A method and device for a free-standing lighting protected energy conversion plant with auto-supply, turning east-south-west by means of a locator-transmitter system, and with continuous or intermittent adjustment of the energy receiving fame during storm gusts, an upright tube (1) with assembly plate (2) and support cone (7) are designed in the form of a tower structure, the highest point serving as a point of rotation for a cover placed over it. Various mechanical drive mechanisms are arranged inside the tower.    USE -   For conversion of energy obtained via photo-voltaic modules and thermal collectors, augmented by wind-power generators.
The method involves feeding cells from a cell loading station to a cell soldering station via a cell receiving station. One or more electrically-conductive ribbons are fed from supply rolls to a cell in the soldering station, so that ribbons overlie a cell in the station and can underlie a subsequently received cell in the receiving station.    The ribbons are severed and soldered. Discrete sections of the ribbons are formed, with each discrete section having a leading end soldered to one contact of a cell and a trailing end soldered to the second contact of a second cell. An offset crimp may be formed in the ribbons between cells.    ADVANTAGE -   Interconnects solar cells using flexible electrically conductive wire.
A vulcanisable rubber compsn. comprises a highly-satd. -nitrile copolymer rubber with an iodine value of is less than 80 (100 pts. wt.), reinforcing filler (3-30 pts. wt.), gp. II metal oxide (30-200 pts. wt.), non-reinforcing filler (30-200 pts. wt.) and vulcanising agent (0.1-20 pts. wt.).    USE -   The rubber compsn. may be used as sealing material(claimed) to make seals for application in dynamic state, partic. as parts in automobile and aeronautics industries and in the energy-related fields such as geothermal electricity generation. More specifically, the sealing material can be fabricated into reinforcing rings (claimed) as rotating and slipping seals (claimed), e.g. which are required to make contact with oils and gases, such as in rotary machines in which high-pressure sealing and slipperiness-resistant sealing are necessary.    Such rubber prods. are for use as seals of the following types: 0-rings, gaskets, blow-out preventers, pipe protectors, bearing seals, crankshaft seals etc.    ADVANTAGE -   Sealing material made with the rubber compsn. has a coefft. of friction of less than 1.5 and wear rate of 150-350 mg, in addition to resistance to ozone, heat and chemicals.
The module (1) has a solar panel (9) where a solar cell (5) and an output terminal (7) is set up at the surface side opposing the light-receiving surface of a permeation board (3). The surface of the opposed side covered with the light-receiving surface of the solar panel is attached in the solar panel.    A rear side lid material (13) forms a space between the solar panel. An output line (15) installed to the exterior of the rear side lid material is connected to the output terminal. The space between the solar panel and the rear side lid material is filled up with a foaming resin (17).    ADVANTAGE -   Eliminates resin composition deficiency. Produces high heat-insulation characteristic through high multiplying foaming factor. Controls optical degradation phenomenon. Attains high solar panel temp. which is 80 deg. or higher.
The battery includes a flexible substrate (1), a first electrode layer (2), an A-Si layer (3) and a second electrode layer (4) arranged in stacked formation on top of a third electrode layer (7). The stacked formation is bonded by several electrically conductive pastes (8).    The pastes are introduced through several connection holes (61) formed along the opposite sides of the stacked formation. The pastes flows toward the rear side of the flexible substrate to bond the copper-laminated third electrode layer.    ADVANTAGE -   Ensures inexpensive mfg. by simplifying mfg. process. Stabilizes connection by applying directly electrically conductive paste to connection hole.
The pump installation has an absorption appts (1) in which a pressure receiving board (5) moves like a pendulum according to the vertical motion of the wave by absorbing the energy.    A cylinder (11) in a piston appts (2) has a piston (10) which is connected to the absorption appts. The piston converts the absorbed energy into pressure. According to the converted pressure, a pair of back flow prevention valves (13a, 13b) opens and shuts, thereby inhaling and exhaling the liquid or gas.    ADVANTAGE -   Obtains stability by clinging to concrete base. Reduces production cost. Eases maintenance management by restoring damage within short term. Eliminates fossil fuel and electric power.
The method involves formation of a peeling layer (2) containing a silicon oxide film on a heat resistant substrate (1) which consists of a single crystal silicon wafer. A semiconductor thin film (3) containing p type polycrystal silicon thin film is formed on the peeling layer. A cap layer (4) is formed on the semiconductor thin film. A band dissolving recrystallisation process on the semiconductor thin film is performed and the cap layer is dissolved. A junction layer (5) is formed on the top face of the semiconductor thin film.    A through hole (8) is provided above the peeling layer by piercing the semiconductor thin film. An etching removal of the peeling layer is performed through the through hole. The semiconductor thin film is isolated from the heat resistant substrate. An electrode is formed on the top and bottom surface of the semiconductor thin film.    ADVANTAGE -   Simplifies electrode formation process thereby reducing mfg cost. Obtains highly reliable solar battery as destruction and damage of semiconductor thin film is prevented. Prevents leakage of transparent adhesive agent from bottom surface of semiconductor thin film reliably.
The receptacle (1) has a heat insulation panel (5) of movable type which is attached to a vacuum heat insulation wall (3). The heat insulation wall has a high temperature battery (2) which changes heat insulation thickness of ceiling part.    When battery is heated, the heat insulation panel is lifted by a cylinder device (7). A thermo-electric electricity generation element (8) is attached to the heat insulation wall. The electricity generation element converts the power into heat, which is radiated through heat insulation wall to move the heat insulation panel.    ADVANTAGE -   Provides receptacle with good efficiency. Provides energy for heat insulation panel migration with energy of waste heat.
A floating drum slides on two or more sliders located on each side at a angle to the horizontal and embedded in a concrete block on or in the shore ground. An approaching wave pushes the drum so that it slides forwards and upwards. When the wave recedes, the drum slides back and downwards to its previous floating position, under its own wt.    The drum side-plates contain two axles, fitting into the sliders, thus enabling drum movement forwards and backwards without rotation. Attached to the side-plates is a plunger, operating e.g. a reciprocating compressor of gas or liq.    USE/ADVANTAGE -   Frequency-independent wave energy extraction mechanism, having few moving components, for location near water-line on edge of shore, usable to compress gas/liq. or e.g. turbine through camshaft connection.
The intensifier includes a small gear (2) connected to a drive motor (5) with shaft (1) suspended in middle portion of a casing (10). The small gear engages with large gears provided for each shaft (31) on both sides of the motor shaft. Each shaft maintains circular plate (9) while its upper edge supported to the casing through a bearing (11).    A columnar body (12) which includes a hinge (7) maintains L-shaped structures (6) press-fitted into each large gear shaft.    Each L-shaped structure is provided with additional penetrating holes and control holes (17) bored outside the edge head of weight plate (6b) on both sides of the L-shaped structure. The arm of the structure is positioned along a perpendicular line from which large wheel and hinge are connected through control stick (16) which clings to the circular plate. The control stick serves as fulcrum which maintains the L-shaped structure to proper position when rotated to an angle within 15 degree range.    ADVANTAGE -   Proportions rotating speeds of each L-shaped structure.
The generator has a steam (2) and a gas (3) turbine that generates electricity for an incinerator. An exhaust heat recovery device (4) that collects a heat of a gas exhausted from the gas turbine. A reheating turbine (23) drives a steam exhausted from a high pressure turbine (21).    A pre-heat device (33) heats a condensate to which exhausted steam from a re-heater (32) and the re-heating turbine is heated by a super-heater (31) and the high pressure turbine.    ADVANTAGE -   Reduces radiation loss in condenser. Maintains dryness fraction of steam exhausted from each turbine, more than permissible level. Prevents danger of draining at turbine exit.
Photovoltaic solar module is used as a cladding panel or roofing element. Its outer sheet faces the incident light with a second sheet behind, forming an interspace. These are held apart by an all-round edge seal, and between them solar cells embedded in e.g. sheets of cast resin have a novel conductor system, allowing adjacent solar cells to make connection (8,10) at their edges.    Connecting terminals (2,4), which may be a plug and socket arrangement are also brought out for the main circuit. The covering sheets are pref. silicate glass, esp. white glass. The embedding material for the solar cells is pref. polyvinylbutyral (PVB), ethylenevinylacetate (EVA) or a monomer mixture based on an acrylate.    USE -   To make an edge connecting photovoltaic solar module, with a transparent enclosure and suitably sealed electrical connections.    ADVANTAGE -   The electrical connections are positively made with good mechanical stability. Fault free electrical contact is realised. The system is easily installed by the unfamiliar, and can resist rough handling. Units connect edge to edge together for smooth appearance. A diode may be included to bypass faulty panels automatically.
