(US4924282-A)      Image reading device used in facsimile machine, copier etc. has an opaque layer (112) of a conductive material (112) e.g. metal connected to a power source to act as gate electrode for a main electrode source (116) and a drain electrode (117). Electrodes are in comb-like form and are placed in a mutually interlacing relationship, while a light-receiving window (118) has a meandering shape.    A semiconductor layer (14) is exposed through the window, effecting photoelectric conversion. A protective layer (129A) on the sensor (108) has a multilayer structure of passivation layer and spacer layer (130).    ADVANTAGE -   Improved durability, capable of relaxing    (US5017988-A)      Image reading device for use in facsimile machine, copying machine etc. has a sensor unit (108) in which an opaque layer (112) of conductive material acts as gate electrode for a source (116) and drain (117) electrode, these being comb-like and in an interlacing relation. A light-receiving window (118) is formed in a meandering shape and a semiconductor layer (14) is optically exposed through the window receives light from a document (P). Protective layer (129A) on the sensor is of multi-layer construction.    ADVANTAGE -   Improved durability, capable of relaxing stress.    (11pp)
(US4944869-A)      Appts. for obtg. enriched fractions from used batteries from units arranged in series comprises two concentric drums, with helical strips on the inner wall of the outer drum, and perforated blade on the outer wall of the inner perforated drum. The inner drum ends in a conic perforated passage to which a tube is fastened. Helical strips are also provided on the inner drum and the conic passage.    ADVANTAGE -   Compact and rugged. @(10pp)@    (DE3868694-G)      Suspension with specific wt. 1.65-2.20 kg/cub.dm comprising pieces of size up to 300mm of broken used accumulators with water and pasty oxidesulphate fraction (I) is sepd. into (A) heavy material consisting of coarse grained metal fraction and (I), (B) light material consisting of ebonite, PVC, and polypropylene (PP), contaminat
(JP95091365-B2)      An epoxy resin compsn. comprises an epoxy resin of formula (I), an acid anhydride curative and a curing accelerator: where A = cpd. of formula (II) where R = alkyl and n = O or 1-4, and m = O or 1-20.    Pref. the epoxy resin can be obtd. by epoxidation of 9,9-bis(hydroxyphenyl)fluorene or its alkyl deriv. with epichlorohydrin and the acid anhydride curative includes phthalic anhydride, methyltetrahydrophthalic anhydride, trimellitic anhydride, etc. and the curing accelerator 2-methylimidazole, triphenylphosphine, triamylammonium phenolate, etc. The contents of theacid anhydride curative and the curing accelerator ar pref. 0.5-1.5 equiv. and 0.1-10, pref. 0.4-4, wt.% on the basis of the epoxy resin.    USE/ADVANTAGE -   Epoxy resin compsns. contg. bisphenol epoxy resins with fluorene structure capable of providing cured epoxy resin prods. with comparable transparency to that of the prod. obtd. from a bisphenyl A epoxy resin compsns. In addn. to heat resistance and mechanical strenth. Useful for electronic devices and parts requiring transparency such as photo-electric conversion devices.
(JP2583762-B2)      The electrolyte comprises a complex of a polymeric matrix having a main chain having high dimensional structure and side chain having ion dissociation gp., and electrolytic salt.    USE/ADVANTAGE -   Useful for solid state sec. battery, temp. sensor, electroluminescent element etc. High ion conductivity and superior film forming property as well as sufficient mechanical strength.    In an example, poly(gamma-methyl -L-glutaminate) 0.25g 2-(2-methoxy-ethoxy) ethanol 4.2g and paratoluene sulphonic acid 1.05g were dissolved in 1,2-dichloroethane 25ml, and reacted at 65 deg. C in N2 gas stream for 24 hrs. Polymer produced was purified by precipitating with dichloroethane/ethanol solvent system. LiClO4 in amt. of 0.02 mol per ethylene oxide unit was added to the polymer and cast on a glass plate for film formation. Ion conductivity at AC 0.05V and 5-10 Hz using platinum electrode was, in the thickness direction, sigma = 1.2 x 10 power (-5) S/cm (30 deg. C).
(JP96021389-B2)      In an electric cell having an ion-conductive material between an anode and a cathode, the improvement is that the ion-conductive material consists of a crosslinked polysiloxane hardened body having a side chain consisting of organic gp.having oxyalkylene or polyoxyalkylene gp., and electrolyte contg. Gp.I orGp.II metal ions.    The main chain of the crosslinked polysiloxane has the formula (I), n is a positive integer, m is 0 or a positive integer, X is oxyalkylene or polyoxyalkylene gp., R1-R3 are methyl, ethyl, propyl, butyl, hexyl, octyl, methoxy, ethoxy, phenyl or naphthyl, etc..    The crosslinking agent is e.g. cpd. having isocyanate, carboxyl, carboxylic anhdyride, epoxy, hdyroxy, halide, vinyl, silanol or alkoxysilane gp..    ADVANTAE - The electric cell has excellent resistance to leakage of electrolyte.
(GB2201154-B)      A method of producing a polymeric electrolyte which includes the steps of melting a polymer or matrix of polymers ('Matrix polymer') and dispersing therein a finely divided ionic salt characterised in that the matrix polymer is made into a finely divided form prior to melting.
(DE3702796-C2)      A lightweight rechargeable energy supply is a thin (12 mm) battery (10) which is recharged by 20 polycrystalline silicon solar cells (6) in a casing (7).    The inside battery consists of a gel enclosed between foils of polypyrrole and lithium. A socket (1) is used for the insertion of a plug and a switch (2) changes a 3V output to a 12V output. A pilot lamp (3) and a battery tester (4) are also fitted. A plastic film hinge (5) is clipped to the casing (7) and can be used to hold another battery.    ADVANTAGE -   This creates a lightweight rechargeable battery which can be recharged both by sunlight or by lamp light.
(JP96032783-B2)      Polymer comprises a di:phenylether or thioether cpd. of formula (I), where, X = O or S; m, m', n and n' = each 0-2 but n = 2-m and n' = 2-m'.    USE/ADVANTAGE -   The polymer is an electrolytic polymer, which is electrochemically active. It is used to mfr. solar battery, sec. battery, image sensor, electrochromic device etc.    In an example a cpd. of formula (i) and 0.68g tetra-n-butylammonium perchlorate were dissolved in 20 ml acetonitrile. The soln. was put in an electrolytic cell and the cpd. was made to polymerise by three-electrode method using ITO glass as a working electrode, Pt wire as a counter electrode and SCE as a reference electrode, and 7 cycles of 0V - 1.5V - 0V impression were applied with impression velocity of 50 mV/sec. The polymer membrane prepd. assumed a red colour and was insol. in methanol THF and DMF.
(US4933053-A)      The prepn of an electrically conductive polymer comprises : (i) dissolving a starting polymer consisting of 5-100 mol.% of recurring structural units of general formula (I) and 95-0 mol.% of recurring structural units of general formula (Si(R4)(R5)0), is an electroylte contg a disolved conductivity salt, in an elect -ochemical cell, and (ii) electrochemically depositing the conduc-tive polymer on the anode. R1 and R4 are 1-4C alkyl, 1-4C alkoxy or phenoxy; R2 and R3 are 1-4C alkyl, 1-4C alkoxy, halogen, CN or N02; R5 is 1-18C alkyl (un)substd. by OH gp(s)., or is phenyl or OH; m is 3-11; and n and p are 0.2.    USE -   Carbozole-contg-electrically conductive polymers are prod-uced by the process. (7pp)
(US4895775-A)      Integrally moulded fuel cell electrode and matrix comprises a) a matrix layer contg. 3-20 wt.% PTFE and 80-97 wt.% inorganic powder, pref. SiC, Ta2O5, ZrO2 or carbon fine powder, integrally formed on one side of b) an electrode layer of PTFE contg. a catalyst. Layer a) contains carbon fine powder and has integrally formed, on its side opposite layer b), a layer of PTFE contg. a second inorganic powder which possesses electrical insulating properties, pref. SiC, Ta2O5 or ZrO2.    Pref. layer a) is 10-250 micrometres thick. Pref. layer b) comprises 40-90 wt.% of electrically conductive fine powder, on which the catalyst has been supported, and 10-60 wt.% PTFE.    ADVANTAGE -   New electrode/cell has improved overall performance and reduced costs.
(JP94096699-B2)      Electrolyte is prepd. by curing a compsn. comprising (a) an acryloyl-modified polyalkylene oxide contg. an acryloyl structure of formula (I) (where R=H or lower alkyl) and a polyalkylene oxide structure of the formula -(CH2CHRO)n (where R=H or lower alkyl, and n=2-30 integer), (b) an inorganic ion salt, and (c) a polyalkylene glycol of formula RO-(CH2CHRO)n-R (III) (where R=H or lower alkyl and n=2-30 integer). Pref. inorganic salt contains Li, Na, K, Cs, Ag, Cu or Mg.    USE/ADVANTAGE -   For electrolytes of prim. and sec. batteries, electrochromic display elements, etc. with high ion conductivity.
(GB2200069-B)      A machine for the prodn. of a strip of metal-alloy or plastics grating for use in the mfr. of accumulator plates, comprising a multiple-step expansion die through which a continuous strip of metal alloy or plastics is fed intermittently and which includes a rectilinear matrix and punch tapered in the direction of advance of the strip and movable relative to each other, the punch carrying two lateral rows of toothed cutting blades arranged to cooperate with two respective lateral rows of counter blades with which the matrix is provided, and motorised means for moving the punch towards the matrix with an operating stroke synchronised with the advance of the strip, in which each cutting blade is provided with at least two contiguous teeth which are side by side in the direction of advance of the strip, so as to make at least two cuts in the strip with each operating stroke of the punch.
(JP2618453-B2)      Cell comprises: an Li anode; cathode; and non-aq. electrolyte in which the solvent is formed of at least 15 mole% each of ethylene carbonate (I), propylene carbonate (II) and polyethylene glycol dialkyl ether (III), pref. at least 25 mole% (III). A pref. solvent comprises (in mole%): (I) 25-40, (II) 25-40 and (III) 25-40.    ADVANTAGE -   Above solvent mixt., and esp. the presence of (III), prevents explosion on cell abusive testing, enhancing cell safety; and also improves cell cycling efficiency.
(US4833029-A)      A honeycomb facesheet material comprises (A) a woven graphite cloth of interwoven graphite fibres spaced at least a fibre dia apart and (B) a piece of graphite paper adhering to at least 1, pref. both sides of (A). (A) and (B) are impregnated with a curable adhesive, pref. e.g., an epoxy resin.    The fibres pref.havea modulus of elasticity 4.9-5.6 million kg/cm2 and consist of numerous graphite filaments. The dia. of the fibres is 0.5mm and the spacing between fibres is 2mm. The wt. of (B) is 10g/m2.    USE/ADVANTAGE -   To stiffen metallic honeycombs; the facesheet has a high, controllable elastic modulus, low coefficient of thermal expansion, good dimensional stability and a lower wt. than known ones.    (JP92055864-B)      A face sheet for honeycomb material is formed of a woven graphite cloth in which the spacing of the fibres is at least equal to their dia., to which is bonded a sheet of graphite paper, both paper and cloth being impregnated with curable adhesive.    Pref. each graphite fibre comprises multiple filaments to give a modulus of elasticity of 70-80 x 10 power 6 p.s.i., fibre dia. may be 0.02 inch and spacing 0.80 inch wt. of the graphite paper is 0.2-2 ounces/sq.yd., esp. 0.3 ounces/sq.yd. and the adhesive may be epoxy resin, polyimide, or polysulphone. A stiffened honeycomb material comprises a metallic honeycomb core to one or both faces of which is bonded a piece of graphite paper to which in turn is bonded a cloth as above. Multiple layers of paper and cloth may be applied.    USE -   /ADVANTAG - Support panels for solar cells in spacecraft. The face sheet has a high elastic modulus controllable by fibre spacing; also it has low coefft. of thermal expansion, good dimensional stability and low weight. (J01502014-W)
(JP92043100-B)      The ion-exchange film is obtd. from a dispersion of a high molecular cpd. with electroconductivity in the form of uniform layers against the cross section of the film.    The ion-exchange film comprises a polymer film with a cation or anion ion radical binding, e.g., sulphate, carboxylate, phosphate, phosphite, thiol radical, etc.) and, e.g., pri, sec or tert amine, etc. The electroconductivity cpd. is N-methylpyrrole, 2-ethylpyrrole, thiophene, 3-alkylthiophene, isothianaphthene, indole, azulene, furan, aniline, phenol, benzene, naphthalene, phenylene diamine, etc. In the dispersion of the cpd. over the film, it is polymerised, laminated, coated, sprayed or adsorbed. The electroconductive cpd is dispersed over one surface of the film.    USE/ADVANTAGE -   Ion-exchange film is used for sensors, batteries, etc. (J63118338-A
(JP94022136-B2)      100 Pts.wt. graphite powder of a grain size of 500 microns or less is mixed with 13-30 pts.wt. benzylic ether-type phenol resin (nonvolatile), and the mixt. is cured at a given temp., e.g. 100 deg.C, for a given period and moulded into desired form by injection moulding. The benzylic ether-type phenol resin is obtd. by reaction of phenol with an aldehyde of formula RCHO (where R is H or hydrocarbon gp.) in a proportion of 1:1-3 in the presence of a metal salt catalyst, e.g. salt of Zn, Co, Mn or Sn.    USE/ADVANTAGE -   The method provides plates to be used in fuel batteries, which are to excellent air tightness, mechanical strength, electric resistivity, chemical resistance, heat resistance, etc.. (J63105473-A).
(US4855190-A)      A continuous, foil like electroluminescent (EL) lighting element consists of A) numerous separate units each consisting of at least 1 discrete piece of phosphor fully encapsulated in a cell, made of a dielectric and at least partially embedded in a sealing substance, and B) 2 electrodes of which at least 1 is partially light transmitting. The electrodes are disposed in the cells. Each cell is virtually isolated from adjacent cells by a separator to prevent moisture to propagate beyond any damaged cell(s).    The light transmitting electrode is pref. provided with light transmitting polymer coating. The sealing is a polymer having a low water vapour permeability. The light transmitting electrode is made of an electrically conducting polymer.    ADVANTAGE -   The EL light device can be made of unlimited length and any width allowed by the equipment used in manufacturing; EL surfaces of any shape and size can be cut and drilled, punched or riveted for mounting; the EL can be folded, flexed or twisted into any shape.
(US4801476-A)      Close packed coating of non-amphiphillic (NA) colloidal particles is produced on a substrate by (A) forming a monolayer comprising only NA particles on the surface of a liq. and compressing this monolayer on the surface and (B) removing the compressed layer from the surface onto a substrate and drying the substrate. The monolayer is pref. formed e.g. by immersing a random colloidal layer contg. voids into the liq. so that the layer is trapped at the surface of the liq. The compression step e.g. involves moving a mechanical barrier against the layer of particles to remove any interspaces between them. Both steps are esp. combined into a single step. The colloidal particles are monodisperse, polymeric and have a dia. 0.1-5 microm. The liq. is water.    USE/ADVANTAGE -   For interference and antireflection coatings random or ordered coatings can be produced using a single coating technique.    (11pp)
(US4798773-A)      Solid polymer electrolyte compsn. comprises a matrix polymer comprising at least one polymer of formula (I) as monomer, and an electrolyte salt cpd. In (I), R is H or CH3; Y is a gp. -(CH2CHR1O)a- (where R1 is H or CH3 and a is 0-60); X is a gp. -O-(CH2CHR2O)b- (where R2 is H or CH3 and b is 2-60); X1-2 are gps. -O-(CH2CHR3O)c-A (where R3 is H or CH3; A is H, 1-20C alkyl or 6-20C aryl and c is 2-60); Z is H, 1-20C alkyl, 6-20C aryl or polyvalent alkyl gp. selected from ethylene, methyl ethylene and 1,2,3-propanetriyl residue; and n and p are 1, 2 or 3.    USE/ADVANTAGE -   Compsn. can be used as electrolytes for solid electrolyte galvanic cells, ECD elements, etc.    Compsn. is transparent, has high ion conductivity and can be formed into thin films.    (12pp)    (DE3780127-G)      A solid polymer electrolyte compsn. comprises a matrix polymer and an electrolyte salt cpd, the matrix polymer contg. a macromonomer of formula (I) as a monomer. In (I), n = 1-3; R = H or Me; Y = 0-60 gps. of formula (-CH2CH(R')O)-; X = 2-60 gps. of formula -O(-CH2CH(R')O)- X1 and X2 each = -O-(CH2CH(R') O-)cR''; c = 2-60; R' = H or Me; R'' = H, 1-20C aklyl or 6-20C aryl; Z = H, 1-20C alkyl, 6-20C aryl, CH2=C(R)COO (Y)Si(X1)(X2)- or (CH2=C(R)COO (Y)Si(X1)(X2) -X3CH2)2CH-; and X3 = 0-60 gps. of formula -O-(CH3CH(R')O-) (sic).    USE/ADVANTAGE -   The solid compsn. shows high ion-conductivity and room temp. and can easily form thin films which can be transparent. It can be swelled
(GB2197529-B)      A modified insertion electrode material suitable for use in a solid state electrochemical cell having a plurality of silylated hydroxyl groups, the silyl groups having one or more reactive groups capable of bonding to a polymer electrolyte (as defined herein).
(US4971868-A)      An hermetically sealed electrochemical cell comprises (a) an electrically conductive cell housing contg. an active anode material (A) selected from Li, Na, K and Ca, and a solid active cathode material (B) selected from MnO2, iron disulphide, molybdenum di- or tri-sulphide, niobium triselenide, bismuth oxide, vanadium pentoxide, polycarbon fluorides, and mixts. of these, material (B) being electrically isolated from (a), and material (A) being electrically connected to (a), so as to make (a) the negative electrode terminal of the cell; (b) an electrically conductive pin member having a first portion that protrudes from the cell, through an orifice in (a), and a second portion that is electrically connected to material (B), so as to make (b) the positive terminal; (c) an electrically insulating member disposed between (b) and the wall of the orifice, which provides the hermetic seal; and (d) an electrolyte comprising a metal perchlorate salt dissolved in a non-aq. liq.$    ADVANTAGE -   Cell self-discharge, and seal corrosion due to deposition of conductive corrosive materials on the seal, are greatly reduced or eliminated.    (7pp)    (JP2752361-B2)      Cell comprises a conductive housing contg. an anode, cathode and electrolyte, the anode being connected to the housing and the cathode being connected to a pin protruding through the housing via an insulated orifice, the electrolyte comprising a metal perchlorate dissolved in a non-aq. liq..    Electrolyte is pref. an alkali(ne earth) metal perchlorate esp. LiClO4, dissolved in an organic solvent esp. 1/1 dimethoxyethane and propylene carbonate.    ADVANTAGE -   Use of a non-aq. electrolyte avoids corrosion problems, eliminating cell self-discharge and terminal pin seal corrosion.
(US4818644-A)      Ionically conductive material is composed of a salt in soln. in a solvent. The salt is of formula m(RF-SO2.CR. SO2-R'F) (I), m(RF-SO2.CR.CO-R'F) (II), M(RF-CO-CR-CO-R'F) (III) or cpd. (IV) or (V). In the formulae, m is alkali metal, alkaline earth metal, transition metal or rare earth metal; RF and R'F are each perhalogenated, esp. perfluorinated gp. having 1-12C; R is H or 1-30C alkyl; and QF is divalent perfluorinated gp. having 2-6C.    USE/ADVANTAGE -   Material is esp. used as a liq. or solid electrolyte for mfg. electrochemical generators.    (3pp)    (JP2862238-B2)      A material exhibiting ionic conductivity comprises a soln. of a salt of formula (I), (II), (III), (IV) or (V) in a solvent: in which M = an alkali(ne earth) metal, a transition metal, or a rare earth; RF and RF (same or different) = a 1-12 C perhalogenated gp., esp. a perflourinated gp., R = H or 1-30 C alkyl and QF = 2-6 C divalent perflourinated radical.    Claimed solvents are (A) an aprotic liq., esp. a sulphone of formula (VI). In which R1, R2, R3 and R4 = 1-10 C alkyl or oxa-alkyl gps.; and (B) a macromolecular material e.g. a (co) polymer of ethylene oxide or a polyphosphazene.    USE/ADVANTAGE -   The solns. are esp. useful as electrolytes in electrochemical generators.
(US4827118-A)      Light sensitive devices have a light-sensitive element and a colour filter made from polyimide resin (I) mixed with organic pigment (II) which adheres to the surface of the light-sensitive element. (II) is pref. a quinacridone, pthalocyanine green or phthalocyanine blue pigment. (I) is pref. of formula (III), (IV) or (V). R1 = an aromatic or heterocyclic nucleus. R2 = H or 1-10C hydrocarbyl.    ADVANTAGE -   The devices have improved heat and light resistance and can be bonded electrically by a thermal wise bonding process without adverse effect on their optical characteristics.    (20pp)
(JP95066809-B2)      Material powder used for a prodn. of a gas diffusion electrode consists of (A) polytetrafluorethylene (PTFE) powder, (B) water-repellant carbon black, and (C) complex powder consisting of core powder composed of catalyst or catalyst carried by hydrophilic carbon black and ion exchange resin coating on the core powder surface.    USE/ADVANTAGE -   The catalyst is firmly fixed and uniformly dispersed in the gas diffusion electrode, and the electrode has an excellent durability and a high current efficiency. The gas diffusion electrode is suitable for use in fuel cell, sec. battery, electrochemical reactor or plating cell, etc.
(JP94093363-B2)      Gas diffusion film is produced by (A) preparing a powder mixt. of water-repellent carbon black and polytetrafluoroethylene (PTFE) fine powder, (B) floating the powder mixt. on the surface of water contained in a tank having a porous bottom plate on which surface a water-permeable sheet is placed, (C) removing the water from the bottom of the tank to deposit the powder mixt. on the sheet surface, and (D) hot pressing the powder mixt. deposit layer to obtain a gas diffusion film.    USE/ADVANTAGE -   The gas diffusion film has a uniform density and shows a high gas diffusion efficiency. It is used in fuel cell, sec. battery, electrochemical reactor or plating cell, etc.
(JP93088482-B)      Compsn. comprises (A) crosslinked resin prepd. by reacting (A1) trifunctional polyoxyalkylene glycerin of formula (I): (in (I), N is a number so that the number average mol.wt. is lower than 4000) and (A2) alkylene diisocyanate and used in a mol. ratio of OH/NCO = 1:3-1:7. Too low amt. of the diisocyanate results in insufficient crosslinking making filming difficult. Too large amt. of the diisocyanate degrades the conductivity. (B) is pref. LiClO4, LiSCN, LiBF4, LiAsF6, LiCF3SO3, LiPF6, NaI, NaSCN, NaBr, KI, CsSCN, AgNO3 or Mg(ClO4)2 and used in a mol. ratio of (B)/(ethylene oxide) = 0.005-0.5).    USE/ADVANTAGE -   Compsn. has high ionic conduction and moulding workability. It is usable as solid electrolytes for primary batteries, sec. batteries, fuel cells, electrochromic display elements. (J63055811-A)
(GB2196104-B)      A solar heater comprising an elongate conduit for carrying fluid to be heated, the conduit comprising an elongate, cylindrical tube permanently deformed at least partially along its axial length to produce two substantially concentric, spaced apart walls, the concave outer surface of one of the walls, in use, receiving incident radiation.    ()
(US4779673-A)      Heat exchanger device comprises flexible hosing with an inner layer of elastomeric, heat-conducting polymer; covered with a fabric braid reinforcement and then an outer elastomeric cover which is resistant to solvents and chemicals; which is mounted within a concrete slab.    USE -   Heat transfer fluid is pumped through the house to absorb heat from the environment, or to provide heat to melt snow, buildings, etc..
(JP92032696-B)      Methyl methacrylate (MMA), styrene, vinyl carbazole vinyl monomers are polymerised to encapsulate CdS powders. Other CdS powders encapsulated with polymethyl methacrylate, (PMMA), polystyrene (PST) or other vinyl polymers are admixed with less than 5 wt. % of pigments like rose red ochre. Still other CdS powders encapsulated with PMMA, PST or other vinyl polymers are admixed with less than 5 wt. % of vinyl polymers like PMMA.    10g CdS 99.999% pure, 0.5 mmol of MMA monomers, 50 mmol of an initiator, and 100ml of water were charged in a flask, and reacted resultant CdS whose 3% were encapsulated was admixed with 0.026 wt. % rose red ochre. A 100 micron thick CdS film was prepd. using a 1.0g/cc EtOH soln. of the CdS.    USE/ADVANTAGE -   Used for photsensors, solar cells or electrophotography sensitised material, having a higher photosensitivity over a wider range of wavelength a good solvent dispersability, and a good workability. (J62279839-A)
(JP92027169-B)      New alkali ion conductor is formed by a single crystal cpd. The cpd. has unidimensional tunnel structure of orthorhombic system and is of formula: Al-xTi2+xM5-O12. A is Na, K, Rb or Cs; M is Ga, Al, Cr or Fe; x is 0.1-0.5 (0.3-0.4).    USE/ADVANTAGE -   The conductor serves as a solid electrolyte, and is used as a material for a solid cell or a fuel cell in an electric car or for storing surplus power. The alkali ion conductor uses Na, K, Rb or Ca as a conductive ion seed. This eliminates the need for using active and dangerous gas when the conductor is used as a solid cell. The conductor has specific large aperture tunnel structure. The structure provides crystal, of single fibrous or columnar shape which is in parallel with the tunnel axis, undimensionally arranging ion conductive orientation. The conductivity of the single crystal at hf is increased to 10-100 times higher than that of beta-alumina at room temp. (J63274623-A)
(JP93015003-B)      Ionic electroconductor material comprises lanthanum substd. solid soln. calcium hydroxyapatite of formula LaxCa10-x(P04)6(0H)2-x0x, where x = 0.2-1.5.    USE/ADVANTAGE -   The material is used for a steam sensor, or oxygen sensor, or for fuel cells. Electroconductivity of the material is large and stable.    In an example, Ca(N03)2, La(N03)3, and (NH4)2HP04 were used as starting materials, and using these materials, powder of the lanthanum substd. solid soln. calcium hydroxyapatite of formula, LaXCa10-X(P04)6(0H)2-X0X, was synthesised by wet method. Powder was calcined at approx. 800 deg.C. for 1 hr.. The calcined powder was then pelletised, and sintered at 1250 deg.C. for 1 hr. in steam flow. Electroconductivity of the obtd. sintered material was at higher value when the value of x was set between approx. 0.5 and 1, and at the highest value when the value of x was set at approx. 0.8. (J63269406-A)
(JP94096276-B2)      An electroconductive laminate film comprises a polyester film, oxidised titanium layers formed on both sides of the polyester film, and a transparent electroconductive layer formed on at least one of the oxidised titanium layers.    Pref. the thickness of the titanium layer is 0.001-0.15 micron, on a metal titanium conversion basis, pref., that of the titanium layer on the side where the conductive layer is formed is 0.001-0.005 micron, and that of the titanium layer on the other side is 0.002-0.015 micron. Pref. the conductive layer is made with indium oxide. The polyester film may be coloured, printed in letters, patterns, etc. Pref. polyester films include films of polyethylene terephthalate, polyethylene naphthalate, etc.    USE/ADVANTAGE -   For solid luminescence elements, photo-electric conversion elements, liq. crystal displays, microfilms, front glass of cars, etc. This electroconductive laminate film does not generate low molecular substances, i.e., oligomers, in high temp. conditions.
(JP96015092-B2)      Fuel for cell is new. The fuel comprises hydrocarbon to be converted with steam. Water to be added to the hydrocarbon is at least partially supplied in the form of aerosol.    Aerosol is generated with the ultrasonic moistening device installed directly before a fuel converter. Fine mist of water is produced using an ultrasonic oscillator, then conveyed with the hydrocarbon gas flow as aerosol.    USE/ADVANTAGE -   Moistening of the hydrocarbon can be done with simple system in compliance with change of output power of the fuel cell. Compact device can be designed.
(JP2522300-B2)      MeOH decomposing catalyst consists of a silica support loaded with Pd and Al, Zr or Nd; or with Pd, Al and La.    Silica support is immersed in a soln. of dissolved water or alcohol sol. cpds. such as K2PdCl4, AlCl3, ZrI4, NdBr3, LaCl3, etc. and dried. Suitable amt. of Pd is 0.5-5.0 (0.7-2.0) wt.% w.r.t. silica support. The amt. of Al, Zr, Nd or La is 0.01-0.5 (0.015-0.3) atom w.r.t. Pd.    The catalyst is used at 150-400 (180-350) deg.C under 0.01-50 atms. at 100-10000 (200-5000) h-1 space velocity.    USE/ADVANTAGE -   Used to decompose MeOH and to produce H2 and CO2-contg. gases which are used as raw gas for C1 chemistry, or other organic synthesis or a fuel gas for automobiles or fuel cells. The catalyst has a higher activity and selectivity, e.g. providing 96.9% MeOH conversion rate with 99.1% selectivity at 250 deg.C.
(JP95005300-B2)      LiOH and NaOH are mixed with one or a mixt. of Al(OH)3 or AlCl3. The mixing ratio is 0.8-10 mols. LiOH and 1-10 mols. NaOH mols. against 1 mol. aluminium atoms. The raw materials are heated at 100-650 deg.C for 15 mins.-50 hrs. to produce lithium aluminate fibre.    USE/ADVANTAGE -   The lithium aluminate fibre is suitable for electrolyte holding materials of a fused salt fuel battery. The fibre has long fibre length and big aspect ratio so electrolyte holding material with improved strength can be obtd. from the fibre.
(US4808462-A)      Solar cell substrate comprises a transparent glass substrate, on which an electrically conductive layer is formed of a transparent metal oxide, formed by atos. pressure chemical vapour deposition. Suitable oxides are Sn oxide doped with 0.1-5 wt.% F, or In oxide doped with 0.5-30 wt.% Sn. The layer has a roughened texture over its surface, with a number of polygonal projections, whose dia. is in the range 0.1-0.3 microns and whose height/dia. ratios are at least 0.6 over more than 80% of the surface topography.    ADVANTAGE -   Improved photo-electric conversion efficiency. (4pp)
(JP94039706-B2)      Low mol. vapour deposition unit has a chamber having microwave cavities partitioned by stainless steel slits. The chamber is vacuumed to 1-10 Torr and microwave is generated by supplying power to magnetrons in cavities. A silicic acid water soln. is sprayed in the 1st cavity through a fine grain nozzle making fine grain below 1 micro-m, and the soln. is solidified by evapn. to form a cluster (H4SiO4), or its oxide (SiO2) which are deposited on porous material, e.g. alumina, placed in the deposition chamber downstream of the 3rd cavity.    USE/ADVANTAGE -   Objects are produced with high efficiency. Used for prodn. of semiconductor film, gas sepn. film, oxide film, surface improvement, e.g. adsorption agent, catalyst, amorphous film for solar battery, plasma etching, prodn. of corpuscule, etc.
