(JP5507353-W)      Appts. comprises container contg. primarily high purity liq. heavy water and an electrolyte contg. Li6OD in the liq.. Electrically insulated electrode is immersed in the heavy water. Electrically insulated electrode is immersed in liq. and spaced apart from the first electrode. Alternating voltage source is connected between the electrode and electrode to supply an alternating voltage between the two electrodes. This causes the deuterium ions to alternatingly move from electrode to electrode. Accumulator is immersed in liq. between electrodes to intercept a fraction of the deuterons and lithons during each pass through the accumulator, as both ions move alternatingly between electrode and electrode.    USE/ADVANTAGE -   Prodn. of energy throug accumulation of deuterons and lithons. Suppresses the tendency of electron pick up by deuterium and lithium ions as they approach the accumulator. Suppresses the prodn. of unwated deuterium and oxygen gas which consumes energy and creates bubbles that disrupt ion flow. Surface area is greatlyincreased to increase the rate of fusion.
(JP5508002-W)      Solar heat roof collector has a translucent and insulating cover plate and an absorber plate in direct contact with a channelled heat exchange plate. The cross-section of the channels, roof inclination, surface nature of the heat exchange plate in the channels and the supply rate of the heat carrying medium are adapted to provide a stable flow rate below the rate at which the medium surface tension is broken.    Pref. the absorber is of black coated Al. Pref. the cover plate is of polycarbonate.    ADVANTAGE -   The medium flows in a winding and travelling pattern and up to the side walls of the channels whilst the absorber plate prevents medium vapour from reaching the cover.    (US5460164-A)      Heat is removed from a solar heat collecting roof with a translucent insulating top cover plate system by flowing liquid down the roof in channels formed by corrugations of a heat-exchange plate covered (2) by a contacting absorber plate (1) under the top system. The stable downflow rate of the liquid is below that surface tension is overcome to impart a winding and travelling flow pattern (3) extending up the channel sides (4). Liquid flow rate is pref. 0.1-1 litre/min. for each channel. A solar heat collector is claimed, in which the cover plate is of polycarbonate, extruded complete with fixing profiles, the absorber plate is black-coated aluminium and the exchange plate is of anodised or painted aluminium.    ADVANTAGE -   Provides a more stable flow having closer contact with the absorber plate to increase efficiency.
(JP2814655-B2)      Gas diffusion electrode comprises a reaction layer contg. a catalyst laminated on a hydrophobic, porous, gas transmission layer having a collector. PbO2 is used as catalyst.    USE/ADVANTAGE -   Treatment of waste water contg. organic material (claimed). The electrode is easy to produce at lower cost compared with Pt electrode. The catalyst is not easily poisoned.    In an example, a 32 mesh Cu net was used as a collector for an electrode. The hydrophobic porous gas transmission layer (RFT) was prepd. by coating 0.5 g of 40 wt.% PTFE and 60 wt.% hydrophobic acetylene black on the collector, forming a 0.5 mm layer. A reactor layer (RFR) on the RFT was prepd. by coating mix of 0.3 g of equal wts. of PbO2 powder contg. 20 wt.% PTFE and hydrophobic acetylene black contg. 30 wt.% PTFE, forming a layer 0.5 mm thick. The electrode was moulded at 300 deg.C under 600 kg/sq.cm pressure. An electrolysis device of cycle fluid type was prepd. with the electrode as an anode and stainless steel plate as a cathode. A fluid contg. 100 mg/l phenol cycled at rate of 1/min. was electrolysed, as the result concn. of the phenol was reduced to 0.2 mg/l at 90th minute.
(JP2765160-B2)      Tube comprises the fluorescent screen formed of luminescent elements of minute dots or of minute width stripes which consist kind(s) of fluorescent materials and luminesce respectively in one of the three prim. colours. Colour luminescence elements are made to have same duration of persistence of each.    USE/ADVANTAGE -   Colour cathode-ray tube is used for the television receiver of inofrmation processor. Fidelity of reproduction of colour signals is improved.    In an example, for green fluorescent material, P1(Zn2SiO4:Mn) (100%) or mixt. of P32(ZnS:Cu) (60 wt.%) and P39(Zn2SiO4:Mn,As) (40 wt.%) were pref. used. For blue fluorescent material, mixt. of ZnS:Ag,Ga (80 wt.%) and P22B(ZnS:Ag) (20wt.%) are pref. For red fluorescent material, mixt. of P27(Zn3(PO4)2:Mn) (30 wt.%) and P22R(Y2O2:Eu) (70 wt.%) were pref. used. Duration of persistence of each material was made to 30 minutes even.
(JP93087946-B)      Sheet comprises, at least, an epoxide resin surface layer or compsn. surface layer composed of a polypropylene chloride contg. anhydrous maleic acid structure or a mixt. of this chloride with diglycidyl ether.    USE -   For thin film type cells. (J03230477-A)
(US5262246-A)      A portion of a material is covered by a shield with resistance to degradation by atomic oxygen comprising a substd. para-methoxy polystyrene of formula (I) where M is Si, Ge, Sn or Pb and n is 60 or more.    Pref. the shield is a copolymer of (I) and another element. It has a thickness of 0.1-100 microns (pref. 10 microns) and loses about 1% of this thickness when exposed to O atoms for 1 hour at a density of 10 power(14-15) atoms per cm2 at 0.4 torr.    Also claimed is prodn. of the shield.    USE/ADVANTAGE -   For use in spacecraft parts such as wires and panels to prevent degradation over long periods of time.
(JP2773349-B2)      The most outer layer of a strand is an Sn-plated wire. The inner strand has at least one non-Sn-plate bare wire. The strands are hoisted and Sn is coated on the twisted wire.    USE/ADVANTAGE -   Used in wiring cables, medical cables, or robot cables. The wire has flexibility and no looseness.
(US5132176-A)      Electric storage battery comprises a container and a cover, the container and cover having a plurality of walls for enclosing the electrolyte (I) and other electrochemical components (II) of the battery. (II) comprise positive plates including lead dioxide (Pb02) and negative plates including lead (Pb). (I) includes sulphuric acid. The battery further comprises a state of charge indicating device (III) for monitoring the acid concn. of (I) during the charge and discharge cycles of the battery (III) comprises a porous solid support, at least one dye and an acid carried by the support. The dye is sensitive to the acid carried by the support and exhibits a first colour in accordance with a first acid concn. and a second colour in accordance with a second acid concn. The acid carried by the support exhibits a change in concn. corresp. to a change in the acid concn. of (I) by an exchange of water. The dye exhibits a change in colour in accordance with the change in the concn. of the acid carried by the support, as the acid concn. of (I) changes due to a change in the charge of the battery. (III) further comprises means in one of the walls for viewing the colour of the dye from the exterior of the battery.    ADVANTAGE -   The battery can be easily monitored when warehoused and, once in use, can be monitored without separate testing appts. or an external power source.
(JP4213326-A)      Polyimide type cpd. contg. carbazole skeleton in the repeat unit, pref. gp. of formula (I) is new. In (I) R1 = 5-13C tetravalent organic gp., pref. 5-13C tetravalent cyclic hydrocarbon, esp., gp. of formula (II), (III), (IV) or (V).    Prepn. of polymide type cpd. comprises dehydration-ring-closing reaction of a polymer cpd. which has repeat unit of formula (VI); In (VI), R2 = 5-13C divalent organic gp.    USE/ADVANTAGE -   For an organic film and organic photoconductive element which can be used for a photoconductive transfer device, e.g., solar battery or photosensor. The polyimide type cpd. has good photoconductive properties, thermoresistance and processing properties.    (US5158619-A)      A photoconductive device comprises an organic film comprising a polymer having a carbazole skeleton and an imide linkage in a repeating unit, between a pair of electrodes.    Pref. the polymer is of general formula (I), (where R1 = 5-13C tetravalent organic gp). Pref. at least one electrode of the pair of electrodes is light transmissive, and one of the pair is a transparent electrode.    USE/ADVANTAGE -   The photoconductive polyimides have satisfactory heat resistance and workability and are useful as photoelectro-transducing devices such as solar cells or photosensors.
(US5118491-A)      Process comprises (a) preparing a mixt. comprising (i) an aq. soln. of Zr and Y carboxylates, (ii) an organic solvent from 1-3C aliphatic nitriles and 8-11C aliphatic alcohols, and (iii) a nonionic surfactant, (b) adjusting the mixt. pH to 5-7 at about room temp. to ppte. solid colloidal particles, and (c) calcining the pptd. particles at 900-1400 deg. C to directly convert the particles from an amorphous state into a cubic crystal form.    The obtd. Zr/Y oxide particles are spherical, 0.1-2 microns in size, with an average size below 1 micron. The carboxylates are pref. acetates.    ADVANTAGE -   Used as a solid electrolyte in fuel-flow cells. The particles are fine, with excellent reproducible, constant, morphological properties.
(US5248572-A)      Layered-type Mn dry battery comprises unit cells stacked one above another to form a cell stack. Each unit cell comprises an anode compsn. formed in a pellet shape, comprising MnO2, conductive material and electrolyte; a cup-like separator and a Zn-C bonded electrode made of a conductive C coat integrally bonded to a flat Zn cathode facing the anode compsn. The Zn-C bonded electrode comprises protrusions on the surface of the conductive C coat which have a height of 0.05-0.15 mm pref. 0.1-0.3 mm.    ADVANTAGE -   The protrusions stick into the positive electrode compsn., which serves to reduce the contact resistance with the compsn., easing maintenance of the low contact resistance. Since the contact area with the positive electrode compsn. facing the coat is increased, the current collecting performance is also improved.
(JP4506726-W)      Battery cell including a solid electrolyte is mfd. by dispersing in the electrolyte a first material so that there is a zero concn. of the material in the vicinity of a second material in the cell with which it would react.    Pref. the first material is ethylene carbonate and propylene carbonate (EC/PC) which contains moisture; and the second material is Li(alloy) cathode material.    ADVANTAGE -   Moisture in the EC/PC mixt. dispersed in the solid electrolyte is prevented from contacting and deteriorating the Li(alloy) electrode, so that separate drying steps, in which the EC/PC might also be driven off, are not required    (US5401597-A)      Mfg. a battery having at least one electrochemical cell comprising negative electrode, a positive electrode and a solid electrolyte of polyethylene oxide between the electrodes, comprises dispersing a Li salt in the solid electrolyte, and dispersing propylene carbonate and ethylene carbonate in the electrolyte at a distance from the negative electrode, the propylene carbonate and ethylene carbonate being contaminated with water, the negative electrode being reactive with the water in the carbonates and being spaced from the carbonates by a portion of the solid electrolyte free from propylene carbonate and ethylene carbonate.    ADVANTAGE -   Problems of hygroscopicity of the contg. chemicals in the battery is eliminated, and mfg. costs are kept low.
(WO9220111-A1)      A rechargeable electrochemical cell giving recombination of evolved O2, comprises metal oxide cathode, metal anodic material and current collector (24), separator (16) and a contacting electrolyte in which cell O2 may evolve on charge, overcharge or polarity reversal. There is transfer anode material which is porous, wetted by electrolyte, in electronic and ionic contact with the anodic material and contg. a catalyst which accelerates anodic consumption of material gas. The transfer anode and current collector are in intimate physical contact and O2 evolved within the cell is recombined.    Pref. the anodic material is a metal hydride or Zn. Pref. the current collector is a rectnagular plate to which the anode and transfer anode materials are intimately bonded with PTFE. Pref. the catalyst is of particles or powder of graphite, Cu, Cd, Ag, Ni or Zn particles plated with one of these metals, pref. it is gelled Zn anode material mixed with graphite or metal-plated Zn particles.    USE/ADVANTAGE -   A rechargeable electrochemical cell is provided in which any evolved O2 catalytically recombines with the anode. This avoids the loss of water and reduces pressure build-up in the cell and is esp. useful in sealed rechargeable alkaline cells such as Zn/MnO2/KOH. The cell is economic and effective.
(JP2564193-B2)      Ion source is equipped with a hole for extracting ion beam and to which gas for generating plasma is introduced, a device for forming in plasma chamber a zone of electron cyclotron resonance magnetic field, and tubes outside the plasma chamber for generating microwave.    ADVANTAGE -   Ion beam having large dia. is obtd. uniformly.
(JP95058611-B2)      Ion source is equipped with a hole for extracting ion beam and to which gas for generating plasma is introduced, a device for forming in plasma chamber a zone of electron cyclotron resonance magnetic field, and tubes outside the plasma chamber for generating microwave.    ADVANTAGE -   Ion beam having large dia. is obtd. uniformly.
(JP2632224-B2)      Solid electrolyte has a matrix obtd. by vinyl-polymerisation of (1) polyfunctional monomer of formula (I) and opt. polyfunctional monomer (II) and/or mono-functional monomer(s) of formula (III)-(V) which are contained in a porous film. The polymer is treated in (1) polar neutral solvent, with (ii) salt of metal ion belonging to Ia or IIa of periodic table.    X and Y = -O-, or -NR7-; R7 = H or alkyl; R = H, alkyl, chlorine, or cyano; R2 and R4 = lower alkylene; L = binding radical with -valency z; z = 2 or more; q = 1-30; l1 and l2 = 0 or 1. R3 = H, alkyl, alkenyl, aryl, aralkyl, -COR6 or -SO2; R6 = alkyl, alkenyl, aryl or aralkyl; R12 = H, lower alkyl or lower alkoxy; A1-A3 = O or S; L2 = di-valent binding radical; r = 0 or 1; R22 and R23 = H, lower alkyl or lower alkoxy; s = 0 or 1.    The porous film is pref. polyolefin and solvent is one or more of carbonates, lactones, cyclic ethers, cyclic diethers, ethers, glycols, nitriles, esters, amides, nitromethanes, thionylchloride or sulpholane.    USE/ADVANTAGE -   The solid electrolyte is useful for battery or electrochemical devices.
(JP2572897-B2)      A method of forming a solid polymeric electrolyte comprising a network contg. an ionically conducting liq. for use in solid state electrochemical cells is claimed comprising: a) mixing a crosslinkable polysiloxane (I) or crosslinkable polyethylene oxide, an ionically conducting liq. (II) and an ionizable ammonium or alkali metal salt (III); and b) irradiating this mixt. with actinic light to crosslink (I) to form a solid matrix through which (II) interpenetrates to provide continuous paths of high conductivity in all directions through the matrix. Pref. the mixt. also includes a crosslinkable polyethylenically unsatd. cpd. (IV). Opt. it may include a radiation curable comonomer (V).    Pref. the mixt. contains at least 45 (partic. at least 70) wt.% (II). Pref. (I) is a polyethylene oxide grafted polysiloxane. Pref. (II) is selected from polyethylene glycol dimethyl ether, propylene carbonate, gamma-butyrolactone, 1,3-dioxolane, 2-methyl-tetrahydrofuran, tetraglyme, hexaglyme, heptaglyme and polyethylene oxide grafted polysiloxane. Pref. (III) is selected from Li, Na, K and ammonium cpds. of I, Br, SCN, ClO4, CFSO3, BF4, PF6, AsF6 and CF3COO. It is partic. LiCF3SO3. Pref. (IV) includes a repeating unit selected from -CH2C(R')H-O-, CH2CH2NR'- or -CH2-NR'-CH2- and is partic. selected from polyethylene glycol diacrylate, polyethylene glycol dimethacrylate, and acrylate functionalised polyurethane, or polyethylene glycol diglycidyl ether. Pref. (V) is selected from trimethylol-propane triacrylate, trimethylol-propane ethoxylated triacrylate or trimethylol-propane propoxy triacrylate.    USE -   The method can also be used to mfr. anode and cathode half-elements.
(JP2788513-B2)      Glassy C micro powder (A), has mean dia. and specific surface area of more than 1 micron and more than 200 m2/gm respectively. Mfg. method is also claimed.    Pref (A) is made by sintering and pulverising or pulverising and sintering foamed thermosetting resin (B) in non-oxidising atmos. (B) Is made by mixing C filler with the thermosetting resin and volatile foaming agent.    USE/ADVANTAGE -   For structural material of electric cell, catalyst carrier, capacitor, and absorbent of gases. This prod. has large specific surface area without the activation process in the case of conventional prods. so that it can be produced with lower cost than conventional prods. Ifthis prod were activated with steam or halogen gas it would have far larger specific surface area than conventional prods. Starch, cellulose resin, PAN fibre, or powder of polyethylene can be used instead of C filler.
(JP2504851-B2)      The electrode is composed of the high polymer cpd converted to linear high polymer in vertical direction (direction of b axis) to the ring through the centre metal phthalocyanines having polyvalent metal element in its centre.    The centre metal element of the phthalocyanine is bonded with thee oxygen gp element. The centre metal of phthalocyanines comprises Ga, Ge, r Si.    USE/ADVANTAGE -   The electrode is used for the prim and sec cells and capacitor. Charge-discharge characteristic of the sec cell is improved.    In an example, polyphthalocyanine electrode:phthalocyanine iron difluoride was heated at 200 deg C for 18 hrs in vacuum to obtain 140 mg of polyphthalocyanine powder. The powder was mixed with 50 mg of acetylene black, and 10 mg of binder of PTFE (PJ-60 made by Mitsui Fluorochemical KK). 100 mg of the mixt was made to a disk of 18 mm in dia. The disk was used for the anode of a coin type cell.
(US5185223-A)      Nickel-cadmium storage battery comprises an active material with which a negative electrode is filler, and an electrolyte contg. polyvinyl-pyrrolidone of MW 5000-35,000 g per mol. as an expander in amt. 0.1-0.8% w.r.t. active cadmium material.    Battery opt. includes 0.5-4 mol.% of 1 or more oxide and/or hydroxide of Ni, Mg and/or Ti w.r.t. active material.    ADVANTAGE -   Has improved charge acceptance with low dosage of added polyvinylpyrrolidone.    (JP94065034-B2)      Nickel-cadmium accumulator has cathode filled or added to the electrolyte as expander with a polyvinyl pyrrolidone with an average mol. wt. of 5000-35000 g/mol in an amt. of 0.1-0.8 wt% based on the active cadmium material.    ADVANTAGE -   The accumulator has improved electrical properties, is easily charged and has high use of the active cadmium material.
(JP95095403-B2)      Thin film comprises a composite film of a polymer film prepd. by using an associated bimolecular prod. of synthetic lipid and a metallic salt.    The thin film is prepd. by forming a dispersion of a synthetic lipid having activity for forming associated bimolecular film and a polymerisable monomer and/or polymer, dispersing the dispersion in water or adding a dispersion of the associated bimolecular prod. in water with the polymerisable monomer and/or polymer, developing the aq. dispersion on a base plate, evaporating the solvlent, polymerising the polymerisable monomer and/or crosslinking the polymer, extracting the synthetic lipid and treating the laminated film with a metallic salt.    USE/ADVANTAGE -   The process promotes the crosslinking to the direction in parallel to the film surface to provide thin, soft, strong and self-standing film. The film is used as a low resistant electrolyte for super-thin cells, electrochromic elements, etc.
CRT panel comprises a glass substrate, and an optical multi-layer film formed on the surface of the glass substrate. The outermost surface of the multilayer film has a pattern coating comprising continuous linear translucent conductor in strips or network form, and transparent conductor formed at the portion where the transparent conductor is not formed.
(JP2637565-B2)      When joining film of high polymer electrolyte to electrode the film is held to electrode and inserted into enclosed space. The film is joined to the electrode by hot pressure, and water is supplied to the space.    ADVANTAGE -   Since film is joined to electrode in swelled condition improved joining is achieved, and resistance of the film is reduced and can be used as stabilised cell.
(US5053293-A)      Prodn. of a photoelectrochemical cell comprises forming a layer of anion-doped poly (6 or more C alkyl-substd. thiophene) on one surface of a semiconductor, mounting a solid electrolyte between this layer and an adjacent electroconducting surface of a transparent electrode, (e.g. In-Sn oxide on glass), and linking a connector to the other side of the semiconductor.    USE -   On exposure to irradiation from a halogen lamp, the prods. give stable and durable e.m.f.'s (e.g. about 271 or 284 mV) and small short-circuit current densities (e.g. 0.017 and 0.164 mA/cm2), and are suitable for the continuous conversion of solar energy into electrical power. @(5pp)    (JP93082036-B)      A semiconductor is covered with a thin film of a noble metal, e.g., Au, Ag, etc. then with a soln. of a doped long chain alkylthiophene polymer to form a doped long-chain alkyl thiophene polymer thin film by removing the solvent of the soln. of the doped long chain alkylthiophene polymer and a solid electrolyte, e.g., as polyethylene oxide, polypropylene oxide, polethylene imine, polyethylene succinate, etc. is interposed between the semiconductor and a transparent electrode, e.g., ITO (indium-tin oxide). Long-chain alkylthiophene polymer is, e.g., thiophene polymers with an allyl substitution, e.g., 3-hexyl, 3-octyl, 3-dodecyl, 3-octadecyl, etc. having 6 or more carbons, obtd. by electrolytic or chemical polymerisation. The semiconductor is, e.g., single or polycrystal or amorphous type Si, Ga, GaAs, InP, CdTe, etc.    USE/ADVANTAGE -   The photoelectrochemical cell is used for conversion of solar energy into electrical energy, has highly stable characteristics and is safely used for long periods. (J63078978-A)
(JP95086157-B2)      Compsn consists of butyl-, chlorobutyl- or bromobutyl polymer.    Pref the anti-hypochlorous acid rubber compsn contains a filler comprised at least one of aluminium silicate and magnesium silicate and a vulcanising agent of metal series. Pref. the rubber compsn. is, e.g. butyl rubber (IIR), chlorobutyl rubber (CIIIR) or bromobutyl rubber (BrIIR). The loading of the filler is 60-120 pts.wt. to 100 pts.wt. of the rubber compsn. The vulcanising agent of metal series is, e.g. zinc oxide (3-7 pts.wt.) or a dithiocarbamate cpd. (0.5-2 pts.wt.) of formula (I) or (II).    USE/ADVANTAGE -   It is used as hoses and packings of solar calorifier which are affected by chlorine in the water. It has a high resistance to hypochlorous acid. @(3pp Dwg.No.O/O)@
(JP2711570-B2)      A polyolefin compsn. consisting of (a) 55-99 wt.% of a polypropylene with a melt flow index of less than 0.7 g./10 min. (b) 5-45 wt.% of a polyethylene with a melt index of less than 0.2 g/10 min. and (c) 2-15 wt.% of an ethylene-alpha-olefin copolymer with an ethylene content of 20-90 wt.%, a Mooney viscosity of 60-100 and a melt index of less than 1.0 g/10 min., and having a melt index of less than 0.3 g/10 min.    The polypropylene is, preferably, crystalline polypropylene (PP). The polyethylene is, e.g. high density polyethylene (HDPE) or low density polyethylene (LDPE). The ethylene-alpha-olefin copolymer is, e.g., ethylene-propylene rubber (EPR).    USE/ADVANTAGE -   It is used as an automobile exterior part, bumper and heat collecting board of solar calorifier. It has good anti-drawdown properties, especially, for a big blow moulding, surface qualities and high mechanical strength.
(JP2779214-B2)      Wire material is coated by delivering wire material from the centre of an extruding die for the hollow material of a ceramics material, simultaneously extruding the hollow material of a ceramic material from die synchronously with delivery of the wire material, to form a coating layer of the ceramics material on the periphery of the wire material, forming grooves on the outer periphery of the coating layer, followed by forming bead-like ceramics coating on the wire material by firing the groove formed Wirg mlgril.    USE -   For applying insulating coating using ceramics material or synthetic resin material on shape memory alloys or on heating elements.
(JP94069737-B2)      Method involves (a) co-extrusion moulding polyamide resin and a thermoplastic elastomer having continuous phase composed of polyamide resin to form an inner tube, (b) forming reinforcing layer on the inner tube (1) with a knitting and braiding machine, and (c) extrusion-moulding thermoplastic elastomer to form an outer tube on the reinforcing layer.    Pref. the thermoplastic elastomer is a polymer blend of an epichlorhydrin rubber dispersed in a polyamide resin or cured-dispersed in a polyamide resin. The inner tube has a strength 20% elongation of 20-200 kg f/sq.cm. when measured in the shape of a sheet.    USE/ADVANTAGE -   For coolers and air-conditioners in motorcars. Delamination resistance, i.e. durability is high. Inner tube can be reused. Conventional use of a mandrel is eliminated. This is effective in cost-saving and no cracking. The prodn. efficiency is high. @(9pp Dwg.No.0/4)
(US5073607-A)      Polyimide compsn. comprises (a) a polyimide formed by reacting an equimolar amt. of aromatic dianhdride(s) and diamine(s); and (b) polyorganosiloxane (R1R2SiO)m(R1SiO3/2)n. (where R1 is (1-10C)alkyl, substd. alkyl opt. substd. aryl, vinyl, or H; R2 is aryl or (1-10C)alkyl; m or n is 0, and the other is 2-1000, or both are 2-1000.)    Pref. (b) has mol. wt. 200-23000 and viscosity of 10,000-25,000 poises.    USE -   As a film or sheet of improved atomic oxygen resistance. @(6pp)    (EP417778-B1)      A polyimide composition having atomic oxygen resistance comprising (i) a polyimide formed from an equimolar amount of (a) at least one aromatic dianhydride and (b) at least one diamine and (ii) a polyorganosiloxane of the formula (R1R2SiO)m(R1SiO3/2)n wherein R1 is lower alkyl having 1-10 carbons, substituted alkyl, aryl, substituted aryl, vinyl, allyl or hydrogen; R2 is lower alkyl having 1-10 carbons, or aryl; and where one of m or n is 0 and the other of m or n is 2-1000 or where m or n is not 0 and m and n are both 2-1000, with the proviso that polyetherimides are excluded from the definition of the polyimide.
(JP2699555-B2)      Prepn. of polymer electrolyte layer comprises applying compsn. which consists of a polymer electrolyte, a vinyl type monomer and a photoreaction initiator, on a treated base plate, irradiating the coated film with UV-rays to polymerise the vinyl type monomer with photoradicals to obtain an insoluble polymer and forming into an arbitrary pattern.    The polymer electrolyte is pref. e.g., poly(meth)acrylic acid or its salt, polystyrene sulphonic acid or its salts, partially sulphonated polystyrene, polyethylene sulphonate or poly-4(2)-vinylpyridine. The vinyl monomers are, pref. e.g., (meth)acrylic acid, acrylamide, N,N-methylenebisacrylamide or diethyleneglycol. The photoreaction initiator is, pref. e.g., rhodamine ribofurabin or Methyl Violet.    USE/ADVANTAGE -   The polymer electrolyte layer obtd. is useful as a constitutional material for electric conversion elements. The method can easily form a desired patterned polymer electrolyte layer.
(JP2698471-B2)      The solid-state electrochemical generator uses polymer electrolytes and a cathode formed of organic materials made up of polymers with -S-S- polysulphide links. The polysulphide links can be reduced by cutting the chain, and reoxidised by duplicating dianions derived from the thiosulphides to re-form the polysulphide chains.    Good kinetic and electrochemical reversability are conferred by a conjugation mechanism permitting relocation of charges carried by sulphur atoms onto neighbouring nitrogen atoms.    ADVANTAGE -   Higher energy density cells using sulphide cpd. electrodes.    (EP415856-B1)      The solid-state electrochemical generator uses polymer electrolytes and a cathode formed of organic materials made up of polymers with -S-S- polysulphide links. The polysulphide links can be reduced by cutting the chain, and reoxidised by duplicating dianions derived from the thiosulphides to re-form the polysulphide chains.    Good kinetic and electrochemical reversability are conferred by a conjugation mechanism permitting relocation of charges carried by sulphur atoms onto neighbouring nitrogen atoms.    ADVANTAGE -   Higher energy density cells using sulphide cpd. electrodes. @(11pp Dwg.No.1A/5)@
(US5156930-A)      Battery comprises (a) power generator including positive and negative electrodes, a separator and an electrolyte; (b) a housing to encase (a); and (c) opening-sealer for (b). Opening-sealer includes (i) a sealing plate contg. a downwardly-protruding portion contg. valve through-hole; (ii) a valve on (i) to cover the through-hole; (iii) circular reinforcing plates about a circumferential part of the valve; and (iv) a terminal cap upon (iii) contg. a cutter protruding downwards towards the valve. Valve is a 3-layer construction comprising metallic thin plate, non-adhesive resin film and heat-adhesive resin film.    ADVANTAGE -   Electrolyte in the battery is not allowed to reach the upper surface of the terminal cap.
(US5284723-A)      An electrochemical supercapacitor for storing electrical energy comprises (a) an electrically conductive polymer, e.g. polypyrrole, substd. polypyrrole or their mixt.; (b) at least one ionic cpd. contg. at least on R-sulphate or R-sulphonate gp., with R denoting an alkyl or aryl radical (pref. octyl sulphate or 2-ethylhexylsulphate gp.); and (c) at least one ionic cpd. which contains a chloride gp. (pref. ferric chloride).    USE/ADVANTAGE -   These devices are used as a supercapacitors or rechargeable generators for storing electrical energy. They have a high energy per unit mass and vol., a long lifetime and a high resistance of the polymer to ageing over a wide range of storage temp. and conditions.
(JP2711018-B2)      Fluid flow field plate (12) used in solid polymer electrolyte fuel cell is made of a suitable electrically conducting material. It has a single continuous open-faced fluid channel (22) formed in a major surface which traverses the central area of the surface in a number of passes. The channel has a fluid inlet (24) at one end and a fluid outlet (26) at the other, inlet and outlet being directly connected to a fluid supply opening (25) and a fluid exhaust opening (27) respectively defined in the surface.    USE/ADVANTAGE -   The fluid flow field plate design enables water to be removed as it forms in the channel, movement of the water being encouraged before it can coalesce into a large droplet requiring greater force to remove it. The water is removed by the flow of oxidant gas, typically oxygen. If air is used, the channel ensures a uniform and controlled oxygen partial pressure drop across the cell and enables the oxygen concentration at any point to be measured or calculated and controlled with accuracy.
Thick film of complex oxide, Bi-Pb-Sr-Ca-Cu-O, is formed on the surface of metallic substrate. The thick film is preliminarily heat-treated at 400-600 deg.C, then compression force is applied on the multi-layered material of the thick film/metallic substrate.    The material is calcined at 800-870 deg.C for 12-100 hrs. and compression force is applied. The material is then calcined at 800-870 deg.C for 12-100 hrs. to arrange c axis of the complex oxide crystal in vertical orientation to make the axis vertical to the surface of the substrate, and to make strong bonding between the crystal particles, and to make them dense.    USE/ADVANTAGE -   The method is used for prepn. of the superconductive oxide thick film composed of Bi, Pb, Sr, Ca and Cu. Superconductive oxide multi-layered material with good c axis orientation can be prepd. at reduced cost. Critical current density and critical temp. of the material are improved.
An amorphous semiconductor solar cell comprises: a) an i-type layer formed of a partly or wholly alloyed, substantially intrinsic amorphous semiconductor; b) an n-type amorphous semiconductor layer formed on one side of the i-type layer; and c) a p-type amorphous semiconductor layer formed on the other side of the i-type layer. The i-type layer includes a first sub-layer having its bandgap varied in the thickness direction so as to have a max. bandgap larger than that of the p-type layer near its interface with the latter.    USE/ADVANTAGE -   Used for amorphous semiconductor solar cell having an improved photoelectric conversion efficiency. Several such structures may be stacked in the form of a tandem cell. (First major country equivalent to J03252171-A)
Gas diffusion electrode comprises a reaction layer contg. a catalyst laminated on a hydrophobic, porous, gas transmission layer having a collector. PbO2 is used as catalyst.    USE/ADVANTAGE -   Treatment of waste water contg. organic material (claimed). The electrode is easy to produce at lower cost compared with Pt electrode. The catalyst is not easily poisoned.    In an example, a 32 mesh Cu net was used as a collector for an electrode. The hydrophobic porous gas transmission layer (RFT) was prepd. by coating 0.5 g of 40 wt.% PTFE and 60 wt.% hydrophobic acetylene black on the collector, forming a 0.5 mm layer. A reactor layer (RFR) on the RFT was prepd. by coating mix of 0.3 g of equal wts. of PbO2 powder contg. 20 wt.% PTFE and hydrophobic acetylene black contg. 30 wt.% PTFE, forming a layer 0.5 mm thick. The electrode was moulded at 300 deg.C under 600 kg/sq.cm pressure. An electrolysis device of cycle fluid type was prepd. with the electrode as an anode and stainless steel plate as a cathode. A fluid contg. 100 mg/l phenol cycled at rate of 1/min. was electrolysed, as the result concn. of the phenol was reduced to 0.2 mg/l at 90th minute.
(JP2567122-B2)      The fuel cell comprises a main body with anode and cathode, a fuel inlet valve which boosts fuel to the front stage of the anode, a hydrogen inlet valve which boosts the hydrogen for a low load electricity generation, and a nitrogen inlet valve which boosts nitrogen to the anode. A device to detect the pressure difference between the anode and a reformer burner, with which the anode exhaust gas is boosted, is provided. When the detector value is less than a set value, a valve control appts. opens the nitrogen inlet valve.    USE/ADVANTAGE -   The system prevents the reverse flow of hot fuel gas to the anode from the reformer burner. The pressure in the anode is always higher than in the burner, preventing damage to the anode caused by reverse flow, giving greater reliability and lifetime.
(US5149601-A)      In a solid oxide fuel cell each cell comprises (a) a solid electrolyte having a fuel side electrode and an air side electrode on upper and lower side respectively and (b) a fuel side conductive distributor connected with the fuel side electrode and an air side conductive distributor connected with air side electrode of solid electrolyte. Conductive distributors have porous material which distribute air and fuel gas evenly to both air and fuel side electrodes respectively. Both electrolyte and distributors are stacked upon each other and the cells connected via interconnectors, forming a laminate structure.    ADVANTAGE -   Solid oxide fuel has a stable structure and high efficiency in generating electrical energy.
(US5125984-A)      The solar cell comprises (a) a substrate with a 1st electrode, (b) a p- conductive polycrystalline semiconductor layer of I-III-VI2 chalcopyrite material, (c) a barrier of nonconductive material, (d) a discontinuous 2nd electrode to receive generated current, and (e) an antireflection layer with stationary positive charges at least at its boundary surface to the barrier layer. These positive charges include a negatively charged inversion layer in the boundary surface of the semiconductor layer relative to the barrier. This inversion layer functions as an emitter for a space charge zone. The semiconductor layer is a CuInSe2, CuGa Se2, CuInS2 or CuGaS2 layer. Barrier layer is at least 5 nm thick.    ADVANTAGE -   High efficiency without lattice matching problems. CdS is not used.
(DE4017684-C2)      Thermal and/or mechanical energy potentials esp. those with a small potential difference are utilised by (A) producing electrical energy by utilising the potential drop, esp. using CO2 as energy transfer medium, (B) decomposing at or near the site of the electrical energy prodn. water into H2 and O2, (C) hydrogenating metal or metal oxide with the H2 obtd. and (D) burning the metal hydride obtd. on site with O2 to obtain thermal energy or using it in a fuel cell to produce electrical energy.    The H2 is pref. split off thermally from the metal hydride before the components are burnt. The metal oxide obtd. from the burning is returned to the site of low potential energy difference for rehydrogenation. Oxides or hydroxides of Ca, Mg, K, Na and/or Al are used.    ADVANTAGE -   An economical process to utilise small differences of heat in rivers, ocean streams or terrestrial heat.
(JP4228414-A)      Molten Si is held in vessel composed wholly or mainly of silica, and jet stream of plasma gas is ejected upon surface of molten Si.    ADVANTAGE -   Si of high purity can be obtd. using cheap metallic Si as starting material    (US5182091-A)      Si is purified for use in solar cells by directing a plasma jet (10) from a plasma torch (5) on to the surface of molten Si (1) in a crucible (2) with a silica-based lining, heated by an induction coil (4). A high temp. spot is produced, from which B and C escape. The inert plasma gas is pref. mixed with 0.1-10 vol.% steam and/or less than 1g silica powder/litre of inert gas.    ADVANTAGE -   Economical purificn..    (JP3205352-B2)      Si is purified by directing a plasma of inert gas towards the surface of molten Si held in a container lined with SiO2 (-based) refractory. The inert gas plasma is pref. mixed with 0.1-10 vol% steam and/or up to 1g. SiO2 powder per l. of inert gas at normal state.    Voltage for plasma generation is pref. applied across the molten Si and the plasma emission torch.    Appts. comprises a container with a heater for molten Si lined with SiO2 (-based) material; and a plasma torch. Pref. the container has a bottom opening and is provided with an electrode having a cooler underneath the opening so that molten Si is partly solidified in the opening, the electrode being connected to the cathode of the torch through a power source.    USE/ADVANTAGE -   In prepn. of Si for solar cells. Efficient and economical purificn. is achieved. @(13pp Dwg.No.1/4)@
(US5262246-A)      A portion of a material is covered by a shield with resistance to degradation by atomic oxygen comprising a substd. para-methoxy polystyrene of formula (I) where M is Si, Ge, Sn or Pb and n is 60 or more.    Pref. the shield is a copolymer of (I) and another element. It has a thickness of 0.1-100 microns (pref. 10 microns) and loses about 1% of this thickness when exposed to O atoms for 1 hour at a density of 10 power(14-15) atoms per cm2 at 0.4 torr.    Also claimed is prodn. of the shield.    USE/ADVANTAGE -   For use in spacecraft parts such as wires and panels to prevent degradation over long periods of time.
(US5094926-A)      Electric powder producing system comprises (a) molten carbonate fuel cell including anode and cathode chambers, air and carbon dioxide fed to cathode chamber; and (b) reformer for reforming fuel gas into anode gas, also including combustion chamber to maintain reforming reaction temp., fuel gas and steam fed in reforming chamber.    Fuel gas is fed to reforming chamber with steam. Hydrogen gas obtd. in reforming chamber is fed into anode chamber at fuel cell. Air is introduced into cathode chamber. Gases from anode chamber are directly fed into combustion chamber. A portion of the gases are directly fed, with the remainder discharged from the system, giving no substantial pressure difference between anode and cathode chambers.    USE/ADVANTAGE -   For electric power prodn. System, using molten carbonate fuel cell. Exhaust heat is effectively recovered.
(JP5506122-W)      Fuel cell module comprises individual cells each formed of solid electrolyte, and permeable electrode structures. Adjacent cells are interconnected by permeable current collectors, pref. conductive corrugated members so that a required fuel/oxidiser mixt. has access to virtually the entire surface of one side of each cell. The assembly may be packaged in a flat or spiral form.    ADVANTAGE -   Module provides a high voltage and power output and can be mfd. in a low-cost continuous process.    (JP2830927-B2)      Fuel cell module (10) comprises individual cells (12-16) each formed of solid electrolyte (22), and permeable electrode structures (24, 30) and (20, 18). Adjacent cells are interconnected by permeable current collectors (28-32), pref. conductive corrugated members so that a required fuel/oxidiser mixt. has access to virtually the entire surface of one side of each cell. The assembly may be packaged in a flat or spiral form.    ADVANTAGE -   Module provides a high voltage and power output and can be mfd. in a low-cost continuous process.
(US5185301-A)      Sinter reactive La chromite powder, for solid oxide fuel cell mfr., doped with divalent metals and having the formula LaCr1-x MX03, where M is the metal and X is 0.03-0.3, is mfd. from a soln. contg. La and Cr cpds. Which is reacted with excess of ammonium hydroxide to ppte. an intermediate hydroxide slurry, which is washed to remove anions and to yield a water/alcohol-base slurry. A soln. of an M cpd. is added and powder is sepd. at supercritical conditions.    ADVANTAGE -   Extremely fine powder sinters to heat full density.er,    (JP5506206-W)      Prepn. of sinter-reactive doped lanthanum chromite of formula LaCr1-xMxO3 (I) where M = divalent metal and x = 0.03-3.0 comprises: 1) preparing a precursor of empirical formula (I) (Adsorbate) where M = Mg or Ca. The adsorbate is volatile matter adsorbed on the powder and is up to 35 wt.% of the total precursor wt. and (2) calcining the precursor at 650-1100 deg.C for 0.5-4 hrs. followed by deagglomeration to obtain a sinter-reactive ceramic powder of formula (I).    USE/ADVANTAGE -   Useful as interconnect material for monolithic SoFCs. Provides good compsn. control of doped powder and formation of fine powder via supercritical sepn. of solid particles from liq. The powder sinters to better than 95% of theoretical density at a lower temp. than is known in prior art
(JP2726323-B2)      Battery is produced by laminating at least an oxide semiconductor layer; a photoelectromotive force-generating layer; a transparent conductive layer; and a metal electrode respectivley on a substrate. Material for oxide semiconductor layer is metal oxide particle having an average grain dia. of up to 1000 A. Oxide semiconductor layer is formed by application technique (screen printing). The metal oxide particles comprise ZnO particles having average grain dia. of 50-1000 A. The ZnO particles are obtd. by vapour pahse reaciton by mcirowave plasma processing.    USE/ADVANTAGE -   For use in photosensors. The solar battery has oxide semiconductor film having good light transmission, and electrical conductivity.
(JP2659446-B2)      The most outer layer of a strand is an Sn-plated wire. The inner strand has at least one non-Sn-plate bare wire. The strands are hoisted and Sn is coated on the twisted wire.    USE/ADVANTAGE -   Used in wiring cables, medical cables, or robot cables. The wire has flexibility and no looseness.
(JP2964520-B2)      The most outer layer of a strand is an Sn-plated wire. The inner strand has at least one non-Sn-plate bare wire. The strands are hoisted and Sn is coated on the twisted wire.    USE/ADVANTAGE -   Used in wiring cables, medical cables, or robot cables. The wire has flexibility and no looseness.
(JP2751523-B2)      Reactive low-molecular oligomer, e.g, novolak-type multi-functional epoxy resin, etc., is added to a film-forming thermoplastic resin, e.g, block-copolymerised nylon-12, etc., having a mol. wt. of 30,000 or more. The mixt. is dissolved in a solvent, e.g, xylene, etc., to form compsn. (A); and a crosslinking agent, e.g, diamine such as methanediphenyldiamine, etc., which reacts with the oligomer is added to a thermoplastic resin, eg., alcohol-soluble copolymerised polyamide resin, etc., having a molecular weight of 30,000 or more and the mixt. is dissolved in an organic solvent, e.g, xylene, to form compsn. (B); and (A) and (B) are alternately coated over a conductor, e.g, soft copper wire, directly or through another insulating film and dried to form at least two layers on the surface of the conductor.    Pref. a copper conductor wire of dia. 0.270mm is coated with a polyesterimide insulator and baked to form an insulator film, followed by coating of (A) and (B) alternately and baking at about 300 deg.C to form at least two films to obtain a thermosetting self-hot bonding enamelled copper wire.    USE/ADVANTAGE -   The thermosetting self-hot bonding enamelled copper wire has good storage life as well as in hot bonding and heat resistant properties. The wire is used for coil winding of a small-size motor, etc.
In the cover attached to close an opening of a battery bath divided into plural segment chambers, a gas exhausting chamber connected commonly to each gas exhausting hole connected to the segment chamber individually is disposed.    ADVANTAGE -   Detrimental gas exhausting from the battery path is reliably sealed hermetically.
(US5145793-A)      Mfg. a solar cell comprises: (a) providing a Si substrate (1) of first conductivity type and having first (1a) and second (1b) main surfaces; (b) forming a layer of a material having a thermal expansion coefft. smaller than that of Si on the second main surface of the substrate at a temp, close to room temp. (C) forming a first GaAs layer of first conductivity type on the first main surface of the Si substrate, and (d) forming a second GaAs layer of second conductivity type tyereon.    The material having thermal expansion coefft. smaller than that of Si pref. comprise SiO2, SiN, BN or C or a combination thereof.    USE/ADVANTAGE -   Allows formation of solar cell of GaAs on Si which is not subject to crack formation due to mismatch of thermal expansion coeffts. There is no requirement to use a masked substrate with wedge desgnations, as used in prior art to control crack formation, which implies growth on an unclean substrateexp
(US5080689-A)      The method comprises (a) applying a thin layer of LaCr03 particles doped with Ca, Sr, Co, Ba, Mg or their mixts., on part of a 1st surface of a porous electrode structure, then (b) vapour depositing a dense skeletal structure of LaCr03 between and around the doped particles, so that they get incorporated into and remain within the structure as it grows thicker with time to provide a dense, high temp. electronically conductive interconnection layer on the porous electrode structure.    USE -   In high temp. electrochemical cells. @(8pp)@
(US5132352-A)      A combustible polymer film containing LaCrO3 particles is formed by uniformly dispersing LaCrO3 particles doped with an element selected from Ca, Sr, Co, Ba, Mg or their mixts. and then wet screening to provide particles in the 30-80 micrometer range.    A fugitive polymer is then mixed with the particles in the ratio polymer plus particles to solvent in the range 50:50 to 30:70 and a volume ratio of polymer to particles between 65:35 and 50:50. The mix is cast as a wet film 80-150 microns thick before drying and stripping to give the desired film.    ADVANTAGE -   The material is suitable for the construction of fuel cells allowing films of uniform thickness to be bonded onto the electrode structure.
(US5169731-A)      A solid oxide fuel cell comprising a dense gas tight substrate on which at least one hollow portion is formed between the substrate and porous support parts. Multiple single cells are located at each of the hollow portions. Each single cell including confronting inner and outer electrodes with an electrolyte disposed between them. Interconnections serve to link the cells in series and/or in parallel.    ADVANTAGE -   The design allows the overall thickness to be reduced giving enhanced power generation efficiency combined with uniform gas supply to the cells.    (JP2599810-B2)      A solid oxide fuel cell comprising: (i) a dense gas-tight substrate, (ii) at least one hollow portion formed between substrate and porous support parts, (iii) numerous single cells arranged on each hollow portion, (iv) each cell has opposing inner and outer electrodes with electrolyte between, (v) numerous interconnections between single cells in series of parallel on substrate.    Pref. oxide fuel cell further including numerous porous support parts of polygonal or semi-cylindrical contour between inner surface of each single cell and associated hollow portion. Substrate has predetermined position over which support part is disposed. Support part is the inner electrode. Single cells are arranged on both substrate surfaces in mirror image symmetry or asymmetry relative to substrate. Hollow portions are defined by recess in substrate which has a step in the mouth with each porous support part supported on step in mouth of recess.    Also, a method of mfg. a solid oxide fuel cell is claimed.    USE/ADVANTAGE -   For use as fuel cell which directly converts chemical potential into energy thus generating electric power. Solid oxide fuel cell is easy to assemble and has a dense substrate holding single cells which reduces the thickness of the support part with the redn. in strength of the support part thus improving the efficiency of generating electric power.
The layered sealing member is produced by (1) applying non-hardened epoxy resin compsn. contg. 100 pts. wt. of epoxy resin, 5-50 pts. wt. of thermoplastic resin having number average mol. wt. of 5000 or more, 5-300 pts. wt. of inorganic filler, and hardener onto a surface of a plastics film having a thickness of 20-200 microns to obtain a layered epoxy resin sheet, and then (2) punching the layered epoxy resin sheet into a desired shape suitable for sealing an electronic device part.    The epoxy resin is e.g. bisphenol A epoxy resin, brominated bisphenol A epoxy resin, o-cresol novolak epoxy resin, brominated novolak epoxy resin, or modified prod. thereof. The thermoplastic resin is e.g. polyamine, polycarbonate, polyester, polyurethane, silicone resin, phenoxy resin, PVC, ABS, methacrylic resin, natural rubber, butadiene rubber or nitrile rubber, etc.. The inorganic filler is e.g. mica, silica, glass, talc, Ca carbonate, Li oxide or Al oxide, etc.. The hardener is e.g. amine, acid anhydride, or phenol resin type hardener, etc..    USE/ADVANTAGE -   The layered sealing member is easy to handle for sealing of electronic parts, and the obtd. sealed electronic parts show a beautiful appearance and a smooth surface.