The seal system is for a geothermal power plant that operates on geothermal fluid of the type having a multi-stage steam turbine having a high pressure stage and a low pressure stage , and a separator for separating the geothermal fluid into two channels, one containing high pressure steam that is applied to the high pressure stage and the other containing high pressure geothermal liquid. The system has the high pressure seal housing associated with the high pressure stage, and having a first internal chamber for receiving geothermal steam leaking from the high pressure stage, a second internal chamber receiving geothermal steam leaking from the first internal chamber, and a further internal chamber intermediate the first and second chambers.    The system also has the condenser/vaporiser for condensing steam from the further internal chamber using the organic fluid and producing condensate. The heat exchanger transfers heat contained in the high pressure liquid to water which is vaporised into steam. A device applies the clean, low pressure steam to the second chamber of the high pressure seal housing, whereby the steam leaks into the further chamber. The steam is applied from the first internal chamber to a steam turbine. The back pressure steam turbine is responsive to geothermal steam applied to its high pressure end for expanding the steam to produce electricity and expanded geothermal steam at the exhaust of the turbine.    USE/ADVANTAGE -   For generating power from high pressure gases and fluids. Can operate on high pressure geothermal fluid without any significant release of noxious gases into atmosphere.
The converter has several small low temp. heat transfer units (502) which individually makes contact with several thermoelectric transducers (53). It has several heat pipes (700), with a movable portion which can be bent, that are connected between the small low temp. heat transfer unit and a heat dissipation device (600).    The heat pipe conveys heat, transmitted to the small low temp. heat transfer unit through the thermoelectric transducer, towards the heat dissipation device.    ADVANTAGE -   Reduces temp. difference between entrance and exit of small low temp. heat transfer unit. Reduces contact thermal resistance of thermoelectric transducer, thus promoting efficient thermoelectric conversion process.
The panel includes several solar-battery modules (11) having different surface colours. The solar-battery modules are arranged in an array so that a character or a pattern is formed on the panel surface (11).    ADVANTAGE -   Provides solar panel with display function in which various patterns can be formed.
The pump uses the cylinder (1) whose upper part branches out to several U-tubes (6) which are connected to nozzles (9). The cylinder freely shakes in water and includes a lid plate (2) and the piston (12) whose rod (3) is attached to a chain (18). A float (17) vibrates by the generation of wave caused by the water which moves the joint ring (8) and activates the piston.    ADVANTAGE -   Contributes to purification of e.g. oceans and lakes. Preserves fishery resources.
The generator has a heat restoring electricity generating unit that comparatively assumes a low temp. releasing heat to be a heat source. An evaporator (4) separates the heat from an ammonia and water mixture provided on a turbine (1).    An ammonia condenser (2) is provided for exhausting water from the turbine. The ammonia is supplied to the evaporator when the heated water that moves to opposite direction and the ammonia are exchanged between condenser and evaporator.    ADVANTAGE -   Increases generation output due to turbine expanded rate and reduction of condenser pressure.
The device includes e.g. two cylindrical mirrors (1,2). Radiation (S) to be coupled in is concentrated via one cylinder mirror having the input surfaces of the radiation conducting elements (L) arranged on the focal line of the mirror. Alternatively, a combination of the two cylinder mirrors can be used to conc. the radiation at the input surface or surfaces of one or more radiation conducting elements.    Radiation emanating from one or more radiation conducting elements can be incident on a combination of two cylinder mirrors. The radiation conducting element can be a dense, rigid or flexible, rod-shaped radiation transmitting element of optional cross-section or a hollow rod-shaped conductor of any cross-section.    USE/ADVANTAGE -   Also for coupling electromagnetic or acoustic radiation to e.g. Stirling motor, cooking plate, warm water container, combustion cell or bioreactor. Can be used with parallel radiation, e.g. from sun, or with radiation from a focal point or line.
The pump has a housing (1) with a horizontally displaced axis (2) and a valve-operated pressure piston (4), responsive to the pressure of water jets (5), with an attached valve slider controlling water inlets (10) and outlets (11) in alternation.    The water pressure in the pressure cylinder (7) is raised and lowered via a pair of independent weighing beams (17), each associated with a lever arm (14), for alternate pivoting in opposite directions under control of the pumped water flow delivered to each weighing beam.    USE -   Fo energy generation without using fossil fuels, for reducing environmental pollution.
A high pressure chamber (6) contains a rotor (3) and can be moved in the horizontal and vertical planes and movable radial blades are placed between the wall of the chamber and the rotor, to form working sections.    The outer working cavities are filled by electro-conductive liq. and the inner cavities are filled with liq. and the moving centre of mass causes a constant rotation of the rotor.    USE/ADVANTAGE -   Gravitation generation of energy. Better efficiency and reliability. Bul. 29/20.10.95
The unit has a pool situated along the shore line, formed by a dam (1) with inlet plate valve (5) and outlet channel (2) with turbogenerator (4). The inlet valve is fitted above the dam is connected by a hinge (8). The valve (5) plate (9) has a positive floatability and is made of at least two parts, hinged to one another. The channel (2) outlet is made as a vertical pipe with outlet valve (6) at the end.    The inlet valve plates (5,9) lay horizontally on the water. The wave approaches the dam, closes outlet valve (6) and flows into the pool through plates (5,9). The water level in the pool rises, the plate (5) floats and takes up nearly vertical position preventing water flow out of the pool, whilst plate (9) remains horizontal. The water height difference opens outlet valve (6) and is used for turbine (3) and generator (4) operation.    USE/ADVANTAGE -   For wave energy conversion. The efficiency is increased. Bul. 29/20.10.95
The unit has charge storage unit (2) which stores the output electric charge of a solar battery (1). It has a conduction regulator (4) which regulates the conduction of electricity from the storage battery to a motor (3).    It has a controller (5) which operates the conduction regulator based on the motor rotation condition and the output voltage of the charge storage unit.    ADVANTAGE -   Reduces size and cost of drive unit.
The generator includes several panels (1) connected in series. A splice box (7) with terminal block is placed inside the panel and a switch (10) is connected in series with the panels.    ADVANTAGE -   Improves safety during connection.
The module includes a filament structure (20) arranged in a semiconductor layer which is set up at the peripheral surface of a collector pole (21). The collector pole consists of a linear conductive material. A collection electrode (10) is arranged on the contrary side of the light incidence side, which is connected with the peripheral surface of the filament structure. The surface of the collection electrode comprises a material which has optical reflection conductive nature.    The peripheral part comprises a protection member (30) provided with a filling cover layer (31) made of soft silicon resin of a covering layer (32) made of hard silicon resin. The protection member fills up the space part in a ditch part (11) and covers the light incident side of the filament structure. The collection electrode has a groove (13) of U or V shaped, which is prolonged along the longitudinal direction. The width of the groove is more than the thickness of the filament. The filament structure is arranged on the focal zone of the collection electrode in each ditch, which acts as a concave mirror.    ADVANTAGE -   Improves photoelectric conversion efficiency, weather resistance and endurance. Prevents invasion of water, gas etc inside solar battery module.
The controller has a planar solar-battery board (1) arranged on a shaft (8) mounted on a first rotating mechanism (20). A pair of standing shading boards (4,5) are arranged on the board crossing each other.    A photoelectric transducer (6a,6b,7a,7b) is placed on each quadrant formed by the crossing shading boards. The rotating drive mechanism rotates the solar-battery board based on the output difference of the photoelectric transducers.    ADVANTAGE -   Provides automatic turning of solar-battery board towards direction of sunlight.
The system has a rubbish incinerator (1) with a waste boiler (2), which generates steam. A combustion type superheater (3) further heats the steam formed by the boiler. An electricity generator (4) generates electricity from the superheated steam obtained from the combustion type superheater. A melting mechanism (9) liquidises the organic components with high moisture content, like kitchen dirt with high temperature, high pressure oxygen gas.    A fermentation appts (5) performs methane fermentation of liquefied kitchen dirt to form fermentation gas with hydrocarbon as principle ingredient. A desulphurization equipment (6) removes the sulphide components from the fermentation gas formed by fermentation appts. The desulphurized fermentation gas from the desulphurization equipment is used as fuel for the combustion type superheater.    ADVANTAGE -   Shortens fermentation time of semifluid kitchen dirt. Provides efficient use of energy generated from rubbish. Provides economical electricity generating system.
The method involves using a solar mirror on its own or together in a modular assembly. Provided with the mirror is at least a lower mirror at a lower edge of the solar cell module, or collector.    During the resetting and adjustment the lower mirror is swivelably and securably located. During the mainly diffuse inter solar irradiation, or in the transition yearly seasons, the adjustment angle w.r.t the horizontal ground is smaller than in summer. The winter adjustment is necessary only during winter sunshine periods.    ADVANTAGE -   Facility for increased effect of diffuse winter solar radiation.
