air and, when doped with appropriate dopants, has high conductivity. Cpd. A is produced at relatively low cost and is used in prim. and sec. batteries, solar cells and photoconductive materials.
Polyaminopyridine contg. structural unit of formula (I) and/or (II). (wherein one of Z1-Z3 is nitrogen and the residual two are carbon; Y1:H or a below 6C hydrocarbon gp.; Y2(-); an anion; R:H or a below 6C satd. hydrocarbon gp.) Y2(-) includes e.g. halogens, BF4, PF6, acetic acid ion. Cpd. A is produced by treating aminopyridine with oxidants (e.g. aluminium chloride, boron trifluoride, HC104 sulphate) or treating polyaminopyridine obtd. above with acids or halides (e.g. HBF4, methyl iodide). 2-aminopyridine is pref. used as an aminopyridine because it provides the para-cleavage polymer having high conductivity.    USE/ADVANTAGE -   The high molecule is stable in air and, when doped with appropriate dopants, has high conductivity. Cpd. A is produced at relatively low cost and is used in primary and secondary batteries, solar batteries and photoconductive material.
Poly-2-aminopyrimidine (A) contains the structural unit of formula (I) and/or formula (II). R and Y1 are H or below 6 C satd. hydrocarbon gp.; Y2(-) is an anion.    Y2(-) includes, e.g. halogens, BF4, PF6 and acetic acid ions. A is produced by treating 2-aminopyrimidine with oxidants (e.g., aluminium chloride, boron trifluoride or HClO4 sulphate) or salts (e.g., ammonium bisulphate or NaBF4), or treating poly-2-aminopyrimidine obtd. above with acids or halides (e.g., HBF4 or methyl iodide).    USE/ADVANTAGE -   (A) is stable in air and, when doped has high conductivity. (A) is produced at relatively low cost and is used in prim. and sec. batteries, solar batteries and photoconductive material.    In an example, 0.2 mole of 2-aminopyrimidine was dissolved in 100 ml of acetone and added dropwise to 0.1 mole of FeCl3 at 0 deg. C. The mixt. was refluxed at 65 deg. C for 10 hrs. and the reaction terminated. The reaction prod. was washed with acetone and dried under reduced pressure. The polymer which had been brown initially turned blackish brown. The poly-2-aminopyrimidine was doped with iodine and showed a conductivity of 5.4 sigma I2S/cm. It was stable when left in air for 40 hrs..
Acetylene polymer having unit of formula (I) where R1, R2 and R3 are C1-C6 alkyl, alkoxy, aryl aryloxy or halogen is novel. (i) or (ii) cpd. (I) and HCCy, where (Y is -Si(CH3)3 or -H) are polymerised in organic solvent contg. catalysts. The solvent includes e.g. benzene, toluene, dioxane, methyl benzoate or dichloroethane. The catalyst includes e.g. mixt. composed of (a) reaction product from (i) transition metal cpd. e.g. WCl6, MoCl6, W(CO)6 or Mo(CO)5 and (ii) organic halo-cpd. e.g. CCl4, CBr4 or CCl3COOEt, and (b) organic Sn cpd. e.g. tetraphenyl tin. Water or alcohol may be added to the catalyst mixt.    The polymer and dopants are contacted. The dopant includes e.g. I2, Br2, AsF5, NOSbF6 or NOPF6, 0.001-20 mol (based on the monomer unit in the polymer) of the dopant are contacted at -50 -150 deg.C for 1 min - 72 hrs.    USE/ADVANTAGE -   The polymer has superior oxidation stability. The reduction of electroconductivity of the polymer by contacting air, is prevented. The film is also obtd. easily and efficiently. The polymer is used for anti-static agents, or material of photo-electro- transducers, photo memory or storage cells.
A semiconductor electrode for photoelectrochemical cells using electrolyte including an aq. constituent has a hydrophibic film between the semiconductor and aq. constituent. The film permits charge to pass through it while decreasing the activity of the aq. constituent of the electrolyte at the semiconductor surface, decreasing photodegradation of the semiconductor electrode.    The hydrophobic film is nonreactive with the electrolyte and has good transparency to band gap radiation. It is pref. polystyrene, or may be diphenyl ether or a hydrophobic hydrocarbon or fluorocarbon. If used alone, the film is thin enough to pass charge, is a conductive polymer, or contains conductive particles.    USE/ADVANTAGE -   The electrode is useful in solar powered cells generating electric power and/or synthesising fuels and chemicals from abundant renewable resources, e.g. water, N2, CO2. Photodegradation may be eliminated and cell operation improved, e.g. with H2 generation increased by a factor of 4.
Compsn. contains at least a cpd. of formula (I), (II) and (III). (where (Cat1) - (Cat3) are cation necessary for neutralising the complex, M1-M3 is nickel, palladium or platinum, R1 and R2 is H, (un)substd. alkyl group or (un)substd. aryl group, R1 and R2 are the same or different, R3, R4, R5 and R6 are H, halogen, cyano gp., hydroxyl gp., or alkyl gp., aryl gp., cycloalkyl gp. or heterocyclic gp. which may have divalent linkage between these groups and benzene ring, or R3 and R4, R4 and R5 or R5 and R6 are non-metallic gps. which join to form five-membered or six-membered ring respectively, and R3-R6 may be the same or different).    ADVANTAGE -   A near infrared ray absorbing compsn. of about 900 nm. or higher in the absorption maximum wavelength and a low cost optical filter excellent in the resistance to heat and light can be obtd. Also as the solubility of the compsn. to various solvents can be controlled by selecting and combining suitably cation species to the complex ion of the metal complex infrared ray absorbing cpd., various binders can be widely adopted. The resulting optical filter is useful as i.e. ray cut filter for control of the growth of plant, etc., filter in opto-electronic IC, etc.
Method comprises (1) sorting batteries into alkaline manganese (AM), carbon-zinc (CZ), and other kinds of batteries; (2) separately crushing CZ and AM; (3) recovering magnetic substances from crushed batteries by magnetic sepn.; (4) sifting balance into (a) on-screen collector rods, plastics, and paper refuse, and under-screen MnO2 and Zn slag in the case of AM, or into (b) on-screen Zn and paper refuse, and under-screen MnO2 and carbon for CZ; (5) further sorting out by gravity concn. the on-screen separates into (a) collector rods, and plastics and paper refuse for AM, or into (b) zinc refuse and paper refuse for CZ; and (6) recovering the under-screen separates as (a) Mn slag and Zn slag for AM, or (b) carbon and Mn slag for CZ by acid leaching and neutralisation.    ADVANTAGE -   AM and CZ can be processed with other batteries. Valuable Fe, Zn, brass and Mn can be recovered.
A catalystic gas diffusion structure comprises, as an integral part, a substantially non-ionic, aq. polymeric gel which is capable of preventing gas percolation through the electrode and of restricting electrolyte access to it to diffusional and electrochemical transport.    The gel pref. comprises at least one (co)polymer of a hydrophobic substantially non-ionic monomer such as glycol and glycerol mono(meth)acrylates, vinyl alcohol, ethylene oxide, propylene oxide, acrylamide and methacrylamide and their N-substd. derivs., and glutarimide. The polymer may be crosslinked.    USE/ADVANTAGE -   The novel electrode and barrier structures are rendered impervious to gas percolation whilst retaining electrolyte contact with the structure, thus giving greater efficiency of operation and overcoming drawbacks associated with prior art electrode structures. The prods. are useful in a variety of electrochemical systems including electrolysis cells, fuel cells batteries, etc., and in metal recovery systems involving no electricity.
A solar collector comprises a substrate coated with a solar energy absorbent layer consisting of a mixt. of a black inorganic material (pref. (active) carbon, carbon black or graphite), a binder (pref. starch (deriv.), dextrin or water-soluble polymer) and opt. further additives.    ADVANTAGE -   The solar collector has improved solar energy collection efficiency and capacity and the collected heat is more effectively transferred then in conventional collectors.
Appts. converting solar energy to electrical and thermal energy comprises (a) a solar cell(s) (8) having an amorphous Si layer (h); (b) a superstrata (10,11) integrally joined to the light incident side of the amorphous Si layer; (c) a heat collecting plate (7) attached to the solar cell surface opposite the superstrata; (d) a metal electrode (12) on the amorphous Si layer facing the heat collecting plate; and (e) a container (1,2) enclosing the entire structure.    In a first embodiment, the superstrata (9) is formed of a light permeable, heat absorbing material transparent to solar energy in the wavelength range absorbed by the amorphous Si and absorbing wavelengths not absorbed by the amorphous Si, converting absorbed energy into thermal energy. In a second embodiment, the superstrata is transparent to solar energy and has a heat absorbing layer on its light incident side. In a third embodiment, the superstrata is omitted; the amorphous Si is formed on a metal substrate; and a transparent electrode having an attached heat absorbing layer is provided on the front surfaces of the solar cells.    ADVANTAGE -   The hybrid structure provides increased utilisation of sunlight, absorbing wavelengths longer than 0.8 and converting them to thermal energy. Heat collecting efficiency is increased to about 46% from the conventional 17%.
Enclosure is constructed for passive solar heater, i.e. a tank storing fluid which absorbs heat when exposed to solar energy. A shell is formed by spraying a female mould with curable material and allowing it to at least partially harden.    A male mould having a mould surface conforming to the interior shape of the enclosure, i.e. defining a support trough for the tank and oppositely adjacent curved surfaces, is lined with conforming reflective material and the two moulds engaged to form a mould cavity. The cavity is filled with insulative curable material which is allowed to set and the shell, insulative material, and reflective lining removed as an integral structure.    USE/ADVANTAGE -   Solar water heater and its enclosures are designed to maximise absorption of solar radiation when it is being received and to minimise heat losses at all other times due to re-radiation, conduction, and convection.
An ion exchange membrane - electrode complex body is produced by (1) impregnating a dispersion consisting of perfluorocarbon resin type ion exchange resin and solvent into pores of porous electrode particles, (2) removing the solvent from the impregnated dispersion by a vaporisation, (3) mixing the electrode particles with fluorine resin binder, (4) forming a layer composed of the mixt. onto at least one side of an ion exchange membrane contg. perfluorocarbon resin as the matrix, and then (5) applying an electrode layer consisting of electrode particles and fluorine resin binder onto the mixt. layer.    The formation of the mixt. layer onto the membrane surface in the step (4) is e.g. effected by applying the mixt. onto the membrane surface by a spraying or a screen printing, and then subjecting to a hot pressing.    USE/ADVANTAGE -   The ion exchange membrane - electrode complex body shows an excellent heat resistance, chemical stability and oxidn. resistance, and it is suitable for use in a fuel cell, water electrolysation cell or hydrochloric acid electrolysation cell etc..
In the prepn. of a glycidyl quat. ammonium salt by dehydrohalogenation of an addn. reaction prod. of a tert. amine hydrogen halide salt or a polyamine hydrogen halide salt with epihalohydrin, an electrodialysis method is used.    The glycidyl cpd. is prepd. by electrodialysis carried out with the addn. reaction prod. of the salt with epihalohydrin in compartments constituted by anion exchange membranes and with an alkali soln. in the cathode side of the compartment.    ADVANTAGE -   A high-purity glycidyl cpd. contg. no halogen salt can be obtd.
Sandwich-type solar cell is composed of a thin-film layer of dispersion in resin of at least one quinacridone pigment(s) selected from quinacridone, 2,9-dimethyl quinacridone, 3,10-dimethyl quinacridone and 4,11-dimethyl quinacridone formed on an electrode base plate, and a semitransparent Al electrode deposited on the upper surface of the thin-film layer by vacuum evapn. process.    USE/ADVANTAGE -   Comparatively large energy conversion efficiency as solar cell and response to visible rays as organic photoelectric conversion element are achieved. Processing is simple and large-area cells can be mfd.
Accumulator comprises means to generate heat, and means to accumulate latent heat placed on the generating means and consisting of a latent heat accumulating material packed and sealed in a film-made container. A protective layer is provided heat accumulating means and an apparent heat accumulating material is provided at least in contact with the protective layer. The thermal conductivity of the material constituting the protective layer is lower than that of the apparent heat accumulating material.    USE/ADVANTAGE -   Low price, simple structure with easy filling/ sealing of the latent heat accumulating material is provided. Used for floor heating. Control of floor surface temp. during heat accumulation and heat emission is possible and danger of container breakage is prevented.
A seal for a reactive metal anode (12) of an electrochemical cell is claimed, the anode having a first surface contacting the electrolyte and additional surface(s) (36) on the perimeter of the first surface. The seal comprises a coating, on surface (36), of a hydrophobic polymer that is chemically inert to the reactive metal and the electrolyte. The polymer is characterised by: (a) ratio of flexural modulus to flexural strength of at least 25; (b) izod impact value of less than or equal to 2.0 ft.lb/in; and (c) elongation of less than or equal to 20%. The electrochemical cell is also claimed.    The polymer is a paraffin, polyolefin, polyacrylate, (esp. polymethylmethacrylate), polystyrene and polyether and contains a filler, esp. pyrolysed polyacrylonitrile fibre, glass, glass fibre, pyrolysed pitch fibre, graphite fibre, Al flakes or mineral filler.    ADVANTAGE -   The anode life span is greatly enhanced due to improvements in resistance of the anode to corrosion and wear at its perimeter.
A unit comprises a transparent outer panel over a parallel transparent solar absorber panel containing a neutral absorbing substance, and seals between the panels to form a space holding heat-storage liquid and consisting of peripheral containment panels.    One panel has a liquid filler hole closable by a porous filter plug to prevent entry of contaminants while equalising internal and ambient pressures. A heat mirror covers a surface of the outer panel to reduce radiative heat transfer through the device. The liq. pref. contains 100 ppm CuSO4 as algicide and is covered by a layer of low vapour pressure fluorosilicone oil.    ADVANTAGE -   Is simple and inexpensive and can be integrated internally in a wide range of building types.
Catalyst for the recombination of H2 and O2 consists of a mixt. of PTFE and activated charcoal as catalyst support (I), which is provided with a catalytically active material (II) and in contact with more (I) of the above compsn. The novelty is that the catalyst is in the form of porous tablets (1) with a core zone (2) or (II) completely enclosed in an outer zone (3) of (I). (II) is Pd.    The catalyst is produced by placing part of a mixt. (IA) of PTFE, activated charcoal and acetylene black in a tabletting mould and pre-pressing; mixing another part of (IA) and PdCl2 by impregnation, drying and sintering and making this into a tablet in another mould of smaller dia., placing this tablet centrally in the first mould, completing filling with more (IA) and final moulding.    USE/ADVANTAGE -   The catalyst is claimed for use in an accumulator. It is compact, required holding only at a few points, so that it is almost freely exposed to the gas stream, and is protected from deactivation by water films. It is esp. useful in batteries for submarines, since it eliminates the need to collect the battery gases.
The collector comprises e.g. a polyester terephthalate absorbent sheet of relatively small dimensions. When it is transparent, a thin layer of black absorbent matl. is applied and tensioned around the edges.    The collector is positioned by means of self tapping screws and plane elastic gaskets.    ADVANTAGE -   The design is of relatively low bulk.
(JP92079473-B)      Hydrogen occlusion electrode prodn. comprises adding a high polymer binder to a mixt. of a powder of alloy capable of occluding H2 with a powder of hydride of this alloy and press forming the mixt. into an electrode.    USE -   For electric cells. (J61049375-A)
Film is obtd. by forming hot-melt adhesive layer on at least one side of heat-resisting film.    Pref. hot-melt adhesive is copolymer of acrylic resin or epoxy-denatured polyethylene. Acrylic resin is acrylic acid ester-methacrylic acid ester copolymer resin. Protective film surface using transparent heat-resisting film be used as a photo-receptive surface.    Pref. heat resisting film is polyethylene terephthalate film, FEP film, PCTF film, etc. Pref. hot-melt adhesive is e.g. copolymer polyamide, copolymer polyester, ethylene-vinylacetate copolymer, acrylic acid ester-methacrylic acid ester copolymer resin, etc., having thickness of 20-100 micron (more pref. 30-60). The total thickness be pref. 50-100 micron.    USE/ADVANTAGE -   Epoxy resin coating protective film is conventionally used for solar batteries of out-door power generation and portable power generation devices likely to be easily stripped off by a sudden temp. change and cause various troubles such as coating gaps, cissing, bubbling, dust-mixing, lowering of sharpness of patterns, etc. when some complex treatments such as thick coating or overlapping coating are required.
A solid state Li battery comprises (a) an Li or Li-Al anode; (b) a polymeric electrolyte; and (c) a cathode formed of multiple spheres, each having a V oxide core (13) encapsulated in a polymer film (12), pref. polyethylene oxide, contg. an inorganic salt, pref. LiClO4, NaClO4, LiF3CSO3 or LiBF4, and activated C.    Pref. cathode contains about 50 vol% V6O13. The spheres are prepd. by emusifying V6O13 powder in an organic solvent using polyethylene oxide binder.    ADVANTAGE -   The cathode provides a battery of improved performance characteristics and increased life. The V oxide spheres provide increased available surface area, mechanically fix the cathode material, and provide an electronic network or grid throughout the cathode. The voids between spheres provide diffusion access to any part of the cathode.
Battery comprises an assembly of photovoltaic cells connected in series and placed between two glass panes and two polyvinylbutyral foils, to charge one or two storage batteries and by use of the inernal resistance of the cells to be used as a car antenna or burglar alarm antenna.    High frequency and d.c. component sepn. is accomplished using two inductances and a condenser. The cells are e.g. 2-3 inches in dia.    ADVANTAGE -   Provides independence for electric car users and increases the life of a car battery by constant recharging even in winter. (First major country equivalent to RO--88421-A)
Solar water heater has two sheets of black PVC welded or clipped together to define a passage for circulating water, and two convex PVC sheets welded or clipped around the passage to define channels inflated with air.    The sheets may alternatively be of low density polyethylene and can be welded thermally or by ultrasound. The heater pref has rubber connections for water tubes.    USE/ADVANTAGE -   The heater can be used in a swimming pool to warm the water and prevent evaporation, or for domestic and camping water supplies.
A fuel cell stack comprises a plurality of stacked elements including at least one corrosion resistant, electrically conductive, fluid impervious interface (I) arranged between two adjacent elements. (I) comprises a non-cuprous metal coating (II) formed on at least one of the elements and a conductive layer (III) bonded to the metal coated element by hot-pressed resin (IV). (IV) fills any pores in the conductive layer. One of the elements comprises a gas distribution plate and the other comprises either a metal coated cooling plate or a metal coated current collecting plate.    USE/ADVANTAGE -   An improved interface configuration where the gas/liq. impervious interface is resistant to migration of the corrosive acid electrolyte.
An infusible and insoluble substrate with a polyacene-type skeletal structure having a hydrogen to carbon atomic ratio of 0.05-0.60 and a BET specific surface area of at least 600 m2/g, comprises a heat-treated prod. of a mixt. comprising an aromatic condensn. polymer consisting of C, H and O as a matrix contg. dispersed fibres chosen from phenol resin fibres, heat-treated phenol resin fibres and carbon fibres. Pref. the matrix matl. is based on a condensn. prod. of an aromatic hydrocarbon cpd. having a phenolic OH gp. and an aldehyde, and esp. a condensn. prod. of phenol and formaldehyde. The fibres are pref. based on a condensn. prod. of phenol and formaldehyde, heat treated at 150-800 deg.C. Pref. the H/C atomic ratio of the substrate is 0.05-0.50, esp. 0.1-0.35. Suitable electron-accepting doping agents are F, Cl, Br, I, AsF5, PF5, BF3, BCl3, BBr3, SO3, N2O5 or an anion derived from an inorganic acid such as H2SO4, HNO3 or HC104. Suitable electron-donating doping agents are Gp. IA metals such as Li, Na, K, Rb or Cs.    USE -   The substrates may be doped with electron-donating and/or electron-accepting doping agents to give prods. with enhanced electrical conductivity which are useful as positive and/or negative electrodes in an organic cell contg. an electrolyte soln. consisting of a soln. in an aprotic solvent of a cpd. capable of forming ions which can dope the electrodes by electrolysis.
(+3.8.84-US-637405)    A light/electric power converter comprises a sheet-like vol. elongated light-absorbing electrically conducting particles in sheet, the particles being linearly arranged along an axis in strings; the light energy being converted to energetic electrons in strings, and asymmetric junctions interspersed and connected to particles. In strings asymmetric junctions pass electrons in only one direction along conducting strings. Strings are substantiallyparallel. A first electrode and a second electrode are connected to a first terminal and a second terminal respectively. The particle strings are normal to and between first and second electrodes, a load, the load is connected between first and second terminals. Light power is converted in sheet to electric power and delivered to load. (-pp)
A heating system for a wall, floor or ceiling may be applied onto the structure or onto a plastered finish. It comprises an electrical resistance heating element (33), consisting of polyester outer sheets (38,36) and a conducting intermediate layer (37), typically contg. graphite or carbon black and equipped with electrical terminals. The outer, visible facing to the wall floor or ceiling is composed of ceramic plates or panels (35). The resistance heating element (33) is bonded to this and to the sub-base (31) by an adhesive compsn. which bonds also to the respective polyester sheets of the heating element.    Pref. pressure is applied during the bonding process to local zones (39,40) so that the two polyester sheets bond together, the resistance layer (37) being expelled from these zones.    USE/ADVANTAGE -   As a heating panel for local or widespread use on floors, walls or ceilings. Simple and inexpensive, easy to fit.
Laminating appts., for adhesion of solar cell elements (15,15') and other material (16) with EVA or (polyvinyl butyral (14,14'), comprises a chamber (1,1') divided by a flexible pressure sheet (2,2') into two compartments. These are connected to an evacuating device (11) via. different valves (8,9) respectively, and one of which is connected to leak valve(s) (13,13') via. other valve(s) (10", 10"'). Laminate (3) is pressed by the flexible pressure sheet by pressure difference between the two compartments.    The other material is, e.g., glass sheet or aluminium sheet. The flexible pressure sheet is, e.g. rubber sheet. The laminate (3) is set on heater (4) in lower compartment (12'). Both rooms are evacuated to remove gas and moisture from the laminate.    ADVANTAGE -   Lamination is effected without much cracking or rupturing of solar cell elements and without generation of bubbles.
In detecting a leakage from non-aq. electrolyte cells or batteries with alkaline and alkaline earth metal anodes, where the leakage materials form acids upon contact with atmospheric moisture, a coating of an acid-base indicator (I) in an adhesive (II) is applied to the surfaces. (I) is in an amt. of the cells or batteries of 0.1-400 pts. by wt./10,000 pts. by wt. of (II). (I) is first dissolved in an organic solvent (III) prior to dissolving in (II).    USE/ADVANTAGE -   Suitable for all high energy density, wide operational temp. range and long shelf-life (up to 10 years) cells used in the industrial, military and consumer market. The electrolyte loss that causes a decrease in operational life and leakage of corrosive cpds. such as SO2, Cl2 or HC1 is easily detected.
The system for separating the battery components so that they can be processed separately consists of a hammer mill where the batteries arrive on a conveyor belt, a hopper with a rising endless screw submerged in water which carries the high density prods. to an external conveyor belt; a drainer which receives the low-density prods.; and a secondary mill which receives the prod. from the drainer and in which the polypropylene is released.
A reflector, esp. for dish antennae, solar ray concentrators, comprises a concave reflector membrane made from originally flat membrane material. (As claimed in 2740813). The peripheral edge of the membrane is sealed into a bowl , of rigid construction and sharper curvature, concave in the same direction as the membrane. A partial vacuum is maintained between membrane and bowl thus giving the curvature to the membrane. A preferred material for the membrane is plastics foil.    ADVANTAGE -   The mfg. process is simplified and costs reduced.
Sulphides (chalcogenides) obtd. from metallic elements and oxygen gp. elements, are prepd. by reaction cpds. of the metallic elements with the oxygen gp. elements or their cpds. in nonaqueous solvents. Pref. the chalcogenides are formed in presence of organic ligands, esp. N-contg. neutral ligands (e.g. 2,2'-bipyridine or 1,10-phenanthroline).    The chalocogenides are soluble in nonaqueous solvents, esp. those in which polymer cpds. are dissoved; i.e. polyacrylonitrile dissolved in DMF or DMSO. The metallic elements are pref. gp. IIb elements, Ni, or Cu. The chalcogenides are esp. CdS or ZnS xL(x=0.01-0.34, L=ligand in crystal lattice).    ADVANTAGE -   For example, soluble CdS is provided, useful to prepare conductive or semiconductor thin films from CdS-polymer composites.
Non conductive particles such as macroporous crosslinked polystyrene, are metallised by immersing the particles in a known chemical Ni acid bath followed by redn. of Ni ions, released in alkaline medium, by a Na borohydride soln. This boron process is now improved by interrupting the redn. after a relatively short time, of the order of 2-5 mins., recovering the thus treated particles, washing them and subjecting them to new redn. step which can be easily controlled, in alkaline medium, by means of an aqs. Na hypophosphite soln. of concn. 40 g/l, which is slowly added until evolution of gas accompanying the reduction slows down; the thickness of Ni metal thus obtd. being increased by heating the soln. and gradually adding a commercial Ni acid soln.    USE/ADVANTAGE -   The process results in the Ni layer being firmly anchored on the particles. The metallised particles are used in electrochemical generators.
Compsn. comprises (a) natural cellulose pulp, (b) synthetic resin pulp, (c) sizing agent and/or (d) paper strength-increasing agent.    The synthetic resin used in (b) includes polyolefin, polyester, polyamide, polycarbonate, ionomer, polysulphone, polyphenylene ether, poly(meth)acrylonitrile, poly(meth)acrylate, polyesterether and polyvinyl formal. (c) includes sizing agent of (reinforced) rosin series, petroleum resin or alkyl ketone dimer or alkenyl succinic anhydride series. (d) includes poly(meth)acrylamide, urea-formaldehyde resin, melamine-formaldehyde resin, epoxidised polyamide-polyamine resin and polyethylene imine resin.    Ratio of (a) to (b) is pref. 98:2 - 30:70. Amt. of (c) or (d) used is pref. less than 2 wt.% per total amt. of (a) and (b). Paper is pref. Mfd. using square-type sheet-making machine of 250 x 250 mm, according to JISP 8209.    USE/ADVANTAGE -   Compsn. is capable of forming paper having high stiffness in the wet state.
Mfr. of high-strength, high-density carbon materials comprises pulverising a carbonaceous raw material to give a carbon powder having a carbon content of at least 92 wt.%, a volatile content of 7-20, pref. 7-13 wt.% up to 900 deg.C, and linear shrinkage as a moulded body of up to 6% during heating up to 500 deg.C to an average particle dia. of 10-40 micron, pref.1.2-30 micron followed by moulding and baking. An organic fibre after baking in an inert atmos. at higher than 400 deg.C may be mixed with the above pulverised carbonaceous material, and the mixt. moulded and baked.    In a modification, the raw materials may be shaped by extrusion, opt. after being mixed with a liq. to impart flowability, or by another method instead of by moulding.    USE/ADVANTAGE -   The carbon material obtd. has a high bending strength of at least 700 kg/cm2, and up to 1250 kg/cm2 in example, and a bulk density of at least 1.9 g/cc. This strength cannot be achieved by prior art. A binder is not needed in the mfr.. Graphitisation and achieving a high density tend to be easy. The prod. possesses autohesive (self-sintering) properties, and tends not to develop internal foams and cracks. When reinforcing carbon fibres are added, kneading in unecessary, and breaking up of fibres into powder can be prevented. This method is less expensive and has fewer steps than prior art. Used for electrodes, in nuclear reactors, crucibles, heating elements, mechanical seals, sliding members, current collecting elements, and dies for hot pressing.
(JP93050811-B)      Pb storage cell comprises a cell tank cover made of a polypropylene, cyanoacrylate adhesive agent layer formed on the cover, and label recently pasted to the adhesive agent layer.    Used for portable power sources. (J60264045-A)
A collector has two pairs of opposed collector tubes of rectangular section and secured in a cylindrical heat trapping tube, with the centre line of each pair passing through the outer tube axis. An inlet and outlet at the same end are connected to one tube in respective pairs, while the other tube ends are connected by 180 deg. connectors.    The assembly is located in a trough at the focal line of its internal reflective surface which consists of two opposed truncated parabolic sections rotated away from the vertical axis to form a wide angle of acceptance opening, with a reflective circular face joining the parabolic section ends opposite the acceptance opening. The trough is pref. in a support of polyurethane foam surrounded by a supporting covering.    ADVANTAGE -   Long service life and increased efficiency.
Novel polysilanes contain units of formula (I). The polysilanes are nonbranched and free from Si-halogen bonds. Prefd. polysilanes are those contg. units of formula (Ia) or (Ib) R1,R2 = alkyl, cycloalkyl, cycloalkyl-alkyl, aralkyl or aryl or one of R1 and R2 can also be H or unsatd. hydrocarbon gp., provided that R1 and R2 can be opt. substd. and/or can contain one or more heteroatoms R = alkyl, cycloalkyl, cycloalkyl-alkyl, aralkyl or aryl and can be opt. substd. and/or contain one or more heteroatoms.    USE -   The polysilanes may be used for producing fibres or coatings of silicon carbide by pyrolysis. The polymers may be shaped prior to pyrolysis. They may also be used for the prodn. of amorphous silicon-based photoconversion devices, partic. solar energy photoconversion devices, by virtue of their strong absorption in the near UV range.
Thermal energy storage systems suitable for retrofit installation in wall cavities of buildings, are comprised of a heat sink material with a relatively large latent heat capacity, packed in spheres with a dia. of 3/8 to 7/8 inch, esp. cas. 1/2 inch. The sphere walls are made of polymeric material which combines ease of fabrication with adequate structural strength at thicknesses which provide sufficient heat exchange.    ADVANTAGE -   The spherical shape allows the material to be inserted into cavity walls in existing buildings, gives optimum packing in the cavity, and provides sufficient of the heat sink material to give a good thermal storage effect.
Battery comprises (1) anode made of an alloy Ca1-xMmxNiy-zMz (Mm is a mixt. of rare earth metals; M is one of Co, Cu, Fe, Cr, Mn, Al, Si and Zn; x is between 0 and 1; y = 3.8-5.5; y+z = 3.8-5.5; and z is between 0 and 5.5); (2) a cathode; and (3) an alkali electrode soln. (x is pref. 0-0.5 (exclusive of 0)).    USE/ADVANTAGE -   Cycle life is long and good. Discharge potential of the anode is high. The battery inner pressure does not elevate even if the closed battery system is over-charged.
Sec. battery or cell comprises (A) cathode active material comprising chalcogen cpd. of a transition metal, (B) electrolyte comprising organic solvent and dissolved Li salt, and (C) anode active material comprising Li metal in electrical contact with amorphous carbonaceous material having conductivity at least 10 power-5 mho/cm and density up to 1.8 g/cm3.    The carbonaceous material is a pyrolysis residue formed by heating natural or synthetic high polymer, pitch or coal in an inert atmos. at 300-1500 deg. C. The anode active material is formed in situ. by self discharge of Li metal into the carbonaceous material.    The high polymer may be polyacrylonitrile, PVC, PVdC, PVA, polybutadiene, polyethylene, polymethyl vinyl ketone, polyphenylene, polystyrene, polyacytylene, polyarylacetylene, polyimide, polyamide, polybenzimidazole, polysemicarbazide, polybenzoxadinone, epoxy resin, furan resin or phenolic resin.    ADVANTAGE -   The cell has improved rechargeability and is economical to make. It exhibits improved stability or flatness of discharge voltage and capacity and can offer high discharge voltage, high energy density and large electric capacity despite having low vol. Dendritic growth of Li during discharge cycles is avoided. (First major country equivalent to J60235372-A)
Housing comprises a one-piece frame made of a glass-fibre-reinforced plastic and has a cross-section in the shape of an inverted U comprising a web and two legs, one of which legs constitutes the outside and one the inside of the frame.    The outside leg is longer than the inside leg, and the web constitutes the support for the glazing of the solar collector. An internal bottom comprises a sheet-like gas-impermeable material. An external bottom is made of a rigid, sheet-like material, and a thermally insulating, foamable plastic substance fills the space defined by the frame, the internal bottom and the external bottom.    The foamable plastic substance is formed and cured simultaneously with the curing of the glass fibre-reinforced plastic constituting the frame.
Reversible electrochemical cells uses as electrode-active material a polyphenylene vinylene conjugated polymer of formula (I) R1 and R2 are each H, alkyl or alkoxy; and m = an integer 2 or more. The polymer is prepd. by: (1) forming a polymeric sulphonium salt of formula (II) R1 and R2 = as above; R3 and R4 are each 1-20C hydrocarbon; X = a counter ion; and n = an integer m or more, and (2) decomposing the polymeric sulphonium salt in an inert atmos.. The cell further comprises an electrolyte.    USE/ADVANTAGE -   The cell is useful in sec. batteries and in electrochromic displays (claimed). The polymer is easier to shape than polyacetylene or polypyrrole electrode-active materials which are insol. and infusible.
New antistatic film (I) contains a thermoplastic polymer film material (II), and an aromatic polymer material prepd. by electrolytic oxidn. polymerisation of an aromatic cpd. (III) on an electrode substrate coated with (II). (I) is obtd. by peeling from the substtrate, and may have a light transmittance (500nm) of more than 50% of that of (II) before electrolytic oxidn. polymerisation, and a surface vol. resistivity of less than 10 to power 8 ohm.cm.    (II) is e.g. poly(vinyl chloride), a copolymer of vinyl chloride and other monomer (e.g. a vinyl ester, a vinyl ether, acrylic acid or its ester, methacrylic acid or its ester, maleic acid or its ester, fumaric acid or its ester, maleic anhydride, styrene, acrylonitrile, methacrylonitrile or propylene), poly(vinylidene chloride), or a copolymer of vinylidene chloride and other monomer (e.g. a vinyl ester, a vinyl ether, acrylonitrile, methacrylonitrile or vinyl chloride). (III) is e.g. pyrrole, 3-methylpyrrole, N-methylpyrrole, thiophene, furan, phenol thiophenol, selenophene, biphenyl, azulene, p- or o-terphenyl, 2-hydroxybiphenyl, diphenyl sulphide, 2(alpha-thienyl) thiophene, 2-alpha-thienyl) furan, 2-(2-pyrrolyl) pyrrole, 2-(2-pyrrolyl) thiophene, 2-phenylthiophene, alpha-thienyl phenyl ether, beta-furyl-alpha-thienyl selenide, 2-(2-pyrrolyl) selenophene, N-vinylcarbazole, N-ethinylcarbazole or methylazulene.    The electrode substrate is e.g. a noble metal such as platinum, gold or vanadium, or an electroconductive metal oxide such as tin oxide or indium oxide.    ADVANTAGE -   (I) has elevated transparency and reduced vol. resistivity.
H2 and O2 are provided to an H2/O2 fuel cell by a system comprising: an H2 generator contg. LiBH4 and Fe2O3; an initiator for the H2 generator; an H2 supply; an O2 generator contg. NaClO3 and Fe metal; an initiator for the O2 generator; and an O2 supply.    ADVANTAGE -   System permits high levels of gas storage in solid form.
A strongly adherent, mechanically strong coating layer of predetermined thickness and opt. with spectrally selective properties is formed on a substrate by applying a dil. soln. of a silicate such as water glass and subsequently removing the solvent.    USE/ADVANTAGE -   The coating layers can be applied e.g. to metals and also to plastics, wood, and combinations of these. The coatings have a hardness approaching that of quartz, are cheap and heat resistant to high temps., chemically resistant, non age-sensitive, and insensitive to shockwise mechanical and thermal loading. Spectrally sensitive layers are useful e.g. for prodn. of solar collectors. The thickness of the coating can be adjusted to a desired value by suitable selection of the concn. of the silicate soln. (6pp)
Vinylviologen deriv. of general formula (I) is new, where R is H or 1-6C aliphatic gp.; R' is H, aliphatic gp. or aromatic gp.; X1 and X2 are same or different anion.    Cpd. (I) is prepd. by dehydrohalogenating cpd. of general formula (II) with base, where X3 and X4 are same or different anion; Y is halogen.    USE/ADVANTAGE -   Cpd. (I) is useful for photosensitive-electrosensitive display material, photovoltaic cell material, mediator of oxidn.-redn. reaction or sensor and has enhanced sensitivity to redn. reaction and high wavelength light absorptivity. Copolymer of cpd. (I) has enhanced stability and resistivity to repetitive employment of oxidn.-redn. reaction.
A zone for generating H2 and a zone for burning fuel gas are partitioned by solid electrolyte which has conductivity of O2 ion, a cathode which also serves as catalyst for redn. is arranged in the generating zone, and an anode which also serves as catalyst of oxidn. is arranged in the fuel burning zone. The device further comprises a path for exhaust gas formed by combustion of fuel gas by O2 ion, which is sepd. from steam by action of the electrolyte, a path for collecting high purity H2 gas generated from steam, and a couple of elements for generating electricity which are arranged in a manner so that their hot side and cold side are facing to the exhaust gas path and to the path respectively. An n-type element is electrically connected to the cathode, and p-type element is connected to the anode.    ADVANTAGE -   Sufficient voltage is generated as the hot side of the coupled element is kept hot by exhaust gas formed by combustion of fuel gas by O2 ion which is generated from the steam, and since cold side of the couple is kept cold by steam before sepg. O2 ion. The voltage is applied from the couple to the electrolyte to promote transmission of O2 ion and redn. of steam. Redn. of steam is promoted by preheating the steam by hot gas formed by combustion through the couple.
Schottky junction element has at least one metal layer selected from Al, In or Ga on surface of p-type organic semiconductor composed of aniline cpd. electroconductive oxidised polymer.    USE/ADVANTAGE -   Rectifying property and oxidn. stability are improved. Used for electronic element of diode or solar cell, etc.    In an example, aniline soln. was produced dissolving 9 ml HCl and aniline (9g) in 180g distilled water, to which was added 10g 97% conc. H2SO4. Peroxo-ammonium sulphate (6g) was added and dissolved in 57g the aniline soln. Au-vapour deposited polyester film (4 x 2.5 cm x 1 mm) was immersed in the aniline soln. After 1 hr., black-green solid was generated and after 3 hrs., electroconductive oxide polymer was deposited on the polyester film. The film was taken out from the soln. and washed with distilled water, dried in vacuum. Thus, p-type organic semiconductor composed of aniline electroconductive oxide polymer thin layer was produced. Al was then vapour-deposited on the p-type organic semiconductor. Pt lead wire was adhered with electroconductive lacquer on electrode and the Al to give Schottky diode. The diode had 1.9 times rectifying ratio and rectifying stability was improved.
The conductor film comprises mainly stannous oxide and tantalum oxide as additive. The conductor film is produced by vapour deposition utilising activation reaction. Film-forming compsn. of stannous oxide and 0.5-10wt.% tantalum oxides is used as evaporating material. Film-formation is carried out at a substrate temp. of 100-400 deg.C; partial pressure of oxygen of 1 x 10 power(-4) to 5 x 10 power(-4) Torr; high frequency power of 10-200 W; and deposition rate of 0.05-10 angstroms.    USE -   For liq. crystal display panels and solar cells.
Polymer has naphtho(2,3-C)thiophene structure of formula (I) as repeating units. R1 and R2 are 1-5C hydrocarbon, methoxy or methylthio.    1,3-dihydronaphtho (2,3-C)thiophene-2-oxide of formula (II) and/or its deriv. is dehydrated and polymerised in polyphosphoric acid solvent to produce poly(1,3-dihydronaphtho(2,3-C) thiophene) and/or its deriv and the product is treated with dehydrogenating agent ot produce poly(1,3-naphtho(2,3-C) thiophene) and/or its deriv.    USE/ADVANTAGE -   Conductivity of the polymer treated with iodine vapour is high and the polymer is useful as electrode, electrochromic indicating element, solid condenser or solar electrode.
Process for prepn. of a porous metal plate comprises: a) applying adhesive (II) onto the surface of a substrate (I); (b) embedding short metal fibre (III), or short metal fibre mixed with metal particulate, onto the substrate, with a predetermined bulk density to form a composite; c) applying pressure to the surface of the composite causing the fibre/mix to fall down; and d) sintering the composite.    Alternatively, a number of composites may be layered prior to applying pressure, in this instance the superposition of the composites is such that the surfaces are opposed to one another. A porous metal plate mfrd. by the above method is also claimed.    USE/ADVANTAGE -   In the prodn. of porous material articles for use in fuel cells, sound absorption and in applications as filter components. Shape and dimensional restrictions of the prior art are no longer a problem. Workability and bending strength of the articles are increased allowing greater field of use.
Appts. having a flow path for an aq. soln. which includes water and Fe-based cpds. which deposit on the interior of the appts., the water being capable of reacting with its environment to form Fe-based cpds., uses an aq. soln. consisting essentially of water having a pH of at least 5.5, an electrical conductivity of less than or equal to one micro-ohm/cm, a solids content of less than 1 ppm, the solids content including an amt. of Fe based cpds. other than ferric hydrous oxide, and the water further contg. ferric hydrous oxide of a character than retards the deposition of the Fe based cpds. on the interior of the appts..    USE/ADVANTAGE -   The invention reduces deposition of Fe cpds. on the interior of conduits used for transporting the water, esp. in fuel cell powerplants, steam raising boilers, etc., thus overcoming formation of blockages in the conduit system, e.g. in small orifices used for controlling the distribution of coolant throughout a cooling system, and which may cause an inadequate supply of coolant to a critical location within the fuel cell stack.
A hydronium ion conducting solid electrolyte powder is bonded into dense polycrystalline shaped bodies by: shaping a powder mixt. of a hydronium contg. powder and a binder selected from hydronium conducting organic polymers and phosphates; and curing to form a dense polycrystalline ceramic. A specific binder is aq. o-H3PO4.    Specifically hydronium-contg. powder is obtd. by converting a precursor powder selected from Na and Na/K beta/beta''-alumina, Na zirpsios, Gasicon, Yasicon and poly-antimonic acid. Amt. of o-H3PO4 in the mixt. is 15-30 wt.% of total mixt. wt.    USE/ADVANTAGE -   As e.g. membranes in H2 fuel cells, H2 detectors and steam electrolysers. High quality prods. having proton affinity at temps. above 100 deg.C are obtd. without need for high-temp. sintering.
(A) A continuous hydrogen fuel supply is provided for a fuel cell system by (a) passing a gaseous water/methanol mixt. to a heat exchanger for superheating; (b) passing the superheated mixt. into a catalytic reactor for endothermic reaction to form hydrogen; (c) directing the hydrogen to the fuel electrode of a fuel cell; (d) directing air into the oxygen electrode of the fuel cell for electricity prodn.; and (e) exhausting the gaseous effluent from the fuel electrode, burning the combustible portion of the effluent in a burner and feeding the burner exhaust to the heat exchanger.    (B) A hydrogen prodn. process comprises superheating a gaseous water/methanol mixt. to 700-1100 def.F and then feeding the mixt to a catalytic reactor to produce hydrogen, at least a major portion of the heat for catalytic reaction being extracted from the superheated mixt.    (C) Also claimed are (i) an integrated methanol steam reformer, combustion chamber and methanol superheater unit, and (ii) integrated appts. for hydrogen and electricity prodn.    ADVANTAGE -   Hydrogen prodn. is effected in a thermally efficient steam reformer of reduced size and cost and which can be integrated with a fuel cell power system or used for hydrogen generation alone.
New radical ion salts are N,N'-dicyanoquinone-diimine salts of formula (I): R1-4 independently = H, Me, Et, Ph, MeO, EtO, F, Cl or Br; R1 and opt. R3 can also = t-Bu; and/or R3 + R4 = a condensed benzo, di-, tri-, tetra- or penta-methylene, methylene-oxymethylene or methylenedioxy gp. of the formula: (i), (ii), (iii) or (iv) z = 0, 1, 2 or 3; the condensed aromatic rings may have 1 or 2 Cl, Br, Me and/or MeO substits.; Mm = an m-valent alkali(ne earth) or transition metal, Sn, Pb, Tl, ammonium, phosphonium, arsonium or stibonium ion; k = 1-5; 1 = 0.1-4; m = 1-3; n = 0.1-4; x = 0-2; y = 0-6; k, 1, n, x and y can = fractions; (1+x) = n.m.    USE/ADVANTAGE -   (I) are claimed for antistatic finishing of plastics; as electrodes or storage material in electric batteries; for the prodn. of solar cells; in fuel cells; for conversion of radiation; or for the mfr. of electronic devices. (I) have high electroconductivity in the microcrystalline state, which is usually much higher in monocrystals and much higher than that of salts based on tetracyanoquinodimethane (TCNQ) and Cu or Ag (e.g. 0.005 s/cm for TCNQ.Cu salt and 0.02 5/cm for the corresp. (I) salt). (I) are thermostable up to 300 deg.C and over and are useful as semi- and photo-conductors. Microcrystalline (I) films can also be used to make bistable electrical switches.
A fuel cell consisting of a number of cells in an enclosure (12) uses a water soln. in its cooling system (20) to exchange heat or generate steam. The coolant is water with a pH of 5.5-8.5 a conductivity of less than 1 microSiemens/cm and contains an additive of less than 1 ppm of FeOOH particles. The additive is generated in a unit (122), see fig.5, through the controlled corrosion of Fe or Fe-based alloys. It is then added to the cooling water (20) via pipeline 96b, pump 84 and valve 102.    The generator (122) uses recycled water via 96a and some of the used cooling water via 146. Some of the recycled water is used to generate steam which is sprayed into the reaction chamber 136. The O2-content of the coolant is controlled to between 20 and 400 ppb and the alkalinity to 0.2 ppm in the form of CaCO3.    USE/ADVANTAGE -   The equipment is capable of maintaining the correct compsn. of the coolant soln. for efficient operation of the fuel-cells. The equipment is used in conjuction with a fuel-cell which generates heat in a watery soln. used for heat-transfer.
In a system for reforming fuel by steam in pressence of catalyst a pipe for delivering reformed gas is branched with valves arranged in branched pipes, with heat-exchanger and a gas-water separator connected in the order to one of the valves.    Reforming system is purified in starting period or when operating system immediately after changing catalyst by introducing steam, flow rate of which is higher than in rated operating condition of system.    ADVANTAGE -   Fine particles of catalyst will not be involved in reformed gas supplied to fuel anode.
System uses air with lower oxygen density than normal air, and inflammable gas is burnt in presence of combustion catalyser. Combustion heat is used as necessary reacting heat for quality improving reaction.    USE/ADVANTAGE -   Combustion catalyser is formed in two separate zone, i.e. high temp. side and low temp. side centering around heat transferring filler layer so volume of used catalyser is reduced. Oxidn. combustion by combustion catalyser is done avoiding outer position of catalyser layer of reacting tube so local oxidn. reaction caused by uneven filling density of catalyser is eliminated. Formation of hot spot is accurately protected.
(A) The following thin film solar cell modules are claimed: (i) a module comprising several thin film solar cell panels, each panel being positioned optically in series with all the others so that light can pass through the panels to produce electrical current in each panel; (ii) a module comprising a first solar cell panel contg. an array of thin film silicon (TFS) solar cells and a second solar cell panel contg. an array of thin film copper indium diselenide (CIS) solar cells, the two panels being sepd. by a transparent insulating layer; (iii) a module comprising (a) a first solar cell panel contg. an array of solar cells consisting of a TFS semiconductor sandwiched between a transparent conductive zinc oxide layer and a transparent conductive tin oxide layer deposited on a transparent substrate and (b) a second solar cell panel contg. an array of solar cells consisting of a CIS semiconductor sandwiched between a zinc oxide semiconductor layer deposited on an insulating substrate, the zinc oxide semiconductor contg. a first thin high resistivity zinc oxide layer and a second thick low resistivity zinc oxide layer, the transparent conductive zinc oxide layer of the first panel facing the low resistivity zinc oxide layer of the second panel, the first and second panels being sepd. by a transparent insulating layer.    ADVANTAGE -   The photoconductive device provides max. utilisation of light energy and has enhanced efficiency.
Polytungstic acid, with peroxo gps. and opt. heterocarbon atoms, of formula WO3.xCO2.yH2O2.zH2O (I) are new. (where x = 0-0.25 y = 0.05-1, z = 0.16-4). Prepn. of (I) involves dissolution of metallic tungsten or tungsten carbide in aq. H2O2 soln.    Also claimed is a radiation sensitive material contg. (I).    USE/ADVANTAGE -   (I) is useful for display electrodes of electrochromic display devices, inorganic photoresists for IC prodn., catalysts in chemical reactions, solid electrolyte in fuel cells, moisture sensitive devices in moisture sensors, and interference films e.g. for photomagnetic storage devices. It has good solubility in water and allows prodn. of excellent flat films with high mechanical strength by wet processes (e.g. spin or spray coating). It has high proton conductivity and excellent electrochromism, is insoluble on irradiation with UV light, electron beams or x-ray beams, is very resistant to O2 plasmas, has high refractive index (n = greater than 2 at 6328 Angstroms), is transparent to visible light, strongly absorbs UV light and is an excellent acid catalyst.
In a method of thermally decomposing of rare earth concentrate powder by adding solid alkali or alkali aq. soln., at least the bottom of the reaction vessel is formed by moulded material of graphite or graphite contg. material.    USE/ADVANTAGE -   Used for treating rare earth gps. contg. monazite, xenotime or bastnaesite, which are used in electronic industry as a fluorescent substance, laser material, bubble memories and permanent magnets.
The method involves forming electrodes on amorphous semiconductors by forming electrically conductive film by sputtering.    USE -   The method is for thin electrodes of a-Si solar cells. The electrode thin film obtd. by this method, has high adherence with the substrate and highly dense, no lattice defects and maintains over 90% performance for longer service life.
A compsn. contg. (i) an organic solvent-soluble, curable polyimide of formula (I) and (ii) a polymerisation initiator is new. X and X1-4 are a tetravalent carbocyclic or heterocyclic residue; Y1-Y3 are a divalent carbocyclic or heterocyclic residue; at least one of Z1 and Z2 is a residue with a reactive C:C bond, and l, m and n are integers 0-20. The compsn. opt. further contains (iii) a cpd. contg. at least one C:C bond; and/or (iv) a specified imide cpd., and/or (v) a specified photosensitive polyimide precursor.    USE/ADVANTAGE -   Use of the compsn. is claimed for forming heat-resistant films on which images can be printed by optical means. Typical uses are in semiconductor passivation films, alpha-ray shielding films, flexible PCBs, insulation layers for multilayer circuit boards, solar cell insulation films, magnetic tapes, magnetic disc bases, coil insulation films, carrier tapes in IC or LSI prodn. and LSI layer insulating or surface-protecting films, or as molecularly-oriented films for liq. crystal display devices. The compsn. does not always require high-temp. imidation treatment and has good adhesion to substrates. It has good heat resistance and is heat-or light-curable. There is a marked redn. in residual stress in the polyimide skeleton cf. prior-art polyimides; step-coverage and cross-sectional shape are also improved.
An electrochemical cell component comprises two planarly dis-posed electrodes bonded to or intimately pressed against opposing sides of a proton exchange active film, the film having (a) sulphonyl ion exchange active gps. present in their protonated form; (b) an equiv. wt. of less than ca. 1000 and (c) a storage modulus of greater than ca. 1x10 power 8 dynes/cm2 at a temp. greater than ca. 110 deg. C.    Pref. the cells are made by bonding gas-absorbing metal electrodes on opposite sides of theproton exchange active film, esp. where the anode is made from Pt black, Ru black, or a mixt. of tungsten oxides, and the cathode is of noble metals or noble metal blacks, esp. Pt black. The cell is made comprising an anode chamber and a cathode chamber in contact with and sepd. by the proton exchange film. A fuel such as pure H2 or a reformed hydrocarbon is fed into the fuel chamber adjacent to the anode and an oxidant such as air, pure O2, Br2 or Cl2 is fed into the chamber adjacent to the cathode, and the fuel is reacted electrochemically with the oxidant to produce electrical energy and steam.    ADVANTAGE -   Use of the polymer films allows a redn. in the equiv. wt. of the solid polymer electrolyte while at the same time limiting the water uptake of the polymer film per functional gp., compared to prior art films. The ionic conductivity of the films is also higher. The films have physical properties enabling them to be used in higher temp. proton exchange polymer film fuel cells, thus allowing max. efficiency of conversion of fuel gas available energy to valuable electrical energy, while recovering the max. amt. of total electrical and heat energy possible.
Electrochemical converter is formed by: forming a set of solid oxide electrolyte plates 50-750 micron thick by plasma spraying; coating the plates with a fuel electrode material on one side and oxidiser electrode material on the other, forming a stack with alternating corrugated interconnector plates of 100-1000 micron thick Ni alloy, or 50-300 micron SiC, or 25-250 micron Pt alloy to form grooves for gas passage and also electrical contact; and sintering the stack to fuse adjacent plates.    USE/ADVANTAGE -   In electricity generators, coal gasifiers and co-generation systems (all claimed). Converters form free-standing modules which are easy to make, robust and provide a high power-to-weight ratio.
A multijunction silicon solar cell of high efficiency is provided by providing a tunnel junction between the solar cell junctions to connect them in series. The tunnel junction is comprised of p(+) and n(+) layers of high band gap 3-5 or 2-6 semiconductor materials that match the lattice structure of silicon, such as GaP (band gap 2.24 eV) or ZnS (band gap 3.6 eV), each of which has a perfect lattice match with silicon to avoid defects normally associated with lattice mismatch.
A fuel cell having an electrolyte compsn. comprising one or more phosphonic acids of formula R-((CH2)n-P(=O)(OH)2)m (I) or R'-P(=O)(OH)2 (II) is claimed, where m=1-3; n=0 or 1; R= hydroxyalkyl, phenyl, alkyl, alkylphenyl, vinyl halophenyl, halomethylphenyl, amino, ammonia or ((HO)2-P(=O)-CH2)2-N-(CH2)2-NH2; R'=hydroxyalkyl, alkyl, phenyl, alkylphenyl, vinyl, haloalkyl, halophenyl or halomethylphenyl.
The fuel cell (20) is built up from an assembly (25) of plates (26) which are fuel cell segments. Each such segment has a honeycomb form of fuel openings (36) and oxidant openings (37). The inner wall of each such sub-cell is either an anode or a cathode, and is separated from its neighbour by electrolyte material. The cell plates (26) are connected in series by separate connector section assemblies (27). A collector electrode (28) at each end of the cell is electrically joined to a connector section (27).    The cathode material is Lanthanum Manganite (LeMnO3) and the anode is Cobalt Yttrium stabilised Zirconium oxide cermet (Co+ZrO2Y2O3). The electrolyte is Zirconium oxide and the connecting material, as used in the connector section assemblies (27) is Lanthanum chromate (LaCrO3).    ADVANTAGE -   Honeycomb assembly is almost entirely composed of active material thus giving good power/weight ratio.
Prodn. of a semiconductor device on a semiconductor substrate (I) involves producing field and gate oxide films, deposition of a poly-Si film, structurisation of the poly-Si and gate oxide films, doping of the source-drain zone, deposition and structurisation of an insulating film and deposition of metal wiring tracks. The novel features are that: (1) after purificn. of (I), high temp. treatment is carried out for 0.5-2 h at 1080-1120 deg.C in an atmos. contg. N2, O2 and HCl in 100:50:1 ratio and then for 5-9 h in a N2 .; (2) in all subsequent high temp treatment processes during mfr. (I) is passed into and out of a high temp zone at 800-850 deg.C at a rate of 100 mm/min and heated up or cooled down at 3-5 K/min, heat-up taking place after a dwell time of ca. 15 min; and (3) after prodn. of the source-drain zone and deposition of at thick insulating film on the back of (I), gettering is carried out on the back surface of (I) for 15-30 min at 950-1050 deg.C in an atmos. of a mixt. of POCl3, N2 and O2, then a 250-350 nm thick section is etched from the insulating film.    USE/ADVANTAGE -   The process is esp. useful in the prodn. of highly integrated memory circuits with satisfactory storage and regeneration time, CCD or CMOS circuits, solar cells and bipolar circuits. The gettering process is economical and ensures a high yield.
The method involves producing glow discharge in low pressure reactive gas atmos., coupled with irradiation with ultraviolet light to deposit reaction prods. on a base board.    USE -   The method is used in the mfr. of Si thin film semiconductor photoelectric converters such as solar cells.
The reaction chamber is sepd. into two chambers by a barrier plate having a transparent window withht many vent holes, and one chamber has a light source and a buffering gas inlet port in the wall, and in the other chamber, a baseplate holder is provided in the wall. A set of driving roller and winding roller are provided for the transparent sheet which runs in a position near to the transparent window.    USE/ADVANTAGE -   Light intensity from the source is maintained at a constant value, so that deposition speed is never decreased and efficient operation is performed. The appts. is esp. suitable for the prodn. of amorphous silicon solar batteries.
Method of producing a thin film (e.g. a transparent conductive film for amorphous semiconductor solar cell such as SnO2 film) from a mist includes supporting a substrate e.g. a glass substrate) (1) with the surface down, atomising a raw material soln. e.g. contg. SnCl4, SnCl3 and HCl and blowing it against the surface while heating the undersurface of the substrate.    The opposite sides of the surface that are in contact with supporting members (3) are heated (at 7,7).
Used phosphoric acid type fuel cells using Pt-loaded carbon electrodes are fired in an oxidising atmos.. The residue is heated for melting Pt in the residue and the obtd. Pt is sepd. and recovered from the residue.    ADVANTAGE -   Pt in fuel cells may be easily recovered in a dry process without using aqua regia or reducing agents.
Phthalocyanine dyes or metal salts of formula (I) are new. In (I), R = 4-22C alkyl.    Prepn. of the dye or its salt comprises condensing phthalonitrile of formula (I) in presence or absence of metal ion-supplying cpd..    USE/ADVANTAGE -   The phthalocyanine deriv. has good solubility in organic solvents, e.g., benzene, toluene, dichloromethane or acetonitrile and forms mono molecular films on the surface of water. In the mono molecular film each phthalocyanine ring is arranged in parallel to the water surface. The phthalocyanine deriv. is useful as a photoreaction sensitiser, fuel cell, devulcanising catalyst, solar cell, etc. by utilising its catalytic or semiconductor activity.
(JP94101336-B2)      The metal material for the separator of a fused carbonate fuel battery contains (in wt.%): carbon 0.15-0.40; silicon 0.3-1.5; manganese 0.5-1.5; chromium 23-30; nickel 23-30; and iron and an impurity including at least aluminium the remainder. The inclusion of aluminium or yttrium in amt. 0.05-1.0% improves oxidn. resistance.    In the material, carbon provides strength, silicon and manganese act as deoxidising agents, chromium improves corrosion resistance, and nickel stabilises the system.    The electrolyte for the battery is Li2CO3 or K2CO3, and the battery operates by supplying hydrogen to the anode and air and CO2 gas to the cathode.    ADVANTAGE -   The separator has improved corrosion resistance and stability.
Solar cell, with a photoanode based on CuInS2 semiconductor material (I), contains inpurity phases in (I), i.e. In2S3, in and/or Cu2-xS (x=0-1), each in a concn. of 0.5-5% and an energy gap of ca. 1.5 eV.    Pref. the photoanode consists of layers of synthetic (I), which are subjected to surface treatment, esp. polishing and/or etching. The working electrode has a low ohmic back contact formed by an In-Ga alloy (90:10 or 77:33 mole-% mixing ratio) and a 2-component conducting sliver between the ca. 0.2 mm thick photoactive (I) and a brass holder and is clad with silicone rubber for electrical insulation. The electrolyte is an aq. soln. of 1M CalI2, 50mM I2 and 2.5 M HI. Alternatively, the cell is a solid state cell with a surface modified by electrochemical treatment and a fromt contact of Au and/or Cr in the form of transmitting film, grating etc., esp. a ca. 20-200 A thick metal film. This pref. is completely covered with an antireflection coating.    ADVANTAGE -   Cells with this photoanode covert light into electrics electrical energy with good efficiency.
Thin-film solar module comprises first electrode pads (20) on a substrate; a semiconductor photovoltaic layer (16) over each electrode; second electrode pads (22) formed over each photovoltaic region and overlapping the first electrode pad of an adjacent photovoltaic region. Localised conductive paths (28,30) extending through the semiconductor layer from a second electrode pad to a first electrode pad it overlaps, so that the photovoltaic regions are connected in series. The conductive paths are discrete regions spaced from each other within the plane of the module.    ADVANTAGE -   The cell interconnects are formed rapidly, effectively and cleanly.
A solar cell, comprising a semiconductor body contg. a pn-junction and having a reflection-reducing layer on its obverse side and a back contact on its reverse side, has at least one front contact applied directly on the reflection-reducing layer of insulating material so that charge carriers pass from the body to the front contact by tunnelling through the reflection-reducing layer.    ADVANTAGE -   The solar cell is esp. useful in the low radiation intensity range and can be contacted in simple manner without ultrasonic welding.
Reformer/shift reactor comprises combustion chamber, reformation reaction chamber and shift reaction chamber. Combustion chamber, having first wall, comprises premixer section, combustion catalyst region and exhaust region. Combustion catalyst, such as platinum, palladium or rhodium on an alumina substrate, is supported in chamber by stainless steel or Inconel retainer. Fuel is supplied to combustion chamber through supply line, and an oxidant is supplied through oxidant supply line. Reformation reaction chamber is formed about the combustion chamber between second wall and first wall, such that reformation chamber is in heat exchange relationship with combustion chamber. Reformer catalyst, such as platinum, palladium, rhodium or a nickel compound on an alumina substrate is supported on a stainless steel mesh. Shift reaction chamber is formed between third wall and second wall such that gaseous fluid can pass from reformation reaction chamber to shift reaction chamber through passageway around wall and heat can be transferred into reformation reaction chamber through shared wall. Shift catalyst such as iron/chromium or chromium is packed into shift reaction chamber. Wall is insulated from heat loss by coating.    ADVANTAGE -   Thermal and spacial efficiency improvements can be obtd. from the same size reformer by packing the conventional product chamber with water/gas shift catalyst, transforming the prod. chamber into a second reaction chamber, whilst fuel efficiency is improved by using a combustion catalyst rather than a conventional burner assembly. (Provisional basic previously advised in week 8640)
Prodn. of arrays for use in photosensitive elements is effected by contacting a monolayer of a metal complex (I) with an aq. soln. of a metal complex (II), where (I) has a linking agent attached to its metal atom and the linking agent thus forms an interlayer linkage between the metal atoms in monolayers of (I) and (II) so that the metal atoms are stacked one above the other.    USE -   The arrays may be used in photodiodes, photoconductors and photovoltaic cells.
Compsn. contains a bisphenol epoxy resin(s) the sum of xiXi being 400-1000 where xi is the wt.% of the epoxy resin i on the basis of all epoxy resins used and Xi is the mean mol.wt. of the epoxy resin i, 20-50 wt. pts. of an acid anhydride curing agent of which 10-65 mol % is modified by esterification with a polyalcohol on the basis of 100 wt.pts. of the epoxy resin(s) and 1-5 wt.pts. of an organic metal cpd. on the basis of 100 wt.pts. of the epoxy resin + the curing agent.    If two epoxy resins (30 and 70 wt.% and mean mol. wts. 2000 and 500 respectively) are used, the sum xiXi = 0.3 x 2000 + 0.7 x 500 = 950.    USE/ADVANTAGE -   Compsn. gives a coat with excellent curing characteristics in the air, light transmission properties, surface hardness, wear, heat, water, weather, scratching and flexing resistance, adhesion to battery surface, screen printability and printing dimensional accuracy.
Thin film forming appts. comprises a reaction vessel (10), pulsating ray source (6), raw material gas introducing means (8), (9) and controls (5), (7). The gas introducing means uses raw material gases (1), (2) introduced into the reaction vessel for a fixed time while the introduction of the gases is synchronised with pulsating rays. The thin film is formed on a base plate (14) placed in the vessel by irradiating pulsating rays into the raw material gases. The pulsating rays have a wavelength which is absorbed into the raw material gases.    The formation of thin film is carried out by introducing raw material gases for a fixed time to form the thin film.    USE/ADVANTAGE -   For making LSI, MOSLSI or solar battery. The amounts of raw material gases used may be reduced. Thin film may be formed at high speed in high efficiency. The prods. may be produced in high yields and the reliability is improved because the film has high quality.
Heat exchanger cools gas exhausted from fuel battery system and condenses water in the gas. Water tank retaining condensed water is connected to the heat exchanger by pipe. Water supply pump sends the water from the tank to the system by suction. Relief valve eliminated extra water from outlet of the pump to the tank. In this water recovery system, ejector is driven by the excluded water. Orifice is arranged at connecting suction inlet of the ejector.    ADVANTAGE -   Recovered water is obtd. at reduced pressure without reducing system efficiency. Degassing is increased and corrosion of cooling system is decreased.
Thin-film solar cell comprises: a transparent substrate; a duel-layer transparent electrode; a photoelectric conversion section formed on the second layer of the electrode; and a reflective electrode layer. The first layer of the transparent electrode is formed of large-size grains and has a rough upper surface; and the second layer has a small-size grains and smooths the electrode surface. Pref. both layers are formed of SnO2.    ADVANTAGE -   Electrical problem caused by sharp crystal grain tips in the transparent electrode layer are prevented by inclusion of the second layer. (First major country equivalent to J61216489-A)
Photo-electric conversion element having a transparent front electric pole, has a light activating layer and a rear electric pole, the light activating layer contg. an azo pigment having the formula (I) (A = coupler residue).    USE/ADVANTAGE -   Used for photosensors or image sensors for organic solar cells. The light activating layer is produced by coating with an azo pigment dispersion, and the prodn. cost is lowered. High conversion efficiency is obtd..    In an example, 1.8 g azo pigment of formula (I) and 18 g butyral resin were ) dissolved in tetrahydrofuran (5%) + 7.2 g tetrahydrofuran, were ball-milled for 24 hrs to give a slurry.
An adherent metal deposit is formed on an exposed surface of a conductive ceramic by: contacting the surface with an aq. soln. contg. ions of the metal; contacting an opposite surface of the ceramic with an ionically conducting aq. liq.; and passing dc from a cathode in the liq. to an anode in the soln..    Pref. metal is one or more of NI, Co, Cu, Pt, Ag and Au.    USE/ADVANTAGE -   As a support for a multilayered solid oxide fuel cell tube. (claimed) An adherent stress-free layer is deposited in a low cost process.
A solar module has a solar cell embedded in synthetic resin, at the edge of which there is at least one means of fixing the module (e.g. hole, pin etc.)    In an example, solar cells (7) are embedded in resin (2), together with two frame members (10,11); these members have respectively (10) a fixing hole (12) and (11) a threaded fixing pin (13). By these means the module can readily be attached to a backing, with or without an intermediate spacer to allow air to pass over the underside of the module.    The polymer (2) can be made with recesses for the solar cells (7), the wire (3) between them, and the gripping devices for the module and frames (10,11). This has the advantage that all the constituent parts then have approx. the same thermal expansion. The frame members (10,11) can be metal, glass cloth, or various types of resins (e.g. epoxy, acrylic etc.) The polymer (2) can be e.g. thermoplastic films welded together.    ADVANTAGES -   The module can easily be firmly attached. It has a stable mechanical construction and is cheaply made.
Solar cell with p-, i- and n-type amorphous semiconductor layers has metal thin film with high work function, formed between p-type amorphous semiconductor layer and light-permeable conductive semiconductor layer.    USE -   Solar cell is used for power supply. (J56114384-A)
(JP93050820-B)      Producing electrode for fuel cell comprises fixing an electrolyte to a catalyst layer formed on a C base board, before assembling the fuel cells. The content of the electrolyte is 30-95% of the pore vol. of the catalyst layer.    USE -   Used for improving the life of the cell. (J61206171-A)
Planar multi-junction electrochemical cell comprises: a container (18), a membrane (16) defining first and second chambers (20,22); pairs of electrodes (24,26) on either side of and in contact with the membrane; and electrical connections (28,30) for the electrodes.    Cell is an electrochemical pump in which a voltage is applied to the electrodes; or is a fuel cell in which fuel gas is supplied to one chamber and oxidant gas to the other.    ADVANTAGE -   Arrangement of individual cells on one membrane in a single chamber eliminates need for many chamber walls and inlet and outlet lines.
In solar cells with a transparent base electrode of (doped) Sn oxide and an amorphous Si (a-Si) semiconductor body contg. an intrinsic layer (i-layer) doped with P between a pSiC zone and an n-zone, the novelty is that the P doping profile in the i-layer increases in the direction of the i/n junction.    Pref. the P concn. at the p-SiC/i-junction is 0 ppm in the a-Si and increases to 3-10 ppm at the o-n-junction. The i-layer is 0.2-1.0 microns thick. The base electrode consists of F-doped Sn oxide.    ADVANTAGE -   Ageing by light is avoided and the solar cells are stable, to not show the Staebler-Wronski effect and are highly efficient.
Solar array has an electrically insulating matrix with photovoltaic particles e.g. Si, each particle having a P-type region and an N-type region which forms a junction, tap particles being secured in the matrix. One of the regions extends to one of the surfaces of the matrix and the other region extends to the other of the surface, the junction extending to the matrix. Metallisation interconnects the regions of the particles extending to one of the surfaces, and includes a transparent electrically conductive layer disposed on one surface and electrically conductive whiskers in the electrically conductive layer.    Pref. the electrically conductive layer is tin oxide, indium oxide, and alloys of indium oxide and tin oxide.    ADVANTAGE -   Efficiency is higher than in prior art array.
A solid oxide electrolyte plate having electrodes on each face is made by (a) suspending powders of the oxide in a working gas; (b) passing the suspension through an arc discharge to melt the particles; (c) depositing the molten particles on a flat substrate having a deg. of surfac roughness provided by irregularities 0.00032-0.000064 in. in size. (d) coding the molten layer to solidify; (e) removing the solid oxide electrolyte (3) from the substrate; (f) sintering at 1400-1600 deg.C; (g) flame depositing fuel electrodes material (5) on one surface of the solid electrolyte and (b) depositing oxidised electrode material (4) on the other surface of the solid electrolyte.    USE/ADVANTAGE -   The plate is useful in fuel cells or an electrolayer (fuel synthesiser). The solid oxide electrolyte is deposited at high density approaching 90% theoretical, so there is low shrinkage on sintering e.g. 2% linear shrinkage, allowing precision shaping and dimensional control. The plate structure may be up to 10 in dia. and opt. in the form of corrugated discs or discs having holes and flanges as well as flat discs. The resulting cells operate efficiently at high temps.
Photoelectric converter for solar cells - has reflection suppression layer covering upper and side faces of chemically active 3rd semiconductor layer formed on 2nd semiconductor layer, except electrodes. (J56116674-A)
Transparent electroconductive film is prepd. by forming plasma-polymerised film of tetramethyl Sn and O2 on a substrate and has electroconductivity of 1 x 10 power-3 - 1 x 10 power-2 S/cm and rectifying factor of at least 5. The electroconductive film is prepd. in a bell jar type reactor. A glass plate having In/Sn oxide film with surface reactivity of 15 ohm/cm2 is placed on the lower electrode and the electrode is heated to 50-200 deg. C. Gaseous tetramethyl Sn is fed into the reactor at a feed rate by controlling the temp. or pressure of monomer container.    O2 and carrier gas (e.g. N2, Ar or He) are fed into the reactor at a flow rate of at least 10 times of tetramethyl Sn. High frequency wave having frequency of most pref. 13.56 MHz is applied to the upper parallel plate electrode under deg. of vacuum of 0.001-100 Torrs and tetramethyl Sn is low temp. gas plasma polymerised to provide electroconductive film.    USE/ADVANTAGE -   The film has rectifying activity and high chemical and physical stability and high mechanical strength. It is used as an electrode material for image tubes for various display elements and solar cell, as photoelectric conversion elements or as selective light wave transmission film for solar cell or I.R. rays.
Transparent electroconductive film is prepd. by introducing gaseous tetramethyl Sn and O2 in amt. of 10 times of tetramethyl Sn into plasma reactor and applying high frequency voltage to form plasma and to form film polymerised by plasma on substrate.    Amt. of O2 in gaseous mixt. controls electroconductivity of formed Sn oxide film. Amt. of O2 of at least 100 times of tetramethyl Sn reduces film-forming rate or degrades deg. of vacuum in reactor. Plasma is pref. low temp. gas plasma produced by applying high frequency voltage of 13.56 MHz for its easy generation and stability and glow uniformity.    USE/ADVANTAGE -   Process uses commercially simple equipment to provide transparent electroconductive film with stable properties on wide range of substrates. Film has high transparency, electroconductivity and chemical, mechanical and physical resistance. It is useful for image tubes for various display elements, electrodes for solar cell, photoelectric conversion element or selectively I.R. ray transmissible film by laminating with Au or Al.
(JP93043193-B)      Organic solar cell comprises a carrier generating layer and carrier transport layer formed between 2 electrodes. The generating layer is made by vacuum vapour deposition of, at least a Quinacridone pigment and the transport layer is composed of a resin-dispersed cpd. film.    Cell is used for power sources. (J61202481-A)
The fuel-cell comprises switching valves which open at the time of the urgent stop of the device or the suspension of electric power and which are arranged outside a cell vessel. Differential pressure detector sense the differential pressures of an excess fuel pressure and an excess air pressure with respect to a nitrogen pressure in the cell vessel respectively. Pressure controllers direct the opening and closing operations of a fuel differential pressure control valve and an air differential pressure control valve in response to the outputs of the differential pressure detector respectively.    Electricity is produced by an electrochemical reaction and can be stopped promptyl by replacing a fuel gas and air supply with nitrogen gas.    USE/ADVANTAGE -   Fuel cell. Avoids large differential pressure fluctuation after emergency shut down. (First major country equivalent to J61200673)
In mfg. method for acetylene high polymer by polymerisation of acetylene in presence of catalyst system comprising mainly transition metal element cpd. and organic metal cpd. improvement comprises using acetylene with purity of over 99.99% as acetylene material.    USE/ADVANTAGE -   It was difficult to obtain acetylene high polymer from high purity acetylene (about 99.9%). Invention provides mfg. method of high performance acetylene high polymer using highly pure acetylene (over 99.99%) , useful for prim. and sec. batteries, solar battery and photoconductive material.
Fuel reformer comprises reforming catalyst-filled reaction tube for producing hydrogen rich gas and combustion catalyst-filled combustion section for heating reaction tube, and methanol supply means for combustion of methanol fuel at combustion section.    ADVANTAGE -   Time necessary for raising temp. is shortened.
Fuel cell power plant comprises an internal reforming-type fuel cell supplied with fuel gas and oxidising gas; and a fuel processor which is supplied with reaction heat and which modifies a fuel gas into an H2 fuel gas for supply to the cell.    Fuel gas is pref. a hydrocarbon or an alcohol and part is supplied direct to the cell and part to the fuel processor.    ADVANTAGE -   System can operate stably for long periods over conditions of widely ranging load demand. (First major country equivalent to J61193371-A)
Molten alkali metal carbonate fuel cell operates by supplying to a porous anode a fuel gas mixt. obtd. by gasifying natural C material and contg. 10-35 vol.% CO and 1-10 ppm H2S, the porous anode comprising 0.5-20 wt.% of an S-tolerant water gas shift catalyst (I) and the balance Ni and/or Co. (I) is one or more of Cr2O3, FeO, Fe2O3, Fe3O4, Al2O3, LiAlO2, LiCrO2, MoO2, MoO3 and WO3.    ADVANTAGE -   Over 25 vol.%, pref. over 50 vol.% of the water gas shift equilibrium conversion of CO to H2 obtd. with no. of H2S present is maintained in the presence of the H2S (claimed).
Fuel cell has a stack of porous catalytic anode and cathode plates separated by electrolyte, bipolar impermeable current collectors with grooved faces and apertured plastic casings between and in contact with each pair of adjacent electrodes, plastic casings for the electrodes with apertures registering with those in the other casings to define channels for electrolyte and fuel gas, grooves in the cathode casings from the apertures to the electrolyte spaces, and an insulating grille fixed to alternate electrode casings occupying the whole thickness of each electrolyte space.    Casings and grille may be of polypropylene, polyethylene, polyvinyl chloride, acrylonitrile-butadiene-styrene, copolymer, polysulphone, polystyrene, or nylon.    ADVANTAGE -   Short circuits are prevented.
Filter for cooling water of a fuel cell includes a high-temp. filter. Part of untreated cooling water that is pumped from a gas-liquid separator is passed through a filter medium and the remaining untreated cooling water is flowed through a passage along the filter medium.
Appts. has a high temp. purifying system that uses a high-temp filter to purify the cooling water at high temp, and a low-temp. purifying system. The temp of part of the cooling water is lowered through a heat exchanger and the part is purified using an ion exchange resin.
(JP93015072-B)      Baseboard comprises a stainless plate contg. grains of non-metallic impurities exposed at the surface; one grain of 5 microns or more in mean dia. appears per sq. mm and 50 grains of 2-5 microns in mean dia. appear per sq. mm.    USE -   For improving the surface smoothness of the plate.
An electrochemical fuel cell comprises at least one electrode with a catalytic surface for a gas phase reaction, and an acid electrolyte. A layer bonded to the catalytic surface, comprises a fluorinated acid-contg. polymer of formula: R1-CF=CF-R2-X, X= -SO3H, -PO3H2, -P(R)-O2H, -B(R)OH, -P(OR)OH, Si(OR)2OH or -CO2H, R and R1 = F or 1-10C perfluoroalkyl, R2 = (CFR3)n, n =0-5, R3 =F or 1-3C perfluoroalkyl.    Pref. X= -PO3H, or -P(R)O2H, or pref. -SO3H. The electrode has a surface of 5 mg/cm2 of 10% Pt/C; and the layer comprises 1.5-2.5 mg/cm2 of perfluorohydrocarbon binding material and 1-10 mg/cm2 of polymer.    USE/ADVANTAGE -   Improved performance for fuel cells operating with phosphoric acid electrolyte.
Method and appts. to fuse nuclei of H with sunlight radiation received through C contd. in water, for mol. binding H in water, producing H2 gas and electrons of O in produced water mols. which move to anode in water.
Photovoltaic cell comprises; a conductive substrate; a CsF-type layer comprising a non-stoichiometric lower layer and a p+ doped non-stoichiometric upper layer with a graded interface and also contg. a morphology-stabilising amt. of a VIA element; and a transparent conductive metallic upper layer, pref. Ti.    VIA element is pref. S. p+ dopant is pref. B. Photovoltaic compsn. of Cs, F and B contg. a VIA element is claimed.    USE/ADVANTAGE -   Cell is used in a solar cells (claimed). Solar cells.
Metal tin or a tin alloy is moulded into pellets having rod-like shape, fibrous shape, flaky shape, etc., and the surfaces of the pellets are oxidised. The oxidn. is performed by calcination in an oxygen atmos., electrolysis, chemical treatment, etc.    ADVANTAGE -   The temp. of a cell of fuel battery must be maintained at 150-190 deg.C in order to keep its electricity generation efficiency high. A copper tube is used for passing chilling water, however, it releases copper ion which gradually deposits on the inner surface of the tube making the heat transmission difficult. Although attempts were made with the use of ion exchange resin to remove the copper ion, the resin is generally not resistant against the temp. (I) removes the copper ion effectively without chilling the cooling water.
Generator comprises a solar cell (1), a thermoelectric cell (7) having hot (6) and cold (8) reservoirs, and connections (2,3) for fluid flow from the solar cell to the hot reservoir, and from the cold reservoir to the solar cell, with flow controls in the connections.    The reservoirs are pref. separate and both below ground or one is near or adjacent to the solar cell and the other is below ground. Fluid flows are pref. regulated by a pump (4) and a system of non-return or three-way valves (5,9,11). Pumping power consumption can be minimised by using a thermosyphon system. The fluid is e.g. water and the system is for use e.g. in desert regions with the pumping direction reversed at night.
Structurisation of a series of layers on a transparent substrate (I) involves applying a first dense layer of transparent electroconductive oxide (TCO) (II) and removing selected areas with a laser beam; and applying a second dense layer of amorphous semiconductor material (III) and removing selected areas with a laser beam. The laser beam is passed through the substrate (1) and laser beams with wavelengths in the absorption range of (II) or (III) respectively are used for irradiating the (II) layer (2) and the (III) layer (3).    IR laser light is used for (II) and visible laser light below ca. 6000 A for amorphous Si. In particular, the fundamental wavelength of the YAG laser (lambda TCO = 1.06 micron) is used for (II) and the first harmonic of the fundamental wavelength of the YAG laser (lambda a-Si = 0.53 micron) for the a-Si layer.    USE/ADVANTAGE -   Structurisation is as clean as possible and impairment of the electro-optical properties is minimised. The technique is useful in the prodn. of solar cells and optical image sensors based on amorphous semiconductors, e.g. Si.
Device for accurately aligning a substrate having a straight edge cleaved along a crystal axis comprises a base plate with a recess for snugly receiving the substrate including a straight part for abutment with the cleaved edge and a mask plate for covering the base plate and substrate which includes a pattern through which the substrate may be exposed during a vertical junction solar cell fabrication process.    ADVANTAGE -   Accurate substrate alignment is achieved.
Appts. includes a high-temp. filter for performing the adsorbing and filtering operation of untreated cooling water pumped from a gas-liq. separator through a filtering medium, a tank for storing the cooling water treated by the filter, and a low-temp. treating system.
Integrated photovolatic-thermal panel comprises layer of crystalline Si made in part by the redn. of silicic acid by hot C and having a pn junction, on an oxidised Cu substrate. Process for prodn. of panel is claimed which includes a sequence of CVD stages.    Panel can be made by mass prodn. without growing, cutting or mounting operations. more specifically, the process comprises air-oxidising the surface of a Cu sheet; depositing an SiO2 layer by reaction of Si(OH)4 and steam with C at elevated temp., depositing an Si layer by increasing the amt. of C; diffusing B followed by P to form a Pn junction-annealing the deposit to form a surface layer of crystalline Si; and attaching an electrode grid and thermal exchanger.    USE/ADVANTAGE -   Esp. as a combination photovoltaic solar panel in which about 10% of the solar energy is taken off electrically, the remainder by IR heat-exchanger.
Al alloy contg. 0.5-7 wt.% Si has hardnesses of 50-100 Hv in Vickers hardness.    The Al alloy may use pure Al or usual Al alloy, such as Al-Cu, Al-Zn-Mg, Al-Cu-Mg, Al-Cu-Si, or Al-Cu-Ni-Mg alloy, etc. and may contain up to 2000 ppm Fe and/or up to 1.0 ccH to 100 g Al. Pref. the photoconductivity members have an amorphous layer contg. Si as a photo-conductible layer on its surface.    USE/ADVANTAGE -   For electric or electronic devices, such as photo-codctivity members, magnetic disc base plates, etc. The Si content and hardness of alloy are limited, the influence of inclusions in the alloy is depressed and the workability of the alloy is improved. Tubes produced by drawing the alloy have precise surface shape and high size accuracy and are suitable for supports of electrophotosensitive drums. The photoconductible members using the support members have uniform electric, optical and photoconductible properties and high quality images are obtd. when they are used for electrophotographs.
Al alloy has grains of matrix up to max. 300 microns in size. Pref. the alloy has average grain size of matrix of up to 100 microns and inclusions of up to 10 microns in particle sizes. The alloy may use pure Al or usual Al alloy, such as Al-Cu, Al-Zn-Mg, Al-Cu-Mg, Al-Cu-Si, Al-Cu-Ni-Mg alloy, etc. and may contain 0.5-10 wt.% Mg, 0.5-10 wt.% Cu, up to 2000 ppm Fe and/or up to 1.0 cc H to 100 g Al. The photo-conductible member has an amorphous layer contg. Si as a photo-conductible layer on its surface.    USE/ADVANTAGE -   Alloy is used for members of electric or electronic devices, e.g. as photo-conductivity members, magnetic disk base plates, etc. The formation of anomalous structure is depressed and the prods. of precise surface shape may be obtd. by precision working. The tubes produced by drawing the Al alloy have precise surface shape and high size accuracy and are suitable for support members of electronic photograph sensitive drums. The photo-conductible members using the support members have uniform electric, optical and photo-conductible properties and high quality images are obtd. when they are used for electronic photographs.
Zn-Br2 battery comprises: cathode and anode chambers sepd. by a membrane; catholyte and anolyte storage tanks; a first connection pipe for receiving part of the catholyte which has flowed from the cathode chamber to the catholyte storage tank from a position which is remote from an inlet for the catholyte, and supplies it to the anolyte storage tank; and a second connection pipe for supplying part of the anolyte to the catholyte for mixing, such that the anolyte and catholyte are forcibly mixed through the frist and second connection pipes.    ADVANTAGE -   Difference in Zn ion concn. between catholyte and anolyte is reduced, increasing cell charge capacity. (First major country equivalent to J61156641-A)
Integrated solar cell unit consists of a substrate provided with a lower electrode layer, a light-sensitive semiconductor layer and upper electrode layer. At least the upper and lower electrode layers are divided to form unit cells which are series-connected by electrical connection of the lower electrode layer of each unit cell with the upper electrode layer of an adjacent unit cell.    At least the upper electrode layer (5) or the semiconductor layer (3) has laser beam-machined groove pattern (6,7) along which an insulating strip (4a,b) is arranged between the upper electrode layer and the semiconductor layer and/or between the lower electrode layer (2) and the semiconductor layer. A process for prodn. of the integrated solar cell unit is also claimed.    ADVANTAGE -   The unit is produced by a mask-less, dry process from esp. solar cell of semiconductive amorphous silicon formed on flexible strip substrate.
Processes for making fuel cells are claimed, where one or more phosphonic acids of formula R((RCH2)nPO(OH)2)m (I) or R'PO(OH)2 (II) are used as electrolytes; where m = 1-3; n = 0 or 1; R is a gp. derived from hydroxyalkyl, alkyl, phenyl, alkylphenyl, vinyl, halophenyl, halomethylphenyl, amine, NH3 or H2NCH2CH2N(CH2PO(OH)2)2; R'' = hydroxyalkyl, alkyl, phenyl, alkylphenyl, vinyl, haloalkyl, halophenyl or halomethylphenyl.    ADVANTAGE -   (I) and (II) provide acceptable conductivity and do not readily volatilise in fuel cells operating at 100-300 deg.C.
The ornamental workpiece has a substrate co-existing with specular surface and roughened surface, and coating layer comprising a ceramics material is formed on it.    Pref. the ceramics material is silicon carbide or titanium nitride and is formed by the plasma CVD method.    USE/ADVANTAGE -   Used for tie-pins, cuff-links and has lustrous surface and non-lustrous surface with a good contrast. Surface roughness of both surfaces are pref. under 1 micron and over 10 microns in Rmax, and the difference is pref. over 10 microns. In an example in making cuff-links, the surface of the substrate was polished to specular surface of Rmax=0.1 mciron, then chemical etched the area corresponding to pattern to Rmax= 13 microns, and SiC coating layer was formed by PCVD method with coating thickness 2.3 microns. The cuff-link obtd. had a silvery grey non-lustrous surface against a background of deep black lustrous surface with a good contrast.
Mfr. involves, converting H2 gas to H atoms by means of electrical discharge or chemical reaction, introducing it into high vacuum reaction vessel following removing impurities mixed when atomic H is forming. The raw material gases of the crystalline Si thin film are introduced into the reaction vessel to deposit the decompsn. products on a preheated substrate in the reaction vessel to form a fine crystalline Si thin film.    USE/ADVANTAGE -   Used for making the thin film used as a material in solar cells. Damage to the deposited Si thin film due to high energy species or impurities mixed during evolving atomic H can be prevented, and a thin Si film having no lattice strain, large grain size and good quality can be obtd. at a high deposition rate.    In an example a fine crystalline Si thin film was deposited on a substrate heated to 50-350 deg.C in a reaction vessel by introducing 0.1-100 litre/min flow rate into the reaction vessel to maintain the pressure in the vessel to 0.1-10 torr then applying micro-wave through resonator to form atomic H atoms, further injecting mono-silane or di-silane gas into the vessel at a rate of 0.1 ml/min to 10 1/min to react with the H.
Porous PTFE resin article involves irradiating the PTFE moulding burnt at temp. of 327 deg.C or higher, with ionisation radioactive rays, and uni- or bi-axially orienting irradiated moulding.    Pref. irradiation dose is 10 power 3 to 10 power 6 rad or that irradiated polytetrafluoroethylene is further burnt to temp. of 327 deg.C or higher and then oriented.    USE/ADVANTAGE -   Method gives porous articles useful for filters for corrosive or high temp. substance, electrolisation diaphragms, fuel cells, etc. with high mechanical properties.
Transparent conductive film is composed of ZnO contg. 1.0-10 atom% Al and is formed by sputtering or vacuum vapour deposition etc.    USE/ADVANTAGE -   Used in various display devices, solar cells, infrared rays reflecting windows for auto cars, building, etc. It is characterised by high stability with respect to chemical, thermal, and mechanical properties, more smooth surface than ITO film (indium oxide-tin oxide), etc., high transparency, and high infrared rays reflectivity. The film can be easily manufactured at low cost without causing pollution in the environment. (Provisional Basic previously advised in week 8626)
The new solid electrolyte comprises heteropolyacids, the major components of which are heteropolytungstic acids and/or heteropolymolybdic acids, which have carbon as the hetero atom. The heteropolyacids are composed of a heteropolyanion of general formula CxMyOz(-) and a hydrated proton, H(m,H2O)+. In the formula C is carbon, M is tungsten or molybdenum, O is oxygen and the ratio of x to y is 1-4 to 12. Useful as hydrogen sensors, pH sensors and H2-O2 fuel cells. The pref. synthesis in the reaction between tungsten carbides (etc.) and H2O2.    USE/ADVANTAGE -   The electrolyte is easily synthesised, has excellent stability and good mouldability.
Solar cells are made by (a) introducing opposite type impurity into the back face and pref. both major faces of a semiconductor wafer to form pn junctions (24); (b) metallisating the back surface in a grid pattern (30) covering not more than 50% of the surface, using a material penetrating the pn junction on firing; and (c) firing so the metallisation penetrates the back junction, forming a low resistance ohmic junction with the bulk wafer and leaving at least 50% of the back face pn junction in the finished device.    A solar cell comprises (i) a semiconductor wafer having a pn junction on the light receiving face and a reverse pn junction on the back face; (ii) a conductor (26) on and electrically contacting the front face; (iii) a conductor grid (30) covering less than 50% of the back face of the wafer and alloyed through the pn junction in ohmic contact with the back wafer.    ADVANTAGE -   The back contract is formed using one step less than a solid contact and reduces device operating temp., increasing efficiency. Leaving the normally removed back junction material increases the cell output power.
Appts. for continuous vapour deposition of a semiconductor alloy comprises (a) a number of discrete evacuable chambers, each for vapour deposition of a semiconductor alloy of selected conductivity type; (b) rollers and/or a conveyor belt for advancing a substrate (11) through each chamber, including turning rollers (76a,b,c) so the substrate travels along a nonlinear path through at least one chamber; (c) in each chamber, a precursor gas mixt. inlet and outlet and a cathode plate(s) (62) developing a plasma region(s) for glow discharge deposition of the alloy, where the nonlinear path of travel of the substrate passes through at least two plasma regions in a single chamber; and (d) isolation modules (46) between the chambers for isolating the gaseous environments while allowing passage of the substrate between chambers.    USE/ADVANTAGE -   The appts. is esp. useful for mfr. of tandem solar cells (claimed), esp. triple or quad cell devices. Appts. having an annual output of devices having a 25MW power generating capacity, at present requires a machine about 400 ft. long. The nonlinear travel path allows the length of the appts. to be foreshortened, increases gas utilisation and throughput and decreases the power used to develop the plasma.
Alkaline earth metal cpd. is added to a fuel cell element comprising carbon, fluorocarbon, and catalyst, followed by incineration. Prior to recovery of catalyst through dissolving, the catalyst is extracted from the incineration remainder.    USE/ADVANTAGE -   Extracting efficiency of conc. catalyst is increased.
Flexible, lighweight, electrically interconnected array of semiconductor devicesis formed by: depositing a layer of semiconductor material (3) on a conductive flexible substrate (1); depositing transparent conductive coating (5); patterning the coating to form islands (7); connecting adjacent islands to the substrate; and patterning the substrate to form islands (13) such that adjacent islands of the coating are connected in series through the semiconductor material and the substrate islands. The substrate (1) is pref. electroformed Ni of thickness 25 micron max.    USE -   Esp. as a flexible, lightweight solar cell array.
Purification of silicon, made in an arc furnace from a charge contg. a silicon cpd. and carbon, is effected by addn. of calcium-contg. material to the charge. Pref. 1-10 wt.% limestone or dolomite is added to the charge.    USE/ADVANTAGE -   The process is used in prodn. of silicon for solar cells. Phosphorus and sulphur impurities are removed in a simple and inexpensive manner.
Thin-film solar cell comprises an active region consisting of an Si:H pin structure formed by glow discharge, at least one of the p or n layers comprising a laminated structure of a non-crystal layer and a layer of microcrystal mixts. The Si:H structure is formed on a transparent conductive layer on a glass substrate with the non-crystal layer of the p or n layer having in direct contact with the conductive layer.    ADVANTAGE -   Cell has enhanced photo-electroc conversion properties; the properties of the transparent conductive layer are not adversely affected. (First major country equivalent to J61135167-A)
A cell receiving reactive air and fuel comprises at least one element (1) with a matrix layer (ia) between a cathode (i1) and anode (ib) and supporting an electrolyte. At least one element is between and in contact with two parallel rectangular plates (2) the contacting surfaces of each of the plates having four edges.    Grooves (3) extend along one surface of the plates to supply fuel from a manifold, with reaction gases passed to an exit manifold along the same edge of the surface as the inlet manifold. Channels (4) similarly extend along a remaining surface for supplying reaction air from a manifold with reaction gases passed to an exit manifold. Tunnels (5) extend within and across the length of each plate to carry cooling gases, with the tunnels perpendicular to grooves and channels.    ADVANTAGE -   Provides uniform cooling without establishing a temp. diff. between elements.
A method is claimed to scribe a thin film or aluminium tin oxide or molybdenum deposited on a substrate using a jet of etching, soln. having a dia. of 0.002-0.008 in whilst, passing a current of about 0.02-0.1 amps. The etching soln. is 5% nitric acid in water when etching aluminium 30% by wt. HCl and 5-10% HCl and 5-10% HCl and 5-10% NaCl dissolved in water when etching a molybdenum film.    USE/ADVANTAGE -   The thin film deposited on the substrate forms a solar cell. The etching soln. contains material which provides appropriate electrical conductivity to the soln. and which can form soluble reaction prods. with the film to be etched. The soln is also non-reactive with the film material in the absence of electrical current.
The resins are polyolefin-related polymers (1) grafted with silanes having unsatd. double bonds (2). Pref. the polymers have epoxy gps. (1) include polyethylene, ethylene-propylene copolymer, ethylene-butadiene copolymer and others. (2) are e.g., vinyl-trimethoxysilane or gamma-methacryloxy propyl-trimethoxy silane. Suitable amt. of (2) grafted is 0.05-2 pts. wt. An example of the polymers was prepd. by kneading a mixt. of 100 pts. wt. of ethylene-vinylacetate-glycidyl methacrylate copolymer, 1 pt. wt. of gamma-methacryloxypropyl trimethoxy silane, 0.2 pts. wt. of tert-butyl peroxybenzoate at 180-200 deg.C. A soln. of the polymer was prepd. by dissolving 10 g. of the polymer in 100 cc. of toluene as 120 deg.C. The soln. was coated over an IC chip mounted on a ceramic board, dried for 30 min. at room temp., then heated for 10 min. at 160 deg.C. to form a moisture resistant resin coat. After 20 days storage at 60 deg.C., 75% RH, no peeling off of the coat was observed.    USE/ADVANTAGE -   Used to coat the surfaces of electronic components, like ICs, LSIs, solar cells, light-emitting devices, sensors, or printed wiring boards. The polymers are easy to handle, having a sufficient adhesion, producing no cracks on heat shock, (e.g., -60 to +60 deg.C.) and no peeling off when stored in a high temp. and high humidity atmos. (e.g. 60 deg.C., and 75% RH).
(JP93008526-B)      Basic board has a ZnO layer, Sn oxide layer and CdSn oxide layer or Ti oxide layer laminated on it. The Sn oxide, CdSn oxide or Ti oxide layer conductive.    USE -   for solar cells. (J61128413-A)
Material is prepd. by e.g. plasma CVD method, in which reaction gas is admixed with argon gas for film forming. Example of reaction gas is mixt. of SiH4, C2H2 and argon. Silicon cpd. contains at least one selected from carbon atom, nitrogen atom, oxygen atom, boron atom, sulphur atom, and germanium atom.    USE/ADVANTAGE -   (1) is used in solar battery, it has high dielectric breakdown voltage per unit thickness, and has excellent heat resistance. Therefore, thinner material is sufficient for obtaining required dielectric breakdown voltage. In prodn. of solar battery, the film forming temp. may be raised, and therefore solar battery can have high performance.