(GB2205328-B)      A method of manufacturing a phosphorus compound film wherein the surface of a substrate having at least a surface consisting of an indium oxide and/or an gallium oxide, is allowed to react, by contact, with a gaseous reducing reactant, containing a gaseous phosphorus compound, to form an InP and/or GaP film on the substrate surface.    (JP96005648-B2)      A phosphorus cpd. film is mfd. by allowing a substrate consisting of at least a surface of indium oxide and/or gallium oxide to react, by contact, with a gaseous reducing reactant to form an InP and/or GaP film on the substrate surface. The gaseous reducing reactant, which contains a gaseous phosphoric cpd., is pref. a gas contg. H2. The gaseous cpd. is pref. PH3, PCl3 or PF5.    A polycrystalline InP film is formed pref. by growing an indium oxide film of 5 micron -100 nm thickness on a substrate, using liquid phase, PVD or CVD methods. The substrate can be glass, ceramic, metal, plastic or a semiconductor, but soda-lime glass sould be coated with SiO2 to prevent alkaline diffusion into the InP film. One or more layers of anti-reflection coatings and the like may also be formed on the substrate according to requirements. The indium oxide film is reduced in contact with the gaseous reducing reactant and phosphidised to InP. Thus, either the surface of the indium oxide or the entire indium oxide film is converted into a polycrystalline InP film.    USE/ADVANTAGE -   Opto electronic conversion devices such as solar cells, esp. for space applications. Avoidance of expensive reaction apparatus, complicated operations and dissipation of expensive indium results in low mfg. costs.
(US4877694-A)      Gas diffusion electrode comprises an electrolytically active, e.g. active C particles (about 90-35 wt. %) distributed in a hydrophilic halogenated polymer binder (about 10-65 wt. %) coated with a porous, hydrophobic polymer which allows diffusion of gaseous reactants to the active C core.    USE -   The prods. are components for fuel cells and batteries, serving as cathodes for O redn. and capable of extended performance with high current densities.    (9pp)
(US4868073-A)      A highly active powder catalyst contians Pt. group elements which are highly concentrated as a result of selective dissolution of Ni and Co along with valve metals from an amorphous alloy during immersion in a hydrofluoric acid until hydrogen evoluation is ended, the amorphous alloy before immersion in hydrofluoric acid comprises (1) at least one of the valve metals of Ti, Zr, Nb and Ta, (2) at least one Pt group element Ru, Rh, Pd, Ir and Pt, and (3) balance Ni and Co.    (JP94024635-B2)      High activity catalyst powder comprises elements of platinum gp. concentrated by dipping the amorphous alloy in hydrofluoric acid and by pref. dissolving the valve metal, Ni and Co until the generation of hydrogen is completed. Amorphous alloy comprises one or more selected from valve metals e.g. Ti, Zr, Nb, and Ta, one or more selected from elements of platinum gp. e.g. Ru, Rh, Pd, Ir and Pt, and Ni and/or Co. Pref. high activity electrode is prepd. by coating the conductive base material with a mixt. of the catalyst- and carbon-powders and hydrophobic fluorocarbon resin, and sintering the coated electrode.    USE/ADVANTAGE -   The electrode can be used for fuel cell. The catalyst powder has an anticorrosive property and a high catalytic activity, esp. for electrolytic oxidn. of methanol. (J63287553-A)
(DE3715549-C)      Metal mirror inserts, for recovery of solar energy, are produced by a method in which Sn or other low m.pt. metal is deposited electrolytically on a polished metal mould, as cathode, followed by deposition of a metal layer forming a thin reflective film. A suitable perforated sheet is attached for stabilisation and a metal layer is deposited for reinforcement of the reflective film and joining to the sheet. The whole assembly is heated to a temp. above the m.pt. of the initially deposited layer and the rigid film support and film are removed.    ADVANTAGE -   High optical quality without requiring large amounts of rare materials.    (5pp)
(JP2764899-B2)      A transparent conductive membrane consists of a metal oxide where fluorine or a fluorine cpd. is doped.    USE/ADVANTAGE -   By doping fluorine or a fluorine cpd, the resulting transparent conductive membrane shows improved clarity and conductivity. It is esp. useful as a display element e.g. liq. crystal, an electrode for solar cell, or electromagnetic interference shielding material etc.
(JP94013744-B2)      The component comprises 4-5 wt.% Si, and/or 0.1-10 wt.% or 20-40 wt.% Al, and balance Ni or Ni-Cr, and impurities. The Ni-system component is submitted to oxidising treatment.    USE -   The Ni-system component is used for electrode and separator materials of fused carbonate type fuel cells, having improved corrosion resistance in fused carbonate environment. (J63238236-A).
(JP95066824-B2)      The constitutional material comprises by wt.0.5-30% Cr, 0.5-10% A1, 0.5-7% Co and/or Ni, and balance Fe and impurities.    The material may contain 0.5-10% Si.    USE -   The material has good strength, corrosion resistance, workability and is cheap.
(JP95118328-B2)      The material is made by coating A1 and Co and/or Ni as the single metal, alloy, oxide or their combination on the surface of a ferrous material, followed by diffusing the coating material in the surface layer of the ferrous material by heat treatment.    USE -   The material has excellent corrosion resistance, workability and economy.
(JP95112076-B2)      A double layer transparent, electrically conductive film consists of a transparent conductive layer of fluorine-contg. tin oxide deposited on a transparent conductive layer of fluorine-free tin oxide on a transparent substrate.    USE/ADVANTAGE -   Claimed use of the film is in the mfr. of solar cells and other photovoltaic devices. The film has low electrical resistance and gives increased light transmission and photovoltaic conversion yield.
(DE3713957-C)      Solar cell has substrate made of a semiconducting material of positive conductivity, a surface with a structured contact electrode, a second surface with an ohmic contact layer, and an antireflection layer on the non-contacted sections of the front side. The antireflection layer comprises partial layers, one of which is formed from caesium or its cpds. The caesium cpd. used is pref. caesium chloride.    ADVANTAGE -   Cell suffers min. degradation.    (4pp)
(US4933054-A)      An electrocatalytic process for producing unsatd. hydrocarbon cpds. from satd. hydrocarbon cpds. comprises (A) providing conductive metal coated solid electrolytic electrochemical cell, or coated with metal oxide or mixts. which can catalyse redn. of oxygen to oxygen ions, and second surface coated with same. The two coatings being connected by an external circuit. (B) Passing oxygen-contg. gas in contact with first coating at 500- deg.C. (C) Contacting feed gas with second coating at 500-950 deg.C, in which feed gas contain 2-6C satd. hydrocarbon, satd. cycloaliphatic hydrocarbon cpd. of 5-6C or mixt. (D) Recovering unsatd. hydrocarbons.    USE/ADVANTAGE -   Prodn. of unsatd. hydrocarbons while generating electricity in electrogenerative reactor, and is efficient process.    (7pp)
(US4800138-A)      Fuel cell for operation in a weightless environment has an assembly for sepn. of product water and H2 from exhaust gases with a rotationally driven sump (20) with a side wall (50) from which water arriving by centrifugal force migrates to a well (52). The water is continuously collected by a Potot tube (58) and transferred to the water storage chamber (80), passing through aspirators (102) and back to the sump. Gaseous H2 entrained in the water if forced through a bleed hole (68) in the Pitot tube. When water pressure in the chamber exceeds a set level, a valve stem (94) moves out of a bore (84) to allow water to drain out into a tap outlet (86).    ADVANTAGE -   Simple and effective method of removing H deg.C gases before water reaches the cell discharge valve.
(US4929281-A)      Thin film solar cells are mfd. by (a) depositing a 1st electrode layer on a large area substrate, (b) structuring, (c) depositing at least one semiconductive material, (d) depositing a 2nd electrode layer, and (e) structuring at least one semiconductive material and the 2nd electrode film, and connecting the obtd. solar cells in a side-by-side arrangement in series.    The structuring is done by depositing a paste of TiO2 on the substrate before depositing the 1st electrode, then removing the paste afterwards, the 1st electrode is a transparent oxide contg. ITO.    ADVANTAGE -   Structuring can be carried out without damaging the individual layers. The number of layers can be reduced, and the connecting areas between the individual electrode layers can be as narrow as possible, allowing optimum utilisation of photoactive material. @(7pp)@    (DE3712589-C)      Thin film solar cells connected in series are mfd. on a common substrate by a method in which an electrode layer is deposited and structured. Simultaneously, a strip of additional structure material and optimally a strip of conductive material are applied. At least one layer of semiconductor material is deposited and a second electrode is formed. The strip of additional material with the semiconductor and electrode over it are removed. For forming the solar cell circuit, a connection is formed between the second electrode layer and the first layer.    ADVANTAGE -   Structuring is simplified and connection area between electrode layers is as small as possible.    (7pp)
(US4886555-A)      Solar cell having a semiconductor substrate with minority and majority charge carriers sepd. and so dischargeable by an electric field.    Multiple interconnected ohmic contacts are arranged along the substrate with the first series of contacts being elevated wrt.    second series of contacts.    The ohmic contacts are covered by a passivating layer.    The first series of contacts have shielding against minority carriers while the second series of contacts have no shielding.    ADVANTAGE -   The Design allows the overall thickness of the solar cell to be reduced without risk of electrical failure in the ohmic contact region.    (9pp)    (DE3874184-G)      (A) In a solar cell, esp. a semiconductor (e.g. silicon) thin film solar cell, having, on a first substrate face, spaced interconnected ohmic contacts (4) and a passivation layer (5) between and pref. covering the ohmic contacts, the novelty is that the electric field, which separates the minority and majority charge carriers, mins in the region of a second opposite substrate face so that the majority carriers diffuse to and are collected by the ohmic contact regions, the ohmic contacts (4) being located on first regions (21) of the first substrate face which are elevated wrt. second substrate regions (22) between the ohmic contacts. (B) Prodn. of the solar cell involves (a) applying, onto one side of a semiconductor substrate, a mask which
(DE3810496-C)      Photoelectric thin film-construction element has an n-semiconductor layer (I) and/or a p-semiconductor layer (II) formed from a non-monocrystalline silicon semiconductor layer which comprises several or many superimposed layers of non-monocrystalline, hydrogen-contg. silicon thin films having a thickness of 10.0 nm or less. The improvement is that the water content is 1-10 atom % and that a repeating unit for the formation of (I) and/or (II), comprises two types of non-monocrystalline silicon-thin films (III) selected from i) a film (III) which contains a first foreign matter; ii) a film (III) contg. the first foreign matter a) in a larger amt. than in i); iii) a film (III) contg. a second foreign matter b); and iv) a film (III) contg. no foreign matter.    USE/ADVANTAGE -   New element is useful as a solar cell or as a photodetector and e.g. has pref. activities w.r.t. short-circuit current, no-load voltage and space factor.    (17pp)    (US4946514-A)      The element comprises (a) a p-type layer contg. 1-10 at % H atoms and comprising an alternating stack of (i) a p-type amorphous Si film up to 100 Angstroms thick, and (ii) a non-doped amorphous Si film up to 100 Angstroms thick, (b) an i-type layer contg. HO at % H of a non-doped amorphous Si film, and (c) an n-type layer contg. 1-10 at % H, comprising an alternating stack of (iii) an up to 100 Angstroms thick n-type amorphous Si film and (iv) a non-doped up to 100 Angstroms thick amorphous Si film.    USE/ADVANTAGE -   As a solar cell or photosensor with high photoelectric conversion efficiency.    (14pp)
(US4877852-A)      Thiophene deriv. polymers with repeating units (I) are new.    In (I) n is about 10-500 and R is 1,3-thiazole-2, 5-di-yl or pyridine-2, 5- or -2,6-di-yl. Prerpn. of these polymers comprises anionic polymerisation of the corresp. monomers (I) in which n is 1, in the presence of a supporting electrolyte and an inert solvent.    USE -   The prods. are conducting films with electrochromic properties, suitable for semiconductor and electrooptical display devices.    (6pp)    (US4892678-A)      Thiophene copolymers of formula (I), opt. doped with anions, are new. In (I), n is about 10-500; and R is 1,3-thiazole-2,5-di-yl or pyridine-2,5- or 2,6-di-yl.    Prepn. of these polymers comprises electrochemical copolymerisation of corresp. monomer mixts. in the presence of a supporting electrolyte and a deoxygenated inert solvent, when the anion-doped polymer is formed as a film on the anode; reversal of the electrode polarities and further electrolysis removes the dopant. Suitable dopants are BF4(-), ClO4(-), PF6(-), AsF6(-), halide, SO4(2-), HSO4(-), CF3COO(-) and 4-toluenesulphonate (about 10-50 wt.%).    USE -   The prods. are coloured electrically conducting films for potential semiconductor and display devices.    (6pp)
(DE3869184-G)      Fuel cell comprises: gas impervious separator (2) with a hole (9) for fuel gas; an oxide powder plate plate (5) with a hole in registry with the first; a gas impervious solid electrolyte plate with a hole also in registry; a tubular gasket (7) in the cathode hole which seals and protects the cathode from the fuel gas; and a powder anode plate (4) with a hole in registry with the other holes. The plates pref. include a further hole (12) in registry with each other for O2 gas supply, a second tubular gasket (8) being provided to seal the anode and protect it from the O2 gas.    ADVANTAGE -   Cell has a simple, low cost design which is reliable and efficient.    (JP2656943-B2)      Fuel cell comprises: gas impervious separator (2) with a hole (9) for fuel gas; an oxide powder plate plate (5) with a hole in registry with the first; a gas impervious solid electrolyte plate with a hole also in registry; a tubular gasket (7) in the cathode hole which seals and protects the cathode from the fuel gas; and a powder anode plate (4) with a hole in registry with the other holes.    The plates pref. include a further hole (12) in registry with each other for O2 gas supply, a second tubular gasket (8) being provided to seal the anode and protect it from the O2 gas.    ADVANTAGE -   Cell has a simple, low cost design which is reliable and efficient.
(US5071718-A)      The process involves passing fuel gas comprising H2, 10-35 vol% C0 and 1 ppm H2S by vol through a porous anode comprising over 10 wt% Cu and the remainder Ni and Co. Over 25 vol% of the water-gas-shift equilibrium conversion at C0 to H2 obtd with no H2S present is maintained in the presence of H2S by use of the anode as catalyst. The fuel cell is operated below 700 deg C and the residence time in the zone of the anode is above 2 seconds.    ADVANTAGE -   Improved operation of molten carbonate fuel cells using gas mixts directly from naturally occurring carbonaceous material gasification. @(5pp)    (DE3873573-G)      Electricity is produced in a molten alkali carbonate fuel cell using S-contaminated fuel gas, anode polarisation being reduced by passing the fuel gas contg. up to 10 ppm H2S by vol. through a porous anode contg. 10-100 wt% Cu. The balance of the anode is pref. Ni and/or Co. A pref. gas contains 10-35 vol% CO and 1-10 ppm H2S, pref. 1-5 ppm H2S.    ADVANTAGE -   Use of the above anode enhances cell operation when the above fuel gas is used.
(US4861574-A)      Chloropolysilanes used for prodn. of semiconductor Si, are prepd., with the formula SinCl2n+2, where n is 2 or 3, by contacting Cl2 gas with Si particles mixed with Cu cpd. or a mixt. of Cu cpd. with Cu at a temp. not lower than 140 deg.C and not higher than 300 deg.C. The Cu cpd. is at least one cpd. from the gp. of cuprous chloride, cupric chloride, cuprous oxide and cupric oxide. Amt. of Cu cpd. or a mixt.    of Cu cpd. with Cu mixed with Si particles is 0.1-20 wt.% as Cu.    ADVANTAGE -   Yield is increased to not less than 40% compared with previous yields of less than 1%.    (3pp)
(US4833319-A)      Carrier gas cluster source for thermally conditioned clusters for film deposition on a substrate includes a crucible contg. the material to be transported to the target as clusters, heated by a resistance winding. The crucible is closed apart from an aperture for vapour outlet. Vapour passes into a gas mixing chamber into which carrier gas is injected to promote cluster formation. The mixed beam passes through a drift tube for conditioning clusters to the liq. state, then expanding through a nozzle for removal of the carrier gas, leaving a cluster beam.    ADVANTAGE -   High efficiency of cluster formation from system that can be incorporated in standard deposition equipment. (7pp)    (JP94039687-B2)      Carrier gas chamber source for providing clusters to a target comprises: a beam source having an evapn. source which emits a beam of atoms and a gas which mixes with the atoms to form a cluster beam; a conditioning system to ensure that all the clusters are in the liq. state; and a transmission system for transmitting the beam of liq. state clusters to the target. The conditioning system is pref. a heated drift tube.    USE/ADVANTAGE -   Thin film deposition processes. High quality films are deposited on a substrate while retaining high efficiency of cluster formation and compatibility with existing cluster deposition systems.
(JP95121983-B2)      The polymers are produced electrochemical oxidn. of (1) polymers having poly(dihydroisothianaphthene) structure of formula (I) (sic). In the formula, R1, R2 are each H and 1-5C hydrocarbon gps.; n= a positive integer.    Pref. (1) include poly(1,3-dihydroisothianaphthene). Pref. (1) has a polymerisation deg. (n) of above 100, esp. above 500. (1) is oxidised electrochemically by dissolving in electrolyte-contg. solvents and applying voltage to the soln. (the liq. phase method), or by coating electrodes with (1), soaking the electrodes in electrolytic liq. and applying voltage to the electrolytic liq. (the solid phase method).    USE/ADVANTAGE -   The polymers are useful for mfr. of electrodes, solar batteries, semiconductor parts, electromagnetic shielding materials. The polymers have high conductivity even in the neutral state.
(JP93035693-B)      Zirconia base solid electrolyte is obtd. by plastic forming presintered compact or powder or powdery compact comprising ceramic raw material having 1 micron or less average particle size contg. Zr-oxide, and 16 mol.% or less of at least one of Y-oxide, Ca oxide, and Mg-oxide as stabiliser, as a main component, under conditions of temp. t (deg.C.) and loading pressure P (kgf/mm2) shown by the equation P = 8 x 10 power -37 x (1600-t) power 14 + 0.1 or over. It has 8% or less porosity, 10 kg/mm2 or over bending strength, and 10 power -4 (ohm.cm) power -1 or over electrical conductivity at 800 deg.C. where P = 5 or less and t = 1600 or less.    USE/ADVANTAGE -   Zirconia base solid electrolyte is used for gas sensors, fuel cells, and O2 pumps. It has good thermal shock resistance, low electric resistance, and is used at low-temps. It is esp. used for air/fuel ratio control sensors of automobiles O2 concn. in molten steel detecting sensors, or sensors for exhaust gas of industrial furnaces. (J63190755-A)
(JP92053942-B)      The Fe-base alloy comprises by wt. 0.15% or less C, 1% or less Si, 2% or less Mn, 15-35% Ni, 15-35% Cr, 0.1-0.9% Al, 0.5% or less Y, and balance Fe and impurities.    USE/ADVANTAGE -   Used for separators and current correctors for fused carbonate type fuel cells, having good corrosion resistance. (J63190143-A)
(US4847173-A)      Fuel cell electrode comprises: an electrode base (1), a catalyst layer and a matrix layer, all or part of the catalyst and matrix layers being formed in a porous sheet in contiguous relationship.    The catalyst layer is formed of a catalyst filled layer (18) formed by filling the porous sheet from one side with a mixt of catalyst powder and binder, and a catalyst layer (19) formed by adhesion of the catalyst powder and binder on the surface of the filled layer; and a matrix filled layer (20) and adhered layer (21) are similarly formed on the other side of the sheet from a mxit. of matrix skeletal material and binder.    ADVANTAGE -   Electrode has good gas diffusibility, electrolyte retention and catalyst utility, and has good adhesion between catalyst layer and matrix layer, reducing peeling or cracking of the matrix layer. (First major country equivalent to J63181262-A)    (JP93051149-B)      Electrode for fuel cell comprises a porous sheet to hold a matrix layer and catalyst layer such that, at least a part of the catalyst layer is charged and held in the porous sheet and, at least a part of the matrix layer is charged in the porous sheet.    USE -   For fuel cells. (J63181262-A)
(DE3704372-C)      Electronic element contg. functional substances, e.g.    Peltier element, is mfd. with several regions of different compsn. in a die, into which powder metallurgical materials are put and subjected to hot isostatic pressing at a pressure above 500 bar and a temp. up to 900 deg.C. The solid block thus formed may be cut into a number of similar elements. Pref.    functional substances are chalcogenides or pnictides. Starting materials can be different semiconductor materials and contact materials.    ADVANTAGE -   Simple method, giving components of similar properties.    (7pp)
(US4810595-A)      A molten carbonate fuel cell uses molten carbonate as an electrolyte, carbonate ions as conductor carriers, hydrogen-enriched gas as a reaction gas for the anode, and a mixt. of air and carbon dioxide gas as a reaction gas for the cathode. The novelty is that the fuel cell is equipped with a control system that rejuvenates the fuel cell by reducing or shutting off the supply of at least one of the reaction gases below it, electrochemical equivalent feed rate on the basis of the current flowing through the fuel cell when the characteristic indicators of the fuel cell have fallen below specified limits.    USE/ADVANTAGE -   High-performance stable output characteristics are provided over an extruder period. (First major country equivalent to J63170866-A)    (NL193678-B)      A molten carbonate fuel cell uses molten carbonate as an electrolyte, carbonate ions as conductor carriers, hydrogen-enriched gas as a reaction gas for the anode, and a mixt. of air and carbon dioxide gas as a reaction gas for the cathode. The novelty is that the fuel cell is eqipped with a control system that rejuvenates the fuel cell by reducing or shutting off the supply of at least one of the reaction gases below it, electrochemical equivalent feed rate on the basis of the current flowing through the fuel cell when the characteristic indicators of the fuel cell have fallen below specified limits.    USE/ADVANTAGE -   High-performance stable output charateristics are provided over an extruder period. (First major country equivalent to J63170866-A)
(GB2201154-B)      A method of producing a polymeric electrolyte which includes the steps of melting a polymer or matrix of polymers ('Matrix polymer') and dispersing therein a finely divided ionic salt characterised in that the matrix polymer is made into a finely divided form prior to melting.
(US7045920-N)      An F contg. amorphous semiconductor material, pref. contg. Si, is produced by introducing XeF2 while depositing an amorphous Si and/or Ge contg. film on a substrate. The amorphous film can be deposited by any known method, pref. by radio frequency glow discharge.    ADVANTAGE -   An economical process for the prodn. of semiconductor films used in solar cells; the material has reduced localised states in the energy gap and therefore a higher effectiveness.    (14pp)
(JP96006152-B2)      In the firing step before extracting noble metals with an acid e.g. nitrohydrochloric acid soln. from waste electrodes, the waste electrodes are fired with an alkali carbonate to fix F-contg. gas generated from the waste electrodes as an alkali fluoride.    ADVANTAGE -   the evolution of F-contg. gas generated is prevented.
(JP92068276-B)      Prodn. comprises charging molten Si into a mould put in a heating furnace, lifting a water-cooled plate to contact with the bottom of the mould and taking out the mould from the furnace.    USE -   For making solar cells. (J63166711-A)
(JP2566137-B2)      Thin film is one obtd. by flowing source gas of metal or metalloid cpd. in plasma atmos. Dopant component is contained in electrodes used for generating plasma or targets disposed in the plasma atmos. The source gas is a Si system gas. The thin film is made by forming thin film by CVD of source gas under plasma atmos. by flowing metal or metalloid cpd. source gas between electrodes contg. dopant component or targets disposed in plasma atmos.    ADVANTAGE -   Dopant component can be incorporated easily and the use of toxic and expensive gas can be eliminated. Control of amt. of dopant component and of film thickness is facilitated.
(EP278629-B1)      An amorphous material which consists of a metal and 5 to 40 vol% of a polymer, the polymer being distributed in the metal and the metal being selected from the ferromagnetic metals of the 2nd, 3rd, 4th, 5th and 6th periods in the Periodic Table.
(DE3702796-C2)      A lightweight rechargeable energy supply is a thin (12 mm) battery (10) which is recharged by 20 polycrystalline silicon solar cells (6) in a casing (7).    The inside battery consists of a gel enclosed between foils of polypyrrole and lithium. A socket (1) is used for the insertion of a plug and a switch (2) changes a 3V output to a 12V output. A pilot lamp (3) and a battery tester (4) are also fitted. A plastic film hinge (5) is clipped to the casing (7) and can be used to hold another battery.    ADVANTAGE -   This creates a lightweight rechargeable battery which can be recharged both by sunlight or by lamp light.
(JP96032783-B2)      Polymer comprises a di:phenylether or thioether cpd. of formula (I), where, X = O or S; m, m', n and n' = each 0-2 but n = 2-m and n' = 2-m'.    USE/ADVANTAGE -   The polymer is an electrolytic polymer, which is electrochemically active. It is used to mfr. solar battery, sec. battery, image sensor, electrochromic device etc.    In an example a cpd. of formula (i) and 0.68g tetra-n-butylammonium perchlorate were dissolved in 20 ml acetonitrile. The soln. was put in an electrolytic cell and the cpd. was made to polymerise by three-electrode method using ITO glass as a working electrode, Pt wire as a counter electrode and SCE as a reference electrode, and 7 cycles of 0V - 1.5V - 0V impression were applied with impression velocity of 50 mV/sec. The polymer membrane prepd. assumed a red colour and was insol. in methanol THF and DMF.
(US4781727-A)      Phosphoric acid-type fuel cell, consisting of electrolyte matrix (1), electrode base material (2,5), catalyst layer (3,6) fuel column (4) air electrode (7) reaction gas passage (11,12) separator, and peripheral gas seal (8,9) is treated to fill the porous material of the gas seal with fine particles of at least one of Si carbide and Si nitride, which have undergone surface treatment. The treatment consists of impregnating the cell with hot phosphoric acid before oepration, to expand them through reaction of surface oxide, yielding phosphate cpds. which clog the process    ADVANTAGE -   Gas sealing power is retained at all times in operation.    (11pp)
(JP96022618-B2)      Organic thin film contains squarylium dye of formula (I). In (I), R1 and R2=alkyls which are different from each other. Prepn. of organic thin film comprises forming a super thin film contg. squarylium dye, on the surface of water, and contacting the super thin film with a proper base.    The super thin film formed on the surface of water is a mono-molecular film. The surface pressure, pi for forming the accumulated film of the dye is 5-50, pref. 10-30 dyne/cm. The organic thin film consists of one or more kinds of dyes. When the dye is used for a light transfer element, it is the most effective as a charge generation cpd. in a charge generation layer. The solvent for the squarylium dye is e.g. halogenated hydrocarbon, e.g. dichloromethane, aromatic hydrocabron, e.g. benzene or ketones, e.g. methyl ethyl ketone. A film-forming material improving the stability of mono-molecular film is e.g. arachidic acid, stearic acid, hexadecane or methyl stearate.    USE/ADVANTAGE -   The organic thin film is useful for a photoelectric transfer elements, photoinformation recording medium, a photographic photoreceptor, solar battery, etc. The organic thin film has good photoelectric transfer characteristics. The photoelectric transfer element obtd. has high transfer efficiency, good repeat stability and high reliability. The organic thin film can be easily produced.
(JP96022617-B2)      Organic thin film contains squarylium dye of formula (I). In (I), R = alkyl. Prepn. of the organic thin film comprises forming a monomolecular film contg. the squarylium dye, on the surface of water and contacting the thin film with a proper base.    Specifically, the surface pressure, pi, for forming the accumulated film of the dye is 5-50, pref. 10-30 dyne/cm. The organic thin film comprises one or more kinds of dyes. When the dye is used for a light transfer element, it is most effective as a charge generation cpd. in a charge generation layer. The solvent for the squarylium dye is, e.g., halogenated hydrocarbon, e.g., dichloromethane, aromatic hydrocarbon, e.g., benzene or ketones, e.g., methyl ethyl ketone. A film-forming material improving the stability of monomolecular film is e.g., arachidic acid, stearic acid, hexadecane or methyl stearate.    USE/ADVANTAGE -   The organic thin film is useful for photoelectric transfer elements, photoinformation recording medium, a photographic photoreceptor, solar battery, etc. The organic thin film has good photoelectric transfer characteristics. The photoelectric transfer element obtd. has high transfer efficiency, good repeat stability and high reliability. The organic thin film can be easily produced.
(JP95005299-B2)      A mixt. of 1.5-10 mols. LiOH, 1-10 mols. NaOH and 1 mol. of gamma-Al2O3 is heated at 500-700 deg.C for 15 mins. to 50 hrs..    ADVANTAGE -   Lithium aluminate fibres, 0.7 microns in dia., and 15-20 microns long, can be produced. No flux and gas-like CO2 is required. The fibres are entangled with one another and provide a porous sinter having a higher mechanical strength.
(JP95118230-B2)      Electrically conductive film is formed by screen printing paste compsn. contg. organic In, Sn-cpd., cellulose deriv. (e.g. methyl cellulose) and aromatic nitro cpd. (e.g. nitrobenzene) on heat resistant board, preheating at 150-350 deg.C, followed by burning at 450 deg.C or higher in oxidising atmos.    USE -   The compsn. is used for patterned transparent electrically conductive film comprising In oxide-Sn oxide composite film on a heat resisting board which is used for transparent electrode for displays and solar cells.
(US5087296-A)      A solar battery having a semiconductor substrate on which a small single crystal is grown over a restricted area of nucleation area. The amorphous nucleation area has a sufficiently high nucleation density and a sufficiently small area that it provides a single nucleus for the single crystal being grown to the desired size. An overlying layer of a second semiconductively type is applied. Means are provided to output the power generated by the cell.    ADVANTAGE -   The cell can have a large grain size and a high energy conversion efficiency while keeping the overall thickness low.    (17pp)
(US4861347-A)      A vessel for catalytically reforming crude hydrocarbon fuels comprises a cylindrical shell (2) with an axial burner (12) propagating heat into a tubular refractory heat shield (30) an annular catalyst bed (44) between and spaced from the shield and shell sidewall, and circumferentially spaced heat tubes (52) passing through the bed to carry hot gases form the burner to heat the bed.    Crude fuel is fed (16) to a heated area in the vessel adjacent to the bed to vaporise and then percolate through the bed for conversion to H-rich fuel gas which is collected for use. Hot burner gases from the tubes is passed through a heating zone between bed and shield, and then through a second between bed and sidewall before discharging to the vessel exterior.    USE/ADVANTAGE -   To produce fuel from e.g. methanol for a small fuel cell power plant for e.g. military or remote site installations, is compact and heats catalyst and fuel quickly and evenly to operating temp.    (JP93024846-B)      A vessel for catalytically reforming crude hydrocarbon fuels comprises a cylindrical shell with an axial burner propagating heat into a tubular refractory heat shield an annular catalyst bed between and spaced from the shield and shell sidewall, and circumferentially spaced heat tubes passing through the bed to carry hot gases form the burner to heat the bed. Crude fuel is fed to a heated area in the vessel adjacent to the bed to vaporise and then percolate through the bed for conversion to H-rich fuel gas which is collected for use. Hot burner gases from the tubes is passed through a heating zone between bed and shield, and then through a second between bed and sidewall before discharging to the vessel exterior.    USE/ADVANTAGE -   To produce fuel from e.g. methanol for a small fuel cell power plant for e.g. military or remote site installations, is compact and heats catalyst and fuel quickly and evenly to operating temp. (J63182202-A)
(EP275356-B)      A solid electrolyte fuel cell characterised in that a stabilised zirconia system solid electrolyte in which the transport number of oxygen ions does not drop even under a low pressure of oxygen is used at an anode side and a ceria system solid electrolyte of CeO2-CaO having a very high conductivity is used at a cathode side, these solid electrolytes of more than two layers being incorporated in said fuel cell.    (5pp)
(US4769086-A)      Solar module has a transparent glass substrate (10) on which is a transparent conductive oxide layer (12), e.g. of Sn oxide, patterned to form separate front-face electrodes (14) for each solar cell. On these is formed an active thin film photovolatic device, pref. a PIN Si device. Back contacts include a layer of Al (20) 1000-5000 pref. about 2000 Angstrom thick. They also include a layer of Ni (22), 500-5000 pref. about 1200 Angstrom thick. The two layers are patterned together. Front to back connection is made by a laser beam (26), which produces a fused region (28), connecting the back contact (30) and front contact (32) of the adjacent cell through a stitch bar (34).    ADVANTAGE -   No redn. in module fill factor is experienced in use.