(US5100480-A)      A solar cell device is formed of multiple solar cells with a (semi) insulating substrate with first and second holes penetrating through the substrate. A first conductivity type semiconductor layer is applied on one surface and linked to an electrode extending through the first hole. A second layer of second conductivity type extends over the first layer and is connected, via the second hole, to a second electrode.    Pref. the cell has a GaAs substrate covered with n-type and p-type layers of GaAs.    ADVANTAGE -   The design allows multiple cells to be linked in a single plane without problems of physical stress.
(US5171646-A)      Fuel system comprises a porous panel type support with two surfaces, support having outwardly open cavities passing through support, to conduct air on oxygen; at least two rows of fuel cells on each of two surfaces. The two or more rows are longitudinally stacked underneath one another. A network of conductor tracks electrially conducts interconnecting rows.    Network of conducting tracks are in parallel horizontal rows of fuel cells, electrically contacting cathodes of fuel cells of each horizontal row with vertical rows of cells interconnected serially by conducting layers connecting fuel cell anodes.    USE/ADVANTAGE -   For use as current source. Power losses are minimsed. Operating conditions are lowered, allowing more continuous operation.
(US5112702-A)      Mfr. comprises (a) forming an electrolytically conductive reaction medium comprising halide and hydrogen-ions and mol O2, and (b) electrolysing using a cathode and inert anode, so voltage at the cathode w.r.t. Hg/Hg2SO4 reference electrode is -0.2 to -0.75 V. The mol O2 is reduced to H2O2. The cathode is of Pd, Pt or Au (alloys). Total halide ion concn. is not greater than 1M. O2 pressure is 14-1500 psia. Process is at 0-90 deg.C. Halide ion is 0.000001-0.1M bromide or 0.001-1M chloride. Acid is 0.0001-1M HCl, H2SO4, HNO3, sulphonic acid, etc..    ADVANTAGE -   Aq. reaction medium avoids the explosion hazards associated with the combination of high concns. at H2O2 and organic solvents.
(JP2762646-B2)      Appts. for surface treatment of a shadow mask built within a colour cathode ray tube has a shield plate having curvature equivalent to that of the shadow mask disposed inside the vacuum chamber opposite outer surface of the shadow mask.    ADVANTAGE -   As there is no deposited matters on outer surface of the shadow mask, halation degradation is prevented.
(JP2761066-B2)      Thick film paste contains electroconductive particles and liq state organic resin.    The electroconductive particles e.g. consist of metal particles or metal oxide particles, and the liquid state organic resin is thermosetting resin, and pref. has a property to be hardened at a temp. lower than the oxidn. temp. of the metal particles to eliminate addn. of known reducing agent to prevent the oxidn. of the metal particles. No reducing agent is required when the electroconductive metal oxide particles are used owing to chemical stability of the metal oxide particles.    USE/ADVANTAGE -   The thick film paste is suitable for use in a screen printing, and fine electroconductive pattern of a direct current type PDP free from undesirable discharge concn. can be obtd.
(JP2781630-B2)      Thick film paste contains electroconductive particles and liq state organic resin.    The electroconductive particles e.g. consist of metal particles or metal oxide particles, and the liquid state organic resin is thermosetting resin, and pref. has a property to be hardened at a temp. lower than the oxidn. temp. of the metal particles to eliminate addn. of known reducing agent to prevent the oxidn. of the metal particles. No reducing agent is required when the electroconductive metal oxide particles are used owing to chemical stability of the metal oxide particles.    USE/ADVANTAGE -   The thick film paste is suitable for use in a screen printing, and fine electroconductive pattern of a direct current type PDP free from undesirable discharge concn. can be obtd.
(JP4045242-A)      Wire material mfd. contains 50-90 wt.% Cr with elements other than Ni and Cr being controlled to 0.5 wt.% or less, with the remainder being Ni, having a binary text. composed of a hard phase and a soft phase, with the crystal grains constituting the text. being 50 microns or less in dia.; Process comprises: (i) preparing an ingot having a charged density of 7.0 g/cm3 or higher using a 99% or higher purity Cr power and carbonyl nickel powder; (ii) heating the ingot in vacuum or under an inert gas atmos.; (iii) charging the ingot into a capsule; and (iv) hot wire-drawing the ingot at 300-800 deg.C, at a working rate of 30% or lower draught per drawing cycle.    High-Cr Ni-alloy powder is pref. used as the starting material.    USE/ADVANTAGE -   Provides a high-Cr Ni-base wire material improved in workability and corrosion resistance, for use as target materials, protectives, spray coating materials, electrodes, etc.    (JP4052255-A)      Chromium-nickel alloy mfr. comprises preparing an ingot from a 99% or higher purity Cr powder and carbonyl nickel powder to give a packing density of 7.0 g/cm3 or higher; after heating the ingot in vacuum or in an inert gas atmos. at a temp. of 1300 deg.C or lower, placing the ingot into a cylindrical metal capsule; hot wire-drawing the whole at 300 - 800 deg.C, at a draught of 10% or less per one drawing; after removing the capsule, further wire-drawing the resulting wire using a tandem grooved roll mill, to obtain a final wire prod. contg. 50 - 90 wt.% Cr, 0.5 wt.% or less components other than Cr and Ni, and balance substantially Ni.    Pref., a high Cr-Ni alloy powder is used as the starting powder.    USE/ADVANTAGE -   Provides a wire material for use in frame-, arc- and plasma- coating, which can be easily processed and has good corrosion and wear resistance.
(JP4213326-A)      Polyimide type cpd. contg. carbazole skeleton in the repeat unit, pref. gp. of formula (I) is new. In (I) R1 = 5-13C tetravalent organic gp., pref. 5-13C tetravalent cyclic hydrocarbon, esp., gp. of formula (II), (III), (IV) or (V).    Prepn. of polymide type cpd. comprises dehydration-ring-closing reaction of a polymer cpd. which has repeat unit of formula (VI); In (VI), R2 = 5-13C divalent organic gp.    USE/ADVANTAGE -   For an organic film and organic photoconductive element which can be used for a photoconductive transfer device, e.g., solar battery or photosensor. The polyimide type cpd. has good photoconductive properties, thermoresistance and processing properties.    (US5158619-A)      A photoconductive device comprises an organic film comprising a polymer having a carbazole skeleton and an imide linkage in a repeating unit, between a pair of electrodes.    Pref. the polymer is of general formula (I), (where R1 = 5-13C tetravalent organic gp). Pref. at least one electrode of the pair of electrodes is light transmissive, and one of the pair is a transparent electrode.    USE/ADVANTAGE -   The photoconductive polyimides have satisfactory heat resistance and workability and are useful as photoelectro-transducing devices such as solar cells or photosensors.
(US5188910-A)      The fuel cell comprises cylindrical solid oxide fuel cell elements each at least comprising a fuel electrode, a solid electrolyte and an air electrode, and a multi-contact point current collecting member contacting the fuel electrodes. The fuel electrode of a 1st element is electrically connected to the air electrode of an adjacent element through the multi-contact point device and an interconnector. The multi-contact point device contacts the entire surfaces of the fuel electrodes.    Pref. the solid electrolyte and fuel electrode are formed successively around the outer periphery of an air electrode pipe. The air electrode pipe is a double wall structure with a closed bottom end, and ribs connecting the air electrode and reducing gas feed pipe. The air electrode, oxidising gas feed pipe and ribs are all made of identical material selected from (un)doped LaMnO3, CaMnO3, LaNiO3, LaCoO3 or LaCrO3.    ADVANTAGE -   Current loss due to the ohmic resistance of the fuel and air electrodes is prevented, and power generation efficiency is improved. The cell is stable and has a long use life.
(JP2542096-B2)      Anode active substance contg. 0.05-2.0 wt. % of phosphor and at least 92 wt. % of pure Mn02.    Pref. the battery in which the anode active substance is used. Manganese sulphate with additive of phosphor cpd. and H2SO4 soln. was electrolysed. Obtd. electrolytic Mn02 is treated with mineral acid and/or with Mn(NO3)2 aq. soln. and oxidiser.    USE/ADVANTAGE -   Cell is used for the automatic winder of cameras, stroboscope, and portable tape recorder. Discharging time and discharge characteristic at heavy load of the battery are improved.
(GB2242563-B)      An electrical generating plant having dual modes of operation and comprising: a fuel cell which requires a supply of gaseous hydrogen and a supply of gaseous oxygen in order to generate an electrical output; first supply means for supplying to the plant a hydrogen-containing compound which is liquid at NTP and which can undergo an endothermic reaction to liberate gaseous hydrogen; second supply means selectively operable for supplying to the plant liquid hydrogen peroxide in a first mode of operation and air in a second mode of operation; a reformer, connected to the first supply means, in which said hydrogen-containing compound undergoes said endothermic reaction and liberates gaseous hydrogen; a decomposer which is selectively connectible to said second supply means, in the first mode of operation, and which is arranged to decompose the hydrogen peroxide exothermically so as to liberate gaseous oxygen; means for transmitting to the hydrogen-containing compound some or all of the heat which is given-off in the decomposer in the first mode of operation, so as to maintain the endothermic reaction in the reformer; means for supplying heat to the hydrogen-containing compound, in the second mode of operation, so as to maintain the endothermic reaction in the reformer; means for supplying the gaseous hydrogen given-off in the reformer to the fuel cell; and means for supplying to the fuel cell the gaseous oxygen which is given-off in the decomposer in the first mode of operation, and means for supplying the air to the fuel cell in the second mode of operation, whereby an electrical output is obtainable from the fuel cell in the first or the second modes of operation.
(US5073698-A)      Amorphous film (12) on a substrate (14) having different light absorption is selectively heated by illuminating with a light source (10) having a peak wavelength absorbed by the film but not by the substrate. Illumination is continued until the film is converted from amorphous to crystalline form.    Film is pref. opaque and the substrate transparent. Film is pref. Si or cds and the substrate glass, or the film is of metal and the substrate Si. Si film may be used in forming a solar cell, and a cds film in an implant anneal process. Illumination may be with a single long-arc gas-discharge lamp, film temp. being detected with a pyrometer.    ADVANTAGE -   Allows the film to be heated rapidly at high temp. without heating the substrate. @(11pp)@
(US7566930-N)      Single crystal III-V ternary alloys for use in high efficiency multi junction solar cells are produced in an arrangement of an outer crucible (13), contg. a ternary alloy (47) of the pref. compsn. to be produced in the crystal and an inner crucible (19) having a narrow, melt passing channel (25) holding a small quantity of melt (49) of pseudo-binary liquidus compsn. which would freeze into the pref. compsn. Floating crucible alloy is held at a lower temp. than the outer crucible alloy and single crystal is pulled from the inner crucible.    ADVANTAGE -   Produces low defect, bulk single ternary crystals.
(US5180529-A)      A process for producing a thin carbon plate comprises (a) moulding a polycarbodiimide resin (pref. a homopolymer or copolymer having one recurring unit of formula -R-N=C=N- (I)) (R = organic diisocyanate residue); (b) subjecting the thin plate to a heat treatment (pref. in an oxidising atmos. at temps. of 150-400 deg.C); and (c) carbonising (pref. at temps. of 600-3000 deg.C) the heat-treated thin plate.    USE/ADVANTAGE -   The thin carbon plate is excellent in properties such as gas impermeability, mechanical strengths and the like    (JP2939759-B2)      Process (I) for producing a thin carbon plate (II) which comprises moulding a polycarbodiimide resin (III) into a thin plate, subjecting the thin plate to heat treatment and carbonising the heat treated thin plate. An organic diisocyanate (IV) is used to prepare (III).    Pref. (IV) can be aliphatic, alicyclic, aromatic but aromatic cpds. are partic. pref. Catalyst (V) used to prepare (III) is represented by 1-phenyl-2-phosphorene -1-oxide. (III) is represented by (A). In (A) pref. n = 50-5000. (III) can be obtd. as a soln. or as a powder. By moulding a thin plate 0.1-3 mm. can be easily obtd. Heat treatment is pref. at 200-350 deg.C for 30 mins.-50 hrs. Carbonisation is effected by elevating the temp. from room temp.-200 deg.C to 600-3000 deg.C. Heat treatment can be carried out in an oxidising atmos. like air.    Pref. (III) is dissolved in a solvent represented by tetrahydro furan and is then cast on a smooth flat glass plate and the solvent is removed. Compression, roll or injection moulding can be used.    USE/ADVANTAGE -   (II) has excellent gas impermeability and mechanical strengths. (II) can be used as a special electrode agent, a sealing agent and as a separator for fuel cells.
(JP2530375-B2)      Ion source is equipped with a hole for extracting ion beam and to which gas for generating plasma is introduced, a device for forming in plasma chamber a zone of electron cyclotron resonance magnetic field, and tubes outside the plasma chamber for generating microwave.    ADVANTAGE -   Ion beam having large dia. is obtd. uniformly. @(3pp Dwg.No.1,2/2)@
Ceramic superconducting conductor is made by filling superconductor or its precursor, and metal oxide and/or peroxide of superconductor components into a metal container, pressing the filled material together with the container to be up to 0.5 mm of the superconductor in the container, and heatingit so that at least part of the filled material can melt.    USE -   Used for wound wire for magnet coils, cables, electric and electronic circuitry, and electromagnetic shielding.
(US5290366-A)      The laminated solar module comprises a glass plate, solar cells connected in series to form a laminated solar module mounted on the back side of the glass plate and secured to it by hot melt adhesive foil to form a layer structure, 1st and 2nd terminals for the solar cells arranged spatially remote from each other on the back of the module on top of the layer structure adjacent the 1st and 2nd opposite edges of the plate, 1st and 2nd hollow housings covering the 1st and 2nd terminals, a protective diode in at least one of the housings connected across the solar cells and which becomes non-conductive when sunlight impinges on the solar cells, and a silicon cpd. filled in the housings to bond them to the back side of the module.    The module pref. has a plug connectors covered with shrink-fit tubing for connecting adjacent modules.    USE/ADVANTAGE -   No involved connection box on the laminated solar modules is required. Modules can be readily connected together.
(US5133842-A)      Electrochemical cell comprises a gas-diffusion cathode, an anode, an alkaline electrolyte, and electrical leads in contact with the gas diffusion cathode (GDC) and anode. GDC comprises; an active layer comprising a particulate support material having a surface area, by the BET method of about 50-2000 m2/g; deposited on the particles of support material, 0.1-50 wt.% based on the wt. of the active layer, of a particulate elemental metal comprising monocrystalline Au prim. particles having an average particle size, measured by transmission electrode microscopy, which is greater than 0.5 but less than about 4 nm; a gas-permeable, substantially hydrophobic backing layer, upon which the active layer is superposed, GDC having 0.1-5 mg elemental Au per cm 2 of electro catalytically active cathode suface; monocrystalline Au prim particles having (100) crystal faces or the functional equiv. and being selectively catalytic for the redn. of O2 to water or hydroxide and for the redn. of peroxide iron to water or hydroxide.    Particulate support material pref. comprises carbon black. Amt. of elemental Au per Cm2 of cathode surface is pref. 0.1-2 mg and the amt is 0.1-15 wt.% based on the wt. of active layer.    USE -   For various types of air or O2-depolorised cells, alkaline fuel cells, metal/air cells, metal/H2O2 cells, O2 sensors, electrochemical caustic concentrators etc., Electrocatalyst material is useful in electrodes, esp. in cathodes for the redn. of O2 or peroxide to water or hydroxide.
(US5100478-A)      A solar cell comprises a semiconductor substrate of a first conductivity type including recesses disposed in its first surface leaving mutually isolated area of the substrate exposed at the first surface in an electrically insulating material filling the recesses. A first semiconductor film (I) of a second conductivity type (opposite the first), is disposed on the substrate and the insulating material and forms mutually isolated rectifying junctions within the substrate; second and third semiconductor films of opposite conductivity types form a rectifying junction and disposed on film (I). A first electrode is in electrical contact with the third semiconductor film at a light incident surface of the solar cell and a second electrode disposed on the second surface of the substrate and in electrical contact with it.    The solar cell pref. further includes an electrically conducting transparent anti-reflection film, e.g. ITO, SnO2 or TaO3, disposed on the third semiconductor film.    USE/ADVANTAGE -   Solar cell formed by a simplified process not including photolithographic procedures. The point contact solar cell has an increased open circuit voltage and is of increased efficiency. (First major country equivalent to J03173481-A)
(US5145754-A)      The fuel cell comprises flat plate lamintes spaced parallel to one another, each having one surface covered with a flat plate air electrode film and another surface with a flat plate fuel electrode film, oxidising gas flow passages between adjacent flat plate laminates and facing the air electrode film, fuel gas flow passages between the laminates and facing the fuel electrode film, and at least air electrode, solid electrolyte and fuel electrode films between the oxidising gas and fuel flow passages. Oxidising gas supply pipes extend from an opening at one end of each of the oxidising gas flow passages into the passage itself. Closure members are provided to each close the other end of the oxidising gas flow passage. Fuel gas supply pipes extend from an opening at one end of each fuel flow passage, and closure members are provided.    The electrode film is LaMnO3 opt. doped with Sr, CaMnO3, LaNiO3, LaCoO3 or LaCrO3. The solid electrolyte film is Y stabilised ZrO2. The fuel electrode film is Ni-ZrO2 cermet or Co-ZrO2 cermet.    ADVANTAGE -   Leakage and mixing of oxidising and fuel gases is prevented.    (JP2528987-B2)      Solid oxide fuel cell includes parallel, flat-plate laminates (50), one surface of each laminate being covered with an air electrode film (1) and the other being covered with a fuel electrode film (3). Oxidising gas flow passages (8) are arranged between the laminates facing the air electrode film and fuel gas flow passages (7) arranged between the laminates face the fuel electrode film, with air electrode films (6), solid electrolyte films (5) and fuel electrode films (7) interposed between the oxidising and fuel gas passages.    USE/ADVANTAGE -   In e.g. power generating systems. Oxidising and fuel gases are supplied in passages, in e.g. a honeycomb structure, without any leakage or mixing.
NOVELTY - A styrene butadiene type rubber is used as a molding support agent during the molding of an electrode or an electrolyte board.    USE - For e.g. molten carbonate type fuel battery.    ADVANTAGE - Prevents degradation in the preservation characteristic of electrolyte board.
(JP2616061-B2)      Hydrogen storage alloy electrode comprises hydrogen storage alloy powder, as a main constitution material having a metal diffused layer formed on the surfaces by mechanical alloying method.    USE -   Used for anodes of metal-hydrogen alkali storage batteries, capable of preventing self-discharging without redn. of capacity.
(JP2958782-B2)      Hydrogen storage alloy electrode comprises hydrogen storage alloy powder, as a main constitution material having a metal diffused layer formed on the surfaces by mechanical alloying method.    USE -   Used for anodes of metal-hydrogen alkali storage batteries, capable of preventing self-discharging without redn. of capacity.
(JP2617586-B2)      Sinterable a perovskite oxide of La1-xAxCr1-yBy03 (where A = Sr and/or Ca; B = Mg and/or Ca. x = 0-1 (1 excluded) and y = 0-1 (1 excluded)) is new. The compsn. contains to 100 pts. of the perovskite oxide, 1.6-9 pts. wt. of a mixt. comprising (by wt) 36.6-84.3 pts. of CuO and 63.4-15.6 pts. of MoO2.    USE/ADVANTAGE -   Provides a Ln-chromite based oxide partic. designed for use as interconnector of solid electrolyte fuel cells, heater elements of super-high temp. oxidn. furnaces, electrodes for MHD power generation, etc. having a high density of 93% relative density, at a relatively low sintering temp. of 1200-1400 deg.C.
(JP2932533-B2)      Metallic ion liq. source comprises an alloy compsn. consisting of Nb and opt. two elements of Au, Cu, Ge and Ni. The metallic ion source is for obtaining Nb ion beam, using the focused ion beam equipment comprising ion accelerating means, mass spectrometry means, and ion beam focusing means, which generates focused ion beam at required energy of the required ion seed by selectively focussing and accelerating the required ion from the ion source.    USE/ADVANTAGE -   The metallic ion liq. source is used for the focused ion beam equipment (FIB equipment) to prepare a Nb system super-conductor device. Nb ion can be directly deposited on the substrate. Nb deposition of up to 0.1 micron can be done with good reproducibility.
(JP95017446-B2)      Zirconia ceramics is made by firing raw material powder obtd. by calcining a ppte. sepd. from an aq. soln. contg. a compsn. comprising 92-96 mol.% Zr oxide (as ZrO2) and 4-8 mol.% Y oxide (as Y2O3) and 0.5-15 wt.%, based on the compsn. of Al oxide (as Al2O3) into a fired body having up to 40% porosity, and up to 3 microns particle size, and superplastic forming the fired body.    USE/ADVANTAGE -   Used for solid electrolyte for fuel cells, electrochemical oxygen pumps and oxygen sensors having good oxygen ion conductivity and dimensional precision.
(JP2822495-B2)      An organic thin film is prepd by forming a monomolecular built-up film on a substrate. The monomolecular built-up film contains a porphyrin deriv of formula (1) or (2) where Ar = aromatic hydrocarbon gp opt having a substituent, M = divalent anion contg metal atom as a major constituent, and n = 1-30 integer.    The substrate is pref an electroconductive substrate. Examples of the Ar include benzene, naphthalene, anthracene, etc. Examples of the substituent include methyl, ethyl, etc.    USE/ADVANTAGE -   for use in photodiodes, solar cells, and photosensers. This organic thin film has a high photoelectric conversion function. The porphyrin derivs keep the high photoelectric conversion function even under the presence of the matrix mols.
(JP2822494-B2)      An organic thin film is prepd. by forming a monomolecular built up film on a substrate, the monomolecular built up film contains a porphyrin deriv. of formula (1) or (2) where Ar = aromatic hydrocarbon gp. opt. having a substit., N = divalent anion contg. metal atom as a major constit., and n = 3-30 integer.    USE/ADVANTAGE -   For use in photodiodes, solar cells, and photosensors. This organic thin film has a high photoelectric conversion function. The porphyrin derivs. keep the high photoelectric conversion function even under the presence of the matrix molecules. The substrate is an electroconductive substrate.    Examples of the Ar include benzene, naphthalene, anthracene, etc. examples of the substit. include methyl, ethyl, methoxy, phenoxy, etc. The matrix mol. comprises e.g. arachic acid, stearyl acid, their esters or amides, stearyl alcohol, etc. M is Cu, Zn, In, Al, etc. The substrate is sheets or plates of Al, Au, Ag, etc. sheets or plates of glass and plastics coated with thin film of metals, oxides of In and/or Sn, etc. are very useful.    The thin film is prepared by dissolving the porphyrin derivs. and the matrix mol. in volatile solvents, developing on water surface to form a monomolecular film, reducing the development area of the mol. by moving the partioning sheet and then moving the substrate vertically so that the monomolecular film is transferred onto the substrate. This process is repeated.
System is controlled by : calculating reference current and voltage according to a reference power designated by an external command on the brain of I-V curves of the cell stored in the control system; calculating first reference flow rates (Q2, Q2) for the reformed gas and air supplies for the reference current; adding additional amts (q, Q1) to obtain second reference flow rates (Q3,Q31); increasing the flow rates to Q3 and Q31 and detecting a time at which they are reached; detecting output current, voltage and temp. of cell; controlling system parameters in accordance with the second reference flow rates (Q3,Q31) and the reference power over a further second period of time until the cell temp. reaches a steady state corresponding to a reference current; and controlling system parameters in accordance with Q2 and Q21, the reference current and the cell output current after the second period of time.    ADVANTAGE -   Overload which occur during a load increase is avoided and cell life extended.    (JP2671523-B2)      Mn dioxide for lithium prim. cell is produced by (1) neutralising gamma Mn dioxide produced by an electrolytic process or Mn dioxide produced by chemical synthesis process with an aq. soln. contg. Li hydroxide and Li nitrate, (2) heat treating, and then (3) treating with an acid, or by (1') heating gamma Mn dioxide produced by an electrolytic process in an acid soln. in slurry state to obtain beta Mn dioxide, (2') neutralising with an aq. soln. contg. Li hydroxide and Li nitrate, (3') heat treating, and then (4') treating with an acid.    The heat treatment in the step (2) or (3') is pref. effected at 350-450 deg.C for 3-4 hrs. the acid treatment in the step (3) or (4') is effected using sulphuric acid, hydrochloric acid or nitric acid for 1-5 days.    USE/ADVANTAGE -   The Mn dioxide has good anodic activity, and a Li prim. cell having an improved discharge voltage, and a long discharging time can be obtd..
(JP2925595-B2)      A photoelectric transfer measurement process, where a counter electrode is placed at a certain interval (about 100-5000 times of the membrane thickness of the following purple film) from a transparent electrode where an orientation purple film is provided on the surface) and a closed circuit is formed between the transparent electrode and the counter electrode and the electric current running in the closed circuit is measured when the light enters the purple film.    Pref. the purple film is a two dimensional crystal aggregation of protein bacteriorhodopsin.    USE/ADVANTAGE -   The photoelectric transfer function of the purple film formed on the transparent electrode can be measured with high sensitivity, with little measurement errors and without damaging the sample. The orientation capacity of the sample can be compared by the photoelectric transferring value. The photoelectric transfer system can be used as a new photoelectric transfer device.
(US5284717-A)      Prodn. of raw materials for a steam reformer in a fuel cell electricity generation process comprises: providing in combination, a desulphuriser, an adsorber, a steam reformer, a converter or gas separation membrane, and a fuel cell; and desulphurising and cracking petroleum fuel in the desulphuriser using a metallosilicate catalyst having Si/Al atomic ratio of 40-3200 at a temp. of 300-6000 deg.C, a pressure of 1-10 kg/cm2, H2/oil ratio of 500-2000, and an SV of 0.5-4 hr. (-1).    In the steam reformer, the desulphurised and cracked fuel reacts with steam and is converted to prod.-gas comprising hydrogen, carbon monoxide, and carbon dioxide.    USE -   The process uses petroleum prods. as raw material fuels and aims at diversification of source fuels.    (JP2941323-B2)      Producing raw materials for a reformer by cracking and desulphurising petroleum fuels in a desulphuriser, in a fuel cell electricity generation process, comprises cracking and desulphurising the fuel at 300-600 deg.C, 1-10 kg/sq.cm pressure, H2/oil ratio 500-2000, and SV of 0.5-4/hr., using a zeolite or metallosilicate catalyst as desulphurising catalyst.    Pref. the system comprises a desulphuriser, an adsorber, a reformer, a converter or gas sepn. membrane, and a cell.    ADVANTAGE -   The load for the reforming catalyst is reduced by using a desulphurising catalyst having a cracking function, so that a greater variety of raw material fuels may be used. Content is reduced to 1 ppm or less and cracking rate is 10-70%.
(US5149600-A)      Fuel cell electricity generation process comprises an appts. which includes a desulphuriser, an adsorber, a reformer, a non-porous gas sepn membrane comprisng a polymer, and a fuel cell. Sepn. membrane is used to separate membrane to treat reformed gas from the reformer at 50-150 deg. C, under 2-10 kg/cm2 pressure to separate CO contained in the reformed gas. Feeding gas permeates through the sepn. membrane to the fuel cell.    Pref. fuel is methanol, natural gas, kerosene, naptha or LPG. Gas penetrating through membrane is mainly composed of H2 and contains 10 mol.% or less CO2 so a part of gas can be used as H2 for desulphurisation and desulphurisation rate can be improved.    ADVANTAGE -   By replacing shift converter in fuel cell electricity generation process by mebrane sepn. method, catalyst used in shift converter is not needed.
(US5063125-A)      Electrophotographic imaging member comprises a substrate, an electrically conductive layer comprising an organic charge transporting continuous phase and finely divided electrically conductive particles dispersed in the continuous phase, and photoconductive layer(s). The continuous phase pref. comprises an electrically insulating film forming binder having organic charge transport molecules dissolved or molecularly dispersed in it. The continuous phase comprises a copolymer of methyl acrylamidoglycolate alkyl ether and other vinyl monomer(s). The charge transport molecules comprise aromatic diamine charge transport molecule(s). The electrically conductive particles are particles of metal (oxide) having a conductivity of at least 1 (ohm.cm) power (-)1 or C black particles.    USE/ADVANTAGE -   Used in xerography. The member is dark stable and allows photodischarge with low residual voltage during cycling. @(24pp)    (JP94070718-B2)      A device is claimed which comprises (A) a substrate; and (B) a film-forming continuous phase comprising a charge transport cpd. and finely divided conductive particles dispersed in the continuous phase. The continuous phase can be of an insulating film-forming binder having the charge transport cpd. dissolved or dispersed in it or a film-forming binder can form both the film-forming continuous phase and the charge transport cpd.    USE/ADVANTAGE -   The device can be used e.g. as ground planes for photoreceptors or electrographic imaging members, as solar cell electrodes, as electric shielding for electronic devices or as a stable electrode for electronic devices. The conductive layer is humidity insensitive and the device can provide an extended life electrostatographic imaging member of high dark stability which allows photodischarge with low residual voltage during cycling. The device is easily mfd. and has a ground plane layer resistant to disturbance or dissolving by components of subsequently applied layers.
(US5063128-A)      Electrophotographic imaging member prepn. comprises applying to a substrate a coating comprising a dispersion of conductive particles having an average particles size of less than 1 micro-m and having an acidic or neutral outer surface in a basic soln. comprising a film forming polymer dissolved in a solvent. The coating is dried to remove the solvent and form a continuous, semi transparent conductive layer. A charge blocking layer is formed on the conductive layer and at least 1 photoconductive layer is formed on the charge blocking layer. The substrate has a transparency sufficient to transmit at least 10% visible and near IR light in the spectrum range to which the photoconductive layer is sensitive.    The conductive particles are pref. particles of an electron accepting metal oxide or C black.    USE/ADVANTAGE -   Member charges to a high voltage and is useful in xerography. The member is dark stable and allows photodischarge with low residual voltage during cycling. @(24pp)    (JP2565598-B2)      Prepn. of a device comprising a continuous, semi-transparent conductive layer comprises (i) applying to a substrate a coating comprising a dispersion of conductive particles of average size less than 1 micron and having an acidic or neutral outer surface in a basic soln. comprising a film-forming polymer dissolved in a solvent; and (ii) drying the coating to remove the solvent.    A device prepd. as above is also claimed.    USE/ADVANTAGE -   For prepn. of electrically conductive devices, e.g. transparent ground planes for photoreceptors, semi-transparent electrodes in solar cells, EMI shielding. The conductive layer is semi-transparent and is stable over a wide humidity range. The conductive particles are uniformly dispersed.
(DE3942205-C2)      Prodn. of a photovoltaic solar generator, consisting of solar cells which have contact elements extending across their width and which form a shingled assembly embedded in hot melt adhesive foils between a support and a cover, comprises (a) coating the contact elements with a contacting paste which, on low temp. vacuum treatment, produces an electrical connection between the overlying contact elements of adjacent cells; (b) assembling the cells on an adhesive foil on the support so that adjacent contact elements are loosely bonded together by the paste; (c) electrically connecting the edge regions of the shingled assemblies and providing electrical terminals; (d) covering the assemblies with a second adhesive foil and a cover; and (e) subjecting to low temp. vacuum treatment to produce an electrically conductive bond between the contact elements and, immediately afterwards, to cause mechanically rigid bonding of the support, the adhesive foils, the solar cells and the cover to obtain a solar cell, generator.    ADVANTAGE -   The process has a reduced number of steps and allows prodn. of curved or domed generators.
(JP2514748-B2)      A molten carbonate fuel cell start-up process, which prevents premature oxidn. of the cathode, comprises providing a metallic cathode and anode with green tapes comprising electrolyte matrix and carbonate between the, and heating the anode to 250-350 deg. C in the presence of an O-contg. gas. Heating is continued to temps. above the m.pt. of the carbonate in the presence of inert gas and 0.5-10 mol.% H2 and the temp. is maintained to allow the carbonate to distribute itself. Oxidant gas then contacts the cathode and fuel gas and anode to start operation.    Also claimed is a process as above comprising heating from 250-350 deg. C to above the m.pt. of the carbonate under the inert gas and H2 as above, with the cell operating temp. being 600-700 deg. C.    USE/ADVANTAGE -   A start-up process for a molten carbonate fuel cell (claimed) is provided which prevents premature oxidn. of the cathode and ensures good conductivity and faster binder removal. More stable long term cell operation is also obtd..
(JP95055803-B2)      Fuel reformer includes a reaction tube through which fuel gas is passed, a surface combustion burner for heating the reaction tube, a block body filled in the reaction tube and having parallel through holes defined by partition walls, and reforming catalyst carried on the surface of the block body. At least one end surface to which through holes are opened is not orthogonal to the axial direction of the through holes.    ADVANTAGE -   Honeycomb structural body may be uniformly heated.
(JP95055802-B2)      Fuel reformer has honeycomb porous body with first flow path comprising numerous independent through channels surrounded by partition walls, second flow path isolated from first flow path by partition walls and defined by connection walls connecting adjacent partition walls, reforming catalyst carried on one of inner walls of first and second flow paths, and contacting combustion catalyst other inner wall of first and second flow paths.    ADVANTAGE -   Fuel gas can be reformed to reformed gas.
(US7495969-N)      Thin, lightweight solar cell (10) includes a wafer (12) of p-type material such as InP with n+ regions (14) forming junctions (16). The wafer also has a number of p+ regions. The front surface (20) is covered by an anti-reflection coating (22), protected by a cover glass (24), with triangular V-grooves (26). A number of metal contacts (28,36) extend into the wafer and cover glass. Metallisation grooves are etched into the wafer surface and metal is deposited in them and treated so as to be flush with the top of the anti-reflecting coating.    ADVANTAGE -   Front metallisation does not protrude above the surface of the cell. @(13pp)
(JP2734474-B2)      Amorphous Si-thin film is made on substrate by feeding reaction gas into vacuum vessel and by plasma, in which, upon heating substrate, plasma is generated during low-radiation heating from radiant heat source, and generation of plasma is stalled during high-radiation heating from the source. Mfg. unit has radiant heat sources, at least one of freely open and close shutter at front of heat sources, and substrate cooler in vacuum vessel.    USE -   For amorphous Si-thin film used for solar cells, photosensors, and liq. crystals.
(US5149599-A)      Stopping a phosphoric acid fuel cell comprise (a) interrupting a load at the fuel cell, (b) supplying air from an air inlet while circulating gas in the fuel electrode to the fuel gas circulation line, (c) decreasing concn. of the electrolyte with water resulting from an electrode catalyst reaction occurring in the mainbody of the fuel cell, (d) closing the fuel gas circulation line on its discharge side to consume the combustible component in the gas circulating in the fuel circulation line due to the electrode catalyst reaction, and (e) decreasing the concn. of the combustible component in the fuel electrode and further decreasing the electrolyte concn. to predetermined respective levels, i.e. 91 to 53 wt.% and such that H3PO4 will not crystallise at a predetermined ambient temp.    ADVANTAGE -   The method does not involve heating, and the gas in the main body is easily replaced with inert gas.    (JP2705241-B2)      Thin film comprises a laminate of oxide superconductor and oxide magnetic material.    Pref. the laminated film comprises two- or multi-layered structure formed by laminating the oxide superconductor and oxide magnetic material alternately. Pref. the oxide magnetic material has ferro-magnetism, or anti-ferro-magnetism and is composed of La, Ca, Mn, and O, esp. crystals of La(1-x)CaxMnO3, where x = 0.05-0.95 with the perovskite structure. The oxide superconductor is pref. Y or rare-earths, Ba, Cu, and O, or Bi, Pb, Sr, Ca, Cu, and O.    USE/ADVANTAGE -   The laminate is used as superconductive material having improved Tc. The material has an interface which is less reactive and steep.
NOVELTY - A pair of gas diffusion electrodes are separated through a carbonate electrolyte layer which contains barium carbonate with 1-20 mol%. The gas diffusion electrode contains 0.1-5 mol% of magnesium oxide.    USE - Molten carbonate type fuel battery.    ADVANTAGE - Prevents loss of lithium ion in NiO cathode due to short circuit to eliminate reduction in electricity generation characteristics.
(JP2791130-B2)      The insulated wire comprises polyamideimide ester resin which is applied on a conductor directly or through the other insulating layer, and baked.    The polyamideimide ester resin comprises a mixt. of; (A) (a) polycarboxylic acid consisting of aromatic tribasic acid or its deriv. which contains at least 5 mol% of dibasic acid or its deriv., and 0.5-5 mol% of monobasic acid or its deriv., to the total acid content, (b) resin component formed by reaction of polyisocyanate or its deriv. in phenol solvent in presence of polyamide resin at the equiv. ratio of approx. 1:1; (B) aromatic polyisocyanate masked with phenols; and (C) tris(2-hydroxylethyl) isocyanurate modified polyesterimide resin.    USE/ADVANTAGE -   The polyamideimide ester resin and insulated wire with it are used for a coolant-resistant motor. Coolant oil resistance (resistance to blister generation) of the wire is improved.
(JP2761059-B2)      The insulated wire comprises polyamideimide ester resin which is applied on a conductor directly or through the other insulating layer, and baked.    The polyamideimide ester resin comprises a mixt. of; (A) (a) polycarboxylic acid consisting of aromatic tribasic acid or its deriv. which contains at least 5 mol% of dibasic acid or its deriv., and 0.5-5 mol% of monobasic acid or its deriv., to the total acid content, (b) resin component formed by reaction of polyisocyanate or its deriv. in phenol solvent in presence of polyamide resin at the equiv. ratio of approx. 1:1; (B) aromatic polyisocyanate masked with phenols; and (C) tris(2-hydroxylethyl) isocyanurate modified polyesterimide resin.    USE/ADVANTAGE -   The polyamideimide ester resin and insulated wire with it are used for a coolant-resistant motor. Coolant oil resistance (resistance to blister generation) of the wire is improved.
(JP2679298-B2)      The stabilising material comprises a composite material of high-purity Al in which ceramics whiskers are dispersed.    The stabilising material is made by setting a preform comprising one or more of Al2O3 whiskers, SiC whiskers, and TiB2 whiskers in a die for forging molten metal, for metal melt forging high-purity Al of at least 99.99% purity.    USE/ADVANTAGE -   Used for superconducting wire, having high strength, high residual resistance ratio, and light wt..
A fuel cell (21) is disclosed, comprising a pair of electrodes (22, 23) an electrolyte (24) of phosphoric acid located between the electrodes, a gasket (25) and a bond (26) located between an electrode and the gasket. The bond is composed of fluoric synthetic rubber and has a modulus of elasticity larger than that of the gasket.    More specifically, the fluoric synthetic rubber is free from metal oxide and metal hydroxide, and the gasket comprises two pieces, each of which has a smooth surface in contact with one of electrodes so as to seal completely the outer edges of the fuel cell. In one embodiment, the gasket pieces are composed of closed-cellular sponge rubber.    USE/ADVANTAGE -   Improved sealing gasket for fuel cells, partic. those using phosphoric acid as electrolyte. The gasket is free from the metal oxides, hydroxides and salts added to the synthetic rubber of the prior art and this is not subject to deterioration due to reaction with the acid or as a result of operating temps. of 200 deg.C. (First major country equivalent to J03101058-A, J03101059-A)    (US5407759-A)      A fuel cell has phosphoric acid electrolyte (24) between two electrodes (22,23), and a gasket (25) of fluorinated synthetic rubber free from metal oxide and hydroxide and contg. 15 wt.% of carbon black.    The rubber pref. has iodine as a bridging site and forms 80 wt.% of the gasket, which is free of metal salt.    ADVANTAGE -   The gasket does not deteriorate in the presence of phosphoric acid.
The stabilising material comprises a composite material of high-purity Al in which ceramics whiskers are dispersed.    The stabilising material is made by setting a preform comprising one or more of Al2O3 whiskers, SiC whiskers, and TiB2 whiskers in a die for forging molten metal, for metal melt forging high-purity Al of at least 99.99% purity.    USE/ADVANTAGE -   Used for superconducting wire, having high strength, high residual resistance ratio, and light wt..
(US5071719-A)      Fuel cell power plant utilising H2 and C oxide rich feed gas (4) comprises a hydrogen carbonoxide consuming fuel cell with an anode compartment (2a) and a cathode compartment (2c), means to supply feed gas (8,10,12) to (2a), compression means (41) to supply (2c) with compressed cathode oxidant gas (44) and means for recirculating fuel cell exhaust gas (46,50,42) to (2c), a methanation unit (9) to convert the H2 and (4) into a methanated gas, and a reforming catalyst bed (13) adapted to receive and reform the methanated gas to anode process gas (14) by absorbing waste heat from the fuel cell (2).    USE/ADVANTAGE -   To provide electrical energy. Improved efficiency due to reduced cooling demand. The cathode gas supply loop is simplified. @(6pp)@    (JP2602994-B2)      Fuel cell power plant comprises: an H2/C oxide-consuming fuel cell (2) with an anode compartment (2a) and cathode compartment (Zc); feed gas supply (8,10,12) to the anode; compressor (41) for supplying the cathode with compressed oxidant (44); system (46,50, 42) for recycling fuel cell exhaust to the cathode; a methanation unit (9) for the H2/C oxide supply (4); reforming catalyst (13) for reforming the methanated gas to anode process gas (14) by absorbing waste heat from the cell.    ADVANTAGE -   System reduces cooling demands on the fuel cell and simplifies the cathode gas supply loop.
(US5082752-A)      Power generation system is based on a molten carbonate fuel cell (C), with electrolyte plate (1) sandwiched by a cathode (2) and anode (3), a number of cells being stacked via separators (31) with cooling plates (33) inserted between several adjacent cells to form an indirect internal reforming type fuel cell stack (S).    Gas passages (34) extend through the cooling plate, oxidant gas feed and discharge manifold (35) and fuel gas feed and discharge manifold (36) being formed on the periphery of the plates. Outside the stack is an external reformer.    ADVANTAGE -   Reforming catalyst does not contact the carbonate. @(16pp)@    (JP2899709-B2)      Fuel cell power system comprises a stack of molten carbonate fuel cells with separators and cooling plates, the latter contg. passages for raw material gas for reformation (which also acts as cooling gas), the passages contg. reforming catalyst. External reformer (37) includes combustion section (39) and reforming section (38). Stack cooling gas line (45) is connected to cooling plate passages. A line (50) feeds raw material gas to reforming section (36). An anode gas feed line (52) feeds reformed gas from the passages and from the reforming section (38); and anode gas exit line (53) supplies the combustion section (39). A cathode gas feed line (55) supplies exhaust from combustion section (39) and air (A); and cathode exit line (56) discharges the cathode gas.    ADVANTAGE -   System is internally reforming but does not allow the reforming catalyst to contact the carbonate; easy control of stack temp. is facilitated and power generating efficiency is high.
Material powder mixt. consists of Ca, Ba, Cu, O and R where R is at least one of Y and lanthanide and is filled in sheath material, and extended. The material is treated under hot-static hydraulic pressure at 850-1100 deg.C in the mixed atmos. of inert gas and 02 gas to form the oxide superconductor contg. the oxide of the following formula (R1-xCa)Ba2Cu408 where x = 0.001-0.5. Then the superconductor is sintered.    USE/ADVANTAGE -   The method is used for prepn. of oxide superconductor wire. Superconductor wire having Tc which is higher than the temp. of liquid N2 can be obtd. Up to 850 deg.C 02 does not come off the material.
Material powder mixt. consists of Ca, Ba, Cu, O and R where R is at least one of Y and lanthanide and is filled in sheath material, and extended. The material is treated under hot-static hydraulic pressure at 850-1100 deg.C in the mixed atmos. of inert gas and 02 gas to form the oxide superconductor contg. the oxide of the following formula (R1-xCa)Ba2Cu408 where x = 0.001-0.5. Then the superconductor is sintered.    USE/ADVANTAGE -   The method is used for prepn. of oxide superconductor wire. Superconductor wire having Tc which is higher than the temp. of liquid N2 can be obtd. Up to 850 deg.C 02 does not come off the material.
(JP2569824-B2)      CRT panel comprises a glass substrate, and an optical multi-layer film formed on the surface of the glass substrate. The outermost surface of the multilayer film has a pattern coating comprising continuous linear translucent conductor in strips or network form, and transparent conductor formed at the portion where the transparent conductor is not formed.
(US5053291-A)      Fuel cell stack module comprises a layered structural (23) including unit cells (1) each of which has an electrolyte matrix, electrodes and separators (2). Each separator has vertical passage (4a) for the oxidiser gas on one of the separator surfaces and horizontal passages (4F) for the fuel gas on the other separator surfaces. The cells and separators are alternately superimposed so that each of the surfaces of the cells and separators is vertical. A first pair of manifolds (21,9) on the upper and lower surfaces communicates with the vertical passages and a second pair(not shown) on the opposite sides communicates with the horizontal passages.    USE/ADVANTAGE -   Lateral layer-built structure provides good space efficiency for meeting transportation height loading limits etc. (First major country equivalent to J03093167-A) @(13pp Dwg.No.1/9)
(JP4504928-W)      Fuel cell system in which the cell potential is controlled within a max. voltage limit comprises (i) anode section; (ii) cathode section having a max. allowed voltage limit; (iii) electrolyte; and (iv) a gas supply to the cathode purging it during off-power conditions, causing its potential to be limited below the max. limit.    The gas includes a minor (I) and a major (II) component and is supplied by a fixed area ejector injecting (I) into a stream of (II). Pref. (I) is O2 and (II) is N2.    ADVANTAGE -   Simple, efficient arrangement protects the cell during off-power or non-operating modes    (JP2835181-B2)      Fuel cell system in which the cell potential is controlled within a max. limit comprises: anode section; cathode section having a max. allowed voltage limit; electrolyte; and a gas supply to the cathode purging it during off-power conditions, causing its potential to be limited below the max. limit. The gas includes a minor (I) and a major (II) component and is supplied by a fixed area ejector injecting (I) into a stream of (II).    Pref. (I) is O2 and (II) is N2.    ADVANTAGE -   Simple, efficient arrangement protects the cell during off-power or non-operating modes.
(JP2637565-B2)      When joining film of high polymer electrolyte to electrode the film is held to electrode and inserted into enclosed space. The film is joined to the electrode by hot pressure, and water is supplied to the space.    ADVANTAGE -   Since film is joined to electrode in swelled condition improved joining is achieved, and resistance of the film is reduced and can be used as stabilised cell.
(JP2664799-B2)      Full cell assembly comprises: a cell stack (12) with a flexible conductive membrane (16) at each end in contact with an electrode (50, 58) at multiple spaced locations parallel to the cells; a pressure pad (22, 26) at each end of the stack in contact with the respective membrane; a compressive force (20) acting on the stack via the pads which maintains the membranes in contact with the electrodes at multiple locations; and a bus bar (42, 44) connected to a box-like wall structure (28) integral with each membrane and of greater thickness than each membrane and extending axially of the stack at the outer periphery of the membrane.    Pref. the stack also includes fuel manifolds (32) and air manifolds (35). Each box-like wall has an outward extending flange (40) for reinforcement and sealing. A heater (24) at each end is interposed between the first portion (22) and the second portion (26) of the pressure pad.    USE/ADVANTAGE -   Esp. as a molten carbonate fuel cell. (claimed). Structure ensures uniform loading across the plane of the cells during normal operation and transients despite thermal distortions of the pressure plates (20).