Solar array comprises: an Al foil with spaced apertures; pn-type semiconductor members (I) bonded via the n-region to foil; and a contact member, pref. also of foil, connected to the p-region. (I) are pref. spheres whose equators are forward of the side of the first foil remote from the contact member. An antireflective coating is pref. formed on the surface of the first foil.    Pref. method comprises: forming apertures in foil; forming spherical semiconductor particles with an n-skin over a p-core; bounding the n-regions to foil in the apertures removing the n-layer on one side of the foil; forming an insulating layer on that side of the foil and the surface from which the n-layer has been removed; removing a portion of the p-cores and the overlying insulating layer; and bonding a second foil to the exposed p-cores, pref. roughing the exposed p-cores first. An antireflective coating is pref. deposited over the surface of the first foil remote from the second. Pref. the spheres are bonded to foil in the apertures by heating to 500-577 deg.C and forcing the spheres into the apertures, pref. under impact, to shear the native oxide layers and form a bond. The assembly is then cooled. Semiconductor material is pref. Si.    ADVANTAGE -   Array is inexpensive to produce and is economically viable. (Provisional Basic previously advised in week 8648) (First major country equivalent to J61124179-A)
Novel polybenzimidazole foams are prepd. by (a) preparing a casting soln. of a polybenzimidazole polymer (I) in a suitable solvent (II); (b) acidifying the polymer soln. with H2SO4; (c) forming a shaped article from the casting soln.; (d) removing the (II) from the shaped article and (e) heat treating the shaped article to form a foam.    USE/ADVANTAGE -   The foams can be made in the form of films, fibres, three dimensional articles etc., and have a closed cell structure with excellent heat resistance and fire resistance, and retain their structure when exposed to elevated temps. The foams are esp. useful as fire-resistant insulation and/or packaging materials, as low resistive membranes for fuel cells, as moulding materials, or in intumescent paints.
High temp. cell includes a porous sintered material supporting an electrode and a solid oxide electrolyte, the material comprising a mixt. of thermally stable oxide powder and thermally stable oxide fibres sintered together in interlocking contact. The fibres are stable at up to 1700 deg.C and comprise 3-45 wt. % of the material. Both powder and fibres are pref. ZrO2 materials.    USE/ADVANTAGE -   Esp. in a high temp. tubular fuel cell (claimed). Separator material optimises mechanical strength and gas diffusion coefft..
Electricity is generated by heating a dispersion of oxalic acid in a liq. medium (esp. glycerol) at 120 deg.C to form HCOOH, heating the HCOOH at 160 deg.C to form H2, and using the H2 as fuel in a fuel cell or IC engine.    The oxalic acid/glycerol mixt. is heated in a chamber (11) with a gas-permeable top, e.g. of glass fibre or ceramic material. Gaseous HCOOH passes through the top into a 2nd chamber (12), where it is heated at 160 deg.C. The H2 is scrubbed in a CO2 absorber (13), e.g. contg. a Ca(OH)2 slurry, and passed to a fuel cell (14), e.g. of the type using aq. H2SO4 with carbon electrodes and a Pt catalyst. The reaction chambers are electrically heated. The glycerol may be recycled.    ADVANTAGE -   The process is feasible for use in electric vehicle.
(JP95063057-B2)      The mfr. comprises arranging three or more electrodes in a glow discharge chamber, and applying high frequency power to the electrodes. The mfr. includes forming a thin film on the substrate and discharging at the exterior of the discharge domain.    USE/ADVANTAGE -   Used for forming a thin film electrode for semiconductor devices, e.g. solar cells, for optical electric conduction films or membranes, inorganic insulating films or organic resin films. A large area substrate can be covered by the plasma thin film.
A process for enhancing the bonding strength between ''FEP Teflon'' (RTM), and a solar cell which it protects, involves (a) plasma etching one surface of an ''FEP Teflon'' substrate and then (b) bonding the plasma etched surface of the substrate to a surface of a solar cell, or to an anti-reflective coating on this surface, under a temp. and pressure and for a time sufficient to cause the atomic surface layers of the cell, of the coating, to interact with the atomic surface layers of the substrate.    USE/ADVANTAGE -   The solar cells are esp. for space applns. ''FEP Teflon'' may be replaced by other polymers which can be plasma-etched. ''Teflon'' or other polymers may be used similarly for protective encapsulants for semi-conductors, metals, glass, insulators other thin film structures (claimed), or for integrated circuits or anti-reflective (AR) coatings. The composite structure has better mechanical, optical and electrical properties. Mechanical degradation and failure, and delamination, are prevented. Resistance to UV and electron radiation, temp. cycling, and high temp. humidity, is better. The composites are more easily soldered and welded.
Appts. for producing a laminated structure comprises (a) a chamber providing a controlled environment; contg. (b) a heat sink providing a moving deposition surface (1A1); (c) a first nozzle (15A1) depositing a first melt in the heat sink, having an orifice permitting melt flow by gravity and a controlled heat source controlling the melt temp.; (d) a second, similar nozzle (15B1) for depositing a second melt on the first, spaced from the first nozzle in the direction of travel of the heat sink to permit cooling of the first melt before deposition of the second; and (e) opt. addition nozzles for depositing successive melt layers on the structure. The first layer forms a liq. coating (6) on the moving heat sink surface, which remains liq. at the surface temp., extracting heat from subsequent melts and isolating them from the surface.    USE/ADVANTAGE -   The appts. is esp. useful for deposition of semiconductor ribbons for solar cells. The liq. layer (6) isolates subsequently deposited active layers (7) from the moving surface during solidification so the solid layer is not subject to structural effects from the heat sink surface, and provides effective heat dissipation. When solidified, the layer pref. provides a ductile substrate for the brittle semiconductor layers for a mechanically stable ribbon.
A large C article is prepd. by (a) preparing a flexible graphite sheet(s) by compressing expanded graphite particles; (b) interposing a graphite sheet between each two pieces of carbonaceous material to be joined together; and (c) bonding the carbonaceous sheets to the graphite sheet(s) with an adhesive layer. A fuel cell or electrolytic appts. has at least one electrode so prepd.    The pieces of carbonaceous material are prepd. by (i) moulding C aggregate, pref. C fibres, calcined at at least 800 deg.C., and binder to pieces having a bulk density not less than 1.01 g./cm3 after calcining at at least 800 deg.C. (ii) moulding C aggregate, pref. C fibres, C particles and/or oxidised pitch particles, and binder and calcining at at least 800 deg.C. to form pieces having a bulk density not less than 1.3 g/cm3. (iii) moulding an aggregate of graphite particles and/or graphitisable C particles and binder and calcining at at least 2000 deg.C., to form pieces having a bulk density at least 1.5 g/cm2. The binder is phenol, furan or epoxy resin, petroleum pitch, and/or coal pitch.    ADVANTAGE -   The C pieces may be joined end to end or face to face. The pieces do not exhibit any exfoliation or cracking observable by the naked eye after calcining at 200 deg.C.
In a thin film solar cell with n-i-p structure and a roughened substrate surface, in which the light enters the cell through the n-film, the substrate (1) has numerous concave areas without point.    In the prodn. of the solar cell: a) the substrate material is lapped with A1203 powder, using b) A1203 with a particle size of ca. 3 microns, c) the substrate material is removed to a depth of roughness of ca. 0.5-3 microns, and d) then the substrate is etched with HF for ca. 2 s in an ultrasonic bath.    ADVANTAGE -   The recombination of charge carriers is reduced and hence the filling factor is increased. Short circuits are avoided and the effective area is increased by the multiple concave structure.
Several catalytic pipes are arranged inside a cylindrical furnace and heat medium is supplied from the bottom of the furnace. Reforming of the system features spiral guide plate fitted along inner wall of the furnace.    USE/ADVANTAGE -   Catalytic pipes are evenly heated and temp. distribution toward circumferential direction of pipe becomes smaller. As a result, uniform reaction speed of catalyst is obtd.
Electricity is produced from a fuel gas having a component capable of dissociating in the presence of a catalyst to yield H ions in appts. comprising (a) a housing having fuel and oxidant gas chambers sepd. by an imporous partition including a thin film organic membrane comprising a single phase blend of (i) 1-70 wt.% heteropoly acid (salts), general formula Am(XxYyO2). nH2O; where X,Y = dissimilar elements from B, Al, Ga, Si, Ge, Sn, P, As, Sb, Bi, Se, Te I and first, second, third and fourth transition metal series; A = H, NH4, Na, K, Li, Rb, Cs, Be, Mg, Ca, Sr, Ba; m = 1-10; y = 6-12, based on x = 1; Z = 30-80; n = 3-100; pref. dodecamolybdophosphoric acid; (ii) 99-30 wt.% compatible polymer from poly(vinyl alcohol), poly(vinyl fluoride), polyethylene oxide, polyethyleneimine, polyacrylic acid, polyethylene glycol, cellulose acetate, polyvinylmethylethyl ether and phenol formaldehyde resins. (b) two separate catalyst portions (5) contacting first and second surfaces of the membrane in the fuel and oxidant chambers respectively, for promoting dissociation and combination; and (c) electrical connections (6) to catalyst portions.    USE/ADVANTAGE -   The appts. is useful as a gas detector or a fuel cell. The membrane acts as a proton conductor, and the cell provides good sensitivity and a generally linear response when used as a detector.
(JP93048583-B)      Fuel cell comprises a negative electrode contg. a combustion gas as an active material and positive electrode contg. O gas as an active material and Lax-x/2Co1-FexO3 and SrMeO3 (M=Ti, Sr or Hf) as catalysts.    USE -   Used for small power sources. (J61101972-A)
(JP92076229-B)      Module comprises CdS/CdTe type solar cell elements formed on a base board and protective film formed on the solar cell elements. This film is made of a deriv. of a resin contg. active H and perfluoroalkylene gp.    USE -   For d-c power sources. (J61101083-A)
Power source of the appts. has an insulating protective layer laminated on at least one surface of the solar battery to protect the battery from corrosion due to the electrolyte. An optically transparent plate is laminated on the outside surface of the solar battery. An anodic electrode plate and cathodic electrode plate are at anode pole and cathode pole of the battery respectively, and these electrode plates are completely insulated from each other.    USE/ADVANTAGE -   With the solar battery, there is no need for external power source appts. and connecting wiring for the electric circuit. The total dimensions of the appts. are small.
In a device with a microstructured surface for thermal radiation or adsorption, the gaps between the projections of the micro-structure are filled with an infrared radiation transparent material such as glass, quartz or plastics.    ADVANTAGE -   The device is esp. an electron collector of a travelling-ware tube used in space technology or a solar collector. It has about 10% improvement in thermal radiation/absorption and has improved efficiency as regards service life (e.g. reduced fouling, corrosion and danger of mechanical damage.
Plate comprises a moulded carbonised and graphitised prod. formed from a compsn. contg. (a) 40-60 wt.% carbonisable resin; and (b) 60-40% coke-graphite mixt., contg. 30-90 wt.% coke particles smaller than 149 microns and 70-10 wt.% graphite particles smaller than 120 microns.    The plate is prepd. by moulding the mixt. at sufficient heat and press to densify the plate, grinding the plate surface and heating to carbonise and graphitise the plate. A long life fuel cell contains at least one anode, cathode and separator plate as above, and an electrolyte material.    ADVANTAGE -   The plate is inexpensive and simply prepd. It has higher density than graphite particle plates, e.g. 1.88-1.95 (1.90-1.94)g/cm2, improving thermal conductivity, electrical resistivity and hydrogen permeability. It has lower flexural modulus is lower than coke particle plates, sufficient structural integrity to withstand 40,000h fuel cell operation at 400 deg. F and flexural strength 4000-9000 (5000-7000) psi. Prodn. is more energy efficient than graphite particle plates.
(US4954181-A)      A solar cell module comprises a) an insulating substrate (1) carrying a transparent electrode (21,22..) on one surface; b) an amorphous semiconductor film (3) overlying said transparent electrode; and c) a metal electrode layer (41, 42..) overlying said semiconductor film.    Each electrode, film and layer is divided into regions to form a plurality of adjacent cells with the divided regions of the transparent electrode and metal layer being in positions shifted from each other to define a gap between adjacent cells. The semiconductor film has a portion (61, 62..) projecting into the said gap, said portion being crystallised after assembly of the said module so as to form a low resistivity connection between the metal electrode layer of one cell and the transparent electrode of an adjacent cell.    USE/ADVANTAGE -   The use of crystallised semiconductor to connect adjacent cells in series improves on the prior art method which required three mask alignments leading to poor tolerances. Further, the inverted method avoids reduction of the material which forms the transparent electrode by H2 generated by acid etching of the metal electrode. (First major country equivalent to J61091971-A) @(9pp Dwg.No.6c/6)@
In a reforming device constructed to flow hot exahust gas exhaust gas formed in combustion of mixt. of fuel gas and air in a burner from end of annular tubes through outer portion of the tube to reform mixt. of material gas and steam when flowing from the other end of the tubes through layers of catalyst and to further flow the mixt. through inner portions of the tubes, partition walls including holes are arranged and the holes are not located at positions which are aligned vertically with the holes.    ADVANTAGE -   Since the tubes are heated uniformly in horizontal direction in the container by hot exhaust gas distributed when flowing through the holes in the partition walls, reforming reaction to form H2-rich gas can be performed efficiently and damage of the tubes due to local heating can be avoided.
Reforming device is claimed to cause flow of hot exhaust gas produced by combustion of mixt. of fuel gas and air by a burner flowing from an ends annular reforming tubes through outer portion in the tubes, and to reform mixt. of material gas and steam which flows from the outer ends of the tubes through layers of catalyst and further flows from an end through inner portion of the tubes.    Device comprises a partition wall including holes, covers arranged on burner side of the holes, and diffusers for diffusing the exhaust gas arranged on the other side of the holes.    ADVANTAGE -   Since heating gas flows uniformly outside of the tubes, reforming reaction of the material gas to H2-rich gas is effectively performed in the tubes. and damage of the tubes due to local high temp. can be prevented.
In a molten alkali metal carbonate fuel cell the anode has: a mean pore dia. less than the cathode; a porosity sufficient to contain enough electrolyte to provide for electrolyte last during normal operation; and a ratio of max. pore dia. at 9% electrolyte fill to that at 10% electrolyte fill of less than 3. Anode mean pore dia. is pref. less than 4 micron.    ADVANTAGE -   Cell has long life, e.g. 40000 hrs., at high performance level.
In an electrically conductive ceramic of nominal compsn. La(0.5)Ca(0.5)MnO3, the sum (A) of the number of mols. of La and Ca is 1-15 (pref. 8-12, esp. 10)% less than the number of mols. of Mn.    USE/ADVANTAGE -   The ceramic is useful under corrosive or oxidising conditions at up to 1300 deg.C, e.g. as low-ohmic electrodes for high temp. vapour phase electrolysis or high temp. fuel cells. It has higher conductivity than conventional ceramics, has resistant to high temps. and oxidising gases, has high thermal cycling resistance, does not form a high ohmic surface layer and is inexpensive.
A molten carbonate electrolyte of approx. 72 mol.% Li2CO3, 28 mol.% K2CO3 displays a uniform Li-K molar ratio under operative conditions along the length of a fuel cell stack. A fuel cell has an electrolyte matrix contg. a binary electrolyte which is molten during cell operation, having a steady state compsn. of 70-73 (72) mol.% Li2CO3, 27-30 (28) mol.% K2CO3; and anode and cathode electrodes contacting the electrolyte matrix. A stack of the cells, with electrolyte in adjacent cells in ion communication, having a voltage gradient across adjacent cells, operates with a uniform Li:K mol. ratio along the length of the stack.    A steady state electrolyte compsn. is established in cells using a binary Li2CO3-K2CO3 electrolyte by: (a) determining the Li reacting to form stable cpds. during initial operation and hence changing the molar ratio in the electrolyte before steady state compsn. is reached; and (b) providing an initial molten carbonate electrolyte in the cell consisting of (i) the amt. Li2CO3 determined in (a); and (ii) a mixt. of 70-73 mol.% Li2CO3 and 27-30 mol.% K2CO3, so after operation for 2000 hr., the electrolyte consists of 70-73 mol.% Li2CO3, 27-30% K2CO3.
Wedge bonding tool, with a convex working face, formed as a segment of a cylinder, is mounted at the free end of an ultrasonic transducer. Conductive foil fingers are spot bonded to terminal connection pads on a substrate by pressing the working face onto a finger, and rocking the tool about a pivot point at the working face.    The longitudinal axis of the traducer is moved through a transverse arc. It is mounted to the machine frame by an inner and outer race with bearings between. A cam follower coupled to the inner race engages outer cam surfaces on the outer race to clamp them together.    USE/ADVANTAGE -   The radius of the working surface is smaller than the pivot radius of the transducer axis about the point on the working surface. The inner and outer support races comprise segments of cylinders of different radius of curvature, with the same pivot axis, parallel to the longitudinal axis of the ultrasonic transducer. In this method an ultrasonic spot bond is produced progressively, using a wedge bonding tool easily matched to optimum power and force parameters of the system. High unit bonding forces require low total bonding forces. Then foil fingers can be bonded at high speed to fragile substrates, e.g. for making solar cells.
Photocatalyst (I) consists of amorphous silicon supporting Gp. VIII a metal.    The amorphous silicon is produced by e.g. CVD method. The particle dia. of the amorphous silicon is pref. 10 Angstroms -30 micron. Examples of the supported metal are platinum, rhodium, palladium, nickel, ruthenium, and iridium. The content of the metal in (I) is 0.01-20 wt.% per the amt. of the silicon. (I) is used for oxidn. of an organic compound such as alcohol, acid, and aldehyde which has a redox potential lower than +0.4 v.s. NHE.    ADVANTAGE -   (I) emits excited electrons when irradiated with a light. Thus, (I) is used for oxidn. of an organic cpd. under irradiation of light. (I) exhibits a high efficiency for conversion of sun light.
Composite prod. is prepd. by integrating inorganic substrate with polyimide resin prepd. by polymerising diamine components comprising 3,3',5,5'-tetramethyl benzidine and other aromatic diamine in molar ratio of tetramethyl benzidine/other diamine of 50:50;95:5 and tetracarboxylic acid dianhydride contg. at least 50 mol % of pyromellitic dianhydride.    The polymerisation is carried out in 3-25 wt.% soln. in aprotic solvent at 0-50 deg.C.    USE/ADVANTAGE -   The composite prod. has high heat resistance. It is used as substrate sheet comprising metal foil such as Cu, Fe, Al or stainless steel integrated with the polyimide resin for FPC or amorphous solar cell, multilayered LSI utilising intervening insulating layers between Si or GaAs chips, semiconductor elements coated on LSI chips for utilising the polyimide resin as passivation or barrier film of alpha-rays, metallic substrate for insulating metallic plate such as Cu, Fe, Al, stainless steel or invar steel from printed board, multilayered board coated by the polyimide resin on substrate board of Al2O3, SiC, ZrO2, BeO or sapphire, enamelled wire, magnetically recording medium or EL display device coated by thin sputtered metal film on polyamide film, magnetic tape or disk coated with varnish contg. magnetic powder on polyimide film.
Polybenzopyrroline (Cpd. A) comprises the structural units of formula (I) and/or (II). In the formulae R1, R2 = H or below 6 C satd. hydrocarbon gps.; Y1, Y2 = anions; one of R1Y1 and R2Y2 may be removed.    Y1 and Y2 include e.g. halogens, BF4, PF6 ions. Cpd. A is produced by treating dicyanobenzene with bases (e.g. sodium, lithium hydroxide), or treating the polybenzopyrroline prepd. with acids or halides (e.g. HBF4, methyl iodide).    USE/ADVANTAGE -   Cpd. A is stable in air and, when doped with appropriate dopants, has high conductivity. Cpd. A is produced at relatively low cost and is used in prim. and sec. batteries, solar cells and photoconductive materials.
Polyaminopyridine contg. structural unit of formula (I) and/or (II). (wherein one of Z1-Z3 is nitrogen and the residual two are carbon; Y1:H or a below 6C hydrocarbon gp.; Y2(-); an anion; R:H or a below 6C satd. hydrocarbon gp.) Y2(-) includes e.g. halogens, BF4, PF6, acetic acid ion. Cpd. A is produced by treating aminopyridine with oxidants (e.g. aluminium chloride, boron trifluoride, HC104 sulphate) or treating polyaminopyridine obtd. above with acids or halides (e.g. HBF4, methyl iodide). 2-aminopyridine is pref. used as an aminopyridine because it provides the para-cleavage polymer having high conductivity.    USE/ADVANTAGE -   The high molecule is stable in air and, when doped with appropriate dopants, has high conductivity. Cpd. A is produced at relatively low cost and is used in primary and secondary batteries, solar batteries and photoconductive material.
Poly-2-aminopyrimidine (A) contains the structural unit of formula (I) and/or formula (II). R and Y1 are H or below 6 C satd. hydrocarbon gp.; Y2(-) is an anion.    Y2(-) includes, e.g. halogens, BF4, PF6 and acetic acid ions. A is produced by treating 2-aminopyrimidine with oxidants (e.g., aluminium chloride, boron trifluoride or HClO4 sulphate) or salts (e.g., ammonium bisulphate or NaBF4), or treating poly-2-aminopyrimidine obtd. above with acids or halides (e.g., HBF4 or methyl iodide).    USE/ADVANTAGE -   (A) is stable in air and, when doped has high conductivity. (A) is produced at relatively low cost and is used in prim. and sec. batteries, solar batteries and photoconductive material.    In an example, 0.2 mole of 2-aminopyrimidine was dissolved in 100 ml of acetone and added dropwise to 0.1 mole of FeCl3 at 0 deg. C. The mixt. was refluxed at 65 deg. C for 10 hrs. and the reaction terminated. The reaction prod. was washed with acetone and dried under reduced pressure. The polymer which had been brown initially turned blackish brown. The poly-2-aminopyrimidine was doped with iodine and showed a conductivity of 5.4 sigma I2S/cm. It was stable when left in air for 40 hrs..
Thin film photovoltaic device comprises: a first layer of p-type semiconductor capable of forming a junction with CdS or CdZnS; a second layer of n-type CdS or CdZnS of thickness below 2500 pref. 100-1500 Angstrom; and a third layer of conducting wide band gap n-type semiconductor, pref. ZnO.    USE/ADVANTAGE -   Esp. as a solar cell. Device has enhanced conversion efficiency over prior art CdS solar cells.
A semiconductor electrode for photoelectrochemical cells using electrolyte including an aq. constituent has a hydrophibic film between the semiconductor and aq. constituent. The film permits charge to pass through it while decreasing the activity of the aq. constituent of the electrolyte at the semiconductor surface, decreasing photodegradation of the semiconductor electrode.    The hydrophobic film is nonreactive with the electrolyte and has good transparency to band gap radiation. It is pref. polystyrene, or may be diphenyl ether or a hydrophobic hydrocarbon or fluorocarbon. If used alone, the film is thin enough to pass charge, is a conductive polymer, or contains conductive particles.    USE/ADVANTAGE -   The electrode is useful in solar powered cells generating electric power and/or synthesising fuels and chemicals from abundant renewable resources, e.g. water, N2, CO2. Photodegradation may be eliminated and cell operation improved, e.g. with H2 generation increased by a factor of 4.
Si sheets are made by (a) providing a deposition reactor having interior wall surfaces bounding a reaction vol. and additional plane surfaces of refractory material integral with the reaction vessel in the reaction vol.; (b) introducing Si-bearing reactants into the reaction vol.; (c) heating to deposit Si onto the inner surfaces of the walls and additional surfaces; and (d) sepg. deposited Si as sheets from the inner walls surfaces and additional surfaces.    USE/ADVANTAGE -   The method is useful for forming thin Si sheets as substrates in the ribbon-to-ribbon process producing macrocrystalline Si for solar cell mfr. The chemical and energy efficiency of deposition is increased, e.g. from 19-20% for an unpartitioned reactor to up to 32-34%, for SiHCl3-H2, and the sheets have improved thickness uniformity.
Homo- and copolymers of 5-membered heterocyclic cpds. with a conjugated pi-electron system, contg. N, O or S as heteroatom, are prepd. by anodic oxidn. of such cpd. or mixt. thereof in an electrolyte solvent in presence of a conducting salt, the polymer being deposited on the surface of the anode which is a hollow or profiled body, the cathode being arranged centrally in the hollow body or profiled body being arranged centrally ir the hollow bodied cathode. The polymer obtd. is continuously withdrawn from the hollow or profiled body.    USE/ADVANTAGE -   Mfr. of electrodes, catalysts, electrical storage systems, batteries, switches, semiconductor components, screening materials, solar cells, antistatic finish to plastics, and partic. as electrical conductors in tube or tape form. Method is simple, polymer films can be obtd. in large amts. and in desired size, film has uniform thickness (e.g. 1-20 microns), smooth surface, and homogeneous conductivity over entire surface, film can be rolled up as obtd.
A vaporiser comprises an annular chamber formed between two walls (21,22), and a succession of rings (24) in the chamber each contacting the two walls to form with them flow spaces, each ring having a passageway (26) for communication between flow spaces on opposite sides of the ring. The passageway of each ring is pref. spaced 180 deg. from those of adjacent rings.    The chamber is pref. cylindrical and spacing between rings along chamber length is greater for rings closer to the outlet. The vapour is pref. passed to a catalytic steam reformer converting hydrocarbon vapour to hydrogen and formed as an annular chamber surrounding the first, the gas being passed to a fuel cell anode section.    ADVANTAGE -   Can provide changes in output flow to accommodate rapid changes in fuel cell loading.
Method comprises finishing substrate surface having specified shape, and consisting of Ti or Ti alloy to specified roughness by mechanical means, applying chemical treatment in mixed aq. soln. of sodium phosphate acid and potassium fluoride, followed by applying MoS2 coating.    USE/ADVANTAGE -   Used for chemical plant materials, aerospace craft equipment materials such as solar cell frames. Good wear resistance is provided and surface treated layer having selective absorption of sunlight can be provided on the substrate surface.
Prodn. of thin film semiconductor elements, esp. solar cells, involves the deposition of a doped and then an intrinsic film contg. Si and/or Ge and opt. hydrocarbon on a metal (oxide) film, deposition of the intrinsic film being carrier out by plama-induced decomposition of a gas contg. Si and/or Ge. The novelty is that the doped film (3,8) is deposited on the metal (oxide) film (2,7) by thermally-induced decomposition of a gas contg. Si and/or Ge.    The doped film is produced by photochemically-induced decomposition on a metal, esp. steel film.    USE/ADVANTAGE -   The technique uses simple appts. and procedures and avoids incorporation of metallic impurities from the metal (oxide) substrate in the doped amorphous film. the semiconductor elements or solar cells obtd. have high long term stability and increased open-circuit voltage. The elements useful as solar cells and elements of analogous structure e.g. 'Vidikin' (RTM) films, photosensor elements or thin film transistors.
Appts. converting solar energy to electrical and thermal energy comprises (a) a solar cell(s) (8) having an amorphous Si layer (h); (b) a superstrata (10,11) integrally joined to the light incident side of the amorphous Si layer; (c) a heat collecting plate (7) attached to the solar cell surface opposite the superstrata; (d) a metal electrode (12) on the amorphous Si layer facing the heat collecting plate; and (e) a container (1,2) enclosing the entire structure.    In a first embodiment, the superstrata (9) is formed of a light permeable, heat absorbing material transparent to solar energy in the wavelength range absorbed by the amorphous Si and absorbing wavelengths not absorbed by the amorphous Si, converting absorbed energy into thermal energy. In a second embodiment, the superstrata is transparent to solar energy and has a heat absorbing layer on its light incident side. In a third embodiment, the superstrata is omitted; the amorphous Si is formed on a metal substrate; and a transparent electrode having an attached heat absorbing layer is provided on the front surfaces of the solar cells.    ADVANTAGE -   The hybrid structure provides increased utilisation of sunlight, absorbing wavelengths longer than 0.8 and converting them to thermal energy. Heat collecting efficiency is increased to about 46% from the conventional 17%.
Photoelectromotive element such as solar cells made of amorphous Si is claimed. It has n-type amorphous Si layer formed on i-type a-Si layer formed on p- type a-Si layer formed on another n-type a-Si layer formed on clear conductive layer. (J56008883-A)
By-prod. hydrogen generated from electrolytic mfg. appts., e.g. diaphragm cell process or ion exchange membrane method, and air as oxidiser are used as a fuel for fuel cell disposed in the electrolytic appts., and dc electric power is generated by the fuel cell and the electric power is suppled to the electrolytic appts., and the fuel cell has cooling means passed through cooling water to eliminate its thermal reaction heat. Metal hydride in the appts. is supplied with by-prod. hydrogen generated in night operation and is absorbed at low temp. and is exhausted at high temp. Reserving means of hydrogen of the metal hydride includes cooler and heater for the metal hydride and another cooler for cooling the cooler of the hydrogen reserving means is also disposed in the appts. The cooling water for the fuel cell is used as heating medium of the heater for the hydrogen reserving means.    USE/ADVANTAGE -   Use of hydrogen generated in night work reduces cost of the electrolytic process.
High temp., solid oxide cell arrangement comprises an array of annular cells in parallel rows with cells arranged perpendicularly opposite each other. Cell in one row are connected in parallel between their outer electrodes and cells in perpendicular relation are connected in series between the inner electrode of one cell and the outer electrode of the next.    Alternatively, the cells in one row are connected in series and perpendicular cells are connected in parallel.    USE/ADVANTAGE -   Esp. with stabilised ZrO2 fuel cells operating at 800 deg. C or above.
Liq. fuel cell has a fuel/water mixt. circulation system comprising: first tank (101) contg. a water-rich mixt.; second tank (102) contg. a fuel-rich mixt.; first detector (12) for detecting liq. level of the fuel mixt. in the system; second detector (13) for detecting fuel concn. in the system, or cell output, or cell load current; valve (111) for controlling flow from the first tank in response to the output from the first detector and valve (112) for controlling flow from the second tank in response to output from the second detector.    ADVANTAGE -   Cell can be stably and efficiently operated for a prolonged time even if conditions and consumption rates vary.
Electrochemical cell in a casing (1) of metal or plastic material uses a solid electrolyte (11), pref. made of a perfluoro sulphonic resin, e.g. NAF O 1200 EW (RTM). This is fixed by seal rings (12) of plastic (PTFE) or metal on the inner electrode (8), The tube (5), the inner part of the porous inner electrode (8) and the outer part of the porous outer electrode (13) are made of austenitic stainless steel. The outer part of the electrode (8) and the inner part of the electrode (13) are made of platinised porous titanium.    ADVANTAGE -   The cell is simple and is easy to maintain or to replace in a set.
Fuel cell system comprises (a) a fuel cell with an anode for receiving fuel gas and a cathode for receiving oxidising gas, and (b) a steam reformer for converting a mixt. of water and water-miscible hydrocarbon fuel to fuel gas. A mixing tank receives water and fuel and delivers the mixt. to a holding tank, which then delivers to mixt. to the reformer. Fuel gas from the reformer is fed to the fuel cell.    The mixing tank is equipped with switches corresp. to 1st, 2nd and 3rd preset liq. levels. When the liq. drops below the 1st level, fuel is supplied to the tank until the 2nd level is reached, and then water is supplied until the 3rd level is reached. The mixt. is then delivered to the holding tank and thence to the reformer. Cathode and anode exhaust streams are passed to a burner for heating the reformer.    ADVANTAGE -   The system permits accurate and thorough mixing of the water and fuel before they are fed into the reformer (cf. US 3539395, 3607419, 3982962, 3976507, 4001041, 4120787, 4128700 and 4200682).
(JP92034832-B)      Se type solar cell comprises a Se crystal film formed on a metal or semiconductor film formed on a semi-insulative or insulative film formed on a transparent conductor layer and high work function metal layer formed on the Se film.    Used for DC power sources. (J61067279-A)
In the operation of a fuel cell having an electrolyte replenishing circuit and reactant inlet and outlet, electrolyte is reclaimed and reactant purified by: recovering a mixt. of electrolyte mixt. and reactant at the reactant outlet; transporting the mixt. to an external fibrous sponge to coalesce the mixt. and purify the reactant; and returning the reclaimed electrolyte to a replenishment reservoir.    Fibre sponge is associated with a wicking system for collecting and returning electrolyte. Sponge is made of C fibre and is a cylinder arranged coaxially with the outlet and is associated with a C wick for returning electrolyte to the replenishment circuit.    Fuel cell, including a fuel cell stack system, incorporating the external fibre sponge for electrolyte recovering from the outlet gas stream(s) is claimed.    ADVANTAGE -   Electrolyte recovery and recycle and reactant gas purificn. process is efficient: the purified gas may be vented.
Amorphous Si solar cell is formed by depositing a pin structure (stack), the i-layer(s) being doped n-type. Pref. the p-layer(s) are formed using B as dopant and the i-layer(s) are doped with (1-50)x10 power 17 P ats./cc. where the p and i layers are formed in the same reaction chamber, or (0.1-50)x10 power 17 P ats./cc. where they are formed in separate reaction chambers.    ADVANTAGE -   Cell has enhanced conversion efficiency by preventing any drop in output on continuous exposure to light; pref. efficiency does not drop more than 10% in 15 years use outdoors.
A process is claimed for prodn. of thin film solar cells with a GaAs-based semiconductor body, in which the films are produced on an electrically conductive substrate by epitaxial deposition from the gas phase and in which an epitaxial growth-enhancing Ge film is applied to the substrate before GaAs deposition.    The novel features are (a) inexpensive substrates (1) such as metallised glass or plate silicon are used and are coated with a highly doped, amorphous Ge film (2); (b) certain predetermined points or lines in the Ge film are converted by energy-rich radiation into domains (3) with specific crystal orientation; and (c) the GaAs gas phase epitaxy parameters are controlled so that, starting from the domains (3), the epitaxial layer (4) spreads laterally until the crystal fronts of adjacent epitaxy domains abut one another.    ADVANTAGE -   Inexpensive, highly efficient and stable solar cells are produced.
A light-permeable concrete is made by mixing glass dust (71% purity silicon) with a binder (e.g. white Dyckerhof cement) and intensely white cryolite and then blending with water. Alternative binders are casein and fused plastics waste or esp. epoxy resin as a semiconductor well matched with the ground glass dust semiconductor.    USE -   The concrete is used esp. for solar generator panels.
Solar converter comprises: a ZnSe fluorescent wavelength shifter having antireflective coatings on both sides; a GaAs or AlGaAs solar cell having a pn junction and an antireflective coating on one side; and an adhesive bonding between two antireflective surfaces. The pn junction converts fluorescent radiation of the wavelength shifter to useful output power.    ADVANTAGE -   Combination of cell and wavelength shifter protects the cell from UV and proton damage while enhancing collection efficiency.
A method of purifying monosilane (I), comprises a step of holding (I) in a storage tank with its reflux. (I) is preserved in a storage tank at about -112 deg. C. It is discharged from the bottom of the tank, allowed to evaporate in a heat-exchanger and filled in a gas cylinder to be supplied to its user.    ADVANTAGE -   The method is used for obtaining (I) which contains no impurities having pt. lower than that of (I). The impurities are oxygen, nitrogen, hydrogen, argon, helium, and methane. A small amt. of the impurity in (I) influences the life time of a solar battery produced using (I). (I) to be used for prodn. of long-life battery is obtd. by the proposed method.
Highly purified monosilane (I) is preserved in a storage tank with its reflux.    (I) is preserved in a storage tank at about -112 deg.C. It is discharged from the bottom of the tank, evaporated in a heat-exchanger and filled into a gas cylinder to be supplied to user.    ADVANTAGE -   The method is applied for preserving (I) which contains no impurities having a boiling point lower than that of (I). The impurity can be oxygen, nitrogen, hydrogen, argon, helium and methane. The presence of small amt. of the impurity in (I) influences the life time of a solar battery produced using (I). (I) to be used for prodn. of solar battery is suitably preserved by the present method.
Sandwich-type solar cell is composed of a thin-film layer of dispersion in resin of at least one quinacridone pigment(s) selected from quinacridone, 2,9-dimethyl quinacridone, 3,10-dimethyl quinacridone and 4,11-dimethyl quinacridone formed on an electrode base plate, and a semitransparent Al electrode deposited on the upper surface of the thin-film layer by vacuum evapn. process.    USE/ADVANTAGE -   Comparatively large energy conversion efficiency as solar cell and response to visible rays as organic photoelectric conversion element are achieved. Processing is simple and large-area cells can be mfd.
Surface roughening method comprises: coating a substrate with a photo-resist contg. light-shielding micro-particles; exposing and developing; and etching the substrate with an etchant that does not etch the undeveloped photoresist behind the particles. Pref. substrate is glass and etchant is HF; in another, substrate is Al and micro-particles are Ag glass beads of dia. 10 micron.    USE/ADVANTAGE -   In solar cell technology. Method is simple and provides a roughened substrate with a high degree of controllability.
Solar cell-quality silicon is produced by carbothermic redn., using dense reductants such as petroleum coke or carbon black pellets, of quartz glass in the form of shards or broken tube peices, e.g. from quartz glass appts. or lamp prodn.    ADVANTAGE -   Use of quartz glass fragments instead of quartz gives reduced costs without redn. in the silicon purity and provides a lower bulk density for (partial) compensation of the high bulk density of the reductant.
A tandem solar cell having an Si low energy gap bottom solar cell has a GaAsP high energy gap top solar cell comprising (a) a transparent GaP substrate; (b) a first active layer of first type GaAs1-yPy overlying the substrate; (c) a second active layer of second type GaAs1-xPx overlying and forming a photovoltaic junction with the first layer; and (d) first and second transparent ohmic contacts to the substrate and second active layer respectively.    ADVANTAGE -   The structure is useful in a four terminal tandem cell with separate contacts to the Si and GaAsP cells or a two terminal tandem cell. Light not absorbed by the active layers passes through the GaAsP cell to the Si cell. The energy qaps of the active layers allow efficiencies close to the max. theoretical efficiency of 32.9% to be achieved for a 4-terminal tandem cell at AMO.
The cell voltage of an electrochemical cell having a porous metal electrode contacting an O-transporting vapour deposited ceramic electrolyte is increased by (a) heating the metal electrode particles to their oxidn. temp. of above; (b) passing O through the electrolyte to the metal surface, oxidising a portion of the particles to form a metal oxide layer between the metal particles and the electrolyte; and (c) reducing the metal oxide layer to the metal.    An electrochemical cell includes a powdered metal electrode bonded to an O ion conducting electrolyte by an O ion conducting ceramic coating forming part of the electrolyte, and having a porous metal layer between the powdered metal electrode and electrolyte, formed by oxidn. and redn. as above.    USE/ADVANTAGE -   The cell is a fuel cell (claimed), an electrolysis cell or a gas sensor. The treatment may be used on new electrodes or for revitalising electrodes whose voltage has decreased due to electrode densification through sintering of the metal particles. It increases reaction sites between the electrolyte and particles, increasing cell voltage, e.g. by nearly 150 mV. The treated electrode withstands thermal cycling, e.g. more than 23 cycles between room temp. and 1000 deg.C with no adverse effect on cell performance.
A method of anodising and sealing a combination of Al and semiconductor material comprises forming an oxide coating on the Al member, anodising it in a soln. of 0.5% H3PO4 for 30s to seal the Al and to oxidise the semiconductor.    Al foil of about 2mm thickness is initially embossed, cleaned and etched with heated sodium or potassium hydroxide to remove the embossed area leaving an aperture. A number of Si spheres having an N-type skin and a P-type interior are drawn into the apertures.    USE/ADVANTAGE -   Used to mfr. solar cell arrays inexpensively.
Thin free standing single crystal films are made by (a) sputter depositing a layer of stressable metal onto a single crystal substrate so the metal adheres to the substrate; (b) treating to stress the metal layer; (c) peeling the metal layer and a thin film of the substrate attached to the metal from the substrate; and (d) removing the metal layer from the thin single crystal film.    Pref. metal is 80-20 Ni-Cr alloy and the substrate is GaAs, Si or Si having a thin layer of SiO2 on the surface on which the Ni-Cr is sputtered.    USE/ADVANTAGE -   The method is useful in solar cell prodn. Free standing films of the order tens of microns thick are formed, generally with thicker films obtd. by sputtering thicker matal layers. Additional films can be produced by depositing successive metal layers. The method avoids the waste of material of sawing, and provides a rough surface promoting light absorption and reducing reflection. The method can also be used to form trenches on a substrate surface.
Ohmic metal contacts integral to a semiconducting Cu2O film supported on Cu metal are produced by (a) oxidising a metallic Cu foil not more than 0.02 in. thick in the presence of O2-contg. gas at 900-1100 deg.C. to provide a surface film of Cu2O; (b) cooling and applying a reducing component to selected isolated portions of the cooled oxide film; (c) heat treating the film at 300-700 deg.C. in an O2-free inert gas atmos. to develop ohmic metal contacts in the oxide film at the treated portions and (d) quenching to ambient temp.    USE/ADVANTAGE -   The method is useful for prodn. of solar cells. The treatment forms discrete, very thin metallic Cu plates and leaves the Cu2O film in good condition, needing no etching, polishing or grinding to optimise its optical properties. Photovoltaic effects are 1 to 2 magnitudes higher than previous Cu oxide on Cu structures.
A method is claimed to stop phosphate type fuel cell. Reactive gas feed auxiliary pipe having desiccator is connected in parallel to reactive gas feed main pipe in oxidising agent feed line and opened to stop the cell with the main pipe closed. (J55019712-A)
Solar cell comprises a transparent front face electrode; a layer of free metal on the electrode, a thin film photovoltaic device on the free metal layer, and a back face electrode. The front face electrode is supported on a transparent insulating substrate through which incident light is received. The front face electrode is primarily tin oxide. The layer of free metal is pref. 10-100 Angstroms thick and is transparent to visible light.    ADVANTAGE -   The presence of free metal between the transparent conductive layer and the semiconductor layer improves the measured cell fill factor, i.e. the ability to maintain peak current output near the max. operating voltage. Free metal may be efficiently formed on the transparent conductive layer using the same glow discharge appts. with which the semiconductor layer is deposited.
A porous carbonate contg. structure for use in a molten carbonate fuel cell is made by (a) prepg. a porous structure contg. alkali and/or alkaline earth metal salt(s) including a monobasic organic acid salt; and (b) converting the monobasic acid salt to carbonate in situ. For a porous electrolyte structure, (a) is by (i) prepg. a slurry of suitable matrix material and the alkali metal/alkaline earth metal salt(s); (ii) drying to form a mixt. of particulate matrix material and particulate metal salt(s) including the monobasic organic acid salt; and (iii) forming the particulate mixt. into an electrolyte structure under suitable press. For an electrode structure, (a) is by introducing a liq. alkali and/or alkaline earth metal salt(s), including a monobasic organic acid salt, into a porous electrode structure.    ADVANTAGE -   The carbonate contg. structure is prepd. without the cracking and curling which may occur on solidification of a directly introduced carbonate salt mixt.
Electrochemical cell having an anode and cathode contacting an aq. electrolyte contg. at least one electroactive species, is operated by maintaining the aq. electrolyte at supercritical fluid conditions while electrochemically converting (part of) the electroactive species to a prod.(s).    A current is flowed through the electrolyte between electrodes at a potential sufficient to convert the species to the prod. The cell may contain a liq. permeable separator.    USE/ADVANTAGE -   The method is useful for operation of chlor-alkali cells, chlorate cells, electrolysis of water, reacting hydrocarbons to form other organic cpds., converting C to CO or CO2, or in fuel cells and batteries. Supercritical fluid conditions increase the efficiency of operation without need for turbulence promoters, providing lower viscosity for higher mass transfer rates, and may improve miscibility with water and provide more favourable thermodynamics and kinetics.
A semiconductor material (7) is etched by (a) masking the region of the material not to be etched with oxide coated Al (1) and (b) etching with an etchant for the material which is relatively inert to the oxide. The semiconductor material is Si. The oxide is Al2O3. The Al is a foil, and semiconductor material extends outwardly on both sides of the foil. The etchant is HF, HNO3 and acetic acid.    USE -   The method is useful for mfg. solar cells from Si spheres in a metal foil matrix, using the Al matrix as a mask for etching the spheres.
A window material for solar cell consists of a dehydrogenated silicon (SiH2)-based p-type amorphous silicon semiconductor film of optical band gap greater than 1.8 eV and containing 29-39 atomic percent hydrogen with 25-36 atomic percent being dihydride (SiH2) and 3-6 atomic percent being monohydride (SiH). The window is formed by decomposing on a substrate a gaseous mixture composed of disilane, a substance imparting p-type electrical conductivity and a diluent gas, with flow discharge energy of 0.5-8.5 kJ/g-disilane.    An amorphous silicon solar cell comprising a substrate with first electrode; an intrinsic layer of hydrogen content 15-22 atomic percent, 2-7 percent being dihydride, 12-16 percent being monohydride; an amorphous silicon layer being n-type electrical conductivity, and second electrode on the substrate, with layers arranged forward or reverse.    USE/ADVANTAGE -   A method for forming a semiconductor film being amorphous silicon of wide optical band gap and being suitable for window material for solar cells. The silicon solar cells have high photo-voltaic conversion efficiency at high speeds. (First major country equivalent to JP61050378)
The appts. for analysing gases of a fuel cell power generating system has a reforming appl. equipped with an appts. for calculating the concentration or composition of the reformed gas produced by the reforming appts. based on the temperatures and pressures of the reactions and the flow rates of the raw fuel and water vapour fed to the reforming appts.
Raw material or intermediate prod. or final prod. of unbaked or baked basic refractory with slaking property is wax-coated. Wax-coating may be applied at various stages.    USE/ADVANTAGE -   Slaking of clinker of calcia, dolomite, magnesia, etc., and refractory prods. mfd. from those materials is avoided.    In an example, calcia clinker baked at SK 32-33 (1710-1730 deg.C) was coarse ground to 4.67-1.17mm dia. The coarse grains were immersed in molten wax bath at 90-100 deg.C for 10-20 mins. The coated prod. was kept in cases exposed to atmos. No changes in mechanical and thermal properties were observed on wax-coated prods. after 90 days.
Film is obtd. by forming hot-melt adhesive layer on at least one side of heat-resisting film.    Pref. hot-melt adhesive is copolymer of acrylic resin or epoxy-denatured polyethylene. Acrylic resin is acrylic acid ester-methacrylic acid ester copolymer resin. Protective film surface using transparent heat-resisting film be used as a photo-receptive surface.    Pref. heat resisting film is polyethylene terephthalate film, FEP film, PCTF film, etc. Pref. hot-melt adhesive is e.g. copolymer polyamide, copolymer polyester, ethylene-vinylacetate copolymer, acrylic acid ester-methacrylic acid ester copolymer resin, etc., having thickness of 20-100 micron (more pref. 30-60). The total thickness be pref. 50-100 micron.    USE/ADVANTAGE -   Epoxy resin coating protective film is conventionally used for solar batteries of out-door power generation and portable power generation devices likely to be easily stripped off by a sudden temp. change and cause various troubles such as coating gaps, cissing, bubbling, dust-mixing, lowering of sharpness of patterns, etc. when some complex treatments such as thick coating or overlapping coating are required.
Multijunction semiconductor device comprises a p-type layer and an n-type layer with an interposed diffusion-blocking layer. The latter may be a conducting or insulating layer and is specifically at least one layer selected from a nitride, transparent conductive oxide, metal silicide, silicide-forming metal and semiconductor excluding H2.    USE/ADVANTAGE -   In solar cells, photo-sensors, rectifiers, etc. Diffusion-blocking layer reduces fall-off in device performance caused by diffusion of dopant atoms between the p and n layers.
A chemical fuel cell capable of producing electricity from organic cpds. and forming their oxidn. prods. has separate oxidn. and redn. half cells and means for sepg. the half cells while permitting ions to flow between the half cells.    The anaerobic oxidn. half cell comprises: (i) an electrically conductive, electron donor fuel coln. having an effective amt. of an electron-accepting, quinone cpd. and an electron-donating polyhydroxylic organic cpd.; (ii) a cell chamber for contg. the fuel soln.; and (iii) an electrode contg. the fuel soln.. The redn. half cell comprises: (i) an electrically conductive, ionic soln.; (ii) a cell chamber for contg. the soln.; and (iii) an electrode contacting the ionic soln.. The polyhydroxylic cpd. is oxydised and an electrical potential exists between the electrodes. A photochemical fuel cell also comprises a light source for irradiating the electron donor soln.. Pref. the light is visible light. A process for the prodn. of electricity from such fuel cells is also claimed.    ADVANTAGE -   Electricity is produced from natural, comparatively inexpensive materials e.g. sugars. The fuel tolerance ranges from methanol to beet sugar to molasses. In producing current, desirable oxidn. prods. of the starting hydroxylic acids are also synthesised, with no need to control the voltage during the synthesis. Photoexcitation can be effected with visible light.
A REDOX system includes (a) a conventional REDOX cell having (i) anode and cathode chambers sepd. by an ion exchange membrane; (ii) an inert electrode in each chamber; (iii) anode and cathode fluids, each including the same two species of metal chlorides in aq. HCl, where the active metal ions in each fluid are determined by the charging voltage applied between the electrodes of the REDOX cell; and (b) a rebalance cell having (iv) a cathode chamber and Cl2 reactant chamber sepd. by an ion permeable membrane; (v) an inert electrode in each chamber; (vi) the cathode fluid from the REDOX cell circulated through the cathode chamber; and (vii) a reactant fluid contg. the same two species of metal chlorides in aq. HCl as the anode and cathode fluids, circulated through the Cl2 reactant chamber. The electrode in the reactant chamber is maintained negative w.r.t. the cathode, reducing metal ions and oxidising Cl ions to Cl2 gas.    ADVANTAGE -   The rebalance cell prevents or corrects the electrochemical imbalance that occurs after a period of operation, avoiding a redn. in coulombic capacity of the cell, e.g. installation of a rebalance cell after 60 days, when efficiency had dropped to 50% theoretical, restored it to its original efficiency of 95%.
Box carrier for the deposit of materials, comprising side walls which have a region of sepn. and end walls joining the side walls. A substrate is positioned in the carrier against one of the side walls.    Device introduces a gaseous mixt. into the region to permit a deposit from it on the substrate. Device exhausts the gaseous mixt. from the region.    Pref. a vertically positioned electrode is included in the region and side walls form an equipotential shell with respect to the electrode.    Pref. the gaseous mixt. includes at least one silane and/or germane and deposit is amorphous silicon and/or amorphous germanium.    USE/ADVANTAGE -   Solar cells mfr. in which a high degree of Si utilisation is achieved and where cross-contamination between layers is minimised.
Battery comprises an assembly of photovoltaic cells connected in series and placed between two glass panes and two polyvinylbutyral foils, to charge one or two storage batteries and by use of the inernal resistance of the cells to be used as a car antenna or burglar alarm antenna.    High frequency and d.c. component sepn. is accomplished using two inductances and a condenser. The cells are e.g. 2-3 inches in dia.    ADVANTAGE -   Provides independence for electric car users and increases the life of a car battery by constant recharging even in winter. (First major country equivalent to RO--88421-A)
Cell is used to generate electrical power by the addition of a fuel. A control ensures that the concn. of fuel in the cell remains in the region where the electrical power output of the cell depends on the concn. of fuel in the cell. Further fuel is added, pref. in small doses, so that the electrical power output of the cell remains constant. Pref. the operating efficiency of the cell is calculated and used as a criterion for deciding whether or not to add further fuel.    USE/ADVANTAGE -   In an example, impure sucrose mollases from beet was used with Proteus vulgaris in a fuel cell to produce an output voltage of 0.3 V. The operating efficiency of the cell is greater than if it were operated at a higher conc. of fuel where the electrical power output is independent of fuel concn. Typically, the energy efficiency is 25%.
A fuel cell stack comprises a plurality of stacked elements including at least one corrosion resistant, electrically conductive, fluid impervious interface (I) arranged between two adjacent elements. (I) comprises a non-cuprous metal coating (II) formed on at least one of the elements and a conductive layer (III) bonded to the metal coated element by hot-pressed resin (IV). (IV) fills any pores in the conductive layer. One of the elements comprises a gas distribution plate and the other comprises either a metal coated cooling plate or a metal coated current collecting plate.    USE/ADVANTAGE -   An improved interface configuration where the gas/liq. impervious interface is resistant to migration of the corrosive acid electrolyte.
A combined fuel cell installation consists of the fuel cell and of a unit to feed fuel gas, high in H2, to the anode of the fuel cell. A gas separator supplies high-purity oxygen gas with an argon content to the cathode. A burner for the surplus gases from anode and cathode is followed by a cooler where the water condenses so that argon gas can be separated and stored in a tank.    ADVANTAGE -   This raises the capacity of a fuel cell generator. The generation of electricity and the prodn. of argon gas are performed with lower operating costs.
Process comprises cold rolling nickel at 99.5% purity into plates of about 200 microns thickness and subjecting these plates to an initial treatment in an oven. The treatment includes a rapid heating in air at a 1000 deg. to 1100 deg.C followed by oxidation for about 5 minutes, reducing the oxidized nickel plates in an atmosphere of argon containing about 1% hydrogen. The atmosphere of argon is introduced into the furnace at a flow of about 20 cc/min for about 1 hour, rapidly decreasing the temp. of the furnace to about 820 deg.C and introducing pure and dry oxygen into the furnace for about 10 minutes, so as to flush away all hydrogen. The plates are rapidly cooled to room temp. after stopping the flow of oxygen.    ADVANTAGE -   The oxidn. process only requires simple equipment and the cost of the basic material is relatively low.
An electric cell with H2 and O2 is claimed to use in vehicles etc. Cell has O2 electrode chambers to reduce O2, fuel electrode chambers to oxidise H2 in fuel gas fed from semiconductor electrode chambers to selectively oxidise CO in the gas. (J54046347-A)
(JP95046731-B2)      The amorphous silicon solar cell is produced by applying a p-type silicon film on a substrate having an electrode. The film is produced by glow discharge of a silane cpd. with dopant gas. Disilane and a p-type doping gas are used as raw materials. Glow discharge energy is 20 or less kilojoules. The band gap of the film is 1.9-2.1 eV. The thin film is produced at a temp. of 100-200C.    ADVANTAGE -   High yield and improved degradation resistance are obtained.
A fuel cell generating electricity by catalysed reaction of gases includes (a) a first electrode in which a prod. gas is formed by the electricity-generating reaction between the reactant gases, made from a porous substrate and having (i) a catalyst layer, (ii) a gas inflow passage closed at one end, and (iii) a gas outflow passage closed at one end, independent of the gas inflow passage and located so the reactant gas passes through the catalyst layer towards the gas outflow passage together with prod. gas formed in the reaction at the catalyst layer and, conventionally (b) a second electrode made of a porous substrate and having a gas passage, (c) an electrolyte retaining matrix between the electrodes, and (d) a pair of separator plates partitioning the cells at their outer ends.    ADVANTAGE -   The cocurrent flow of reactant and prod. gas provides good diffusion of the reactant gas, unimpeded by the prod. gas and improves fuel cell performance at higher current densities. (First major country equivalent to J61032361-A9
Method of breaking up the steam of electrolyte to a cell unit (8,9) consists of using a drop producing device (6) between the exit of the electrolyte container (38) and the cell unit. In this way two drop areas (1,1') are produced before and after the cell unit.    The electrolyte container has an overflow device which feeds the electrolyte in to distribution channels prior to contacting the drop producing device.    USE/ADVANTAGE -   In electrolytic and electrodialysis cells and in working of fuel cells and batteries. By ensuring that a thin constant film covers the electrode surfaces during operation, current loss is avoided and the overall efficiency of the cell is maintained. Corrosion to the cell and peripheral plant parts is also avoided.
Compsns. comprise (1) styrenediene block copolymers and (2) thiophene copolymers.    The compsns. are prepd. by electrolysis-polymerising (2) in the presence of (1). (1) is prepd. in the presence of alkyl lithium catalyst by the anion living polymerisation method. Pref. (1) comprises 10-90wt.% styrene monomers and 90-10wt.% diene monomers. The compsns. have conductivity of 10 power minus 5 to 10 power 2 ohm.cm.    USE/ADVANTAGE -   The compsns. are transparent and have good fluidity on melting and mouldability and are used for coating electrodes, batteries, semiconductor chips, solar batteries, and antistatic processing of plastics.    In an example, a platinum electrode was coated with toluene soln. of styrene-butadiene block copolymer (styrene 8wt.% and butadiene 20wt.%) and dried. The film formed on the electrode was 2 microns thick. 500 ml acetonitrile and 4.2g thiophene and 4.2g LiBF4 were stirred. The block copolymer-coated electrode (anode) and an uncoated platinum electrode (cathode) were coasoaked in a homogeneous soln. and thiophene was electrolysed at 5 mA/cm2 under 20 V for 5 mins. The coated electrode was washed with acetonitrile and dried. The film formed was released from the electrode. The film was 20 microns thick, transparent and had a conductivity of 2 x 10 power minus 6 ohm.cm.
Compsns. comprise (1) styrenediene block copolymers and (2) pyrrole copolymers.    The block copolymer compsns. are prepd. by electrolytic-polymerisinq (2) in the presence of (1). (1) is prepd. in the presence of alkyl lithium catalyst by the anionic living polymerisation method. Pref. (1) comprises 10-90wt.% of styrene monomers and 90-10wt.% of diene monomers. The compsns. have conductivity of 10 power(-5) to 10 power 2 ohm.cm.    USE/ADVANTAGE -   The conductive compsns. are transparent, have fine fluidity on melting and mouldability and are used for coating of electrodes, battery, semiconductor chips, solar battery, antistatic processing of plastics.
Prepn. comprises treating acetylene polymer with polyfunctional cpd.    The polyfunctional cpd. is RZn (where R is aryl, cycloalkane, alkane, alkene, alkyne, piperazine or Zn-2 gp.; Z is isocyanate, thioisocyanate, aldehyde, carboxylic acid, carboxylic acid halide, carboxylic acid anhydride, carboxylic acid ester, carbodiimide, hydrazine, carbamic acid halide, carboxylic acid amide or amine gp.; and n is 2 or more).    The acetylene polymer includes, e.g., homopolymer of acetylene, phenyl acetylene, hexyl acetylene or naphthyl acetylene, copolymer of (i) acetylene and (ii) ethenyl benzene and/or divinylbenzene, or composite of (i) acetylene polymer and (ii) electroconductive material, e.g., carbon black, metal fibre or metal powder. The acetylene polymer and the polyfunctional cpd. are added to inert organic solvent, and agitated at less than the b.pt. of the solvent for 30 mins. - 7 days.    USE/ADVANTAGE -   The cured polymer has improved mecyanica mechanical strength, e.g. tensile strength or folding endurance. The polymer has electroconductivity of 10 power minus 10 to 10 power 4 S/cm2, by doping, and the polymer is used electroconductive material. Prim. battery or solar battery may be obtd. using the polymer.
In prodn. of silica glass by the sol gel process from at least alkyl silicate, e.g., ethyl silicate etc. and super fine SiO2 powder, e.g., Aerosil sold from Degussa Corp. etc., the improvement comprises filtering sol at least once using a filter having mesh size less than 50 microns to remove coarse granular fraction having special form, prior to gelation, so that uniform high quality silica glass is obtd..    The filtration procedure is, e.g., carried-out continuously by pressurisation filtration using a liq.-sending pump, or by first passing through a coarse filter and subsequently through a fine filter. The sol is e.g. prepd. by thoroughly mixing together 4.4 l of ethyl silicate and 3.6 l of aq. 0.05N-HCl soln. to give colourless transparent uniform soln.. Thereafter, 1.5 kg of Aerosil-OX-50 is slowly added and thoroughly stirred together, followed by application of ultra-sonic waves and centrifugation.    USE -   In prodn. of silica glass substrate for photo-masking, optical fibre for optical communication and optical cell etc..
Bipolar gas reactant distribution assembly having solid, gas impervious edge seals to prevent leakage of gaseous reactants is prepd. by (a) providing a pair of porous plates having peripheral slits parallel to and spaced from the edges of the plates; (b) filling the slits with a non-porous, fusible gas impervious edge sealing compound; (c) assembling the plates with the slits at right angles to one another and a layer of fusible sealant between them; and (d) hot pressing the assembly at a temp. to cause redistribution of the sealant layer into the pores of the adjacent plate surfaces and the edge sealant to flow and impregnate the plates adjacent the slits and comingle with the redistributed sealant to form a continuous layer of sealant along the edges of the assembly.    ADVANTAGE -   The edge seal is formed simultaneously with the fabrication of the bipolar gas distribution assembly using a solid sealant compound so eliminating subsequent edge sealing.
A compsn., cross-linkable by UV light, contains units of formula (I) HR1C=CR2COOR3SiR2O 1/2 and of formula (II) HSR3RaSiO(3-a)/2' and comprises (A) an organopolysiloxane with 2 I units, at least 80% of the rest being units of formula R2SiO, and with viscosity 20-5000 mPa.s at 25 deg.C, (B) an organopolysiloxane end-blocked with units of formula R3SiO 1/2, and contg. 0.05-5 mols.% of II units, at least 99 mols.% of the rest, apart from the triorganosiloxy gps. being of formula R2SiO, and with viscosity 50-2000 mPa.s at 25 deg.C, and (C) a photosensitiser. The amt. of Si-linked OH gps. in units of formula R2SiO, is not more than 0.2 OH gps., w.r.t. 1 gp. of formula HR1C=CR2COOR3. The compsn. also contains (D) not more than 0.02 wt.%, w.r.t. A+B+C, of an organo-Ti or organo-Sn cpd. R = monovalent hydrocarbon gp., opt. halogenated; R1 = H or (halogenated) phenyl; R2 0 H or 1-4C alkyl; R3 = divalent hydrocarbon gp. opt. halogenated; a = 0 or 1.    USE/ADVANTAGE -   Electronic units are embedded in the compsn., followed by cross-linking with UV light (claimed). The units include hybrid switching circuits, e.g. for electronic detonators, modules and photovolatic solar generators. The compsn. can be stored for at least 6 months with exclusion of light, but cross-links in 0.5-20 secs. in UV light. The viscosity is low enough to allow the compsn. to penetrate into narrow spaces. The user does not have to measure a 2-component system. The cross-linked prods. are transparent, soft, and ''self-healing''.
(JP93060237-B)      Fuel cell power generation system comprises a converter to convert CO in a fuel gas exhausted from a fused carbonate fuel cell into CO2 and gas separator to separate the converted gas into CO2 and H2.    USE -   Used for power plants. (J61724171-A)
(JP93042783-B)      The system comprises fixed carbonate type fuel cell electrochemically reactive with fuel gas, CO converter to convert CO exhausted from the cell into CO2, and phosphate type fuel cell reactive with oxidising gas.    USE -   Used for improving the generation efficiency. (J61024155-A)
Solar concentrator plates are doped with GF Orange-Red (RTM), Fluorol 555 (RTM), oxazine-4-perchlorate, LDS 730 (RTM), LDS 750 (RTM) and/or BASF 339, opt. in admixture with GF Clear (RTM) or 3-phenyl-fluoranthene.    The dyes may be incorporated directly in the plate or dispersed in a thin film of glass or plastic covering the plate. The plate may also be covered by a thin film of protective glass, esp. doped with Ce(3+). Pref. plates are doped with Orange-Red alone or in combination with Clear, Fluorol, oxazine-4-perchlorate, LDS 730 or LDS 750.    ADVANTAGE -   The dyes convert sunlight to fluorescent light of longer wavelength, at which photovoltaic cells have qreater efficiency. The dyes have better light stability than conventional laser dyes such as Coumarin 153 (RTM), Coumarin 311 (RTM), Rhodamine 6G (RTM) and Sulfarhodamine B (RTM).
Solid state photo-sensor comprises, from the topmost layer; a transparent electrode (28); first amorphous Si layer of first type (26) and second amorphous Si layer of second type (24) each contg. 0-200 ppm of dopant, a second layer (22) formed over an insulating layer (20) except where it contacts a first type substrate impurity region (12), forming a pn diode with the substrate, gate insulation layer (16) overlying the substrate; gate electrode (18) between gate insulation and substrate insulation layers; and a potential barrier region (14) of second-type formed in the substrate separate from the first-type substrate region.    The device delivers photocarriers; in the form of current, excited in both amorphous layers.    USE/ADVANTAGE -   In an array in e.g. a solar battery electro-photographic device, etc. Device develops high S/N ratio with low dark current and good spectral sensitivity. (First major country equivalent to J61018183-A)
A conductive resin compsn. prepd. by adding 0.01-20 pts.wt. of lithium- or tin-type halogenide to 100 pts.wt. of a polyimide precursor, the polyimide precursor being a polymerisation prod. of an organic tetracarboxylic acid component contg. as a partial components a silane-modified polyhydric carboxylic acid and diamine, the silane-modified polyhydric carboxylic acid component having formula (2); where Tc1 = monovalent residual gp. of organic tetracarboxylic acid component, Tc2= divalent residual gp. of organic tetracarboxylic acid, Z= acid gp. optionally contg. X gp. (hydroxysable gp. selected from alkoxy, acetoxy, phenoxy and halogen) bonded to carbonyl carbon, R1 = monovalent gp. contg. H or aromatic ring, R2 = divalent organic gp. contg. carbon atom directly bonded to silicon atom, m = 1 or 2, X = as described above, Y = alkyl, alkoxy, acetoxy, phenoxy, silyl, siloxy, disilanyl, organosilyl, organosiloxy, organohalosilyl or organohalosiloxy, n= 2 or 3 when Y= alkoxy, acetoxy or phenoxy, or n= 2 when Y= other than alkoxy, acetoxy or phenoxy, which is prepd. by reacting aminosilane cpd. representable by the formula (1): (where R1, R2, m, X and Y are as above) to react with an organic tetracarboxylic acid component through NH gp. and at least one hydrolysable gp. (X) in the formula (1).    USE -   The compsns. are preferably used as semi-conductors e.g. hybrid IC, shield materials, electrolyte material of solar battery or conductive materials.
In prepg. lithium aluminate from powder mixture of Al2O3, Li2CO3, and K2CO3, said powder mixture is formed by compression and the compressed body is heat treated in air.    gamma-Al2O3, LM2CO3 and K2CO3 were dried and mixed so as to give (by wt%) 40:60-55:45 proportion of LiAlO2 to be produced finally to carbonates consisting of 62 mol% Li2CO3 and 38 mol% K2CO3 having an eutectic point of 490 deg.C. The three of starting material were mixed with ethanol, dried in the air, and dried further at 150 deg.C for at least 12 hr. Then 2.5 wt% (based on the weight of the whole powder) water was sprayed. The wet powder was filled in a mould and moulded with 1 ton/cm2 pressure to a disc. The disc was heated at 100 deg.C/ hr. rate to 600 deg.C for 3-8 hr. Thus, by heat-treating a moulded product in air, almost same result as heating in CO2 atmosphere is ensured.    USE/ADVANTAGE -   Suitable alpha-LiAlO2 for electrolyte tile matrix to be used for holding molten carbonate type fuel cell (MCFC) using alkali carbonate for the electrolyte is provided with high efficiency and inexpensively, because the treatment of the powder mixture in CO2 atmosphere as required by the conventional process is not necessary. The LiAlO2 is obtd. at 500-600 deg.C which is lower than the conventional process generating fine LiAlO2 having higher specific surface area.
A fuel cell with an activated carbon-contg. anode and cathode, pref. for oxidative purification of waste waters with oxygen or oxygen-contg. cpds., is made by (i) anodically oxidising the cathode in aq. mineral acids at a potential of Eh = + 1.3 X to Eh = + 10 V, and then doping it with Mo (VI) and/or W (VI) and/or V (V) cpds., and (ii) anodically oxidising the anode in aq. mineral acid, then cathodically reducing it in aq. mineral acid and impregnating it with Co hydroxide and/or Ni hydroxide and/or Cu hydroxide and.or Zn hydroxide. The anode and cathode are separated by a porous polyelectrolyte through which the effluent water flows.    In a pref. cell, the electrodes are in the form of concentric tubular elements comprising an inner tubular porous cathode which is fed from inside with an oxidising agent such as O2, air or H2O2 and an outer non-porous tubular anode. The annular space between the electrodes is packed with a polyelectrolyte, esp. a granular macroporous anion-cation exchanger mixt. through which the water to be treated is passed.    ADVANTAGE -   The cells give better space/time yields in the water purification process than active sludge techniques, and also gives improved degradation of humic acids, fulvic acids, aromatic cpds. and chlorinated hydrocarbons.
A solar cell, with an anti-reflection layer (5) pref. of tin oxide-indium oxide and an amorphous silicon semiconductor body contg., between a p-zone (2) and and n-zone (4) an intrinsic layer (3) with a boron doping profile decreasing in the direction towards the i-n junction, has the following structure. (a) A metallic back-face contact electrode (1); (b) a p-i-n amorphous semiconductor substrate (2,3,4) applied on the electrode (1); (c) an antireflection layer (5) deposited on the semiconductor substrate; and (d) a front-face contact electrode in the form of a metal strip system (6) applied on the antireflection layer.    ADVANTAGE -   The solar cell is stable, shows reduced light ageing and is free of the Staebler-Wronski effect.
Porous bubble pressure barrier (4) having metal oxide in its pores and a metal oxide free face(s) is prepd. by (a) providing a porous sintered blank comprising a plaque of Ni, Cu, or alloy of Ni-Cu or Ni with up to 10% Cr, having a median pore size 1-10 micron and a pore vol. 40-75%; (b) immersing the blank in an aq. soln. of a precursor salt for Al, Ti, Fe, Zn or Ce oxide; (c) subjecting the soln. to a vacuum to evacuate the pores and fill them with salt soln.; (d) retrieving the blank and immersing it in an aq. hydroxide soln.; (e) subjecting the soln. to a vacuum to drive it into contact with the salt in the pores of the blank, for a reaction producing metal hydroxide; (f) retrieving the blank and removing metal oxide from at least one face; (g) firing at below 600 deg.C. to convert hydroxide to oxide, then at 600-700 deg.C. to remove water, both at atmospheric press. in a reducing atmos.    An integrally bonded electrode composite (4,5) is made by sintering an electrode-forming powder or electrode plaque, forming or having a median pore size larger than the barrier, to the oxide free face of the barrier.    USE/ADVANTAGE -   The barrier and electrode are useful in molten carbonate fuel cells. Firings (g) have no deleterious effect on the barrier. The pore size of the barrier are controlled by the amt. metal oxide, and are small enough to fill with electrolyte to provide a barrier to gas cross leakage. It ensures good anode or cathode contact with the tile and may allow a redn. in tile thickness, decreasing cell resistance. Any unfilled portions of the barrier are electrolytically active.
(JP92050712-B)      Fuel cell comprises a seal between a manifold and side face of a cell stack; the seal made by adding a F type rubber having a mol. wt. of 5000 or less, at 30-80 wt. % to polytetrafluoroethylene and forming the mixt. into a band/rope.    Used for portable power sources. (J61007572-A)
Material is specifically a semiconductor film in which the no. of Al ats. exceeds, or is a substantial fraction of the no. of Sn ats. and in which the majority of Al and Sn ats. are not in metallic phases. Optical transmittance of the film is pref. above 50% at. 350-850 nm and sheet resistance is below 10000 ohm/sq.; film is specifically n-type.    USE/ADVANTAGE -   As a solar cell (claimed). Material is low cost and easy to make.
An electrical power source, specially for use in motor cars to start the engine, includes a rechargeable battery contg. an electrolyte, and a fuel cell with a fuel reservoir. A temp. sensor checks the electrolyte temp. and controls a heater to keep the temperature within a given limit. The current from the fuel cell to charge the battery is monitored and its magnitude is reduced below a given figure. A fan can be switched on to cool the battery.    ADVANTAGE -   This prevents starting difficulties with motor cars which had been exposed to very low or high temps..
A novel substrate for amorphous silicon solar cells comprises (i) an aluminium (alloy) plate with a 1-20 microns thick, unsealed, anodised film formed by anodising in oxalic acid; or (ii) a plate of at least 99.7wt.% purity aluminium having a surface roughness (max. height R(max.) of a test region) of up to 0.5 micron and coated with a 1-10 microns thick, unsealed, anodised film formed by anodising in oxalic acid.    USE/ADVANTAGE -   The substrate is used esp. for supporting a number of series-connected solar cells. It is less expensive than polyimide resin-coated stainless steel substrates and has better thermal conductivity and fracture resistance than glass substrates.
Cell using a hydrocarbon contg. fuel comprises (a) an anode; (b) a cathode; and (c) a passage having input and output ends for fuel flow, contg. a catalyst for endothermic reformation of the hydrocarbon content of the fuel, with the amt. and/or activity of the catalyst at points along the length of the passage selected to promote a uniform temp. distribution in the cell over the length. The catalyst pref. also promotes uniform current distribution in the cell.    ADVANTAGE -   The more uniform temp. profile and pref. current distribution increase performance and life of high temp. fuel cells, with reformation rates e.g. 90% for CH4.
Dilute electrolyte is deposited directly onto the external face of a fuel cell stack and is absorbed by capillary action into elements of the stack. The deposition continues until the electrodes and matrix layers of the stack are fully saturated with the electrolyte to a preselected concn. Liq. is then evaporated from the saturated elements under selected conditions of humidity and temp. until a steady state condition is reached.    USE/ADVANTAGE -   Adding electrolyte to a fuel cell. The electrolyte is added to the fuel cell stack uniformly throughout its height. No extra stack pieces are required in order to add the electrolyte.
Colour-photosensor contains several sensor units, placed closely to one another. The no. of sensor units is equal to the no. of signals into which a colour-signal is decomposed. Each sensor unit comprises an amorphous Si-contg. photo-conductive layer formed on a substrate, an electrode pair which is in electrical contact with the photo-conductive layer, a photo-receiver and a colour-filter provided in the position corresp. to that of the photo-receiver. The colour-filter contains at least one dye-layer selected from gps. (A), (B) and (C).    (A) a red dye layer contg., as main constituents, a perylene-tetracarboxylic acid deriv. of formula (I) or (II): R1=H, alkyl or allyl; (B) a green dye-layer contg., as main constituent, a phthalocyanine dye opt. combined with an isoindolenone- or an anthraquinone dye; and (C) a blue dye-layer contg. as main constituent, a phthalocyanine dye opt. combined with a quinacridone dye.    USE/ADVANTAGE -   The photo-sensor is used esp. for reading a coloured image. The photo-sensor is prepd. at low-cost is highly efficient and retains its high efficiency for a long time.
Silicon crystal sheets for semiconductor devices, esp solar cells, are produced using a substrate which is resistant to molten silicon and which is drawn tangentially in a horizontal direction over a silicon melt, the substrate acting simultaneously as a crystallisation seed for formation of a crystalline silicon sheet.    The novel features are (a) the substrate comprises filaments (14) of relatively high emissivity material, which run parallel in the drawing direction; (b) the silicon melt (11) is contained in a tank (8a) of length (l) such that the contact length (L) between the melt and the substrate can be controlled to L=Vz.t (V2=drawing speed, t=dwell time and L is not greater than l); (c) the drawing direction (V2) is angled at less than 10 deg. to the horizontal; and (d) reflectors (17) are arranged over the melt (11) and cooperate with heaters (21) positioned under the tank base to control radiation from the melt surface (22) so that the temp. remains in the region of the melting point of silicon (Tm=1420 deg.C). Appts. for carrying out the process is also claimed.    ADVANTAGE -   Silicon sheet of adjustable width and constant thickness is produced at high drawing speeds.
Optimised photovoltaic film of Cu2O is formed on Cu foil of thickness not above 0.005in. by: oxidising the foil in the presence of an O2-contg. gas at 900-1100 deg.C; heat treating at 300-700 deg.C in an O2-free inert gas; and quenching to ambient. Continuous process using a foil roll is also claimed.    Foil thickness is 0.001-0.005 pref. about 0.002in. Oxidn. is carried out in Ar contg. 1vol.% O2 at 1000 deg.C and atmos. pressure to form a Cu2O film 10-25, pref. 20 micron thick; heat treatment is preformed at 500 deg.C in Ar, N2, Ne or mixts. of these and quenching is carried out in water.    USE/ADVANTAGE -   In solar cells etc. Prod. has a large photovoltaic effect.
In an internal manifold type laminated fuel cell, in order to feed two kinds of gases to a cathode and an anode respectively, through a separator plate, spacers for separately supplying the gases to the cathode and the anode are disposed over the surfaces, respectively, of the separator plate. The anode and cathode spacers each have a window through which the supply and discharge passage for the respective gases are communicated with the electrodes.    USE/ADVANTAGE -   As e.g. a stacked molten carbonate fuel cell. Sepn. and sealing between the two gases is ensured by a simple construction. (First major country equivalent to J60253170-A)
The internal and external surfaces of the reaction pipe are provided with pillar like projections (fins).    USE/ADVANTAGE -   Heat transfer area of reaction pipe increases several fold, which makes the system small. Gas around reaction pipe becomes turbid which improves heat transfer ratio. Mixing of raw gas in reforming catalyst layer is improved, and only small quantity of gas slips.
(JP93010835-B)      Cell comprises a transparent electrode composed of columnar crystals of Sn oxide which rise perpendicularly to a light receiving face and form an uneven boundary with an amorphous Si layer.    USE -   For power sources. (J60240166-A)
Aq. slurry contg. solid compsn. comprising 40-90 wt.% of at least 2 kinds of potassium titanate fibres having different m. pts. and 60-10 wt.% of other solid components of organic fibre, organic binder, bind-assisting agent, etc. is prepd., and slurry is made into sheet-like moulded body by wet-machine method. Moulded body is sintered at temp. higher than m.pt. of potassium titanate fibre having low m.pt. and lower than m.pt. of potassium titanate fibre having high m.pt.    Pref. potassium titanate fibre is K2O.mTiO2.nH2O (where, m: positive number not larger than 8, n: 0 or positive number not larger than 4) having 0.1-0.7 microns of dia. and 10-50 microns of fibre length (i.e. whisher). Organic fibre is various kinds of natural fibres (esp. pulp) and synthetic fibres, organic binder is acrylic acid resin, denatured acrylic acid resin, polyvinylacetate, ethylene-vinylacetate copolymer, styrene-butadiene rubber, etc. in form of emulsion. Bind-assisting agent is anionic or cationic agglutinating agents.    USE/ADVANTAGE -   Porous sintered body having high heat-resistance, high resistance to corrosion of alkali at high temp., high mechanical strength and favourable filtering property is produced. Sintered body having voluntary porosity is producible. Sintered body is useful for the matrix material of fuel cell, filter for brewing industry, etc.
Composite body comprises carbonaceous thin plate made of basic material of carbonised thin papery support and carbonaceous matrix having fine mosaic of polarising microscopically anisotropic particles smaller than 10 microns or optically isotropic structure.    It contains more than 95 wt.% carbon, and has coefft. of gas permeation 10 power minus 5 - 10 power minus 7 cm3/s specific electric resistance in the direction of thickness. 2 x 10 power minus 3 - 6.10 power minus 3 ohm.cm bulk density 1.4 - 1.9 g/cm3 and thickness 0.1-1 mm.    Carbonisable precursor material of carbon is carried on a carbonisable thin papery support, and its single or laminated sheet is hardened by heating with pressing, and carbonised by burning. The papery support is made from pulp of natural plant fibre or a mixt. comprising more than 70 wt.% natural plant fibre and the rest synthetic fibre or oxidised pitch or C fibre.    USE/ADVANTAGE -   The carbonaceous thin plate has high solidity with low gas permeability and high electrical conductivity. Large sized carbonaceous thin plate having uniform thickness is produced. Useful as support for phosphoric acid fuel cells, electrode for electrolysis, partition membrane of heat exchanger, etc..
Process comprises using olefin polymer and/or fluorinated olefin polymer as base material and using a mixt. contg. styrene, chloromethylstyrene and divinyl benzene as polymerisable monomer, in mfg. an ion-exchange membrane by impregnating base material with polyermisable monomer, polymerising the monomer, and opt. introducing an ion-exchange gp. into the polymer.    Polymerisable monomer mixt. pref. contains 10-80 wt.% styrene, 10-80 wt.% chloromethyl styrene and 1-25 wt.% divinyl benzene based on the total wt. of styrene, chloromethylstyrene and divinyl benzene. The impregnated polymerisable monomer is pref. partially polymerised by irradiation of ionising radiation in the initial stage and the residual part of the impregnated polymerisable monomer is polymerised by heating in the presence of polymerisation initiator at the final stage. Polymerisation conversion ratio of the polymerisable monomer by irradiation of ionising radiation in the initial stage is pref. no more than 80%.    USE/ADVANTAGE -   Membrane has excellent heat and chemical resistance compared with conventional ion-exchange membranes. It has sufficient mechanical strength due to strong bonding between the membrane forming layer and base. Used for fuel cell membranes, various electrolysis membranes, redox cell membranes, high temp. electrodialysis membranes, high temp. diffusion dialysis membranes, double-decompsn. membranes, etc.
Process comprises using fluorinated olefin type polymer as base material, partially polymerising the polymerising monomer impregnated in the base material, by the irradiation of ionising radiation at the start of polymerisation and polymerising the remaining part by heating in the presence of polymerisation initiator at the end of polymerisation.    The conversion ratio of the polymerisation reaction of polymerisable monomer at the start by irradiation of ionising radiation is up to 80%. As the polymerisable monomer, polymerisable monomer mixt. contg. styrene, chloromethylstyrene and divinyl benzene as indispensable ingredient is used. As the fluorinated olefin type polymer, PTFE, polyvinylidene fluoride, ethylene-ethylenetetrafluoride copolymer, etc. are used.    USE/ADVANTAGE -   The ion exchange membrane has good heat resistance and chemical resistance compared with conventional ion exchange membrane and it has sufficient mechanical strength. Electrical properties of the membrane can be made suitable for use as fuel cell membrane, various electrolysis membranes, redox cell membrane, acid recovery condensn. membrane, alkali recovery condensn. membrane, high temp. electrodialysis membrane, high temp. diffusion dialysis membrane, double decomposition membrane,
Reinforced ZrO2-based sintered body comprises a plate-like sintered substrate of a (partially)stabilised ZrO2-based mass with a protective Al2O3-contg. layer on each side. Substrate pref. has a thickness of 0.1-5 more pref. 0.1-2mm; and ratio of protective layer thickness to substrate thickness is pref. 1-25:100.    Process involves providing a green Al2O3 protective layer on each side of a plate-like ZrO2-based substrate; and firing to sinter simultaneously protective layer and substrate.    USE/ADVANTAGE -   As a solid electrolyte element (claimed) for fuel cells, sensors etc. Body has good mechanical strength.
Phenol resin which is blended with drying oil or its fatty acid is mixed with at lease one of carbon powder, cellulose fibre and carbon fibre, and the mixt. is moulded and hardened, then fired in the non-oxidative atmos.    Dense carbonaceous body for the use of fuel cell, having not higher than 10power-6 cm2/sec. air permeability, not higher than 0.01 ohm/cm of specific electric resistance and 0.1-3.0 mm of thickness is produced.    Drying oil is wood, linseed, dehydrated ricinus, bean oil, etc. Drying oil or its fatty acid of 5-50 pts. wt. is mixed with 100 pts. wt. of phenol resin, and the mixt. is used in amt. of 30-60 % (in terms of carbonized matter) on the carbonised carbonaceous material (i.e., carbon powder, cellulose fibre and carbon fibre).    USE/ADVANTAGE -   Dense, thin sheet of carbonaceous body which is useful for the separator of fuel cell is produced by the use of phenol resin contg. drying oil or its fatty acid as the binder.
(JP92012590-B)      Cell comprises H (anode) and oxidising agent- electrodes (cathode) and solid electrolyte between electrodes. Anode catalyst is mixt. of WC with Pt black.    USE -   Used for d.c. power sources. (J60230357-A)
Photoresponsive device comprises (a) a substrate; (b) a body of photoactive semiconductor material having a light incident surface opposite the substrate; and (c) a back reflector between the substrate and semiconductor body, comprising a layer of reflective material alloyed with a second element promoting adhesion of the reflector to the substrate and semiconductor body and inhibiting diffusion between the reflector and the semiconductor body.    The device is made by depositing a layer of the alloy of reflective material and additional material on the substrate, and forming the semiconductor body on the reflective layer.    ADVANTAGE -   Pref. alloys provide high integrated reflectance, promote adhesion and reduce cross diffusion, e.g. an Si-Al alloy reflector, useful with an amorphous Si solar cell has an integrated reflectance of 88% over 350-700 nm.
Method involves, introducing Ge and halogen contg. cpds. and active species produced from film forming chemical substances that are capable of causing chemical interaction with former cpds. into film forming space irradiating discharge energy onto these cpds. and species to cause chemical reaction, then forming deposition film on substrate.    USE -   Method is best suited for forming functional films e.g. amorphous or crystalline deposition films, which are used in semiconductor devices, sensitive devices for electronic photograph, line sensors for image input, and camera devices.
The rigid rim (47) is fixed to a rotating member (40) having a number of radial spokes (42-45). A deformable band (46) is interposed between the rim and the rotating member to allow, before fixing, a radial play of several millimetres between each free end of the radial spokes (42-45) and the interior of the rim (47).    The deformable band (46) is forced into contact with the end of the spokes and is fixed there, causing the band to bulge outward in the region between the spokes, forming a tight fit inside the rim at the peaks of the deformation regions. Wedges (57-60) fit in facing slots in the band and the rim at the point where they are in contact to ensure torque transmission.    USE -   Mounting of wheels of low head water turbines and alternator rotors.
The method involves introducing cpds. contg. C and halogen and active species which are produced from Ga contg. cpds. (capable of causing chemical interaction with the C and halogen contg. cpds.) into film forming space irradiating light energy to these cpds. and active species to form deposition film on the substrate.    USE -   The method is best suited for forming films contg. amorphous or crystalline Ge, which are used in sensitive devices of electronic photograph, line sensors for image input, camera devices and the like.
The generator with permanent-magnet rotor is coupled to the shaft of a Pelton wheel having small blades (31) to which water is fed by a ring of six nozzles (11) protruding at 60 deg. intervals from a coaxial annular distribution chamber (41). Water is supplied from a main (38) via a flow-regulating valve (13) with electronic control which counteracts variations of the generator's output voltage.    The nozzles (11) are fitted into cylindrical bores through a flange (40) and angled for tangential relationship to the Pelton wheel. The wheel may have a dia. of a few cm and can be mass-produced by moulding from synthetic material.    ADVANTAGE -   Compact, lightweight and can be operated from any main supply of water under pressure.
Static charges are prevented between a conductive support structure and conductive surfaces of cover glasses of a solar generator, the thin wires (10) between the conductive coating of the cover glasses (9). The wires abut loosely the conductive surfaces and are held at few points (11) only on the conductive support structure (6).    Pref. the wires are of preset lengths, dependent on the number of the surfaces uner the wires, coupled to solar cell connectors for reducing potential differences between the conductive surfaces and the support structure. Typically, the conductive surfaces are formed exclusively by suitably coated cover glasses. The wires may have a dia. of 0.1 mm, of Mo with a plating of Au, Pt etc.    USE/ADVANTAGE -   Sufficient resistance against atomic oxygen. E.g., for satellite.
Semiconductor element having optical sensitivity, high carrier mobility and short lifetime comprises: a mono-crystalline insulating substrate (I); and an optically sensitive semiconductor layer (II) in domain-produced textured crystalline relationship with the substrate. The atom spacing of (II) is different from (I). (II) maintains the crystal orientation of (I) and has crystalline domains with boundaries perpendicular to the substrate. The domain size is smaller than the diffusion length of the carriers in bulk moncrystalline (II). Pref. (I) is Al2O3 and (II) is GaAs.    USE/ADVANTAGE -   As an optical signal converter or signal sensor. (claimed). Devices have picosec. response.
The method involves, introducing Si- and halogen-contg. cpds. and active species which is produced from film forming nitrogen-contg. cpds. into film forming space, irradiating light energy on these cpds. to cause chemical reaction to form the deposition film on a substrate.    USE -   The method is used for forming functional films, partic. nitrogen-contg. amorphous or crystalline deposition films used for semiconductor devices, photosensitive devices for electrophotograph, line sensors for image input, and camera devices.
Method involves, introducing Si-and halogen-contg. cpds. and active species produced from film forming oxygen-contg. cpds. to cause chemical interaction with cpds., into film forming space respectively and the effecting thermal energy to cause chemical reaction to form the deposition film on substrate.    USE -   Method is used for forming functional films. Partc., oxygen-contg. crystalline or amorphous deposition film used for semiconductor devices, light sensitive devices for electronic photograph, line sensors for image input, and camera devices.
The method involves, introducing C and halogen-contg. cpds. and active species produced from film forming Ge-contg. cpds causing chemical reaction with the cpds., into film forming space respectively and applying thermal energy to these to cause a chemical reaction to form the deposition film on a substrate.    USE -   The method is used for forming functional films, particularly, Ge-contg. crystalline or amorphous deposition film used for semicolour devices, electronic photograph light sensing devices, line sensors for image input, and camera devices. (14pp)
The method involves, introducing Si and halogen-contg. cpds, and active species obtd. from film forming Ge-contg. cpds. into film forming space respectively and using discharge energy to cause chemical reaction to form the deposition film on a substrate.    USE -   The method is used for forming functional films, partic. Ge-contg. crystalline or amorphous deposition film used for semiconductor devices, electronic photograph light sensing devices, line sensors for image input, and camera devices.
On a substrate (1) made of Pertinax or glass, are deposited conducting pads (2) which extend into narrow tracks (3) that run alongside the outer edge of the substrate. The pads make contact with the backs of individual solar cells (4). The front of the cells are connected to separate contacts (5). An adhesive strip of insulated foil (6) with conducting strips (7) on its under side is then placed on top of the tracks and the contacts, thereby effectively connecting the four solar cells in series.    End contacts (8a,8b) on the insulated strip provide external connections to enable a stack of solar cell modules to be formed.    ADVANTAGE -   Simple method of providing secure interconnecting between several cells simultaneously.
The fail-safe system is used in a control unit for opening and closing guide vanes of a pump-turbine appts. The fail-safe system comprises a wire carried by a rotatable sheave adapted for transmitting an information concerning an opening degree of the guide vanes. The system also includes a weight suspended from one end of the wire, an operation rod disposed below and in alignment with the weight in the direction of action of the force of gravity, and a change-over valve adapted to be switched by the operation rod.    When the wire is cut-off accidentally, the weight drops onto the operation rod to depress the latter. This switches the change-over valve so that a servo-motor is switched to make guide vanes close at predetermined rate of change of the opening degree in respective operation modes.
Reduced loss of power generation during the reconstruction of the hydraulic set in the station, and enhanced reliability are achieved with the temporary power equipment using the rotor of the generator. This is followed by replacement of the basic unit. The placed rotor of the generator has a larger number of poles, and is replaced by a rotor with a lesser number of poles, the rotation speed determined by the mean pressure of the working period.    ADVANTAGE -   Shortens the servicing period and reduces the costs of operation and the losses of generated power. Bul.33/7.9.81.
The method involves, introducing precursors to give deposition film-forming raw material which is produced in one activating space, and activated species that interact with the precursor, which are produced in the other space. Catalyst of Ta or Pt is used to produce the precursors and/or activating species in either chamber.    USE -   The method is used for forming functional films, partic. for semiconductor devices, photo-sensitve devices for electronic photograph, line sensors for image input, and camera devices.
The method involves, introducing precursors to become deposition film forming raw material which is produced in activating space (A), and activating species that impart interaction with the precursor which is produced in activating space (B), respectively, and catalyst of Gp.IV or Gp.V elements used on producing the precursors and/or activating species in the chamber (a) and/or (B).    USE -   For forming functional films, particulary, for semiconductor devices, photo-sensitive devices for electronic photograph, line sensors for image input, and camera devices.
Method involves, activating hydrogen-contg. gas by providing a mesh shaped activator comprising tungsten, in the film forming space for forming a deposited film on a substrate. Film forming equipment comprises film forming chambers, and mesh shaped components consisting of W for activation of hydrogen-contg. gas, in the chamber.    USE -   For forming amorphous Si films having improved electrical, optical, photoconductive, and mechanical characteristics, and with high speed formation.
Method involves introducing Ge and halogen-contg. cpds., and active species produced from film forming Ge-contg. cpds. that impart chemical interaction with the former cpd., into a film forming space and light-irradiating to form the deposition film.    USE -   For forming deposited film contg. amorphous or crystalline Ge which is used as functional films, in semiconductor devices, sensitive devices for electronic photographs, line sensors for picture input, camera devices, etc.
A turbine (1) driving an alternator (2) to supply an electrical power network is controlled by the variation of opening of a valve (9) as a result of comparison (8) of the valve position with a desired value (0 circumflex) worked out by a microprocessor (12).    This operates on the filtered (13) net head height signal (H) and desired power level (Po). A speed regulator (7) and corrector (6') are retained but the feedback loop from the output of the alternator to the power comparator stage is eliminated.    ADVANTAGE -   Instabilities in control are suppressed. Desired value of valve opening is corrected continuously as function of frequency error of alternator and coefft. (bp) of correction.
A zinc oxide film having resistivity of 10 power (-4) -10 power (-2) ohm-cm. introducing an organozinc cpd. an oxidant and an inert carrier gas into a chamber contg. the substrate heated to a tmep. in the range 60-350 deg. C. The zinc oxide film pref. contains hydrogen.    Pref. the organozinc cpd. is of formula R2Zn, where R=lower alkyl, esp. methyl or ethyl. The oxidant is water, O2, O3, H2O2, NO, N2O, NO2, CO2, SO2, organic dioxide, ROH, ROR', RCHO, RCOOH, RCOOR', RCONH2 or RS(O)R', where R and R' are alkyl. The carrier gas is Ar or N2, opt. contg. H2O. A Gp. III element, esp. B and/or Al, can be introduced into the film by adding a suitable volatile cpd. to the chamber, esp. B2H6 and/or (CH3)3Al, e.g. in an amt. of about 2 mole % of the diethyl zinc concn. The pressure in the chamber is 0.1-2 torr. The substrate (or parts of it) is heated to about 100-200 deg.C and THE ZNO film is deposited on the heated portions.    USE/ADVANTAGE -   The film is useful in photoconductive applicns. esp. in solar cells or other photovoltaic devices. The relativity low temp. process gives films of low resistivity which can be varied by means of additives.
Radiation-absorbing anthraquinone cpds. of formula (I) are new. A1, A2, A3 and A4 independently=phenyl or naphthyl unsubstd. or substd. with at least one of alkyl, alkoxy, phenoxy or hydroxy. A and B rings are unsubstd. or substd. with at least one lower alkyl or a halogen.    Specifically A1, A2, A3 and A4 independently=phenol substd. with at least one alkyl or alkoxy.    (I) is prepd. by reacting a 1,4,5,8-tetrachloroanthraquinone (II) or 1,5-dichloro-4,8- dinitroanthraquinone unsubstd. or substd. with a lower alkyl or a halogen with an aniline (pref. p-toluidine (III) or p-phenetidire) or a naphthylamine cpd. in the presence of an inert solvent, e.g. sulpholane, at pref. 150-200 deg.C, the reaction being completed in from several to 20 hours. Also claimed are: (i) a filter contg. at least one of (A) 1,4,5,8-tetra(4'-methyl-phenylamino) anthraquinone, (B) 1,4,5,8-tetra(4'-ethoxyphenylamino) anthraquinone or (C) 1,4,5,8-tetra(4'-n-butylphenylamino) anthraquinone, or partic. contg. only (A) or (B); (ii) the blending of (I) with a thermoplastic resin followed by injection molding or with a thermosetting resin followed by molding or coating then curing; and (iii) the forming of (I) into an ink or lacquer which is printed or coated on a transparent substrate.    USE -   (I) is used (claimed) as a sharp cut radiation filter in the range from visible to (partic. claimed) near infra red which may be used in e.g. intensive cultivation, electronic sensors, eye protection or energy saving in buildings.
The system comprises a water turbine (I) and a wound-rotor induction generator/motor (2) capable of selectively driving in a generator mode or a motor mode while setting a centre of operating speed range of the generator/motor (2) in the generator mode near its synchronous speed. At least one cyclo-converter (3) includes several converter units (6) and is connected to a secondary winding of the generator/motor (2) for controlling a rotational speed of the generator/motor (2) driven in the motor mode and an output frequency of the generator/motor (2) driven in the generator mode.    A mode changer (10) selectively changes the connection of the converter units (6) of each cyclo-converter (3) such that the converter units (6) are connected in parallel to each other in the generator mode and in series in the motor mode.    ADVANTAGE -   Efficiency in generator mode is improved and wide speed control range is provided in operation mode without increasing size of cyclo-converter.
The solar module has a frame constructed from several parts. Between two neighbouring parts an angled corner piece is provided having a device for fixing the module. A corner of the connecting backing between the neighbouring parts has a recess. The profiled corner is so arranged that several such modules can be closely positioned next to each other.    The device to fix the module can simple be a fixing hole or pin. The corner piece can have two components to hold it. These components can have adjusting screws fixed in the neighbouring parts of the frame. An inner thread can be formed in each retaining component. The corner pieces can have openings to allow water to run off. They can also have feet to support the module.    ADVANTAGE -   Long term stable fixture requiring smallest possible space.