The includes a reduced number of solar panels with various sides used for different purposes. Satellite sides are available for various instruments, such as aerials, drive units, adaptors etc.. The free sides without solar cells can be used for waste heat radiation.    The satellite comprises simple accommodation of foldable solar panels without complex aligning and follower mechanisms. It uses a gravity gradient stabilisation for the yaw and pitch axes. The panel aligning is carried out by magnetic coils.    ADVANTAGE -   Simple design and alignment w.r.t. the sun radiation. Provides max. energy yield with reduced number of solar panels and cells.
The module comprises a photovoltaic generator with a short circuit current and another photovoltaic generator with another short circuit current which is lower than the first short circuit current, connected in series with the first photovoltaic generator.    A diode is connected in parallel with the second photovoltaic generator so the current flow through the module, when the module is under low current load, reverse biases the diode so that the diode is in a blocking condition and the module discharges at a low current. Current flow through the module when it is under high load, forward biases the diode so that the diode is in a conductive state and the current flow bypasses the second number of cells so that the module discharges at a high current.    USE/ADVANTAGE -   For powering radios, trickle charge batteries in parked cars and in night illumination systems. For operating electric motors.
The automatic respiratory equipment protects the user's (1) breathing passages, from the ambient atmosphere, or provides a breathing mixture. It comprises a reserve of breathing gases (2) or a closed circuit gas system. A mask (3) and/or similar headgear worn by the user is arranged to recover (4) part of the energy contained in the stored gas.    The equipment thermally insulates relatively cold from warm zones and has a thermoelectric generator connected thermally between the cold and warm zones. The respirable gas may be stored in liquid form, constituting the cold zone, the warm zone being the surrounding environment. The equipment may recycle respirated gas, absorbing carbon dioxide and producing oxygen, by chemical reactions. The thermal insulation may be a ceramic filter cartridge.    USE/ADVANTAGE -   Sub aqua divers and other breathing gas users. Automatic, protecting users air ways and transforming energy from stored gas and chemical reactions.
A connector module (10,100,200) having at least one electrical terminal (24,116,206) in it, adapted to be sealingly mounted to a mounting surface upon being placed thereagainst at a connection site (30,112,204), and simultaneously form electrical connections of each terminal with a circuit (38,152,214) thereat, with the terminal adapted to be thereafter terminated to a discrete conductor wire (60,138,210,212) to interconnect the circuit with the wire. Upstanding lead members (40,160,216) are electrically connected to the circuits and are received into pin-receiving holes (50,172) along the module's bottom surface and become engaged with respective terminals. Each terminal is terminated to such a wire upon actuation of an actuator (26,118). A base section (14,104) of the module forms a seal with the mounting surface around the connection site (30,112,204). Such module can easily be mounted to a solar panel (32,110) or circuit board (202). The module can receive in thereinto a circuit-bearing element (124) having components (122) mounted on it upon being mounted to the mounting surface and environmentally seal therearound.    USE/ADVANTAGE -   For interconnecting individual conductors wires to circuits of flat surfaces, such as circuit boards or of solar panels for transmission of electrical energy. Enables simple and quick termination to ens of insulated wires with simultaneous sealing of terminations.
The system includes a ventilation system of a defined area, which has at least one exhaust location. An air from within the defined area is expelled outward of the defined area by an exhaust fan as a directed air flow at the at least one exhaust location. At least one windmill is located exterior to the defined area and is spaced a selected distance from such at least one exhaust location.    Each of at least one windmill has a rotatable shaft, a number of vanes attached to the rotatable shaft. E.g. the directed air from the ventilation system acts on the vanes, rotating the rotatable shaft. An electrical generator is connected to the rotatable shaft.    USE/ADVANTAGE -   For using exhaust air flow from one or more ventilation fans which drive windmill type devices fitted with electric power generating devices. Allows capturing exhaust air from air flow producing devices for its conversion into energy.
The solar tracking system comprises a dark enclosure with an opening to let in light associated with a consequential axis. The enclosure has two light sensors, each giving two separate directional signals in response to light impinging on it from the opening. The sensors are connected to an electronic control device for directing a dual axis movement support.    ADVANTAGE -   Is highly efficient source of energy and operates without need of bearings and has higher efficiency rate than photo-voltaic technology. Provides hydraulic rams that will be adjusted accurately, quickly, and are cheap to mfr. and operate. Provides eastwardly re-set which will guarantee that system will find sun everyday it appears.
The generator comprises thermo-photovoltaic cells in an array and an IR generator positioned within the thermo-photovoltaic cells array. The IR generator has a tubular IR emitter spaced outward from a central pillar and forms a down passage for hot combustion gases. An IR transparent window tube surrounds the IR emitter and forms an up passage for the hot combustion gases which heat the IR emitter. The generator includes a fuel supply tube, an air supply surrounding the fuel tube and a hydrocarbon burner assembly positioned above the pillar in the air supply tube for generating the hot combustion gases.    The burner assembly has air channels for directing air to a combustion zone below the burner assembly and mixing channels connected to the fuel supply and to the air supply for mixing fuel and air and supplying a fuel-air mixture to the combustion zone. An igniter in the combustion zone combusts the fuel-air mixture and creates the hot combustion gases for heating the IR emitter.    ADVANTAGE -   Pillar allows means of tuning temperature uniformity and increasing burner size.
The power system comprises at least, a water-collection column, which is a hollow cylinder in which the cylinder body is implanted into the sea bed beneath the sea level for appropriate depth and the cylinder body is installed with multiple through holes at appropriate locations. Multiple rocking bars are provided in which one end of the rocking bars is pivotally and annularly installed on the outer edge of the water-collection column. It us used as the fulcrum of lever and the middle section in the opposite end is pivotally installed with a connecting rod and the connecting rod is housed in a cylinder fixed on the outer edge of the water-collection column which is used as the thrust point.    The end of the rocking bars are connected to a buoyant structure which is floated on the sea level and acted as the point of application. Multiple side pipes in which the side pipe is a hollow body with one end fixed on the through hole of the water-collection column and the other end is installed with a cylinder. The buoyant body moves up-and-down through the waves to drive the rocking bars so as to guide water through the side pipes to be collected in the water-collection column which is used to drive the motor of generator in order to generate electricity.    ADVANTAGE -   utilizes the tidal energy to generate electric power with a safe and contamination-free process
The method involves arranging a number of solar cells (2) which are surrounded by a sealing resin (3), on the surface of a flexible water-proof roofing base material (1). An adhesive agent (61) is bonded to the sealing resin, to a protective film (4) to form a solar roofing (10).    A number of surface protection boards are applied with another adhesive agent (62) such as a resin. These surface protection boards are attached to the solar roofing where the two adhesive agents are bonded with each other, by heat bonding. The refractive index of the resin is 20% within the limits of the refractive index of the surface protection board.    ADVANTAGE -   The battery reduces reflection loss, prevents invasion of moisture excellently, eases construction, offers inexpensive method by using cheap solar roof, and improves lifetime of solar battery.
The solar battery unit (20) includes a transparent protection part (1) which encloses a photovoltaic element (2). The photovoltaic element converts the light of visual region wavelength into electricity. A number of uneven shaped parts (1a,1b) are formed on the surface of the transparent part, at the condensing surface side of the photovoltaic element. A pattern which forms a character and a picture pattern is positioned.    The transparent protection part is made up of a multi-layered body comprising a pair of transparent resin layers, whose material quality differs from each other. The first resin layer which is formed on the photovoltaic element, provides good electric insulation. The second resin layer which is formed on the first resin layer has good weather resistance.    ADVANTAGE -   Easy designing and display of various important patterns on outer surface of appts. is enabled. The wt. is reduced by providing compactness. The operativity is improved.
A group of solar cell elements is obtained by connecting a number of solar cell elements (200,210) in series or in parallel by metal foil pieces (202) where an insulating tape (204) is stuck parallel with the metal foil pieces on and across the back faces of the solar cell elements arranged next to each other.    Also claimed is a method for producing a solar cell module as above where the solar cell elements are afterwards covered with a polymeric organic resin.    USE -   Useful for producing a solar cell module as a clean energy source. In partic. useful for amorphous Si-based cells.    ADVANTAGE -   The solar cell elements are produced in high yield and operate with high reliability.
A water heating, air convection and shelter system includes a series of resilient tubular conduits, located between two spaced apart metal sheets comprising the top and bottom surface of a solar radiation collection area of the system, each tubular conduit being connected to two manifold pipes, one at each end of the conduits. A tubular pipe is provided for connecting the outlet manifold to the inlet manifold in order to allow a convection current to take place for enabling heated fluid to rise to the highest point within the system.    A non-return or one-way type directional check valve is installed within the length of the connecting pipe to stop forced fluid from by-passing the resilient tubular conduits. At some point within the manifold line is installed a valve to enable air to enter the system in the event of negative pressure.    USE/ADVANTAGE -   For heating of water and for cooling of air with a shelter system for providing shelter under the system. Non-pressurised system, with the exception of pressures generated by gravity and pumps, enabling reduction in structural supports and the associated costs, and dispenses with the requirement for elaborate safety device or expansion protection devices.