(US4861348-A)      Fuel reforming equipment for use in a fuel cell power pliant has a reaction tube of double tube structure, with catalyst supported between thetubes. A combustor has a number of nozzles facing the bottom of the outer reaction tube and an air passage (A) is formed in the space between a flow guide and the inner wall of the reforming equipment. Combustion air is supplied to the air passage while fuel is supplied to the combustor, high temp. combustion gas from the nozzles raising the reaction tube temp.. Raw fuel e.g. methane is mixed with stream and fed to the reaction tube, producing H-enriched gas.    ADVANTAGE -   Compact, making effective use of combustion gas heat.    (US4935037-A)      Fuel reforming appts. comprises a reaction tube in which an endothermic reaction occurs to produce a H2-enriched gas and a combustor to generate a gas to heat the reaction tube.    Separate passages supply air and fuel to the combustor and combustor gas to the reaction tube. An insulating layer prevents heat radiation from the reaction tube.    ADVANTAGE -   Effective heat usage. @(18pp)    (JP94079664-B2)      Appts.reform hydrocarbon fuel gas mixed with water vapour comprises a combustion gas flow passage disposed round a reaction tube to convert the fuel into gas rich in H2, and fuel gas feed rate disposed round that passage.    USE -   For fuel cell type power generators.
(US4795242-A)      Polyisohianaphthene polymers of formulae (I) and (II) are new. In the formulae, R1 is H or OR3.    R2 and R3 are H or 1-8C hydrocarbon, or may be linked to complete a dioxyalkylene substit. of formula O-CR4R5-O where R4 and R5 are H or 1-4C hydrocarbon gps.    X is S, Se or Te.    Y is anion of an electrolyte.    z is 0.01-1.    n is 5-500.    USE/ADVANTAGE -   The conductive polymers can be reversibly oxidised or reduced and are stable to atmospheric attack at high dopant levels.    An electrochromic material that is chemically and physically stable, provides high contrast coour change upon oxidn. and redn. and gives rapid response time in electrochromic switching is obtainable, and the polymers can be used as electrode or electrode coatings and in prodn. of soar batteries.    (14pp)    (JP95098858-B2)      A polymer has the structural formula (I) where R1 is H or OR3; R2 and R3 are each H or 1-8C hydrocarbyl, or R2 and R3 are linked to form a dioxyalkylene gp. of the formula (II) where R4 and R5 are each H or 1-4C hydrocarbyl; X is sulphur, selenium or tellurium and n=5-500.    The polymer can be in the form of a cation in which 1-100 mole.% of an anion of an electrolyte is present per monomer unit.    A monomer of the formula (II) is electrochemically polymerised in soln. in an aprotic solvent contg. an ionic electrolyte and a source of nucleophilic anions. The polymer is formed on a transparent conductive base (1,2).    The monomer is 5,6 dimethoxy -isothianaphthene, etc.. The anion is Cl-, Br-, I-, ClO4-, BF4-, PF6-, AsF6-, SbF6-, AlCl4-, AlBr4-, FeCl4-, CF3SO3-or HSO4-.    USE/ADVANTAGE -   The polymers are conducting. An electrode comprising a support coated with the polymer is used in a battery or a solar energy conversion device. A membrane of a polymer is used in an electrochromic display with a display electrode and opposing electrode.
(US4775639-A)      Gp. III-V cpd. semiconductor solar battery, e.g. GaAs solar battery, is mfd. from a first conductivity type gp. III-V cpd. semiconductor crystal substrate, which is brought into contact with a first conductivity type gp.    III-V cpd. saturated soln., forming an epitaxial substrate with epitaxial layer crystallised on the substrate, which is dipped in an undoped gp. III-V cpd. saturated or super saturated soln. for a prescribed time.    The substrate is brought into contact with a second conductivity type gp.    III-V ternary cpd. saturated soln., to form a p-n junction, by inverting a surface of the substrate to second conductivity type and crystallising second conductivity type ternary cpd. epitaxial layer on the surface.    ADVANTAGE -   High conversion efficiency, the electrical characteristic not being deteriorated even if the number of times of crystallisation is increased.    (6pp)
(JP2759653-B2)      Glass 0.002-0.025 in. thick is formed from compsn. (wt.%, oxide basis) 6.75-7.75 Na2O, 6.25-7 K2O, 6.5-7.5 ZnO, 2-2.5 Al2O3, 8.75-10 B2O3, 59-63 SiO2, 4-6 CeO2, 0-0.5 Sb2O3 and 1-3 TiO2 (CeO2 + TiO2 = 6-8). Compsn. strongly resists solarisation and has UV cut-off at 370 nm. Pref. compsn. is 7.15 Na2O, 6.65 K2O, 7 ZnO, 2.25 Al2O3, 0.25 Sb2O3, 9.3 B2O3, 61.4 SiO2, 5 CeO and 1 TiO2; CeO2 + TiO2 is up to 6.    USE/ADVANTAGE -   Compsn. has melting and forming properties optimised for mfr. of microsheet which includes CeO2 addn. to standard formulation to prevent solarisation when used as protective covering for silicon solar cells in satellite and space applications.
(JP96008996-B2)      Highly dispersed cluster catalyst of Pt and Ru is produced by adding reducing agent to aq. soln. of Pt cpd. to form precursor of colloidal Pt cluster and then by adding water soluble Ru cpd. to the aq. soln. in the presence of H2O2.    USE/ADVANTAGE -   The catalyst is used as anode catalyst for fuel cell using H2, CH3OH, C2H5OH, HCHO or HCOOH etc. as fuel, and for lowering bath voltage in electrolytic refining of Zn and Cu. The cluster catalyst has smaller size and so has large specific surface area. Compsn. of the catalyst is easily controlled.    In an example, 1g of H2PtCl6 was dissolved in 300 ml of distilled water and then 5.3ml of H2O2 was added. The soln. was stirred at 50 deg.C for 10 minutes. 53 ml of Na2S2O4 aq. soln. (60 g/l) was added to the soln. while stirring to form brown highly dispersed Pt colloid. After 30 minutes, RuCl3 was added at 50 deg.C introducing H2 gas to the soln. stirring ultrasonically so that ratio of Ru to Pt is 1;1. 100 ml of carbon dispersed soln. was mixed with the soln. to support cluster catalyst on carbon. The cluster catalyst supported on carbon was filtered, washed and dried.
(US4801476-A)      Close packed coating of non-amphiphillic (NA) colloidal particles is produced on a substrate by (A) forming a monolayer comprising only NA particles on the surface of a liq. and compressing this monolayer on the surface and (B) removing the compressed layer from the surface onto a substrate and drying the substrate. The monolayer is pref. formed e.g. by immersing a random colloidal layer contg. voids into the liq. so that the layer is trapped at the surface of the liq. The compression step e.g. involves moving a mechanical barrier against the layer of particles to remove any interspaces between them. Both steps are esp. combined into a single step. The colloidal particles are monodisperse, polymeric and have a dia. 0.1-5 microm. The liq. is water.    USE/ADVANTAGE -   For interference and antireflection coatings random or ordered coatings can be produced using a single coating technique.    (11pp)
(US4774153-A)      Battery comprises methanol/air cells which include a CO2 permeable anion exchange membrane as electrolyte. The anode and cathode are on a common current offlead configured as a truncated cone which has a small apex angle and internal stepping. A number of these offleads are stacked on a feed tube.    Pref. the feed tube is made of plastics and has longitudinal flutes supplied with methanol from inside the tube via holes.    ADVANTAGE -   High energy density, low ohmic losses, robust and reliable construction.
(JP95042572-B2)      Film comprises In-oxide or Sn-oxide, on the surface of a protective film comprising electrically conductive Zn-oxide. The protective film comprises electrically conductive Zn-oxide in which at least one of Al, In or Sn were doped, and the content of at least one of Al, In, or Sn is 0.1-10 at.%.    USE/ADVANTAGE -   The transparent conductive film is used as a board for solar cells, having corrosion resistance.
(US4769296-A)      InN a battery of methanol/air fuel cells formed of a cathode, an anode and a CO2-permeable anion exchange membrane as electrolyte, several cathodes and anodes are arranged parallel in common cathode and anode-chambers respectively.    ADVANTAGE -   Ohmic losses are minimised, the total voltage is high and the individual battery components are mass producible. (Additionally classified in section L - previously non-CPI)
(JP95091042-B2)      A fuel evaporater is heated by a combustor. Evaporated fuel is changed into reformed gas. The casing enclosing the combustor is provided with a passage to guide combustion air surrounding the combustion part of the combustor.    ADVANTAGE -   Combustion air is preheated in the passage. Need of a preheater is eliminated.
(JP96005643-B2)      Fuel evaporater is heated by a combustor, and evaporated fuel is changed into reformed gas. The combustor operates with liq. fuel, and combustion part includes catalyst for ignition provided with a heater.    USE -   Liq. fuel can be ignited at lower temp. than ignition pt..
(JP95091041-B2)      Evaporated fuel is changed into reformed gas through a layer of catalyst in a reactor in a heated space. The layer of catalyst is formed as a circle, which is sepd. into parts by radially extending partitions.    USE -   Uneven distribution of catalyst can be prevented while transfer on a vehicle, etc.
(GB2197116-B)      Apparatus for reverse electrodialysis including one or more batteries of cells separated by ion exchange membranes, means for supplying alternate cells with salt water (as herein defined) and fresh water (as herein defined) and suitable electrical connexion means, wherein a distributor is provided for electrically isolating a part of the supply means which serves at least a first salt water cell or group of such cells from a part of the supply means which serves at least a second salt water cell or group of such cells to prevent or reduce loss of electric power through said supply means.
(JP95066809-B2)      Material powder used for a prodn. of a gas diffusion electrode consists of (A) polytetrafluorethylene (PTFE) powder, (B) water-repellant carbon black, and (C) complex powder consisting of core powder composed of catalyst or catalyst carried by hydrophilic carbon black and ion exchange resin coating on the core powder surface.    USE/ADVANTAGE -   The catalyst is firmly fixed and uniformly dispersed in the gas diffusion electrode, and the electrode has an excellent durability and a high current efficiency. The gas diffusion electrode is suitable for use in fuel cell, sec. battery, electrochemical reactor or plating cell, etc.
(JP94093363-B2)      Gas diffusion film is produced by (A) preparing a powder mixt. of water-repellent carbon black and polytetrafluoroethylene (PTFE) fine powder, (B) floating the powder mixt. on the surface of water contained in a tank having a porous bottom plate on which surface a water-permeable sheet is placed, (C) removing the water from the bottom of the tank to deposit the powder mixt. on the sheet surface, and (D) hot pressing the powder mixt. deposit layer to obtain a gas diffusion film.    USE/ADVANTAGE -   The gas diffusion film has a uniform density and shows a high gas diffusion efficiency. It is used in fuel cell, sec. battery, electrochemical reactor or plating cell, etc.
(DE3782234-G)      The internal electrolyte supply system in a fuel cell stack uses an arrangement of grooves and passages in the bipolar plates of successive cells to route gravity-assisted flowing electrolyte through the stack. The grooves route electrolyte along a series of first paths which extend horizontally through the cells between the plates. The passages route electrolyte flow along second paths which extend vertically through the stack so as to supply electrolyte to the first paths where it contacts the cell matrices. Some of the passages bypass some of the grooves.    ADVANTAGE -   Reliable electrolyte flow is ensured to all cells in the stack regardless of their position in the stack, and without causing flooding.
(JP92060041-B)      In a device for reforming raw gas composed of methanol and steam into gas rich in hydrogen suitable for use in fuel cell, the raw gas flowing through reaction tube filled with catalyst is heated by heat medium flowing in the same direction. Outlet of the reaction tube is cooled by cooling medium.    ADVANTAGE -   Since temp. of catalyst is high at inlet and low at outlet of the reaction tube, high concn. of CO and high methanol conversion rate are obtd. when water/methanol mol. ratio is low. (J63050302-A)
(JP95049110-B2)      The polyimide film has the repeating units of formula (I). R1 is tetravalent gp. having more than 2C; R2 is divalent gps. having more than 2C; R3, R4, R5 and R6 are H, 1-30C monovalent aliphatic gps., monovalent cycloaliphatic gps., monovalent aromatic-aliphatic gps., opt. substd. by halogen, nitro, amino, cyano, methoxy or acetoxy; at least one (pref. two) of R3, R4, R5, and R6 are 1-11C gps. or not H atom.    Composite materials including the polyimide film are formed by building up a mixt. of the polyimide precursor and conventional Langmuir-Blodgett's film forming cpds. using the Langmuir Blodgett method.    USE -   Used in electronics or energy conversion devices; as sepn. membranes, including MIS(metal-insulator-semiconductor) or MIM (metal-insulator-metal) devices, solar cells, LED, EL, photodiodes, CCD, FET, ISFET (ion sensitive), IMFET (immuno), ENFET (enzyme), ChemFET (gas sensitive), or optical recording media.
(JP93072711-B)      Hydrophilically-heated catalyst base is dispersed in water. Platinum acid chloride and ruthenium chloride are added to the soln. The pH of the soln. is made alkaline. The soln. is heated to effect redn. Anti-colloid agent is added and redn. agent contg. aldehyde radical is mixed in gradually to reduce the platinum acid chloride and ruthenium chloride to platinum and ruthenium.    ADVANTAGE -   Dispersion characteristic of ruthenium is good and its degree of contact with the catalyst substrate is good. (J63048761-A)
(US4994415-A)      Substrate (I), for use in an electronic display device, a solar cell and/or other device, has a thin film formed on (I). The thin film forms an electric circuit by photo-etching treatment. (I) comprises a glass free from alkali metal oxide, lead oxide and magnesium oxide. The glass has a high chemical resistance and comprises 55-58% SiO2, 8-13% Al2O3, 4-10% B2O3, 4-7% CaO, 11-20% BaO, 0-5% SrO and 0.5-7% ZnO, all by wt.    ADVANTAGE -   New substrate has improved chemical resistance, is easy to melt to remove bubbles etc., and has excellent heat resistance and linear thermal expansion. @(4pp)    (DE3730410-C)      Glass contg. (wt.%) 52-60 (55-58) SiO2; 7-14 (8-13) Al2O3; 3-12 (4-10) B2O3; 3-13 (4-7) CaO; 10-22 (11-20) BaO; 0-10 (0-5) SrO; and 0-10 (0.5-7) ZnO, so glass is free from alkali metal-, Pb- and Mg-oxide, is used as a substrate for an electronic display unit and/or solar cell, with thin surface film.    ADVANTAGE -   High resistance to chemical attack, esp. from buffered HF, easily melted and good heat resistance.    (5pp)    (JP92058421-B)      Glass compsn. comprises in wt.% 52-60 of SiO2, 7-14 of Al2O3, 3-12 of B2O3, 3-13 of CaO, 10-22 of BaO, 0-10 of SrO and 0-10 of ZnO, and contains practically no alkali metal oxides, PbO or MgO.    USE -   Shows good fusibility, heat and acid-resistance, esp. good H2SO4- and buffered HF-resistance, etc. (J63074935-A)
(US4751062-A)      Fuel cell comprises anode (18) and cathode (20), separated by an electrolyte matrix assembly (22), each electrode abutting an impermeable gas distribution plate. Top of the cell has a gas distribution plate (24), with grooves (26) to bring in and distribute a single reactant, with a current collector (54). The other end of the cell has a bipolar plate (25) to supply reactants. Matrix assembly comprises a permeable layer (32) with large void fraction and second permeable layer (34) with small void fraction. The first layer is of non-conducting fibrous material, pref. SiC whiskers, mixed with fluoropolymer and water, forming a paste to apply to the surface of the electrode, and contains electrolyte. The second layer is pref. formed of SiC powder bonded with PTFE particles.    ADVANTAGE -   Complex structures are avoided, permeation of gaseous reactants is avoided, and internal resistance losses are low.
(US4960466-A)      Coating compsn. comprises a soln. of a Cd salt (e.g. Cd alkanoate), Sn(II) and/or Sn(IV) alkoxide, alkanoate and/or alkoxide-alkanoate, a 1,3-diketone or ketoester as complexing agent, and NH3 or an amine as stabiliser, in a lower alkanol.    USE -   Prods. are applied to substrates, e.g. silica or glass, which are heated to form Cd stannate films with high electrical conductivity, high reflectivity and low absorptivity in the visible region of the spectrum, in the prodn. of electrooptical devices. @(8pp)
(US4987005-A)      In a chemical vapour processing method for depositing or etching a film on a number of substrates, the substrates are mounted in a reaction chamber, into which reaction gas is introduced and power is applied to produce a plasma discharge between electrodes and to form a film on the substrates. The electric power is amplitude modulated between different levels, with modulation cycle periods of 1-5 seconds and degree of modulation of less than 50%. Rate of deposition is lower at the centre of the substrate than at its periphery at one power level and higher at the centre at the other power level.    ADVANTAGE -   Uniform film can be produced over large areas. @(7pp)@    (JP2588388-B2)      A reaction gaseous body for making film is introduced into a reaction chamber maintained at reduced pressure and induction energy applied to the gas to decompose or activate. Wafers for making film are arranged vertically between a pair of flat electrodes arranged in parallel. High frequency power is applied between the electrodes to decompose or activate the reaction gas to make film on wafers.    USE/ADVANTAGE -   The process forms uniform films on large area wafers, e.g. large area element such as solar battery, which improves characteristics. Used to mfr. film FET comprised of silicon monocrystal semiconductor.
(JP93013882-B)      Hydrocarbon (HC) fraction is first produced, which is a fraction contained originally in crude oil or is given by crude oil cracking and further catalytically hydrogenated, and contains more than 70 wt.% of 150-260 deg.C fractions and less than 1 ppm sulphur content. Straight chain HCs are sepd. and recovered from the fraction by adsorption using synthetic zeolite and/or by the urea-adduct method. Required amt. of H2O is added to the thus processed fraction, which is then cracked using steam cracking catalyst contg. more than 5 wt.% Ni to produce H2.    ADVANTAGE -   Fractions remaining after valuable straight chain HCs are recovered can be used as a raw material. (J63040702-A
(JP94047093-B2)      Semiconductive or conductive thin film is prepd. by forming mono-layered or monolayers of stacked film of monomer, which can polymerize and which has hydrophilic parts and hydrophobic parts, on support by Langmuir-Blodgett method and polymerising monomers electrochemically.    Monomers are pref. benzene, pyrrole, thiophene, furan, selenophene, tellurophene and carbazole etc. Support used pref. comprises Au, Pt, Ni, Al, Cu, Ag, their oxide, SnO2, In2O3 or ITO etc.    USE/ADVANTAGE -   Thin film obtd. is used as organic battery, semiconductive element, electromagnetic shield, solar battery, antistatic agent and electrode material etc. Thickness of the film is controlled to molecular size. Stability is improved. As molecular arrangement in the film is controlled, conductivity and durability are improved.
(JP95110761-B2)      In a reformer of a fuel cell comprising a heating space (7), an evaporator (1) and a burner (2), reactors (8,8a,8b,8c) filled with catalysts are arranged in parallel in the heating space and ends of neighbouring reactors are connected with lateral connecting tubes (11) so that fuel gas can pass two or more reactors.    USE -   To narrow spaces between neighbouring reactors and miniaturise the reformer.
(JP96029922-B2)      In a reformer of a fuel cell comprising a heating space with a built-in reactor filled with catalyst, an evaporator and a burner, an exhaust path is provided at the outside wall of the heating space. The exhaust path and heating space are connected by connecting holes at the upper end of the heating space and an exhaust hole is provided at a part of the exhaust path lower than the connecting hole.    USE/ADVANTAGE -   To fill the heating space with heating gas to obtain uniform heat distribution along the whole length of the reactor.
(JP94011645-B2)      Formation of amorphous thin membrane by glow discharging plasma, where the substrate is charged with a positive charge for at least 30 secs after the initiation of the flow discharge.    USE -   Useful for solar battery, thin membrane semiconductor or optical sensor etc. (J63036522-A)
(JP93073248-B)      Formation of amorphous thin membrane by glow discharge plasma, where the reaction gas pressure is kept at 40-60% of the normal level for at least 30 secs. after the initiation of the glow discharge. The reaction pressure is returned to the normal level (100%) at least within 5 mins.    USE/ADVANTAGE -   Useful for solar battery, thin membrane semi-conductor, or optical sensor etc. (J63036521-A)
(US4816383-A)      Prodn. of a fine pattern of conjugated system polymer comprises (1) forming a thin film of polymeric sulphonium salt having repeat units of formula (I) on a substrate; (2) irradiating the film patternwise with light including a deep UV ray of wavelength 200-300 nm; then (3) developing the film. The deep UV ray wavelength is pref. 200-260 nm. The developed pattern can be heat treated at 100-400 deg.C in an inert atmos.. In the formula, R1 is a gp. able to conjugate with an adjacent vinylene gp. formed by eliminating sulphonium salt as a side chain; R2 and R3 are 1-20C hydrocarbon gps.; and X- is a counter ion.    USE/ADVANTAGE -   The pattern can be made electrically conductive by doping. it can then be used in memory elements, sensors, solar cells, storage batteries, etc..    (4pp)    (JP95066189-B2)      Forming the pattern comprises forming on a substrate a thin film of polymeric sulphonium salt having recurring units of the formula (I) (where R1=a gp. capable of conjugating with an adjacent vinylene gp. formed by the elimination of sulphonium salt as a side chain; R2 and R3=1-20C hydrocarbyl gp. and X-=a counter ion); imagewise irradiating the thin film with a prescribed pattern of light including deep ultraviolet rays having a wavelength not longer than 300 nm (pref. 200-300 nm, most pref. 200-260 nm); and then subjecting the irradiated thin film to development to remove unexposed polymeric salt.    ADVANTAGE -   The fine pattern of conjugated polymer can be given an electrical conductivity by doping and, in addn., it can be processed into arbitrary fine two-dimensional patterns. Thus, it is applicable to organic functional elements such as a memory element, a sensor, a solar cell, a storage battery and the like.
(US5017521-A)      A low alkali borosilicate glass compsn. comprises 60-78% wt. SiO2, 10-25% wt. B2O3, 3.5-6.0% wt. R2O (wherein R2O represents Na2O, K2O and/or Li2O), 2.0-6.5% wt. CeO2, and 0.25-8.0% wt. Sb2O3 and/or As2O3.    (JP95100616-B2)      A glass compsn. contains by wt. 60-78% SiO2, 10-25% B2O3, 3.5-6% of Na2O/K2O/Li2O, 2-6.5% CeO2, and 0.25-8% Sb2O3 and/or As2O3. It may also contain up to 3% Al2O3 and/or ZrO2, and/or up to 2% TiO2, and/or up to 5% ZnO, and/or up to 2.5% MgO/CaO/BaO/SrO. It may form the protective cover for a solar cell.    ADVANTAGE -   Inclusion of Sb2O3/As2O3 enables the addn. of over 2% CeO2 to provide high UV absorption without causing discolourlation or phase sepn.. Good white light transmission and radiation stability. Coefft. of thermal expansion close to that of silicon. Suitable for production of microsheet of thickness 50-300 microns.
(EP261501-B1)      1. A compound of the formula (I) in which Rf denotes F or perfluoroalkyl having 1-3 carbon atoms, X denotes hydrogen, F, Br or Cl, n denotes an integer from 1-10, and m denotes an integer from 0-5, and Rf' denotes -CF2-O-CFBr-CF2Br (a) or (b) in which Rf'', X', n' and m' have the same meaning as Rf, X, n and m, with the proviso that, where Rf' equals (a) and X equals F, m must be at least 1, and that, where Rf' equals (b), X and X' are not simultaneously equal to F and m + m' must be at least 1.
(DE3779615-G)      Fuel cell stack with combination end-pressure plates comprises (a) thin carbon fuel cell component plates stacked one on top of another providding a reaction portion of the stack; (b) a steel pressure plate mounted directly on the uppermost carbon plate, the steel pressure plate being laterally coextensive with the carbon plates at ambient temps; (c) at least one reactant manifold mounted on a side of the stack, the manifold having a peripheral sealing flange which faces side surfaces of the carbon plates and a corresponding side surface of the pressure plate; (d) a polymeric sealing gasket interposed between the manifold sealing flange and adjacent side surfaces of the carbon plates and the pressure plate to provide a seal between the manifold interior and ambient surroundings; and (e) a first adhesive layer sandwiched between the gasket and adjacent side surfaces to adhere the gas
(JP94065602-B2)      Hydrogen gas is produced for dispersion type fuel battery where JIS No. 1 kerosene with 10-150 wt. ppm of sulphur content is let through a reactor where a nickel type adsorbent (having the surface area of more than 50 m2/g, supporting nickel as the metal component (the amt. of the nickel is more than 50 wt.%)) is filled, under the presence of 0-0.2 mol. of hydrogen (against 1 mol. of kerosene), at more than atmospheric pressure and less than 10 kg/cm2.G and at the temp. of 150-250 deg. C, so that the remaining sulphur content in the kerosene is reduced to less than 0.5 wt. ppm. Then a necessary amt. of water is added to the gas emitting from the reactor, and it is introduced to a steam reforming reactor (where a reforming catalyst with the nickel content of more than 5 wt.% is filled) to carry out a reforming reaction.    USE/ADVANTAGE -   Hydrogen for dispersion type fuel battery can be produced economically from kerosene.
(US4975342-A)      Fuel cell has fuel cell units piled one over another. Each of the fuel cell units comprises: (1) a solid, unitary, pre-formed integrated laminate including an electrolyte matrix layer and a pair of electrode catalyst layers sandwiching both faces of the electrolyte matrix layer, the electrode catalyst layers being integrally formed with the electrolyte matrix layer; (2) a pair of electrode substrates disposed on the outer faces of the electrode catalyst layers, and a pair of gas separators disposed on the outer faces of he electrode substrates.    Process for producing a fuel cell comprises (i) laminating an electrolyte matrix layer between a pair of electrode catalyst layers; (ii) locating electrode substrate layers on the outer faces of the electrode catalyst layers; and (iii) locating gas separators on the outer faces of electrode substrate layers.    ADVANTAGE -   The permeation of catalyst into the substrate canbe diminished, the amt. of catalyst used can be reduced, and electrodes having a uniform thickness and compsn. is produced with high productivity. (First major country equivalent to J63032858-A)
(JP95017361-B2)      Appts. comprises a catalyst charged in a catalyst chamber to form several catalyst beds arranged in the gas flowing direction of the fuel so that the higher temp. bed is at the gas inlet side of the chamber.    USE -   For methanol for fuel cells.
(JP2523284-B2)      Appts. comprises a catalyst bed in a vessel having a porous cover to block the granular catalyst from effluent from the gas outlet side of the bed. The cover is retained by fixtures toward the bed.    USE -   For fuel cells.
(JP95108761-B2)      Appts. comprises a heater put in a lower part of an evaporator contg. reaction tubes, each charged with a catalyst to react the evapd. fuel so that the cross-section of the catalyst bed reduces away from the bottom.    USE -   For fuel cells.
(DE3627641-C)      A solar cell includes a contact which is contacted with a connector via a porous intermediate layer. The connector has cut-outs and is pref. perforated.    The connector pref. has finger members at the contact region and pref. consists of silver or molybdenum. The connector is pref. welded onto the intermediate layer.    ADVANTAGE -   The cell has a good connection between the connector and the intermediate layer.    (7pp)
(DE3727282-C)      Substrate for fuel cell of the phosphoric acid type consists of a separator (1), two electrode substrates (2,2'), for fuel and air electrodes, with flow channels (5,6) for gas reactants formed by the separator and electrode substrates. Electrodes substrates are porous and C-contg. and have a mean density of 0.3-0.9 g/ml, with gas permeability not less than 566 cm/s. bar. Ratio of total cross sectional area of flow channels for gas reactants on the fuel electrode side to the total cross sectional area of flow channels on the air electrode side is 1:3 to 2:3.    ADVANTAGE -   Very good resistance to phosphoric acid and compact.    (14pp)    (JP7006773-A)      Fuel cell substrate comprises: a separator (1) sandwiched between two porous C electrodes (2) each provided with flow channel grooves, the grooves of one electrode being perpendicular to those of the other; and peripheral sealers (3) joined to the separator via a layer of fluorocarbon resin (4). The ratio of the cross section of the grooves on the fuel electrode side to that of the grooves on the air electrode side is 1-2:3.    USE/ADVANTAGE -   Esp. with fuel cells of the H3PO4 type. The flow channel areas ratio conforms to the conditions of the actual fuel used; the peripheral seal prevents leakage of reactant gas; and the structure has high resistance to H3PO4.
(JP92037154-B)      The separator material comprises Fe-base alloy contg. (by wt.) 0.15% or less C, 1% or less Si, 2% or less Mn, 15-35% Ni, 15-35% Cr, and 1-2% Al, etc.    USE -   The separator material is used for molten carbonate type fuel cells, having good corrosion resistance to molten carbonate. (J62294153-A)
(JP94089075-B2)      Perfluorocarbon polymers are produced by emulsion-copolymerising (1) sulphonic acid type functional gp.-contg. perfluorocarbon monomers and (2) perfluoroolefins in the presence of (3) polymerisation initiators and (4) emulsifiers of formula (I) Rf-SO3M in (5) aq. medium. (where Rf=a polyfluoroalkyl gp.; M=H, an alkali metal or NR1R2R3R4 (R1-R4=separate gps. selected from H and alkyl gps.).    (1) includes pref. CF2=CFOCF2CF(CF3)O(CF2)2SO2F. (2) includes pref. tetrafluoroethylene. (4) is used in amt. of 0.001-5 wt.%, pref. 0.05-3 wt.% of (5). (1) and (2) are used so that copolymers formed contain above 20 wt.% (25-60 wt.%) (1).    USE/ADVANTAGE -   Ion exchange films formed from the perfluorocarbon polymers are useful as diaphragm for diffusion dialysis, electrolytic redn., fuel batteries, partic. as cation-selective diaphragm for alkali electrolysis. The perfluoro-carbon polymers have high ion exchange vol. (0.5-2.0 milliequiv./g of dry resin).
(JP94089074-B2)      The perfluorocarbon polymers are produced by emulsion-copolymerising (1) sulphonic acid type functional gp.-contg. perfluorocarbon monomers and (2) perfluoroolefins in the presence of (3) polymerisation initiators and (4) emulsifiers of formula (I) in (5) aq. medium. In (I) n=1-50; M=H, an alkali metal or NR1R2R3R4 (R1-R4 are each H or alkyl; X is H, F, Cl).    (1) includes pref. CF2=CFOCF2CF(CF3)O(CF2)2SO2F. (2) includes pref. tetrafluoroethylene. (4) is used in an amt. of 0.001-5 wt.%, pref. 0.05-3 wt.% of (5). (1) and (2) are used ensuring that the copolymers obtd. contain above 20 wt.%, pref. 25-60 wt.% of (1).    USE/ADVANTAGE -   Ion exchange films formed from the perfluoro-carbon polymers are useful as diaphragms for diffusion dialysis, electrolytic redn., fuel batteries, partic. as cation-selective diaphragm for alkali electrolysis. The perfluorocarbon polymers have high ion exchange vol. (0.5-2.0 milliequiv./g of dry resin).
(JP95023258-B2)      The carbon material is a carbonised or graphitised thermosetting composite of a mixt. or an intermediate prepd. by reacting the mixt.. The mixt. consists of aromatic cpds. of more than two condensed rings (1) having intermolecular O, S or halogen atoms, aromatic crosslinking agent of one or more than two rings (2) having hydroxymethyl or halomethyl gps., and acid catalyst (3).    The prodn. comprises: (a) the mixt. or intermediate being heated at 100-400 deg. C in an (non)oxidative atmos. and moulded; and (b) the resultant mouldings are carbonised or graphitised.    (1) are naphthalene, acenaphthene, phenanthrene, pyrene, chrysene, naphthacene, acenaphthylene, perylene, coronene derivs., coal or petroleum heavy oil; tar or pitch; or their oxides, sulphides or halides, etc. (3) are aluminium chloride, boron fluoride, phosphoric acid, organic sulphonic acid, carboxylic acid, their derivs., or their mixtures.    USE/ADVANTAGE -   Used as sealing or sliding material; for fuel cells, or reactors, etc. Highly crosslinked, carbonised, less shrunken mouldings larger in size complex in shape can be sintered at a relatively higher heating rate.