Photoelectric transducer comprises: a photo sensitive element with spaced electrodes (6,7) at least one of which is transparent, and an amorphous semiconductor (8) extending between the electrodes for performing the photoelectric conversion; and an auxiliary light source (14) provided by a side of the transparent electrode for irradiating the photosensitive element.    Transparent electrode is pref. made of SnO2 or ITO.    ADVANTAGE -   Form and size of the device and the wavelengths to which the device is sensitive can be selected easily; and the amplification factor can be changed easily. (First major country equivalent to J61239678-A)
(JP2536732-B2)      Photoreceptor has a support body on which a Si layer is formed. There is a layer which 1-100u thick and comprises amorphous material contg. Gp.-III or Gp.-V element atoms. Carbon is also present along with H atoms and H or halogen atoms in an amt. of 0.01-40 atom%. There is a 0.003-30u micron of amorphous material contg. Gp.-III or Gp.-V element atoms in an amt. of 1.0-104 ppm uniformly distributed in the thickness direction. Nitrogen atoms are uniformly distributed down to the support body.    ADVANTAGE -   Resolution is high and a stable, high quality image is obtd. It can be used continuously for a long time at high speed.
The method involves, introducing cpds. contg. Si and halogen, and active species produced from oxygen contg. cpds. for film forming, which cause chemical interaction with the former cpds. into film forming space, irradiating photo-energy on these cpds. and species for forming deposition film on the substrate.    USE -   For functional films, esp. semiconductor devices, sensitive devices for electronic photographs, line sensors for picture input and camera devices.
The method involves, introducing cpds. contg. Si and halogen, and active species produced from C contg. cpds. for film forming which cause chemical reaction with the former cpds., into film forming space, allowing discharge energy to act on these cpds. and species for forming deposition film on the substrate.    USE -   For functional films, esp. semiconductor devices, sensitive devices for electronic photographs, line sensors for picture input, and camera devices.
The method involves, introducing cpds. contg. Ge and halogen and active species produced from Si contg. cpds. for film forming, causing chemical interaction with the former cpds. into film forming space, allowing thermal energy to act on these cpds. and species to cause chemical reaction for forming the deposition film on the substrate.    USE -   For functional films, esp. semiconductor devices, sensitive devices for electronic photographs, line sensors for picture input and camera devices.
Fire- and heat-resisting glass comprises in wt.% 50-70 SiO2, 22.5-35 Al2O3, 2-12 MgO, 0.5-8 CaO (not including 8), 1-8 SrO and/or BaO, 0-5 ZnO, 0-5 PbO, 0-5 TiO2, 0-7 Y2O3, La2O3 and Gd2O3 (singly or in combination), 0-5 Nb2O5 and/or Ta2O5, 0-5 Bi2O3 and/or WO3, 0-1 As2O3, and 0-3 Sb2O3.    USE/ADVANTAGE -   Suitable for use as support glass in solar cell and photomask etc., exhibiting high transition temp. characteristic, low expansibility and excellent devitrification resistance etc.
A germanium and halogen-contg. cpd. and an active seed grown by a carbon-contained cpd. are introduced into the space for forming a deposition film on a substrate. Light energy is irradiated on the germanium cpd. and the seed for chemical reaction.    USE -   The deposited film is used in semiconductor devices, electrophotographic photosensitive devices, image pick-up devices, photovoltaic devices etc. The method improves electrical, optical, photoconductive and mechanical characteristics and permits high-speed film formation without maintaining the substrate at a high temp.
A silicon and halogen-contg. cpd. and an active seed grown from a germanium-contg. cpd. are introduced into the space for forming a deposition film on a substrate. Light energy is irradiated on the silicon and halogen-contg. cpd. and the active seed for chemical reaction.    USE -   The deposition film is used for a semiconductor device, electro-photographic photosensitive device, image input licensor, etc. The method improves electrical, optical, photoconductive, and mechanical characteristics.
Carbon and halogen-contg. cpd. and active seed grown from carbon-contg. cpd. are introduced into space for forming deposition film on substrate. Light energy is then irradiated on carbon and halogen-contg. cpd. and active seed for chemical reaction.    USE -   Deposition film is used for a semiconductor device, electro-photographic photosensitive device, image input licensor image pickup device, photovoltaic device. Method improves electrical, optical, photoconductive, and mechanical characteristics and permits high-speed film formation without maintaining substrate at high temp.
A silicon and halogen-contg. cpd. and an active seed grown by a carbon-contg. cpd. are introduced into the space for forming a deposition film on a substrate. The silicone and halogen-contg. cpd. and the active seed are heated for chemical reaction.    USE -   The deposition film is used for a semiconductor device, electro-photographic photosensitive device, etc. The method improves electrical optical, photoconductive, and mechanical characteristics.
A Ge. and halogen-contg. cpd. and active seed grown from silicon-contg. compound are introduced into the space for forming a deposition film on a substrate. Light energy is irridated at the Ge. and halogen-contg. compound and the active seed for chemical reaction.    USE/ADVANTAGE -   The deposition film is used for a semiconductor device, electro-photographic photosensitive device, image input sensor, image pickup device, photovoltaic device. The method improves electrical, optical, photoconductive, and mechanical characteristics and permits high-speed film formation without maintaining the substrate at high temp.
A carbon and halogen-contg. cpd. and an active seed grown by a Si-contg. cpd. areintroduced into the space for forming a deposition film on a substrate. Heat energy is applied to the carbon and halogen-contg. cpd. and the active seed for chemical reaction.    USE -   The deposition film is used for a semiconductor device, electro-photographic photosensitive device, image inputdevice, image pick-up device and photovoltaic device. The method improves electrical, optical, photoconductive, and mechanical characteristics and permits high-speed film formation.
A silicon and halogen-contg. cpd. and an active seed grown from a silicon-contg. cpd. are introduced into a space for forming a deposition film of a substrate. Discharge energy is exerted on the silicon and halogen-contg. cpd. and the active seed for chemical reaction.    USE/ADVANTAGE -   The film is used on a semiconductor device, electro-photographic photosensitive device, image input 'licensor', image pickup device, photovoltaic device. The method improves electrical, optical, photoconductive, and mechanical characteristics and permits high-speed film formation.
Gerumanium and halogen-contg. cpd. and an active seed grown by a chemical substance such as a hydrogen gas and/or a halogen contg. cpd. are introduced into the space for forming a deposition film on a substrate. Heat energy is applied for chemical reaction.    USE -   The deposition film is used for a semiconductor device, electro-photographic photosensitive device, image input licensor, image pickup device, photovoltaic device. The method improves electrical, optical, photoconductive, and mechanical characteristics and permits high-speed film formation
A carbon and halogen-contained cpd. and an active seed grown by a chemical substance e.g. hydrogen gas and/or a halogen cpd. are introduced into the space for forming a deposition film on a substrate. Discharge energy is acted on C and halogen-contained compound and seed for chemical reaction.    USE -   Used for a semiconductor-device or electro-photographic photosensitive-device, image input licensor, image pickup device, photovoltaic device. The method improves electrical, optical, photoconductive, and mechanical characteristics and permits high-speed film formation.
The a-pts. has a float adapted to move in a vertical plane in response to a rise and fall in the level of fluid. A cylinder has a piston arranged for vertical movement relative to the cylinder in a manner to apply a force to a fluid in the cylinder chambers. The force is alternatively applied to each chamber.    Remote from the float is an hydraulic motor for converting forces from the cylinder into electric energy. Also remote is an accumulator for reducing fluid from the cylinder for storing energy in pressurised fluid form, which is connected to the hydraulic motor.    ADVANTAGE -   Stores energy at peak generation periods for use when demand exceeds generation.
Vacuum deposited thin film for semiconductor devices has activated cpd., e.g. H2, SiH4, etc. is fed into film forming space and precursor made by activating gas, e.g. SiF4 is fed into the space and chemically reacted with the cpd.    USE -   For photo conductive films for semiconductor devices.
Silicon and halogen-contg. cpd. and an active seed grown from a carbon-contg. cpd. are introduced into a space to form a deposition film on a substrate. Light energy is irradiated at the silicon and halogen-contg. cpd. and the active seed for chemical reaction.    USE -   The deposition film is used for semiconductor devices, electrophotographic photosensitive devices, image input licensors, image pickup devices, photovoltaic devices, etc. The deposition film has improved electrical, optical, photoconductive, and mechanical characteristics and allows high-speed film formation without maintaining the substrate at a high temp.
A carbon and halogen-contg. cpd. and an active seed grown by a silicon-contg. cpd. are introduced into space for foming a deposition film on a substrate. Light energy acts upon the carbon and halogen-contg. cpd. and the active seed for chemical reaction.    USE -   The deposition film is used for a semiconductor device, electrophotographic photosensitive device, image input sensor, image pickup device, photovoltaic device. The method provides the deposition film with improved electrical, optical, photoconductive, and mechanical characteristics and allows high-speed film formation without maintaining the substrate at a high temp.
A silicon and halogen-contg. cpd. and an active seed grown by a silicon-contg. cpd. are introduced into space for forming a deposition film on a substrate. Heat energy acts on the silicon and halogen-contg. cpd. and the active seed for chemical reaction.    USE/ADVANTAGE -   The deposition film is used for a semiconductor device, electrophotographic photosensitive device, image input licensor, image pickup device, photovoltaic device. The method giving the deposition film good electrical, optical, photoconductive, and mechanical characteristics and allows high-speed film formation.
A germanium and halogen-contg. cpd. and an active seed are introduced into space for forming a deposition film on a substrate. The active seed is grown by a chemical substance such as a hydrogen gas and/or a halogen cpd. Light energy is irradiated on the germanium and halogen-contg. cpd. and the active seed for chemical reaction.    USE/ADVANTAGE -   The deposition film is used for semiconductor devices, electrophotographic photosensitive devices, image input licensors, image pickup devices, photovoltaic device. The method giving the deposition film good electrical, optical, photoconductive, and mechanical characteristics and allows high-speed film formation without maintaining the substrate at a high temp.
Carbon- and halogen-contg. cpd. and an active seed are introduced into a space for formation of a deposition film on a substrate. The active seed is grown by a chemical substance such as a hydrogen gas and/or a halogen cpd. Heat energy acts on the carbon and halogen-contg. cpd. and the active seed to initiate chemical reaction.    USE -   The deposition film is used for a semiconductor device, electrophotographic photosensitive device, image input licensor, image pickup device, photovoltaic device. The method gives deposition film with improved electrical, optical, photoconductive and mechanical characteristics and allows high-speed film formation.
A silicon and halogen-contg. cpd. and an active seed are introduced into space for forming a deposition film on a substrate. The active seed is grown by a chemical substance, e.g. hydrogen gas and/or halogen cpd. Chemical reaction of silicon and halogen-contg. cpd. and the active seed is effected by action of discharge energy.    USE -   The deposition film is used for a semiconductor device, electrophotographic photosensitive device, image input licensor, image pickup device, photovoltaic device. Deposition film having improved electrical, optical, photoconductive, and mechanical characteristics is obtd. and high-speed film formation is provided.
The substrate to be covered (17) is placed in an enclosure (15) with a heating element (16) beneath it. A quartz window above allows ultraviolet radiation from a source (14) to impinge upon the substrate. During deposition a mixture of hydrogenous silicon and germanium, in gaseous form, is drawn through the chamber by an extractor pump (20). Accurate the simultaneous control of the depression in the enclosure, the substrate temperature and the intensity of irradiation then produces the desired film (18).    Irregularities in the film (18) may arise due to unstable molecular bonds which develop during deposition. These are eliminated by the introduction of a controlled amount of free hydrogen as a dilutant in the main gas flow.    ADVANTAGE -   High quality thin film achieved under controlled conditions ensures optimum photoelectronic conductivity.
Thin-film solar module comprises first electrode pads (20) on a substrate; a semiconductor photovoltaic layer (16) over each electrode; second electrode pads (22) formed over each photovoltaic region and overlapping the first electrode pad of an adjacent photovoltaic region. Localised conductive paths (28,30) extending through the semiconductor layer from a second electrode pad to a first electrode pad it overlaps, so that the photovoltaic regions are connected in series. The conductive paths are discrete regions spaced from each other within the plane of the module.    ADVANTAGE -   The cell interconnects are formed rapidly, effectively and cleanly.
The underground chamber (1) may be below the bottom either of the sea or a lake (2), and water enters it via a tunnel (8) to drive turbines (6) with electrical generators and heat pumps (9) by day, water is pumped back at night from the chamber where it has been collected following passage through the turbines and evaporators of the heat pumps. The composite power station operates during daytime hours at the customary higher unit rate for electricity generation and feeds it to the grid, together with heat energy to a remote heating mains. At night, when a lower unit rate applies, the turbines are driven backwards as pumps by the generators, which in turn act as motors driven from the mains. Heat pump evaporators (10a) are located in the input tunnel to the turbines, above (10b) the water magazine, or inside (10c) the latter.    USE/ADVANTAGE -   To provide combined electricity generation and remote heat supply which is well protected in time of war or natural disaster, the amt. of energy saved during night operation is difficult to use. (Provisional basic advised week 86/36)
A silicon- and halogen-including cpd. and an active nuclide produced by chemical interaction at a silicon-contg. cpd. with the cpd. are introduced respectively into a film-forming space. A aepdeposited film is formed on the substrate irradiating them with light to cause reaction.    USE/ADVANTAGE -   Useful for semiconductor devices, photoelectric devices for electrophotography, line sensors for image inputting, etc. Electric, optical, photoconductive and mechanical properties are improved on the film formed. High-speed formation of the film is possible without maintaining the substrate at a high temp.. The quality of the film and reproducing quality of the film can be improved. Light energy is used as the exciting energy, so film can also be formed on a substrate with poor heat-resisting properties.
Process comprises forming an accumulated film on a substrate by introducing a cpd. contg. Si and halogen and an active species having chemical mutual action w.r.t. to the cpd. which is produced from a chemical substance for film formation, into a film forming space and applying heat energy to these materials to allow them to react.    USE/ADVANTAGE -   Process is suitable for forming an amorphous or polycrystalline, nonsingle-crystalline, silicon-contg. accumulated film for use in semiconductor devices, photosensitive devices for electronic photography, line sensors for image input, camera devices and photoelectric motive force elements. The film obtd. has improved electrical, optical, photoelectric conductive and mechanical properties. Process enables high speed film formation. The reproducibility in film forming is enhanced, and a film with high grade and uniform quality is obtd..
New deposited film forming method involves introducing cpd. contg. silicon and halogen and an active species sa ee et produced by chemical material for film forming in film forming space to form deposited film on a substrate, irradiating optical energy into cpd. and active species in order to cause chemical reaction, thus, forming deposited film on substrate.    USE/ADVANTAGE -   Invention is concerned with method suitable to form silicon contg. deposited film, particularly with method suitable to form film which is non-single crystal e.g. amorphous or polycrystal, etc. and used for functional film, esp. semiconductor device, photo-sensitive device for electrophotography, line sensor for picure input, image pickup device, photoelectromotive force element, etc..
PolySi layer is formed on a semiconductor wafer by: placing the wafer in recesses on a mould having a cover; rotating the mould in the inert heating gas of a melting furnace; pouring molten Si into an inlet in the centre of the mould cover so that the molten Si fills the air spaced between the wafers and the mould cover by centrifugal action; and cooling to solidify the melt and form a polySi layer bonded to the wafer.    ADVANTAGE -   PolySi layers of thickness 100 micron can be formed economically and at very high speed. (First major country equivalent to J61214422-A)
The array is constructed with several cell units with pref. at least nine arranged in at least three rows each containing three or more units. Each unit has a concave primary reflector (2) for reflecting sunlight onto a convex secondary reflector (3) which in turn reflects light onto a solar cell(4). The solar cells (4) of all the cell units are mounted on a common member (13) which conducts heat away from the cells.    The primary reflectors (3) of all the cell units are formed on shaped portions ofa unitary member (7). The secondary reflectors (3) are formed on shaped portions of a further unitary member (8) which is connected to adjacent shaped portions by rigid arms.    ADVANTAGE -   Utilises cassegrain principle.
In the photovoltaic cell a series electrical connection is readily established by electrically affixing the bus bar of one smaller cell to the overlying electrically conductive substrate of an adjacent cell by the electrically conductive adhesive. The smaller area cells are formed in a variety of configurations, and from a variety of photovoltaic materials. Among the preferred materials are amorphous silicon, amorphous germanium, and amorphous silicon-germanium alloys.    The semiconductor alloy layers of the smaller area cells are configured as either single cells, or stacked tandem cells. If a stacked arrangement is employed, the cells are disposed so that the narrowest hand gap cell is most proximate the light incident surface of the smaller area cell and the widest band gap cell is most distal the light incident surface.
The building window panel has two spaced glass plates (1,2) separated by a sealed insulation gap for providing good thermal insulation. At least one solar cell (5) is contained within this sealed insulation gap, for obtaining solar energy.    Pref. a frame (3) is inserted between the facing peripheral edges of the glass plates (1,2) through which the leads (8) for the solar cell (5) extend. The sealed insulation gap is filled with air which has a reduced water content.    ADVANTAGE -   Combines advantages of double glazing with solar energy extraction.
A solar module has a solar cell embedded in synthetic resin, at the edge of which there is at least one means of fixing the module (e.g. hole, pin etc.)    In an example, solar cells (7) are embedded in resin (2), together with two frame members (10,11); these members have respectively (10) a fixing hole (12) and (11) a threaded fixing pin (13). By these means the module can readily be attached to a backing, with or without an intermediate spacer to allow air to pass over the underside of the module.    The polymer (2) can be made with recesses for the solar cells (7), the wire (3) between them, and the gripping devices for the module and frames (10,11). This has the advantage that all the constituent parts then have approx. the same thermal expansion. The frame members (10,11) can be metal, glass cloth, or various types of resins (e.g. epoxy, acrylic etc.) The polymer (2) can be e.g. thermoplastic films welded together.    ADVANTAGES -   The module can easily be firmly attached. It has a stable mechanical construction and is cheaply made.
An intrinsic semiconductor layer of a semiconductor device, sandwiched between first and second type semiconductor layers, formed by decomposition of one or more gaseous semiconductors, has a nonincidental amt. of n-type dopant added to enhance the photoconductivity of thelayer.    The n-type dopant is less than 1000 ppm, pref. of the order of 500 or esp. of 100 ppm. The dopant is P or As or a double donor element including S, Te. The layer(s) is pref. formed by pyrolytic decompistion. The device may be deposited on a nonconducting substrate.    USE/ADVANTAGE -   The device is a photoresponsive pin device, pref. a solor cell. The n-type dopant in the intrinsic layer provides an improvement in fill factor, as shown for amorphous Si, where the current-voltage characteristic is much closer to the idealised curve than that of a cell having a conventional intrinsic layer.
In the system liquid flows is caused to flow between two locations and in flowing between the locations, passes over flexible membranes. Under each membrane a gas is located so that the liquid flows over the cavities defined by the membranes in sequence.    The liquid pressure acts to collapse the cavities and when one cavity collapses the gas in it is displaced into the other cavity in order to displace water. The flow of the gas between the cavities is utilised for driving an energy converter.    ADVANTAGE -   Requires low liquid head to run system.
The generator has a base plate (21) supporting a housing (20) which is open at the top with an opening in one of its walls (24) through which the endless chain is passed. This chain fits around the log wheels near the top and bottom of the housing (20) and carries a series of hollow drums. The drums are fed through a sluice (60) after entering the housing (20) with a gate at its top dividing the housing interior from the sluice interior.    The generator is driven directly or via a conversion gear from one of the cog wheels (50). Pref. the chain drive is provided by one or more jets within the sluice (60).    ADVANTAGE -   Uses potential energy of lake, reservoir or sea.
Solar array has an electrically insulating matrix with photovoltaic particles e.g. Si, each particle having a P-type region and an N-type region which forms a junction, tap particles being secured in the matrix. One of the regions extends to one of the surfaces of the matrix and the other region extends to the other of the surface, the junction extending to the matrix. Metallisation interconnects the regions of the particles extending to one of the surfaces, and includes a transparent electrically conductive layer disposed on one surface and electrically conductive whiskers in the electrically conductive layer.    Pref. the electrically conductive layer is tin oxide, indium oxide, and alloys of indium oxide and tin oxide.    ADVANTAGE -   Efficiency is higher than in prior art array.
The device includes a substrate, separate electrodes formed on the substrate and a semiconductor layer includes formed over the electrodes. The semiconductor layer includes an amorphous semiconductor material and is obtained by forming a layer comprising an amorphous semiconductor material over the electrodes and then cutting through the layer with a laser scribe in an oxidative environment to form a scribed end face.    The semiconductor layer has a mean oxygen content of 0.5-10 atom per cent in a portion between the scribed end face and a distance 10-50 micro meter away from the scribed end face.    USE/ADVANTAGE -   As solar battery giving good performance even in low luminous intensity environment such as indoor. (First major country equivalent to J61198685)
The system comprises a turbine with a rotor including a cylindrical hub with blades fixed to the hub. The rotor moves about an axis corresponding to the central axis of the hub. Each blade has an airfoil profile along its entire length and section disposed at a distance from the axis of rotation lies on the surface of a cylinder having its centre at the axis of rotation and its radius equal to the distance from the axis. So the airfoil profiles will be aligned with the direction of rotation motion of the blades.    A screening device is positioned upstream of the blades to deflect deris away. It comprises a ring around the blades, a vertical spine and a number of horizontal bars connected between the spine and ring.    USE/ADVANTAGE -   Electricity generation. Long term maintenance free operation.
After doping of the substrate (1a) a metallic contact (7a) is deposited on the lower surface (5a) by means of a vapour deposition process. A strip (12a) made of, e.g. silicon dioxide or photolacquer, on the upper surface (2a) prevents adhesion of a similar metallic contact deposited on the upper surface.    A V-shaped groove (11a) is then cut into the lower contact area by means of a lser beam and the substrate is broken along the groove which coincides with a prepared fracture line in the substrate. This leaves a projecting section of the upper contact area that may be used for 'chaining' several solar cells. A similar process is used for producing an extension of the lower contact area.    ADVANTAGE -   Does not require added connections.
On a major surface of the semiconductor wafer a number of devices are formed and a groove is formed on the surface that extends partway into the substrate. On the surface of these grooves and on selected portions of the wafer surface an oxide layer is formed, filling the grooves with an insulating material.    Metal interconnectors are formed between adjacent devices extending over the grooves and insulating material. The devices are separated along the line of the grooves from the other major surface leaving the metal interconnectors, this is done by masking and etching the wafer.
The hydroelectric power station consists of a fixed pontoon (1) which is submerged below the sea water level (2) and anchored to the sea-bed, a moving pontoon and an energy converter, and is equipped with two elastic containers (7,8) which are filled with a working substance (9), and a flexible duct (10) which links the two containers and holds the energy converter (6). The moving pontoon is in the form of a platform (11) which is connected to surface floats (12) by rigid vertical supports (13) and is located between the two elastic containers.    When the moving platform rises and falls with the tide the working substance is expelled from one of the elastic containers into the other one via the duct, so that it passes through the energy converter and produces electricity.    ADVANTAGE -   Greater reliability and design simplicity. Bul.6/15.2.86
Method comprises (1) activating silicon including halogen cpd. selected from gp. of SiF4, (SiF2)6, (SiF2)6, Si2Cl6, SiHBr3 and Si2Br6, (2) activating mixt. B of H2 gas, germanium contg. cpd. selected from gp. of GeH4, Ge2H4, Ge2H6, Ge3H8, Ge4H1O, Ge3H6, Ge5H5, GeH3F, GeH2Cl, GeF2, GeF4 and GeS and halogen gas selected from gp. of F2, Cl2, Br2 and I2, (3) feeding cpds. and mixt. into reaction chamber, and (4) radiating optical energy onto activated cpds. and mixt. to deposit amorphous silicon layer on insulating base.    USE/ADVANTAGE -   Layer is used as photoconductive member for electronic photography or semiconductor substrate for PIN diode.
The method comprises (1) activating a carbon contg. halogen cpd. A and a silicon contg. halogen cpd. selected from SiF4, (SiF2)5, (SiF2)6, Si2Cl6 and Si2Br6, (2) activating mixt. B of a H2 gas and a halogen gas selected from F2, Cl2, Br2 and I2, (3) feeding the cpds. and the mixts. into a reaction chamber, and (4) irradiating the activated cpds. and the mixt. with optical energy to deposit an amorphous silicon layer on an insulating base.    The carbon contg. halogen cpd. A is selected from CF4, (CF2)5, (CF2)6, CBr4, C2Cl6 and CHF3.    USE/ADVANTAGE -   The layer is used as a photoconductive member for an electronic photography or a semiconductor substrate for a PIN diode.
The appts. comprises an assembly for rotating a shaft and a connector for communicating the rotation of the shaft to a sprocketed sheave. A gear train connects the rotatable main shaft to a second sprocketed sheave and is adapted to cause a rate of rotation of the rotatable main shaft greater than the rate of rotation of the second sprocketed sheave. The two sprocketed sheaves are in communication with one another by means of continuous, flexible connector disposed on the two sprocketed sheaves in non-sliding relationship with them.    The continuous, flexible connector has disposed on it a weight which is raised by the rotation of the first sprocketed sheave, the second sprocketed sheave being capable of being rotated by the descent of the weight to cause rotation of the rotatable main shaft. Pref. the continuous flexible connector comprises a continuous loop of chain.    USE -   For generating electric power.
Improved reliability of control of the hydraulic power station mode is achieved by equalising the result of summing the signal with the reference period when forming the command signal for switching off the setting signal. The result of summing the information signal when forming the command for switching on by changing the signal frequency is carried out with the reference period.    The period of the measurement cycle is set by the interval between the pulses of the timer (6) and the adder (4) is then reset. With the shaft speed reaching or exceeding a level where the frequency of the converter (2) meets the required conditions, the output of the adder is set at logic '0', and the zeroing of the adder (4) is followed by the generation of the next signal at the output of the converter (2). The frequency of pulses from the timer (6) is raised and its output is then tied to the adder (4), while the output of the converter (2) is connected to the reset of the adder via the commutator (5).    ADVANTAGE -   The control dispenses with the necessity of readjusting the decoder based on the conjunctor connected to the polarised relay. Bul.4/ 30.1.86.
The individual solar cells are combined into sub-sections with reinforcing fibreglass edging, and hinges are provided to enable the panels to be folded for storage. Double sided cells are used in order to enable light reflected from earth, when the space craft is sufficiently close to it, i.e. about 500 km orbit, to strike the rear surface of the cells and thus generate additional electric energy.    Infra red radiation striking the forward surface, e.g. in geo-static orbits can pass through the cells without absorption resulting in reduction of operating temperature.
Structurisation of a series of layers on a transparent substrate (I) involves applying a first dense layer of transparent electroconductive oxide (TCO) (II) and removing selected areas with a laser beam; and applying a second dense layer of amorphous semiconductor material (III) and removing selected areas with a laser beam. The laser beam is passed through the substrate (1) and laser beams with wavelengths in the absorption range of (II) or (III) respectively are used for irradiating the (II) layer (2) and the (III) layer (3).    IR laser light is used for (II) and visible laser light below ca. 6000 A for amorphous Si. In particular, the fundamental wavelength of the YAG laser (lambda TCO = 1.06 micron) is used for (II) and the first harmonic of the fundamental wavelength of the YAG laser (lambda a-Si = 0.53 micron) for the a-Si layer.    USE/ADVANTAGE -   Structurisation is as clean as possible and impairment of the electro-optical properties is minimised. The technique is useful in the prodn. of solar cells and optical image sensors based on amorphous semiconductors, e.g. Si.
A lift-off layer is formed directly onto a substrate with a pattern in reverse to a desired thin film pattern. The layer is formed by either screen printing using a silicone grease or by the ink-jet method. A thin film, which is one of a transparent conductive thin film, a thin film of metal, silicide, amorphous semiconductor or crystalline semiconductor material or amorphous insulating or crystalline insulating material, is then formed on the substrate, and an undesired portion of the thin film is removed together with the lift-off layer.    The substrate has an amorphous semiconductor layer, and the lift-off layer is a liquid organic compared with small vapour pressure or a water soluble or organic solvent soluble material.    ADVANTAGE -   Improves yield using less dangerous materials.
The process includes continuously moving a film substrate over a vapour source located in a vacuum chamber. In the chamber a laterally expanding tension directed across the width of the running film is imparted to the film. This is carried by wire ropes (8) which are pressed against the film adjacent to the opposite ends across the width while the film moves in contact with a rotating drum (2).
The unit consists of an axial turbine with a guide apparatus, an elbow bend and a shaft in a bearing, and a generator with its shaft connected to the turbine shaft via flanges. The guide apparatus is in the shape of a pipe (9), connected to the elbow bend (2) and made with spiral channels in its inner surface. The turbine bearing is in the shape of a cup containing a spiral element of an anti-friction material, and a collar on the shaft to fit over the cup, with a seal ring of an anti-friction material fitting round the shaft and making contact with the spiral bearing and collar. There are also flexible elements in between the shaft flanges.    ADVANTAGE -   Greater reliability. Bul.2/15.1.86
The inlet to the turbine assembly (1) is set in a dam (3) separating the up-stream (4) and down-stream (5) water levels. The water funnels (11) to the inlet end (10) os a spiral housing (9). A vertical flow control butterfly valve in the outer part of the housing controls the flow rate. At the centre of the spiral the water flows down a cylindrical channel (12) onto the blades (7) of the turbine (6) which turns a vertical shaft (8).    The upper end of the shaft is linked via a gearbox (21) to the generator (20). The upper and lower ends of the shaft flare out in hyperbolic cross-section and are supported by conventional bearings.    USE/ADVANTAGE -   Suitable for use in dams with low head difference. Simple valve flow control means that no dynamic blade adjustment is needed.
Integrated solar cell unit consists of a substrate provided with a lower electrode layer, a light-sensitive semiconductor layer and upper electrode layer. At least the upper and lower electrode layers are divided to form unit cells which are series-connected by electrical connection of the lower electrode layer of each unit cell with the upper electrode layer of an adjacent unit cell.    At least the upper electrode layer (5) or the semiconductor layer (3) has laser beam-machined groove pattern (6,7) along which an insulating strip (4a,b) is arranged between the upper electrode layer and the semiconductor layer and/or between the lower electrode layer (2) and the semiconductor layer. A process for prodn. of the integrated solar cell unit is also claimed.    ADVANTAGE -   The unit is produced by a mask-less, dry process from esp. solar cell of semiconductive amorphous silicon formed on flexible strip substrate.
Appts. for coating a polymeric material with an oxidn. protecting film comprises (A) an ion beam source for furnishing an ion beam used to clear the polymer surface; and (B) a sputter target mounted so that the ion beam can bombard the target for ion sputter coating the polymer surface to form the protecting film. (B) comprises (I) a first portion of a metal oxide material and (II) a second portion of a polymer material having a low oxidation rate. Opt. separate ion beams may be used, one for cleaning the surface, and another for bombarding the sputter target.    USE/ADVANTAGE -   Polymers, such as polyimides, which are used as structural or thermal blankets for spacecraft,tend to exhibit wt. loss from oxidation when exposed to low earth orbital environments. Prolonged oxidation and exposure results in mechanical and electrical failures. (I) and (II) form a lightwt. flexible coating that prevents the oxidation withoutphysically changing the polymer material.
Energy is stored and recovered in a system comprising an upper storage space (partly) filled with low density fluid, a lower storage space (partly) filled with high density fluid, with the fluids (almost) immiscible, a connecting line filled with the heavier fluid and located between the lower part of the upper storage space and the lower part of the lower storage space, and a pump/turbine unit at the same height as, or above, the upper storage space. The pump/turbine unit is connected to the upper parts of both storage spaces, in order, during normal operation, to be able to pump lighter fluid from the upper to the lower storage space, or to be driven by lighter fluid flowing from the lower to the upper storage space.    ADVANTAGE -   Placing the pump/turbine unit at, or above, the level of the upper storage space avoids the need for a separate space for this unit, and for a separate shaft for an electric line of sufficient size to carry the electrical energy to the motor and from the generator.
The machine comprises a rotatable turntable for supporting a number of solar cells in respective association with a corresponding number of operating stations and then for indexing the solar cells to the next operating stations in sequence. A cell loading station is provided for transfer of a solar cell from a loading magazine and for precision placement onto one of a number of cell-supporting fixtures carried by the turntable. The turntable indexes the solar cells one at a time on the fixtures from the cell loading station first to a flux station where a liquid flux material is applied to predetermined points on the cell.    The flux-bearing cell is then indexed in sequence to an interconnector dispensing station which places an interconnector at a predetermined point on the solar cell and then to an attachment station which secures the interconnector to the cell as by soldering. Additional pairs of interconnector dispensing and attachment stations may be provided for placing and attaching additional interconnectors onto the cell. The cell/interconnector subassembly is then indexed to an inspection statin and finally to a cell unloading station where the subassembly is transferred from the cell-supporting fixture and placed into an unloading magazine for removal from the machine.
The power station consists of top and bottom reservoirs (1,2) and a reversible generating set (9) linked to power outlets and is equipped with a superconducting inductance power accumulator, comprising a solenoid (5) and a current converter (6) which is connected to the generator/motor outlets (4). The solenoid can be located beneath one of the reservoirs to reduce the area of land used for the power station.    To accumulate energy in the solenoid the switch (7) is turned to put the generating set into its compensating mode, so that it produces reactive energy, which is stored in the solenoid and used by the converter (6), acting as a rectifier. Once the energy has been stored, the generating set is put into its pump mode, and the energy is accumulated in the top reservoir. The solenoid is discharged through the converter, which acts as an inverter, while the energy in the top reservoir is used by operating the generating set as a power turbine.    ADVANTAGE -   Greater economy. Bul.48/30.12.85.
Flexible, lighweight, electrically interconnected array of semiconductor devicesis formed by: depositing a layer of semiconductor material (3) on a conductive flexible substrate (1); depositing transparent conductive coating (5); patterning the coating to form islands (7); connecting adjacent islands to the substrate; and patterning the substrate to form islands (13) such that adjacent islands of the coating are connected in series through the semiconductor material and the substrate islands. The substrate (1) is pref. electroformed Ni of thickness 25 micron max.    USE -   Esp. as a flexible, lightweight solar cell array.
The generator has a gas or liquid flow passage (6). At least one vaned wheel (14) can be rotated by the kinetic energy of a fluid flowing in the passage. At least one flywheel (17) is mounted on the shaft (16) of the vaned wheel (14) and a dynamo (18) which adjoins the flywheel periphery is rotated to produce electricity.    There can be several fluid flow passages each having a vaned wheel and dynamo group. The downstream portions of the flow passages can be integrally coupled so that the fluid carried by them mixes.    USE/ADVANTAGE -   Recovers otherwise wasted energy from a combustor exhaust.
The process is for a low pressure hydraulic unit and comprises closing the unit's stator, cutting it off from the power system, opening the stator and slowing down the rotor. The rotor is slowed down as the stator is opened, to rotation frequency n, determined by the expression n=nnxsq.rt. of P/Pn, where Pn is the nominal pressure of the hydraulic unit, nn is the nominal rotation frequency, and P is the current pressure.    ADVANTAGE -   Provides optimum flow past the turbine blades regardless of changes in current pressure, so that dynamic loads on the unit are reduced without reducing the throughput capacity. Bul.47/23.12.85
The station comprises a dam (1) between the sea and a reservoir, water guide channel with sea and reservoir passages, and turbine (4) in it with a generator (5). The water guide channel is in the form of an annular pipeline (6) which has two horizontal sectors and two vertical sectors, and has a throttle lock between the sea and reservoir passages. The passages are in one of the horizontal sectors, and the turbine is in one of the vertical sectors.    When the tide comes in, water flows from the sea passage to the reservoir, and when it goes out, from the reservoir to the sea, turning the turbine and generator to produce electricity.    ADVANTAGE -   Simpler design, easier to use. Bul.47/ 23.12.85
Gaseous Pt group metal fluoride is introduced with O2 and/or oxygen compounds into a reaction vessel and the mixed gas is decomposed by discharging to form a Pt group metal oxide film on base plate placed in the reaction vessel.    Pref. discharge-decomposition and formation of film are effected by plasma CVD processes.    USE/ADVANTAGE -   The oxide film is used as a transparent electrode of solar battery. The film forming rate is fast, O2 content in the film may be readily controlled and the thick film may be formed.
Thin film forming appts. using electric discharge, characteristic electroconductive cassette having coaxial base work piece to be coated with thin film is disposed inside a supporting electrode having electrical contact with the outer surface of the cassette, and electric discharge is generated between the central work piece and the cassette.    USE/ADVANTAGE -   The cassette is exchangeably situated, so that conventional troublesome dry cleaning work for accumulated contaminant, e.g. using polysilane, on the supporting electrode is completely eliminated.
Solar array comprises: an Al foil with spaced apertures; pn-type semiconductor members (I) bonded via the n-region to foil; and a contact member, pref. also of foil, connected to the p-region. (I) are pref. spheres whose equators are forward of the side of the first foil remote from the contact member. An antireflective coating is pref. formed on the surface of the first foil.    Pref. method comprises: forming apertures in foil; forming spherical semiconductor particles with an n-skin over a p-core; bounding the n-regions to foil in the apertures removing the n-layer on one side of the foil; forming an insulating layer on that side of the foil and the surface from which the n-layer has been removed; removing a portion of the p-cores and the overlying insulating layer; and bonding a second foil to the exposed p-cores, pref. roughing the exposed p-cores first. An antireflective coating is pref. deposited over the surface of the first foil remote from the second. Pref. the spheres are bonded to foil in the apertures by heating to 500-577 deg.C and forcing the spheres into the apertures, pref. under impact, to shear the native oxide layers and form a bond. The assembly is then cooled. Semiconductor material is pref. Si.    ADVANTAGE -   Array is inexpensive to produce and is economically viable. (Provisional Basic previously advised in week 8648) (First major country equivalent to J61124179-A)
Support members are interconnected and additionally connected to a permanent base foundation. The support members have a frame in contact with the perimeter of the flexible photovoltaic module. An inwardly facing flange extends upward from the frame which overlaps a portion of the module perimeter. A skirt depends downwards from the frame.    Rib stiffeners are integral to the frame and extend inward and are adapted to contact the flexible module. The module is supported to the support member.    USE -   Conversion of solar energy to electricity.
The module has a selective device (20) separating radiation travelling along a waveguide (10) into parts with different wavelengths and directions. Several photodetectors receive the parts. The substrate (1) is InP and the waveguide consists of a quaternary layer.    The photodetectors (31,32) are coupled optically to the waveguide via leakage points and have ternary layers (13) with different dopings. The ternary layers are InGaAs. A reflecting element (14) reflects radiation to the photodetector it serves. Alternatively the waveguide may be tapered.
Float/weights are positioned in the tidal water, arranged to rise and fall with the tides. A power unit including a cylinder and piston is arranged with the piston connected with the float/weights, and draws water into it upon the float/weights rising and forcing it into a storage unit upon the float/weights dropping. The storage unit includes a cylinder and a weighted piston.    After the storage unit is filled, the water is let out to drive a water turbine and generator. The apparatus may use a closed circuit circuit for the water, or an open circuit and draw it directly from the sea and return it to the sea. In the use of a closed circuit, instead of sea water, the apparatus may use fresh water, or oil. The apparatus is also adapted to use compressed gas instead of liquid.    ADVANTAGE -   Efficient regardless of extent and rise height of tide.
A hull floating on a body of water is tethered by an anchored mooring cable so that it is disposed to trail from the anchor in a current. The hull supports a rotary load such as an electric generator, air compressor or water pump having a transversely extending rotary input shaft extending beyond the hull in both lateral directions. Balanced sets of vanes arranged in wheels mounted to respective ends of the shaft are disposed in a partially submerged condition to be turned by the water current, thus turning the shaft and the rotary load.    A load output conduit is provided for transmitting the load output from the load. Where the current changes direction periodically, the load output conduit may follow the mooring cable and both be pivotally mounted to the anchor so that the hull may swing around as the current changes direction.
(JP93054711-B)      Producing semiconductor device comprises forming 1st grooves into a light-permeable conductive film, forming 1st electrode resins, and forming a non single crystal semiconductor having at least, one p-n or p-i-n junction on the conductive film.    Used for solar cells. (J61116885-A)
The device comprises a number of light sensors (8A-8N) which contain several avalanche photodiodes (12A-12N) hat are arranged at least one-dimensionally. These sensors produce pulse-like signals depending upon the amounts of photons (7) falling upon the avalanche photodiodes. Counters (10A-10N) connected to the light sensors (8A-8N) count the numbers of pulse-like signals and hold the counted values as image pickup outputs.    Devices are provided to return the counted values of the counters (10A-10N) to the initial state at a predetermined period, and a scanning device (14) successively reads the counted values from the counters (10A-10N). The counters (10A-10N) count the numbers of photons that are converted into electricity through the photodiodes (12A-12N), hence directly obtain the image pick-up outputs in the form of digital signals. Therefore image pick-up outputs having a high SN ratio are obtained.
Film deposition is carried out on a substrate using a reaction gas in the presence of a combination of monochromatic and continuous polychromatic light radiated onto the substrate. Monochromatic light is pref. laser light, esp. a KrF, XeCl or XeF excimer laser; polychromatic light is pref. from an Xe, Xe-Hg or D2 lamp.    Pref. photon energy of the laser is less than the threshold activation energy for forming active species by dissociation of the reaction gas. Gas is Si2H6 and the laser is a KrF excimer laser. Where an Xe lamp is used it is an ellipsoidal mirror build-in type.    USE/ADVANTAGE -   In prodn. of semiconductor films, photosensitive films etc. Deposition is performed with good efficiency and speed. (5pp (First major country equivalent to J61104614-A)
(JP95012026-B2)      Photovoltaic element is mfd. which has a semiconductor film and 1 pair of electrodes. The film is formed by decomposing a Si cpd. which contains Ge and halogen in a reaction to deposit amorphous Si.
Two metal layer strips (6,10) are supported on an insulating substrate (4) and have vertically overlapped portions sandwiched between insulating layers (8,12). A generally vertical side (18) is defined through the layers to the substrate to expose the vertical edges (20,24) of the metal layers which are oxidised (32,34) and covered by a third metal layer (44) extending between.    Preferably, the middle insulating layer (8) is undercut (28), oxidised (36,40) and filled with metallisation (50) to provide a vertical rectilinear conduction path. Differing materials and thicknesses may be used for metal layer strips (6,10) to afford differing work function, barrier heights and oxidation rates for differing input and output impedance values.    ADVANTAGE -   Capable of operation in visible region.
A solar cell element (20A) is placed on a surface of a multi surface drum (10) with a first bus strip (205) from a bus spool (200) underlying it. The second bus strip (105) from a second bus spool (100) is then brought downwards to contact the cell by movement of the second bus spool (100), the second spool (200) is raised and the drum (10) is moved on one position.    A second element is then placed on the surface of the drum over the first bus strip and the process is repeated so as to interweave the solar cell elements between the first and second bus strips in a chain. After attachment, alternate sides are severed to complete the serial connection of the cells.    ADVANTAGE -   Suitable for automation.
The apparatus (10) includes a frame (11) and a support drum (25) rotatably received in the frame (11). The support drum has a curved surface (42) having a number of paired dowel guides (45) for registering cell strips (50) relative to the surface (42) and an interconnect mesh (36) relative to the cell strip (50).    A number of paired complementary clamp sets (51,52) receive and secure the cell strips (50) and the interconnect mesh (36) to the support drum (25).    ADVANTAGE -   Permits filament interconnection with minimal operational steps and ease of handling.
A covered graphite slider appts. for liq. phase epitaxial growth of HgCdTe comprises a furnace enclosure contg. a graphite furnace boat comprising (a) a graphite base (13) having a planar top face contg. a recess for a semiconductor substrate; (b) a graphite slider (12) having a planar lower face mating with and slidable along the top face of the base, contg. (i) a first well extending from the top surface to the lower face, receiving and holding a charge of (Hg1-xCdx)1-yTey, slidable over the substrate for epitaxial growth of HgCdTe on its surface; (ii) a second wipe-off well (40) adjacent the first well, extending to the lower face, contg. loose pieces (41,42) of CdTe which slide over the epilayer surface when the slide is moved after LPE growth to pick up residual growth soln. on the epilayer surfaces; (iii) vertical slots in the second well, acting as guides for the CdTe pieces; and (iv) a depression (16) in the top surface receiving an Hg charge (26) for supplying the wells; and (c) a graphite cover (14) covering the slider top surface.
Antireflection coating is formed on a substrate by (a) forming a dielectric layer (18) of first thickness and refractive index over the substrate; and (b) implanting H into the layer surface to form a sublayer (22) having a lower refractive index and a thickness less than the first thickness. In an embodiment, H is implanted into the surface of the semiconductor substrate to form a surface layer of reduced refractive index before forming an antireflection layer over the surface, pref. as above.    USE/ADVANTAGE -   The antireflection coating is useful for e.g. solar cells. It is formed more simply than conventional multiple layer antireflection coatings and increase efficiency and short circuit current, e.g. for Si3N4 on Si, increases efficiency from 13.3 to 14% and increases short circuit current by 4% compared with a single Si3N4 layer. The substrate implant is useful for high refractive index materials e.g. Si, InF, which are difficult to optically match with antireflection coatings.
(US4954181-A)      A solar cell module comprises a) an insulating substrate (1) carrying a transparent electrode (21,22..) on one surface; b) an amorphous semiconductor film (3) overlying said transparent electrode; and c) a metal electrode layer (41, 42..) overlying said semiconductor film.    Each electrode, film and layer is divided into regions to form a plurality of adjacent cells with the divided regions of the transparent electrode and metal layer being in positions shifted from each other to define a gap between adjacent cells. The semiconductor film has a portion (61, 62..) projecting into the said gap, said portion being crystallised after assembly of the said module so as to form a low resistivity connection between the metal electrode layer of one cell and the transparent electrode of an adjacent cell.    USE/ADVANTAGE -   The use of crystallised semiconductor to connect adjacent cells in series improves on the prior art method which required three mask alignments leading to poor tolerances. Further, the inverted method avoids reduction of the material which forms the transparent electrode by H2 generated by acid etching of the metal electrode. (First major country equivalent to J61091971-A) @(9pp Dwg.No.6c/6)@
A carbon cpd. which can form an accumulated film and an active species which is produced by decomposing a cpd. contg. carbon and halogen and chemically mutually acts with the carbon cpd. are separately introduced in a film forming space for forming an accumulated film on a substrate. Thermal energy is made to act on them to react with the carbon cpd. through excitation.    USE/ADVANTAGE -   Method is suitable for forming a noncrystal or crystal accumulated film contg. carbon. Method improves film forming speed, reproducibility and uniformity of film quality and can increase the area of film and the productivity of film.
A Si cpd. which can form accumulated film and an active species which is produced by decomposing a cpd. contg. carbon and halogen and chemically mutually acts with the Si cpd. are separately introduced in a film forminq space for forming an accumulated film on a substrate. Discharge energy is made to act on them to react with Si cpd. through excitation. The accumulated film is formed on the substrate.    USE/ADVANTAGE -   Method is suitable for forming an accumulated film contg. silicon, and esp. an accumulated film of amorphous Si or polycrystal Si used for functional film, esp. for semiconductor device, photosensitive device, etc., and provides a forming method of accumulated films which improves film forming speed, reproducibility and uniformity of film quality and can increase the area of film and the productivity of film.
Electronic device having a transparent conductive layer is formed by: forming the layer on the surface of an (in)organic insulator or non-single crystal semiconductor, the layer being 2 micron or less thick and formed of a sublimable metal oxide or nitride, the semiconductor being sublimable material including an H or hal dangling bond neutraliser; and exposing the layer to pulsed laser beams which are squeezed in only one direction after expansion in cross-section and have wavelength 400nm or less and optical energy greater than the band gap of the layer.    USE/ADVANTAGE -   The conductive layer can be precisely patterned to spacings of 100 microns or less.(First major country equivalent to J61089636-A)
The film is formed by subjecting a gas of formula (I) in which R1,R2, R3 and R4 (same of different) = H or hydrocarbon gp., in a vacuum chamber housing a substrate to be coated, to at least one of plasma energy, light energy and heat energy to polymerise the gas and to form a deposited Si-contg. film on the substrate.    Pref. in (I) R1, R2, R3 and R4 are e.g. H, alkyl, (esp. 1-4C) or aryl (esp. phenyl). (I) may be used in conjuction with H2 gas.    ADVANTAGE -   Process gives high quality deposited films contg. a high proportion of -(SiH2)n- chains and having a reduced defect density. (First major country equivalent to J61089627-A)
The appts. comprises a gas filled lightening arrester (F1,F2) arranged in a connection line of a solar generator (1) to a battery, or a user return current blocking The inadmissible lightening part currents or induced currents are bled to earth. The solar generator (1) and the spark gap of the lightening protector (F1,F2) are short circuited for s sufficient time for the quenching of the arc-    In the two connection leads (4,5) of the solar generator (1) respectively a DC compensated coi- (T1,T2) is connected. The coils are connected to each other on the load side across a Z diode (V2). Each coil is earthed via the protector (F1,F2) and a current transformer is connected between coil (T1) and protector (F1), whereby its secondary is used for the arc quenching.    ADVANTAGE -   Following arcing at the lightening conductor and fasde out of quenching, system is directly ready to assume operation.
A generator includes sail-driven cars connected to form a continuous chain and suspended from a monorail loop. The car suspension system has two horizontal guide wheels and one vertical carrier wheel. The entire weight of each car is carried by its vertical wheel, which is located near the car's centre of gravity. All three suspension wheels are located inside the monorail, rendering car derailment virtually impossible.    Two sails are attached to each car, one being directed upwardly and the other being directed downwardly. The surface areas of the two sails are such that the average, total current force on each sail is approx. the same. Additionally, the sails are free to rotate 360 deg. about their support poles, but they are biased to a preferred orientation. Thus, as the current and biasing forces interact, the cars are propelled along the monorail. One or more elongated augers are positioned adjacent the monorail loop. Auger drive rollers are attached to each car such that the adjacently moving cars rotate the auger. A generator unit is connected to the augers so as to be driven.    ADVANTAGE -   In the event that destructive strength currents arise, the sails rapidly align themselves with the current, preventing sail destruction.
A thin film metallic conductor deposited over a thin film of semiconductor material is scribed using an ultrasonically driven stylus at an average applied force and power level sufficient to penetrate all the back contact sheet and (part of) the semiconductor layer.    More specifically, the conductor (18) is the back contact of a thin photovoltaic cell array, deposited as a continuous sheet over a semiconductor layer contg. an active region, and is scribed to separate it into separate back electrodes, one for each cell.    Pref. metal film is Al, 1000-5000 A thick. The semiconductor is primarily Si. The stylus has a tip radius less than 0.00025 in.    ADVANTAGE -   Using a narrow tip, the process provides highly repeatable; reliable and very narrow scribe grooves (22,24) using very low tip force and ultrasonic power levels. Material is effectively removed from the grooves, avoiding short circuiting between adjacent back electrodes or between front and back electrodes (18,22) without damage to fragile materials.
Two cylindrical floats are sealed vessels of large volume having a capacity of buoyancy sufficient to support the combined weight of the complete assembly. A rotor body and power generating equipment are located in the floats inner space such that the whole construction can stay on the water surface with submergence below the lowest point of the centrally located shaft.    The rotor is supported on a number of radial arms spaced along the shaft. The arms have split collars to accommodate the shaft, which is located in bearings fitted in both end plates of the floats so that the rotor has free motion in both directions.    USE -   For utilisation of river flow and sea waves.
The water fall from a higher to a lower elevation is through an annular passageway having one or more turbines driven by the water as it flows through the column. The water flow is a siphon action entry to the annular column being by way of an inverted U-tube with the inlet immersed below the water level. The column is designed with offset portions, so that turbines can be located downstream from one another inthe column and lateralloy offset so that the turbines rotate about axes spaced apart horizontally from one another, each turbine or series of turbines driving an electric generator.    The annular column is provided by two concentric shells or conduits spaced apart from one another, the flow of water being in the space between the shells.    ADVANTAGE -   Penstock reduces vortex action and subsequent turbulent flow.
Appts. converting solar energy to electrical and thermal energy comprises (a) a solar cell(s) (8) having an amorphous Si layer (h); (b) a superstrata (10,11) integrally joined to the light incident side of the amorphous Si layer; (c) a heat collecting plate (7) attached to the solar cell surface opposite the superstrata; (d) a metal electrode (12) on the amorphous Si layer facing the heat collecting plate; and (e) a container (1,2) enclosing the entire structure.    In a first embodiment, the superstrata (9) is formed of a light permeable, heat absorbing material transparent to solar energy in the wavelength range absorbed by the amorphous Si and absorbing wavelengths not absorbed by the amorphous Si, converting absorbed energy into thermal energy. In a second embodiment, the superstrata is transparent to solar energy and has a heat absorbing layer on its light incident side. In a third embodiment, the superstrata is omitted; the amorphous Si is formed on a metal substrate; and a transparent electrode having an attached heat absorbing layer is provided on the front surfaces of the solar cells.    ADVANTAGE -   The hybrid structure provides increased utilisation of sunlight, absorbing wavelengths longer than 0.8 and converting them to thermal energy. Heat collecting efficiency is increased to about 46% from the conventional 17%.
The discharge ring supporting structure comprises upper and lower halves separated along a horizontal plane passing through the central axis of the discharge ring. The lower half of the discharge ring is supported by several supporting columns, each having upper and lower supporting members. The upper supporting members are connected between the lower half of the discharge ring and the lower supporting member. When it is desired to remove the runner, the discharge ring is separated into the upper and lower halves, and the upper members of the supporting columns are removed so that the discharge ring can be lowered.    Lowering of the discharge ring allows the runner to be lowered and then removed axially without the runner blades contacting the discharge ring. The upper supporting members of the discharge ring supporting columns are provided with a vibration damper for damping vibration in the discharge ring.    ADVANTAGE -   Increased reliability. (First major country equivalent to CN8604992)
The solar battery array (12) comprises a succession of first (24a,24b) and second (26a) mutually spaced, elongate electrical conductors. The first and second conductors alternate with each other in parallel. Each conductor is rigid and is adapted to reject substantial amounts of heat by radiation to space.    Each battery includes a photovoltaic cell (30) carried by an insulating cell holder (28). A reflector spaced from the cell is shaped to concentrate incident light on a light-receiving cell surface. The cells have terminals of opposite polarity connected to respective conductors of bracketing conductor pairs such that all cells in a given series are connected in parallel with each other and the series of the batteries in series.
A method of anodising and sealing a combination of Al and semiconductor material comprises forming an oxide coating on the Al member, anodising it in a soln. of 0.5% H3PO4 for 30s to seal the Al and to oxidise the semiconductor.    Al foil of about 2mm thickness is initially embossed, cleaned and etched with heated sodium or potassium hydroxide to remove the embossed area leaving an aperture. A number of Si spheres having an N-type skin and a P-type interior are drawn into the apertures.    USE/ADVANTAGE -   Used to mfr. solar cell arrays inexpensively.
(JP93050870-B)      Producing semiconductor device comprises irradiating an intensive light on an active area of a non-single crystal semiconductor layer having pin-junctions, enhancing crystallisation of the active area.    Used for photoelectric converters. (J61058278-A)
The photoelectric conversion device comprises a substrate having an insulating surface; and semiconductor photoelectric conversion elements U1 to Un sequentially formed side by side on the substrate and connecte din series one after another. The photoelectric conversion semiconductor elements Ui(i=1,2,3...n) each have a first electrode Ei formed on the substrate, a non-single-crystal semiconductor laminate member Qi formed on the first electrode Ei and a second electrode Fi formed on the non-single-crystal semiconductor laminate member Qi.    The non-single-crystal semiconductor laminate Qi has at least a first non-single-crystal semiconductor layer having a P or N conductivity type, a second non-single-crystal semiconductor layer of intrinsic type and a third non-single-crystal semiconductor layer having a same conductivity as the first non-single-crystal semiconductor layer.    ADVANTAGE -   Eliminates leakage between electrodes. (First major country equivalent to J61058277)
Two cylindrical electrodes, inner and outer, are provided concentrically in a reactor tank of plasma CVD equipment. Cylindrical bases for photo-sensitive bodies are disposed along a circle between the two electrodes. Each base rotates itself while rotating along the circle.    USE/ADVANTAGE -   uniform films can be formed on each of the bases. The reaction gas can be used with higher efficiency.
Infrared absorptive compsn. comprises essentially at least one cpd. of general formula (I), where (Cat) is cation for neutralising complex, M is Ni, Cu, Co, Pd or Pt which is dispersed in binder.    Cpd. is prepd. pref. by reacting NaCN, CS2 and N,N-dimethyl-formamide to provide Na cyanodithioformate, cracking Na cyanodithioformate to provide Na cis-1,2-dicyano-1,2-ethylene dithiolate which is reacted with metallic salt and then salt contg. cation.    USE/ADVANTAGE -   IR absorptive compsn. absorbs far IR rays and near IR ray having wave length of at least 700 nm without degrading transmission of visible rays and it is useful as safe-light filter for IR ray-sensitive photographic material, for controlling growth of plants or retarding earing season, for blocking IR rays from green garden, house, office, shop, automobile or aircraft, as occular cut filter for IR rays or as cut filter for semi-conductor photocell.
Under normal operating conditions, the relationship between the inlet vane angle and the rotor blade angle is maintained by servo in accordance with a law of conjugation which meets the needs of changing load and water head. If the load falls suddenly, as when a circuit breaker opens, control may be lost so overspeeding damage will result.    The overspeed control introduces an additional mechanical system which uses hydraulic power only to operate the inlet vanes in accordance with a limiting law, once an operating margin has been exceeded. The servo senses any uncontrolled movement towards a fully open condition and restores a condition of equilibrium irrespective of load.    ADVANTAGE -   Safeguards machinery from risk of overspeed damage and remains operative even when electricity supply fails.
A water turbine (A) generator (G3) unit (10) is controlled by a microprocessor (30) which regulates speed and loading for best performance according to water conditions. The processor obtains signals of speed (34) and load (36), and uses characteristic curves stored in a non-volatile memory to control the regulation. Regulation (12) is by varying the power into a dead load (16) connected directly to the generator (G3).    The dead load typically supplies a thermal storage unit, for example a hot water tank. The generator is connected to the normal loads by a converter (38,40) whose inverter (40) is controlled to give standard voltage and frequency output.    USE/ADVANTAGE -   E.g. for wind turbine driven generator. No complicated and expensive turbine governor equipment is needed.
The apparatus includes a flow-duct which encloses the blades of the water wheel on three sides, which directs the flow of water onto the blades of the water wheel, and which assists in maintaining the water on the blades so as to take advantage of the full weight of the water to drive the water wheel. Sealing clamps form a seal between the sides of the flow-duct and the sides of the wheel, further reducing turbulence and loss of water through leakage and splasing splashing, so as to gain maximum rotational torque from the water flow.    The point of discharge of the water from the water wheel can be controlled by the length of the flow-duct, so that the water can be exhausted at a point where it ceases to exert a downward rotational torque on the wheel. The blades of the water wheel are curved upwardly to hold more water than a flat blade of similar dimensions.    ADVANTAGE -   Can be effectively used with low head waterways having a moderate flow and minimum drop of about 5 feet. (Where flow is moderate and drop is 15 feet, up to app. 90 per cent efficient efficiency can be achieved.).
The device effectively accesses stored coded data and has a power supply device consisting of several horizontally arranged solar cells fitted to one side of a printed circuit board, both sides of which are impressed with printed circuit. The other side of the printed circuit board is fitted with semiconductor chips respectively constituting a semiconductor memory and a microcomputer for converting data read out of the semiconductor memory into serial coded data, and a light-emitting element which is optically controlled in conformity with the coded data.    The semiconductor chips and a drive system for the light-emitting element are supplied with electric energy delivered from the power supply device. The circuit element section including the printed circuit board is sealed in a synthetic resin case, thereby constructing the data memory device wholly in a flat card form.    USE/ADVANTAGE -   Credit card etc. Reliably stores and transfers large amounts of data immune from magnetic effects or soiling of surface.
A semiconductor material (7) is etched by (a) masking the region of the material not to be etched with oxide coated Al (1) and (b) etching with an etchant for the material which is relatively inert to the oxide. The semiconductor material is Si. The oxide is Al2O3. The Al is a foil, and semiconductor material extends outwardly on both sides of the foil. The etchant is HF, HNO3 and acetic acid.    USE -   The method is useful for mfg. solar cells from Si spheres in a metal foil matrix, using the Al matrix as a mask for etching the spheres.
The unit consists of a post (1) which is fixed to the sea bed close to the shore, a working element which reciprocates in relation to the post, and a drive connected to the working element.    The unit is made for use in ice-covered coastal waters, with the layer of ice (2) acting as the working element. With the rise and fall of the tide the ice moves up and down relative to the post, and its motion is transmitted to a drive, e.g. through a cable (4) anchored to the ice and a pulley. The drive can be in the form of a moving weight (5), or a reciprocating pump.    ADVANTAGE -   Reduced material requirement in manufacture. Bul.36/30.9.85.
The rotor has a series of rotor vanes, each orientated at right angles to the flow direction for optimal conversion of the kinetic energy of the flow medium into rotational energy.    USE -   Obtaining energy from fluid or gas flow, or for use as drive unit for machine or ship.
The method, for use with a turbine (1) with a suction pipe (2) and lead-off channel, consists of limiting the load on the turbine as it approaches the cavitation rate caused by a reduction of the water level in the tailrace.    As the cavitation rate is approached, before limiting the load on the turbine, the hydraulic resistance of the suction pipe or the lead-off channel is increased, e.g. by means of a shutter (4). The shutter is mounted so that it projects into the suction pipe or lead-off channel when operated, increasing the hydraulic resistance.    ADVANTAGE -   Wider range of cavitationless operating modes, reducing capital costs in hydroelectric power station construction. Bul.34/15.9.85
The feed unit consists of L-shaped pipes which are attached to the motor's hollow shaft with their intakes facing in the direction of the shaft's rotation when the motor is in its turbine mode. The pipes are located radially and are equipped with additional apertures along their leading edges which are shuttered by additional, axially-moving perforated inner pipes. The holes in the inner pipes are positioned so that they align with the additional apertures in the main pipes when they move outwards by centrifugal force when the motor is running at speed.    ADVANTAGE -   Provides increased air feed when motor is being run up. Bul.34/15.9.85
The vane seal consists of an annular elastic cuff between the rotor housing and vane flange, and an outer ring in contact with its face. The annular cuff is corrugated in form, with one side sealed to the housing (1) and the other to the vane flange (2), to which the outer ring (4) is fixed. In a variant the cuff is made for reduced wear by being equipped with rigid anti-friction elements between its corrugations, while the surfaces of the housing, flange and outer ring in contact with the cuff have anti-friction coatings.    ADVANTAGE -   Provides greater reliability by preventing oil leaks from reaching the ambient medium. Bul.34/15.9.85
The assembly method consists of placing the top and bottom journals of the guide vanes and bearings in holes in the top and bottom rings, balancing the vanes, and placing on the top ring a regulating ring with a support and vanes linked kinematically to it.    The top ring is first mounted on a platform (9), and the vane upper journals (5) and bearings (3) are placed in its apertures before the vanes are balanced. After balancing, the vanes are set in the partially open position, and the lower journals are placed in the holes in the bottom ring.    ADVANTAGE -   Has reduced assembly time. Bul.34/15.9.85
The generator, especially for supplying electricity to a sprinkler, consists of a water pressure pipe containing the hydraulic turbine rotor and a capsule containing the turbine and generator shafts and linking gears, set in bearings and equipped with seals.    The capsule (3) is filled with oil under pressure and is equipped with a compensating chamber (10) which is divided by a flexible partition into two sections. One section is linked to the inside of the capsule, and the other to the water pressure pipe by a hydraulic line (14) which joins the pressure pipe in the zone of the turbine.    ADVANTAGE -   Reduced risk of water leaking into shaft and gear capsule. Bul.34/15.9.85
Supported in the top of the tank is a pressure header reservoir fed by horizontal inlets. Water under pressure leaves the header tank via a nozzle and falls onto the blades of a turbine.    The shaft of the turbine is coupled via a chain drive to an electric generator which produces the useful output of the device. The water reaching the bottom of the tank is pumped back up to the original level by a pump which is also powered by the turbine via a chain drive.    ADVANTAGE -   Cheap, uses no fossil fuels, and produces no pollution. Continual re-use of same water makes it suitable for dry lands.
The turbine set comprises a centripetal turbine which is driven by the water pressure coupled to a planetary turbine utilising a centrifugal effect.    USE -   For delivering electrical energy without use of combustible fuel.
The assembly (10) incorporates a number of electrically conductive strips (12), each having a long leg (13) and a short leg (14). The long legs (13) of the strips are overlapped relation with each other. The diode (21) is interposed between successive conductive strips (12) in the vicinity of the overlapped relation and is electrically associated. A bridging portion comprising diagonal arm (20) is carried by each long leg (13) and is oriented to dissipate stress experienced by the conductive strip (12).    The short leg (14) is suitably located and configured for electrically communicating with the substrate layer (15) of the corresponding photovoltaic cell strip (16).    USE/ADVANTAGE -   In solar energy technology. Flexibility and reliability of module. Causes only defective or disabled photovoltaic cells to be electrically bypassed in circuit. Mfr. is simplified and more economical.
A substrate (21) is covered with a conducting film. Above this is an I-type amorphous silicon layer (23) that is sandwiched between an amorphous silicon p-type layer (22) and an amorphous silicon n-type layer (24). These layers are covered by a conducting, transparent film (25). Above this film is an insulating, transparent film (26), a transparent and conducting film (27). This is covered by a similar assembly of an I-type amorphous silicon layer (29) sandwiched between an amorphous p-type silicon layer (28) and an n-type layer of amorphous silicon (30). A conducting transparent film (31) covers the complete assembly.    The two assemblies form photo-diodes with electrodes (32,33,34,35) and have a thickness of a few micro m. The sensitivity of the upper diode is greater towards light with a short wavelength, whilst the lower diode will respond to the further penetrating light with a long wavelength.    ADVANTAGE -   Uses much thinner silicon layers than present devices and does not require colour filters or high production temps.
A photosensitive element consists of a stack of two adjacent photo sensors for producing the three basic colours. One sensor consists of three superimposed doped zones in a substrate. An insulating film (10) of Si02 covers alternate p-,n-,p-,n-type zones (11,12,13,14) on a p-type silicon substrate (15). With complete depletion of free charge carriers a potential gradient (16) with two troughs results.    The second sensor is covered with an absorbing layer of monocrystalline silicon (23) and filter layer (22) and has corresp. troughs (20,21). The distances between zones and substrate are designed to fill the troughs with charge carriers that may be used for colour selection.    ADVANTAGE -   Greater sensitivity is achieved by eliminating external filter.
The system comprises a large vessel situated so that it is full of water at high tide, and empty at low tide. A platform across the top of the vessel supports an axle on which two pulleys are mounted. Within the vessel there is a large flat barge, measuring for example 50 x 11 m in area and 2 m deep.    Ropes attached to the sides of the barge are wound over the two pulleys so that as the barge falls with the tide, the pulleys may be turned. The rotational movement of the axle may be used to drive electrical generators.
A low dam (A) is used to make an artificial lagoon, which will act as a reservoir (G). When the tide comes in (H) water flows int into the station through a funnelled aperture (B) at ground level When the tide is at its highest, the difference in levels between the open sea (H) and the reservoir (G) is sufficient to start a siphoning action past a turbine (D) and through a U-shaped outlet pipe (C). The turbine has a vertical shaft which drives an electrical generator (E) mounted on top of the dam.    When the tide has dropped to such a level that the siphoning action stops, water flows through another siphon and turbine installation which works in the reverse direction, allowing water to flow from the reservoir into the sea, if necessary with the aid of a starting vacuum generator.    ADVANTAGE -   A constant flow rate at all states of the tide enables a steady output from the station. Usable in areas with a small tidal range, e.g. less than five metres. (First major country equivalent to ES8600445)
(+3.8.84-US-637405)    A light/electric power converter comprises a sheet-like vol. elongated light-absorbing electrically conducting particles in sheet, the particles being linearly arranged along an axis in strings; the light energy being converted to energetic electrons in strings, and asymmetric junctions interspersed and connected to particles. In strings asymmetric junctions pass electrons in only one direction along conducting strings. Strings are substantiallyparallel. A first electrode and a second electrode are connected to a first terminal and a second terminal respectively. The particle strings are normal to and between first and second electrodes, a load, the load is connected between first and second terminals. Light power is converted in sheet to electric power and delivered to load. (-pp)
The assembly incorporates a number of photovoltaic cell strips (11). Each cell strip (11) incorporates an electrically conductive substrate layer (22), a semiconductor body (23) deposited on the substrate layer, and a transparent electrically conductive layer (24) deposited on the semiconductor body. Electrically conductive filaments (20) are alternately connected to contact points (31) on the electrically conductive substrate layer of one cell strip and to contact points (32) on the transparent electrically conductive layer of another cell strip.    Two busbars (12,13) are connected to the end cell strips of the array to collect the electrical energy generated.    ADVANTAGE -   Exhibits resistance to stresses caused by mechanical loading and temp. variations.
A plate-shaped monocrystalline semiconductor substrate (2) is provided having image sensors (3) surrounded by read-out structures (4) arranged in a mosaic pattern on one side (O). On the reverse side (R), an arrangement for concentrating the radiation which is incident onto this side onto the sensors, is formed by etching pits (8 or 8').    The pits are triangular or trapezoidal in cross-section and are formed directly into the substrate by anisotropic etching along crystal planes (1 1 1) inclined to the substrate surface O. By appropriate choice of the etching pit depth, the largest possible virtual image sensor surface area is utilised.    ADVANTAGE -   Effective surface area of sensors may be increased by twice to three times as much as their actual area.
The plant contains a number of turbines (Tl, Tn) linked to individual electric generators (Gl, Gn). At least one (Tl) of the turbines has adjustable pitch blades. At intervals, which can be set between 6 minutes and 16 hours, the level of water in a groove (S) on the top of the dam is checked by three level sensors (Sl, Il, DL).    If the level is higher than the upper sensor (SL), the turbine will be started, if necessary, with the turbine vanes set for minimum flow. If at a later check time, the water level has reached the intermediate level (IL), the vane pitch is increased to allow greater water flow. If the water level continues to rise or remains at the intermediate level, the other turbines (Tn) are brought into action. If the water drops to the lower level (DL), the vane angle will be decreased until a stable situation is reached.    ADVANTAGE -   Every start begins at min. vane angle.
Photovoltaic device is made by: depositing first electrode films (12) on regions of a substrate; depositing a photoactive layer (13) and a second electrode film (14); depositing a pattern mask (15); etching the second electrode film exposed through the mask openings; etching the exposed areas of photoactive layer; etching exposed areas (141) of the second electrode film exposed and undercut during the photoactive layer etching; and connecting first electrode films of one region to the second electrode films of an adjacent region.    USE/ADVANTAGE -   Esp. as solar cells. Method minimises rupture of the series connections between adjacent electrodes.
The material has the interfaces between its layers smooth and less than 500 A thick. The thickness of the layers is less than one optical wavelength in the material divided by six. Odd numbered layers have a first refractive index and even numbered have a second index.    The band gap of the even layers is less than the gap of odd layers. The layers are thin enough to produce quantum wells. The thicknesses are such that the min. energy state available to the conduction band electrons varies with the thickness. The interfaces are largely free of defect.    USE/ADVANTAGE -   The layered super-lattice can be controlled for grading the index, simplifying coating design and process control.
The semiconductor body has at least one bore extending completely or partially through, the bore being defined by a semiconducting region having a conductivity type opposite to, and resistivity lower than, the material of the body contiguous to the bore defining semiconducting region.    The bore has a substantially constant diameter of less than    about 1.5 mils and an average length-to-diameter ratio of at least about 6.1.    USE -   The structure can be used advantageously in arrays, e.g. solar cells and image arrays. For low internal resistance for high intensity efficient operation or resistant to radiation damage.
The generator is driven by a prime mover e.g. a fluid driven turbine whose speed or torque may vary and has a rotor coupled to the output shaft of a differential drive unit. One input of the differentiator is coupled to the prime mover and the other input is coupled to a synchronous generator whose output is fed to a thyristor controlled variable load.    The generator output is fed through a three-phase bridge rectifier into the thyristor load which is regulated as to adjust the load in dependence on the current. The load includes a resistor which is short-circuited by the thyristor at torques up to full load but which is switched in by the thyristor to direct a portion of the current through the resistor when the turbine torque increases above full load.    USE -   Wind or wave/tidal power turbine.
A layer of material is precisely sepd. at selected regions by (a) coating the layer with a functional material absorbing a selected spectral frequency and resistant to a selected etchant; (b) applying spectral energy to the coating to selectively remove only the functional material; and (c) sepg. the layer in regions where the coating is removed, pref. by etching.    Pref. the layer to be sepd. is supported on a substrate with one or more layers of Si between the substrate and layer. The spectral energy is pref. applied through the substrate, esp. using a laser. The layer to be removed is pref. metallic.    USE/ADVANTAGE -   The method provides precise, rapid marking of regions to be sepd. It is esp. useful for sepn. of metallic electrodes of large scale amorphous Si solar cells, where the same laser may be used to mark the metal as for the previously sepd. Si.
Novel photoactive pyrites layer has a stoichiometric variation corresponding to FeS2+-x (x = up to 0.05), has an impurity concn. of less than 10 power 20/cu.cm. and has a Mn, As, Co or Cl dopant concn. of 10 power 16-10 power 19/cu.cm.    Processes for prodn. of the layer, involving thermochemical treatment of natural pyrites or synthesis and crystal growth of pyrites, are also claimed.    USE -   Claimed uses for the layer are solar cell electrodes, optoelectronic devices and electrodes in photo-electrochemical solar cells with an aq. soln. of 4M HI, 0.05M I2 and IM CaI2 as electrolyte.
(JP93034789-B)      Appts. - comprises series connected solid electrolyte sec. cells combined with semiconductor p-n junction type solar cells to charge the sec. cells having negative electrodes made of copper.    USE -   D - For d-c power sources. (J60264060-A)
Method for mfg. a semiconductor device includes (a) prepn. of a substrate; (b) forming a continuous semiconductor film (12) on a major surface of the substrate, and (c) irradiating the other major surface with a beam of energy (LB) and removing the semiconductor film in this part so as to subdivide the film into different regions (14a,14b,14c,etc.).    USE/ADVANTAGE -   The device is used as a solar cell, the different regions (14a,14b,etc.) being used as regions of photoelectric conversion. The device is mfd. by a process which does not leave defects provoked by residues or similar, even in the case of use of a light beam. The regions are provided with precise sepn., without damage to other parts to one side.
The network has two supply circuits (4,5) providing opposite polarities, either of which is coupled across the load resistance (1). Each supply circuit (4,5) is selectively connected on the input side to the supply voltage lines via a respective switch (31,32). A transistor (61,71) is inserted in one of the output lines between each supply circuit (4,5) and the load resistance (1) on the output side. The transistor (61,71) is controlled in accordance withthe position of the input switch (31,32), so that it conducts when the supply circuit (4.5) is activated and is blocked when the supply circuit is deactivated.    Pref. each transistor (61,71) comprises a FET with its source/ drain path in one current path and its gate coupled to the other current path.    USE -   Supplying load with alternate opposing voltages with high user safety.
The solar photo-voltaic panel incorporates a heat-exchanger using circulating cooling fluid. The panel comprises a transparent window protecting an array of cells in clear resin, mounted on a rigid base made up of a stack of thin plates. Voids in the plates form chambers and passages in which the cooling fluid flows. Fluid enters a lower manifold (5) and passes upward through passages (C) to heat exchange chambers (D) below the cells. The heated fluid leaves the chambers through channels at the periphery (E) leading to an evacuation outlet (F).    The chambers and passages may also be achieved by boring in a solid base as an alternative to multiple layers. One way valves may be installed in the passages to control liquid flow.    ADVANTAGE -   Improved efficiency particularly at high operating temperatures.
The machine derives mechanical power from movement of common high and low tides in conjunction with gravity, or any artificial source of high and low equivalent moving water, to produce electricity without using the tidal water per-se. It may be operated as a dual unit with a common axel, or as single co-operating units electrically connected to each other. The machine uses its own water supply contained in storage tanks positioned on rotating beam lever, to produce electricity.    The device comprises in combination an arrangement for securing a floating tank in a steady vertically reciprocating position during rough seas and tidal changes, a number of adjustable levers lonked to and between machine deck and a floating tank provide the increasing or decreasing mechanical power or stroke distance to a vertically reciprocating adjustable rack pivotally secured to the levers.
A split casing (100) is formed of two halves (101,102) bolted together, to house in its central region, the stator core and windings (107,108) of an AC squirrel cage induction motor. The casing extends to either side to provide support for the rotor bearings (127) and the seals (128) which prevent fluid from reaching any part other than the interior of the hollow shaft.    The laminated rotor core is supported between flanges (116,117) on the half shafts (121,122) with seals (126) at the flanges, and seals (123) at the centre. The half shafts are rigidly secured together by bolts (125). Within the central region of the hollow shaft, is an Archimedean screw shaped impeller (131) mounted within a hollow cylinder (132) keyed to the shaft.    USE/ADVANTAGE -   For sealed, self-contained pumping unit or fluid-driven electrical generator. Avoids need for shaft couplings and attendant alignment problems.
The system regulates the speed of a hydraulic turbine driving a constant frequency AC generator. It uses electrical resistors as a control load to that demands on the turbine water flow controls are reduced. There is a quartz clock producing a reference frequency (fr) which is compared with the generator frequency (fg), using a shifting register and a phase comparator.    The output of the comparator circuit passes via filter chain and a phase lead circuit to an amplifier and switching circuit forthe gate of a triac. The output of this circuit passes via a s-bit A/D converter and an optical link to the triac which regulates the braking load. The braking resistors may be used to heat water for chemical processes or fertiliser prepn. plant.    ADVANTAGE -   Rapid control of generator to close frequency tolerances under varying load. Avoidance of hydraulic hammer by using only slow movements of water flow controls. Heat generated by 'wasted' current may be usefully employed.
The turbine-generator set together with its holder is suspended vertically in a lifting unit, and then guided to a position when the guide prevents further lowering. When the lifting unit is released, the set turns around an articulation, and finally comes to locate against a diffusor connection, which constitutes its operating position.    In this position, the force of gravity together with water pressure maintains the set in its location without the need for further fixtures. For servicing, the set is rotated around the articulation, and then raised vertically. The guide comprises rails, and the turbine-generator set is supported by a holder which has guide components running in the rails.    USE/ADVANTAGE -   In hydro-electric applications. Can easily be installed in a dam location, and likewise removed for servicing. (Provisional Basic advised week 85/47)
The apparatus includes a float to rise and fall with the tide. A shaft is rotatable by movement of the float, and a cam plate rotates with the shaft.    Two cam followers are spaced apart on a second shaft that contact the cam plate to reciprocate the second shaft.A main pump is drivable by reciprocation of the second shaft o pump liquid to drive a power generating apparatus.
A photoelectric conversion device is claimed, comprising: a) a substrate (3), b) a first, non-single-crystalline semiconductor layer (41P) of a first conductivity type, c) a first intrinsic non-single-crystalline semiconductor layer (41I), d) a second, doped non-single-crstalline semiconducor layer (41N) of a second conductivity type, e) a transparent conductive (6) made of chromium silicide and having a thickness 5-20 Angstrom f) a third doped non-single-crystalline semiconductor layer (42P) of said first conductivity type, g) a second intrinsic non-single-crystalline semiconductor layer (42I), and h) a fourth doped non-single-crystalline semiconductor layer (42N) of said second conductivity type.    USES/ADVANTAGES -   The transparent conductive laeyr permits good ohmic contact between the two laminated PIN structures, causes little or no light loss to the second PIN structure but prevents intermixing of doped layers of different conductivity types at the join between the pair of PIN structures, as known in the prior art. The use of the same material fo differing states of crystallinity for both intrinsic layers minimises production cost whilst maintaining the ability to absorb light over a wider wavelength range. (First major country equivalent to J60240169-A)
The instrument consists of one or more commutators (these give multiple reflections of the activity) of fluorescence (4) with their solar cells (5), one or more batteries (8), or really accumulators holder (7) for the batteries and connecting cables (9, 11). The batteries (8) are charged from the contact points (10). The instrument is formed by two frames (1, 2) of plastics material attached together by the hinges (3), with two handling openings (6). In the frames are two transparent yellow fluorescence coverters, protected by scratch-proof sheets with the solar cells along two edges and these collect the reflected energy. A fastener (12) is also provided.    The electrical energy from the solar cells (5) and from the converters (4) passes along cable (9) to the contact points (10) and is stored in the batteries. The cable (11) is there to ensure that, if there is only one battery, all the energy comes to it. The size of one sheet of fluorescence material is about 30cm by 30 cm.    USE/ADVANTAGE -   Supplying power to radios, camera flash units, pocket calculators and watches. Nickel-cadmium accumulators of the 'mignon' type can be used.
The drive unit is contained within a closed tube (1) attached to a base (4) which is anchored to the sea bed.    Pref. a series of turbine wheels are mounted in line along the top of the tube (1), each directly or indirectly coupled to a respective dynamo (8).    A regulation system ensures that the dynamos rotate at corresponding rates, the obtained current fed via an underwater cable to the utilisation point. Each turbine wheel is pref. shielded on one side so that the flow only contacts the free side of each turbine wheel.    ADVANTAGE -   Utilises high drive force of water while preventing damage.
The mechanism has a locking arm (8) carried by a shaft (9) formed by a bolt rotating about a first axis in one part (3) of the hinge and fixed at any angular position.    In the region of the holder for the locking arm this bolt includes a bolt region displaced eccentrically by its central long axis w.r.t. the bolt's axis of rotation. The locking arm rotates freely in this region. The rotating bolt is a lockable threaded bolt or screw.    ADVANTAGE -   The final position of the panel in which it is locked can be set finely and reproducibly.
The system includes electric current detecting and measuring equipment for sensing the current response of a scanned cell to a laser beam at each stepped irradiated spot or pixel on the cell surface. A computer is used to control and monitor the raster position of the laser scan as well as monitoring the corresponding current responses, storing this data, operating on it, and for feeding the data to a graphical plotter for producing a visual, colour-coded image of the current response of the cell to the laser scan. A translation platform driven by stepped motors in precise X and Y distances holds and rasters the cell being scanned under a stationary spot-focused laser beam.    An optical device is provided to produce a nondivergent, precisely oriented beam from the laser and focus it to a diffraction limited spot on the cell. The current sensor is an electrometer device.    ADVANTAGE -   Isolates and identifies spot impurities and less productive zones within cell collection area.
(US4695719-A)      In the process of making an opto-electronic package, a die with electronic components and radiation detectors thereon, a plurality of lenslets with a mask therebetween mounted adjacent the die and a transparent cover adjacent the lenslets and mask and attached to the substrate so that radiation is directed by th lenslets to the detectors and not the electronic components.
The electrical energy generator includes a turbine mounted with its central shaft (1) vertical. A set of blades (2) is arranged around the central shaft, with each blade mounted on a radial arm. The blades may pivot about their support arms so that they may drive the central shaft in the same direction whether the water surrounding them is rising or falling. An electrical generator is connected to the vertical shaft.    The blades may be at an angle of approx. 30 degrees to the horizontal in use, and are held by a set of weights acting down on a cam element on the support shaft. The two faces of the blade pref. have the same section, but can be different.    USE -   Generation of electricity from reciprocating wave motion of sea.
The device uses a pair of metal plates with a high point situated 10 cm above the level of the road surface. The plates are depressed upon passage of a vehicle with a rack (2) pivoted to one plate rotating a flywheel (13) associated with a generator (3) beneath the road surface. A one-way coupling ensures that the flywheel (13) always rotated in the same direction. A rocking bar (4) with a counter-wt. (4a) is used to balance the entire assembly.    USE -   For generating electricity for motorway lighting etc.
The structure can be deployed from a stowed to an erected state and includes a series of bays, each bay having sets of battens connected by longitudinal cross members which give the bay its axial and torsional stiffness. The cross members are hinged at the mid point by a joint so that they are foldable for deployment or collapsing.    The bays are deployed and stabilised by an actuator connected between the mid point joints of the cross members. Hinged longerons are provided to connect the sets of battens and to collapse for stowing with the rest of the truss structure. The truss structure has the dapability of serving a structural function even when only partly deployed.    USE/ADVANTAGE -   Remote manipulator arm, antenna support or for solar array positioning. Highly manoeuvrable.
The power plant comprises a generating device for generating electrical energy from the vapour of an actuating liquid. The generating device has an input and an output. An evaporating device includes several evaporators each having a first part for the circulation of warm ocean water drawn from a superficial layer of the ocean. A second part receives the actuating liquid. The outputs of the second parts of the evaporators are connected to the input of the generating devices. The condensing device includes several condensers each having a first part for the circulation of cold ocean water. The cold water is obtained from a location in the ocean relatively far below the surface. A second part receives vapour from the output of the generating device. The inputs of the second parts of the condensers are connected to the output of the generating device.    An actuating liquid supply comprises a liquid reservoir and a liquid supply pump connected to the reservoir. The input of the actuating liquid supply is connected to the outputs of the second parts of the condensers. The output of the actuating liquid supply is connected to the inputs of the second parts of the evaporators. The actuating liquid is formed in the condensing by condensing vapour exhausted from the output of the generating devices.    USE/ADVANTAGE -   Generation of electric power by harnessing temp. differences in ocean. Improved light efficiency. Decreases filth deposited on plant components by washing.
Static charges are prevented between a conductive support structure and conductive surfaces of cover glasses of a solar generator, the thin wires (10) between the conductive coating of the cover glasses (9). The wires abut loosely the conductive surfaces and are held at few points (11) only on the conductive support structure (6).    Pref. the wires are of preset lengths, dependent on the number of the surfaces uner the wires, coupled to solar cell connectors for reducing potential differences between the conductive surfaces and the support structure. Typically, the conductive surfaces are formed exclusively by suitably coated cover glasses. The wires may have a dia. of 0.1 mm, of Mo with a plating of Au, Pt etc.    USE/ADVANTAGE -   Sufficient resistance against atomic oxygen. E.g., for satellite.
A direct conversion of heat energy into electrical energy is produced by the release of electrons from the surface of a metal when suspected to photon bombardment. The photons are generated by the heat source being directed onto the metal surface. This causes evaporation of electrons from the surface.    The kinetic energy of the electrons generated a high voltage associated with a low current. A range of materials may be used.    ADVANTAGE -   Direct conversion by release of electrons.
The supporting base plate (1) is made of PVC foam with a density of 50-100 kg/m power 3 and a thickness of 5-10 mm. The upper and lower surface of this plate is covered with reinforcing layers (2,3) made of a resinated fibre glass with a thickness of e.g. 0.2mm and a wt. of 60-300 g/m power 3.    The interconnected solar cells (4) are placed on top of the base plate and are themselves covered with a transparent resinated fibreglass material (7) with a thickness of about 0.2 mm and a wt. of 60 g/m2.    ADVANTAGE -   Resulting solar cell is light weight and robust and will resist pressure, shock and bending.
On a substrate (1) made of Pertinax or glass, are deposited conducting pads (2) which extend into narrow tracks (3) that run alongside the outer edge of the substrate. The pads make contact with the backs of individual solar cells (4). The front of the cells are connected to separate contacts (5). An adhesive strip of insulated foil (6) with conducting strips (7) on its under side is then placed on top of the tracks and the contacts, thereby effectively connecting the four solar cells in series.    End contacts (8a,8b) on the insulated strip provide external connections to enable a stack of solar cell modules to be formed.    ADVANTAGE -   Simple method of providing secure interconnecting between several cells simultaneously.
The generator comprises a fix support, a movable bearer, the blade type water wheel, two pressure cylinders, a storage cylinder, two brakes and several floating bodies. The bottom of the movable bearer has several floating bodies mounted on it. Its square horn part and water channel are used to introduce impact impulsion force of sea wave to push a blade type water wheel and further to rotate an eccentrically mounted connecting rod.    The connecting rod is used to cause displacement of piston of the pressure cylinder to generate high pressure air to be stored in a pressure cylinder and used for power or electricity generator activated by high pressure air.    ADVANTAGE -   Full utilisation of impulsion force of impacted sea wave.
Improved efficiency of sea waves power generation is due to the vertical stabiliser in the lower part of the housing, while the auxiliary shaft carries a cantilever mounted additional float. The housing is immersed in the water, while the floats are made as blades set in relation to each other and with respect to the stabiliser at an angle of 120 deg.    The approach of the wave crest to the blades (4) gives rise to torque and the vertical stabiliser (6) maintains the housing (1) in a steady position. The lifted blade (4) turns the shaft of the power take-off to entrain pumps feeding water to the hydraulic turbine.    ADVANTAGE -   Ensures the simultaneous usage of both the kinetic and potential components of waves energy. Bul.14/15.4.86.
The power plant comprises a support with guides, generator on it and converter mechanism, and floats connected to this mechanism by vertical ties passing through the guides of the support which is in the form of a pontoon. The converter mechanism is in the form of a vertical shaft, a shell with spiral slot fitted concentrically on it and a cylinder fixed on the support round the shell, with vertical slots. The ties have horizontal pins in the slots of the shell and cylinder.    ADVANTAGE -   Simpler and more reliable with no loss of unit power. Bul.14/15.4.86.
The device consists of a reflector (KLMN) curved in one direction to a parabola, that reflects incoming waves onto a secondary reflector (PQRS) which is also curved to a parabola in one direction only. The two reflectors are so placed so as to concentrate the incoming parallel waves to a point focus (F). The polar axis (EG) of the secondary reflector (PQRS) forms an acute angle (theta) with the axial plane (ABCD) of the primary reflector (KLMN). The device may be mounted on a mechanism to allow the device to track the source of energy.    The device can be mounted so that as it tracks the source of energy the focal point remains stationary. The operation of the device can be reversed to create outgoing parallel waves of energy from a point source.    USE/ADVANTAGE -   For demountable cooker, portable telecommunications transceiver. Replicates parabolic dish performance using only two curved surfaces.
The power generator comprises an air chamber (1,3) which is open at the bottom underwater and is open to the air at its top. The air chamber is provided with a cross flow turbine (2) in which unidirectional rotating force is produced by the action of either the air current flowing out of the air chamber while a wave surface is rising or the air current flowing into the air chamber while the wave surface is falling. The shaft of the cross flow turbine (2) is coupled with the rotor shaft of a dynamo.    Air guiding portions (5,6) are respectively located at two positions between which the cross flow turbine (2) is interposed within the air piston. Each current of air which flows in or out may converge on the concave sides of the blades (4a) of the cross flow turbine. The dimensional ratio of the narrowest portion of the guide portion and the rotor diameter of the cross flow turbine may be any value within the range of 0.1 to 0.8.    USE/ADVANTAGE -   For navigational aid power source or isolated light beacon. Increased efficiency, hence reduced power requirement. Reduced maintenance.
The solar module has a frame constructed from several parts. Between two neighbouring parts an angled corner piece is provided having a device for fixing the module. A corner of the connecting backing between the neighbouring parts has a recess. The profiled corner is so arranged that several such modules can be closely positioned next to each other.    The device to fix the module can simple be a fixing hole or pin. The corner piece can have two components to hold it. These components can have adjusting screws fixed in the neighbouring parts of the frame. An inner thread can be formed in each retaining component. The corner pieces can have openings to allow water to run off. They can also have feet to support the module.    ADVANTAGE -   Long term stable fixture requiring smallest possible space.
A travelling wave of sea water is guided (2) between the poles (N,S) of a permanent magnet (3). A membrane (4) contains the wave within the gap between the poles. The motion of the wave through the magnetic field sets up the short circuit current in the sea water, it being saline, which is assisted by a conductor (5).    The MMF produced by the short circuit current varies the effective permanent magnet flux, and a coil (1) linked with the magnet is consequence has an EMF induced in it. When connected to a load the coil can thus supply energy.    ADVANTAGE -   Reliable since there are no moving parts.
The platform has a power grid s of a member of depending float members which are buoyant and weighted sufficiently to rise vertically in response to the buoyant energy of the wave action and to fall in response to gravity. A reciprocating piston member fixed in a cylinder is operatively connected to each float member to compress a fluid on the up stroke as the float member rises on a wave, and to extract fluid from a reservoir on the down stroke as the float member falls after the wave passes.    The exhaust ports of the are commonly connected accumulate fluid pressure in an exhaust reservoir sufficient to drive a turbine which powers an electric generator. The intake ports of the cylinders are commonly connected to an intake reservoir where the fluid extracted from it drives a second turbine and electric generator. The generating equipment disposed on top of the platform sends the electricity to shore through subsea power lines.    ADVANTAGE -   Provides electrical current to remote location.
The system has an energy converter operating on a closed Rankine cycle and including a vapour generator for vaporising an organic working fluid in response to heat furnished from a heat source. A turbo-generator responds to vapourised working fluid for generating electrical power. A condenser responds to vapour exhausted from the turbo-generator for converting the vapour to a condensed liquid. The liquid is returned to the vapour generator.    A further energy converter includes a thermo-electric generator having a junction. A heat source for heats the junction so that the thermo-electric generator generates electrical power. A heat pipe conveys heat from the heat source of the converter to the vapour generator of the other converter and to the junction. The electrical power generated by the converters is applied to an electrical load.    USE/ADVANTAGE -   In remotely powered site with transmission line installations. Improves reliability.
The generator has a number of unidirectional valved intake gate units essentially horizontally disposed, operating independently, and located upstream of an input penstock. They intercept waves and convert their kinetic energy to drive a turbine with each unit comprising a movable gate that is horizontally hinged and adapted to permit the incoming waves to slide over the upper surfaces of the gates and into the penstock. They are constructed so that the back pressure of the penstock pushes the gates upward directing the remaining forward moving wave energy to higher elevations increasing the water level height in the penstock.    Movable valve gate units in the penstock extend between two or more wave crests and the structural arrangement of the valve and the penstock permit storm waves to pass over the entire structure and into the ocean behind.    ADVANTAGE -   Foreign objects are prevented from entering and damaging turbine by suitable sadded ahead of shuttle valve gates.
Fire- and heat-resisting glass comprises in wt.% 50-70 SiO2, 22.5-35 Al2O3, 2-12 MgO, 0.5-8 CaO (not including 8), 1-8 SrO and/or BaO, 0-5 ZnO, 0-5 PbO, 0-5 TiO2, 0-7 Y2O3, La2O3 and Gd2O3 (singly or in combination), 0-5 Nb2O5 and/or Ta2O5, 0-5 Bi2O3 and/or WO3, 0-1 As2O3, and 0-3 Sb2O3.    USE/ADVANTAGE -   Suitable for use as support glass in solar cell and photomask etc., exhibiting high transition temp. characteristic, low expansibility and excellent devitrification resistance etc.
The sensor unit includesa housing mounted on or connected to a tracking solar array to move it and a pair of photo-voltaic cells on the housing each having a planar face, the planes of their faces being equally inclined to the axis of the housing. A comparator is provided to measure the respective outputs of the cells and operable to cause a drive to move the array until the respective outputs are equal.    The comparator is operable to cause the drive to move the array when the difference between the outputs exceeds a preset limit. Preferably the comparator is operable to cause the drive to move the array in steps.
A wave motion follow-up mechanism, e.g. for use on offshore prodn. and drilling platforms to transfer a load from and to a moored ship is based on a double acting hydraulic cylinder fixed together with an endless rope and two pulleys to the platform. The ship is lashed to the rope and transfers the wave motion to the piston in the cylinder. The cylinder pumps the hydraulic fluid in a circuit with a hydrostatic motor coupled to a winch for the load and with an electrically driven auxiliary hydrostatic motor for heaving and veering the load.    ADVANTAGE -   This utilises the wave energy for conversion into hydraulic energy which is either pumped in a hydraulic system or used to drive a winch motor.
A film stack for use in a pyroelectric energy converter consists of films (201, 202) of a copolymer of vinylidene fluoride and trifluoroethylene in molar ratio 10:90 to 90:10. The surfaces of the films are covered on both sides with thin electrodes (205, 206).    The films (201, 202) are wound about a central cylindrical core in a spiral fashion to form a cylindrical stack. Adjacent copolymer films (201, 202) are separated by a screen mesh (207, 208). Separation may be automatically maintained by spacers which are integral parts of the dielectric films.    USE/ADVANTAGE -   The copolymer has high pyroelectric conversion efficiency.
A closed tank is adapted to contain a water level and a relatively large air cushion at low pressure. The tank has two openings formed in opposed wall portions below the level of the fluid, one of the openings defining a port opening. An external tank extension circumscribing port opening includes a valve, valving the port opening, the said tank extension having a valve. A fluid extractor is slidably mounted to reciprocate through the openings transversely of the tank and associated extension etween a retracted and protracted position. A displacement cage is associated with the tank extension and relative reciprocating movement with the extractor and tank extension, the displacement cage having a valving mechanism complementing that of the tank extension.    An actuator is operatively connected to each of the respective valves to co-ordinate their opening and closing in a predetermined sequence so as to effect the extraction of the fluid from the tank to the exterior. The drive of the fluid extractor is effected between the protracted and retracted position.    USE -   For extracting usable energy from potential energy of ss of deep sea water.