The fluid power storage device includes one or more of a fan, a paddle, a propeller, a turbine, a paddle wheel, a piston or a float. A piston or float prime mover actively converts power carried by small or weak movements of fluids into successive periods of zero output and useful momentary maximum output of force or electrical power even when the fluid movements are at a low level.    The prime mover feeds power in to a gear train which has a mechanical advantage larger than one. Power is input to the gear train through a gear on a shaft of a rotary fluid machinery. Alternatively, power is input through a ratchet wheel and a spring pawl.    USE/ADVANTAGE -   For converting wave energy into electricity power for lighting or sending out wireless broadcasting signals to call for help when devices are connected to wireless broadcasting circuit and being hung onto lifeboats or lifejackets. For lighting up light emitting devices in fields, gardens or other remote locations. Uses small movements.
The module (10) has a solar battery cell group (14) consisting of a semiconductor electromotive force layer, a set of first electrodes and a set of second electrodes arranged on a glass substrate (12). An extraction electrode (16) is formed on the glass substrate to output signal from the solar battery cell group.    A resin sealing layer (18) hides the exterior of the solar battery cell group. An external frame with a front frame (20) is attached to the periphery of the glass substrate. A spacer (24) is positioned within the resin sealing layer.    ADVANTAGE -   Obtains high voltage withstanding characteristics. Provides high area efficiency and conversion efficiency.
The solar battery module (12) has a solar battery cell (13) made up of a semiconductor layer (17) comprising solar light reactive elements such as amorphous Si. This cell is layered in a glass substrate (14). The circumferential part of the glass substrate is attached to an Al frame.    Electrically conductive layers such as a SnO2 layer (16) and Al layer are formed at the inner portion close to the substrate, and two or more insulating layers (24,25) are formed at the circumferential part near the frame.    ADVANTAGE -   The module improves reliability of high breakdown voltage characteristics of module, and avoids redn. in yield due to prodn. of defective modules.
The solar battery consists of a substrate surface on which energy converting elements, semiconductor and electrodes (1) are arranged. Similarly, glass and acrylics (2,3) are arranged in the spatial portions between the solar batteries in a matrix form, in unidirection. The glass and acrylics are transparent materials which allow penetration of optical rays. The reflecting material coating is provided on the energy conversion portions to absorb solar energy.    ADVANTAGE -   Improves energy conversion efficiency. Saves power.
The formation method involves using a flexible substrate (21) which is bent into three pools. Above the flat part of the substrate a film (22) is formed, then the substrate is brought back to its original state and pattern formation is carried out on the film.    ADVANTAGE -   The method performs patterning easily, and improves operativity of photovoltaic device.
The method involves forming an edge face electrode (10) at a light-receiving surface electrode (8). The light-receiving surface electrode comprises a main electrode (9) and a sub electrode (12). The partial rear side electrode (11) is positioned near the edge face electrode at the substrate rear surface.    A rear side electrode (6) is positioned near the partial rear side electrode with a deep cut (4) between. The edge face electrode is electrically connected to the light-receiving surface side. The edge face electrode is formed using a roll coater, by performing plate transfer.    ADVANTAGE -   The method provides good reproducibility, avoids redn. of effective light reception area, provides strong bonding intensity, and improves the speed of module mfr..
The camera has a storage battery, which stores an electric power generated by a solar battery. The storage battery acts as a power supply for a film feed unit. A detection unit detects the residual electric power in the storage battery. Another detection unit detects the opening and shutting of a camera back lid. A film detection unit detects the amount of film present.    A control unit controls the film feed unit based on the detection made by all the three detectors. A judgement unit judges whether the film rewinding is completed with the detected residual electric power of the battery. Consequently, the film rewind is performed depending upon the output of the judgement unit and the control unit.    ADVANTAGE -   Enables removing film before charging of storage battery. Avoids deterioration of film quality.
The detector includes several photodetectors arranged on the sides of the detector for light detection operation. The direction of an incident light is detected based on the quantity of the light reception ratio of each photodetector.    ADVANTAGE -   Provides large optical detection range. Ensures uncomplicated mfg. process.
The photovoltaic cell system includes at least one optical structure, and at least one solar radiation reflecting and/or collecting device (16). The optical structure has a three-dimensional body (2) made of a material at least partly transparent to light, e.g. glass, glass ceramic, quartz fused silica, sapphire, etc. The body has a bottom surface (6) upon which light radiation impinges and an opposite top surface (8) from which the light radiation emerges.    On the top surface is formed an array of cell-attaching active areas constituting non-imaging light radiation concentrators. The solar radiation collecting/reflecting device directs solar radiation to be impinged on the bottom surface. Pref. the body is a prismatic body. Pref. the cell attaching areas are formed in between traversing V-shaped grooves. At least parts of the body can be coated by selective light radiation transmission coating.    ADVANTAGE -   Collecting/reflecting device enhances effectiveness of photovoltaic optical cell structure.
The appts. for generation of electric power and heating of an object, divides sunlight into generating light and heating light, which are then condensed separately. In order to divide sunlight, it is desirable that a selective reflector adapted to reflect the light is used for power generation and to transmit the heating light, and it is further preferable that this reflector also serves as a power generating light condensing system.    ADVANTAGE -   Both electric power generating efficiency and heating efficiency are improved.
The device includes an outlet from which material to be charged can be sprayed, and a high voltage generator (28). Also provided are a housing (10) including a compartment (14) in which material to be sprayed can be stored or for reception of a cartridge (16) contg. material to be sprayed. The material has properties, e.g. resistivity, suitable for electrostatic spraying. The generator is a solid state device with a large array of discrete voltage producing elements, e.g. photovoltaic elements.    The photovoltaic elements are serially connected to produce a high voltage output in response to irradiation by light or other electromagnetic radiation such as IR. Irradiation is provided by a radiation producing device such as a light emitting diode LED (40) forming part of a low voltage circuit including user operable switch (44) and low voltage source. The spraying device may be suitable for hand held use or portable. Pref. a removable cap is provided for selectively exposing and shielding the array to/from ambient radiation.    USE/ADVANTAGE -   Also for spraying of cosmetics, room fragrance, deodorants, insecticides and pesticides, dispensing of medical formulations for e.g. skin treatment. Photovoltaic cells may be mfr. to common design and then customised. No bulky battery is required.
The plant consists of a consumer unit and a partially-submerged receiving chamber, mounted on supports (9) by means of pivoted brackets (5) and made with upper and lower walls (2, 4) which can rotate in the vertical plane and are equipped with pto shafts (7, 8) connected to the consumer unit. The rear ends of the two walls are equipped with a weight (1) and a float (3) respectively. The front ends of the two walls are curved in shape to form convergent guides (10, 11).    During operation the waves (12) pass between the upper and lower walls of the chamber, causing their front ends to open and close in sequence, transmitting a rotary reciprocating motion to the pto shafts.    ADVANTAGE -   More rational use of wave force and higher efficiency. Bul. 25/10.9.95
The garbage electricity generating system has a gas turbine in which air is compressed using a compressor. Vapour is sent from a garbage incineration furnace boiler which operates using a combustion part. A turbine (4) is connected to the main part and drives a generator (5). The main part consists of a super heater, an evaporator (8), a fuel economizer (10) and a low pressure evaporator (11), which recover the deheat of the gas turbine to generate vapour. A turbine deheat recovery boiler (6) aids in the recovery of deheat of the gas turbine.    A first steam pipeline supplies vapour from the turbine deheat recovery boiler. A garbage deheat recovery boiler is placed in a garbage incineration plant. A second steam pipeline supplies vapour from the garbage deheat recovery boiler. The two steam pipelines supply the vapour to the superheater. A high temperature steam supply pipeline leads vapour at high temperature to the combustion part.    ADVANTAGE -   Needs only one prime mover. Reduces space required. Improves efficiency of electricity generation. Improves stability. Improves effectiveness of usage. Uses deheat completely.
An outer clothing item has at least one externally located solar cell unit (16) and a box (20) electrically connected to its contacts, which forms the connection to an electrical condenser (22) or an accumulator. The item is pref. a jacket and the solar cell unit is pref. adhered or stitched to the jacket surface. The solar cell unit is pref. flexible and the cell pref. supplies accumulator driven instruments such as e.g. mobile telephones, audio and video equipment.    USE -   The clothing item solar cells provide electricity to e.g. mobile telephones, audio and video equipment.    ADVANTAGE -   The clothing item solar cells avoid the need for carrying heavy batteries around.