(DE3720750-C)      Solar cell has a layer (I) comprising n-type gallium arsenide connected to an electrode (II); and a layer (III) comprising p-type gallium arsenide formed on a main surface of (I), in order to form a p-n junction, which contains Mg, as a p-type doping agent, and is connected to a second electrode. Layer (I) comprises a n-type gallium arsenide substrate on a main surface of which is formed electrode (II), and a n-type gallium arsenide epitaxial layer which is formed on the other main surface of the gallium arsenide substrate. The n-type gallium arsenide substrate is doped with silicon and has a support density of 1x10 power 17 cm-3 to 2x10 power 18 cm-3.    The gallium arsenide epitaxial layer is doped with Sn in a range of 1x10 power 17 cm-3 to 2x10 power 17 cm-3.    ADVANTAGE -   A Ga-As solar cell is provided having good controllability and stability during formation of the p-n junction and having a high conversion effect level.    (5pp)
(JP92032696-B)      Methyl methacrylate (MMA), styrene, vinyl carbazole vinyl monomers are polymerised to encapsulate CdS powders. Other CdS powders encapsulated with polymethyl methacrylate, (PMMA), polystyrene (PST) or other vinyl polymers are admixed with less than 5 wt. % of pigments like rose red ochre. Still other CdS powders encapsulated with PMMA, PST or other vinyl polymers are admixed with less than 5 wt. % of vinyl polymers like PMMA.    10g CdS 99.999% pure, 0.5 mmol of MMA monomers, 50 mmol of an initiator, and 100ml of water were charged in a flask, and reacted resultant CdS whose 3% were encapsulated was admixed with 0.026 wt. % rose red ochre. A 100 micron thick CdS film was prepd. using a 1.0g/cc EtOH soln. of the CdS.    USE/ADVANTAGE -   Used for photsensors, solar cells or electrophotography sensitised material, having a higher photosensitivity over a wider range of wavelength a good solvent dispersability, and a good workability. (J62279839-A)
(JP93086605-B)      Transparent electrical conductive material comprises crystalline Sn-oxide.Sb-sol in which Sb and Sn are dissolved with Sb/Sn 0.3 mol. ratio.    USE -   Used for photoelectric conversion elements of solar cells, or camera tubes, or heating elements for transparent surface such as defogging and deicing glass, electroluminescence devices, liq. crystal display devices, electrochromic display devices, plasma display and electrophotography, etc. (J62278705-A)
(US4931308-A)      A functional tin oxide film is formed on a substrate by feeding a tin containing raw material gas, a rare gas carrier and a reducing gas esp. hydrogen, into a reaction vacuum chamber. Discharge energy is applied to form the desired reduced active species. The gas mix is transported into a second chamber where the substrate is positioned and maintained at a temp. up to 230 degrees C. Introduction of an oxidising gas pref. 02,H20 or CO2, into the reaction zone causes homogeneous formation of the desired tin oxide film on the hot substrate.    ADVANTAGE -   The process gives a high quality film which is smooth, uniform and has a tight transmission above 85%. @(12pp)@
(US4783381-A)      Electricity is produced by introducing a fuel and an oxidising agent into a fuel cell, respectively a t the interface of an anode and an alkaline anolyte of thecell, and at the interface of a cathode and an acid catholyte isolated from the alkaline anolyte, by a separator which is permeable to ions. The improvement is that hydrogen peroxide (I) is used as fuel. Pref. (I) is used as the oxidising agent. Pref. a difference of at least 7 i s maintained between the pH of the alkaline anolyte and the pH of the acid catholyte, the pH of the anolyte being pref. held at a value at least equal to 11.63.    ADVANTAGE -   Process is easy and economic and does not generate any toxic or polluting prods.    (7pp)
(US4871517-A)      Disk - or a wafer-shaped Si bodies, partic. for solar cells, are mfd. from a heated crucible (3) of molten Si (2), over which a network of fibres (1), e.g. C fibres, is passed in contact with the melt, so that Si crystallises out.    At least one reflector (6) is positioned about the molten Si and can be in the form of graphite shielding members moved in synchronism with the tape to be coated on a tape (9) on rollers (8). The shielding member can be heated by a current source (10), to prevent crystallisation and thus form a parting location (11).    ADVANTAGE -   Continuously pulled Si ribbons can be severed without disrupting the process.    (EP252279-B)      Method for separating disc-shaped silicon bodies, which can be used for solar cellsm, from a silicon tape produced according to the so-called horizontal tapedrawing method, in which a woven fabric running in the drawing direction of the tape (1) and preferably consisting of graphite threads is utilized as carrier body (1) and as a nucleator for crystallization for the melt (2) which generates the silicon tape, said carrier being drawn across the molten silicon (2) located in a bath (3), and in which heat sources (7) are arranged above the melt (2) and below the melt (2), said heat sources being adjusted in relation to one another in such a way that, taking into consideration the radiation losses (5) of the melt surface (2), the silicon tape (4) solidifies in a uniform thickness before it is then drawn laterally continuously from the melt (2), characterised in that, at specific, predetermined intervals (LA) which correspond to the size of the silicon tape sections for the solar cells, the radiation losses (5) above the melt surface (2) are reduced, by means of shielding bodies (6) running in synchronism, to such an extent that solidification does not take place on a locally limited basis and as a result a dividing strip (11) is formed in the silicon tape (4).    (8pp)
(US4740357-A)      Fuel reforming appts. has a burner gas region in which at least one reformer duct extends axially. The duct includes an axial chamber filled with catalyst and a wall bounding the chamber is exposed to the hot gases. The chamber has a portion extending in the burner cavity and a portion extending from it in the heat transfer region of the burner gas region. There is a heat shield for the reformer tube and a heat shield for the first part of the reformer duct includes individual segments which extend laterally and longitudinally around the duct and are free to expand and contract with respect to adjacent segments. The segments are stacked on a support for the reformer tube heat shield to minimise tensile stresses.    USE/ADVANTAGE -   Fuel cell power plants to produce H2 from hydrocarbon fuel. The heat shield has good structural integrity. (7pp)
(US4929281-A)      Thin film solar cells are mfd. by (a) depositing a 1st electrode layer on a large area substrate, (b) structuring, (c) depositing at least one semiconductive material, (d) depositing a 2nd electrode layer, and (e) structuring at least one semiconductive material and the 2nd electrode film, and connecting the obtd. solar cells in a side-by-side arrangement in series.    The structuring is done by depositing a paste of TiO2 on the substrate before depositing the 1st electrode, then removing the paste afterwards, the 1st electrode is a transparent oxide contg. ITO.    ADVANTAGE -   Structuring can be carried out without damaging the individual layers. The number of layers can be reduced, and the connecting areas between the individual electrode layers can be as narrow as possible, allowing optimum utilisation of photoactive material. @(7pp)@    (DE3712589-C)      Thin film solar cells connected in series are mfd. on a common substrate by a method in which an electrode layer is deposited and structured. Simultaneously, a strip of additional structure material and optimally a strip of conductive material are applied. At least one layer of semiconductor material is deposited and a second electrode is formed. The strip of additional material with the semiconductor and electrode over it are removed. For forming the solar cell circuit, a connection is formed between the second electrode layer and the first layer.    ADVANTAGE -   Structuring is simplified and connection area between electrode layers is as small as possible.    (7pp)
(US4956023-A)      The integrated solar cell device has amorphous silicon solar cells, each having a transparent electrode on the light impinging side and a metal electrode on the side opposite of the light impinging side, placed on a transparent substrate. The solar cells are connected in series or series-parallel using the transparent electrodes and the metal electrodes. At least a conductive anti-oxidation film is formed at the series connection part between the transparent electrode and the metal electrode. The transparent electrode is prevented from oxidizing the metal electrode, so that the contact resistance is prevented from increasing and the output of the solar cell device can be prevented from decreasing. Consequently, the life of the solar cell device is extended such that the output of the solar cell device can be maintained in the designed range for a long period.    USE -   Integrated solar cell with multiple cells connected in series or series-parallel.    (10pp)
(DE3890060-T)      Evaporable compsn. for mfg. anti-reflection coatings for GaAs or Si comprises Y-, Ti- and Zr-oxides, with up to 7.3 wt.% Ti oxide and up to 90 wt.% Zr oxide. It is mfd. e.g. as a mixt. of 10% Zr oxide and 1% Ti oxide with Y oxide, which is pressed at a pressure of e.g. 500 bar and sintered e.g. for 3 hrs. at 1300 deg.C to form a tablet for evapn. The tablet is heated and evaporated by an electron gun for forming a coating on the heated substrate.    ADVANTAGE -   Coating has constant refractive index.
(US4769086-A)      Solar module has a transparent glass substrate (10) on which is a transparent conductive oxide layer (12), e.g. of Sn oxide, patterned to form separate front-face electrodes (14) for each solar cell. On these is formed an active thin film photovolatic device, pref. a PIN Si device. Back contacts include a layer of Al (20) 1000-5000 pref. about 2000 Angstrom thick. They also include a layer of Ni (22), 500-5000 pref. about 1200 Angstrom thick. The two layers are patterned together. Front to back connection is made by a laser beam (26), which produces a fused region (28), connecting the back contact (30) and front contact (32) of the adjacent cell through a stitch bar (34).    ADVANTAGE -   No redn. in module fill factor is experienced in use.
(US4864152-A)      The floating water current power station comprises a ring-shaped pontoon (3) which, using a mooring bitt (5), is anchored (1). All turbines (21) are detachably arranged on a common beam (11) and can as a unit be swung up to the surface within the area limited by the ring pontoon (3).    The power station may swing around the bitt (5) the upper end of which is connected to a front pontoon (9) and a lower end (6) of which is secured to the anchors and which is moreover provided with tension distributing warps (16) to the turbine beam (11) and warps (7) to the same pontoon side as the one to which the bitt is secured.    (SU1813186-A3)      The tidal power station has a ring shaped pontoon floating on the surface of the water. The pontoon is anchored to the bottom and supports a number of turbines, which are all arranged in a common turbine formation under the pontoon. The turbine formation as a unit is adapted to be moved up to the surface within the area limited by the ring pontoon.    The ring pontoon is quadrangular, pref. rectangular and moored in such a way that it may freely swing in the water current but with its long sides transversely to the direction of the current. The whole station may swing around the bit, the upper end of which is connected to a front pontoon and the lower end of which is secured to anchors.    USE/ADVANTAGE -   Seas and rivers. Easily maintained.
(DE3740821-C)      The hydraulic power plant has adjoining cross flow turbine sets composed of pressure head regulator and turbine wheel so that recovered mechanical energy can be converted into electric power by a generator. Each turbine wheel should consist of a drum rotor (8) on a horizontal axis and the pressure head regulator consists of an integrated regulating flap valve (6) pivoting as a half cylinder shell coaxially and close to the turbine wheel. A rotary trash rack (8) fixed to the wheel is interposed between flap valve and wheel and its rack rings are engaged by a fixed rake (9) from below the turbine wheel. The energy recovery unit formed from turbine sets and associated generators should be housed in a truss framework (4) which can be raised and lowered to act as a switch inguides on the channels. Floating material is removed by a bypass flap valve (5) above each turbine set.    ADVANTAGE -   Plant runs without pollution using trash removal in non-pressure zone.    (7pp)
(US4749454-A)      Effects of electrical shorts and shunts are removed from thin-film semiconductors by coating exposed contact surfaces with an ionic soln., and applying a reverse-bias voltage between a pair of electrodes between which the semiconductor is sandwiched. The etching rate of the soln. increases with temp. The soln. is one part to five pts. H2O. The voltage is pref. 1-6 volts.    ADVANTAGE -   Simple removal of shorts and shunts.    (8pp)
(US4748808-A)      The fluid powered motor-generator apparatus includes a generator having a power output and a mechanically driven input. A streamlined motor body is rotatably mounted to drive the generator input and includes radially extending generally V-shaped fins mounted on an outside surface. The fins are mounted on brackets above an outer surface of the motor body and have a convex pointed side facing in the direction of rotation and a concave open side facing in a direction opposite to the direction of rotation. Thus, the action of a stream of fluid on the fins tends to rotate the motor body and drive the generator. If the motor-generator apparatus is mounted in water, the generator can be enclosed in another streamlined body which is anchored to the bed of the body of water. A third streamlined motor body can be attached to the bottom of the generator body with radially extending fins oriented to cause it to rotate opposite to the direction of rotation of the streamlined motor body.    (9pp)    (DE3777356-G)      A streamlined motor body (11) is mounted to drive the input (20) of a generator (19).    Radially extending V-shaped fins (10) are mounted on brackets (23) above an outer surface of the motor body.    The fins have a convex pointed side (22) facing in the direction of rotation, and a concave open side facing in the opposite direction. The action of a stream of fluid on the fins rotates the motor body and drives the generator.    If the appts. is mounted in water, the generator (19) can be enclosed in another streamlined body (14) which is anchored to the bed of the body of water.    ADVANTAGE -   Will always rotate in same direction in response to tides or current.
(US4754157-A)      The water pumping apparatus includes a reciprocal piston in a cylinder, and a piston rod connected to the piston and extending sealably out of the cylinder. A mechanical tensioning device connected between the piston and the cylinder maintains resilient tension between the piston and the cylinder, and a float is connected to one of the piston rod or the cylinder.    An anchor is flexibly connected to the other of the piston rod or the cylinder which is not connected to the float and an inlet check valve and an outlet check valve connected to the cylinder. A conduit extends from the outlet check to an area where e water is usefully employed. The mechanical tensioning device is a spring or a weight and tether.    USE/ADVANTAGE -   To operate hydroelectric generator. Even if device becomes inoperative, device can be replaced and is inexpensive to mfr. and maintain.    (DE3777945-G)      The water pumping appts. has a reciprocal piston in a cylinder, the piston including a rod connected to the piston and extending sealably over the bottom end of the cylinder. An inlet extends through the wall of the cylinder for drawing water into the cylinder, and an outlet expels water through the cylinder wall. Inlet and outlet check valves are included. An anchor flexibly connected to the piston rod anchors the rod to the cylinder. A float connected to t
(US4942292-A)      At least two pairs of diametrically facing light-receiving elements (30a, 30c and 30b, 30d) are provided along the periphery of a circular end plane of incidence (24) of an optical fibre cable (20) where sun light is condensed by way of a lens. The deviation of a condensed light area from the circular end plane of incidence will be effectively detected by the light-receiving elements to control a drive unit which drives an equatorial carrying an optical system including the lens and the end plane of incidence of the optical fibre cable (20).    Another light-receiving element can be provided at the centre of the end plane of incidence (24) to detect when light condensing area is deviated to a great extent. The output signal of this light-receiving element is used to perform speed control of the drive unit. A circuit arrangement for detecting abnormal state of the optical system is also used.    USE -   High tracking accuracy low cost sunlight-following mechanism. @(12pp)@
(US4886978-A)      The exhaust energy recovery apparatus comprises: a turbine connected to the engine drivable by exhaust gases emitted from the engine.    Sensors connected to the turbine, detect operating conditions of the turbine and provides corresponding detection signals.    A induction generator is connected to the turbine and drivable by the turbine.    An induction motor is e connected to the induction generator and is drivable by the electric power generated by the induction generator.    A battery is connected to the engine providing DC electric power to the engine. An inverter is connected to the binary and induction generator, converting the DC electric power from said battery into AC electric power and providing the AC electric power as an exciting current having another device calculates an operation efficiency of the turbine based on the detection signals from the sensors.    The frequency of the exciting current controlling the induction motor is varied maintaining the calculated operation efficiency of the turbine at approximately maximum efficiency. (9pp)
(JP3501512-W)      An array of individual absorber units are provided, each consisting of a buoyant raft, connected to a stable mooring assembly by a yoke so as to allow relative motion between the raft and the assembly in response to the motion of the waves. A linkage between the raft and the yoke allows conversion of the relative motion into mechanical, hydraulic and/or electrical power. The system is responsive to the broad spectrum of frequencies present in ocean waves.    The response characteristics of the individual units may be changed to match the conditions of the incident waves in order to provide maximum power conversion efficiency. Each unit of the array is tuned to a condition for maximum power absorption by control of the shape, mass, moments, and power extraction impedance.    ADVANTAGE -   Provides replaceable parts which facilitates maintenance.
(US4929281-A)      Thin film solar cells are mfd. by (a) depositing a 1st electrode layer on a large area substrate, (b) structuring, (c) depositing at least one semiconductive material, (d) depositing a 2nd electrode layer, and (e) structuring at least one semiconductive material and the 2nd electrode film, and connecting the obtd. solar cells in a side-by-side arrangement in series.    The structuring is done by depositing a paste of TiO2 on the substrate before depositing the 1st electrode, then removing the paste afterwards, the 1st electrode is a transparent oxide contg. ITO.    ADVANTAGE -   Structuring can be carried out without damaging the individual layers. The number of layers can be reduced, and the connecting areas between the individual electrode layers can be as narrow as possible, allowing optimum utilisation of photoactive material. @(7pp)@    (DE3712589-C)      Thin film solar cells connected in series are mfd. on a common substrate by a method in which an electrode layer is deposited and structured. Simultaneously, a strip of additional structure material and optimally a strip of conductive material are applied. At least one layer of semiconductor material is deposited and a second electrode is formed. The strip of additional material with the semiconductor and electrode over it are removed. For forming the solar cell circuit, a connection is formed between the second electrode layer and the first layer.    ADVANTAGE -   Structuring is simplified and connection area between electrode layers is as small as possible.    (7pp)
(US4956023-A)      The integrated solar cell device has amorphous silicon solar cells, each having a transparent electrode on the light impinging side and a metal electrode on the side opposite of the light impinging side, placed on a transparent substrate. The solar cells are connected in series or series-parallel using the transparent electrodes and the metal electrodes. At least a conductive anti-oxidation film is formed at the series connection part between the transparent electrode and the metal electrode. The transparent electrode is prevented from oxidizing the metal electrode, so that the contact resistance is prevented from increasing and the output of the solar cell device can be prevented from decreasing. Consequently, the life of the solar cell device is extended such that the output of the solar cell device can be maintained in the designed range for a long period.    USE -   Integrated solar cell with multiple cells connected in series or series-parallel.    (10pp)
(US7028934-N)      The support and maneuvering device includes an elongated flexible inflatable enclosure having a fixed end and a movable end.    The movable end is collapsible toward the fixed end to a contracted position when the enclosure is in a noninflated condition.    Upon inflation, the movable end is movable away from the fixed end to an extended position.    The movable eno includes means for mounting an article such as a solar deflector. The device also includes a number of position con trolling devices located about the movable end to effect adjusting movement of portions by predetermined amounts and for controlling an angle at which the article located at the movable end is oriented.    The number of position controlling devices limits a suitable number degrees of freedom of the movable end for transmitting a steering motion and for controlling the position.    ADVANTAGE -   Lightweight, low cost with easy replacement. (32pp)
(US4769086-A)      Solar module has a transparent glass substrate (10) on which is a transparent conductive oxide layer (12), e.g. of Sn oxide, patterned to form separate front-face electrodes (14) for each solar cell. On these is formed an active thin film photovolatic device, pref. a PIN Si device. Back contacts include a layer of Al (20) 1000-5000 pref. about 2000 Angstrom thick. They also include a layer of Ni (22), 500-5000 pref. about 1200 Angstrom thick. The two layers are patterned together. Front to back connection is made by a laser beam (26), which produces a fused region (28), connecting the back contact (30) and front contact (32) of the adjacent cell through a stitch bar (34).    ADVANTAGE -   No redn. in module fill factor is experienced in use.
(DE3644450-C2)      A unit such as a solar energy collector has a four sided structure with triangular section panels that can be moved to follow the sun. During the day, the unit adjusts to move from east to west and this is provided by a control cable (5, 6) that passes around a pulley (3) on a spindle (9). Movement on a monthly basis is provided by motion around a second axis (15).    Photo cells (12) on the tip of a receiving surface provide a difference voltage signal that is used to adjust the motion.    ADVANTAGE -   Improved tracking of sun including in high wind conditions.
(EP333706-B)      A support structure for solar panels, comprising an adjustable sensor means actuated by wind force which is able to transmit a command to said equipment so that the respective panel/s is/are horizontally positioned when the wind force exceeds a certain limit, characterised in that the wind force sensor means comprises a vane or flap panel (26, 26') mounted at the upper edge thereof to a horizontal shaft (23) and being freely rotatable around said shaft (23) such that it is deflected from a neutral vertical position to an extent depending on the wind force, an adjustable cam (23') fixed to the vane (26, 26') and rotating therewith around said shaft (23) and a switch (24, 25) actuated by said cam (23').    (8pp)
(US4753683-A)      The solar cell array utilises geometrically alternating, laterally disposed N-on-P and P-on-N gallium arsenide solar cells. Improved array efficiency is achieved by placing adjacent solar cells in contact with each other and eliminating bus connections on the top surfaces. This is accomplished by providing the solar cells with a lateral cross-sectional configuration of a parallelogram with the N-on-P solar cells slanted in one lateral direction and the P-on-N solar cells slanted in the opposite direction.    The top surfaces of adjacent, contacting solar cells are electrically connected by extending a connector grid across the top surfaces. Strip connectors are used to join the bases of adjacent solar cells.    ADVANTAGE -   Increased overall output efficiency.
(US4749454-A)      Effects of electrical shorts and shunts are removed from thin-film semiconductors by coating exposed contact surfaces with an ionic soln., and applying a reverse-bias voltage between a pair of electrodes between which the semiconductor is sandwiched. The etching rate of the soln. increases with temp. The soln. is one part to five pts. H2O. The voltage is pref. 1-6 volts.    ADVANTAGE -   Simple removal of shorts and shunts.    (8pp)
(DE3637743-C)      The rotation symmetrical concentrating reflector has a straight coilable truncatedly conical surface whose larger opening faces the sun rays. The reflecting surfaces should consist of a single conical casing (1) and an adjoining conical casing (2) facing the insolation opening (8). These surfaces reflect direct axi-parallel incident sunlight in bundled form onto a circular absorber plate (3) within the casing (1), and the plate is 13.3 times smaller than the opening (8).    USE/ADVANTAGE -   Solar energy. Bundled reflected sunlight achieves concentration with minimum surfaces and components. (3pp)
(DE3633145-C)      The wave energy converter float contains a mass which vibrates with wave movement so that relative movement between mass and float produce relative movement between magnet armature and coil so as to generate electrical energy. The float consists of a support grid made of crisscrossed and rigidly interconnected bars to form a number of openings which each contain an armature/coil assembly. The grid is surrounded by a support and is pref. buoyant and hollow. The assemblies are used to displace twice their own weight in water.    USE/ADVANTAGE -   Renewable energy sources. The low-cost grid float with armature/coil assemblies covers a wide area without distortion in 2 m high seas.    (9pp)
(GB2196697-B)      A wave power machine comprising a floor and a pair of upstanding walls which in use are disposed above and below the mean wave level, the said walls defining between them an open ended passage with an open mouth at the forward end of the passage for directing into the oncoming waves so that waves entering the mouth travel along the passage, the said walls including portions which mutually converge in a rearward direction, and the said floor including a portion which is upwardly inclined in a rearward direction, a flap being disposed within the said passage towards the rearward end thereof for movement by the waves about a substantially horizontal pivot axis as the waves travel through the passage, the flap being arranged such that during such pivotal movement the rearward end of the flap is able to meet the rearward end of the upwardly inclined portion of the passage floor, and power take off means being operably coupled to the flap.
(US4960466-A)      Coating compsn. comprises a soln. of a Cd salt (e.g. Cd alkanoate), Sn(II) and/or Sn(IV) alkoxide, alkanoate and/or alkoxide-alkanoate, a 1,3-diketone or ketoester as complexing agent, and NH3 or an amine as stabiliser, in a lower alkanol.    USE -   Prods. are applied to substrates, e.g. silica or glass, which are heated to form Cd stannate films with high electrical conductivity, high reflectivity and low absorptivity in the visible region of the spectrum, in the prodn. of electrooptical devices. @(8pp)
(US5017521-A)      A low alkali borosilicate glass compsn. comprises 60-78% wt. SiO2, 10-25% wt. B2O3, 3.5-6.0% wt. R2O (wherein R2O represents Na2O, K2O and/or Li2O), 2.0-6.5% wt. CeO2, and 0.25-8.0% wt. Sb2O3 and/or As2O3.    (JP95100616-B2)      A glass compsn. contains by wt. 60-78% SiO2, 10-25% B2O3, 3.5-6% of Na2O/K2O/Li2O, 2-6.5% CeO2, and 0.25-8% Sb2O3 and/or As2O3. It may also contain up to 3% Al2O3 and/or ZrO2, and/or up to 2% TiO2, and/or up to 5% ZnO, and/or up to 2.5% MgO/CaO/BaO/SrO. It may form the protective cover for a solar cell.    ADVANTAGE -   Inclusion of Sb2O3/As2O3 enables the addn. of over 2% CeO2 to provide high UV absorption without causing discolourlation or phase sepn.. Good white light transmission and radiation stability. Coefft. of thermal expansion close to that of silicon. Suitable for production of microsheet of thickness 50-300 microns.
(US4809675-A)      The solar ray collecting device comprises a light ray collecting device and a light ray reflecting device. The light ray collecting device comprises an optical lens and an optical conductor cable which has a light-receiving end placed at the light-focusing position of the optical lens and transmits the light energy arriving at the optical lens.    The light ray reflecting device is located at a position apart from the light ray collecting device for reflecting the solar rays and for focusing the same on to the light ray collecting device.
(DE3627641-C)      A solar cell includes a contact which is contacted with a connector via a porous intermediate layer. The connector has cut-outs and is pref. perforated.    The connector pref. has finger members at the contact region and pref. consists of silver or molybdenum. The connector is pref. welded onto the intermediate layer.    ADVANTAGE -   The cell has a good connection between the connector and the intermediate layer.    (7pp)
(US5066867-A)      The device for generating electric power from waves on a surface of a body of water comprises a lattice-shaped frame. A rotary column is mounted on the frame. A bladder floats up-and-down on the water surface in response to rise and fall motion of the waves.    The up-and-down motion of the flotation bladder is transmitted to a transducer by a chain coupled to the flotation bladder and sprockets coupled to the rotary column and rotating in gear with the chain. The frame is maintained at a predetermined depth under mean water level.    USE -   Marine wave-power electricity generator, for use inshore or in the deep sea. @(16pp)@
(DE3719523-C2)      The foundation pile (1) used simultaneously for thermal energy extraction incorporates a circulation loop (4) over at least part of its depth coupled at its free ends to a further heat transfer circuit. This is incorporated in cross members (7) at the top of the pile. The circulation loop is pref. U-shaped and lies adjacent the outer surface of the foundation pile for good heat transfer from the ground.    Pref. the heat transfer circuit allows the extracted geothermal energy to be transferred to a heat pump system. Each pile may have a number of circulation loops spaced in a horizontal plane, for max. geothermal energy extraction.
(US4724010-A)      The solar cell module comprises a transparent hollow multilayer structure (1) with a honeycomb matrix as a reinforcing member (2). The reinforcing member (2) is a paper honeycomb matrix known as Honeycomb P (RTM) with a layer thickness or height of about 10 mm, and the transparent sheets (3,4) are made of polycarbonate resin, adhered with polyvinyl butyral resin. A hollow multilayer structure of a multi rib construction can be produced by extruding polycarbonate resin through a die having the same rib structure as that of the side section of the multilayer structure. A transparent hollow multilayer structure of a hollow multi rib construction made by extrusion of a transparent synthetic resin is preferably used as a window member.    ADVANTAGE -   Lightweight. Improved transparency to sunlight. (11pp)    (DE3639676-C)      The solar cell module consists of a rigid transparent support element on the light impingement side. This consists of two transparent plastics sheets (32, 33) with reinforcing elements (31) as spacers, defining hollow cells (34), and a photo-electric transducer between the support and a rear seal. Cells are channel-shaped and open to the ambient air. The transducer has an insulating substrate of polymer film with several solar cell units on it.    ADVANTAGE -   High strength module.    (10pp)
(US4780638-A)      An hydraulic piston-and-cylinder unit is provided with a fluid inlet and a fluid outlet for the supply and withdrawal of pressurised fluid to and from the cylinder of the unit. A fluid pressure conduit and an energy converter connected to the conduit are used for converting a fraction of the energy of the pressure medium in the conduit into electrical energy.    The converter includes one piezo-electric element and an hydraulic pressure vibrator having a piston contained in a cylinder with a compression spring. A fluid outlet conduit opens into an interior space of the cylinder at a position such that, after the compression spring has been compressed by the piston, the fluid outlet conduit lies between the piston an a fluid pressure inlet in the cylinder, while, after the compression spring has expanded, the piston shuts off the outlet conduit.    The electrical output side of converter is linked with an electric store connected to a control unit attached to a valve actuator which is electrically operated. (4pp)    (DE3620752-C)      The electrical energy supply for a control device for a piston cylinder unit in a hydraulic mine
(JP92027169-B)      New alkali ion conductor is formed by a single crystal cpd. The cpd. has unidimensional tunnel structure of orthorhombic system and is of formula: Al-xTi2+xM5-O12. A is Na, K, Rb or Cs; M is Ga, Al, Cr or Fe; x is 0.1-0.5 (0.3-0.4).    USE/ADVANTAGE -   The conductor serves as a solid electrolyte, and is used as a material for a solid cell or a fuel cell in an electric car or for storing surplus power. The alkali ion conductor uses Na, K, Rb or Ca as a conductive ion seed. This eliminates the need for using active and dangerous gas when the conductor is used as a solid cell. The conductor has specific large aperture tunnel structure. The structure provides crystal, of single fibrous or columnar shape which is in parallel with the tunnel axis, undimensionally arranging ion conductive orientation. The conductivity of the single crystal at hf is increased to 10-100 times higher than that of beta-alumina at room temp. (J63274623-A)
(JP93015004-B)      Ionic electroconductor material comprises Y substd. solid soln. of Ca hydroxy apatite of formula, YxCa1-x(P04)6(0H)2-x0x, where x = 2-15 (not 1.5).    USE/ADVANTAGE -   Used for steam or oxygen sensor or for fuel cells. Electroconductivity of the material is improved and is stable.    In an example, Ca(N03)2, Y(N03)3, and (NH4)2HP04 were used for hydroxy apatite of formula, YxCa10-x(P04)6(0H)2-x0x and synthesised by the method described in the Journal of Japan Ceramic Association, 94(8)1986,p.837. Powder was then calcined at 800 deg.C. for 1 hr. in air pelletised and sintered at 1250 deg.C. for 1 hr. in a steam flow. Electroconductivity of the obtd. sintered material was at higher value when the value of x was set at 0.5-1, and at the highest value when the value of x was set at 0.7. (J63271807-A)
(US4824740-A)      The fuel cell stack coolant water is processed by moving the two-phase water/steam coolant exhaust through a steam separator wherein the water phase is separated from the steam phase. The water phase is then moved through a heat exchanger where its temperature is lowered to a subcooled level which is below the coolant operating temperature in the stack. A flow control valve is associated with the coolant heat exchanger to regulate water flow through and/or around the heat exchanger depending on the temperature of the water which leaves the steam separator.    By subcooling the coolant before it re-enters the stack, a lessening of electrolyte loss through evaporation is achieved. By eliminating steam condensation as a form of system heat rejection, system engineering is simplified and construction costs are lowered.