Thin-film solar module comprises first electrode pads (20) on a substrate; a semiconductor photovoltaic layer (16) over each electrode; second electrode pads (22) formed over each photovoltaic region and overlapping the first electrode pad of an adjacent photovoltaic region. Localised conductive paths (28,30) extending through the semiconductor layer from a second electrode pad to a first electrode pad it overlaps, so that the photovoltaic regions are connected in series. The conductive paths are discrete regions spaced from each other within the plane of the module.    ADVANTAGE -   The cell interconnects are formed rapidly, effectively and cleanly.
The device includes a support structure for the mirror, and at least one generally tubular member having one end attached to a predetermined location on the underside of the mirror. The tubular member changes dimensionally with temperature to apply pressure to the location on the mirror. A pair of thermally isolating connectors connect an end of the tubular member opposite the mirror to the support structure. A thermoelectric element is mounted on the tubular member.    A variable-conductance heat pipe is connected between a heat sink/source and the thermoelectric element; and a sensor is provided for determining the temperature of the tubular member.    ADVANTAGE -   Improved positioning accuracy, mimimum heat generation.
The array is constructed with several cell units with pref. at least nine arranged in at least three rows each containing three or more units. Each unit has a concave primary reflector (2) for reflecting sunlight onto a convex secondary reflector (3) which in turn reflects light onto a solar cell(4). The solar cells (4) of all the cell units are mounted on a common member (13) which conducts heat away from the cells.    The primary reflectors (3) of all the cell units are formed on shaped portions ofa unitary member (7). The secondary reflectors (3) are formed on shaped portions of a further unitary member (8) which is connected to adjacent shaped portions by rigid arms.    ADVANTAGE -   Utilises cassegrain principle.
In the photovoltaic cell a series electrical connection is readily established by electrically affixing the bus bar of one smaller cell to the overlying electrically conductive substrate of an adjacent cell by the electrically conductive adhesive. The smaller area cells are formed in a variety of configurations, and from a variety of photovoltaic materials. Among the preferred materials are amorphous silicon, amorphous germanium, and amorphous silicon-germanium alloys.    The semiconductor alloy layers of the smaller area cells are configured as either single cells, or stacked tandem cells. If a stacked arrangement is employed, the cells are disposed so that the narrowest hand gap cell is most proximate the light incident surface of the smaller area cell and the widest band gap cell is most distal the light incident surface.
The motor, for use e.g. in power generation, consists of a housing with an inlet containing an air turbine with a nozzle apparatus and drive, and an intake chamber which is connected to the lower part of the housing via a transfer pipe.    The motor is equipped with an additional intake chamber (7), and the transfer pipe (5) has a lengthwise partition (8) dividing it into two channels, each of which is connected to one of the intake chambers and is linked to the outside atmosphere through pipes (11,12) with valves (13,14). The drive is in the form of a gear transmission unit with a driven gear (15) round the nozzle apparatus (4), which is mounted on a bearing.    ADVANTAGE -   Prevents turbine from becoming salinated with sea water. Bul.9/7.3.86
Increased power derived from waves is ensured by the inclined plate featuring a horizontal tile shaft, while the inclination angle with respect to the horizontal is 18-42 deg.. The lower end of the plate is fitted with a movable board extendable from the plate, and the holes of latter are covered by gates.    The waves running onto the inclined plate (1) force the water to enter into the reservoir (4) through the gates (2), and the water continues its motion through the delivery conduit (5). The inclination of the plate is adjustable according to the waves intensity to ensure maximum power extraction, the control being maximised with the extension of the bottom board (3).    ADVANTAGE -   The adjustable inclination of the waves facing plate and of its extension board improves the degree of waves energy take-up. Bul.9/7.3.86
The installation plant consists of a housing with variable buoyancy and an intake trough, a working chamber with air intake valves, and a compressed air outlet pipe. The plant also has a water outlet pipe (9), the working chamber is annular in shape and has outer and inner dome-shaped walls, and is equipped with hydraulic inlet valves. The air intake valves are located in the central part of the inner wall (5) and are made in the form of conical floats (7), while the pipes are connected to the chamber's outer wall. The water entering the intake trough (2) passes through the hydraulic valves (6) into the working chamber and on to the converter (11). The air entering with the water is connected beneath the central section of the dome-shaped inner wall and passes through the air valves and pipe (9) to converter (10).    ADVANTAGE -   Greater reliability and wider range of functions. Bul.9/7.3.86
The solar rays are reflected by lateral mirrors (2), at an angle close to 60 degrees, onto the collecting surfaces (1) e.g. solar cells or water panels. They are protected by single or double glazing (10). The assembly is mounted on a chassis (4) aligned East-West and facing South (in the Northern hemisphere) and is pointed towards the sun by the hydraulic rams (5) which control the elevation.    The pointer and scale assembly (8) indicate the correct elevation for the time of year at the latitude of the site, to avoid masking any of the collecting surface. The materials and geometry of the system are chosen for optimal concentration and absorption.    USE/ADVANTAGE -   Reduced number of collectors required for given application. Particularly relevant to low technology countries. Can also refrigerate.
The building window panel has two spaced glass plates (1,2) separated by a sealed insulation gap for providing good thermal insulation. At least one solar cell (5) is contained within this sealed insulation gap, for obtaining solar energy.    Pref. a frame (3) is inserted between the facing peripheral edges of the glass plates (1,2) through which the leads (8) for the solar cell (5) extend. The sealed insulation gap is filled with air which has a reduced water content.    ADVANTAGE -   Combines advantages of double glazing with solar energy extraction.
A solar module has a solar cell embedded in synthetic resin, at the edge of which there is at least one means of fixing the module (e.g. hole, pin etc.)    In an example, solar cells (7) are embedded in resin (2), together with two frame members (10,11); these members have respectively (10) a fixing hole (12) and (11) a threaded fixing pin (13). By these means the module can readily be attached to a backing, with or without an intermediate spacer to allow air to pass over the underside of the module.    The polymer (2) can be made with recesses for the solar cells (7), the wire (3) between them, and the gripping devices for the module and frames (10,11). This has the advantage that all the constituent parts then have approx. the same thermal expansion. The frame members (10,11) can be metal, glass cloth, or various types of resins (e.g. epoxy, acrylic etc.) The polymer (2) can be e.g. thermoplastic films welded together.    ADVANTAGES -   The module can easily be firmly attached. It has a stable mechanical construction and is cheaply made.
Mfr. of a solar cell comprises: (a) applying onto the bare back face of a structure (I) a layer of photosensitive masking compsn., the substrate being at least 150 microns thick; (b) selectively exposing the coated back face to form a pattern (a) including a number of non-hardened discrete zones sepd. from one another by hardened zones, the ratio of non-hardened zones to hardened zones being at least 1:1; (c) removing the non-hardened zones of the mask from the face to bare the substrate in these zones; (d) chemically and isotropically attacking the bared zones so that the substrate thickness in these zones is reduced to 10-100 microns, the zones thus thinned being sepd. by ribs having the thickness of the original substrate; and (e) removing the masking compsn.    ADVANTAGE -   Process lightens the weight of the solar cell produced without thinning the whole substrate until too weak to support the cell as in prior art.
A photovoltaic panel converts solar energy into electrical energy output with a voltage and a current. A load has an inherent inductance and capacitance, and requires a starting current which is higher than a minimum running current. The output of the photovoltaic panel is sensed in response to the sensor. The output is applied to the load in pulses at a frequency which varies inversely with the maximum available power from the output.    The load is pumped with a series of pulses to cause a ringing within the load to initially start the load at a point in time before the current output reaches the starting current. The sensor applies a resistance higher than the load resistance to the photovoltaic panel to cause the output to be in a high voltage range of a power curve.    ADVANTAGE -   Provides operation to e.g solar energy. Domestic water system pump free from outside electrical power sources.
An arrangement is transversely and interceptingly disposed in a vehicle-passage surface in a manner which permits activational rollover by the wheels of traversing vehicles. A spindle operatively associated with the transverse-intercept arrangement is configured for axially-reciprocating motion activated upon the intercept-arrangement being encountered by the traversing wheels. A rotor-and-stator assembly is for generating electricity, the generator being disposed with its rotor coaxially surrounding a portion of the reciprocable spindle. The spindle has screw-thread carried on its periphery, and the rotor has a yoke carried on its spindle-surrounding interior, the yoke being adapted to be matingly rotated by the screw-thread when the spindle is axially reciprocated through the yoke.    The yoke means includes an arrangement for unidirectionally driving the rotor in response to the bi-directional reciprocations of the spindle. The generator includes bearing means for facilitating the continued rotation of the rotor once the rotor has received a unidirectional driving impulse from the spindle-and-yoke assembly.    ADVANTAGE -   May be realised in a modular form entailing readily-replaceable and conveniently-transported foldable roadway sections.
Solar array has an electrically insulating matrix with photovoltaic particles e.g. Si, each particle having a P-type region and an N-type region which forms a junction, tap particles being secured in the matrix. One of the regions extends to one of the surfaces of the matrix and the other region extends to the other of the surface, the junction extending to the matrix. Metallisation interconnects the regions of the particles extending to one of the surfaces, and includes a transparent electrically conductive layer disposed on one surface and electrically conductive whiskers in the electrically conductive layer.    Pref. the electrically conductive layer is tin oxide, indium oxide, and alloys of indium oxide and tin oxide.    ADVANTAGE -   Efficiency is higher than in prior art array.
The plant, for use in a freely-flowing current of water, consists of a series of vanes (1) attached to a flexible shaft (2) in the form of a cable connected to a drive unit mounted on a support located above water level. The support is made buoyant, e.g. in the form of a vessel, and the cable has a weight on its free end and is connected to the drive unit via an articulated coupling. The vanes are curved in shape with both ends attached to the cable and have an aerodynamic profile. The attachment of the vane ends to the cable is made through flexible elements (6) and each vane has its ends connected to the cable in between the ends of the adjacent vanes.    When the cable is suspended in the water with the weight on its lower end holding it down, the vanes cause the cable to rotate, and the rotation is transmitted through the drive unit to the generator.    ADVANTAGE -   Fuller use of water flow energy and easier transport. Bul.7/23.2.86.
The device includes a substrate, separate electrodes formed on the substrate and a semiconductor layer includes formed over the electrodes. The semiconductor layer includes an amorphous semiconductor material and is obtained by forming a layer comprising an amorphous semiconductor material over the electrodes and then cutting through the layer with a laser scribe in an oxidative environment to form a scribed end face.    The semiconductor layer has a mean oxygen content of 0.5-10 atom per cent in a portion between the scribed end face and a distance 10-50 micro meter away from the scribed end face.    USE/ADVANTAGE -   As solar battery giving good performance even in low luminous intensity environment such as indoor. (First major country equivalent to J61198685)
A concentrating solar reflector is adapted to focus light on a target positioned and is spaced a predetermined distance from the reflector. A lens has optical power and a predetermined equivalent focal length. A linear echelon element has parallel prisms closely positioned to the lens, and a mirror surface. The lens, echelon element and mirror surface have an optical axis and are so arranged that light entering the lens and the echelon element is refracted and reflected back through the lens to the target for a given angle of incidence of light rays.    The echelon element is angularly positioned w.r.t. the optical axis so that the prisms refract and the mirror surface reflects to the target for a predetermined angle of incidence of solar rays on the solar reflector. The target is positioned above the reflector.    ADVANTAGE -   Requires no moving reflectors.
NOVELTY - The apparatus comprises in combination, a device for rotating the shaft. A connectinq device communicates the rotation of the shaft to a sprocketed sheave. A gear train connects the rotatable main shaft to a second sprocketed sheave and is
A system for storing and recovering energy comprises a first underground storage space (1) formed in a salt dome (2) situated beneath an earth layer (3) and a second underground storage space (5) situated in a salt dome (2) below the first storage space (1), with a pump/turbine unit (8) located at ground level (7) above the first storage space (1), the pump/ turbine unity consisting of a pump (9) connected by a shaft (10) to an electric motor (13), and a turbine (14) connected by a shaft (15) to an electric generator (16). The pump/turbine unit (8) is connected to the lower part of the first storage space (1) and to the lower part of the second storage space (5). The first storage space is partly filled with brine (22) having a density of 1200 kg/m3, and the second storage space (50) is partly filled with a gas such as nitrogen as a gas cushion. An additional gas storage space may be provided near the second storage space (5), the top of both being in open communication with each other.    ADVANTAGE -   When compared with conventional energy storage system in which the lower lake is underground, the turbine unit has to be located in an underground cavern and a separate shaft is needed for the heavy electric supply cable to the surface, which are both unnecessary with the compressed gas lower reservoir of the present method.
After doping of the substrate (1a) a metallic contact (7a) is deposited on the lower surface (5a) by means of a vapour deposition process. A strip (12a) made of, e.g. silicon dioxide or photolacquer, on the upper surface (2a) prevents adhesion of a similar metallic contact deposited on the upper surface.    A V-shaped groove (11a) is then cut into the lower contact area by means of a lser beam and the substrate is broken along the groove which coincides with a prepared fracture line in the substrate. This leaves a projecting section of the upper contact area that may be used for 'chaining' several solar cells. A similar process is used for producing an extension of the lower contact area.    ADVANTAGE -   Does not require added connections.
On a major surface of the semiconductor wafer a number of devices are formed and a groove is formed on the surface that extends partway into the substrate. On the surface of these grooves and on selected portions of the wafer surface an oxide layer is formed, filling the grooves with an insulating material.    Metal interconnectors are formed between adjacent devices extending over the grooves and insulating material. The devices are separated along the line of the grooves from the other major surface leaving the metal interconnectors, this is done by masking and etching the wafer.
The plant consists of a floating housing (1) containing a turbine (2) and a generator, a piston pump (3) with a cover (4) and its piston rod (5) mounted vertically and partially immersed in the water, a computer and a floating sensor buoy for the wave parameters.    The piston rod is equipped with a horizontal disc (9) which is submerged in the water, while the lower part of the housing is equipped with horizontal plates (10) and drive mechanisms (11) and angular position sensors (12) which link them to the computer (7). The piston pump cover is capable of axial movement and is equipped with a drive mechanism and an axial position sensor, which is connected to the computer.    Data on the wave parameters from the sensor buoy goes to the computer, which sends control signals to the drive mechanisms for the pump cover and plate positions, which vary the working volume and plate position accordingly.    ADVANTAGE -   Reduced metal requirement in manufacture and higher efficiency. Bul.6/15.2.86
The power generator consists of a body (1) with cantilever arms (2), a float (3) which is attached to the arms so it can rotate, and a generator in the form of a rotor (6) and counter-rotor (7) which are mounted inside the float and with their shafts located in line with its axis of rotation and connected to it by a converter mechanism.    The upper part of the float is equipped with a curved wave-receiving vane (8), and the converter mechanism is in the form of two overrun clutches connected to the rotor and counter-rotor shafts and the float.    In a variant the converter can be in the form of a differential transmission unit with two coaxial bevel gears, linked to the rotor and counter-rotor, and a carrier with satellites.    ADVANTAGE -   Greater reliability and reduced dimensions. Bul.6/15.2.86
The power generator consists of a floating housing (1) containing a turbine (2) and equipped with elastic tanks (3) which are connected to the turbine inlet, and a rigid moving element (4) which interacts with the tanks.    The rigid moving element (4) is made buoyant and surrounds the housing of the generator. The action of a wave on the rigid moving element causes it to interact with the elastic tanks, squeezing the air from them into the turbine. When the interaction ceases, the tanks refill with air from atmos.    ADVANTAGE -   Higher efficiency. Bul.6/15.2.86
The power generator consists of a float (1) and a piston pump (3) which has a fixed annular piston connected to a support and a central pressure aperture, and a cylinder (4) which is attached to the float by its lower end, and is equipped with a hydroturbine (5) which is located in the piston aperture, while the cylinder which is located aboVe water level, is sealed and filled with a working fluid. The connection between the piston and support is in the form of bars.    When a wave lifts the float it raises the cylinder relative to the fixed piston, so that the working fluid flows from the lower part of the cylinder to the upper part and drives the turbine. When the float drops in the trough of the waVe the fluid falls and drives the turbine.    ADVANTAGE -   Higher efficiency and more convenient operation. Bul.6/15.2.86
The handgun handle construction includes a handle frame with an elastomeric grip panel (18,19) positioned on each side of the frame. Each panel has a recess (27,28) to receive an insert (21,22) of a stiff material, e.g. wood to provide more rigidity and a pleasing appearance to the handle.    A fastener (24) including a bolt (39) nut (41) and washer (42) holds the frame, grip panels and inserts together. A stud (32) fixed to the frame is received in holes (30) in the panels and openings (31) in the inserts to prevent twisting of the grip panels around the fastener (34).    ADVANTAGE -   Versatility and ease of prodn.
The collector includes a layer or plate (3) of a material receiving solar radiation and a carrier (1) which is in appropriate heat conducting association with the layer or plate. The carrier comprises a device for discharging heat. The heat conducting connection between the layer or plate and the carrier is formed by a movable, elastic and heat conducting construction (2) held tightly between the plate or layer and the carrier without being bonded to either.    The construction (2) comprises metal springs, metal wool etc. Metal springs may be used in all forms, e.g. plate, ring, coil etc., with plate shaped springs being preferably.    ADVANTAGE -   Increases service life of collector because frequency changes in temp. will not have too much effect on heat conducting connection.
Heat and electricity are inter-converted using a C intercalation cpd. which uses a temp. difference in a direction perpendicular to a structure of graphite layers.    Converting material between heat and light energy is formed by introducing hydrocarbons into a hollow member of light transmissive material; pyrolysing at below 1000 translucent mirror properties to adhere firmly to the inner surface of the hollow member.    The converting material is also claimed.    ADVANTAGE -   Method is highly effective. (Corrected patentee and code)
A cylindrical flywheel (6) is supported on a housing (51) at one end. The flywheel may extend along, and even beyond, the housing. A shaft (50), armature, housing magnet and flywheel are supported in an enclosed chamber (1) which is evacuated, partially reduced in pressure or filled with an inert gas e.g. helium. Electronic connections (24) to the windings of the armature are provided. An electronic commutator is provided.    A bridge converter connected to a flywheel unit (63) is synchrnosed with rotation of the flywheel utilising a dual optical transducer. One of the transducers is pulsed once per revolution of the flywheel and the other is pulsed six times per revolution of the flywheel at the required thyristor firing times. The pulses are translated into gate switching pulses by a small dedicated microcomputer which is connected to six gate drive circuits.    USE/ADVANTAGE -   In hybrid storage electrical vehicle or as aid in wind or sea-powered electricity generator systems. Does not require gearbox.
At least one solar array (44) is extendible outwardly from the spacecraft body (66) by a three way articulation device permitting adjustment of the solar array about three orthogonal axes. The device comprises a rotatable coupling (80) for permitting rotation about an axis parallel to the spacecraft body, a second coupling (82) permitting rotation about a second axis normal to the first axis and a third coupling (84) permitting rotation of the array about an axis normal to the second and parallel to the longitudinal axis of the array.    Pref. the first coupling is inboard relative to the second which is itself unboard of the third coupling. Pref. the body includes a compartment for storage of the array.
A wheel member has a hub and a rim and is submerqed within the water to a depth sufficient to more than immerse the hub. The rim has a hollow round member open at one end, which is rigid, buoyant and displaces more water than its weight. Two temperature sensors are expansible and affixed to the closed end of the hollow member. One sensor moves between two stable positions in response to a change in ambient temp.    A fixed shaft is centrally disposed within the hollow hub and escapement gears are operatively coupled to the other end of the solid rod member for driving the escapement gears. A spring connects between the hub and escapement gears for transferring energy.    ADVANTAGE -   Uses surrounding environment for source of energy.
The mirror for a solar collector having a central collector tower is formed from a thin, concave-shaped sheet of fabric, or other flexible material, having a reflective surface on the concave side. The sheet is supported by cables attached to a like number of tension towers concentrically position w.r.t. the central receiver tower. Due to the action of gravity, the cables assume a natural concave shape that matches the concave shape of the reflective sheet. Further support for the sheet is provided by a small inner ring disposed about the central receiver tower and a larger outer ring near the tension towers.    The inner ring is also used as a tie point for cable sections secured to the earth directly adjacent the base of the central tower. Both the cable sections tied to the inner ring and the cables attached to the tension towers are provided with winches, which are used both to raise and lower the tension solar mirror for installation or removal and to change the shape of the mirror.    ADVANTAGE -   Shape and focal point can be easily altered.
Increased specific power generated by the waves is ensured by the float counterweight and by the streamlined configuration of the flow in vertical direction. The floating housing carries the piston-type compressor with its rod connected to the immersed float.    In the case of a still, the piston (4) is in its neutral position in the compressor (2), since the assembly of the piston (4) rod (3) float (6) and counterweight (5) have a zero buoyancy. The appearance of waves leads to the vertical displacement of the compressor (2) together with the housing (1) relative to the piston (4) compressing air in the converter (7), and at the same time the cited assembly is also vertically shifted. This athe compressor.    ADVANTAGE -   The enhanced parameters of the compressor working medium increase the specific power of the waves controlled generator. Bul.4/30.1.86.
Reduced size of waves power generator is ensured with the symmetry centres of floats located in the same plane perpendicular to the shaft. The shaft is connected to the electric generator mounted on the support, while the floats are cantilever-mounted and are offset from each other along a circle.    On the approach of the wave crest, one of the floats (4) is raised and transmits a torque to the shaft (3), while another float is lowered in the trough of the wave to be raised with the arrival of the next crest. The shaft is therefore continuously turned to operate the generator (2).    ADVANTAGE -   The circularly distributed floats ensure continuous rotation of the electric generator entraining its drive shaft. Bul.4/30.1.86.
The individual solar cells are combined into sub-sections with reinforcing fibreglass edging, and hinges are provided to enable the panels to be folded for storage. Double sided cells are used in order to enable light reflected from earth, when the space craft is sufficiently close to it, i.e. about 500 km orbit, to strike the rear surface of the cells and thus generate additional electric energy.    Infra red radiation striking the forward surface, e.g. in geo-static orbits can pass through the cells without absorption resulting in reduction of operating temperature.
Structurisation of a series of layers on a transparent substrate (I) involves applying a first dense layer of transparent electroconductive oxide (TCO) (II) and removing selected areas with a laser beam; and applying a second dense layer of amorphous semiconductor material (III) and removing selected areas with a laser beam. The laser beam is passed through the substrate (1) and laser beams with wavelengths in the absorption range of (II) or (III) respectively are used for irradiating the (II) layer (2) and the (III) layer (3).    IR laser light is used for (II) and visible laser light below ca. 6000 A for amorphous Si. In particular, the fundamental wavelength of the YAG laser (lambda TCO = 1.06 micron) is used for (II) and the first harmonic of the fundamental wavelength of the YAG laser (lambda a-Si = 0.53 micron) for the a-Si layer.    USE/ADVANTAGE -   Structurisation is as clean as possible and impairment of the electro-optical properties is minimised. The technique is useful in the prodn. of solar cells and optical image sensors based on amorphous semiconductors, e.g. Si.
The antenna includes an axial wave guide tube which constitutes the main structural supporting member of the antenna. A ten to fifteen foot diameter dish is mounted to the wave guide and a sub-reflector is supported at the forward end of the wave guide. A low noise amplifier may be mounted to the rear end of the wave guide for amplification of the received signals. The folding dish includes a pre-formed dished reflector of pliable material supported by a radial framework of normally straight resiliently flexible spokes of tapering cross section. The spokes are pivotable by a lever system between a folded axial position and a deployed radial position.    The normally straight spokes are stressed upon deployment by a perimeter cable to a curvature of the pliable dish such that the spokes and the dish are curved independently of one another and operate to correct deviations in the desired curvature of each other.    USE/ADVANTAGE -   Deployment in space, and also in solar energy collection system. Repeatable through many folding-deployment cycles.
As either end of the quadrapod is lifted by a wave and the pendulum deck tends toward the centre of the earth, force is applied to the generator due to the shifting weight of the pendulum deck, generator battery bank and all other equipment on said dect. This results from cables looped around ratcheted pulleys on the generator shaft, connected at their ends to the bow and stern of the quadrapod. Maximum energy conversion depends upon the quadrapod being perpendicular to the ocean waves. The paradox of a vessel facing one direction while travelling another is resolved by a navigation system consisting of four simultaneously swivelling, finned, motorised pontoons to maintain course direction, operated in conjunction with a wind fan with rudder mounted to the pendulum deck which holds quadrapod perpendicular to ocean waves.    Length of quadrapod is adjustable through the use of cables, pulleys and hydraulic pistons so as to match the distance from wave crest to valley. A number of units may be joined together, the beams of which may share pontoons to form an energy net spreading out over the ocean.    ADVANTAGE -   Remains perpendicular to the ocean waves for maximum energy conversion, regardless of its direction of travel.
A lift-off layer is formed directly onto a substrate with a pattern in reverse to a desired thin film pattern. The layer is formed by either screen printing using a silicone grease or by the ink-jet method. A thin film, which is one of a transparent conductive thin film, a thin film of metal, silicide, amorphous semiconductor or crystalline semiconductor material or amorphous insulating or crystalline insulating material, is then formed on the substrate, and an undesired portion of the thin film is removed together with the lift-off layer.    The substrate has an amorphous semiconductor layer, and the lift-off layer is a liquid organic compared with small vapour pressure or a water soluble or organic solvent soluble material.    ADVANTAGE -   Improves yield using less dangerous materials.
The system uses water from an artesian well for continuously supplying electricity. Excess electric power not required during periods of low power requirements is fed into the outside source of electric power which is relied upon during peak periods of power usage.    During those times when cooling is required, the artesian well water is fed continuously through convectors to effect such cooling. A bypass valve is provided for either directing return water to a boiler or to the ground.
The device comprises a receiving trough (1) of varying width and a chamber (2) containing a hydraulic turbine (3), the width of the trough decreasing towards the chamber, and has a platform (4) against the chamber with walls (5) at its sides. At the beginning of the platform there is a non-return valve. The receiving trough has an inclined lid (6). It is inclined towards the chamber of the hydraulic turbine. The non-return valve is in the form of a lock (7) suspended by a pivot from the walls.    ADVANTAGE -   Water reaches the turbine more uniformly throughout the entire wave period. Bul.3/23.1.86
Both diagonals and longerons telescope from an M-braced base unit. They are deployed either pneumatically, mechanically by springs or cables, or by powered reciprocating mechanisms. Upon full deployment, the diagonals and longerons lock into place with a simple latch mechanism.    Each diagonal structural member of at least one intermediate unit and an end unit is formed of telescoping segments. The end segment of each diagonal is hingedly connected to an elongated batten and is equal to a one-half length of the elongated batten and is adapted to telescopically receive the remaining segments of the diagonal when the truss structure is in the compactly stowed mode.    ADVANTAGE -   The truss structure is efficiently packaged into a compact stowed positon and expandable to an operative position at the use site. The M-braced configuration effectively separates tension-compression and shear in the structure and permits efficient structural design.
Si Alloy substrate is formed by: forming a molten ribbon; rapidly cooling to the semi-solidus state between cooled rollers; passing between further rollers, holding the temp. at 740-1130 deg.C; and quenching, the Si alloy having the compsn. (in wt.%): Si 51-88 pref. 66.5-68.1, Li 3-30 pref. 22.6, Al 0.5-29 pref. 2.3, F 0.5-8 pref. 1.5, H2 1-12 pref. 5.5 and V 0-5 pref. below 1.5, or alternatively: Si 51-88 pref. 59.5-63.5, Li 3-30 pref. 25, Al 0.5-29 pref. 4.9, F 0.5-8 pref. 1.3, H2 0.5-12 pref. 5.3, Sb 0.01-20 pref. below 3 and Co 0.01-6 pref. below 1.    ADVANTAGE -   Thin film Si solar cells can be formed quickly at low cost.
Integrated solar cell unit consists of a substrate provided with a lower electrode layer, a light-sensitive semiconductor layer and upper electrode layer. At least the upper and lower electrode layers are divided to form unit cells which are series-connected by electrical connection of the lower electrode layer of each unit cell with the upper electrode layer of an adjacent unit cell.    At least the upper electrode layer (5) or the semiconductor layer (3) has laser beam-machined groove pattern (6,7) along which an insulating strip (4a,b) is arranged between the upper electrode layer and the semiconductor layer and/or between the lower electrode layer (2) and the semiconductor layer. A process for prodn. of the integrated solar cell unit is also claimed.    ADVANTAGE -   The unit is produced by a mask-less, dry process from esp. solar cell of semiconductive amorphous silicon formed on flexible strip substrate.
A floating, wave-energy converter has two parallel, spaced-apart cylinders (28,29) suspended by cables (32) from a pair of pontoons or buoys (35). The cylinders are forced to rotate in opposite directions by electric motors. Hydraulic pumps are connected between the rotational axes (30,31) respectively of the two cylinders. In practice, the installation will include several such sets of cylinders, floats and pumps all quite independent of connection to the sea bottom.    When the wave action creates changes in the distance separating the cylinders (28,29), the pistons are moved within the pumps to pump fluid through the pipes (33). The fluid may be used to drive a turbine on one of the buoys.    ADVANTAGE -   It has been found that by constantly rotating the cylinders, the wave forces are increased by a factor of as much as 6, as compared to non-rotating cylinders.
Appts. for coating a polymeric material with an oxidn. protecting film comprises (A) an ion beam source for furnishing an ion beam used to clear the polymer surface; and (B) a sputter target mounted so that the ion beam can bombard the target for ion sputter coating the polymer surface to form the protecting film. (B) comprises (I) a first portion of a metal oxide material and (II) a second portion of a polymer material having a low oxidation rate. Opt. separate ion beams may be used, one for cleaning the surface, and another for bombarding the sputter target.    USE/ADVANTAGE -   Polymers, such as polyimides, which are used as structural or thermal blankets for spacecraft,tend to exhibit wt. loss from oxidation when exposed to low earth orbital environments. Prolonged oxidation and exposure results in mechanical and electrical failures. (I) and (II) form a lightwt. flexible coating that prevents the oxidation withoutphysically changing the polymer material.
A long pipe extends into a body of water and water is pumped out of the pipe. A nozzle is provided to direct a stream of water up through the pipe at high velocities, without touching the walls, based on the high pressure of the water at the lower end of the pipe. At the top of the pipe near the surface of the body of water, arrangements are provided for collecting the cold water drawn from below.    A valve operated by a hydraulic piston, controls the flow of water through the nozzle. The latter is provided with a calming screen for reducing turbulence as water enters the nozzle.    ADVANTAGE -   Reduces cost of bringing cold water from depths of ocean.
The machine comprises a rotatable turntable for supporting a number of solar cells in respective association with a corresponding number of operating stations and then for indexing the solar cells to the next operating stations in sequence. A cell loading station is provided for transfer of a solar cell from a loading magazine and for precision placement onto one of a number of cell-supporting fixtures carried by the turntable. The turntable indexes the solar cells one at a time on the fixtures from the cell loading station first to a flux station where a liquid flux material is applied to predetermined points on the cell.    The flux-bearing cell is then indexed in sequence to an interconnector dispensing station which places an interconnector at a predetermined point on the solar cell and then to an attachment station which secures the interconnector to the cell as by soldering. Additional pairs of interconnector dispensing and attachment stations may be provided for placing and attaching additional interconnectors onto the cell. The cell/interconnector subassembly is then indexed to an inspection statin and finally to a cell unloading station where the subassembly is transferred from the cell-supporting fixture and placed into an unloading magazine for removal from the machine.
The energy plant employs a float anchored to the sealed divided internally into inlet and a discharge chamber. The flow openings between the two chambers each contain a hydraulic turbine coupled to a generator.    The water enters the inlet chamber via barrage elements allowing flow in one direction only and catching the rising wavefront. Further barrage elements at the outlets of the discharge chamber lie at the trough of the waves. The press difference between the barrage elements causes a flow through the turbines for obtaining useful energy. The inlet chamber is sealed by an impervious cover.    ADVANTAGE -   Exploits relatively small waves.
Aconcave conical-planar lens receives and refracts three annular convergent conical incipient beams of diffused sunlight, producing three annular spectral beams. A circular shield with three annular slits emit the ultraviolet portions of the beams through the planar section of the lens. Three annular 45 degree mirrors reflect the ultraviolet beams in toward the vertical axis of the concentrator, forming three lateral ultraviolet beams in the horizontal planes.    A conical 45 degree mirror reflects the lateral ultraviolet beams downward, forming a whole ultraviolet beam. A conical beam concentrator refracts the whole ultraviolet beam, forming a concentrated whole ultraviolet beam which is emitted in the vertical axis of the concentrator.
Flexible, lighweight, electrically interconnected array of semiconductor devicesis formed by: depositing a layer of semiconductor material (3) on a conductive flexible substrate (1); depositing transparent conductive coating (5); patterning the coating to form islands (7); connecting adjacent islands to the substrate; and patterning the substrate to form islands (13) such that adjacent islands of the coating are connected in series through the semiconductor material and the substrate islands. The substrate (1) is pref. electroformed Ni of thickness 25 micron max.    USE -   Esp. as a flexible, lightweight solar cell array.
The power generator comprises a floating body in which an inertia body (3) is fitted on a suspension (2), displacement pumps pivoted to the body, with sylphons pivoted to the suspension, and converter with generator (4) connected to the pumps. The body is lens shaped and contains an annular reservoir (5) connected to the output of the pumps. The converter is in the form of an air turbine (7). The suspension has a polygonal plate on its top ends. The sylphons are pivoted to the corners of this plate.    ADVANTAGE -   Inertia body has more degrees of freedom, so efficiency is raised. Bul.47/23.12.85
A vertically moveable float oscillates with waves and swell and is hinged by ball-and-socket joints sliding with a system. The latter allows all inclinations along a central vertical guide which prevents the float turning horizontally.    Four vertical arms are linked to the float and entrain a transforming mechanism in a sealed case which is held stationary via racks so that arm movements turn an axle in a single sense to turn a dynamo. To each arm is connected a toothed wheel rotating in alternate senses to drive in turn further wheels. Only one of the further wheels which operate in opposite senses is coupled to drive.
Gaseous Pt group metal fluoride is introduced with O2 and/or oxygen compounds into a reaction vessel and the mixed gas is decomposed by discharging to form a Pt group metal oxide film on base plate placed in the reaction vessel.    Pref. discharge-decomposition and formation of film are effected by plasma CVD processes.    USE/ADVANTAGE -   The oxide film is used as a transparent electrode of solar battery. The film forming rate is fast, O2 content in the film may be readily controlled and the thick film may be formed.
Solar array comprises: an Al foil with spaced apertures; pn-type semiconductor members (I) bonded via the n-region to foil; and a contact member, pref. also of foil, connected to the p-region. (I) are pref. spheres whose equators are forward of the side of the first foil remote from the contact member. An antireflective coating is pref. formed on the surface of the first foil.    Pref. method comprises: forming apertures in foil; forming spherical semiconductor particles with an n-skin over a p-core; bounding the n-regions to foil in the apertures removing the n-layer on one side of the foil; forming an insulating layer on that side of the foil and the surface from which the n-layer has been removed; removing a portion of the p-cores and the overlying insulating layer; and bonding a second foil to the exposed p-cores, pref. roughing the exposed p-cores first. An antireflective coating is pref. deposited over the surface of the first foil remote from the second. Pref. the spheres are bonded to foil in the apertures by heating to 500-577 deg.C and forcing the spheres into the apertures, pref. under impact, to shear the native oxide layers and form a bond. The assembly is then cooled. Semiconductor material is pref. Si.    ADVANTAGE -   Array is inexpensive to produce and is economically viable. (Provisional Basic previously advised in week 8648) (First major country equivalent to J61124179-A)
Support members are interconnected and additionally connected to a permanent base foundation. The support members have a frame in contact with the perimeter of the flexible photovoltaic module. An inwardly facing flange extends upward from the frame which overlaps a portion of the module perimeter. A skirt depends downwards from the frame.    Rib stiffeners are integral to the frame and extend inward and are adapted to contact the flexible module. The module is supported to the support member.    USE -   Conversion of solar energy to electricity.
The bearing assembly for a small motor shaft (1) has two ball bearings (3,4) on the shaft and inside a cylinder (5) which is part of a stationary structure. One shaft has large diameter flange (2) which is concentric with a ring (6), and there is a small air gap (7) between flange perimeter and the ring. The ring is also part of the stationary structure.    In normal operation the shaft (1,2) is free to rotate. During high, externally applied loads on the complete structure the relative deflections ensure that the air gap (7) closes. The shaft end (2) is thus clamped and the bearing load limited to an acceptable value.    USE/ADVANTAGE -   On stepper motor for satellite solar generator positioning drive. Bearings do not have to be designed for loads occurring during satellite starting.
A hull floating on a body of water is tethered by an anchored mooring cable so that it is disposed to trail from the anchor in a current. The hull supports a rotary load such as an electric generator, air compressor or water pump having a transversely extending rotary input shaft extending beyond the hull in both lateral directions. Balanced sets of vanes arranged in wheels mounted to respective ends of the shaft are disposed in a partially submerged condition to be turned by the water current, thus turning the shaft and the rotary load.    A load output conduit is provided for transmitting the load output from the load. Where the current changes direction periodically, the load output conduit may follow the mooring cable and both be pivotally mounted to the anchor so that the hull may swing around as the current changes direction.
(JP93054711-B)      Producing semiconductor device comprises forming 1st grooves into a light-permeable conductive film, forming 1st electrode resins, and forming a non single crystal semiconductor having at least, one p-n or p-i-n junction on the conductive film.    Used for solar cells. (J61116885-A)
A light signal is generated at the end of a flourescent optical fibre with transparent walls and core by laterally illuminating it. The optical fibre, on indicator light, a point light source, a photoelectric cell, on optical reader, and a spectrometer embodying the process are also claimed.    ADVANTAGE -   It is not necessary to focus light accurately onto the other end of the fibre.
The installation incorporates the base (1) which supports the casing which is made as two vertical pipes (2,3) whose upper ends are located below the water level and the lower ends are connected by a horizontal pipe (4). The power turbine (5) with the associated generator (6) are positioned in the horizontal pipe (4).    To increase effectiveness of the conversion of the wave energy, the installation is equipped with two horizontal pipes (7,8) which are connected to the vertical pipes (2,3) on both sides and provided with additional vertical pipes (9,10). All the pipes are positioned in one row, and the pipes on one side of the turbine are provided with blocking valves, and the other side with non-return valves. Both types of the valves are fitted at the top of the pipes.    USE/ADVANTAGE -   For conversion of water wave energy into electric power. Provides more effective conversion. Bul.44/30.11.85
The installation has a support base (1) and a casing, positioned on the base, which comprises two vertical pipes (2,3) which are submerged below the water level and interconnected at the bottom by a horizontal pipe (4). A hydraulic turbine (5) with a generator (6) is positioned in one of the pipes (2,3).    To increase the effective utilisation of the wave energy, the casing is equipped with a third vertical pipe (7) positioned in the same row as the other two tubes (2,3), and the hydraulic turbine (5) is positioned in the central pipe (3). The spacing between the vertical pipes from the central pipe is in the ratio of 1:2.    ADVANTAGE -   Provides improved effectiveness of conversion of wave energy into electric power. Bul.44/30.11.85
The installation incorporates hermetically sealed casing (1) fitted on struts (2) fixed in the bottom of the water reservoir and a float (3) provided with blocks (4) made as sliders fitted on the struts. Power generator (5) and a linear to rotational motion converter are located inside the casing (1). The linear motion is provided by a rod (6) positioned on the float and provided with a spiral groove and contacting with the latter driven conical gear (8). To simplify construction, increase efficiency and simplify servicing, the rod (6) is fitted on the float (3) with the facility of rotation and the driven gear (8) conical toothed wheel positioned at right angle to the rod with a gap w.r.t. the sidewalls of the spiral groove (7). The sidewalls are toothed and acts as a spiral rack. The driving gear (8) is connected via a shaft with a coupling (11) to the generator (5). The casing (1) has streamlined shape and can be positioned Vertically at the required level along the struts (2). The casing is equipped with a servicing hatch and a platform.    USE -   Conversion of wave energy into electrical power. Bul.44/30.11.85
The appts in the form of a buoy (1) includes a floatable main body (1) provided with a vertically extending central pipe (1c). The pipe (1c) has its bottom open end opened into the water and its top open end (1e) located above the water surface when the main body (1) floats in the water surface (Wi). An air turbine (5) is disposed at the top open end of the central pipe (1c).    A generator (6) is operatively coupled to the turbine (5) and a guide plate (8) is attached to the main body (1) located opposite to and separated away from the bottom open end of the central pipe. A lateral circular opening is defined between the guide plate (8) and the bottom of the main body (1), through which the water moves into and out of the central pipe (1c).    USE -   For producing electricity from buoy in shallow waters.
The system includes at least one thermopile (22) producing DC electrical energy from thermal energy. An electrical energy source (23) is preferably tapped from an overhead transmission ground wire (72), and is converted to thermal energy e.g. by electric resistance heaters (21). The thermal energy so produced is applied to the thermopile. A source of fossil fuel (14) is converted into thermal energy, e.g. by a burner, when actuated, and this thermal energy is also applied to the thermopile. The burner is preferably actuated in response either to a loss of input voltage from the transmission ground wire of loss of output power from the thermopile.    USE/ADVANTAGE -   Provides a reliable source of electrical energy for distributed loads e.g. repeaters for fibre optic communication system.
A solar cell element (20A) is placed on a surface of a multi surface drum (10) with a first bus strip (205) from a bus spool (200) underlying it. The second bus strip (105) from a second bus spool (100) is then brought downwards to contact the cell by movement of the second bus spool (100), the second spool (200) is raised and the drum (10) is moved on one position.    A second element is then placed on the surface of the drum over the first bus strip and the process is repeated so as to interweave the solar cell elements between the first and second bus strips in a chain. After attachment, alternate sides are severed to complete the serial connection of the cells.    ADVANTAGE -   Suitable for automation.
The solar panels are housed in flat planes (bays and courses) which include several parallel, symmetrically faceted and stepped areas that are a maximum at the base and over the centre of the support structure and which planes define a dome-shaped segment called a hemidome. The planes face upwardly and are stepped, ramped (or a combination) with respect to each other. Single or double axis tracking is provided so that the sun's movement is followed.    The stepped surfaces are fixed at a predetermined angular amount being a compromise sun angle selected to catch a large amount of the sun's rays.    ADVANTAGE -   Reduces effects of early morning or late afternoon shading of photovoltaic panels.
An evaporator transfers heat to wroking fluid e.g. seawater from a heat source whose temperature is subject to variation, thus evaporating the fluid and driving a turbine. An optimum physical value relating to the evaporation is calculated in accordance with the detected temperature at the heat source. Evaporation of the fluid at the evaporator is controlled in accordance with the optimum value.    A pump is driven at a variable speed to feed fluid to the evaporator. A control valve adjusts the pressure of fluid fed to the evaporator.    ADVANTAGE -   Produces power at max. efficiency even at lowered temp. differential between surface and deep water in ocean.
The apparatus (10) includes a frame (11) and a support drum (25) rotatably received in the frame (11). The support drum has a curved surface (42) having a number of paired dowel guides (45) for registering cell strips (50) relative to the surface (42) and an interconnect mesh (36) relative to the cell strip (50).    A number of paired complementary clamp sets (51,52) receive and secure the cell strips (50) and the interconnect mesh (36) to the support drum (25).    ADVANTAGE -   Permits filament interconnection with minimal operational steps and ease of handling.
A parabolic dish framework is mounted upon a support structure. one or more support panels mounted on the framework each defines upon its upper surface a number of recesses each provided with mechanisms for attaching one of a number of reflectors to the support panels; A collector is mounted on the framework. A number of reflectors are each formed of a bowl-shaped construction having a concave reflecting surface terminating in a rim defining a polygon, the sides of the rims of each reflector registerable with the sides of the rims of adjacent reflectors.    Each of the reflectors includes an elongated slot extending through it. The attachment of each support panel includes a bolt upwardly extending from the base of each of the recesses and a fastener engageable with the bolt to hold the reflector in a pre-selected position for focussing solar rays on the collector.    ADVANTAGE -   High efficiency.
(US4954181-A)      A solar cell module comprises a) an insulating substrate (1) carrying a transparent electrode (21,22..) on one surface; b) an amorphous semiconductor film (3) overlying said transparent electrode; and c) a metal electrode layer (41, 42..) overlying said semiconductor film.    Each electrode, film and layer is divided into regions to form a plurality of adjacent cells with the divided regions of the transparent electrode and metal layer being in positions shifted from each other to define a gap between adjacent cells. The semiconductor film has a portion (61, 62..) projecting into the said gap, said portion being crystallised after assembly of the said module so as to form a low resistivity connection between the metal electrode layer of one cell and the transparent electrode of an adjacent cell.    USE/ADVANTAGE -   The use of crystallised semiconductor to connect adjacent cells in series improves on the prior art method which required three mask alignments leading to poor tolerances. Further, the inverted method avoids reduction of the material which forms the transparent electrode by H2 generated by acid etching of the metal electrode. (First major country equivalent to J61091971-A) @(9pp Dwg.No.6c/6)@
Several dynamos are driven by a continuous chain which regularly spaced weights (5) mounted on either side of a flloat, (6) and is mounted on a vertical column. The chain passes through two still-water reservoirs: one higher (1) and one lower (2), the two reservoirs communicating through a sealed air chamber (3). One side of the vertical part of the chain is in free air and the other side is immersed in water contained in the higher reservoir, which rises from the level of the lower reservoir to the top of the column.    The side of the chain in free air falls under gravity from the top of the column into the lower reservoir and is carried through the air chamber which separates the reservoirs before returning upward, with the floats contributing an upward force, to the top of the column.    ADVANTAGE -   Source of electric energy which does not consume fuel and avoids expense and hazard of nuclear power
The reflector includes panel assemblies (22) carried about the periphery of a rigid central dish (16). Each assembly includes a rigid main panel (24) hinged to the dish periphery and a pair of rigid side panels (26) hinged to opposite sides of the main panel and to a side panel of adjacent panel assemblies. The main and side panels have an arcuate shape and are movable together between a collapsed state and a deployed state.    Arcuate extension rods (52) project radially outwardly from the panel assemblies and are movable w.r.t. the assemblies between collapsed and deployed states. Flexible reflector material (54) of annular shape is carried by the extension rods. The material is folded loosely between the rods in the collapsed state and is stretched taut between the rods in the deployed state.    USE/ADVANTAGE -   Collapsible to a highly compact state and is deployable easily and quickly, e.g. in a space vehicle. Highly compact when collapsed. Easily deployed e.g. for space vehicle.
A thin film metallic conductor deposited over a thin film of semiconductor material is scribed using an ultrasonically driven stylus at an average applied force and power level sufficient to penetrate all the back contact sheet and (part of) the semiconductor layer.    More specifically, the conductor (18) is the back contact of a thin photovoltaic cell array, deposited as a continuous sheet over a semiconductor layer contg. an active region, and is scribed to separate it into separate back electrodes, one for each cell.    Pref. metal film is Al, 1000-5000 A thick. The semiconductor is primarily Si. The stylus has a tip radius less than 0.00025 in.    ADVANTAGE -   Using a narrow tip, the process provides highly repeatable; reliable and very narrow scribe grooves (22,24) using very low tip force and ultrasonic power levels. Material is effectively removed from the grooves, avoiding short circuiting between adjacent back electrodes or between front and back electrodes (18,22) without damage to fragile materials.
The water is fed through a funnel in a fast rotating pipe with internal deep threads so that it becomes intimately mixed with air and the oxygen in it. If ozone or oxygen is used instead of air, fine holes in the threads can be used to permit the gas to escape for recirculation (but not the water). A coolant can be passed through an outer thread and the vapour can be used to drive a turbine for electricity generation.    ADVANTAGE -   This process requires no chlorine for the disinfection and can produce electricity. Chlorine gas has acquired a bad reputation as a means of water disinfection and some people hold it partly responsible for the dying forests.
The power generating plant consists of a pontoon (1) carrying a generator (2), and a drive with an horizontal power shaft (3) and pulley (4) which has a flexible element (5) round it equipped with weights (6,7) of different masses. The pontoon is also equipped with a vane (8) on a rod (9) which has an horizontal lever (10) on its lower end. The power shaft is equipped with a clutch (11,12), one half of which is able to move axially so that it can be actuated by the lever as it rotates, while the other is joined to the pontoon and is able to rotate relative to the shaft.    Power is generated by the pontoon moving up and down with the waves in relation to the weighted flexible element, while in the event of a change in wind direction the vane engages the clutch and lifts the heavier weight, enabling the pontoon to turn.    ADVANTAGE -   More reliable operation. Bul.40/30.10.85.
The system uses a liquid filled container into which a buoyant body (2) is fed at the bottom, so that it is displaced upwards through the liquid. The buoyancy body (2) is fed in a continuous circulation loop which returns it from the top to the bottom of the container.    The displacement force can be used to drive a generator for supplying electrical energy to a storage battery. Pref. each buoyancy body (2) is formed as a ring segment.    USE -   For effective energy generation.
Two cylindrical floats are sealed vessels of large volume having a capacity of buoyancy sufficient to support the combined weight of the complete assembly. A rotor body and power generating equipment are located in the floats inner space such that the whole construction can stay on the water surface with submergence below the lowest point of the centrally located shaft.    The rotor is supported on a number of radial arms spaced along the shaft. The arms have split collars to accommodate the shaft, which is located in bearings fitted in both end plates of the floats so that the rotor has free motion in both directions.    USE -   For utilisation of river flow and sea waves.
Appts. converting solar energy to electrical and thermal energy comprises (a) a solar cell(s) (8) having an amorphous Si layer (h); (b) a superstrata (10,11) integrally joined to the light incident side of the amorphous Si layer; (c) a heat collecting plate (7) attached to the solar cell surface opposite the superstrata; (d) a metal electrode (12) on the amorphous Si layer facing the heat collecting plate; and (e) a container (1,2) enclosing the entire structure.    In a first embodiment, the superstrata (9) is formed of a light permeable, heat absorbing material transparent to solar energy in the wavelength range absorbed by the amorphous Si and absorbing wavelengths not absorbed by the amorphous Si, converting absorbed energy into thermal energy. In a second embodiment, the superstrata is transparent to solar energy and has a heat absorbing layer on its light incident side. In a third embodiment, the superstrata is omitted; the amorphous Si is formed on a metal substrate; and a transparent electrode having an attached heat absorbing layer is provided on the front surfaces of the solar cells.    ADVANTAGE -   The hybrid structure provides increased utilisation of sunlight, absorbing wavelengths longer than 0.8 and converting them to thermal energy. Heat collecting efficiency is increased to about 46% from the conventional 17%.
The system comprises a reflector mounted on an assembly incorporating a drive mechanism for rotating the reflector about two axes to compensate for altitude and azimuthal changes in the position of the sun.    A sensor device is adapted to point at the sun and provide control signals to the drive mechanism so that the reflector is moved in response to solar movement. Thus, the sunlight is always reflected onto the collector and at the same time the sensor device is moved so as to track the sun.    ADVANTAGE -   Reduced alignment errors.
The apparatus (22) is intended for mounting over a conventional roof-mounted skylight with a square shaped frame (24) and a light transmissive opening within the roof (28). The apparatus has a lower frame (30) formed of 1 inch square aluminium tubing. At the rear edge of the tubing is hinged a frame (48) of similar construction carrying a reflective surface (58).    The hinged coupling between the frame (30 and 48) allows the reflective surface (58) to be selectively positioned for the optimum reflection of solar light into the interior of the building. Alternatively, with the reflecting surface in the horizontal, closed position it provides shading for the skylight. Employing a pair of photovoltaic panels (122,124) to generate operating power, azimuth and vertical motor-gear assemblies provide for automatic tracking.
The solar battery array (12) comprises a succession of first (24a,24b) and second (26a) mutually spaced, elongate electrical conductors. The first and second conductors alternate with each other in parallel. Each conductor is rigid and is adapted to reject substantial amounts of heat by radiation to space.    Each battery includes a photovoltaic cell (30) carried by an insulating cell holder (28). A reflector spaced from the cell is shaped to concentrate incident light on a light-receiving cell surface. The cells have terminals of opposite polarity connected to respective conductors of bracketing conductor pairs such that all cells in a given series are connected in parallel with each other and the series of the batteries in series.
A method of anodising and sealing a combination of Al and semiconductor material comprises forming an oxide coating on the Al member, anodising it in a soln. of 0.5% H3PO4 for 30s to seal the Al and to oxidise the semiconductor.    Al foil of about 2mm thickness is initially embossed, cleaned and etched with heated sodium or potassium hydroxide to remove the embossed area leaving an aperture. A number of Si spheres having an N-type skin and a P-type interior are drawn into the apertures.    USE/ADVANTAGE -   Used to mfr. solar cell arrays inexpensively.
(JP93050870-B)      Producing semiconductor device comprises irradiating an intensive light on an active area of a non-single crystal semiconductor layer having pin-junctions, enhancing crystallisation of the active area.    Used for photoelectric converters. (J61058278-A)
The photoelectric conversion device comprises a substrate having an insulating surface; and semiconductor photoelectric conversion elements U1 to Un sequentially formed side by side on the substrate and connecte din series one after another. The photoelectric conversion semiconductor elements Ui(i=1,2,3...n) each have a first electrode Ei formed on the substrate, a non-single-crystal semiconductor laminate member Qi formed on the first electrode Ei and a second electrode Fi formed on the non-single-crystal semiconductor laminate member Qi.    The non-single-crystal semiconductor laminate Qi has at least a first non-single-crystal semiconductor layer having a P or N conductivity type, a second non-single-crystal semiconductor layer of intrinsic type and a third non-single-crystal semiconductor layer having a same conductivity as the first non-single-crystal semiconductor layer.    ADVANTAGE -   Eliminates leakage between electrodes. (First major country equivalent to J61058277)
Infrared absorptive compsn. comprises essentially at least one cpd. of general formula (I), where (Cat) is cation for neutralising complex, M is Ni, Cu, Co, Pd or Pt which is dispersed in binder.    Cpd. is prepd. pref. by reacting NaCN, CS2 and N,N-dimethyl-formamide to provide Na cyanodithioformate, cracking Na cyanodithioformate to provide Na cis-1,2-dicyano-1,2-ethylene dithiolate which is reacted with metallic salt and then salt contg. cation.    USE/ADVANTAGE -   IR absorptive compsn. absorbs far IR rays and near IR ray having wave length of at least 700 nm without degrading transmission of visible rays and it is useful as safe-light filter for IR ray-sensitive photographic material, for controlling growth of plants or retarding earing season, for blocking IR rays from green garden, house, office, shop, automobile or aircraft, as occular cut filter for IR rays or as cut filter for semi-conductor photocell.
A semiconductor material (7) is etched by (a) masking the region of the material not to be etched with oxide coated Al (1) and (b) etching with an etchant for the material which is relatively inert to the oxide. The semiconductor material is Si. The oxide is Al2O3. The Al is a foil, and semiconductor material extends outwardly on both sides of the foil. The etchant is HF, HNO3 and acetic acid.    USE -   The method is useful for mfg. solar cells from Si spheres in a metal foil matrix, using the Al matrix as a mask for etching the spheres.
The heliostat has a base (1) a hinged mirror (2) with a lining (3) and zenith drive (4) kinematically connected to lining (3) by means of flexible drive (17) and driven (5) branches and is fitted on bracket (6). To increase operation reliability, the bracket is provided with stops and two different arm length turning levers, whose short arms are made as hooks orientated towards each other and the long arms are provided with rollers pressed by means of springs to drive and driven branches. The mirror lining is made as an arch (14) with pins (15) on one of the end surfaces (16). The pins interact with the hooks when one or both branches break. The stops are situated lower than the levers rotation axes under the long arms.    ADVANTAGE -   The heliostat assembly and adjustment is accelerated. Bul.36/30.9.85
The chamber consists of a housing (1) with its open lower end immersed in the water. The inside of the housing is equipped with a honeycomb grid (2) forming vertical channels (3). The intake chamber is equipped with a moving partition made up of a series of granules (4) in each of the vertical channels with a specific gravity of less than 1.    When the water rises in the intake chamber and the channels it compresses the air above the water surface, with the compression transmitted to an energy converter. The honeycomb grid ensures that the floating granules remain in the separate channels and prevents them from concentrating in one place.    ADVANTAGE -   Provides greater reliability through reduced salination of flow section. Bul.36/30.9.85.
Solar energy collector is formed by spraying molten metal, pref. Ni or Cr, onto pref. pre-heated qlass radiation absorber to form a fused metal layer; blackening the layer, and hermetically sealing the absorber to a transparent insulation layer, the absorber absorbing at least 70% solar energy for transmission to a heat transfer fluid while emitting no more than 5% IR. Solar concentrator is formed by spraying molten metal onto a shaped transparent qlass member to form a smooth, reflective, thin metal layer.    ADVANTAGE -   Method is low cost while maintaininq efficiency of the device; the metal material need not be ultra-pure.
The generator consists of a horizontal working chamber which interacts with a series of floats located at even intervals along the chamber. The chamber is made in the shape of a trough of rectangular cross section and a top which is deformable so that it can move up and down in relation to the side walls and has the floats attached to it.    The chamber top is made in the form of a series of separate elements (4) which are able to move relative to one another, with each element connected to at least one float. When the generator is in operation the chamber top elements move up and down with the floats and adopt the form of the wave and push the water along the trough under pressure.    ADVANTAGE -   Has design simplicity and greater reliability. Bul.34/15.9.85
The assembly (10) incorporates a number of electrically conductive strips (12), each having a long leg (13) and a short leg (14). The long legs (13) of the strips are overlapped relation with each other. The diode (21) is interposed between successive conductive strips (12) in the vicinity of the overlapped relation and is electrically associated. A bridging portion comprising diagonal arm (20) is carried by each long leg (13) and is oriented to dissipate stress experienced by the conductive strip (12).    The short leg (14) is suitably located and configured for electrically communicating with the substrate layer (15) of the corresponding photovoltaic cell strip (16).    USE/ADVANTAGE -   In solar energy technology. Flexibility and reliability of module. Causes only defective or disabled photovoltaic cells to be electrically bypassed in circuit. Mfr. is simplified and more economical.
The system comprises a downhole pump at an underground bottom portion of the geothermal production well for taking up and pressurising the geothermal hot water and a rotary sepn. two-phase flow turbine adapted to be driven by the transported geothermal hot water. The downhole pump is driven by the rotary sepn. two-phase flow turbine.    Geothermal hot water taken up and supplied by the downhole pump supplies pressurised geothermal hot water to a direct contact heat exchanger so as to generate power through the medium of a low boiling-temp. medium.    ADVANTAGE -   Prevents flashing of hot water hence reduces losses.
The photo-detector has a dust protective body (2) placed on lining (1) and provided with diaphragm opening (3) in the lid (4). The body contains screen (5) which is parallel to lining (1) and has a variable transparency light filter (6). A four-quadratic photo-receiver (7) is placed on the lining symmetrically to the photo-detector axis.    The orientation accuracy is increased since the diaphragm opening (3) is square shaped. The variable transparency light filter is made as four rectangular slots (8) whose inner side coincides with edge (10) projection onto the screen. The operation range is increased since the photo-detector is provided with four reflectors (11) placed parallel to the rectangular slots on their outer side.    USE -   The photo-detector can be used in solar power units sun tracking units. Bul.33/7.9.85
The system has a stand (2), a turning bearing (4) placed on the stand with a gap (3), electromagnets (5) fitted on the stand and a control block (7) electrically connected to the electromagnets (5). The bearing (4) is made of non-magnetic material. The electromagnets (5) interact by means of magnetic current with elements (6) fitted on turning bearing. The application range is increased since the system is provided with triaxial gyroscopic detector (8) electrically connected to the control block. The stand and the turning bearing are spherical. The elements (6) attached on the bearing are made of electromagnets (5,9) which together with the turning bearing form space mosaics. The turning bearing is provided with displacing counter-weights (10). Bearing (4) is placed concentrically in stand (2) cavity on a hydraulic cushion, which is formed by ferro-liq. filling gap (3), e.g. colloidal magnetic soln. in kerosine stabilised by aleine acid.    USE -   For solar power plant orientation. Bul.24/30.6.85
Battery comprises an assembly of photovoltaic cells connected in series and placed between two glass panes and two polyvinylbutyral foils, to charge one or two storage batteries and by use of the inernal resistance of the cells to be used as a car antenna or burglar alarm antenna.    High frequency and d.c. component sepn. is accomplished using two inductances and a condenser. The cells are e.g. 2-3 inches in dia.    ADVANTAGE -   Provides independence for electric car users and increases the life of a car battery by constant recharging even in winter. (First major country equivalent to RO--88421-A)
The apparatus includes at least one caisson having bottom back and side plates and being open at the opposite side to the back plate and at least at part of its upper portion to form a water chamber. The caisson is arranged to form at least part of a break-water, bank or the like facing the sea. A pendulum with a pressure-receiving plate has a natural period of oscillation the same as periods of stationary wave surges or water caused in the water chamber and is arranged in the caisson to absorb wave energy to convert it into electric energy. An incident wave-severer arranged in the caisson at the side of the pendulum nearer to the sea severs an upper part of an incident wave above a given limit height and guides the severed excessive upper part of the incident wave over the pressure-receiving plate of the pendulum, into a small water chamber formed in the caisson between the pendulum and the back plate.    A guide comprises both an plate which forms an upper part of the back plate facing obliquely and downwardly towards the pendulum and a top plate connected to obliqueoblique back plate for guiding the water flow in the small water chamber in a reverse direction obliquely and downwardly. The reversed flow is partly impinged on the front surface of the pendulum and then a main part of the reversed flow is discharged into the water behind the pendulum over the pressure-receiving plate of the pendulum.    ADVANTAGE -   Low investment and maintenance costs, can withstand extraordinary phonomena such as typhoon.
The heat tube comprises evaporating and condensing sections with a condensate return tube which discharges via a nozzle into an auxiliary insert with electric charge collector grid, mounted concentrically within the main heat tube.    Vapour rising from the evaporator (2) is condensed in the condenser (7). All the condensate flows through the tube (8) and is atomised and electrically charged by friction as it passes through the nozzle (5). The charged particles pass over the collector grid (6) and give up their charge, transforming thermal energy into electric energy.    USE -   To increase the electric power output of the heat tube. Bul.33/7.9.85.
The system includes a structure having a cylindrical or polygonal base (1) which is beneath the surface of the ground for energy storage. Above the base is an operating section on top of which is the radiation collector (3). The collector comprises a transparent cylindrical enclosure supported by an axial tubular pylon (5). Guys (10) stabilise the structure.    A cylindrical reflector (11) is mounted to pivot about the pylon. It is made of plastic sheet material and may have a surface area of about 100 sq.m. An electric motor with drive gear rotates the reflector to collect rays from the sun. Diodes or photocells are used to control alignment with the sun. A heat exchange fluid passes along the pylon in order to carry thermal energy to the underground reservoir. The device may be microprocessor controlled.    USE/ADVANTAGE -   Energy collection providing almost constant supply in latitudes greater than 30 deg.
The generator includes a sealed casing with a fixed plate (1) on which a circle of coils (2) is mounted. Coils face magnets (5) on a rotating disc (4) and thus form an alternator. At the centre of the base plate a vertical axle (3) serves as the pivot for the plate.    A rotating arm (10) is attached to the pivot, with three wheels (6-8) mounted on the arm running on the rotating disc (4) and a smaller fixed disc (9). A weight (11) is attached to one end of the arm. As the weight moves with the swell of the seat the arm rotates and moves the magnets past the coils, generating electricity.    USE -   Small scale electricity generation for powering marine bouys, marking wrecks and giving power to lifeboats.
(+3.8.84-US-637405)    A light/electric power converter comprises a sheet-like vol. elongated light-absorbing electrically conducting particles in sheet, the particles being linearly arranged along an axis in strings; the light energy being converted to energetic electrons in strings, and asymmetric junctions interspersed and connected to particles. In strings asymmetric junctions pass electrons in only one direction along conducting strings. Strings are substantiallyparallel. A first electrode and a second electrode are connected to a first terminal and a second terminal respectively. The particle strings are normal to and between first and second electrodes, a load, the load is connected between first and second terminals. Light power is converted in sheet to electric power and delivered to load. (-pp)
The assembly incorporates a number of photovoltaic cell strips (11). Each cell strip (11) incorporates an electrically conductive substrate layer (22), a semiconductor body (23) deposited on the substrate layer, and a transparent electrically conductive layer (24) deposited on the semiconductor body. Electrically conductive filaments (20) are alternately connected to contact points (31) on the electrically conductive substrate layer of one cell strip and to contact points (32) on the transparent electrically conductive layer of another cell strip.    Two busbars (12,13) are connected to the end cell strips of the array to collect the electrical energy generated.    ADVANTAGE -   Exhibits resistance to stresses caused by mechanical loading and temp. variations.
A secondary reflector panel is positioned adjacent a two-sided collector panel, said collector panel. An array of flat primary reflector panels are respectively positioned to direct incoming solar energy in the direction of the collector and secondary reflector panels. A first series of adjacent primary reflector panels centrally of the array are arranged in a generally two-dimensional parabolic assembly to direct incoming rays to one side of a collector panel. A second series of primary reflector panels borders the first and is disposed to direct incoming rays past the collector panel to the secondary reflector panel positioned on the other side to direct reflected rays to that side.    A solar receiving area is open to the array of reflectors, and a series of movable blinds in the receiving area is positioned and provided to selectively restrict the amount of sunlight admitted to the    ADVANTAGE -   Can receive direct rays of sun with no shadowing from collector unit and can be formed of flat elements, either mirror glass or polished metal, obtainable at very reasonable cost.
The heliostat comprises a frame with mirror (3) and auxiliary turning axis (1), drive shaft (5) able to rotate in a stand (4) and fixed on the auxiliary turning axis to serve as the main turning axis, and tracking system (6) with at least one controlled motor (7) connected to the drive shaft.    The drive shaft is mounted at an angle to the base (8) of the stand. The ang.e and rate of rotation, with the drive shaft coinciding with the Earths meridian plane, conform to the following expressions: alpha = phi - 13.4 deg.sin 2 phi; omega = omega cos delta/o sin(phi - 13.4 deg. sin 2 phi) + cos(13.4 deg. sin 2 phi - delta) where alpha is the angle of the shaft to the horizontal, omega is the angular velocity of rotation of the shaft, phi is the geographical latitude of the heliostat, omega o is the angular velocity of the visible displacement of and Sun, and delta is the angle of declination of the Sun.    ADVANTAGE -   Easier to bring the heliostat to bear on the Sun. Bul.31/23.8.85
The plant comprises a concentrator (1) which follows the position of the Sun, and a moving wiper (3) in contact with its reflection surface.    A flat reflector (4) is mounted along the optical axis (5) of the concentrator (1) and is able to scan its reflection surface with a reflected flow (6) of radiation. The wiper can rotate on an axis (6) which is fixed perpendicular to the mirror surface of the concentrator in its perforated sector.    ADVANTAGE -   Provides heat to remove ice and snow, thus preventing wearing away of the reflection surface and improving reliability. The wiper can be used with any shape or position of concentrator. Bul.31/23.8.85
An hydraulic wave power generator comprises an immersed float (22) which is stabilised by a counterweight and rocked to and fro by the action of surface waves on a paddle (30) mounted on it (22). Several floats may be mounted in a frame which is anchored to the sea bed.    An electro-mechanical generator may be driven by the float(s) through a unidirectional mechanical transmission. The transmission includes a ratchet assembly, energy storage means in the form of a spring assembly, a drive gear ring and a pinion.    ADVANTAGE -   Straightforward mechanical couplings rather than complex fluid ones.
Photovoltaic device is made by: depositing first electrode films (12) on regions of a substrate; depositing a photoactive layer (13) and a second electrode film (14); depositing a pattern mask (15); etching the second electrode film exposed through the mask openings; etching the exposed areas of photoactive layer; etching exposed areas (141) of the second electrode film exposed and undercut during the photoactive layer etching; and connecting first electrode films of one region to the second electrode films of an adjacent region.    USE/ADVANTAGE -   Esp. as solar cells. Method minimises rupture of the series connections between adjacent electrodes.
A Fresnel lens (10) has a light-intercepting membrane (11) mounted on its central area. Green wavelengths are concentrated at a predetermined area (A) of a first plane (I). Red wavelengths are focused at a predetermined area (B) of a second plane (II). Blue wavelengths are focused at a predetermined area (E) of the third plane (III).    The light-intercepting membrane is provided on a planar part of the lens. The membrane may be a reflector or a light absorbing material or photoelectric converter.    ADVANTAGE -   A light component of a given wavelength is separated without significant energy loss.
The light-receiving face (12e) of the optical waveguide device (12) is disposed at the focal point of the lens for wavelengths in the visible spectrum. Infrared wavelengths are reflected (13) to a photo electric converter (14) which converts light energy to electric energy for a photothermal converter (15). One embodiment of the optical waveguide has a relatively broad light-receiving face which tapers to the diameter of the optical conductor (12).    USE -   Photosynthesis, plant and fish cultivation with infra-red and ultra-violet radiation excluded.
The straight tubes (1) of the heat exchanger are assembled onto a tube-plate and are interconnected using return bends (3). Each return bend has two brazed-on plugs (5) comprising an internal housing for a seal (8) and an external, semi-circular section, annular groove.    The plugs fit into counterbores (10) in the tube. plate and are retained by slide rods (13) which pass through the tube plate, locating in the annular grooves of the plugs. The tubes (1) fit through the tube plate, into the plugs and are sealed by 'O'-rings (8).    ADVANTAGE -   Eliminates problems of welding in-situ and allows a rapid assembly and dismantling.
A reflector, esp. for dish antennae, solar ray concentrators, comprises a concave reflector membrane made from originally flat membrane material. (As claimed in 2740813). The peripheral edge of the membrane is sealed into a bowl , of rigid construction and sharper curvature, concave in the same direction as the membrane. A partial vacuum is maintained between membrane and bowl thus giving the curvature to the membrane. A preferred material for the membrane is plastics foil.    ADVANTAGE -   The mfg. process is simplified and costs reduced.
The semiconductor body has at least one bore extending completely or partially through, the bore being defined by a semiconducting region having a conductivity type opposite to, and resistivity lower than, the material of the body contiguous to the bore defining semiconducting region.    The bore has a substantially constant diameter of less than    about 1.5 mils and an average length-to-diameter ratio of at least about 6.1.    USE -   The structure can be used advantageously in arrays, e.g. solar cells and image arrays. For low internal resistance for high intensity efficient operation or resistant to radiation damage.
The generator consists of a cylindrical float (1) connected to the rod of a turbine (8) to the generator. The power generator support (2) is equipped with guides (5) and two additional piston pumps (6) which have their rods pivoted to the guides.    The turbine is made with radial vanes, and its casing is equipped with tangential pipes (11), all set in one direction and linked by tubes (12) to both chambers of the main pump and to the rod chambers of the additional pump. The vertical motion of the waves causes the float to move up and down and drive the main pump. At the same time, the sideways pressure on the float causes it to rock the guides (5) from side to side, driving the additional pumps.    ADVANTAGE -   Provides higher efficiency by using potential and kinetic energy of waves. Bul.30/15.8.85
In the setting of heliostat where the optical axis is directed towards the sun the photo-converters (2,3) of the mismatch meter (1) are obscured by the light obscuring screen (14), thyristors (4,5) are shut off and the power supply circuit of the actuator motor (8) is open. During the displacement of the sun in the sky the sun rays are deviated from the optical axis of the heliostat and via central opening in the screen (4) illuminate one of the photo-converters, e.g. (3) and on the controlled electrode of the second thyristor (5) current flows which turns it on. In order to rotate the heliostat in two axes of rotation, one drive for each is used for each axis of the set.    USE/ADVANTAGE -   Suitable for automation can be used for a motor and can be applied for control of heliostats. Has advantage of simplicity and high reliability achieved by the use of three terminals of actuator motor connected correspondingly to the anode of first thyristor and to the cathodes of the first and second diodes. Bul.29/7.8.85.
The generator comprises a flotation duck anchored to the sea bottom and a turbine assembly pivotally connected and comprising an air chamber partially filled with liquid and/or granular particles having a turbine mounted on the upper portion. The turbine is either self-rectifying or with a flap valve controlled entrance to the air chamber. A generator is coupled to the turbine and driven by the turbine. In operation, the motion of the waves causes the liquid and/or granular particles to compress the air within the chamber which is then used to drive the turbine. The spent air is fed back into the air chamber from the turbine as wave motion continues.    The turbine generator assembly is mounted to the upper portion of an air chamber open to the sea on the bottom in an apparatus which rotates about a fixed or stable central axis. Compression of the air within the chamber or liquid drives the turbine.    ADVANTAGE -   Multiple assemblies may be readily coupled together to generate electrical energy in commercially practical quantities.
A layer of material is precisely sepd. at selected regions by (a) coating the layer with a functional material absorbing a selected spectral frequency and resistant to a selected etchant; (b) applying spectral energy to the coating to selectively remove only the functional material; and (c) sepg. the layer in regions where the coating is removed, pref. by etching.    Pref. the layer to be sepd. is supported on a substrate with one or more layers of Si between the substrate and layer. The spectral energy is pref. applied through the substrate, esp. using a laser. The layer to be removed is pref. metallic.    USE/ADVANTAGE -   The method provides precise, rapid marking of regions to be sepd. It is esp. useful for sepn. of metallic electrodes of large scale amorphous Si solar cells, where the same laser may be used to mark the metal as for the previously sepd. Si.
A tubular track, circular in cross-section, is provided with a lateral slot. A number of wheel-axle assemblies supports the reflector, the wheels of each assembly being contained within the tubular track, each wheel rotatably mounted on an axle extending laterally through the slot and each axle in supporting engagement with the reflector.    The track contacting surface of each wheel is identical in shape to the inner surface of the track, for mating engagement with it. The outside diameter of each wheel of each assembly is slightly less than the inside diameter of the tubular track.    ADVANTAGE -   High efficiency and stability, min. maintenance required.
The generator is driven by a turbine supplied with compressed air from a tabk. A compressor is driven by an electric motor, the motor being driven from batteries which are recharged from the output of the generator while it is running.    The tank is initially filled by the compressor, with power being supplied from the batteries. Once full the air tank supplies the turbine which in turn drives the generator to produce electric output from which the batteries are recharged and the compressor driven to sustain the supply of compressed air.    ADVANTAGE -   Requires less energy input.
A structure (47) is rotatable 360 degrees about a vertical azimuth axis and 90 degrees or more about an orthogonal elevation axis. The structure (47) is mounted upon a rotating turret (6) in the general shape of an inverted pyramid, with a vertical generally cylindrical torque tube (11) protruding from the bottom of the turret (6). A drive wheel (12) is attached to the bottom of the turret tube (11) and provides a mechanical advantage for azimuthal rotation because it is larger than the wheel (25,26,30) connecting the top of the tube (11) with the bottom of the turret (6).    The turret (6) rotatably turns about the tripod base (46) by means of wheels (29) mounted beneath the rim (30) of the upper wheel (25,26,30). Elevational motion is provided by a lead screw (16) connecting rotating turret (6) with structure (47), which can be a modular mass-producible solar radiation reflector consisting of many identical reflective panels (1), each having the shape of a portion of the surface of a sphere.    USE -   Microwave antennas, telescopes etc.
In the bottom of a box are cast powerful iron rings at both ends (o) on the long sides (11). The box is firmly anchored on the bottom of the sea where the depth is around two metres. Three concrete partitions (10) are cast crossways in the box which commence ten metres from the ends and have a width of five metres, extending to ten metres width in the centre. A machine comprising a roller with a through shaft is fitted in a iron framework on the partitions.    On the long sides of the roller are fixed twelve bowl-shaped blades which take water from the sea waves and via gearing set a generator in motion. The generator feeds current to batteries which are connected to land by cables, both generator and batteries are positioned in a watertight drum seven metres above the partitions.    USE -   For wave action conversion to electrical power. (Provisional Basic advised in week 85/49)
(JP93034789-B)      Appts. - comprises series connected solid electrolyte sec. cells combined with semiconductor p-n junction type solar cells to charge the sec. cells having negative electrodes made of copper.    USE -   D - For d-c power sources. (J60264060-A)
Thermoelectric semiconductor materials based on Ag, Tl and Te are claimed having formula Ag(1+x)Tl(1+y)Te(1+z) where x, y and z are between -0.10 and +0.10 but are not simultaneously zero. Pref. x, y and z are between -0.05 and +0.05.    USE/ADVANTAGE -   The materials are useful for thermoelectric conversion of energy at ambient temp. in heat pumps. The material exhibits a merit factor greater than unity and capable of exceeding 1.5 compared with less than unity for Bi2Te3 used in prior art. Hence its coefft. of performance in heat pumps can be expected to be high by comparison.
Method for mfg. a semiconductor device includes (a) prepn. of a substrate; (b) forming a continuous semiconductor film (12) on a major surface of the substrate, and (c) irradiating the other major surface with a beam of energy (LB) and removing the semiconductor film in this part so as to subdivide the film into different regions (14a,14b,14c,etc.).    USE/ADVANTAGE -   The device is used as a solar cell, the different regions (14a,14b,etc.) being used as regions of photoelectric conversion. The device is mfd. by a process which does not leave defects provoked by residues or similar, even in the case of use of a light beam. The regions are provided with precise sepn., without damage to other parts to one side.
The solar power plant has helio-units (1) with at least one radiation receiver (not shown), tracking system (3) which has light sensitive detector (6) which optical axis is automatically orientated by drives (4,5) on the sun. The detector (6) has control signals forming (CSF) unit (7) connected to drives (4,5). The plant also has position detector (8) and helio-units (1) drives (9,10) are connected through electric circuit to a transformer connected to the position detector.    The tracking accuracy is increased since the plant is provided with helio-units (1) position detectors whose inlet faces (14) are connected on each helio-unit by moving light guides (15) kinematically connected to corresp. drives (9,10). A shade screen with a diaphragm is placed in light sensitive detector (6). The CSF unit is made as a pair of objectives with mirrors which can displace in the light sensitive detector. All the detectors are made as fibre light guides (21) packets (20) whose inlets are placed in a line and outlets are moved into encoder (27) electrically connected to transformer. The helio-units are made as heliostats field and a central radiation receiver and light sensitive detector are placed on the tower.    ADVANTAGE -   The tracking accuracy is increased and plant efficiency is also increased. Bul.7/23.2.85.
The heliostat has mirror panel with bearing unit and drive cable mechanism with electric control system which has four branches kinematically connected to the panel. The bearing unit construction is simplified since the unit is made as a bracket with two pairs of blocks, elements (7) placed diametrically above the mirror panel, and strops which pass through pair of blocks and are attached to elements (7).    The drive cable mechanism has damping arrangement made as water filled walls with submerged weights. The heliostat also has a distribution system which has a pressure volume, drainage channel, two three-position slide distributors with controlling electro-magnets connected to cable mechanism electric control system. The weights have elastic tubes connected to slide distributors.    USE -   The heliostat can be used in high temp. solar power plants with vertical optic axis. Bul.6/15.2.85.
The solar photo-voltaic panel incorporates a heat-exchanger using circulating cooling fluid. The panel comprises a transparent window protecting an array of cells in clear resin, mounted on a rigid base made up of a stack of thin plates. Voids in the plates form chambers and passages in which the cooling fluid flows. Fluid enters a lower manifold (5) and passes upward through passages (C) to heat exchange chambers (D) below the cells. The heated fluid leaves the chambers through channels at the periphery (E) leading to an evacuation outlet (F).    The chambers and passages may also be achieved by boring in a solid base as an alternative to multiple layers. One way valves may be installed in the passages to control liquid flow.    ADVANTAGE -   Improved efficiency particularly at high operating temperatures.
The reflector has each of its segments (1) made of several ribs (8), a beam (11) at the outer edge, struts (2,3) and a reflecting layer (6) comprising strips. The ribs curve parabolically and eachis made of long and cross members (9,10).    Each rib in each segment is connected by cross and long struts (2,3) to form a double shell with a space enclosed. Expansion equalising joints (7) sit between the strips of the reflecting layer. The long and cross struts (2,3), the members long strips (9) and cross plates (10) and the reflecting strips all have a rectangular shape.    ADVANTAGE -   Light in weight and simple and cheap to make using little material.
A cone of material, transparent to the spectral region of interest, has a central core (3) ending at a point within a peri-pheral envelope (4) having the same angle of taper (A). The generator lines of the core and envelope are parallel to each other. The envelope extends into a tubular section (5) having the same refractive index.    The space between the envelope and the core is filled with a funnel (6) of higher refractive index extending into a fibre (7) inside the tubular section (5). Radiation is confined by total reflection between the outer surface of the core and the envelope.    USE/ADVANTAGE -   For industrial displays, lighting using optical fibres, solar energy concn. etc., advantages of both reflective and transparent conical frustum concentrators are combined to obtain high concn. without limitation of directivity.
The appts. is capable of movement about one axis or two mutually independent axes and controlled in such movement by electric motors, and an electronic control circuit capable of sensing the position of the sun and capable of energising the motors to allow for and cause tracking of the sun by the appts. The circuit incorporates photo transistors with fixed or variable resistances in their base circuits.    A device is used for detecting the degree of tracking accuracy and comprises a section of hollow material of regular shape rigidly suspended above and away from a flat plate.
An absorbing network is formed with a number of cross-shaped absorber frames, each consisting of a number of absorbers, The network is anchored at the sea surface to absorb the motive force of the water stream in a vast area and to convert it into a mechanical force which is further converted into a pneumatic force.    The latter is transmitted, via an air pipe, to the shore for driving a generator system and for supplying a suitable percentage to a liq. air producing system. The liq. air produced is used as spare energy when the sea wave force is unable to drive the generating systemdirectly. This ensures a continuously running generating system. (Provisional Basic advised week 85/49)
A sunbeam centroid is common to a target location to establish a reference position. The actual sunbeam centroid position is searched for, and the sunbeam centroid position error is determined. The sunbeam centroid position error is analysed to correlate the sunbeam centroid position error to errors in a heliostat reference system.    The heliostat reference system is changed to correct for track misalignment to establish a revised heliostat reference system. The heliostat track alignment is adjusted to a new position based on the revised heliostat reference system to correct the track misalignment.    ADVANTAGE -   Eliminates resurveying and field work.
The subsystem is deployable from a main spacecraft body. It includes a set of structural elements joined end to end using a spring biased hinge (18) between the elements. One end of the set is joined by a spring bias hinge to one surface of the main body to form a deployable folded structure so that the set of structure elements are deployed from a folded position against, and parallel to, one surface of the main body to an extended position generally perpendicular to the surface due to forces provided by the spring bias.    Each spring bias hinge includes a viscous damper for damping the rate of deployment of the elements. Each hinge includes its own heater.    ADVANTAGE -   A thermostat at the damper for maintaining the temp. of the fluid in the damper of each hinge at the same predetermined level maintains the deployment rate of all the structure elements equal.
Pillow-shaped flexible bags are provided with the longer direction of the bag lying circumferentially of a ring spine. At the top corners of adjacent bags, the bags are fluidically interconnected by a duct. Each duct preferably includes an energy conversion apparatus in the form of a uni-directional turbine driving an electrical generator.    As any one bag is compressed under the action of a wave, the fluid, typically air, flows out of either or each corner outlet, causing rotation of the turbine in the duct. When the bag is being supplied with air from an adjacent bag, the turbine again is driven, and will continue to rotate in the same direction so that a uni-directional electrical power outlet is achieved.    ADVANTAGE -   Arranging spine in ring and spacing membranes around ring ensures efficient energy extraction regardless of wave direction.
The apparatus derives both its motive power and a sun position sensing from appropriately positioned and electrically connected photovoltaic cells or arrays of cells. A cell/array is included to cause the object to be tracked to wake-up and face toward the sun at sunrise. A thermostat may be included to defocus the object being tracked upon it reaching a given temperature. As the sun moves across the sky more of one cell/array is exposed to the sun causing more electric current to be produced by that cell/array which in turn powers the servomotor, driving the object to be tracked in the desired direction until the current through the servomotor falls below that level required to sustain motion.    USE -   E.g. for shading device or skylight.
The apparatus includes a float pivotally connected to the underside of a stationary platform by an elongated arm. The arm is connected intermediate its end with the piston rod of a cylinder-piston assembly on the upper side of the platform.    The cylinder-piston assembly is provided with oppositely disposed air inlets and compressed air outlets having check valves. The outlets are connected to a storage reservoir so that each stroke of the piston, resulting from the wave motion imparted to the float, draws in ambient air and discharges compressed air to the reservoir.    USE -   For use in remote locations such as offshore drilling platform.
The plant comprises a body (1), the front wall (2) of which has a cut-out covered by a membrane (3), collection tank (7) and hydraulic unit (4). The sealed body is filled with air under pressure. Its front wall is inclined and concave and has a number of additional longitudinal cut-outs one above the other, also covered by membranes. There are pumps (5) in the body, the pistons (6) of which are connected to the membranes, and the cylinders to the collection tank.    ADVANTAGE -   Can take in energy efficiency from both short and long waves, so max. efficiency range is increased. Bul.24/30.6.85
The movement of the car is used to compress the air. One or more air intakes with a turbine unit supplement an electric generator system for charging one or more batteries in the car.    Pref. the controller is located before each turbine unit so that each intake serves an individual turbine unit. The turbine rotates the air, and the generator is of the 12 or 24 V type. (Provisional basic advised Week 85/47)
A photoelectric conversion device is claimed, comprising: a) a substrate (3), b) a first, non-single-crystalline semiconductor layer (41P) of a first conductivity type, c) a first intrinsic non-single-crystalline semiconductor layer (41I), d) a second, doped non-single-crstalline semiconducor layer (41N) of a second conductivity type, e) a transparent conductive (6) made of chromium silicide and having a thickness 5-20 Angstrom f) a third doped non-single-crystalline semiconductor layer (42P) of said first conductivity type, g) a second intrinsic non-single-crystalline semiconductor layer (42I), and h) a fourth doped non-single-crystalline semiconductor layer (42N) of said second conductivity type.    USES/ADVANTAGES -   The transparent conductive laeyr permits good ohmic contact between the two laminated PIN structures, causes little or no light loss to the second PIN structure but prevents intermixing of doped layers of different conductivity types at the join between the pair of PIN structures, as known in the prior art. The use of the same material fo differing states of crystallinity for both intrinsic layers minimises production cost whilst maintaining the ability to absorb light over a wider wavelength range. (First major country equivalent to J60240169-A)
(JP93010835-B)      Cell comprises a transparent electrode composed of columnar crystals of Sn oxide which rise perpendicularly to a light receiving face and form an uneven boundary with an amorphous Si layer.    USE -   For power sources. (J60240166-A)
The apparatus comprises a number of air pumping chambers (31, 33) open to the waves. Air lines (37, 41) are connected in parallel to the chambers by positive pressure check valves (34, 36) and negative pressure check valves (38 - 40). A casing (44) is connected between the air passages and houses a turbine (42) and generator (43).    The turbine is rotated by air flowing from the first air passage (37) to the second air passage (42). In one embodiment the check valves are of the liquid seal type and an accumulator may be disposed in one of the air passages (37).    ADVANTAGE -   Can output constant electrical power, need not be provided with large turbine and large generator or many turbines and many generators, high efficiency, valve mechanism loses very little energy, can continuously operate for long time.
The instrument consists of one or more commutators (these give multiple reflections of the activity) of fluorescence (4) with their solar cells (5), one or more batteries (8), or really accumulators holder (7) for the batteries and connecting cables (9, 11). The batteries (8) are charged from the contact points (10). The instrument is formed by two frames (1, 2) of plastics material attached together by the hinges (3), with two handling openings (6). In the frames are two transparent yellow fluorescence coverters, protected by scratch-proof sheets with the solar cells along two edges and these collect the reflected energy. A fastener (12) is also provided.    The electrical energy from the solar cells (5) and from the converters (4) passes along cable (9) to the contact points (10) and is stored in the batteries. The cable (11) is there to ensure that, if there is only one battery, all the energy comes to it. The size of one sheet of fluorescence material is about 30cm by 30 cm.    USE/ADVANTAGE -   Supplying power to radios, camera flash units, pocket calculators and watches. Nickel-cadmium accumulators of the 'mignon' type can be used.
The drive unit is contained within a closed tube (1) attached to a base (4) which is anchored to the sea bed.    Pref. a series of turbine wheels are mounted in line along the top of the tube (1), each directly or indirectly coupled to a respective dynamo (8).    A regulation system ensures that the dynamos rotate at corresponding rates, the obtained current fed via an underwater cable to the utilisation point. Each turbine wheel is pref. shielded on one side so that the flow only contacts the free side of each turbine wheel.    ADVANTAGE -   Utilises high drive force of water while preventing damage.
The mechanism has a locking arm (8) carried by a shaft (9) formed by a bolt rotating about a first axis in one part (3) of the hinge and fixed at any angular position.    In the region of the holder for the locking arm this bolt includes a bolt region displaced eccentrically by its central long axis w.r.t. the bolt's axis of rotation. The locking arm rotates freely in this region. The rotating bolt is a lockable threaded bolt or screw.    ADVANTAGE -   The final position of the panel in which it is locked can be set finely and reproducibly.
Geothermal fluid is pumped up through a production well applying the process. The produced geothermal fluid is separated into steam and brine in a separator tank or a flash tank. A part of the separated steam is compressed by a steam compressor and brought into the production well. The steam acts as a pump by its bubble effect and pumps up the brine. The other part of steam and brine are utilised for driving the power generating apparatus such as a turbine or total flow turbine.    The appts. comprises a production well extending into a well containing the fluid. A water-steam separator is connected to the exit port of the well.    Efficient use of geothermal energy. Decreases dogging of well due to precipitation of solute.
The manifold has a framework (2) placed on bearing-rotating arrangement (1), a parabolic mirror (3) and radiation receiver (4) attached on the framework by rods (5). In order to prevent thermal readjustment of the manifold, the mirror apex (6) is attached on the framework and is kinematically connected to it by rods (7) which are hinged on the mirror and the framework. Each rod is placed perpendicular to the line passing through the mirror apex and the bearing point.    During temp. drop due to uneven mirror (3) heating and framework (2) situated in the shade, mirror (3) expands along radii which pass through mirror (3) apex (6). Rods (5) which are in the solar heating zone have an analogous temp. drop w.r.t. framework (2), and are thus elongated displacing receiver (4) as the mirror (3) focal zone displaces. Thus an automatic focussing of solar energy in the focal zone takes place.    USE -   The solar energy focusing manifold is used in solar power engineering. Bul.23/23.6.85
The converter consists of a moving support (2) beneath a rail (8) to receive the effort from the rolling stock's wheels and linked via an over-run clutch to a flywheel accumulator and electrical power generator.    The moving support (2) is connected to the rail (8) so that it moves together with it as the rolling stock passes over it. This makes use of the rail's flexible deformation, and this motion is converted into flywheel rotation to power the generator.    USE/ADVANTAGE -   For use on railways to convert the energy of passing rolling stock into electricity. Design simplicity and reduced cost. Bul.23/23.6.85
The sensor probe includes two bi-convex, achromatic lenses (L1,L2) with focal length of 200 mm and 16 mm respectively. An iris shutter (A) between the lenses provides sensitivity adjustment.    A sharp image of the sun is focussed on the centre of an opaque control disc (S) when the probe is on course. This disc has a radial slit (1) and two semicircular slits (2,3). The disc revolves at a rate of 100 Hz, Lightemitters/receivers (E1,T1) either side of the semicircular slits generate x-y coordinate position signals for an electronic control unit that also receives an error signal due to sun light passing through the radial slit when the probe is off course. The resulting signals are used to control a servo mechanism.    USE/ADVANTAGE -   Parabolic dish guidance system or heliostat fields for solar towers with a precision of 0.02-0.05 deg. Has great preeision, i.e. better than 1 deg. and is not affected by fog etc.
The system includes electric current detecting and measuring equipment for sensing the current response of a scanned cell to a laser beam at each stepped irradiated spot or pixel on the cell surface. A computer is used to control and monitor the raster position of the laser scan as well as monitoring the corresponding current responses, storing this data, operating on it, and for feeding the data to a graphical plotter for producing a visual, colour-coded image of the current response of the cell to the laser scan. A translation platform driven by stepped motors in precise X and Y distances holds and rasters the cell being scanned under a stationary spot-focused laser beam.    An optical device is provided to produce a nondivergent, precisely oriented beam from the laser and focus it to a diffraction limited spot on the cell. The current sensor is an electrometer device.    ADVANTAGE -   Isolates and identifies spot impurities and less productive zones within cell collection area.
Electrode is formed on a semiconductor substrate by applying a paste of a decomposable Ag cpd. in an organic vehicle, by e.g. screen printing; and heating to decompose the Ag cpd. to Ag. A very thin Ag layer may be initially vapour deposited onto the substrate to enhance adhesion.    USE/ADVANTAGE -   Esp. in Ag metallisation of solar reflector mirrors. Method is quick and simple and does not require high temps.
Appts. comprises a reformer to which feed gas e.g. hydrocarbons, methanol, is supplied to reform converters that are installed at the exit of the reformer to convert CO to CO2 and catalyst layers provided at each inlet of reformer and converters to burn a part of feed gas to raise a temp. of each reformer and converters when operation of the appts. is started.    USE/ADVANTAGE -   Operation of the appts. can rapidly be started.
The fuel cell system comprises a fuel cell having a fuel chamber and a fuel supply subsystem communicating with a with the fuel chamber. A burner is provided in the fuel supply subsystem for burning, with air, fuel gas derived from the fuel supply subsystem. At the time of start of operation of the fuel cell, a feed quantity of the fuel gas to be introduced into the burner is gradually increased while a feed quantity of the air to be introduced into the burner is decreased from 100% to 0% during working of the burner so that the air in the fuel chamber is replaced with the fuel gas. At the time of stop of operation of the fuel cell, the feed quantity of the fuel gas to be introduced into the burner is gradually decreased while the feed quantity of the air to be introduced into the burner is increased from 0% to 100% during working of the burner sothat the fuel gas in the fuel chamber is replaced with the air.    ADVANTAGE -   Reduces overall dimensions. (First major country equivalent to J61233977)
H2 and O2 are provided to an H2/O2 fuel cell by a system comprising: an H2 generator contg. LiBH4 and Fe2O3; an initiator for the H2 generator; an H2 supply; an O2 generator contg. NaClO3 and Fe metal; an initiator for the O2 generator; and an O2 supply.    ADVANTAGE -   System permits high levels of gas storage in solid form.
Heat generated in the cell is recovered to produce steam. The steam is fed to heat source of the producer to produce fresh water from sea water.    USE -   For making drinking water in isolated area.
Hot exhaust gas formed from burning gas and air flows from an end of reforming tubes to outside of the tubes, which contain a layer of catalyst, and material gas and steam flow from the other end of the reforming tubes, gas is reformed while flowing the layer of catalyst and is delivered through inside tube to outside. Heat-exchange is performed in a heat-exchanger among the mixt., hot exhaust gas and reformed gas which is delivered from the reforming tubes. The appts. comprises a detector for detecting temp. of the mixt., a 1st regulating valve arranged at the outlet of the heat-exchanger to control flow of the exhaust gas, a 2nd regulating valve to control flow of exhaust gas flowing through a bypass tube, and a controller to compare detected temp. with established value of the mixt. and to control opening of the valves.    ADVANTAGE -   Efficiency of reforming reaction can be improved and energy consumption can be reduced by heat-exchange. Temp. of the mixt. of material gas and steam and temp. of reformed gas can be controlled easily to adequate values.
Process for prepn. of a porous metal plate comprises: a) applying adhesive (II) onto the surface of a substrate (I); (b) embedding short metal fibre (III), or short metal fibre mixed with metal particulate, onto the substrate, with a predetermined bulk density to form a composite; c) applying pressure to the surface of the composite causing the fibre/mix to fall down; and d) sintering the composite.    Alternatively, a number of composites may be layered prior to applying pressure, in this instance the superposition of the composites is such that the surfaces are opposed to one another. A porous metal plate mfrd. by the above method is also claimed.    USE/ADVANTAGE -   In the prodn. of porous material articles for use in fuel cells, sound absorption and in applications as filter components. Shape and dimensional restrictions of the prior art are no longer a problem. Workability and bending strength of the articles are increased allowing greater field of use.
Appts. having a flow path for an aq. soln. which includes water and Fe-based cpds. which deposit on the interior of the appts., the water being capable of reacting with its environment to form Fe-based cpds., uses an aq. soln. consisting essentially of water having a pH of at least 5.5, an electrical conductivity of less than or equal to one micro-ohm/cm, a solids content of less than 1 ppm, the solids content including an amt. of Fe based cpds. other than ferric hydrous oxide, and the water further contg. ferric hydrous oxide of a character than retards the deposition of the Fe based cpds. on the interior of the appts..    USE/ADVANTAGE -   The invention reduces deposition of Fe cpds. on the interior of conduits used for transporting the water, esp. in fuel cell powerplants, steam raising boilers, etc., thus overcoming formation of blockages in the conduit system, e.g. in small orifices used for controlling the distribution of coolant throughout a cooling system, and which may cause an inadequate supply of coolant to a critical location within the fuel cell stack.