(US5053293-A)      Prodn. of a photoelectrochemical cell comprises forming a layer of anion-doped poly (6 or more C alkyl-substd. thiophene) on one surface of a semiconductor, mounting a solid electrolyte between this layer and an adjacent electroconducting surface of a transparent electrode, (e.g. In-Sn oxide on glass), and linking a connector to the other side of the semiconductor.    USE -   On exposure to irradiation from a halogen lamp, the prods. give stable and durable e.m.f.'s (e.g. about 271 or 284 mV) and small short-circuit current densities (e.g. 0.017 and 0.164 mA/cm2), and are suitable for the continuous conversion of solar energy into electrical power. @(5pp)    (JP93082036-B)      A semiconductor is covered with a thin film of a noble metal, e.g., Au, Ag, etc. then with a soln. of a doped long chain alkylthiophene polymer to form a doped long-chain alkyl thiophene polymer thin film by removing the solvent of the soln. of the doped long chain alkylthiophene polymer and a solid electrolyte, e.g., as polyethylene oxide, polypropylene oxide, polethylene imine, polyethylene succinate, etc. is interposed between the semiconductor and a transparent electrode, e.g., ITO (indium-tin oxide). Long-chain alkylthiophene polymer is, e.g., thiophene polymers with an allyl substitution, e.g., 3-hexyl, 3-octyl, 3-dodecyl, 3-octadecyl, etc. having 6 or more carbons, obtd. by electrolytic or chemical polymerisation. The semiconductor is, e.g., single or polycrystal or amorphous type Si, Ga, GaAs, InP, CdTe, etc.    USE/ADVANTAGE -   The photoelectrochemical cell is used for conversion of solar energy into electrical energy, has highly stable characteristics and is safely used for long periods. (J63078978-A)
(JP4504033-W)      Electrode grid is formed on the front of a solar cell substrate comprising a pn junction and a dielectric coating by laser beam patterning the dielectric coating to leave a finger-like electrode pattern of microscopic holes in the dielectric, the holes being spaced from each other by not more than 20 micron.    Pref. the pattern is then chemically etched to remove debris and the holes are filled with metal.    ADVANTAGE -   Method is relaible, fast and low cost and minimises the proportion of the surface occupied by the grid contact
(JP95080681-B2)      S recovered from H2S in exhaust gas is melted by heating it under reduced pressure (under 750 mmHg) at 130-170 deg C and filtered to form high purity sulphur.    USE/ADVANTAGE -   High purity S is obtd. at low cost by this method. It is applicable to Na-S battery.    In an example, 1.1 kg of crude S is filled in glass filter, heated at 150-160 deg C under reduced pressure (750-710 mmHg) and filtered by glass filter. 1.05 Kg of pure S is yielded. Impurity in it is under 1 ppm. @(4pp Dwg.No.0/6)@
(JP96004011-B2)      A method for prodn. of a thin film for use in a solid-state electrolytic fuel-battery comprises heating a Zr oxide rod with plasma arc appts. and spraying the dissolved oxide onto the base tube being rotated in an inert gas. Other components of the appts. includes an interconnector lead, and an air pole.    USE/ADVANTAGE -   In prodn. of solid-state electrolytic battery with high efficiency and improved precision of thin film.
Ammonium thiomolybdate salt is reacted with copper halide in a dimethyl formamide medium to grow a precursor. The dimethyl formamide is evapd. and removed. The resulting precursor solid is heated and reduced under hydrogen gas atmos. to produce a copper molybdenum sulphide. The battery electrode is formulated around the copper molybdenum sulphide.    Pref. ammonium thiomolybdate salt comprises ammonium dioxodithiomolybdate, ammonium tetraoxotrithiodimolybdate, or ammonium tetrathiomolybdate. The ammonium tetrathiomolybdate is pref. in terms of no oxygen mixt. The copper halide comprises cuprous fluoride, cupric fluoride, cuprous chloride, cupric chloride, cuprous bromide, cupric bromide, cuprous iodide, or cupric iodide.    USE/ADVANTAGE -   The electrode is used for sec. battery. The prodn. method has no danger and is suitable for mass prodn.
(DE3933284-C)      In a process for continuous generation of electrical energy from solar energy, solar energy is received (1) and transferred to a gas, pref. air or CO2 in circulation, that is passed (2) to the lower end of a methane reformer (3) in which cracker tubes (4) are heated convectively by hot air. The hot air or CO2 is withdrawn (5) from the reformer and passed via a cooler (5) and a compressor (7) to the radiation absorber. Prod. gas (PG) is used (8) for generation of process steam and passes via a shift convertor (9) to a pressure vessel (10), which supplies a fuel cell (11).    ADVANTAGE -   Combustion of reformer and fuel cell avoids disadvantages of water-steam circuit.
(JP94069737-B2)      Method involves (a) co-extrusion moulding polyamide resin and a thermoplastic elastomer having continuous phase composed of polyamide resin to form an inner tube, (b) forming reinforcing layer on the inner tube (1) with a knitting and braiding machine, and (c) extrusion-moulding thermoplastic elastomer to form an outer tube on the reinforcing layer.    Pref. the thermoplastic elastomer is a polymer blend of an epichlorhydrin rubber dispersed in a polyamide resin or cured-dispersed in a polyamide resin. The inner tube has a strength 20% elongation of 20-200 kg f/sq.cm. when measured in the shape of a sheet.    USE/ADVANTAGE -   For coolers and air-conditioners in motorcars. Delamination resistance, i.e. durability is high. Inner tube can be reused. Conventional use of a mandrel is eliminated. This is effective in cost-saving and no cracking. The prodn. efficiency is high. @(9pp Dwg.No.0/4)
(JP5506741-W)      An electricity generating plant has a H2-rich gas-emitting unit connected by a H2 feed line to the anode chamber of a fule all system; a combustion chamber esp. for catalytic combustion, with gas fuel feed lines, from the anode and cathode chambers of the fuel cell system and with a combustion gas outlet connected by an off-gas line to the inlet of a gas turbine; and a compressed air generator which is operatively coupled with the gas turbine and which is connected at its outlet by a compressed air line to the cathode chamber of the fuel cell system. The H2 feed line is the single fluid connection line between the H2 unit on one hand and the fuel cell system and the compressed air generator on the other hand.    ADVANTAGE -   Control costs for ensuring smooth operation are extremely low.    (US5314761-A)      Electrical power generating appts. comprises a fuel cell (B) operating at below 200 deg.C and O- and H-contg. gases fed to the cathode and anode chambers (8b,8a) respectively, with no communication between the sources of O and H. The cell may be an alkaline, phosphoric acid or solid polymer fuel cell. The O-contg. gas may be provided by a compressed air generator (10), and the appts. may include a catalytic chamber (17) for combusting anode and cathode chamber exhaust gases, with the combustion chamber exhaust gases driving a gas turbine (19) operating the generator.    ADVANTAGE -   Provides more efficient operation.
(US5019464-A)      Molten carbonate fuel battery comprises a molten stack of carbonate fuel cells with separators between adjacent cells. Each cell has an anode, an anode reaction gas flow path, cathode, a cathode reaction gas flow path and a matrix. The stack includes a half-cell anode on the outer side of the cathode end with a separator between them and a half cell cathode on the outer side of the anode end with a separator between them. The half cell anode and cathode have an anode and anode reaction gas flow path and cathode and cathode reaction gas flow path respectively but do not have a matrix.    USE/ADVANTAGE -   For molten carbonate fuel batteries and for molten carbonate fuel stacks where electrolyte migration is delayed and controlled yielding a longer stack life. @(10pp)@
An electrolyte of low freezing pt. for a phosphoric acid type fuel cell comprises at least 80% acid based on H3PO4 and a conjugate inorganic phosphate of alkali or alkaline earth cations. Also claimed is the electrolyte where the salt is non-conjugate and is a sulphate, carbonate, silicate, or borate. Pref. the electrolyte comprises phosphoric acid and a hetero-acid having proton conductivity. Pref. electrolyte comprises phosphoric acid and a non-ionic substance CnF2n+2-m(OH)m. The electrolyte may comprise at least 80% phosphoric acid and a mixt. of at least two of phosphates, non-conjugate inorganic salts, hetero-acids, and non-ionic substances.    USE/ADVANTAGE -   Phosphoric acid electrolyte comspns. are provided which are useful for fuel cells (claimed). Freezing pts. are lowered and the growth of phosphoric acid crystals inhibited, so that the cell does not freeze when stopped at low temp. Cell quality and efficiency is unimpaired. (First major country equivalent to J03034265-A)
(JP2601911-B2)      An extended leader contacts an electric connector cap at high temperatures.    ADVANTAGE -   Cell has reduced contact resistance.
(GB2236211-B)      According to the invention, a self contained secondary hydrogen-oxygen fuel cell comprising a mulit-layer microporous plate positioned in a sealed container and partially submerged in an electrolyte which partially fills the container the outer catalysis layer of the plate being electroconductive and in contact with hydrogen and oxygen respectively in the space in the container above the electrolyte, the central layer containing electrolyte drawn up by capillary action from the base of the cell and acting as a gas barrier separating the hydrogen and oxygen and on either side of the central layer a microporous layer which permits the passage of ions but not liquid, the arrangement being such that on discharge of the cell water is produced and on re-charging with direct current from an outside source the water along with the electrolyte is electrolysed to regenerate hydrogen and oxygen fuel for the cell.
(US7406009-N)      Prodn. of organic aerogels comprises polycondensation of one or more dihydroxy-benzenes (e.g. resorcinol) with HCHO in the presence of alkali, e.g. aq. Na2CO3, at about 20-85 deg. C; the gel is placed in aq. acid to increase its crosslinking, and then subjected to solvent exchange into an organic solvent; and the dispersion is evapd. under supercritical conditions in CO2 to obtain an aerogel or foam (density about 0.1 g cm(-3), cell dia. about 10 power(-7)m).    USE -   The prods. are opt. carbonised to produce low density C foam (cell dia. about 10 power(-7m) or serve as organic catalyst carriers or ion exchangers. @(37pp)
(US5096786-A)      Integral edge seal comprises an elastomer which permeates a band encircling anode, cathode and matrix assemblies and contiguous with its peripheral edges to prevent gases and electrolyte from entering the peripheral edge bands of anode and cathode assemblies and to allow them to be compressed to form a reliable seal.    Seal is used in a phosphoric acid fuel cell contg. anode, matrix and cathode assemblies between 2 conductive plates which have grooves for supplying fuel gas and O2 anode and cathode assemblies, such that an electrolyte diffuses through part of these 3 assemblies.    ADVANTAGE -   Is easy to fabricate, providing creep characteristics which approach those of parts of the anode and cathode assemblies inboard of the peripheral edge bands, maintaining good electrical contact w.r.t. life of fuel cell.
(EP417541-A3)      A process for producing a protein-oritentated membrane comprises a process for orienting protein molecules and a process for cross linking the oriented protein molecules together.    Also claimed is an artificial proteinaceous structure produced by the process and a photoelectric transducer formed using the proteinaceous structure.    The orientation ofprotein mols. is pref. carried out by making the mols. absorbed onto a substrate by means of electrophoresis or by utilizing antigen-antibody reaction. Alternatively the orientation is carried out by forming Langumuir-Blodgetts membrane of the protein mol. at the interface between liquid and gas. The cross-linking protein mols. is carried out using a cross-linking agent selected from glutalaldehyde, carbodiimide and diamines. The protein to be oriented is bacteriorhodoplin contained in purple membrane or haloehodopsin container in purple membrane.    USE/ADVANTAGE -   The protein orientated membrane has remarkably enhanced physical and chemical stabilities and can be processed and handled easily. The membrane can be used in solar battery, photo-sensors, chemo-sensors etc.. @(14pp Dwg.No.1/9)@    (US5252719-A)      Prodn. of oriented photoreceptive protein immobilised on a membrane substrate comprises orientation of protein molecules on the substrate, e.g. by absorption antigen-antibody reaction, electrophoresis or Langmuir-Blodgett film formation at a liquid-air interface; and crosslinking the oriented protein molecules with glutardialdehyde, carbodiimide or a diamine.    USE -   The prods. are components for photoelectric transducers, solar batteries, photosensors and chemical sensors, etc.
(JP2835851-B2)      Reformer for fuel cell comprises spirally continuous catalyst layer for reacting raw gas, and spiral heating layer parallel with the adjacent to catalyst layer. Flow direction of raw gas through catalyst layer is the same as that of heat medium through heating layer.    ADVANTAGE -   Number of parts is small, and length of reacting path for raw gas can be prolonged.
(JP2608471-B2)      A wet seal part which touches product made austenitic stainless steel which supports the electrolyte layer of a fused carbonate type fuel cell, or the electrolyte layer of an Inconel flange is faced to form a high Al alloy layer with high temperature corrosion resistance. Ferritic stainless steel is applied to the surface of the wet seal part, then Al foil in a specified amount is applied. Next, a 2-5% Al content Cr steel with an oxide skin layer is applied. The whole product is made into a bag and a vacuum is created inside the bag.    ADVANTAGE -   Wet seal part of fused carbonate fuel cell is improved.
(JP2815901-B2)      Catalyst comprises highly dispersed platinum and ruthenium on carbon fine particles of the electrode for the liquid fuel cell. At least the platinum and ruthenium form their oxides.    Pref. (1) the platinum catalyst comprises the complex oxide of at least two of PtO, PtO2 and PtO ads. (2) Ruthenium catalyst comprises the oxide of at least one of RuO3 and RuO2. (3) Atomic compsn. ratio of Pt and Ru (Ru/Pt) is 1-2. In the prepn. a reducing and cohesion preventing agent are added to a Pt cpd. aq. soln., then water soluble Ru cpd. is added to form colloidal dispersion of Pt and Ru; the colloidal dispersion and highly dispersed carbon fine powder suspension are mixed to make the carbon powder to support catalyst particles of Pt and Ru; and the carbon fine powder supporting Pt and Ru is heat-treated in oxidizing or inert atmosphere. Complex oxide catalyst of simple substance and alloy of Pt and Ru is formed on the carbon.    USE/ADVANTAGE -   The catalyst is used for the liquid fuel cell. Fuel electrode with improved efficiency can be obtd.. Highly safe fuel cell catalyst can be easily prepd..
(JP2890486-B2)      Catalyst comprises highly dispersed platinum and ruthenium on carbon fine particles of the electrode for the liquid fuel cell. At least the platinum and ruthenium form their oxides.    Pref. (1) the platinum catalyst comprises the complex oxide of at least two of PtO, PtO2 and PtO ads. (2) Ruthenium catalyst comprises the oxide of at least one of RuO3 and RuO2. (3) Atomic compsn. ratio of Pt and Ru (Ru/Pt) is 1-2. In the prepn. a reducing and cohesion preventing agent are added to a Pt cpd. aq. soln., then water soluble Ru cpd. is added to form colloidal dispersion of Pt and Ru; the colloidal dispersion and highly dispersed carbon fine powder suspension are mixed to make the carbon powder to support catalyst particles of Pt and Ru; and the carbon fine powder supporting Pt and Ru is heat-treated in oxidizing or inert atmosphere. Complex oxide catalyst of simple substance and alloy of Pt and Ru is formed on the carbon.    USE/ADVANTAGE -   The catalyst is used for the liquid fuel cell. Fuel electrode with improved efficiency can be obtd.. Highly safe fuel cell catalyst can be easily prepd..
Ion pouring device comprises multiple pole biased electrode section including electrodes arranged in circular shape at given pitch. At least one of the electrodes in biases electrode section is provided with cooler.    ADVANTAGE -   probability at which gas molecules collide with ion beam is reduced to lower occurrence of error in pouring amt. of ions on control of the pouring amt. through measurement of ion current.
Ion pouring device comprises multiple pole biased electrode section including electrodes arranged in circular shape at given pitch. At least one of the electrodes in biases electrode section is provided with cooler.    ADVANTAGE -   probability at which gas molecules collide with ion beam is reduced to lower occurrence of error in pouring amt. of ions on control of the pouring amt. through measurement of ion current.
(JP2684776-B2)      Formation comprises: coating the surface of a porous substrate with an aq. soln. of a metallic powder, and polishing the surface after sintering; forming a layer of the same metallic powder and sintering after applying pressure for adhesion; rubbing a powder of the same metal as above in which the powder comprises smaller grains and sintering again after applying pressure for adhesion; and rubbing again the powder and sintering again to form a thin film of the metal comprising fine and uniform pores therein.    USE/ADVANTAGE -   Provides thin film laminate on a porous substrate, for use as cells of fuel cells.
(JP2789678-B2)      An electron is discharged from a filament and is accelerated and controlled by a control grid, then collides with a phosphor layer of an anode substrate. Either the inner or outer face of an indicating outside cover has (a) a filter portion which is discoloured by UV and reversed to the initial state by heating and (b) a transparent electroconductive film portion. An electronic excitation UV emitting phosphor layer is laminated on the control grid.    ADVANTAGE -   The tube allows a multicoloured display using only one phosphor, and has improved life.
Photo-electric conversion device consists of an electrode, of metal having a work function of 4.5 eV or more, on which an n-type semiconductor layer, pref. ZnO, CdS, is formed; an electromconductive organic layer, e.g. tetracyanoquinodimethane, perylene pigments, perynone pigments, forming an electron acceptor layer; an electron donor layer and second electrode. At least one of the electrodes is transparent and 100-10,000 Angstrom thick.    ADVANTAGE -   Stable flow of large amt. of current without decreasing current density. @(9pp)@    (US5126802-A)      The device comprises an electrode of C or a metal having a work function of at least 4.5 eV, an n-type inorganic semiconductor layer (crystalline or amorphous Si, ZnO, ZnS, ZnSe, CdS, CdSe) on the electrode, and an electroconductive organic layer (perylene, perynone or quinone pigment, or Na or K doped polyacetylene or polythiophene, or a dye such as crystal violet, methyl violet and malachite green. The electrode is opt. Au, Pd, Pt, Cr or N2.    USE/ADVANTAGE -   Used as a solar battery, photoelectric conversion deivce or transistor. High current density.
(US5075277-A)      A steam reforming catalyst for hydrocarbon is new. The catalyst (pref. rhodium, ruthenium, palladium, platinum or a mixture of these) is characterised in that the metal is supported on a zirconia carrier contg. 0.5-20 (pref. 1.0-10.0 mol.%) yttria. The catalyst has a crystal structure primarily consisting of a tetragonal system or tetragonal and cubic systems.    USE/ADVANTAGE -   The catalyst has a higher reaction efficiency compared to with conventional steam catalysts and suppresses carbon deposition extensively when the steam/carbon ratio is low. It also exhibits higher hydrogen generation efficiency and higher catalyst strength. It is esp. useful for internal reforming type fuel cell. @(11pp)@
(US5151334-A)      Fuel cell is constructed of cell unit structures stacked and connected in series. Structure comprises a hydrogen electrode film stacked on a porous substrate, a solid electrolyte film stacked on the hydrogen electrode film, and an oxygen electrode film stacked on the solid electrolyte film. Hydrogen electrode is formed of fine Ni powder particles having fine voids of homogeneous dia.    ADVANTAGE -   Voltage dropping can be reduced by reducing solidus electrolyte thickness.    (JP2841528-B2)      Fuel cell comprises stacked unit structures connected in series, each unit comprising: a porous substrate; an H2 electrode film formed of Ni powder having fine, uniform size voids; solid electrolyte, and O2 electrode-films. Pref. a Pt coating is formed between H2 electrode and electrolyte-films; and the Ni powder is formed of a mixt of powder of dia. 1 micron or less and a powder of dia. 3 micron or less, to form voids of uniform size.    ADVANTAGE -   Cell is provided having a thin solid electrolyte which induces a min. voltage drop.    (JP2940008-B2)      Fuel cell comprises stacked unit structures connected in series, each unit comprising: a porous substrate; an H2 electrode film formed of Ni powder having fine, uniform size voids; solid electrolyte, and O2 electrode-films. Pref. a Pt coating is formed between H2 electrode and electrolyte-films; and the Ni powder is formed of a mixt of powder of dia. 1 micron or less and a powder of dia. 3 micron or less, to form voids of uniform size.    ADVANTAGE -   Cell is provided having a thin solid electrolyte which induces a min. voltage drop.
(JP2816478-B2)      Carbon dioxide gas from anode outlet gas comprises the steps (a) gas from anode pole of fused carbonate type fuel cell is fed to an absorption appts., (b) CO2 is removed from the gas by absorption into an aq. soln. contg. an alkali salt or an amine, (c) CO2 absorbed gas is regenerated in a regenerator using thermal energy anode outlet gas, (d) regenerated absorbing soln. is fed back into the absorbing appts. and sepd. CO2 is fed to cathode pole of the fused carbonate type fuel cell.    ADVANTAGE -   Power generation efficiency of fuel cell is improved from 41% to 52%.
(JP2816477-B2)      Carbon dioxide gas from anode outlet gas comprises the steps (a) gas from anode pole of fused carbonate type fuel cell is fed to an absorption appts., (b) CO2 is removed from the gas by absorption into an aq. soln. contg. an alkali salt or an amine, (c) CO2 absorbed gas is regenerated in a regenerator using thermal energy anode outlet gas, (d) regenerated absorbing soln. is fed back into the absorbing appts. and sepd. CO2 is fed to cathode pole of the fused carbonate type fuel cell.    ADVANTAGE -   Power generation efficiency of fuel cell is improved from 41% to 52%.
(JP2933227-B2)      Carbon dioxide gas from anode outlet gas comprises the steps (a) gas from anode pole of fused carbonate type fuel cell is fed to an absorption appts., (b) CO2 is removed from the gas by absorption into an aq. soln. contg. an alkali salt or an amine, (c) CO2 absorbed gas is regenerated in a regenerator using thermal energy anode outlet gas, (d) regenerated absorbing soln. is fed back into the absorbing appts. and sepd. CO2 is fed to cathode pole of the fused carbonate type fuel cell.    ADVANTAGE -   Power generation efficiency of fuel cell is improved from 41% to 52%.
(JP2816476-B2)      Carbon dioxide gas from anode outlet gas comprises the steps (a) gas from anode pole of fused carbonate type fuel cell is fed to an absorption appts., (b) CO2 is removed from the gas by absorption into an aq. soln. contg. an alkali salt or an amine, (c) CO2 absorbed gas is regenerated in a regenerator using thermal energy anode outlet gas, (d) regenerated absorbing soln. is fed back into the absorbing appts. and sepd. CO2 is fed to cathode pole of the fused carbonate type fuel cell.    ADVANTAGE -   Power generation efficiency of fuel cell is improved from 41% to 52%.
(JP2711018-B2)      Fluid flow field plate (12) used in solid polymer electrolyte fuel cell is made of a suitable electrically conducting material. It has a single continuous open-faced fluid channel (22) formed in a major surface which traverses the central area of the surface in a number of passes. The channel has a fluid inlet (24) at one end and a fluid outlet (26) at the other, inlet and outlet being directly connected to a fluid supply opening (25) and a fluid exhaust opening (27) respectively defined in the surface.    USE/ADVANTAGE -   The fluid flow field plate design enables water to be removed as it forms in the channel, movement of the water being encouraged before it can coalesce into a large droplet requiring greater force to remove it. The water is removed by the flow of oxidant gas, typically oxygen. If air is used, the channel ensures a uniform and controlled oxygen partial pressure drop across the cell and enables the oxygen concentration at any point to be measured or calculated and controlled with accuracy.
(JP2751407-B2)      Device comprises an ion source, a filter for letting ions having a desired mass and a desired speed through, and a means to decelerate and focus the ion beam getting out of the filter.    USE -   Ions can be taken from soln.
Vacuum tube is sealed by bonding a section of a vacuum tube for vacuum treatment to an intercommunicating tube connected to a vacuum appts. followed by cutting at a sealing and cutting part after vacuum treatment. The vacuum treatment is performed by bonding an annular concave part formed at the apex of the intercommunicating tube and an engaging part of the edge of a bonding part of the vacuum tube hermetically with bonding fused material, pref. low m. pt. frit glass powder, annular pellets, glass solder or metal brazing material.    USE -   For evacuating glass, metal, or ceramic tubes, or sealing vacuum tubes after filling gas.
(JP2607682-B2)      In the hydrogen purifier to supply purified hydrogen to a fuel cell by removing carbon monoxide from steam-contg. hydrogen gas, an electrolyte is held between 2 sheets of gas diffusion electrodes capable of adsorbing carbon monoxide, passages for hydrogen gas are provided on the surfaces of the electrodes and a power source for sending an electric current intermittently to the electrodes is also provided.    USE/ADVANTAGE -   The hydrogen purifier is partic. useful in removing carbon monoxide from hydrogen gas to be supplied to fuel cells which use high molecular solid electrolytes and operate at comparatively low temp. Using the purifier the concn. of carbon monoxide can be reduced to not more than 10ppm.    In an example, hydrogen gas for fuel cells was obtd. from steam-reformed methanol by removing carbon monoxide using the purifier as follows. Gas diffusion electrodes with an effective area of 121cm2 and a thickness of 0.5mm on which a Pt catalyst was supported at 0.5mg/cm2 were used as the electrodes. Steam-reformed methanol gas was allowed to flow through the passages on the electrodes for 60 min. while an electric current at 60A, 0.8V was applied to the electrodes for a duration of 2 sec. at intervals of 10 min. While the steam-reformed gas contd. 68 mol. % H2, 10 mol. % H20, 22 mol. % C02 and 100 ppm CO, the purified gas contd. 10 ppm CO.
(JP2755685-B2)      Hydrogen is produced by a steam reforming reaction using a hydrocarbon or methanol as the raw material to use the produced hydrogen-contg. gas for a fuel cell, a sepn. membrane to separate hydrogen is placed in the reaction tube filled with a catalyst. An outer casing is set around the reaction tube. The raw materials are supplied to the reaction tube filled with a catalyst to generate hydrogen gas. An inert gas is passed through the inside of the sepn. membrane to allow the hydrogen gas to permeate through the membrane to go outside the system accompanied by the inert gas. The hydrogen-contg. gas is supplied to a fuel cell. The residual gas consists of inert gas and contains hydrogen at a low level, and after being consumed in the fuel cell is circulated to the inside of the sepn. membrane to be reused.    ADVANTAGE -   The heat generated as a result of combusting the unreacted raw material gases in the outer casing of the catalyst layer are used for catalytic reaction.
The cathode comprises zinc or alloy powder with mercurised deg. of up to 1%, dispersed in gel state alkaline electrolyte. In the cathode, polyoxyethylene gp. alkylallylthioether type non-ionic surfactant is of formula (I), (where n = 8-15, R = 5-30C alkyl, EO = CH2CH2O, is added as 10-100ppm to the amt. of zinc).    ADVANTAGE -   Mercury content is effectively reduced without lowering discharge capability.
(US5114770-A)      Method comprises (a) continuously travelling a band-shaped member contg. a conductive member along length during which a pillar-shaped film-forming space capable of keeping a vacuum is established using the band-shaped member as a sidewall for the film-forming space, (b) charging starting gases through a gas feeder, and (c) simultaneously microwave irradiating through antenna extending into the space and parallel to the sidewall to initiate plasma and so deposit the film on the band-shaped member.    ADVANTAGE -   High quality uniform film is rapidly formed over large areas at low cost.
(JP2919588-B2)      Electrochemical appts. includes a generator section (22) contg.: axially elongated cells (16) each having an exterior fuel electrode (18), a solid oxide electrolyte and an interior air electrode; fuel gas feed inlet (28); oxidant gas feed inlet (30); and spent fuel exit channel (46) passing from the generator chamber to combine with fresh fuel inlet (28) at mixer (50). A reformable fuel channel (52) passes through the generator chamber (22) and connects with mixer (50), the channel contg. entry ports (54) within the chamber (22), the axis of the ports being transverse to the fuel electrode surfaces (18) and a catalytic reforming material being distributed near the entry ports (54).    ADVANTAGE -   ruel supply is distributed along the entire cell, with use of water vapour-contg. spent fuel added to the fresh fuel to allow in-situ reformation by a catalytic reformer distributed along the cell length.
(US5051321-A)      Fuel cell comprises (a) a fuel electrode, electrolyte and air electrode layers integrally superimposed on a substrate, (b) a 1st region filled with air or O2, and (c) a 2nd region filled with fuel gas, sepd. from the 1st region by the fuel cell unit in (a). The substrate has a thermal expansion coefft. equal to the electrolyte layer. The electrolyte layer is formed by spray coating and is heat treated. The substrate and electrolyte layer are yttria-stabilised zirconia. Opt. the substrate is calcia or magnesia stabilised zirconia.    USE/ADVANTAGE -   Used as a solid oxide fuel cell. The electrolyte layer has smaller gas permeability coefft. reducing the risk of explosions. @(4pp)@
(DE3922673-C2)      High temp. fuel cell is for a fuel cell stack consisting of a stack of two alternating basic elements, i.e. a solid electrolyte foil (1) coated with electrodes and a bipolar plate (2) contg. gas channels (3). The electrodes (5, 7) each consist of a sandwich of a number (n) of individual layers of different materials. Anodes consist of Zr oxide/Ni cermet with different Ni contents in the layers, while cathodes are of mixed oxide based on La manganate with different proportions of La replaced by heavy alkaline earth ions and Mn by transition metals.    ADVANTAGE -   Mechanically stable, compensating differences in coeffts. of expansion.
The Nb3Sn superconducting wire is obtd. by placing assemblies comprising Cu-coated Nb wires around a Sn-wire, a diffusion barrier layer is formed around a stabilising material that is wire drawn, followed by heat treating to form Nb3Sn by diffusion reaction. The numbers of the assemblies disposed around the diffusion barrier layer is 40-100.    USE -   For internal diffusion type N3Sn superconducting wires having high-critical current density.
(EP409652-A3)      Na/S cell comprises a beta-Al2O3 tube separating the anode and cathode active materials, the tube contg. water in an amt. not above 0.3, pref. not above 0.1 mg/sq.cm of tube surface area.    Cell is made by heating the tube after sintering to remove absorbed water to the above levels. The heating is pref. carried out at about 300deg.C, pref. above 600deg.C, and esp. above 1000deg.C, in dry air, N2, Ar or a vacuum for at least 30 mins., pref. at least 1 hr. In an embodiment microwave heating in a vacuum is used. The tube is then assembled into the cell.    ADVANTAGE -   Cell has prolonged life and reliability. @(14pp Dwg.No.1/6)@    (EP409652-B1)      A process for manufacturing a sodium sulphur cell comprising a cathode active material (5), an anode active material (3) and a beta alumina tube (1) separating the above active materials from each other, which process comprises heating said beta alumina tube (1) to reduce its water content to not more than 0.3 mg per cm2 of the surface area of the beta alumina tube, thereafter constantly controlling said water content to be not more than 0.3 mg per cm2, and then fabricating said cell by loading said active materials when said beta alumina tube has a water content of not more than 0.3 mg per cm2 of its surface area.    (JP2749648-B2)      Na/S cell comprises a beta-Al2O3 tube separating the anode and cathode active materials, the tube contg. water in an amt. not above 0.3, pref. not above 0.1 mg/sq.cm of tube surface area.    Cell is made by heating the tube after sintering to remove absorbed water to the above levels. The heating is pref. carried out at about 300deg.C, pref. above 600deg.C, and esp. above 1000deg.C, in dry air, N2, Ar or a vacuum for at least 30 mins., pref. at least 1 hr. In an embodiment microwave heating in a vacuum is used. The tube is then assembled into the cell.    ADVANTAGE -   Cell has prolonged life and reliability.
(JP93051152-B)      The fuel cells comprises a pair of Ni oxide and/or Co oxide porous cathode and Ni porous cathode, each having a specified area of 1-100 sq.m/g and prim. pores of 0.01-2 microns and sec. pores of 2-20 microns. (J02291666-A)
(US5194398-A)      An amorphous semiconductor film is formed by initially producing a silicon (alloy) film contg. not more than 20% of bound hydrogen and then modifying the film by exposing it to an atmos. containing a non-film-forming reactive gas or a monovalent ion or atomic hydorgen.    The sequential treatment can be repeated a multiple number of times with each cycle giving a film modification thickness of 10-100 A.    ADVANTAGE -   The resulting films have high stability and can be used e.g. in solar cells.    (EP407088-B1)      Amorphous semiconductor film is formed by: forming a 3-100 (5-100) Angstrom film, pref. by vacuum evapn., sputtering, ion plating, or plasma or phoso CVD, the film contg. not above 20 at%, (not above 10 at%), of bound H2; modifying the film; and repeating the sequence, pref. to deposit a film of overall thickness 1000 Angstrom to 10 micron.    USE/ADVANTAGE -   Esp. in solar cell prepn. The film has improved electro-optical properties to e.g. a conventional Si film.
(US5049459-A)      Fuel cell comprises (a) an electrolyte layer, (b) an oxygen electrode attached to one face of (a), (c) a fuel electrode attached to the other side of (a), (d) an electroconductive separator opposed to (b) and electrically connected with it, (e) an O2-contg. gas flow passage between (b) and (d), (f) band ridges at opposite side edges of the separator, sealing side edges of (e) so entire periphery of the cell construction along (e) is formed as a fuel flow passage, and (g) a flexible conductive member separately in either passage. The electrolyte layer is ZrO2 with a solid soln. of Y. The oxygen electrode is LaMnO3. The fuel electrode is a cermet of Ni and ZrO2. The conductive member is an La cpd., an Ni- or Co-alloy.    USE/ADVANTAGE -   Used for electricity prodn. Problems of the prior art e.g. performance deterioration are avoided. @(16pp)@    (JP2828278-B2)      A fuel cell comprises: (1) an electrolytic layer; (2) an oxygen pole attached to one face of the electrolytic layer; (3) a fuel pole attached to the other face of the electrolytic layer; (4) a separator made of electrically conductive material, opposite the oxygen pole to be connected to it; (5) an oxygen-contg. gas flow passage formed between the oxygen pole and the separator. The cell has a conductive member disposed in the oxygen-contg. gas flow passage, the member being made of flexible material, separate from the oxygen pole and the separator, and connecting entire or partial faces of the oxygen pole and the separator with each other.    ADVANTAGE -   The cell is less subejct to thermal strain, and the tolerances required during mfr. are not as tight.
(US5028274-A)      A solar cell is formed by depositing directly onto a conductive substrate or a substrate with a conductive coating, an intermediate layer of one or more elements selected from Te, Sn and Pb.    A group of 1-3-6(2) semiconductive layer is then deposited on the intermediate layer. Pref. the semiconductive layer is CuIn1-xGaxSe2 where x is 0-1.    ADVANTAGE -   Efficient photovoltic devices are formed. The device can be readily fabricated with the intermediate layer giving enhanced mechanical strength. @(12pp)@
An electroconductive composite material is prepd. by impregnating a monomer providing electroconductive polymer on the surface of a substrate, treating the surface of impregnated substrate with a soln. of an oxidising agent and doping opt. the surface to form a composite electroconductive polymer layer.    The substrate is e.g. a sheet of styrol/butadiene rubber, butadiene rubber, isoprene rubber, acrylonitrile/butadiene rubber, butyl rubber, ethylene/propylene/conjugated diene rubber or a film or sheet of urethane resin, polyvinyl alcohol, Nylon, polyester or phenol resin. The monomer providing electroconductive polymer is e.g. a pyrrole or aniline and impregnated onto and into the substrate by immersing the substrate into the liq. monomer or by placing the substrate in the monomer vapour. The oxidising agent is e.g. NaCl03, NaIO3, FeCl3, etc. and used by dissolving it in a solvent having pref. penetrability into the substrate (e.g. acetone or acetonitrile for urethane rubber substrate) until the impregnated monomer has been polymerised. When the oxidising agent does not form a dopant anion, the polymer is doped with a halogen or protonic acid such as HCl. The oxidising agent does not remain in the substrate so it does not deteriorate the substrate. The polymer is formed in a pattern on the substrate by masking unnecessary portions with cellophane, etc.    ADVANTAGE -   The composite conductive material does not deteriorate the substrate by the residual oxidising agent.
(JP2511142-B2)      To a perovskite oxide with the compositional formula of La1-xSrxCr1-yMgyO3 where x = 0-1, y = 0-1 are added 2-4.0 mol% Bi203 as Bi and 0.2-16 mol% B203 as B; then the mixt. is sintered to form a La-chromite double oxide at 1200-1400 deg.C.    USE/ADVANTAGE -   A dense La chromite double oxide sinter with over 93% of relative density can be obtd., which is used as an interconnector for solid oxide fuel cells, a heater for ultra-high temp. furnaces, or a electrode for MHD electric generators.    In an example LaCrO.9Mg0.103 was prepd. by heating the mixt. of La203, Cr203 and MgO in air at 1400 deg.C for 24 hrs., then pulverized into powders with 1 micron average dia.; 10 mol% Bi203 and 2 mol% B203 were admixed with the powders; the mixt. was press-moulded by isotropic hydrostatic pressing at 1500 kg/cm2, then sintered at 1300 deg.C in air for 5 hrs.
(US5053083-A)      Solar cell comprises a body of a semiconductor material having at least one P/N junction. Body includes: (a) a front face contg. electrodes; (b) a bilevel elevation back face having at least one P- doped region at a first level interdigitated with at least one N-doped region at a second level; and (c) a positive electrode contacting at least one P-doped region and a negative electrode contacting at least one N-doped region, both electrodes contacting the solar cell on the back face. At least one P-doped region and at least one N-doped region partially overlap forming at least one compensated region.    USE/ADVANTAGE -   Used for prodn. of high efficiency solar cells, partic. prodn. cost is reduced as well as mfg. tolerances for such solar cells and devices. @(13pp)@
(US5377485-A)      The energy conversion system is adapted to convert the energy in liquid which flows from a higher level to a lower level. A duct is provided through which the liquid is caused to flow. A gas is introduced into the duct so that it is moved along the duct by the flow and some of the potential energy in the gas.    A kinetic energy conversion device is arranged to convert the kinetic energy of the gas into energy in a more readily usable form. The duct comprises a syphon duct and extends from the higher level to the lower level in a smoothly curved manner. The duct has a venturi throat. For introducing gas, a gas induction pipe opens into the venturi throat. The syphon duct is smoothly curved over a weir and has a venturi throat at the crest.    USE -   Hydroelectric power generation for low head tidal or river application.
(US5262246-A)      A portion of a material is covered by a shield with resistance to degradation by atomic oxygen comprising a substd. para-methoxy polystyrene of formula (I) where M is Si, Ge, Sn or Pb and n is 60 or more.    Pref. the shield is a copolymer of (I) and another element. It has a thickness of 0.1-100 microns (pref. 10 microns) and loses about 1% of this thickness when exposed to O atoms for 1 hour at a density of 10 power(14-15) atoms per cm2 at 0.4 torr.    Also claimed is prodn. of the shield.    USE/ADVANTAGE -   For use in spacecraft parts such as wires and panels to prevent degradation over long periods of time.
(US5298087-A)      The photovoltaic device comprises an insulating transparent substrate coated with an incident light-receiving surface electrode formed of a thin metal film of aluminum. The surface electrode is overlaid with an amorphous semiconductor layer and a back electrode. The thin metal film is adapted for use as a mirror, and both it and the back electrode are connected by a conductive path.    The thin film and the back electrode are segmented to form a number of linearly arranged unit cells and the conductive path is between the back electrode of one unit cell, and the thin metal film of an adjacent unit cell. The thin metal film is not thicker than 200 Angstrom.    ADVANTAGE -   Use of thin film eliminates need to heat substrate.    (EP457312-B1)      A photovoltaic device comprising: a) an insulating transparent substrate (1); and b) a number of solar cells having: c.1) a number of light receiving surface electrodes (61-63) formed of a thin metal film (6) coated on the transparent substrate (1), c.2) an amorphous semiconductor layer (3) over the surface electrodes (61-63), c.3) a number of back electrodes (41,42), and c.4) a number of conductive paths (51,52), each connecting a surface electrode (62,63) of one of the cells and a back electrode (41,42) of an adjacent cell, to connect adjacent cells in-series through the amorphous semiconductor layer (3); d.1) wherein the metal film (6) is formed of aluminium or nickel and d.2) is thicker than 10 nm and no thicker than 20 nm (200 angstrom), e) and wherein the number of solar cells has a reflectance of around 12% over most of the visible spectrum to perform as a mirror.
(GB2244284-B)      A method of manufacturing a polycrystalline Si semiconductor film, comprising: forming an amorphous Si semiconductor film on a substrate, with the film having a uniform thickness and containing crystalline phases; implanting ions in and through the film, the ions having parameters such that their projected range is greater than the thickness of the film, and the amorphousness of the film is enhanced; and implanting further ions in and through the film, the further ions having parameters such that their projected range is greater than the thickness of the film, and the film is converted into a polycrystalline Si semiconductor film.
(US5100480-A)      A solar cell device is formed of multiple solar cells with a (semi) insulating substrate with first and second holes penetrating through the substrate. A first conductivity type semiconductor layer is applied on one surface and linked to an electrode extending through the first hole. A second layer of second conductivity type extends over the first layer and is connected, via the second hole, to a second electrode.    Pref. the cell has a GaAs substrate covered with n-type and p-type layers of GaAs.    ADVANTAGE -   The design allows multiple cells to be linked in a single plane without problems of physical stress.
(US5154733-A)      The photoelectron emitting member includes a matrix that is at least composed of a material capable of transmitting ultraviolet rays and a material that is provided on the surface of the matrix or in its neighbourhood and which emits photoelectrons upon irradiation with ultraviolet rays or sunlight. The member emitting photoelectrons upon irradiation with ultraviolet rays or sunlight is disposed in an electric field from the side opposite to the irradiated side.    The member permits efficient utilisation of the energy of ultraviolet rays. When sunlight is applied to the member to have it emit photoelectrons, particles can be electrically charged with energy costs being reduced to zero.    USE -   For electrically charging fine particles with photoelectrons, e.g. for air cleaner and for classifying fine particles.
(US5290366-A)      The laminated solar module comprises a glass plate, solar cells connected in series to form a laminated solar module mounted on the back side of the glass plate and secured to it by hot melt adhesive foil to form a layer structure, 1st and 2nd terminals for the solar cells arranged spatially remote from each other on the back of the module on top of the layer structure adjacent the 1st and 2nd opposite edges of the plate, 1st and 2nd hollow housings covering the 1st and 2nd terminals, a protective diode in at least one of the housings connected across the solar cells and which becomes non-conductive when sunlight impinges on the solar cells, and a silicon cpd. filled in the housings to bond them to the back side of the module.    The module pref. has a plug connectors covered with shrink-fit tubing for connecting adjacent modules.    USE/ADVANTAGE -   No involved connection box on the laminated solar modules is required. Modules can be readily connected together.
(US5296043-A)      The improved solar cell module includes a number of solar cell elements, each comprising a semiconductor layer and an upper electrode disposed in this order on the conductive surface of a substrate. This number of solar cell elements are spacedly disposed on a common, electrically insulative base member, with each solar cell element electrically connected in series with its adjacent element.    An insulating material is disposed in the space between the solar cell elements in each pair of adjacent solar cell elements and a conductor formed of a conductive paste is disposed on the insulating material, such that one end of the conductor is electrically connected to the conductive substrate surface of one solar cell element, and the other end of the conductor is electrically connected to the upper electrode of the adjacent solar cell element.    ADVANTAGE -   Provides improved multi-cell integrated solar cell module which is advanced in weathering and exhibits stable desirable photoelectric conversion efficiency.    (DE4104713-C2)      Each solar cell element has a semiconductor layer and a top electrode, fitted on a conductive substrate surface. The solar cell elements are arranged on a support in a spaced manner, with each two adjacent elements electrically interconnected. Between the two adjacent elements (301) is inserted an insulating material (303), onto which is deposited a conductor (305) formed by a conductive paste.    One end of the conductor is coupled to the conductive surface (302) on one of the adjacent elements, while its other end is linked to the top electrode (304) of the other element.    USE/ADVANTAGE -   For non-polluting power generation, with improved weather resistance and long service life. @(13pp Dwg.No.3a/5)@
(EP439739-B1)      Electric synchronous machine, in particular a hydroelectric generator of large diameter, having excitation poles (18) in the rotor which are carried by an annular body (17) which is constructed from segmental stampings (23,24) which is arranged on the rotor shaft (10) and designed as a hollow conical fustrum (5), which spider body in turn is secured on a rotating bearing part (9), characterized in that the annular body (17) constructed from segmental stampings is provided with projections (22) pointing radially inwards, which projections are embodies in one piece with the segmental stampings (24), and the annular body (17) is screwed on said projections with the hollow conical frustum (5), the radial width of the projection (22) being between 25% and 40% of the radial width of the annular body (17).
(DE3942205-C2)      Prodn. of a photovoltaic solar generator, consisting of solar cells which have contact elements extending across their width and which form a shingled assembly embedded in hot melt adhesive foils between a support and a cover, comprises (a) coating the contact elements with a contacting paste which, on low temp. vacuum treatment, produces an electrical connection between the overlying contact elements of adjacent cells; (b) assembling the cells on an adhesive foil on the support so that adjacent contact elements are loosely bonded together by the paste; (c) electrically connecting the edge regions of the shingled assemblies and providing electrical terminals; (d) covering the assemblies with a second adhesive foil and a cover; and (e) subjecting to low temp. vacuum treatment to produce an electrically conductive bond between the contact elements and, immediately afterwards, to cause mechanically rigid bonding of the support, the adhesive foils, the solar cells and the cover to obtain a solar cell, generator.    ADVANTAGE -   The process has a reduced number of steps and allows prodn. of curved or domed generators.
(US5281856-A)      At least one water driven flow machine, especially a wate rdriven turbine, is provided. An electric power generator (19) and an hydraulic energy transfer system are arrange between the water turbine(s) and the power generator. In at least one thoroughfare flow duct of a floating buoyant body, at least one pumpng unit comprises an hydraulic rotary pump (11, 12) is coupled to a shaft of the water driven turbine.    The buoyant body is held by an anchor in a predetermine orientationa nd in stationary position on the surface of the water. The hydraulic rotary pumps form component parts and serve as hydraulic pressure sources in the hydraulic energy transfer system.    USE -   Water current energy converter for converting the flow energy of a moving body of water into electric power.
(US7495969-N)      Thin, lightweight solar cell (10) includes a wafer (12) of p-type material such as InP with n+ regions (14) forming junctions (16). The wafer also has a number of p+ regions. The front surface (20) is covered by an anti-reflection coating (22), protected by a cover glass (24), with triangular V-grooves (26). A number of metal contacts (28,36) extend into the wafer and cover glass. Metallisation grooves are etched into the wafer surface and metal is deposited in them and treated so as to be flush with the top of the anti-reflecting coating.    ADVANTAGE -   Front metallisation does not protrude above the surface of the cell. @(13pp)
(US5071691-A)      Film (I) of phthalocyanine comprises at least 50 wt percent of a single polymorph (II). (I) is prepd in a low gravity environment of at most 0.1 G, which is free of buoyancy driven convection. (I) has a surface roughness factor ranging from above 1.000000 to below 1.000010, and a density at least 50 percent greater than any polymorph of the same mols produced in unit gravity. At least 50 wt percent of the mols of (I) have a common uniaxial orientation. Pref (II) is metal-free or metal-contg. Pref the metal-contg phthalocyanine contains a metal selected from Cu, Pt, Pd, Fe, Nb, Zn, Sn, Mn, Cr, Ni, Co, Sb, Al, Ti, Pb, Ge and V and oxides, sulphides, selenides and halides of these metals.    USE -   New films are useful in optical and electronic applications. @(28pp)@
(US5148635-A)      Rotation is achieved of turbine blades (6) and a turbine shaft (2) through a turning mechanism (18) positioned on a blade (6), so that the turning forces are exerted directly between the turning mechanism and the surface of the liner wall (8). The device further uses a repair assembly (16) mounted to the turbine blades (6) for selectively positioning a grinding mechanism (104) adjacent the liner wall (8) for grinding and sanding the same.    The grinder mechanism (104) includes components for selectively adjusting horizontal and vertical positioning of the mechanism (104). The horizontal and vertical positioning components can also be employed with other mechanisms for performing repairing and resurfacing.    USE -   A device for use in a hydraulic assembly (1) for purposes of repairing and resurfacing of turbine liner walls (8) pitted as a result of cavitation and the like.
(US5118255-A)      The motor includes rotor to which is mounted at least one vane whose surface varies according to the position of the vane relatively to the flow direction of the driving fluid. The vane has main mobile panels which may be brought into a closed position in which they are in a generally face-to-face relationship lying generally parallel to the direction of fluid flow, and into an open position in which they are oriented transversally to the direction of fluid flow.    With the system when the vane moves in the direction of fluid flow it is in the open position so that the fluid can produce a thrust on the rotor, the vane creating only a small reduced drag on the rotor while moving against the fluid because it is in the closed position and it has a reduced surface. The vane has a secondary panel which is mounted at an angle relatively to the longitudinal axis of the vane in order to produce a thrust on the vane when the fluid moves in a direction which is quasi-parallel to the vane longitudinal axis.    ADVANTAGE -   Improved efficiency.