(DE3716297-C2)      The decentralised heating supply system uses a combination of different components comprising a heating boiler, fuel cells, energy converters and heat pumps. The gas burner for firing the heating boiler can be replaced by the fuel cells, the latter held in readiness by a min. gas flow rate.    The electricity is regulated by using the fuel cells which employ natural gas or air as the fuel to match the heating requirement and to generate heat converted in a DC signal, in turn converted into an AC signal for operating the heat pumps.    USE -   For optimum utilisation of energy and efficient generation of heat.
(JP93015003-B)      Ionic electroconductor material comprises lanthanum substd. solid soln. calcium hydroxyapatite of formula LaxCa10-x(P04)6(0H)2-x0x, where x = 0.2-1.5.    USE/ADVANTAGE -   The material is used for a steam sensor, or oxygen sensor, or for fuel cells. Electroconductivity of the material is large and stable.    In an example, Ca(N03)2, La(N03)3, and (NH4)2HP04 were used as starting materials, and using these materials, powder of the lanthanum substd. solid soln. calcium hydroxyapatite of formula, LaXCa10-X(P04)6(0H)2-X0X, was synthesised by wet method. Powder was calcined at approx. 800 deg.C. for 1 hr.. The calcined powder was then pelletised, and sintered at 1250 deg.C. for 1 hr. in steam flow. Electroconductivity of the obtd. sintered material was at higher value when the value of x was set between approx. 0.5 and 1, and at the highest value when the value of x was set at approx. 0.8. (J63269406-A)
(JP96015092-B2)      Fuel for cell is new. The fuel comprises hydrocarbon to be converted with steam. Water to be added to the hydrocarbon is at least partially supplied in the form of aerosol.    Aerosol is generated with the ultrasonic moistening device installed directly before a fuel converter. Fine mist of water is produced using an ultrasonic oscillator, then conveyed with the hydrocarbon gas flow as aerosol.    USE/ADVANTAGE -   Moistening of the hydrocarbon can be done with simple system in compliance with change of output power of the fuel cell. Compact device can be designed.
(US4787964-A)      Gas diffusion cathode for an oxygen-consuming electrochemical cell is prepd. by forming a porous body defining a gas contact surface and an opposed liq. contact surface of electrochemically conductive active carbon having transition metal macrocycle catalyst adsorbed on it. The porous body is disposed in contact with aq. alkaline electrolyte at the liq. contacting surface and with hydrogen or inert gas atmos. at the gas contacting surface. Current is passed through the body at intensity and for duration sufficient to effect a desired improvement in oxygen redn. polarisation behaviour of the cathode. The catalyst may be Co tetramethoxyphenyl porphyrin. The porous body may include an ionomeric ionically conductive gas flow barrier e.g. of tetraalkylammonium polymer.    USE/ADVANTAGE -   Oxygen redn. polarisation behaviour is improved, esp. at low current density. Used e.g. as an air cathode in an aq. alkaline lithium-air cell, but also in gas generating cells.    (13pp)    (US4980037-A)      A gas diffusion cathode adapted for use in an oxygen consuming electrochemical cell is new. The cathode is prepd. by the method comprising 3 steps (a), (b) and (c). (a) is forming a porous body (i) defining a gas contacting surface (iii) and an opposed liquid contacting surface (ii) of electronically conductive carbon. (b) is disposing (i) in contact with an aq. alkaline electrolyte at (ii) and in contact with a hydrogen or an inert gaseous atmosphere at (iii). (c) is passing current through (i) while in contact with electrolyte and gaseous atmos. at an intensity and for a duration sufficient to effect a desired predetermined degree of improvement in the oxygen reduction polarisation behaviour of cathode.    USE/ADVANTAGE -   Electrodes exhibit superior voltage performance under oxygen reduction polarisation conditions. (13pp)
(EP291618-B)      An electrical battery comprising a container (1) with a cover (5) and divided into cells each of which houses an assembly (3) of plates and separators, the plates of one polarity being electrically connected together by a bridge (4) each cell comprising an "L" shaped anchorage (9) for the connecting bridge (4), the "L" shaped anchorage (9) comprising one arm which bears on the bridge (4) and the other arm on the wall of the cell, said second arm extending in the direction of the wall for connection with the cover (5), characterised by a fixing member (8) comprising a transverse connecting plate (11), which bears on top of the assembly (3) of plates and separators and has on opposite edges thereof wedge-shaped columns (10) that are introduced between the assembly (3) and adjacent cell walls.    (8pp)
(JP94013744-B2)      The component comprises 4-5 wt.% Si, and/or 0.1-10 wt.% or 20-40 wt.% Al, and balance Ni or Ni-Cr, and impurities. The Ni-system component is submitted to oxidising treatment.    USE -   The Ni-system component is used for electrode and separator materials of fused carbonate type fuel cells, having improved corrosion resistance in fused carbonate environment. (J63238236-A).
(JP95066824-B2)      The constitutional material comprises by wt.0.5-30% Cr, 0.5-10% A1, 0.5-7% Co and/or Ni, and balance Fe and impurities.    The material may contain 0.5-10% Si.    USE -   The material has good strength, corrosion resistance, workability and is cheap.
(JP95118328-B2)      The material is made by coating A1 and Co and/or Ni as the single metal, alloy, oxide or their combination on the surface of a ferrous material, followed by diffusing the coating material in the surface layer of the ferrous material by heat treatment.    USE -   The material has excellent corrosion resistance, workability and economy.
(JP96004717-B2)      The membrane is supported by 1st. frame. Porous resin thermoplastic component consisting of foamed material and forming elastic component by thermal expansion is contacted to the frame so as to cover the circumference edge of the membrane. 2nd. frame put in contact with them so as to close the porous component to a predetermined dimension. The porous component is heated in wet state to expand it, and the frame and the membrane are sealed.    USE -   The appts. is used for sealing ion exchange membrane in dialysis appts., pure water mfg. appts., or fuel cell. The sealing is performed without damaging the function of the membrane.
(US4877506-A)      Monolithic solid electrolyte 02 pump (11) has a housing (12) enclosing a honeycomb core (14) comprising a large number of small cells, 1-2mm dia. within a thin, 25-50 microns ceramic layer of cell components. Components include an air electrode (13) an O electrode (15) and electrolyte (17), and an interconnecting structure (183(39). Passages are formed for air and for exhaust of 0. Intake apertures are provided for low-0 content gas to flow through the core and outlet apertures for sepd. 0 and reduced gas to be removed.    ADVANTAGE -   Low cost, portable, efficient pump.
(US4933054-A)      An electrocatalytic process for producing unsatd. hydrocarbon cpds. from satd. hydrocarbon cpds. comprises (A) providing conductive metal coated solid electrolytic electrochemical cell, or coated with metal oxide or mixts. which can catalyse redn. of oxygen to oxygen ions, and second surface coated with same. The two coatings being connected by an external circuit. (B) Passing oxygen-contg. gas in contact with first coating at 500- deg.C. (C) Contacting feed gas with second coating at 500-950 deg.C, in which feed gas contain 2-6C satd. hydrocarbon, satd. cycloaliphatic hydrocarbon cpd. of 5-6C or mixt. (D) Recovering unsatd. hydrocarbons.    USE/ADVANTAGE -   Prodn. of unsatd. hydrocarbons while generating electricity in electrogenerative reactor, and is efficient process.    (7pp)
(US4800138-A)      Fuel cell for operation in a weightless environment has an assembly for sepn. of product water and H2 from exhaust gases with a rotationally driven sump (20) with a side wall (50) from which water arriving by centrifugal force migrates to a well (52). The water is continuously collected by a Potot tube (58) and transferred to the water storage chamber (80), passing through aspirators (102) and back to the sump. Gaseous H2 entrained in the water if forced through a bleed hole (68) in the Pitot tube. When water pressure in the chamber exceeds a set level, a valve stem (94) moves out of a bore (84) to allow water to drain out into a tap outlet (86).    ADVANTAGE -   Simple and effective method of removing H deg.C gases before water reaches the cell discharge valve.
(US4908943-A)      An aluminum part (4) is fitted over the length bared in this way, having its external surface coated with a very thin layer (5) of nickel (approximately 0.5 to 15) onto which a layer (6) of lead or lead-tin alloy is deposited electrochemically or by a dip method or in vacuo or by sparaying/evaporation.    In the example shown the part is in the form of a bush with a closed end (4a) and a lateral skirt (4b) but it could equally well be a tubular part, a U-shape section part or otherwise.    The part (4) is fixed onto the core (5) by punching, crimping, magnetoforming or compression drawing. In the example shown the sleeve is fixed to the core by crimping. The end of the cable (1) with its sleeve is placed into a two-part mold (8) in which the lead terminal (9) is cast directly. The molding performed in such a way that the end of the sheath (2) adjacent the bared part is incorporated in the terminal. The aluminum core (3) is bonded mechanically to the aluminum bush and the thin layer (6) of lead provided on the bush provides a perfect interface with the terminal which is cast afterwards, without any high-resistivity substance being formed.    ADVANTAGE -   Reduced weight.    (6pp)
(US4906538-A)      A non-aq. sec. cell comprises a positive electrode, a negative electrode and a non-aq. electrolyte soln. The positive electrode comprises, as an active material, polyaniline film which has been purified by continuously passing 2-20 m;/cm2 of water per 1mm thickness of the polyaniline film through the film in a thickness direction at a flow rate of 0.1-10 ml/cm2. min. to remove impurities.    ADVANTAGE -   Cell has low self-discharge, long cycle life and increased discharge capacity. @(14pp)@
(DE3869184-G)      Fuel cell comprises: gas impervious separator (2) with a hole (9) for fuel gas; an oxide powder plate plate (5) with a hole in registry with the first; a gas impervious solid electrolyte plate with a hole also in registry; a tubular gasket (7) in the cathode hole which seals and protects the cathode from the fuel gas; and a powder anode plate (4) with a hole in registry with the other holes. The plates pref. include a further hole (12) in registry with each other for O2 gas supply, a second tubular gasket (8) being provided to seal the anode and protect it from the O2 gas.    ADVANTAGE -   Cell has a simple, low cost design which is reliable and efficient.    (JP2656943-B2)      Fuel cell comprises: gas impervious separator (2) with a hole (9) for fuel gas; an oxide powder plate plate (5) with a hole in registry with the first; a gas impervious solid electrolyte plate with a hole also in registry; a tubular gasket (7) in the cathode hole which seals and protects the cathode from the fuel gas; and a powder anode plate (4) with a hole in registry with the other holes.    The plates pref. include a further hole (12) in registry with each other for O2 gas supply, a second tubular gasket (8) being provided to seal the anode and protect it from the O2 gas.    ADVANTAGE -   Cell has a simple, low cost design which is reliable and efficient.
(US5071718-A)      The process involves passing fuel gas comprising H2, 10-35 vol% C0 and 1 ppm H2S by vol through a porous anode comprising over 10 wt% Cu and the remainder Ni and Co. Over 25 vol% of the water-gas-shift equilibrium conversion at C0 to H2 obtd with no H2S present is maintained in the presence of H2S by use of the anode as catalyst. The fuel cell is operated below 700 deg C and the residence time in the zone of the anode is above 2 seconds.    ADVANTAGE -   Improved operation of molten carbonate fuel cells using gas mixts directly from naturally occurring carbonaceous material gasification. @(5pp)    (DE3873573-G)      Electricity is produced in a molten alkali carbonate fuel cell using S-contaminated fuel gas, anode polarisation being reduced by passing the fuel gas contg. up to 10 ppm H2S by vol. through a porous anode contg. 10-100 wt% Cu. The balance of the anode is pref. Ni and/or Co. A pref. gas contains 10-35 vol% CO and 1-10 ppm H2S, pref. 1-5 ppm H2S.    ADVANTAGE -   Use of the above anode enhances cell operation when the above fuel gas is used.
(US5126031-A)      Gas diffusion electrode, adapted for use in a gas generating a consuming electrochemical cell using a liq. electrolyte, comprises (a) an electronically conductive and electrochemically active porous body, deforming respective mutually exclusive gas and electrolyte contacting surfaces, and (b) a gas impermeable layer covering the entire electrolyte contacting surface. Layer b) comprises an electrolyte-insol., ionomeric, ionically conductive hydrophilic hydrogel formed on the electrolyte-contacting surface, by co-pptn. between at least first and second precursor polymers (II). The hydrogel layer is formed in situ on the electrolyte-contacting surface, by independent application to it of respective solns. of the polymers (II) in which the hydrogel is insol. The first precussor polymer (A) contains cationic gps. and the second precursor polymer (8) contains anionic or nonionic polar gps. The electrolyte is an alkaline aq. electrolyte, and the ratio of the number of equivs. of polymer (A) to polymer (B) is greater than 1. Polymer (A) comprises poly (dimethyl diallyl ammonium chloride) and polymer (B) comprises poly (styrene sulphonic acid).    ADVANTAGE -   New electrode and a cell contg. it can operate at very high gas vs electrolyte differential pressures, at high current densities, without significant voltage loss.
(US5092976-A)      Gas diffusion electrode used in a gas generating or consuming electrochemical using liq. electrolyte is new. The electrode comprises: (i) electronically conductive and electrochemically active porous body defining respectively mutually exclusive gas and electrolyte contacting surfaces, (ii) gas impermeable material filling at least a portion of the pore vol. of (i) to prevent gas passage. (iii) material comprising an electrolyte-insol. ionomeric ionically conductive hydrophilic hydrogel formed by coprecipitation between first and second precursor polymers (a) and (b). (a) contains cationic gps. and (b) contains anionic or nonionic polar gps. The electrolyte is an alkaline aq. electrolyte and the ratio of the number of equivs. of (a) to (b) is greater than 1. (a) comprises poly(dimethyl diallyl ammonium chloride) and (b) comprises poly(styrene sulphonic acid).    USE/ADVANTAGE -   Operate at high gas voltage electrolyte differential pressures at high current densities without voltage loss.    (11pp)
(US4975172-A)      Gas diffusion electrode comprises (a) an electronically conductive and electrochemically active porous body forming respective gas and electrolyte contacting surfaces; and (b) an ionomeric ionically conductive gas impermeable layer covering the whole electrolyte contacting surface. Layer obtd. comprises hydrophilic ionic polymer applied as a liq. soln. directly to this surface, and a membrane of hydrophilic ion exchange resin directly overlying polymer layer.    USE -   For a gas generating or consuming electrochemical cell using a liq. electrolyte.    (12pp)
(JP92053942-B)      The Fe-base alloy comprises by wt. 0.15% or less C, 1% or less Si, 2% or less Mn, 15-35% Ni, 15-35% Cr, 0.1-0.9% Al, 0.5% or less Y, and balance Fe and impurities.    USE/ADVANTAGE -   Used for separators and current correctors for fused carbonate type fuel cells, having good corrosion resistance. (J63190143-A)
(US4889604-A)      Hydrogen and oxygen are obtained by the photocatalytic decomposition of water by passing light in an inert atmosphere through an aqueous solution of dioxygen complex of ruthenium and EDTA. In this is suspended a semiconductor of hexagonal crystal structure loaded with a noble metal and a transition metal oxide.    Hydrogen and oxygen are known to have various uses. Precipitation of the semiconductor material and annealing it at a temperature from 300 - 350 deg.C. result in the semiconductor of hexagonal structure which is suspended in the aqueous solution.    (JP93017161-B)      A noble metal or a transition metal oxide is added to a semiconductor having hexagonal system crystal structure. The semiconductor is suspended in a ruthenium dioxide complex aq. soln. to separate formed hydrogen and oxygen.    USE -   The method utilises water and solar energy only. Complete photodecomposition applies to water, utilising photocatalyst action. (J01087501-A)
(US4942963-A)      Improved rigid container for electric storage batteries is characterized in that the container is embodied as a single piece of plastic material having a structure comprising a relatively thin, rigid outer coat (I) of the material, which is compact and of relatively high density; and a thicker inner core (II) enclosed in coat (I), and being made of the same material as coat (I), but having a density appreciably lower than that of the material forming coat (I). Coat (I) has a thickness of 1-2.5 mm and core (II) has an average thickness of about 4 mm. The density of core (II) is up to 20% lower than that of coat (I).    ADVANTAGE -   Container is of very lightweight structure but has high impact strength. @(4pp)@
(EP280964-B1)      A universal battery for motor vehicles and having one pair or at least one double pair of battery poles (positive and negative poles), a retaining strip projecting from the bottom edge of the battery housing and being provided with recesses serving for the engagement of retaining means, and having pivotable carrying handles, characterised in that the retaining strip is constructed as a base strip (2) which adjoins both the longitudinal sides (OS) and the end faces (SS) of the battery housing (1) and serves for fixing strips (4, 5) to be pushed, clamped or similarly fixed thereon, and in that the carrying handles (8) are articulated on a cap (7) which is adapted to be anchored to the battery lid (6). 21
(US4810595-A)      A molten carbonate fuel cell uses molten carbonate as an electrolyte, carbonate ions as conductor carriers, hydrogen-enriched gas as a reaction gas for the anode, and a mixt. of air and carbon dioxide gas as a reaction gas for the cathode. The novelty is that the fuel cell is equipped with a control system that rejuvenates the fuel cell by reducing or shutting off the supply of at least one of the reaction gases below it, electrochemical equivalent feed rate on the basis of the current flowing through the fuel cell when the characteristic indicators of the fuel cell have fallen below specified limits.    USE/ADVANTAGE -   High-performance stable output characteristics are provided over an extruder period. (First major country equivalent to J63170866-A)    (NL193678-B)      A molten carbonate fuel cell uses molten carbonate as an electrolyte, carbonate ions as conductor carriers, hydrogen-enriched gas as a reaction gas for the anode, and a mixt. of air and carbon dioxide gas as a reaction gas for the cathode. The novelty is that the fuel cell is eqipped with a control system that rejuvenates the fuel cell by reducing or shutting off the supply of at least one of the reaction gases below it, electrochemical equivalent feed rate on the basis of the current flowing through the fuel cell when the characteristic indicators of the fuel cell have fallen below specified limits.    USE/ADVANTAGE -   High-performance stable output charateristics are provided over an extruder period. (First major country equivalent to J63170866-A)
(US4909809-A)      A reaction product gas is produced in an elongated reactor contg. in a diametrically central part a gasification catalyst with a mixt. of hydrocarbon and gasification agent fed to this part. Heat for the reaction is provided in another part of the reactor by combusting catalytically and flamelessly a gaseous fuel and an O2 contg. gas and the heat of combustion is transferred to the gasification part by heat pipes. The heat pipes are pref. closed pipes kept under a high vacuum and packed with Na or Li metal.    ADVANTAGE -   Highly miniaturised reactor for the prodn.    of a gas mixt. consisting mainly of H2 is provided.    (8pp)    (US4932981-A)      Appts. for producing a reaction gas has heat pipes extending in the zone direction as gasification catalyst beds, each having a vapourisation section in the combustion catalyst bed, and a condensation section in its associated gasification catalyst bed so that the heat pipes receive the heat of combustion generated in the bed and transfer it to the catalyst beds.    ADVANTAGE -   Compact appts.    (8pp)
(US4781727-A)      Phosphoric acid-type fuel cell, consisting of electrolyte matrix (1), electrode base material (2,5), catalyst layer (3,6) fuel column (4) air electrode (7) reaction gas passage (11,12) separator, and peripheral gas seal (8,9) is treated to fill the porous material of the gas seal with fine particles of at least one of Si carbide and Si nitride, which have undergone surface treatment. The treatment consists of impregnating the cell with hot phosphoric acid before oepration, to expand them through reaction of surface oxide, yielding phosphate cpds. which clog the process    ADVANTAGE -   Gas sealing power is retained at all times in operation.    (11pp)
(JP95005299-B2)      A mixt. of 1.5-10 mols. LiOH, 1-10 mols. NaOH and 1 mol. of gamma-Al2O3 is heated at 500-700 deg.C for 15 mins. to 50 hrs..    ADVANTAGE -   Lithium aluminate fibres, 0.7 microns in dia., and 15-20 microns long, can be produced. No flux and gas-like CO2 is required. The fibres are entangled with one another and provide a porous sinter having a higher mechanical strength.
(US4895775-A)      Integrally moulded fuel cell electrode and matrix comprises a) a matrix layer contg. 3-20 wt.% PTFE and 80-97 wt.% inorganic powder, pref. SiC, Ta2O5, ZrO2 or carbon fine powder, integrally formed on one side of b) an electrode layer of PTFE contg. a catalyst. Layer a) contains carbon fine powder and has integrally formed, on its side opposite layer b), a layer of PTFE contg. a second inorganic powder which possesses electrical insulating properties, pref. SiC, Ta2O5 or ZrO2.    Pref. layer a) is 10-250 micrometres thick. Pref. layer b) comprises 40-90 wt.% of electrically conductive fine powder, on which the catalyst has been supported, and 10-60 wt.% PTFE.    ADVANTAGE -   New electrode/cell has improved overall performance and reduced costs.
(US4816036-A)      The monolithic solid oxide fuel cell has a number of fuel and oxidant passageways extending through the core of the fuel cell. The fuel cell is constructed only of anode, cathode, electrolyte and interconnect materials and is formed with integral manifolding for parallel flow through the core. The cell is constructed using alternatively stacked electrolyte walls and interconnect walls which are themselves multilayer tapes formed by roll milling individual tapes of a desired material, and then roll milling the multilayer tape from the tapes of a single material.    (12pp)
(US4861347-A)      A vessel for catalytically reforming crude hydrocarbon fuels comprises a cylindrical shell (2) with an axial burner (12) propagating heat into a tubular refractory heat shield (30) an annular catalyst bed (44) between and spaced from the shield and shell sidewall, and circumferentially spaced heat tubes (52) passing through the bed to carry hot gases form the burner to heat the bed.    Crude fuel is fed (16) to a heated area in the vessel adjacent to the bed to vaporise and then percolate through the bed for conversion to H-rich fuel gas which is collected for use. Hot burner gases from the tubes is passed through a heating zone between bed and shield, and then through a second between bed and sidewall before discharging to the vessel exterior.    USE/ADVANTAGE -   To produce fuel from e.g. methanol for a small fuel cell power plant for e.g. military or remote site installations, is compact and heats catalyst and fuel quickly and evenly to operating temp.    (JP93024846-B)      A vessel for catalytically reforming crude hydrocarbon fuels comprises a cylindrical shell with an axial burner propagating heat into a tubular refractory heat shield an annular catalyst bed between and spaced from the shield and shell sidewall, and circumferentially spaced heat tubes passing through the bed to carry hot gases form the burner to heat the bed. Crude fuel is fed to a heated area in the vessel adjacent to the bed to vaporise and then percolate through the bed for conversion to H-rich fuel gas which is collected for use. Hot burner gases from the tubes is passed through a heating zone between bed and shield, and then through a second between bed and sidewall before discharging to the vessel exterior.    USE/ADVANTAGE -   To produce fuel from e.g. methanol for a small fuel cell power plant for e.g. military or remote site installations, is compact and heats catalyst and fuel quickly and evenly to operating temp. (J63182202-A)
(US4889577-A)      Membrane/electrode combination is made by (a) contacting a first face of membrane with a flat electrically-conductive electroformed screen contg. openings occupying 75% or less of the surface area of each face, to leave part of the membrane exposed through holes in the screen. Process than comprises (b) coating part of the membrane exposed through the opening with catalytically-active particles; and (c) bonding the membranes to the particles and screen.    USE -   In fuel cells for continuous prodn. of electrical energy, electrolysis cells for prodn. of chemical prods.; and batteries for intermittent prodn. of electrical energy.    (DE3782026-G)      Sepn. of a high pressure gas stream contg. mixed light hydrocarbons comprises: (a) cooling, and introducing the cooled stream to a 1st, single equilibrium, sepn. zone. (I); (b) recovering a 1st vapour stream and a 1st liq. stream from zone (I); (c) expanding the 1st liq. stream to form a 1st intermediate pressure (IP) stream; (d) cooling the 1st vapour stream and introducing the resulting cooled stream to a 2nd single equilibrium, sepn. zone (II), operated at substantially the same pressure as zone (I); (e) recovering a 2nd liq. stream from zone (II); (f) expanding at least a large part of the 2nd liq. stream to form a 2nd IP stream; (g) combining the 1st and 2nd IP streams to form a mixed IP stream; and (h) recovering refrigeration from at least part of the mixed IP stream.    USE/ADVANTAGE -   The process is useful in e.g. refinery gas sepns., natural gas liquefaction and natural gas liqs. sepn. The starting gas may also contain large amts. of CO2 and N2 resulting from well injection of these gases for enhanced oil recovery. The process is suited for sepn. of 3-4C hydrocarbons for sale as LPG, and for use in prefractionation of gases upstream of a fractional distn. system. Refrigeration may be recovered in greater amt. than by conventional series expansions and cold recovery.
(US5039389-A)      New membrane/electrode combination comprises an ion exchange membrane (I) having catalytically active particles bonded to at least one face of (I), in an interconnected roadway pattern. The pattern is open, clearly defined and geometrically regular which leaves portions of (I) uncoated and exposed.    Pref. the interconnected roadways cover from about 45-55% of one face of (I). Pref. (I) is a fluorocarbon-type material or a hydrocarbon-type material. Pref. (I) is in its thermoplastic state.    USE/ADVANTAGE -   New combination works with very high efficiency when used in an electrochemical cell. @(10pp)    (DE3781262-G)      A flat screen template which is perforated by a number of holes occupying up to 75 (pref. 45-55)% of its surface is coated on one face with catalytically active particles. The coated face is then contacted with an ion-exchange membrane so that the particles are transferred to the membrane. The screen is removed and the particles bonded to the membrane.    USE/ADVANTAGE -   The improved membrane and electrode so obtd. is useful in a wide variety of electrochemical cells, including fuel and electrolytic cells and batteries. The active particles are distributed in a network of interconnecting pathways, providing spaces in between from which gaseous prods. can escape easily, thus minimising diffusion of gases through the membrane into the opposing side of the cell resulting in contamination, and providing increased efficiency.
(US4873156-A)      The cylindrical solid electrolytic fuel cell includes at least an oxygen electrode which is a porous cylinder of CaTiO3 forming an innermost layer of the fuel cell and having a thickness of 1 mm or more. At least a solid electrolyte covers an outer peripheral surface of the oxygen electrode. At least a fuel electrode covers an outer peripheral surface of the solid electrolyte.    An intermediate connector is attached to the outer peripheral surface of the oxygen electrode in the axial direction. The solid electrolyte has the intermediate connector interposed in it and the intermediate connector and the fuel electrode are spaced.    (JP2675546-B2)      The SOFC comprises an oxygen electrode (1) constituting the innermost layer of the fuel cell and having a thickness of 1mm or more. A solid electrolyte (2) covers the outer peripheral surface of the oxygen electrode. A fuel electrode (4) covers the outer peripheral surface of the solid electrolyte.    The fuel cell further comprises an intermediate connector attached to the outer peripheral surface of the oxygen electrode in an axial direction. The intermediate connector and the fuel electrode are spaced from each other.    Alternatively, oxygen electrodes are connected to each other with the interposition of an electrical insulator.
(EP275356-B)      A solid electrolyte fuel cell characterised in that a stabilised zirconia system solid electrolyte in which the transport number of oxygen ions does not drop even under a low pressure of oxygen is used at an anode side and a ceria system solid electrolyte of CeO2-CaO having a very high conductivity is used at a cathode side, these solid electrolytes of more than two layers being incorporated in said fuel cell.    (5pp)
(JP94022136-B2)      100 Pts.wt. graphite powder of a grain size of 500 microns or less is mixed with 13-30 pts.wt. benzylic ether-type phenol resin (nonvolatile), and the mixt. is cured at a given temp., e.g. 100 deg.C, for a given period and moulded into desired form by injection moulding. The benzylic ether-type phenol resin is obtd. by reaction of phenol with an aldehyde of formula RCHO (where R is H or hydrocarbon gp.) in a proportion of 1:1-3 in the presence of a metal salt catalyst, e.g. salt of Zn, Co, Mn or Sn.    USE/ADVANTAGE -   The method provides plates to be used in fuel batteries, which are to excellent air tightness, mechanical strength, electric resistivity, chemical resistance, heat resistance, etc.. (J63105473-A).
(US4851303-A)      Solid electrolyte material for fuel cell has a polycrystal or single crystal structure comprising (a) a structure of formula AF3 or (b) a structure of formula AyB1-yF2xy. material forms a thin layer such that 1 side is coated with a noble metal in contact with a gaseous fuel for the fuel cell, and the other side is also coated with a noble metal which is in contact with O2 and/or air.    A is La, Ce, Nd, Pr, and/or Si; B is Sr, Ca, B, or Mg; and y is 0.0001-1. AF3 is a single crystal or part of one.    USE -   To generate electricity.    (US5134042-A)      A solid material for use as a solid fuel cell electrolyte or as a catalyst comprises (1) a structure of formula AyB1-yF2+y where A is La, Ce, Nd, Pd, Sc or mixture, B is Sr, Ca, Ba, Mg, y is 0.0001-1.0 (2) a structure of formula AyB1-y-2 Li Fi + y + z where A,B and Y are defined above and Z is 0.0001-0.10 (3) a structure of formula N1 n m Un Cem F2 + 2n + m where N is Ca,Sr,Ba n is 0.0001-0.05 and m is 0.0001-0.35 (4) a structure of formula LaO1-pF1+2p where p is 0.1-0.3. When used in a fuel cell a thin layer of the material is coated on both sides with noble metal where it is to contact the gaseous fuel on one side and the gaseous air or oxygen on the other side.    ADVANTAGE -   The materials are esp. suitable for use in fuel cells operating at relatively low temps. e.g. 400-600 degrees C.
(US4766044-A)      The fuel cell recycling system includes a number of fuel cells adapted to electro-chemically convert fuel into electricity and exhaust and a second number of fuel cells adapted to electrochemically convert fuel into electricity and exhaust. A feed supplies fuel to the first fuel clls in parallel and an exhaust receives exhaust from the first fuel cells. A recycler directs a portion of the exhaust of the first cells from the exhaust to the feed to recycle the exhaust.    A vent directs a second portion of the exhaust from the exhaust to the second cells in parallel. The first and the second cells are electrically connected in series such that the first and second cells utilise equal proportions of the fuel.    ADVANTAGE -   Does not have high parasitic power requirements.    (DE3777969-G)      The exhaust of a group of fuel cells, which includes unused fuel, has a portion directed back to that group of cells to utilise some of the unused fuel and also has another portion directed to a second group of fuel cells for the same reason. The ratio between the number of cells within the first group to the number in the second group is greater than 3:1 and is preferably 9:1. Preferably both these groups of cells comprise a vent stack which is fed by the exhaust from a main fuel cell stack. To achieve the 9:1 ratio, ten fuel cells are connected electrically in series such that each cell of the ten utilises one tenth of the input fuel.
(US4774153-A)      Battery comprises methanol/air cells which include a CO2 permeable anion exchange membrane as electrolyte. The anode and cathode are on a common current offlead configured as a truncated cone which has a small apex angle and internal stepping. A number of these offleads are stacked on a feed tube.    Pref. the feed tube is made of plastics and has longitudinal flutes supplied with methanol from inside the tube via holes.    ADVANTAGE -   High energy density, low ohmic losses, robust and reliable construction.
(JP2528836-B2)      Appts. to reform fuel with catalyst charged in reactor tube comprises an air passage covering part or all of a combustion gas flow passage and flow passage formed between the air passage and combustion appts. to heat the tube.    USE -   Used for making reformed fuel gases.