The collector includes a convex absorbing base (1) covered by a metal foil (2) which is provided with a layer. The layer is capable of converting solar energy into thermal or electric energy and it is produced as a single collector.    Between segments of the frame (7) is provided a transparent material. A highly transparent plastic covering foil (5) is pulled over the edges, so that the shadow-forming parts lie under the edge of the base. The frame is convex outwards and the frame edges (8) are polished.    USE/ADVANTAGE -   Suitable for solar energy installations. Foil used can easily be renewed and overall efficiency is high. Shading due to bordering frame is reduced.
The solar photovoltaic module uses line-focus lenses and    photovoltaic receivers incorporating high-performance    photovoltaic cells. The module comprises an array of linear    arched Fresnel lenses with a linear photovoltaic cell receiver    located along the focal line of each lens. The lens consists of    a protective glass superstrate with moulded silicone Fresnel    grooves on its inner surface.    The photovoltaic cell receiver consists of high efficiency cells    interconnected in a string with a solid secondary optical element    adhesive bonded to the cells. The entrance aperture of each    secondary optical element is rectangular in shape and the optical    secondaries are butted up against each other in a line to form a continuous entrance aperture along the focal line.    USE/ADVANTAGE -   Provides physically smaller power supplies per    kilowatt with less drag for low earth orbit. Has more radiation    resistance for high radiation orbit. Has lighter power supply per    kilowatt for communication satellites in geosynchronous orbits.
The structure has a moving component (14) attached to the upper and lower part of a support mount (13). The support mounts are arranged on a roof.    The interval between the moving component and the support mount are predetermined to form a straight line. The solar panels (11) are connected to the support mount.    ADVANTAGE -   Enables mounting of solar battery equipment to various form and type of roof tile. Provides aesthetically pleasing structure by not requiring use of wires. Eases installation of solar battery equipment to roof.
The module has a solar cell arranged on a surface of a permeable board (1), opposite a light-receiving surface. The output terminals of each solar panel (3) are formed on the same surface of the permeable board. A waterproofing sheet (5) which contacts the same surface, is arranged on the light receiving surface of the solar panels. An output line (7) of each solar panel penetrates through the waterproofing sheet and connects to each output terminal of the solar panels.    A couple of heat insulators (11,15) are attached to a rectangular wooden frame (9). The waterproofing sheet is installed so that it blocks the opening of the frame and its outside marginal part is installed up to the outside surface of the frame. The waterproofing sheet is interposed between the solar panels and the heat insulators. Each output line is installed up to the exterior of the frame.    ADVANTAGE -   Prevents permeation of water to attic and maintains high temperature of solar cell. Prevents deterioration output line by not exposing its wiring.
The structure includes a reinforced glass board (4) which covers a solar-battery module (1) installed on a roof (2). A ventilator (61,62) is installed between the surface of the solar-battery module and the reinforced glass board.    ADVANTAGE -   Prevents dew condensation and moisture invasion and maintains efficiency of heat dissipation, thus improving weather resistance.
The method involves arranging several solar-battery cells (2) in one longitudinal surface of a flexible insulating substrate. A strip-shaped peelable material and a strip-shaped moisture-prevention material are layered on same surface of the insulating substrate through a sealing agent layer.    A terminal electric conductor which connects a terminal of a pole of each solar-battery cell, is formed on the same surface of the insulating substrate. A strip-shaped foundation material (3) is layered on the other surface of the insulating substrate through a sealing agent layer. The formed multilayer structure is heated and crimped by a couple of rubber rolls (7).    ADVANTAGE -   Protects surface of solar battery without using protective film by temporarily hiding substrate with sealing agent. Offers safety feature which prevents slip of worker during installation by crimping surface of roof.
The solar cell includes a semiconductor thin film (22) and a transparent electrode (23) which are sequentially formed on main field of a metal substrate (21). An insulating film (24) and a metal film (25) are sequentially formed on main field of other surface of the metal substrate. A through hole (26) is formed such that the metal film and the transparent electrode are electrically connected.    ADVANTAGE -   Reduces power loss by transparent electrode. Improves yield.
The device has four light-receivers (13a-13d) which includes a sensor (12) that detects an electric signal converted from a projected solar light. A sensor container (11) in which the light receivers and the sensor is contained supports the device on an inclination attachment angle on one side. A light- receiving window (14) with a pinhole (17) is positioned by the sensor container to enable the sensor to project the solar light.    Amplifiers (19a-19d) respectively amplifies analog signal outputs of the light-receivers. Each amplified analog output is converted into digital signal by analog to digital converters (21a-21d). The data from the A/D converters in which each light-receiving quantity of the light receivers are shown are compared. Several controllers (31,41a-41z) are included to control the motors of support part on the other side of the device wherein the drive amount of one of the first motor is the same as the drive amount of the second motor which depends on the first motor.    ADVANTAGE -   Measures solar energy, or solar spectrum more concretely. Tracks sun automatically for direct solar heat collection.
The method involves generating electricity by installing single turbine and dynamo assembly. Electricity is generated by installing a high-pressure separator (2), high-pressure top turbine (3) and dynamo    (4) in the pithead part of each geothermal steam production well.    The steam is introduced into a low-pressure separator (5) after been released from the top turbine and combined with hot water isolated from the high-pressure separator. Electricity is generated by supplying steam obtained from low-pressure separator to the base turbine (7).    ADVANTAGE -   Allows efficient use of steam for electricity generation.
The method involves compressing of gas in the first cylinder of first section mechanism (A) by a piston (1). The piston is moved from the upper portion of the first section mechanism by several rollers. The two other cylinders of the first section mechanism are filled with liquid for piston buoyancy.    The second section mechanism has same structure as the first section mechanism, the two cylinders are also filled with liquid. A gas tank (17) is installed to stored compressed gas from the two mechanism. The gushing outlet of the gas tank has self-regulating gas jet valve (18) which supplies high-pressured gas to the turbine (19). An alternator (20) is connected on the upper part of the turbine.    ADVANTAGE -   No fuel needed, therefore, no emission of carbon dioxide which pollute air. Effectively store compressed gas for efficient electricity generation. Suitable to any location as long as height difference is observed.
The combined source has electrical and heat power generating parts for supplying power to respective outputs. Waste heat from the electrical power generating part provides generated heat power for the heat power generating part.    The generated electrical power is controllably converted into heat to supplement the generated heat power in a manner such that a predetermined efficiency of the combined source is maintained by producing a generally constant load.    ADVANTAGE -   Improved overall efficiency and cost effectiveness, reduces need for supplementary heating and combined source, gives extended operational life and reduced maintenance costs.
Heterocyclic polymer is prepd. from monomers having the formula (a), (b), (c) or (d): where R = H, 1-20C alkyl, 6-20C aryl, 7-40C aralkyl, 1-18C alkoxy, O(CH2CH2O)4CH3, and halogens, or 2 R's may join to form a closed ring structure.    USE -   The polymers produced are generally electrically conductive and may be used on their own or in a blend with another polymer (claimed), in electroconductive coatings, flexible electrical connections, photocells, anti-static packaging, floor coverings and thin optically transparent finishing layers of, for example cathode-ray tubes and instrument panels.    ADVANTAGE -   The advantage of this method over prior art is that after polymerisation no residual products of sulphur-containing reactants or unreacted reactant must be removed from the reaction mixture and undoped polymer can also be produced.
The device detects the direction from which the sunlight is coming and steers the mirror or other device, so that the maximum energy is applied to the target area. The rectangular light-tight tube (200) has a pin-hole aperture in one end (201). Sunlight passing through the hole impinges on a first inner screen (220).    The first inner screen has four detector quadrants (221 to 224) and a central rectangular hole. The other end of the tube has another quadrant screen (203). If the beam through the pin hole impinges on one of the quadrants, the angle of the mirror and detector tube is altered until the beam passes through the second hole. It is then further "fine tuned" by the second quadrant screen (203) until the axis of the tube is directly aligned with the sunlight beam.    USE -   as part of a reflector steering system for a mirror or sunlight powered panel.    ADVANTAGE -   Simple and accurate.
The electrolyte comprises 5-0.5 pts.wt. of a rare earth element oxide to 100 pts.wt. of the total -alumina constituent oxides of an alumina, sodium oxide, and lithia.    USE -   For sodium-sulphur battery, sodium-fused salt battery, or alkali metal thermoelectric conversion battery.    ADVANTAGE -   Improves durability of battery electrolyte, and reliability of battery.
The water driven power system is provided with a number of water driven power generators (2a,2b,2c), which may comprise water wheels, of which at least one is situated below the level of a large body of water held behind a dam (8) such as the sea and uses water under pressure from the body of water.    The generator (2a) may drive pumps (16) to raise water to drive the higher generators (2b,2c). A number of pipes may supply water to the generator (2a), from several different levels in the dam (8).    USE/ADVANTAGE -   Esp. for use where high volume of water from sea can be used at increased pressure, enabling generator to be driven more efficiently.