(US5133809-A)      The process involves providing spaced transparent electrode layer regions on an insulating transparent substrate plate, and forming an amorphous semiconductor layer over the spaced transparent electrode layer regions. The method also involves forming a patterned conductive printed electrode layer over the amorphous semiconductor layer to form photovoltaic regions, and then irradiating the photovoltaic regions with a laser beam from the substrate plate side to heat and melt the transparent electrode, amorphous semiconductor, and conductive printed electrode in each photovoltaic region.    This forms, in each photovoltaic region, a conductive path made of an alloy formed by the melting, thus electrically connecting the photovoltaic regions in series.    USE -   A process for manufacturing a photovoltaic device.
(JP94069737-B2)      Method involves (a) co-extrusion moulding polyamide resin and a thermoplastic elastomer having continuous phase composed of polyamide resin to form an inner tube, (b) forming reinforcing layer on the inner tube (1) with a knitting and braiding machine, and (c) extrusion-moulding thermoplastic elastomer to form an outer tube on the reinforcing layer.    Pref. the thermoplastic elastomer is a polymer blend of an epichlorhydrin rubber dispersed in a polyamide resin or cured-dispersed in a polyamide resin. The inner tube has a strength 20% elongation of 20-200 kg f/sq.cm. when measured in the shape of a sheet.    USE/ADVANTAGE -   For coolers and air-conditioners in motorcars. Delamination resistance, i.e. durability is high. Inner tube can be reused. Conventional use of a mandrel is eliminated. This is effective in cost-saving and no cracking. The prodn. efficiency is high. @(9pp Dwg.No.0/4)
(GB2235252-B)      A method of generating power from a tidal flow comprising forming a power generating station by constructing an elliptical, artificial island offshore from a portion of coastline also having an elliptical shape, positioning a barrage between the island and said portion of coastline, the barrage incorporating turbines whereby tidal flow passing through the barrage can drive the turbines to generate power, said island, barrage and portion of coastline being so arranged as to define a convergent/divergent passage between the island and the coastline with the barrage extending across the throat of the passage.
(US5399503-A)      An epitaxial layer of Hg(1-x)CdxTe is grown on a substrate of a material which does not inter diffuse with it by (a) forming a CdTe layer on the substrate, (b) providing a Te-rich Hg-Cd-Te source, (c) placing the source and the CdTe-layer-contg. substrate in an enclosure an heating, (d) independently controlling the temps. of the substrate and source to establish-three-phase equilibrium conditions in the enclosure to provide a stoichiometric Hg(1-x)Cdx, Te solid phase and a Te-rich HgCdTe liq. phase in the source, causing growth of the Hg1-xCdxTe layer by transport of vapours from the source to the CdTe layer, and (e) maintaining the equilibrium conditions until the entire CdTe layer is converted to Hg(1-x)CdxTe.    ADVANTAGE -   Accurate control of the mole fraction x. The epitaxial layer has uniform compsn. large substrates can be used.
(US5127738-A)      The displacement of alignment is measured at convenient points of the shaft line (16) from the displacement of an optically fanned laser beam (4) hitting sensor units (10, 11). At the beginning of a measurement session, a zero reference point is determined for the beam (4) and the measurement values of the sensor units (10, 11) are compared against this reference value during the measurement session. The relative displacement is obtained as the difference between the initial value and the value during the measurement.    The apparatus and method is also applicable to the measurement of displacements in pipelines, long shafts and other similar systems.    USE -   Measurement method for alignment status of shaft line (16) in rotating machineries.    (US5194920-A)      In the measurement method of the alignment status of a shaft line (16), the displacement of alignment is measured at convenient points of the shaft line from the displacement of an optically fanned laser beam (4) hitting sensor units (10,11). At the beginning of a measurement session, a zero reference point is determined for the beam (4) and the measurement values of the sensor units (10,11) are compared against this reference value during the measurement session.    The relative displacement is obtained as the difference between the initial value and the value during the measurement.    USE -   Measurement of displacements in pipelines, long shafts and other similar systems.    .D
(US5022930-A)      The thin film photovoltaic panel includes a back cap for protecting the active components of the photovoltaic cells from adverse environmental elements. A spacing between the back cap and a top electrode layer is pref. filled with a desiccant to further reduce water vapour contamination of the environment surrounding the photovoltaic cells. The contamination of the spacing between the back cap and the cells may be further reduced by passing a selected gas through the spacing subsequent to sealing the back cap to the base of the photovoltaic panels, and once purged this spacing may be filled with an inert gas.    The techniques are pref. applied to thin film photovoltaic panels each formed from a number of photovoltaic cells arranged on a vitreous substrate.    ADVANTAGE -   Stability of photovoltaic conversion efficiency remains relatively high during life of photovoltaic panel, and cost of mfg. highly efficient panels with such improved stability is significantly reduced. @(11pp)@
(JP2717445-B2)      A polymerisable metal phthalocyanine deriv. of formula (I) is new. In (I) M = Fe, Cu, Co or Ni and at least one of R1-4 = a group of formula CH2=CX-CO2CH2-CH(CH2OH)-O-OC-, where X = H or CH3, and the other = COOH.    USE/ADVANTAGE -   The invention provides metal phthalocyanine derivs. having at least one or both of hydrophilic hydroxyl and carboxyl gps., and a polymerisable unsatd. double bond(s) with improved redoxy functions because of the hydrophilic gps.. Derivs are useful for oxidants, reductants, deodorants, dyes, snesors and photo-electric conversion elements capable of moulding into macromolecular film, hollow, fibre and powder shapes by copolymerisation with other monomers and a simple high yeild mfg. method for the derivs.    In an example into soln. of 2g iron 2,9,16,23-tetracarboxy phthalocyanine in 100 ml dimethylformamide, are added 20ml glycidyl methacrylate and 0.5g hydroquinone; the mixt. is stirred for 72 hours at 40 deg.C and filtered, the filtrate is concn. under reduced pressure and poured into ether to ppte; the ppte is dissolved into a mixed solvent of chloroform and metahnol (9:1). To the soln. is added ether to re-ppte. and the ppte. is purified by column chromatography to give 2.0g iron (tetrakis(2'-hydroxy methyl-1'-methacrylethyl-eneoxy -2-carbonyl)phthalocyanate) with a mol. wt. of 1311.8 (yield:48.7%).
(US5094697-A)      The photovoltaic device comprises a substrate having a several conductive surfaces surrounded by an insulating surface, several photovoltaic elements having single-crystal layer regions covering the conductive surfaces and a second photovoltaic element covering the first photovoltaic elements.    The single-crystal layer regions are separated from each other.    ADVANTAGE -   Improved energy conversion efficiency.    (DE4019209-C)      The photoelectric device has a substrate (1) with a number of conducting surfaces (2) surrounded by insulation (3) and a number of photoelectric elements (4 to 6) with a monocrystalline layer (4,5) covering the conducting surfaces. The gp. of photoelectric elements are formed separate from one another and over the insulating layer (3). There is a second number of photoelectric elements (7 to 9) which cover the first number of photoelectric elements.    USE/ADVANTAGE -   For solar cell arrangements. Improvement in efficiency of converting light to energy, allowing mfr. of large surfaces of this type at low cost.
(US5053083-A)      Solar cell comprises a body of a semiconductor material having at least one P/N junction. Body includes: (a) a front face contg. electrodes; (b) a bilevel elevation back face having at least one P- doped region at a first level interdigitated with at least one N-doped region at a second level; and (c) a positive electrode contacting at least one P-doped region and a negative electrode contacting at least one N-doped region, both electrodes contacting the solar cell on the back face. At least one P-doped region and at least one N-doped region partially overlap forming at least one compensated region.    USE/ADVANTAGE -   Used for prodn. of high efficiency solar cells, partic. prodn. cost is reduced as well as mfg. tolerances for such solar cells and devices. @(13pp)@
(US5096505-A)      A unitary housing is made from a unitary block of material having a continuous bottom wall and a number of recessed compartments that are defined by upstanding walls that are an integral part of the housing to provide a rigid structure having a low weight to area ratio.    Lenses are mounted on the housing, with one lens for each compartment. The upstanding walls are sufficiently rigid to support the lenses at a fixed distance from the bottom wall. The bottom wall has a central opening in each compartment aligned with a focal point of the corresp. lens to provide an index position for locating a solar cell unit at the focal point in each compartment.    USE -   Panel for supporting a large group of energy collector lenses together with a corresp. number of solar cell units.
(US5118361-A)      Solar cells, particularly GaAs/GaSb tandem solar cells, are mechanically and electrically connected in the form of a string using a flexible circuit tape and mounted in optical alignment with solar energy concentrators in a module. A heat spreader body is attached to each cell unit as part of a heat sink and the cells are precisely positioned to provide optical alignment.    The flexible circuit tape is formed by conductive strips sandwiched between layers of polymer dielectric tape and provided with tabs at predefined holes in the tape for bonding to current carrying surfaces of concentrated sunlight tandem solar cell units.    ADVANTAGE -   Max. energy conversion efficiency.
(JP2734722-B2)      A 2-phase liq. separating and collecting device has a metallic sepn. part of hot water and vapour and gas on the upper part and a condenser which liquifies the vapour and gas with a screwed metallic pipe, and cooling water is placed under the liq. and gas separating part.    USE/ADVANTAGE -   A 2-phase liq. separating and collecting device is used for a subterranean heat power station. Because the material of the device is metal, it has improved safety and handling of the device and the operation of the device are easy too.    In an example, a 2-phase liq. flows into a separating case (14) through a pipe (7a) and is separated into the hot water and the vapour and gas and the vapour and gas is collected from a vapour delivery port (19b) or collected from a condensed water delivery port (22a) through a condenser (13).
(DE4017684-C2)      Thermal and/or mechanical energy potentials esp. those with a small potential difference are utilised by (A) producing electrical energy by utilising the potential drop, esp. using CO2 as energy transfer medium, (B) decomposing at or near the site of the electrical energy prodn. water into H2 and O2, (C) hydrogenating metal or metal oxide with the H2 obtd. and (D) burning the metal hydride obtd. on site with O2 to obtain thermal energy or using it in a fuel cell to produce electrical energy.    The H2 is pref. split off thermally from the metal hydride before the components are burnt. The metal oxide obtd. from the burning is returned to the site of low potential energy difference for rehydrogenation. Oxides or hydroxides of Ca, Mg, K, Na and/or Al are used.    ADVANTAGE -   An economical process to utilise small differences of heat in rivers, ocean streams or terrestrial heat.
(DE4042356-C2)      The thermoelectric converter, using the AZTEC principle, has a number of converter elements, each with a cylindrical metal housing (31) acting as the negative pole, enclosing a solid electrolyte sleeve (32) with at least one coaxial porous electrode layer (33) on its outside acting as the positive pole, the inner spacer of the housing (31) and the sleeve (33) supplied with liq. Na acting as the heat carrier medium. A vapour space for the Na vapour is provided around the sleeve (32), coupled to a condenser surface (37) within a condenser housing (35) lying above the cylindrical metal housings (31), which are open at their top ends projecting into the condenser housing (35). The condensed Na is returned to the cylindrical metal housings (31) and hence fed back to the heat source (43).    ADVANTAGE -   Reduced heat losses for improved efficiency.
(DE4017059-C2)      A thermoelectric device for converting solar energy into electrical energy requires the solar radiation to be focused by a lens (4) which adjusts the radiation for heating thermoelements having positive and negative (20, 18) branches.    A heat-plate (6) is mounted at the focal point of the collector lens (4) and conducts the released thermal energy via a thermal conduction system to the negative branch (18), while the positive branch (20) is cooled, e.g. by the surrounding space or more directly by ventilation air, so that it generates an electric current with joining of the positive and negative branches.    ADVANTAGE -   Improved Carnot efficiency with release of energy easily controlled.
(DE4016930-C2)      The thermoelectric converter for direct conversion of heat into electrical energy uses an AZTEC process with a metal housing (1) acting as a negative pole containing a sleeve (2) of a solid electrolyte for transporting Na ions with a coaxial, porous electrode layer (3) on its outside acting as a positive pole and a metal screen structure within the sleeve, which has a different pressure to the interior of the housing.    The interior of the sleeve is supplied with liquid Na acting as a heat transfer medium from a heat source, with a Na vapour space (18) around the outside of the electrode layer and a condensate surface (7) provided by part of the housing in a condensation space (6) above the vapour space. The condensed Na is fed back to the heat source via a channel (11) leading from the annular base (10) of the condensation space.    ADVANTAGE -   Reduced radiant heat loss for increased energy efficiency.
(US5085948-A)      The alkali metal thermoelectric power generator comprises thermo-electrical converters, which are connected in electrical series to one another by an external electronic conductor device. Each of the converters converts thermal energy into electrical energy by utilising the phenomenon that an alkali metal, arranged on each side of a solid electrolyte, diffuses across the electrolyte if the density on one side of the electrolyte differs from that on the other side.    The generator further comprises a piping consisting of connection pipes for returning the alkali metal condensed in a second spatial region of each thermoelectric converter to a first spatial region through a common pump. The open ends of the connection pipes, which connect the first regions of the converters to one another, are positioned in those portions of the first regions where only the vapour phase alkali metal exists.    USE -   Enhanced efficiency: alkali metal thermoelectric power generator. @(First major country equivalent to J03235682)@ @(12pp Dwg.No.1/5)@
(US5262246-A)      A portion of a material is covered by a shield with resistance to degradation by atomic oxygen comprising a substd. para-methoxy polystyrene of formula (I) where M is Si, Ge, Sn or Pb and n is 60 or more.    Pref. the shield is a copolymer of (I) and another element. It has a thickness of 0.1-100 microns (pref. 10 microns) and loses about 1% of this thickness when exposed to O atoms for 1 hour at a density of 10 power(14-15) atoms per cm2 at 0.4 torr.    Also claimed is prodn. of the shield.    USE/ADVANTAGE -   For use in spacecraft parts such as wires and panels to prevent degradation over long periods of time.
(US5298087-A)      The photovoltaic device comprises an insulating transparent substrate coated with an incident light-receiving surface electrode formed of a thin metal film of aluminum. The surface electrode is overlaid with an amorphous semiconductor layer and a back electrode. The thin metal film is adapted for use as a mirror, and both it and the back electrode are connected by a conductive path.    The thin film and the back electrode are segmented to form a number of linearly arranged unit cells and the conductive path is between the back electrode of one unit cell, and the thin metal film of an adjacent unit cell. The thin metal film is not thicker than 200 Angstrom.    ADVANTAGE -   Use of thin film eliminates need to heat substrate.    (EP457312-B1)      A photovoltaic device comprising: a) an insulating transparent substrate (1); and b) a number of solar cells having: c.1) a number of light receiving surface electrodes (61-63) formed of a thin metal film (6) coated on the transparent substrate (1), c.2) an amorphous semiconductor layer (3) over the surface electrodes (61-63), c.3) a number of back electrodes (41,42), and c.4) a number of conductive paths (51,52), each connecting a surface electrode (62,63) of one of the cells and a back electrode (41,42) of an adjacent cell, to connect adjacent cells in-series through the amorphous semiconductor layer (3); d.1) wherein the metal film (6) is formed of aluminium or nickel and d.2) is thicker than 10 nm and no thicker than 20 nm (200 angstrom), e) and wherein the number of solar cells has a reflectance of around 12% over most of the visible spectrum to perform as a mirror.
(US5290366-A)      The laminated solar module comprises a glass plate, solar cells connected in series to form a laminated solar module mounted on the back side of the glass plate and secured to it by hot melt adhesive foil to form a layer structure, 1st and 2nd terminals for the solar cells arranged spatially remote from each other on the back of the module on top of the layer structure adjacent the 1st and 2nd opposite edges of the plate, 1st and 2nd hollow housings covering the 1st and 2nd terminals, a protective diode in at least one of the housings connected across the solar cells and which becomes non-conductive when sunlight impinges on the solar cells, and a silicon cpd. filled in the housings to bond them to the back side of the module.    The module pref. has a plug connectors covered with shrink-fit tubing for connecting adjacent modules.    USE/ADVANTAGE -   No involved connection box on the laminated solar modules is required. Modules can be readily connected together.
(US5296043-A)      The improved solar cell module includes a number of solar cell elements, each comprising a semiconductor layer and an upper electrode disposed in this order on the conductive surface of a substrate. This number of solar cell elements are spacedly disposed on a common, electrically insulative base member, with each solar cell element electrically connected in series with its adjacent element.    An insulating material is disposed in the space between the solar cell elements in each pair of adjacent solar cell elements and a conductor formed of a conductive paste is disposed on the insulating material, such that one end of the conductor is electrically connected to the conductive substrate surface of one solar cell element, and the other end of the conductor is electrically connected to the upper electrode of the adjacent solar cell element.    ADVANTAGE -   Provides improved multi-cell integrated solar cell module which is advanced in weathering and exhibits stable desirable photoelectric conversion efficiency.    (DE4104713-C2)      Each solar cell element has a semiconductor layer and a top electrode, fitted on a conductive substrate surface. The solar cell elements are arranged on a support in a spaced manner, with each two adjacent elements electrically interconnected. Between the two adjacent elements (301) is inserted an insulating material (303), onto which is deposited a conductor (305) formed by a conductive paste.    One end of the conductor is coupled to the conductive surface (302) on one of the adjacent elements, while its other end is linked to the top electrode (304) of the other element.    USE/ADVANTAGE -   For non-polluting power generation, with improved weather resistance and long service life. @(13pp Dwg.No.3a/5)@
(US5062899-A)      The optical system includes a primary mirror for collecting incoming light and reflecting the light to a secondary mirror which, in turn, reflects the light to a solar cell or other radiation collection device. The primary mirror reflects incoming on-axis light onto an annular section of the secondary mirror and results in the reflection of a substantial amount of incoming off-axis light onto the remainder of the secondary mirror.    Thus light which would otherwise be lost to the system will be captured by the collector. Furthermore, the off-axis sections of the secondary mirror may be of a different geometrical shape than the on-axis annular section so as to optimise the amount of off-axis light collected.    USE/ADVANTAGE -   Cassegrain optical system provides improved collection of off-axis light vet is still characterised by high concentration ratio.@(6pp)@
(JP2946569-B2)      Compositions for a composite oxide thin films with high thermal resistance and high refractive indexes consisting of solutions of organic solvents which contain mixtures and/or reaction prods of titanium ccpds.pcpds.ds soluble in organic solvents and cmetalpds of at least one cpds. selected from Si, Sn, Sb and Ta soluble in organic solvents in an atomic ratio of M/Ti = 0.001 to 0.3 (M= at least one of Si, Sn, Sb and Ta) and which may contain up to 10 wt.% phosphorus compounds and/or boron compounds soluble in organic solvents calculated on the basis of oxide w.r.t. the composite oxide.    USE/ADVANTAGE -   The thin films can be used in light reflection films or antireflection films for lamps, mirrors, solar heat concentrating mirrors, optical filters, cold mirrors and solar cells. They have high heat resistance, high refractive indexes, and high visible transmittance.
(US5112408-A)      The roofing tile assembly, comprises a rigid roofing tile consisting of a full-surface tile plate composed of a material selected from the group which consists of clay, ceramic, concrete, synthetic resin, and hardened composites. The plate is formed with rabbet and rib formations interlockable with adjacent roofing tiles of corresponding assemblies to form a weather-tight roof covering. A solar plate having a number of photovoltaic solar cells is mounted on the tile plate. The solar plate has two opposite edges. The tile plate is formed unitarily with formations engaging over the opposite edges of the solar plate along at least a portion of the lengths of it for retaining the solar plate on the roofing tile against forces tending to lift the solar plate from it.    The formations are opposte edges of the tile plate and the solar plate is formed along the edges of the solar plate with lateral brackets engaging beneath the edges of the tile plate.    ADVANTAGE -   Enables optical integration of a photovoltaic unit into the architecture of which the roof forms a part.
(US5072783-A)      The unit for extracting heat from a geothermal deposit using fluid circulation comprises a closed sounding pipe for containing a fluid and extending from the surface of the geothermal deposit into the geothermal deposit. Fluid conducting pipes of different lengths extend within the sounding pipe, each pair of pipes of adjacent lengths defining a unique thermal exchange zone within the sounding pipe.    A fluid distributor is external to the sounding pipe for causing fluid to flow through two of the fluid conducting pipe defining a working one of the thermal exchange zones. Thermal transfer from the surrounding geothermal deposit to the fluid occurs in the working one of the thermal exchange zones. The other of the thermal exchange zones can regenerate their storage of heat from the surrounding geothermal deposit.    USE -   Heat extraction from geothermal hot dry rocks. @(First major country equivalent to ES2019734)@ @(4pp Dwg.No.1/1)@
(DE4034224-C)      The device consists of a solar collector (2) and a tube (1) of a circular section, firmly clamped at one end.    The free end of the tube undergoes a deflection in a certain direction when there is heating on one side only and this free end slides in a guide which is connected to the solar collector through a shaft mounted so that it can turn or through a gear mechanism. In this way the collector can be slowly turned to face the sun.    USE/ADVANTAGE -   For solar panels. Improvement in amount of heat collected, using simple, quick and effective method.
(US5133518-A)      The device comprises two solar generator wings extending in opposite directions away from a satellite body on respective longitudinal axes at least approximately parllel to the pitch axis. Two drive motors drive these wings independently of each other in rotation about rotation axes at least approximately parallel to the pitch axis to keep the wings facing the sun with a depointing angle at most equal to a predetermined maximum depointing value.    Sensors measure attitude angles and a computation system commands the drive motors according to the attitude angles. On each wing an additional surface in the form of at least one vane extends longitudinally beyond the end of the wing parallel to its longitudinal axis. These additional surfaces have substantially the same surface area and are inclined about this axis relative to the wings in opposite directions by at least approximately the same angle which is less than the 90 deg. complement of the maximum amplitude of wing depointing.    USE -   An attitude control device for a satellite stabilised on three axes including a pitch axis.
(US5101632-A)      Thermal energy radiation is converted into another energy form by setting up a temperature differential between two heat sinks forming part of a conventional converter or heat engine. The warmer heat sink derives its input energy by collecting optically-focused thermal radiation from a primary heat sink within the converter structure.    Heat rejected by the cooler heat sink is recycled to the primary heat sink to enhance the thermal efficiency above the Carnot level set by the base temperature conditions. The power rating of the converter is enhanced by combination with a reverse heat engine which elevates the temperature of heat input to the primary heat sink and so the temperature of the radiating surface.    (GB2239490-B)      A thermally powered energy converter comprising, enclosed within a unitary structure, a first heat sink having a surface from which heat is radiated, a second heat sink having a surface at which heat is absorbed, optical focusing means arranged to capture radiation from the radiating surface of the first heat sink and to focus it upon the smaller absorbing surface of the second heat sink, a third heat sink, thermodynamic energy conversion means activated by a temperature differential between the second and third heat sinks and operative to supply a non-thermal power output, means for supplying an inflow of heat energy to the first heat sink and means for extracting heat energy from the third heat sink.
(US5063125-A)      Electrophotographic imaging member comprises a substrate, an electrically conductive layer comprising an organic charge transporting continuous phase and finely divided electrically conductive particles dispersed in the continuous phase, and photoconductive layer(s). The continuous phase pref. comprises an electrically insulating film forming binder having organic charge transport molecules dissolved or molecularly dispersed in it. The continuous phase comprises a copolymer of methyl acrylamidoglycolate alkyl ether and other vinyl monomer(s). The charge transport molecules comprise aromatic diamine charge transport molecule(s). The electrically conductive particles are particles of metal (oxide) having a conductivity of at least 1 (ohm.cm) power (-)1 or C black particles.    USE/ADVANTAGE -   Used in xerography. The member is dark stable and allows photodischarge with low residual voltage during cycling. @(24pp)    (JP94070718-B2)      A device is claimed which comprises (A) a substrate; and (B) a film-forming continuous phase comprising a charge transport cpd. and finely divided conductive particles dispersed in the continuous phase. The continuous phase can be of an insulating film-forming binder having the charge transport cpd. dissolved or dispersed in it or a film-forming binder can form both the film-forming continuous phase and the charge transport cpd.    USE/ADVANTAGE -   The device can be used e.g. as ground planes for photoreceptors or electrographic imaging members, as solar cell electrodes, as electric shielding for electronic devices or as a stable electrode for electronic devices. The conductive layer is humidity insensitive and the device can provide an extended life electrostatographic imaging member of high dark stability which allows photodischarge with low residual voltage during cycling. The device is easily mfd. and has a ground plane layer resistant to disturbance or dissolving by components of subsequently applied layers.
(US5063128-A)      Electrophotographic imaging member prepn. comprises applying to a substrate a coating comprising a dispersion of conductive particles having an average particles size of less than 1 micro-m and having an acidic or neutral outer surface in a basic soln. comprising a film forming polymer dissolved in a solvent. The coating is dried to remove the solvent and form a continuous, semi transparent conductive layer. A charge blocking layer is formed on the conductive layer and at least 1 photoconductive layer is formed on the charge blocking layer. The substrate has a transparency sufficient to transmit at least 10% visible and near IR light in the spectrum range to which the photoconductive layer is sensitive.    The conductive particles are pref. particles of an electron accepting metal oxide or C black.    USE/ADVANTAGE -   Member charges to a high voltage and is useful in xerography. The member is dark stable and allows photodischarge with low residual voltage during cycling. @(24pp)    (JP2565598-B2)      Prepn. of a device comprising a continuous, semi-transparent conductive layer comprises (i) applying to a substrate a coating comprising a dispersion of conductive particles of average size less than 1 micron and having an acidic or neutral outer surface in a basic soln. comprising a film-forming polymer dissolved in a solvent; and (ii) drying the coating to remove the solvent.    A device prepd. as above is also claimed.    USE/ADVANTAGE -   For prepn. of electrically conductive devices, e.g. transparent ground planes for photoreceptors, semi-transparent electrodes in solar cells, EMI shielding. The conductive layer is semi-transparent and is stable over a wide humidity range. The conductive particles are uniformly dispersed.
(US5281856-A)      At least one water driven flow machine, especially a wate rdriven turbine, is provided. An electric power generator (19) and an hydraulic energy transfer system are arrange between the water turbine(s) and the power generator. In at least one thoroughfare flow duct of a floating buoyant body, at least one pumpng unit comprises an hydraulic rotary pump (11, 12) is coupled to a shaft of the water driven turbine.    The buoyant body is held by an anchor in a predetermine orientationa nd in stationary position on the surface of the water. The hydraulic rotary pumps form component parts and serve as hydraulic pressure sources in the hydraulic energy transfer system.    USE -   Water current energy converter for converting the flow energy of a moving body of water into electric power.
(US7495969-N)      Thin, lightweight solar cell (10) includes a wafer (12) of p-type material such as InP with n+ regions (14) forming junctions (16). The wafer also has a number of p+ regions. The front surface (20) is covered by an anti-reflection coating (22), protected by a cover glass (24), with triangular V-grooves (26). A number of metal contacts (28,36) extend into the wafer and cover glass. Metallisation grooves are etched into the wafer surface and metal is deposited in them and treated so as to be flush with the top of the anti-reflecting coating.    ADVANTAGE -   Front metallisation does not protrude above the surface of the cell. @(13pp)
(US5122215-A)      Process comprises (A) mixing (a) 10-60 wt.% of at least one electroconductive fine powder from 0.1-60 microns graphite powder, 0.1-60 microns Ag powder and up to 0.1 microns C black powder, (b) 5-30 wt.% of at least one rubbery and/or thermoplastic resin binder from chloroprene rubber, chlorosulphonated rubber, PV or polyester resin, (c) 30-50 wt.% of at least one solvent from DMF, diacetone alcohol, isophorone, diethylcarbitol, butylcarbitol, and televin oil, (d) 5-70 wt.% of at least one powder of Ag, Cu, Ni, Pd, Sn, solder, Au plated Ni Cu or Su powder, electrodes or Au plated micro resin spheres of styrene, ABS resin, AS resin or phenolic resin, 1-5 microns in size, and applying the obtd. anisotropic suspension paint of e.g. 0.9-2.3 and viscosity 300-1200 poise onto a flexible insulating substrate by screen printing to form thin stripes connecting electrodes in an LCD, ECD or solar cell or printed circuit, then drying by heating and (B) mixing (e) 5-30 wt.% TiO2, talc, hydrated Al2O3 and/or colloidal silica, (f) 20-60 wt.% thermoplastic resin binder from chloroprene rubber, polyester resin, EVA and/or PMMA resin, (g) 10-70 wt.% of at least one of isophorone, diacetone alcohol, methylisobutylketone, xylene, toluene, and/or diethyl carbitol and (h) 0.1-20 wt.% of adhesion imparting agent, applying the obtd. paint at e.g. 0.8-1.4 and 150-15000 poise viscosity onto the substrate and stripes by screen printing, and (C) severing the applied and dried substrate film to desired lengths and widths.    ADVANTAGE -   Simple and economical process.
(JP2996305-B2)      Picture display appts. comprises a picture display unit, to the input of which video data is applied, camera to track the gaze of an observer seeing the displayed picture, and counter to measure the time, for which the gaze of the observer stays.    USE -   For radiation picture display appts.
(JP94069737-B2)      Method involves (a) co-extrusion moulding polyamide resin and a thermoplastic elastomer having continuous phase composed of polyamide resin to form an inner tube, (b) forming reinforcing layer on the inner tube (1) with a knitting and braiding machine, and (c) extrusion-moulding thermoplastic elastomer to form an outer tube on the reinforcing layer.    Pref. the thermoplastic elastomer is a polymer blend of an epichlorhydrin rubber dispersed in a polyamide resin or cured-dispersed in a polyamide resin. The inner tube has a strength 20% elongation of 20-200 kg f/sq.cm. when measured in the shape of a sheet.    USE/ADVANTAGE -   For coolers and air-conditioners in motorcars. Delamination resistance, i.e. durability is high. Inner tube can be reused. Conventional use of a mandrel is eliminated. This is effective in cost-saving and no cracking. The prodn. efficiency is high. @(9pp Dwg.No.0/4)
(US5011544-A)      The solar panel has the bus-and-interconnect structures visually masked, to improve not only aesthetics but also the operational characteristics of the panel. A transparent superstrata for the panel has on a surface juxtaposed to the radiation-receiving surfaces of the cells a pattern masking material just sufficient, with manufacturing tolerances, to mask the generally non-symmetrical interconnect structure in a more uniform, symmetrical manner. The masking material may be matte-finish (paint) or highly reflective (a metallic deposit), and in either case may be applied by the same process (e.g silk screen).    The reflective mask structure inhibits heat build-up in the panel; and the matte-finish mask structure is unobtrusive and aesthetically pleasing. A redundant bus structure yields surprisingly compact interconnects, with increased versatility in arrangement of grid patterns of collector electrodes, and is highly compatible with the masking structures and techniques.    USE -   E.g for vehicle. @(13pp)@    (DE4023152-C2)      The solar cell array (10) comprises solar cells (11) interconnected via conductors (12) and connection tags (13) to the wires (14). The cells (11) and conductors (12) are held in place by transparent adhesive (15) to a base (17). A transparent outer covering (16) protects the device (10) allowing passage of light rays.    Additionally, the solar cells are made from silicon and various arrays may be interconnected depending on voltage and current requirements.    ADVANTAGE -   Flexibility of material types: mono, polycrystal or amorphous crystal.
(US5772862-A)      A film based on silicon dioxide and contg. zirconium etc. Prepd. by reactive DC sputtering. Various multilayered films contg. the film, such as those used for antirefletion coating, alkali barrier film, or achromatic glass can be produced by physical vapour deposition without breaking a vacuum. @(51pp Dwg.No.0/7)
(US5022930-A)      The thin film photovoltaic panel includes a back cap for protecting the active components of the photovoltaic cells from adverse environmental elements. A spacing between the back cap and a top electrode layer is pref. filled with a desiccant to further reduce water vapour contamination of the environment surrounding the photovoltaic cells. The contamination of the spacing between the back cap and the cells may be further reduced by passing a selected gas through the spacing subsequent to sealing the back cap to the base of the photovoltaic panels, and once purged this spacing may be filled with an inert gas.    The techniques are pref. applied to thin film photovoltaic panels each formed from a number of photovoltaic cells arranged on a vitreous substrate.    ADVANTAGE -   Stability of photovoltaic conversion efficiency remains relatively high during life of photovoltaic panel, and cost of mfg. highly efficient panels with such improved stability is significantly reduced. @(11pp)@
(US5094697-A)      The photovoltaic device comprises a substrate having a several conductive surfaces surrounded by an insulating surface, several photovoltaic elements having single-crystal layer regions covering the conductive surfaces and a second photovoltaic element covering the first photovoltaic elements.    The single-crystal layer regions are separated from each other.    ADVANTAGE -   Improved energy conversion efficiency.    (DE4019209-C)      The photoelectric device has a substrate (1) with a number of conducting surfaces (2) surrounded by insulation (3) and a number of photoelectric elements (4 to 6) with a monocrystalline layer (4,5) covering the conducting surfaces. The gp. of photoelectric elements are formed separate from one another and over the insulating layer (3). There is a second number of photoelectric elements (7 to 9) which cover the first number of photoelectric elements.    USE/ADVANTAGE -   For solar cell arrangements. Improvement in efficiency of converting light to energy, allowing mfr. of large surfaces of this type at low cost.
(US5053083-A)      Solar cell comprises a body of a semiconductor material having at least one P/N junction. Body includes: (a) a front face contg. electrodes; (b) a bilevel elevation back face having at least one P- doped region at a first level interdigitated with at least one N-doped region at a second level; and (c) a positive electrode contacting at least one P-doped region and a negative electrode contacting at least one N-doped region, both electrodes contacting the solar cell on the back face. At least one P-doped region and at least one N-doped region partially overlap forming at least one compensated region.    USE/ADVANTAGE -   Used for prodn. of high efficiency solar cells, partic. prodn. cost is reduced as well as mfg. tolerances for such solar cells and devices. @(13pp)@
(JP3071207-B2)      Battery includes a cathode comprising Al (alloy), an anode and electrolyte. The Al (alloy) has a specific surface area of at least 0.01 m2/g.    ADVANTAGE -   Battery has high discharge voltage, high discharge capacity, and high rate discharge characteristics. @(4pp Dwg.No.1/3)@
The electric power supply apparatus includes a switching device for stopping a vehicle engine, a timer device for measuring elapsed time after engine stoppage, a capacity detector for detecting remaining capacity of a battery and vehicle equipment driven by the electric power from the battery. A switching member turns off the power supplied from the battery to the vehicle equipment. A control device controls the switching member when the capacity of the battery is below a certain level and the timer device measures the elapsed time.    ADVANTAGE -   Maintains minimum capacity of the battery necessary to start engine quickly. (First major country equivalent to JP3248941)
Gas diffusion electrode comprises a reaction layer contg. a catalyst laminated on a hydrophobic, porous, gas transmission layer having a collector. PbO2 is used as catalyst.    USE/ADVANTAGE -   Treatment of waste water contg. organic material (claimed). The electrode is easy to produce at lower cost compared with Pt electrode. The catalyst is not easily poisoned.    In an example, a 32 mesh Cu net was used as a collector for an electrode. The hydrophobic porous gas transmission layer (RFT) was prepd. by coating 0.5 g of 40 wt.% PTFE and 60 wt.% hydrophobic acetylene black on the collector, forming a 0.5 mm layer. A reactor layer (RFR) on the RFT was prepd. by coating mix of 0.3 g of equal wts. of PbO2 powder contg. 20 wt.% PTFE and hydrophobic acetylene black contg. 30 wt.% PTFE, forming a layer 0.5 mm thick. The electrode was moulded at 300 deg.C under 600 kg/sq.cm pressure. An electrolysis device of cycle fluid type was prepd. with the electrode as an anode and stainless steel plate as a cathode. A fluid contg. 100 mg/l phenol cycled at rate of 1/min. was electrolysed, as the result concn. of the phenol was reduced to 0.2 mg/l at 90th minute.
(JP2751526-B2)      Gas diffusion electrode comprises a reaction layer contg. a catalyst laminated on a hydrophobic, porous, gas transmission layer having a collector. PbO2 is used as catalyst.    USE/ADVANTAGE -   Treatment of waste water contg. organic material (claimed). The electrode is easy to produce at lower cost compared with Pt electrode. The catalyst is not easily poisoned.    In an example, a 32 mesh Cu net was used as a collector for an electrode. The hydrophobic porous gas transmission layer (RFT) was prepd. by coating 0.5 g of 40 wt.% PTFE and 60 wt.% hydrophobic acetylene black on the collector, forming a 0.5 mm layer. A reactor layer (RFR) on the RFT was prepd. by coating mix of 0.3 g of equal wts. of PbO2 powder contg. 20 wt.% PTFE and hydrophobic acetylene black contg. 30 wt.% PTFE, forming a layer 0.5 mm thick. The electrode was moulded at 300 deg.C under 600 kg/sq.cm pressure. An electrolysis device of cycle fluid type was prepd. with the electrode as an anode and stainless steel plate as a cathode. A fluid contg. 100 mg/l phenol cycled at rate of 1/min. was electrolysed, as the result concn. of the phenol was reduced to 0.2 mg/l at 90th minute.
(JP2567122-B2)      The fuel cell comprises a main body with anode and cathode, a fuel inlet valve which boosts fuel to the front stage of the anode, a hydrogen inlet valve which boosts the hydrogen for a low load electricity generation, and a nitrogen inlet valve which boosts nitrogen to the anode. A device to detect the pressure difference between the anode and a reformer burner, with which the anode exhaust gas is boosted, is provided. When the detector value is less than a set value, a valve control appts. opens the nitrogen inlet valve.    USE/ADVANTAGE -   The system prevents the reverse flow of hot fuel gas to the anode from the reformer burner. The pressure in the anode is always higher than in the burner, preventing damage to the anode caused by reverse flow, giving greater reliability and lifetime.
(US5149601-A)      In a solid oxide fuel cell each cell comprises (a) a solid electrolyte having a fuel side electrode and an air side electrode on upper and lower side respectively and (b) a fuel side conductive distributor connected with the fuel side electrode and an air side conductive distributor connected with air side electrode of solid electrolyte. Conductive distributors have porous material which distribute air and fuel gas evenly to both air and fuel side electrodes respectively. Both electrolyte and distributors are stacked upon each other and the cells connected via interconnectors, forming a laminate structure.    ADVANTAGE -   Solid oxide fuel has a stable structure and high efficiency in generating electrical energy.
(US5154985-A)      The battery including a spare battery comprises a main battery comprising six cells connected in series, a capacity of a first three of the six cells being at least 10% than that of the remaining three cells of the main battery. A spare battery comprises three cells connected in series. A switch connects the spare battery in parallel only with the remaining three cells of the main battery.    A diode is connected in parallel with the switch so that the spare battery is charged when the switch is turned off. The spare battery is a power source when the switch is turned on.    USE -   Automotive battery, guarding against inadvertent flattening.    (DE4100571-C2)      A battery assembly, e.g. for a motor vehicle, comprises main (A1,A2) and reserve (B) batteries.    Each section (A2,A2,B) comprises three cells, section (A1) having a higher capacity than section (A2) by reason of its six positive and seven negative plates as compared with the four positive and five negative plates of section (A2).    Section (B) is similar to section (A2) and is connected in parallel with section (A2) via the connector straps (7,4) and a Schottky diode (6) which is shunted by the switch (5) when the reserve battery (B) is required but remains in circuit during normal operation and when battery recharging is undertaken.    USE/ADVANTAGE -   Is of similar overall size, capacity and service life to conventional 6-cell car battery but has additional reserve power and reserve 3-cell section does not have to be recharged separately. Conventional alternatives employ 6-cell reserve to avoid separate recharging and are therefore larger and more costly.
(US5221219-A)      The battery post connector device has a moulded metal body member having a clamp for attachment to a terminal post of a storage battery and a base configured for rigid connection to a battery cable to provide a primary battery connection. The clamp has a post opening to receive a battery terminal post and a fixing for securing the clamp to the terminal post. At least one non-moulded metal terminal member has base and terminal ends, the former being securely embedded in the body member.    The terminal end projects outwardly from the body member and is detachably connectable to a mating connector of a conductor wire to provide an auxiliary battery connection.    USE/ADVANTAGE -   For vehicle battery. Strong and durable in use, and has auxiliary push-type terminals.
(US5077148-A)      A fully internally manifolded fuel cell stack is provided by each separator plate and electrolyte in the fuel cell stack having a number of aligned perforations forming gas manifolds extending for the length of the cell stack. Each perforation through the separator plate is surrounded by a flattened manifold wet seal structure extending to contact the electrolytes on each face of the separator plate to form separator plate/electrolyte wet seals under cell operating conditions. Conduits through the extended manifold wet seal structure provides gas communication between one set of manifolds and the anode chambers on one face of the separator plates, conduits through the extended manifold wet seal structure on the opposite face of the separator plates provides gas communication between a second set of the manifolds and the cathode chambers on the other face of the separator plates, and conduits through the extended manifold structure of a reactant gas manifold provides communication to interspersed reforming chambers.    Extended wet seal structures formed of thin plate metal provide limited flexibility and resiliency to assure good sealing.    ADVANTAGE -   Provides fully internal manifolding of and separation of fuel and oxidant gases to each of unit fuel cells in fuel cell stack while providing reactant gas to forming chambers interspersed along cell axis to reform hydrocarbonaceous gas and supply enhanced hydrogen content to fuel supply manifold. @(14pp)@
(EP459286-B1)      A battery holding device of a scooter-type vehicle in which a step board (11) is laid on a down tube (7,7a) extending downwardly and then rearwardly from a head pipe (6) and the step board (11) disposed on both sides of the down tube (7,7a) and a floor step portion (3) is formed on the step board (11) at a low portion of a vehicle body between a handle (5) and a seat (4) on which a rider sits, and a battery-holder (15,116) to accommodate a battery (117) is arranged on the side of the down tube (7,7a) below the step board (11), characterized in that the battery holder comprises a box (15,16) provided with an opening (15a,16a) which is covered by a cap means (19,24) facing transversely outside of the vehicle body, and the battery box (15) is also provided with a support arm (16) extending inwardly to the down tube (7,7a), the support arm (16) has a lower portion (22) which abuts on the down tube (7,7a) and the support arm (16) is also provided with a flat upper portion so as to carry the bottom central portion (23) of the step board (11).
(US5306575-A)      In the fuel cell power plant, cathode feed gas at required cathode feed temp. is introduced into the cathode inlet of the first fuel cell of the fuel cell series. The cathode exhaust gas from the first fuel cell and the cathode exhaust gas from the exhaust outlet of each successive fuel cell is introduced to the cathode inlet of the next fuel cell downstream.    The cathode feed temp. to the inlet of each fuel cell after the first fuel cell is maintained at the desired level by adding a reactant-containing gas to the cathode side exhaust between each pair of consecutive fuel cells in the series. The added reactant-containing gas is at a lower temp. than the cathode side exhaust to which it is added, whereby desired cathode feed temp. to the inlet of each successive fuel cell downstream of the first fuel cell is achieved.    ADVANTAGE -   Can reduce amt. of air to be fed to the cathode chamber.    (JP2942999-B2)      A power generation system comprises several molten carbonate type fuel cells (I, II, III) each having a cathode chamber (2) into which cathode gas is supplied. Intermediate cathode gas lines (27, 28) connect the cathode chambers in series.    Heat exchangers (28, 30) on these lines allow heat exchange between the gas supplied to the most upstream cell (I) and gas entering the cathode chambers of the cells downstream (II, III). An air preheater (7) at the intersection of lines (11) from the most downstream cell and (8) reaching the most upstream cell preheats the gas supplied to the upstream cell.    ADVANTAGE -   Cathode chambers require less cooling air.
(JP5502134-W)      A water-treatment system for a fuel cell power plant is supplied with a constant flow of water irrespective of the demands of the cell coolant loop. Dirty water passes through the treatment system from a storage tank to a clean storage tank. Clean water is recirculated by overflow to the dirty tank with any make up being drawn to the coolant loop on demand from the clean tank.    ADVANTAGE -   The constant flow through the treatment system prevents channelling or slime building up in the demineraliser caused by low or no flow conditions. Additionally, as clean water is passed several times through the treatment system the level of purity is improved.    (JP2656382-B2)      A water treatment system for a fuel cell power plant is supplied with a constant flow of water irrespective of the demands of the cell coolant loop. Dirty water passes through the treatment system from a storage tank to a clean storage tank. Clean water is recirculated by overflow to the dirty tank with any make up being drawn to the coolant loop on demand from the clean tank.    ADVANTAGE -   The constant flow through the treatment system prevents channelling or slime build up in the demineraliser caused by low or no flow conditions. Additionally, as clean water is passed several times through the treatment system the level of purity is improved.
(US5094926-A)      Electric powder producing system comprises (a) molten carbonate fuel cell including anode and cathode chambers, air and carbon dioxide fed to cathode chamber; and (b) reformer for reforming fuel gas into anode gas, also including combustion chamber to maintain reforming reaction temp., fuel gas and steam fed in reforming chamber.    Fuel gas is fed to reforming chamber with steam. Hydrogen gas obtd. in reforming chamber is fed into anode chamber at fuel cell. Air is introduced into cathode chamber. Gases from anode chamber are directly fed into combustion chamber. A portion of the gases are directly fed, with the remainder discharged from the system, giving no substantial pressure difference between anode and cathode chambers.    USE/ADVANTAGE -   For electric power prodn. System, using molten carbonate fuel cell. Exhaust heat is effectively recovered.
(JP5506122-W)      Fuel cell module comprises individual cells each formed of solid electrolyte, and permeable electrode structures. Adjacent cells are interconnected by permeable current collectors, pref. conductive corrugated members so that a required fuel/oxidiser mixt. has access to virtually the entire surface of one side of each cell. The assembly may be packaged in a flat or spiral form.    ADVANTAGE -   Module provides a high voltage and power output and can be mfd. in a low-cost continuous process.    (JP2830927-B2)      Fuel cell module (10) comprises individual cells (12-16) each formed of solid electrolyte (22), and permeable electrode structures (24, 30) and (20, 18). Adjacent cells are interconnected by permeable current collectors (28-32), pref. conductive corrugated members so that a required fuel/oxidiser mixt. has access to virtually the entire surface of one side of each cell. The assembly may be packaged in a flat or spiral form.    ADVANTAGE -   Module provides a high voltage and power output and can be mfd. in a low-cost continuous process.
(US5185301-A)      Sinter reactive La chromite powder, for solid oxide fuel cell mfr., doped with divalent metals and having the formula LaCr1-x MX03, where M is the metal and X is 0.03-0.3, is mfd. from a soln. contg. La and Cr cpds. Which is reacted with excess of ammonium hydroxide to ppte. an intermediate hydroxide slurry, which is washed to remove anions and to yield a water/alcohol-base slurry. A soln. of an M cpd. is added and powder is sepd. at supercritical conditions.    ADVANTAGE -   Extremely fine powder sinters to heat full density.er,    (JP5506206-W)      Prepn. of sinter-reactive doped lanthanum chromite of formula LaCr1-xMxO3 (I) where M = divalent metal and x = 0.03-3.0 comprises: 1) preparing a precursor of empirical formula (I) (Adsorbate) where M = Mg or Ca. The adsorbate is volatile matter adsorbed on the powder and is up to 35 wt.% of the total precursor wt. and (2) calcining the precursor at 650-1100 deg.C for 0.5-4 hrs. followed by deagglomeration to obtain a sinter-reactive ceramic powder of formula (I).    USE/ADVANTAGE -   Useful as interconnect material for monolithic SoFCs. Provides good compsn. control of doped powder and formation of fine powder via supercritical sepn. of solid particles from liq. The powder sinters to better than 95% of theoretical density at a lower temp. than is known in prior art
(JP2659446-B2)      The most outer layer of a strand is an Sn-plated wire. The inner strand has at least one non-Sn-plate bare wire. The strands are hoisted and Sn is coated on the twisted wire.    USE/ADVANTAGE -   Used in wiring cables, medical cables, or robot cables. The wire has flexibility and no looseness.
(JP2964520-B2)      The most outer layer of a strand is an Sn-plated wire. The inner strand has at least one non-Sn-plate bare wire. The strands are hoisted and Sn is coated on the twisted wire.    USE/ADVANTAGE -   Used in wiring cables, medical cables, or robot cables. The wire has flexibility and no looseness.