(US4769296-A)      InN a battery of methanol/air fuel cells formed of a cathode, an anode and a CO2-permeable anion exchange membrane as electrolyte, several cathodes and anodes are arranged parallel in common cathode and anode-chambers respectively.    ADVANTAGE -   Ohmic losses are minimised, the total voltage is high and the individual battery components are mass producible. (Additionally classified in section L - previously non-CPI)
(DE3868784-G)      The fuel cell power plant system comprises a power section comprising fuel cells forming a stack. The stack is cooled with a water collant. A turbogenerator is operated by steam from the steam separator for generating a portion of the electrical power produced by the power plant system. Water from the steam separator is recirculated back to the heat exchange. A reformer catalytically converts raw hydrocarbon fuel to a hydrogen rich fuel gas suitable for fueling the anode side of the fuel cells. A boiler produces steam having a temp. of about 40 degrees F. Steam from the boiler is transported at a pressure greater than about 200 psi to the reformer. Raw hydrocarbon fuel is admitted to system. Hydrogen rich fuel gas is transferred from the reformer to the anode side of the fuel cells at a pressure of at least about 200 psi. An ox
(DE3873843-G)      A continuous length of lead wire is fed into the arc generated by an electrode at a rate commensurate with the rate at which the dispensing means traverses the trough so as to provide a continuous stream of superheated, oxide-free melt sufficient to ocver the lugs in the trough by the time the dispensing means reaches the end. The arc itself is generated in an ionizable, non-oxidizing gas which supports the arc while at the same time prevents oxidation of the ultra-hot molten lead formed therin. The trough is blanketed with a non-oxizing gas so as to prevent oxidation of the cooler, vulnerable, melt.    USE/ADVANTAGE -   Oxide free low resistance plate straps and on intermediate intercell connector are formed in a single casting operation.
(JP95091042-B2)      A fuel evaporater is heated by a combustor. Evaporated fuel is changed into reformed gas. The casing enclosing the combustor is provided with a passage to guide combustion air surrounding the combustion part of the combustor.    ADVANTAGE -   Combustion air is preheated in the passage. Need of a preheater is eliminated.
(JP96005643-B2)      Fuel evaporater is heated by a combustor, and evaporated fuel is changed into reformed gas. The combustor operates with liq. fuel, and combustion part includes catalyst for ignition provided with a heater.    USE -   Liq. fuel can be ignited at lower temp. than ignition pt..
(JP95091041-B2)      Evaporated fuel is changed into reformed gas through a layer of catalyst in a reactor in a heated space. The layer of catalyst is formed as a circle, which is sepd. into parts by radially extending partitions.    USE -   Uneven distribution of catalyst can be prevented while transfer on a vehicle, etc.
(EP267449-B1)      A method of synthesizing partially stabilized tetragonal zirconia, comprising the steps of: (a) forming a mixture of a first salt selected from the group including the zirconyl salt of a hydroxycarboxylic acid and the zirconium salt of a hydroxycarboxylic acid and a stabilizing metal salt of a hydroxycarboxylic acid in water; wherein the molar ratio of said first salt and said stabilizing metal salt is such that upon calcination tetragonal phase zirconia is formed; (b) removing sufficient water from said solution to produce a particulate gel; and (c) calcining said gel by treating said gel in a furnace at temperatures up to about 970 deg. C in the presence of an oxygen-containing atmosphere to remove any organic residues.    (DE3780573-G)      Partially stabilised tetragonal ZrO2 is obtd. by forming a soln. of a hydroxycarboxylic acid Zr salt and a hydroxycarboxylic acid stabilising metal salt in the desired mol ratio; removing water to form a gel in particle form; and calcining in presence of O2 at a temp. of up to about 970 deg.C. The acid of the Zr salt is pref. the alpha acid contg. 1-3 OH gps. and 1-3 -COOH gps., esp. citric, tartaric, malic, glycolic or lactic acid.    USE/ADVANTAGE -   Esp. as a reinforcing ceramic in the the partially stabilised tetragonal form; or as an O2 conductor for fuel cells in the fully stabilised cubic form. Prod. is recovered in high purity (e.g. above 95% tetragonal) and has a particle size of 80-300 Angstrom without milling or grinding.
(GB2197116-B)      Apparatus for reverse electrodialysis including one or more batteries of cells separated by ion exchange membranes, means for supplying alternate cells with salt water (as herein defined) and fresh water (as herein defined) and suitable electrical connexion means, wherein a distributor is provided for electrically isolating a part of the supply means which serves at least a first salt water cell or group of such cells from a part of the supply means which serves at least a second salt water cell or group of such cells to prevent or reduce loss of electric power through said supply means.
(JP93088482-B)      Compsn. comprises (A) crosslinked resin prepd. by reacting (A1) trifunctional polyoxyalkylene glycerin of formula (I): (in (I), N is a number so that the number average mol.wt. is lower than 4000) and (A2) alkylene diisocyanate and used in a mol. ratio of OH/NCO = 1:3-1:7. Too low amt. of the diisocyanate results in insufficient crosslinking making filming difficult. Too large amt. of the diisocyanate degrades the conductivity. (B) is pref. LiClO4, LiSCN, LiBF4, LiAsF6, LiCF3SO3, LiPF6, NaI, NaSCN, NaBr, KI, CsSCN, AgNO3 or Mg(ClO4)2 and used in a mol. ratio of (B)/(ethylene oxide) = 0.005-0.5).    USE/ADVANTAGE -   Compsn. has high ionic conduction and moulding workability. It is usable as solid electrolytes for primary batteries, sec. batteries, fuel cells, electrochromic display elements. (J63055811-A)
(DE3782234-G)      The internal electrolyte supply system in a fuel cell stack uses an arrangement of grooves and passages in the bipolar plates of successive cells to route gravity-assisted flowing electrolyte through the stack. The grooves route electrolyte along a series of first paths which extend horizontally through the cells between the plates. The passages route electrolyte flow along second paths which extend vertically through the stack so as to supply electrolyte to the first paths where it contacts the cell matrices. Some of the passages bypass some of the grooves.    ADVANTAGE -   Reliable electrolyte flow is ensured to all cells in the stack regardless of their position in the stack, and without causing flooding.
(JP92060041-B)      In a device for reforming raw gas composed of methanol and steam into gas rich in hydrogen suitable for use in fuel cell, the raw gas flowing through reaction tube filled with catalyst is heated by heat medium flowing in the same direction. Outlet of the reaction tube is cooled by cooling medium.    ADVANTAGE -   Since temp. of catalyst is high at inlet and low at outlet of the reaction tube, high concn. of CO and high methanol conversion rate are obtd. when water/methanol mol. ratio is low. (J63050302-A)
(US4741978-A)      The generator control system comprises a sensor for detecting an abnormal condition in the fuel cell body or the fuel supply section and for outputting an abnormal condition signal. A secondary battery is charged by an output voltage of the fuel cell body, and a control section outputs a trouble signal in response to the application of the abnormal condition signal.    A current path controller connects the secondary battery to the fuel supply section and the air supply section and the air supply section through a first current path. In response to the trouble signal the controller disconnects the secondary battery from the first voltage path and then connectcts the secondary battery to the air supply section through a second current path.    ADVANTAGE -   Low power consumption. (First major country equivalent to J63048768)
(US4751062-A)      Fuel cell comprises anode (18) and cathode (20), separated by an electrolyte matrix assembly (22), each electrode abutting an impermeable gas distribution plate. Top of the cell has a gas distribution plate (24), with grooves (26) to bring in and distribute a single reactant, with a current collector (54). The other end of the cell has a bipolar plate (25) to supply reactants. Matrix assembly comprises a permeable layer (32) with large void fraction and second permeable layer (34) with small void fraction. The first layer is of non-conducting fibrous material, pref. SiC whiskers, mixed with fluoropolymer and water, forming a paste to apply to the surface of the electrode, and contains electrolyte. The second layer is pref. formed of SiC powder bonded with PTFE particles.    ADVANTAGE -   Complex structures are avoided, permeation of gaseous reactants is avoided, and internal resistance losses are low.
(JP93013882-B)      Hydrocarbon (HC) fraction is first produced, which is a fraction contained originally in crude oil or is given by crude oil cracking and further catalytically hydrogenated, and contains more than 70 wt.% of 150-260 deg.C fractions and less than 1 ppm sulphur content. Straight chain HCs are sepd. and recovered from the fraction by adsorption using synthetic zeolite and/or by the urea-adduct method. Required amt. of H2O is added to the thus processed fraction, which is then cracked using steam cracking catalyst contg. more than 5 wt.% Ni to produce H2.    ADVANTAGE -   Fractions remaining after valuable straight chain HCs are recovered can be used as a raw material. (J63040702-A
(JP95110761-B2)      In a reformer of a fuel cell comprising a heating space (7), an evaporator (1) and a burner (2), reactors (8,8a,8b,8c) filled with catalysts are arranged in parallel in the heating space and ends of neighbouring reactors are connected with lateral connecting tubes (11) so that fuel gas can pass two or more reactors.    USE -   To narrow spaces between neighbouring reactors and miniaturise the reformer.
(JP96029922-B2)      In a reformer of a fuel cell comprising a heating space with a built-in reactor filled with catalyst, an evaporator and a burner, an exhaust path is provided at the outside wall of the heating space. The exhaust path and heating space are connected by connecting holes at the upper end of the heating space and an exhaust hole is provided at a part of the exhaust path lower than the connecting hole.    USE/ADVANTAGE -   To fill the heating space with heating gas to obtain uniform heat distribution along the whole length of the reactor.
(EP261501-B1)      1. A compound of the formula (I) in which Rf denotes F or perfluoroalkyl having 1-3 carbon atoms, X denotes hydrogen, F, Br or Cl, n denotes an integer from 1-10, and m denotes an integer from 0-5, and Rf' denotes -CF2-O-CFBr-CF2Br (a) or (b) in which Rf'', X', n' and m' have the same meaning as Rf, X, n and m, with the proviso that, where Rf' equals (a) and X equals F, m must be at least 1, and that, where Rf' equals (b), X and X' are not simultaneously equal to F and m + m' must be at least 1.
(DE3779615-G)      Fuel cell stack with combination end-pressure plates comprises (a) thin carbon fuel cell component plates stacked one on top of another providding a reaction portion of the stack; (b) a steel pressure plate mounted directly on the uppermost carbon plate, the steel pressure plate being laterally coextensive with the carbon plates at ambient temps; (c) at least one reactant manifold mounted on a side of the stack, the manifold having a peripheral sealing flange which faces side surfaces of the carbon plates and a corresponding side surface of the pressure plate; (d) a polymeric sealing gasket interposed between the manifold sealing flange and adjacent side surfaces of the carbon plates and the pressure plate to provide a seal between the manifold interior and ambient surroundings; and (e) a first adhesive layer sandwiched between the gasket and adjacent side surfaces to adhere the gas
(JP94065602-B2)      Hydrogen gas is produced for dispersion type fuel battery where JIS No. 1 kerosene with 10-150 wt. ppm of sulphur content is let through a reactor where a nickel type adsorbent (having the surface area of more than 50 m2/g, supporting nickel as the metal component (the amt. of the nickel is more than 50 wt.%)) is filled, under the presence of 0-0.2 mol. of hydrogen (against 1 mol. of kerosene), at more than atmospheric pressure and less than 10 kg/cm2.G and at the temp. of 150-250 deg. C, so that the remaining sulphur content in the kerosene is reduced to less than 0.5 wt. ppm. Then a necessary amt. of water is added to the gas emitting from the reactor, and it is introduced to a steam reforming reactor (where a reforming catalyst with the nickel content of more than 5 wt.% is filled) to carry out a reforming reaction.    USE/ADVANTAGE -   Hydrogen for dispersion type fuel battery can be produced economically from kerosene.
(US4975342-A)      Fuel cell has fuel cell units piled one over another. Each of the fuel cell units comprises: (1) a solid, unitary, pre-formed integrated laminate including an electrolyte matrix layer and a pair of electrode catalyst layers sandwiching both faces of the electrolyte matrix layer, the electrode catalyst layers being integrally formed with the electrolyte matrix layer; (2) a pair of electrode substrates disposed on the outer faces of the electrode catalyst layers, and a pair of gas separators disposed on the outer faces of he electrode substrates.    Process for producing a fuel cell comprises (i) laminating an electrolyte matrix layer between a pair of electrode catalyst layers; (ii) locating electrode substrate layers on the outer faces of the electrode catalyst layers; and (iii) locating gas separators on the outer faces of electrode substrate layers.    ADVANTAGE -   The permeation of catalyst into the substrate canbe diminished, the amt. of catalyst used can be reduced, and electrodes having a uniform thickness and compsn. is produced with high productivity. (First major country equivalent to J63032858-A)
(JP92033387-B)      In the mfr. of a hydrogen gas sensor element, a heat-sensitive resistor wire of Pt is spirally coiled, a porous catalyst support of gamma-alumina etc., is formed around the spiral Pt coil by coating an active gamma-alumina paste with water on the Pt coil and then heating it in air at above 800 deg. A pt. family catalyst is impregnated into the porous catalyst support by impregnating a chlorophlatinate aq. soln. into the porous catalyst support and the heating it at 400 deg. C in a current of H2. The catalytic combustion type gas sensor element formed is subjected to Si vapour treatment at 200 - 400 deg. C..    USE/ADVANTAGE -   The H2 gas sensor element is used for detecting H2 gas in the air in fuel cell power generating plants, H2 engines, etc.. It has good selective sensitivity for H2 gas for long periods of time. (J63030751-A)
(JP2523284-B2)      Appts. comprises a catalyst bed in a vessel having a porous cover to block the granular catalyst from effluent from the gas outlet side of the bed. The cover is retained by fixtures toward the bed.    USE -   For fuel cells.
(JP95108761-B2)      Appts. comprises a heater put in a lower part of an evaporator contg. reaction tubes, each charged with a catalyst to react the evapd. fuel so that the cross-section of the catalyst bed reduces away from the bottom.    USE -   For fuel cells.
(US4816353-A)      Fuel cell system comprises a pair of reaction vessels which alternately make a H2-containing gas and are regenerated. From the upstream and each vessel has a first vol of inert packing containing no reform catalyst, and a second vol with a first region of regenerable sulphur absorber and a second region of reform catalyst. Each vessel has an outlet for combustion products.    ADVANTAGE -   Efficient fuel cell.    (9pp)
(US34213-E)      An electrochemical converter is constructed by forming a set of electrolyte plates (1) by suspended oxide powder in gas, generating a plasma spray and depositing on a substrate to give plates 50-750 microns thick. The plates are coated with fuel electrode material on one face and oxidiser electrode material on a second face.    A set of corrugated interconnector plates (2) is formed of 100-1000 microns thick Ni alloy, 50-300 microns thick Si carbide or 25-250 microns thick Pt alloy. The paltes are stacked alternately and heated to fuse them together with the interconnectors undergoing much greater thermal expansion so that on cooling the electrolyte plates experience in-plane compression.    ADVANTAGE -   Provides a compact efficient converter with improved power to wt. ratio and able to withstand high operating temp. and harsh environments.
(DE3727282-C)      Substrate for fuel cell of the phosphoric acid type consists of a separator (1), two electrode substrates (2,2'), for fuel and air electrodes, with flow channels (5,6) for gas reactants formed by the separator and electrode substrates. Electrodes substrates are porous and C-contg. and have a mean density of 0.3-0.9 g/ml, with gas permeability not less than 566 cm/s. bar. Ratio of total cross sectional area of flow channels for gas reactants on the fuel electrode side to the total cross sectional area of flow channels on the air electrode side is 1:3 to 2:3.    ADVANTAGE -   Very good resistance to phosphoric acid and compact.    (14pp)    (JP7006773-A)      Fuel cell substrate comprises: a separator (1) sandwiched between two porous C electrodes (2) each provided with flow channel grooves, the grooves of one electrode being perpendicular to those of the other; and peripheral sealers (3) joined to the separator via a layer of fluorocarbon resin (4). The ratio of the cross section of the grooves on the fuel electrode side to that of the grooves on the air electrode side is 1-2:3.    USE/ADVANTAGE -   Esp. with fuel cells of the H3PO4 type. The flow channel areas ratio conforms to the conditions of the actual fuel used; the peripheral seal prevents leakage of reactant gas; and the structure has high resistance to H3PO4.
(DE3626593-C)      A system for feeding the electric power circuit, esp. for motor vehicles, with a current generator, a battery (10) as an energy storage and at least one pulse controlled end stage (11). The battery and the end stage are combined together to form one component. The end stage is connected with the battery, so that it can be detached. The end stage is an integral component part of the battery housing. The battery and the end stage are surrounded by a casing (12) screening electromagnetic fields. The casing is provided with a lid (12a).    ADVANTAGES -   Reduces influence of interference pulses in electric power circuits of motor vehicles. Compact and cost effective.    (5pp)
(JP92037154-B)      The separator material comprises Fe-base alloy contg. (by wt.) 0.15% or less C, 1% or less Si, 2% or less Mn, 15-35% Ni, 15-35% Cr, and 1-2% Al, etc.    USE -   The separator material is used for molten carbonate type fuel cells, having good corrosion resistance to molten carbonate. (J62294153-A)
(US4783381-A)      Electricity is produced by introducing a fuel and an oxidising agent into a fuel cell, respectively a t the interface of an anode and an alkaline anolyte of thecell, and at the interface of a cathode and an acid catholyte isolated from the alkaline anolyte, by a separator which is permeable to ions. The improvement is that hydrogen peroxide (I) is used as fuel. Pref. (I) is used as the oxidising agent. Pref. a difference of at least 7 i s maintained between the pH of the alkaline anolyte and the pH of the acid catholyte, the pH of the anolyte being pref. held at a value at least equal to 11.63.    ADVANTAGE -   Process is easy and economic and does not generate any toxic or polluting prods.    (7pp)
(US4805277-A)      Grid for use in Pb acid batteries is produced from a sheet bar of Pb-Ca-Sn mfd. in a caster and contg. 0.03-0.15 wt.% Ca and 0-1.5 wt.% Sn, one surface of which is ground with a buff. Two sheets of Pb-Sn alloy contg. 1.5-30 wt.% Sn and thinner than the bar, but not more than 0.7 mm thick, placed on the bar in parallel and the composite is passed through a continuous multi-stage rolling mill, equipped with three or more stages of rolls, at a temp. less than or equal to 180 deg C to prepare a Pb alloy sheet. The sheet is expanded or punched to form a grid.    ADVANTAGE -   Easy method of mfr. at low cost.    (DE3686768-G)      A lead acid battery grid mfg. process comprises cladding lead-calcium alloy plate with lead alloy sheet or foil, having a compsn. different from and a thickness smaller that that of the plate, by cold rolling to form a sheet of thickness smaller than that of the plate, followed by expanding or punching to form a grid. Pref. the lead alloy is a Pb/5 wt.% Sn alloy and the lead-calcium alloy is a Pb/0.07 wt.% Ca/0.25 wt.% Sn alloy. Pref. the cold rolling redn. ratio during cladding is at least 5:1.    USE/ADVANTAGE -   For use in vehicles. The process results in increased surface concn. of tin to prevent formation of high resistance material at the interface between a positive grid and its active material filling. The grids have high strength, high bonding strength and high thickness dimensional accuracy, are inexpensive and are easy to produce.
(US6823718-N)      Molten alkali metal carbonata electrolyte electrode comprises a porous plaque of Ni-Cr alloy contg. not more than 5 wt.% Cr. The Cr is selectively oxidised by exposure to a steam-H2 mixt. contg. a small proportion of H2 at 600-800 deg.C. Pref. the steam-H2 vol. ratio in 80/1-120/1, pref. 100/1.    ADVANTAGE -   The electrode is dimensionally stable.    (19pp)
(US4740357-A)      Fuel reforming appts. has a burner gas region in which at least one reformer duct extends axially. The duct includes an axial chamber filled with catalyst and a wall bounding the chamber is exposed to the hot gases. The chamber has a portion extending in the burner cavity and a portion extending from it in the heat transfer region of the burner gas region. There is a heat shield for the reformer tube and a heat shield for the first part of the reformer duct includes individual segments which extend laterally and longitudinally around the duct and are free to expand and contract with respect to adjacent segments. The segments are stacked on a support for the reformer tube heat shield to minimise tensile stresses.    USE/ADVANTAGE -   Fuel cell power plants to produce H2 from hydrocarbon fuel. The heat shield has good structural integrity. (7pp)
(JP94044861-B2)      Fermenting organic wastes comprises placing fermenting vessel in a fermenting tank shielded from the outside air leaving a space around the vessel and fermenting the organic wastes placed in the vessel.    USE -   For fermenting food waste, refuse and dirty sludges.
(JP95005913-B2)      Bleaching agent contg. an inorganic peroxide, an enzyme and a perfume uses a mixed perfume consisting mainly of (A) one or more of monoterpene alcohols, sesquiterpene alcohols and 7-10C aromatic alcohols and (B) one or more of 8-17C formic and acetic esters, 10-15C hydrocarbons and 7-16C aromatic aldehydes and also contains 4-12 wt.% salicylic ester perfume.    Enzyme is serine protease, pepsin, trypsin, esterase etc. (A) is linalool, geraniol, dimethyl octanol, tetrahydrolinalool alpha-terpineol, farnesol, benzyl alcohol, beta-phenylethyl alcohol, dimethylphenyl carbinol etc. (B) is geranyl formate, benzyl formate, linalyl acetate, benzyl acetate, alpha-pinene, limonene, benzaldehyde, cinnamic aldehyde etc. Salicylic ester is methyl salicylate, n-hexyl salicylate, benzyl salicylate, cyclooctyl salicylate etc.    USE/ADVANTAGE -   The compsn. undergoes no changes in perfume performance during prolonged storage (e.g. 30 days at 40 deg.C). The perfume controls the occurrence of fishy odour characteristic of inorganic peroxides.
(JP93048796-B)      Fuel is a moulded matter consisting of a combustible powder and a heat-melting high-calorie material, with coated layer the heat-melting material on its surface. The powder is one or a mixt. of plant organic material, charcoal, and coal; and the plant organic materials are pref. sawdust, wooden powder, and powdered chaff. Heat melting high-calorie materials are pref. include paraffin waxes, combustible synthetic resins, combustible polymers, and the mixts. or solns. with fuel oils such as kerosene and light oil.    ADVANTAGE -   The fuel undergoes no deformation during transport or storage. It has a good waterproofing property. It is easy to produce. (J63265995-A)
(US4889814-A)      Impurities in an inert gas are detected using a gas chromatograph column and a bed of mercuric oxide followed by optically increasing the amt. of mercury released. There is an intermediate stage involving an ionising discharge which produces cracked impurity gases. Reducing gases are produced which promote the release of mercury in direct proportional to the cracked gases.    USE -   Useful for determining CO2 and CH4 in rare gases or N2.    (EP294340-B1)      A method of accurately determining the amount of methane and/or carbon dioxide present in an impure inert gas contaminated present in an impure inert gas contaminated with trace amounts of methane and/or carbon dioxide, said method comprising the steps of: (i) passing the impure inert gas through a gas-chromatographic separation column to produce treated impure gas; and then (ii) subjecting the treated impure gas to an ionising discharge thereby cracking the methane and/or carbon dioxide into hydrogen and/or carbon monoxide and other components thereby producing ionised gas; and then (iii) contacting the ionised gas with mercuric oxide thereby producing mercury vapour in an amount directly proportional to the amount of methane and/or carbon dioxide present in the impure inert gas; and then (iv) determining the amount of methane and/or carbon dioxide present by determining the amount of mercury vapour produced.
(JP95106565-B2)      Treatment of chaff comprises soaking and stirring natural chaff in an aq. soln. of NaOH to infuse xylan and soften the epidermis of the chaff, to make the chaff water-absorbent and dissolving, and removing at least part of the SiO2 in the chaff as Na silicate (Na2SiO3 and Na2Si2O5).    Treatment of chaff comprises pref. soaking and stirring chaff in a mixed soln. of NaOH and NaClO to infuse xylan and soften the epidermis, and make the chaff water-absorbent, removing at least part of the lignin in the chaff as chlorinated lignin by the NaClO, expediting removal of the SiO2, and efficiently removing the SiO2 as Na silicate. An non-flammable and water-absorbent fibrous matter is obtd. by sepg. the treating soln. contg. NaOH or NaOH and NaClO from the treated chaff.    USE/ADVANTAGE -   The fibrous matter is used as fuel, manure materials, culture medium for mushrooms. When is is cut with edged tools in processing, they can be used for a long time because of the softened epidermis and reduced SiO2.
(JP2546797-B2)      To separate one component from a gas mixt., a mixt. contg. first and second gas components, (which are different each other in chemical compsn.), in at least 50 vol.%, is contacted with carbonaceous porous body which contains at least 85 wt% carbon and has dimensional network open cells, to physiclaly adsorb the second gas component.    First gas components may be nitrogen and oxygen; hydrogen and methane; hydrogen and carbon dioxide; or carbon monoxide and methane.    Average pore dia. of the three-dimensional network open cells of the carbonaceous porous body is 1 - 500 microns. The carbonaceous porous body, pref. contains at least 90 wt.% of carbon; obtd. from PVA, melamine resin and phenol resin, and has an apparent density of 0.1 - 0.8 g/cm3 and a percentage of voids of 50 - 95%.    ADVANTAGE -   The carbonaceous porous body has larger pores (macro-pore) which are located on the surface and introduce the raw gas, and smaller pores (macro-pore) which are located on the walls of the macro-pores and have function of molecular sieving. A large capacity of adsorption and a high velocity of adsorption/desorption is achieved.
(JP94077663-B2)      A mixt. of a hard to adsorb and an easy to adsorb gas is delivered to a pressure swing adsorption bed which adsorbs the easy component. During a subsequent step, the remaining gases are discharged by a purge gas which is introduced at the inlet end of the bed and flushes residue rich in the hard gas but contg. some of the easy gas. The residue is delivered to a separator which produces a concentrate stream rich in the easy gas. The concentrate stream is used as the purge gas to flush the bed.    USE/ADVANTAGE -   Pref. the easy gas is methane, carbon monoxide or oxygen. The hard gas is hydrogen or nitrogen. A higher purity of the easy component is produced.
(JP95061479-B2)      The device comprises a prim. tank for an anaerobic process, a sec. tank for a sedimentation stage, a separator for sepg. the processed excrement into solids and liquid, and a facility for an evaporating the liquid.    USE -   Organic fertiliser can be produced at low cost.
(EP291698-B1)      A process for hydrocracking organic wastes of synthetical origin containing carbon (wastes) with hydrogen and/or hydrogen-containing gases and/or hydrogen-transferring solvents, in which a) these wastes are first subjected to a pretreatment in an inert atmosphere at a temperature of 75 deg.C to 600 deg.C, preferably of 75 deg.C to 540 deg.C, particularly preferred of 120 to 475 deg.C, a pressure of 1 to 600 bar, preferably of 1 to 500 bar, and particularly preferred of 1 to 350 bar, and a residence time of 1 minute to 6 hours, preferably of 1 minute to 4 hours, and b) hydrocracking is carried out at a temperature of 200 to 600 deg.C, preferably of 200 to 540 deg.C and particularly preferred of 300 to 540 deg.C, a pressure of 30 to 500 bar, preferably of 50 to 450 bar, particularly preferred of 50 to 350 bar, and a residence time of 1 minute to 8 hours, preferably of 10 minutes to 6 hours, and particularly preferred of 15 minutes to 4 hours, characterised in that at least 2 such wastes are employed and one or several production-specific or waste producer-specific type(s) of waste are subjected to the treatment separately from each other and separately from any co-charged waste mixtures, and therefore said different wastes are passed through separate pretreatments, thereafter, however, are together subjected to the hydrogenation treatment, the reaction conditions of temperature, pressure, and residence time in these pretreatment steps being adjusted to the respective wastes in such a manner that the product manipulation from their pretreatments as well as the formation of liquid hydrocarbons in the subsequent common hydrogenation are facilitated.
(DE3874476-G)      A component (I) of a gas mixt. is sepd. from the mixt. by passing it over a membrane selectively permeable to (I), comprising a thin film at a molten salt hydrate. The molten salt hydrate may be immobilised within the pores of a thin, porous, inert support, or encapsulated in a non-porous, gas permeable polymer or polymer blend. A membrane suitable for the above sepn., comprising a molten salt hydrate immobilised or encapsulated in, or supported on, an inert support material is claimed.    USE/ADVANTAGE -   The membranes are partic. useful for sepg. CO2 from CH4 and H2, H2S from CH4 and H2, olefin gases from alkanes and water vapour from N2 and other permanent gases, and are also useful for sepn. of.    (JP93000087-B)      A component (I) of a gas mixt. is sepd. from the mixt. by passing it over a membrane selectively permeable to (I), comprising a thin film at a molten salt hydrate. The molten salt hydrate may be immobilised within the pores of a thin, porous, inert support, or encapsulated in a non-porous, gas permeable polymer or polymer blend.    A membrane suitable for the above sepn., comprising a molten salt hydrate immobilised or encapsulated in, or supported on, an inert support material is claimed.    USE/ADVANTAGE -   The membranes are partic. useful for sepg. CO2 from CH4 and H2, H2S from CH4 and H2, olefin gases from alkanes and water vapour from N2 and other permanent gases, and are also useful for sepn. of. (J02090915-A)
(DE3712788-C)      The processing system for liquid manure of various types includes a central vertically adjustable electrically operated suction and compression conveyor pump provided with an intake part designed as pulverising head. The pump (2) has at least two pressure connection pipes (18) and the pulverising head (5) a homogenising device (22,23). The homogenised manure is ejected at the delivery points by nozzles which are locally fixed or movable in fixed tracks in the liq. manure. If necessary the homogenised manure parts are first guided through a jet pipe nozzle and then mixed with air, oxygen or fluid. The liq. manure can be treated successively to form a fluid organic fertiliser, where sediments can be removed.    ADVANTAGE -   Low-cost conversion of any type of liquid animal manure into organic fertiliser for spreading on fields without requiring high energy consumption.    (25pp)
(US4973777-A)      Methane is thermally converted into hydrocarbons with higher mol.wts. in a ceramic reaction zone (I). (I) has an axis and parallel rows of channels extending over at least part of the total zone (I), the channels being lengthwise parallel to the axis and to each other.    Zone (I) also comprises a heating zone (II) in indirect heat exchange contact with the rows of channels; and a cooling zone (III) which is an extension of (II) and is in indirect heat exchange contact with the channels. Firstly, a gas contg. methane is circulated in the channels. Zone (II) is heated with an electric power supply through successive, independent transverse sections which are perpendicular to the axis of zone (I), and in indirect heat exchange contact with the channels of zone (I), so that a first part of zone (II) is maintained at a max. temp. above 650 deg.C to at most 1500 deg.C, at a temp. gradient ranging from 5 deg.C/cm to 60 deg.C/cm, on a length from 5-50% of the total length of zone (II). A second part of zone (II), following the first part, is heated at the max. temp.    so that the temp. variation is less than 20 deg.C. The circulated gas is heated to the max. temp. A cooling fluid is introduced into zone (III). Finally, the hydrocarbons having r higher mol.wts. are collected at the end of zone (I).    ADVANTAGE -   Easier, more flexible prodn. and better controlled prodn. of higher mol.wt. hydrocarbons.    (10pp)
(JP95088314-B2)      Simultaneous and selective prepn. of hydrocarbon(s) (I) contg. 2 or more C and CO (II) comprises oxidative coupling of CH4 (III) at 650 deg.C to 1000 deg.C under elevated pressure in presence of molecular oxygen without catalyst.    Molar ratio of (III) on molecular oxygen is above 5, pref. 10 or more to avoid CO2 formation. Oxidative coupling is carried out at 650-1000 deg.C, pref. 700-900 deg.C under 5-20 kg/sq.cm.    ADVANTAGE -   Mixt. of (I) and (II) is obtd. in reasonable yield and formation of CO2 is inhibited. Reaction prod. can be used as source of (II) also.