The solar concentrator utilises the heliostat (1502) to concentrate solar radiation (1509) onto an absorbing surface which incorporates a solar cell array (1511). A fluid heat transfer device (1503,1504) removes the heat and makes use of the low grade power while keeping the temperature of the receiving surface low enough to keep absorbing energy.    Electricity (1506) from the solar cells is used to operate a fluid transfer mechanism through a heat exchanger (1504). Excess electricity may be used locally or fed to a power distribution grid.    USE/ADVANTAGE -   Provides improved system for provision of heat and/or electricity using solar energy collection device. For use in warming swimming pools, heating hot water supplies using excess electricity, or warming, lighting or ventilating spaces.
An appts for producing power from a source of geothermal fluid containing a mixture of high pressure steam, brine and non-condensable gases, includes a heat exchanger for receiving the geothermal fluid and transferring heat to water to produce steam, at least one power plant module fitted with a steam-turbine, a device for returning liquid from a steam condenser to the heat-exchanger, a device for passing liquid from the steam condenser to an injection well, and an additional heat exchanger.    Both heat-exchangers (12,41) are associated with a connection arrangement (40) which selectively inserts the additional heat-exchanger (41) between the heat-exchanger receiving the geothermal fluid and the injection well (37), to enable the flow of fluid to be selectively divided between both heat-exchangers (12,41).    USE/ADVANTAGE -   For producing electricity from a geothermal fluid source. Alleviates the problems associated with corrosion of turbine blades, caused by hydrogen sulphide present in the steam applied to the turbine, and with leakage of hydrogen sulphide through the turbine seals and compressor seals etc.
An appts for producing power using geothermal fluid includes a separator for separating the geothermal liquid into steam and brine, a vaporiser for producing vaporised organic fluid and condensed geothermal steam, an organic vapour turbine for expanding a vaporised organic fluid, a condenser for condensing the organic vapour into liquid organic fluid, the latter then being returned to the vaporiser, a heating facility for heating the liquid organic fluid, prior to it reaching the vaporiser.    The heating device includes a preheater for transferring heat from the geothermal brine and t he condensed geothermal steam to the liquid organic fluid. A recuperator receives the liquid organic fluid from the condenser and t he organic vapour exiting from the turbine.    ADVANTAGE -   Increased power output without reducing exit temp.of brine from preheater.
The method involves patterning a transparent conductive film (2), amorphous silicon layer (3) and rear metal electrode (4) on glass substrate (1) surface using a laser beam. The rear electrode consists of sublimation thin film and Ag thin film.    ADVANTAGE -   Ensures solar battery module mfr. of high efficiency and sufficient reappearance at high-speed through laser-scribe system operating range extension and effective high-speed patterning process. Reduces prodn. cost by using glass substrate. Simplifies film formation large area of substrate using gaseous-phase deposition method and sputtering. Enables to form solar battery module in free shape.
The appts. includes a controller (7) provided underneath a motor (6) casing. A solar battery (2) is attached on top of the motor but parallel to a reflective mirror (1).    The reflective mirror has a holder (4) provided for an optical fibre (3). The reflective mirror transmits optical signal through solar cell radiation of unseen optical ray.    ADVANTAGE -   Uses solar energy effectively in generating electricity. Eliminates main power supply thus reduces running cost.
The generator consists of a pontoon in the form of two linked housings (1), floats (2) and piston pumps. The floats are connected to the pontoon housings by levers (3,6) and pivots (4,7), and the pumps are pivoted to the housings and the floats.    The floats are situated outside the pontoon housings, and the latter are linked by underwater brackets (11) and plates (8) with vertical keel (8,9), ribs and inclined plates. Inside the housings the brackets are connected to cylinders with apertures for the lever axes, while the levers have projections. The pumps are located inside the cylinders with their rods pivoted to the lever projections. The pumps' cylinders are pivoted to rods inserted into the cylinders round the apertures for the lever axes.    ADVANTAGE -   Can operate in any wave conditions, driving large numbers of piston pumps inside the pontoon housings. Bul. 22/9.8.95
The photovoltaic unit has a photovoltaic element (2) which is connected to a micro relay (8). The contact of the micro relay switches by applying predetermined voltage using an electrode pair of the micro relay. A first and second switches are connected to the photovoltaic element and the micro relay. A number of photovoltaic units are connected mutually with a connection part (6). A control circuit (5) controls the switching operation of the first, second switch and the connection circuit to form either a parallel or a series circuit.    ADVANTAGE -   Supplies required voltage and current to each device.
The structure has a transparent insulated substrate (1) over which a first transparent electric conduction film (2) is formed by back patterning. An amorphous silicon photoelectric conversion layer (3) is formed on first conduction film. A second transparent electric conduction film (4) is layered over photoelectric conversion layer. A transparent insulating film (6) is formed, accumulating electrodes (5) by laser scribing. Over the insulating film, a back side reflection film (7) is formed.    ADVANTAGE -   Prevents poor processing shape and electric short circuit during integrated processing. Improves yield and reliability. Improves photoelectric conversion efficiency.
The mechanism is constructed with a small plate disk (B) placed concentrically to a large plate disk (A). Weights (D) are hung from the plate through string wound around them. The disks are rotated through the hanging weight from which the turning effort of the disks are converted into power.    ADVANTAGE -   Provides energy source which is not harmful to environment.
The device has a solar cell (2) with solar-battery module sticked at the surface of a transparent substrate (1). The solar-battery module is supported by a frame (6).    The frame has a slit (7) which attaches the edge of the solar-battery module. A partial dent (8) is set in the depth of the slit. A generated output derivation lead wire (5) from the solar-battery module is then positioned through the dent.    ADVANTAGE -   Prevents lead wire from being pressed from solar-battery module and frame. Provides high reliability and prevents disconnection accident and insulation defect of lead wire.
The system has a solar-battery array connecting two or more solar-battery modules (1) in parallel. The DC voltage output of each solar-battery module is regulated by a voltage regulator (8) before conversion.    The DC power output from the solar-battery array is converted to an AC power by an inverter (7). The AC power is then supplied to the load.    ADVANTAGE -   Provides maximum power from solar-battery modules for electricity generation.
The appts has a sensor (7) mounted in the inner side of the main part. The main part also has a solar light reception surface part formed on a plane which has a cylinder like curved surface or a slope. Multiple slits (9) are provided in a vertical direction at the light receiving surface part. Each slit is overlapped at their termination.    ADVANTAGE -   Provides simplified structure. Enables to turn pumping reflector in direction of sun. Condenses solar light efficiently.
The coupling comprises a primary air-cored centre-tapped inductance coil (1), inductively coupled to a load, and driven by an oscillatory resonant tank circuit (1a,1b,2). Two switching transistors (5a,5b) are each coupled to a respective side of the tank circuit. A current source such as +Vin, Ov is connected by the switches across alternate sides of the tank circuit at its resonant frequency.    A drive circuit is arranged such that in use the current through the primary coil is at least twice the current through either of the switches. The switches (5a,5b) may be bipolars, FETs, IGBTs, or GTO thyristors and are controlled by FETs (12a,12b) alternately switched by an oscillator.    USE/ADVANTAGE -   For radar antennae and spacecraft. Is possible to have very high currents through primary coil whilst having relatively low currents through each of the switching elements. Losses associated with switching element are fairly small. Current in primary can be almost a pure sinusoid, reducing problems associated with harmonics interfering with other equipment.
The energy generator has a gas-tight container (1) floating    on the water surface and tipped periodically in response to the    wave motion. The container houses at least one plate capacitor    (3,4) and a liquid dielectric (2). The periodic tipping movement    causes a variation in the capacitance of the plate capacitor. A    switching device charges the capacitor at a low voltage and    discharging it at a high voltage.    Pref. the space above the surface of the liquid dielectric is filled with an insulating gas. The plate capacitor is coupled to a DC source to charge the capacitor when its immersion depth in the liquid dielectric decreases and its capacitance increases.    ADVANTAGE -   Prevents corrosion of capacitor plates by direct immersion in seawater.
The system has a warm sea water pump (402) whose output is split to feed a flash evaporator (406) with several flash spouts (408). The fresh water condenser (412) uses cold sea water provided by a pump (414) and outputs fresh desalinated water as a primary product.    In contrast, warm sea water can be sent partly to the flash evaporator (406) and partly to an ammonia evaporator (418) feeding a turbine (422) to generate electrical power.    USE/ADVANTAGE -   System uses combined evaporator-condenser with mist eliminator and evaporator spouts at constant low pressure while developing enough electrical power to meet operational requirements within system.
The method involves limiting an upper bound of a guide vane close speed to a first fixed value which is more than the value of a number of predetermined openings (45-47). Whenever the openings of the guide vane is less than the fixed opening value, the upper bound of the guide vane close speed is fixed to a second value which is lower than the first fixed value.    Afterwards, the rotary speed of a reversible pump turbine is detected. The limiting of the upper bound of a guide vane close speed selector (29) to a corresponding second fixed value is made once the detected rotary speed is higher than the rated predetermined rotary speed of a reversible pump turbine.    ADVANTAGE -   Ensures safety by preventing generation of abnormal water hammer hydraulic pressure to upstream and downstream of water mill whenever breakdown occurs. Improves reliability of guide vane close speed selector.