A hydronium ion conducting solid electrolyte powder is bonded into dense polycrystalline shaped bodies by: shaping a powder mixt. of a hydronium contg. powder and a binder selected from hydronium conducting organic polymers and phosphates; and curing to form a dense polycrystalline ceramic. A specific binder is aq. o-H3PO4.    Specifically hydronium-contg. powder is obtd. by converting a precursor powder selected from Na and Na/K beta/beta''-alumina, Na zirpsios, Gasicon, Yasicon and poly-antimonic acid. Amt. of o-H3PO4 in the mixt. is 15-30 wt.% of total mixt. wt.    USE/ADVANTAGE -   As e.g. membranes in H2 fuel cells, H2 detectors and steam electrolysers. High quality prods. having proton affinity at temps. above 100 deg.C are obtd. without need for high-temp. sintering.
(A) A continuous hydrogen fuel supply is provided for a fuel cell system by (a) passing a gaseous water/methanol mixt. to a heat exchanger for superheating; (b) passing the superheated mixt. into a catalytic reactor for endothermic reaction to form hydrogen; (c) directing the hydrogen to the fuel electrode of a fuel cell; (d) directing air into the oxygen electrode of the fuel cell for electricity prodn.; and (e) exhausting the gaseous effluent from the fuel electrode, burning the combustible portion of the effluent in a burner and feeding the burner exhaust to the heat exchanger.    (B) A hydrogen prodn. process comprises superheating a gaseous water/methanol mixt. to 700-1100 def.F and then feeding the mixt to a catalytic reactor to produce hydrogen, at least a major portion of the heat for catalytic reaction being extracted from the superheated mixt.    (C) Also claimed are (i) an integrated methanol steam reformer, combustion chamber and methanol superheater unit, and (ii) integrated appts. for hydrogen and electricity prodn.    ADVANTAGE -   Hydrogen prodn. is effected in a thermally efficient steam reformer of reduced size and cost and which can be integrated with a fuel cell power system or used for hydrogen generation alone.
New radical ion salts are N,N'-dicyanoquinone-diimine salts of formula (I): R1-4 independently = H, Me, Et, Ph, MeO, EtO, F, Cl or Br; R1 and opt. R3 can also = t-Bu; and/or R3 + R4 = a condensed benzo, di-, tri-, tetra- or penta-methylene, methylene-oxymethylene or methylenedioxy gp. of the formula: (i), (ii), (iii) or (iv) z = 0, 1, 2 or 3; the condensed aromatic rings may have 1 or 2 Cl, Br, Me and/or MeO substits.; Mm = an m-valent alkali(ne earth) or transition metal, Sn, Pb, Tl, ammonium, phosphonium, arsonium or stibonium ion; k = 1-5; 1 = 0.1-4; m = 1-3; n = 0.1-4; x = 0-2; y = 0-6; k, 1, n, x and y can = fractions; (1+x) = n.m.    USE/ADVANTAGE -   (I) are claimed for antistatic finishing of plastics; as electrodes or storage material in electric batteries; for the prodn. of solar cells; in fuel cells; for conversion of radiation; or for the mfr. of electronic devices. (I) have high electroconductivity in the microcrystalline state, which is usually much higher in monocrystals and much higher than that of salts based on tetracyanoquinodimethane (TCNQ) and Cu or Ag (e.g. 0.005 s/cm for TCNQ.Cu salt and 0.02 5/cm for the corresp. (I) salt). (I) are thermostable up to 300 deg.C and over and are useful as semi- and photo-conductors. Microcrystalline (I) films can also be used to make bistable electrical switches.
A fuel-cell design is claimed in which water with a pH of at least 5.5 and a conductivity of not more than 1 microSiemens/cm is used to transfer heat. Also claimed is the addition to this water of less than 1 ppm of Ferric-oxy hydrate particles with a dia. smaller than 100 nm, pref. of 4-10 nm. The O2-content of the water is 20-400 ppb, pref. 40-80 ppb. Its temp. is at least 100 deg.C, pref. 160-205 deg.C. When filtered the soln. leaves a characteristic yellow colouration on 0.45 micrometer filter paper. At least part of the Fe-oxy-hydrate has the structure of Goethite. Methods for adding the solid particles to the coolant are also claimed and consist of adding the soln. to the feed-water, and of forming the particles in recycled coolant water.    USE/ADVANTAGE -   The solid Ferric-oxy-hdrate particles are able to prevent deposition of Fe-based cpds., generated by reaction of cooling water with the equipment, thus removing the need for frequent and costly shut-downs of the cell for cleaning. The feature is used in fuel-cell designs using water solns. for cooling.
A fuel cell consisting of a number of cells in an enclosure (12) uses a water soln. in its cooling system (20) to exchange heat or generate steam. The coolant is water with a pH of 5.5-8.5 a conductivity of less than 1 microSiemens/cm and contains an additive of less than 1 ppm of FeOOH particles. The additive is generated in a unit (122), see fig.5, through the controlled corrosion of Fe or Fe-based alloys. It is then added to the cooling water (20) via pipeline 96b, pump 84 and valve 102.    The generator (122) uses recycled water via 96a and some of the used cooling water via 146. Some of the recycled water is used to generate steam which is sprayed into the reaction chamber 136. The O2-content of the coolant is controlled to between 20 and 400 ppb and the alkalinity to 0.2 ppm in the form of CaCO3.    USE/ADVANTAGE -   The equipment is capable of maintaining the correct compsn. of the coolant soln. for efficient operation of the fuel-cells. The equipment is used in conjuction with a fuel-cell which generates heat in a watery soln. used for heat-transfer.
In a system for reforming fuel by steam in pressence of catalyst a pipe for delivering reformed gas is branched with valves arranged in branched pipes, with heat-exchanger and a gas-water separator connected in the order to one of the valves.    Reforming system is purified in starting period or when operating system immediately after changing catalyst by introducing steam, flow rate of which is higher than in rated operating condition of system.    ADVANTAGE -   Fine particles of catalyst will not be involved in reformed gas supplied to fuel anode.
System uses air with lower oxygen density than normal air, and inflammable gas is burnt in presence of combustion catalyser. Combustion heat is used as necessary reacting heat for quality improving reaction.    USE/ADVANTAGE -   Combustion catalyser is formed in two separate zone, i.e. high temp. side and low temp. side centering around heat transferring filler layer so volume of used catalyser is reduced. Oxidn. combustion by combustion catalyser is done avoiding outer position of catalyser layer of reacting tube so local oxidn. reaction caused by uneven filling density of catalyser is eliminated. Formation of hot spot is accurately protected.
A mouldable thermoset compsn. is obtd. by adding 20-80 (pref. 30-50) pts.wt. phenolic-aldehyde Novolak resin (I) to an aq. soln. or suspension of 80-20 (pref. 70-50) pts.wt. phenolic-aldehyde resol resin (II) (total resin 100 pts.wt.) prior to removal of 90% of the removable water from (II), and then effecting reaction by addn. of an amine (III). In (I), which has had at least 25 wt.% of its removable water removed prior to its addn., at least 50 (pref. 100) mole % of its aldehyde component is furfuraldehyde (Ia). (III) is hexamethylenetetramine (IIIa), opt. mixed with an amine contg. NH gp., and is used at the equiv. of 1-15 (pref. 1-10) wt.% (IIIa), based on total phenolic components.    USE/ADVANTAGE -   The compsns. have improved mouldability. They are partic. useful in admixt. with a carbonaceous filler, pref. graphite, at levels of 40-316 (pref. 40-150) pts.wt. per 100 resin, for the prodn. of large thin mouldings which can be carbonised and graphitised to produce vitreous carbon shapes which are stress and crack free and have improved electrical properties. They are useful e.g. as electrodes in contact with aggressive chemicals, crucibles, and diffusion plates.
Vitreous carbon is prepd. by adding 20-80 wt.% phenol aldehyde novolak resin to an aq. soln. or suspension of 20-80 wt.% phenol aldehyde resol resin, co-reacting the resins with 1-15 wt.% hexamethylene tetramine (I) or a prim. or sec. amine, removing water while keeping the resin mouldable and moulding the resin with 5-76 wt.% (on total compsn.) of a finely divided carbonaceous filler.    Moulding is at 100-180 deg.C/500-17920 psi. The moulded prod. is heated gradually up to a temp. of at least 1800 deg.F and held at that temp. for at least 24 hrs. At least 50 mole % of the aldehyde in the novolak is furfural. At least 25 wt.% of the removable water is removed during the novolak prepn. 90% of the removable water is removed from the compsn. after adding of the novolak to the resol.    USE/ADVANTAGE -   Compsn. has improved melt flow properties and the vitreous carbon produced has improved freedom from pits and holes and less cracking and failure and improved electrical properties. It can e.g. be formed as large thin plates 0.04-0.05 in. thick for use in fuel cells.
The fuel cell comprises a number of fuel cell blocks stacked together in a series arrangement, each cell block having a number of unit cells stacked together in a series arrangement, and gas supply having one pair of manifolds for each cell block for supplying and for returning of one of the component reaction gases to the block. All of the supply manifolds of the one gas are connected to a common supply pipe and all of the return manifolds of the one gas are connected to a common return pipe and an electrical insulation barrier to interposed between each manifold and the common pipe to which it is connected.    Each manifold is electrically insulated from its cell block and from one another and two pairs of manifolds are disposed about the periphery of each cell block, one pair for each of the two component reaction gases.    ADVANTAGE -   Avoids problem of voltage build up in piping and leakage because of poor insulation.
An electrochemical cell component comprises two planarly dis-posed electrodes bonded to or intimately pressed against opposing sides of a proton exchange active film, the film having (a) sulphonyl ion exchange active gps. present in their protonated form; (b) an equiv. wt. of less than ca. 1000 and (c) a storage modulus of greater than ca. 1x10 power 8 dynes/cm2 at a temp. greater than ca. 110 deg. C.    Pref. the cells are made by bonding gas-absorbing metal electrodes on opposite sides of theproton exchange active film, esp. where the anode is made from Pt black, Ru black, or a mixt. of tungsten oxides, and the cathode is of noble metals or noble metal blacks, esp. Pt black. The cell is made comprising an anode chamber and a cathode chamber in contact with and sepd. by the proton exchange film. A fuel such as pure H2 or a reformed hydrocarbon is fed into the fuel chamber adjacent to the anode and an oxidant such as air, pure O2, Br2 or Cl2 is fed into the chamber adjacent to the cathode, and the fuel is reacted electrochemically with the oxidant to produce electrical energy and steam.    ADVANTAGE -   Use of the polymer films allows a redn. in the equiv. wt. of the solid polymer electrolyte while at the same time limiting the water uptake of the polymer film per functional gp., compared to prior art films. The ionic conductivity of the films is also higher. The films have physical properties enabling them to be used in higher temp. proton exchange polymer film fuel cells, thus allowing max. efficiency of conversion of fuel gas available energy to valuable electrical energy, while recovering the max. amt. of total electrical and heat energy possible.
Electrochemical converter is formed by: forming a set of solid oxide electrolyte plates 50-750 micron thick by plasma spraying; coating the plates with a fuel electrode material on one side and oxidiser electrode material on the other, forming a stack with alternating corrugated interconnector plates of 100-1000 micron thick Ni alloy, or 50-300 micron SiC, or 25-250 micron Pt alloy to form grooves for gas passage and also electrical contact; and sintering the stack to fuse adjacent plates.    USE/ADVANTAGE -   In electricity generators, coal gasifiers and co-generation systems (all claimed). Converters form free-standing modules which are easy to make, robust and provide a high power-to-weight ratio.
A fuel cell having an electrolyte compsn. comprising one or more phosphonic acids of formula R-((CH2)n-P(=O)(OH)2)m (I) or R'-P(=O)(OH)2 (II) is claimed, where m=1-3; n=0 or 1; R= hydroxyalkyl, phenyl, alkyl, alkylphenyl, vinyl halophenyl, halomethylphenyl, amino, ammonia or ((HO)2-P(=O)-CH2)2-N-(CH2)2-NH2; R'=hydroxyalkyl, alkyl, phenyl, alkylphenyl, vinyl, haloalkyl, halophenyl or halomethylphenyl.
Reformer has heater to heat reactor tube placed in reforming furnace. The heater is composed of heating unit with burner and catalyst heating unit having catalyst to burn fuel mixed with air.    Useful for producing gas contg. H2.
The fuel cell system includes a burner (45) in which liquid fuel derived from the fuel storage tank (21) through a pressure and flow rate regulator (41) and a fuel valve (42) is burned with the air fed from the air blower (31) through a pressure and flow rate regulator (43) and an air valve (44). A combustion gas tank (46) is connected to the downstream side of the burner (45) and combustion gas feed valves (47 and 48) provided in combustion gas feed pipes. The burner (45) is a contact-type burner in which a spherical catalyst made of an alumina carrier. If the burner is to perform the contact burner of liquefied natural gas (LNG) as fuel, the catalyst is preheated to about 550 deg.C by a heater because the contact burning is performed at 200 deg.C or more and the complete combustion of the fuel is performed at about 550 deg.C. Pref. the burner is cooled by an air fan (45a) to control the burning reaction temp. of the burner to a prescribed level and prevent the burner from being overheated due to the contact burning reaction. The combustion gas storage tank 46 has a drain valve (46a) for draining water condensed in cooling the combustion gas produced in the burner.    ADVANTAGE -   Replaces reacting gas with inert gas at start/step time of fuel cell operation. (First major country equivalent to J61233976)
The fuel cell (20) is built up from an assembly (25) of plates (26) which are fuel cell segments. Each such segment has a honeycomb form of fuel openings (36) and oxidant openings (37). The inner wall of each such sub-cell is either an anode or a cathode, and is separated from its neighbour by electrolyte material. The cell plates (26) are connected in series by separate connector section assemblies (27). A collector electrode (28) at each end of the cell is electrically joined to a connector section (27).    The cathode material is Lanthanum Manganite (LeMnO3) and the anode is Cobalt Yttrium stabilised Zirconium oxide cermet (Co+ZrO2Y2O3). The electrolyte is Zirconium oxide and the connecting material, as used in the connector section assemblies (27) is Lanthanum chromate (LaCrO3).    ADVANTAGE -   Honeycomb assembly is almost entirely composed of active material thus giving good power/weight ratio.
Reformer apparatus. A reformer appts. is characterised in that the reformed gas leaving from reforming pipes and combusted exhaust gas are used to increase the temp. of a gas mixt. of a hydrocarbon type raw material gas and steam that will be introduced into the reforming pipes to a suitable temp. through heat exchangers. Gas reformer appts. and uses exhaust gas to pre-heat raw material gas mixt. of hydrocarbon and steam.
Reforming furnace includes a reaction vessel having a hollow double structure situated along the inner wall of the furnace main body in which a fuel is burned, and a combustion partition wall opposed to the inner wall of the reaction vessel. The inner hollow section of the reaction vessel acts as a reaction chamber.
Device for processing MeOH for use as a fuel in mobile or stationary IC engines or as an H2 source in fuel cells comprises a reaction chamber contg. a catalyst for cracking or steam reforming MeOH at elevated temp.    Catalyst comprises one or more Group VIII noble metal components on a TiO2 or CeO2 support. The support may be (a) mixed with other refractory oxides and/or a hydraulic binder or (b) deposited on a preformed refractory carrier.    USE/ADVANTAGE -   The device is esp. useful for converting MeOH to H2/CO or H2/CO2 in the fuel supply system of an IC engine, to improve combustion and reduce pollutant emissions. The catalyst is effective at low temps., esp. under partial oxidising conditions, produces little or no dimethyl ether and soot, and produces gases with a high H2 content.
(JP94101336-B2)      The metal material for the separator of a fused carbonate fuel battery contains (in wt.%): carbon 0.15-0.40; silicon 0.3-1.5; manganese 0.5-1.5; chromium 23-30; nickel 23-30; and iron and an impurity including at least aluminium the remainder. The inclusion of aluminium or yttrium in amt. 0.05-1.0% improves oxidn. resistance.    In the material, carbon provides strength, silicon and manganese act as deoxidising agents, chromium improves corrosion resistance, and nickel stabilises the system.    The electrolyte for the battery is Li2CO3 or K2CO3, and the battery operates by supplying hydrogen to the anode and air and CO2 gas to the cathode.    ADVANTAGE -   The separator has improved corrosion resistance and stability.
Reformer/shift reactor comprises combustion chamber, reformation reaction chamber and shift reaction chamber. Combustion chamber, having first wall, comprises premixer section, combustion catalyst region and exhaust region. Combustion catalyst, such as platinum, palladium or rhodium on an alumina substrate, is supported in chamber by stainless steel or Inconel retainer. Fuel is supplied to combustion chamber through supply line, and an oxidant is supplied through oxidant supply line. Reformation reaction chamber is formed about the combustion chamber between second wall and first wall, such that reformation chamber is in heat exchange relationship with combustion chamber. Reformer catalyst, such as platinum, palladium, rhodium or a nickel compound on an alumina substrate is supported on a stainless steel mesh. Shift reaction chamber is formed between third wall and second wall such that gaseous fluid can pass from reformation reaction chamber to shift reaction chamber through passageway around wall and heat can be transferred into reformation reaction chamber through shared wall. Shift catalyst such as iron/chromium or chromium is packed into shift reaction chamber. Wall is insulated from heat loss by coating.    ADVANTAGE -   Thermal and spacial efficiency improvements can be obtd. from the same size reformer by packing the conventional product chamber with water/gas shift catalyst, transforming the prod. chamber into a second reaction chamber, whilst fuel efficiency is improved by using a combustion catalyst rather than a conventional burner assembly. (Provisional basic previously advised in week 8640)
Heat exchanger cools gas exhausted from fuel battery system and condenses water in the gas. Water tank retaining condensed water is connected to the heat exchanger by pipe. Water supply pump sends the water from the tank to the system by suction. Relief valve eliminated extra water from outlet of the pump to the tank. In this water recovery system, ejector is driven by the excluded water. Orifice is arranged at connecting suction inlet of the ejector.    ADVANTAGE -   Recovered water is obtd. at reduced pressure without reducing system efficiency. Degassing is increased and corrosion of cooling system is decreased.
The temperature control system comprises temperature detectors each arranged in a fuel cell stack, and stack dampers each being arranged in each of inlet or outlet branched pipelines of a circulating pipeline for cooling gas, the circulating pipeline including a blower and a heat exchanger. The average value of operating temperatures of all the cell stacks detected by the temperature detectors, a difference between the average value and each detected temperature of the cell stacks, and a difference between the average value and a predetermined value of the operating temperature of the fuel cell stacks are calculated.    A driver actuates each stack damper in response to the difference between the average value and the detected temperature of each cell stack. The flow rate and/or the temperature of the cooling gas fed to the cell stacks is controlled in response to the difference between the average value and the predetermined value of the operating temperature of the cell stacks.    ADVANTAGE -   Long life and high power output. (First major country equivalent to J61214369)
Carbon prod. (I) has carbonaceous materials (II) bonded by flexible graphite films (III), which are integrated to a carbon component by calcination in an inert atmos. The areas of the bond have zone(s) bonding (II) and unbonded zone(s), which are of any shape and uniformly arranged in the area of the bond.    Pref. the zones of (III) corresp. to the unbonded zones of (II) are hollow. The fraction of the total area of the unbonded zones on the bonding area of (II) is 20-80% of the total area of this surface. In the fuel cell electrode substrate, the distance between adjacent protrusions is max. 10 mm. The protrusions may be quadrilateral, rectangular, round or elliptical parallel to the surface and quadrilateral, rectangular or trapezoidal perpendicular to the surface and arranged in series or alternately. The porous plates have an average density of 0.25-0.9 g/cc and gas permeability of min. 30 cm2/h.mm H2O, whilst the protrusions have an average density of 0.40-1.8 g/cc.    Calcination is carried out in an inert atmos. at min. 800 deg.C. The difference in the rate (%) of linear expansion and contraction of the 2 (II) to be bonded is not more than 3%.    USE/ADVANTAGE -   (I) is claimed as an electrode component, comprising a flat porous carbonaceous plate with protrusions bonded to another (II) through (III), esp. on electrode substrate for fuel cells with one (II) as separator. The specified construction preventing stresses being focussed on the bonded areas.
Each electrode (2A,2K) and the electrolyte plate (1) are divided into two parts by plate supporters (5,6) upstanding from the surfaces of the separators (3). The support partitions are pressed into contact with the end portions of the electrolyte plate, and prevent leakage by sealing the assembly against emission of reaction gas.    The partitions may be provided with electrolyte supply paths (7) between the two halves of the plate for diffusive permeation of the electrolyte from both sides, communicating with upper and lower adjacent paths via openings (8) in the supporting portions (6) of the separators, for smooth supply of electrolyte by capillary attraction.    ADVANTAGE -   Partitioned elements are mechanically strong and resistant to temp. stresses in high power output applications.
An adherent metal deposit is formed on an exposed surface of a conductive ceramic by: contacting the surface with an aq. soln. contg. ions of the metal; contacting an opposite surface of the ceramic with an ionically conducting aq. liq.; and passing dc from a cathode in the liq. to an anode in the soln..    Pref. metal is one or more of NI, Co, Cu, Pt, Ag and Au.    USE/ADVANTAGE -   As a support for a multilayered solid oxide fuel cell tube. (claimed) An adherent stress-free layer is deposited in a low cost process.
The cell voltage of an H2-gas producing electrolytic cell is reduced by (a) providing an electroytic cell having an anode compartment sepd. from a cathode compartment contg. an alkaline catholyte soln. and producing H2 gas; and (b) introducing triethylenediamine Co(III) and Na molybdate into the cathode compartment.    Specifically the cell voltage may be reduced using other additives of an alkylene polyamino complex of Co or Fe (pref. triethylene diamine Co(III) and gp. IVB, VB or VIB heavy metal complexes (pref. Na molybdate). The molar ratio heavy metal cpd. : alkylene polyamino complex is 1:10-2:1, pref. 1:8-3:6. The addn. rate is e.g. 1-50 (pref. 15-30)g per 1 catholyte soln.    ADVANTAGE -   The additive provides a voltage redn. in an operating cell which is maintained for extended periods, e.g. a voltage redn. from 3.38V to 3.19-3.25V maintained for 2 weeks (shutdown). Catholyte contamination is minimised by small, infrequent additive addn.
Reversible H2 storage medium comprises an amorphous metal alloy AnMbM'c where A is one or more of Ag, Au, Hg, Pd and Pt; M is one or more of Pb, Ru, Cu, Cr, Mo, Si, W, Ni, Al, Sn, Co, Fe, Zn, Cd, Ga and Mn; and M' is one or more of C, Mg, Ti, Y, Zr, Hf, Nb, V, Ta and rare earths; a is 0-0.80 (not zero), b is 0-0.70 and c is 0.08-0.95. A substantial portion of A is disposed on the surface of the material.    Alternatively, the material functions as an active surface layer for absorbing/desorbing H2 in conjunction with a bulk reversible H2 storage material.    ADVANTAGE -   Compsn. can be efficiently cycled without becoming embrittled, inactivated or corroded.
Planar multi-junction electrochemical cell comprises: a container (18), a membrane (16) defining first and second chambers (20,22); pairs of electrodes (24,26) on either side of and in contact with the membrane; and electrical connections (28,30) for the electrodes.    Cell is an electrochemical pump in which a voltage is applied to the electrodes; or is a fuel cell in which fuel gas is supplied to one chamber and oxidant gas to the other.    ADVANTAGE -   Arrangement of individual cells on one membrane in a single chamber eliminates need for many chamber walls and inlet and outlet lines.
A solid oxide electrolyte plate having electrodes on each face is made by (a) suspending powders of the oxide in a working gas; (b) passing the suspension through an arc discharge to melt the particles; (c) depositing the molten particles on a flat substrate having a deg. of surfac roughness provided by irregularities 0.00032-0.000064 in. in size. (d) coding the molten layer to solidify; (e) removing the solid oxide electrolyte (3) from the substrate; (f) sintering at 1400-1600 deg.C; (g) flame depositing fuel electrodes material (5) on one surface of the solid electrolyte and (b) depositing oxidised electrode material (4) on the other surface of the solid electrolyte.    USE/ADVANTAGE -   The plate is useful in fuel cells or an electrolayer (fuel synthesiser). The solid oxide electrolyte is deposited at high density approaching 90% theoretical, so there is low shrinkage on sintering e.g. 2% linear shrinkage, allowing precision shaping and dimensional control. The plate structure may be up to 10 in dia. and opt. in the form of corrugated discs or discs having holes and flanges as well as flat discs. The resulting cells operate efficiently at high temps.
The fuel-cell comprises switching valves which open at the time of the urgent stop of the device or the suspension of electric power and which are arranged outside a cell vessel. Differential pressure detector sense the differential pressures of an excess fuel pressure and an excess air pressure with respect to a nitrogen pressure in the cell vessel respectively. Pressure controllers direct the opening and closing operations of a fuel differential pressure control valve and an air differential pressure control valve in response to the outputs of the differential pressure detector respectively.    Electricity is produced by an electrochemical reaction and can be stopped promptyl by replacing a fuel gas and air supply with nitrogen gas.    USE/ADVANTAGE -   Fuel cell. Avoids large differential pressure fluctuation after emergency shut down. (First major country equivalent to J61200673)
Electrode for a photoelectrochemical reaction in conjunction with a counter-electrode in a soln. has a substrate (16) with a Fe oxide film (17) on its surface, this film having a flat band potential, which is kept on the negative side, at least on the cut section.    Electrode pref. has a substrate and several Fe oxide films each with a different band spacing, whilst the flat band potential is kept on the negative side.    USE/ADVANTAGE -   The electrode is useful for the direct electrolysis of water or an electrolyte soln. using light, e.g. sunlight, for H2 and O2 prodn.. It is suitable for carrying out a stable electrochemical reaction in a soln. and can be made at low cost.
The partial pressure gradient of the combustible gas or the oxidant between the anode and cathode chambers is maintained by employing different mixtures. In the anode chamber there is continuous combustion with excess fuel, whilst in the cathode chamber continuous combustion with excess oxidant takes place. The combustion heat in the electrode chambers is used to heat the electrodes, and as far as possible reform the fuel gas. In this configuration the electrical output is direct current.    An alternating current is generated by passing a pulsating gas supply with alternating oxidant concentration through the catalyser electrodes. This continuously alters the partial pressure gradient of the combustion gas. The desired effect is achieved by an additional oxidant supply which is switched between the two combustion chambers.    ADVANTAGE -   Simple construction with high current density on catalyser surfaces, low weight, and ability to produce alternating current.
A ternary metal ally catalyst is made by (a) intimately contacting a finely divided noble metal, pref. Pt, supported on electrically conductive C black with a soln. of a cpd. of a gp. IV, V, VI or VII transistion metal (pref. Cr) and a Co cpd.; and (b) heating and reducing the resulting material in an N2 atmos. to form the catalyst.    ADVANTAGE -   The catalysts are useful in Fuel cell electrodes, esp. in acid fuel cells. They may also be useful in the chemical, pharmaceutical, automotive and antipollution fields. The mass activity ofthe pref. catalyst for the electrochemical redn. is more than 2.5x that of the unalloyed noble metal. The catalyst increases work done by a fuel cell of given efficiency.
The generator encompasses an array of plates immersed in a housing and having natural water pass through. Direct current, voltage dependant/current limited, potential applied to the plates causes the hydrogen/oxygen gasses to disassociate from the water molecule. The upper portion of the container is a hydrogen/oxygen mixture collection chamber for maintaining a predetermined gas pressure. There is introduced into the hydrogen/oxygen collection chamber, from a source, a substantial quantity of permanently magnetically polarised particles. Attached to the gas collection chamber outlet is a non-magnetic, non-conductive closed loop of tubing.    The polarised magnetic particles are caused to circulate in the closed loop tubing by an electrical and/or mechanical pump. A pick-up coil wound around the tubing will have a voltage induced as the magnetic field of the gas particles pass through.    ADVANTAGE -   Can produce larger current or voltage.
Fuel reformer comprises reforming catalyst-filled reaction tube for producing hydrogen rich gas and combustion catalyst-filled combustion section for heating reaction tube, and methanol supply means for combustion of methanol fuel at combustion section.    ADVANTAGE -   Time necessary for raising temp. is shortened.
The internal reforming type fuel cell comprises reforming region which receives a reforming catalyst which is thermally held in contact with unit fuel cells, which is isolated from fuel gas side electrodes and in which only reformation of a fuel gas is carried out. A second reforming region receives the reforming catalyst which adjoins the fuel gas side electrodes and in which an electrochemical reaction is carried out in the fuel gas side electrodes while the partly reformed fuel gas fed from the first reforming region is being reformed.    The first reforming region is fed with part of the fuel gas supplied externally and reforms it into the fuel gas containing hydrogen as its principal ingredient, and the second reforming region is fed with both the remainder of the fuel gas supplied and the fuel gas reformed in the first reforming region. The first reforming region is defined by cooling plates coupled to the unit fuel cells, and the second reforming region is defined by a fuel gas side gas passage.    ADVANTAGE -   Reduces packing quantity of reforming catalyst. (First major country equivalents to J61193372)
Fuel cell power plant comprises an internal reforming-type fuel cell supplied with fuel gas and oxidising gas; and a fuel processor which is supplied with reaction heat and which modifies a fuel gas into an H2 fuel gas for supply to the cell.    Fuel gas is pref. a hydrocarbon or an alcohol and part is supplied direct to the cell and part to the fuel processor.    ADVANTAGE -   System can operate stably for long periods over conditions of widely ranging load demand. (First major country equivalent to J61193371-A)
Molten alkali metal carbonate fuel cell operates by supplying to a porous anode a fuel gas mixt. obtd. by gasifying natural C material and contg. 10-35 vol.% CO and 1-10 ppm H2S, the porous anode comprising 0.5-20 wt.% of an S-tolerant water gas shift catalyst (I) and the balance Ni and/or Co. (I) is one or more of Cr2O3, FeO, Fe2O3, Fe3O4, Al2O3, LiAlO2, LiCrO2, MoO2, MoO3 and WO3.    ADVANTAGE -   Over 25 vol.%, pref. over 50 vol.% of the water gas shift equilibrium conversion of CO to H2 obtd. with no. of H2S present is maintained in the presence of the H2S (claimed).
Fuel cell has a stack of porous catalytic anode and cathode plates separated by electrolyte, bipolar impermeable current collectors with grooved faces and apertured plastic casings between and in contact with each pair of adjacent electrodes, plastic casings for the electrodes with apertures registering with those in the other casings to define channels for electrolyte and fuel gas, grooves in the cathode casings from the apertures to the electrolyte spaces, and an insulating grille fixed to alternate electrode casings occupying the whole thickness of each electrolyte space.    Casings and grille may be of polypropylene, polyethylene, polyvinyl chloride, acrylonitrile-butadiene-styrene, copolymer, polysulphone, polystyrene, or nylon.    ADVANTAGE -   Short circuits are prevented.
A fuel cell battery using a liq. fuel and an oxidant gas, having an acidic electrolyte between the fuel and oxidant electrodes (2,3) in which water is generated at the oxidant electrode (3) and CO2 is generated at the fuel electrode (2), includes (i) where the battery reaction is carried out at 100 deg.C or below, a flow rate controller supplying oxidant gas at a flow rate QN, sufficient to remove water formed on the oxidant electrode by the electro-chemical reaction and provide optimal performance; where QN=(6-20) x 10 power (-0.3T power 0.5) x I(l/min.cell); where I=battery current (A); and T=gas temp. at the outlet of the oxidant chamber= 20-80 deg.C; and/or (ii) a sepn. layer (14) for sepg. the prod. CO2 gas formed by the electrochemical reaction from the liq. fuel, positioned inside the fuel chamber and/or forming the boundary of the fuel chamber, and selectively discharging the gas to outside the fuel chamber.    ADVANTAGE -   The cell byprods. are effectively removed, providing optimum performance and preventing interruption of the fuel supply by undischarged prod. gases.
Porous monolithic graphite fuel cell electrode having an integral edge seal is made by (a) impregnating a porous filter paper 0.5-5mm thick with a low coke yield impregnant; (b) curing for 2-24h in air at 150-300 deg. C.; (c) baking in a 4-24h cycle rising to 500-1100 deg. C.; (d) impregnating only the edges of the electrode with a medium-to-high coke yield impregnant; (e) repeating (b) and (c); and (f) graphitising at 1800-3000 deg. C. in a cycle of 4-h4 days.    In alternate embodiments, baking and opt.also curing after impregnation (a) may be omitted, with both impregnants baked and opt. cured together after (d).    USE/ADVANTAGE -   The electrode is useful in phosphoric acid fuel cells and other advanced devices where a gas seal is required for operation in a corrosive environment at extreme physical conditions. The low cost method produces uniform consistent electrodes having controllable pore vol. and density at the edges and functional areas, and is adaptable to continuous operation.
Filter for cooling water of a fuel cell includes a high-temp. filter. Part of untreated cooling water that is pumped from a gas-liquid separator is passed through a filter medium and the remaining untreated cooling water is flowed through a passage along the filter medium.
Appts. has a high temp. purifying system that uses a high-temp filter to purify the cooling water at high temp, and a low-temp. purifying system. The temp of part of the cooling water is lowered through a heat exchanger and the part is purified using an ion exchange resin.
An electrochemical fuel cell comprises at least one electrode with a catalytic surface for a gas phase reaction, and an acid electrolyte. A layer bonded to the catalytic surface, comprises a fluorinated acid-contg. polymer of formula: R1-CF=CF-R2-X, X= -SO3H, -PO3H2, -P(R)-O2H, -B(R)OH, -P(OR)OH, Si(OR)2OH or -CO2H, R and R1 = F or 1-10C perfluoroalkyl, R2 = (CFR3)n, n =0-5, R3 =F or 1-3C perfluoroalkyl.    Pref. X= -PO3H, or -P(R)O2H, or pref. -SO3H. The electrode has a surface of 5 mg/cm2 of 10% Pt/C; and the layer comprises 1.5-2.5 mg/cm2 of perfluorohydrocarbon binding material and 1-10 mg/cm2 of polymer.    USE/ADVANTAGE -   Improved performance for fuel cells operating with phosphoric acid electrolyte.
Gas mixt. of hydrocarbon and steam is reformed into hydrogen-rich gas by action of catalyst. Heat exchanger is provided between pipe for feeding gas and pipe for discharging reformed gas, with bypass provided on the discharge pipe. The bypass pipe and the discharge pipe are provided with control valves. Temp. detector installed at the gas feed pipe has controller, which is connected to the control valves.    USE -   Temp. of gas can be controlled correctly and easily. Heat is exchanged effectively.
Method and appts. to fuse nuclei of H with sunlight radiation received through C contd. in water, for mol. binding H in water, producing H2 gas and electrons of O in produced water mols. which move to anode in water.
Electrolyser comprises two electrodes, an intermediate electrode and a membrane separator between each electrode and the intermediate electrode to define anode and cathode compartments. The intermediate electrode comprises a highly conductive metal sheet core (1); parallel projecting ribs (2) on one or both surfaces; corrosion resistanc metal liners (3) on each side of the core fitting the ribs or peripheral flanges (4) on the core; and planar electrode screens (6) fitted to the liners.    The core, ribs, liners and screens are all electrically connected and held by a peripheral frame (5).    USE/ADVANTAGE -   In industrial prodn. of O2, H2, Cl2, etc. Electrolyser provides uniform current distribution and is lightweight and is formed by a simple and economic process.
A depolarising partition plate is produced by moulding a carbon fibre aggregate impregnated with a resin into a flat plate-shaped substance. Carbon powder is contained. The resin contains 20-60 wt.% carbon powder based on the wt. of the resin.    Specifically, the resin may be phenol resin, epoxy resin, rigid PVC, high-density polyethylene, and polypropylene.    ADVANTAGE -   The depolarising partition plate has excellent chemical durability and it is not affected by boiling HCl-acidic bromine water or ferric chloride soln. It has good electric conductivity and good mechanical properties and is also sufficiently flexible. It is suitable as a depolarising partition plate for an electrolytic cell or in a battery working in a range from room temp. to 200 deg.C.
Metal tin or a tin alloy is moulded into pellets having rod-like shape, fibrous shape, flaky shape, etc., and the surfaces of the pellets are oxidised. The oxidn. is performed by calcination in an oxygen atmos., electrolysis, chemical treatment, etc.    ADVANTAGE -   The temp. of a cell of fuel battery must be maintained at 150-190 deg.C in order to keep its electricity generation efficiency high. A copper tube is used for passing chilling water, however, it releases copper ion which gradually deposits on the inner surface of the tube making the heat transmission difficult. Although attempts were made with the use of ion exchange resin to remove the copper ion, the resin is generally not resistant against the temp. (I) removes the copper ion effectively without chilling the cooling water.
Electrolysis or cell appts. whose positive and negative poles are made of carbon as base material, uses as positive pole liq. a liq. that can activate and recover carbonaceous pole, and includes valve and path for allowing positive and negative pole liqs. to flow into appts. to be reversed.
Appts. includes a high-temp. filter for performing the adsorbing and filtering operation of untreated cooling water pumped from a gas-liq. separator through a filtering medium, a tank for storing the cooling water treated by the filter, and a low-temp. treating system.
Oxidising agent introduction pipe is buried in catalyst charge layer contg. fuel catalyst. Oxidising agent flowout through holes are provided in the wall of the introducing pipe. Fuel is passed through the catalyst charge layer.    USE/ADVANTAGE -   Local temp. rise in fuel catalyst can be prevented.
A fuel conditioning appts. converts hydrocarbon fuels to a hydrogen-rich gas, and a fuel cell stack converts fuel gas to electric power. The stack includes an anode gas chamber connected at its inlet to the fuel conditioner through a fuel gas feed pipe line, a cathode gas chamber connected to a process air feeder means, and a cooling gas chamber connected at its both ends to a cooling medium circulating line.    The pipe line and cooling medium circulating line are connected one another through a pipe line provided with a valve to supply the hydrogen-rich gas from the fuel pipe line to the cooling medium circulating line or vice versa.    ADVANTAGE -   Possible to use small equipment and start up fuel cell stack without using independent head generator. (First major country equivalent to J6118876)
The device comprises heat exchanger consisting of outer tube for passing heating gas and inner tube for passing subject gas with hydrogen, reactor over the heat exchanger and connected with heated subject gas and hydrogen, and adsorber under the heat exchanger and connected with reaction gas.    USE -   Number of components of device can be reduced. Space can be saved. Heat radiation quantity can be reduced.
An electrode assembly is claimed comprising a metal partition (6), an anode (7) and a cathode (8), these electrodes (7,8) presenting tapered edges (17) in order to avoid puncturing the metal used in the construction of the assembly. The fixing terminals (12) are cut and pressed into the electrodes (7,8) leaving a passage through which it is possible to pass electrodes to simultaneously spot weld at plates (16) on either side of the partition (6) in such a way that it forms a part (13) at right angles, parallel to the electrodes (7,8) and to the partition (6). The electrode, the electrode assembly and the method of production are all claimed.    USE/ADVANTAGE -   The electrode and electrode assembly are used in the construction of electrochemical devices for electrolytic fuel cells and chemical reactors such as those used for the decomposition of water into hydrogen an oxygen. The method of construction applied allows simple spot welding to be used.
Method carries out electrodialysis in one or more cells each contg. at least one ion-selective membrane using energy supplied by applying an electric potential across the cell. Energy is generated by reverse dialysis in one or more cells each contg. at least one ion-selective membrane, this energy being supplied to the cell(s). The energy cell(s) may be supplied with acid and alkali, e.g. HCl and NaOH, to opposite sides of a bi-polar membrane whereby H2O is formed by combination of the respective H+ and OH- ions. The cell(s) may be used to de-salinate water.    USE/ADVANTAGE -   E.g. to desalinate water or to produce electrical energy and fresh water from cond. acid and alkali solns. and salt water in arid region, or from salt solns. with different concns. The different cells can be arranged in a sequence such that no external energy supply is required, all internal energy transfer being in the form of ions, or that energy is produced. Alternatively the cell sequence may be endless (i.e. last cell coupled to first cell) in which case electrodes are omitted (examples are described and illustrated.
(JP93044780-B)      Separator comprises a plate made of an Fe cpd. contg. 0.03-0.1 wt.% C; 0.5-1.5 wt.% Si; 0.5-2 wt.% Mn; 21.5-40.5 wt.% Cr; 0.08-2.8 wt.% Mo; 0.7 wt.% or less Al and 0.7 wt.% or less Ti.    USE -   For used carbonate type fuel batteries. (J61161665-A)
Processes for making fuel cells are claimed, where one or more phosphonic acids of formula R((RCH2)nPO(OH)2)m (I) or R'PO(OH)2 (II) are used as electrolytes; where m = 1-3; n = 0 or 1; R is a gp. derived from hydroxyalkyl, alkyl, phenyl, alkylphenyl, vinyl, halophenyl, halomethylphenyl, amine, NH3 or H2NCH2CH2N(CH2PO(OH)2)2; R'' = hydroxyalkyl, alkyl, phenyl, alkylphenyl, vinyl, haloalkyl, halophenyl or halomethylphenyl.    ADVANTAGE -   (I) and (II) provide acceptable conductivity and do not readily volatilise in fuel cells operating at 100-300 deg.C.
The generator comprises inner and outer sheet steel housings (13 and 12) separated by thermal insulation (22) with an electrically insulating liner (15) in the generating chamber (14). The centrally disposed preheating chamber (16) is separated from the generating chamber (14) by a gas, fuel, and water vapour permeable partition (32), and from the oxidant (air) gas inlet chamber (18) by a metal and thermal insulation structural support partition (34).    High temperature, solid oxide electrolyte annular fuel cells (40) are disposed as a matrix within the generating chamber (14) which has fuel gas introduced through a port in its end wall, with any hydrogen being flushed out by the insulating gas circulating via the ports (5 and 6). Extending from the structural support (34) is an array of oxidant conduits (20) made of alumina aligned with the open ends of the fuel cells (40).    USE -   Provides direct conversion of chemical energy into direct current electrical energy.
The new solid electrolyte comprises heteropolyacids, the major components of which are heteropolytungstic acids and/or heteropolymolybdic acids, which have carbon as the hetero atom. The heteropolyacids are composed of a heteropolyanion of general formula CxMyOz(-) and a hydrated proton, H(m,H2O)+. In the formula C is carbon, M is tungsten or molybdenum, O is oxygen and the ratio of x to y is 1-4 to 12. Useful as hydrogen sensors, pH sensors and H2-O2 fuel cells. The pref. synthesis in the reaction between tungsten carbides (etc.) and H2O2.    USE/ADVANTAGE -   The electrolyte is easily synthesised, has excellent stability and good mouldability.
An electrically conductive thermoplastic material comprises a thermoplastic resin, 30-50 wt.% of a particulate carbonaceous filler and 0-10 wt.% of a f-brous carbonaceous filler.    USE/ADVANTAGE -   The material is used e.g. in electrical joints, in fuel cell bipolar elements and other electrochemical devices. It has very low resistivity and good homogeneity, and is free from additives which are harmful w.r.t. catalysts used in electrochemical devices. It is also chemically inert to fluids circulating in these devices and can be moulded by extrusion, calendering, injection etc. into thin mouldings having impermeability to gases and liquids.
Engine has an electrolyzer with electrical supply, and a mixing chamber for gas from the electrolyzer and fuel from a fuel tank to be mixed before combustion in the engine. The electrolyzer pref. has electrode sets connected to a rectifier supplied by the alternator of an i.c. engine in a motor vehicle.    Chamber is pref. in a carburetor, and there is a one-way water valve between electrolyzer and carburetor. The electrolyte is pref. 30 wt.% NaOH and 70% water, and the electrolyzer is supplied with 4V d.c. to generate hydrogen with a pressure of at least 7 lb/in2. The fuel may also be mixed with gas containing oxygen to reduce the emission of pollutants in exhaust gases. The electrolyzer is claimed.    ADVANTAGE -   Engine allows hydrogen to be produced in relatively large amounts so hydrogen storage tank is not required on the vehicle.
A cell receiving reactive air and fuel comprises at least one element (1) with a matrix layer (ia) between a cathode (i1) and anode (ib) and supporting an electrolyte. At least one element is between and in contact with two parallel rectangular plates (2) the contacting surfaces of each of the plates having four edges.    Grooves (3) extend along one surface of the plates to supply fuel from a manifold, with reaction gases passed to an exit manifold along the same edge of the surface as the inlet manifold. Channels (4) similarly extend along a remaining surface for supplying reaction air from a manifold with reaction gases passed to an exit manifold. Tunnels (5) extend within and across the length of each plate to carry cooling gases, with the tunnels perpendicular to grooves and channels.    ADVANTAGE -   Provides uniform cooling without establishing a temp. diff. between elements.
An electrolyser comprises electrode plates (16) in a circular fan-type array at varying distances from the electrolyser centres iwth the plane of each plate perpendicular to that of an imaginary circular disc centred on the array axis of symmetry. A container (20) houses the array and a coil of wire (18) is placed about the periphery of the container or array.    There is pref. not direct physical electrical conductor to the plates and the container has a cover (24) to direct the gases produced away from the electrolyser. The container is pref. of non-corroding magnetically-permeable and electrically insulating material, and the cover is removable to permit periodic inspection. A current is pref. passed through the coil which varies periodically and has an unsymmetric rectified waveform.    USE/ADVANTAGE -   E.g. for electrolysis of water, utilises large aggregate surface area.
A high temp. solid electrolyte electrochemical cell is mfd. by (a) applying on a porous support a first electrode of material subject to degradation by hot metal halide vapours; (b) applying a conductive oxygen-permeable interlayer over the electrode to protect it from degradation by hot metal halide vapours; (c) contacting the interlayer with hot halide vapour to form a metal oxide solid electrolyte over the interlayer; and (d) applying a second electrode over the solid electrolyte.    ADVANTAGE -   Cells with the interlayer have better performance and stability under operating conditions than similar cells without without the interlayer, attributable to less air electrode (first electrode) attack during vapour deposition of the electrolyte. Pref. interlayers do not inhibit oxygen permeability and have good expansion coefft. matching with the air electrode, electrolyte and any interconnect material used for a cell stack.
At least the surface of the separator where electrode reaction is performed has polishing or etching treatment applied.    ADVANTAGE -   Carbon distribution is equalised. Current loss can be reduced.
The fuel cell system comprises a vibration-proof device arranged between the top of the fuel cell stack and the pressure vessel. The vibration-proof device comprises a forcing appts. mounted on an interior wall of the top of the pressure vessel, and a counter member mounted on the top of the fuel cell stack and provided with at its top with a projection or recess in a spherical or conical form.    The forcing appts. comprises a pressure member provided at its bottom with a recess or projection in a spherical or conical form. The member is forced downard to engage with the top of the counter member.    ADVANTAGE -   Prevents pressure vessel from inclination or overturning due to vibration or transportation. (First major country equivalent to J61124067)
High temp. solid electrolyte cell capable of cycling between 25 and 1200 deg.C in an O2-contg. environment includes an interconnect material on one electrode comprising Co-doped La chromite which is nearly impermeable to O2 and has a coefft. of expansion approximating that of the solid electrolyte between 25 and 1200 deg.C.    ADVANTAGE -   Interconnect has a compsn. which permits its expansion to be adjusted to match that of other components, esp. a ZrO2 electrolyte, and is stable in O2-contg. environments.
High temp. cell includes a porous sintered material supporting an electrode and a solid oxide electrolyte, the material comprising a mixt. of thermally stable oxide powder and thermally stable oxide fibres sintered together in interlocking contact. The fibres are stable at up to 1700 deg.C and comprise 3-45 wt. % of the material. Both powder and fibres are pref. ZrO2 materials.    USE/ADVANTAGE -   Esp. in a high temp. tubular fuel cell (claimed). Separator material optimises mechanical strength and gas diffusion coefft..
Electricity is generated by heating a dispersion of oxalic acid in a liq. medium (esp. glycerol) at 120 deg.C to form HCOOH, heating the HCOOH at 160 deg.C to form H2, and using the H2 as fuel in a fuel cell or IC engine.    The oxalic acid/glycerol mixt. is heated in a chamber (11) with a gas-permeable top, e.g. of glass fibre or ceramic material. Gaseous HCOOH passes through the top into a 2nd chamber (12), where it is heated at 160 deg.C. The H2 is scrubbed in a CO2 absorber (13), e.g. contg. a Ca(OH)2 slurry, and passed to a fuel cell (14), e.g. of the type using aq. H2SO4 with carbon electrodes and a Pt catalyst. The reaction chambers are electrically heated. The glycerol may be recycled.    ADVANTAGE -   The process is feasible for use in electric vehicle.
A prescribed number of fuel cells and bipolar plates are alternately stacked to form a number of substacks. The laid substacks are arranged on a supporting base so that the central axes of the substacks are parallel to the stacking direction are on a horizontal straight line to form a complete fuel cell stack.    The stack is tied up to apply a predetermined compressive load to te fuel cell componenets, and then made vertical before removing the base from the stack. The base is provided both ends with a pair of side plates, with pressure plate slidably arranged on the base and connected to drive.    ADVANTAGE -   Improves stacking accuracy, and prevents operators from working at dangerous height above ground level. (First major country equivalent to J61121267)
The fuel cell system comprises a fuel cell stack having manifolds for process gases and cooling gas fixed to sides of the fuel cell stack. A seal is formed between the fuel cell stack and the manifolds, using rigid frames for sealingly fixing manifolds to the fuel cell. A number of fasteners each comprise a pair of angle members and a clamping bolt. Each of the frames has at its periphery a groove extending in the stacked direction of the fuel cell components and is united and fixed to sides of the fuel cell stack by the fasteners.    The angle members of each pair has a pair of hooks engaged with the grooves of the adjacent frames. The sealing members are mounted in front and rear faces of each frame to form seals between the side of the stack and the frame and between the frame and the manifold.    ADVANTAGE -   Prevents leakage of gas from system. (First major country equivalent to J61116769)
A galvanically prepd. electrode for electrochemical processes comprises an electroconductive support having an electrocatalytic coating of (i) metal (alloy) contg. dispersed electrocatalytic material; or (ii) metal (alloy) contg. Pt-gp. metal(s) as a homogeneous phase. The electrode is prepd. by galvanically depositing the coating onto the support from a plating bath contg. (i) suspended particles of the electrocatalytic material; or (ii) dissolved soluble salt(s) of Pt gp. metal(s); and 0.005-2000 ppm cpd. of elements IB, IIB, IIIA, IVA, VA, VB, VIA((i) only), VIB or VIII.    Pref. for (i) the additive is a cpd. of Ag, Cd, Hg, Tl, Pb, As, V, S, Mo, Pt or Pd. The suspended electrocatalytic material is Ti, Zr, Nb, Hf, Ta, Pt gp. metals, Ni, Co, Sn, Mn as metals, alloys, oxides, borides, nitrides, carbides or sulphides, pref. Ru oxide. For (ii) the additive is a cpd. of Au, Cd, Tl, Pb, Sn, As, V, Mo, Pt or Pd. The soluble salt of a Pt-gp. metal is RuCl3. For either embodiment, the galvanic plating bath is an Ni, Cu or Ag plating bath.    USE/ADVANTAGE -   The electrode is used as a cathode in an electrolytic cell for electrolysis of alkali metal halides (claimed), pref. as H evolution cathode in ion exchange membrane or permeable diaphragm cells. The coatings are practically immune to poisoning by Fe and Hg, avoiding a rise in H overvoltage with operating time when used with impure alkali solns.
Cpd. having a fluorite-like structure comprises a solid soln. general formula ((ZrO2)1-x(MOs)x)1-y((LamA1-m)2-2(MnnB1-n)2Or)y; (I) or ((ZrO2)1-x(MOs)x)1-y(Mn)y; (II) where MOs = CaO, Y2O3 and/or rare earth oxide(s); A = Y, rare earth element(s), and/or alkaline earth element(s); B = Fe, Ni, and/or Co; x = 0.1-0.3; y = 0.005-0.06- z = 0.1-1.9- m = 0.3-1- n = 0.5-1; r = 2-4; e.g. ((ZrO2)0.85(CaO)0.15)0.99(LaMnO3)0.01.    A solid soln. of stabilised Mn-contg. ZrO2, pref. a support tube for an electrochemical cell, is provided in contact with an electrically co-ductive Mn-contg. mixed oxide solid soln., pref. a ceramic electrode. Electrochemical cell cracking due to chemical interaction between an oxide ceramic support tube and an oxide ceramic electrode contg. metal ions which can interact with the solid soln. of the support tube is reduced by adding sufficient metal ions, up to the solid soln. limit, to the compsn. of the support tube to reduce the rate of interaction.    USE/ADVANTAGE -   The structure is useful in a fuel cell, avoiding cracking or delamination of the support tube without using an intermediate layer.
Catalytic reactor includes inner cylinder and outer cylinder with inner cylinder being arranged coaxially in outer cylinder. Gases to be reacted are passed through catalyst supported on plate section whose inner periphery is supported by inner surface section of outer cylinder and whose outer periphery is supported by outer periphery section of inner cylinder.
Annular section reforming pipes with one end sealed and a reforming catalyst layer provided within are arranged in a reforming vessel. High temp. combustion waste gas obtd. through combustion between the burning gas and air at the burner is passed outside the reforming pipes from one end to the other. Mixed gas of raw gas and steam is passed in the reforming pipes from the other end to be converted into reformed gas through passing through the reforming catalyst layer, which passes out from through the other end inner pipe at one end. Cylinder member of heat resistant material which is sealed at the burner side and has numerous through holes, is arranged around the outer periphery of the reforming pipe while still being spaced from it.    USE/ADVANTAGE -   The reforming reaction efficiency can be enhanced.
Activated electrodes of electrically conducting materials are activated by treatment with at least one heteropolyacid, the constituents of the acid being present on the surface of the treated electrode. The constituents of the acid include Mo and W opt. in association with v together with at least one of B, Si, Ge, P, As and Sb. The conductor material is based on C and is esp. vitreous C or graphite.    USE/ADVANTAGE -   The electrodes are used in the electrolysis of coater to produce H2 for use as fuel. The activation treatment permits Co electrodes to be used in place of the more expensive precious metals (pt), since the treated C is not sensitive to the presence of brown impurities which poison catalysts used in the hydrogen disengaging reaction.
Several catalytic pipes are arranged inside a cylindrical furnace and heat medium is supplied from the bottom of the furnace. Reforming of the system features spiral guide plate fitted along inner wall of the furnace.    USE/ADVANTAGE -   Catalytic pipes are evenly heated and temp. distribution toward circumferential direction of pipe becomes smaller. As a result, uniform reaction speed of catalyst is obtd.
Conductive composite sheets produced by filling (A) the spaces of conductive sheets comprising 3-40% of (1) PTFE and 60-97% of (2) conductive fine powders having ave. granular dias. of below 10 micron with (B) heat-melting resins.    (2) Includes e.g. silver, carbon black, graphite powder having pref. ave. granular dias. of below 3 microns. Conductive sheets are produced by mixing aq. dispersion of (1) (conc. 2-60%) with aq. dispersion of (2) prepd. by dispersing 100 pts. wt. of (2) in 100-5000 pts. wt. of water, extruding or rolling the mixt. The conductive sheets are generally 0.05-2 mm thick. (B) includes pref. polytetrafluoroethylene, tetrafluoroethylene-perfluoroalkylvinyl ether copolymers, polychlorotrifluoroethylene, tetrafluoroethylene-ethylene copolymer. One or both faces of conductive sheets are laminated with (B) and hot pressing the laminates at above the m.pt. of (B) under 10-1500 kg/cm2.    ADVANTAGE -   The composite sheets have relatively small wt., excellent chemical resistance, corrosion resistance, gas carrier property and electric contact.
Electricity is produced from a fuel gas having a component capable of dissociating in the presence of a catalyst to yield H ions in appts. comprising (a) a housing having fuel and oxidant gas chambers sepd. by an imporous partition including a thin film organic membrane comprising a single phase blend of (i) 1-70 wt.% heteropoly acid (salts), general formula Am(XxYyO2). nH2O; where X,Y = dissimilar elements from B, Al, Ga, Si, Ge, Sn, P, As, Sb, Bi, Se, Te I and first, second, third and fourth transition metal series; A = H, NH4, Na, K, Li, Rb, Cs, Be, Mg, Ca, Sr, Ba; m = 1-10; y = 6-12, based on x = 1; Z = 30-80; n = 3-100; pref. dodecamolybdophosphoric acid; (ii) 99-30 wt.% compatible polymer from poly(vinyl alcohol), poly(vinyl fluoride), polyethylene oxide, polyethyleneimine, polyacrylic acid, polyethylene glycol, cellulose acetate, polyvinylmethylethyl ether and phenol formaldehyde resins. (b) two separate catalyst portions (5) contacting first and second surfaces of the membrane in the fuel and oxidant chambers respectively, for promoting dissociation and combination; and (c) electrical connections (6) to catalyst portions.    USE/ADVANTAGE -   The appts. is useful as a gas detector or a fuel cell. The membrane acts as a proton conductor, and the cell provides good sensitivity and a generally linear response when used as a detector.
(JP93048583-B)      Fuel cell comprises a negative electrode contg. a combustion gas as an active material and positive electrode contg. O gas as an active material and Lax-x/2Co1-FexO3 and SrMeO3 (M=Ti, Sr or Hf) as catalysts.    USE -   Used for small power sources. (J61101972-A)
The material comprises CeO2 having fluorspar type structure and 5-60 (10-55) mol%. CaO. In a modificationmodification, CeO2 may be substituted by 5-10 mol% MgO or AlsO3.    USE/ADVANTAGE -   CeO2-CaO type oxygen ion electro-conductive material exhibiting higher oxygen ion electro-conductivity than stabilised ZrO2, suitable for use as electrolyte in fuel cell or sensor etc., is provided. The operating temp. lower by about 200-300 deg.C than that of conventional stabilised ZrO2 sensor (about 600 deg.C) so as to be elongated in life.
Plate comprises a moulded carbonised and graphitised prod. formed from a compsn. contg. (a) 40-60 wt.% carbonisable resin; and (b) 60-40% coke-graphite mixt., contg. 30-90 wt.% coke particles smaller than 149 microns and 70-10 wt.% graphite particles smaller than 120 microns.    The plate is prepd. by moulding the mixt. at sufficient heat and press to densify the plate, grinding the plate surface and heating to carbonise and graphitise the plate. A long life fuel cell contains at least one anode, cathode and separator plate as above, and an electrolyte material.    ADVANTAGE -   The plate is inexpensive and simply prepd. It has higher density than graphite particle plates, e.g. 1.88-1.95 (1.90-1.94)g/cm2, improving thermal conductivity, electrical resistivity and hydrogen permeability. It has lower flexural modulus is lower than coke particle plates, sufficient structural integrity to withstand 40,000h fuel cell operation at 400 deg. F and flexural strength 4000-9000 (5000-7000) psi. Prodn. is more energy efficient than graphite particle plates.
In a reforming device constructed to flow hot exahust gas exhaust gas formed in combustion of mixt. of fuel gas and air in a burner from end of annular tubes through outer portion of the tube to reform mixt. of material gas and steam when flowing from the other end of the tubes through layers of catalyst and to further flow the mixt. through inner portions of the tubes, partition walls including holes are arranged and the holes are not located at positions which are aligned vertically with the holes.    ADVANTAGE -   Since the tubes are heated uniformly in horizontal direction in the container by hot exhaust gas distributed when flowing through the holes in the partition walls, reforming reaction to form H2-rich gas can be performed efficiently and damage of the tubes due to local heating can be avoided.
Reforming device is claimed to cause flow of hot exhaust gas produced by combustion of mixt. of fuel gas and air by a burner flowing from an ends annular reforming tubes through outer portion in the tubes, and to reform mixt. of material gas and steam which flows from the outer ends of the tubes through layers of catalyst and further flows from an end through inner portion of the tubes.    Device comprises a partition wall including holes, covers arranged on burner side of the holes, and diffusers for diffusing the exhaust gas arranged on the other side of the holes.    ADVANTAGE -   Since heating gas flows uniformly outside of the tubes, reforming reaction of the material gas to H2-rich gas is effectively performed in the tubes. and damage of the tubes due to local high temp. can be prevented.
In a molten alkali metal carbonate fuel cell the anode has: a mean pore dia. less than the cathode; a porosity sufficient to contain enough electrolyte to provide for electrolyte last during normal operation; and a ratio of max. pore dia. at 9% electrolyte fill to that at 10% electrolyte fill of less than 3. Anode mean pore dia. is pref. less than 4 micron.    ADVANTAGE -   Cell has long life, e.g. 40000 hrs., at high performance level.
A flexible, water-repellant baked carbon plate comprises a carbon fibre paper, comprising carbon fibres and an organic binder, having polytetrafluoroethylene (PTFE) infiltrated into the voids.    The carbon fibre has cutting edges and the PTFE is infiltrated into at least one of the cutting edges.    Prodn. of a flexible, water-repellent baked carbon plate comprises infiltrating a suspension of PTFE into carbon paper comprising carbon fibres and an organic binder, baking the carbon paper and rolling or pressing the carbon fibre to effect cutting of the fibre and infiltration of the PTFE into the cutting edges.    USE/ADVANTAGE -   The plates are esp. useful in fuel cell electrodes, esp. in methanol cells of the stacked type.
A molten carbonate electrolyte of approx. 72 mol.% Li2CO3, 28 mol.% K2CO3 displays a uniform Li-K molar ratio under operative conditions along the length of a fuel cell stack. A fuel cell has an electrolyte matrix contg. a binary electrolyte which is molten during cell operation, having a steady state compsn. of 70-73 (72) mol.% Li2CO3, 27-30 (28) mol.% K2CO3; and anode and cathode electrodes contacting the electrolyte matrix. A stack of the cells, with electrolyte in adjacent cells in ion communication, having a voltage gradient across adjacent cells, operates with a uniform Li:K mol. ratio along the length of the stack.    A steady state electrolyte compsn. is established in cells using a binary Li2CO3-K2CO3 electrolyte by: (a) determining the Li reacting to form stable cpds. during initial operation and hence changing the molar ratio in the electrolyte before steady state compsn. is reached; and (b) providing an initial molten carbonate electrolyte in the cell consisting of (i) the amt. Li2CO3 determined in (a); and (ii) a mixt. of 70-73 mol.% Li2CO3 and 27-30 mol.% K2CO3, so after operation for 2000 hr., the electrolyte consists of 70-73 mol.% Li2CO3, 27-30% K2CO3.
A semiconductor electrode for photoelectrochemical cells using electrolyte including an aq. constituent has a hydrophibic film between the semiconductor and aq. constituent. The film permits charge to pass through it while decreasing the activity of the aq. constituent of the electrolyte at the semiconductor surface, decreasing photodegradation of the semiconductor electrode.    The hydrophobic film is nonreactive with the electrolyte and has good transparency to band gap radiation. It is pref. polystyrene, or may be diphenyl ether or a hydrophobic hydrocarbon or fluorocarbon. If used alone, the film is thin enough to pass charge, is a conductive polymer, or contains conductive particles.    USE/ADVANTAGE -   The electrode is useful in solar powered cells generating electric power and/or synthesising fuels and chemicals from abundant renewable resources, e.g. water, N2, CO2. Photodegradation may be eliminated and cell operation improved, e.g. with H2 generation increased by a factor of 4.
The reforming appts. includes a fixed perforated plate, a catalyst layer inner pipe, one end of which is integrally connected to another perforated plate and that is movable longitudinally of the path for a gas, and a resilient body that is compressed and situated between said another perforated plate and a fixed part.
The reforming appts. includes a number of reforming tubes, a disk-like tube plate, first arms secured to the circumference of the tube plate, second arms secured to the inner wall of a reforming appts. container, and sliding pieces each fo which combines the first and second arms slidably.
Electrode comprises: a conductive inert metal substrate; a pre-coating of ceramic particles dispersed in an inert metal matrix; and an external electrocatalytic ceramic coating, both ceramic materials being compatible or even isomorphous.    Pre-coating metal matrix is pref. Fe, Ni, Ag, Cu, Co, Cr or an alloy of these; and the ceramic particles are a (mixed) oxide fo one or more of Ti, Zr, Hf, Ru, Ir, Pt, Pd, Rh, Co, Sn and Mn.    USE/ADVANTAGE -   As cathode for electrolytic prodn. of H2 and alkali metal hydroxide. (claimed) Coating adhesion to the substrate is enhanced.
A vaporiser comprises an annular chamber formed between two walls (21,22), and a succession of rings (24) in the chamber each contacting the two walls to form with them flow spaces, each ring having a passageway (26) for communication between flow spaces on opposite sides of the ring. The passageway of each ring is pref. spaced 180 deg. from those of adjacent rings.    The chamber is pref. cylindrical and spacing between rings along chamber length is greater for rings closer to the outlet. The vapour is pref. passed to a catalytic steam reformer converting hydrocarbon vapour to hydrogen and formed as an annular chamber surrounding the first, the gas being passed to a fuel cell anode section.    ADVANTAGE -   Can provide changes in output flow to accommodate rapid changes in fuel cell loading.
A heating appliance combined with the production and storage of hydrogen gas is based on the electrochemical conversion of a variety forms of energy (natural gas, liquefied gas, town gas, biogas, petrol or alcohol mixtures with air, fuel oil) into an energy with a minimum of environmental pollution. The main constituents are an i.c. engine, an electric generator, and a block of electrolytic cells.    ADVANTAGE -   This ensures a wide flexibility in the choice of the input energy. It can be installed in any house andsupplies energy and heat at a high efficiency with a minimum of environmental pollution.
System comprises a solar collector and concentrator, a transfer element passing heat to a storage unit, and a second transfer element passing heat from the storage to a Stirling engine for producing power. The second transfer element includes a discharge heat pipe for passing heat to the engine and which can be inserted into and withdrawn from the storage.    The collector pref. includes a reflective dish and the first transfer a receiver heat pipe. The storage pref. includes phase change medium in a ceramic-coated containment vessel located in the centre of the dish and having opposed cylindrical recesses extending into the medium for the heat pipes. The engine pref. drives an electrical generator supplying a hydrogen generator passing hydrogen to storage.    ADVANTAGE -   Has high efficiency, ease of control and reliable and continuous power output.
(JP93064425-B)      Fuel cell comprises bipolar plates contacted with the back sides of a fuel electrode and oxidiser electrode; a Cu film formed on the surface of the bipolar plate which contacts with at least the fuel electrode.    Used for portable power sources. (J61071558-A)
By-prod. hydrogen generated from electrolytic mfg. appts., e.g. diaphragm cell process or ion exchange membrane method, and air as oxidiser are used as a fuel for fuel cell disposed in the electrolytic appts., and dc electric power is generated by the fuel cell and the electric power is suppled to the electrolytic appts., and the fuel cell has cooling means passed through cooling water to eliminate its thermal reaction heat. Metal hydride in the appts. is supplied with by-prod. hydrogen generated in night operation and is absorbed at low temp. and is exhausted at high temp. Reserving means of hydrogen of the metal hydride includes cooler and heater for the metal hydride and another cooler for cooling the cooler of the hydrogen reserving means is also disposed in the appts. The cooling water for the fuel cell is used as heating medium of the heater for the hydrogen reserving means.    USE/ADVANTAGE -   Use of hydrogen generated in night work reduces cost of the electrolytic process.
High temp., solid oxide cell arrangement comprises an array of annular cells in parallel rows with cells arranged perpendicularly opposite each other. Cell in one row are connected in parallel between their outer electrodes and cells in perpendicular relation are connected in series between the inner electrode of one cell and the outer electrode of the next.    Alternatively, the cells in one row are connected in series and perpendicular cells are connected in parallel.    USE/ADVANTAGE -   Esp. with stabilised ZrO2 fuel cells operating at 800 deg. C or above.
Liq. fuel cell has a fuel/water mixt. circulation system comprising: first tank (101) contg. a water-rich mixt.; second tank (102) contg. a fuel-rich mixt.; first detector (12) for detecting liq. level of the fuel mixt. in the system; second detector (13) for detecting fuel concn. in the system, or cell output, or cell load current; valve (111) for controlling flow from the first tank in response to the output from the first detector and valve (112) for controlling flow from the second tank in response to output from the second detector.    ADVANTAGE -   Cell can be stably and efficiently operated for a prolonged time even if conditions and consumption rates vary.
Electrochemical cell in a casing (1) of metal or plastic material uses a solid electrolyte (11), pref. made of a perfluoro sulphonic resin, e.g. NAF O 1200 EW (RTM). This is fixed by seal rings (12) of plastic (PTFE) or metal on the inner electrode (8), The tube (5), the inner part of the porous inner electrode (8) and the outer part of the porous outer electrode (13) are made of austenitic stainless steel. The outer part of the electrode (8) and the inner part of the electrode (13) are made of platinised porous titanium.    ADVANTAGE -   The cell is simple and is easy to maintain or to replace in a set.
Fuel cell system comprises (a) a fuel cell with an anode for receiving fuel gas and a cathode for receiving oxidising gas, and (b) a steam reformer for converting a mixt. of water and water-miscible hydrocarbon fuel to fuel gas. A mixing tank receives water and fuel and delivers the mixt. to a holding tank, which then delivers to mixt. to the reformer. Fuel gas from the reformer is fed to the fuel cell.    The mixing tank is equipped with switches corresp. to 1st, 2nd and 3rd preset liq. levels. When the liq. drops below the 1st level, fuel is supplied to the tank until the 2nd level is reached, and then water is supplied until the 3rd level is reached. The mixt. is then delivered to the holding tank and thence to the reformer. Cathode and anode exhaust streams are passed to a burner for heating the reformer.    ADVANTAGE -   The system permits accurate and thorough mixing of the water and fuel before they are fed into the reformer (cf. US 3539395, 3607419, 3982962, 3976507, 4001041, 4120787, 4128700 and 4200682).
Water is electrolysed to produce O2 and H2 in cells having (a) an NiCo2O4 catalysed anode prepd. by soaking an electrically conductive substrate in a soln. of Ni(NO3)2.6H2O and Co(NO3)2.6H2O and sintering; (b) a cathode; and (c) an aq. KOH electrolyte; by anode and cathode. Electrolysis is by (i) maintaining the aq. electrolyte in contact with anode and cathode while supplying water at the cathode and OH- ions at the anode; and (ii) passing DC through the system, reducing water to OH- at the cathode and oxidising OH- to O2 at the anode, with an anode voltage less than 1470mV at 100mA/cm2 anode area.    ADVANTAGE -   The NiCo2O4 catalysed anode has lower anode polarisation than previous anodes, reducing power requirements, and provides nearly linear voltage-current to 1000mA/cm3. The catalyst is less expensive than Pt metals, and the substrate may be any size, providing active areas over 5ft2 if required.
Cathode comprises a conductive substrate and an active layer of an alloy of Sn and 25-99 wt.% Ni; active layer thickness is pref. 0.1-150 micron. Active layer is deposited by co-electroplating from a soln. contg. Sn and Ni, pref. in a mol. ratio of 0.0001-2.    Plating current density is 0.1-30 A/sq.dm., being at the low end when Si:Ni mol ratio is low, and vice versa; a complexing agent may be present. In an alternative method, a precursor mixt. is applied to the substrate, pref. having a porous surface, and then heat treated, pref. at 200-800 deg.C. The porous surface may be formed by plating.    USE/ADVANTAGE -   Esp. for H2 generation in aq. NaCl ion-exchange membrane cells. Electrode is cheap and easy to make and has an H2 overvoltage of below 200, pref. below 120 mV at 30 A/sq.dm.
In the operation of a fuel cell having an electrolyte replenishing circuit and reactant inlet and outlet, electrolyte is reclaimed and reactant purified by: recovering a mixt. of electrolyte mixt. and reactant at the reactant outlet; transporting the mixt. to an external fibrous sponge to coalesce the mixt. and purify the reactant; and returning the reclaimed electrolyte to a replenishment reservoir.    Fibre sponge is associated with a wicking system for collecting and returning electrolyte. Sponge is made of C fibre and is a cylinder arranged coaxially with the outlet and is associated with a C wick for returning electrolyte to the replenishment circuit.    Fuel cell, including a fuel cell stack system, incorporating the external fibre sponge for electrolyte recovering from the outlet gas stream(s) is claimed.    ADVANTAGE -   Electrolyte recovery and recycle and reactant gas purificn. process is efficient: the purified gas may be vented.
Addn. of graphite (I) and B to the mixt. for producing electrodes for electrochemical production of H2, reduces their H2 overvoltage. The electrode contains (in wt.%): (I) 0.5-7, B 0.5-2 and MoSi2 91-99.    The optimal mixt. contains (in wt.%): MoSi2 93.5, (I) 5 and B 1.5. Tests show that addn. of (I) and B reduces the H2 overvoltage from 0.473 to (optimally) 0.318v.    ADVANTAGE -   Reduced H2 overvoltage. Bul.39/23.10.85
The fuel cell comprises many unit cells (I) each having a structure in which are laminated a gas-permeable oxygen electrode (IC) made from a conductive material, to convert oxygen into oxygen ions. A solid electrolyte (16) consists of a (Ce02)I-x(Ca0)x(x=0.5 to 0.8) binary system or a third component-containing (Ce02)I-x(Ca0)x(x=0.05 to 0.08) system.    Also included is a gas-permeable fuel electrode (Ia) made from an electron-conducting material on a gas-permeable support (3).    The unit cells are connected to each other in series. Interconnections are made by subjecting end portions of the electrolytes to a masking treatment or the like. The fuel cell is further provided with combustion openings for preheating oxygen or air.    ADVANTAGE -   Electrolyte has high conductivity and no drop in transport number of oxygen ions due to low partial pressure.
Simplified mounting and lower metal content in the electrolyser for the prodn. of hydrogen and oxygen are due to the elastic frames exhibiting a thickness equal to the ht. of the supporting ribs which hold the screen-type electrodes. The solid plate of the bipolar electrode has staggered cutouts with flanges reinforcing the frame.    The electrode space (4) is filled with 30-35% soln. KOH electrolyte, and the d.c. voltage is applied to the solid plates of the bipolar electrodes. This ensures current flow using the contact of the ribs (3,5) and (6) with the screen electrodes (2) pressed against the asbestos cardboard diaphragm (1). The H2 is evolved on the cathodes and O on the anodes of screen electrodes (2), the gases entering the electrode space (4) and flowing to the columns (17).    ADVANTAGE -   The semi-hard rubber frames act as an electrolyser housing to impart the required strength and hermeticity. Bul.38/15.10.85.
New surface-modified electrode (I) comprises (a) a refractory inorganic oxide (II) of surface area 1-500 m2/g and a macropore vol. of 50-2000 Angstrom; (b) at least one monolayer coating (III) of a carbonaceous pyropolymer, possessing recurring units contg. at least C and H atoms, on (II), (III) replicating the surface area and macropore vol. of (II); (c) a layer of a polyamine polymer (pref. mono- or di-ethylene-diamine) entrapped and absorbed within the pores of the carbonaceous pyropolymer; (d) a bifunctional monomer (IV) in attachment with the polyamine polymer at one extremity and providing pendant terminal gps. at the opposite extremity; and (e) an enzyme (E) in conjugate attachment to the pendant terminal gps. (E) is typically glucose oxidase, glucose dehydrogenase, methanol oxidase, methanol dehydrogenase or formate dehydrogenase.    USE/ADVANTAGE -   (I) may be used in biological fuel cells for prodn. of electrical energy. (I) is safe to use for conversion of food materials as the presence of the carbonaceous pyropolymer on the surface of (II) prevents dissolution of impurities, such as heavy metal oxides, into the feed line or substrate. Thus, the immobilised enzyme can be used for longer periods as its poisoning is prevented.
A porous carbonate contg. structure for use in a molten carbonate fuel cell is made by (a) prepg. a porous structure contg. alkali and/or alkaline earth metal salt(s) including a monobasic organic acid salt; and (b) converting the monobasic acid salt to carbonate in situ. For a porous electrolyte structure, (a) is by (i) prepg. a slurry of suitable matrix material and the alkali metal/alkaline earth metal salt(s); (ii) drying to form a mixt. of particulate matrix material and particulate metal salt(s) including the monobasic organic acid salt; and (iii) forming the particulate mixt. into an electrolyte structure under suitable press. For an electrode structure, (a) is by introducing a liq. alkali and/or alkaline earth metal salt(s), including a monobasic organic acid salt, into a porous electrode structure.    ADVANTAGE -   The carbonate contg. structure is prepd. without the cracking and curling which may occur on solidification of a directly introduced carbonate salt mixt.
Electrochemical cell having an anode and cathode contacting an aq. electrolyte contg. at least one electroactive species, is operated by maintaining the aq. electrolyte at supercritical fluid conditions while electrochemically converting (part of) the electroactive species to a prod.(s).    A current is flowed through the electrolyte between electrodes at a potential sufficient to convert the species to the prod. The cell may contain a liq. permeable separator.    USE/ADVANTAGE -   The method is useful for operation of chlor-alkali cells, chlorate cells, electrolysis of water, reacting hydrocarbons to form other organic cpds., converting C to CO or CO2, or in fuel cells and batteries. Supercritical fluid conditions increase the efficiency of operation without need for turbulence promoters, providing lower viscosity for higher mass transfer rates, and may improve miscibility with water and provide more favourable thermodynamics and kinetics.
The appts. for analysing gases of a fuel cell power generating system has a reforming appl. equipped with an appts. for calculating the concentration or composition of the reformed gas produced by the reforming appts. based on the temperatures and pressures of the reactions and the flow rates of the raw fuel and water vapour fed to the reforming appts.
The cooling system (40,41) comprises cooling panels (15,16) carrying a cooling fluid that flows adjacent to, and parallel to the plane of, each cell (11). The rate of cooling fluid flow past each cell (11) is made equal, so that each cell (11) experiences the same cooling environment, adding to the longevity of the fuel cell or battery (3).    Dual cooling panels (15,16) are preferably employed, in a counter-flow mode. The panels (15,16) may be divided into parallel channels (33). Heat pipe panels (35) containing a two-phase fluid may be used instead of panels (15,16) that contain cooling fluid in a single state.    ADVANTAGE -   Cooling fluid can be conductive or non-conductive.
A chemical fuel cell capable of producing electricity from organic cpds. and forming their oxidn. prods. has separate oxidn. and redn. half cells and means for sepg. the half cells while permitting ions to flow between the half cells.    The anaerobic oxidn. half cell comprises: (i) an electrically conductive, electron donor fuel coln. having an effective amt. of an electron-accepting, quinone cpd. and an electron-donating polyhydroxylic organic cpd.; (ii) a cell chamber for contg. the fuel soln.; and (iii) an electrode contg. the fuel soln.. The redn. half cell comprises: (i) an electrically conductive, ionic soln.; (ii) a cell chamber for contg. the soln.; and (iii) an electrode contacting the ionic soln.. The polyhydroxylic cpd. is oxydised and an electrical potential exists between the electrodes. A photochemical fuel cell also comprises a light source for irradiating the electron donor soln.. Pref. the light is visible light. A process for the prodn. of electricity from such fuel cells is also claimed.    ADVANTAGE -   Electricity is produced from natural, comparatively inexpensive materials e.g. sugars. The fuel tolerance ranges from methanol to beet sugar to molasses. In producing current, desirable oxidn. prods. of the starting hydroxylic acids are also synthesised, with no need to control the voltage during the synthesis. Photoexcitation can be effected with visible light.
A REDOX system includes (a) a conventional REDOX cell having (i) anode and cathode chambers sepd. by an ion exchange membrane; (ii) an inert electrode in each chamber; (iii) anode and cathode fluids, each including the same two species of metal chlorides in aq. HCl, where the active metal ions in each fluid are determined by the charging voltage applied between the electrodes of the REDOX cell; and (b) a rebalance cell having (iv) a cathode chamber and Cl2 reactant chamber sepd. by an ion permeable membrane; (v) an inert electrode in each chamber; (vi) the cathode fluid from the REDOX cell circulated through the cathode chamber; and (vii) a reactant fluid contg. the same two species of metal chlorides in aq. HCl as the anode and cathode fluids, circulated through the Cl2 reactant chamber. The electrode in the reactant chamber is maintained negative w.r.t. the cathode, reducing metal ions and oxidising Cl ions to Cl2 gas.    ADVANTAGE -   The rebalance cell prevents or corrects the electrochemical imbalance that occurs after a period of operation, avoiding a redn. in coulombic capacity of the cell, e.g. installation of a rebalance cell after 60 days, when efficiency had dropped to 50% theoretical, restored it to its original efficiency of 95%.
Cell is used to generate electrical power by the addition of a fuel. A control ensures that the concn. of fuel in the cell remains in the region where the electrical power output of the cell depends on the concn. of fuel in the cell. Further fuel is added, pref. in small doses, so that the electrical power output of the cell remains constant. Pref. the operating efficiency of the cell is calculated and used as a criterion for deciding whether or not to add further fuel.    USE/ADVANTAGE -   In an example, impure sucrose mollases from beet was used with Proteus vulgaris in a fuel cell to produce an output voltage of 0.3 V. The operating efficiency of the cell is greater than if it were operated at a higher conc. of fuel where the electrical power output is independent of fuel concn. Typically, the energy efficiency is 25%.
Extn. of O2 from a fluid is effected by (a) contacting the fluid with an outer surface of an O2-permeable membrane whose whose inner surface is in contact with a carrier fluid in a closed container, where the carrier fluid contains an O2 carrier in a binding state such that it binds to O2 diffusing through the membrane to form a complex; (b) transporting the complex-contg. carrier fluid to a 1st electrode compartment of an electrochemical cell forming part of the closed container; (c) electrochemically modifying the O2 carrier to an oxidn. state with less binding affinity for O2, thus releasing free O2 into the carrier fluid and producing a non-binding O2 carrier; (d) removing O2 from the carrier fluid; (e) transporting the carrier fluid to a 2nd electrode compartment forming part of the closed container; and (f) 2nd electrode compartment forming part of the closed container; and (f) electrochemically modifying the O2 carrier to regenerate its binding state. Also claimed is a process similar to steps (b)-(f) for reversibly removing a ligand from a ligand carrier.    USE/ADVANTAGE -   The process may be used to extract O2 from air or water, e.g. for consumption in a fuel cell or engine or by humans or animals. Oxygen can be extracted at higher rates than in known processes; e.g. the O2 concn. can be increased from 7 ppm in sea water to 860 ppm in the carrier fluid.
A fuel cell stack comprises a plurality of stacked elements including at least one corrosion resistant, electrically conductive, fluid impervious interface (I) arranged between two adjacent elements. (I) comprises a non-cuprous metal coating (II) formed on at least one of the elements and a conductive layer (III) bonded to the metal coated element by hot-pressed resin (IV). (IV) fills any pores in the conductive layer. One of the elements comprises a gas distribution plate and the other comprises either a metal coated cooling plate or a metal coated current collecting plate.    USE/ADVANTAGE -   An improved interface configuration where the gas/liq. impervious interface is resistant to migration of the corrosive acid electrolyte.
A combined fuel cell installation consists of the fuel cell and of a unit to feed fuel gas, high in H2, to the anode of the fuel cell. A gas separator supplies high-purity oxygen gas with an argon content to the cathode. A burner for the surplus gases from anode and cathode is followed by a cooler where the water condenses so that argon gas can be separated and stored in a tank.    ADVANTAGE -   This raises the capacity of a fuel cell generator. The generation of electricity and the prodn. of argon gas are performed with lower operating costs.
A fuel cell generating electricity by catalysed reaction of gases includes (a) a first electrode in which a prod. gas is formed by the electricity-generating reaction between the reactant gases, made from a porous substrate and having (i) a catalyst layer, (ii) a gas inflow passage closed at one end, and (iii) a gas outflow passage closed at one end, independent of the gas inflow passage and located so the reactant gas passes through the catalyst layer towards the gas outflow passage together with prod. gas formed in the reaction at the catalyst layer and, conventionally (b) a second electrode made of a porous substrate and having a gas passage, (c) an electrolyte retaining matrix between the electrodes, and (d) a pair of separator plates partitioning the cells at their outer ends.    ADVANTAGE -   The cocurrent flow of reactant and prod. gas provides good diffusion of the reactant gas, unimpeded by the prod. gas and improves fuel cell performance at higher current densities. (First major country equivalent to J61032361-A9
Generator (10) has a containment shell (12) with a H2 prod. gas outlet (14); shell (12) contains a solid matrix (16) of an endothermically decomposable metallic hydride shaped to fill the shell. Matrix (16) has a predetermined % of voids to effect controlled H2 release on hydride decomposition and also has holes (20) with chemical heating sources (24) therein to provide exothermic energy for the decomposition. Sources (24) each have an igniter (28) connected to an actuator (32) disposed on the shell (12).    Pref. shell (12) is spherical and the hydride is magnesium hydride catalysed by addn. of 5-10 wt.% Ni. Pref. the % of voids is 20-25% of the matrix vol and the heating sources (24) are TiB2 or Be and Mg (ClO4)2; sources (24) are pref. clad with ceramic tubes. Shell (12) may be stainless steel. Igniters (28) are pref. electrical squibs.    USE/ADVANTAGE -   Generators have low wt., high volumetric capacity, high rates of H2 prodn., long storage life and can fill balloons in 2-3 mins. They can be used as a power source to deliver high peak powers for short time periods and are useable in conjunction with e.g. fuel cells etc.
An electrolyser with a pressurised casing has a pile of electrolysis cells held between two thick conductive retaining plates, terminal electrode plates at each end of the stack at least one of which is thin and conductive, and conduits allowing the thin electrode plate to be held against a retaining plate by pressure differential.    The electrolyser may be used for obtg. hydrogen and oxygen from water. The electrode plate is pref. 0.5 mm thick and the retaining plate more than 1cm. thick. The faces of the two plates in contact pref. communicate with atmosphere via the conduits.
Method of breaking up the steam of electrolyte to a cell unit (8,9) consists of using a drop producing device (6) between the exit of the electrolyte container (38) and the cell unit. In this way two drop areas (1,1') are produced before and after the cell unit.    The electrolyte container has an overflow device which feeds the electrolyte in to distribution channels prior to contacting the drop producing device.    USE/ADVANTAGE -   In electrolytic and electrodialysis cells and in working of fuel cells and batteries. By ensuring that a thin constant film covers the electrode surfaces during operation, current loss is avoided and the overall efficiency of the cell is maintained. Corrosion to the cell and peripheral plant parts is also avoided.
Bipolar gas reactant distribution assembly having solid, gas impervious edge seals to prevent leakage of gaseous reactants is prepd. by (a) providing a pair of porous plates having peripheral slits parallel to and spaced from the edges of the plates; (b) filling the slits with a non-porous, fusible gas impervious edge sealing compound; (c) assembling the plates with the slits at right angles to one another and a layer of fusible sealant between them; and (d) hot pressing the assembly at a temp. to cause redistribution of the sealant layer into the pores of the adjacent plate surfaces and the edge sealant to flow and impregnate the plates adjacent the slits and comingle with the redistributed sealant to form a continuous layer of sealant along the edges of the assembly.    ADVANTAGE -   The edge seal is formed simultaneously with the fabrication of the bipolar gas distribution assembly using a solid sealant compound so eliminating subsequent edge sealing.
A pump withdraws a predetermined volume of electrolyte from an electrolyte reservoir and propels it in a series of pulses of predetermined duration through a transfer device to a distributor which divides the electrolyte volume into streams according to the number of fuel cell stacks in the module. Each portion of the electrolyte volume is then introduced into an existing electrolyte passage. The pulses of electrolyte must be of a sufficiently short duration that no electrolyte streams are still issuing within a distribution device when electrolyte has reached electrolyte passage of the fuel cell stack.    Gravity assists the electrolyte through an electrolyte passage within the fuel cell stacks. A drainage device conveys electrolyte not absorbed by the fuel cell matrices to an electrolyte reservoir for recirculation. The reservoir may comprise a tank positioned within the fuel cell stack module or an external tank. A filtration device may be employed to prevent recirculation of debris and corrosion products. A vent is used to pressure balance the appts.
(JP93060237-B)      Fuel cell power generation system comprises a converter to convert CO in a fuel gas exhausted from a fused carbonate fuel cell into CO2 and gas separator to separate the converted gas into CO2 and H2.    USE -   Used for power plants. (J61724171-A)
(JP93042783-B)      The system comprises fixed carbonate type fuel cell electrochemically reactive with fuel gas, CO converter to convert CO exhausted from the cell into CO2, and phosphate type fuel cell reactive with oxidising gas.    USE -   Used for improving the generation efficiency. (J61024155-A)
(JP93034785-B)      Cell comprises a porous partition membrane between an anode and cathode in a cell case. The positive electrode liq. and negative electrode liq. to be fed to the electrodes are composed of electrolytic liqs. having the same composition before charging.    USE -   Storing electric power. (J61022575-A)
(JP93034784-B)      Electric cell comprises a partition membrane disposed between a positive electrode and negative electrode in a cell case; the positive electrode liq. and negative electrode in a cell case; the positive electrode liq. and negative electrode liq. to be fed to the electrodes are composed of electrolytic liqs. having the same compsn. before charging.    USE -   For storing electric power (J61022574-A)
Enhanced purity of hydrogen derived with the filter-press type electrolyser combined with lower power intake is due to the bipolar electrode main sheet made perforated and of electrically conductive material. The cathode sheet is of palladium alloy, while the cathode and anode sheets are sealed in the frame to bound a chamber.    The electrolyte is fed to the header (7) through the connector (10) and is distributed between the cavities of the spacer frames (4) by radial channels. Another channel directs the electrolyte into the cavity of the monopolar positive electrode (2), the d.c. voltage above the voltage of hydrogen evolution being applied to the nonpolar electrodes (2,5). The hydrogen reaches the header (8) when evolved at the negative electrode (5), and is discharged by the connector (11), while the oxygen at bipolar electrodes (3) and at mono-polar positive electrode (2) is transferred to the header (9) together with the electrolyte and is exhausted by the connector (12).    ADVANTAGE -   The alloy of palladium and silver forming the cathode sheet of the bipolar electrode is nonporous and is permeable to hydrogen to ensure its improved separation. Bul.30/15.8.85.
Carbon-metal catalysts having a substantial amt. of catalytically active metal deposited on the surface of the carbon wherein the metal is comprised of individual occurrences of metal atoms in the form of clusters, are prepd. by: (a) vaporising the metal in the vicinity of an organic or inorganic liq. solvent; (b) dissolving the metal as a labile solvated zero-valent complex in the liq. solvent to form a liq. mixture of solvent and solvated zero-valent complex dissolved therein; (c) contacting the liq. mixt. with a solid particulate carbon so as to cause deposition of the solvated metal complex on to the surface of the carbon; and (d) removing excess liq. solvent or soln. from the carbon; (e) the liq. solvent being chosen from among solvents having the ability to solvate the chosen metal, and being inert towards the solid particulate carbon.    ADVANTAGE -   There is no need for the carbon catalyst support to have reactive gps. to which the metal atoms may attach. Instead, the metal atoms are 'trapped' in an inert liq. solvent, to form labile monatomic or small clusters which are then anchored to the carbon support.
The heater comprises a conductive plastic plate (1) which may be shaped as a chair seat and back rest and which contains stress-resistant braided metallic electrodes (2), between which the resistance of the plastic increases with temp. Slots (8) and larger holes (9) are included for ventilation and flexibility. A similar battery-heating element is enveloped in an acid-resistant insulating plastic sheet (3) with an insulated electrical lead (5).    The embedded electrodes (2) are completely sepd. so that self-ignition cannot occur and the intervening resistance rises so that a constant high temp. is maintained by a small current.    USE/ADVANTAGE -   To safeguard battery capacity for cold starts. Period of available power is prolonged in combination with provision of self-adjusting comfort heating for back rest, seat and floor. (First major country equivalent to NO8503341)
Appts. comprises a reaction vessel and reaction tubes, each tube including an inner tube and an outer tube. The improvement comprises that a formed gas chamber communicates with all the inner tubes.    ADVANTAGE -   Compact and inexpensive appts. Eliminates uneven tilt of reaction tubes due to reaction heat.
Appts. has a combustion catalyst chamber, a burner placed in the catalyst chamber, a fuel gas supply pipe extending to the burner, an air supply pipe extending to the burner, and a waste gas pipe extending from the chamber to the atmos.    USE/ADVANTAGE -   Appts. steam-reforms material by heating it using high temp. combustion gas. Ensures complete combustion to discharge NOx gas-free waste gas.
High temp. gas passage is defined by reaction outer tubes and reactor vessel, and filled with filler heat conductive material. Dia. of reaction outer tubes near their tip portion is designed thinner than the remaining portion.    USE/ADVANTAGE -   Overheating of reaction tubes can be prevented even in seam reforming needing high temp.
In prepg. lithium aluminate from powder mixture of Al2O3, Li2CO3, and K2CO3, said powder mixture is formed by compression and the compressed body is heat treated in air.    gamma-Al2O3, LM2CO3 and K2CO3 were dried and mixed so as to give (by wt%) 40:60-55:45 proportion of LiAlO2 to be produced finally to carbonates consisting of 62 mol% Li2CO3 and 38 mol% K2CO3 having an eutectic point of 490 deg.C. The three of starting material were mixed with ethanol, dried in the air, and dried further at 150 deg.C for at least 12 hr. Then 2.5 wt% (based on the weight of the whole powder) water was sprayed. The wet powder was filled in a mould and moulded with 1 ton/cm2 pressure to a disc. The disc was heated at 100 deg.C/ hr. rate to 600 deg.C for 3-8 hr. Thus, by heat-treating a moulded product in air, almost same result as heating in CO2 atmosphere is ensured.    USE/ADVANTAGE -   Suitable alpha-LiAlO2 for electrolyte tile matrix to be used for holding molten carbonate type fuel cell (MCFC) using alkali carbonate for the electrolyte is provided with high efficiency and inexpensively, because the treatment of the powder mixture in CO2 atmosphere as required by the conventional process is not necessary. The LiAlO2 is obtd. at 500-600 deg.C which is lower than the conventional process generating fine LiAlO2 having higher specific surface area.
The cell structure is comprised of identical juxtaposed cells, including electrolyte, fuel and oxidant distribution circuits. Each cell has a cathode and anode which have parallel faces, and an electrolyte between. The cell has two bipolar current collectors comprising two plastic frames with a central conductive zone.    The electrodes are applied against two plastic frames which have a central orifice for conveying fuel and electrolyte through the cell structure. The fuel and electrolyte distribution networks are surrounded by a rib of stress deformable material. The distance of the rib from the frame face compensates for defect of planes and parallelism. An adjacent groove is provided when the components are fixed.
A fuel cell with an activated carbon-contg. anode and cathode, pref. for oxidative purification of waste waters with oxygen or oxygen-contg. cpds., is made by (i) anodically oxidising the cathode in aq. mineral acids at a potential of Eh = + 1.3 X to Eh = + 10 V, and then doping it with Mo (VI) and/or W (VI) and/or V (V) cpds., and (ii) anodically oxidising the anode in aq. mineral acid, then cathodically reducing it in aq. mineral acid and impregnating it with Co hydroxide and/or Ni hydroxide and/or Cu hydroxide and.or Zn hydroxide. The anode and cathode are separated by a porous polyelectrolyte through which the effluent water flows.    In a pref. cell, the electrodes are in the form of concentric tubular elements comprising an inner tubular porous cathode which is fed from inside with an oxidising agent such as O2, air or H2O2 and an outer non-porous tubular anode. The annular space between the electrodes is packed with a polyelectrolyte, esp. a granular macroporous anion-cation exchanger mixt. through which the water to be treated is passed.    ADVANTAGE -   The cells give better space/time yields in the water purification process than active sludge techniques, and also gives improved degradation of humic acids, fulvic acids, aromatic cpds. and chlorinated hydrocarbons.
Porous bubble pressure barrier (4) having metal oxide in its pores and a metal oxide free face(s) is prepd. by (a) providing a porous sintered blank comprising a plaque of Ni, Cu, or alloy of Ni-Cu or Ni with up to 10% Cr, having a median pore size 1-10 micron and a pore vol. 40-75%; (b) immersing the blank in an aq. soln. of a precursor salt for Al, Ti, Fe, Zn or Ce oxide; (c) subjecting the soln. to a vacuum to evacuate the pores and fill them with salt soln.; (d) retrieving the blank and immersing it in an aq. hydroxide soln.; (e) subjecting the soln. to a vacuum to drive it into contact with the salt in the pores of the blank, for a reaction producing metal hydroxide; (f) retrieving the blank and removing metal oxide from at least one face; (g) firing at below 600 deg.C. to convert hydroxide to oxide, then at 600-700 deg.C. to remove water, both at atmospheric press. in a reducing atmos.    An integrally bonded electrode composite (4,5) is made by sintering an electrode-forming powder or electrode plaque, forming or having a median pore size larger than the barrier, to the oxide free face of the barrier.    USE/ADVANTAGE -   The barrier and electrode are useful in molten carbonate fuel cells. Firings (g) have no deleterious effect on the barrier. The pore size of the barrier are controlled by the amt. metal oxide, and are small enough to fill with electrolyte to provide a barrier to gas cross leakage. It ensures good anode or cathode contact with the tile and may allow a redn. in tile thickness, decreasing cell resistance. Any unfilled portions of the barrier are electrolytically active.