(JP94060076-B2)      100 Pts.wt. of an artificial lightweight gravel, e.g., vermiculite, etc., baked at 800-1300 deg.C, having saccharides, proteolytic enzyme, cellulose-decomposing fungi, and lignin-decomposing fungi, is mixed with 0.45-0.55 pts.wt. fungi-cultivated organics, 2.2-2.8 pts.wt. dried fowl droppings, 3.3-4.2 pts.wt. rice bran, 2.1-7.5 pts.wt. saccharide and 70-250 pts.wt. water.The mixt. is mixed with 90-810 pts.wt. garbage and fermented.    ADVANTAGE -   This method can effectively and simply produce composts from garbage contg. nitrogen, phosphoric acid, lime in abundance without emitting malodours by easily controlling temperatures, which serves to improve the air permeability, water retention etc., of soil as well as to restore acid soil to alkaline soil.
(JP93015519-B)      Bentonite (pref. 2.5-50 Kg/cm3) and Ca(OH)2 or CaO (pref. 0.5-10 Kg/m3) are added to the fermentation liq. In another method, metallic (oxide) salts of metallic elements except Gp. I, Gp. IIa, the 1st to 3rd period elements, Fe, and Mn are added, besides bentonite and Ca(OH)2 or CaO, to the fermentation liq., pref. in a total amt. of 0.1-20 g/m3. Pref. the salts are of Sc, Ti, V, Cr, Co, Ni, Cu, Zn, Ga, Y, Zr, Nb, Mo, Tc, Ru, Rh, Pd, Ag, Cd, In, Sn, Hf, Ta, W, Re, Os, Ir, Pt, Au, Hg, Tl, Pb and Bi. Clostridium is used as a methane-producing bacterium.    ADVANTAGE -   Methane fermentation can be promoted stably over a long time
(JP95020600-B2)      Propionate is added to culture soln. having high activity to decompose propionic acid bubbling with mixed gas of N2 and CO2 propionic acid decomposing bacteria and methane bacteria, in the culture soln. are cultured at 15-30 deg.C in anaerobic condition adding propionate according to the amt. of substrate reduced, to increase bacteria and cultured soln. contg. a large amt. of propionic acid decomposing bacteria and methane bacteria is added to fermentation tank to ferment at high speed.    USE/ADVANTAGE -   Organic treated water of sludge and excreta of domestic animals is fermented in the fermentation tank by adding culture soln. Storing of propionic acid in fermentation tank is prevented and methane fermentation proceeds with high speed.
(EP286115-B1)      A method for anaerobic fermentation of organic substances, esp. organic waste material for producing at least one hydrocarbon gas, such as methane, while using fatty acids and/or fatty acid cpds. and/or fatty acid derivs. to accelerate the anaerobic process, characterised in that the fatty acids and/or the cpds. and/or derivs. thereof are added as a component of a mixt., the main component of which consists of a carrier mass in the form of one or a number of substances with a large surface area in relation to the vol., whereas the fatty acids or the cpds. or derivs. thereof are adsorbed on the surface of the elements of the carrier mass, the elements constituting small particles, fibres or other elements with a great surface area compared to the vol.    (DE3873801-G)      Organic substances (I), esp. waste materials, are fermented anaerobically to produce hydrocarbon gas (''biogass''), e.g. methane, while using fatty acids or derivs. thereof (II) to accelerate the process. The method is characterised by the addn. of (II) as a component of a mixt. (III), the major component of which is a carrier mass in the form of one or more substance (IV) having a high surface area/vol. ratio, e.g. small particles, fibres or other elements; (II) is adsorbed on the surface of (IV). (III) is esp. a mixt. (IIIa) that is the result of using (IV), e.g. bentonite or fuller's earth, for purifying vegetable or animal oils or fats by adsorbing unwanted fatty acids or derivs. thereof on the surface of (IV). (I) is esp. waste from animal stables, e.g. urine, manure and/or used litter.    ADVANTAGE -   It is known that very small amts. of (II) added to the waste accelerate the fermentation but larger amts. inhibit. By adding (II) on a carrier (IV), risk of producing too high a concn., esp. locally, is avoided. The process is economic when the addn. is (IIIa), as this is a waste material which is otherwise difficult to dispose of.
(JP2708212-B2)      Conversion of farmyard slurry and/or sewage sludge to granular prods. is effected by (a) mixing with sufficient CaO to raise the temp. to at least 70 deg.C, (b) reacting until the reaction beween CaO and H2O is complete, (c) mixing with a binder, and (d) granulating the mixt.    Specifically, the CaO is used in an amt. of 0.1-1 pt.wt. per. pt.wt. of slurry or sludge. The temp. is maintained at at least 70 deg.C for at least 3 hrs. The binder is peat or sawdust and is added in an amt. sufficient to give a mixt. with a solids content of 40-80 wt.%. The granulated prod. is dried to a moisture content of 15 wt.% or less.    USE/ADVANTAGE -   The prods. are useful as fertilisers. They have good handling properties and are pathogen-free.
(JP2610922-B2)      (A) Process comprises: (a) introducing hot particulate solids at zero, positive or negative velocity into a reactor into contact with a hydrocarbon feed gas at much higher positive velocity; (b) so entraining the solids in the gas and transferring heat from the solids to the feed, by which the feed is cracked; and (c) allowing the solids to accelerate in passing through the reactor, but ending the reaction well before the solids reach the velocity of the prod. gas.    (B) Process for thermally converting organic substances in reaction times of the order sec. down to millisec. is otherwise as claimed for hydrocarbons in (A).    The solids pref. fall into the reactor by gravity, and are accelerated to no more than 80% of the velocity of the gas with which they are in contact. The solids are pref. sepd. from the prod. gas by means of an inertial separator, esp. an inertial tee separator forming part of an integral reactor/separator. After sepn. of the solids, the prod. gas may be quenched with an inert direct quench fluid, without substantial quenching of the solids. Or the sepd. gas may be quenched in an indirectly cooled fluid bed. The sepd. solids may be reheated and recycled to the reactor.    USE/ADVANTAGE -   By (A) e.g. naphtha, gas oil and residua may be converted to C2H4 etc. Embodiment (B) can be used e.g. for the pyrolysis of dichloroethane to vinyl chloride. Heat transfer is so rapid between gas and solid at their high relative velocity (heat up rates about 1,000,000 deg.F/sec.) that particle acceleration can be stopped before erosive velocities are reached. Reactor residence time is reduced, e.g. to 20-50 ms at reaction temp. Reactors may be made smaller and more compact, in a variety of possible shapes. Higher temps. can be used with the short residence times. C2H4 yields at equiv. CH4 make are higher than those of US4097363 (Gulf) using hot recirculating solids.
(US4830639-A)      For treatment of two laden gas-scrubbing solns. from diff. zones and holding CO2 and CO, H2 and/or CH4 by physical dissolution at 10-100 bars, one soln. is pressure-relieved with a drop of at least 5 bars to release high-CO2 gas, and the second into a second into a second pressure-relief region containing material exchange promoting elements. Gas from the first zone is passed upwardly through the second in counterflow to the second soln. to form a gas mixt. of CO2 and at least one other gas, which is recovered from the second zone top, the solns. then being withdrawn and regenerated. The pressure in each relief zone is pref. maintained at about 5-25 bars.    ADVANTAGE -   Allows valuable gases to be recovered as completely as possible.    (5pp)    (EP284121-B)      Process for treating two streams of washing solution which come from different gas-scrubbing zones and have absorbed carbon dioxide and at least one of the valuable gases carbon monoxide, hydrogen or methane therein by physical dissolving at pressure of 10 to 100 bar, characterised in that the first stream of washing solution is subjected to pressure relief into a first pressure relief zonee with a pressure reduction of at least 5 bar and thereby a CO2-rich flashed-off gas is released, that the second stream of washing solution undergoes partial pressure relief into a second pressure relief zone containing exchange-promoting elements, that the flashed-off gas from the first pressure relief zone is passed upwards through the second pressure relief zone in a counter-stream to the second stream of washing solution, a gas mixture containing CO2 and at least one valuable gas is withdrawn from the head of the second pressure relief zone, and that the two streams of washing solution from the pressure relief zones are regenerated.    (5pp)
(JP92023677-B)      The device comprises (i) a cylindrical oven lower half of which is inserted to combustion chamber and including inlet of material and an exhaust port, (ii) semispherical porous plates arranged horizontally and mounted to left and right in the oven alternately to form stages, (iii) rotatable rakes arranged adjacent to upper surface of the porous plates, (iv) port for delivering the charcoal formed on bottom of the combustion chamber, and an inlet of hot air formed in side wall of the combustion chamber.    ADVANTAGE -   Chips of wood are fed downwards and spirally by the porous plates and rotating rakes, crushed and released and are kept in contact with rising hot air, so that efficient carbonising can be provided in combustion chamber. Amt. of supplied hot air can be controlled easily. (J63193986-A)
(JP92023676-B)      A device for carbonising wood to form charcoal comprises (a) semispherical plates arranged alternately in left and right side in cylindrical oven and including inlet of material and exhaust port in its upper end; (b) rakes mounted on a rotatable shaft and located adjacent to upper surface of the porous plates; (c) port for delivering charcoal formed in bottom of the oven; (d) inlet of hot air including a burner arranged on lower portion of side wall of the oven; and (e) heat exchanger connected to air inlet and to the exhaust port.    ADVANTAGE -   Since chips of wood are transferred downwards along inner wall of the oven and crushed and released while kept in contact with rising hot air, effective carbonising can be provided. Acetic acid delivered from the wood chips is collected in the heat exchanger. (J63193985-A)
(US4835129-A)      Process for regeneration of spent isomerisation catalysts contg. one or more metals of Group VIII of the Periodic Table, supported on an acidic mordenite carrier, comprises combustion of the accumulated coke in an atmosphere contg. oxygen, at temps. not above 550 C, followed by oxychlorination with a mixt. of chlorine (0.5-10 wt.%), oxygen and water vapour (0.05-1.00 wt.%), at about 200-500 C, (where the %'s are based on the mordenite carrier). The chlorine may be generated in situ.    USE -   The prods. are catalysts for the isomerisation of n-alkanes to produce branched alkanes with high octane nos. for the petroleum industry.
(US4999030-A)      Prodn. of CH4-contg. fuel gas includes (a) hydrogenating a 1st liq. hydrocarbon or solid carbonaceous material in the presence of recycled H2 to form a raw fuel gas stream carbonaceous material in the presence of air to produce a 2nd gas stream of H2, N2 and C oxides; (c) removing solids from the gas streams; (d) mixing 2nd gas stream with raw fuel gas stream and steam and subjecting to CO shift conditions to convert at least a part of the CO to CO2 with generation of H2; (e) removing some of the CO2 and other acid gas from the prod. stream; (f) reacting the H2 with C oxides to generate CH4; (g) cryogenic sepn. to give N2-rich stream, a recycle H2 stream and a CH4-contg. fuel gas; and (h) recycling the recycle H2 stream to step (a).    ADVANTAGE -   Process allows the use of air rather than pure O2. @. @(10pp)@    (DE3873793-G)      CH4-contg. fuel gas is produced by (a) gasifying a liq. hydrocarbon or solid carbonaceous feed in the presence of air and opt. steam to produce a gas contg. H2, N2 and COx, (b) removing solids from the gas, (c) subjecting the gas to shift conversion with steam to convert at least part of its CO content to CO2 and generate H2, (d) removing at least part of the CO2 and other acid gases, (e) subjecting the gas to methanation, and (f) cryogenically separating the product gas into an N2-rich stream and a CH4-contg. fuel gas.    ADVANTAGE -   The process avoids use of pure O2.
(EP282869-B)      Method for removing ammonium ions and chlorinated hydrocarbons and/or hydrocarbons from effluents, which comprises metering a lye into an ammonium contg. effluent in accordance with the content of ammonium ions, extracting ammonia that forms with a sweep gas and converting it into ammonium salts with acid, characterised in that the sweep gas in contacted with activated charcoal and/or porous clay for the additional removal of chlorinated hydrocarbons and hydrocarbons.    (8pp)
(JP94061253-B2)      Appts. comprises a pump to circulate a portion of incubating liq. fed into a space defined by a gas-sepn. membrane in an incubating tank.    USE -   Used for methane fermenting appts.
(JP2631211-B2)      The process comprises circulating a gas produced in a fermenting tank to ferment the wastes after proteins have been removed from the wastes, so that the liq. in the tank is stirred with the gas.    USE -   For fishery processing facilities.
(US5012827-A)      Extn. of organic components from solid material filling an extractor comprises the solid soaking with non-circulating high pressure gas solvent; then flowing high pressure gaseous solvent through the material. The solvent gas is recirculated after extn. of organic components removed from the material.    USE -   Nicotine is extracted from tobacco by CO2 and N2 mixt. @(5pp)@
(EP280762-B1)      Process for the production of biogas by fermenting viscous agents in which the fermentation is effected in a fermentation vessel in two stages, a first fermentation stage by acid in which oxygen is consumed by means of acid bacteria, and a subsequent second principal fermentation stage in which the biogas is produced characterised in that in both fermentation stages the mixing of the fermentation agent is effected by a slow continuous movement in axial direction of the fermentation vessel of approximately plate-shaped mixing bodies (11,5).
(JP96018921-B2)      The carbide detains the tissue of a plant (e.g. rose) having at least branches and flowers. At least 90% of the carbide is composed of C. The carbide has a thermosetting resin carbide, 5-60 wt.%. The tissue of the plant is dried with a dessicating agent (e.g. silica gel powder). Heat treatment is applied to the tissue of the dried plant under non-oxidising atmos. to produce a plant carbonisation substance.    USE/ADVANTAGE -   The plant carbonisation substance is generally used for a combusting raw material. Meanwhile, the plant carbonisation substance is used as a decoration (called Ohanazumi in Japanese) in tea ceremony. The method provides the plant having branches and leaves with a prototype of a petal or the shape close to the prototype, producing Ohanazumi worthy of real Ohanazumi.
(EP279719-B)      Method for the purification of polluted water G which makes provision for causing an aerobic microbial flora to act in a layer for the treatment of said water by carrying out a renewal of the atmosphere within said layer, characterised in that, the treatment layer being constituted by a filtration bed or by the bottom of a controlled infiltration tank, - said filtering layer is maintained in the unsaturated state, - and controlled renewal of the atmosphere in said filtering layer is ensured by periodically carrying out predetermined sequences of pressurisation and/or depressurisation of the air within said filtering layer, - this being achieved by embedding a system of ventilation ducts within the filtering layer and by joining said system to air pressurisation means and/or to depressurisation means through the intermediary of control means for establishing a communication at predetermined intervals.    (6pp)
(DE3720833-C2)      In a new process for the biological recultivation treatment of soil contaminated with xenolxiotics such as aliphatic, aliyclic and/or aromatic hydrocarbons, by application of microortanisms capable of degrading the respective xenobiotics, optionally together with nutrients for the microorganism, and producing more forcurable living and multiplication conditions for the applied microorganisms in the soil to be treated, (1) the soil to be treated is removed from the contaminated site and, together with water and the microorganisms, placed ona substrate which persuits access by liquids and gases from the contaminated rite and permeated with oxygen-contg. gas (pref. air) warmed to ea 15-40 def. C; (2) water percolating through the coil in continously removed so that the soil moisture content is maintained at 15-25 (pref. 18-20) wt. % and the soil temp. is maintaned at ca 25-50 (pref. 40) deg. C; (3) the relative humidity. above the soil is maintained at 70-100% and the air temperature is maintained at 30-45 deg. C; and (4) an interstitial volume (pore volume) of substantially 30% of the total volume and as finely granular a mechanical state as possible are generated and maintained by at least occasional mechanical treatment.    New plant for carrying out the above process comprises a floor plate which on its underside has a water-and gas-proof layer and an its upperside has longitudinal channels filled with porous bodies but leaving at least one deg, pipe-like longitudinal passage per channel, the longitudinal channels being arranged so as to slope downwards one edge of the floor plate, N the floor plate being movable so as to give such a slope.    USE -   Recultivation treatment of soil contaminated with materials such as mineral oil hydrocarbons and their derivatives, e.g. petroleum, lubricant oils, mineral oils, benzene derivs., phenols, cyanides, kerosene, ceesolo, paraffins, naphlhalenes, amines and alcohots.
(US4765900-A)      Organic waste contg. liq. and solid components are treated, by (a) weighting with ash to accelerate sedimentation,; (b) sepg. weighed waste to isolate liq. component from the solid; (c) chemically reacting solid component to lower its oxygen demand and form a liq. effluent and an ash; (d) de-ammoniating liq. component; (e) combining liq. effluent with deammoniated liq. steam; and (f) contacting combined liq. stream with bioactive microbes to lower its oxygen demand. Part of the ash obtd. in (c) is reused in (a).    Pref. (b) allows weighed waste to settle in response to granting to separate liq. from solid; and (c) comprises diluting solid with deionised water, adding O2, and elevating temp. to form a wet oxidn. reaction.    ADVANTAGE -   Has low initial capital expenditure with low operational and maintenance costs.    (DE3873112-G)      Organic waste comprising solid and liq. components is treated as follows: (a) the waste is weighted with ash to accelerate sedimentation; (b) the liq. component (I) is sepd. from solid (II); (c) (II) is chemically reacted to lower O2 demand and to produce a liq. effluent (III) and an ash (portion used in step (a)); (d) (I) is de-ammoniated to give a liq. stream (IV); (e) (III) is combined with (IV); and (f) the combined (III)/(IV) stream is contacted with biologically active microbes to lower its O2 demand.    USE/ADVANTAGE -   The integrated waste water treatment system is partic. suited for the processing of animal wastes when it solves many of the problems associated with conventional waste processing systems (e.g. non-removal of harmful chlorides etc. at the same time as reducing O2 demand).
(JP96000744-B2)      Prodn. comprises feeding a fresh air contg. soil bacteria into a fermenting tank contg. wastes and compressing the air to increase the temp. up to 30-40 deg. C in the tank.    USE -   For treating organic wastes.
(EP275347-B)      Method for storage, turning up and evacuation of stock piles, utilizing a bridge-crane sliding along longitudinal rails located in a building-encompassing an area on which aerobic bioprocessing of waste into fertilizers takes place and consisting of a transversing trolley located on the bridge-crane, supporting in turn, to means of articulated joints an elevator conveyor characterized by the fact that; - the elevator conveyor when positioned close the upper discharge features a discharge opening with an apron-gate operated by oil hydraulic piston the head discharge feeding a transverse conveyor mounted on main bridge-crane which in turn feeds a longitudinal conveyor evacuating the finished product while the intermediate discharge opening directly discharges the stockpiled product on the yard during turning up of stockpiles, - the bridge-crane supports the feeding and pile formation equipment of the fresh product including a transverse conveyor and a distributor which are fed by a longitudinal conveyor belt and which enable this feeding equipment to stack piles of fresh product in any position of the fermentation yard.    so that this equipped bridge-crane can feed the fresh product, turn up the stockpiles and evacuate the finished product.    (9pp)
(JP96000194-B2)      Gas purificn. agent in which lithium is deposited on a solid support made of a metal or ceramic.    Pref. the solid support is pref. porous titanium or zirconium.    USE/ADVANTAGE -   The agent has a large reaction surface area and a large amt. of impurities can be removed. Those impurities such as N2 that have so far required to be removed under a high temp., can be treated at a relatively low temp. such as 150-300 deg.C, i.e. the process becomes economical. As the reaction between Li and water is moderate, handling becomes safer and easier. Esp. useful for easily removing impurities from a rare gas or methane.
(GB2199820-B)      A method of composting organic solids, comprising the steps of forming a pile of the solids, passing pure oxygen or oxygen-enriched air into the pile, monitoring the temp internally of the pile, and upon a monitored temp of the pile reaching a chosen value, substituting for said oxygen or oxygen-enriched air a gas mixt having a lower concn. of oxygen.
(GB2204875-B)      A process of neutralizing C10-C22 mono-carboxylic acids with a substantially equimolar amount of a neutralizing agent to form a pumpable, liquid soap containing from 0.3% to about 40% by weight of a water-soluble dissolved in water which comprises the step of contacting finely divided particles of the said C10-C22 carboxylic acid with the said neutralizing agent in an aqeuous medium at a temperature below the melting point of the said fatty acid, and recovering the said pumpable, liquid soap solution.
(JP95032857-B2)      Method comprises adsorption and removal of nitrogen in methane gas using mordenite type zeolite.    The mordenite type zeolite is e.g. in Na salt form. A part of or all of cation of mordenite type zeolite exchanges with bivalent cation, and the bivalent cation is e.g. Ca, Ba or Fe N2 concn. in methane gas is less than 1 vol.%. Adsorption temp. is at e.g. -20 to -150 deg. C.    USE/ADVANTAGE -   The mordenite type zeolite adsorbs nitrogen selectively without adsorption of methane gas.
(JP94013120-B2)      Solid sludge is suspended and dissolved in a volatile liq. Washing effect grain e.g. coal, volcanic rock, larger than the sludge, is added to form a mixt. The mixt. is passed through a hollow flight-loaded rotary screw indirect heat exchanger. This evaporates and removes the volatile liq. from the mixt. and forms a dried grain prod. The prod. is removed from the flight. A mixt. of the prod. and the washing effect grain is removed from the flight. The grain is isolated from the prod..    USE/ADVANTAGE -   The drying is used to treat coating sludge, dry blood corpuscle, collect ore or treat foods. The drying prevents scale from accumulating or solidifying on the screw. (J63205200-A)    (JP63205200-A)      Solid sludge is suspended and dissolved in a volatile liq. Washing effect grain such as coal, volcanic rock, larger than the sludge, is added to form a mixt. The mixt. is passed through a hollow flight-loaded rotary screw indirect heat exchanger. This evaporates and removes the volatile liq. from the mixt. and forms a dried grain prod. The dried grain prod. is removed from the flight. A mixt. of the dried grain prod. and the washing effect grain is removed from the flight. The washing effect grain is isolated from the dried grain prod.    USE -   The method is used to treat coating sludge, dry blood corpuscle, collect ore, or treat foods. The method prevents scale from being accumulated or solidified on the screw.
(DE3642626-C)      Biological waste of sorted domestic refuse, garden rubbish, bushes and cemetary waste is composted in a layered dump within a concrete structure with three raised parallel ribs on which rails are spaced for bars covered by perforated plates and a rot-resisting woven tissue. The rotting material is moved along by hydraulic pulling cylinders which move all the perforated plates and tissue, e.g. by one foot at a time. Every alternate plate can then be returned to its original position before the next joint advance begins.    ADVANTAGE -   This is a less costly way of moving the material along than an endless perforated belt conveyor.    (4pp)
(GB2198844-B)      A gas sensor for the detection of a gas which sensor includes an optical device having a coating of a mixed metal oxide material the electrical permittivity of which is capable of undergoing a change when the material is in the presence of the gas to be detected.
(JP94055939-B2)      Mixed refrigerant comprises mono chlorodifluoromethane as a major ingredient, 1,1,1-trifluoroethane, and propane, mixed together. Pref. the condensed refrigerant is stored in a liq. acceptor. After the pressure is controlled with a pressure -reducing expansion valve, the refrigerant is introduced into a brine tank as endothermic source, is vaporised. Through an accumulator, the refrigerant is sucked into a compressor. Pref. mole fractions of 1,1,1-trifluoroethane and propane are 0.25-0.45 (based on R22 and 1,1,1-trifluoroethane) and 0.05-0.25 (based on the three components).    USE/ADVANTAGE -   Used as a working medium for steam compression type refrigeration cycles, i.e. air conditioners, refrigerators, hot water supply systems, etc. The mixed refrigerant is superior to conventional R22 (mono chlorodifluoro methane) in condensn. efficiency and coefft. of performance. Highly efficient, compact heat-pump refrigerators are obtd. (inlet and outlet temps. of condenser: 45.66, 50.00 deg.C, coefft. of performance: 3.07 compared to 45.50, 50.00 deg.C and 2.87 using R22 only).
(JP9168798-A)      Organic material is fermented by continuously circulating it through a narrow path in a reactor where it is contacted with microorganisms, and controlling reaction conditions in discrete zones along the path between an inlet at one end of the reactor and an outlet at the other. A fermenter is also claimed.    USE/ADVANTAGE -   For making methane from urban, agricultural or industrial waste. The process is cheap, effective, and adaptable.    (JP2740508-B2)      Organic material is fermented by continuously circulating it through a narrow path in a reactor where it is contacted with microorganisms, and controlling reaction conditions in discrete zones along the path between an inlet at one end of the reactor and an outlet at the other. A fermenter is also claimed.    USE/ADVANTAGE -   For making methane from urban, agricultural or industrial waste. The process is cheap, effective, and adaptable.
(JP94045514-B2)      Appts. to measure temp. in fermenting tank of compostiser comprises a stopper to be put on the surface of a raw material to be composted in the tank and temp. measuring element mounted on the stopper so as to project into the material.    USE -   For composters.
(US4820810-A)      The polyol having reduced colour is prepd. by reacting a polyhydric initiator (mixt) (I) with alkylene oxide(s) (II) in the presence of a catalytically effective amt. of urea to give a mole ratio of urea to initiator of 0.1-10.1.    (I) is pref. (poly)ethylene glycol, (poly)propylene glycol, glycerine, sorbitol, trimethylolpropane, sucrose, alpha-methylglucoside and/or pentaerythritol; and (II) is pref. ethylene oxide, propylene oxide or butylene oxide.    USE -   Rigid polyurethane foams are obtd. using the polyol.
(DE3868784-G)      The fuel cell power plant system comprises a power section comprising fuel cells forming a stack. The stack is cooled with a water collant. A turbogenerator is operated by steam from the steam separator for generating a portion of the electrical power produced by the power plant system. Water from the steam separator is recirculated back to the heat exchange. A reformer catalytically converts raw hydrocarbon fuel to a hydrogen rich fuel gas suitable for fueling the anode side of the fuel cells. A boiler produces steam having a temp. of about 40 degrees F. Steam from the boiler is transported at a pressure greater than about 200 psi to the reformer. Raw hydrocarbon fuel is admitted to system. Hydrogen rich fuel gas is transferred from the reformer to the anode side of the fuel cells at a pressure of at least about 200 psi. An ox
(JP95017470-B2)      Method comprises (1) dehydration of sludge after addn. and stirring with natural polymer dehydrating adjunct; (2) addn. and mixing with fermentation adjunct; (3) applying the mixt. over the fermenting sludge; and (4) conveying successively to aerobic ferment.    USE/ADVANTAGE -   Dehydrated sludge can economically be utilised as a manure. Natural polymer used as adjunct for dehydration of sludge is harmless. Fermentation adjunct (e.g. fowl dropping) helps to sterilise sludge and improve the content of active fertilising component.
(US5160440-A)      Plant producing dewatered sludge cake comprises a unit (7) receiving chemically pretreated sludge and passing it to the upper predehydration belt of a station (2) having at least two such belts superposed and connected in zigzag series with at least one chute to discharge sludge from a higher to a lower belt. The predehydrated sludge is passed by gravity to a silo (3) below the station. A filter press (4) is located below the silo and the cake from this is passed to a crusher (5) below the press. Predehydration pref. gives a solids content of at least 20 wt.%, and pressing 50%. Crushed cake is pref. dried on conveyor belts to a dry wt. content of 9-.95%.    USE/ADVANTAGE -   For treatment of domestic or industrial sewage sludge produces a high degree of dryness so that the product can be incinerated, used for pyrolysis or oil prodn. or as a drilling fertiliser.    (DE3736657-C2)      Sewage sludge is drained in a plant having a station for chemical pretreatment, with containers for flocculant and dosing pumps for introducing flocculant into a sludge line (6) with mixers. A pre-draining station (2) has at least two belts (9-13), one above the other, with troughs to collect water. A sludge silo (3) receives sludge transferred by gravity. Under the silo is a pressing station with at least one filter press (4). A comminuting station (5) breaks up the hard sludge cake.    ADVANTAGE -   Product can be used as fuel, for pyrolysis, oil recovery etc.
(JP94049629-B2)      Compost is produced by placing compost feed (3,5), e.g. rice straws, weeds, on an outdoor compost producing field (a) surrounded by dikes; covering them with soil. Then treated human waste in a septic tank (b) is sprayed on the compost feed and infiltrating it to the compost feed. The compost feed and soil, is laminated again, and spraying human waste on the soil. The lamination and spraying are repeated according to a degree of fermentation.    USE -   To economically produce compost and effectively use human waste discharged from a house.
(EP266727-B)      Process for hydrogenating carbon dioxide in the presence of catalysts, characterised in that carbon dioxide and hydrogen are contacted with a catalyst belonging to the series of zirconium containing metal alloys of microcrystalline to amorphous structure of the formula Cu70Zr30, Ni64Zr36 or Pd25Zr75 which catalyst has been activated either at 200 to 350 deg.C and 10 power5 to 10 power6 Pa in a gas stream containing carbon dioxide and hydrogen in a ratio of 1:1 to 1:4 parts by volume or at 200 to 350 deg.C in a hydrogen stream.    (12pp)
(DE3728026-C)      The container for composting grass lawn cuttings consists of metal, wood, plastic or the like and has two parallel end walls of equal dimensions which are connected via a rectangular, polygonal or round side wall at right angles thereto.    The parallel walls are provided with (aeration) openings whilst the side wall preferably has at least one (larger) opening closable by a cover.    USE/ADVANTAGE -   For filling, the container is placed on its side with the closable opening upwards. When filled, it is placed on feet with horizontal parallel walls.    The arrangement ensures that the grass blades extend approximately parallel to the upward air flow via the openings in the parallelsides, this flow being uniformly distributed. It permits stacking such containers (as against the bag of the main patent). (3pp)
(JP93066432-B)      Carbonisation furnace consists of shell part comprising the lower shell on the ground or lower half embedded in the ground facing upward, upper shell connected on the lower shell top and lower parts symmetrically making a vertically long furnace interior space, front and rear covers fitted in inside edge of openings at both ends of horizontal direction of the shell providing internal space and closed the space from outside, and chimney connected near the lower end of either the front or rear cover. The ventilation port and fuel materials loading port are provided to the other front or rear cover.    ADVANTAGE -   Used for making charcoal. The furnace is easy to move and erect at the place where wooden materials are available, and can use various raw materials, e.g., cut wood, plants, agricultural wastes, e.g., straws, corns and bean shells, etc.. (J63063786-A)
(JP94069969-B2)      Prepn. of 2C or more hydrocarbon(s)(I) is affected by contacting methane (II) with catalyst in presence of oxygen. Catalyst contains (1) one or more cpds selected from oxide(s) or carbonate(s) of alkali(ne earth) metal(s) and one or more metal may be added, and, (2) specific surface area of catalyst is 50 sq.m/g or less.    Oxide(s) or carbonate(s) of alkali(ne earth) metal(s), pref. Mg oxide, is used as catalyst, and one or more metal(s) selected from alkali metal(s), alkaline earth metal(s). Gp. IB metal(s) (pref. Cu, Ag), Grp. IIB metal(s)(pref.Zn), Gp. IIIA metal(s) (pref. Al, In), Gp. IIIB metal(s) (Pref. lanthanides,) Gp. IVA metal(s) (pref. Pb), Gp. IVB metal(s) (pref. Zr), Grp. VA metal(s) (pref. Bi), Gp. VB metal(s) (pref. V), Gp. VIB metal(s) (pref. Cr), Gp. VIIB metal(s) (pref. Mn) or gp. VIII metal(s) (pref. Co, Fe, Ni) may be added to raise yield of 2C hydrocarbons. Ratio of metal(s) on oxide(s) or carbonate(s) of alkali(ne earth) metal(s) is 0.20 mol%. Catalyst is roasted at 800-1200 deg.C under air or helium atmos.    ADVANTAGE -   (I), pref. 2C hydrocarbon, is prepd. from (II) in higher conversion and yield.