The structure has a water mill chamber (3) which accommodates a water mill (6), connected in between the terminals of a water service pipe. The water current that lies above the water mill is narrowed down by a guide board which is formed along the opening side of a water pipe.    An electric power generator motor rotary shaft (13) transmits the rotary action of a gear wheel (10) that is connected to a rotary shaft (4) of the water mill, towards an electric power generator motor (12).    ADVANTAGE -   Generates electric power through energy made by water current inside water service pipe. Provides electric power needed in purposes such as illumination. Uses energy effectively.
The thermoelectricity generation object consists of a number of connection parts. The connection parts connects a number of n-type semiconductor which in turn connected with p- type semiconductor. A first insulator fixes the connection part. A set of thermoelectric elements (101a, 101b) generates an emf based on the seebeck effect observed in a second insulator.    A number of charging state detectors (104) outputs charge detection signal according the charging state in a charging unit (103). Based on the detection signal, a selection circuit (102) selects one of the thermoelectric elements.    ADVANTAGE -   Excels in portability. Improves reliability. Increases efficiency. Prevents loss. Provides high environmental adaptability.
The light collecting device (3) has a hollow casing (5) with an at least partly reflective inner surface and has entrance (6) and exit (7) openings for light where the novelty is that a dichroitic mirror (9) is located at the light inlet opening (6) and on the light incidence side of the mirror (9) is placed a fluorescent material (10) which has an absorption spectrum which lies at least partly outside the transmission wavelength region of the dichroitic mirror (9).    The light entrance (6) and exit (7) openings can be arranged on parallel or mutually inclined planes. The fluorescent material is contained in a plate or foil (10 which is itself transparent to the emission spectrum of the fluorescent material. The fluorescent material is applied to at least part of the inner surface of the casing (5) and/or to the back surface of the dichroitic (9). A scintillator material (2) is provided at, or applied to the incident surface side of the dichroitic mirror (9). A light receiving device (4), which can be a current generating element, is arranged at the light exit opening (7). The inner surfaces of the casing are, in part, shaped as a diffuser. The light entrance opening (6) is larger than the light exit opening (7). At least part of the casing (5) can contain a fluid or solid material which is transparent for the emission spectrum of the fluorescent material, and which can itself be the fluorescent material.    USE/ADVANTAGE -   To collect light, esp. solar rays, for input to devices such as photo-cells, photo-multipliers, photo-diodes, photo-conductive cells and avalanche photo-diodes. Enables higher concentration factors to be achieved without contradicting the Liouville theorem.
The power generator comprises a mass of body which may be of any suitable material such as a block of metal, a sack of cement, a block of stone, concrete, a sack of sand or any material with an appreciable mass. The body is placed on a base plate which is attached to and moves in tandem with a bearing plate. Both the base plate and bearing plate have holes which enable them to slide up and down rods. To the bearing plate is fixed a toothed rack which meshes with a pinion.    When the body falls under gravity it will move the toothed rack which will rotate the pinion thus converting the downward movement of the body into the rotational motion of the pinion and its shaft. This rotation of the pinion and shaft can be used to drive a train of gears which ultimately drive an alternator/dynamo.    USE/ADVANTAGE -   As permanent primary power source for industry, homes replacing existing grid supplies. For camper vans, submarines, independent mobile military units, etc. For giving on-the-spot electrical power in remote and difficult terrain and on sites of natural and man made disasters where electrical power is required urgently. Complete independence of other fuel sources resulting in low operating costs. Simple operation and pollution-free.
The device converts the longitudinal downward motion of the body e.g. sack of sand, metal block, waterdrum (Mg) falling under gravity into the rotary motion of the worm wheel, shaft and main sprocket wheel which comprise the dynamo/alternator.    USE/ADVANTAGE -   Permanent primary power source for industry, home. Independent of any other fuel. Non-polluting hence environmentally clean. Is portable.
The unit contains bunker (1) for input component as nitrites of alkaline metals, e.g. LiNO2, NaNO2, KNO2; reservoir (2) for catalyst as iodine; reservoir (3) for water with pump (4), oxidation reactor (5) of gas-liquid type, reduction reactor (6), reservoir-storage (7) for hydrogen, heat-exchanger (8), cooler (9), adsorbers (10), condensers (11, 12) for water vapour and heat-generator (13) contg. electromagnetic inductor (14), coil (15) built in thermo-insulated housing of heat-accumulator (16); transport system (17-20), additional pump (21), lines (22-25), spiral shafts (26-28); system for transport of liquid and gaseous agents contg. line (29), valves (30, 31), coil-pipe (32), lines (33, 34), valve (35), lines (36, 37), valves (38, 41). The reactors for oxidation and reduction are mounted in the same thermo-insulated housing at different levels together with heat-accumulator filled with liquid heat-carrier (42) as e.g. lithium hydride or eutectic mixtures of fluorides of sodium, magnesium, calcium, or lithium with melting point in the range 450-590C, or oxides of beryllium, magnesium, aluminium, or silicon with melting point above 1000C.    USE -   In chemical technology and power generation; in units for prodn. of hydrogen useful as high-calorie fuel for power plants operated with liquid and gaseous fuels on board vessels marine and underwater of large displacement, ice breakers; in electrical power plants and in chemical industry for obtaining large quantities of hydrogen.    ADVANTAGE -   Reduced cost of process due to reduced energy consumption and excluded losses of input components due to reuse; also widened functional possibilities due to output of oxygen as by-prod. with simplified technology; closed cycle of thermochemical decomposition of water with input of nitrites of alkaline metals, iodine as catalyst, and regeneration of input component.
The clock has a case (3) in which a mobile body (6) and a thermoelectric generator (7) are installed. A back lid (1) is provided at the bottom. A wind screen (4) is provided at the case. A frame (2) is installed between the case and the back lid.    A dial (5) is provided on the mobile body. The one end of the thermoelectric generator touches the back lid, while the outer end touches the case. A sheet (8) containing insulated material is provided in the surface of the back lid. A film (9) of mirror finished surface is provided on the sheet.    ADVANTAGE -   Prevents heat radiation, conduction and transmission. Improves thermal efficiency. Reduces useless heat loss. Enables to continue temperature gradient.
The generator comprises a pair of energy receiving chambers (A,B) and a power generation chamber (C). The energy receiving chamber receives the waves and drives a high speed turbine. The motion of the turbine is transferred through a gear train and clutch system to a power generation dynamo (27) installed in the power generation chamber through a shaft coupling (17). Thus the electric power generation unit utilizes the property of buoyancy and break water into generation of electric power.    ADVANTAGE -   Offers highly effective power generation system. Facilitates power generation at large scale or small scale.
The power generator comprises a float (2) provided with a rudder (3) which supports a water mill (1). The water mill drives a dynamo (4) through a shaft while it rotates due to flow of water. A battery (7) is charged by the motion of the dynamo through a lead (5).    ADVANTAGE -   Generates power continuously for over 24hours. Facilitates charging of batteries.
The sealing device has a metallic packing (8) having a wear and abrasion resistance composite member (8a) fixed on a U- shaped elastic part (8b). The packing is placed in a groove (5b) provided in a bearing (5a) fitted in bottom ring (5). The hydraulic pressure acting on the end face (1c) of the guide vane (1), presses the packing and the elastic body takes the shape of the guide vane surface with distributed pressure.    ADVANTAGE -   Provides effective sealing. Avoids damage to packing. Offers less braking action to guide vane. Facilitates smoother operation.
The power generator comprises a garbage incinerator (2). A heating tube (3) is placed inside the incinerator. The heating tube supplies steam to a super heating tube (6) through a first steam transportation tube (21). The super heating tube along with a second super heater tube (7), a burner (9) and a heating tube (8), is placed inside a steam temperature rising furnace (5).    A blower (19) is used to supply the combustion air to this steam temperature rising furnace. The burner burns a combustion fuel and the super heated steam from super heating tube flows to a high pressure turbine (12) through a second steam transportation tube (22).    The turbine supplies steam to the second super heater tube through a third steam transportation tube (23). The second super heated steam is supplied to a reheating turbine (13) through a fourth steam transportation tube (24). The reheating turbine drives a dynamo (14). The exhaust steam from this reheating turbine is recycled through the high pressure turbine and the second super heating tube.    ADVANTAGE -   Improves thermal efficiency. Maintains dryness fraction of steam within allowed value. Improves power generation efficiency. Prevents rusting by removing moisture content.