(JP2751523-B2)      Reactive low-molecular oligomer, e.g, novolak-type multi-functional epoxy resin, etc., is added to a film-forming thermoplastic resin, e.g, block-copolymerised nylon-12, etc., having a mol. wt. of 30,000 or more. The mixt. is dissolved in a solvent, e.g, xylene, etc., to form compsn. (A); and a crosslinking agent, e.g, diamine such as methanediphenyldiamine, etc., which reacts with the oligomer is added to a thermoplastic resin, eg., alcohol-soluble copolymerised polyamide resin, etc., having a molecular weight of 30,000 or more and the mixt. is dissolved in an organic solvent, e.g, xylene, to form compsn. (B); and (A) and (B) are alternately coated over a conductor, e.g, soft copper wire, directly or through another insulating film and dried to form at least two layers on the surface of the conductor.    Pref. a copper conductor wire of dia. 0.270mm is coated with a polyesterimide insulator and baked to form an insulator film, followed by coating of (A) and (B) alternately and baking at about 300 deg.C to form at least two films to obtain a thermosetting self-hot bonding enamelled copper wire.    USE/ADVANTAGE -   The thermosetting self-hot bonding enamelled copper wire has good storage life as well as in hot bonding and heat resistant properties. The wire is used for coil winding of a small-size motor, etc.
In the cover attached to close an opening of a battery bath divided into plural segment chambers, a gas exhausting chamber connected commonly to each gas exhausting hole connected to the segment chamber individually is disposed.    ADVANTAGE -   Detrimental gas exhausting from the battery path is reliably sealed hermetically.
(US5080689-A)      The method comprises (a) applying a thin layer of LaCr03 particles doped with Ca, Sr, Co, Ba, Mg or their mixts., on part of a 1st surface of a porous electrode structure, then (b) vapour depositing a dense skeletal structure of LaCr03 between and around the doped particles, so that they get incorporated into and remain within the structure as it grows thicker with time to provide a dense, high temp. electronically conductive interconnection layer on the porous electrode structure.    USE -   In high temp. electrochemical cells. @(8pp)@
(US5132352-A)      A combustible polymer film containing LaCrO3 particles is formed by uniformly dispersing LaCrO3 particles doped with an element selected from Ca, Sr, Co, Ba, Mg or their mixts. and then wet screening to provide particles in the 30-80 micrometer range.    A fugitive polymer is then mixed with the particles in the ratio polymer plus particles to solvent in the range 50:50 to 30:70 and a volume ratio of polymer to particles between 65:35 and 50:50. The mix is cast as a wet film 80-150 microns thick before drying and stripping to give the desired film.    ADVANTAGE -   The material is suitable for the construction of fuel cells allowing films of uniform thickness to be bonded onto the electrode structure.
(US5169731-A)      A solid oxide fuel cell comprising a dense gas tight substrate on which at least one hollow portion is formed between the substrate and porous support parts. Multiple single cells are located at each of the hollow portions. Each single cell including confronting inner and outer electrodes with an electrolyte disposed between them. Interconnections serve to link the cells in series and/or in parallel.    ADVANTAGE -   The design allows the overall thickness to be reduced giving enhanced power generation efficiency combined with uniform gas supply to the cells.    (JP2599810-B2)      A solid oxide fuel cell comprising: (i) a dense gas-tight substrate, (ii) at least one hollow portion formed between substrate and porous support parts, (iii) numerous single cells arranged on each hollow portion, (iv) each cell has opposing inner and outer electrodes with electrolyte between, (v) numerous interconnections between single cells in series of parallel on substrate.    Pref. oxide fuel cell further including numerous porous support parts of polygonal or semi-cylindrical contour between inner surface of each single cell and associated hollow portion. Substrate has predetermined position over which support part is disposed. Support part is the inner electrode. Single cells are arranged on both substrate surfaces in mirror image symmetry or asymmetry relative to substrate. Hollow portions are defined by recess in substrate which has a step in the mouth with each porous support part supported on step in mouth of recess.    Also, a method of mfg. a solid oxide fuel cell is claimed.    USE/ADVANTAGE -   For use as fuel cell which directly converts chemical potential into energy thus generating electric power. Solid oxide fuel cell is easy to assemble and has a dense substrate holding single cells which reduces the thickness of the support part with the redn. in strength of the support part thus improving the efficiency of generating electric power.
(US5316643-A)      The appts. comprises: (a) an electrochemical cell having an anode compartment contg. a bifunctional oxidn. electrode, a cathode compartment contg. a trifunctional redn. electrode and a cation exchange membrane as the electrolyte; (b) an H2 storage tank; (c) an O2 storage tank; (d) a first valve connecting the H2 tank to the anode compartment to supply H2 during fuel cell operation and to the cathode compartment to store H2 during electrolytic operation; and (e) a second valve connecting to O2 tank to the cathode compartment to supply O2 during fuel cell operation and to the anode compartment to store O2 during electrolytic operation.    Pref. the electrodes comprise a porous carrier with a catalyst layer of Pt, Ir, Rh, Re, Pd, Os, Ru, their alloys or oxides.    USE/ADVANTAGE -   Used for electrolytic and fuel cell operations. Highly effective electric energy storage over both the short and long term.
The layered sealing member is produced by (1) applying non-hardened epoxy resin compsn. contg. 100 pts. wt. of epoxy resin, 5-50 pts. wt. of thermoplastic resin having number average mol. wt. of 5000 or more, 5-300 pts. wt. of inorganic filler, and hardener onto a surface of a plastics film having a thickness of 20-200 microns to obtain a layered epoxy resin sheet, and then (2) punching the layered epoxy resin sheet into a desired shape suitable for sealing an electronic device part.    The epoxy resin is e.g. bisphenol A epoxy resin, brominated bisphenol A epoxy resin, o-cresol novolak epoxy resin, brominated novolak epoxy resin, or modified prod. thereof. The thermoplastic resin is e.g. polyamine, polycarbonate, polyester, polyurethane, silicone resin, phenoxy resin, PVC, ABS, methacrylic resin, natural rubber, butadiene rubber or nitrile rubber, etc.. The inorganic filler is e.g. mica, silica, glass, talc, Ca carbonate, Li oxide or Al oxide, etc.. The hardener is e.g. amine, acid anhydride, or phenol resin type hardener, etc..    USE/ADVANTAGE -   The layered sealing member is easy to handle for sealing of electronic parts, and the obtd. sealed electronic parts show a beautiful appearance and a smooth surface.
(US5062812-A)      The connector comprises a body having top and bottom walls, side walls, and end walls. An elongate slot in the bottom wall fits over the terminal post. An opening connecting the side walls intersects one end of the slot near one end wall of the body to permit the bared end of each such cable to be inserted into the opening for disposal between one end of the slot and one side of the post. A threaded hole connects the other end wall and other end of the slot.    A bolt is threadedly received within the hole for inward and outward movement toward and away from the one end of the slot so as to permit its inner end to tightly engage with the other side of the post, when moved inwardly. The bared ends of the cable are compressed one end of the slot and one side of the post. The inner end of the bolt is of a size for passing into and out of the threaded hole.    USE/ADVANTAGE -   For car batteries. Decreases likelihood of arcing and corrosion.@(6pp)@
(US5171646-A)      Fuel system comprises a porous panel type support with two surfaces, support having outwardly open cavities passing through support, to conduct air on oxygen; at least two rows of fuel cells on each of two surfaces. The two or more rows are longitudinally stacked underneath one another. A network of conductor tracks electrially conducts interconnecting rows.    Network of conducting tracks are in parallel horizontal rows of fuel cells, electrically contacting cathodes of fuel cells of each horizontal row with vertical rows of cells interconnected serially by conducting layers connecting fuel cell anodes.    USE/ADVANTAGE -   For use as current source. Power losses are minimsed. Operating conditions are lowered, allowing more continuous operation.
(US5112702-A)      Mfr. comprises (a) forming an electrolytically conductive reaction medium comprising halide and hydrogen-ions and mol O2, and (b) electrolysing using a cathode and inert anode, so voltage at the cathode w.r.t. Hg/Hg2SO4 reference electrode is -0.2 to -0.75 V. The mol O2 is reduced to H2O2. The cathode is of Pd, Pt or Au (alloys). Total halide ion concn. is not greater than 1M. O2 pressure is 14-1500 psia. Process is at 0-90 deg.C. Halide ion is 0.000001-0.1M bromide or 0.001-1M chloride. Acid is 0.0001-1M HCl, H2SO4, HNO3, sulphonic acid, etc..    ADVANTAGE -   Aq. reaction medium avoids the explosion hazards associated with the combination of high concns. at H2O2 and organic solvents.
(JP2762646-B2)      Appts. for surface treatment of a shadow mask built within a colour cathode ray tube has a shield plate having curvature equivalent to that of the shadow mask disposed inside the vacuum chamber opposite outer surface of the shadow mask.    ADVANTAGE -   As there is no deposited matters on outer surface of the shadow mask, halation degradation is prevented.
(JP2761066-B2)      Thick film paste contains electroconductive particles and liq state organic resin.    The electroconductive particles e.g. consist of metal particles or metal oxide particles, and the liquid state organic resin is thermosetting resin, and pref. has a property to be hardened at a temp. lower than the oxidn. temp. of the metal particles to eliminate addn. of known reducing agent to prevent the oxidn. of the metal particles. No reducing agent is required when the electroconductive metal oxide particles are used owing to chemical stability of the metal oxide particles.    USE/ADVANTAGE -   The thick film paste is suitable for use in a screen printing, and fine electroconductive pattern of a direct current type PDP free from undesirable discharge concn. can be obtd.
(JP2781630-B2)      Thick film paste contains electroconductive particles and liq state organic resin.    The electroconductive particles e.g. consist of metal particles or metal oxide particles, and the liquid state organic resin is thermosetting resin, and pref. has a property to be hardened at a temp. lower than the oxidn. temp. of the metal particles to eliminate addn. of known reducing agent to prevent the oxidn. of the metal particles. No reducing agent is required when the electroconductive metal oxide particles are used owing to chemical stability of the metal oxide particles.    USE/ADVANTAGE -   The thick film paste is suitable for use in a screen printing, and fine electroconductive pattern of a direct current type PDP free from undesirable discharge concn. can be obtd.
(JP4045242-A)      Wire material mfd. contains 50-90 wt.% Cr with elements other than Ni and Cr being controlled to 0.5 wt.% or less, with the remainder being Ni, having a binary text. composed of a hard phase and a soft phase, with the crystal grains constituting the text. being 50 microns or less in dia.; Process comprises: (i) preparing an ingot having a charged density of 7.0 g/cm3 or higher using a 99% or higher purity Cr power and carbonyl nickel powder; (ii) heating the ingot in vacuum or under an inert gas atmos.; (iii) charging the ingot into a capsule; and (iv) hot wire-drawing the ingot at 300-800 deg.C, at a working rate of 30% or lower draught per drawing cycle.    High-Cr Ni-alloy powder is pref. used as the starting material.    USE/ADVANTAGE -   Provides a high-Cr Ni-base wire material improved in workability and corrosion resistance, for use as target materials, protectives, spray coating materials, electrodes, etc.    (JP4052255-A)      Chromium-nickel alloy mfr. comprises preparing an ingot from a 99% or higher purity Cr powder and carbonyl nickel powder to give a packing density of 7.0 g/cm3 or higher; after heating the ingot in vacuum or in an inert gas atmos. at a temp. of 1300 deg.C or lower, placing the ingot into a cylindrical metal capsule; hot wire-drawing the whole at 300 - 800 deg.C, at a draught of 10% or less per one drawing; after removing the capsule, further wire-drawing the resulting wire using a tandem grooved roll mill, to obtain a final wire prod. contg. 50 - 90 wt.% Cr, 0.5 wt.% or less components other than Cr and Ni, and balance substantially Ni.    Pref., a high Cr-Ni alloy powder is used as the starting powder.    USE/ADVANTAGE -   Provides a wire material for use in frame-, arc- and plasma- coating, which can be easily processed and has good corrosion and wear resistance.
(US5188910-A)      The fuel cell comprises cylindrical solid oxide fuel cell elements each at least comprising a fuel electrode, a solid electrolyte and an air electrode, and a multi-contact point current collecting member contacting the fuel electrodes. The fuel electrode of a 1st element is electrically connected to the air electrode of an adjacent element through the multi-contact point device and an interconnector. The multi-contact point device contacts the entire surfaces of the fuel electrodes.    Pref. the solid electrolyte and fuel electrode are formed successively around the outer periphery of an air electrode pipe. The air electrode pipe is a double wall structure with a closed bottom end, and ribs connecting the air electrode and reducing gas feed pipe. The air electrode, oxidising gas feed pipe and ribs are all made of identical material selected from (un)doped LaMnO3, CaMnO3, LaNiO3, LaCoO3 or LaCrO3.    ADVANTAGE -   Current loss due to the ohmic resistance of the fuel and air electrodes is prevented, and power generation efficiency is improved. The cell is stable and has a long use life.
(US5088941-A)      The connector has two jaws which are integral at one of their ends and define a gap with their other ends. The median portions of the jaws define an opening for the post. The other end of the jaws are movable relative to each other to thereby deform the jaws and move their median portions into and from engagement with a post in the opening. Such movements are effected by a screw or nut which is accessible from the upper sides of the jaws and is rotatable about an axis which is parallel to the axis of the post in the opening.    Conversion of rotary movements of the screw or nut into translatory movements of the other ends and median portions of the jaws toward or away from each other is effected by a cam and follower assembly. The assembly can include a cam on the head of a non-rotatable screw and followers on the other end of the jaws, a cam on one of the jaws and a follower on the other jaw, or a cam on a non-rotatable nut and followers on the other end portions of the jaws.    USE -   To electrically connect one or more cables with post of battery. @(11pp)@
(DE4011079-C2)      The high temp. fuel cell consists of two chambers (11, 12), acted upon with a reaction gas, which are separated from each other by a partition wall (2) made of an oxygen conducting ceramic, which is provided on each side with an electrode (4, 5). The outer walls (3) of the chambers (11, 12) lying opposite the partition wall (2) are made of a soft metal sheet, which is provided with at least one corrugation for expansion correction.    The sidewalls (1) of the chambers (11, 12) lying at the partition wall (2) are made of a material, which has the same thermal expansion coefficients as the material of the partition wall (2). The sidewalls (1) of the chambers (11, 12) lying at the partition wall are made of the same material as this.    ADVANTAGE -   Fuel cell is better suited to withstand high temps. and necessary high temp. alteration speeds. Form permits assembly of several of these in esp. favourable manner.    (US5178970-A)      The high temperature fuel cell includes two chambers to be acted upon by a reaction gas. A partition is formed of an oxygen conducted ceramic material with a given coefficient of thermal expansion. The partition separates the chambers from one another and defines outer walls of the chambers opposite the partition and side walls of the chambers contacting the partition. Electrodes are each disposed at a respective side of the partition.    The outer walls are formed of a soft metal sheet having at least one corrugation for compensation of expansion and the side walls are formed of a material with the given coefficient of thermal expansion.    ADVANTAGE -   May include several series connected high temperature fuel cells.
(US5118491-A)      Process comprises (a) preparing a mixt. comprising (i) an aq. soln. of Zr and Y carboxylates, (ii) an organic solvent from 1-3C aliphatic nitriles and 8-11C aliphatic alcohols, and (iii) a nonionic surfactant, (b) adjusting the mixt. pH to 5-7 at about room temp. to ppte. solid colloidal particles, and (c) calcining the pptd. particles at 900-1400 deg. C to directly convert the particles from an amorphous state into a cubic crystal form.    The obtd. Zr/Y oxide particles are spherical, 0.1-2 microns in size, with an average size below 1 micron. The carboxylates are pref. acetates.    ADVANTAGE -   Used as a solid electrolyte in fuel-flow cells. The particles are fine, with excellent reproducible, constant, morphological properties.
(US5198312-A)      The power generation system with flat fuel cells of solid electrolyte construction permits the building up of a large cpacity system. There are a train of pile units of flat fuel cells of solid electrolyte disposed in a horizontally extending fuel gas duct. The gas fuel duct supplies to the train of pile units of flat fuel cells fuel gas. Each of the pile units of flat fuel cells has a horizontal flat flow path for the fuel gas disposed above each fuel-side porous electrode sheet of the fuel cell opening freely at two path ends on the opposing side faces of the pile unit. A horizontal flat flow path for the oxidant gas is disposed beneath each oxygen-side porous electrode sheet separated from the fuel gas flow paths and each connected at two path ends to either a supply line or to an exhaust line for the oxidant gas.    An afterburning region is disposed downstream of the train of pile units of flat fuel cells, for burning at least a part of the spent fuel gas which has passed through the fuel cell using at least a part of the spent oxidant gas which has passed through the fuel cell, for generating a heat of combustion for use for preheating at least one of the feed gases to be supplied to the fuel cell.    ADVANTAGE -   Provides better seal characteristic between gas sections.
(JP2542096-B2)      Anode active substance contg. 0.05-2.0 wt. % of phosphor and at least 92 wt. % of pure Mn02.    Pref. the battery in which the anode active substance is used. Manganese sulphate with additive of phosphor cpd. and H2SO4 soln. was electrolysed. Obtd. electrolytic Mn02 is treated with mineral acid and/or with Mn(NO3)2 aq. soln. and oxidiser.    USE/ADVANTAGE -   Cell is used for the automatic winder of cameras, stroboscope, and portable tape recorder. Discharging time and discharge characteristic at heavy load of the battery are improved.
(GB2242563-B)      An electrical generating plant having dual modes of operation and comprising: a fuel cell which requires a supply of gaseous hydrogen and a supply of gaseous oxygen in order to generate an electrical output; first supply means for supplying to the plant a hydrogen-containing compound which is liquid at NTP and which can undergo an endothermic reaction to liberate gaseous hydrogen; second supply means selectively operable for supplying to the plant liquid hydrogen peroxide in a first mode of operation and air in a second mode of operation; a reformer, connected to the first supply means, in which said hydrogen-containing compound undergoes said endothermic reaction and liberates gaseous hydrogen; a decomposer which is selectively connectible to said second supply means, in the first mode of operation, and which is arranged to decompose the hydrogen peroxide exothermically so as to liberate gaseous oxygen; means for transmitting to the hydrogen-containing compound some or all of the heat which is given-off in the decomposer in the first mode of operation, so as to maintain the endothermic reaction in the reformer; means for supplying heat to the hydrogen-containing compound, in the second mode of operation, so as to maintain the endothermic reaction in the reformer; means for supplying the gaseous hydrogen given-off in the reformer to the fuel cell; and means for supplying to the fuel cell the gaseous oxygen which is given-off in the decomposer in the first mode of operation, and means for supplying the air to the fuel cell in the second mode of operation, whereby an electrical output is obtainable from the fuel cell in the first or the second modes of operation.
(JP3089034-B2)      The fuel cell power operating method comprises the steps of recycling inert gas serially through a fired gas reformer, a first pass in a two way heat exchanger, a heat rejecting heat exchanger, a blower, a second pass in the two way heat exchanger in counter flow relationship with the first pass, and returning inert gas to the reformer, while preheating the components of the power plant in preparation for operation. The power plant is operated on gaseous fuel including passing hot reformed fuel from the reformer through a first pass in the two-way heat exchanger and passing raw gaseous fuel through a second pass in the two-way heat exchanger in counterflow relationship with the first pass.    The power plant is alternately operated on liquid fuel including passing hot reformed fuel from the reformer through a first pass in the two-way heat exchanger, and passing raw liquid fuel through a second pass in the heat transfer exchanger in parallel flow relationship with the first pass to vaporise the liquid fuel. @(5pp Dwg.No.1/3)@
(JP2530375-B2)      Ion source is equipped with a hole for extracting ion beam and to which gas for generating plasma is introduced, a device for forming in plasma chamber a zone of electron cyclotron resonance magnetic field, and tubes outside the plasma chamber for generating microwave.    ADVANTAGE -   Ion beam having large dia. is obtd. uniformly. @(3pp Dwg.No.1,2/2)@
(US5111952-A)      The lid is equipped with a handle and comprises in combination a flat surface which constitutes part of the upper portion of the lid and which presents at least one pair of openings. Each opening has in its inner part at least one projecting grip pawl.    At least one elastic handle with at least one projecting tooth is positioned at each of its ends. The central body of the handle is entirely lodged inside a housing made in the upper portion and each end is coupled within one of the openings which are situated in the upper portion. When the handle is lifted, its projecting teeth engage in the corresponding projecting grip pawls of the lid, thereby allowing the accumulator to which the lid is connected to be lifted.    USE -   For containers of accumulators.
(US5100742-A)      Fuel cell comprises first solid electrolyte contacting first and second electrodes; second solid electrolyte partition forming a first chamber with the first solid electrolyte wall; third solid electrolyte partition; first and second gas-flow limiting means between fuel mixts. and respective chambers; fuel-oxidant gas mixt. to which first and second electrodes are exposed; and means to collect and store energy generated from the electrochemical reaction between first and second electrodes.    First solid electrolyte wall is pref. an oxide electrolyte.    USE/ADVANTAGE -   Converts chemical energy to electrical energy for power usage or gas-sensing applications. Fuel cells are not subject to carnot cycle limitation of combustion engines so allows for highly efifcient conversion.
(US5045169-A)      Electrochemical device (10) capable of generating O2 from air (23) upon application of an electric current comprises adjacent cells (12) and (12') connected in series. Each cell contains opt. support (22), inner, porous oxygen electrode (20), dense solid oxide electrolyte (14) on top of (20) and outer porous electrode (16) on top of (14). DEnse segments of interconnection material (18) are disposed between the cells, electrically connecting the outer air electrode from one cell to the inner oxygen electrode from an adjacent cell. Device also contains gas impermeable, dense contacting segments of electrolyte. There are two end portions, at least one of which provides for O2 delivery.    USE/ADVANTAGE -   Used in an O2 concn. appts. Very high purity O2 is obtd. @(11pp)@
(US5209989-A)      A solid oxide fuel cell comprises multiple tube-shaped solid oxide fuel cell elements arranged in parallel and defining external spaces between adjacent fuel cell elements. Gas flow passages are defined for receiving the fuel gas and the oxidising gas. Means are provided to connect electrodes of adjacent cells. Means are provided to produce turbulent gas flow at the surface of the fuel cell elements.    ADVANTAGE -   The turbulent flow enhances the cell efficiency thus giving enhanced power generation.    (JP2528989-B2)      Solid oxide fuel cell has tube-shaped cell elements (1-5), with either the oxidising gas or the fuel gas flowing in an internal space (12) of the elements and the other gas flowing in an external space of the elements. Means (9,10) for converting either or both gas flows into turbulent flow is provided.    Means for providing turbulent flow is an elongate body (9) such as a tube, pillar, cylinder or a rod with plates extending in the longitudinal direction of the element. The body is connected to a porous support tube -(1) on the inside of the element by radial ribs (10). The ratio of the dia. of the body to the dia. of the internal space is not less than 0.3; alternatively the body may have a tapered cylindrical shape.    USE/ADVANTAGE -   In e.g. power generation systems. More efficient use of the fuel and/or oxidising gas is achieved.
(US5145754-A)      The fuel cell comprises flat plate lamintes spaced parallel to one another, each having one surface covered with a flat plate air electrode film and another surface with a flat plate fuel electrode film, oxidising gas flow passages between adjacent flat plate laminates and facing the air electrode film, fuel gas flow passages between the laminates and facing the fuel electrode film, and at least air electrode, solid electrolyte and fuel electrode films between the oxidising gas and fuel flow passages. Oxidising gas supply pipes extend from an opening at one end of each of the oxidising gas flow passages into the passage itself. Closure members are provided to each close the other end of the oxidising gas flow passage. Fuel gas supply pipes extend from an opening at one end of each fuel flow passage, and closure members are provided.    The electrode film is LaMnO3 opt. doped with Sr, CaMnO3, LaNiO3, LaCoO3 or LaCrO3. The solid electrolyte film is Y stabilised ZrO2. The fuel electrode film is Ni-ZrO2 cermet or Co-ZrO2 cermet.    ADVANTAGE -   Leakage and mixing of oxidising and fuel gases is prevented.    (JP2528987-B2)      Solid oxide fuel cell includes parallel, flat-plate laminates (50), one surface of each laminate being covered with an air electrode film (1) and the other being covered with a fuel electrode film (3). Oxidising gas flow passages (8) are arranged between the laminates facing the air electrode film and fuel gas flow passages (7) arranged between the laminates face the fuel electrode film, with air electrode films (6), solid electrolyte films (5) and fuel electrode films (7) interposed between the oxidising and fuel gas passages.    USE/ADVANTAGE -   In e.g. power generating systems. Oxidising and fuel gases are supplied in passages, in e.g. a honeycomb structure, without any leakage or mixing.
(US5158837-A)      The fuel cell comprises a bottom provided cylindrical solid oxide fuel cell element including at least an air electrode, a solid electrolyte and a fuel electrode, and a gas feed pipe inserted into a cylindrical space of the solid oxide element and having a gas feed portion for feeding oxidising or fuel gas into the cylindrical space. The gas feed portion is provided at least in a lateral face of the gas feed pipe, in the form of one or more circular holes or a slit. Two flat plate-like ribs connect the inner periphery of the solid oxide element with the outer periphery of the gas feed pipe.    ADVANTAGE -   Non-uniformity in the reactivity and temp. in the longitudinal direction of the cell is reduced, so thermal strain and stress are reduced and power generation efficiency is enhanced.    (JP2597730-B2)      Solid oxide fuel cell comprises a cylindrical housing contg. an air electrode (5), solid electrolyte (6), fuel electrode (7) and a gas feed pipe (1) for fuel or oxidising gas, the pipe (1) having a gas feeding portion (2) in its lateral face.    The gas feeding portion (2) may comprise a row of holes of the same size (as shown) or of increasing size towards the bottom, or a straight slit, or a slit widening towards the bottom.    USE/ADVANTAGE -   In e.g. a power generating system. Non-uniformity in reactivity and temp. in the longitudinal direction is reduced; and thermal stress and strain are reduced.
(US5176967-A)      The oxide fuel cell comprises (a) a cylindrical body with opposed open and closed ends and contg. at least a solid electrolyte, an air electrode and a fuel electrode, (b) a tube to supply oxidising or fuel gas to a hollow space in the body, (c) partition members between an inner periphery of the body and an outer peiphery of the gas supply tube, and dividing the hollow space into several gas flow passages, (d) a sealing member to close the open end, (e) at least one exhaust port in each of the gas flow passages to discharge the oxidising or fuel gas to an exhaust gas chamber, and (f) support means to hold an outer periphery of the fuel cell at the open end.    The exhaust ports are at different height levels so as not to exist in the same cut plane when the body is horizontally cut in the lateral direction. The air electrode is (un)doped LaMnO3, CaMnO3, LaNiO3, LaCoO3 or LaCrO3. The dopant is Sr. The electrolyte is yttria-stabilised ZrO2.    ADVANTAGE -   Accurate determn. of the positioning of the supply tube (or oxidising or fuel gas, and sufficient mechanical and fixing strength against vibrations etc. during mounting and use.    (JP2528988-B2)      Solid oxide fuel cell comprises cylindrical housing (6); solid electrolyte (8); air electrode (7); fuel electrode (9); gas supply tube (10) for supplying oxidising or fuel gas; partitions (1) between the housing and the supply tube for dividing the space into gas flow passages; seal (4); exhaust parts (2) in each gas flow passage; and a support (16) for holding the open end side of the housing.    USE/ADVANTAGE -   An e.g. a power generating system. Structure has good strength against vibration etc. and the gas supply tube can be accurately positioned.
(US5134043-A)      Operating a fuel cell comprises passing gases contg. CO2 discharged from the cathode to a separator while exhaust gases from the anode contg. CO2 are passed to the cathode chamber. At least part of the CO2 sepd. by the separator is mixed with the anode exhaust gas and recirculated to the cathode chamber.    ADVANTAGE -   Enhanced power efficiency in fuel cells with a low CO2 use factor by raising the concn. of CO2 in the cathode chamber. Pref. the fuel gas fed to the anode chamber is hydrogen contg. about 25% of CO2 obtd. e.g. by forming natural gas.    (JP2819730-B2)      A method is described for operating a power generation system using a fuel cell (I) which includes an electrolyte plate (1) sandwiched between a cathode provided with a cathode chamber (2), and an anode, provided with an anode chamber (3). Oxidising gas is fed to the cathode chamber and fuel gas (FG) is fed to the anode chamber for power generation, using a CO2 separator.    The method comprises: (a) introducing gases (referred to as cathode exhaust gas) discharged from the cathode chamber (2) into the CO2 separator (27); (b) introducing CO2 contained in gases (referred to as anode exhaust gas) discharged from the anode chamber (3) to the cathode chamber (2); and (c) allowing all or part of the CO2 sepd. by the CO2 separator (27) to merge with CO2 of the anode exhaust gas and recirculating them to the cathode chamber (2), whereby highly efficient power generation is achieved in the fuel cell at a low CO2 utilisation factor, using CO2 of high concn. fed to the cathode chamber (2).    USE/ADVANTAGE -   A large amt. of CO2, which promotes the fuel cell reaction, is retained in the cathode chamber and the CO2 partial pressure from the entrance of the cathode chamber through to its exit is maintained at a high level, thereby improving generation efficiency. The amt. of CO2 exhausted to the atmos. is reduced.
(US5120617-A)      The battery is connected in the circuit so its negative terminal is grounded, and its positive terminal is ungrounded, under normal conditions. The battery has an impact resistant case for shielding the contents from electrical contact with the structure of the vehicle in the event of an accident.    A fuse link is provided for interrupting the flow of electrical current from the positive pole of the charge storage section to the positive terminal of the battery in response to an increase in the electrical current flowing through the fuse link. The first end of the fuse link is connected to the positive pole of the charge storage section and the second end of the fuse link is connected to the exposed positive terminal. The fuse link permits the flow of current through it to the positive battery terminal under normal conditions. In response to perturbation of the vehicle by an accident, a switch connects the second end of the fuse link to the negative pole of the storage section so as to increase the flow of current, causing the fuse link blow and interrupting the circuit.    USE -   A battery having an integral emergency circuit breaker for preventing the transmission of electrical current from the battery to a vehicle in which the battery is connected in an electric circuit.
(JP3000598-B2)      The device comprises satd. reactors each having a sec. winding, and each sec. winding is provided with a reset circuit consisting of a power source, a resistor and an inductance connected serially.    USE -   High repetition of pulses is enabled.
(JP2616061-B2)      Hydrogen storage alloy electrode comprises hydrogen storage alloy powder, as a main constitution material having a metal diffused layer formed on the surfaces by mechanical alloying method.    USE -   Used for anodes of metal-hydrogen alkali storage batteries, capable of preventing self-discharging without redn. of capacity.
(JP2958782-B2)      Hydrogen storage alloy electrode comprises hydrogen storage alloy powder, as a main constitution material having a metal diffused layer formed on the surfaces by mechanical alloying method.    USE -   Used for anodes of metal-hydrogen alkali storage batteries, capable of preventing self-discharging without redn. of capacity.
(US5328779-A)      Three-layer electrolyte fuel cell element has a metallic support electrode (1) with porous region (12) and boundary layer (13) between the region and an electrolyte layer (2), which may be sepd. by a thin additional layer (31) from a porous counter-electrode (3). The support electrode includes a spring-loaded region (II) surrounding the active cell element and decoupling it from the frame structure. Support electrode forms the cathode. Electrolyte layer is formed by vapour plasma spraying cubic ZrO2 contg. Y2O3.    ADVANTAGE -   Can be linked to form cell stacks without excessive mechanical stresses.
(US5084363-A)      Molten carbonate fuel cell power plant has an enclosure (2) within which a cell (4) includes an anode (6), cathode (8), and carbonate electrolyte (10). A hydrocarbon fuel stream (12) is converted to a fuel stream (16) in a reformer (14) within the enclosure, the fuel stream being compressed to provide a pressurised stream (20) to the anode. Anode exhaust stream (22) is split into a recycle (24) to the fuel stream and a recycle stream (26) to a catalytic burner (32).    Air stream (28) is combined with cathode exhaust (42) as diluted oxidant stream (30) which is mixed with anode recycle (26) for combustion to a CO2-rich oxidant stream. Recycle arrangements and burner are all accommodated in the enclosure.    ADVANTAGE -   Low cost, efficient, prefabricated unit. @(6pp)@
(US5082753-A)      The device for cooling a fuel cell includes a cell stack and cooling plates disposed there, having cooling pipes disposed in the cooling plates, with a cooling medium flowing through the cooling pipes. Main cooling pipes are connected to inlet and outlet ends of the cooling pipes through header pipes.    Each of the main cooling pipes has a concentric stack of short metallic pipes and annular insulating spacers, the metallic pipes and insulating spacers being alternately arranged. Studs fasten the stack of metallic pipes and insulating spacers of each the main cooling pipe together, making said main cooling pipes liquid-tight. Branch pipes are connected to the metallic pipes leading to the cooling plates.    USE -   Water cooling system for fuel cell, being free of insulating hoses. @(First major country equivalent to J03149758)@
(JP2932533-B2)      Metallic ion liq. source comprises an alloy compsn. consisting of Nb and opt. two elements of Au, Cu, Ge and Ni. The metallic ion source is for obtaining Nb ion beam, using the focused ion beam equipment comprising ion accelerating means, mass spectrometry means, and ion beam focusing means, which generates focused ion beam at required energy of the required ion seed by selectively focussing and accelerating the required ion from the ion source.    USE/ADVANTAGE -   The metallic ion liq. source is used for the focused ion beam equipment (FIB equipment) to prepare a Nb system super-conductor device. Nb ion can be directly deposited on the substrate. Nb deposition of up to 0.1 micron can be done with good reproducibility.
(US5045414-A)      During power plant shutdown, a cathode section is purged with a gaseous mixture of, for example, one-half percent oxygen and ninety-nine and a half percent nitrogen supplied from an ejector (21) bleeding in air (24/28) into a high pressure stream (27) of nitrogen as the primary or majority gas. The fuel gas in the fuel processor (31) and the anode section (11) is purged with nitrogen gas to prevent nickel carbonyl from forming from the shift catalyst. A switched dummy electrical load (30) is used to bring the cathode potential down rapidly during the start of the purges.    The oxygen-nitrogen mixture maintains the cathode potential between 0.3 and 0.7 volts, and this is sufficient to maintain the cathode potential at 0.3 volts for the case of hydrogen diffusing to the cathode through a 2 mil thick electrolyte filled matrix and below 0.8 volts for no diffusion at open circuit conditions. The same high pressure gas source (20) is used via a T juncture to purge the anode section and its associated fuel processor.    ADVANTAGE -   Enhances fuel cell electrical potential control. @(6pp)@
(US5100743-A)      The fuel cell comprises a cell reaction section having a fuel electrode, with an oxidant electrode and electrolyte - matrix interposed therebetween for generating electricity by supplying a fuel gas and an oxidant gas to the fuel electrode and the oxidant electrode respectively. A reforming reaction section reforms a raw fuel gas to the fuel gas, where the process direction of the reforming reaction of the raw fuel gas in the reforming reaction section is countercurrent to the flow direction of the oxidant gas in the cell reaction section.    The process direction of the reforming reaction of the raw fuel gas is orthogonal to the flow direction of the fuel gas in the cell reaction section. A gas distributing section changes the flow direction of the raw fuel gas.    ADVANTAGE -   Can decrease temperature difference during steady-state operation and has excellent stability during cell operation.    (DE4100579-C2)      Electrical energy is produced by a fuel cell constructed in known manner and using molten carbonate for internal reformation of fuel with the cell contg. a reformation region to reform crude fuel gas into fuel gas. The spread direction of the reformation of the crude fuel gas is within the reformation reaction region in a countercurrent flow formed by a flow of oxidation gas inside the cell reaction region.    A device to change the flow direction of the supplied crude fuel gas is provided.    ADVANTAGE -   Temp. difference between reformer and cell during operation reduced without detriment to stable cell operation.
(US5116696-A)      The battery has cells connected in series and is comprised of an axially symmetrical stack of gas and air feed members and electrochemically active plates arranged alternately. Each feed member has an air heat exchanger in which the supplied air is heated.    Gas and air may be made to flow in parallel on both sides of the electrochemically active plates. For each feed member, only one sealing ring is required to separate the air and gas spaces.    USE/ADVANTAGE -   A fuel cell battery. The fuel cell battery has the advantage that induced stresses due to thermal expansion are small.    (JP7050169-A)      The rotationally symmetrical (e.g. circular or polygonal) cells stacked and connected in series between special termination elements (3, 4) are supplied with gas and air via feeder elements (2), each incorporating an air heat exchanger (10) which divides the gas space (11) from the air space (12).    Electrochemically active plates (6) are shared between neighbouring cells, with air and gas flowing in the same direction on opposite sides through electron-conductive structures (5).    ADVANTAGE -   Air and gas spaces are mutually sealed with single rings (20) and can be fed in paralle. Stresses due to differential thermal expansion are slight. @(10pp Dwg.No.1/7)@    (JP3100988-B2)      The rotationally symmetrical (e.g. circular or polygonal) cells stacked and connected in series between special termination elements (3, 4) are supplied with gas and air via feeder elements (2), each incorporating an air heat exchanger (10) which divides the gas space (11) from the air space (12).    Electrochemically active plates (6) are shared between neighbouring cells, with air and gas flowing in the same direction on opposite sides through electron-conductive structures (5).    ADVANTAGE -   Air and gas spaces are mutually sealed with single rings (20) and can be fed in paralle. Stresses due to differential thermal expansion are slight. @(10pp Dwg.No.1/7)@
System is controlled by : calculating reference current and voltage according to a reference power designated by an external command on the brain of I-V curves of the cell stored in the control system; calculating first reference flow rates (Q2, Q2) for the reformed gas and air supplies for the reference current; adding additional amts (q, Q1) to obtain second reference flow rates (Q3,Q31); increasing the flow rates to Q3 and Q31 and detecting a time at which they are reached; detecting output current, voltage and temp. of cell; controlling system parameters in accordance with the second reference flow rates (Q3,Q31) and the reference power over a further second period of time until the cell temp. reaches a steady state corresponding to a reference current; and controlling system parameters in accordance with Q2 and Q21, the reference current and the cell output current after the second period of time.    ADVANTAGE -   Overload which occur during a load increase is avoided and cell life extended.    (JP2671523-B2)      Mn dioxide for lithium prim. cell is produced by (1) neutralising gamma Mn dioxide produced by an electrolytic process or Mn dioxide produced by chemical synthesis process with an aq. soln. contg. Li hydroxide and Li nitrate, (2) heat treating, and then (3) treating with an acid, or by (1') heating gamma Mn dioxide produced by an electrolytic process in an acid soln. in slurry state to obtain beta Mn dioxide, (2') neutralising with an aq. soln. contg. Li hydroxide and Li nitrate, (3') heat treating, and then (4') treating with an acid.    The heat treatment in the step (2) or (3') is pref. effected at 350-450 deg.C for 3-4 hrs. the acid treatment in the step (3) or (4') is effected using sulphuric acid, hydrochloric acid or nitric acid for 1-5 days.    USE/ADVANTAGE -   The Mn dioxide has good anodic activity, and a Li prim. cell having an improved discharge voltage, and a long discharging time can be obtd..
(US5284717-A)      Prodn. of raw materials for a steam reformer in a fuel cell electricity generation process comprises: providing in combination, a desulphuriser, an adsorber, a steam reformer, a converter or gas separation membrane, and a fuel cell; and desulphurising and cracking petroleum fuel in the desulphuriser using a metallosilicate catalyst having Si/Al atomic ratio of 40-3200 at a temp. of 300-6000 deg.C, a pressure of 1-10 kg/cm2, H2/oil ratio of 500-2000, and an SV of 0.5-4 hr. (-1).    In the steam reformer, the desulphurised and cracked fuel reacts with steam and is converted to prod.-gas comprising hydrogen, carbon monoxide, and carbon dioxide.    USE -   The process uses petroleum prods. as raw material fuels and aims at diversification of source fuels.    (JP2941323-B2)      Producing raw materials for a reformer by cracking and desulphurising petroleum fuels in a desulphuriser, in a fuel cell electricity generation process, comprises cracking and desulphurising the fuel at 300-600 deg.C, 1-10 kg/sq.cm pressure, H2/oil ratio 500-2000, and SV of 0.5-4/hr., using a zeolite or metallosilicate catalyst as desulphurising catalyst.    Pref. the system comprises a desulphuriser, an adsorber, a reformer, a converter or gas sepn. membrane, and a cell.    ADVANTAGE -   The load for the reforming catalyst is reduced by using a desulphurising catalyst having a cracking function, so that a greater variety of raw material fuels may be used. Content is reduced to 1 ppm or less and cracking rate is 10-70%.
(US5149600-A)      Fuel cell electricity generation process comprises an appts. which includes a desulphuriser, an adsorber, a reformer, a non-porous gas sepn membrane comprisng a polymer, and a fuel cell. Sepn. membrane is used to separate membrane to treat reformed gas from the reformer at 50-150 deg. C, under 2-10 kg/cm2 pressure to separate CO contained in the reformed gas. Feeding gas permeates through the sepn. membrane to the fuel cell.    Pref. fuel is methanol, natural gas, kerosene, naptha or LPG. Gas penetrating through membrane is mainly composed of H2 and contains 10 mol.% or less CO2 so a part of gas can be used as H2 for desulphurisation and desulphurisation rate can be improved.    ADVANTAGE -   By replacing shift converter in fuel cell electricity generation process by mebrane sepn. method, catalyst used in shift converter is not needed.
(JP95005282-B2)      In a reforming device, a bypass piping is connected to the piping on the delivery side of an ejector and the piping on the raw fuel inlet side of the ejector. The bypass piping causes a part of mixt. gas of steam and raw fuel to bypass to the piping on the raw fuel inlet side.    USE/ADVANTAGE -   The degree of a negative pressure of a pressure on the suction side of an ejector can be reduced.
(US5062911-A)      The method comprises (a) providing a dried green ceramic honecomb body having inlet and outlet faces and parallel open channels sepd. from each other by partition walls, extending through the honeycomb between the faces, (b) wetting the inlet and outlet faces with water, (c) applying a still-wet as formed, flat, green ceramic, cap body against each wetted face to form an integral end-cap over the faces and seal the channels openings, (d) exposing the openings at given channels at the inlet face through the end-cap and exposing the openings of the remaining channels at the outlet face through its end-cap, and (e) firing. The body has 100-400 open channels per square inch of face surface area. The ceramic body and end caps are the same material and are zirconia, alumina, cordierite, mullite, or titania.    USE/ADVANTAGE -   Used as a catalyst support, or in the process of 02 concn. or in fuel cells. @(6pp)@
(JP2514748-B2)      A molten carbonate fuel cell start-up process, which prevents premature oxidn. of the cathode, comprises providing a metallic cathode and anode with green tapes comprising electrolyte matrix and carbonate between the, and heating the anode to 250-350 deg. C in the presence of an O-contg. gas. Heating is continued to temps. above the m.pt. of the carbonate in the presence of inert gas and 0.5-10 mol.% H2 and the temp. is maintained to allow the carbonate to distribute itself. Oxidant gas then contacts the cathode and fuel gas and anode to start operation.    Also claimed is a process as above comprising heating from 250-350 deg. C to above the m.pt. of the carbonate under the inert gas and H2 as above, with the cell operating temp. being 600-700 deg. C.    USE/ADVANTAGE -   A start-up process for a molten carbonate fuel cell (claimed) is provided which prevents premature oxidn. of the cathode and ensures good conductivity and faster binder removal. More stable long term cell operation is also obtd..
(DE4116156-C2)      A hand operable clamp with two gripping members, one of which is connected to one end of a flexible lead or cable. The clamp includes a long component (32) with a bearing point (56, 58) between its ends. A section between the bearing point (56, 58) and the rear end (38) forms a grip. The clamp also includes a pivotal component (34) with a bearing point between its ends. This bearing point (72, 74) is jointedly connected to the bearing point (56, 58) of the long component (32). A spring (80) is arranged between the two clamp members (56, 58, 72, 74) which biases the front ends (40, 70) of the two members (56, 58, 72, 74) towards each other.    A grip handle (88) is connected at one end by a pivot joint with a transverse pivot pin (66, 94) to the rear end (38) of the long component (32). At the other end it is connected to a shorter section of the pivotal component (34). One of the pivot joints is a sliding joint formed by a slot (96) associated with the pivot pin (66, 94).    ADVANTAGE -   Operation is simplified. Prevents the cable getting caught up or other things getting in the way of the clamp and so ensures secure clamping
(JP95055802-B2)      Fuel reformer has honeycomb porous body with first flow path comprising numerous independent through channels surrounded by partition walls, second flow path isolated from first flow path by partition walls and defined by connection walls connecting adjacent partition walls, reforming catalyst carried on one of inner walls of first and second flow paths, and contacting combustion catalyst other inner wall of first and second flow paths.    ADVANTAGE -   Fuel gas can be reformed to reformed gas.
(US5149599-A)      Stopping a phosphoric acid fuel cell comprise (a) interrupting a load at the fuel cell, (b) supplying air from an air inlet while circulating gas in the fuel electrode to the fuel gas circulation line, (c) decreasing concn. of the electrolyte with water resulting from an electrode catalyst reaction occurring in the mainbody of the fuel cell, (d) closing the fuel gas circulation line on its discharge side to consume the combustible component in the gas circulating in the fuel circulation line due to the electrode catalyst reaction, and (e) decreasing the concn. of the combustible component in the fuel electrode and further decreasing the electrolyte concn. to predetermined respective levels, i.e. 91 to 53 wt.% and such that H3PO4 will not crystallise at a predetermined ambient temp.    ADVANTAGE -   The method does not involve heating, and the gas in the main body is easily replaced with inert gas.    (JP2705241-B2)      Thin film comprises a laminate of oxide superconductor and oxide magnetic material.    Pref. the laminated film comprises two- or multi-layered structure formed by laminating the oxide superconductor and oxide magnetic material alternately. Pref. the oxide magnetic material has ferro-magnetism, or anti-ferro-magnetism and is composed of La, Ca, Mn, and O, esp. crystals of La(1-x)CaxMnO3, where x = 0.05-0.95 with the perovskite structure. The oxide superconductor is pref. Y or rare-earths, Ba, Cu, and O, or Bi, Pb, Sr, Ca, Cu, and O.    USE/ADVANTAGE -   The laminate is used as superconductive material having improved Tc. The material has an interface which is less reactive and steep.
(First major country equivalent to JP3105865). Each unit cell is formed of a cathode, an electrolyte plate, an anode and a separator. Each unit cell also includes a generating zone formed by the cathode, anode and electrolyte plate; a reforming zone for reforming fuel gas; a fuel gas flow channel communicating with a fuel gas inlet. A fuel gas outlet includes a divided fuel gas flow channel for the unit cell, and an oxidant gas flow channel communicating with an oxidant gas inlet and an oxidant gas outlet and including a divided oxidant gas flow channel for the unit cell.    The reforming zone is arranged in the fuel gas flow channel while the generating zone is arranged in contact with the fuel gas flow channel and the oxidant gas flow channel at a position downstream of the reforming zone while the fuel gas and oxidant gas are maintained separated from each other.    USE/ADVANTAGE -   Fuel cells. Avoids deterioration of reforming catalyst.
(JP2791130-B2)      The insulated wire comprises polyamideimide ester resin which is applied on a conductor directly or through the other insulating layer, and baked.    The polyamideimide ester resin comprises a mixt. of; (A) (a) polycarboxylic acid consisting of aromatic tribasic acid or its deriv. which contains at least 5 mol% of dibasic acid or its deriv., and 0.5-5 mol% of monobasic acid or its deriv., to the total acid content, (b) resin component formed by reaction of polyisocyanate or its deriv. in phenol solvent in presence of polyamide resin at the equiv. ratio of approx. 1:1; (B) aromatic polyisocyanate masked with phenols; and (C) tris(2-hydroxylethyl) isocyanurate modified polyesterimide resin.    USE/ADVANTAGE -   The polyamideimide ester resin and insulated wire with it are used for a coolant-resistant motor. Coolant oil resistance (resistance to blister generation) of the wire is improved.