(JP92050712-B)      Fuel cell comprises a seal between a manifold and side face of a cell stack; the seal made by adding a F type rubber having a mol. wt. of 5000 or less, at 30-80 wt. % to polytetrafluoroethylene and forming the mixt. into a band/rope.    Used for portable power sources. (J61007572-A)
An electrical power source, specially for use in motor cars to start the engine, includes a rechargeable battery contg. an electrolyte, and a fuel cell with a fuel reservoir. A temp. sensor checks the electrolyte temp. and controls a heater to keep the temperature within a given limit. The current from the fuel cell to charge the battery is monitored and its magnitude is reduced below a given figure. A fan can be switched on to cool the battery.    ADVANTAGE -   This prevents starting difficulties with motor cars which had been exposed to very low or high temps..
Two concentric chambers have a closed top with electrolyte supply apertures. In the chambers are sets of concentric conductive cylinders interconnected to receive resp. positive and negative voltage supplies. Formed O2 and H2 collect in the space between conductor heads and the chamber top. The resulting lowering of electrolyte level is sensed by two vertically sepd. floats whose movement, limited by stops, is transmitted to a tilting mercury switch which controls a circuit causing pumps to dispatch accumulated gas to storage containers. A third outer concentric chamber may include a drainage pipe and also a heat exchanger to cool electrolyte in large-scale appts.    USE -   Electrolysis, e.g. of 30% NaOH, using current derived from solar or wind sources, etc., produces O2 and H2 to be compressed, dried and stored as power sources.
Cell using a hydrocarbon contg. fuel comprises (a) an anode; (b) a cathode; and (c) a passage having input and output ends for fuel flow, contg. a catalyst for endothermic reformation of the hydrocarbon content of the fuel, with the amt. and/or activity of the catalyst at points along the length of the passage selected to promote a uniform temp. distribution in the cell over the length. The catalyst pref. also promotes uniform current distribution in the cell.    ADVANTAGE -   The more uniform temp. profile and pref. current distribution increase performance and life of high temp. fuel cells, with reformation rates e.g. 90% for CH4.
Dilute electrolyte is deposited directly onto the external face of a fuel cell stack and is absorbed by capillary action into elements of the stack. The deposition continues until the electrodes and matrix layers of the stack are fully saturated with the electrolyte to a preselected concn. Liq. is then evaporated from the saturated elements under selected conditions of humidity and temp. until a steady state condition is reached.    USE/ADVANTAGE -   Adding electrolyte to a fuel cell. The electrolyte is added to the fuel cell stack uniformly throughout its height. No extra stack pieces are required in order to add the electrolyte.
The fuel cell stack comprises several sheet-like elements defining fuel cell units (11) one atop the other, each cell comprises two spaced sheet-like gas porous electrodes (18,20) sandwiching a porous matrix layer (16) retaining electrolyte during operation and a sheet-like non porous separator (14) between adjacent units.    At least one sheet-like element of each of cells is extended to define a number of horizontal tabs (40) and diluted electrolyte is deposited from a supply (42,50) along the full length of the uppermost tab so that at least some electrolyte cascades from tab to tab. The electrolyte is absorbed by capillary action, and supply is continued until all the electrodes and matrix layers are saturated. Liquid is then evaporated until the desired electrolyte volume and concentration are reached.    ADVANTAGE -   Uniform electrolyte distribution without costly modification to components.
H2 is retrievably stored in a system comprising an amorphous rare earth-transition metal alloy (46) in a container (44) in a closed system (44,50,52,54) to which H2 can be supplied and withdrawn. H2 is stored by cycling H2 supplied to the system over the alloy for absorption and is withdrawn by desorption from the alloy.    Pref. alloy is a rare earth-Co and/or rare earth-Ni alloy, esp. Sm-Co and/or La-Ni. It is esp. provided as sheets in the container. The material is formed by providing the rare earth transition metal alloy in a liq. state and cooling at well above 10,000 deg.C/s (1 x 10 power 6 to 1 x 10 power 8 deg.C/s for Sm-Co) to form a nonequilibrium solid that is physically and chemically stable over repeated H2 absorption/desorption cycles.    USE/ADVANTAGE -   The H2 gas is stored for use in an energy generating fuel supply. The amorphous material is in a nonequilibrium state, eliminating the tendency to fracture of crystalline alloys, and has higher H2 storage capacity than similar crystalline material.
Appts. for converting sea water or fresh water into hydrogen, oxygen and/or chlorine, by electrolysis using photovoltaic cells and solar energy as the energy source, such appts. being designed to float in sea water or fresh water, with the photovoltaic cells disposed across its top and constituting a solar cell panel. The appts. also has disposed below its solar panel a collecting chamber and several hydrogen collecting tubes, vertically disposed and connected to the chamber at their upper ends, the tubes being open at their bottom ends, so that water may rise within the tubes.    By suitable connections and circuitry, electrolysis of the water within the vertical tubes, caused by the solar cell panel, inturn causes hydrogen to collect above the water within each tube, and the float to rise in the water as the hydrogen level increases. At a predetermined level a solid state float valve operates a signal to indicate that the max. hydrogen has been collected.    USE/ADVANTAGE -   Appts. for converting solar energy into stored hydrogen for further use as an energy source.
A fuel cell (10) uses a molten carbonate as an electrolyte. A reformer (24) changes fuel into a reactive gas for supply to the anode of the cell. An expansion turbine (84) is connected to a compressor (36). A combustor (62) burns gas exhausted from the anode and introduces the combustion gas into the cathode (16) of the fuel cell along with a gas compressed by the compressor.    Another combustor (110) is provided in the passage through which cathode exhaust gas (76) is sent from the cathode to the turbine. Another passage leads part (112) of the anode exhaust gas to the other combustor. Unburnt gas in the anode exhaust gas is burnt with the cathode exhaust gas supplied as oxygen source so that the temp. of the turbine driving gas is raised.    ADVANTAGE -   Increased overall thermal efficiency.
The fuel battery includes several, stacked, similar laminar frames made of a plastics material. Each battery cell comprises two porous electrodes, with an electrolyte filling the space between the electrodes, and two impermeable bipolar current collectors. The third frame (32) of the structure holds the cathode, and the fourth frame the anode, and these two frames join together, and with the cathode and the anode, to form the electrolyte compartment between them.    An orifice (38A) is provided for circulation of the electrolyte through the battery and for supply of the electrolyte to the electrolyte compartment. The orifices(39) are used to centre the battery parts during assembly. Each of the orifices (37) on one side (72) of the frame (32) is enclosed by two fins to increase the compactness of the fuel distribution network.    ADVANTAGE -   Simplifies compactness of distribution networks for the fuel, oxygen carrier (e.g. air) and the electrolyte. (32pp twg.No 9/20)
In an internal manifold type laminated fuel cell, in order to feed two kinds of gases to a cathode and an anode respectively, through a separator plate, spacers for separately supplying the gases to the cathode and the anode are disposed over the surfaces, respectively, of the separator plate. The anode and cathode spacers each have a window through which the supply and discharge passage for the respective gases are communicated with the electrodes.    USE/ADVANTAGE -   As e.g. a stacked molten carbonate fuel cell. Sepn. and sealing between the two gases is ensured by a simple construction. (First major country equivalent to J60253170-A)
The internal and external surfaces of the reaction pipe are provided with pillar like projections (fins).    USE/ADVANTAGE -   Heat transfer area of reaction pipe increases several fold, which makes the system small. Gas around reaction pipe becomes turbid which improves heat transfer ratio. Mixing of raw gas in reforming catalyst layer is improved, and only small quantity of gas slips.
Detector for a boiler having a tank (10) from which steam (17) normally exits through a main vent (11) includes a vertical side tube (12) connected to the tank at a desired low liq. level, such that when the level falls to the side tube level steam escapes through the tube to cause heating of a temp. sensitive device (13) in the tube which can activate (15) a system (18,19) adding liq. to the tank.    A high liq. level in the tank blocks steam entry into the tube and allows the device to cool, e.g. to ambient temp..    USE/ADVANTAGE -   E.g. for a fuel cell water tank deaerator or cooking steam chest, providing simple low-cost detection and actuation.
A novel mammalian monoclonal receptor (I) is produced by a hybridoma formed by fusion of cells from a myeloma line and lymphocytes which produce antibodies which react with a viral antigen induced in a mammal by a cytomegalovirus.    (I) is pref. produced by a hybridoma (II) formed by fusion of p3X63-Ag8.653 myeloma cells and splenocytes from a BALB/c mouse previously immunised with cytomegalovirus-infected cells. Also claimed is a diagnostic system for assaying for the presence of cytomegalovirus and the hybridoma (II).    USE -   The monoclonal antibodies to cytomegalovirus (CMV) are useful probes for studying CMV infection and for developing assays for measuring levels of CMV in biological fluids and the association of such levels with disease.
(JP93052033-B)      The material comprises a carbonaceous material having a quasi-graphitic fine crystal structure having a mean (002)-plane spacing of 3.7 Angstroms or less and crystal grain size of 9.0 Angstroms or more in the C-axis direction.    USE -   Used for Fe-Cr cells. (J60232669-A)
Electrolyte (3) is fed from a bus pipe (1) to branch pipes (2), one for each battery cell (C). An outlet (4) from each cell connects with a drain (5) for the removal of excess electrolyte. To prevent an electrical short circuit between and across cells an interruptor (6,7) is fitted in each electrolyte connection of each battery cell.    The interruptors (6,7) break up the electrolyte flow into droplets thus greatly increasing the ohmic resistance of each electrolyte path. This is achieved by causing the electrolyte, which typically has a flow rate of 600ml/min per cell, to fall freely through a vertical distance of about 10 to 12cm.    USE/ADVANTAGE -   For zinc-halogen cells or fuel cells. Breaks up electrolyte flow to prevent battery short circuits.
An anaerobic fermentation process and a fermenter for the prodn. of biogas from liq. organic waste. The fermentation takes place in two successive stages in two separate compartments of the fermented and bacteria are floating free in the liq.. In the second stage, the liq. percolates through a column packing on which biomass is fixed.    The prefd. fermenter is a flat based vertical, cylinder column. The column is internally partitioned to form a first stage fermentation compartment below a second stage compartment which is filled with packing to support the biomass. Bacteria decanted by the second stage of the process are opt. recycled together with incoming raw material. The gases produced by the two stages are pref. collected separately.    USE/ADVANTAGE -   A process and an installation for the prodn. of biogas, partic. methane by fermentation of organic liq. waste. Gas produced in the first stage is mostly CO2 which is not now mixed with the CH4 which makes up the greater part of the second stage gas prodn.. The recycling of decanted sludge eliminates wastage of bacteria.
CH4 is converted into H2, C2H4, C2H6 and higher hydrocarbons by contacting a mixt. of CH4 + O2, with an oxide catalyst of (a) Be, Mg, Ca, Sr or Ba, (b) Sc, Y or La, and/or (c) Pr, Nd, Sm, Eu, Gd, Tb, Dy, Ho, Er, Tm, Yb or Lu.    Pref. oxides are : (a) MgO or SrO, (b) Y2O3 or La2O3, or (c) mixt. of rare earth oxides, as formed in rare earth minerals, but with part of the CeO2 removed. The base metal oxide may be promoted by an oxide of (a) Li, Na or K, (b) Be, Mg, Ca, Sr or Ba, (c) Sc, Y or La, (d) Ce, Pr, Nd, Sm, Eu, Gd, Tb, Dy, Ho, Er, Tm, Yb or Lu, (e) Sn or Pb, (f) Sb or Bi, and/or (g) Cu, Ag, or Au. The amt. of promoter is esp. up to 50 (up to 10) wt.% of the mixt. Esp., the base oxide is MgO, CaO or SrOO and the promoter is Li2O; or the base oxide is Y2O3, La2O3 or mixt. of rare earth oxides, and the promoter is Li2O, BeO, MgO, CaO, SrO, BaO, tin oxide, lead oxide, antimony oxide, bismuth oxide, copper oxide, silver oxide or gold oxide.    ADVANTAGE -   The process is continuous, without intermittent regeneration of the catalyst.
Methane gas is produced from organic wastes, waste water, or biomass using the bacteria fixed in photo-sensitive polyvinyl alcohol prepolymers having stilbasolim gps. on their side chains. Pref. prepolymers have polymerisation degree 500-2500, 65-88% saponification, and 1.0-7.0 mol% of the gps.    ADVANTAGE -   The prepolymers have no adverse effects on bacteria. A higher fermentation rate is obtd.    In an example, Methane bacterial were fixed by adding to a 10% soln. of the orepolymer, 1/10 the vol. of a methane bacteria suspension given by enrichment culture; and exposing the mixture to sun light to form a gel contg. 4000mg/litre of the bacteria. Continuous methane fermentation was carried out using thus formed fixed bacteria. The amount of organic matters loaded on the fermentation system was 35g/litre day as opposed to 3.7g/litre day using unfixed bacteria.
In the mfr. of an optical part, e.g., lens, mirror, etc., part of glass, plastics, metals, etc., is subjected to a pretreatment process using the plasma of at least one selected from hydrocarbons, e.g. methane, etc. halogenated hydrocarbons, e.g. monofluoroethylene, etc. nitrogenous cpds., e.g., methylamine, etc., sulphureous cpdds., e.g. methylmercaptan, etc., siliceous cpds., e.g., methyldichlorosilane, etc., fluorine or fluoro cpds., e.g. nitrogen fluoride, etc. and rare gases, at 0-200 deg. C in a vacuum reactor, and then to treatment process using a mixed gas of hydrocarbons with double bonds, e.g. ethylene, etc., and oxygen at 0-200 deg. C in reactor to provide a hydrophilic property for the surface of part.    USE/ADVANTAGE -   Simply and provides hydrophilic property for the surface of an optical part, e.g. glasses, mirror, etc., of glass, plastics, metals, etc., preventing fogging and staining due to adherence of water, oils, etc. to the surface part.
Gas sensor comprises an element of SnO2 contg. Al silicate or Bi2O3, with leads attached for measuring conductance. Element also pref. includes PdCl2. A separate heater element may be included.    Specifically, the element contains 36 wt.% Al silicate and 1.5 wt.% PdCl2; or 15 wt.% Bi2O3. It is supported on an Al2O3 substrate. The sensor leads are connected to Pt electrode pads. Method for making the element includes forming a paste, applying, drying and sintering, pref. at 1000 deg.C for an Al silicate-contg. element, and at 800 deg.C for a Bi2O3-contg. element. CH4-selective sensor contains Al silicate and PdCl2; CO-selective sensor contains Bi2O3.    USE/ADVANTAGE -   Esp. in measuring CO in a CH4-contg. atmos., and vice versa.
Gas sensor comprises an element of SnO2 and at least one of Re, Re oxide and Re cpds., connected to an electrode. A specific element contains 1-150 mg. Re2O7 per g. of SnO2.    Specifically, the Re-contg. material is uniformly dispersed on the surface of the element or within a heat-resisting insulator, pref. SiO2. The element also contains one or more of noble metals and transition metals and their oxides, esp. V oxide. Variations in resistance of the element are measured, the element being heated by a heater and the detection current.    USE/ADVANTAGE -   Sensor is used in detection of e.g. butane, methane, CO etc. Sensor does not have lower resistance when continuously overheated at high temps. over long periods.
Sewage sludge is converted to a valuable by-product e.g. fuel or compost additive, by flocculants and carbon carriers, followed by dewatering on a pressurised endless belt screen. Dewatering results in at least 15 wt.%, preferably over 20 wt.% of solid matter. Most of the carbon carrier is added in a disintegrator after this dewatering stage.    ADVANTAGES -   This does not affect the dewatering capacity detrimentally and results in an end product with the desired properties.
Prodn. of compost from river silt (esp. from the Elbe) is effected by mixing 100 pts. vol. of the silt with 20-50 pts. vol. of urea-formaldehyde foam (UFF) flakes (pre-wetted with 2-10 pts. vol. of 10-30% HNO3) and 10-20 pts. vol. of sawdust or straw; adding sufficient water to give a total moisture content of 60%; and composting the mixt.    USE -   The prod. is useful as a soil improver or horticultural compost.    In an example, a mixt. of 5 cubic m Elbe silt, cubic m UFF flakes (pre-wetted with 60 litres of 30% waste HNO3) and 1 cubic m sawdust was adjusted to 60% moisture and composted in a heap. The temp. after 10 days was 61 deg. C. Composting was complete after 8 weeks.
Gas detector has unit to detect current and voltage of gas sensor, and power regulator to negative-feed back the detected current and voltage to power supply connected to sensor and load, for constant power consumption of sensor. (J58151547-A)
Sludge is added to pulverises coal and cohesion agent, and after dehydration drying sludge is granulated by granulator. Grain size of sludge at drying unit outlet has effective dia of more than 1mm.    USE/ADVANTAGE -   Effective dia of sludge grain size of more than 1 mm at drying unit outlet ensures complete granulation even in case of widely changed water content ratio of dehydrated sludge cake.
The system comprises a hollow furnace body, a rotor shaft in piercing through the furnace bed, a scraping impeller with a hood fitted at the bottom of the rotor shaft, an ash discharge port on the furnace wall, a chaff throw-in hopper and a blower at the lower part of the furnace.    A temp. sensor fitted at the furnace wall or in the furnace body determines the temp. of reducing layer (red heat chaff layer) for regulation of supply of burning air or blowing of steam to maintain optimal temp. of 600-800 deg.C for redn. of CO2.    USE/ADVANTAGE -   System is capable of supplying chaff continuously and generating gasifiable chaff gas. Agricultural waste can be effectively processed.
Microbiological prodn. of ethylene comprises aerobically growing a fungal strain able to produce ethylene from alpha-ketoglutaric acid (I) in the presence of L-arginine in a medium contg. at least 20 ppm divalent Fe. Pref. strain has strong ability to produce (I) from assimilable C sources, high enzymatic activity for ethylene prodn. from (I), and the ability to produce arginine. Chaetomium, Phycomyces, Paecilomyces, or Penicillium strains are pref.    ADVANTAGE -   Ethylene prodn. is attained at relatively low temps. and contains mostly CO2 as impurity, so purification is simple. The raw material may be a reproducible biomass, e.g. agricultural wastes, sludges from sewage or plant effluent treatment, etc.
A waste material is processed into a chemical intermediate substrate which can be used either as an energy source or to form a prod., esp. a cement board. The intermediate substrate is produced by pulping the waste and sepg. it in a centrifuge to remove inorganic components. The remaining organic slurry is demineralised, detoxified, stabilised and dewatered.    The intermediate substrate may be used as an energy source either directly or by addn. of further material.    USE/ADVANTAGE -   The method processes sewage sludge, municipal solid waste or industrial solid waste. The method is efficient and inexpensive. It can handle large or small quantities of waste.
Hydrocarbon gases are obtd. by photolysis of petroleum, petroleum prods., or polypropylene under action of UV radiation of 250-800 nm wavelength, with heating in the presence of phthalic anhydride sensitiser.    ADVANTAGE -   Technology of the process is simplified.    In an example, mixt. consisting of 2.15g petroleum and 0.15g phthalic anhydride, was irradiated with UV radiation for 40 min. at 50-200 deg. C. The obtd. gas mixt. (930 ml) contained (in wt.%): 21 CH4, 21 ethane, 7 propane, 12 butane, 10 propylene, 2 NH3, 4 O2 and 2 H2S. The overall yield of gases was 62wt.% based on petroleum. Bul.17/7.5.86
Appts. has fermenting tank having lower chamber divided into cells, air intake pipes connected to the cell at wastes inlet side of tank, and drain pipes to drain dirty water oozing from the wastes to the chamber.    USE -   For treating organic wastes.
Prepn. includes adding coal ash as dehydrating aid to organic sludge to dehydrate the sludge and mixing the dehydrated organic sludge with additional coal ash as fertilising and water-content adjusting component.    Addition amt. of coal ash is 30-50 wt.% based on the sludge (dry basis). Coal ash is continuously added to sludge, and opt., polymer coagulating agent is added. Then, the mixt. is dehydrated by dehydrator to obtain the dehydrated cake with water content of about 70 wt.%. The cake is then mixed with additional coal ash uniformly, and the mixt. is introduced to fermentor to ferment the mixt..    ADVANTAGE -   Coal ash (i.e., fly ash) has greatly larger particle size than the particle contained in the sludge, so it can protect the filter of dehydrator and can prevent the mesh of the filter from being packed by fine particles in the sludge, resulting in increase of dehydration efficiency. Any special kneader is not needed for mixing the sludge with ash of coal, since the sludge contains a large amt. of water.
Water content ratio and grain size of organic waste like sewage water and excretia are adjusted to obtain fermentation material, and fermentation material is fermented in tank for certain period at 60-70 deg. C. During fermentation, air vol. is adjusted so that oxygen density of fermentation gas in tank stays within 10-17% range. Compost mfg. system comprises an oxygen density measuring unit, fermentation material temp. measuring unit, air vol. adjustment unit, and control unit for air vol. adjusting unit and fermentation material mixing unit.    ADVANTAGE -   Optimal fermentation processing is feasible, and better quality compost is available in short time. Generation of odourousgas is minimised.
Method comprises (a) decomposing dimethyl disulphide (DMDS) contained in the vapour condensate or recovered terpene oil discarded from pulp-mfg. process to methyl-mercaptan (MM) through the action of anaerobic microbial mixture, (b) recycling formed gas in the fermenter for stripping formed MM and (c) scrubbing the gas with alkali for recovering MM and removing hydrogen disulphide from the gas.    As anaerobic microbial mixt. the black mud recovered from the bottom of the mud serge pit in pulp factory, can be pref. used. The microbial decomposition is practiced anaerobically at 25-70 deg. C at pH 5.0-7.7.    USE/ADVANTAGE -   MM can be inexpensively prepd. industrially from the waste water of pulp-mfg. process. For example in the case of the kraft pulp factory discarding vapour condensate 2000 m3/day, 400-700 tons of MM can be prepd. annually with the preparing cost o a. 140 yen/kg which is much less than the preparing cost of ca. 310 yen/kg by synthetic process.
A gas sensor is provided a pair of Pt alloy coils, e.g., of Pt-Ni, Pt-Rh, etc., each has a dia. of 15-30 micron m and a specific resistivity as high as two times that of Pt wire. One of the Pt alloy coils is provided with an active PdO layer on its surface and the other is provided with CuO layer capable of counterposing alcohol sensitivity. The gas sensor is used at a bridge voltage of 6V or higher.    USE/ADVANTAGE -   The gas sensor has excellent sensitivity to small amts. of gases, e.g., CH4, etc., in proportion to the concns. of the gases. The gas sensor can also be used for long periods of time because of its high durability and is most suitable for centralised control system.
The promoter consists of N-acyl lactams of formula (I), where R' is H, CH2-, CH2-CO-, Ph-CH2-, or Ph-CO-; R is CH2-, -CH2-CH2-, or -CH=CH-; and n = 3-5.    ADVANTAGE -   The promoter provides a higher methane gas generation rate at normal or lower temps.    An example of the promoter, 1-(3-(4-hydroxyphenyl)propanoyl-2-piperidone was prepd. as follows: a mixt. of benzylether and 10 times of 1N KOH soln. was heated at 180-190 deg.C to form white powder; 1.3 times (by mol) of thionyl chloride was added to the white powder, and resulting mixt. was refluxed at 80 deg.C for 3 hrs.; remaining thionyl chloride and HCl gas were removed under reduced pressure; 2 times (by mol) of 2-piperidone were added to the reaction mixt., which was then heated at 80 deg.C for 5 hrs.; ether was added to the mixt.; organic solvent phase, which was sepd. from the mixt., was washed with 1N HCl, 1N NaOH soln., and water in order, and dehydrated; ether was distilled out from the dehydrated mixt.; thus formed reaction prod. was dissolved in ethanol and reacted with steam in the presence of Pd catalyst to form the promoter; yield = 0.74g.
Process for treating ligno-cellulosic material (A) comprises (1) preliminary mechanical treatment then (2) biological treatment with a compsn. (B) consisting of molasses, yeast, lactic bacteria and a bis-energetic reactant (B1).    (B1) consists of a ferro-fluid to which has been added highly-diluted solns. of essential oils. The water used for dilution is passed through an electromagnetic field of at least 6000 gauss, then treated with a glass electrode consisting of a qraphite core (around which is wrapped a solenoid) with a battery of ferrites and filled with a mixt. of SiO2 and sea salt.    This electrode is connected to a condenser, having an organic dielectric to which has been added (B1), which in turn is connected to a high-frequency generator, to a 9-branch attend and to a captation electrode consisting of a tube filled with CuSO4 and surrounded by a solenoid. The generator is also attached to resonator-oscillators consisting of 9 circuits of variable wavelengths.    USE/ADVANTAGE -   This process accelerates fermentation of (A), esp. for recycling of such materials (partic. straw) in agriculture. The treatment increases enzyme activity and growth of yeast; accelerates the decompsn. of cellulosic cells and increases the rate of hydrolysis.
Pressure swing adsorption (PSA) process for prodn. of technical H2 comprises: (i) feeding to the PSA adsorbent a raw gas contg. H2, N2, CO and CO2, in which H2/(N2 + CO) = 1.2-4.0 and N2/CO = at least 10, by vol.; and and (ii) stopping the adsorption step in the PSA cycle when the integrated N2 content of the unadsorbed prod. gas of the PSA stage is 1-10 vol.%.    A pref. raw gas for purificn. is that made by reacting a carbonaceous feed-stock with steam and an O2/N2 mixt., followed by catalytic shift reaction of the crude gas.    USE/ADVANTAGE -   The process gives technical H2 of CO content pref. under 200 (esp. under 100) ppm vol. (and pref. at least 2 vol. % N2). The presence of N2 in the raw gas enables the recovery of H2 of a given CO concn. to be increased: e.g. from 80-85% to 88% for H2 contg. 100 ppm CO. The raw gas can be made without the expense of a fores reformer furnace or an air sepn. plant, and the prod. pressure can be higher than from use of a fired reformer furnace.
Prodn. of hydrocarbon-contg. liqs. from biomass is effected by (a) introducing biomass and water at a pressure above the partial vapour pressure of water at the prevailing temp. into a reactor at a temp. of at least 300 deg.C, (b) keeping the biomass in the reactor for more than 30 sec, (c) separating solids from fluid leaving the reactor while maintaining the remaining fluid in a single phase, and (d) separating liqs. from the remaining fluid.    ADVANTAGE -   The treatment removes oxygen from the biomass (as CO2) rapidly and selectively at moderate temps., without addn. of H2, and eliminates the need for efficient gas -liq.-solid sepn.
The treatment involves degassing of liq. in a settler by reducing in it pressure and disposal of scale forming material. To increase productivity of the geothermal plant by removal of carbonic acid from the liq., the gas vented off the settler is converted and the product, after removal of gases soluble in water, is passed over the geothermal liq. From the latter scale forming material is removed by treating it with hydroxides of sodium, potassium and calcium. The hydroxides are formed from electrolysis of liq. residue of the plant.    ADVANTAGE -   Reduced corrosion of plant and energy consumption. The treatment is carried out using waste gas and without addn. of chemicals.
The vessel (1) has fermentation (2), settling (3) and mixing (4) chambers. For effective utilisation of capacity of the vessel and to reduce duration of processing of fermented material, the mixing chamber (4) is located in the top portion of the vessel (1) and comprises an annular chamber (5) connected to evacuating pump and provided with an annular pocket (6). The chamber (5) is connected by pipes (7) with the fermentation chamber (2).    USE -   For fermenting waste agricultural materials, e.g. manure, also for purification of effluent industrial and domestic waters.
The vessel (1) is provided with feed water spraying nozzles (3), layers of Raschig rings (9), water droplets deflecting plates (10), a feed water inlet pipe (2), degassed water (4) and gas mixt. (12) outlet pipes. To prevent formation of explosive air-methane mixts. by preventing accumulation of the methane and its neutralisation, in the bottom of the vessel (1) are installed perforated pipes (7) and connected with them central pipe (5) with ejectors (6). To the pipe (5) and vessel (1) are fixed horizontal, perforated trays (8), supporting layers of the Raschig rings (9) and dividing the vessel (1) into sections. The ejectors (6) are located in the top portion of each section.    USE -   For removal of methane from subsurface water.
Bacteria support with particle size of 2-15mm and waste are placed in biological reactor. Apparent occupied volume of the support is expanded to 120% by forcedly streaming water upward in the reactor and floating the support.    Contact probability of floating support to organic substances increases, methane-fermentation proceeds rapidly CH4, and CO2, etc. are formed by the fermentation. Size of spherical support is 2-15mm. Max. and min. lengths of the support with other than spherical form are under 15mm and over 2mm.    ADVANTAGE -   Methane fermentation is carried out effectively by the method. Waste water contg. organic substances is fermented.
Highly pure hydrogen and synthetic gas having a compsn. of natural gas are produced from coke oven gas by the following processes. (1) CO2 gas is removed from coke oven gas by washing. (2) The 1st. adsorbing process of selective sepn. of highly pure H2 gas from the gas produced by the aforesaid washing process using an adsorbent. (3) The 2nd. adsorption process for the sepn. of H2, O2, N2 and CO from the gas produced by desorption of the 1st. adsorption process. And (4) producing a synthetic gas having a compsn. of natural gas by methanisation of CO contained in the desorbed gas of the 2nd. adsorption process and concurrent ethanisation of C2H2.    Adsorbent of the 1st. adsorption process or a combination made up of synthetic zeolite, carbon molecular sieve and active carbon is useful. Adsorbent of the 2nd. adsorption process is material which is similar to that of the 1st. adsorption process is employed.    USE/ADVANTAGE -   Hydrogen of high purity and synthetic gas of the compsn. of natural gas (SNG) having high calorific power are produced from coke oven gas (COG) without using higher hydrocarbons (e.g., butane).
Fuel compsns. comprise a carbonised material (I), oil and water, where (I) has been reduced to a particle size of less than 30 microns by continuous supercolloidal milling.    Pref. (I) is a carbonised plant material, e.g. wood, bark, rice straw, peanut shells, nuts, cotton plants, or paper. The oil is kerosene, heavy fuel oil or waste oil. The wt. ratio of (I) to oil is 35:65 to 49:51. The water content is 10-20 wt.%. The compsns. have a hating value of 7000-8500 kcal/kg.    A mixt. of (I), oil and water is ground in a super-colloid mill with polymer-impregnated vitrified grindstones (e.g. 'Grindel' stones).    Specifically claimed appts. comprises two 'Masscolloider' mills in series.    ADVANTAGE -   The compsns. can be produced inexpensively by milling a mixt. of (I), oil and water and have good stability.
A compost bin has walls without bottom or cover which form several compartments. Each compartment has walls consisting of a tubular frame which supports the wire mesh wall. Four rectangular compartments can, for example, be arranged around a central column.    ADVANTAGE -   These compartments are filled in turn so that the first is ready for emptying of the fully rotted compost by the time the fourth compartment has been filled.
Proposed catalyst contains (in wt. %): cobalt 24.0-29.9, zinc oxides 0.24-0.60, boron oxide 0.01-0.03, tungsten oxide 0.70-2.24 and balance gamma-aluminium oxide.    The catalyst is prepd. by impregnation of gamma-Al203 support, calcined, at 250 deg. C. over 1 hr. with the soln. comprising 100ml. of cobalt nitrate soln. (contg. 220g/l Co) and 3ml of soln. contg. 0.55g WO3, 0.01g B203 and 0.22 ZnO, holding at 50-60 deg. C over 1 hr., drying at 100-120 deg. C. over 15 hrs. and calcining at 270 deg. C. over 2 hrs. Impregnation drying and calcining are repeated twice. Calcined catalyst is then treated with pure hrogen at 435 deg. C. over 3 hrs., at rel. rate 3000/hr.    Tests show that proposed catalyst ensures 100% conversion of car bon oxides to methane at temp. 193-199 deg. C.    ADVANTAGE -   Improved activity owing to addn. of modifying components. Bul.15/23.4.86.
Water treatment plant consists of the methane reservoir (1), heat exchanger (2), heat source (3), air tank (4), air blower (5) with the water cooling facility (6) and the pressure pipeline (7), water-air radiators (8), circuit (9) with the circulation pump (10) and the make-up pump (11).    Hot water circulates in the closed circuit (9) of the air-fan (5) under the action of the pump (10). The water is supplied by the water cooling facility (6) incorporating the oil cooler and the electric motor of the fan cooler. This water is further heated in the radiators (8) installed in the pressure pipeline (7) utilising the air compression heat. The hot heat carrier passes to the heat exchangers (2) of a spiral type where the waste water sediment is heated. The closed circuit with a secondary heat carrier of each air fan is switched on into the main circuit via the manifolds.    USE/ADVANTAGE -   Treatment plant can be used for sediment preheating before anerobic processing in methane reservoirs. Power losses are reduced by the utilisation of air fan secondary heat. Bul.18/15.5.86
Slurry and/or manure originating from a sewage purificn. plant is processed to a combustible prod. by (a) (partly) dehydrating the slurry and/or manure, and (b) mixing with a cellulose fraction.    The mixt. may be further dried at 80-120 deg.C, and opt. formed into briquets. The cellulose fraction includes wood, and is esp. wood (e.g. 50-30%), tobacco waste (eg. 0.1%), cotton waste (e.g. 0-1%), and/or cork waste (e.g. 0-1%), w.r.t. the wt. of the mixed prod.. A neutral combustible additive, e.g. polyvinyl alcohol or acetate, or molasses, may be added, and also an incombustible binder, esp. a resin e.g. CFA. A disinfectant, partic. paraformaldehyde, may be added to the slurry and/or manure. The heat needed for drying may be supplied by the prepd., combustible prod..    ADVANTAGE -   The process is economically viable. The combustible prod. has low residual ash, no odour, and high calorific value, and emits no S or Cl.
Organic fertiliser comprises excrements of mammals or birds as major component, inorganic material as aid and at least two microorganisms selected from Pseudomonas, Streptomyces, Micrococcus, Mycobacterium, Vibrio, Nocardia, Achromobacter, Flavobacterium, Aerobacter and Nitrobacter.    Excrements contains 70-80 wt.% of water, and the mixt. of microorganisms is used in amt. of 6-10 g per 1 ton of the excrements. Fermentation is conducted at 20-35 deg.C for 3-15 hours. Inorganic material is used for adjustment of water content in the excrement, and examples of inorganic materials are SiO2, CaO, Al2O3, Fe2O3, MgO, etc..    ADVANTAGE -   The fertiliser activates plants rapidly and promotes the growth of plant. The fertiliser can be obtd. in short time onlarge scale at low cost, and is odourless.
The promoter consists of N-acyl lactams of formula (I), where R is -CH2-, -CH2-CH2-, or -CH=CH-; and n = 3-5.    ADVANTAGE -   The promoter provides a higher methane gas generation rate at normal or lower temps.    In an example, an example of the promoter 1-(3-phenylpropanoyl) -2-piperidone (Ia) was prepd. by reacting 1 g 3-phenylpropionic acid and 3 g thionyl chloride at 80 deg.C for 5 hrs.; removing gas evolved and remaining thionyl chloride under reduced pressure; adding to resulting reaction prod. a soln. dissolving 0.7 g of 2-piperidone in 5 ml of anhydrous pyridine; heating at 80-90 deg.C for 5 hrs.; adding ether; sepg. from the mixt. the organic solvent phase, which was then washed with 1N HCl, 1N NaOH soln., and water in order, and dehydrated with Glauber's salt; distilling out the solvent from the dehydrated mixt.; dissolving the residue into an ethylacetate/n-hexane mixed solvent, which was then crystallised; yield = 1.86 g. A test soln. contg. 57.2 soluble starch, 11.4 glucose, 11.4 CH3COOH, 4.2 urea, 1.4 ammonium phosphate (all in g/l) was anaerobatically fermented with seed sludge in a night soil treatment plant; 1 mg/l of (Ia) was added at start, on the 5th day and the 15th day; gas generation rate during the 4-12th day was 135 ml/l.day as opposed to 100 ml/l.day without the promoter.
An integral asymmetric membrane is produced by mixing a polyethersulphone with dichloromethane, 1,1,2-trichloromethane and/or chloroform as solvent and (iso)propanol, (iso)butanol or cyclohexanol (opt. together with formic acid, acetic acid, toluene or xylene) as non-solvent used in amts. of 3-25 wt.% of the total. The mixt. is spread to form a film, pptd. with methanol and dried in air or with an inert gas. Pref. the pptg. agent contains a sol. polymer selected from ethyl cellulose, cellulose acetate propionate or CAB so as to fill any defective sites in the membrane formed.    USE/ADVANTAGE -   The membrane, opt. in the form of a tube or hollow fibre, is used to separate gaseous mixts., esp. CO2 with CH4. It combines improved selectivity (e.g. a CO2 to CH4 ratio of 30-40) with improved water-insensitivity and stability.
A composting appts. for organic waste, esp. wood such as tree cuttings, comprises a trough suitable for mounting on a truck, a conveyor mounted in the bottom of the trough, and a rotary beater at the open end of the trough, fed by the conveyor. Pref. a metering device above the beater feeds in a decomposition-promoting agent, such as calcium cyanamide, in proportion to the feed rate, the metering device being coupled to the conveyor. The beater itself pref. comprises a shaft with a series of discs mounted on it at intervals, and each carrying pivot bearings between which beater arms are pivotally mounted so that centrifugal action flings them outwards for disintegrating the wood.    USES/ADVANTAGES -   For composting of wood or other organic waste, but esp. tree cuttings arising in forestry, roadside tree maintenance and the like. Relatively large waste material can be disintegrated economically for composting, thus eliminating the need for burning. The entire appts. can be mounted on a truck.
Prodn. of lower alkanols from organic residues and/or effluents is effected by (a) subjecting the residues, if any, to hydrolysis; (b) fermenting the effluents and/or hydrolysed residues in the presence of amylolytic enzymes; (c) adding basic aluminate acetate (sic) and pyruvic acid, propionic acid or a mixt. of HCHO and phenol or sulphonated phenol; (d) heating at 120-160 deg.C under a pressure of at least 1.5 kg/cm2; and (e) distilling off the alkanols produced. Prodn. of a combustible gas from organic effluents or hydrolysed organic residues is effected by (a) preheating the effluents, if any, in the presence of Na2CO3 and acetic acid; (b) fermenting the preheated effluents or hydrolysed residues in the presence of amylolytic enzymes; and (c) recovering the gas produced.    USE/ADVANTAGE -   The processes are capable of producing alkanols (esp. MeOH and i-PrOH) or combustible gas from whey, manure, must, wort, straw, peat moss, biomass, etc. in short times (esp. less than 2 hr).
Method comprises contacting the feed with a contact material comprising (a) about 0.1-30 wt.% of Mn oxide(s), opt. (b) 1-15 wt.% of oxide(s) of metal(s) from the gp. Ca, Sr, Ba, Sn and Sb, the wt.%'s referring to the metal concerned and (c) the balance, Mg oxide(s), at conditions effective for selective conversion, including a temp. of 625-850 deg.C. The catalyst pref. contains less than 0.2 wt.% S, to increase the effective life.    USE/ADVANTAGE -   Method can be used e.g. to convert propane and/or butanes, esp. n-butane, extracted from natural gas during prepn. of a pipeline heating gas. Selectivity to C2H4 is high, e.g. 35% (+ 30% to C3H6) from n-butane at 50% conversion. Components (b) extend the catalyst life.
Method for converting one or more 3-4C feed hydrocarbons to less satd. hydrocarbons comprises contacting the feed, under conversion conditions with a catalyst comprising (a) 0.1-30 wt.% of each of (1) oxide(s) of element(s) of the gp. Si, Al and Ti and (2) Mn oxide(s), and the balance as (3) Mg oxide(s); or (b) 0.1-30 wt.% of each of (1) oxide(s) of element(s) of the gp. Si, Al and Ti, (2) oxide(s) of metal(s) from the gp. Ca, Sr, Ba, Sn and Sb, and (3) Mn oxide(s), and the balance as (4) Mg oxide(s).    Method for conversion as in (A) except that steam is present, and the catalyst comprises (c) as catalyst (a), except that component (2) is replaced by Fe oxide(s); or (d) as catalyst (a), with the addn. of Fe oxide(s) (%ages refer to the element concerned).    USE/ADVANTAGE -   Feed hydrocarbon(s), esp. those removed from natural gas during prodn. of a pipeline heating gas, can be converted selectively to C2H6, C3H6 and esp. C2H4. Catalyst life before regeneration is improved.
Proposed gaseous mixt. comprises noble gases (e.g. helium and neon), stabilising additive (e.g. isobutane) and additionally satd. vapours of N,N,N',N'-tetramethyl-p-phenylene diamine (I) in amt. 8x10 power -5 to 1x10 power -3 vol.%. Concn. of (I) is related to pressure of its satd. vapour at working temp. range of detectors T=10-30 deg. C (average 20 deg. C, concn. of (I) at average temp.=3.0x10 power -4).    Tests comparing proposed mixt. and the known mixt. contg. alpha-naphthylamine show that at the same power density of laser emission the linear electron density is 10-100 times greater in the proposed mixt. than in the known mixt. At the same electron density, the power density of laser emission required for calibration and setting of laser is 3.5-10 times lower in proposed mixt. than in the known one. Other characteristics of proposed mixt. (drift rate, coefft. of electron diffusion, etc.) do not differ from those of the known mixt.    USE/ADVANTAGE -   In experimental nuclear physics. Improved efficiency of calibration and setting of electronic emission detectors and reduced power density of laser emission within the range of working temps. of detectors. Bul.13/7.4.86
Chlorella and photosynthetic bacteria are added to organic materials, which may be made by fermenting cattle excrements and mixing them with refuse of coffee, active C etc. (J55126593-A)
Tar-contg. gas produced from thermal cracking of waste is treated to separate tar. Separated tar contg. water is returned to char combustion zone in thermal cracking furnaces.    Used for treating city wastes etc. (J58156389-A)
A tank for pretreatment of material, e.g. industrial waste, includes a horizontal screw conveyor for transferring the material arranged in a condition exposed in the tank in a manner spaced with predetermined gaps from bottom surface and side surface of inner wallof the tank. An agitator includes agitating rods is arranged in parallel to and above the screw conveyor.    ADVANTAGE -   Cord or vinyl sheet included in the material can be removed by the agitating rods, and pebbles and scrap in the material remained in the gaps, so that the material is pretreated automatically prior to fermentation.
The water to contact with the gas is alkaline and contains microbes capable of dissolving, at least one kind of acidic organic components, e.g., phenols contained in the gas.    USE -   For treating exhaust gases.
Solid polysaccharide compsn. is produced by reacting subdivided cellulose with cellulase to form a liq. polysaccharide which is mixed with subdivided carbonaceous material (I) and dried to form the solid compsn. The subdivided cellulose is mixed with the cellulase and held at 95-105 deg.F until the cellulose is depolymerised to a liq. polysaccharide, 5-20 wt.% of which is water sol. The liq. polysaccharide is stabilised by heating to 150-350 deg.F before mixing with (I).    USE/ADVANTAGE -   The solid compsn. can be dried as a sheet to form tiles or can be used as a fuel, which may resemble firewood. The polysaccharide may be agricultural waste.
Domestic waste is converted into compact blocks which can be stored for 6 months by coarsely grinding it, partially drying it to a low density non-fermentable state, and compacting it.    An installation for carrying out the process is also claimed.    USE/ADVANTAGE -   Blocks are used as winter fuel. The blocks can be kept until energy requirements are highest.
Organic waste is treated to produce biogas by anaerobic fermentation in a device which includes a fermentation unit divided into several su ccessive sections. There is an inlet for sludge and outlets for the biogas and residual sludge. The sections are sepd. by walls so they do not have direct liquid or gas contact. The sludge is conducted from one section to the next via conduits. Heating ducts pass through each section, the heating medium pref. being used flue gases produced by the burning of biogas. Pref. the device includes a heat exchanger for preheati ng the sludge.    USE -   For producing biogas and possible fertilizer products on farms, industrial plants or municipal sewage works. The waste may be animal manure, or the sludge from paper mills, sugar mills or potto plants. (First major country equivalent to FI8500431-A)
Methane gas is produced by grinding an organic material into fine particles while water or organic suspension is added. The resulting slurry is deaerated and fed to a digestive tank where it reacts with anaerobic bacteria to produce methane gas. Pref. the feed organic material is ground in a colloidal mill to produce particles of size 1 - 50 micron.    Opt. the digestive tank comprises two units arranged in series or parallel and of height 10 metres and dia. 3 metres.    USE/ADVANTAGE -   Method produces methane from industrial or living waste, esp. bean curd refuse or raw bone. The ratio of organic material to water is increased so that a smaller digestive tank is possible.
An aq. extract obtd. by extraction of a vegetable humus sludge air-oxidised in water is improved in hue by adding a reductive sulphur cpd. having hydroxyl and carboxyl gps. (e.g., sodium hydrogen sulphite, potassium hydrogen metasulphite, etc.) and an organic acid or its salt having hydroxyl and carboxyl gps. and to standing.    Pref. 0.1 ml each of a 10 wt.% spdium hydrogen sulphite soln. and a 10 wt.% L-ascorbic acid soln. is added to 100 ml of aq. extract and allowed to stand at room temp..    USE/ADVANTAGE -   Hue of the aq. extract of vegetable humus sludge, used in deodorants, foods, etc., is improved to raise the commercial value.
Cellulose-contg. biomass is liquefied by heating biomass in aq. medium contg. phenol cpd. in presence of catalyst comprising alkali metal or alkaline earth metal cpd. at higher temp. under higher pressure.    Cellulose-contg. biomass is pref. wood, wood chips, wood powder, bark, baggasse, scrap paper, peat, animal faeces, sludge, etc. Phenol cpd. is pref. phenol, cresol, xylenol, naphthol, catechol, resorcinol or hydroquinone and used in amt. of 5-200 pts.wt. per 100 pts. of water and blended opt. neutral O-contg. solvent (e.g. alcohol, ketone or ether). Alkali or alkaline earth metal cpd. is pref. NaOH, KOH, Na2CO3, K2CO3, NaHCO3, KHCO3, CaO, Ca(OH)2, Na formate, K formate of Mg(OH)2 and used in amt. of 0.001-0.5 pts.wt. per pt. of biomass. Liquefaction is carried out at 200-400 deg.C under initial pressure of 5-100 atoms. for 5-180 mins.    ADVANTAGE -   Inclusion of phenolic cpd. in biomass markedly enhances liquefaction of cellulose-contg. biomass including inert bark, with high yield.
The rate and amt. of bioconversion of a chemical (I) by microorganisms in an aq. medium is increased by treating the microorganisms with a chemical (II) which is structurally and biochemically analogous to (I).    USE/ADVANTAGE -   The process is esp. applicable to the biodegradation of toxic phenolic cpds. in waste water. Treatment with (II) adapts the microorganisms in such a way, esp. by increasing enzyme prodn., that their bioconversion capacity for (I) is increased without increasing the microbial population.
Compostising organic wastes. The wastes are charged in space defined by inner vertical plates put inside outer vertical plates impermeable to water. The space is closed by soil. Air is fed into gap between the inner and outer plates.    For treating sewage etc. (J54105065-A)
Garbage disposes is provided with means for adhering liq.-living microorganisms to crushed garbage. Garbage is crushed and discharged together with waste by means of disposer.    USE/ADVANTAGE -   Clogging of waste water pipe and waste water channel is prevented.
The process comprises mixing at least one microorganism selected from cellulose decomposing bacteria, fungi, sulphur bacteria, N-fixing bacteria, root nodule bacteria, Actinomyces, yeast, Pseudomonas, thermal bacteria and cold temp. resistant bacteria, with industrial waste, by-prod. from prodn. of food, animal or plant sewage, ash, bentonite, zeolite, gypsum, animal excrements, etc.; fermenting the mixt.; ceasing fermentation while the temp. is high; and cooling the fermented prod.    Ceasing time is 48 hrs. - 2 weeks after start of cultivation. The prod. is hermetically sealed in a bag. When the bag is opened, the prod. temp. rises to at least 50 deg.C. The bacteria is added in form of culture. Before cultivation the fermentation starting materials are adjusted to water content of 40-60%.    ADVANTAGE -   Cultivation of crops on cold land has become possible since temp. of soil can be raised by the fertiliser. Fertiliser prevents disorders caused by repeated cultivation.
Domestic refuse, garden and agricultural waste is turned into compost by rotting in a horizontal drum which receives through a hollow shaft water, sludge, heat carriers and fresh air. The hollow shaft includes valves for the fluid control and an externally driven blower.    The drum to store the rotting material is concentric to a hollow shaft which is supported in the end shields with the feed chute and the discharge funnel. An orifice plate divides the inside space in two, each with an opening in line with openings in a hollow reaction shaft. Valve cups with springs and filter pads are aligned to the openings.    ADVANTAGE -   This provides a better control for the rotting process than in known systems and achieves better qualitative and quantitative results.
The fermentation tank has a gas collecting dome centrally at the top, of dia. 0.3-0.7 times that of the tank itself. The circulation pipes from the bottom to the top of the tank discharge into the dome via rotatably adjustable pipe bends, so that liq. jets or spills of variable force and direction are applied onto the floating scum, thus preventing it from forming or breaking it up.    Pref. the vol. of the gas dome is 4-8% that of the fermentation tank and a discharge funnel, leading to a pipe, is mounted centrally to enable broken up scum to be discharged in the form of sludge from the tank.    USE/ADVANTAGE -   For the prodn. of biogas from cellulose-contg. waste, esp. cattle manure, which tends to form a floating scum (in contrast to pig or poultry manure). By constantly directing the recycled liq. onto the scum forming zone in the fermentation tank, the forming of a scum layer is prevented.
Appts. comprises a fermentation tank with an external recirculation pipe. The top of the fermenter converges conically to a dia. of 0.2-0.6 times the cylinder dia. and contains a central discharge funnel leading down to the external recirculation pipe, and a sludge discharge pipe or funnel, at least 50 mm above the recirculation funnel; the pipe leading down from this sludge discharge runs concentrically inside the first part of the recirculation pipe and discharges outside the fermenter.    Above this assembly, a slowly rotating agitator having arms with inclined blades or rakes is mounted. The recirculation pipe may contain a device, typically a screw, for extracting or disintegrating the larger solids.    USE/ADVANTAGE -   For the prodn. of biogas from cellulose-contg. wastes, esp. liq. cattle manure (as opposed to pig or poultry manure). The formation of scum, which tends to accumulate on the surface of such manure, is largely prevented by the recirculating and agitating device.
Appts. comprises a fermentation tank with vertical axis and a conical top above the cylindrical portion; the liq manure is circulated within the tank. An insert consisting of a conical guide plate, of similar geometry to the tank top, is mounted inside and just below the tank top, at least 80 mm from it.    The opening at the apex of this insert leads into a short stub pipe, which itself projects into the gas-collecting dome of the fermentation vessel; the top or outlet end of this stub pipe is below the overflow level of the floating sludge discharge system, so that the outlet from the stub pipe remains continually submerged. Immediately below the bottom edge of the insert the inner wall of the tank is equipped with an internal beading; the dimension of this beading longitudinally of the tank is at least equal to the clear distance between the tank wall and the insert.    ADVANTAGE -   The continuous circulation set up by the conical convergence of the gas-liq. mixt. to the top centre of the tank and resultant spilling over and downward flow in the conical gap, continually breaks up the floating scum and prevents its formation. By having the sludge overflow above the top end of the stub pipe, the pipe remains continually submerged.
Process for carbonising lignocellulosic materials of any moisture level consists of thermally treating them discontinuously and in a fixed bed, without partial combustion, the materials being contained in a movable container with latticework walls in an insulated and gastight enclosure. The treatment is carried out at about 800 Pa effective pressure and 400 deg.C by contact with hot, non-oxidised gases obtd.by stoichiometric combustion of stored pyroligneous liquor obtd. in a prior operatior cf carbonising the materials.    USE/ADVANTAGE -   Charcoal and an excess of the pyroligneous liquor, useful as fuel and with less water than from previous processes, are obtd. The feedstock may be almost any ligrccelulosic material. e.g. logs or poles of wood from forestry operations, wastes from the wood industry and from agriculture, and biomass from large plants and bushes. The energetic yield of the process is high. By discontinuous operation, with initial removal of water, the process can accept moister feeds (up to 45% H2O or more) than previous processes.Manpower constraints are reduced; the charcoal yield is increased; and the process is self-sufficient in energy. (First majco country equivalent to PT--82280-A)
Combustible liq. produced in organic sludge by the thermochemical reaction under high temp. and pressure is extracted with an organic solvent from slurry of the mixt. of solid matters, generated combustible liq. and water.    USE/ADVANTAGE -   Asphalt and combustible liq. are produced by the thermochemical reaction at high temp. under high pressure from organic sludge such as biomass. Slurry consisting of solid matters, combustible oil, and water is generated. Produced asphalt has been recovered together with a part of combustible liq. in the prior art, but large portion of combustible liq. remains unsepd. and discarded together with waste water.    By this invention, a part of the combustible liq. which is separable by the difference of the specific gravity is recovered in the pretreating stage, and remaining slurry contg. the unrecovered combustible liq. is subjected to extn. stage using an organic solvent (benzene, toluene, acetone, methylene chloride, etc.) to recover the combustible liq., the solvent is sepd. by distn., etc. Recovered combustible liq. is used as source of heat energy or electric energy which is utilised for redn. of energy consumption of asphalt prodn. from organic sludge.
Biomass waste is compressed fed into an indirect-heating furnace, and thermally decomposed to give a biogas and a fumigated charcoal.    Typically in case of chaff, the waste is thermally decomposed at 500-900 deg.C to yield 0.1-0.3 m3 biogas and 0.4-0.5 kg fumigated charcoal per kg waste. The biogas optimally has a heating value of 14MJ/m3 (close to that of town gas). The ash in the charcoal comprises about 95% SiO2 being a useful raw material.    USE/ADVANTAGE -   The method can simultaneously produce a high-heating-value biogas and a high-quality fumigated charcoal contg. a nearly constant proportion of carbon (C) and SiO2, a useful raw material for fine ceramics and semiconductors. The equipment can be much smaller than conventional, resulting in a cost redn. and more easier operation.
Membrane consists of a porous ceramic support material, having continuous pores made by burning powder or particles, and a thin membrane, having many pores of 5-2000 A dia., on the porous ceramic material 1. The thin membrane is, e.g., 10 A - 100 microns thick. The support material has, e.g. a surface layer of small particles.    In the prepn. of the membrane, a porous ceramic support, is made by burning powder or particles, the surface of the support material is smoothed, and a membrane, having micropores of 5-2000 A dia., is formed by a gas phase method.    USE/ADVANTAGE -   The membrane has excellent gas sepn. properties, homogeneity micro pore size, heat resistance, chemical resistance and durability. The membrane is useful for H2 recovery from raw gas from iron mills, adjusting the CO-H2 ratio of synthesis gas, in C 1 chemistry, condens. of the gas from natural gas, filtration of solns., solvents, viruses or bacteria, ultrafiltration or reverse osmosis.
Gas evolved from garbage and collected for use as fuel esp. in view of CH4 content, must first have harmful and/or evil-smelling components sepd. The gas is fed in succession through two adsorbers or adsorber beds, the first for retaining aromatic cpds. or other high b.pt. impurities, and the second for impurities with medium or low b.pt. Suitable materials are resp. open-pored active carbon and the fine pored variety. Regenerating media for the two adsorber types are hot dry gas and hot steam resp. With both adsorbers in the same container these regenerating media are applied in succession, but with multiple containers operation is alternate. Before treatment the raw gas may be cooled and dried, with S cpds. removed separately.    ADVANTAGE -   Potentially corrosive cpds. are largely removed.
A hydrocarbon is partially combusted in a perforated cone with an inlet at its apex by feeding it as a gas through the perforations or inlet, feeding a second gas contg. oxygen through the other route to make a fuel-rich mixt., and igniting the mixt.    The hydrocarbon is pref. methane or natural gas. The perforations are pref. in straight or curved lines extending from the apex, and increase in size with distance from the apex. The inlet pref. has apertures directed between the lines. Hydrogen or steam may be added to the mixt.
Use of NaCl.AlCl3 (I) double salt as catalyst, in the form of a powder mixed with glass (I') or deposited on glass support (I''), in the prepn. of 4C hydrocarbons, increases the yield and simplifies the process. The petroleum crude is contacted with the catalyst at 200-300 deg. Use of (I') gives increased yields of the iso fractions, and (I'') of the n-fractions.    Typically, contacting fuel oil at 300 deg. with (I') gave gaseous products contg. 89.89% of the 4C cpds., namely 41.34% iso-C4H10, 2.37% n-C4H10, 38.36% iso-C4H8 and 7.82% trans-C4H8.    ADVANTAGE -   Increased yield, control over the course of reaction in the direction of iso- or n-prods. Bul.9/7.3.86
The method comprises putting the liq. in which aerobic microbes multiply abundantly, rapidly under anaerobic conditions pref. together with photosynthetic bacteria for forming H2 gas.    Pref. method also comprises keeping anaerobic conditions for forming CH4 gas.    As aerobic microbe, Bacillus megeterium, Saccharomyces cerevisiae, Aspergillus oryzae, Pseudomonas aeruginosa, Streptomyces griseus, etc. can be used and as photo-synthetic bacteria, Rhodospirillium rubrum (FERM-P 878), Rhodopseudomona capsulata (FERM-P 879), Chromatium vinosum (FERM-P 890), etc. can be used.    USE/ADVANTAGE -   By standing aerobic microbes under anaerobic condition, they are autolysed forming H2 gas. The formation of H2 gas can be promoted by the presence of photo-synthetic bacteria. The method can be adapted for treating waste water and the sediment mainly of microbial bodies, can also be utilised.
The proposed equipment comprises a horizontal, cylindrical fermenter vessel which is connected by a feed pipe to a transfer vessel and pre-mixer. Mixer blades are located inside the fermenter vessel, parallel with its axis. A bacterium net is fixed behind each mixer blade. A hot water coil is also built into the fermenter vessel. It is located near the wall of the vessel and connected to a heater unit. The pre-mixer is connected to the discharge of the fermenter vessel through the by-pass connection.
Poultry manure from large breding stations is made into a 6-8 vol.% solids contg. free flowing liquor by mixing with water or the fluid phase of a preceeding prodn. step, the pH is adjusted to 7.5, the N:C ratio to 0.06-0.1 and the N:P:K ratio to 1:0.78:0.3, the liquor is fed into one or more fermentation vessels which may contain material from previous prodn. steps.    Aerobic fermentation is carried out at 30-35 deg.C unitl the C:N ratio in the bottom of the fermentation vessels reaches a value between 15:1 and 20:1 with simultaneous continuous evolution of biogas from the top of the fermentation vessels. The material removed from the fermentation vessels is mixed with not more than 15 wt.% power station fly ash to separate the solids, which are used as normal consistence fertiliser or animal feed supplement, while the sepd. liq. phase is used as spray fertiliser or as nutrient for worm breeding.
System of dealing with municipal refuse is based on portable containers which are arranged in decentralised locations and are collected periodically for connection to a centralised control unit. The lines transmit temp. readings and the pipes apply a suction to draw air through the refuse. An oxygen donor and alkali permanganate are inoculated. The exhaust air is passed through a filter. Finally a lifting gear pours the refuse on a yard NR in dumps for final rotting.    ADVANTAGE -   This uses a min. of energy and produces valuable compost.
CH4 conversion process comprises contacting a CH4-contg. gas esp. natural gas, and an O2-contg. gas esp. air with a contact material chosen from (A) (i) oxide(s) of Ca, Sr or Ba, and opt. (ii) one or more Cl- ions, cpds. contg. Cl- ions, Sn and Sn cpds.; or (B)(i) Na and/or K and/or their cpds., and (ii) Gp.IIa metal(s) and their cpds., and opt. (iii) one or more of Cl- ions, cpd. contg. Cl- ions, Sn and Sn cpds.; or (C)(i) Gp.Ia metal(s) or their cpd(s), (ii) one or more of Ca, Sr, Ba and their cpds. and opt. (iii) one or more of Cl- ions, cpds. contg. Cl- ions, Sn and Sn cpds. under conditions sufficient to produce a significant amt. of higher hydrocarbons.    ADVANTAGE -   The complexity of previous multistage processes for oxidative CH4 conversion with a contact material is avoided. Conversion is high, as is selectivity to higher hydrocarbons, e.g. there can be 21.8% conversion of CH4, with selectivities of 38.4% to C2H4, 28.2% to C2H6, 2.8% to C3H6, 28.4% to CO2 and 2.2% to CO.
Process for prodn. of thermal energy from a hydrocarbon fuel, using combustion, comprises a cyclic process, including a decomposition reaction stage (I) and a com-bustion reaction stage (II) coupled in series. Into (I) are fed a primary hydrocarbon fuel with reducing reactivity, and a carbon oxide gas stemming from (II), and they react to form synthesis gas. The synthesis gas is fed as secondary fuel with an oxidant to (II) and there burnt, the thermal energy released there being recovered in the form of steam, and the carbon oxide gas produced being fed to (I). The synthesis gas from (I) is pref. converted catalytically to another secondary fuel, e.g. MeOH,before burning in (II), and part of the secondary fuel can then be used as chemical raw material.    USE/ADVANTAGE -   Steam is produced as heat carrier, and thereby heat and electricity, without loss of carbon and without pollution of the environment. Complete carbon recycle is possible. Efficiency is high.
Pretreatment process for human waste or other organic waste water comprises a regulating process to convert most part of soluble components to SS, i.e. humic products, by adding coagulative particles, active humic substances and iron powder, etc. aerating and, if necessary, also comprises a culturing process to generate humic products without aeration, a reaction process to treat effluent from the regulating process to produce materials easily sepd. into solids and liq.    USE/ADVANTAGE -   As most parts of BOD and COD are converted to SS, sepn. of solids and liq. is easy.
Appts. comprises waste water injection pipe placed injection pipe placed in lower part of treating tank; a fixed microbes region, in which numerous high mol.wt. carriers, e.g. acrylamide, contg. microbes for treating waste water are suspended, formed above the waste water injection pipe and an aeration part; and membrane modules formed above the fixed microbes region to filter waste water by using hollow fibres.    USE/ADVANTAGE -   Waste water can effectively be treated and maintenance is easy.
A fermenter for the continuous, anaerobic, biological treatment of industrial waste waters comprises a horizontal tank with one or more inlets for the liq. waste, an outlet for the treated liquid, an outlet for the gases and a series of transverse partitions of decreasing height in the direction of flow, so that the liq. level in successive compartments decreases, each compartment comprising suspended walls etc. for preventing short-circuiting in the compartment. The gases are free to pass above the liq. level from one compartment to another. Separators for the solids lead to periodically operated outlets. Culture surfaces for the microorganisms are provided in the compartments.    Pref., the sewage enters at a number of points. The culture surfaces are pref. of polyester nets having a mesh size of approx. 4mm and thread thickness of 0.1-2mm.    USE/ADVANTAGE -   For the continuous treatment of industrial liquid wastes by anaerobic bacteria, esp. for treating wastes contg. sulphates. The concentration gradient decreases progressively in the direction of flow. Plug flow exists. Uniform gas solubility is obtained throughout the fermenter due to the limited height. The entire system is easy to monitor, large gas-emitting surfaces are obtained and the operating temp. is 35- or 50-70 deg.C. The nets do not clog.
A method of storing sweet sorghum before pelletizing it for use as a combustible fuel comprises (a) removing most of the sugar-contg. fluid from the sorghum to leave a residue of ligno-cellulosic bagasse; (b) piling the bagasse on a hard surface; (c) compressing to form a compacted mass, thereby freeing the bagasse from trapped air to inhibit microbial and fungal oxidative degradation; and (d) storing prior to pelletizing.    USE/ADVANTAGE -   Sweet sorghum and its byproducts are cheap and readily available potential sources of energy. Prior methods of storing sorghum bagasse (silo storage, baling, whole stalk storing, or storing with added water or after chemical treatment) are expensive and/or result in heavy loss of biomass. Present method is simple and no spoilage occurs in extended storage; the prod. is easily handled, and produces min. pollution on combustion. The fuel pellets made from the stored bagasse may be burned in any domestic or industrial furnace. The sugar-contg. fluid removed may be fermented to produce ethanol and livestock feed.
The fermenter comprises a cylinder (2), a floating cover (1), a mixer, and input and output pipes (5-7). To improve economy, the mixer is made as a bladed shaft (3) on the top of the cover whose exterior is threaded and has a drive gear (9) and control gears (10) with a drive (11).    After anaerobic dissociation with accumulation of biogas in part (1), this latter rises with escape of gas through a redn. valve in case of excess press. The length of the teeth (8) equals the height of lift of part (1) which is centred via parts (10). Control compressor (13) feeds the biogas to the pressure recorder (12).    ADVANTAGE -   The design reduces bulk and flow volumes. Bul.7/23.2.86.
Plastic packaging in e.g. household waste is slit and separated from its contents. The rubbish is then mixed with sewage sludge. The homogenised material is then broken up before sepn. begins.    The plant includes two rubbish bunkers, two sewage sludge bunkers and an excrement One bunker feeds the slitting plant and other bunker feeds slitting plant. Packaging and rubbish passes forward to the homogenisers. Bunkers feed the homogenising drums. There is a breaking arrangement in the homogeniser drums to break up clumps of packaging material. The homogenised material passes under a metal sepn.    USE/ADVANTAGE -   Preparation of rubbish and sewage for composting. Simplified homogenisation and smaller energy consumption. (Provisional basic previously advised in week 8636)
Compost prepn. comprises adding granular basic rock to compost obtd. by fermentation, and pulverising the mixt.. Granular basic rock is e.g. pref. zeolite granule. The zeolite particle has size larger than 500 mesh, pref. larger than 30 mesh. Addn. amt. of zeolite particles is 10 wt.% or more based on the wt. of the compost. The water content of the compost to be introduced into pulveriser is generally 30-60 wt.%. If the water content is less than 30 wt.%, dust is generated in the pulveriser. If the water content is more than 60 wt.%, the compost adheres to the inner wall of the casing.    ADVANTAGE -   The compost does not adhere to inner wall of the casing. Addn. of granular rock improves air and water permeability of the soil. The compost after fermentation can be pulverised without drying.
A process and an installation for the prodn. of biogas by anaerobic fermentation of organic waste, which may be of human, animal or vegetable origin, or any combination of two or all three of these. The fermentation takes place in a digester vessel into which biogas is pref. recycled at the lower end to keep the contents of the vessel in a fluidised state. Organic waste for fermentation is introduced directly into the vessel, pref. at a short distance above the base of the vessel. Pref. the waste is introduced by mechanical pressure, e.g. by a positive displacement pump such as a piston or screw pump. Alternatively hydraulic or pneumatic pressure can be used to introduce the waste. Discharge of spent waste is pref. by gravity.    ADVANTAGE -   There is no longer any need to use a pressure sump to feed in raw materials. This entailed operating the digester vessel at a pressure above that of the atmos. The simplified process and installation cost substantially less than previous systems.
A method for converting methane comprises contacting a methane-contg. gas esp. natural gas, and an oxygen-contg. gas, esp. air, with a material contg. lithium and magnesia under conditions to form higher hydrocarbons. Pref., the ratio of methane to oxygen is 1:1 to 30:1 by volume and contact takes place at 500-1500 deg.C.    USE/ADVANTAGE -   The method is esp. useful for producing ethylene and ethane. These can be formed continuously, under relatively mild conditions, from inexpensive starting materials. In partic., the Li-contg. contact material gives good selectivity to ethylene.
Liq. manure stored in a large capacity container requires stirring when distillation is imminent. This is effected by the radially projecting blades on a vertical shaft rotated by a motor on a carrier head movable along a guide element, esp. a horizontal beam, at least partly spanning the container opening, with the head movable in a plane parallel to the manure surface. For a round container one end of the beam is supported on a fixed central upright pillar while the other end is supported on a roller moved round the container run by a separate motor.    ADVANTAGE -   The surface crusting and base sedimentation occuring during prolonged storage are effectively countered at all points in the container.
Fuel alcohol is prepd. from biomass contg. carbohydrate and lignin as follows: (a) the biomass is ground and slurried; (b) (i) a slurry flow is established in a vessel, (ii) the slurry is contacted with a plurality of concentric non-rotable screens (each having an apertured face and a conduit leading away from the face to an area remote from the flow), (iii) dil. acid is introduced to the slurry flow through a plurality of rotatable spray tubes extending parallel to the direction of the slurry and disposed between the screens in a direction perpendicular to the direction of flow, (iv) hydrolysate is removed from the flow by withdrawing liq. through the screens and passing it through the conduit, and (v) the screens are moved alternately in the direction of the slurry flow and in the opposite direction; (c) the pentose and hexose sugars in the hydrolysate are fermented; and (d) fuel alcohol is produced from the fermented pentose and hexoses. In step (b), the acid hydrolysis is carried out at a temp./acid concn./residence time to effect hydrolysis of the hemicellulose and to allow sepn. of produced pentose and hexose sugars into a hydrolysate having insufficient furfural to inhibit microbial growth, without hydrolysing the cellulose in the biomass.    ADVANTAGE -   By directing the acid hydrolysis of the biomass towards hemicellulose breakdown, furfural prodn. and energy usage are minimized. The overall process does not use expensive and energy intensive equipment, and allows prodn. of a no. of fuel alcohols with a net energy prodn. and min. acid usage.
Agricultural compost is made from peat and town sewage by stacking the components in layers, blending and stock piling the mixture. Better quality compost is secured as follows: layering and mixing are conducted on batch rollers in the ratio m(peat)/m(sewer solids) equals 1+D, where m(peat) and m(sewer solids) are the wts. of peat and solids respectively, D is the density of peat, t/m. cube. The stock pile is raised in height to a figure H which equals 4.8 minus m(peat)/m(sewer solids), m.    The peat and sewerage solids are dumped side by side and the density of the peat is determined in order to fix the mixing ratio by the above formula. The solids are added to a measured amount of peat and the whole is passed through a worm mixer. The resulting blend is given a second mixing and the product is fed to a dump of height Hm as shown in the formula. Composting proceeds normally at 50-60 deg. C. The peat used for composting is upper surface material, moisture content 70 per cent, decomp. index 20 per cent, density 0.336 t/m cube. The finished dump is 3.5m high, 15m long, width of base 7.5m; its temp. throughout is steady at 50 deg. C.    ADVANTAGE -   Only a week after composting, the mixture is being subjected to active biological purification. The process is more simple than current procedure since additional blending is not necessary. Bul.7/23.2.86
Making organic fertiliser where residuals of seaweeds after extn. of agar are mixed with active sludge etc. and fermented aerobically. (J55085488-A)
Organic fertiliser contains aerobic-fermented fowl droppings mixed with soil contg. excrement of earthworms. The excrements may be in amt. up to 15-60 wt.% (J55104992-A)
Gas sepn. membrane is made from polymer consisting of the repeating unit of formula (I) (where R1, R2=1-4C alkyl).    USE/ADVANTAGE -   The membrane is useful for sepn. of methane and helium from natural gas, carbon oxide and hydrogen from cracking gas, or oxygen, nitrogen, carbon dioxide, carbon oxide, hydrogen, argon, heliumm methane from a mixt. contg. more than one of the above. The gas permeable membrane has excellent oxygen permeability and excellent selective permeability to many kinds of gas mixt.    In an example, chloroform soln. of poly-p-bis(hydroxy dimethyl silyl) benzene (concn. 3g/100 ml) was cast on glass plate to form membrane of 75 microns thickness. The membrane was measured by vacuum method as follows; oxygen permeable coefft. (PO2) being 5.83 x 10 power -10 cc (STP) cm/cm2.sec.cmHg, nitrogen permeable coefft. (PN2) being 1.93 x 10 power -10 cc(STP)cm/cm2.sec. cmHg, and PO2/PN2 being 3.02.
Waste is cut into pieces of 5-20 mm., and then the pieces are dehydrated after dissociating bonding water in the pieces by porus anaerobic treatment.    ADVANTAGE -   Waste is effectively dehydrated to form compost.
Method comprises (1) separating (a) the gaseous stream of hydrocarbon decomposition prods. contg. hydrogen, methane, ethylene, ethane and high b. pt. hydrocarbon component into (b) methane and lower b.pt. component and (c) ethylene and higher b. pt. component, (2) recovering methane and hydrogen from (c), and (3) separating (b) into hydrogen and methane, under the following conditions: (A) the amt. of gaseous hydrogen exceeds that required after (3) and gaseous methane following the excess gaseous hydrogen is sepd. from the step preceding the final condensn. step of (3) and cooled by a first expanding machine and used as a cold medium for at least one process of (1)-(3), and (B) a portion or all of the cold medium used is cooled by expanding machines other than the first one and used in at least one of the stages.    ADVANTAGE -   Consumption of energy for compression and cooling is reduced.
Process comprises: (A) contacting coke oven gas with porous material to adsorb tar and gum into porous material: (B) hydrogenating dienes, O-contg. cpds. and olefins in the gas issued from step (A): (C) mixing the purified coke oven gas with hydrocarbons and hydrogenating S-cpd. in the mixt.: (D) removing H2S from the gaseous mixt. issued from step (E) forming methane by adding the mixt. issued from step (D) with steam: (F) forming methane by adding the mixt. issued from step (E) with a portion of the mixt. branched from step (D): (G) forming methane from the mixt. issued from step (F): (H) removing steam and CO2 from the mixt. issued from step (G).    USE/ADVANTAGE -   The process provides fuel gas efficiently by combining steps for removing impurities from coke oven gas and hydrocarbons and steps for forming methane.
Purificn. of gas mixts., contg. 5-50 (vol.)% CO2, water vapour, up to 0.06% H2S and opt. traces of organic aliphatic S cpds. and NH3, involves passing the gas through at least 2 beds of zeolitic mol. sieve adsorbent and carrying out adsorption and desorption in countercurrent.    The novel features are that a combination of temp. cycle (TSA) and pressure cycle (PSA) is used for cyclic desorption in 2 sub-stages. The first of these takes place in the PSA cycle with pressure relief to ca. 0.1 MPa under practically isothermal conditions, the number of PSA cycles depending on the required freedom from CO2 for the prod. gas. The second sub-stage is carried out by raising the temp. after a certain number of PSA cycles at an intermediate pressure of 0.1-0.5 MPa. The pressure ratio is 10-5:1 in adsorption and the second sub-stage of desorption and 1-5:1 in the second and first sub-stages of desorption, whilst the adsorption pressure is 1-2.5 MPa. If necessary, the CO2-enriched gas obtd. by relieving the pressure in the PSA cycles in another identical adsorption plant is used as desorption gas.    USE/ADVANTAGE -   The process is suitable for purifying natural gas, bio-gases and similar gases with high CO2 contents, including combustible and explosive gases. Energy and capital costs are favourable.
In carbonising ligneous forestry waste, e.g. branches, barks and trunks, by burning to charcoal, the carbonising plant is provided with conduits fitted with taps and assembled by welding on several levels on the outer wall. The wall is heat-insulated.    USE/ADVANTAGE -   Specific consumption is reduced and conditions are created for the recovery and collection of pyroligneous waters and tars.
In recovery of ethylene and of the fraction contg. over 2C from poor gases obtd. by catalytic cracking, the poor gas flow is absorbed, with re-boiling at -20 to -30 deg.C. The enriched absorbent is introduced into a column. The fraction contg. 2-or over 2C, e.g. the ethylene-ethane, propylene-propane and the 4C fraction, is eliminated at the top of the column and then sepd. into pure components in the pyrolysis plant of the system. The depleted absorbent, from the bottom of the column, is re-circulated to the top of the column, after heat-exchange and cooling.
Fertiliser is obtd. by fermenting sludge, and mixing 50-60 wt.% coal ash with the fermented sludge. Pref. sludge contains 60% inorganic material and 40-50% organic material. Coal ash includes fly ash and clinker.    ADVANTAGE -   The sludge which has been fermented for 50-70 days at about 35 deg.C can be used as a low cost fertiliser. Addn. of coal ash improves air-permeability of soil, and deodorises the fermented sludge.
Method involves mixing in liquefied natural gas odorising liquid prepd. by dissolving odorous substance with higher freezing point than b.pt of liquefied natural gas in liquid diluent comprising components equal or similar to LNG components but being liq. at normal temp. and normal pressure.    Odorising substance is e.g. tert-butyl mercaptan, tert-heptyl mercaptan, emthyl mercaptan, ethyl mercaptan, isopropyl mercaptan, dimethyl sulphide, tetrahydrothiophene, etc. Liquid diluent is e.g. 1-pentene, 2-methylbutane, 2-methyl pentane, cis-2-pentene, trans-2-pentene, 1-hexene, etc.    USE/ADVANTAGE -   Since odorising substance is compatible with LNG, it is sufficiently dissolved. Mixing of odorising substance is executed in LNG in liquid state, gasification of LNG for odorising is unnecessary. Higher safety is secured during transportation or storage of LNG, or in stage of cutting with LNG.
While fermentation is performed lower temp. methane bacteria are placed in methane fermenting vessel. Lower methane bacteria are cultivated in mixt. of lower temp. methane bacteria culture contg. lower temp. methane bacteria, methane fermentation raw material and acid producing bacteria in anaerobic atmosphere. Cultivated low temperature methane bacteria are complementarily fed to methane fermenting vessel.    USE/ADVANTAGE -   Large amt. of low temp. methane bacteria can be obtd.
Waste water introduced into an anaerobic digestion tank, whose temp. is not controlled, and in which methane fermentation is carried out. A bacteriophage for medium-temp. methane producing bacteria is added to the tank to allow low-temp. methane bacteria to predominate in the tank.    Specifically once the bacteriophage are added to the tank, further addition is not needed, because bacteriophage propagate themselves by bacteriolysing the medium-temp. methane bacteria. Pref. once the temp. of the tank reaches 25 deg.C, the bacteriophage are added.    USE/ADVANTAGE -   Used to treat human waste, sludge, industrial waste water, or sewage water. Without heating the tank, methane fermentation can be carried out effectively even in winter.
The waste water is introduced into an anaerobic digestion tank, whose temp. is uncontrolled, in which methane fermentation is carried out. Part of the sludge in the tank is kept intermittently at a temp. below 25 deg.C to propagate low-temp. methane bacteria, which are then used in the anaerobic digestion tank.    Part of the sludge can be introduced intermittently into another tank whose temp. is continuously kept around 20 deg.C, or part of the anaerobic digestion system is kept intermittently around 20 deg.C.    USE/ADVANTAGE -   To treat human waste, sludge, industrial waste water, or sewage water. Without heating the tank, methane fermentation can be carried out effectively even in winter; so in a simple appts. sufficient energy can be recovered.
Saw dust is spread on the floor of an open cowshed to 15-30 cm thickness. Cultured microorganisms are spread on it. Excrements are not removed for a long period.    ADVANTAGE -   Frequency of taking out excrements is decreased. No bad smells are produced. Health and productivity of the cattle can be improved.
Plant for converting waste to solid fuel has in succession a crusher, a magnetic separator, a sieve, a second crusher, a pneumatic dryer, a gravity separator, a cyclone, a second screen, and a granulating press. The screens have interchangeable grids to regulate the fuel value of the prod.    USE/ADVANTAGE -   For domestic or industrial waste. The plant is simple and its product needs no further treatment.
Process, and reactor, for the steam reforming of hydrocarbons in a reforming reactor by feeding steam and one or more hydrocarbons as process gas under steam reforming conditions with an external heat supply through a given volume of steam reforming catalyst to form a hydrogen-rich prod. stream, by (a) passing the process through a first portion (being 25-75%) of catalyst, heat needed for the endothermic reactions occurring in the process gas and for heating the process gas being supplied partly from a moderately hot flue gas (as under (b)) and partly from the product stream; then (b) passing the process gas partly reformed in step (a) through the remaining portion of the catalyst, the heat needed for the further endothermic reactions and heating the process gas being supplied by a hot flue gas generated by combustion of a fluid fuel, the hot flue gas being thereby cooled to form the moderately hot flue gas employed in step (a).    ADVANTAGE -   A more economic method for supplying the heat required for the endothermic reaction is by indirect heat exchange using heat from the prod. stream in combination with heat from a hot flue gas.
In a new procedure for reducing loss in the aerobic fermentation of poultry excrements under conditions such taht ammonia is that ammonia is released insuch amounts that it cannot be utilised by the microorganisms, the fermentation is carried out as a solid fermentation and phosphoric acid or sulphuric acid or salts thereof, anhydrite, superphosphate, kieserite or other fertilisers of commerce and/or mixtures of these substances is/are added in finely divided form to the substrate before the beginning of the fermentation process and any small amount of ammonia still present in the exhaust gas stream is removed by known washing precedures.    When the fermentation product is intended for use as a fertiliser, phosphoric acid is used in an amt. of not more than 5 wt.% and sulphuric acid in an amount of not more than 4 wt.%, based on the amount of organic substance in the substrate to be fermented. The maximum amount of pure salts of H2SO4 and/or H3PO4 should be such that the substrate shows only a weakly acidic reaction, while the amounts of anhydrite, super phosphate and kieserite are spectively 1-15 (pref. 6.5), 3-30 (pref. 18) and 3-20 (pref. 10) wt.%, based on the amount of organic substance. When the fermentation product is intended for fodder use, salts should be added in amounts which are tolerated by animals, while the maximal amounts of H3PO4 and H2SO4 are the same as when the product is intended for fertiliser use.    USE/ADVANTAGE -   Fermentation of poultry manure, for energy prodn., for the prodn. of fertiliser or fodder, or for hygiene purposes. The process is applicable to pig or cattle manure or liquid manure, or other agricultural residues. Nitrogen losses are minimised, thus improving the economics of the fermentation. Appropriate choice of the substance(s) and for nitrogen fixation enables a compound fertiliser or fodder to be produced in a single step.
Gas is produced by fermentation or digestion of an organic material in liq. suspn. in an appts. which includes a rotating horizontal drum. The drum has partial radial baffles which form gas traps which rotate the drum. Ribs are mounted on the baffles and are inclined to the radial direction so that sediment collecting on the baffles is progressively advanced towards a downstream end of the drum as it rotates..    Pref. the drum has a downstream section free of baffles but carrying helical ribs on the interior of the drum. These assist in advancing sediment along the drum.    USE/ADVANTAGE -   Appts. produces gas from domestic waste. Non-biodegradable debris, e.g. pebbles, is advanced along the drum and discharged.
Prodn. of hydrocarbons is effected by contacting synthesis gas with a catalyst comprising 0.1-10 wt.% Ru on a support comprising at least one oxide of Ta, Nb and/or V, provided that the calcination temp. during prodn. of the support is such that no crystalline metal oxide is detectable by X-ray diffraction before depositing the Ru.    The support is Ta oxide and is calcined at 100-550 deg.C. The surface area of the support is more than 10 m2/g. The catalyst contains 0.5-5 wt.% Ru. The reaction is effected at 200-400 deg.C and atmospheric pressure using an H2/CO molar ratio of 1-3 (esp. 2).    ADVANTAGE -   The process gives high CH4 yields (e.g. 24-86%) using relatively low pressures and low H2/CO ratios.
A photochemical redn. cell for reducing CO2 to form at least one prod. comprises (a) containers for first and second redox coupled electrolyte solns.; (b) a first memberane, responsive to illumination for transferring electrons from the first soln. to the second; (c) a water container contg. an electrode for H+ ion prodn.; (d) a CO2 source; and (e) a second membrane connected to the CO2 source, responsive to illumination, for reducing CO2 in the presence of electrons transferred from the second redox soln. and H ions.    A membrane, specifically useful as the second membrane comprises (i) a semiconductor (80) responsive to illumination for transferring electrons from an electrolyte soln; and (ii) an electrolyte-impermeable hydrophobic film (81) adjacent the semiconductor, having a catalyst impregnated surface (85) and (iii) passageways (84) for receiving CO2, permitting a large portion of the CO2 to migrate to and through the catalyst impregnated surface.    USE -   The appts. is useful for e.g. prodn. of formic acid, formaldehyde, methanol, methane, depending on the catalyst. Water and CO2 are consumed in the reaction and oxygen is evolved which is pref. vented from the system.
Prodn. of CH4 is effected by electrolysing an aq. soln. contg. CO2 using a Ru cathode. Pref. electrolysis is effected at a potential of -0.3 to -0.7 V (SCE) and a temp. of 20-100 deg.C. The soln. is satd. with CO2 and has a pH of 1-7.    ADVANTAGE -   Current efficiencies of up to 30% can be achieved.    In an example, a 0.2M Na2SO4 soln. satd. with CO2 was electrolysed with an electrolyted Ru cathode at temp. = 61 deg.C, pH = 4.2-6.8, current = 0.313 mA and potential = -0.55V (SCE). Current efficiencies were 30% for CH4, 45% for CO and 25% for CH3OH.
Process for sepg. a feed gas contg. CH4, C2H6 and less volatile components into a CH4-rich residue fraction (A) and a prod. fraction (B) rich in C2H6 and less volatile components comprises: (i) compressing the feed gas (I); (ii) cooling to a phase sepn. temp.; (iii) phase-sepg. into residue fraction (A) and a liq. fraction (II); (iv) expanding part of (II) through a Joule-Thompson valve, to form an expansion-cooled stream (III); (v) exchanging heat between (III) and (I) to achieve at least part of the cooling in stage (ii); (vi) recycling at least part of (III) into (I) upstream of stage (i); (vii) removing a second part of (II) as prod. fraction (B); and (viii) controlling flow through the Joule-Thompson valve in response to the temp. of residue fraction (A) and prod. fraction (B) as they are phase-sepd., so as to regulate expansion-cooling to provide desired compsns. for these fractions.    USE/ADVANTAGE -   Natural gas esp. may be sepd. The process has a simpler design without an external refrigerator, and therefore with only one compressor instead of two. Through possible variation of the recycle rate, it has greater operating flexibility, e.g. to vary proportions and compsns. of the prod. fractions. Since a single compressor provides both cooling and compression, optimum allocation of power to the system is possible.
Process for removing contaminant gas mols. (I) from a gas stream comorises: (i) contacting the stream in countercurrent flow with a liq. CO2 absorbent to absorb and entrain the (I); (ii) sepg. a substantially decontaminated residual gas stream from a mixt. of the CO2 absorbent and (I); (iii) sepg. the CO2 absorbent and concentrating the contaminant mols. by crystallisation; and (iv) reusing at least part of the sepd. CO2 in (i). Also claimed are crystallisation processes suitable for stage (iii).    USE/ADVANTAGE -   Acid gases, such as CO2, H2S and SO2, other S-contg. cpds. such as COS, noble gas such as Kr and Xe and other high-boiling contaminants may be removed from mixts. also contg. H2, CO, CH4, N2, etc. Thus contaminants can be removed from coal gasification gases to give a fuel gas, and from combustion prods. of CH4, etc. when producing N2 and H2 for NH3 prodn.; and stack and flue gases may be purified. S-contg. gases may be removed completely, and less volatile gases such as CO2 to any desired degree, from lower boiling gases, with large savings in capital and operating costs.
Acombustion jet pump received waste heat gases from power station boilers and engines, such as gas turbines, and increases their pressure for transmission to distant locations for low temperature heating applications.    The jet pump incinerates waste solids, liqs. and gases to augment the heat energy in the power station exhaust gases and water injection is used for temperature modulation and the generation of water gas.
The installation comprises a heated digester, connected to a gas holder, circulating and feed pumps and a heat exchanger for the pre-heating of the feed stock by the rejected fermented waste, 15% of which is discharged daily. The feed stock is raised to the working temp. in a second stage heater, by the combustion of the methane produced by fermentation.    The heat exchanger is made of two concentric cylindrical vessels. The raw feed stock is passed through the inner cylindrical compartment (10) and is discharged to the second stage heater, where the temp. is raised to 55 deg. C. The waste ferment is discharged from the digester into the annular compartment (12) between the two cylindrical vessels of the heat exchanger. The raw feed stock is stirred by the mixer (9), which has curved blades (13) fixed in a staggered array to a vertical shaft mounted on the central axis of the inner cylindrical compartment. The waste ferment is stirred by the two mixers (11), with curved blades (13) fixed in staggered arrays to vertical shafts mounted on the ends of a rotating frame, so that the mixers can rotate around the annular compartment (12). All the mixers are driven from a common motor.    ADVANTAGE -   Simplified construction and improved process efficiency. Bul.5/7.2.86.
A method and appts. are used to ferment organic wastes such as sewage sludge and city wastes to produce a compost. Rotary paddles with radial shafts at the centre are set in a circular tubular fermenting tank. They rotate to stir and move the wastes. (J56073688-A)
A fermenting tank for fermenting organic wastes e.g. dirty sludge and waste waters to produce compost. It has inner and outer vertical tubular walls and dampers put between the walls. Each damper is rotatable around horiz. axis. (J58217487-A)
Adhesive contg. viscous material is prepd. by following processes treating wooden cellulosic material of paper resource, waste of paper industry, paper and chips of natural wood with vinegar by mixing, agitating keeping at the temp. of suitable for bacterial action in the presence of bacteria for certain time, secondly, treating plastic raw material or plastic resin with fermentation liquid obtained by filtering the liquid product of first treatment by mixing, agitating, fermentating at the temp. suitable for bacterial action, thirdly by separating to get useful viscous material from third phase of fermentation product of second treatment which forms 3 phases, i.e. thin liquid, ion exchangeable semi-permeable viscous liquid and viscous material phases.    USE/ADVANTAGE -   By the actions of bacteria, waste wooden cellulosic materials and stating raw materials for plastics and/or synthetic resins give chemical complex whish is useful as an adhesive for bonding variety of materials e.g. metal, glass, plastic films etc.
Digestion gas contains methane gas and CO2 gas is produced in a tank by fermentation of organic waste liq. using anaerobic bacteria. Gas is introduced into a chamber which is partitioned by a high polymer diaphragm and gas not passing through the diaphragm goes into one chamber and transmitted gas into another. The transmitted CO2-rich gas in the chamber is introduced by a pump to a tank and is used to promote a reaction for generating methane. Methane gas is obtd. in the other chamber from the untransmitted gas.    ADVANTAGE -   Concn. of methane gas is increased as a result of sepn. by the membrane, and the CO2 gas separated is used to promote generation of methane gas in digestion tank (1).
Four species of bacteria which form methane at 20-25 deg. C are derived and they are methane bacteria 8-G, methane bacteria 8-P, methane bacteria 8-M and methane bacteria 16-11-L. Methane bacteria 8-M and methane bacteria 16-11-L. Methane bacteria 8-G are spherical and of size of the bacteria is 0.6-1.3 microns. The bacteria grow at pH 7-9, e.g. 7-8. Methane is generated at 20-40 deg. C, e.g. at 30 deg. C. The bacteria are anaerobic. Methane bacteria 8-M are spherical and of size 0.6-1.2 microns. The bacteria grow at pH 5.5-9, e.g. 7-8. Methane bacteria 8-P are spherical and of 0.6-1.5 microns. Methane bacteria 16-11-L are spherical and of size 0.4-1.2 microns. For anaerobically cultivation, waste water from food mfg. is used. Fermentation is carried out in waste water contg. organic substances at 20-25 deg. C.    ADVANTAGE -   Sewage sludge is treated with the bacteria to save energy and to recover methane.
Methane fementation tank comprises means for continuously and automatically analysing organic acid in gas phase which is in meta-equilibrium state with organic acid in in liquid phase. Organic acid in liq. phase is identified based on analysis value of the appts., and operation of fermentation tank is effected by automatic control based on identification result.    USE/ADVANTAGE -   Fermentation tank can be completely automatically operated.
Nitration is performed by aerobically biological treatment after removing BOD component by aerobically biological treatment. Waste liq. having undergone nitration is returned to former stage BOD component removing step to adjust pH.    USE/ADVANTAGE -   BOD component can be effectively removed without causing higher running costs.
Prodn. of C2H6 and C2H4 is effected by reacting CH4 with O2 at 600-900 deg.C in the presence of a catalyst comprising (a) PbO supported on pumice, SiC, ZnO, ZrO2 and/or an alkaline earth metal oxide (MO), opt. mixed with Na silicate, (b) PbO and MnO supported on pumice, SiC, SiO2, TiO2, ZrO2, ZnO and/or MO, opt. mixed with Na silicate, or (c) a mixt. of PbO and Na silicate, opt. mixed with SiO2, TiO2, ZrO2, MnO, ZnO and/or MO.    ADVANTAGE -   The process gives high yields, e.g. up to 27% CH4 conversion with 50-70% selectivity for C(2+) hydrocarbons.
The following cpds. (as free bases or acid addn. salts( are new: 1,6-dimethyl-N-pyrazinyl-ergoline -8beta-carboxamide (Ia); 1-methoxymethyl-6-methyl- N-pyrazinyl-ergoline 8beta-carboxamide (I,b) 6-methyl-N-(4-oxido- 2-pyrazinyl)-ergoline- 8beta-carboxamide (Id); 6-N-dimethyl- N-pyrazinylergoline -8beta-carboxamide (Ie); 6-methyl-N-(2- pyrazinylmethyl)-ergoline-8beta-carboxamide (If); 6-methyl-N-(1H-2-oxo-pyrazin-3-yl)ergoline- 8beta-carboxamide (Ig); N-(5-bromo-2- pyrazinyl)-6-methyl-ergoline- 8beta-carboxamide (Ih); 6-methyl-N-pyrazinyl- ergoline-8beta-methanomine (Ii); 9,10-didehydro- 6-methyl-N-pyrazinylergoline- 8alpha-carboxamide (Ij); and 9,10-didehydro- 6-methyl-N-pyrazinylergoline-8beta-carboxamide (Ik).    USE -   The cpds. have vasoconstrictor activity and are suitable for the treatment and prevention of vascular headaches (migraine, cluster headaches). In addn., the cpds. give a selective increase in tone in the venons system and can be used for the treatment of orthostatic hypotension.
Pressure swing adsorption process for sepg. isobutane from n-butane uses a system with at least 3 beds, each undergoing cyclically a sequence comprising: (a) feeding the butanes gas mixt. at an upper adsorption pressure to the feed end (A) of the bed, which can selectively adsorb n-butane while isobutane passes through and is discharged at the discharge end (B), this feeding continued as an n-butane adsorption front is formed, passes through the bed and breaks through at (B), a part of the isobutane effluent being diverted for use as purge gas in another bed; (b) depressurising the bed from (A) to an intermediate pressure, the released gas being passed to another bed initially at a lower pressure, for pressure equalisation; (c) further depressurising the bed from (A) to a lower desorption pressure, the further gas released being recovered as n-butane prod; (d) purging the bed with isobutane purge gas added at (B), so purging n-butane left in the voids of the bed while stopping short of isobutane breakthrough, to enhance purity and recovery of b-butane prod.; (e) partly repressurising the bed to intermediate pressure with depressurisation effluent gas from another bed undergoing step (b); and (f) further repressurising the bed to the upper adsorption presure by addn. of fresh feed gas.    USE/ADVANTAGE -   Mixts. from petroleum refining and natural gas liqs. may be processed. The n-butane may be used for gasoline vapour pressure blending, and the isobutane for prodn. of high octane alkylate for gasoline, etc. U- to about 90% of the adsorptive capacity of the bed is used owing to the novel step (b), compared with about 50% in the prior art, leading to high productivity and lower adsorbent and capital costs. Step (b) also eliminates the need for vacuum desorption step, again reducing costs. The purity of both prods. is improved. Other variations minimise energy requirements and/or increase prod. purities. (5pp)
A method is claimed to analyse compost made by fermenting organic wastes. Fermented wastes are mixed with water to dissolve high polymers into water. Clear liq. phase is sepd. from the mixt. (J56051664-A)
The process comprises adding agent for adjusting water content to the litter absorbing animal faeces and urine and maintaining a specified water content, filling litter in portions in air-permeable sacks with porosity of 10-60%, filled sacks being stored in a fermentation chamber with a means for upward-air-current ventilation for a specified period so that the sack contents become manure. Pref. the subclaim specifies an installation comprising a chamber formed with side walls and capable of upward ventilation air-current contg. sacks in which the manure material is filled. The ventilation means are realised, e.g. by the slatted floor. The sack is a net supported by a frame which gives a form of a pail, or a nonwoven cloth or a coarse-knit cloth.    USE/ADVANTAGE -   The fermentation is accelerated, esp. in cold seasons, providing manure without malodours and satisfactory sanitary conditions result out of simple facilities.
Waste water is anaerobically purified in a reactor tank which includes a fermentation chamber and a superposed settler. The settler has three levels of gas-collection hoods, each of those of the upper level being directly positioned above one of those of the lower level. Each hood of the lower level is connected to the one vertically above it in the upper layer by a pipe. The hoods of all the upper and middle layer hoods are connected directly to a gas-discharge line.    ADVANTAGE -   The zone near the purified water discharge is free of turbulence and hence sepn. of water and sludge is maximised.
Adsorptive sepn. of a gas mixt. contg. at least a primary gaseous component (I) and a secondary gaseous component (II) in which each component is recovered at high recovery and high purity in adsorptive beds which are preferentially selective to the adsorption of (II) comprises (a) passing a feed gas mixt. into one of the adsorption beds where (I) passes through as a pure prod. and (II) is selectively adsorbed, (b) discontinuing adsorption and rinsing the adsorption bed with a stream of (II) to remove any (I) as an effluent which is recycled to the feed to the process, (c) depressurising the rinsed adsorption bed to an intermediate pressure countercurrent to the adsorption to at least partially remove (II) from the adsorption bed, (d) evacuating the adsorption bed countercurrently to a subatmospheric pressure to further remove (II) from the bed and (e) repressurising the bed to superatmospheric pressure to prepare the bed for another adsorption step. The adsorbent is e.g. the sodium exchanged form of the X zeolite.    USE/ADVANTAGE -   The process is used to separate methane/ carbon dioxide mixts. such as are recovered in enhanced oil recovery and landfill gas recovery operations. The process is an improvement in the 6-stage process of US4,077,779 in that there is an enhancement of the secondary prod. recovery (CO2). The process provides for recovery of (I) and (II) at 95% or above.