(JP92025079-B)      Sanitary waste water, excrement water, industrial waste water, etc. is treated by polysynthesis in which hydrogen sulphide is coverted to sulphuric acid after having been methane fermented. The photosynthesis is effected by bacteria obtd. by preferential cultivation of one or more of pink sulphur bacteria and green-sulphur bacteria. The methane fermentation is carried out and the decomposition ratio of the organic matter is high.    ADVANTAGE -   Organic matter is recovered as methane and hydrogen sulphide, which is converted to sulphuric acid. (J62282695-A)
(JP95091140-B2)      Prepn. of organic fertiliser comprises aerobically fermenting the cut paper and water-contg. organic sludge.    ADVANTAGE -   It is not necessary to dehydrate the water-contg. organic sludge by pressure filtration or addn. of wood flour. Smooth aerobic fermentation can be conducted by addn. of a small amt. of cut paper.    In an example, 1 Tonne of sludge with water content of 85% derived from food mfg. factory was mixed with cut newspaper 45 kg. 520 Kg. of mixt. was put in a concrete vessel with depth of 20 cm provided by a ventilation mechanism on the floor and a stirrer. Fermentation was conducted while stirring and introducing air from the bottom. Fermentation was completed in 21 days, and the water content of the prod. decreased to 37.2%.
(DE3634476-C)      Compost is formed from domestic, agricultural or industrial waste contg. 20-50% of admixed paper of uniform or mixed compositions. A vibratory conveyor takes the refuse to a sorting belt for removal of glass, wood etc. and then through a magnetic separator to a chopping amt. leading to a rotating drum.    The material is kept in the drum until the necessary degree of rotting for compost formation is reached, and then transferred to a vibratory feeder, for final sepd. of non-rotting residues.    ADVANTAGE -   Final compost embodies considerable amt. of waste paper and has low heavy metal content.    (5pp)
(DE3780545-G)      A catalyst contg. Ti and another metal as the catalytically active metals, has (a) a 1st gp. of many pores of dia. from 1 x 10 power 2 Angstrom to less than 1 x 10 power 3 Angstrom; and (b) a 2nd gp. of many pores of dia. 1 x 10 power 3 - 1.2 x 10 power 5 Angstrom; the pore vol. of the 1st gp. is at least 10% of the total pore vol. of the 1st and 2nd gps.. Pref. (a) the pore vol. of the 1st gp. of pores is 10-90% of the total pore vol., and those pores with dia. 1-2 x 10 power 2 Angstrom have pore vol. of 10-30% of the total pore vol. (b) The pore vol. of the 2nd gp. of pores is 10-90% of the total pore vol., and those pores with dia. 1 x 10 power 3 - 3 x 10 power 4 Angstrom have pore vol. of 20-40% of the total pore vol. The pore vol. of the catalyst is 0.1-0.7 (0.3-0.45) ml/g. The base metal is Mo, V, W, Mn, Co, Cu, Fe, Cr, Ni, Zn or Sn, in atomic ratio of Ti : base metal of 1 : 0.001-1 (1 : 0.01-1, or 1 : 0.001-0.3 with (V).    USE/ADVANTAGE -   Use of the catalyst for removing oxides of N from an exhaust gas is claimed. The exhaust gas may be from a fixed combustion device, e.g. a sintering furnace, coke furnace or boiler. The catalyst is not easily poisoned or blocked by cpds. of As and/or Ca in the exhaust gas.
(US4777079-A)      Image transfer type thermosensitive recording medium comprises a substrate and a double layered thermal transfer ink layer. The ink layer comprises (A) a first sub-layer formed on the substrate comprising thermofusible material and an oil component and (B) a second sublayer comprising thermosoftening resin and colouring agent. (A) melts to a low viscosity liq. at a predetermined temp. at which (B) softens but does not melt. The oil component comprises mainly methane series hydrocarbon or cycloparaffin and has viscosity up to 100 cSt. at 40 deg. C and up to 20 cSt. at 100 deg. C. The resin is EVA, polyester, polyamide, polyurethane, etc.    ADVANTAGE -   The ink layer can form clear images on a recording sheet even though it has a rough surface and has high preservability.    (6pp)    (DE3730600-C)      A heat sensitive recording material of the image transfer type consists successively of A) a known support, B) a layer melting to form a low viscosity liquid when heated to a predetermined temp. and consisting of a) a fusible material and b) an oil component being a hydrocarbon of the methane series or a cycloparaffin and having a viscosity not more than 100 mm2/sec at 40 deg. C and not more than 20 mm2/sec at 100 deg. C, and C) as known a layer contg. a thermally softening resin, pref. a particulate resin, esp. having a melt viscosity at least 103 mPas at 180 deg. C. B) pref. contains 10-50 wt. % oil comopnent.    The oil component is esp. e.g. a natural or synthetic wax, high mol. wt. alcohol, fatty acid amide.    The resin is e.g. an ethene/vinyl acetate copolymer, polyester resin, acrylic resin, cellulose resin, a styrene/butadiene elastomer.    ADVANTAGE -   Clear, durable images are obtd. on recording sheets, even sheets having a rough surface.    (7pp)
(US5114488-A)      Material to be processed is fed to the inlet end of a screw extruder to be transported, worked, and heated by rotation of the screw as it travels down the barrel of the extruder to a die at the output end (18). A processing agent is injected into the barrel of the extruder downstream of the inlet end, and the die, at the output end, has a power valve (122), which, with the walls (112) of the outlet orifice, defines a restricted passageway for the flow of the worked and heated material therethrough, with an actuator (40) to effect relative movement of the poppet valve or outlet orifice walls to vary the size of the processed material passageway.    Pref. orifice defining walls (112) are frustoconical and the poppet valve (122) has matching frustoconical walls with the orifice defining walls coupled to a mechanism (40) for selective axial movement while the poppet valve (122) is rotated relative the orifice walls by a drive.    USE/ADVANTAGE -   Partic. in the process of acid hydrolysis extrusion of cellulosic material to convert the cellulosic material into simple sugars suitable for conversion to liq. fuels by fermentation. The appts. provides economical hydrolysation of large quantities of cellulosic material at elevated temp. and pressure, eliminating surging and blowing and minimises acid deterioration of the extruder components.
(DE3630637-C2)      Organic waste from toilets and kitchen refuse e.g. of holiday homes with cellars is converted to compost in a tank which is made of concrete, plastic material or rustless steel segments. The composting process is controlled and accelerated by adding vegetable or animal compost activators.    ADVANTAGE -   This ensures that adequate numbers of organisms are present from the start and that the process is independent of the random results of adding already rotted substances so that reproducible results are obtd.
(US4822935-A)      Hydrogasification of biomass for producing high yields of CH4, comprises (a) introducing biomass particles, H2, particles of a cracking and hydrogenation catalyst, and heat into a reactor for rapid pyrolysis; (b) mixing biomass and catalyst particles in the reactor under an H2-rich atmos.; (c) pyrolysing; and (d) recovering prod.. Pyrolysis conditions comprise (i) 450-600 deg. C; (ii) 1 atm. or more pressure; (iii) 5 secs. or less gas residence time; (iv) biomass particle residence time at least as long as (iii); and (v) biomass particle size 2mm or less.    ADVANTAGE -   60% Conversion of carbon to CH4 can be obtd..
(JP96019253-B2)      Prepn. of low density polyphenylene ether resin (I) compsn. which may include up to 98 wt.% alkenyl aromatic resin (II), based on (I)+(II) comprises (1) incorporating a blowing agent which is a volatile liq. or gaseous 4-7C aliphatic hydrocarbon or 1-2C fluorocarbon absorbable by the resin compsn. and vaporisable at below the resin compsn. glass transition temp. and (2) heating at 100-210 deg.C to expand the resin compsn. to a bulk density of less than 20 lbs/ft3.    ADVANTAGE -   Prods. with bulk density 2-15 lbs/ft.3. and even less than 2 lbs/ft.3 can be obtd. (claimed), using conventional appts. Ratios of (I) and (II) can be chosen for desired mechanical, flame retardant and processing properties.
(JP95088268-B2)      Treatment comprises selecting and sepg. waste into two groups. The first group is dehydrated (by dipping it into a heated oil under reduced pressure) to give a feed stuff. The second qroup is treated by methane fermentation under anaerobic conditions, the resulting methane being used as energy and the mud being processed into compost.
(DE3778805-G)      A gas mixt. of high methane content is obtd. from coal by (a) grinding coal to not larger than 5mm; (b) adding alkali or alkaline earth cpd(s), 4-20 wt.% of the dry ash-free coal; (c) opt. drying the additive/coal mixt. (A); which are characterised by: (d) gasification of (A) and methanation of the prod. gases in one single step, with a bed of countercurrently descending coal with steam, in presence of either air, not more than 35 wt.% of the dry ash-free coal, or oxygen, 1-25 wt.% of the dry ash-free coal, at a pressure above 25 stmos. absolute, temp. 400-850 deg. C; (e) removing unreacted steam and condensible copds. from the gas produced in step (d); and (f) removing acid gases from the high methane content gas mixt. obtd.    USE/ADVANTAGE -   The prod. gas (normally designated ''SNG'', substitute natural gas) can replace or be mixed with natural gas. The method, in which gasification and methanation are combined in a single step, is simpler and of lower fixed operating cost than prior processes, e.g. the Great Plains (U.S.A.) process and the Exxon process.
(JP95072147-B2)      Prepn. of methane (I) from methanol (II) comprises one step reaction in presence of catalyst contg. Co as major component.    One or more of Co metal, CoO or Co3O4 is used pref. as active component. These are prepared by pyrolysis of hydroxides or organic acid salt(s) of Co. Co (cpd.(s)) is mixed with suitable carrier, moulded and roasted at 300-800 deg.C to prepare catalyst.    (II) is fed to catalyst bed (usually fluid catalyst bed) with LHSV 0.1-3L/hr to convert (I) at 250-400 deg.C, pref. about 300 deg.C under 0.5-20 atmos.    ADVANTAGE -   (II) is converted to (I) more efficiently than prior arts under mild conditions. Catalytic activity is quite high, selective and steady, and (II) is converted to (I) near completaly for a long time.
(JP93035714-B)      Process comprises fermenting the sewage mixed with sawdust and rice hull (35-45 wt.%) with water in a fermenting tank and feeding air into the tank through its bottom at 35-40 deg.C. (J63021274-A)
(JP94099205-B2)      Appts. to quickly compost organic wastes comprises a horizontal treating tank to ferment the wastes, and air chambers formed at a lower half-tubular bottom of the tank. The bottom is made of stainless punched plates having many small holes.    USE -   For making compost from organic dirty sludges and cattle droppings.
(US5071462-A)      Prodn. of organic fertiliser comprises: (1) forming a mixt. of 40-80 wt.% of coral reef granular powder, 20-40 wt.% of domestic animal excrement and sewage disposal waste, and 5-15 wt.% of ground cellulose, (2) cultivating a bacillus mixt., including N-fixing bacillus, in the presence of organic and inorganic cpds. as a nutrient source (chlorella may be added), adjusting the pH to 5.5-7.5, (3) combining (1) and (2) and cultivating the mixts. under symbiosis conditions. Suitable bacilli are Azotobacter vinelandii and at least one of: Bacillus megaterum, Rhizobium leguminosarm, Candida utilis, Trichoderma virde and mixts. of these.    (21pp)    (US5093262-A)      Fertiliser is produced using plant comprising (A) steam/drums for sterilising raw material received from storage containers, (B) means to adjust the temp. of the sterilised material consisting of a refrigerator and a compressor to blow cold air into a temp. adjusting tank, (C) a vessel for mixing a bacillus containing liq. with the cooled material, (D) a storage tank for the mixt. from (C) and (in)organic salts, (E) a number of cultivating baths to cultivate continuously the mixt. from (D) and (F) storage tanks for the cultivated materials. Means are provided to move the material from stage to stage. The material in (F) is pref. dried.    ADVANTAGE -   A rational process using N-fixing bacilli to produce an organic fertiliser. A high quality fertiliser is produced very economically in a simple manner from readily available and cheap raw materials.    (21pp)    (JP95051469-B2)      Appts. comprises a vapour pressure kiln to heat and stabilise a raw material contg. cattle droppings, sewage sludge and celluloses, and temp. adjusting tank to cool the material heated in that tank.    USE -   For agricultural fields.
(JP95068072-B2)      Prepn. comprises mixing coral reef powder having particle size of 10-200 mesh, excrements of domestic animals, waste derived from disposal of sewage, cellulose powder, and organic or inorganic acid salt, inoculating into this mixt., nitrogen fixing bacteria such as Azotobacter Vinelandii and Rhizobium Leguminosarum, cellulose-decomposing Trichoderma Virde, Candida Utilis and Chlorella, and fermenting the mixt.    Pref. fermentation is conducted under aerobic conditions whilst supplying air. Fermentation pH is 5.5-7.5, pref. 6-7. Coral reef powder is porous, and contains as major component calcium carbonate. Fermentation temp. is 25-35 deg.C. As inorganic salt, ammonium sulphate, ammonia, calcium superphosphate, magnesium sulphate, potassium nitrate, etc. are used. Chlorella produces the carbohydrate which is used as nourishment for nitrogen fixing bacteria, and contains protein 40-50%, fat 10-30%, carbohydrate 10-25% and ash 6-10%. The fertiliser has the following features. (1) Prevention of soil oxidn. due to the action of coral reef. (2) Reinforcement of the soil activity due to nitrogen-fixing bacteria. (3) Adsorption to heavy metals due to the action of coral reef. (4) Affording the resistance to phytopathogenic fungi, to plants, by use of Trichoderma Virde.    ADVANTAGE -   The method can produce an organic fertiliser having large scale effect.
(JP93087477-B)      Stirrer comprises a speed variable motor coupled with rotary paddles and fermenting bed height control unit to set the rotation speed of the motor and output the set rotation speed to the motor.    USE -   For making composts. (J63017281-A)
(US4789655-A)      A mordenite and Gp. VIII metal contg. catalyst is obtd. by gas phase oxychlorination of a solid contg. at least one Gp. VIII metal supported by a mordenite in acid form.    The mordenite has a content of alkali and alkaline earth metal cations, in terms of Na wt. equiv., lower than 0.2 wt.% w.r.t. dry mordenite wt. and adsorbs molecules of kinematic dia. higher than 6.6 Angstroms having a mesh vol. V of the elementary mesh of 2.73-2.78 nm3 and a benzene adsorption capacity higher than 5 wt.%. The oxychlorination is conducted at 200-500 deg.C by feeding a gas mixt. contg. O2, 0.03-4 wt.% of water and Cl2 and/or at least 1 chlorinated cpd.    USE/ADVANTAGE -   The catalyst is used for isomerising a hydrocarbon cut of high n-paraffin content, giving an improvement in the conversion rate and in the octane no.
(US4765814-A)      Impure gas at elevated pressure is purified by nitrogen scrubbing and then mixing the purified stream with cooled pressurised nitrogen to give a mix in which nitrogen accumulates in the liquid phase. The method is improved by heating the liquid nitrogen phase, to produce evaporation, with both impure gas and another stream at a pressure lower than the scrubbing pressure. The nitrogen is then at least partly condensed by heat exchange with the mix before pumping to an elevated pressure. The temp. range across the cold end of the heat exchangers being 0.1-15(1-5) deg. C.    ADVANTAGE -   The system is esp. suitable for removing small amts. of impurities during the prod. of ammonia synthesis gas. Energy losses within the process are reduced.    (11pp)
(JP92046246-B)      Process to convert carbon monoxide (I) to methane (II) includes A (A first step reaction: Mixt. of (I)/hydrogen/steam 1/0.5-3/0.05-1.5(mol) is passed over catalyst composed of 5-50 wt. % of nickel, 1-10 wt. % one or more metal(s) selected from vanadium, lanthanum or manganese and 94-40 wt. % alumina at 600-700 deg. C under 1-10kg/sq.cm., and B (B) Second step reaction: Gas obtd. from first step reaction of which composition is adjusted to (I)/hydrogen/steam 1/0.5-3/0.05-1.5 (mol) is passed over catalyst composed of 10-50 wt. % nickel, 89-30 wt. % alumina and 1-20 wt. % one or more metal(s) selected from lanthanum, manganese or vanadium at 250-350 deg. C under 1-100 kg/sq.cm.    ADVANTAGE -   High calorie fuel gas contg. methane as major component is prepd. from carbon monoxide by simpler procedure than prior methods. Catalytic activity is kept high for a long time, (I) is converted into (II) in high and steady ratio. (J6300534-A
(DE3626921-C)      Compost is made and stored on a large scale by a revolving perforated drum which is charged at one end by a crusher with organic waste. At the discharge end, an endless belt conveyor can swing around a vertical axis in a semicircle on rollers at the discharge end. Ploughs on the belt discharge the compost for further maturing in semicircular dumps.    ADVANTAGE -   Simple method of building long dumps within a min. of floor space.    (5pp)
(DE3626903-C2)      An arrangement for producing compost from household and/or garden waste, etc., includes a rotatable drum with a mantle made of a plate with holes in it, a reducing mechanism and a rotting cell. The drum inner chamber has an advancing member which is connected to an outlet, and a filling and emptying container. The volume of the filling and emptying container volume is significantly less than that of the main drum.    ADVANTAGE -   The arrangement is simple and economical.
(DE3626902-C)      A drum to convert domestic and/or garden rubbish into compost is a perforated horizontal cylinder above a funnel to collect the underflow. A reversible belt conveyor at the bottom can taken the material either to a compost dump or to an elevator wheel which can also be charged from a shredder and feeds a charging screw conveyor.    ADVANTAGE -   This is a simple and compact design in spite of the integrated shredder. It has a high capacity and permits a compost discharge to suit the requirements.    (9pp)
(US5026952-A)      Process for sepg C (2+) or C(3+) or C4 hydrocarbons from a gaseous mixt contg these components and lower boiling constits ie H, comprises; i) cooling and partially condensing the gaseous mixt so only a small portion of C(2+), C(3+), C4 hydrocarbons are condensed; 2) delivering partially condensed mixt to a lower fractionating column zone; 3) withdrawing a gaseous fraction from an upper fractionating column zone; 4) cooling and condensing the gaseous fraction in a heat exchanger allowing the resultant condensed proportion to be introduced as a return flow to the upper fractionating column zone and the uncondensed portion to be subjected to engine expansion and heated by the heat exchanger; 5) recovery of C(2+), C(3+) pr C4 hydrocarbons from the lower fractionating column zone as prod steam.    USE/ADVANTAGE -   For sepn of C2+), C(3+) or C4 hydrocarbons from a gaseous mixt in a simple high yield, high yield manner. It is advantageous for covering the demand for cold of the process
(DE3624761-C)      A compost bin for manure and other organic waste has a grated bottom and four corner posts designed as hydraulic power cylinders. A hand pump mounted on one side can be operated to lift the side walls enough to extract the layer at the very bottom of the bin. The grating too can be reciprocated manually by a long lever hinged to one side wall.    ADVANTAGE -   This makes the conversion to compost more uniform and reduces the effect on the environment (smell, air contamination) to a min.    (9pp)
(US4762593-A)      Vacuum distn. appts., comprises boiling chamber from which vapour from boiling raw liq. passes to the primary stage of a two-stage condensing system, from the final stage of which cooled distillate is recycled to the primary stage to condense vapours from the boiling chamber. The primary stage has a bubble tube feeding down into a collection chamber, from which vapour passes to the final stage along with gas-free distillate.    USE -   Water purificn., industrial solvents recovery, mfg. tractor-grade alcohol fuel as agricultural by-prods..
(US4849360-A)      An organic cpd. contaminating a mass of particulate solids is aerobically biodegraded in a contaminating vessel having sides and a bottom impervious to water and the contaminating organic cpd., a lid excluding liqs. and solids and at least 2 superposed, virtually horizontal treatment layers, whose thickness allows ready diffusion of an O2 contg. gas. Each layer contains 2-90% of field saturation water and sufficient P and N to maintain the biodegrading microorganisms present in the layers. O2 contg. gas is diffused into the layers. The mass is soil and the contaminating cpd. is a petroleum product. The container is a pit dug out of the earth and lined with a flexible, impervious material. The lid is black top paving. A wind turbine supplies the O2 contg. gas.    USE/ADVANTAGE -   Esp. in paved areas, the soils are effectively contained and efficiently biodegraded without contaminating groundwater and aquefiers.    (7pp)
(DE3631170-C)      Waste with a high content of organic material is fermented in a closed container where the amt. of air passing through or leaving the container is regulated by the temp. in the waste and fermentation is ended after the decomposition of the easily fermented substances. The air leaving the container is biologically purified.    USE/ADVANTAGE -   The end prod. has a low moisture content and is useful as compost.    (3pp)    (EP255467-B1)      A method for fermenting residues having a high content of organic constituents under aerobic conditions in at least one container, characterised in that the fermentation takes place in a plurality of sealed mobile containers which are connected to a central air supply and removal means, and that the fermentation is stopped within a rotting period of 2 to 20 days after the decomposition of the readily fermentable constituents, which period is determined using the curve of the rotting temperature.
(DE3625073-C2)      The NOx content in waste gases, produced by combustion of waste admixed with coal, is reduced by (A) using liq. manure as waste and feeding in lime during combustion to neutralise SO2 and other smelly substances produced and at the same time (B) producing a pre-coat layer on a fabric filter downstream to the combustion plant with the lime and combustion ash.    The amt. of liq. manure is pref. at least 5% of the fuel consumed. The combustion plant comprises a fluidised bed.    ADVANTAGE -   Liq. manure can be disposed in an economically sensible manner.
(DE3624234-C)      Prodn. of a powdered compost comprises disintegration of domestic and commercial refuse; removal of iron objects; sieving (particle size up to 60mm); dispersion with waste sludge (water content up to 75 wt.%), liquid manure, waste straw and other farm waste and/or cellolosic materials, such that the water content of the mixt. is about 55-65 wt.%; moulding; composting for 3-4 weeks in upright, adjacent containers; and sieving to remove hard residues.    USE -   The process provides a valuable fertiliser with simultaneous disposal of waste materials.    (4pp)
(EP274502-B)      Process for the improvement and preservation of the natural quality of soils and of the growth of plants characterised in that the soils and/or plants are supplied with a wet fermentation sludge from the spontaneous fermentation of sauerteig bread in water, said sludge containing active lactic acid bacteria and being obtained without an intermediate drying step.    (5pp)
(JP94060072-B2)      Method comprises (a) coating nitrogen-contg. organic cpd. with material for adjusting water content, (b) coating adsorption material onto the surface, and (c) fermenting resultant.    The nitrogen-contg. organic substance includes various kinds of waste liq., slurry, etc. The water-content adjusting material includes clinker ash. The adsorption material includes zeolite and is used in amt. 10 to 50 pts. wt. per 100 pts. wt. organic substance.    ADVANTAGE -   Compost is prepared without using expensive water content-adjusting material.
(US4919763-A)      An appts. for converting sewage-sludge filter cakes to coke by pyrolysis comprises a comminuter, a preliminary evaporating device, a residual evaporation device and a coke converting device, the latter two being one unit. Each of the modules have walls defining a central heat transfer tube chamber connected directly to a transfer chamber, an upper feed chamber and a lower delivery chamber.    A number of first tubes and second tubes are mounted to extend through the tube chamber; the first tubes connecting to the transfer chamber and the feed chamber while the second tubes connect the transfer chamber and the lower delivery chamber.    A coreless screw conveyor mounts in each of the first tubes for delivering material from the feed to the transfer chamber. A second coreless screw conveyor mounts in each of the second tubes to deliver material from the transfer to the delivery chamber. Heat transfer medium flows between the two sides of tubes.    ADVANTAGE -   Lump formation of sludge is avoided. @(13pp Dwg.No.0/10)
(JP94045034-B2)      Liq. in the acid producing reactor and/or processed water from it are returned to it in amt. of 1/2 to 50 times of waste liq. supplied to the reactor, and mixed with the supplied liq., while it is contacted with air or inert gas, with pH adjusted.    ADVANTAGE -   PH in the reactor can be adjusted rapidly and correctly using a very small quantity of alkali. Methane can be fermented effectively.
(JP95025546-B2)      ZrO2 type solid acid substance has a strong acid point with acid strength (Ho) of less than -8.2 and has formula ZrO2 ZFmS (Z and m are wt.% of F and S against the wt. of ZrO2 respectively Z is 0.1 - 10,m is 0.01-5).    USE/ADVANTAGE -   The solid acid (ZrO2zFmS) has very high acid strength. Its super strong acid point is not easily decomposed even when contacted with water, and it has a wide temp range for catalytic use. When 5-10C paraffin contg. hydrocarbons are reacted in the presence of the solid acid, lower aliphatic hydrocarbon contg. 3-4C paraffins as main components are obtd. in high yields.
(US4883753-A)      CH4 is produced in high yield by cultivating thermophilic methanogenic bacteria having the same physiological growth properties as Methanobacteria thermoautotrophicum on a culture medium contg. a N-source and assimilable salts. Process comprises using a forced supply of gaseous H2/CO2 mixt. having gas transfer velocity of 50l or more H2/CO2 per l per hr.    Pref. gas transfer velocity is 60l per l or more. Medium is stirred at 300-1200 rpm per hr.    USE/ADVANTAGE -   Process is continuous.
(EP253702-B1)      Apparatus for the treatment of refuse, in particular household waste, of the type comprising a fermentation cylinder (101) having a substantially horizontal axis of rotation in which the load of refuse can vary along its length, and a plurality of support devices (106, 108) spaced apart along the axis of said cylinder, and each comprising means for controlling the support pressure (824, 834), characterised in that means for measuring the load of the cylinder (184) is provided at the position of each support device, (106, 108) and in that the means for controlling the pressure of this support device is actuated as a function of the indication of said measurement device.
(DE3621313-C)      Contaminated material with heavy organic contamination is degraded microbiologically by first establishing the activity of microorganisms present in the material and suitable for carrying out the degradation of the organic contaminants and then dosing the surface of the contaminated material repeatedly with mineral fertiliser and mineral oxygen carriers in a liquid suitable to percolate the minerals into the contaminated material.    The initial dose is 1-2 tons per hectare of mineral fertiliser and this is later raised in accordance with the degree of established microbiological activity generated up to a total amount of mineral fertilizer of 1-5 tons per ton or organic contaminated material.    USE/ADVANTAGE -   Earth contaminated by chlorohydrocarbons is treated without introducing foreign bacteria or using hydraulic methods.    (9pp)
(JP2548720-B2)      Carbothermic redn. of SiO2 to Si is carried out in a closed furnace at (super-)atmos. pressure by: recovering molten Si from the furnace; contacting Si-contg. furnace off-gases with a coolant gas to condense them; and recovering entrained Si-contg. solids. The coolant is either a vaporising liquefied hydrocarbon gas or a compressed hydrocarbon gas which is expanded to facilitate cooling. Pref. coolant is natural gas, (m)ethane, propane or butane, or a mixt. of these; (propane and natural gas). The proportions of coolant and off-gas are combined so that the resulting stream contg. solidified Si-contg. material is below 400 deg. C, (about 200 deg. C or less). Processes in which the remaining gas stream is then used as a chemical intermediate or as a fuel are claimed; in a pref. process, the gas is converted to methanol, pref. by contact with a solid catalyst of ZnO/Cu plus a minor amt. of stabilising oxide, so that the CO and H2 components are converted.    ADVANTAGE -   Si is recovered from the off-gases in an efficient manner; and the remaining gas stream is used as a chemical intermediate or as a fuel.
(JP92038732-B)      Prepn. of hydrocarbon (I) contg. 2 or more C atoms comprises treating methane (II), with catalyst contg. at least one metal of calcium, barium and strontium, in presence of oxygen.    Catalyst is pref. one or more cpds. of barium carbonate, strontium carbonate, barium oxide, strontium oxide or calcium oxide. Alkali metal cpd(s). e.g., lithium carbonate, may be added to catalyst, in molar ratio to catalyst of 0.001-0.5, to improve selectivity of ethylene and/or ethane. Catalyst is roasted at 300-900 deg.C in air before use. Reaction temp. is pref. 500-1000 deg.C, pressure is 0.1-100 kg/sq.cmG. Molar ratio of (II)/oxygen is pref. 0.1-100, and SV of (II) is 30-40 x 10 power(4) per hr..    ADVANTAGE -   (I), esp. ethylene and ethane, is prepd. from (II) using catalyst more efficiently than in prior art.    In an example, barium carbonate was roasted at 500 deg.C for 1 hr. and at 800 deg.C for 2 hrs., then crushed to prepare catalyst. Catalyst (2g) was packed into quartz pipe to prepare catalyst bed. at 800 deg.C, (II) (1.5 ml/min.)-air (3.75 ml/min.)-He (50 ml/min.) (1 atm.) was fed to catalyst bed. Yield of ethylene was 12.3%, selectivity of ethylene was 32.7%. (J62267243-A)
(JP95024839-B2)      Gas generated in methane fermentation tank is sepd. in a device having high polymer membrane into gas able to permeate the membrane and gas unable to permeate the membrane. Both kinds of gas are introduced to 3-way cock which is actuated by a controller connected to pH-sensor to introduce either kind of the gas to the fermentation tank.    ADVANTAGE -   Since supply of gas into the fermentation tank is controlled based on pH of the gas in the tank, a supply of water for washing the gas is not necessary to reduce running cost. Further, pH value of the gas can be lowered in this system.
(US4783263-A)      Toxic or hazardous substances are removed from soils, sludges, sediments, clays, streams etc. by a method in which the contaminated material is collected and converted into a slurry, which is exposed to the action of a froth flotation cell. The resulting concentrate of the undesirable substances is then disposed. A surfactant may be added to the slurry to desorb the toxic substance from the solid material and put it in the liq. phase of the slurry. A second agent can then be added to the slurry in the froth flotation cell, to concentrate the toxic substance in the froth.    ADVANTAGE -   Easily scaled up or down, using equipment which can be transported to contamination site.
(EP250617-B)      A device for moving waste on a compost field, in which waste is unloaded at the entry side and is continuously moved until it reaches the exit side of the compost field, comprising a bridge which can be driven on rails and a travelling trolley which can be driven along the bridge and which supports at least one digging and conveying wheel and a conveyor belt, characterised in that two digging and conveying wheels are arranged coaxially and spaced apart and comprise outlet openings facing one another in the axial direction, in that a conveyor belt engages in the region between the two digging and conveying wheels and in that both the digging and conveying wheels and the conveyor belt are mounted in a height-adjustable manner on the travelling trolley which is displaceable along the bridge.    (10pp)
(US5009697-A)      Prepn of (A) a liq peat extract and (B) a solid peat residue (each free from biologically-undesirable concns of metal elements and cpds) comprises subjecting particles of high-moor, low-decomposed sphagnum-type peat (I) to a relatively mild acid hydrolyzation reaction under sterile controlled conditions at superatmospheric pressure (198.5 KPa) at temps above the bpt of water up to 130 deg C (121 deg C) for 1-2 hrs in an inert container, to yield a reacted medium contg (A) throughout which (B) is dispersed; the pH of the medium is adjusted to neutral, the neutralised medium is removed from the container, then pressed and filtered to recover (A) and (B).    USE -   (A) is a fertiliser - the fertiliser effect can be enhanced by culturing Scytalidium acidophilum in it, to produce hormone like substances to stimulate plant growth; (B) can be used as fuel or as raw material, eg prodn of coke for the steel industry. @(7pp)