(JP2761059-B2)      The insulated wire comprises polyamideimide ester resin which is applied on a conductor directly or through the other insulating layer, and baked.    The polyamideimide ester resin comprises a mixt. of; (A) (a) polycarboxylic acid consisting of aromatic tribasic acid or its deriv. which contains at least 5 mol% of dibasic acid or its deriv., and 0.5-5 mol% of monobasic acid or its deriv., to the total acid content, (b) resin component formed by reaction of polyisocyanate or its deriv. in phenol solvent in presence of polyamide resin at the equiv. ratio of approx. 1:1; (B) aromatic polyisocyanate masked with phenols; and (C) tris(2-hydroxylethyl) isocyanurate modified polyesterimide resin.    USE/ADVANTAGE -   The polyamideimide ester resin and insulated wire with it are used for a coolant-resistant motor. Coolant oil resistance (resistance to blister generation) of the wire is improved.
(JP2679298-B2)      The stabilising material comprises a composite material of high-purity Al in which ceramics whiskers are dispersed.    The stabilising material is made by setting a preform comprising one or more of Al2O3 whiskers, SiC whiskers, and TiB2 whiskers in a die for forging molten metal, for metal melt forging high-purity Al of at least 99.99% purity.    USE/ADVANTAGE -   Used for superconducting wire, having high strength, high residual resistance ratio, and light wt..
A fuel cell (21) is disclosed, comprising a pair of electrodes (22, 23) an electrolyte (24) of phosphoric acid located between the electrodes, a gasket (25) and a bond (26) located between an electrode and the gasket. The bond is composed of fluoric synthetic rubber and has a modulus of elasticity larger than that of the gasket.    More specifically, the fluoric synthetic rubber is free from metal oxide and metal hydroxide, and the gasket comprises two pieces, each of which has a smooth surface in contact with one of electrodes so as to seal completely the outer edges of the fuel cell. In one embodiment, the gasket pieces are composed of closed-cellular sponge rubber.    USE/ADVANTAGE -   Improved sealing gasket for fuel cells, partic. those using phosphoric acid as electrolyte. The gasket is free from the metal oxides, hydroxides and salts added to the synthetic rubber of the prior art and this is not subject to deterioration due to reaction with the acid or as a result of operating temps. of 200 deg.C. (First major country equivalent to J03101058-A, J03101059-A)    (US5407759-A)      A fuel cell has phosphoric acid electrolyte (24) between two electrodes (22,23), and a gasket (25) of fluorinated synthetic rubber free from metal oxide and hydroxide and contg. 15 wt.% of carbon black.    The rubber pref. has iodine as a bridging site and forms 80 wt.% of the gasket, which is free of metal salt.    ADVANTAGE -   The gasket does not deteriorate in the presence of phosphoric acid.
(US5071719-A)      Fuel cell power plant utilising H2 and C oxide rich feed gas (4) comprises a hydrogen carbonoxide consuming fuel cell with an anode compartment (2a) and a cathode compartment (2c), means to supply feed gas (8,10,12) to (2a), compression means (41) to supply (2c) with compressed cathode oxidant gas (44) and means for recirculating fuel cell exhaust gas (46,50,42) to (2c), a methanation unit (9) to convert the H2 and (4) into a methanated gas, and a reforming catalyst bed (13) adapted to receive and reform the methanated gas to anode process gas (14) by absorbing waste heat from the fuel cell (2).    USE/ADVANTAGE -   To provide electrical energy. Improved efficiency due to reduced cooling demand. The cathode gas supply loop is simplified. @(6pp)@    (JP2602994-B2)      Fuel cell power plant comprises: an H2/C oxide-consuming fuel cell (2) with an anode compartment (2a) and cathode compartment (Zc); feed gas supply (8,10,12) to the anode; compressor (41) for supplying the cathode with compressed oxidant (44); system (46,50, 42) for recycling fuel cell exhaust to the cathode; a methanation unit (9) for the H2/C oxide supply (4); reforming catalyst (13) for reforming the methanated gas to anode process gas (14) by absorbing waste heat from the cell.    ADVANTAGE -   System reduces cooling demands on the fuel cell and simplifies the cathode gas supply loop.
(US5082752-A)      Power generation system is based on a molten carbonate fuel cell (C), with electrolyte plate (1) sandwiched by a cathode (2) and anode (3), a number of cells being stacked via separators (31) with cooling plates (33) inserted between several adjacent cells to form an indirect internal reforming type fuel cell stack (S).    Gas passages (34) extend through the cooling plate, oxidant gas feed and discharge manifold (35) and fuel gas feed and discharge manifold (36) being formed on the periphery of the plates. Outside the stack is an external reformer.    ADVANTAGE -   Reforming catalyst does not contact the carbonate. @(16pp)@    (JP2899709-B2)      Fuel cell power system comprises a stack of molten carbonate fuel cells with separators and cooling plates, the latter contg. passages for raw material gas for reformation (which also acts as cooling gas), the passages contg. reforming catalyst. External reformer (37) includes combustion section (39) and reforming section (38). Stack cooling gas line (45) is connected to cooling plate passages. A line (50) feeds raw material gas to reforming section (36). An anode gas feed line (52) feeds reformed gas from the passages and from the reforming section (38); and anode gas exit line (53) supplies the combustion section (39). A cathode gas feed line (55) supplies exhaust from combustion section (39) and air (A); and cathode exit line (56) discharges the cathode gas.    ADVANTAGE -   System is internally reforming but does not allow the reforming catalyst to contact the carbonate; easy control of stack temp. is facilitated and power generating efficiency is high.
Material powder mixt. consists of Ca, Ba, Cu, O and R where R is at least one of Y and lanthanide and is filled in sheath material, and extended. The material is treated under hot-static hydraulic pressure at 850-1100 deg.C in the mixed atmos. of inert gas and 02 gas to form the oxide superconductor contg. the oxide of the following formula (R1-xCa)Ba2Cu408 where x = 0.001-0.5. Then the superconductor is sintered.    USE/ADVANTAGE -   The method is used for prepn. of oxide superconductor wire. Superconductor wire having Tc which is higher than the temp. of liquid N2 can be obtd. Up to 850 deg.C 02 does not come off the material.
Material powder mixt. consists of Ca, Ba, Cu, O and R where R is at least one of Y and lanthanide and is filled in sheath material, and extended. The material is treated under hot-static hydraulic pressure at 850-1100 deg.C in the mixed atmos. of inert gas and 02 gas to form the oxide superconductor contg. the oxide of the following formula (R1-xCa)Ba2Cu408 where x = 0.001-0.5. Then the superconductor is sintered.    USE/ADVANTAGE -   The method is used for prepn. of oxide superconductor wire. Superconductor wire having Tc which is higher than the temp. of liquid N2 can be obtd. Up to 850 deg.C 02 does not come off the material.
(US5053291-A)      Fuel cell stack module comprises a layered structural (23) including unit cells (1) each of which has an electrolyte matrix, electrodes and separators (2). Each separator has vertical passage (4a) for the oxidiser gas on one of the separator surfaces and horizontal passages (4F) for the fuel gas on the other separator surfaces. The cells and separators are alternately superimposed so that each of the surfaces of the cells and separators is vertical. A first pair of manifolds (21,9) on the upper and lower surfaces communicates with the vertical passages and a second pair(not shown) on the opposite sides communicates with the horizontal passages.    USE/ADVANTAGE -   Lateral layer-built structure provides good space efficiency for meeting transportation height loading limits etc. (First major country equivalent to J03093167-A) @(13pp Dwg.No.1/9)
(JP4504928-W)      Fuel cell system in which the cell potential is controlled within a max. voltage limit comprises (i) anode section; (ii) cathode section having a max. allowed voltage limit; (iii) electrolyte; and (iv) a gas supply to the cathode purging it during off-power conditions, causing its potential to be limited below the max. limit.    The gas includes a minor (I) and a major (II) component and is supplied by a fixed area ejector injecting (I) into a stream of (II). Pref. (I) is O2 and (II) is N2.    ADVANTAGE -   Simple, efficient arrangement protects the cell during off-power or non-operating modes    (JP2835181-B2)      Fuel cell system in which the cell potential is controlled within a max. limit comprises: anode section; cathode section having a max. allowed voltage limit; electrolyte; and a gas supply to the cathode purging it during off-power conditions, causing its potential to be limited below the max. limit. The gas includes a minor (I) and a major (II) component and is supplied by a fixed area ejector injecting (I) into a stream of (II).    Pref. (I) is O2 and (II) is N2.    ADVANTAGE -   Simple, efficient arrangement protects the cell during off-power or non-operating modes.
(JP2637565-B2)      When joining film of high polymer electrolyte to electrode the film is held to electrode and inserted into enclosed space. The film is joined to the electrode by hot pressure, and water is supplied to the space.    ADVANTAGE -   Since film is joined to electrode in swelled condition improved joining is achieved, and resistance of the film is reduced and can be used as stabilised cell.
(JP2664799-B2)      Full cell assembly comprises: a cell stack (12) with a flexible conductive membrane (16) at each end in contact with an electrode (50, 58) at multiple spaced locations parallel to the cells; a pressure pad (22, 26) at each end of the stack in contact with the respective membrane; a compressive force (20) acting on the stack via the pads which maintains the membranes in contact with the electrodes at multiple locations; and a bus bar (42, 44) connected to a box-like wall structure (28) integral with each membrane and of greater thickness than each membrane and extending axially of the stack at the outer periphery of the membrane.    Pref. the stack also includes fuel manifolds (32) and air manifolds (35). Each box-like wall has an outward extending flange (40) for reinforcement and sealing. A heater (24) at each end is interposed between the first portion (22) and the second portion (26) of the pressure pad.    USE/ADVANTAGE -   Esp. as a molten carbonate fuel cell. (claimed). Structure ensures uniform loading across the plane of the cells during normal operation and transients despite thermal distortions of the pressure plates (20).
(JP2793365-B2)      Fuel cell current is sensed (30) and during a transient, a feed forward demand signal (50) sent to a fuel flow regulator (58). A nominal desired reformer temperature is established for the new fuel cell current. This desired temperature signal (62) is dynamically compensated (64) to establish the operating temperature set point (72).    A predominantly lead compensation (66) is achieved for a desired temperature increase and a predominantly lag compensation (68) for a desired temperature decrease. Increased reliance on the temperature as a result of the system input reduces reliance on the accuracy of fuel flow measurement and on the consistency of fuel heating value.    ADVANTAGE -   Excessive decreases in fuel flow are avoided.
(US5156928-A)      The appts. for protecting a fuel cell has an output for producing an output voltage against damage due to operation outside of an ouput voltage range. It includes a switching connected to the output of the fuel cell. Appts. coupled to the output of the fuel cell detects the output volatge. A reference voltage is set.    Appts. is coupled to the output voltage detector and the setting device compares the detected output voltage of the fuel cell with the reference voltage. In response to the comparing circuit and connected to the switching device the switch is opened when the detected output voltage of the fuel cell drops below the reference voltage.    ADVANTAGE -   Uses ordinary switch to protect fuel cell.    (JP2782854-B2)      The output voltage of the fuel cell (1) is monitored by a transformer (12) connected to a pair of comparators (14a,14B) potential with voltage limits set by variable resistors (31,32).    A controller (17) energises a trip coil (11A) to open a switch (SW1) and cut off a transistor (Q1) to block the short-circuit current before another trip coil (11B) opens a two-pole switch (SW2) protecting both lines to the inverter (4).    USE/ADVANTAGE -   In power supplies rated at e.g. 5 or 10 MW. switch can be used reliably to protect wither single or combined supplies subject to inverter faults.
(US5145753-A)      The noble solid electrolyte fuel cell includes a generating layer (5), an interconnector layer (9), and a support layer (10) disposed between the generating and interconnector layers. The interconnector layer comprises a fuel electrode (6), an interconnector material (7) and an oxygen electrode (8). The support layer (10) forms a fuel passage and an oxidizer passage, and supporting rods (15) for gas sealing are disposed at both ends of the support layer.    A sealing film is cemented to the contact surfaces of the supporting rods (15) between the generating layer and the interconnector layer, and this sealing film becomes soft or half melted during the operation of the fuel cell.    ADVANTAGE -   Improved cell performance due to better sealing of gases even under large temperature differences. Use of finer particles near surface of solid electrolyte only is also disclosed.
(JP2550716-B2)      The fuel reformer comprises a gas impermeable plate, a flow path for raw material to be reformed, a reforming catalyst in the flow path on one side of gas impermeable plate, and a flow path for a heat medium to heat raw material. The length of the raw material flow path is greater than that of the heat medium flow path.    ADVANTAGE -   Temp. distribution of catalyst is made uniform to shorten time necessary for raising temp. at start.
(JP95055801-B2)      The fuel reforming system comprises a fuel reforming unit with a reforming pipe and a combustor. A gas sampling member is provided in the combustion gas flow path extending from the combustor to the outer periphery of the reforming pipe and above an observation window or sensor window provided in the reforming vessel. The gas sampling member is connected to an oxygen densitometer to measure oxygen concn. in the combustion gas at an intermediate location of the combustion gas flow path.    ADVANTAGE -   Concn. of oxygen in gas and excess amt. of air can be accurately measured.
(US5064734-A)      Current-transmitting components have a sepg. plate composed of an oxide-dispersion-hardened Ni/Cr alloy which carries a Ni on the fuel side and a noble metal plating on the oxygen side. Current collectors are on both the fuels side and the oxygen side and each collector has a carrier determining the geometrical shape and is composed of electrically conducting oxide-dispersion hardened Ni or Ni/Cr alloy, ThO2 as dispersoid in a content of up to 2 wt.%, porous or impervious noble-metal surface layer, and a continuous layer present between carrier and noble-metal surface layer and is made of electrically conductive Cr2O3.    USE/ADVANTAGE -   For conducting current between adjacent, planar, stacked high-temp. fuel cells. Components can be used without change or adaption both on the oxygen side and on the fuel side of the actual electrochemical cell. @(8pp)@
(JP94089347-B2)      Fuel reforming system involves differential pressure detector, flow rate regulating valve, and differential pressure controller. Differential pressure detector detects difference between internal and external pressures of reforming pipes.    Flow rate regulating valve is either first flow rate regulating valve in branch from exhaust gas line for combustion gas or second flow rate regulating valve in branch from reforming gas line on inlet or outlet side of reforming pipe.    Controller compares differential pressure signal with standard differential pressure signal, and outputs valve open degree signal to first or second flow rate regulating valve based on deviation level.    ADVANTAGE -   Reforming pipe with good flowability to load is realised irrespective of difference in pressure between inside and outside of reforming pipe.
Ammonium thiomolybdate salt is reacted with copper halide in a dimethyl formamide medium to grow a precursor. The dimethyl formamide is evapd. and removed. The resulting precursor solid is heated and reduced under hydrogen gas atmos. to produce a copper molybdenum sulphide. The battery electrode is formulated around the copper molybdenum sulphide.    Pref. ammonium thiomolybdate salt comprises ammonium dioxodithiomolybdate, ammonium tetraoxotrithiodimolybdate, or ammonium tetrathiomolybdate. The ammonium tetrathiomolybdate is pref. in terms of no oxygen mixt. The copper halide comprises cuprous fluoride, cupric fluoride, cuprous chloride, cupric chloride, cuprous bromide, cupric bromide, cuprous iodide, or cupric iodide.    USE/ADVANTAGE -   The electrode is used for sec. battery. The prodn. method has no danger and is suitable for mass prodn.
(DE3933284-C)      In a process for continuous generation of electrical energy from solar energy, solar energy is received (1) and transferred to a gas, pref. air or CO2 in circulation, that is passed (2) to the lower end of a methane reformer (3) in which cracker tubes (4) are heated convectively by hot air. The hot air or CO2 is withdrawn (5) from the reformer and passed via a cooler (5) and a compressor (7) to the radiation absorber. Prod. gas (PG) is used (8) for generation of process steam and passes via a shift convertor (9) to a pressure vessel (10), which supplies a fuel cell (11).    ADVANTAGE -   Combustion of reformer and fuel cell avoids disadvantages of water-steam circuit.
(JP2629365-B2)      Wire material is coated by delivering wire material from the centre of an extruding die for the hollow material of a ceramics material, simultaneously extruding the hollow material of a ceramic material from die synchronously with delivery of the wire material, to form a coating layer of the ceramics material on the periphery of the wire material, forming grooves on the outer periphery of the coating layer, followed by forming bead-like ceramics coating on the wire material by firing the groove formed.    USE -   For applying insulating coating using ceramics material or synthetic resin material on shape memory alloys or on heating elements.
(JP5506741-W)      An electricity generating plant has a H2-rich gas-emitting unit connected by a H2 feed line to the anode chamber of a fule all system; a combustion chamber esp. for catalytic combustion, with gas fuel feed lines, from the anode and cathode chambers of the fuel cell system and with a combustion gas outlet connected by an off-gas line to the inlet of a gas turbine; and a compressed air generator which is operatively coupled with the gas turbine and which is connected at its outlet by a compressed air line to the cathode chamber of the fuel cell system. The H2 feed line is the single fluid connection line between the H2 unit on one hand and the fuel cell system and the compressed air generator on the other hand.    ADVANTAGE -   Control costs for ensuring smooth operation are extremely low.    (US5314761-A)      Electrical power generating appts. comprises a fuel cell (B) operating at below 200 deg.C and O- and H-contg. gases fed to the cathode and anode chambers (8b,8a) respectively, with no communication between the sources of O and H. The cell may be an alkaline, phosphoric acid or solid polymer fuel cell. The O-contg. gas may be provided by a compressed air generator (10), and the appts. may include a catalytic chamber (17) for combusting anode and cathode chamber exhaust gases, with the combustion chamber exhaust gases driving a gas turbine (19) operating the generator.    ADVANTAGE -   Provides more efficient operation.
(JP5503804-W)      An electrolyte compsn. comprises CeXMyDzO(2-d) where M is Pr, Nd, Pm, Sm, Eu, Gd, Td, Dy, Ho, Er, Tm, Yb, Lu, Sc, Y, La or Ca, D is Pr, Sm, Eu, Tb, Fe, Co or Ni, and M and D are different. M is present in an amt. mole fraction y, effective to increase the ionic conductivity of the compsn. D is present in and amt. mole fraction Z, effective to decrease the electronic conductivity of the compsn. under reducing conditions and d = 0.05-0.30.    Pref. the compsn. exhibits (i) an electronic domain boundary of less than 3 x 10 power (-19) atm. O2 at 700 deg.C; (ii) an electronic conductivity of less than 0.8 s/cm at an O2 partial pressure of less than 3 x 10 power (-19) atmos. O2 at about 700 deg.C; pref. x = 0.7-0.9, y = 0.1-0.3 z = 0.001-0.1.    A fuel comprising an anode, a cathode and a solid electrolyte of the compsn. are also claimed.    USE/ADVANTAGE -   The electrolyte compsn. provides high ionic conductivity and low electronic conductivity under reducing conditions. The fuel cell exhibits improved efficiency and power density.
(JP2757470-B2)      Solvent A is removed from mixt. contg.: solvent A which is mutually soluble with polyvinyl butyral; solvent B with which ion dissociable salt can be dissolved; and ion dissociable salt, by drying or by soaking in solvent B contg. ion dissociable salt.    Pref. solvent B is sparingly soluble or non-soluble to polyvinyl butyral, or solvent B becomes non-soluble to polyvinyl butyral by contg. ionic salt.    USE/ADVANTAGE -   Used for prepn. of high polymer solid electrolyte for batteries, electronic display, electrochemical sensor, and capacitor. Ion conductivity of the electrolyte is improved.
(US5019464-A)      Molten carbonate fuel battery comprises a molten stack of carbonate fuel cells with separators between adjacent cells. Each cell has an anode, an anode reaction gas flow path, cathode, a cathode reaction gas flow path and a matrix. The stack includes a half-cell anode on the outer side of the cathode end with a separator between them and a half cell cathode on the outer side of the anode end with a separator between them. The half cell anode and cathode have an anode and anode reaction gas flow path and cathode and cathode reaction gas flow path respectively but do not have a matrix.    USE/ADVANTAGE -   For molten carbonate fuel batteries and for molten carbonate fuel stacks where electrolyte migration is delayed and controlled yielding a longer stack life. @(10pp)@
(JP2977206-B2)      Alkali cell having a negative electrode material contains Zn alloy powders, an electrolyte, straight chain dimethyl polysiloxane and a surfactant. Opt a negative electrode activator (NEA) for alkali cell comprises silane coupling agent and a surfactant are coated on the Zn alloy powders.    ADVANTAGE -   Generation of H2 is restrained with less Hg content like 0.2% to Zn alloy powders.    In an exmaple NEA is prepd by amalgamated Zn powders (Pb = 0.05 wt%, 0.05 wt% In, 0.1 wt% Hg) which is prepd by 50-150 mesh Zn alloy amalgamted in 10% potassium hydroxide, the powder is charged in toluene soln of gamma-(2-aminoethyl) aminopropyl tri-methoxisilane and dried to form 0.1 wt% coating layer, then 0.1 wt% surfactant of polyoxy-ethylen-alkyl-ether-sulphate-tri-ethanol- ammonium salt is coated on it.
NOVELTY - A positive electrode expansion lattice (G) has a lead alloy sheet with 0-5% of Pb and Ca layer on one side. The other side of the sheet has a Pb-Sb-Sn alloy layer with 0.02-0.15% Pb, 1-10% Sb, 0.02-0.15% Sn, such that the thickness of Pb-Sb-Sn layer is less than or equal to 1% of base material sheet. The horizontal diagonal length (a) of the sheet is greater than the vertical diagonal length (b).    USE - For motor vehicles such as cars.    ADVANTAGE - Restrains elongation of upper portion of plate by making the horizontal length longer than the vertical length, thus prevents short circuit in the battery and attains long life. Improves corrosion resistance even in high temperature by using Pb-Ca alloy lattice, and restrains roughness and elongation of active material by using Sb in the alloy layer.
An electrolyte of low freezing pt. for a phosphoric acid type fuel cell comprises at least 80% acid based on H3PO4 and a conjugate inorganic phosphate of alkali or alkaline earth cations. Also claimed is the electrolyte where the salt is non-conjugate and is a sulphate, carbonate, silicate, or borate. Pref. the electrolyte comprises phosphoric acid and a hetero-acid having proton conductivity. Pref. electrolyte comprises phosphoric acid and a non-ionic substance CnF2n+2-m(OH)m. The electrolyte may comprise at least 80% phosphoric acid and a mixt. of at least two of phosphates, non-conjugate inorganic salts, hetero-acids, and non-ionic substances.    USE/ADVANTAGE -   Phosphoric acid electrolyte comspns. are provided which are useful for fuel cells (claimed). Freezing pts. are lowered and the growth of phosphoric acid crystals inhibited, so that the cell does not freeze when stopped at low temp. Cell quality and efficiency is unimpaired. (First major country equivalent to J03034265-A)
The wire comprises attaching paint which is applied on conductor directly or through the other insulating coating, and baked. The paint consists of a film forming thermoplastic resin, in which copper ion or copper ion generating cpd. is added.    USE/ADVANTAGE -   Used for the stator coil of the brushless DC motor for VTR, FDD, etc.. Air-core coil having good attaching property to the printed substrate can be prepd. without modification of the conventional coil-winding machine.    In an example 150 g of alcohol sol. polyamide resin, copper oleate equiv. to 15-40 ppm of copper ion per 1 g of attaching coating, and 850 g of mixed solvent of cresol and xylene were mixed at 80-100 deg.C with stirring until all of material were dissolved to prepare the paint. The paint was applied on a polyurethane coated copper wire, then baked at 300 deg.C in a baking furnace to prepare the wire. Air-core coil made of the wire was attached on a printed substrate with UV setting attaching agent. Curing rate was improved as opposed to attaching the wire coated with paint contg. no copper ion generating additive.
(JP2601911-B2)      An extended leader contacts an electric connector cap at high temperatures.    ADVANTAGE -   Cell has reduced contact resistance.
(US5175063-A)      The fuel cell generator has fuel cell element arrays including plate-like solid-electrolyte partition having ion conductivity, an air electrode arranged on one side surface of the partition, and a fuel electrode arranged on the other side surface. A first power generating room is in communication with the air electrode. A second power generating room is in communication with the fuel electrode. An oxidising gas supply path supplies an oxidising gas into the first power generating room to contact the air electrode.    A fuel gas supply path has a fuel gas supply inlet open to the second power generating room for supplying gas to the fuel electrode. A multi-contact current collecting member contacts the entire surface of the air electrode. A second multi-contact current collecting member contacts the entire surface of the fuel electrode.    ADVANTAGE -   Minimises generation of stresses in unit element and temp. gradient within power generating room.
(US5096786-A)      Integral edge seal comprises an elastomer which permeates a band encircling anode, cathode and matrix assemblies and contiguous with its peripheral edges to prevent gases and electrolyte from entering the peripheral edge bands of anode and cathode assemblies and to allow them to be compressed to form a reliable seal.    Seal is used in a phosphoric acid fuel cell contg. anode, matrix and cathode assemblies between 2 conductive plates which have grooves for supplying fuel gas and O2 anode and cathode assemblies, such that an electrolyte diffuses through part of these 3 assemblies.    ADVANTAGE -   Is easy to fabricate, providing creep characteristics which approach those of parts of the anode and cathode assemblies inboard of the peripheral edge bands, maintaining good electrical contact w.r.t. life of fuel cell.
(DE3929730-C)      Hydrogen/oxygen fuel cell has a proton-conducting electrolyte (I) which is solid at room temp., into which are introduced, facing each other, (a) a negatively charging hydrogen-permeable electrode which is connected to a gas space contg. hydrogen (H2-electrode); (b) a positively charging hydrogen-permeable electrode which is connected to a gas space contg. oxygen (O2-electrode); and (c) two separate catalyst layers, on the one side in contact with the H2-electrode, and on the other side in contact with the O2-electrode.    The improvement is that (I) comprises one or more oxides of the IV or V or VIII sub-gp. of the Periodic table, or comprises silica, or comprises one or more fluorides of the II main- or III sub-gp. of the Periodic table.    ADVANTAGE -   New cell has operating temps. significantly above 100 deg.C..    (US5094927-A)      A H2-O2 fuel cell having the H2 electrode and chamber positioned on one side of a solid electrolyte while the O2 electrode and chamber is positioned on the other side. The solid electrolyte comprises (1) at least one oxide of a gp. 4B,5B,6B or 7 element (2) Si oxide and (3) at least one gp. 2A or 3B element.    Pref. both the O2 and H2 electrodes are coated with H2 permeable layer esp. Ni or Pd.    ADVANTAGE -   The design allows the cells to operate at relatively high temps. (above 100 deg.C), while individual cells can be made relatively thin.
(JP2835851-B2)      Reformer for fuel cell comprises spirally continuous catalyst layer for reacting raw gas, and spiral heating layer parallel with the adjacent to catalyst layer. Flow direction of raw gas through catalyst layer is the same as that of heat medium through heating layer.    ADVANTAGE -   Number of parts is small, and length of reacting path for raw gas can be prolonged.
(JP2608471-B2)      A wet seal part which touches product made austenitic stainless steel which supports the electrolyte layer of a fused carbonate type fuel cell, or the electrolyte layer of an Inconel flange is faced to form a high Al alloy layer with high temperature corrosion resistance. Ferritic stainless steel is applied to the surface of the wet seal part, then Al foil in a specified amount is applied. Next, a 2-5% Al content Cr steel with an oxide skin layer is applied. The whole product is made into a bag and a vacuum is created inside the bag.    ADVANTAGE -   Wet seal part of fused carbonate fuel cell is improved.
(JP2815901-B2)      Catalyst comprises highly dispersed platinum and ruthenium on carbon fine particles of the electrode for the liquid fuel cell. At least the platinum and ruthenium form their oxides.    Pref. (1) the platinum catalyst comprises the complex oxide of at least two of PtO, PtO2 and PtO ads. (2) Ruthenium catalyst comprises the oxide of at least one of RuO3 and RuO2. (3) Atomic compsn. ratio of Pt and Ru (Ru/Pt) is 1-2. In the prepn. a reducing and cohesion preventing agent are added to a Pt cpd. aq. soln., then water soluble Ru cpd. is added to form colloidal dispersion of Pt and Ru; the colloidal dispersion and highly dispersed carbon fine powder suspension are mixed to make the carbon powder to support catalyst particles of Pt and Ru; and the carbon fine powder supporting Pt and Ru is heat-treated in oxidizing or inert atmosphere. Complex oxide catalyst of simple substance and alloy of Pt and Ru is formed on the carbon.    USE/ADVANTAGE -   The catalyst is used for the liquid fuel cell. Fuel electrode with improved efficiency can be obtd.. Highly safe fuel cell catalyst can be easily prepd..
NOVELTY - The positive electrode of lead storage battery uses expanded lattice structure of lead-calcium group alloy base material containing 0.02-0.15 weight% (wt.%) Ca, 0-5.0 wt.% tin and remainder lead, on which a heterogeneous alloy layer is formed. The alloy layer contains Pb, 5.0-50 wt.% Sb, bismuth, arsenic, copper, silver and iron, and is 1.0% or less with respect to thickness of base material.    USE - For motor vehicles.    ADVANTAGE - Adhesion of lattice and active material is improved which improves charging discharging durability of battery in high temperature atmosphere. A maintenance free performance of lead storage battery is offered. Corrosion resistance, strength and charging acceptance property are improved.
(US5021305-A)      The cover for battery terminals includes a cap arrangement that may be placed over a battery terminal and a standard cable connector to seal and protect against corrosion. In a first form, the cap includes hinged base sections and a cover section. The hinged base sections include semi-circular recesses that close about the terminal below the connector. The cover section is received over the terminal connector and upright walls of the base section. A first seal is positioned between the cap and the battery case, sealing the cap to the case. A second seal fits between the cable and the cap to complete the sealed enclosure about the terminal and connector.    In a second from the cap includes top and side walls with cable passages. In this form a surface is formed on the battery case for engagement with the cap to form a first seal about the terminal and connector. A gasket seal may be attached to the cap for engagement with the battery case and the cap is secured by a non-conductive fastener bolt to a threaded socket in a modified battery terminal. Cable receiving passages are provided in the walls of the base and cap. The above assemblies may be completed with the battery connector attached to the terminal post.    USE -   Vehicle battery. @(11pp)@
Ion pouring device comprises multiple pole biased electrode section including electrodes arranged in circular shape at given pitch. At least one of the electrodes in biases electrode section is provided with cooler.    ADVANTAGE -   probability at which gas molecules collide with ion beam is reduced to lower occurrence of error in pouring amt. of ions on control of the pouring amt. through measurement of ion current.
Ion pouring device comprises multiple pole biased electrode section including electrodes arranged in circular shape at given pitch. At least one of the electrodes in biases electrode section is provided with cooler.    ADVANTAGE -   probability at which gas molecules collide with ion beam is reduced to lower occurrence of error in pouring amt. of ions on control of the pouring amt. through measurement of ion current.
(JP3022571-B2)      The material comprises ceramics of lanthanum manganate, principally consisting of (La1-xSrx) 1-alpha(Mn1-yCry)O3, where x+2y is larger than zero but less than 0.3, x is less than 0.3, and y is less than 0.12, alpha is larger than zero but less than 0.09.    The solid electrolyte fuel cell comprises single cells composed of a solid electrolyte plate, on both surface of which a fuel electrode and an air electrode are attached. The single cells are multi-layered through spacers and separators. The air electrodes are formed with the material.    USE/ADVANTAGE -   The material is used for an air electrode of a solid electrolyte fuel cell. Porosity of the air electrode can be held in cell operation at high temp. for a long time.    In an example, aq. solns. of La(NO3)3, SrNO3, Mn(NO3)2, and Cr(NO3)3 are mixed at a designated ratio, then dropped in at least 4 times as much of ethanol oxalate soln. The mixt. was evaporated and dried on a hot-plate. The obtd. solid was heated at 500 deg. C for 5 hrs. The residue was pulverised, then heated at 1250 deg. C for 5 hrs., then pulverised. The obtd. powder was formed into a paste with organic solvent. The paste was applied on one side of a zirconia electrolyte plate, and on the other side, Ni-ZrO2 cermet was applied. Then the plate was baked at 1500 deg. C. A porous material was obtd.
(JP2751434-B2)      Fluorescent display tube comprises an anode on which fluorescent material layer is formed, and cathode which emits electrons. The fluorescent material layer is formed from a mixt. of self-activating zinc oxide fluorescent material and zinc powder.    Pref. the Zn powder is mixed with the zinc oxide fluorescent material at the amt. of 0.01-10 wt.%. Particle size of the zinc powder 0.01-up to 10 times as large as the particle size of the zinc oxide fluorescent materials. Pref. the mixt. ZnO oxide fluorescent and zinc powder is calcined at temp. of at least m.pt. of Zn powder.    USE/ADVANTAGE -   The fluorescent display tube is used for cars. Initial brightness of display tube is improved. Lowering of brightness can be suppressed.
(GB2235568-B)      A reserve battery comprising: a battery cell compartment defined by housing walls surrounding a plurality of battery cells, an electrolyte reservoir containing an electrolyte fluid; at least one passageway between the electrolyte reservoir and the battery cells for conveying electrolyte to the battery cells for filling the battery cells and thereby activating the reserve battery; and means for limiting the flow rate of electrolyte to the battery cells such that the output current of the reserve battery is maintained at or below a desired current level when connected to a substantially discharged main battery.
(JP2684776-B2)      Formation comprises: coating the surface of a porous substrate with an aq. soln. of a metallic powder, and polishing the surface after sintering; forming a layer of the same metallic powder and sintering after applying pressure for adhesion; rubbing a powder of the same metal as above in which the powder comprises smaller grains and sintering again after applying pressure for adhesion; and rubbing again the powder and sintering again to form a thin film of the metal comprising fine and uniform pores therein.    USE/ADVANTAGE -   Provides thin film laminate on a porous substrate, for use as cells of fuel cells.
(JP2789678-B2)      An electron is discharged from a filament and is accelerated and controlled by a control grid, then collides with a phosphor layer of an anode substrate. Either the inner or outer face of an indicating outside cover has (a) a filter portion which is discoloured by UV and reversed to the initial state by heating and (b) a transparent electroconductive film portion. An electronic excitation UV emitting phosphor layer is laminated on the control grid.    ADVANTAGE -   The tube allows a multicoloured display using only one phosphor, and has improved life.
(JP2933228-B2)      Cell comprises electrolyte, anode, and cathode consisting of basic material of alkali metal such as Li. Tetra-alkyl-silane is added to the electrolyte.    Pref. amt. of tetra-alkyl-silane in electrolyte is 0.1-10 (0.5-4) vol.%. Tetra-alkyl-silane comprises pref. tetrabutylsilane.    ADVANTAGE -   Voltage drop of the cell with organic electrolyte at initial discharge can be reduced even at heavy load discharge after storage.
(US5075277-A)      A steam reforming catalyst for hydrocarbon is new. The catalyst (pref. rhodium, ruthenium, palladium, platinum or a mixture of these) is characterised in that the metal is supported on a zirconia carrier contg. 0.5-20 (pref. 1.0-10.0 mol.%) yttria. The catalyst has a crystal structure primarily consisting of a tetragonal system or tetragonal and cubic systems.    USE/ADVANTAGE -   The catalyst has a higher reaction efficiency compared to with conventional steam catalysts and suppresses carbon deposition extensively when the steam/carbon ratio is low. It also exhibits higher hydrogen generation efficiency and higher catalyst strength. It is esp. useful for internal reforming type fuel cell. @(11pp)@
(US5151334-A)      Fuel cell is constructed of cell unit structures stacked and connected in series. Structure comprises a hydrogen electrode film stacked on a porous substrate, a solid electrolyte film stacked on the hydrogen electrode film, and an oxygen electrode film stacked on the solid electrolyte film. Hydrogen electrode is formed of fine Ni powder particles having fine voids of homogeneous dia.    ADVANTAGE -   Voltage dropping can be reduced by reducing solidus electrolyte thickness.    (JP2841528-B2)      Fuel cell comprises stacked unit structures connected in series, each unit comprising: a porous substrate; an H2 electrode film formed of Ni powder having fine, uniform size voids; solid electrolyte, and O2 electrode-films. Pref. a Pt coating is formed between H2 electrode and electrolyte-films; and the Ni powder is formed of a mixt of powder of dia. 1 micron or less and a powder of dia. 3 micron or less, to form voids of uniform size.    ADVANTAGE -   Cell is provided having a thin solid electrolyte which induces a min. voltage drop.    (JP2940008-B2)      Fuel cell comprises stacked unit structures connected in series, each unit comprising: a porous substrate; an H2 electrode film formed of Ni powder having fine, uniform size voids; solid electrolyte, and O2 electrode-films. Pref. a Pt coating is formed between H2 electrode and electrolyte-films; and the Ni powder is formed of a mixt of powder of dia. 1 micron or less and a powder of dia. 3 micron or less, to form voids of uniform size.    ADVANTAGE -   Cell is provided having a thin solid electrolyte which induces a min. voltage drop.
(JP2816478-B2)      Carbon dioxide gas from anode outlet gas comprises the steps (a) gas from anode pole of fused carbonate type fuel cell is fed to an absorption appts., (b) CO2 is removed from the gas by absorption into an aq. soln. contg. an alkali salt or an amine, (c) CO2 absorbed gas is regenerated in a regenerator using thermal energy anode outlet gas, (d) regenerated absorbing soln. is fed back into the absorbing appts. and sepd. CO2 is fed to cathode pole of the fused carbonate type fuel cell.    ADVANTAGE -   Power generation efficiency of fuel cell is improved from 41% to 52%.
(JP2816477-B2)      Carbon dioxide gas from anode outlet gas comprises the steps (a) gas from anode pole of fused carbonate type fuel cell is fed to an absorption appts., (b) CO2 is removed from the gas by absorption into an aq. soln. contg. an alkali salt or an amine, (c) CO2 absorbed gas is regenerated in a regenerator using thermal energy anode outlet gas, (d) regenerated absorbing soln. is fed back into the absorbing appts. and sepd. CO2 is fed to cathode pole of the fused carbonate type fuel cell.    ADVANTAGE -   Power generation efficiency of fuel cell is improved from 41% to 52%.
(JP2933227-B2)      Carbon dioxide gas from anode outlet gas comprises the steps (a) gas from anode pole of fused carbonate type fuel cell is fed to an absorption appts., (b) CO2 is removed from the gas by absorption into an aq. soln. contg. an alkali salt or an amine, (c) CO2 absorbed gas is regenerated in a regenerator using thermal energy anode outlet gas, (d) regenerated absorbing soln. is fed back into the absorbing appts. and sepd. CO2 is fed to cathode pole of the fused carbonate type fuel cell.    ADVANTAGE -   Power generation efficiency of fuel cell is improved from 41% to 52%.
(JP2816476-B2)      Carbon dioxide gas from anode outlet gas comprises the steps (a) gas from anode pole of fused carbonate type fuel cell is fed to an absorption appts., (b) CO2 is removed from the gas by absorption into an aq. soln. contg. an alkali salt or an amine, (c) CO2 absorbed gas is regenerated in a regenerator using thermal energy anode outlet gas, (d) regenerated absorbing soln. is fed back into the absorbing appts. and sepd. CO2 is fed to cathode pole of the fused carbonate type fuel cell.    ADVANTAGE -   Power generation efficiency of fuel cell is improved from 41% to 52%.
(JP2967878-B2)      Bis-ethylene di-thia-fulvalene (BEDT-TTF) gp. organic conductor of formula (I) where X = anion and X is anion expressed general formula M(YCN)2 where M = Ni, Cu, Pd, Ag, Pt, Au, Cd or Hg, Y = O, S, Se or Te, also one or 2 more S in (BEDT-TTE) is substd. by O, Se or Te.    USE/ADVANTAGE -   The organic conductor is applied to print circuit and sensor with higher critical temp. or conductivity.
(JP2711018-B2)      Fluid flow field plate (12) used in solid polymer electrolyte fuel cell is made of a suitable electrically conducting material. It has a single continuous open-faced fluid channel (22) formed in a major surface which traverses the central area of the surface in a number of passes. The channel has a fluid inlet (24) at one end and a fluid outlet (26) at the other, inlet and outlet being directly connected to a fluid supply opening (25) and a fluid exhaust opening (27) respectively defined in the surface.    USE/ADVANTAGE -   The fluid flow field plate design enables water to be removed as it forms in the channel, movement of the water being encouraged before it can coalesce into a large droplet requiring greater force to remove it. The water is removed by the flow of oxidant gas, typically oxygen. If air is used, the channel ensures a uniform and controlled oxygen partial pressure drop across the cell and enables the oxygen concentration at any point to be measured or calculated and controlled with accuracy.
(JP2751407-B2)      Device comprises an ion source, a filter for letting ions having a desired mass and a desired speed through, and a means to decelerate and focus the ion beam getting out of the filter.    USE -   Ions can be taken from soln.
Vacuum tube is sealed by bonding a section of a vacuum tube for vacuum treatment to an intercommunicating tube connected to a vacuum appts. followed by cutting at a sealing and cutting part after vacuum treatment. The vacuum treatment is performed by bonding an annular concave part formed at the apex of the intercommunicating tube and an engaging part of the edge of a bonding part of the vacuum tube hermetically with bonding fused material, pref. low m. pt. frit glass powder, annular pellets, glass solder or metal brazing material.    USE -   For evacuating glass, metal, or ceramic tubes, or sealing vacuum tubes after filling gas.
(JP2607682-B2)      In the hydrogen purifier to supply purified hydrogen to a fuel cell by removing carbon monoxide from steam-contg. hydrogen gas, an electrolyte is held between 2 sheets of gas diffusion electrodes capable of adsorbing carbon monoxide, passages for hydrogen gas are provided on the surfaces of the electrodes and a power source for sending an electric current intermittently to the electrodes is also provided.    USE/ADVANTAGE -   The hydrogen purifier is partic. useful in removing carbon monoxide from hydrogen gas to be supplied to fuel cells which use high molecular solid electrolytes and operate at comparatively low temp. Using the purifier the concn. of carbon monoxide can be reduced to not more than 10ppm.    In an example, hydrogen gas for fuel cells was obtd. from steam-reformed methanol by removing carbon monoxide using the purifier as follows. Gas diffusion electrodes with an effective area of 121cm2 and a thickness of 0.5mm on which a Pt catalyst was supported at 0.5mg/cm2 were used as the electrodes. Steam-reformed methanol gas was allowed to flow through the passages on the electrodes for 60 min. while an electric current at 60A, 0.8V was applied to the electrodes for a duration of 2 sec. at intervals of 10 min. While the steam-reformed gas contd. 68 mol. % H2, 10 mol. % H20, 22 mol. % C02 and 100 ppm CO, the purified gas contd. 10 ppm CO.
(JP2816473-B2)      The cathode comprises zinc or alloy powder with mercurised deg. of up to 1%, dispersed in gel state alkaline electrolyte. In the cathode, polyoxyethylene gp. alkylallylthioether type non-ionic surfactant is of formula (I), (where n = 8-15, R = 5-30C alkyl, EO = CH2CH2O, is added as 10-100ppm to the amt. of zinc).    ADVANTAGE -   Mercury content is effectively reduced without lowering discharge capability.
The cathode comprises zinc or alloy powder with mercurised deg. of up to 1%, dispersed in gel state alkaline electrolyte. In the cathode, polyoxyethylene gp. alkylallylthioether type non-ionic surfactant is of formula (I), (where n = 8-15, R = 5-30C alkyl, EO = CH2CH2O, is added as 10-100ppm to the amt. of zinc).    ADVANTAGE -   Mercury content is effectively reduced without lowering discharge capability.
(JP3023171-B2)      A plate has a planar surface contactable with an electrode. A series of deformed arches are formed by deforming plate material and forming punched slots in the planar surface. Each of the deformed arches has a pair of support legs at an obtuse angle w.r.t. the planar surface and a beam parallel to the planar surface, the beam, of each arch being contactable with a separator plate.    Each beam has a slight curved form extending away from the planar surface. The curved form extends not more than 5 percent of the span of the beam. The deformed arches are located in alternate locations in adjacent rows, forming a checkerboard pattern.    USE -   Current collector for location between an electrode and a separator plate of a fuel cell having a number of separator plates.
(JP2919588-B2)      Electrochemical appts. includes a generator section (22) contg.: axially elongated cells (16) each having an exterior fuel electrode (18), a solid oxide electrolyte and an interior air electrode; fuel gas feed inlet (28); oxidant gas feed inlet (30); and spent fuel exit channel (46) passing from the generator chamber to combine with fresh fuel inlet (28) at mixer (50). A reformable fuel channel (52) passes through the generator chamber (22) and connects with mixer (50), the channel contg. entry ports (54) within the chamber (22), the axis of the ports being transverse to the fuel electrode surfaces (18) and a catalytic reforming material being distributed near the entry ports (54).    ADVANTAGE -   ruel supply is distributed along the entire cell, with use of water vapour-contg. spent fuel added to the fresh fuel to allow in-situ reformation by a catalytic reformer distributed along the cell length.
(US5273839-A)      Gas supply tubes are arranged in an array. Hollow fuel cell units each comprise a solid electrolyte partition and a fuel electrode provided on one side of the solid electrolyte partition. An air electrode is provided on the other side of the solid electrolyte partition, and an inner space defined by one of the fuel or air electrodes and open on opposite end of the fuel cell unit. Each gas supply tube extends through the inner spaces of a number of the fuel cell units, such that the gas supply tube is radially inwardly spaced and separated from each fuel cell unit and adjacent fuel cell units are spaced apart from each other along the gas supply tube.    The inner space is defined by the fuel electrode and the gas supply tube is a fuel gas supply tube. The inner space is defined by the air electrode and the gas supply tube is an oxidising gas supply tube.    USE -   Fuel cell generator in which thermal gradient is limited to improve efficiency of electrical generation.    (JP2793275-B2)      The generator includes arrays of a number of fuel cell units each having a solid electrolyte partition. A fuel electrode is provided on one side of the electrolyte partition and an air electrode is provided on the other side of the partition. An inner space having opened opposite ends is provided and the end openings of the fuel cell units are opposed to each other. A fuel or oxidising gas supply tube is extended through the inner space from a fuel or oxidising gas supply inlet.    The fuel cell unit is of cylindrical or honeycomb shape. The tubular fuel cell unit is opened at both ends and a number of cell units are linearly aligned. The cell unit is made of ceramics and the conductive gas supply is made of heat resistant metal.    ADVANTAGE -   Improves efficiency and facilitates production of long ceramic fuel cell.
(US5051321-A)      Fuel cell comprises (a) a fuel electrode, electrolyte and air electrode layers integrally superimposed on a substrate, (b) a 1st region filled with air or O2, and (c) a 2nd region filled with fuel gas, sepd. from the 1st region by the fuel cell unit in (a). The substrate has a thermal expansion coefft. equal to the electrolyte layer. The electrolyte layer is formed by spray coating and is heat treated. The substrate and electrolyte layer are yttria-stabilised zirconia. Opt. the substrate is calcia or magnesia stabilised zirconia.    USE/ADVANTAGE -   Used as a solid oxide fuel cell. The electrolyte layer has smaller gas permeability coefft. reducing the risk of explosions. @(4pp)@
(DE3922673-C2)      High temp. fuel cell is for a fuel cell stack consisting of a stack of two alternating basic elements, i.e. a solid electrolyte foil (1) coated with electrodes and a bipolar plate (2) contg. gas channels (3). The electrodes (5, 7) each consist of a sandwich of a number (n) of individual layers of different materials. Anodes consist of Zr oxide/Ni cermet with different Ni contents in the layers, while cathodes are of mixed oxide based on La manganate with different proportions of La replaced by heavy alkaline earth ions and Mn by transition metals.    ADVANTAGE -   Mechanically stable, compensating differences in coeffts. of expansion.