Waste refuse is heated and melted with additives acting as a solidifying agent, a supporter of combustion and a counteractive removing harmful substances by gasification, solidifying the melt in a tank with cooling water of pH 8 to 10, transferring the product to a store and circulating the cooling water from the store to the tank.    USE/ADVANTAGE -   Mfg. fuel from waste refuse made by removing noncombustible matter such as metal from industrial waste, domestic waste and raw refuse. The operation is carried out with simple equipment which is cheap to install. Low price fuel having a high calorific value can be mfd.. The cooling water is re-used. There are no pollution problems.
The new gas sensor element consists of a tin oxide film coated on a base (Si etc.) insulated with a coating of SiO2. When the crystalline orientation and crystallinity of the tin oxide film surface of the sensor element are determined by X-ray diffraction with a CuK X-ray source the following relationships exist for the first to the fifth highest intensity diffraction rays, I1, I2, I3, I4, I5. (a) If the planes (211) or (110) yield the strongest intensity (I1), then I2/I1 is up to 0.6. In addition the half value width of the I1, WHF, must be at least 0.58. (b) I I1 is from (110) or (101), I2 from (101) or (110) I2/I1 is at least 0.5; I3/I2 is less than 0.6; WHF of I1 is greater than 0.54; (c) If I1 is from (110) or (211), I2 from (101) or (110) I2/I1 is at least 0.5; I3/I2 is less than 0.6; WHF of I1 is greater than 0.58; (d) If (110), (101) and (211) yield I1, I2, I3 (not necessarily in that order) I3/I1 is at least 0.5; I4/I3 is less than 0.6; WHF of I1 is at least 0.61; (e) If (110), (101, (211) and (301) yield I1, I2, I3, I4 (not necessarily in that order) I4/I1 is at least 0.5; I5/I4 is less than 0.6 WHF of I1 is greater than 0.73; (f) If I1 is from (301) I2/I1 is up to 0.6; WHF of I1 is at least 0.60; (g) If I1 is from (211) or (301) I2 from (301) or (211) I2/I1 is at least 0.5; I3/I2 is less than 0.6; WHF of I1 is at least 0.3.    ADVANTAGE -   The sensor is sensitive not only for the detection of H2 but also of CH4, O2 etc. even in trace amounts. The mfr. process is simple.
Process for accelerating the fermentation of biomass, based on cellulosic materials, comprises dispersing in the biomass a small amt. of a mixt. of enzymes, with complementary activities, the mixt. comprising at least one hemi-cellulase (I) and at least one cellulase (II) having its opt. activity at pH above 6, pref. above 7.    Pref. the mixt. comprises 2-10 wt.% (I) and 90-98 wt.% (II).    USE/ADVANTAGE -   Prodn. of compost partic. for cultivating mushrooms. Glucides are rapidly released thus giving compost in a very short time.
Process comprises contacting a feed stream contg. 2-20C alkane(s) and/or 5-20C cycloalkane(s) with a catalyst compsn. consisting essentially of V205 and Si02 under such conditions as to form H2 and 2-20C alkene(s) and/or 4-20C alkadiene(s) and/or 5-20C cycloalkene(s) and/or 5-20C cycloalkadiene(s) and/or 6-20C aromatic hydroacarbon(s).    Catalyst contains 0.01-20 (esp. 2-10) wt. % V205, and has surface area 50-500 (esp. 150-300 sq. m/g. It can be prepd. e.g. by impregnating Si02 with a soln. of vanadium oxobis-(1-phenyl-1, 3-butane-dionate) in toluene, drying and calcining at 1200 deg. F in an atmos. of H2 and air alternately.    USE -   Gasoline-type hydrocarbon mixts. can be upgraded to fuels of higher octane rating: e.g. the RON-clear (ASTM D 2699) of a gasoline was increased from 36.2 to 76.1, with 86.5 wt. % yield.
Fly ash is activated by (a) sizing the fly ash to produce a sized fraction and separating from it a magnetic fly ash fraction; (b) hydrothermally treating the sized the sized-magnetic fraction; (c) reducing the fraction of step (b); (d) oxidising the fraction of step (c); and (e) reducing the fraction of step (d) to form activated carbon monoxide disproportionation fly ash catalyst. The hydrothermal treatment is carried out at temperatures of 100-300 deg.C and pressures of 100-500 psig.    USE/ADVANTAGE -   Once activated, fly ash can disproportionate carbon monoxide to carbon dioxide and elemental carbon, which reaction is absent from unactivated fly ash. The carbonaceous ash produced can be burned as a fuel directly or in combination with other combustible fuels to produce heat electricity, or can be used for the production of methane, hydrogen and carbon oxides.
Prodn. of CH4 from evaporator condensate recovered from pulping waste liquor is effected by (a) pretreating the condensate with an acid to ppte. and coagulate methane fermentation inhibitors, (b) removing the inhibitors, (c) neutralising the pretreated condensate, and (d) passing the condensate through a bioreactor to produce CH4.    Step (a) is effected by adding HCl, H2SO4, HNO3 or formic acid to reduce the pH to 3 or less. Step (b) is effected by filtration. Step (d) is effected in a reactor packed with lumps or particles of crushed, porous, refractory stone.    ADVANTAGE -   The process reduces the load on activated sludge treatment units and produces a useful fuel. It can be operated at low cost in small treatment units, and the treated condensate can be recycled to the pulping plant.
Purificn. of gas mixts. contg. steam, up to 0.4 vol% H2S, 5-50 vol% CO2 and opt. traces of organic aliphatic S cpds. (I) and NH3, is carried out in adsorption plant with at least 4 adsorption beds filled with zeolitic mol. sieves, in which adsorption is carried out at relatively high pressure and desorption at lower pressure.    The novel features are that: (a) steam, H2S, opt. (I) and NH3 are removed in at least 2 beds, which operate cyclically in adsorption and regeneration by expansion and heating; and (b) CO2 is removed in at least 2 other beds, which operate cyclically in adsorption and regeneration by expansion and purging, without heating; (c) the CO2-enriched expansion gas from (b) is used for purging and desorption in the regeneration stage of (a); and (d) pt. of the prod. gas is used for purging in the regeneration stage of (b); and (e) the purging gas, enriched with CO2, is recycled to the feed gas cycle before compression and/or used for purging in the regeneration stage of (a).    USE/ADVANTAGES -   The process is useful for purifying natural, biological and similar gases with a high CO2 content. It has favourable energy and capital costs.
Sepn. of CO2 from pre-purified gases, which are predried and prepurified and contain 5-50 (vol)% CO2 and 50-95% other component(s) (I), which are not adsorbed at all or adsorbed much less than CO2, is carried out in an adsorption unit with at least 2 beds filled with zeolitic mol. sieve adsorbent, which operate cyclically with adsorption above atmos. pressure and desorption by expansion and purging, without heating. The novelty is that the ratio of the expansion gas velocity in the expansion phase to the linear velocity in the adsorption phase is 5-45:1.    USE/ADVANTAGES -   The process is useful for purifying natural, biological and similar gases. The energy and capital costs are favourable.
In the elimination of steam from gases by absorption and desorption in several spray-stretches and standard regeneration plant, using triethylene glycol as absorbent, drying takes place first at low pressures followed by a compression of the dried gas, and the compression-pressure is higher than the working-up pressure. The novelty consists in setting the content of the water absorbed in the glycol to 1.2-3 wt% by controlling the glycol/gas ratio on the inlet-side, by altering the amt. of input gas and/or glycol, esp. of glycol.    USE/ADVANTAGE -   The process is used in removing steam from industrial and/or natural gases, esp. in drying steam-satd. natural gas streams. Investment and working costs are lowered. Energy and material are saved. Disturbances in operation are prevented.
A biomass feedstock is gasified by (a) continuously feeding biomass materials into the top of a vertically elongated closed vessel forming a reaction bed, leaving a space from the top of the vessel to the top of the bed; (b) introducing an oxygen-containting gas into the vessel; (c) establishing a combustion zone in the open region to produce partially combusted pyrolysis products and pyrolyse feedstock as it enters the vessel to lie on top of the bed; (d) establishing a gasification zone in the bed below the combustion zone with a pyrolysis zone between the gasification and combustion zones, the pyrolysis zone converts the feedstock to char and the gasification zone extending far enough to convert all the char produced to ash and gasified combustible production; (e) removing ash from the bottom of the bed; and (f) removing gasified combustible products from the bottom of the bed.    ADVANTAGE -   The partial release of hydrocarbon products in the feeboard combustion zone and pyrolysis zone followed by transport of some of these products to ash through the long isothermal reduction combustion zone produces very clean gaseous products such as synthesis gas containing few tars and oils, which is particularly useful in the production of methanol. (28pp)
Ethylene is converted to normally liquid hydrocarbons by contacting a gas contg. ethylene with a siliceous crystalline molecular sieve under high severity conditions including elevated temps. and short olefin contact times, so that the liquids productivity of the catalyst is more than 50% of the theoretical maximum.    The selected temp. is 285 deg.C - 425 deg.C. The contact time is 0.1-3.0 seconds and the ethylene partial pressure in the feed is 0.5-5.0 atmospheres. The molecular sieve is a ZSM-5 type catalyst and the conditions are selected such that liquids productivity is more than 75% of the theoretical maximum. The molecular sieve is an aluminium-free siliceous crystalline molecular sieve. The molecular sieve is a borosilicate and conditions are selected such that liquids productivity is more than 75% of the theoretical maximum and the ethylene is converted in the absence of hydrogen. The molecular sieve is a silicate or a silicoaluminophosphate.    USE/ADVANTAGE -   In the oligomerisation of feedstocks comprising an olefinic fraction which contains more than 50, pref. 70, vol.% of ethylene, the operating modes may be selected to maximise the liquids productivity of the molecular sieve oligomerisation catalyst.
20-50 Wt. % of dehydrated cake of sludge or excrement of animals is added to reeds with water content of 30-60%. Aerobic fermentation of reeds is accomplished for a short time by forcedly introducing air. Ratio of flow amt. to total BOD amt. is 1.0-3.5 g/min.kg/O2.    When dehydrated cake of sludge is added, fermentation is carried out at high temp. to sterilise bacteria and parasites and to promote decomposition of organic substances. Max. temp. of over 65 deg.C is required for sterilisation and temp. of over 50 deg.C and period of 120 hours is required for decomposition of organic substances.    ADVANTAGE -   Compost obtd. from reeds is used effectively as fertiliser and as improving agent for soil.
In an aerobic fermentation disposal process using rice or wheat straws, waste mulberry stalts, residual stalks of tobacco and other agricultural waste or aq. plants such as water hyacinth or cresson, the mixing proportions are set so that the water content is 40-63% and the BOD5 is not less than 45 mg-O2/g-DS based on the water contents and BOD5 values of readily decomposable organic materials used as an additive and raw material, and the mixt. is compacted to a bulk density of 0.2-0.6.    Pref. sewage sludge, animal dung and other organic waste or composts obtd. by aerobic fermentation, or rice or maize bran, are used as readily decomposable organic matter.    ADVANTAGE -   Adequate aerobic fermentation can be effected in a short time making composts.
Process for producing carrier inclusively fixed microorganism or carrier inclusively fixed microbial gp. comprises (a) mixing microorganism or microbial gp. with polyvinyl alcohol aq. soln., (b) absorbing resultant mixt. liquor on to porous carrier, (c) immersing the porous carrier in satd. boric acid aq. soln. to gelate the mixt. liquor to fix the microorganism or microbial gp. inclusively into polyvinyl alcohol-H3BO3 monodiol grids in porous carrier.    Carrier-inclusively fixed microorganism or carrier inclusively fixed microbial gp. may be produced in the following steps (a) microorganism or microbial gp. and polyvinyl alcohol are mixed, (b) mixt. liquor is absorbed into porous carrier and (c) mixt. Liquor-absorbed porous carrier is freeze dried to fix inclusively microorganism or microbial gp. into polyvinyl alcohol polymer in porous carrier.    Using this process, Whole Cell Entrapment (WCE) fixed microorganism or fixed microbial gp. may be produced using high polymer material which is low cost, nontoxic to microorganism.
In an anaerobic biological treatment of sewage contg. organic waste, the biomass available for the digestion of the organic waste, referred to the digestion chamber space is increased in accordance with an exponential function. The sewage is forced to pass through the digestion chamber in a meandering path in a vertical plane.    ADVANTAGE -   This greatly increases the purifying capacity of small anaerobic cleaning plant, without any additional energy consumption.
Poultry droppings or similar pasty materials are dried and conditioned in two stages in the same vessel. In the first microbiological stage, the droppings are placed on elements carrying selective aerobic microorganisms to create optimum conditions. When the temp. drops, the second (flow-through) stage uses a many times greater air flow rate to dry out the material.    ADVANTAGE -   This saves energy costs and removes all evil smells so that the resulting manure can be sold, e.g. in supermarkets.
Manure is prepd. from living microorganisms contg. waste mud, where the pH value of the mud is properly controlled by introducing an acidic substance (e.g. carbonic acid, CO2) or an alkaline substance (e.g. sodium carbonate) into it.    The mud is well kneaded in a kneader and pelletised in a pelletiser. The pellets thus formed are put in a reactor and air is blown into it. The exhaust gas (contg. a large amt. of carbon dioxide gas) as generated in the reactor is introduced into a second reactor where the pH value of the mud pellets is properly regulated by the action of the CO2 gas. The treated pellets are taken out from the 2nd reactor, dried with a drier and then milled in a mill, to obtain the manure powder.    USE/ADVANTAGE -   By the proper regulation of the pH value of the mud, the speed of manure formation may be controlled or accelerated. In partic., the exhaust gas as generated by the fermentation of the living microorganisms contg. waste mud is advantageously used for the regulation of the pH value of the mud to be pelletised.
A dump for waste to be left to rot into compost is watered by a carriage which runs on rails of two walls, along the dump. A jib carries a water pipe and nozzles. The water pipe is pref. made of Plastic material. One end of the dump is left accessible so that a bucket wheel loader can turn the layers over. Water is recycled from the supply pipe.    ADVANTAGE -   Simple system of high functional reliability which can sprinkle even muddy liqs. over the dump. Spray nuisance due to wind need not be feared.
A press to produce compact mouldings of waste (e.g. wood chips and shavings, branches, grass, leaves, peanut, and cocoa husks, straw, cardboard, paper, books, textiles, leather, foils, bones) uses a press housing with two opposed hydraulic cylinders. An opening in the bottom, which can be closed and opened by one of the dies., is used to discharge the moulding.    ADVANTAGE -   The cylinders can now be designed for muchsrter strokes and the hydraulic power pack can be smaller.
A tunnel reactor for the rotting of municipal rubbish to compost is fitted with a press shield which can be reciprocated by power cylinders over the width of a charging section. The new charge moves the existing charge along a first aeration section. A step in the bottom at the end of the first section loosens the strand. Both sides have steps up to 1/3 to 1/2 of the height which help to reduce the friction.    ADVANTAGE -   This results in a uniform oxygen input in the organic waste; additional surfaces are made accessible to oxygen during the passage in the tunnel.
A handleable prod. is made from water-rich manure by mixing the manure with one or more additives (I) to give a mixt. in which the water content is lowered sufficiently to give a handleable material.S (I) is e.g. a material contg. CaO, such as quicklime, which evolves heat when mixed with water; a material contg. MgO, such as a dolomite-based prod., which evolves heat when mixed with water; and chemicals which react together with evolution of heat, such as ground phosphate ore and H2SO4, H3PO4, or HNO3.    ADVANTAGE -   The process allows simple processing of organic manures, including residues from biogas fermentation, water purificn. sludges, dredging mud and coal ash, to be dried to a handleable material useful as a fertiliser, without expenditure of energy to evaporate the water, and saving the need to make artificial fertilisers. The prods. are useful as fertilisers for plants and microorganisms and/or for soil improvement.
Method is described to ferment organic material into compost in such manner. The material such as active sludge etc. is fermented by planting seed material, which is previously fermented with the material for 24 hr. or less. (J54138183-A)
Appts. is claimed to ferment organic wastes to produce compost. It has gas discharger to forcibly discharge gas produced in vertical fermenting tank having rotary dewatering unit at wastes feed port formed at upper part of the tank. (J58223680-A)
Methane fermentation equipment has return pump and return tube. Return pump is driven by signal for operating inlet port of fermenter and signal from pH sensor. Drainage having high pH is sent back to fermenter from drainage disposal tank through return tube.    USE/ADVANTAGE -   Drainage smoothly feeds organic refuse around inlet port of fermenter into fermenter. High pH drainage increases pH of digestive soln. in fermenter, resulting in good methane fermentation.
In a methane gas sensor in which gas detector element and temp compensation element are built in a bridge circuit each element carrying a catalyst by means of a carrier, improvement is that the catalyst's oxidn activity for methane of temp. compensation element is set smaller than that of the gas detector element but the catalysts' oxidation activities for oxidisable gases other than methane of the temp. compensation element and the gas detector element are made equal.    USE/ADVANTAGE -   Used for e.g. methane gas detection in ccoal mines. Methane gas detection is effectively implemented in the presence of other oxidisable gases, preventing erroneous actuation and increasing reliability.
Agricultural prods. and their waste, contg. both water and proteins, are treated to produce drinkable water and a dry residue rich in proteins by the following process: (a) the material is placed in a container from which residues can be removed and which is fitted with water condenser; (b) it is heated at 30-80 deg.C, (temp. being controlled by thermostat); (c) a sterilising material is added to sterilise both the water vapour and the residue; (d) the water vapour is condensed and both it and the dried residue are recovered.    USE -   The residue may be used as an animal feed, as a fertiliser or as a fuel, both alone and mixed with other combustible material.
In the processing of raw liq. manure from the excrement of farm animals or a liq. manure which has been subjected to a previous methane fermentation, (A) the liq. manure is basified by mixing with lime, the resulting slurry is sepd. off and the waste water is fed into the upper part of the stripper section of a rectification column in which the ammonia is sepd. off in countercurrent contact with steam; (B) the liq. is then fed into a column pot where the steam for removal of the ammonia is generated by heating, and/or the waste water with reduced ammonia content is removed from the process; (C) the ammonia-contg. steam is fed from the upper part of the stripper section of the column into a condenser in which it is condensed to qive ammonia water; and (D) the ammonia water is fed into an absorber where it is contacted with CO2-contg. gas so that chemical reaction occurs between CO2 and ammonia and (l) a soln. of ammonia chemically bound with CO2 and (2) a qas with reduced CO2 content leaves the absorber.    ADVANTAGE -   Organic impurities in the liq. manure are reduced by 80-90%, N-contq. impurities by ca 90% and phosphorus by ca 99%. Organic impurities and phosphorus are converted into a lime-enriched compact, while N-contg. impurities are converted into a concentrated ammonia-contg. fertiliser. The water content is sterilised under the process conditions. Equipment used is inexpensive, and energy imputs are low. When gas from methane fermentation is used as the CO2-contg. gas ballast, components (chiefly CO2) and sulphate-contg. impurities are removed from the biogas, thus enhancing its value.
Ethane and ethylene are prepd. by the oxidn. of methane with O2 or O2-contg. gases at 600-1000 deg.C in the presence of a catalyst comprising chlorides, bromides or iodides of alkali(ne earth) elements, elements of subgroup IIIb, elements with atomic numbers of 24-30, the lanthanide elements, Ag, Cd, Pb and Bi, singly or in combination, with the proviso that the atomic wt. of the alkali(ne earth) elements, and subgroup IIIb elements is not greater than 139.    ADVANTAGE -   Process allows conversion of methane, which is easily available from natural sources, into C2 hydrocarbons by oxidative coupling, with high selectivity and useful conversions, and by a non-complex procedure.
Min. reflux liq. vol. and temp. required for proper operation of an efficient fractional distn. column need not be obtd. entirely from condensation of the vapour delivered at the top of the fractionation zone of the column. An auxiliary material of less volatility than the prim. constituent of the vapour can be input directly as liq. to the reflux stream or vapour to the condenser, or both. Direct introduction of the auxiliary material in liq. phase may result in operation of a column without a condenser.    USE/ADVANTAGE -   Improved operation of demethanisers in ethylene production plants or natural gas conditioning plants is achieved. As it is much more expensive to install new refrigeration capacity than to change the reflux ratio or install new packing for an existing column and existing columns have some condensation capacity already available, introduction of the auxiliary material in vapour phase is often more convenient and economical.
A household appliance for forming compost from rubbish comprises a cylindrical casing including number of chambers formed by partition walls and is covered by insulator, an inlet for the rubbish and an exhaust cylinder which are arranged on upper surface of the casing, a port for delivering compost and a port for introducing air further comprises a tubular post which is rotatably supported on bottom surface of the casing, perforates the partition walls, driven by a motor, and includes ventilating holes on its wall, number of slashing plates fixed to the post and including spiral-form surface having lower end surface which is nearby to the partition wall and to bottom surface of the casing, communicating port with a shutter arranged on the lowest partition wall, and numbers of holes (13) in the partition walls, said holes being smaller in lower partition walls.    ADVANTAGE -   Rubbish is slashed by the plates and becomes compost by fermentation occuring in hot air which rises through the ventilating holes and through the post, so that compost is formed rapidly without generating bad smell.
A household rubbis treating device comprises an upper chamber and a lower chamber which are formed by a partition wall in cylindrical casing, an inlet for the rubbish, an exhaust cylinder arranged in the chamber, a port for delivering treated substance and an air inlet in the chamber further comprising a rotatable tubular post, which perforates the wall and upper surface of the chamber and includes a handle for rotating the post, number of rotatable plates including lattice in which mesh size becomes smaller in lower plates, number of slashing plates including spiral surface in which lower end surface is nearby to the wall and to bottom surface of the chamber and rising upper end surface, communicating ports which can be opened and closed, and abutting plates having one end fixed to the casing and the other end projecting to a position just near and above the rotatable plates.    ADVANTAGE -   Rubbish is smashed, sieved in the upper chamber, and fermentated. Then the gathered rubbish falls to the lower chamber, where it is slashed by the plates and matured to form compost.
An additive comprising mainly sphagnamic peat is added to dung and the mixt. is heated to 60 deg.C or above under pressure while kneading. A part of the mixt. at least is then mixed with the mixt. having not been kneaded under pressure, and at least once the kneading under pressure at or above 60 deg.C is repeated.    Faeces of chicken, swine and other domestic animals contain proteins, cellulose, hemicellulose and other carbohydrates, lignin and mucous aminosugars. These are degraded to yield complexes of lignin and amino acids or proteins, amino acid cpds. with quinone-type substances and amino acid cpds. with the degradates of carbohydrates, while malodour substances such as ammonia, mercaptan, hydrogen sulphide, trimethylamine and methyldisulphide are deodourised by the reaction with organic acids and quinones from the peat.    USE/ADVANTAGE -   The wastes from stock farming are converted into organic fertiliser and odours are removed. The mixing of already kneaded prod. produces a mixt. of materials at various degradation stages which guarantees soil-improvement effects over a prolonged period.
Method and appts. are described to recover CH4 produced in CH4 fermentation tank having upper clarifying zone and lower stirring zone. Pulp waste is added to excess sludge produced in active sludge treatment of waste water to ferment in the tank.
Examples of support are Na2O-Al2O3 or TiO2, K2O-Al2O3, TiO2, SiO2, or ZrO2, Rb2O-Al2O3, Cs2O-Al2O3, or Na2O-K2O-Al2O3, contg. 0.1-95 wt.% alkali metal oxides. Suitable amt. of catalyst metals is more than 0.01(0.1-1.0) wt.%.    Example of catalyst contg. 10 wt.% K2O and 2 wt.% Ru was prepd. by immersing 2-4mm dia. gamma-Al2O3 pellets in KNO3 aq. soln.; sintering at 500 deg. C for 3 hrs.; immersing in RuCl3 aq. soln.; sintering at 300 deg. C for 3 hrs.; then reducing in 4% H2 gas stream at 400 deg. C for 3hrs..    ADVANTAGE -   Catalyst, working over extended period of time, can provide methane with high efficiency and selectivity at lower temps., e.g., at 400 deg. C 99% of methanol was converted to 60CH4, 15H2, 0.8CO, and 24CO2 (all in mol%).
The catalyst consists of Ru and/or Rh catalyst metals loaded on a support contg. alkaline earth metal oxides.    Examples of the support are MgO-Al2O3 or TiO2, CaO-Al2O3, TiO2, or SiO2, BaO-Al2O3, TiO2, or ZrO2, or BaO-CaO-Al2O3, contg. 0.1-95 wt.% of alkaline earth metal oxides. Suitable content of the catalyst metals is more than 0.01(0.1-1.0) wt.%.    ADVANTAGE -   The catalyst, working over an extended period of time, can provide methane with a high efficiency and selectivity at lower temps., e.g., at 400 deg. C 100% of methanol was converted to 60CH4, 15H2, 0.8CO, and 24CO2 (all in mol.%).    In an example, catalyst contg. 10 wt.% MgO and 2 wt.% Ru was prepd. by immersing 2-4mm dia. gamma-Al2O3 pellets in Mg(NO3)2 aq. soln.; sintering at 500 deg. C for 3 hrs.; immersing in a RuCl3 aq. soln.; sintering at 300 deg. C for 3 hrs.; then reducing in a 4% H2 gas stream at 400 deg. C for 3 hrs..
Bin for the reception and storage of domestic waste and of garden rubbish which is to be converted to compost, is fitted with two wheels and carries a screen insert in the shape of a cage. This is suspended from the rim and is held at the distance from the walls which are slotted near the bottom. The slots permit free access of air. The insert can be made of wire netting with meshes of 3-4 mm.    ADVANTAGE -   USed to store organic waste for longer periods without any small nuisance.
An element sensitive to gas such as C4H10 is claimed to use in gas sensor etc. Element has electrode having lead wire connection formed on baseplate, not contacting with gas sensitive part formed on the plate, and signal output connected to the sensitive part. (J58162850-A)
Organic sewages e.g. cattle excrements and urine, and garbages are anaerobically digested in inclined bottom sealed tank contg. partition frame. Then, methane gas and digestion water are recovered from tank. Latter is transferred to lagoon vessel in which organic purificn. is carried out while aerobic condition and anaerobic condition are intermittently repeated.    USE/ADVANTAGE -   Construction cost and running cost for appts. are small.
Prodn. of C2+ hydrocarbons (esp. ethylene and/or ethane) is effected by contacting CH4 with a catalyst contg. at least one rare earth metal in the presence of O2.    Pref. a mixt. of CH4 and O2 is passed over the catalyst at 500-1000 (esp. 650-750) deg. C and 0-50 (esp. 0-10) kg/cm2 gauge. The catalyst is an oxide of Sc, Y, La, Nd, Eu, Gd, Ho, Er, Tm, Yb or Lu, opt. doped with alkali(ne earth) metal oxide.    The catalysts have high selectivity, e.g. 50-74% for ethane and 11-30% for ethylene.
The supply of amine to a gas desulphurisation absorption column is controlled as a function of the residual concentration of gas in a liquid sample of amine withdrawn from the column. A device for carrying out the process is also claimed.    USE/ADVANTAGE -   For removing hydrogen sulphide from natural gas. The supply of amine is controlled rapidly and accurately.
Waste water contg. organic material together with microorganisms is treated in an anaerobic digester. This comprises a filling of porous medium located in a gas-tight vessel. Waste water enters at the top of the tank and is discharged onto the filling. It passes through the filling and collects in a sump at the base of the tank. Water is recirculated from the sump to the top of the filling.    The sump has concentric sections each with valved conduits leading to recirculation pumps.    USE/ADVANTAGE -   The appts. treats waste water esp. mostos (slops). The recirculation is adjustable to produce an even loading across the filling. The flow through each recirculation pump is adjustable and the amount of liquid withdrawn from each region of the sump is also adjustable.
Waste water with organic material together with microorganisms is treated in an anaerobic digester. The digester comprises a filling of porous medium located in a gas-tight vessel. Waste water is discharged onto the top of the filling and is drained from its lower end. A portion of the drained waste water is recirculated to the top of the bed via multiple pumps. Typically there are eight pumps each with an adjustable flow regulation valve.    USE/ADVANTAGE -   The appts. treats waste water, esp. effluent from fermentation processes, known as mostos. The recirculation is adjustable to produce an even loading distribution across the filling.
Detector comprises a sealed chamber (10) with an internal atmos. of known composition and with a semipermeable membrane (25) allowing passage of the component from the exterior into the chamber. Entry of the component causes a displaceable member to move, this changing chamber vol. with essentially no long-term pressure change. Presence of the component is indicated (36) in response to the movement.    In partic. the component is methane and the membrane is of silicone. The movable member may be a capillary tube (30) with a small bead of liquid (32) or may be an element integral with a capacitive plate so that movement is detected as a change in capacitance. The detector may have a similar chamber but with an impermeable membrane to provide temp. compensation.    USE/ADVANTAGE -   E.g. for domestic use or for mines or gas supply systems, is rugged and simple to use, reliable and inexpensive.
Raw material carbohydrate and steam are supplied to the flue gas of a heating furnace contg. a high temp. steam reforming reactor or are supplied to a middle temp. steam reforming reactor which is heated by effluent gas from the high temp. steam reforming reactor. They are then contacted with prim. reforming catalyst under prim. reforming conditions, to form prim. reforming gas. The prim. reforming gas is heated by heat-exchange with flue gas from the heating furnace. This gas is supplied to the high temp. steam reforming reactor and then contacted with sec. reforming catalyst under sec. reforming condition to form sec. reforming gas.    Pref. the prim. reforming condition is 520-620 deg.C and 10-30 kg/cm2G, steam ratio (H2O mole/C atom of carbohydrate component) of 1.5-3.0, and gas space velocity of 2,000-600 hr-1. The prim. catalyst is 2 wt% Ru on alumina. The prim. reforming gas is principally of hydrogen and methane, and the gas contains carbon monoxide, carbon dioxide, and unreacted steam. Sec. reforming conditions are 700-850 deg.C 10-30 kg/cm2G, steam ratio (H2O mole/C atom of carbohydrate component) of 2.5-5.5, gas space velocity of 2,000-600 hr-1. The sec. catalyst is nickel on alumina. The sec. gas contains over 50 mole% hydrogen, and is at 800-850 deg.C.    USE/ADVANTAGE -   The temp. of the gas supplied to the high temp. steam reforming reactor is raised, so that the thermal load of the heating furnace is decreased.
Concn. microbe obtd. by concentrating insoluble parts of the soln. used for CH4 fermentation and adding water and NaHCO3 is fed to other fermentation tank and then fermentation is started.    Fermentative soln. is taken out of fermentation tank in operation. Concn. of the soln. is carried out by gravity sedimentation or by centrifugal sepn. Microbe concentrate is diluted with water to proper concn. Rapid decrease of osmotic pressure occured by addn. of water result in lowering of fermenting capacity of microbe. To prevent the lowering, NaHCO3 is added to adjust osmotic pressure. NaHCO3 also acts as buffer and prevents lowering of pH in fermentative soln. Addn. amt. of NaHCO3 is determined according to the osmotic pressure of the fermentative soln. before concn. Nutrients, e.g. phosphate, nitrate, etc. and promotor of fermentation can be added.    ADVANTAGE -   As vol. of microbe need for CH4 fermentation is reduced, operation is easy. Damage of microbe by osmotic pressure is decreased.
Method comprises (a) mixing methane-forming microbe with the liquid culture medium contg. acetate, (b) measuring the pH-rise caused from consumption of acetic acid by the microbe and (c) effecting culture with keeping optimum pH value by adding acetic acid.    Usually the liquid culture medium containing N source, P source, S source, minerals, growth factors, acetate, etc. can be used.    USE/ADVANTAGE -   The microbe can be cultured efficiently and cultured product contg. the microbe with high concn., can be obtd.
Low power gasifier for coconut waste has a combustion chamber with an open outlet at its base to an ash box, a hydraulic seal at the base of the ash box, on air inlet to the ash box, and an induced draught fan above the combustion chamber.    ADVANTAGE -   The gasifier is simple, robust, and easy to maintain by unqualified personnel.
Process, and apparatus, for separating methane from substantial amounts of heavier hydrocarbons in a mixed gas by (a) cooling the mixed gas in an indirect heat exchanger with a mixed refrigerant; (b) two stage compressing the refrigerant; (c) separating the methane in a distillation column using the compressed refrigerant to provide heat for the distillation before recycling to step (a) as coolant; (d) the compressed refrigerant from step (c) is split into two portions; (e) a first portion of the refrigerant of step (c) is supplied for cooling in step (a); (f) a second portion of the refrigerant of step (c) provides heat for the distillation prior to cooling in step (a); (g) a second portion of the refrigerant of step (f) is supplied for cooling in step (a); (h) the first portion of the refrigerant of step (e) is fed to the second stage compressor; and (i) the second portion of the refrigerant of step (g) is fed to the first stage compressor.    ADVANTAGE -   The ability to adjust the refrigerant composition to match the cooling and condensing characteristics of the feed in the process permits a degree of freedom not available in other process schemes more rigidly fixed or restrained by equipment designed for a specific process; so lowering overall fuel consumption.
The fluidising bed contains dispersed, calcined limestone, and the bio pulp is pyrolysed under the effect of reactor heat to form tar-mixed gas and charcoal. On flowing upwards in the reactor shaft, the tar is gasified in a heterogeneous catalytic reaction with the limestone and charcoal, and the stone is sepd. from the gas at the top of the shaft, being then fed back to the fluidising bed for combustion.    USE -   To produce a burnable gas with a low tar content. (Provisional Basic previously advised in week 8624)
Prior to feeding raw material hydrocarbon and water vapour into an adiabetic low temp. water vapour reformer, miced water vapour is thermally exchanged with hydrogen rich gas obtd. in a high temp. water vapour reformer. Before feeding the methane rich gas obtd. in a adiabetic low temp. water vapour reformer into high temp. water vapour reformer, methane rich gas is thermally exchanged with flue gas in a heating furnace used to heat the high temp. water vapour reformer.    USE/ADVANTAGE -   Method preheats raw material hydrocarbon and water vapour using hydrogen rich gas and the methane rich gas using flue gas. This reduces the heat load required and fuel consumption is reduced.
Appts. to CH4 ferment organic waste such as garbage, has control unit to control conveyor to pass the wastes to CH4-fermenting tank from crushed waste storage tank following waste suction structure, so that the conveyor operates according to operation time of the suction structure.
A composite membrane for gas separating comprises three layers. The first is porous supporting material layer, the second is first polymer membrane layer having high gas permeability on the supporting layer, and the third is a second polymer membrane layer, having higher permeability and higher sepn. coefficiency than the first polymer membrane.    Specifically the first polymer of the second layer is e.g. polyorgano siloxane, polydimethyl siloxane copolymer. The second membrane is e.g. ethyl cellulose, polyxylene oxide. The supporting material is e.g. polyethylene, polysulphone, PTFE, polypropyrene. The supporting material has following characterisities; average micro pore size of the surface 0.004 - 0.3 microns, pref. 0.004 - 0.1 microns, porosity of the surface 10 - 60 %, pref. 20 - 40 %, membrane thickness 20 - 120 microns, pref. 20 - 60 microns. The gas permeability of the first polymer layer is e.g. 10 power (-8) - 10 power (-7) cc.cm/cm3.sec.cmHg by PO2. The second polymer layer is e.g. 4-methyl penten -1, polystyrene for 02/N2 sepn. or ethyl celllulose, polyxylene oxide for C02/CH4 sepn.    USE/ADVANTAGE -   The membrane is useful for sepn. of 02/C02 or C02/CH4 . Homogenous thickness of the polymer membrane is brought by water-surface development method.
Catalyst is obtd. by contacting (a) a complex of formula CuLn, (b) an activator of formula M'Rm, in molar ratio (b):(a) of 0.3-20, and (c) a conjugated diene, phosphine, amine, arsine or phosphite, in molar ratio (c):(a) of 1-20. L = ionic or covalent ligand; n = number of ligands; M' = Al, Li, Na, Mg or Zn; m = valency of M'; R = H or a hydrocarbon gp.    USE/ADVANTAGE -   (Claimed) Prodn. of hydrocarbons and oxygenated aliphatic cpds. by reacting CO and H2, in molar ratio of CO:H2 of 0.1-2, at 5-400 bars and 240-330 deg.C, for 0.1-120 secs., in presence of a solvent. The solvent is not hydrogenated or hydrogenolysed under the reaction conditions, and is esp. biphenyl, o-terphenyl, decalin, tetralin or tetraglyme. The catalyst gives high conversion and selectivity.
Methane or a methane-contg. gas mixt. is prepd. from a starting mixt. contg. CO, H2 and sulphur cpds., by contacting the starting mixt. at 250-650 deg.C and a press. of 5-140 bars with a thio-resistant catalyst comprising Mo, V or W and opt. an activity promoter chosen from Co and/or Ni, deposited on a CeO2 support.    Pref. catalysts correspond to the formula X/CeO2, X/Co/CeO2, X/Ni/CeO2 or X/Co/Ni/CeO2 in which X = Mo, V or W, and where the CeO2 has a BET specific surface of greater than 10 m2/g, esp. 50 m2/g, a total pore vol. of 0.15-0.5 cm3/g, esp. 0.3-0.4 cm3/g, a packing density of 0.5-2.5, esp. 1-2, an atomic ratio X/Ce = 1/50 to 1/4, esp. 1/20 to 1/7, and an atomic ratio promoter metal /X of 0-1, esp. 0.1-0.5. Pref. the reaction is carried out at a space rate of 100-15000, esp. 4750 hours power -1, a mol. ratio H2/CO of at least 0.3, esp. 1, a temp. of 300-600 deg.C, esp. 500 deg.C and a pressure of 30 bars.    ADVANTAGE -   The catalysts are resistant to deactivation by sulphur, have high activity, good long term stability, and good selectivity to prodn. of methane.
In biotechnological utilisation of paraffin-contg. substrates from petroleum chemistry, in which microorganisms are cultured in a mineral salt medium in presence of a gas contg. O2 and a C source contg. paraffin, with intensive mixing of the phases, the substrate is a residue from hydro-splitting of vacuum distillates from petroleum with b.pt. above 350 deg.C, n-alkane content at least 10%, and chain length 15-50C. Microbial biomass, enzymes, metabolic prods. or metabolites, and the (partially) deparaffinised organic phase are recovered for further use.    USE/ADVANTAGE -   Prodn. of fodder protein, and special enzymes, and prods. of metabolism, e.g. lipids, steroids, nucleotides, vitamins, aminoacids, fatty acids, and other organic acids. Waste materials are utilised, freeing other substrates, e.g. gasoline, petroleum, diesel and gas oil fractions for use in the petroleum industry. The substrate can be used in petroleum chemistry after the (partial) deparaffinisation.
A column reactor contains at least two reactions plugs. Each plug has multiple longitudinal channels with a gas-forming agent attached to them. A bypass channel is provided round each plug either by spacing the plug from the vertical wall of the reactor, or by providing an external bypass conduit. Pref. reaction liquid flows down the column but is recirculated through each reaction plug by a combination of gas flow and downwards liquid flow.    The gas-forming agent may be a microorganism or an enzyme.    USE/ADVANTAGE -   The reaction column may be used to treat lactose to produce methane. Short-circuiting of the liquid medium is prevented by recirculating it through each reaction plug.
The known process for bulk drying of organic feedstocks contg. at least 2.5 wt.% H2O by passage through a fixed bed of a mol. sieve adsorbent (I) is improved by using an adsorption system which contains at least 4 fixed adsorption beds, so that at all times at least 2 beds are involved in treating the H2O-contg. feedstock and at least 2 beds are being regneerated. Suitable (I) include zeolites.    The regeneration process includes (a) draining, (b) heating, (c) cooling, and (d) filling steps, and is regulated so that the cooling step in one bed occurs while another bed is undergoing a heating step. The process is effected using a non-condensible purge gas (II) stream which passes through a closed-loop through the bed to be cooled then the bed to be heated.    ADVANTAGE -   The commercial scale process requires less capital investment, and has greatly reduced energy requirements.
Components of volatile gas contg. methane and heavier components are recovered by one of three specific methods of reflux depending upon the specific requirements of rectification. In each case the process consists of introducing a prim. stream of feed gas under pressure into a heat exchange unit to lower the gas stream temp., dividing the stream in two, the first stream being primarily vapours being directed through an expansion device and then passing through a divider formed in the lower section of a two stage separator, the divider sepg. the vapours and liq., then discharging the liq. directly into the distn. column at a mid point and discharging the vapours into the upper section of the two stage separator for combination with reflux from a sec. feed gas stream, the reflux stream extracting desirable components from the vapours forming a sec. reflux liq. stream, which then enters the distn. column at the top and the vapours combining with vapours from the two stage separator forming a vapour stream to be discharged from the two stage separator.    ADVANTAGE -   Higher recovery levels can be achieved or the consumption of utilities is reduced.
In the process a mixt. of hydrocarbons is split in an absorber (3) at 19-25 Kg/sq.cm. pressure and increased bottoms temp. The produced overhead gas is withdrawn and the column's (3) bottoms rectified in a stabiliser (6), in which part of overhead product is used as reflux and bottom withdrawn as a product. To reduce energy input and to simplify the process, bottomstemp. in the absorber-splitter (3) is held in the range of 90-110 deg. C. In the stabiliser (6) the overhead product consists of ethane. Side fractions of the column are propane and propane-butane mixt.    USE/ADVANTAGE -   In gas industry. Presence of ethane in the stabiliser's feed sharply increases relative volatility of vapour of the propane-butane mixt. and allows to withdraw propane as a side fraction. The high relative volatility of the propane-ethane reduces energy losses in the condenser.
In the process hydrocarbon mixt. is demethanised in an absorber-dimethaniser (2) using as absorbing agent diethanised liq. hydrocarbon mixt. To reduce energy consumption and capital outlay, the dimethanised mixt. is admitted to the bottom of a rectifying column (5), and gas withdrawn from intermediate section of the absorber-dimethaniser (2) is charged to the top of the rectifying column (5).    ADVANTAGE -   The process reduces circulating streams on the trays, allows reduction of size of columns, reduces input of heat into reboilers and cooling of overhead product of the rectifier.
The method involves heating the biomass in the presence of O-contg. neutral organic solvent and water, opt. in the presence of alkaline substance as (a) catalyst, under pressurised inert gas atmos.    The biomass is wood chips, wood powder, bark, bagasse, scrap paper, peat or various leftovers (e.g. animal excreta, sludge, etc.). The organic solvent is pref. methanol, ethanol, butanol, ethylene glycol, acetone, methyl ethyl ketone, dioxane, methyl acetate or ethyl acetate) and used in an amt. of 1-99 wt.% of the aq. mixt. The aq. mixt. is used in an amt. of 2-8 wt. pts. per 100 pts. of dried cellulosic bio-mass. The alkaline material is pref. NaOH, KOH, Na2CO3, K2CO3, NaHCO3, KHCO3, CaO, Ca(OH)2, Na formate or K formate and used in an amt. of 0.001-0.5 wt. pts. per 100 pts. of dried cellulosic bio-mass. The reaction is carried out at 200-400 deg.C under pressurised inert gas (N2, Ar or CO2) atmos. of 5-100 atmos.    USE/ADVANTAGE -   The method provides liq. fuel having calorific power of 7,500-8,000 kcal/kg or liq. chemicals as starting materials for prepg. chemicals. The liq. prods. are recovered easily from the reaction mixt.
Digesting gas generator comprises gas engine using digesting gas generated at sewage processing plant, generator coupled with the engine, and exhaust heat collecting system. Output of generator is regulated by calculating volume of digesting gas necessary to heat digesting tank.    USE/ADVANTAGE -   Capable generating output can be automatically selected for stable running of generating system.
Appts. comprises polygonal rotating drum having panels attached to frames, blades projecting inwards from frames, polygonal guide in centre of drum free to detach and side plates. Compost is mfd. by rotating drum storing compost feed material.    USE/ADVANTAGE -   Assembling and disassembling of appts. is simplified.
Vessel comprises a vessel, an inflow pipe connected to the bottom of the vessel, an outflow pipe to the top of the vessel, inclined plates disposed in the vessel and gas sepg. plates.    USE/ADVANTAGE -   Vessel separates sludge from sewage with higher efficiency.
Method comprises breeding ferments on fire stones in a bioreactor, and flowing waste water into the reactor. The stones have dia. of 8-50mm. The ferments are anaerobes.    USE/ADVANTAGE -   This produces methane at an increased rate and for a prolonged period of time.
Prodn. of CH4 or a CH4-contg. gas from a mixt. contg. CO, H2 and S cpds. comprises contacting with a S-resistant catalyst comprising (a) Mo, V or W, (b) opt. Co and/or Ni as promoter, and (c) ZrO2 as support at 250-650 deg.C and 5-140 bars.    The ZrO2 pref. has BET surface area above 10 (esp. =50) sq. m/g; pore vol. 0.15-0.5 (esp. 0.3-0.4) cc/g; tapped density 0.5-2.5 (esp. 1-2); atomic ratio (Mo, V or W):Zr=1:50-1:4 (esp.1:20 -1:7); and atomic ratio (Co or Ni):(Mo, V or W)=0-1 (esp. 0.1-0.5). The catalyst can be prepd. conventionally by impregnation.    ADVANTAGE -   Owing to the use of ZrO2 instead of the conventional Al2O3, the catalyst gives increased selectivity, activity and stability to ageing. E.g. for a feed mixt. contg. (vol. %) 37.25 CO and H2, 25 H2O and 0.5 H2S at GHSV 4750, 500 deg. C and 30 bars after presulphiding, results for (i) a Mo/ZrO2 catalyst of the invention and (ii), the Al2O3-contg. analogue included: CO conversion (%), 87.9, 61.7; CO conversion after 20 hr. ageing 84.0, 57.4; selectivity of CO to CH4 (%), 36.3, 15.2; same selectivity after 20 hr ageing 35.6, 12.2. S content of more than 4 mole % can be tolerated.
Purificn. of gases contg. water-insoluble contaminants is effected by contacting the gas with an aq. suspension contg. 2-40 wt.% of a biologically inert carrier, opt. loaded with microorganisms. The contaminants adsorbed on the carrier are then broken down by anaerobic fermentation, opt. preceded or followed by aerobic fermentation.    USE/ADVANTAGE -   The process may be used to treat air (e.g. from intensive livestock breeding), industrial waste gases contg. hydrocarbons, fermentation off-gases contg. H2S, flue gases contg. NOx, etc.. Compared with aerobic fermentation, anaerobic treatment produces less sludge, requires small amts. of nutrients, consumes less energy on stirring, etc., and may also produce methane.
A membrane separator is located downstream of a non-membrane sepn. unit and produces a stream for recycling to the non-membrane separator. Typically the process is used in conjunction with a cryogenic separator which produces a liq. nitrogen fraction and a gaseous fraction contg. nitrogen and oxygen gas. This gaseous fraction is fed to the membrane separator to produce an oxygen-rich stream and a second nitrogen-rich stream which is recycled to the cryogenic separator.    USE/ADVANTAGE -   The process is used for liq. nitrogen sepn. from air. It may also be used for sepg. helium from methane, argon from ammonia purge gas, and hydrogen sepn. The membrane separator increases the recovery of the wanted fraction. Typically 75% of nitrogen present in an air feed is extracted as liq. nitrogen of 99.7% purity.
Density of solid substance in primary digesting tank and density of return seed mud is measured, and when the former is found to be greater than the latter, comparator arithmetic and logic unit output a return stop signal to the control unit.    USE/ADVANTAGE -   Return volume of seed mud is regulated according to the volume of the generated methane so that the bacteria volume during primary digesting is properly maintained.
Methane gas produced from liquefied natural gas is repeatedly treated with mutual diffusion process, in which CH4 gas and C3H8 gas are mutually diffused through gas permeable membrane selectively permeable the heavy carbon methane from light carbon methane and first sepn. process to separate C3H8 from CH4 gas from mutual diffusion process by cooling. In second sepn. process C3H8 is sepd. from CH4 in C3H8 gas by mutual diffusion by cooling and in C3H8 gas recovery process C3H8 gas from first and second processes is vapourised and supplied to mutual diffusion process. CH4 gas from second sepn. process is supplied to mutual diffusion process to recover CH4.    ADVANTAGE -   Gas contg. large amount of heavy carbon methane is produced cheaply.
Process comprises heating a mixt. consisting of waste wood powder, powdery coal, and powdery pitch at 80-120 deg.C, and compression moulding the heated prod.    Pref. waste wood powder is bark, saw dust, lumber from thinning, wood damaged by pine weevil, etc. crushed up to 2 mm grain size and having up to 10% adhered water. Pref. powdery coal has up to 3 mm grain size and water content dried by air drying. Pref. powdery pitch has up to 1mm grain size and up to 5% adhered water.    USE/ADVANTAGE -   Proportion of waste wood powder in the compsn. is increased by using powder coal and powder pitch in combination. Unit calorific value per unit weight is increased. The solid fuel generates less SOx or soot, generating less ash. Pollution problems are minimised.
Excess hydrogen gas is removed from methane gas in hydrogen, methane isolation and refining processes. Hydrogen gas is decompressed by expander with decomposed hydrogen gas being used as refrigerant.    USE/ADVANTAGE -   Method reduces cooling power required for refining hydrocarbon decomposed substance.
Prepn. comprises mixing animal excrement with zeolite and fermentation aid, adding microorganisms, and fermenting the mixt. completely.    Pref. mixt. of excrement, zeolite and fermentation aid (e.g. silica) has its water content adjusted to about 60%, microorganisms are added, the mixt. placed in a fermenter, and air supplied from the bottom of the fermenter.    USE/ADVANTAGE -   Harmful microorganisms are killed, the starting mixt. is completely decomposed and the prod. is odourless and contains valuable microorganisms. The prod. improves water retentivity and air permeability of soil, accelerates multiplication of valuable soil microorganisms such as nitrate bacteria, ammonium bacteria and leguminous bacteria. The prod. also controls various pathogenic microorganisms and nematodes.
The reactor comprises multiple stages of shelves of porous material, vent pipe located on top of the shelf, and pipe for fall of immobilising bacteria located at the bottom of the shelf. The bacteria is filled between the pipe for its fall and the shelf top. Discharge port for subject liquid, vent hole and supply port for bacterial are located on the upper part of the reactor, while discharge port for bacteria after reaction is on the lower.    USE -   Produced gas can be easily discharged. Transfer of matters on the surface of the bacteria is accelerated.
Methane fermentating appts. comprises methane fermentating tank, adjuster for adjusting temp. of inside of methane fermentating tank, and controller for controlling temp. adjuster to control temp. of inside of methane fermentating tank. Controller is operated so when amt. of organic waste matter is lower than preset value, temp. of inside of methane fermentating tank becomes low, while when it is higher than preset value, temp. is set high.    USE/ADVANTAGE -   Stable methane fermentating performance can be obtd. even in variation in amt. of organic waste matter.
Powdery fermentating accelerator having negative dissociating gps. on surface is added to methane fermentating liq. Methane fermentating liq. after completion of fermentation is then led to living organism aerating tank, and then led to pptg. tank where fermentating accelerator is sepd. by pptn. Sepd. accelerator is returned to methane fermentating tank.    USE/ADVANTAGE -   Fermentating accelerator can be effectively recovered and returned.
Appts. comprises a methane fermenting tank, warmer for warming digested liq. in the tank with warm water, warm water tank for feeding warm water kept at specific temp. to warmer, gas boiler warming water in warm water tank through combustion of fermentation gas. A heat exchanger provided in warm water tank for recycling excess warm water sepd. from gas boiler and warming warm water in warm water tank. A sensor senses the amt. of stored gas.    USE/ADVANTAGE -   Self temperature maintaining ratio required in fermentation gas can be reduced.
A fermentation drum is a cylindrical tank with horizontal axis, mounted on rollers so that it can roll in either direction. In the pref. embodiment, a transverse partition extends diametrally across the drum from one wall to a certain distance from the opposite wall, dividing the upper part of the drum into two chambers which, however communicate below the partition. The drum is not fully filled with the liq. but the gap below the partition is fully immersed.    Gas outlets are connected to the two chambers and the gas outlet of the smaller chamber is kept closed, while the other is open. The effect of this is that, as biogas evolves in the closed chamber, it forces the liq. downwards on that side, through the gap below the partition, and thus into the chamber on the opposite side, so that the level of the surfaces rises there. The effect of this is to cause the drum to swing back, so that the partition is tilted in the opposite direction and the process is again reversed. In this way, the drum continually stirs the liq. contd. in it and heavy crusts cannot form on the surface.    USE/ADVANTAGE -   For anaerobic treatment of waste matter, to generate biogas and break down the sludge. A typical application is the disposal of slaughterhouse waste, which normally is very difficult to break down. The continuous oscillation of the drum, typically through an arc of approx. 60 deg., results in continual stirring and highly effective anaerobic action. No complex mechanical equipment such as pumps and cycling lines is required. The power for oscillation is generated by the build-up of the gas pressure.
The apparatus has conveyor and chaff storage, and means for conveying and storing forming binder. The chaff is extracted and mixed with binder in a fixed proportion; water is added to the mixt. after measuring its moisture rate. The moisture-controlled chaff and binder is drawn out and subjected to pressure-forming.    USE/ADVANTAGE -   The appts. produces solid chaff fuel with excellent ignition properties, formability, and a high combustion efficiency.
In the prodn. of liq. fertiliser by fermenting a mixt. of urine and excrement, the improvement comprises conducting fermentation reaction in the initial stage in the presence of dissolved oxygen.    Pref. the mixt. of urine and excement is derived from humans and domestic animals. The mixt. is supplied to a fermenter, and oxygen is supplied, pref. with stirring. Addn. of oxygen is pref. conducted by blowing oxygen-contg. gas (e.g. air) or oxygen gas, or by adding liq. oxygen.    ADVANTAGE -   Time required for prepn. of liquid fertiliser can be greatly reduced, and consumption of thermal energy is greatly reduced.
High pressure gas flow, contg. many kinds of aliphatic middle and low class hydrocarbon is cooled down to -120 deg.C or less. Temp. range from room temp. to -120- -160 deg. C is divided into three regions.    USE/ADVANTAGE -   Method isolates methane from condensate of hydrocarbon, with low power consumption being required for compressing refrigerant gas.
Process comprises mixing raw material with fermentation-promoting material and subjecting the mixt. to aerobic fermentation then recovering the fermentation-promoting material from the obtd. compost and recyclising it to the aerobic fermentation step. Opt. the fermentation-promoting material obtained from the compost is recovered as dried fermentation-promoting material which is recycled as dried material to the aerobic fermentation step.    Fermentation raw materials are excrements of domestic animals, sludge, etc. Fermentation-promoting materials are sawdust, wheat straw, chaff, coarse woody material (e.g. wood shavings, chip), etc. Sepn. of the fermentation-promoting material from the compost can be done by use of vibrating sieve.    ADVANTAGE -   Fermentation-promoting material is difficult to decompose by fermentation. The compost contg. fermentation-promoting material effects adversely crops. Since the present compost does not contain fermentation-promoting material, it does not affect adversely crops. Since the fermentation-promoting material can be used repeatedly, running cost can be reduced.
Organic waste whose pH and/or water content have been previously adjusted, is piled in a sealed type fermentor and then introducing hot air to the piled product while stirring sometimes. The improvement comprises using natural ventilation until the temp. of the piled product rises to the temp. optimum for fermentation and thereafter using forced ventilation.    Organic wastes are excrements of domestic animals, vegetable waste, fruit waste, sawdust, bark, drain sludge derived from food industry, etc. The pH is pref. adjusted to 6-8, and water content is adjusted to 50-70%. Hot air (40-60 deg.C) is supplied to the bottom of the fermenter. When the piled product is heated by hot air, aerobic fermentation is initiated due to microorganisms contained in the piled product. When the temp. of the piled product reaches the temp. optimum for fermentation (e.g. 50-60 deg.C), forced ventilation is conducted.    ADVANTAGE -   Organic waste can be completely fermented and dried in a short period. When exhaustion is conducted by forced ventilation before the temp. of the piled product rises to the temp. optimum for fermentation, fermentation reaction is not activated and therefore requires a long time until the fermentation is completed. Release of heat energy and water outside the system can be controlled by natural ventilation, and fermentation can be activated in a short time.
Method comprises adjusting the height of waste matter laid down in a fermentation equipment according to the amt. of waste matter fed, adjusting the air feed according to the height.    USE/ADVANTAGE -   Adopted for fermentating organic waste matter to form compost. Even when waste matter is fed less than a planned amt., fermentation is performed with high efficiency.
Method is described for producing a high pressure gas (I) contg. no carbon monoxide (II) from a gas mixt. (III), involves a step for removing (II) with a solid (II)-absorbent (IV).    As an example of (III), ethylene off gas is listed. As (IV), aluminium halide or cuprous halide supported on an inorganic porous material is useful. The treatment of (III) with (IV) is performed by the pressure swing system or the thermal swing system.    USE/ADVANTAGE -   Processing industrial waste gases contain useful cpds. such as methane. However, they are difficult to be used for recovering useful components because they contain (II). The method enables the complete removal of (II) from (III).
Sepn. of 2C+ or 3C+ hydrocarbons from a gas stream contg. light hydrocarbons and possibly components lower-boiling than CH4 includes (i) partial condensation of the high pressure mixt. and sepn. into a liq. and a gas fraction and (ii) sepn. of the liq. fraction in a rectifying column (I) into a prod. stream contg. 2C+ or 3C+ hydrocarbons, and a residual gas stream largely contg. lighter components; and, as the improvement, (iii) feeding the gas fraction from step (i) to a backwash column (II) in which 2C+ or 3C+ hydrocarbons are washed out of it by the residual gas stream from step (ii) after its partial condensation, and the liq. fraction collecting in the bottom of the column is sent for rectification.    USE/ADVANTAGE -   The process is esp. useful for sepn. of C2H6 or C3H6 from natural gas or refinery waste gas, or sepn. of C2H4 or C3H6 from refinery waste gas. A very full removal of 2C+ or 3C+ occurs in step (iii) even though a lighter fraction is used for the washing. The yield of 2C+ or 3C+ is thereby increased, e.g. to 98.9 % 3C+ from a mixt. comprising (mole %) 15 H2, 3 N2, 37 CH4, 26 C2H6, 14 C3H8, 4 C4H10 and 1 C5H12.
Process for sepn. of 2C+ or 3C+ hydrocarbons from a gas stream (A) contg. light hydrocarbons and possibly components lower-boiling than CH4 includes (i) partial condensn. of the high-pressure mixt. and sepn. into a liq. and a gas fraction, (ii) expansion of the gas fraction with performance of work, and (iii) rectification of the liq. fraction to give a prod. stream contg. 2C+ or 3C+ hydrocarbons and a residual gas stream, largely comprising lower-boiling components; and, as improvement, (iv) further cooling the gas fraction from step (i) before step (ii) by heat exchange with the gas resulting from step (ii), and sepg. before step (ii) the extra liq. thereby condensed.    USE/ADVANTAGE -   The process is useful esp. for sepn. of C2H6 or C3H8 from natural gas or refinery waste qas, or for sepn. of C2H4 or C3H6 from refinery waste gas. Since in step (iv) the cold generates in step (ii) is applied specifically to the gas fraction from step (i), it contributes esp. favourably to increased condensate formation, i.e. to higher 2C+ or 3C+ yields; the condensate is not overcooled. Costs are reduced.
Sepn. of 2C+ or 3C+ hydrocarbons from a gas stream (A) contg. light hydrocarbons and possibly components lower-boiling than CH4 includes (i) partial condensation of the high-pressure mixt. and sepn. into a liq. and a gas fraction, (ii) expansion of the gas prod. stream contg. 2C+ or 3C+ hydrocarbons and a residual gas stream, largely comprising lower-boiling components; and, as improvement, (iv) adding the residual gas stream from step (iii) to the gas fraction sepd. in step (i) before feeding the mixt. to step (ii) and then heating by heat exchange with stream (A).    USE/ADVANTAGE -   The process is useful esp. for sepn. of C2H6 or C3H8 from natural gas or refinery waste gas, or that of C2H4 or C3H6 from refinery waste gas, In step (iv) (usually using a turbine) the residual gas from step (iii) generates more cold than in its prior-art expansion at a throttling valve; and the addn. of the same gas increases (through its higher mol. wt.) the efficiency of cooling of th gas from step (i). Costs are saved.
A composting tank for organic garden and kitchen waste comprises, near the bottom, a sieve or grating, dividing the tank into a larger upper space for composting solids and a small liq.-collecting lower space. The latter leads to a discharge pipe, so that the biologically treated liq. waste can be collected in a bucket.    USE/ADVANTAGE -   For biologically breaking down kitchen and garden waste. Continual drainage-off of the liq. produced greatly reduces the smell.
Purificn. of a 4C hydrocarbon stream arising from the mfr. of methyl tert-butyl ether (MTBE) from a mixt. 4C hydrocarbon feedstock and methanol comprises distn. of the stream leaving the MTBE unit.    The 4C stream from the MTBE unit is pref. fed to the middle region of a distn. column of 10-60 (esp. 15-40) plates, for distn. at 10-100 (esp. 20-60) deg.C and 1-20 (esp. 4-10) bars. MeOH, Me2O and any 3C- hydrocarbons in the feed are removed overhead.    USE/ADVANTAGE -   The 4C stream, depleted in isobutene by reaction with methanol, is a useful feedstock for alklation, oligomerisation or polymerisation, e.g. to poly-n-butenes useful in lubricating oils. The purificn process prevents its deactivation of acidic catalysts, e.g. HF, H2SO4 or H2PO4, useful in alkylation or polymerisation, by impurities including MeOH and Me2O arising from the MTBE process. E.g. the olefins conversion in polymerisation by H3PO4/kieselguhr remained at 98% for 150 hr., instead of falling to 44    over 200 hr. without purificn. MTBE is a gasoline additive.
Methane and nitrogen are separated by (a) passing the feed into a rectification column operating at 200-450 psia; (b) separating the feed into nitrogen-enriched vapour and methane-enriched liquid; (c) partially condensing the vapour by indirect heat exchange with heat pump fluid which is warmed; (d) using at least part of the condensate as column reflux; (e) partially vaporising the methane-enriched liq. by indirect heat exchange with the warm heat pump fluid; (f) employing at least part of the vapour from step (e) as reflux vapour in the column; (g) warming remaining methane-enriched liq. of step (e) with further warm heat pump fluid so that not more than 75 per cent of the remaining methane-enriched liq. is vapourised; (h) further warming the warmed methane-enriched fluid of step (g) by indirect heat exchange with feed prior to passing the feed to the column; and (i) recovering resulting methane-enriched fluid as product methane, thereby providing refrigeration to the column at or below column temperature levels.    USE/ADVANTAGE -   Particularly useful for processing a feed stream from a petroleum reservoir after secondary recovery by N2 injection. Improved single column cryogenic distillation process for the separation of methane and nitrogen driven by a recirculating fluid heat pump wherein added refrigeration is provided to the process at the required temperature levels without need for significant amounts of outside added refrigeration or large expansion of process streams.
Flexible bat is provided in space in fermentation gas storage area in methane fermenter. One end of flexible bag is connected to vent pipe which penetrates wall of methane fermenter and other end is connected to blower and electromagnetic valve. Blower and electromagnetic valve are connected to control unit controlling their operations for gas pressure in fermentation gas pipe.    USE/ADVANTAGE -   Using flexible bag instead of gas tank shows same effects as gas tank. Namely pressure in fermentation gas pipe is equalised, fermentation gas is temporarily stored, and much gas can be discharged to air.
Load input device comprises crusher comprising load input hopper, rotary blade, and stationary blade. Manifold which connects bottom of crusher to lower side wall of conveying unit, and driving unit, which drives crusher and conveying unit; load device is connected to inlet port of methane ferementer.    USE/ADVANTAGE -   Methane fermentation equipment finely crushes organic waste and feeds organic waste into methane fermenter. This controls generation of scum and maintains good digestive soln. stirring rate.
Methane fermentation equipment comprises methane fermenter which stores digestive soln., lower stirring blade, which is around bottom of fermenter and stirs digestive soln. at bottom of fermenter, upper stirring blade, located at digestive soln. level and returns scum layer to digestive soln. and driving unit which drives upper and lower stirring blades.    USE/ADVANTAGE -   Methane fermentation equipment effectively stirs digestive soln. without giving biomass in digestive soln. mechanical damage, so obtaining good methane fermentation.
The sludge is mixed with oil coke in a proportion of 1:2 by wt., after drying, and the mixt. is utilised as an auxiliary fuel in an incinerator for dust and wastes.    USE/ADVANTAGE -   Method effectively utilises sludge produced in the treatment of sewage water by mixing with oil coke to raise the heating value of the mixt. from about 4000 kcal/kg to about 6000 kcal/kg. Emission of offensive odours from the sludge when being burned can be avoided, and the treatment cost of the sludge can be greatly reduced.
More than two components contg. gas mixt. is dissolved in a solvent, and the liq. is contacted with a porous polymer membrane, having more than 80 degrees contacting angle.    The absorbing solvent is e.g. water, alcohol, aldehyde, ester, ketone, amine, amide or hydrocarbon. The gas mixt. separatable with water, is CO2 gas, H2S, NH3, HCl, CO, O2, SO2 etc. The gas mixt. separatable with ethylene glycol, is CO2, NH3, H2S, SO2, ethylene, acetylene, ethane, O2 etc. The membrane is made from e.g. polyolefin gp. polymer, fluoro polymer or silicone treated polymer. The pore size of the membrane is pref. 0.005-50 microns.    USE/ADVANTAGE -   Useful for sepn. of one gas from gas mixt. The method has the advantages of easy sepn., permeability, safety, stability and utility.
The gas distribution station described in the Parent Cert, has a gas turbo-generator (1) with expander (D), reducer (P) and electrogenerator (G), pressure regulator (2), and ejector (3). Turbogenerator (1) inlet pipe (4) is connected to high pressure manifold (5) with heat exchanger (6) and its outlet pipe (7) is connected to low pressure manifold (8). The station additionally contains a heater (35) and jet pump (37) connected to high pressure line and oxygen compressor (24).    USE/ADVANTAGE -   For natural gas prepn. Improved economic efficiency. Bul.43/23.11.85
Cell comprises a container, a wall at least in part permeable to a desired species, the wall closing the container, an electrolyte and an electrode immersed in the electrolyte. The electrode is of, or is fed by, wire thinner than 0.2mm dia. and the length of the wire in contact with the electrolyte is limited by a resilient sealing ring compressed between the container and the wall, in which the ring, the container and wall define a volume containing the electrolyte and into which the wire protrudes.    ADVANTAGE -   No ionic material dissolved in the solvent is used as supporting electrolyte to avoid any undesirable contribution to the background current from the oxidation of such ionic material.
The Parent patent described a process in which a mixt. of water vapour and methanol vapour is cracked at 130-950 deg.C under a pressure of 1-100 bars in the presence of at least 2 catalysts, one specially for cracking the methanol and the other for converting the produced gases into e.g. hydrocarbons, CO2, CO and H2, the molar ratio water vapour/methanol and CO2/methanol being 0.2-10. The vapour forming reaction is effected in presence of CO2 by direct addition of the gas and/or recycling and heat is supplied during vapour forming by a heat exchange fluid flowing cocurrently with the fluids of the process.    In the patent of addition, the vaporisation and heating of the methanol-water reaction mixt. are effected directly inside the combustion zone of the residual gas, pref. at 300-500 deg.C.    ADVANTAGE -   Purification yield is increased up to 80%, methanol consumption is decreased by several percents, investment cost is reduced and impure methanol can be used.
Compost, stored in dumps, is turned over and screened by a bucket wheel driven by the power take-off from a tractor. This charges the compost on a vibrating screen followed by a hammer mill for the overflow. The mixed material is either re-deposited or collected in a container.    ADVANTAGE -   This combines the turnover and screening operations of compost heaps in one mobile appliance.
A method for fermentation of a stockbreeding waste comprises (a) mixing the stockbreeding waste, synthetic wollastonite and conc. sulphuric acid to condense and granulate the mixt., (b) adjusting the granules to pH 6-7.85, water content of 65-78.5% and a temp. of 25-35 deg.C and (c) spontaneously fermenting the granules at a place not influenced by rainfalls. The stockbreeding waste is suitably fowl droppings. Fermentation is pref. carried out at 35-75 deg.C while the water content of the granules is maintained at 35-45%, if necessary by water supplementation.    USE/ADVANTAGE -   Fermentation of the treated material yields a prod. usable as excellent fertiliser, soil improver and fermenting medium for stockbreeding wastes. Quality control during the fermentation is easily carried out and uniform powder can be produced. The powder obtd. by the fermentation for 25 days is brown, dry powder having a sweet, nice smell of soil.
Prepn. of compost comprises fermenting a mixt. of excrement of domestic animals and humans, plant fibres and dolomite and/or calcined dolomite. The mixt. is adjusted to water content 50-20 wt.%, pref. about 30 wt.%. Dolomite and/or calcined dolomite is added in amt. of 1 pt. wt. per 40-20 pts. wt. mixt. of excrement and plant fibre. The calcined dolomite can be obtd. by calcination of dolomite at about 2,000 deg.C, and contains as major component magnesium oxide and calcium oxide. Fermentation is conducted aerobically while stirring or supplying air.    ADVANTAGE -   Addn. of dolomite and/or calcined dolomite shortens the fermentation period, reduces thermal energy and prevents generation of bad smell during fermentation. Fermentation activity of microorganisms in the excrements is alsopromoted.
The catalyst which is used to produce CH4-contg. gas from MeOH or its water mixt., consists of a support contg. alumina, titania, or zirconia and Ru or Rh.    Suitable amts. of Ru or Rh loaded are 0.01-10 (0.1-5) wt.%. The catalyst is used generally at 200-600 deg.C and 0-100 Kg/cm2G. Suitable reactant is a MeOH-water mixt. contg. 1-1000 pts.wt. of water w.r.t. 100 pts.wt. of MeOH. An example of the catalyst was prepd. by immersing gamma-Al2O3 supports 2-4 mm dia. into a rhodium chloride aq. soln. to deposit 2 wt.% of Rh; then reducing the whole in a 4% steam stream at 400 deg.C for 3 hrs..    ADVANTAGE -   The catalyst has improved activity, selectivity, and durability. At 400 deg.C, 100% MeOH can be converted to a CH4-contg. gas,whose compsn. is, e.g., CH4:61, H2:16, CO:0.8, CO2:22 and others: 0.2 (all in mole %).
n-Butane is isomerised to iso-butane by contacting n-butane at less than 50 deg.C for less than 30min. with a liq. catalyst compsn. (I) and recovering iso-butane. (I) is essentially 95-99 wt% fluorosulphuric acid and 5-1 wt% of protic co-acid(s) (HF; H2SO4; or trifluoromethane sulphonic acid). HF/H2SO4 and HF/ trifluoromethane sulphonic acid mixts. may be used as (I). A 2-10C olefin (0.05-10, esp. 1-5 wt%) is added to the butane charge stock. Isomerisation is effected continuously. Contact is at 10-30 deg.C for 30 sec. to 5 min.    USE/ADVANTAGE -   The process can be used e.g. for purified or field butane streams or a C4 refinery cut. Conversions of about 70% iso-butane are obtd. with minimal prodn. of cracked and sec. reaction prods.
A process for the treatment of industrial or agricultural waste matter including animal protein comprises (a) obtaining the waste matter in the form of an aqs. mass, (b) chopping up the aqs. mass, (c) treating the chopped mass with proteolytic enzymes of microbial origin so as to form a fluent suspension, (d) obtaining a gelatinised starch content in the suspension and (e) adding to this suspension amylolytic enzymes of microbial origin and a lactic acid producing culture and fermenting anaerobically at 20-65 deg.C to produce simple sugars and lactic acid whereby a preserved prod. is obtd. Pref. the aqs. mass in step (a) contains 15-45% dry matter. The suspension after step (c) is pref. sterilised at 130-180 deg.C for 5-60 mins. In step (e) a process accelerator may be added e.g. Mn(+2), Co(+2), Fe(+2), Zn(+2) or Cu(+2) at 0.08-0.8 ppm. The lactic acid bacteria is e.g. of the species Lactobacillus acidophilus, Streptococcus lactis, Pediococcus acidilactici, Lactobacillus plantarum or Streptococcus thermophilus.    USE/ADVANTAGE -   Food prods. may be obtd. from by-prods. from slaughter houses, the leather processing and food industries and from perished farm animals. The prod. can be stored for a long period without spoiling and compared to known processes the prod. can be prepd. with better economy. The proteins are used by young animals (piglet, calf, lamb) better because they are pre-splitted by the protease enzyme. Due to its compsn. the preserved meat-mash hinders the development of gastroenteritis.
A methane reactor for the processing of organic waste has a reaction space, surmounted by a gas space enclosed relative to atmosphere. At least one partition in the liq. level area divides a space from the reactor in which at least one baffle plate thickener is used to separate the biomass from the liq.    ADVANTAGE -   This creates a compact unit which requires no additional facilities for backflushing and cleaning of the filter bed of packing.
New agents for the treatment of liquid manure consists of a combination of (A) an enzyme mixt. of proteases (pref. proteinases), amylases, lipases and cellulases with the addition of amyloglucosidases, (B) clay minerals and (C) adjuvants and fillers.    Clay mineral (B) is pref. kaolin. Pref. adjuvants or fillers (C) are calcium chloride and/or sugar. Pref. agents contain 2-10 wt. pts. enzyme mixt. (A), 20-50 wt. pts. clay mineral (B) and 40-70 wt. parts adjuvant or fillers (C).    USE/ADVANTAGE -   Additives to liquid manure to prevent the formation of solid crusts or sheets (which interfere with the performance of mechanical devices such as stirring paddles and impair air flow characteristics and homogenisability) and to reduce offensive odours. The agents are detergent-free, and can be bacteria-free. When the agents are added to liquid manure, nitrogen losses normally associated with storage, pumping, etc. do not occur.
The particle concn. in liquids is measured by measuring the intensity of the luminous flux scattered by the particles.In addn. a second measurement before or after the diffused light measurement is used to determine simultaneously the intensity of the transmitted light and once more of the diffused light. The former is calculated from the difference of the total light flux of the second measurment. Finally the diffused luminous flux is divided by the transmitted luminous flux.    USE/ADVANTAGE -   This method is suitable over a wide range and produces precise results with little appts.. For biomass concn. in fermenters or sewage.
A two-stage anaerobic once-through biological treatment reactor for organic substances operates with concentric acid and methane phases. These are connected together by an annular gap and which has a separate gas space. The inner reactor chamber possesses a conical bottom.    Between the inner and outer chambers, an intermediate reaction chamber is provided, divided into two sections; the inner section is contd. within a conical dome, which forms, together with the conical top of the acid reactor chamber, an annular gap. The second section of the intermediate chamber is open at the bottom to the outer reactor chamber.    This outer chamber also has a conical bottom, corresp. to that of the inner chamber. A downpipe feeds substrate into the lower region of the acid chamber, from which it ascends. An overflow funnel at the liq. surface in the section of the intermediate chamber discharges floating sludge, while at the lowest points of the conical bottoms of the two stages solids discharge lines are provided, together with a number of flushing pipes.    USE/ADVANTAGE -   For treatment of organic wastes of animal, vegetable or human origins, combined with the prodn. of biogas. The biogas produced has an extremely low hydrogen sulphide content. The space required for treatment is small and consequently the throughput rate is high. Formation of floating sludge is prevented.
A method of prodn. of hydrogen sulphide-free biogas, by hydrolysis with acid fermentation followed by methane fermentation in separate process stages is as follows. The substrate introduced into the acid phase executes an upward flow, the hydrogen sulphide thus formed being continuously desorbed by pressure reduction; this gas is separately stored and removed, while the substrate, freed of the gas, passes to the methane phase.    This methane phase comprises an intermediate and a main phase, through which the substrate passes with two changes of flow direction. In the intermediate phase, acetic acid is preferentially formed, and the active substrate from the final phase is recycled into the acid phase.    USE/ADVANTAGE -   For prodn. of hydrogen sulphide-free biogas in two stages comprising hydrolysis and acid fermentation followed by methane fermentation in separate stages. Raw materials are animal, vegetable and/or human waste. Extremely low content of hydrogen sulphide in the gas produced, efficient use of the space available and a high throughput rate. Minimal prodn. of floating sludge. Loss of methane bacteria is minimised.
A method of producing biogas with min. hydrogen sulphide content operates with hydrolysis and acid fermentation in one stage and methane fermentation in a second,separate stage.    In the acid phase, the substrate substances are subjected to an upward flow movement, while the hydrogen sulphide which forms in the substrate and becomes dissolved is continuously desorbed by pressure redn. and is then separately stored.    The substrate, free of hydrogen sulphide, now passes into the methane phase, from which active substrate is simultaneously recycled back to the acid phase.    USE/ADVANTAGE -   For biogas prodn. by hydrolysis and acid fermentation on the one hand and methane fermentation on the other hand, in two separate process stages. Prodn. of hydrogen sulphide in the resultant gas is reduced to an absolute min.. Methane bacteria loss is minimised.Floating sludge accumulation is prevented.
A gasifier for the treatment of biomass includes a combustion chamber partially lined with graphite. The graphite acts as a catalyst and pref. is formed from compressed high density material to form shaped components with smooth surfaces. Graphite is provided in the regions of the combustion chamber where carbon deposits would otherwise form. Pref. the gasifier includes a reaction chamber upstream of the combustion chamber.    USE/ADVANTAGE -   The gasifier treats waste wood, grass or root vegetables. The formation of soot on the heat exchanger is reduced by the presence of the graphite.
Method, and appts., for sepg. nitrogen from methane in a gaseous mixt. including both in which the gaseous mixt. is cooled to a temp. below that of boiling methane and above that of boiling nitrogen; the cooled mixt. is fed into a nitrogen-methane cyrogenic fractionator; a liq. distillative aid of ethane, propane, isobutane, normal butane or their mixts. enters the fractionator as reflux; a bottoms fraction of distillative aid and liq. methane is withdrawn from the fractionator and passed to a regenerator where the mixt. is heated and sepd. by methane evaporation; and the distillative aid from the regenerator is cooled and recycled to the distillation column.    ADVANTAGE -   The presence of an absorbent or distillative aid in a nitrogen-methane distillation tower results in a greatly increased critical pressure for the mixt. which reduces recompression costs for the product gas(es). The use of a distillative aid enables efficient methane condensation at substantially higher temps. than has been possible in prior condensation procedures. A very low circulation rate for distillative aid is possible since removal of methane occurs at condensation temp. where absorption is not limited by max. absorptive capacity of the distillative aid.
Prod. or nutrient for accelerating the composting of agricultural or industrial cellulosic wastes comprises carbohydrates (I) which are rapidly assimilated by microorganisms. (I) are sugars, e.g. sucrose or glucose, and/or starches. Pref. the prod. may also contain include (1) proteins, or their degradation prods. such as peptone or amino acids, to activate further bacterial growth; (2) nitrogenous materials to improve the NiC ratio of the material for composting; (3) microorganisms able to hydrolyse cellulose or lignin; (4) enzymes, e.g. hydrolase or cellulase, to promote composting; (5) colloids to fix the microorganisms and/or enzymes onto the substrate and (6) buffers.    USE/ADVANTAGE -   The prod. provides rapid hydrolysis of cellulose and lignin in e.g. grape skins, sawdust, straw or waste paper. The compost is prepd. in only 1-2 months; has high water absorption capacity; is rich in organic (esp. humic) substances and is superior to peat.
Process, and apparatus, for deparating a hydrocarbon gas containing at least ethane and C3 components into a fraction (38) containing a predominant portion of the ethane and lighter components and a fraction (31) containing a predominant portion of the C3 and heavier components, in which (a) the feed gas is treated in heat exchangers (110,111,112) and expansion steps (114,116) to give a partly condensed hydrocarbon gas (25) giving a first residue vapour and at least one C3-containing liquid, also containing lighter hydrocarbons, and (b) at least one of the C3-containing liquids passes into a distillation column (115) in which the liquid is separated into a second residue (30) containing lighter hydrocarbons and a C3-containing product (31), the process being characterised by (c) cooling the second residue (30) to partially condense it; (d) contacting part of the first residue vapour (25) with part of the liquid portion of the partially condensed second residue (30) in at least one contacting stage (118) and separating the liquids and vapours; (e) supplying the liquids (26) recovered to the distillation column (115) as a liquid feed; and (f) directing the vapours (37) recovered into heat exchange relation with the second residue (30) from the column (115) thereby cooling step (c), and discharging the residue gases (38).    ADVANTAGE -   The process provides improved recovery of propane or propylene per amount of horsepower input required to operate the process.
A two-stage process for anaerobic treatment of sewage, slurries and other waste prods. is carried out as follows.    In the first, acid phase the sewage is hydraulically circulated and the solids broken down in an open-topped tank, accompanied by hydrolysis and acid prodn., the dwell time being adjusted to give a pH value less than 6.    In the second closed phase after-clarification is carried out together with symbiotic acetate and methane formation; methane fermentation takes place on the principle of extended flow equilibrium while at the same time the solids content is controlled according to measurements of the reaction time and solids concentration, by one of two systems; either the solids content is reduced by direct drawing off from the acid phase, circulation being arrested in this phase, or the solids concentration in the closed, second phase is increased by transferring substrate from the acid phase while the latter is thoroughly circulated.    In the system as a whole, additional control of the substrate solids is maintained by appropriate recycling of the treated medium from the methane fermentation stage or by diluting with water at the inlet to the acid phase and removing solids and excess sludge from the hoppers of the second phase.    USE/ADVANTAGE -   For treatment of organic sludges, sewage and waste prods. either from industry or from domestic systems. Maximum specific gas yield is achieved for a given quantity of substrate and reaction space. The flexibility of the association between the first and second phases greatly improves efficiency of operation according to the varying quality of the entering sewage.
Processing method for carbonaceous wastes and biomass comprises reacting these materials with H2-contg. gases and/or H2-transferring cpds. at 75-600 deg.C and 1-600 bar. Throwaway hydrogenation catalysts may be used, including dust and ash from coal processing, hearth-type furnaces, the high temp. Winkler gasificn. process or the hydrogenative gasificn. of coal to methane. Esp. suitable are Fe-contg. throwaway catalysts, e.g. red mud or Bayermasse.    USE/ADVANTAGE -   The processable wastes include those from plastics, wood, textiles, paper and foodstuffs, agricultural and forestry wastes, solvents, used oils, and rubber tyres. Coal and petroleum residues may be added to the charge. The method avoids dumping, and the emissions of CO2, NOx, SO2 and dioxins from incineration methods. The useful prods. include 1-4C gases and liq. hydrocarbon fuels boiling in the range gasoline to heavy oils.
Newspapers, journals, cardboard, foils and other wastepaper are rolled into firm cylinders for use as fuel in a piece of furniture in which an endless belt runs over four fixed pulleys, one driven by a hand crank, and a retractable pulley joined to the sliding top. The belt also suspends a loose pulley around which the newspapers etc., inserted through a slot are tightly wrapped when the crank is turned. When wound to the dotted circle, the top can be slid back and the roll extracted.S    ADVANTAGE -   This requires no soaking and prevents damage to chimneys.
In the prepn. of humus by composting C-contg. organic material in the presence of N-contg. substances under aerobic conditions, the N-contg. substance consists, partly or entirely, of mash from beer-brewing. The amt. of mash used is such that the C:N ratio, by wt., is (10-30) : 1.    USE/ADVANTAGE -   The compost can be used directly for gardening. The process can also be used for surface-composting garden waste and in the laying out of raised flower-beds. High-quality humus is obtd. quickly, e.g. in 6-10 weeks, from raw materials including paper waste. No special measures are required for controlling pH, moisture and other parameters.
The gas-analyser contains optically match light-emitting diodes at different wavelengths, an optical cell with inlet and outlet ports and a photoreceiver connected to an electronic signal detector. It has light-emitting diodes with parabolic mirror reflectors (4). The photoreceiver has a concave mirror (7). The inlet port is a holographic diffraction grating (5). The diffraction angle is zero when the radiation of the diodes is incident on the grating.    USE/ADVANTAGE -   As optical instrumentation for design of gas-analysers, esp. infrared gas-analysers for methane. Accuracy and sensitivity are increased by the radiation fluxes of the light-emitting diodes being used more fully, e.g. to measure methane pre-explosion hazard concn. The reflectors increase signal intensity 29-fold. Bul.39/23.10.85.
Decomposition prod. is sepd. to supply liq. to methane removing tower and light gas. The light gas is sepd. to form hydrogen fraction and methane fraction, and cooled. Supply liq. is sepd. to ethylene fraction and methane fraction. Both methane fractions are admixed and led into plate part of the methane removing tower.    USE -   Ethylene can be recovered in a high yield.
Waste water or organic waste material is treated first by anaerobic biological degradation of high molecular complex compounds (pollutants) in the waste water to low molecular soluble organic intermediates by hydrolysing and acid producing microorganisms, further conversion to acetate H2 and CO2 partly to biogas; then by more complete conversion of the low molecular, soluble cpds. to acetate, H2 and CO2 and subsequently to biogas in an upflow or downflow anaerobic filter contg. a dense population of microorganisms, mainly methane producing bacteria; and finally to one or more aerobic biological treatments of the waste water.    USE/ADVANTAGE -   In a small plant for treatment of e.g. pig waste or industrial waste water. Suitable for continuous stable operation with operating costs low due to few moving parts. The waste water flows through the anaerobic filter by gravity so no expensive pumps are required. The system is efficient, cheap and reliable.
A pulsed bioreactor, for a very high microbial or enzymatic reaction rate per unit vol. of the reactor, is filled with packs of foam which are periodically compressed. The microorganisms or enzymes settle on the porous surface and convert the organic sewage into biogass and clear water.    ADVANTAGE -   This combines a high surface-to-vol. ratio with a uniform flow distribution over the sponge cross-section.
A reactor to produce gas and biocarbon from biomass and organic waste consists of a central concurrent-flow gasifier inside an annular pyrolysis chamber. A mixture of low-temperature carbonisation gases from the pyrolysis chamber is gasified with primary air and a part of it is discharged separately. The remainder is burned with secondary air and the gases of combustion circulate around the pyrolysis chamber to heat it.    ADVANTAGE -   This produces gas and biocarbon (charcoal) in a flexible ratio and can process straw, bagasse, cotton or banana refuse, available in seasonal peaks.
Methane fermentation of water which contains organic pollutants is carried out in 2 sequential but separate stages, using acid-forming microorganisms in the first stage, and methane-forming microorganisms in the second. The new feature is that the feed water is pasteurised, at least before supplying it to the second stage. Also new is an appts. for this process having a pasteurisation unit positioned between the first and second fermentation zones.    USE/ADVANTAGE -   The method is esp. applied to clarified sludge. Pasteurisation eliminate carry-over of acid-forming organisms to the second stage, providing better control over process conditions. Compared with the usual one-step process, this method gives more thorough decomposition of organic material, esp. cellulose.
Method involves compressing cellulosic biomass under inert gas in the presence of aq. medium under alkaline conditions and heating the aq. medium at around the critical temp. of the aq. medium.    Suitable cellulosic biomass contains wood, wood chip, wood flour, cellulose, waste paper, animal night soil, sludge, peat, etc. Suitable alkali is NaOH, KOH, Na2CO3, CaO, etc. and suitable inert gas is N2, argon, CO2, etc. The amt. of alkali used per pt. wt. cellulosic biomass is 0.01-0.3 pts. wt. Suitable reaction pressure is 5-100, pref. 5-40 atmos., and suitable temp. is 360-385, pref. 375 + or - 3 deg.C.    In an example, liq. fuel having fluidity and solubility in acetone is obtd. from wood powder in 20-25 wt.% yield. The analytical value of the oil is 68.5-73.5 wt.% C, 7.8-9.4 wt.% H, and 18.7-22.1 wt.% O; the calorific value of the oil is 7820 kcal/kg.    USE/ADVANTAGE -   Prods. have remarkable different characteristics from prods. obtd. under other conditions and a different fluidity. The prods. have calorific value of 7000-8000 kcal/kg and are useful as a fuel.
Motor-driven shaft is provided in centre of box body with suction opening and discharge opening at lower and upper portions, respectively with fixed blade being arranged near suction opening. Vertical pump in which rotary blades, propellor vanes, and screw feeder are attached to shaft is arranged in adjusting tank for storing load fed to methane fermentation tank, and is driven by controller.    USE/ADVANTAGE -   Transfer amt. accuracy is increased.
Methane gas storage tank is connected to methane gas generating fermentating tank. Combustion device for converting methane gas into heat energy is connected to methane gas tank. On-off switchable methane concn. device is arranged in gas path connecting gas tank and combustion device.    USE/ADVANTAGE -   Ignition in combustion device is assured.
A catalyst precursor (I) is produced by incorporating a Kandite mineral (II) into a water-insol. complex formed by coprecipitating a divalent Gp. VIII metal (M1) cpd. and a trivalent metal (M2) cpd. from a mixed soln. (III) of water-sol. salts thereof with an alkaline precipitant (IV), followed by calcination of the complex; the process is characterised by the incorporation of II into III prior to precipitation, and by wt. ratio M1:M2 not less than 3:1 (calculated as oxides in calcined I).    Methane-contg. gas is produced by passing a mixt. of steam, hydrogen and oxides of carbon over a methanation catalyst at 250-550 deg.C; the catalyst is prepd. by reducing I prepd. as above.    USE/ADVANTAGE -   The catalyst obtd. from I has high initial activity and good retention thereof, good retention of surface area and good dispersion of catalytic metal. The methanation process may utilise synthesis gas obtd. by steam-oxygen-ash slagG in gasification of coal.
(ES8602453-A)      The organic material, of human, animal and/or vegetable origin is fed into a closed container after sprinkling with a substrate and put into circulation inside the container. The gas produced is collected and the degraded prods. removed, with re-introduction of bio-gas into the mass entering the container.
Method, and apparatus, of recovering biogas, comprises passing the gas sequentially through first and second stage spray scrubbers in which a carbon dioxide-absorbent liquid is atomised to remove carbon dioxide from the biogas, regenerating the absorbent liquid which has passed through the first scrubber and the absorbent liquid which has passed through the second scrubber and returning the regenerated liquid to the scrubbers for atomisation.    ADVANTAGE -   The provision of two spray scrubber in series with regeneration of the carbon dioxide absorbent used in each scrubber and the recycling of regenerated absorbent enables the apparatus to be compact since it does not require a continuous supply of fresh absorbent.
Treatment of aq. sludges contg. organic components is effected by adding an alkaline substance (I).    (I) is CaO or Ca(OH)2 and is added batchwise or continuously in a flow-type mixer. The prod. is dried and comminuted to produce 2-5 mm granules.    USE/ADVANTAGE -   The process is esp. useful for treating filter residues from beer prodn., giving a granulatable prod. which is readily disposed of or used as a soil improver or compost component.
The Parent Patent described a drying system for a mixt. of domestic refuse and sewage sludge by aerobic rotting, air and solar heat, followed by a low-temp. carbonisation. It is now suggested to dry the biomass to 20% residual moisture content in an appts. used in the paper and pulp industry but covered by transparent material for solar heating. Hydraulic cylinders reciprocate ladders with flights as indicated by the arrow over the platform with slots for air blast, covered by the overlaps.    ADVANTAGE -   This uses a well proven appts. of the paper and pulp industry for the drying of biomass.
In a 2-stage anaerobic methanogenic purificn. of waste water in reactors with retained or recycled biomass, (a) in the 1st stage, with a residence time corresp. to the highest rate of gas formation, but not more than 24 h, the easily assimilable cpds. are broken down and (b) in the 2nd stage, adjusting the microbial population to the effluent from the 1st stage, the difficultly assimilable cpds. are broken down.    The residence time in the 1st stage is 5-15 h. Both stages are at 15-60 (25-40 or 50-60) deg.C and pH 6.5-8. The bacterial population in the 2nd stage is adapted to the effluent from the 1st stage by selection and/or adaption. Gas formed in the 1st stage is fed to the 2nd stage together with the effluent.    ADVANTAGE -   Waste water with a high content of organic matter can be treated. Residence times are short. CH4 yield is increased.
In the anaerobic breakdown of organic matter in waste water in reactors with retention of biomass, the waste water is treated discontinuously at 15-60 (25-40 or 50-60) deg.C and pH 6.6-8.9. After reaching the intended degree of breakdown, pref. after the conclusion of the rapid phase of breakdown, the waste water is withdrawn from the reactor. The reactor is then charged immediately with fresh waste water, and at the last addn. of a series of discontinuous reactor operations, the waste water is left in the reactor.    USE/ADVANTAGE -   Municipal, agricultural and industrial waste waters can be treated. Little control is needed. Non-uniform supply conditions, e.g. variations, possibly seasonal, in water compsn., can be tolerated. Dilution is not necessary even at high chemical O2 requirement (50-100 g/l)
Prodn. of CO2 for use in glasshouses is effected by adding CO2 to methane-contg. biogas in the course of its prodn. by fermentation of biomass in a biogas reactor in the dark under a pressure of up to 2 kPa to produce a gas contg. 30-50 vol.% CO2, and burning the gas at ca. 700 deg.C in combustion chambers located in the glasshouse using air at room temp. under a pressure of ca. 0.2 kPa.    In an example, a 100 sq.m glasshouse used to grow cucumbers produces 60 kg of plant waste per day. Continuous fermentation of this waste in a biogas reactor at 55 deg.C produces 5 m3 of biogas comprising 50% CO2 and 50% CH4 in 5 days. The biogas is supplied to four burners in the glasshouse, producing 10 kg of CO2 per day, which is sufficient to maintain the CO2 concn. in the glasshouse atmos. above that in the outside air.
Heavier components of a vapour stream are separated from ethane and lighter constituents of a natural gas stream by using a mixed refrigeration system having two phase flow for refrigeration to facilitate separation of ethane, methane and lighter constituents of the natural gas stream from the hydrocarbon components, such as propane and heavier gases. The separation process takes place in two stages; (a) the inlet gas stream is cooled in exchange with refrigerant and residue gas and partially condensed; and (b) the condensed mixture is fed to a fractionation tower, where the ethane, methane and lighter gases are separated from the other hydrocarbons using indirect heat exchange with the mixed refrigerant to provide the energy used for distn.    ADVANTAGE -   Economical refrigeration process for recovering propane and heavier hydrocarbons from a natural gas stream by indirect heat exchange.
The cyclic, two-step methanation process is carried out so that the exothermic heat of reaction generated during each step is removed from the catalyst bed prior to the exposure of the catalyst bed to the exothermic heat of reaction of the next succeeding step of the process so that operations are maintained in a temperature range of 230-310 deg.C. Complete removal of all heat generated during each cycle is achieved. The exothermic reaction steps of disproportionation of the carbon monoxide content of a feed gas stream to form active surface carbon, and the reaction of the carbon with steam to form methane, can thus be carried out on a cyclic basis without a steady build up of heat from cycle to cycle.    ADVANTAGE -   Improved process for the low cost production of methane from carbon monoxide-containing gas streams in practical commercial operations. The catalytic production of methane is provided on a cyclic two-step basis without disruption due to build-up of heat from cycle to cycle.
In petroleum industry, hydrocarbons are hydrogenated over a catalyst, made by mixing a metal hydride with a carrier, which is then dried and ignited. A more active and stable catalyst is made from Zr- or Hf-hydride alloyed with Ni or Co. The carrier is Al(OH)3 or SiO2 or Al2O3-silica gel. The compound catalyst is ignited at 500-550 deg. C.    Typically, 0.5g of ZrNi hydride is mixed with 10g Al(OH)3, the product is moulded to 2mm gran. size, dried at 110 deg. C and ignited at 550 deg. C for 1 hr. It is tested as follows: a reactor is charged with 1.75g of catalyst and benzene vapour mixed with hydrogen is passed over the catalyst at 180 deg. C and at atmos pressure. The benzene feed rate is 0.5 g/hr. and that for H2 is 1.2 l/hr. The yield of cyclohexane produced is 80 per cent and selectivity is 100 per cent.    ADVANTAGE -   Use of the patented catalyst raises the degree of benzene conversion to cyclohexane from 18-25 per cent to 90-92. n-heptane is transformed into methane at 84-95 per cent conversion, compared with 6-10 per cent at present. Bul.40/30.10.85
The installation comprises a partly or totally enclosed space in which animal biomass is produced in combination with vegetable biomass and possibly with micro-organic biomass (possibly maggot or worm culture). The respective circuits, i.e. or matter of nutrients, water and moisture, animal waste, other waste, gases produced and required, and energy are arranged such that, through re-cycling and re-utilisation as between different biological processes an optimum balance is achieved within the entire system.    USE/ADVANTAGE -   Producing utilisable biomass. The combination of a number of known biological processes at least including the production of animal and vegetable biomass under one roof permits maximising the yield with minimum energy requirements and within a limited space. No environmental pollution or harmful effluents.