The Nb3Sn superconducting wire is obtd. by placing assemblies comprising Cu-coated Nb wires around a Sn-wire, a diffusion barrier layer is formed around a stabilising material that is wire drawn, followed by heat treating to form Nb3Sn by diffusion reaction. The numbers of the assemblies disposed around the diffusion barrier layer is 40-100.    USE -   For internal diffusion type N3Sn superconducting wires having high-critical current density.
(US5002840-A)      The automobile battery system has a container with two partments. A main battery is disposed in the first compartment. An auxiliary battery is disposed in the second compartment. A cover encloses the container. A positive and a negative battery terminal is mounted in the cover. A switch selectively connects and disconnects the auxiliary battery to the negative terminal. A circuit, bypassing the switch charger the auxiliary battery simultaneously with the main battery. @(1pp)    (US5162164-A)      The vehicle battery system includes a main and a reserve battery disposed within a battery housing (10) having external dimensions and battery terminal locations. The main battery has a series of thin, flat cells (38) disposed along a first axis. A reserve battery has a series of cells (42) disposed along a second axis transverse to the first axis.    An electrical circuit facilitates selective communication between the reserve battery and the vehicle starter in accordance with the position of a switch assembly (100). An electrically conductive fastener is disposed to simultaneously maintain electrical communication between a main battery termination and an external battery terminal and also between a reserve battery termination and the same external battery terminal.    ADVANTAGE -   Total production cost is reduced.
The fuel cell includes a storage battery which can intermittently supply electrical power to a load. Water vapour generated from the operation of the fuel cell is condensed, purified and returned to the storage battery to replace the water consumed from the electrolyte from the battery operation. The water vapour is reclaimed by a series of condensers and is returned to a purifier.    The reclaimed water vapour is delivered to the battery by an intermittently operated pump. Alternatively the water vapour is returned by a continuously operated pump through some form of overflow device to ensure against dilution of the electrolyte in the battery.    USE/ADVANTAGE -   Electrically powered vehicle. Ensures electrolyte levels are not depleted. (First major country equivalent to JP2291667)
An Ag layer is formed on a metal substrate through a Cu or Cu alloy layer, or a complex oxide layer consisting of Bi and at least two of Sr, Ca, Cu. An oxide layer to form the oxide superconductor is further formed, then heat-treated for unification.    USE/ADVANTAGE -   Used for a composite material for magnetic shielding. Material with good superconductive characteristic and good mechanical strength is obtd..
(US5084364-A)      The separator plate each comprises an active cell assembly, provided with openings for duel inlet and fuel outlet and for inlet and outlet of oxidising agent. Gas passenges through the separator plate have a spring characteristic as a result of choosing a suitable profile, and a spring in the shape of a frame which is disposed around the active cell assembly. The spring contains built-in components for conveying the process gases, and the profile of the spring is matched to the spring characteristic of the gas passage.    The cells are separated by separator plates. The spring comprises a rail of spring construction around the active cell assembly.    USE -   For stacking fuel cells of molten-carbonate type. @(6pp)@
(US5162165-A)      At least one elementary cell is formed by two end-plates (1, 2) are separated by an ion-exchange membrane (3) into a positive pole compartment and a negative pole compartment. A positive electrode (11) is in contact with one side of the membrane (3) and a negative electrode (7) in contact with the other side of the membrane (3).    Water is supplied to and discharged from the compartments, oxygen being supplied to the positive compartment and for supplying hydrogen to the negative compartment. Oxygen and hydrogen are discharged from the compartments, the positive pole compartment having about a half the volume of the negative pole compartment.    USE -   Low capacity and high power density hydrogen-oxygen electric battery acting as a water electrolyzer during the charging phase.
(US5049459-A)      Fuel cell comprises (a) an electrolyte layer, (b) an oxygen electrode attached to one face of (a), (c) a fuel electrode attached to the other side of (a), (d) an electroconductive separator opposed to (b) and electrically connected with it, (e) an O2-contg. gas flow passage between (b) and (d), (f) band ridges at opposite side edges of the separator, sealing side edges of (e) so entire periphery of the cell construction along (e) is formed as a fuel flow passage, and (g) a flexible conductive member separately in either passage. The electrolyte layer is ZrO2 with a solid soln. of Y. The oxygen electrode is LaMnO3. The fuel electrode is a cermet of Ni and ZrO2. The conductive member is an La cpd., an Ni- or Co-alloy.    USE/ADVANTAGE -   Used for electricity prodn. Problems of the prior art e.g. performance deterioration are avoided. @(16pp)@    (JP2828278-B2)      A fuel cell comprises: (1) an electrolytic layer; (2) an oxygen pole attached to one face of the electrolytic layer; (3) a fuel pole attached to the other face of the electrolytic layer; (4) a separator made of electrically conductive material, opposite the oxygen pole to be connected to it; (5) an oxygen-contg. gas flow passage formed between the oxygen pole and the separator. The cell has a conductive member disposed in the oxygen-contg. gas flow passage, the member being made of flexible material, separate from the oxygen pole and the separator, and connecting entire or partial faces of the oxygen pole and the separator with each other.    ADVANTAGE -   The cell is less subejct to thermal strain, and the tolerances required during mfr. are not as tight.
An electroconductive composite material is prepd. by impregnating a monomer providing electroconductive polymer on the surface of a substrate, treating the surface of impregnated substrate with a soln. of an oxidising agent and doping opt. the surface to form a composite electroconductive polymer layer.    The substrate is e.g. a sheet of styrol/butadiene rubber, butadiene rubber, isoprene rubber, acrylonitrile/butadiene rubber, butyl rubber, ethylene/propylene/conjugated diene rubber or a film or sheet of urethane resin, polyvinyl alcohol, Nylon, polyester or phenol resin. The monomer providing electroconductive polymer is e.g. a pyrrole or aniline and impregnated onto and into the substrate by immersing the substrate into the liq. monomer or by placing the substrate in the monomer vapour. The oxidising agent is e.g. NaCl03, NaIO3, FeCl3, etc. and used by dissolving it in a solvent having pref. penetrability into the substrate (e.g. acetone or acetonitrile for urethane rubber substrate) until the impregnated monomer has been polymerised. When the oxidising agent does not form a dopant anion, the polymer is doped with a halogen or protonic acid such as HCl. The oxidising agent does not remain in the substrate so it does not deteriorate the substrate. The polymer is formed in a pattern on the substrate by masking unnecessary portions with cellophane, etc.    ADVANTAGE -   The composite conductive material does not deteriorate the substrate by the residual oxidising agent.
(JP2511142-B2)      To a perovskite oxide with the compositional formula of La1-xSrxCr1-yMgyO3 where x = 0-1, y = 0-1 are added 2-4.0 mol% Bi203 as Bi and 0.2-16 mol% B203 as B; then the mixt. is sintered to form a La-chromite double oxide at 1200-1400 deg.C.    USE/ADVANTAGE -   A dense La chromite double oxide sinter with over 93% of relative density can be obtd., which is used as an interconnector for solid oxide fuel cells, a heater for ultra-high temp. furnaces, or a electrode for MHD electric generators.    In an example LaCrO.9Mg0.103 was prepd. by heating the mixt. of La203, Cr203 and MgO in air at 1400 deg.C for 24 hrs., then pulverized into powders with 1 micron average dia.; 10 mol% Bi203 and 2 mol% B203 were admixed with the powders; the mixt. was press-moulded by isotropic hydrostatic pressing at 1500 kg/cm2, then sintered at 1300 deg.C in air for 5 hrs.
(US5380600-A)      To generate electricity in a molten carbonate fuel cell system, a carbonaceous fuel e.g. natural gas/methane is introduced (2,10) into the anode compartment (4a) of a fuel cell (4), the carbonaceous fuel is steam reformed (12) by contacting the fuel with a reforming catalyst located in the anode compartment to produce a reactant gas. The reactant gas is contacted with the anode, and anode exhaust gas is withdrawn from the anode compartment.    The anode exhaust gas is reformed by contacting it under adiabatic conditions with a reforming catalyst located outside of the anode compartment to form a second reactant gas which is conveyed to the anode compartment, thus compensating for the poisoning effect of electrolyte in the anode compartment upon the reforming catalyst in that compartment.    ADVANTAGE -   There is obtained increase of electricity production of 20-30%.    (JP3092670-B2)      Fuel (2) and steam (3) feed the fuel cell (4). The anode section (4a) has an internal inlet reforming unit. Fuel is converted to anode reactant gas which passes to another anode chamber (4b). A reformer unit (12) incorporates a catalyst where unconverted lower hydrocarbons in the anode exhaust gas convert to anode reactant gas.    In the next unit (14), carbon-monoxide converts to the dioxide and additional hydrogen is formed. After water sepn. in a condenser (16), hydrogen is recovered in a further unit (18).    ADVANTAGE -   Has higher operational efficiency. @(4pp Dwg.No.1/3)@
(US5157271-A)      The apparatus comprises a primary power supply which supplies an electric power to the electric machine, is a battery which is charged from a generator driven by an engine of the vehicle. A secondary power supply supplies an electric power to the electric machine, and is an additional battery which is charged from the battery.    When the engine is driven, a selector connects the primary power supply both to the secondary power supply and the electric machine, while disconnecting the secondary power supply from the electric machine. When the engine is not driven, the primary power supply is disconnected both from the secondary power supply and the electric machine, while connecting the secondary power supply to the electric machine. The selector is controlled to select the primary power supply, when the engine is driven, and to select the secondary power supply, when the engine is not driven.    USE/ADVANTAGE -   For e.g. telephone set, facsimile machine. The absentee receiving of facsimile information, the absentee recording of telephone message etc. are carried out, even in state of turning-off of an ignition switch.
(US5171794-A)      The amorphous modified poly(2,6-dimethyl-paraoxyphenylene) (M) has a Tg of 170-220 deg. C, and comprises macromolecules contg. (a) units having trialkylsilyl gps. bonded to the nucleus and/or to the methyl of formulae (I) and (II), together with (b) units having hydroxyethyl gps. bonded to the nucleus and/or to the methyl of formulae (III) and (IV). The sum of units (a) and (b) is 20-80 (pref. 35-65) per 100 moles of poly(2,6-dimethyl-para-oxyphenylene). The numerical ratio of (a):(b) is 0.5-30:1 (pref. 0.8-15:1).    (M) is prepd. by metallating poly(2,6-dimethyl-para-oxyphenylene) with a metallating agent, then reacting the obtd. metallated poly(2,6-dimethyl-para-oxyphenylene) with a trialkylsilylhalide and ethylene oxide in succession. In (I)-(IV) R is 1-3C alkyl.    USE -   Gas mixt. sepn. membranes are prepd. from the polyoxyphenylene.
(JP94011363-B2)      Prodn. of microbiological coagulant comprises culturing microbiological coagulant-producing bacteria which belong to Rhodococcus or Nocardia. In the process (a) culture facilities are installed near the way-out of an effluent or waste of agriculture, livestock processing or marine prod. processing, and (b) a potion of the effluent or the waste is charged to the culture facilities to prepare the culture medium for the coagulant-producing bacteria, then (c) the coagulant-producing bacteria is cultured by using the culture medium to produce the microbiological coagulant.    Process for recovering the valuable substances comprises (a) adding a culture soln. contg. the microbiological coagulant which is produced according to the process using the microbiological coagulant-producing bacteria belonging to Rhodococcus or Nocardia, to the waste water to separate solid matters from the waste water.    ADVANTAGE -   Labour and cost for transportation and storage of waste water and waste can be saved since the culture facilities are installed near the way-out of the effluent or waste. The microbiological coagulant can be used in the state of the culture soln. without isolating the coagulant. According to the present process, the treatment of waste water or waste and the recovery of valuable substances (e.g. feed containing protein) can be achieved at the same time. (JP3249909-A)
(EP460767-B1)      A process for the essentially anaerobic fermentation of organic material, which originates for example from domestic waste or vegetable waste, characterised in that said organic material is fed into a rotating drum-type contains and there thoroughly mixed with a solid and/or liquid graft material containing anaerobic bacteria, after which the such obtained mass having a moisture content of 40 to 80%, by weight, is transferred into one of the fermentation compartments of an anaerobic fermentation installation comprising several rectangular fermentation compartments adjacent to each other in which said mass is heated and it is kept at the required temperature until the organic material is almost completely fermented while the biogas obtained from said fermentation is removed and whereafter the such obtained fermented material is removed entirely from said fermentation compartment.
(JP94098358-B2)      Treatment comprises sepg. the raw sewage to solid and liq. to remove suspended solids; releasing NH3 by vapour-liq. contact under a heated condition; methane fermenting the sepd. water by fixed methane forming bacteria to remove substances responsible for BOD; and biologically nitrifying and denitrifying the treated water.    ADVANTAGE -   High speed methane fermentation can be carried out so that over 90% of substances responsible for BOD in raw sewage are removed in 0.4-0.5 day. An aeration blower for removing NH3 and substances responsible for BOD is operated with reduced power. Operation cost for stripping and treating NH3 is reduced. The eluted water from the NH3 stripping step can be methane fermented without heating. Excess sludge is formed in a reduced amt. and so cost for the treatment of the sludge is low. Emission of malodours and generation of bubbles in the NH3 stripping step are prevented.
(US5122236-A)      Removing dimethylether and/or methanol from a 4C hydrocarbon stream comprises (a) feeding the stream to a distn. column, (6) fractionating the stream to produce a vaporous hydrocarbon overhead fraction comprising 20-40 vol.% of the feed stream and a bottoms fraction contg. a lower amt. of dimethylether and/or methanol than the feed stream, (c) condensing the overhead fraction to form a liq. hydrocarbon, (d) contacting the liq. hydrocarbon with 0.05-5 vols. water per vol. of liq. hydrocarbon, (e) sepg. the liq. hydrocarbon from the water, (f) returning the liq. hydrocarbon to the distn. column and (g) recovering the water from step (e).    Steps (a)-(f) are pref. operated at a pressure of 200-300 psig.    ADVANTAGE -   Low volumes of treatment water are used.
(US5108807-A)      Multilayer degradable thermoplastic article comprises at least 2 outer layers each contg. pro-degradant to promote photodegradation and/or thermal degradation, and a core layer which is more water-soluble and/or biodegradable then outer layers.    Outer layers each comprise eg. polyethylene, polyprophlene, polybutene, polymethylpentene, nylon, etc.. Core layer comprises PVA, and pro-degradant is Ce stearate.    USE -   As bags for composting organic material.
(JP94074197-B2)      Organic waste fermenting vessel consists of organic waste receiving vessel having rectangular box-like shape, lateral screw conveyors arranged in parallel at bottom of receiving vessel, lattice-shaped sliding plates slidably arranged along opposite walls inside receiving vessel, and driving mechanism arranged outside for driving sliding plates along opposite walls. Receiving vessel is provided with feed opening at upper portion and extracting opening in side wall facing end of screw conveyor.
(EP458738-A3)      Aerobic compostion of contaminated waste water sludge and wood waste is carried out by (i) forming a homogeneous mixt. of the materials with a C/N ratio and a water content suited to rotting and introducing the mixt. into a long container; (ii) regularly mixing, loosening and moving the material along the container during compostion; (iii) periodically aerating the material in several stages by means of computerised temp. monitoring to maintain a high oxygen level and to limit the temp.; and (iv) removing the stabilised, sanitised and dry compost from the container.    USE/ADVANTAGE -    The process is used for fuel prodn. with -or without additives (claimed) or for agricultural compost prodn. It provides optimal composting, optimal biological conditions for micro-organisms and a regulated water content in the final product. @(6pp Dwg.No.0/2)    (EP458738-B1)      Process for composting sewage sludge contaminated with harmful substances together with waste woody by aerobic degradation, the sewage sludge being dewatered and the waste wood being comminuted, (a) with the introduction of a first material containing sewage sludge by means of a first conveyor device and of a second material containing waste wood and, optionally, bark, grass and/or leaves by means of a second conveyor device into a mixer, a homogeneously mixed material is produced in this mixer; (b) the C/N ratio and the water content of the mixed material is adjusted to a degradable mass by appropriate supply; (c) the degradable mixed material is introduced into a long container and, during composing, is regularly mixed, loosened and moved along the container; (d) the composing material is aerated at intervals and in several process stages by computerised temperature monitoring in order to maintain a high oxygen level in the material and in order to limit the temperature in order to obtain stabilised, hygienised and dry compost from the container.
(JP96013714-B2)      Prodn. of organic fermented fertiliser rich in chitosan is affected by (1) preparing humus through fermentation treatment of organic matter prone to easy decomposition, e.g, livestock manure, sewage sludge, excreta sludge, food remainder, fish refuse, etc., with thermophile bacteria generating fermentation heat of 70 deg.C or above; (2) mixing the living body, crust, refuse from processed crustacea e.g, crab, shrimp, lobster, squilla, etc., insects e.g, beetle, silk worm, fly, cockroach, butterfly, etc., spider, mollusca e.g, cram, short-necked cram, oyster, cuttlefish, sea squirt, et.c, in its natural form into the humus; (3) by fermenting the mixt. by action of autotrophic soil bacteria while infusing air into it. Organic fermented fertilisers thus produced rich in chitosan are also new.    ADVANTAGE -   The organic fermented fertiliser rich in chitosan can be simply and efficiently produced by method. Chitosan richly contained in the organic fermented fertiliser enhances the stabilisation of the fertiliser, bringing agglomeration of the soil, elevating water holding property, increasing stability of microelement.    In an example, humus was obtd. by providing air to thermophile bacteria-inoculated fish meat refuse and treating it for 10 days by allowing it to generate a fermentation heat of 70 deg.C or above. Crab shell was then mixed in the humus at a ratio of 1:1. Then, soil bacteria were inoculated in the mixt. and treated for 7 days for aerobic fermentation. An organic fermented fertiliser of the following composition rich in chitosan was obtd.: N 4.26%, P 1.25%, K 0.57%, organic matter 72.6%, humic acids 16.2%, chitosan 18.5%.
(JP95098711-B2)      The device comprises a sheet surrounding body, an air supply means, an air exhaust means, and a circulation drive for circulating air from the air supply means through the sheet surrounding body to the air exhaust means.    USE -   Compost can be produced effectively. The device can be compact and low-cost.
(DE4021867-C2)      Wastes are composted in a container by supply of a controlled flow of air, producing CO2, consuming O2, generating heat and losing wt. in the course of microbial decomposition. The air flow rate is controlled to maximise the CO2 generation rate either measured directly or indirectly from one of the other variables.    ADVANTAGE -   Waste can be decomposed in the shorter possible time.
(EP477321-A)      The adjustment equipment has a cylinder unit connected to the frame, and whose movable part is connected to the support unit for the one roller. It enables the size of the space beteen the rollers to be regulated in order to adjust to the size of the timber trunk to be moved forward.    The cylinder unit is of the double-acting hydraulic type with integrated piston position indicator enabling the unit piston to be fixed in an accurately determined, required position. The unit is tensioned between first and second sprung components connected to the frame, and against the effect of which it is movable in its entirety a short distance in a direction corresp. to increasing or reducing distance between the rollers. The first sprung, component is at least one pneumatic cylinder unit, whilst, the second is at least one rubber buffer.    USE -   To impel logs or wooden blocks forward in a sawmill process.
(JP2984795-B2)      Purificn. of an oil produced by heat decomposition of an organic sludge contg. N component, where the organic sludge is heated at 200-600 deg.C under atmospheric pressure or under pressure, so that it is heat-decomposed into char and oil. The oil is neutralised with an acid.    USE/ADVANTAGE -   By neutralising the generated oil with an acid, the water contained in the oil can be almost completely removed, and the combustion heat of the oil can be greatly increased. Kinematic viscosity and the fluid point can be lowered. The quality of the generated oil can be greatly improved to the level similar to that of the heavy oil (called heavy oil A) which is utilised generally for diesel engine generator etc.
(NL194162-B)      Organic material is anaerobically fermented in an oblong airtight passage. A feed system delivers the material water to the passage inlet end, while a discharge system and methane-discharge pipe are connected to the outlet end. A number of return systems are provided, extracting each material from the passage at particular points clear of the outlet end, and delivering back into it at the inlet end.    ADVANTAGE -   Well-controlled and stable fermentation. @(10pp Dwg.No.0/2)
(US5097081-A)      Dechlorination of a highly chlorinated methane, comprises reacting with dechlorinating amt. of hydrogen in the presence of oxygen and a catalytically effective amt. of a metal of the copper or precious metal gps. of the periodic table. The support substrate comprises aluminium oxide or titanium dioxide and has a surface area of 20-300 m2/g.    ADVANTAGE -   The reaction is temp. stable and avoids fouling of the catalyst.    (EP455547-B1)      Process for the dechlorination of higher chloromethanes using hydrogen and a catalyst based on a metal chosen from copper, gold, silver or the platinum group, characterised in that the dechlorination is carried out in the presence of oxygen.    (JP95112989-B2)      Dechlorination of higher chloromethanes (I) esp. carbon tetrachloride (CTC), comprises using H2 and a catalyst (II) based on a metal (III) of the Cu group or of Group 8 (esp. Pt) esp. deposited onto an aluminium oxide or titanium oxide support of surface area 20-30 m2/g in the presence of O2 esp. at 30-350 deg.C (pref. 100-250 deg.C) for pref. 0.1-10 secs.    II esp contains 0.05-5% (pref. 0.1-1%) III. The molar ratio of H2:I is pref. more than 1 (esp. 1-10), and of O2:H2 is pref. 0.01-5%.    USE/ADVANTAGE -   The claimed process is used to prepare methane and chloroform from CTC or methane and methylene chloride from chloroform. Unlike prior-art processes, the claimed process gives a temperature-stable reaction and does not clog the catalyst.
(US5186817-A)      Organic material is sepd. from an emulsion with continuous aq. phase, extractable organic liq. and solids by subjecting the emulsion to shear forces to convert it into a water-in-oil emulsion, and contacting this with organic solvent to form a two-phase system, the solvent being able to extract at least 10 pts. of the organic liq. per million pts. solvent at a temp. at which at least 50 wt.% of the solvent boils at atmos. pressure.    The remaining emulsion is then sepd. from the solvent phase such that the emulsion separates into organic-rich and water-rich phases which can be sepd. The solids are mixed with metal or metal cpd. and are contacted with a fixing chemical to reduce the rate of metal leaching. The feed material is pref. mixed with a co-solvent, which may be opt. (cyclo)aliphatic-substd. aromatic, aliphatic, or opt. aliphatic-substd. cycloaliphatic.    USE/ADVANTAGE -   Partic. for sepg. undesirable or hazardous organic material, e.g. 3- to 5-ring aromatics from oil refinery waste, permits efficient processing
(US5123600-A)      Appts. for decomposing an disposing of wet refuse comprises a crusher having a inlet connected to a drain part of a sink tub, and a refuse disposer including a barrel containing a bed loaded with microorganisms capable of decomposing organics.    The disposer includes a centreshaft which is mounted in the centre of the barrel, and an agitator blade mounted on a shaft between the centre shaft and the barrel sidewall.    ADVANTAGE -   High utility liquid organic fertiliser.    (DE4112886-C2)      An arrangement for decomposing and removing wet waste, includes a wet waste reducing device with an inlet, an outle and a waste removal unit in the form of a drum. The drum contains microorganisms which can decompose organic material. An advancing pipe is used to connect to the reducing unit. The removal unit includes a central axis, a stirring mechanism and a drive. A second stirring mechanism drive is located on the upper plate and is used to rotate the stirring unit about a central axis. A filter sieve is used to filter the decompsn. products. An air compressor is connected to the collection chamber.    ADVANTAGE -   The arrangement is efficient and offers an improved method of waste removal.
(JP5508103-W)      Gas sepn. processes in which gases are contacted with a permeable membrane under pressure, which causes the selective permeation of gas(es) through the membrane, use as the membrane material a miscible blend polyimide polymers each having recurring gps. of formula (I); A = tetravalent aromatic gp. contg. at least one benzene, napthalene or polyphenyl nucleus; B = divalent aromatic gp.; n = 15-300; and at least one of A or B, or both, is selected from the tetra- or di-valent fluorinated di- and tri-phenyl methane moieties of formulae (IIa) and (IIb), where Y = CF3 or phenyl, in which any position on any of the aromatic rings in those 4 structures carries a substit. selected from H, 1-3C alkyl and alkoxy, halogen, OH, NO2 and CH2=CH.    USE/ADVANTAGE -   Although the components of the blends have different mol. structures and gas transport properties they are completely miscible. By varying the nature and proportions of the components, mixts. can be used to prepare gas sepn. membranes having specifically tailored properties, pref. e.g. for sepn. of H2 from supercritical gases, of water vapour from natural gas, the enrichment of air by N2 or O2, and recovery of H2 from ammonia prodn. plant and from coal gassification processes. Thus permeability (P) of He, O2 and N2 respectively is at least 15, 0.4 and 0.05 Barrers; and min. ideal sepn. factors for He/CH4, CO2/CH4, N2/CH4 and O2/N2 are respectively 85, 35, 2 and 4.5.
(EP453358-B1)      Collection and evacuation device for fermentation gases resulting from refuse, such as domestic garbage (1) disposed of by successive layers in a pit (2,) open and designed to this end, whereas this device comprises, inside the garbage heap, a well (6) used as a collection body of the said fermentation gases, and a pipework (17,) forming a drain which links the said well (6) to a gas collector (4) arranged on the rim of the pit and towards which the said fermentation gases are sucked away, the said pipework (17) being an overhead pipework able to accompany any possible variations of the position of the said collection well (6) with respect to the level of the said garbage heap, and being separated from the external surface of the garbage heap by sufficient a height in order to allow the passage of a machine designed to roll over this garbage in order to ram it.
(US5413618-A)      Prodn. of a peat substitute (I) from organic substances esp. woody materials, comprises impregnating with auxiliary substances (II) by crushing, defibrating, triturating and breaking-up in a breaking machine at high pressure so that a prod. suitable for cultivation of plants without composting is obtd.. (II) May be fertilisers, stabilisers, deodorants, fragrances, peat, coal, charcoal, brown coal, activated C, organic and/or mineral dusts, bacteria or pH regulators. Absorbent material (argil, cellulose, waste paper or cotton) may be added. Buffering substances may be added to (II) before mixing with the organic substances.
(JP93037955-B)      The appts. includes a receiver vessel surrounded by an adiabatic wall and provided with gas holes at side wall. Space is provided between the adiabatic wall and the side wall of the receiving vessel, and a warm water pipe is arranged along side water in the space. A warm air nozzle pipe is provided inside the receiver vessel, and warm air generator with heat exchanger is connected to warm air nozzle pipe. Warm water unit is provided to feed warm water to warm water pipe and heat exchanger.    ADVANTAGE -   The entire space inside the receiving vessel can be heated to temp. suitable for fermentation. @(4pp Dwg.No.0/2)
(JP94092274-B2)      Required additives are added to organic waste e.g. animal/plant residues, and are crushed in a treatment tank, and simultaneously, heated up to 80-100 deg. C for fermentation and drying to obtain powder of 15-20% moisture.    Device used to mfr. the organic fertiliser or feed comprises a horizontal and cylindrical treating tank having a feed port at the top, a discharge port on the side, a suction port provided with a hot air heater, an exhaust port, and a heater to heat the treating tank to 80-100 deg. C; a shaft provided in the centre of the cylindrical treating tank and driven by a motor; first crushing arms and second crushing arms mounted perpendicularly to the shaft at specified intervals; and first obstacle members and second obstacle members provided on the inside surface of treating tank to prevent free movement and jumping of material to be treated.    USE/ADVANTAGE -   Useful for reuse of kitchen refuse, residue of broiler, animal carcass, food mfr. residue, etc. In this device, any organic waste can be crushed, so residue of broiler, animal carcass, etc. can be completely crushed to powder. Any type of organic waste can be treated to reuse as fertiliser or feed. Prod. is obtd. in the form of powder, so it can be easily mixed with other fertiliser or feed.
(GB2242680-B)      A method of processing peat comprising adjusting the pH value of the peat and allowing earthworms to inhabit the pH-adjusted peat in quantity for a sufficient period of time to cause the peat to be processed into a compost.
(US5080823-A)      The min. b.pt. azeotrope consists of a mixt. of 50-80 mass % 1,1,-trifluoroethane and the balance propane, propane and at its normal b.pt. of 70.6 mass % of 1,1,1-trifluoroethane and contg. 70.6 mass % of 1,1,1-trifluoroethane and 29.4 mass % of propane.    USE -   Refrigeration agents, aerosol propellants and blowing agents are obtd. from the azeotropes. @(4pp)    (JP95053674-B2)      Azeotropic mixts. (I) having min. b.pt. consist of 1,1,1-trifluoroethane (II) and propane (III). At 1.013 bars (I) boils at about -53.4 deg C and contains about 70.6 wt% II and 29.4% III.    Thermodynamic properties of (I) compared to II or III alone under conditions similar to those in single-stage deep-freeze tunnels (condensation temp. = 30 deg C, evapn. temp. = -50 deg C, liq. supercooling = 5 deg C.)    USE/ADVANTAGE -   (I) are used as refrigerant, aerosol propellant, and blowing agent for plastic foam. (II) does not affect the ozone layer in the atmos. (I) has a lower b.pt. than II above, and is therefore more useful for industrial deep-freezing.
(US5126499-A)      Prodn. of 2 or more C hydrocarbons comprises contacting a CH4-contg. feed gas with a metal oxide, having a perovskite structure, of formula HCo(1-x)Fe(x)O(y) (I), temp. of 500-1000 deg. C. In (I), M is Sr and/or Ba; x = greater than 0, but not greater than 1; and y is 2.5-3.5.    USE/ADVANTAGE -   The conc. of more than 2C hydrocarbons is high in the prod. gas. The process does not use molecular O2.    (JP94039403-B2)      Prodn. of C2+ hydrocarbons is effected by contacting a CH4-contg. gas with a mixed metal oxide (I) at 500-1000 deg C. (I) is of formula MCo1-xFexOy, where M = at least one alkaline earth metal, x = a no. greater than 0 but not greater than 1, and y = 2.5-3.5.    Pref. (I) is contacted alternately with (a) the CH4-contg. gas in the absence of O2 at 500-850 deg C, and (b) an 02-contg. regeneration gas at a higher temp. than in (a). Pref. (I) have M = Ba or Sr, x = 0.1-0.6 and y = 2.7-3.1.    ADVANTAGE -   The process gives ethane and ethylene with high selectivity, e.g. 90-97% at yields of 1-4%.    (EP450810-B1)      A process for the production of hydrocarbons having two or more carbon atoms, comprising contacting a feed gas containing methane with an oxide of metals having the following composition: MCo1-xFexOy wherein M stands for at least one alkaline earth metal x is a number greater than 0 but not greater than 1 and is a number in the range of 2.5-3.5, at a temperature of 500-1000 deg.C.
(DE4006239-C2)      Manure, sewage sludge, refuse etc. are disposed of by a method in which material is preconditioned through prodn. of optimum mixing conditions for compositing, with a water content of 60-65 wt.%, pH value of 6.5-7, C/N ratio of 20-30:1, and a bulk density of 600-800 kg/m3. Composting is carried out in an aerated reactor with constant movement at 65-78 deg.C for several days, reducing water content to 20-30 wt.%. Conditioning is carried out at 28-38 deg.C and relative humidity of 90% for 10-14 days with water content adjustment to 20-30 wt.%.    ADVANTAGE -   Accelerated composting in economic process.
(DE4009798-C)      Light material (I), produced during the shredding of motor vehicles, is utilised. (I) is converted, by a pyrolysis treatment, into a gaseous, a liq. and a solid fraction, and each of the three fractions is blended with a gaseous, liq. or solid material, or mixt. of materials, which occurs as a precursor or intermediate prod. of a known chemical process and, together with this, are further processed. corresp. to the known chemical process; and are finally utilised.    Pref. the gaseous fraction is blended with still-untreated coke oven- or high energy hydrogenation waste gases, and is processed together with these, and is utilised.    USE -   Light materials, produced on shredding motor vehicles, are recycled.
(DE4008287-C2)      A container for holding materials, esp. compostable materials and/or sewage sludge, includes an advancing floor unit and an outlet slot lateral advancing member. The lateral advancing unit is located in a cut out in the outlet. The outlet surface of the slot is adjsutable and the lateral advancing unit consists of a double worm unit with axially parallel warm members. The advancing elements pref. have a wedg shaped cross-section.    ADVANTAGE -   The container is simple in construction and enables fine dosing.
(US5175106-A)      In-vessel composting of organic waste material comprises use of two compost reactors, one with a waste containment vessel with a fluid injection and distribution mechanism for injecting and evacuating process fluid. Distribution mechanism comprises lance elements for controlling flow of fluid in the waste material. Second reactor is similarly constructed with lance elements, these including a tubular outer porous wall and inner fluid flow control insert defining an annular space divided into two variable zones. Insert has openings along its length to maintain the variable zones in flow communication with them. Process fluid is introduced through the first distributor, spent fluid is exhausted through the distributor to the second reactor.    USE -   Efficient odour control.
(US5082534-A)      Pyrolytic converter system comprises a converter drum with a rotation axis at an angle to the horizontal and surrounded by a stationary drum and a casing around both drums to define an oven.    Pyrolysation gaseous prods. are withdrawn from the upper end of the converter drum while solid prods. are used from the other end.    ADVANTAGE -   The system has increased capacity. @(26pp)    (US5225044-A)      The system for solid hydrocarbon material comprises converters each heating the material by burning gases and having separate inlets for materials and separate outlets for pyrolysis gases which are connected to a common system for cleaning and condensing (238-242) the gases and for providing the pyrolysis gases to the converter heaters for combustion.    Combustion gases from the flue (24) of converter(s) are passed for preheating the heater (26) of another converter. The system pref. has fluid bath and fluid swept condensers (230-234) connected in tandem for successive flow of pyrolysis gases, with the baths held at successively lower temps., and the final bath temp. is ca. 140 deg. F.    USE/ADVANTAGE -   Used for processing waste tyres and plastic from automobiles, fast food restaurants of garbage, also sewage sludge, coal, oil shale or broken asphalt, is efficient and reliable, may easily be expanded, and may destroy environmentally unsafe hydrocarbons e.g. PCBs.
(JP2769214-B2)      Isobutane (I) and methacrolein (II) are separated from the reaction gas obtained in the catalytic oxidation of (I) in gaseous phase by absorption in to an organic solvent, comprising aliphatic and/or aromatic hydrocarbon of C8-C20. (I) and (II) are recycled from the solvent by air-stripping.    0.5-100 mol equiv. of organic solvent to (I) is used. The absorption reaction is carried out at -20 to 100 deg.C and at 1-10 kg/cm2G.    USE/ADVANTAGE -   Recovery of (I) and (II) at the same time can effectively shorten the oxidation process of (I) to (II) and/or methacrylic acid (III). In this method economical air can be used as a stripping gas.    In an example. reaction gas ((I):36.9 mol%, (II):0.3 mol%, O2:7.4 mol%, and others:55.4 mol%) after removal of (III) and high boiling point compounds was supplied to the lower part of absorption tower (8.1 Nl/min) and n-paraffin (a mixture of decane (22 wt.%), undecane (52 wt.%), and dodecane (26 wt.%)) to the upper part of the tower (4.5 kg/hr). Cooling the tower (-12 deg.C) gave unreacted (I) and (II) in 99.5% and 100%, respectively. The absorbed soln. was supplied to the upper part of diffusion tower (4.9 kg/hr) and air to the lower part of the tower (5.15 Nl/min). Collected (I)(99.8%) and (II) (87%) in the air was supplied again to the reaction tower with new (I).
(US5052487-A)      Method of oil recovery from a petroleum reservoir comprises: (i) injecting into reservoir, an oil-mobilising agent comprising a gas and a surfactant, in sufficient amt. to reduce oil concn. in oil-bearing formation; (ii) stopping injection of the oil-mobilising agent; and (iii) injecting steam and an alpha-olefin sulphonate (dimer) surfactant sufficient to form a foam in areas of reduced oil concn. and thereby divert steam from low to higher concn. areas, assisting in movement of oil through formation, and in the recovery of hydrocarbons.    Gas in (i) is pref. steam, N2, CH4, flue gas, CO2, CO or air. Mol. wt. of alkyl aromatic sulphonate oil-mobilising surfactant is pref. at least 400.    USE/ADVANTAGE -   Improves oil-recovery from petroleum bearing formation in steam-drive of petroleums where foam-forming surfactants are injected into a well along with steam. @(10pp)@
(EP481051-A)      Device extending along the inner surface of a rotary kiln, is clamped against a plate embedded in the refractory lining using a bolt which passes through the kiln wall. The bolt head engages with a clamping plate, and slotted holes are included in components to accomodate lengthwise thermal movement. Each lifting device has an elongated channel form, and is fitted against the refractory lining of the kiln. Pref., twelve channels are fitted to a kiln. A baseplate is embedded in the lining, with a surrounding split ring. A mounting plate is attached to the baseplate, and channel is held against plate by a bolt which passes through a retaining plate and a sleeve which penetrates the kiln wall. All internal components are pref. made from stainless steel, with partic. type pref. w.r.t. working location.    USE/ADVANTAGE -   Agitates sand in kilns used for incineration, e.g. of oil shale or waste material contg. organic cpds.. Its clamping arrangements reduce the deleterious effects of abrasion previously due to hot sand penetrating between the device and the kiln wall, and also of stresses induced by thermal movement.
(US5104419-A)      Processing of solid waste comprises partial oxidn. and combustion in a furnace at 800-1000 deg.C at pressures less than 1 atm in the presence of additional oxygen and CO2 (60:40-40:60 by vol), which are introduced into the solid waste; the effluent gas stream contains H2, CO, CO2, hydrocarbons, etc., and is compressed and cooled when CO2 separates and is recycled, while the H2-CO mixt. is opt. enriched with H2 and then converted to MeOH.    ADVANTAGE -   The process is economical in disposing of domestic and commercial solid waste and simultaneously producing methanol without environmental pollution.
(WO9221385-A1)      The amts. of NH3 released into the air by the decomposition of livestock excrement or urine is reduced by treatment with an NH3-scavenging compsn. comprising an aliphatic polycarboxylic acid (I). (I) is oxalic acid, 1,2-cyclohexane dicarboxylic acid, 1,3-cyclohexane dicarboxylic acid, 1,4-cyclohexane dicarboxylic acid, 1,1-cyclobutane dicarboxylic acid, 1,2-cyclopentane dicarboxylic acid, or polyacrylic acid.    Treatment compsns. contg. (I) and pref. also a solubilising agent (esp. H2O or a glycol), a dispersing agent (esp. a halide or sulphate salt), a fragrance, and an absorbent (esp. sawdust or rice hulls). Esp. pref. compsns. comprise a soln. (esp. H2O) contg. 0.1-25%, esp. 1-15% (I), and 0.1-50%, pref. 5-10% dispersing agent. A pref. (I) is oxalic acid.    ADVANTAGE -   The highly effective method uses compsns. that may be directly applied to waste environments, and which have long-term scavenging and retarding capability
(JP93047596-B)      In a new conversion of industrial waste to a resource, the oil content of the waste is adjusted to 10-90%, and the water content to 10-60%. The water and oil portion are emulsified. The calorific value is adjusted to at least 3000 kcal/kg. The prod. is used as a liq. auxiliary fuel for the sintering of cement.    The adjustment of the calorific value is usually done by mixing a powdered or ground prod. of solid waste plastics. The chlorine content of the final fuel should be below 3000 to prevent the damage of the inside walls of the rotary kiln and the deterioration of sintered cement. Available wastes include sludge, waste oil, waste acid, waste alkali, animal and plant residues, and fluid waste plastics. Emulsification is usually performed by simple stirring; but emulsifiers, such as surfactants, are opt. and effectively used. Emulsion stabilisers, such as polyvinyl alcohol or carboxymethyl cellulose, are also opt. added.    USE/ADVANTAGE -   With common waste as a raw material, the method offers a liq. auxiliary fuel sufficiently useful for the sintering of cement. @(4pp Dwg.No.0/0)f t
(JP94061552-B2)      Treatment of organic sewage comprises aerobically treating organic sewage and sepg. it to solid and liq.; adding alkali to the sepd. sludge and stirring it in alkaline condition for a predetermined time; and feeding the sludge to the aerobic treating step to lower pH of the sludge.    ADVANTAGE -   Excess sludge is formed in an extremely reduced amt. and dehydrating property of the sludge is improved, so that the excess sludge can easily be treated.    In an example, raw sewage was introduced to an aeration step, where it is aerated by a blower for a predetermined time in the presence of BOD decomposing bacteria and then fed to a solid-liq. sepn. step to separate it to activated sludge and treated water. A part of the activated sludge was fed to a sludge dehydration step to dehydrate the sludge as excess sludge and to most parts of the activated sludge. NaOH was added and the sludge was stirred in alkaline condition for 2-60 mins. in a stirring tank. The treated sludge was then returned to the aeration step.
(US5260497-A)      Catalyst system for conversion of methane into high hydrocarbons comprises a heterogeneous mixt. of formula AaBbCcOx, where A is Si, Ti or Zr; B is La, Sc or Y; C is alkali(ne earth) metal; a = 0.25-2; b = 0.05-2.5; c = 0.05-2.5; and x satisfies the valency state. When C is an alkali metal, the ratio of a:b = 0.5-10 and the ratio of c:b = 0.5-5.0.    Pref. A is Ti or Zr, B is Y or La and C is Na.    USE/ADVANTAGE -   Catalyst is highly active and selective in the oxidative coupling of methane.    (DE4103431-C2)      A catalyst has empirical formula AaBbCcOx, where A is Ge, Si, Sn, T or Zr; B is La, Sc or Y; C is an alkali or alkaline earth metal; a is 0.01-10, pref. 0.25-2; b is 0.01-10, pref. 0.05-2.5; c is 0.01-10, pref. 0.05-2.5; and x is a number satisfying the valencies of the various elements in the catalyst.    The catalyst is produced by mixing the corresp. cpds. and calcining the mixt.    USE/ADVANTAGE -   Used for the conversion of CH4 into higher hydrocarbons. The catalyst has a high selectivity and a long active life.    (RU2017515-C1)      A catalytic system (I) for converting methane into higher hydrocarbons has empirical formula AaBbCcOx. A = elemental Ge, Si, Sn, Ti or Zr; B = elemental La, Sc or Y; C = alkali(ne earth)metal; a = 0.01-10 (0.25-2); b = 0.01-10 (0.05-2.5); c = 0.01-10 (0.05-2.5); and x = valency of the different elements in the system. Conversion of methane into higher hydrocarbons using (I) is also claimed.    Pref. methane is converted into higher hydrocarbons by contacting a gas mixt. contg. methane and oxygen (vol. ratio 0.1-100) with (I) at 400-1000 (550-990) deg.C, 0.9-10 (0.99-2.5) bar and GHSV of 100-50000 (500-4500)h(-1).    ADVANTAGE -   (I) is highly active and selective in the oxidative coupling of methane and can be easily mfd.
(US5096080-A)      An assembled storage bin for contg. compost, plant matter and/or refuse comprises a shell of curved periphery with one end of the side overlapping the other via a belt like arrangement. The overlapping portion is held together by two closure straps and a closure rod to keep the bin closed. This closing arrangement is easily attachable and removable and keeps the bin closed for its entire height. The shell has a number of perforations for providing ventilation to allow a source of oxygen in and receive the closing elements. A removable lid fits onto the bin. The top and the bottom is open to allow the contents to contact the ground.    ADVANTAGE -   The bin varies in size for storage.
(EP511280-A1)      Organic refuse is composted in a heat insulating casing. Only heat generated during the composition is used for the composing process. The refuse is enclosed in a gas-tight casing to which O2 is conducted through a condensn. and drainage zone by the action of a pressure difference produced between the interior of the casing and the ambient atmos.. Liq. and reaction gases produced during the composition process are conducted to the condensn. and drainage zone.    USE/ADVANTAGE -   The method and appts. are used to compost garden refuse and organic domestic waste. Additional heat energy need not be supplied. The process requires min. attendance and maintenance. There are no emissions of odourous gases which are filtered in the ground. The appts. also prevents the ingress of vermin such as rats, whereas worms and insects can enter    (JP5503497-W)      Organic refuse is composted in a heat insulating casing. Only heat generated during the decompsn. is used for the composting process. The refuse is enclosed in a gastight casing to which oxygen is conducted through a condensation and drainage zone by the action of a pressure difference produced between the interior of the casing and the ambient atmos. Liq. and reaction gases produced during the decomposition process are conducted to the condensation and drainage zone.    USE/ADVANTAGE -   The method and appts. are used to compost garden refuse and organic domestic waste. Additional heat enery need not be supplied. The process requires min. attendance and maintenance. There are no emissions of odorous gases which are filtered in the ground. The appts. also prevents the ingress of vermin such as rats, whereas worms and insects can enter.
(JP2582303-B2)      Fermenting and drying organic wastes comprises feeding the organic wastes into a tank having a stirrer to stir the wastes at high speed by blowing a hot air into the tank and then adding fermenting bacteria to the wastes.
(JP5504273-W)      Composting toilet, has bowl front comprising vertical top and horizontal intermediate portions and a bottom portion convex towards the bowl rear and finally directed away from the rear. Liq. is directed along the front face and past a sepn. shutter for separate collection. Specifically the shutter is openable by a handle.    ADVANTAGE -   Solids for composting are not mixed with liquids prone to disturb composting process    (US5293651-A)      Composting toilet seat assembly, comprises ring and cover attached to bowl with upright front section with bottom hole shutter for sepg. liq. such as urine into collector vessel.    Solid waste is collected upon horizontal part of curved rearward section of toilet bowl, and pref. The shutter is operable and closable.    ADVANTAGE -   Liq. and solid wastes are kept apart.    (RU2061151-C1)      Composting toilet, has bowl front comprising vertical top- and horizontal intermediate-portions, and a bottom portion convex towards the bowl rear and finally directed away from the rear. Liq. is directed along the front face and past a sepn. shutter for separate collection. Specifically the shutter is openable by a handle.    ADVANTAGE -   Solids for composting are not mixed with liquids prone to disturb composting process.
(JP93036392-B)      The device comprises a tank having a charging port at an upper part, lateral screw conveyors at the bottom of the tank, a supply air pipe, a take-out port at a sidewall part of the tank and a vertical screw conveyor disposed from the take-out port to the opposite sidewall.    USE -   Pref. aerobic fermentation is achieved. (J03137082-A)
(DE4117777-C)      Nitrogen (I) and methane (II) are sepd. by: (A) sepg. a charge contg. (I) and (II) into vapour enriched with (I), and liq. enriched with (II); (B) the liq. enriched with (II) is introduced into a column; (C) the vapour enriched with (I) is partly condensed with the formation of a first vapour and a first liq. and the first liq. is introduced into the column; (D) the first vapour is partly condensed with the formation of a second vapour and a second liq. and the second liq. is introduced into the column; and (E) the media introduced into the column are sepd. into nitrogen-rich and methane-rich components, and the methane-rich component is recovered as prod. methane.    ADVANTAGE -   Increased methane yields can be obtd. esp. when the charge also contains low-boiling or more volatile component(s).
(EP436493-A3)      Oil pollution in substrates (soil, waste deposits, etc.) is degraded by applying to the substrate a fertiliser compsn. (A) contg. (1) an organic fertiliser; (2) a natural substance to improve structure and physical properties of the mixt.; (3) a multicomponent fertiliser; (4) fertiliser contg. trace elements; (5) NH4 or ammine salt; (6) opt. one or more mineral additives; (7) opt. biocompost and (8) biologically active waste sludge contg. oil and/or waste from exploitation and processing of oil products.    USE/ADVANTAGE -   The compsn. efficiently and rapidly degrades oil (in the soil because of accidental spills, contamination with industrial oil sludges, etc.) while simultaneously improving the properties and nutrient contents of the soil. @(7pp Dwg.No.0/0)
(US5277770-A)      Regenerating plasma initiator, that has become at least partially deactivated due to accumulation of carbonaceous deposits, sulphur deposits or both, comprises contacting the initiator with an oxygen contg. gas, for a time sufficient to remove at least part of the deposits. The plasma initiation is pref. a metal or a non-metal other than silicon.    Also claimed is a process to restore at least part of the activity of a plasma, initiator, comprising contacting the initiator with a gas contg. about 0.5 to about 30 mol% O2, in the presence of microwave radiation, having a frequency of at least 0.3 GH2.    USE -   For regeneration of plasma initiator, removing deposits using e.g. air, ozone, CO2, O2, H2O2 or mixts. etc.    (EP436363-B1)      A method for regenerating a plasma initiator used to initiate an electric discharge in a process for the conversion of hydrocarbons using microwave radiation, which plasma initiator has become at least partially deactivated due to the accumulation of carbonaceous deposits, sulphur deposits, or both thereon, which method comprises contacting the initiator with an oxygen-containing gas in the presence of microwave radiation having a frequency of at least 0.3 GHz at ambient conditions of temperature and pressure for a period of time sufficient to remove at least a portion of the deposits therefrom.