A feed cylinder is provided at the ceiling of a methane fermenting device box. A cylindrical member is placed on the bottom plate of the box while being sepd. from the feed cylinder and bonded to the side walls at three positions.    Sections partitioned by the box side walls and the cylindrical member are used as adjusting vessels with the feed cylinder, a fermented gas desulphurising vessel, and an overflow treating vessel, while the inside of the cylindrical member is designed as the fermentation vessel.    ADVANTAGE -   The fermenting device can be made compact.
A reactor system comprises several reaction zones, each adapted to contain caatalyst, wherein the zones are arranged such that they are interconnected in an endless path and each zone has means to isolate it from adjacent zones and means for separately supplying reactants and withdrawing prods.    USE/ADVANTAGE -   In a methanation reaction, once the reaction has been completed, i.e. the exotherm has been reached, and as the prod. gas moves down unused catalyst bed, it will cool and as the gas cools the reaction equilibrium will move towards an increase in the methane content. Thus the catalyst has a two fold function; firstly to act as a heat sink for the prod. gas and secondly to act as a catalyst to constantly re-equilibrate the gas mixt. (as the temperature drops), hence, very long reaction beds are required for the heat sink and even longer reactor tubes must be employed to obtain a reactor contg. catalyst which can perform for a commercially reasonable time.    A reactor configuration is proposed which is compact, enables a constant outlet temp. to be obtd. and requires fewer changes of fresh catalyst than conventional methanation reactors.
An installation and a process for thoroughly homogenising a mixt. of fluids which have a tendency to separate the mixt. is contained within a tank which is divided into two compartments, one of much greater vol. than the other. A pump is used to suck mixt. from the small compartment, which lowers the surface level in that compartment. The pump discharges into the larger compartment, thereby raising the surface level of the mixt. in that compartment so that the mixt. overflows a partition and falls into the small compartment.    USE/ADVANTAGE -   An installation and a process for homogenising fluids which tend to separate, partic. the constituents of a fermentable mixt. of organic waste for the prodn. of biogas. This system ensures that the benefits of a fully homogenised mixt. are realised. The requirements for achieving this are simple and inexpensive. The process does not require agitators to be immersed in the mixt. so there is no corrosion problem.
Prodn. of fuel briquettes from straw, grain stalks or similar cellulosic waste materials with a binder present during pressing, pref. in extrusion or cylinder ram-type presses, is effected using a pressure which causes temporary heating of the briquette to 75-200 deg.C, as binder is of straw or similar waste material from leguminous or proteinaceous plants.    ADVANTAGE -   The straw may have a water content of 16-30 (esp. 18-23) wt.% (up to 75% more than previously) without losing the effectiveness of the binder. Thus energy is not required to dry the straw. The briquettes are stable enough for long-distance transport. The binder causes no abrasion of piston or die. The binder contains no constituent harmful to the environment, and the briquette ash can be used as fertiliser. (First major country equivalent to DK8503748-A)
Sulphur-insensitive catalyst for steam reforming of hydrocarbons consists of a carrier substrate and 5-25 wt.% of an oxyhalide of a metal of Periodic Gp. IVa, esp. ZrOCl2.    Pref. carrier substrate may be a Gp. IVa metal oxide (esp. ZrO2), Al2O3, SiO2 or a spinel. The substrate pref. also contains (a) a small concn. of an alkali metal, esp. 0-5-10 wt.%K, for improved catalysis of steam reforming; and (b) a pelletising lubricant, esp. potassium stearate (which can also provide the K required under (a)) or graphite. Prepn. may comprise: (i) calcining a ZrO2 paste for 2 hr. at 450-500 deg.C; (ii) admixing about 2 wt.% potassium stearate; (iii) pelletizing; (iv) calcining the pellets for 2 hr. at about 850 deg.C; and (v) impregnating with a ZrOCl2 soln., with drying for 1 hr. at 400 deg.C, to give pellets contg. 5-25 wt.% ZrOCl2.    USE/ADVANTAGE -   The catalyst is useful in primary and secondary reformers, and in CO conversion by the water-gas shift reaction. The feedstock may contain at least 1000 times more S than the max. possible with Ni catalysts, and the catalyst is scarcely affected by soot deposition. Large-scale steam reforming of some heavy oils is possible for the first time: e.g. a gas oil contg. 0.66 wt.% S was converted to equilibrium, both w.r.t to primary steam reforming (methanization) and w.r.t the shift reaction for at least 100 hr.
A compost bin for garden rubbish and domestic refuse consists of four side plates and a grate, all made of reinforced concrete and with holes. The side plates are anchored by eyes, on four vertical rods embedded in concrete in the ground. The grate rests on laths or angles attached by screws to the side walls.    ADVANTAGE -   This bin ensures adequate ventilation and yields high-quality compost.
The suitability of liq. organic material for use as a fuel component is assessed by (a) burning the material and measuring the pH of the combustion gases with an indicator, (b) weighing a known vol. of the material to determine its specific gravity, and (c) combining the material with water and determining its water miscibility.    Materials giving a pH value of 7 or more and having a specific gravity of 1.000 or less are suitable as fuel components. Miscible materials are suitable for addn. to low-Btu fuels and immiscible materials are suitable for addn. to high-Btu fuels.    USE/ADVANTAGE -   The process is esp. applicable to liq. organic wastes. Those satisfying the pH and specific gravity criteria are unlikely to contain organic halogen or S cpds. or inorganic heavy metal cpds. and are thus unlikely to be environmentally unsafe.
The strain is esp. useful in treating aq. effluent from detergent plants.    In a typical process, a medium has the compsn. (in g./l.): NaH2PO4 6.0, KH2PO4 3.0, NaCl 0.5, NH4Cl 1.0, sulphonol 0.25 and water to 1l.; pH = 7.2. The medium is dosed with a seed culture of the above strain and held under aeration at 28-30 deg. C. After 5 days 84% of the sulphonol is destroyed.    ADVANTAGE -   The strain has high biological destructive activity in a short time. Bul.38/15.10.85.
Process comprises (a) fixing microbial body showing producibility for organic acid; (b) multiplying the fixed microbial body, and (c) contacting with waste water contg. organic cpds.    Fixation can be effected using gelling agent such as carrageenan, sodium alginate, PVA, polyacrylamide, etc. Multiplication of fixed microbial body and contacting with waste water are pref. effected at 20-45 deg.C at pH 4.0-6.0 esp. at 35-40 deg.C at pH 5.0-5.5 by medium temp. digestive sludge and at 45-60 deg.C at pH 4.0-6.0 by high temp. digestive sludge.    USE/ADVANTAGE -   Fixed microbial body is multiplied and the microbial body concn. in fermenter can be increased. Retention time of waste water in fermenter can be greatly reduced and the amt. of surplus sludge can be decreased. Useful organic acid can be formed efficiently in waste water.
Cellulosic material is liquefied to form an oil by heating the cellulosic material in a polycyclic hydrogen donor material at elevated temperature in the presence of a homogeneous catalyst.    USE/ADVANTAGE -   Liquefaction of cellulose, more particularly the liquefaction of the mainly cellulosic part of municipal refuse, to give a high calorific value oil and reduce the environmental nuisance associated with present disposal methods. These are associated with the use of homogeneous catalysts for the liquefaction: (a) the homogeneous catalyst is soluble in the processing liquid and is easier to handle than slurry of solid catalysts which cause wear in a stirred reactor; (b) homogeneous catalysts are more effective being wholly involved in the reaction; (c) homogeneous systems are not vulnerable to poisoning by deactivation and adsorption on active sites; and (d) oil soluble iron salts are much more reactive than heterogeneous iron catalysts.
A trailer-mounted installation for the prodn. of granules of vegetable waste for use as a fuel for boilers, etc. The installation includes a reception hopper into which vegetable waste is loaded. The waste is passed through a grinding mill which delivers into a holding bin with mechanical stirrer. Material from the bin is fed to a mixer into which a binding liq. is metered, the mixt. being passed into a granulating press. Granules from the press are passed through a cooler which delivers cooled granules into a bag filling hopper. The bag filling hopper is equipped with dust sepn. and recovery, pref. by passage over a screen which allows fines to fall through for collection.    USE/ADVANTAGE -   The installation is for mfg. granules of vegetable waste for use as fuel for boilers, etc. The installation is fully mobile and can be towed to a site where vegetable waste is available, e.g. by an agricultural tractor. The installation can then be put to work, driven by the power take-off of the tractor.
A drum for converting organic waste to compost has a filler opening with a lockable lid and has vent holes with a diameter of 16-24mm in the shell. A hand crank with a pinion engaging the gear rim is used to revolve the drum. The pedestals for the bearings of the stubshafts are made of flat steel.    ADVANTAGE -   This is a simple composting drum which need only be turned once a day.
Air is fed into bed of wastes placed in fermenting tank to aerobically decompose organic cpds. Resulting liq. is sprayed over the bed and circulated to accelerate decomposition of cpds. (J55003350-A)
Feed and fertiliser prodn. from cattle excrements and urines wherein excrements and urines are stirred in cooker with thermal media such as animal oils, dewatered and sepd. into oil and solid components. (J56145185-A)
A part of water content is sepd., from organic industrial waste. Water is absorbed into solid support such as sawdust. Fermentation treatment is then applied to solid support.    USE/ADVANTAGE -   Method reuses industrial waste as feed or compost without generating bad smell.
The process comprises a step for acid fermentation with an immobilised microorganism having the ability to produce organic acid, and a step for methane fermentation with an immobilised microorganism having an ability to produce methane. As the microorganism, strains belonging to Methanococcus, Methanosarcina and Methanobacterium are useful. The fermentation is performed at 20-45 deg.C, e.g. (50-55 deg.C), at a pH 6.5-8.5, e.g. (7.0-8.0). The immobilisation of the microorganism should be performed by the entrapping method.    ADVANTAGE -   Methane fermentation is classified into the monophase method which produces methane in one step, and the two-phase method which comprises a fermentation step for producing lower fatty acids and a fermentation step for producing methane from the fatty acids. The present method is related to the latter method. The use of the immobilised microorganism for both steps shortens the fermentation times.
A microorganism having the ability to produce methane is allowed to proliferate in a carrier, and the microorganism immobilised in the carrier is brought into contact with waste water contg. organic acid.    As the microorganism, strains belonging to Methanococcus, Methanosarchina and Methanobacterium are useful. The fermentation is performed at 20-45 deg.C, e.g. (50-55 deg.C) at a pH 6.5-8.5, e.g. (7.0-8.0). The immobilisation of the microorganism should be performed by the entrapping method.    USE/ADVANTAGE -   Prodn. of a large amt. of energy by a simple procedures. The present method enables prodn. of methane in a time shorter than the usual 10-30 days.
A microorganism having the ability to produce methane is allowed to proliferate in a carrier, and (2) the microorganism immobilised in the carrier is brought into contact with waste water contg. organic substances.    As the microorganism, strains belonging to Methanococcus, Methanosarcina and Methanobacterium useful. The fermentation is performed at 20-45 deg.C, e.g. (50-55 deg.C), at a pH 6.5-8.5, e.g. (7.0-8.0). The immobilisation of the microorganism should be performed by the entrapping method.    ADVANTAGE -   Methane fermentation is classified into the monophase method which produces methane in one step, and the two-phase method which comprises a fermentation for producing lower fatty acids and a fermentation for producing methane from the fatty acids. The present method relates to the former method, which usually needs a long fermentation period, but now has reduced fermentation period.
Controller which returns seed sludge from a sec. digester to a first digester comprises a first controller which controls the amt. of returned seed sludge corresp. to the injection amt. of organic sludge by measuring the returning amt. of seed sludge from the second digester and the amt. of organic sludge injected to the first digester and a second controller which stops the returning seed sludge when the concn. of solid in the first digester is higher than that in the returned seed sludge.    ADVANTAGE -   As the seed sludge is returned according to the amt. of organic sludge injected, the concn. of bacteria can be controlled and organic sludge can be treated in stable conditions.
Ni or Ni oxide is retained on a support contg. oxides of alkaline earth metal, rare earth or alkali metal to form CH4 contg. gas from CH3OH or mixture of CH3OH and water.    The support contains mixture of two or three oxides. Amount of each oxide is over 0.01 wt%, e.g. 0.1-95 wt%. Other substances contained in the support are alumina, titania, zirconia, silica or binder component. Alkaline earth metal oxides used are O, CaO, BaO or their mixture. Alkali metal oxides are K2O, Na2O or their mixture. Oxides of rare earth elements are La2O3, CeO2, Nd2O3, etc. Amount of Ni is over 0.08 wt%, e.g. 0.8-72 wt% and that of Ni oxide is over 0.01 wt%, e.g. 1-90 wt%.    Reformation reaction to CH4-contg. gas is carried out at over 150 deg.C, e.g. 200-600 deg.C under a pressure of over 0 kg/cm2, e.g. 0-100 kg/cm2G. To 100 wt. parts of CH3OH, 1-1,000 wt. parts of H2O is pref. added.    ADVANTAGE -   Methane is formed selectively and the catalyst has high activity at low temp. and maintains its activity for a long time.
Prepn. of compost comprises subjecting mixt. of a seaweed extrn. residue and livestock faeces to aerobic fermentation. The fermentation may be carried out under covering with non-woven fabric comprising polyster long fibres.    ADVANTAGE -   Compost obtd. gives no feeling of filth and is ripened without producing any offensive odours. This process enables such compost to be simly and economically prepd. in relatively short period of time.
A variety of solid and liq. wastes from domestic and industrial sources are treated in sequence or parallel by units known per se. These include a water removal and/or drying unit, and a boiler burning previously comminuted solid wastes which when deficient in quantity or quality for a required heat output are augmented by extrarerus fluid sources.    Sewage and liq. wastes are purified mechanically, biologically and/or chemically. Organic solids are composted to produce fertiliser. Material contg. metallic or metal-based contaminants is treated by hydrometallurgical plant, with separate recovery of non-ferrous metals. Organic waste may be fermented to produce fuel gas.    ADVANTAGE -   System can accommodate considerable variations in quantity and nature of input material.
Dense membranes are prepd. by allowing a soln. of a polar polymer and/or a polar prepolymer (I) in a polar solvent (II) which is substantially soluble in a polar liq. (III), to spread out over the surface of the (III) and the spread out soln. is allowed to desolvate.    (I) is pref. a linear polyurethane or a prepolymer obtd. by reacting (i) a polyol, esp. a polyether glycol with a mol. wt. of 150-6000, esp. 400-2000, with (ii) a polyisocyanate, esp. diphenyl methane diisocyanate. (II) is pref. a 1-10C organic cpd. with one or more hetero atoms, pref. a ketone and esp. methyl ethyl ketone. (III) is pref. water or an aq. soln. of a salt.    USE/ADVANTAGE -   The process allows prodn. of dense (non-porous) membranes with faster desolvation of the cast layer than is achieved by evapn. of the solvent, whilst avoiding the formation of undesired holes in the membrane. The membranes are pref. less than ca. 0.1 micrometres thick and are pref. taken up on a permeable support such as porous polypropylene, cloth or wire net to give a membrane prod. with high selectivity and acceptable permeability for commercial gas sepn. processes such as sepn. of CO2 from methane or sepn. of O2 from N2.
The deodoriser comprises as effective ingredients Alcaligenes odorans (1) and/or Serratia mercescens (2), pref. adsorbent supports e.g. zeolite, perlite, or active carbon.    USE/ADVANTAGE -   Useful for removing a large amt. of odorous matl., esp. mercaptan and volatile fatty acids, produced in stock farms e.g. pig or chicken farms. The deodoriser works permanently and produces no pollution.    In an example (1) were cultivated at 30 deg.C for 4-6 days after 1g of pig dung farmyard manure was inoculated into a medium of 10g NaOAc, 1g K2HPO4, 1g NH4Cl, 200mg Na2SO4, 10mg FeSO4, 10mg CaCl2, 15g of agar, and 100ml of water whose pH was 7.5. (2) were cultivated at 30 deg.C for 4-5 days after about 1g of soil was inoculated into a medium of glucose: 0.5, NH4Cl:0.1, Mg(NO3)2.6H2O:0.02, CuCl2.2H2O:0.01, FeCl3.6H2O:0.001, K2HPO4:0.1, KH2PO4:0.05, and methylmercaptan:0.1% (all in wt.%) Suitably about 10 power 6-10 power 8 cells/g were loaded on the support.
The installation comprises a substantially airtight vessel contg. a horizontal, endless conveyor band passing around two spaced drums on parallel axes. Perforated bins are fixed to the band at regular intervals. The vessel has a bin-loading access door spaced from a bin-discharging access door, which is upstream from the loading door by a distance equal to the pitch spacing of the bins. The conveyor band can be manually advanced in steps equal to one pitch spacing of the bins. The two access doors are positioned as far as possible from the zone of max. gas generation.    The upper run of the conveyor band between the drums is supported on a series of horizontal transverse rollers which prevent undue deflection. The side faces of each bin has support wheels which run on tracks as the bin traverses the lower run of the conveyor band. The manual gear to advance the band pref. includes a winch which operates a ratchet design to produce a movement equal to one pitch of the spaced bins.    USE -   This is an installation for the prodn. of biogas by fermentation of organic waste, partic. farmyard waste.
A hydrocarbon mixt. is prepd. by cultivating aerobically a strain of micro-organism which can produce simultaneously at least 2 kinds of satd. or unsatd. 2-5C hydrocarbons, in an aq. medium. The hydrocarbons are formed in the liq. or gas phase.    Pref. (i) Addn of L-leucine, opt with a benzene cpd having a COOH gp (partic L-tryptophane, L-thirosin, L-phenylalanine, benzoic acid, L-phenylglycine or L-phenylpyruvic acid) increases the yield of isobutene; (ii) addn. of L-isoleucine, opt. with L-phenylalanine increases the yield of trans-2-butene; (iii) addn. of L-methionine increases the yield of ethylene; (iv) addn. of L-cysteine increases the yield of satd. hydrocarbons.    ADVANTAGE -   The medium is a readily available, reproducible biomass, partic. waste from agriculture, forestry, fisheries, livestock, industry, public sewage or excreta, and the process forms a microbiological waste disposal. The impurity gas is mainly CO2.
Conversion of coal, to valuable gaseous and liquid products by a combination of flash pyrolysis and ash-agglomerating fluidised gasification of the resulting char. Coal, preferably a bituminous caking coal of high volatiles content, is passed in finely divided form a flash pyrolysis in which it is subjected to a temperature of 500-950 deg.C and a pressure of 3-33 atmospheres absolute. Gaseous and vapourised liquid products are recovered and separated, while pyrolysis solids comprising char and ash are passed to a fluidised gasification zone. In this latter zone, fluidisation is effected by injection of steam and an oxygen-contg. gas, resulting in prodn. of a raw gas which is purified and utilised as a chemical synthesis feed, and a by-product stream of ash agglomerate.    This is controlled primarily by setting the temp. and pressure in the pyrolysis zone to vary the products from heavy materials such as tar, through progressively lighter materials such as naphthalene, a benzene-toluene-xylene (BTX) mix, light olefins such as ethylene and propylene, to synthesis gas.
Dialkyl-Cd cpds. (I) are stabilised by evacuation of the container (ampoule) and hermetisation. The procedure is simplified by treating the dialkyl-Cd cpd. with CH4 at 2-2.5 mol.% concn. then sealing the ampoule.    USE -   Cpds. (I) are used as polymerisation catalysts, in prodn. of alkyl hydroperoxides and epitaxial layers of Cd selenide.    In an example, 80 ml vol. ampoule is filled with 56 ml soln. of dialkyl-Cd cpd. in decane, treated with 2-2.5 mol.% CH4, sealed, and stored at 20-25 deg. C in a dark room. Thus treated Cd cpd. is completely stable for 7 days. Bul.36/30.9.85
The method comprises mechanical purificn. and biological purificn. using first bio-oxidn. in presence of green microalgae and then three-stage purificn. using water plants-macrophytes, i.e. (a) narrow-leaved cat-tail (Typha), (b) lake reed and (c) Canadian water thyme.    The microalgae are Chlamiolomonas Sp. Trachelomonas volvocina, Euglena Sp. Cosmarium Sp. Coelastrum microsporium, Tetrastrum Sp. Microalgae are added in amt. 5.2-14.0 million cells/l. The purificn. is conducted in contact regime at depth of waste water 0.8-1.2 m. The stage of detoxication with microalgae takes one week and yields redn. of odour, improved transparency, reduced concn. of organic substances, salts, biogenic elements and content of saprophite, paratyphoid, salmonella and others pathogenic microorganisms. Further purificn. with above water plants takes 3 days for each of them, completely eliminates odour, gives good transparency and reduces amt. of infectious microorganisms by 99.99%. After the last stage of purificn. with the water plant (c) no more bacteria are observed.    USE/ADVANTAGE -   In purificn. of animal farm effluents, e.g. from pigs and calves farms. Improved purificn. w.r.t. organic substances, mineral salts and various pathogenic bacteria. Bul.36/30.9.85
In multi-stage tanks for mfg. compost from organic waste such as waste sewage, a device for levelling surface of the waste and a screw conveyer, which travels and delivers the sludge to the next tank, are arranged in each of the tanks.    ADVANTAGE -   Amt. of mfd. compost per unit installation area for the tanks is increased by the levelling device and by the screw conveyer. As the driving device for the screw conveyers is located outside of the tanks, it can be maintained easily.
Vegetable refuse, raw sewage cake, sawdust and aerobic bacteria are mixed, dissolved and agitated in a first tank (1) to form a fermented mixt. with water content 60%. This is then delivered to a second fermentation tank (4), where the mixt. is heated to 75-80 deg.C and agitated by an agitator which travels and reciprocates in the tank.    After being kept in tank (4) for about 7 days, the mixt. is transferred to a third tank (10) to be dried and matured in supplied air. Part of the mixt. is kept in tank (4) for breeding aerobic bacteria to be supplied to the upper layer of new mixt.    In tank (4) a gap of 10-100mm is formed between the tips of blades of the agitator and the bottom surface of the tank, and the bottom surface of the tank is partitioned by projections which are perpendicular to side walls of the tank.    ADVANTAGE -   The mixt. is sufficiently mixed and fermented in tank (1) and in a storage tank (1'). In tank (4) growth of anaerobic bacteria is suppressed and breeding of aerobic bacteria is promoted to improve fermentation, and lignin in saw dust is dissolved. As the aerobic bacteria are kept in a lower layer on the bottom of the tank, aerobic bacteria are bred, and projections on the bottom will avoid dilution of fermented mixt .by new mixt. Fermentation is therefore sufficiently promoted to provide a desirable organic fertiliser.
New organic fettilisers are obtd. by fermenting a mixt. of domestic animal excrement and perlite or a food-industry by-product contg. perlite.    Perlite is a granular prod. having good air permeability, water permeability and water retention, and has been used as a soil conditioner or in the food industry. In sugar producing factories, perlite has been used for removal of impurities and pigments. The by-prods. from sugar prodn. contain a large amount of sugary material, which promotes the fermentation. Since this by-product has been disposed in water, it is readily available at low cost.    ADVANTAGE -   Fermentation can be completed in a short period, and the bad smell of excrement and water in the excrement can be easily removed, by use of the perlite.    In an example, hen excrement with water content 75 wt.% and perlite were put in a fermenter, and the mixt. was stirred daily for 15 days. Water content at the start was about 60%. The temp. reises to about 70 deg. C on the fith day, and decreases to 50 deg. C after 15 days. At this time bad smells had been removed, the product became granular and water content decreased to 35-40 wt.%. Then, the product was spread in a concrete vessel to a depth of 10 cm for drying. A prod. with water content 25-30% was obtd..
Combustible wastes are classified into heat-melting matter, non-melting matter, and mixed matter. Non-melting matter is added with melting or mixed matter in specific ratio, and mixt.is heated so heat-melting plastic contents included are melted to bind whole into solid fuel.    USE -   By mixing matters of different characteristics in selected ratio, solid fuel of desirable content and form can be produced from waste.
Low mol. wt. alkanes are converted to higher hydrocarbons at 500-1000 deg.C, in contact with a catalyst of formula AaBbCcOx. A = Pb, Bi, Sn, Sb, Tl, In, Mn, Cd and/or Ge; B = Mq, Ca, Sr, Ba, Zn, La, Ce, Sc, Y, Cu, Ni, Ti, Zr, Co and/or V; C = Li, Na, K, Rb and/or Cs; a, b = 0.1-100; c = 0-100; x = number of 0 needed to fulfill valencies of the other elements.    USE/ADVANTAGE -   Use is esp. conversion of CH4 to C2H6 and C2H4. The higher hydrocarbons may be dehydrogenated and/or contacted with a catalyst, to yield liq. hydrocarbon prods. Conversion is 14.5-21.1%, with selectivity 37-62%. Catalyst life is longer. Corrosion and/or expensive gas phase promoters are avoided. The higher hydrocarbons are more easily transported than CH4, and can be used as fuels or as intermediates.
A method of treating city waste to produce compost, comprises passing air through the sewage deposit. The deposit is cut up and water is added at the same time to held decompose the organic components in the waste. (J55016824-A)
Methane fermentation chamber is provided with pH sensor, alkali metal ion sensor, chlorine ion sensor, and means for calculating organic acid concn. and organic acid ion concn., from values issued by sensors.    USE/ADVANTAGE -   Invention controls methane fermentation chamber more effectively and accurately.
Method comprises granulating dewatered sludge with a crusher while adhering ferment to the surfaces of the formed granules, forming the granules into a hard mass having 60wt.% water, and fermenting the mass.    USE/ADVANTAGE -   This eliminates the need of returning part of the prod. or compost to the first stage. This also eliminates heating and drying of a hard mass.
Straws are put into sealed chamber, and baked under heating from outside. Baking is effected in state that straws are restrained while not being deformed.    USE/ADVANTAGE -   Straws are not deflected or bent to be broken during baking, enhancing quality of straw ash.
Gas other than O2 is sensed by: contacting with a sensor contg. a gas-sensitive, ion-conductive material (I); and measuring electrical response. Pref. (I) is sandwiched between two electrodes, (I) and the electrodes being in contact with the gas.    Resistance, conductance, or impedance of the material is measured. Gas sensitive materials are ZrO2 (3 m /oY2O3) and beta-Al2O3. The sensor may include a temp. sensor and/or a heater.    USE -   In sensing CH4, H2, CO2, CO, C2H4 or NH3 in air (claimed).
Culture for inducing methanisation of protein-contg. wastes is a mixt. of (1) a new species of Clostridium and (2) Methanosarcina barkeri strain MS which is able to completely convert complex proteins to CH4 and CO2. Component (1) is esp. C. proteolyticum (pasteur Institute I-330) and component (2) has been adapted by growing on a medium contg. acetate as C and energy source.    C. proteolyticum is isolated from waste water sludge using the McCrady five-tube most probable number technique. After 3-4 weeks incubation, bacteria are isolated from positive tubes by enrichment in phosphate-buffered basal medium (PBB) contg. 0.5% gelatine as only C source. After 5-6 transfers, serial dilutions were made onto gelatin plates contg. gelose-supplemented PBB, and cultured under anaerobic conditions at 37 deg. C and individual colonies isolated.    USE/ADVANTAGE -   The mixed culture is useful for waste treatment-it is very stable and requires only 2 species for complete methanisation. Cultures of C. proteolyticum alone, or gelatin medium, can be used (1) to produce proteases and collagenases and (2) to produce proline.
A fibre suspension is conventionally screened and thickened and then subsequent to bleaching and thinning to a low pulp consistency is (i) agitated to break up the fibre flocs present and (ii) divided in a fractionator into two pulp streams of different ave. fibre length. Streams obtd. in (ii) comprise a long fibre fraction (I) and a fine fraction (II). The freeness of fraction (I) exceeds that of (II) by 150-600 ml and (II) constitutes 35-70 wt.% of the amt. of the pulp obtd. after the bleaching stage.    USE/ADVANTAGE -   Prods. are used to mfr. absorption prods., paperboard, etc. and light wt. coated papers. Fraction (I) has low resin concn. and is esp. used alone or in pulp mixts. to mfr. high purity and bulk absorption prods. (I) and (II) can be mixed for use in soft paper mfg. Wood in log or chip form can be treated and prods. may be groundwood, thermo or chemimechanical or waste paper pulps, obtd. in yields above 60%.
In prepn. of ethers (I), (a) an isoparaffin (II) 1st feed stream is passed through a catalytic dehydrogenation zone; (b) the effluent contg. (II) and the corresp. isoolefin (III) is passed with a 2nd feed stream (see (f)) to a stripping column to give a bottoms contg. (II), O-contg. hydrocarbon cpds. (IV), and (III); (c) the bottoms is passed with an alcohol (V) feed to an etherification zone to give a prod. (I) stream, and a 3rd. stream comprising (II) and (IV); (d) the 3rd stream in (c) is contacted with a sorbent in a sorption zone to selectively adsorb (IV) and give a stream contg. (II) but free of (IV); (e) at least a portion of the (II) stream is removed; and (f) the sorbent is regenerated by treatment with a 4th stream contg. a regenerating hydrocarbon (V) (same no. of C's as (II)) at not less than 250 deg. F to afford the 2nd feed stream (b) contg. (V) and (IV).    USE/ADVANTAGE -   The economical process allows the simple, inexpensive, efficient removal of undesired O-contg. hydrocarbon cpds. from desired ether streams. The process is esp. useful for the recovery of t-BuOMe present in the C4 hydrocarbon recycle stream of an integrated process, while rejecting unwanted O-contg.cpds. (I) have a wide range of uses. In partic., the pref. t-BuOMe is an intermediate for polyisobutylenes and t-butylphenol, and is also useful as an antiknock cpd. for Pb-free petrol.
The rubbish, without being pre-sorted, is broken down, homogenised and possibly classified. The humidity in the obtd. pulp is adjusted to 45-55 wt.%. The pulp, with its humidity content maintained, is then subjected to an aerobic fermentation involving movement in a material to produce a dynamic process, and this over a period of at least 24 hours. Subsequently, the pulp is subjected to an associated aerobic fermentation in a material which is mainly stationary, or at least only movable for transport purposes. In this stage, ventilating gas is introduced through the pulp layer, with similar maintenance of the humidity content, and for a period of approx. 4 to 5 days.    USE -   To convert domestic and industrial waste matter to a compost for horticultural and agricultural use. (First major country equivalent to IT1082052-A)
Synthesis gas from the Koppers-Trotzek gasification which has passed through a water-gas conversion and has been stripped of CO2 is directed to a gas treatment stage before the heads are used for an ammonia synthesis. From a nitrogen scrubber column the byproduct gas is passed to low-temperature distillation columns for separating in two product streams, one high in H and one high in CO. These are returned to the ammonia synthesis plant from which a stream of liquid N is taken to the distillation columns.    ADVANTAGE -   This eliminates the waste of the by product stream which is normally discarded or used as fuel, thus wasting valuable chemicals.
A drum reactor for aerobic production of fertiliser from animal manure, vegetable waste and the like by fermentation comprises a long cylindrical drum with inclined axis, a feed hopper at the upper end, and an air feed system constructed as follows. A number of axis-parallel air feed pipes are mounted outside the drum, distributed at intervals around its circumference, and leading into internal nozzles supplying air into the interior of the drum; the outlet zones of these nozzles are partly shielded by deflector plates.    Pref., the drum has a coaxial gas extraction pipe mounted at one end, and esp. cracked inside the drum so that inlet is in the high zone above the solid material. The inclination of the drum is pref. adjustable. A water supply may be associated with the air pipes.    USE/ADVANTAGE -   For production of fertiliser by aerobic fermentat-ion of animal manure and vegetable wastes. Previous drums of this type have suffered from risk of clogging of the air injection pipes due to their immersion inside the solid material. The deflector plates provided prevent this from happening and ensure a continuous air supply into the interior.
A biogas producer can be sited near an object where large quantities of waste heat are available which at present are wasted. This refers to power stations, sewage treatment plant, large buildings or animal farms. The waste heat from the object is used for a partial or complete anaerobic digestion of the organic waste material and a possible sanitisation of the digested substrate.    ADVANTAGE -   This utilises waste energy in the form of warm water, warm digested sludge or warm air for the biogas prodn., sanitisation of digested sludge and drying purposes.
Bin with a rectangular base is made of reinforced concrete with four corner posts for the attachment of lamellar straps. The straps have undulating contours to promote qood access to the oxygen in the air. Angle irons with holes are used to bolt the straps to the corner posts.    ADVANTAGE -   Bin is weather and corrosion resistant and is easy to transport or to assemble.
Human or animal waste products are received in a first tank, where they are subject to aerobic decomposition. Liquid from the first tank passes to a second tank across whose surface air is drawn to evaporate the liquid. Pref. the air flow is induced by a solar panel which heats a chimney to draw air firstly through both tanks. In an embodiment, the air is heated by solar energy prior to passing through the first tank to heat it.    USE/ADVANTAGE -   The appts. can be configured as a self-contained toilet building for use in a remote area. The appts. does not require the addition of chemicals.
Calcium oxide is added to the fuel, or another chemical cpd., which forms calcium oxide by chemical reaction. The oxide is reacted with silicon dioxide to form small slag particles.    The added material is 40-90% esp. 60-80% of the asked wt. of the fuel. About 50% of it is calcium carbonate and 50%, calcium oxide.    USE/ADVANTAGE -   For becoming biomass or household waste as fuel. Prevention of the formation of large agglomerations of solidified slag. (Provisional basic previously advised in Week 8607)
Pulverised thermoplastic resin, pulverised wood, paper and rubber are mixed, preheated to soften, kneaded in screw feeder (A), pressed suppressing temp. increase of mixt. at tapered part of feeder (A), continuously injected to heating and moulding part (B) to mould and cooled by using cooler (9) and solidified fuel is obtd..    USE/ADVANTAGE -   Solidified fuel having high calories and excellent combustibility can be produced from domestic and industrial wastes.
Method comprises using C2F6 + CH4 etching gas to which He is added.    ADVANTAGE -   High etching speed is maintained and selection ratio for silicon is widened.    In an example, etching speed was reduced with increase CH4. Selection ratio of silicon was reduced with decreasing CH4. Etching speed of at least 400 nm/min, and selection ratio 8-15% were appropriate. Addn. of He to CH4 + C2F6 mixt. was suitable for keeping etching speed of at least 400 nm/min and selection ratio at least 14. Pressure region was opt. 60-120 Pa. Selection ratio to the resist was improved due to cooling effect of the He gas. C3F8 could be applied in place of C2F6 C2H6, C3H8, C2H2 could be applied in place of CH4. High etching speed, wide selection ratio and stable discharge in wide region were obtd.
Equipment comprises pipe, heater which is directly connected to pipe, upper and lower chambers, rotary fans and air blowers. Gas quantity discharge rate for upper and lower chambers is 6:4 to 7:3. Valve and slide damper are adjusted so gas will not be leaked through charging port and both temp. and pressure are increased. Exhaust blower is activated when predetermined temp. is reached.    USE -   Effective equipment for promoting fermentation of excrements can be provided.
Prepn. of fermented hen excrements fertiliser comprises adding fermentation-accelerating substance to mixt. of hen excrements and carbon source-contg. organic material (e.g. sawdust), and fermenting mixt. aerobically.    Fermentation-accelerating substance is mixt. of enzymes capable of decomposing cellulose fibre, starch, fat and protein. Starting mixt. is fermented at 68-71 deg.C for several days while supplying air to accelerate aerobic fermentation. Fertiliser obtd. after fermentation has water content generally of 40-45%, and this can be dried to water content of 20-30% by supplying hot air.    ADVANTAGE -   Fertiliser can be prepd. without generation of bad smell (e.g. ammonia, hydrogen, sulphide, mercaptan, methane). Fermentation can be conducted without necessity of removal of harmful substance(e.g., tannin) from organic material (e.g., sawdust).
Methane fermentation comprises acid formation process in which organic substance is decomposed to lower fatty acid and gas formation process in which acid formed is decomposed to CH4 and CO2. H2 generated in acid formation process is led to gas formation process.    As organic substances contg. soln. fed to acid formation process, are waste water from distillation of alcohols, sludge from treatment of sewage, etc..    ADVANTAGE -   Methane yield increases using this method.
Method involves decomposing organic substance to lower fatty acid and decomposing the acid obtd. into CH4 and CO2. Residence time of organic substance in acid formation is under 8 hours.    The method is carried out using different amts. of acid forming bacteria and H2 forming bacteria. Organic substances are waste water from distilling alcohols, sludge from treatment of sewage, waste water from mfg. agricultural products, etc. Residence time is pref. under 5 hours.    ADVANTAGE -   H2 forming bacteria is washed out and methane yield is greatly increased.
A waste disposal process has an upstream shredder followed by a separator which removes ferrous material. A heavy fraction is recovered from the waste and delivered to the top of an aerobic digestor tower where it is converted into compost. The light fraction is converted to pellets.    Pref. the light fraction is shredded and predried before pelleting and is cooled and screened after this process.    USE -   The process accepts household and commercial waste and converts this into ferrous material, compost and pellets which can be used as a fuel.
Carbon coatings are applied to articles for protective, decorative, or special effects and are used in the chemical, building and electrotech. industries. They are applied by heating the article in a stream of hydrocarbon gas. The degree of surface heat required can be reduced as follows: the surface is pre-treated with an aq. soln. of Ni(NO3)2 or Fe(NO3)3 and is then heated at 400-600 deg. C for 5-60 min. in C2-C4 hydrocarbon gas or a liquid hydrocarbon source boiling below 250 deg. C.    The gases used can be unsaturated as in C2H4, or satd. mixtures rangeing from C2H6 to C4H10. Benzine boiling at 153 deg. C can also be used. Treatment with the metal nitrate before hydrocarbon decomp. provides a film of ultra small metal particles of size 100-500 angstroms. These pure metal centres assist the formation of a carbon layer. 12 examples are quoted. The hydrocarbon feed is adjusted so that the issueing gas contains 80 per cent hydrogen. The amt. of carbon deposited varies between 3 and 10 mg/sq.cm.    ADVANTAGE -   The patented procedure can be operated with a wide range of hydrocarbons, with low energy requirements, because of the reduced temp. of decomposition, to leave a satisfactory carbon deposit. Bul.32/30.8.85
Appts. includes a methane fermentation tank for holding a digestion liq., a heater for heating the digestion liq., a boiler for supplying warm water to the heater, a temp. sensor, an appts. for switching either to a path to the heater or the boiler, and a control for driving the boiler and the switching appts.
In methane fermentation tank part of fermenting liq. is collected, ability of fermenting liq. to generate methane is determined by reacting it with salt of acetic acid and by measuring yield of methane or increase of alkalinity,. Supply amt. of fermenting raw matl. is restricted correspond to ability of fermenting liq. to generate methane.    Fermentability of fermenting liq. is tested according to equation of formula (I).    USE/ADVANTAGE -   Fermentation tank can reasonably be operated at high load.
In appts. for fermenting organics wastes amt. of ventilating air (V) is coagulated by imputing absolute amt. (BODT) of BOD components in organic wastes, temp. (t) of air supplying and t target temp. (T) into formula T = f(t, BODT, V) to set amt. of ventilating air of appts. Then at each given interval amt. of ventilating air is calculated to control it.    ADVANTAGE -   Fermentation temps. can be easily be controlled.
In composting appts. for fermentation of organic wastes three temp. detectors are placed at windward, intermediate and leeward sides to ventilating direction and at arbitrary intervals. Amt. of ventilating air is set and methods of ventilation are improved according to relative relations of three measured temps.    USE/ADVANTAGE -   As amt.of ventilating air and agitating can automatically be operated, composting appts. composting sewage sludge or livestock wastes is always kept in optimum fermentation conditions.
After heat-treating the sludge sepd. from sewage, the sepd. liq. is methane-fermented in digestor equipped with an anaerobic biological membrane filter bed and the methane is removed. Then the liq. is treated in a reaction tank having aerobic biological membrane filter bed contg. bone char, and the treated water is returned to the first active sludge process.    USE/ADVANTAGE -   Sepd. liq. can be treated without increased amt. of sludge. By using bone char colour can be removed from the treated water.
Wastewater treatment structure comprising pipe of water-absorbable sheet and several projected wings of water-absorbable sheet formed at side of pipe, is buried under ground and soil layer with wetting speed 1.3-15 cm/h and satd. water permeation coefficient of 1.5x10power minus 6 cm/sec is formed contacting with water-absorbable sheets.    USE/ADVANTAGE -   Waste-water, e.g. sewage, is effectively infiltrated and diffused in soil and biologically treated to decompose organics.
Prepn. of microorganism (I) is described; (1) each of methane-producing microorganisms (II) is isolated in pure state by pure breeding or by cumulative breeding, (2) after incubation, it is collected with the addn. of a clay (III), and (3) the microorganisms are mixed together.    (I) is a mixt. of three kinds of (II), a microorganism which decomposes organic cpds. mainly into acetic acid, a microorganism which produces methane in the last stage of methane-fermentation, and a microorganism which produces methane from acetic acid. Each of the microorganisms are collected with (III) such as montmorillonite, by centrifugation. (III) accelerates the fermentation.    ADVANTAGE -   The microorganisms are anaerobic, so are difficult to handle for transportation, or storage. (I) can be stably handled for these treatments.
A method of biological conditioning or organic material for the preparation of compost uses a bin which is closed at least on the sides and has facilities for the introduction of air over its entire cross-sectional area. The air is supplied through pipes from the outside and the air flow is controlled as a fuNction of the temperature inside the compost.    The compost bin is assembled from slabs of pumice stone with a solid bottom or with a bed of gravel. The air is supplied by tubes with perforations, an inlet and outlet, assisted by a draught producing chimney. Several tubes are arranged in the same horizontal plane, and several planes can be provided. A flap closing the inlet or outlet can be operated manually or by a thermosensor. The tubes are pref. made of plastics. A moisture sensor can be added if water sprinklers are present.    ADVANTAGE -   This is an inexpensive way of converting organic waste to compost in a compact appliance.
Reproducible biomass, rich in protein, is produced from waste water with high organic loading, esp. liq. manure from industrial pig prodn., by a 2-stage fermentation. The pig manure is pretreated and (1) in the 1st stage, microorganisms are produced at 50 deg.C, as starter culture inoculum for (2) a mesophilic fermentation at 30 deg.C.    ADVANTAGE -   More than 85% of the biomass consists of less dominant types of microorganisms, giving very good digestibility in vitro.
Process and apparatus for the conversion of coal to gas, liquid and solid products in which the coal is subjected to a pyrolysis reaction at at least 260 deg.C. in the presence of a hydrogen-containing gas, thereby forming a high temperature gaseous fraction and a solid residue. The gaseous fraction thus generated is cooled, thereby producing from the gaseous fraction a gaseous product and a liquid product. The solid residue from the pyrolysis reaction is subjected to a gasification reaction with oxygen and steam at at least 482 deg.C., thereby generating hydrogen-containing gas and a solid product, and the hydrogen-contg. gas thus generated in the gasification reaction is recycled to the pyrolysis reaction.    ADVANTAGE -   The pyrolysis of coal can be carried out to a larger extent by conducting the pyrolysis in the presence of gas generated by subjecting the solid residue of the pyrolysis reaction to a gasification reaction.
Sepn. of bacteria from liq. e.g. dirty sludge and fermented liq., is described. Sand is crushed in the liq. to combine sand with bacteria contained in the liq., allowing the combined sand to ppte. (J54158058-A)
Equipment consists of cylindrical fermenter. Rotary shaft is provided at centre of fermenter. Partition plates are fixed to rotary shaft at predetermined intervals to divide fermenter into raw material heating chamber, acid fermenting chamber, and methane fermenting chamber. Stirring device is provided in each chamber.    USE/ADVANTAGE -   Fermenter is divided into raw material heating chamber, acid fermenting chamber, and methane fermenting chamber. This promotes acid fermentation and methane fermentation at conditions suitable for each fermentation.
Bed screens particulate material to separate out oversize particles, and comprises parallel rotary shafts carrying interdigitated discs which are resiliently mounted for relative deflection, so as not to be jammed by migrant particles tending to wedge between them.    Pref. the discs fit loosely on a shaft, and between adjacent discs are elastomeric spacers.    USE -   Esp. screening wood chips for paper pulp mfr. and sepg. oversize material for use as hog fuel.
A flow is controlled by injecting through a lance having an outer air flow wall spaced from an air control insert which has multiple openings, and separating parts of the insert and wall to form separate flow zones (58,60) to provide a flow profile along the lance length.    The outer wall is pref. formed by a mesh tube (54) and the insert is a stainless steel tube spaced from the wall by gaskets (62) and adjustably mounted on the insert to form variable zones, with a valve formed from a stainless steel tube (64) to fit inside the insert and adjust flow through its openings (52). The appts. pref. has a number of such lances for injecting and evacuating the fluid.    ADVANTAGE -   Reduces process fluid path length and overall system pressure drop, and reduces the possibility of short circuiting with formation of hot and dead spots so that composting proceeds more uniformly.
Fermentation is carried out by contacting O2 rich gas of O2 concn. above 23 vol.% to solid or muddy perishable organic substances.    Time required to attain temp. of accumulation layer in the fermentation tank to 70 deg.C is reduced by passing O2 rich air of 16-20 deg.C to 1/7 of that required by passing ordinary air. Substances used for fermentation are organic sludge from fermentation industries, food industries or pulp industries, etc. and sawdust etc. To ferment organic sludeg, dehydration is carried out to adjust water content to 40-75% before fermentation. Fermentation increases as O2 content becomes high, but for economical reasons O2 content is limited to below 50%. Temp. of O2 rich gas is 0-35 deg.C and flow rate is 30-500 l/min. to 1 ton substances. As the temp. of the tank is kept at 70-80 deg.C to continue fermentation, appropriate means to keep temp. are pref. set in the tank.    ADVANTAGE -   Large amts. of solid or muddy perishable organic substances are fermented effectively in a short period.
Humus compost is produced from liq. manure of different origins without causing environmental pollution by first eliminating the coarse components, then sepg. the organic phase from the liq. by pptn with mixed-in hydrated lime and static settling. The remaining liq. phase is clarified by hydrobiological methods and filtered to produce a reusable clean water. The settled mud is mixed at least in part with absorbing organic materials, e.g. chopped straw, supplemented with additives and made porous. It is finally stabilised anaerobically in compost heaps on the ground.
The proposed plant comprises a rotting tank, effluent transfer pump and biogas tank, fitted with inlet filter, de-sulphuriser and compressor.    The proposed plant is formed by two units, each mounted in a container or on a trailer. Unit one comprises the rotting tank effluent transfer pump. Unit two comprises the filters, de-sulphuriser, compressor and biogas tank. A gas engine supplied from the biogas tank, and driving the effluent transfer pump and the compressor, is located in unit one. A gas burner, also supplied from the biogas tank and used to heat the rotting tank, is also located in unit one.    The rotting tank itself is divided into a pre-digester chamber and a rotting chamber and is fitted with solar heating panels.
An artificial log has a tube of vegetable material stuffed with vegetable waste and wrapped in several thicknesses of paper sealed at the ends of the tube.    The vegetable waste may be dry leaves, straw, maize chaff, or brushwood. The innermost layer of paper is pref. coated with oil or grease. The ends of the log can be sealed with adhesive paper or vegetable fibre, and the log can be sausage-shaped or rectilinear. The log is used as fuel.
An organic waste water stream is treated in a recycling anaerobic filter which contains methanogenic bacteria. At intervals of at least once per hour, the rate of methane prodn. is measured and the rate (KL) at which COD is removed from the methane is calculated. The COD feed rate (OL) is set at a value related to the calculated KL in accordance with a formula which sets OL for the next period as a function of the measured methane prodn. in the previous period. The COD feed rate is at least 0.5 lbs COD/cu.ft/day and the recycle ratio is at least 2:1.    USE/ADVANTAGE -   The methane efficiency of the filter is maintained at a significantly lower level than its full capacity. The filter is operated at a COD loading of 3 lbs COD/cu.ft./day. The process reduces the time for a newly installed filter to be brought to operating capacity.
Evacuator based on the Parent Description, comprises a pressure gauge, opening an electrovalve on a water tank. Closing is under pressure based on an external pneumatic or hydraulic source, and the pressure drop is via a water column on the line linking the top and bottom accumulation compartment.    The water column is capable of withstanding an accumulation compartment pressure of 0.32 bar.    ADVANTAGE -   Design permits recirculation from a top to a bottom compartment.
The generator according to the Parent Description, comprises a horizontal-flow fermenter with two superposed circulation levels. Thus is a large-capacity industrial generator the heat losses are reduced with increased qround area utilisation. The generator can be built in confined spaces.    ADVANTAGE -   The design has two superposed circulation levels in a horizontal flow fermenter.
Doctor knife with centreline average roughness of upto 0.05 micron is used when preparing membrane from a soln. of high molecular material for membrane.    Pref. sepg. membrane is asymmetrical membrane consisting of a dense layer with gas selectivity and a porous layer without gas selectivity. High molecular material for membrane is a mixt. consisting of polyvinyl triorganosilane of 1 pts. wt. and organopolysiloxane of 0.05-1 pts. wt. Polyvinyl triorgano-silane has a specific viscosity of at least 1.5 dl/g in cyclohexane at 25 deg.C and dispersion deg. of up to 2.0. Mfr. of sepn. membrane including that the soln. of high molecular material for membrane is flowing extended on a smooth cast plate with a contact angle a thickness of at least 500 micron is produced.    Invented membrane has a high gas separating power, even at high permeation rate. Therefore this can be used for concn. of oxygen, hydrogen and sepn. of helium, carbon dioxide, methane etc. respectively from gas mixt.
Dewatering assistant is added to organic sludge to dewater organic sludge. Slow volatile oil is added to dewatered cake and then steam is used as fluidised gas and is supplied to a fluidised bed dryer. Oil-contg. dewatered cake is then supplied to the fluidised bed dryer.    ADVANTAGE -   Oil prevents organic sludge from generating bad odour and dust.
Methane fermentation tank has an agitation device comprising a drive motor outside the tank, a vertically reciprocally moving rod actuated by the motor, and an agitation vane attached to the lower end of the rod. The rod is formed with a spiral groove in the upper side surface the groove being engaged with a drive disc of the motor so that the rod is both spun and moved alternately up and down.    USE/ADVANTAGE -   Agitates liq. in tank with high efficiency and prevents drive motor from being corroded by the liq. in the tank.
Tank has a scum remover in digested liq. outflow pipe. Typically the scum remover includes a cylinder slidably provided in the outlet port. When scum blocks the outlet port, the cylinder is moved inward so as to push the scum in to the tank.    ADVANTAGE -   Scum remover is simpler and inexpensive.
An installation and a process for digesting organic material in the prodn. of biogas. The installation comprises an anaerobic digester vessel. The vessel has an inlet quite near its base for entry of organic fluid at one end of the vessel. At the opposite end of the vessel, and at a higher level than the inlet, there is an overflow outlet. The vessel is also equipped with a gas outlet from the headspace and means for thermostatic control of the contents of the vessel.    Between the inlet and outlet ends of the vessel, a first vertical partition extends upwards from the base to a level between inlet and overflow levels. The partition extends right across the width of the vessel so that material flowing through the vessel has to pass over the partition. A similar, second partition, lower than the first, is positioned between the first partition and the vessel overflow outlet.    USE/ADVANTAGE -   An installation and process for the prodn. of biogas from organic waste, partic. from liq. manure from farm animals such as pigs and cattle, as well as poultry and rabbit droppings in liq. suspension. Highly efficient performance in terms of output and quality of biogas and reduction in C.O. of organic material between inlet and outlet.
A biogas prodn. plant comprises at least one, pref. several, fermentation tanks. These tanks are all contained within a thermally insulated building but are themselves not insulated.    The required fermentation temp. is maintained in the entire building by means of hot air circulation. In addition, floor heating is pref. provided. Circulating fans are pref. also provided in the building.    USE/ADVANTAGE -   For the prodn. of biogas, using at least one, pref. several fermentation tanks, typically from organic materials such as animal manure. Insulation for the entire building is considerably less expensive than individual insulation for each tank. Also, no separate heat exchangers are required for individual tanks.
The Parent Patent described a system for the hot rotting of liq. manure mixed with straw which descends on inclined shafts, and for the recovery of heat from this process. Instead of the heat exchanger plates on which the material descends it is now suggested to use a blower to circulate air through the system. The heat is recovered in a heat exchanger through which water is circulated through pipes.    ADVANTAGE -   This replaces the costly heat exchanger plates for the shafts by an external heat exchanger so that both capital and operating costs are reduced.
Bypass path having methane gas concentrating device is arranged midway of gas pipe connecting methane fermentation appts. body and combustion device. At branch point of bypass path is provided electromagnetic valve to be operated through detection whether gas is combusted in gas combustion device.    USE/ADVANTAGE -   Load imposed upon concn. device can be reduced.
Contaminated water produced in garbage treatment is treated by reaction with deodorising decomposing germs. Treated contaminated water contg. large amt. of deodorising decomposing germ is repeatedly recycled to garbage.    USE/ADVANTAGE -   Garbage can be reduced in short time without discharging any offensive odours from contaminated water to outside.
Process comprises dehydrating organic sludge, pulverising obtd. cake to fine particles, and impregnating oil to the powder. The dehydrated cake is produced by disintegrating the cake mechanically after it is dried until the cake acquires characteristics permitting pulverisation; by heating under pressure; or by granulating through an extruder. The oil is heated.    USE/ADVANTAGE -   Disintegration of organic sludge (e.g. sewage sludge, night soil sludge, etc.) is often very difficult when the sludge contains 80-85% or more water because of very high adhesive property of the sludge. When the water content is 70-75%, the dehydrated cake is easily disintegrated, and reagglomeration of particles is not caused. Moreover, impregnation of oil into the disintegrated sludge is easier when the water content is low. By impregnating oil into the disintegrated sludge, the organic sludge can be transformed to useful solid fuel. The dehydration is performed by the use of a compression dehydrator, partic., screw press or that provided with a screw shaft heated by steam, etc. Higher temp. is obtd. because the compression energy is converted to heat energy. Therefore, hot air dryer generating malodour is not necessary, so deodorising device is also unnecessary.
A method of shutting down and rendering inert, biogas prods. plants, in which animal manure and sewage are anaerobically treated and the formation of explosive gas mixtures is prevented by appropriate feed of gases, is as follows. Air is blown directly into the sewage sludge containing the aerobic microorganisms in such a way that the gas mixt. formed has a max. oxygen concn. of less than 6%. The air is dispersed in the sludge and thoroughly distributed through it.    Pref., before the air is blown in, fresh substrate containing aerobic or opt. aerobic microorganisms is supplied to the sludge. This cold substrate is pref. supplied into the sludge until its temp. has fallen by at least 2 deg. C.    USE/ADVANTAGE -   For shutting down and rendering inert biogas prodn. plants operating with sewage or animal waste. Explosion risk (from methane) is avoided without use of large quantities of inert gas. The long periods required to render such treatment safe are also avoided.
In treatment of waste water from mfr. of cellulose pulp, by anaerobic treatment in at least 1 fermentation step, to produce CH4, where the water contains resin acids and/or fatty acids, or their Na salts, the water is treated with salts contg. Fe or Al cations, and salts contg. Ca or Mg cations.    The molar ratio of Fe or Al cations:acid anions is 0.3-2, and of Ca or Mg cations:acid anions is 0.5-10 (0.5-2). Pref. additives are FeCl2 or FeSO4; AlCl3 or Al2(SO4)3: CaCO3 or CaCl2; MgCO3 or MgSO4. The salts are added before or during the anaerobic step.    ADVANTAGE -   The additives inhibit the toxic effect of the acids on the methano-bacteria.
A fertiliser comprising spherical granules of ammonium sulphate crystals and sewage sludge solids is prepd. by mixing. Crystalline ammonium sulphate is placed in a mixing vessel and wet sewage sludge is added at a controlled rate while water is driven off. The mixing vessel is heated and air is circulated over it to remove the moisture at a rate which prevents the wet sludge from dissolving the dry, solid granules. The water content of the wet sludge is determined prior to mixing. Pref. the mixer is a rotating fertiliser granulation drum.    USE/ADVANTAGE -   The fertiliser typically contains 15% sludge solids. The prod. has a reduced hygroscopicity.
Partition panel consists of zymolysis soln. heater and heater fin.    Partition panel heats fermenter and pptn. chamber.    ADVANTAGE -   Fin decreases temp. of partition panel, preventing aged organic materials from accumulating on partition panel. This improves fermentation efficiency.
Zymolysis soln. stirrer is provided in fermenter. Also partition panel is provided in fermenter to form pptn. chamber.Upper end of partition panel is located at 20-40 cm below soln. level, with lower end of partition panel being located above the bottom of fermenter. Water flow outlet and stirrer are located between upper end and lower end of partition panel.    USE/ADVANTAGE -   Additives such as clay contd. in zymolysis soln. are deposited on the bottom of fermenter since stirring is not provided in lower part of partition panel. Scum, suspended matters are not accumulated in upper part of partition panel since stirring is sufficiently done. This promotes fermentation and prevents the water flow outlet from clogging.
Method comprises feeding raw material into the tank having a good heat shield, keeping the material stationary in the tank, passing air through the material at controlled flow rate to accelerate aerobic fermentation until compost is produced, and gravitationally dropping to a lower part of the tank.    Several fermentation tanks may be connected in series for a mass prodn. of the compost. Air feed pipes may be connected to a lower part of the tank. The tanks may be arranged vertically or horizontally.    ADVANTAGE -   Economically mass-produces good quality compost using less energy. (Corrected text)
Prepn. comprises fermenting scum from the oil-and-fat -contg. waste liq. generating in processing marine prods., using Mucor circinelloides. In conducting the method, a suspension of spores is prepd. from Mucor circinelloides cultured on PDA medium. The suspension is added to fish scum, and cultivation is conducted for 3-5 days at 30 deg.C to obtain a seed culture. It generally contains 10 power-8 g of spores. This seed culture is added in an amt. of 5-10 wt.% to fish scum which contains generally 40-60 wt.% of water and 5-40 wt.% of fat-and-oil. The mixt. is fermented under aerobic conditions at 20-40 deg.C. Aerobic fermentation is conducted by putting the mixt. in a fermentor and stirring the mixt. or aerating the mixt. from the bottom of the fermentor. Pref. the mixt. of seed culture and fish scum is formulated as pellet before fermentation to give the effective aerobic fermentation conditions in the fermentor.    ADVANTAGE -   Mucor circinelloides can be grown in fish scum, and shows high activity to decompose fat-and-oil in fish scum. High quality of fertiliser can be prepd. by fermentation of fish scum.
Treatment comprises mixing excrement and urine uniformly; making the resulting liq. acidic with sulphuric acid; distilling the liq.; passing the distilled vapour through alkali liq., cooling to obtain a distillate; adding to the distillate inorganic nutrient salt and microorganism-contg. water, air bubbling to clean the liq.; and mixing the distn. residue with quick lime to cause hydration and form powdered soil conditioner.    ADVANTAGE -   Alkaline components (e.g., ammonia and amine) and acidic components (e.g., lower fatty acid and mercaptane), can be removed by one distillation only so that heat costs can be greatly reduced. Sec. treatment (aeration) is shortened.
Waste water is purified by an anaerobic fermentation process in a vertical reactor. This has an overflow gutter for collecting purified water and a gas collection system. This system includes horizontal baffles which direct the gas into a vertical riser. The reactor has additional baffles below the gas-collecting baffles which intercept buoyant sludge and direct it into another riser. Gas is sepd. from this buoyant sludge while the sludge phase is returned to the bottom of the reactor.    ADVANTAGE -   The baffles reduce turbulence in the upper section of the reactor caused by buoyant sludge. The baffles occupy less than 55% of the cross-sectional area of the reactor.
Prodn. comprises measuring the water content in organic waste to be put in fermentor, with water-content measuring appts.; and mixing the water-content adjusting agent with the organic waste based on the obtd. date in such amnner that the water content in material to be put in a fermentor be constant.    ADVANTAGE -   Organic waste (e.g. raw waste) is fermented aerobically to give the compst. (1) If the water content in the material to be put in a fermentor is varied in wide range, stabilised fermentation cannot be conducted. If mechanical drying or drying in sun light is conducted to make the property of the prod. compost constant, cost and large space are required. The present method does not hace such defects.
Fowl droppings are mixed with appropriate amts. of synthetic wollastonite and conc. sulphuric acid. The mixt. is granulated and allowed to cool, and the granules are regulated to pH 6.0-7.85, moisture content of 65-78.5%, and temp. of 25-35 deg.C, and the granules so conditioned are subjected to fermentation with microorganisms and enzymes present for about 25 days.    USE/ADVANTAGE -   This method can effectively subject flow droppings to fermentation to produce a powdery prod. rich in nitrogen, phosphorus, potassium, solubleorganics, amino acids, organic acids, saccharides, activated silicic acid sols, etc., contg. no putrefying bacteria, pathogenic fungi, pests, weed seeds, etc. The powdery prod. can be effectively used as feeds, fertiliser, soil stabiliser, etc.
Dirty water, has a fish tank, is fed into a first purifying tank contg. purifying cpd. agent. The dirty water is fed. into a sec. processing culture tank contg. cpd. agent, adhering aerobic bacterium breeding biological film to the dirty water.    USE/ADVANTAGE -   Equipment purifies and activates dirty water without using chemicals.
Microorganism such as corynebacterium and nutrient soil are provided in concrete to form a block. The blocks are then put into box. Oil-contg. waste water is put into each box.    USE/ADVANTAGE -   Microorganism decomposes and digests oil and naturally cleans oil-contg. waste water. Method serves to reduce environmental pollution.
Domestic-rubbish carried by truck (51) is placed into crusher (5) through conveyors (3), (4) and is crushed in it. Then, it is classified into combustible (8) and noncombustible (7) in selector (6). Combustible is dried in dryer (10) with cyclone, led gas of high temp. of incinerator (16), and non-combustible contained in it is sepd, falls and is removed. Sepd. combustible is separated more in another cyclone (11). So separated combustible (14) is put into another dryer (32) through regulating-screw-conveyor (15), and dried and put into incinerator.    Exhaust-gas of cyclone (11) is exhausted from chimney (22). Part of combustible (8) of selector (6) is agitated in agitator (41), added water and fermented, and thereby converts to organic-manure. Part of combustible (14) separated in cyclone (11) and dryer (32) is added other combustibles and mixed and heated in mixer (47), and thereby converts to solid-fuel.
Waste water from nitrification treatment is passed to a denitrification tank through a sludge concn. tank or sludge storage tank for storing excess sludge.    USE/ADVANTAGE -   Method prevents nitrified waste water having high dissolved oxygen concn. from flowing into denitrification tank, resulting in maintaining the denitrification performance of denitrification bacteria.
Method includes directly charging ice into the reaction tank in which organic waste water is treated biologically.    ADVANTAGE -   Cooling effect is high and concn. of organisms in the tank is not lowered.
In methane fermentation, shells are used as carrier.    USE/ADVANTAGE -   In methane fermentation, bacteria are absorbed efficiently onto shells, and yield of methane gas generation is increased.    In an example, soil (10g) collected from Hokkaido (Japan) was cultured in a Wolfe Medium (1 lit.) comprising the following components, under anaerobic conditions (N2/CO2 = 80/10) at 20 deg.C for 1 month, to obtain a methane fermentation bacteria-seed culture soln..
Water, pulverised coal and waste water are mixed into a slurry in a flotation cell , the slurry is stirred to extract a floating floc therefrom which is discharged from an upper portion of the cell . A residual slurry is discharged from a lower portion of the cell and is stirred to extract a floating floc from the residual slurry in at least one other flotation cell. The floating flocs from each of the cells are collected and dewatered    to form a fuel bulk.    USE/ADVANTAGE -   Treatment of waste water containing organic substances, such as human wastes so as to form a solid fuel material. Allows the use of coal as a dewatering agent, with no additional dewatering agent required, and the coal also means no additional fuel is required to burn the waste.
Raw organic waste material is introduced into a fermentation appts. having a rigid body portion (8) and a flexible body portion (10) forming a closure member for the rigid body portion and the two portions forming a variable gas collecting space (50) for accumulating gas derived from the treatment of the waste. The flow path from the inlet to the outlet for the waste material in some-what tortuous so the waste cannow flow directly from inlet to outlet.    USE/ADVANTAGE -   Treatment of organic waste material such as agricultural or food processing waste and sewage. Provides speedier treatment of wastes, reducing post treatment costs by its lowering of BOD and shorter retention times with no moving parts in the digester to wear out so lowering maintenance costs.
A garden compost bin is made of four sides of corrugated sheet metal which are joined together to form a truncated pyramid with angles of 12-22 deg. to the vertical. The top opening for filling the garden rubbish is closed by a square lid. The side pointing north when on site is lined with heat insulation. To extract compost from the bottom, the bin is partly dipped up to give access to the shovel.    ADVANTAGE -   This optimises the composting conditions and can be made at low cost.
Transportable biogas reactor built on the unit-composed principle comprises a single standard top, a bottom of circular conical form with an outlet pipe at its base, and two or more upper parts of oval or conical form fitting the bottom and top. Around the conical bottom at approx. half-height an annular recess houses a pipe having nozzle bores for injecting gas to loosen the contents. The assembly is entirely mfd. in the factory but is transported to site in several large components, which can then be assembled there to a complete unit.    USE/ADVANTAGE -   As a transportable biogas reactor partic. for use on small farms for processing animal sewage. The assembly is inexpensive to mfr. and easy to erect on site.
A gas mixture containing methane, hydrogen sulphide and carbon dioxide is sweetened by delivery to a non-homogeneous membrane having a combined separation factor (S) for H2S + CO2 greater than 20, at a flow rate factor (FRC) of about 8, to maximise the merit factor (M) of the membrane. FRC=V/(A) (PD) (PR), V=rate of delivery of gas (cu.ft./hr.), A=area of membrane (sq.ft.), PD= pressure difference across membrane (psi), PR=permeation rate of membrane for methane (cu.ft./hr./sq.ft./psi methane). S is the ratio of permeability of the membrane for CO2 + H2S to that of methane. M is a measure of enrichment of the methane by the process.    USE/ADVANTAGE -   Removal of CO2 and H2S from methane may be required because they reduce its fuel value, cause corrosion, and H2S is smelly and toxic. It is now found that the membrane permeation method is optimised if factors S and FRC are as specified.
The unit consists of a body contg. a fan. It is fitted with oxidising elements, an energy source, a thermal regulator and flame-permeable grids. The body is double walled and the wall cavity is filled with a coolant. The grids are set to the inlet and outlet of the body as also between the elements and the fan. The elements are capable of closing off the body section and should be connected to both the energy source and the regulator.    USE/ADVANTAGE -   Coal mining methane removal. Oxidising elements held at constant temp. by regulator break down mixt. into useable methane and air thus improving mining conditions. Bul.25/7.7.85.
Organic cpds. and waste water contg. So4 are mixed and methane fermented to ppte. metal ions in waste water as solid substance and generate methane gas.    Pref. organic cpds. in waste water are fermented under non-O2 atmos. to generate H2S. H2S reacts with metal ions in waste water and metal sulphides ppte. according to solubility prods. of metals. Effective fermentation is done in shaft or tunnel as heat of earth is used as heat source. High temp. fermentation by which high purity methane is obtd. is possible by heating raw materials and organic cpds. with waste water heated in fermentation. By varying mixing ratio of organic cpds. and waste water, pH, temp. etc., various metal sulphides ppte. at different portions and, therefore, metal sulphide is selectively recovered.    ADVANTAGE -   Using methane gas obtd. as fuel source, maintenance expenses of plant are lower and fermentation is carried out effectively by heating organic cpds. and waste water by combustion of gas.
First treatment chamber and second treatment chamber are provided in aerator. Material for developing aerobic microbiological film is contained in each chamber.    USE/ADVANTAGE -   Aerated waste water passes through first and second treatment chambers to increase residence time of waste water in chambers. This reduces amt. of diffused.
Raw slime is charged from the top of the fermentor and the resulting compost is removed from its lower part thereof. Each storage chamber has double shutters that operate pivotally and are opened by link mechanisms.
System includes a circuit (I) for anticipating digestion condition and density of prods. in future, by processing expressions including predetermined terms of reaction rate based on input signals or simulated input signal for amt. of generates methane gas and CO2 gas produced by decomposition of inorganic substance which is included in supplied material by anaerobic acid-fermentation and methane-fermentation.    System further includes at least one processing circuits: 1st operating circuits to calculate and output coefft. which indicates reaction rate of methane-fermentation based on value of generating rate of methane, density of methane in the digestion tank, and density of organic acid in the tank, which are measured for a certain period by 1st measuring devices including densitometersm gas flowrator and gas analyser; 2nd processing circuits for calculating and outputting coefft. in terms for reaction rate of fermentation based on the data detected for a certain period; and 3rd processing circuit to operate and output ratio of generated organic acid to unit amt. of decomposed organic susbtance based on the data.    At least one of the following data in equations for the circuit (I) is revised in succession in this system based on output from the 1st, 2nd and 3rd processing circuits; (1) coefft. in terms for reaction rate of methane-fermentation; (2) coefft. in terms for acid-fermentation, (3) ratio of generation of organic acid to decomposed amt. of unit organic substance.    ADVANTAGE -   Coeffts. are revised correctly and in succession based on the data, so that laborious experiments for the revision of coefft. can be omitted.
Tank for methane-fermentation is partitioned into a fermentating portion and a sludge-pptg. portion, comprises a pump for returning digestion liq. from the portion, an inlet port for garbage arranged and a port for delivering the digestion liq. by the pump. Digestion liq. is agitated by an agitator and forms a supernatant. When a cover for the inlet port is opened, a switch is opened, and when the cover is closed, the switch is closed to close normal-close contact of a timer to activate the pump which delivers the supernatant through a pipe and a port, and the garbage is transferred by the flowing supernatant. When the timer is stopped, the pump is stopped.    ADVANTAGE -   The garbage is transferred automatically by supernatant without using any fresh water. Further, pump clogging is avoided by using the supernatant.
Denitrification is effected by bacteria adhered to a movable medium which can be transferred through a piping is divided denitrification processes (A) and (B) which are sepd. via a nitrification process. A portion of digestion liq. is circulated to the process (A) to which the waste liq. is introduced, so as to perform denitrification of NOx-N in nitrification liq. using organic C cpd. in the waste water and to treat remaining nitrification liq. in process (B). Surplus bacteria in process (A) are transferred together with the medium to process (B) and, after amt. of bacteria is decreased in (B) by internal respiration type denitrification, the medium is returned to process (A).    The transfer and return of the medium are performed intermittently. Transfer of the medium from (A) to (B) is initiated when height of layer of the medium in process (A) is increased to a certain height, and return of the medium is initiated when height of layer of the medium in process (B) is decreased to a certain height.    ADVANTAGE -   The total amt. of bacteria used in the denitrification is kept adequate, so that amt. of delivered surplus bacteria can be reduced. As internal respiration type denitrification is used to maintain amt. of the bacteria, organic carbon supply to the reaction can be reduced. As a result, control of the operation can be performed simply and economically.
A tank for digestion of slurried organic sewage by anaerobic bacteria, which is preliminary supplied to and propogated in tha tank, comprises a vertical paths arranged between an outer tank (11) and an inner tank (12) for moving the sewage slurry and cord-from or band-form pieces, are arranged in a portion, in several portions, or in the entire space of the path. Slurry liq. introduced into the inner tank is raised in the tank (12) and, flows through overflow ports (13) and flows down through conduits (17) and pipes (18) to bottom portion of the outer tank, and, when raised in the outer tank, organic component in the liq. is decomposed to generate methane gas.    USE/ADVANTAGE -   This tank is used in a system for treating organic sewage by methane-gas-fermentaion to generate methane gas and dehydrated sludge. By this tank, slurry liq. is effectively decomposed by anaerobic bacteria which is adhered to the pieces (14) to promote purificn. of the liq.
System comprises fermentation tank, gas storage tank, heater for heating digestion liq. in tank, and consuming device to which methane gas produced by fermentation is supplied through tank. Piping connecting tank and heater to the tank and a piping for connecting the tank to device are arranged for tank. Mechanism composed of open end of piping and cylinder, which surrounds open end and is mounted to a movable cover floating on seal water in the tank, will act to open path of gas through piping when amt. of stored gas is above certain amt. while, closing path when stored gas is below that amt..    ADVANTAGE -   Certain amt. of gas is remained in fermentation tank and gas is kept hot by heater even if amt. of consumption of gas exceeds a certain limit by automatic closing of piping.
Tank for forming sludge by digestion of organic waste as slurry by aerobic bacteria and opportunistic anaerobic bacteria while the waste is exposed to air supplied into the tank. Tank comprises nozzles on a pipe arranged in bottom portion of the tank, with an air source and a pipe line with a suction port and a delivery port opened in the waste in the tank for force-circulating the waste. An air delivery line is connected through a regulating valve to the intermediate portion of the line.    ADVANTAGE -   The bacteria stay in the bottom of tank and are effectively agitated by circulated slurry liq. so that cleaning capacity of the tank is significantly increased by joint effect of the bubbles from the nozzles and air introduced through the pipe line. When clogging of the nozzles occurs the decreased supply of air is compensated by adjusting the air pressure by a regulating valve in the air supply line.
Raw sewage treatment equipment comprises a chamber communicated with a toilet where the raw sewage is decomposed by microorganisms, a means for feeding air into the chamber, a means for discharging gases generated in the chamber.    USE/ADVANTAGE -   Equipment which is simple in construction, can be easily installed at a location where no sewage treatment system is accessible.
Plants are cultivated by using respiratory heat and carbon dioxide gas produced by microorganism during aerobic fermentation of microorganism contained in organic substance as heat and carbon dioxide gas source in cultivation of plants in greenhouse.    Organic substance to be discarded can be used effectively in cultivation of plants in greenhouse. Various kinds waste organic substance can be used and into the organic substance air is introduced, whereby the substance is fermented by the microorganisms contained in the organic substance. Heat and carbon dioxide gas are used for cultivation of plants in greenhouse.
The mixt. contains (A) composed clarified sludge from a communal waste water purificn. plant and (B) argillaceous-silt-like residues from gravel prodn.. Wt. ratio (A):(B) is 1:1 to 1:5 (1:1 to 1:2).    In an example, homogenised 1:1 mixt. of (A) lime-free clarifier sludge compost and (B) residue from gravel prodn. was used for growing cress, oats or grass under laboratory conditions. Growth, expressed in points according to growth-density and -level, was 150 for cress after 1 week, 250 for oats after 4 weeks and 400 for grass after 8 weeks, as against 70, 100, 100 respectively on using natural top soil, and 0, 0, 10 respectively on using pure clarified sludge or pure residue from washing gravel.    USE/ADVANTAGE -   The mixt. has a high fertiliser value and is used in agriculture, horticulture and re-cultivation.
Prodn. of ethanol from comminuted dried sugar cane stalks with an av. particle dia. of 0.25-4 cm. is effected by combining the stalks with Saccharomyces yeast and water to form a suspension, simultaneously extracting sucrose from the stalks and fermenting it in situ to EtOH, sepg. the spent stalks, and adding more dried sugar cane stalks.    Pref. sugar cane particles have a dia. of 0.5-2.2 cm and are suspended in water in an amt. of 1 pt.wt. per 1.4-1.7 pts.wt. of water. The suspension is sterilised at a temp. of at least 95 deg. C and then cooled and adjusted to pH 4-7 before adding the yeast, which is S.cerevisine CBS2959 or CBS 1242.    ADVANTAGE -   Stoichiometric conversion of sucrose to EtOH can be achieved without prior extraction of the sucrose from the sugar cane.
Mixt. of additives and excrements is decomposed by aerobic fermentation to change to a smaller volume powder, with germs or parasites perishing as temp. rises.    USE/ADVANTAGE -   Necessary additive to lower water content of mixt. of excrements can be supplied inoptimal condition despite varying the vol. of supplied excrements. Maintenance, cost is cheaper and also the necessary vol. of container can be reduced.
Treatment comprises settled water in settling tank being circulated to adjusting tank and at least one of these tanks-adjusting tank or air exposing tank is being charged with a carbon or nitrogen cpd. to breed bacteris in activated mud.    USE/ADVANTAGE -   Water level of each tank can be maintained steadily and due to constant supply of any nutrient, activated mud can not deteriorate even in case of stoppage of flow of sewage water.
In the prepn. of compost from organic sludge by fermentation, the improvement comprises (i) conducting fermentation in such a manner that the breathability of the layer of organic sludge granules is maintained and (i) using granules having low density.    The organic sludge granules of low density can be prepd. by dehydrating organic sludge from sewage, to reduce the water content from 90 wt.% to 65 wt.%, mixing the resulting sludge with pre-dried composite powder to obtain a mixt. with water content of 45 wt.%, and then granulating the mixt. under vibration. The obtd. granules are placed in a fermentor and to maintain the breathability, the granule layer is stirred during fermentation. Air or O2 contg. gas is introduced to the fermentor from the bottom. Fermentation is pref. conducted at about 75 deg.C, for about 3 days. . prod. has water content 40 wt.%, and is dried to a water content 15 wt.% to give the final prod..    ADVANTAGE -   Since sufficient amt. of air or O2-contg. gas can be supplied to the layer of organic sludge granules, generation of anaerobic bacteria can be prevented and as a result generation of malodour during fermentation is prevented.
Organic waste water after or before treating with biological treating tank is partially vapourised in cooling tank under reduced press. to reduce temp. Then the organic waste water is flowed in biological treating tank for treatment.    USE/ADVANTAGE -   By reducing temp. in treating system activity of microorganisms can be maintained most favourably.
Process comprises (1) a pretreatment in which the algae are finely divided to form a suspension of very fine particles in a liq.. Partial depolymerisation of solid algae matter takes place at this stage; (2) transfer of the suspension into a fluidised bed of granules on which are fixed enzymes to transform the particles into sugars; the suspension liq. contg. bacteria which transform these sugars into volatile fatty acids; (3) decanting to eliminate residual solid particels from a decanted liq; (4) the liq. is passed through a fixed bed contg. methanogen, methanogenic bacteria on supports such as ceramic packing rings. This results in the liq. releasing a gas mixt. contg. principally methane.    USE/ADVANTAGE -   Used for CH4 prodn. by fermentation of seaweed and other algae. Total retention time of algae in the process is only about 10 days, about half the time for previous processes of methane prodn. from algae.
In a gasification process of refuse with fuel added the refuse is freed from an organic material and charged with its prods. of reaction in the fluidised bed. Crude gas from the fluidised bed reactor is used to dry the refuse. The added fuel, e.g. coal, straw, wood or bagasse is charged separately to the fluidised bed after a similar treatment.    ADVANTAGE -   This makes good use of refuse and utilises cheap and readily available added fuel.
A biologically pure microbial culture system acclimatised to spent sulphite liquor is claimed having at least one of the following fungal components (identified through isolation and accepted taxonomical procedures): (1) Phialophora heanselmei (Langeron) Emmons (ATCC 20,482), (2) Phialophora richardsiae (Nangeldt apud Melin and Nannf.) Connate (ATCC 20,483), (3) Hyalodendron lignicola Diddens (ATCC 20,484), (4) Trichosporon infestans (Moses and Vianna) Ciferri and Redaelli (ATCC 20,485), (5) Candida tropicalis (Castellani) Berkout (ATCC 20,486), the fungal cpds. being acclimatised to spent sulphite liquor.    USE -   The cultures are esp. useful for treatment of pulp mill wastes and operate efficiently in the presence of spent sulphite liquors. Under optimum conditions up to 85-90 % BOD removal from spent sulphite liquor can be accomplished.
Antistatic fabric conditioner compsn. contains (a) a conditioning agent consisting of a mixt. of (i) the quat. NH4 salt R1R2R3R4N(+) (I) opt. mixed with R'1R'2R'3R'4N(+)An'(-) (II), and (ii) a lactate salt (III) (alkali(ne earth) metal or NH4); and (b) a carrier (IV) in wt. ratio (a)(i):(a)(ii) = 4-1:1, and wt. ratio (I):(II) = 4-1:1. (IV) is H2O, EtOH, PrOH, i-PrOH, or 2-6C aliphatic hydrocarbon. R1R2 = 12-22C alkyl; R'2R'3R3R4 = 1-3C alkyl; AnAn' = anion; R'1 = (10-20C) alkylamido -(1-3C)alkyl; R'4 = 1-3C alkyl or PhCH2, or R'4 with N(+) and A'(-) forms a zwitterionic gp.    USE/ADVANTAGE -   The combination of the quat. NH4 salt (I) (and opt. (II)) with the lactate (III) has synergistic antistatic properties.
Process comprises passing starting gas through a reactor filled with Cu/Zn low temp. shift catalyst upstream, and methanisation catalyst downstream.    ADVANTAGE -   Process markedly reduces the inlet temp. to the catalytic bed to increase utilisable temp. range through the methanisation catalytic bed, to decrease the number of reaction stages and to reduce the amt. of steam.
The method comprises aerobic fermentation of rice straw, wheat straw or water plants such as reeds and water hyacinth. A compost material contg. readily decomposable organic materials having a BOD5 value not less than 50 mg-O2/g-SD is added and then aerobic fermentation is effected. The compost added is pref. organic wastes such as sewer sludge, animal faeces, etc.    The compost added before the fermentation is a prod. of aerobic fermentation which is not finished, so that it is still active. Thus the intended fermentation is virtually continuation of the added compost permentation.    ADVANTAGE -   The use of active compost which has passed the high temp. stage and is already sterilised, ensures there are no parasite worms or pathogenic microbes in the starting materials for the intended fermentation, and thus sanitary conditions are good.
Prepn. of compost from organic sludge comprises putting mouldings of organic sludge in a fermentor, passing air or oxygen-contg. gas (hereinafter called reaction gas) through a layer of said mouldings, and recycling the reaction gas.    Mouldings of organic sludge can be obtd. by granulation under vibration, granulation under stirring, compression-granulation, extrusion-granulation, etc. The organic sludge from sewage disposal site generally contains about 90 wt.% water, and is dehydrated on filter press to water content of about 65 wt.%. The reaction gas is introduced to the bottom of the fermentor, and removed from upper part of the fermentor. The reaction gas from the fermentor is passed through an aq. soln. of sodium hydroxide to remove carbon dioxide, passed through sulphuric acid to remove ammonia gas, and then washed with water, followed by drying. The treated gas is again introduced to the fermentor. Fermentation is conducted at about 75 deg.C for about 5 days. The prod. has water content of about 40 wt.%, and is dried to water content of 15 wt.% to give the final prod.    ADVANTAGE -   Release of the reaction gas into the outside can be prevented, thus avoiding bad smell pollution since fermentation can be conducted in a closed system. The reaction gas after fermentation contains bad smelling gas such as ammonia, and this is recycled to the fermentor after removal of bad smelling gas.
Prepn. comprises mixing the organic sludge having water content of about 65% with previously dried compost powder, to obtain a mixt. of water content of about 45%, extrusion granulating the mixt. to form pellets, placing the pellets in fermentor, passing oxygen or oxygen-contg. gas through a layer of the pellets, and heating the fermentor.    Specifically, the organic sludge derived from sewage disposing site has water content of about 90 wt.%, and this is dehydrated with e.g. filter press to water content of about 65 wt.%. This is adjusted to water content of about 45 wt.% by mixing with the previously dried compost powder. Then, the pellets are placed in a fermentor, and the fermentor is heated at about 80 deg.C. Fermentation is conducted for about 7 days. Heating is conducted by hot water, hot water, microwave, infra red, etc.    ADVANTAGE -   Since the formed pellets have moderate water content, they keep the sufficient mechanical strength during fermentation, so disintegration of the pellets during fermentation can be prevented. Since the fermentor is heated during fermentation, generation of dewdrops can be prevented, so disintegration of the pellets due to dewdrops can be prevented. The obtd. compost has good quality.
In a device for fermenting human waste, including an agitating tank (9), connected to a waterless type stool (4), a fermentation tank (12) located below and connected to the tank (9) and an exhaust cylinder (14), at least major part of a screw, arranged in the tank (9), is formed to be a ribbon screw which is twisted to one direction. A rotating shaft is driven by a device and can be disengaged for maintenance.    ADVANTAGE -   As water is not used in this device, consumption of water is small and will not cause polution problem. Fermentation is conducted in the tank (12). The device is simply constructed and maintenance and control can be made easily.
A digestion tank includes an inlet (2) for original liq., a delivery pipe (4) for treated liq. and a gas outlet (8), a gas collecting chamber (8) and a number of gas vent tubes (14a) (14b) with their ends adjacent to surface of liq.    The gas vent tubes have umbrella-form lower ends. The tank is partitioned by an inclined partition wall (17) to dividing digestion zone (10) from solid liq. separating zone. The gas collecting vent tubes are located in methane-producing zone.    ADVANTAGE -   As generated gas in the tank is collected in liq. zone and delivered to adjacent to liq. surface, agitation of liq. mixt. by rising of the gas is avoided and deterioration of treated liq. by broken sludge flock is prevented, so that decrease of digesting efficiency on account of mixing of bacteria can be avoided.
Lateral type high pressure reactor is swung to stir reactants. Liq. outflow preventing valve is provided in the high pressure reactor.    USE/ADVANTAGE -   High pressure reactor is used for reacting hydrogen and carbon monoxide with high pressure of up to a few thousand atoms. The stirring effect is high.
A method for measuring number of a methane forming bacteria (I) or activity to form methane, where (1) a sample contg. (I) is heated, (2) light (II) of a certain wavelength is used to irradiate (I), and (3) a fluorescent light (III) emitted from (I) is measured.    The sample contg. (I) is made alkaline and heated at 60-120 deg.C for 30 sec.-one hr. An irradiation of (II) having 380-440 nm wavelength allow (I) to excite, and (I) emits (III) having 450-490 nm wavelength. The strength of (III) emitted is useful as a parameter of the number of (I) or its methane forming activity. The addn. of a surfactant such as Triton or SDS, or an organic solvent such as ethanol or aceton, into the sample makes the measurement more effective.    ADVANTAGE -   A substance designated F420 is know to exist in the energy-metabolic system in (I) as an electron-carrier. This substance is excited with the irradiation of (II) and emits (III).
The method involves culturing methane producing bacteria in culture medium contg. formic acid as hydrogen and carbon source, while keeping pH of the culture medium constant by suitably adding formic acid.    Methane producing bacteria can utilise hydrogen gas and carbon dioxide gas as hydrogen and carbon source. They also utilise formic acid and its salt as hydrogen and carbon source. In culturing methane producing bacteria on a large scale, it is necessary to increase the hydrogen and carbon source content in the culture medium. By using sodium formate, pH of the culture medium rises with the consumption of formic acid and practically pH of the culture medium can be feedback controlled by adding formic acid as neutralising agent. Methanobacterium SP ST-23(FERM BP-44) can be used favourably.    USE/ADVANTAGE -   The methane producing bacteria can be cultivated industrially, while keeping high bacterial body concn.
Catalyst compsn. comprises an oxide of niobium and/or tantalum supported on titania. Pref. at least 25 wt.% of the support oxide is in non-crystalline form. Metal oxide loading on titania is pref 0.5-25 wt.%, esp 1-15 wt.% of catalyst compsn.    USE -   The compsns. are useful in synthesizing methane thiol and methane from mixtures of H2S and CO. Niobia on titania is useful for removing NO from waste gases.
Obnoxious organic waste is degraded microbially by (1) collecting a sample from the contaminated site, (2) enriching the microorganisms living in the sample, (3) sepg. from each other the strains of microorganisms capable of having different metabolism for the various chemicals in the sample, (4) purifying the strains capable of biodegrading the chemicals to be disposed of, (5) applying the strain(s) to the site of the contaminants to be disposed of, and (6) monitoring removal of the contaminants from the site of application.    Pref. the sample is taken from a site with a significant concn. of the obnoxious chemicals. The waste is esp. chlorinated organic cpds. stored in a secure landfill, partic. chlorotoluenes and metabolic derivs.. The microorganisms are Pseudomonas cepacia var. niagarorus. Specific microorganisms are ATCC 31945, ATCC39141 ATCC 31942, ATCC 39140, ATCC 31943, ATCC 31944, and ATCC 31939.    USE -   Partic. conversion of chlorinated aromatic cpds. into CO2, water and salt.
The tank comprises a cylinder (1) with inlet (2,5) and outlet (3,4) pipes and a gas hood (6) with rollers (7,8) linked to guides (9,10). To simplify discharge, a bottom frame (12) on hood (6) has blades at 20-45 deg. to the horizontal. The manure generates gas accumulating in hood (6), with exit via pipes (5). The blades operate during the vertical travel of hood (6), the process being intensified by a compressor. The discharge process is accelerated 12%.    ADVANTAGE -   Discharge is facilitated by using the gas formed in the cylinder to actuate the sediment. Bul.22/15.6.85.
The cleaner comprises an anaerobic (2) and an aerobic (3) treatment section, and a filtration block (4,5). To increase performance, sections (2,3) are made as intercommunicating chambers with vertical partitions (13) and removable cassettes of sthetic material, section (2) having a water heating (18) and section (3) an aeration system, while blocks (4,5) are series-connected biofilters, block (5) also having an aerator (28). The charges of blocks (4,5) consists of three beds of raw sea sand and a mixt. of granulated activated carbon and foam plastics particles respectively. Pump (7) feeds the water neutralised to pH 6-8.5 into pressure tank (1) for introduction of potassium salts of orthophosphoric acid (0.05 g/l) through port (9). With gravity feed and heating to 32-37 deg. C, intensive treatment by the micro-organisms on the cassettes reduces the contamination by 55-65 per cent. Subsequent aeration and cooling to 22-28 deg. C in section (3) and final clarifying in blocks (4,5) reduces the contamination by up to 85 and 98% respectively.    ADVANTAGE -   The design facilitates operation and increases productivity. Bul.22/19.6.85.
Organic matter is waste water is decomposed to methane gas and carbon dioxide by the bacteria of a biological membrane.    USE/ADVANTAGE -   Method can reduce energy consumption for fluidised biological carriers and the treatment unit operates stably while maintaining a constant thickness of biological membrane.
Rectangular synthetic resin thin plates are placed in a channel contg. water being purified so that algae or filamentous bacteria adhere to the thin plates.    ADVANTAGE -   Method propagates bacteria in drainage water to provide drainage with sufficient purificn. action. This prevents pollution.
Organic waste is converted to useful odourless dry material by inoculating bacteria in organic waste and culturing at relatively high temp. with aeration. Improvement comprises using Bacillus stearothermophillus (FERM P-7587) as the bacterial strain and culturing in the presence of ferrous sulphate. Pref. culture is effected at 40-70 deg.C esp. 50 deg.C. Ferrous sulphate is pref. added as 0.01-0.1 w/w% on starting organic waste and oxidises odourless components.    USE/ADVANTAGE -   Organic waste such as raw human chicken or pig, sewage can be digested, deodorised and dried effectively by bacteria and digested prod. can be used as fertiliser.
To sewage, condensed organics contg. water of higher organic material content is added, and the resulting mixt. subjected to high temp. aerobic fermentation.    Condensed organic waters are pref. those obtd. in prodn. of yeast, in processing soy bean, in prodn. of sugar, etc. Fermentation is carried out at 50-60 deg.C at air supply amt. of 5-30 Nm3/kl-mixt. for 10-14 days. The fermented prod. is taken out of the fermentor little by little, and can be used as liq. fertiliser without solid-liq. sepn.. Since the fermented product does not contain microorganisms such as Escherichia coli, sterilisation is not necessary. As the fermented prod. has a high temp., it is pref. heat exchanged with the condensed water to be introduced to the fermentor    ADVANTAGE -   Fermentation can be carried out without external heating even in winter or in cold districts. Liq. fertiliser can be obtd. at low cost. Condensed organic filthy water which is difficult to dispose of can be treated at the same time.
Method comprises coagulating seawage, subjecting the resulting mixt. to solid-liquid sepn. to obtain condensed liquid, and subjecting the condensed liquid to high temp. aerobic fermentation to prepare liq. fertiliser.    Coagulant is e.g. organic or inorganic, pref. cationic organic coagulant. Inorganic coagulants are e.g. aluminium chloride, aluminium polychloride, aluminium sulphate, ferric chloride, ferric sulphate, etc. Organic coagulants are e.g. aminoalkylaacrylate or aminoalkyl methacrylate polymer, acrylamide polymer, polyvinylimidazoline, polyethyleneimine, etc. When the coagulant is added to sewage, flocs are formed. Addn. amt. of coagulant is pref. 5-30 wt.% with inorganic coagulant. Addn. amt. of organic coagulant is 1.3 wt.% or less, pref. 0.3-1 wt.%. Coagulation treatment is generally carried out under neutral or acidic conditions (pH 4.5-8). The resulting mixt. contg. flocs is subjected to solid-liquid sepn. using e.g. a centrifuge. The obtd. condensed liquid is then subjected to high temp. aerobic fermentation. Fermentation is pref. carried out at 50-60 deg.C in air in an amt. of 5-30 N m3/kl-condensed liquid.    ADVANTAGE -   Since high temp. aerobic fermentation is conducted, fermentation can be maintained without external heating even in winter or in cold districts. Thus liq. fertiliser can be obtd. at low cost.
Mfr. comprises using closed kettle equipped with a stirring device and vent, designed in such a way so the ratio of surface area exposed to gas phase of the raw material, i.e. organic matter capable of decay charged to not less than 50% of the capacity volume of raw material, charged in the same unit system, not less than 1.5. The raw material with admixt. 3-50% based on calcium oxide organic matter is charged to 75% or less of the kettle capacity, stirred and then carbon dioxide is introduced while continuing agitation.    USE/ADVANTAGE -   Wastes from human activities, livestock and industrial food waste can be disposed of with minimal problems and utilised as soil modifier, which is in short supply.
A method of determining the number of methane bacteria or the methane-forming activity of methane bacteria comprises irradiating sample with light of wavelength region (220-300 nm. or 380-440 nm) and determining the bacterial number or the methane-forming activity of the bacteria based on the fluorescent intensity obtd. by correcting the intensity of a fluorescence emitted by the irradiated sample by the turbidity of other micro-organisms, digestion sludge, etc. in the sample.    When the light is applied to methane bacteria, substances distinctive to methane bacteria (consisting mainly of F420), emit distinctive fluorescence the characteristics of which are different from the fluorescent characteristics of other microorganisms or foreign substances in digestion sludge etc. The number and the methane-forming activity of methane bacteria are identified from the fluorescent spectra. For the identification, the relationship between the number of methane bacteria and the intensity of fluorescent spectral peak, or the amt. of methane formed and the intensity of fluorescent spectral peak, is previously examined on standard methane bacteria (e.g. Methanosarcina barkei) for making calibration curves.    ADVANTAGE -   The methane-forming activity of methane bacteria can be determined regardless of turbidity and other microorganism and foreign matters present in a sample. Methane fermentation tank is effectively operated and the optimisation of the operation and the control of methane fermentation tank such as sewage treating system can be easily achieved.
Sewage treatment chamber comprises aeration compartment into which sewage flows, solid-liq. sepn. compartment, and circulatory aeration compartment. The oxidn.-redn. potential is kept positive.    USE/ADVANTAGE -   Provides a compact, simple, reduced cost sewage treatment chamber.
The proposed appts. is in the form of a closed vessel divided into an acidic pre-fermenter space connected by a transfer pipe to the main methane generating fermenter space and a post-fermenting space separated from the others by a dividing wall reaching up to 4/5 ths of the tank diameter.    The main fermenter space is provided with feed pipes and integral feed funnels which reach to the level of the fermenter space and pref. below it, by a few centimetres. The main fermenter space is also equipped with a tubular coil heater carrying a heat transfer medium, which is heated outside the vessel by a gas heater. The feed pipe system is connected to a homogeniser tank and the adjoining pump.
CH4 is prepd. by reaction of CO and/or CO2 with H2 in presence of a catalyst in the form of 1 or more discrete catalyst bodies, each having a number of internal channels of ordered, pre-determined dimensions and arrangement for reactants and reaction prods., and contg. uniformly dispersed catalytically active material.    The catalyst is NiO + Ni aluminate, and forms more than 50 wt.% of the catalyst body. Each catalyst body may be a honeycomb with a number of parallel channels which form the internal channels. The honeycomb may be in the shape of a right cylinder, the curved surface of which is continuous and impermeable to reactant(s) and prod(s)., with channels parallel to the main axis of the cylinder. Each honeycomb may comprise alternate plain and corrugated sheets bonded together to define the channels. A number of the discrete bodies is randomly assembled in a container with an inlet for reactant(s) and an outlet for prod.    ADVANTAGE -   The reserve of catalytic material combats poisoning and/or ageing problems. Excessive resistance to flow of reactat(s) and/or prod(s). is avoided.
Fuel briquettes having a fly ash coke binder of 3-50, pref. 15-20, wt.percent of the briquettes are prepared wherein a solid organic combustible material such as biomass material and/or combustible industrial waste is admixed with a binder originating from fly ash is pressed to form briquettes under pressure and elevated temperature in a briquette press.    ADVANTAGE -   The use of fly ash coke rather than fly ash is that it avoids recovering the mineral fraction, separated off by the flotation of the fly ash, in the new fly ash possibly formed by the combustion of the briquettes and thereby decreases the load on flue gas filters and/or air pollution.