(DE3942479-C)      Method is for producing an environment-friendly fuel green growth cut from along motorways and main or other busy roads. The growth is comminuted, mixed with lime and environmental-friendly low-S coal-prods. and compressed into pellets.    Variants are claimed for using, for lime, lime waste from sugar beet prodn. or fuller's earth residues.    USE/ADVANTAGE -   Simple and economical way of using contaminated green growth to make an environment-friendly fuel. The fuel is suitable for fluidised-bed plant.
(US5151347-A)      Closed photobioreactor comprises (a) container for a photosynthetic algal culture in a sealed atmos., (b) light feeder, (c) reactant gas feeder for photosynthetically reacting with the culture, (d) O2 by-prod. remover obtd. from the gas mixt. so unconsumed reactor gas is not leaked, and (e) recirculator for the unconsumed reactant gas after O2 removal through the culture. Combustion reaction with O2 and other element(s) is enabled to form a stable chemical cpd. when O2 is removed.    ADVANTAGE -   Operated as a closed loop system using expensive carbon isotopes    (JP5502158-W)      A closed photobioreactor includes a vessel in which a photosynthetic culture is held in a sealed environment. Light is introduced to the culture together with a reactant gass which photosynthetically reacts with the culture in the presence of light. The reaction produces molecular O2 as a byprod. The molecular O2 is removed from the reactant gas without substantial leakage of the reactant gas. Additional reactant gas is introduced to replenish the supply. The reactant gas is recirculated through the algal culture in the sealed environment.    USE/ADVANTAGE -   The appts. is used for the controlled prodn. of microorganisms by photosynthesis. This may be used to produce food for animals and humans, in the treatment of sewage and waste waters, and in the accumulation of radioactive wastes. Additionally, the process may be used for the prodn. of enzymes and for producing oils or other materials having a nutritional value. Expensive reactant gases, e.g. 13CO2 or 14CO2, can be used.
(EP434520-B1)      Receptacle for vegetal waste, enabling the production of humus through decomposition of waste, it is characterised by a flexible synthetic fibre mesh and a framework with vertical elements located inside and against the synthetic fibre mesh. The latter after loading, remains mobile along the framework.
(US5062911-A)      The method comprises (a) providing a dried green ceramic honecomb body having inlet and outlet faces and parallel open channels sepd. from each other by partition walls, extending through the honeycomb between the faces, (b) wetting the inlet and outlet faces with water, (c) applying a still-wet as formed, flat, green ceramic, cap body against each wetted face to form an integral end-cap over the faces and seal the channels openings, (d) exposing the openings at given channels at the inlet face through the end-cap and exposing the openings of the remaining channels at the outlet face through its end-cap, and (e) firing. The body has 100-400 open channels per square inch of face surface area. The ceramic body and end caps are the same material and are zirconia, alumina, cordierite, mullite, or titania.    USE/ADVANTAGE -   Used as a catalyst support, or in the process of 02 concn. or in fuel cells. @(6pp)@
(US7541992-N)      Destroying NOx and SO2 in a combustion gas comprises treating stable mols. in a high temp. plasma to generate active species and injecting them into a combustion gas at a position of specifically high temp. to maintain them in the active state and allow them to react e.g. 475-950 deg. C.    The mols used are of NH3, CH4, steam, H2, N2 or a mixt.. The plasma creates free radicals, ions or excited atmos e.g. N, NH, H2, OH(-), CH and/or CH2.    USE/ADVANTAGE -   NOx and SO2 can be removed from flue gases efficiently. High percentages of NOx are removed without the need for complete gas scrubbing.
(JP95055802-B2)      Fuel reformer has honeycomb porous body with first flow path comprising numerous independent through channels surrounded by partition walls, second flow path isolated from first flow path by partition walls and defined by connection walls connecting adjacent partition walls, reforming catalyst carried on one of inner walls of first and second flow paths, and contacting combustion catalyst other inner wall of first and second flow paths.    ADVANTAGE -   Fuel gas can be reformed to reformed gas.
(JP95040920-B2)      Microbial strain belonging to Erwinia is claimed.    USE/ADVANTAGE -   Ginseng is a perennial plant and has been used widely as crude drug, healthy food, etc. Being perennial, it has been often suffered from diseases, partic. the disease, by which its inside is whitened and softened. The inventor has intended to separate the disease germs and sepd. 20 disease germs from diseased ginseng. The inventor has finally selected a disease germ showing infecting activity and after microbial studying, named it Erwinia panacea sp. nov. Bacterial strain can be used for studying with the object of developing antibiotics, etc. for preventing and curing the disease of ginseng.
(JP95065053-B2)      Removing hydrogen sulphide from crude petroleum comprises; contacting the crude petroleum (1) with a stripping gas (3) for removing H2S in a stripping column (2), supplying the stripping gas (4) to an H2S absorbing tower (9) contg. an H2S absorbing agent (10), and recycling the stripped gas (16) at superatmospheric pressure to the stripping tower.    Pref. stripping gas principally contains methane. Part of the recirculating stripping gas is extracted as an excess gas from which HC gases are recovered. H2X absorbing agent is pref. aq. soln. of monoethanolamine. Spent agent is pref. regenerated.    USE/ADVANTAGE -   By recycling the stripping gas, the process reduces waste of both stripping gas and light petroleum fractions. @(7pp Dwg.No.0/2)    (EP432858-B1)      Removing hydrogen sulphide from crude petroleum comprises; contacting the crude petroleum (1) with a stripping gas (3) for removing H2S in a stripping column (2), supplying the stripping gas (4) to an H2S absorbing tower (9) contg. an H2S absorbing agent (10), and recycling the stripped gas (16) at superatmospheric pressure to the stripping tower.    Pref. stripping gas principally contains methane. Part of the recirculating stripping gas is extracted as an excess gas from which HC gases are recovered. H2X absorbing agent is pref. aq. soln. of monoethanolamine. Spent agent is pref. regenerated.    USE/ADVANTAGE -   By recycling the stripping gas, the process reduces waste of both stripping gas and light petroleum fractions.
(US5162051-A)      A photobioreactor comprises a tank for contg. a liq. photosynthetic culture at a preselected operating level within the tank, a number of baffles extending from wall to wall and made of optically transparent material. The baffles form a liq. impervious hollow cavity between them and are mounted such that the cavities are accessible from outside the tank to enable insertion of a light source without accessing the bioreactor interior vol. The walls establish flow paths for the culture and enable it to be exposed to uniform light distribution.    ADVANTAGE -   Ease of access and maintenance.    (JP5501649-W)      Bioreactor tank has hollow baffles of optically transparent material extending from one tank wall to the opposite tank wall in spaced parallel relation. The baffles are mounted in the tank so hollow cavities therein are accessible from outside the tank wall to enable the insertion of light sources into the hollow cavities of the baffles to emit light through the exterior walls of the baffle.    USE/ADVANTAGE -   Cultivation of photosynthetic microorganisms e.g. algae in the prodn. of food for animals or humans, treatment of sewage and waste water and the accumulation of radioactive waste. Provides a system in which the liq. photosynthetic microorganisms are exposed to a relatively constant and uniform light source via a relatively simple and easily constructed appts.
(JP95087916-B2)      To automatically wash a pipe of raw sewage discharging system using sealed water, 1st agent prepd by packing acidic metabolic bacteria, nutrient of the bacteria, metal sealing agent and pH indicator in porous substance and 2nd agent comprising oxidising agent, bacteria sterilising agent and film peeling agent are used, both of which are put in the trap of a urinal. The 1st agent is always contacted with sealed water, pH is controlled by the colour change of the porous substance. Deposition of urine stone is prevented by the acidic metabolic bacteria increased by the supplied nutrient and by acidic metabolic soln. Excess urine stone is sealed with the metal sealing agent. The 2nd agent works at pH 5.0-7.0 on discharging raw sewage. Chemicals are supplied from the 2nd agent to the raw sewage, by which existing flocs and urine stone in a discharging system of the sewage are removed, and the 2nd agent is used at the time when a urinal is newly set up and at predetermined intervals.    ADVANTAGE -   By placing the 1st and the 2nd agents in the trap, closing of the sewage discharging system is prevented. As a proper amt of water is used for washing a urinal amt of water used for washing is reduced. @(5pp Dwg.No.0/4)
(US5021389-A)      Catalyst for more efficient combustion of car exhaust gases compraises a dispersion of La2O3 (e.g. 15 wt.%, Pd (e.g. 1 wt.%) and TiO2 (0.1-8.0 wt.%) on an alumina support. Prodn. of these catalysts comprises coating an alumina support with La2O3; impregnating with a soln. of a Pd cod. and an organo-Ti cpd; and calcining at 450-650 deg.C.    USE -   Prods. improve the efficiency of combustion of car exhaust gases, with redn. in the amt. of pollutants emitted, e.g. N oxides. @(9pp)    (EP430437-B1)      A three-way catalyst for automotive emission control, comprising a support composed substantially of alumina, discontinuous lanthanum oxide decorated on said support, a palladium catalytic cpd. contg. at lest 55% by wt. of Pd and opt. up to 45% by wt. of Pt and supported discontinuously on the decorated support, and a discontinuous phase of titanium oxide on said composite of alumina, lanthana and catalytic cpd. said titanium oxide phase amounting to from 0.1 to 8% of the total weight of the catalyst and covering not more than 40% of the exposed surface of the palladium catalytic cpd.
(US5102853-A)      A three-way catalyst which is for automotive emission control comprises; (a) a mechanical carrier having a support comprised of alumina, (b) a catalytic cpd. on the support with a major constituent of palladium particles, and (c) a discontinuous phase of titanium oxide on or adjacent to each exposed particle of catalytic cpd.    Mechanical carrier is pref. comprised of a monolithic silicate structure with a pref. pore dia. of 2000 Angstroms and a pref. surface area of 50-1000m2 per l. Cell density is pref. 200-800 cells psi. Wash coat deposit of decorated alumina particles is pref. 0.0003-0.01 inches thick. Discontinuous phase pref. covers 2-20% of grain surface of catalytic cpd. and pref. 0.1-2.0 wt.% of catalyst. Ti cpd. is used in a pref. amt. of 0.1-2.0 wt.%.    USE/ADVANTAGE -   Cost effective method for conversion of hydrocarbons, carbon monoxides and nitrogen oxide. Enhances catalytic effect at high temp.    (US5376344-A)      A 3-way catalyst consists of (A) an Al2)3 support, (B) catalyst particles consisting mainly of Pd and (C) a discontinuous phase of TiO2 on or adjacent to each exposed catalyst particle. The conversion efficiency for hydrocarbons is at least 50 at 350 deg. C and at least 80 at 400 deg. C and for NOx is at least 90 at 250 deg. C and at least 95 to 400 deg. C.    USE/ADVANTAGE -   To treat car emissions. High efficiency conversion rates are achieved for CO, NOx and hydrocarbons.
(US5090020-A)      Compsn. of laser gas, pref. for an excimer laser, is controlled by an arrangement of a cryogenic gas processor (2), connected in parallel with the laser (1), to receive (8) gas from the laser and to selectively remove impurities, e.g. CO2, Cl2, NO, from the gas before returning it to (7) A high-temp. gas purifier (3), also connected in parallel with the laser, receiving gas (11), removing impurities, and returning the gas via a common return line (12). A gas analyser (4) produced signals for a control unit (6) which operates the processors or connects clean gas supply (5).    ADVANTAGE -   Gas compsn. can be controlled within specified limits. @(7pp)@
(JP4243991-A)      Prodn. comprises biologically and chemically and/or physically treating the wastes to produce composts during distributing wastes from collecting areas to agricultural fields, without using any specific places.    USE -   For treating wastes.
(WO9220628-A1)      An anaerobic digestion process for waste having concns. of suspended solids includes sepg. the solids contg. active biomass from other digestion prods. through an anoxic gas flotation sepn. process. The sepd. active biomass is recirculated to the anaerobic digestion reactor to maintain high concn. of anaerobic microorganisms within the reactor.    Influent organic waste is pref. delivered via line to an anaerobic digestion reactor, the reactor contains anaerobic bacteria. Biogas contg. methane, carbon dioxide, ammonia and other trace gases is discharged from reactor as a result of normal upward flow, pressurisation of the reactor, vacuum pump or blower through outlet piping and along line.    USE/ADVANTAGE -   Anaerobic digestion process of waste materials having significant concns. of solid material. The operating efficiency of the process is improved as active biomass is recirculated to the anaerobic digestion reactor
(JP2849122-B2)      Methane prodn. bacteria can grow even at 15-20 deg.C and can keep methane prodn. activity at temp. above. Methane prodn. bacteria can grow on acetic acid as substrate. Pref. bacteria is e.g. Methanosarcina sp. NY-927 (FERM P-10975), which has optimum pH value of 6.5 and optimum temp. of 37 deg.C and optimum salt content of 0.25M. Strain can use acetic acid, methanol, methylamine and H2/CO2 at cultivation temp. of 37 deg.C pH 7.0 under sodium chloride content of 0.017M. Strain is sepd. from soil.    USE/ADVANTAGE -   Using this strain, wasted material can be treated under low energy consumption.
(US5080797-A)      Faecal matter from a toilet system in a fast-moving vehicle is disposed of during travel by dehydrating liq. components to recover water by filtering solid from liq., and discharging the water to the environment or re-using it in vehicle systems, with solids passed to a collection vessel and pref. compacted.    The sepd. water is pref. used as toilet flushing water. Garbage is pref. similarly treated to separate and disposed of the water while storing solids. The appts. pref. comprises a valved pipeline from a faecal matter collection tank to a dehydration tank which has a heater and a discharge conduit for separated water, and a worm for compacting and removing solids.    USE/ADVANTAGE -   Partic. for use in an aircraft, minimises the wt. of waste which has to remain on the aircraft. @(10pp)@
(US5094012-A)      Decontamination of soils comprises providing an aq. suspension of the contaminated soil on a gas-permeable support in a pressure housing. In this is formed a dewatered layer with a permeability to air of 20-150sm3 per hour with a square metre of the layer passing stream at a temp. of 100-190 deg.C under a pressure of 1-12 bars through the soil layer. Then withdrawing and condensing vapour leaving the pressure housing and removing the decontaminated soil.    Pref. the soil is layered horizontally and steam enters from top to bottom. Dewatering is pref. effected by satd. steam with a pref. permeability to air of 20-150sm3. Pref. surface area is below 10,000cm2/g.    USE/ADVANTAGE -   Economical removal of hydrocarbons, oils, organic cpds. and heavy materials from soils.    (EP432812-B1)      A process for cleaning contaminated soil, in which the soil is treated with steam and the emerging steam is condensed, characterised in that a layer of the soil is applied to a gas-permeable base in a pressurised housing, steam at a temperature of 100 to 190 deg.C and at a pressure of 1 to 12 bar is introduced into the pressurised housing and is passed through the layer, the steam emerging from the layer is discharged from the pressurised housing and condensed, the condensate is sent for cleaning and the solids are removed as cleaned soil.
(US5015799-A)      Converting CH4 to higher mol.wt. hydrocarbons comprises (i) reacting a CH4 contg. feedstock with an oxygen contg. material in a reaction zone to produce an effluent stream comprising at least 2C hydrocarbons, (ii) maintaining the effluent stream of at least 600 deg.C and (iii) quench material having a temp. of upto 1000 deg.C for under 2 seconds to produce a chemically quenched effluent stream having a reduced temp..    Pref., the temp of the chemically quenched stream is further reduced by thermal means to retard retrograde reactions and produce a prd. stream. The thermal means comprises recirculating oils, water or a heat exchanger.    USE/ADVANTAGE -   High quality waste heat is captured and the higher mol. wt. prods. are more easily transported. The process is used in gas extn. plants. @(10pp)
(US5527373-A)      A process for treating organic material by lumbricid-composting, comprising the steps of:    introducing organic material into at least one tubular container in a sequential manner and at an introduction rate by loading the organic material from above, the at least one tubular container having a vertical axis, and at least one transverse horizontal dimension of approximately 1 m or less, said at least one tubular container having vertical walls substantially made from a non-gastight material, and said tubular container lacking mechanical mixing means therein;    introducing into said at least one tubular container lumbricides which will climb upwards while composting the organic waste, said lumbricids climbing at a lumbricid climbing rate;    withdrawing continuously, in a sequential manner and at substantially said introduction rate, a lower layer of lumbricid-composted organic material, said withdrawing causing the organic material to be lowered sequentially at a rate of at most equal to said lumbricid climbing rate; and    removing the lumbricid-composted organic material.
(EP424596-B1)      A method for processing manure, in particular for reducing nitrogen losses from said manure at least after spreading the latter on a field, wherein formaldehyde is added to said manure, characterised in that calcium chloride and magnesium chloride are added to said manure in combination with said formaldehyde.
(DE3935249-C2)      A process for removing water from a material includes thermally handling the component so that the water evaporates. The heat is supplied by microorganism which are added to the material via a rolling mixt.. The compost mixt. is filled into a fermentation container and is then aerobically stabilised. The solids are pptd. on the compost surface and are sepd. by sieves after drying.    ADVANTAGE -   The process ensures improved water removal.
(US5232583-A)      Installation for processing manure, fermented manure or ammonium N-contg. waste water, comprises (a) a nitrification reactor; (b) a dentrification reactor; (c) a line through which effluent from (a) is fed to (b); (d) is a line through which non-N-contg. effluent from (b) is discharged, and (e) 1 or more WAZU respiration meter coupled to (a) to monitor its respiration characteristic(s).    Part (a) includes (i) a line supply aeration, (ii) a line to supply N-contg. liq. feed to be treated; (iii) a line to supply a feed of acid-neutralising chemicals; (iv) a line to supply active sludge rich in nitrifying bacteria; and (v) a line to supply sludge discharge. Part (b) includes (vi) an upflow slid bed column contg. a line to supply feed of C-source; (vii) a very compact biomass to convert nitrate to N2 gas; (viii) a phsophate-rich sludge discharge line; and (ix) a N2-gas discharge line.    ADVANTAGE -   Loading of (a) is controlled and optimum nitrification and denitrification obtd    (US5296147-A)      Processing fermented liq. manure comprises nitrifying in an aerated reactor contg. active sludge rich in nitrifying bacteria, opt. with addn., of acid neutralisation chemicals.    Effluent from the reactor is denitrified in an upflow sludge bed reactor of controlled loading and contg. very compact biomass for converting nitrate to N2.    Pref., the effluent is flocculated before denitrification, using FeCl having cations which can precipitate with phosphate. Pref. methanol or glycol or lime is added to the nitrification reactor.    USE -   E.g. for pig manure treatment.
(JP2654995-B2)      The activity of ammonia oxidn. bacteria is promoted by circulating through a magnetic promoter a liq. produced in a culture medium of ammonia oxidn. bacteria.    Pref. the ammonia oxidn. bacteria is Nitrosomonas. The culture liq. is circulated in perpendicular direction to the magnetic lines of force through a magnetic promoter providing 5000 gauss magnetic field. The magnetic promoter is a permanent magnet.    Also pref. the propagation rate was enhanced by 1.28 times, the oxidn. rate was by 1.24, and adhesion power was by 1.26 under 5000 gauss magnetic field.    USE/ADVANTAGE -   Used to enhance oxidn. activity, propagation and adhesion power of ammonia oxidn. bacteria which is used to remove ammonia biologically from river water or domestic, industrial or agriculture waste water.
(JP95068530-B2)      In making a formed fuel, a mixt. of 100 pts. wt. of powdered coal contg. 1.0 wt.% (based on anhydrous gp.) of combustible sulphur portion with 15-45 pts. wt. of fibrous bio-mass powder and an appropriate amt. of hydrated lime is formed under high pressure into a briquette. The resulting granulated prod. is surface-treated with a soln. of paraffin and fuel oil A having a paraffin : fuel oil A wt. ratio of (1:9) to (5:5).    A typical prodn. process consists of conditioning raw material, mixing, forming (or moulding), removing flash, and surface treatment. Raw coal is usually ground to a grain size of up to 2-3 mm. Available bio-mass include sawdust, bark, beat pulp, and chaff.    USE/ADVANTAGE -   The method makes high-sulphur-content coal and various types of bio-mass available as a fuel. It requires no heating on mixing and forming and gives high water resistance. The fuel obtd. has good combustion characteristics and good economy. @(4pp Dwg.No.0/0)
(JP2841500-B2)      Propane (I) is given by hydrogenation of CO2 in the presence of the catalyst composed of metals (e.g. Cu, Zn) or their cpds. and solids aluminosilicate (e.g. zeolite) (silica/alumina = 5-30).    USE/ADVANTAGE -   In this method (I) is given from the mixed gas of CO2 and (H2 in high selectivity and high yield, not via CO. This reaction is one pot, so reaction appts. can be compact. This method recycling CO2 has an additional merit for conservation of environment.
(JP2655284-B2)      Treatment of raw sewage comprises (a) aggregation for adding polymer flocculant to the raw sewage to form aggregated flocs.; (b) sepn. by a screen for sepg. the aggregated flocs. to aggregated sepd. sludge and sepd. water, (c) methane fermentation for methane fermenting the aggregated sludge, (d) dehydration for the residue after the fermentation to sepd. water and dehydrated cake, and (e) denitrification for biologically nitrifying and denitrifying both the sepd. water from the sepn. step and that from the dehydration step.    ADVANTAGE -   Amt. of sludge formed in the treatment of raw sewage is remarkably reduced and so dehydration of the sludge and burning of dehydrated cake are easily conducted. By using a centrifugal dehydrator, the sludge is dehydrated without adding dehydrating agent. As colloidal organic substances in raw sewage are aggregated by polymer flocculant and conc. to a solid by a screen, the vol. of methane fermentation tank can be reduced to 1/10 of a conventionally used anaerobic digestion tank of raw sewage.
(JP95059970-B2)      In the decomposition of Freon gas, such as Freon-12, Freon-11, Freon-113, Freon-114, Freon-115, Freon-22, etc., the Freon gas is mixed with a combustion supporter, e.g., hydrogen or hydrocarbons such as methane, natural gas, etc., in a proportion of 1:1 or more and burned with an oxygen-contg. gas, e.g., air, oxygen, or oxygen-added air at ordinary pressure or higher pressures of 10 atom. or higher.    USE/ADVANTAGE -   This method can effectively decompose freon gas such as CCl2F2, etc., to make it harmless. @(4pp Dwg.No.0/0)
(EP444333-B1)      A mobile rotting container (1) in closed container form (parallelepipded form) with connections (2a,2b) for supplying and carrying of air, with a double bottom (3) which is formed by a lower bottom plate (4) and a perforated bottom (5) arranged thereabove, with a waste-water pipe from the cavity of the double bottom (3) and with at least one loading hatch (6) in the roof as well as at least one unloading hatch (7) in a side wall of the rotting container, characterised in that the hatches (6,7) are in each case suspended in swivel joints (26a,b,c or respectively 28a,b) from a tensioning frame (10,24), in that the tensioning frames (10,24) are mounted by way of swivel joints (15a,b,c or respectively 27a,b) on the outer jacket of the rotting container (1), in that the swivel joints (16a,b,c or respectively 28a,b) are in each case arranged along the longitudinal axes of the hatches (6 or respectively 7) and symmetrically to the transverse axes thereof and in that tensioning device (20,30) are provided with which the tensioning frames (10,24) are in each case tensionable to produce a sealing squeezing pressure between the hatches (6,7) and the bearing surfaces of the hatches (6,7).
(US5168123-A)      Container component comprises (a) a container having rupturable outer wall for contg. fuel; (b) non-rupturable inner container within (a) for contg. compatible chemical initiator; (c) explosively-rupturable diaphragms sealing openings through (b); (d) explosive sheet covering (b); and (e) detonator for (d) for explosively rupturing (c).    Container (a) pref. comprises an elongated cylinder having non-rupturable end walls, such that (b) comprises an annular cylinder extending axially of this between the end walls.    USE -   In a fuel-air explosives (FAE) system.
(JP94085920-B2)      Operation pressure during thermochemical reaction of water-contg, organic sludge at high temp, under high pressure is controlled to range of satd, steam pressure at reaction + 5 kg/cm2 to effect reaction of oily substance and at same time to evaporate low pt, component of oily substance together with steam. Then, mixed steam is condensed by cooling, and low b pt, oily substance is recovered from condensed liq.    ADVANTAGE -   Sewage sludge can be converted to oil substance to be used as liq fuel.
(DE3932002-C2)      A process for composting organic materials comprises agglomerating the crude compost material prior to composting.    Agglomeration is pref. carried out using the methods and machinery of press agglomeration and the raw materials are pref. comminuted to particle size below 30 mm prior to agglomeration and the pellets formed are of size 5-30 mm.    USE/ADVANTAGE -   The extra cost of the agglomeration process is well off-set by the many advantages incurred, e.g. each stage takes a far shorter time, with total rotting times being as low as 4-6 weeks.
(DE3929759-C2)      Spent oil incinerator has a spent oil tank and a boiler heating oil tank plus pumps to meter spent and heating oil respectively. The boiler should be thermally lagged inside and has point sondes for boiler operating temp. plus sondes in the flue to check on environmental consistency of the incinerator off-gas. Tank (1,2) products are mixed in an unit (5) which is operated electrically and equipped with injection nozzles and the boiler has separate air and water inputs and neutraliser input.    A plant computer (14) programmed with max off-gas toxic contents links up the sondes, pumps, mixer, air and neutraliser electrical inputs so as to control the pumping operation and thus hold boiler operating temperature between 900 and 1300 deg.C.    USE/ADVANTAGE -   Environmental engineering, spent oil disposal. Computer controls feed pumps on basis of actual sonde-measured parameters and maximum off-gas toxics for acceptable boiler combustion.
(EP487574-A1)      Materials from which methane and other environmentally harmful materials may escape are processed by (i) heating the materials; (ii) subjecting the escaping gases to washing with water or with a circulating soln. of a chemical washed out of the gas; (iii) burning the methane in the gases leaving (ii); and (iv) using, at least partly the heat from (iii) in (i).    Pref. the starting material contains NH3 and in (ii) an NH3 soln. is used; air from a cattle stable is treated by adding at (ii); the washing liq. is at not over 12 deg.C.; H2S in the spent wash soln. is removed by passing the soln. through an Fe hydroxide sludge.    USE/ADVANTAGE -   Process is used e.g. in treatment of sewage sludge or manure. NH3, H2S and CH4 are all removed.    (JP4507217-W)      Materials from which methane and other environmentally harmful materials may escape are processed by: (i) heating the materials; (ii) subjecting the escaping gases to washing with water or with a circulating soln. of a chemical washed out of the gas; (iii) burning the methane in the gases leaving (ii); and (iv) using, at least partly, the heat from (iii) in (i).    Pref. the starting material contains NH3 and in (ii) an NH3 soln. is used. Air from a cattle stable is treated by adding at (ii) (the washing liquid at not over 12 deg.C). H2S in the spent wash soln. is removed by passing the soln. through an Fe hydroxide sludge.    USE/ADVANTAGE -   Process is used e.g. in treatment of sewage sludge or manure. NH3, H2S and CH4 are all removed.
(JP2733576-B2)      Methane is mfd. by (1) transforming a biphenyl cpd. into a benzoic acid cpd. by using a biphenyl cpd.-metabolizing microbe or a treated fungus body contg. the enzyme generated by the microbe and (2) decomposing it into methane and carbon dioxide by using a gp. of anaerobic microbes.    The biphenyl cpd. metabolizing microbe is a transformed microbe in which a biphenyl cpd.-metabolising gene has been introduced. The biphenyl cpd.-metabolising gene is new bphABCD, where A = biphenyl oxygenase, B = dihydrodiol dehydrogenase, C = phenyl catechol oxygenase, D = hydrase, having a 9.4 Kb basic pair and the restricted enzyme cut diagram (I), (where X = XhoI, B = BamHI, E = EcoRI, P = PstI, Ba = BalII) derived from Pseudomonas putida. The gp. of anaerobic microbes is acclimatized sludge.    USE/ADVANTAGE -   Thee biphenyl cpd. contained in the waste or waste liq. is transformed into methane.
(JP93036391-B)      Vessel comprises vertical receptacle vessel with a number of ventilation holes in sidewall, heat insulating material around receptacle vessel and net between receptacle vessel and heat insulating material forming ventilating space. Porous plate is arranged near bottom inside receptacle vessel and foamed or hollow plastic grains are paved in space under porous plate. Pipe is arranged in space under porous plate. Pipe is arranged in space under porous plate to eject air from air blower.    ADVANTAGE -   Aerobic fermentation can be effectively performed. (J03028184-A)
(DE3929075-C)      Organic waste, consisting of long grass, leaves, lawn-mowings, branches, wood shavings, flowers, crop residues, trunks, roots, and churchyard waste, is comminuted and mixed and its C/N ratio is adjusted to 100:1 with pH of 8.5-9. The waste is moistened to a water content of 60 vol.% and formed into a heap at least 15 m wide, at least 25 m long and a max. of 2.8m high, which is stored until C/N ratio is a maximum of 25:1 and water content is 22 vol.%. The material is then screened.    ADVANTAGE -   Composting without N addn. or aeration to give stable humus.
(EP490005-A1)      A treatment system consists of first breaking down domestic waste by fermentation in the open air in non-compacted heaps, followed by drying in pits (1) before being fed through a shredder (7) and a rotary sieve with a 30 mm mesh. The sieved material is then passed through two further drying and riddling processes, using hot air to dry it producing a pulverised material in small particles which can be heated in a silo compressed in a mould.    During the treatment process any ferrous waste materials can be removed with the aid of a magnetic drum, while products can be added to accelerate the fermentation process or to enrich the final compost. Inorganic products are also removed during the treatment process and recycled.    ADVANTAGE -   Allows full recycling of domestic waste, producing useful fertiliser for soil.    (EP490005-B1)      Machine for processing household waste into fertiliser and various other prods. including several fragmenter-trommels supplied from a hopper with moving base and from a conveyor fitted with dryers and magnetic drums characterised by the first unit having a fragmenter (7) comprising a narrow enclosure (11) with vertical walls crossed by three parallel, horizontal shafts (12,13,14) the two shafts (12,13) being vertically aligned and turning in opposite directions and the third shaft (14) positioned behind and approximately half way between the two vertically aligned shafts, these three shafts each having chains (15) at intervals along their length, the free ends of which are fitted with a swingle (16), also characterised by the following units for fertilisers each having a chain fragmenter and trommel with increasingly fine mesh, also characterised by the fragmenter (23) for non-fermentable matter having an entirely perforated (30) cylindrical enclosure (25) with flat cover and base and which rotates about its axis in the opposite direction to a vertical eccentric shaft (28) with chains (29).
(EP415650-A3)      Appts. includes a container having an opening in its top surrounded by a peripheral liq. filled channel. A top closure has a downwardly projecting peripheral skirt which locates in the channel with the liq. ensuring a gas tight seal.    Pref. closure member has an opening with a part spherical surface in which is located apparatus which is to be in communication with the container interior. The container may be of concrete or synthetic plastics and the channel formed of, or lined with, synthetic plastics. Also claimed is a part spherical member which can locate in an openingm with a part spherical surface and which member can carry equipment on a planar surface at a truncated upper part of the part spherical member.    USE/ADVANTAGE -   Used partic. in an appts. for biologically degrading waste material such as cattle effluent slurry. Provides a simple and efficient gas tight seal which can be utilised on a container of any size. @(7pp Dwg.No.0/4
(US5079385-A)      Conversion of a polyolefin to lower mol.wt., products contg. normally fluid hydrocarbons is obtained. Polyolefin is made by catalytic polymerisation of at least one alpha-olefin with a catalyst which comprises a zeolite which remains with the polymerisation prod.. Process uses a zeolite at a pressure and an elevated temp. sufficient enough to convert polyolefin to a fluid state and to effect catalytic cracking of the fluid state olefin, then a prod. quantity contg. normally fluid hydrocarbon is recovered.    Proportion of zeolite to binder/matrix is pref. 5-80 wt.%. Cracking process temp. is pref. 250-500 deg.C. Pref. coreactants are methanol/propylene. Pref. space velocity is 0.1-10. Pref. amt. of catalyst to wt. of feed is 0.01-25%.    USE/ADVANTAGE -   Converts inert polymeric materials into lighter hydrocarbonaceous prod.. Environmentally friendly and easy to dispose of. @(6pp)
(US5144794-A)      Cooling air supply is provided for supplying compressed cooling air for cooling moving blades, and heat exchange for cooling this cooling air is provided at the cooling air supply means. Compressed air, withdrawn from the intermediate-stage portion of the compressor, is used as a cooling medium for the heat exchange.    The compressed cooling air for cooling the moving blades can be cooled to low temperatures, particularly without chaining the configuration of profile of the gas turbine. The number of cooling holes formed on the surface of the moving blade can be reduced.    ADVANTAGE -   Provides a gas turbine in which moving blades can be sufficiently cooled without the use of any special device or special cooling medium, and which produces a lower blade profile loss.
(EP413992-B1)      Process for aerobic, fermentative hydrolysis, particularly for composting of organic materials (71) in a closed container (21), in which process fresh air is supplied to the organic materials (71) and the exhaust air laden with heat and moisture is removed and cooled, wherein the heat or the exhaust air is transferred via a heat exchanger (1) to the incoming fresh air supply, characterised in that the exhaust air flow is divided into at least two streams (31, 32), the heat of the first exhaust air stream is transferred to the incoming fresh air supply via a first heat exchanger (1), and the heat of the second exhaust air stream (32) is transferred via a second heat exchanger (2) to the partially heated fresh air leaving the first heat exchanger (1).
(JP6506235-W)      4-7C hydrocarbons are isomerised by contact with a catalyst comprising Gp. VIII metal(s) and Beta zeolite. A novel catalyst for isomerisation of 4-7C hydrocarbons comprises a Gp. VIII metal and Beta zeolite; the catalyst is calcined in a steam/air mixt. at elevated temp. after impregnating the zeolite with the Gp. VIII metal. Pref. the zeolite is of silica/alumina ratio of 15-100, and is of high acidity; acidity can be increased by ammonium ion exchange then calcination. The Gp. VIII metal is Ni, Ru, Rh, Pd, Ir or Pt, esp. Pt at 0.1-1.0%. This may be introduced by impregnation, occlusion or exchange. The zeolite is used in a porous matrix, e.g. a clay or esp. silica or alumina.    USE/ADVANTAGE -   Specified catalyst is highly active, and highly selective for isomerisation to a high octane prod. used in motor fuel; it is relatively sulphur-tolerant.
(JP93067358-B)      Fermentation of organic waste water contg. no trace elements involves adding sludge to the organic waste water.    Condensed water obtd. by condensing vapour generating in a drying step, where fluidised mixt. prepd. by mixing organic sludge or dehydrated cake of organic sludge with oil is heated to dryness, is CH4 fermented by adding sludge. As sludge contains metals in large enough amts., to proceed CH4 fermentation, the CH4 fermentation is effectively carried out only by adding the sludge to organic waste water contg. no trace elements without adding any trace elements. Sludge is added pref. in such an amt. that the concn. is 20-200 mg/l based on SS. When NH3 exists in the condensed water in the concn. of over 150 mg/l, the fermentation is inhibited and so pH of the methane fermenting tank is adjusted to 7.0-7.5 by adding HCl to reduce the concn. of NH3 to under 150 mg/l when the condensed water contains ammoniacal N2 in the concn. of 3000 mg/l and the temp. is 40 deg.C.    ADVANTAGE -   Organic waste water is stably methane fermented in large loads with high efficiency. As the sludge used is waste, cost for the treatment is low. The CH4 produced is used as an energy source hence helping to reduce running costs. (J03000199-A)
(JP95025621-B2)      Appts. for producing compost from organic waste through fermentation has cylindrical shape and is buried under ground, and comprises fermenting vessels at stages through which raw material sludge successively passes.    ADVANTAGE -   Appts. can be installed in narrow land.
(US5176825-A)      Appts. for sepg. liq. from food waste and garbage, comprises a drivable perforated spin drum contg. a removable filter bag and surrounded by a liq. collector drum connected to a sewer drain, pref. via a microfilter for fines removal. Specifically the filter bag material is burlap, and the microfilter can be backwashed with water conveyed to the filter bag.    USE -   Esp. for processing institutional waste to facilitate its disposal.
(JP2515618-B2)      Treatment plant heats sewage sludge under pressure, then dewaters it and mixes it with aqueous slurry of coal or petroleum coke. The mixture is burned in a partial oxidation gas generator. Aqueous sewage sludge with a solids content of at least 3% (by weight) is heated at a pressure equal to or greater than the vapour pressure of water at 200-600 deg.F in the absence of air, until most organic matter has agglomerated. The sludge is also sheared during this heating, at a rate of shear of 1000 min.-1 for between 1/4 hr. and 2 hours. The sludge is dewatered until the solids content is 25-50% (by weight), to give a heating value of at least 3000 Btu 'dry (dry basis). The dewatered sludge is mixed with solid fuel particles of coal of petroleum coke that has a heating value of at least 8000 Btu (dry basis) to give a sludge with solids content of 30-65% and a heating value of at least 6000 This mixture is burned in a partial oxidation gas generator at 1800-2800 deg.F, at 1-35 atmospheres pressure in a gas that contains free oxygen, thus producing synthesis gas, reducing or fuel gas.    ADVANTAGE -   The plant produces synthesis gas reducing or fuel gas as useful byproducts, and also steam and hot water which can be used in the plant.
NOVELTY - The fuel or oxidizing agent fed to the central gas zone (12a) is discharged through the periphery after passing through a zigzag diffusion path (12b). The discharged fuel is effectively fed to the electrodes.    USE - Laminated disc type solid electrolyte fuel battery.    ADVANTAGE - Since the fuel passes through the zigzag path, equalization of flow of gas is enhanced, which enables effective utilization of electrode area, and hence electricity generation efficiency is improved.
(JP2979412-B2)      New hair-conditioning spray compsn. comprises 0.5-15 wt.% of amphoteric ion resin specified below, 10-89.5 wt.% of solvent of ethanol, propanol, or 1-methoxypropanol, and their mixts., and 10-75 wt.% of spraying agent of propane, n- or isobutane, 2, 2-dimethylpropane, isopentane, dimethyl ether, and their mixts. The resin is prepd. by copolymerising (A) 25-50 wt.% of polymerising vinyl monomer(s) of formula (I), (B) 10-40 wt.% of polymerising vinyl monomer(s) of formula (II), (C) 10-65 wt.% of polymerising vinyl monomer(s) of formula (III), and (D) 0-20 wt.% of polymerising vinyl monomer(s) other than (A), (B), and (C) in hydrophilic solvent, modifying with sodium or potassium salt of halogenated fatty acid, filtrating obtd. ppn. and opt. removing ionic impurities with ion exchange resin. (R1 is H or CH3; R2 is 1-4C alkylene; R3 and R4 are 1-3C alkyl; R5 is 1-11C alkyl, alkylene, or cycloalkyl; A is O or NH).    USE -   For providing compsn. with hydrocarbons as spraying agent which has good hair-conditioning effects.
(ZA9007445-A)      Alkali metal doped double perovskites containing manganese and at least one of cobalt, iron and nickel are new.    USE -   Useful in the oxidative coupling of alkane to higher hydrocarbons.    (JP4504860-W)      1-3C alkane (I) is converted to heavier hydrocarbons by contact with a reactive oxygen-contg. material (II) and a catalyst comprising (a) double perovskite or empirical formula LAMnTO6, where L = La, Ce, Nd, Sm Pr, Gd and/or Dy; A = alkaline earth element(s); T = Fe, Co and/or Ni; and (b) an alkali metal component in amt. sufficient to enhance selectivity to higher hydrocarbons. The process may be conducted by contacting the catalyst with an oxidising material, so that the catalyst retains oxygen and becomes the material (II) with which the alkane is contacted.    USE/ADVANTAGE -   The method is of esp. use for conversion of methane to ethylene and ethane. It is esp. effective when used in sequential or pulsed processes, as during the initial stages of a sequential run (early stage of catalyst redn.), high selectivity to higher hydrocarbons is obtd.
(JP2516452-B2)      Silage is preserved by treatment with Propionibacterium jensenii (I) strains: (a) P-9 (ATCC 53961), and (b) P-Fargo (ATCC 53962). Amt. of (I) is 10 power 8 - 10 power 14 esp. 10 power 10 - 10 power 12 partic. ca 10 power 11 organisms/ton. Pref. the method also includes treatment with a Lactobacillus sp., partic. L plantarum ATCC 53187 or equiv.    ADVANTAGE -   The bacterial silage inoculants are effective both during the initial anaerobic stages and also during the initial aerobic stages when a silo is opened to the air.    In an example, (IIa) was inoculated at 10 power 11 organisms/ton onto grain, which was stored anaerobically at 20-25 deg. C for 60 days, then opened. The pH did not increase to above 5 for at least 168 days (control, 79 days), while the temp. also did not increase 1.5 deg. C for at least 168 days (control, 38 days). @(5pp Dwg.No.0/0)    (DE4009999-C2)      Silage is preserved by treatment with Propionibacterium jensenii (I) strains: (a) P-9 (ATCC 53961), and (b) P-Fargo (ATCC 53962). Amt. of (I) is 10 power 8 - 10 power 14 esp. 10 power 10 - 10 power 12 partic. ca 10 power 11 organisms/ton. Pref. the method also includes treatment with a Lactobacillus sp., partic. L plantarum ATCC 53187 or equiv.    ADVANTAGE -   The bacterial silage inoculants are effective both during the initial anaerobic stages and also during the initial aerobic stages when a silo is opened to the air.    In an example, (IIa) was inoculated at 10 power 11 organisms/ton onto grain, which was stored anaerobically at 20-25 deg. C for 60 days, then opened. The pH did not increase to above 5 for at least 168 days (control, 79 days), while the temp. also did not increase 1.5 deg. C for at least 168 days (control, 38 days).
(EP431212-B1)      Method of pasteurisation/cooking of various organic wastes for composting (wastes such as market-garden residues, household refuse, sludge, wood cuttings with the aim of composting them), characterised by the fact that the wastes are placed in an isolated concrete container, they are flooded with liquid brought with a pump through a pipe before the container is covered, then the liquid is emptied throught the valve, air is injected at the bottom of the container by a ventiliator to evacuate the air saturated by carbonic gas contained in the vegetable mass and to initiate an important exothermic reaction which permits to reach the temperature of 70 deg.C. or even more for a period of time between 10 and 20 days.
(EP436383-A3)      Prepn of fire-retardant expandable thermoplastic beads comprises (a) forming an aq suspension of 100 pts wt vinyl aromatic polymer particles, from 50-500 pts wt water, suspending agent, 0.1-2.5 pts wt hexaabromocycloadodecane (I) with average particle size of less than 100 micron and 3-20 pt wt 4-6 C alipahtic hydrocarbon foaming agent, the aq suspension is characterised by the absence of pentaerythritol tetrastearate; (b) heating the aq suspension at 40-140 deg C, for 0.5-15 hrs to incorporate (I) and the foaming agent into the polymer particles and to form the thermoplastic beads; and (c) sepg the beads from the water.    USE/ADVANTAGE -   The invention provides an improved method of incorporating hexabromocyclododecane into the beads. the beads can be moulded into foam articles which are highly resistant to flame even at low levels of hexabromocyclododecane. @(5pp Dwg.No.0/0    (EP436383-B1)      A process for preparing fire-retardant expandable thermoplastic beads comprising (a) forming an aqueous suspension of 100 parts by weight vinyl aromatic polymer particles, from 50 to 500 parts by weight water, an effective amount of a suspending agent, from 0.1 to 2.5 parts by weight of hexabromocyclododecane having an average particle size of less than 25 microns, and from 3 to 20 parts by weight of a C4-C6 aliphatic hydrocarbon foaming agent; (b) heating the aqueous suspension at a temperature of from 40 deg.C to 140 deg.C for a period of from 0.5 to 15 hours to incorporate the hexabromocyclododecane and the foaming agent into the polymer particles and to form fire-retardant expandable thermoplastic beads; and (c) separating the beads from the water.
(JP92059277-B)      Bark of cedar or cypress is placed in a sealed container, and the bark is blasted under high temp. and under high pressure using water vapour. The resulting prod. is fermented using microorganism, nitrogen cpd., enzyme, etc.    The pressure is 20-40 kg/cm2, and temp is 200-250 deg.C. The microorganism includes actinomycete and filamentous fungi. The nitrogen cpd. includes ammonium sulphate, urea, etc., and the enzyme includes cellulase.    USE -   Prod. can be used as fertiliser or agent for improvement of soil. (J02289481-A)
(JP2617569-B2)      Prodn. of org. manure comprises (1) inoculating fungi of Rhodococcus sp. (e.g., MT2040 strain and/or MT2041 strain) opt. with cellulose degradation fungie into the material contg. mainly a beer cake, (2) fermentating opt. with mixing and (3) ripening it opt. with mixing.    Beer cakes opt. contaminates strained lees, rice bran, urea, dry excrements, fish powder, powdered bones and activated sludge.    USE/ADVANTAGE -   For utilising large quantity of beer cakes.
(GB2233340-B)      A method of processing an organic slurry, which method comprises: subjecting the slurry to an anaerobic digestion process within a closed chamber to yield methane gas; extracting from said chamber the methane gas produced as a result of the anaerobic digestion; burning the extracted methane to produce useful heat output; supplying sufficient heat to the anaerobic digestion process to ensure that the process is self-sustaining, at least some of that required heat (in steady-state operation) being obtained from the burning aforesaid of the methane; drawing off digested slurry from said chamber and separating the liquid fraction from the solids fraction; further treating the liquid fraction to render it suitable for discharge to the environment; processing the solids fraction to render it suitable for combustion in a gassifier; combusting the processed solids fraction in a gassifier to yield producer gas and ash; and collecting the producer gas for subsequent burning to produce further useful energy.
(JP4506175-W)      Treatment of domestic or industrial waste includes sepg. the pulp or slurry into different fractions according to density or magnetic properties. The sorted pulp or slurry is fed to a wet dryer for kneading. The pulp or slurry is then washed downstream of a wet grinder to remove plastic debris. The obtd. fibre suspension is led away for further treatment of use.    USE/ADVANTAGE -   Used for treating waste such as domestic garbage, industrial waste, etc. in which the waste is suspended in liq. A continuous process obtains mutually sepd. specific waste constituents. The end prod. has a high proportion of organic material.    (US5297742-A)      Waste treatment process involves mfg. aqueous pulp from which heavy objects are sepd. to leave a light fraction which is dewatered and kneaded in a grinder supplied with steam to keep grinding temp. at 60 deg.C min.    Kneaded waste pulp is washed for unground material removal, and then is further treated. Plastic or paper sacks contg. the waste material are opened by high pressure water jets preceding a pulper receiving the waste.    USE -   Used for processing domestic garbage or industrial waste for decomposition, fermentation and combustion.
(EP403669-B1)      Method for the elution of granular washed produce, especially of contaminated, fine-grained earth, the washed produce being subjected to a treatment in a washing bed with wash water to which a surfactant has been added, air jets being simultaneously injected from below into the washed produce to form a fluidised bed, from which the upstreaming wash water is drawn off with ascending, washed produce-entraining foam via a channel and the wash water is at least partially recirculated, characterised in that the washed produce is fed and treated in batch quantities, the drawn-off, foam and washed produce carrying wash water is treated in a sedimentary manner, whereupon the sediments are discharged, and the washed produce not removed with the foam is drained after completed cleaning in the washing bed, and subsequently recovered.