The power generator comprises a garbage incinerator (2) inside which boiler tubes (3) are arranged to generate steam. An oil fired furnace (5) which houses superheater tubes (7) and re- heater tubes (8), supplies superheated steam and re-heated steam to a steam turbine (11) comprising a high pressure turbine part (12) and a re-heat steam turbine part (13). The steam turbine drives a dynamo (14) to generate power. The furnace is provided with an oil burner (9) and a fan (25) to supply hot air for combustion.    ADVANTAGE -   Employs steam turbine with high pressure turbine part and re-heat turbine part, eliminating need for excessive superheating of steam. Prevents corrosion of parts due to high temperature. Enables use of collection oil in furnace used for superheating and re-heating steam. Reduces cost of operation.
The mechanism has a board main body (11) with an attachment board (10) that is fixed to a wall (1) by two mounting screws (2). A board hook (12), which is formed on the upper part of the attachment board, engages to the mounting hook (21) provided on the upper part of the mounting part of an appts.    A holder (13), which is formed on the lower part of the attachment board, is provided to hold the bottom of the appts. mounting part. A fixing screw (3) is fastened to the appts. mounting part bottom through an insertion hole (14) provided on the holder.    ADVANTAGE -   Enables easy mounting of electrical appts. on wall, and enables easy pull out of appts. power supply cable from wall hole.
The frame and seal includes a roof frame (2) with frame profiles (1) and intermediate profiles (3). The frame holds several solar collectors in adjacent or stacked configuration. A peripheral groove is located laterally outside within the frame profile of the collectors and has longitudinal grooves on horizontal inner surfaces for elastic sealing elements, forming a cover frame round the collector field.    The sealing elements comprise of an inserting profile pref. with sealing strips arranged in a fine needle pattern. Pref. an elastic intermediate to profile is located in the groove between the collectors and comprises at one profile end at least one recess, from which cover flaps are formed.    USE/ADVANTAGE -   Also for roof window. Easy to fit, elastic foldable system even for large surfaces and complete sealing. Doesn't leak even under heavy storm.
Forming a plasma-polymerised organo-silicone film on a surface of a substrate comprises: (a) providing the substrate within a reaction zone of a reaction vessel; (b) providing a vacuum of 10-3 - 1 Torr in the reaction vessel; (c) forming a plasma of reaction gases from organo-silicone monomer and excess oxygen while flowing the reaction gases perpendicular to the surface of the substrate; (d) intensifying the plasma by magnetic confinement of at least 100 gauss to form a concn. reaction plasma using magnetic confinement positioned within the reaction zone at a point adjacent to and extending into the conc. reaction plasma; and (e) continuing the film formation to a thickness of 2-8 micron.    USE -   The method is used to form (transparent) protective coatings, e.g. abrasion-resistant coating, on substrates, e.g. optical lenses, plumbing fixtures, vanes used in aircraft engines, optical memory disks, tapes and cards, glazing, camcorder and camera casings, aircraft windows, solar panels, LCD windows, fibres, etc..    ADVANTAGE -   The method provides an adherent, very hard, non-cracking coating using a simple process scheme requiring fewer steps than prior art processes. A coated thin plastic film may be folded and creased without cracking the coating.
The platform includes a centrally located cold water pipe which is suspended from a center column that is open at both the top and the bottom. The platform further includes multiple columns surrounding the cold water pipe. The columns extend from above the sea surface to deep depths below the sea surface. The OTEC platform also includes multiple power modules.    The power modules are submersed below the sea surface and are utilized to provide stability to the platform. Moreover, the power modules are dispersed around the columns to provide additional stability. The columns may be proximate the center column or may be placed an extended distance from the center column.    ADVANTAGE -   Provides high stability needed for OTEC applications.
The method involves pouring of water into a gas-air two-phase flow transport tube upon arrival from a pit head in a terrestrial heat geothermal fluid production well at a separator.    The water is diluted so that the density of the hot water silicon dioxide is not saturated. Dust and hot water mist is then removed from the terrestrial heat fluid transport tube.    ADVANTAGE -   Increases purity of steam and decreases hot water which gushes from geothermal well. Prevents scale extraction in hot water.
The mill (10) has a thrust bearing provided in a runner main shaft. A runner cone salience part (10g) sticks out downward to the lower end of a water mill runner (10b). A recess is engaged to the runner cone salience part keeping a small space to the top end of a draft central prop opposite the salience part.    A small space (12d) introduces part of the pressure water which rotates and drives the water mill runner between the lower cone of the moody draft type vertical water mill and the upper central prop. The thrust load of the thrust bearing is reduced while driving.    USE/ADVANTAGE -   Reduces thrust bearing load thus giving buoyancy to water mill runner under drive. Decreases temp. rise of lubricant while lubricating thrust bearing and decreases occurrence of thrust bearing breakdown.
The electric power generation device includes a wind energy conversion system (1) which is installed on an upper deck (3) and a hydraulic generation equipment. A cultivation device (9) is established in the empty space formed between inner decks (10) to which a fishery cultivation raft (7) is connected. Water flowing between an outer board (4) and a waves defence part (6) is used for fishery cultivation.    ADVANTAGE -   Enables fishing and farm product cultivation simultaneously.
The automatic solar tracker has a number of solar batteries (3) divided by a shading part (11) and fixed on a control part (6) connected to an optical collector (1). An actuator (2) changes the direction of the batteries to that where the electric power generation in each battery segment is equal, thus indicating optimum orientation.    The actuator is driven by the control part. A resetting part resets the direction of the solar battery to a preset original direction, when the generated electric power falls below a predetermined value.    ADVANTAGE -   Does not required external power supply, thus enables automatic operation even when early morning, by having automatic reset direction when e.g. sun sets.
Each of the energy recovery devices (1) arranged and interconnected in a row incorporates a movable pick-up (2) on a fixed support (6) with energy storage devices (3) for restoring the movable portion to its initial position.    The kinetic component of the energy is converted (4) for transmission to an operational or storage medium and/or a carrier (5). part of the energy is stored and the remainder is output (7). When the load on the pick-up is removed the energy is released from the storage devices.    USE/ADVANTAGE -   For utilisation of regenerative energy donors e.g. in wind-, water-, solar/wind- and other systems. Ecologically favourable, use-oriented and free-standing energy recovery is achieved without prodn. of exhaust or consumption of additional resources and space.
An electricity-generating scuba-diving flipper has an opening to engage a foot and piezoelectric elements pref. formed by sections, layers or blocks of polyvinylidene fluoride embedded into the neutrally buoyant material forming one or more flipper surfaces. The element converts stress created on the flipper surfaces in use into electrical power which may be rectified using a diode, voltage-converted and/or stored for use.    USE -   For powering e.g. a light, communication device, photographic equipment, location identifier, sonar transducer or battery recharger.    ADVANTAGE -   Uses natural movement and otherwise wasted energy, and eliminates the need to carry power packs.
The generator includes a thermionic energy converter with a heat input surface, a heat output surface, and first electrical connectors from which the thermionic energy converter furnishes electrical power at a first voltage and a first current. An alkali metal thermal to electric converter has a heat input surface, a heat output surface, and second electrical connectors from which the alkali metal thermal to electric converter furnishes electrical power at a second voltage and a second current when heat is applied to its heat input surface.    A heat transfer apparatus is thermally connected to the thermionic energy converter's heat output surface at a first heat transfer surface and to the alkali metal thermal to electric converter's heat input surface at a second heat transfer surface.    USE/ADVANTAGE -   As alkali metal thermal to electric power converter. Higher conversion efficiency.
The appts. includes a thermionic receptacle (3) which supplies power to an external load. A combustion receptacle (4) forms the degree place for operation of the high temperature receptacle.    The combustion receptacle is of the heat accumulated type combustion (6b) which performs the excess combustion. Air for combustion is supplied to the heat accumulated combustion type receptacle.    ADVANTAGE -   Effectively uses heat energy and secures big quantity of electricity generation. Adds effect to appts.
The solar battery has a P type crystal silicon substrate (5) which is connected to an N type layer. A P type diamond thin film (6) is placed opposite to the junction surface. The diamond thin film has high concentration than that of crystal silicon substrate. The crystal silicon substrate is formed with two layers of different conductivities.    ADVANTAGE -   Improves corrosion efficiency. Reduces quantity of light absorption.
N-type thermoelectric material consists of iron silicide contg. Cu and Co having compsn. of: Fex Si2 Coy Cuz , where x is 0.7-1.1; y is 0.01-0.1; and z is 0.01-0.1. Iron silicide is a mixed structure of -phase represented by FeSi2and -phase represented by FeSi and Cu exists in -phase.    ADVANTAGE -   The process provides n-type thermoelectric material to improve output factor P-value at high temp. range.
The converter has a heat supply unit (100) which heats a high temperature medium (300). A high temperature medium circulation pipe line (200) circulates the high temperature medium into a high temperature heat transfer part (501).    A heat dissipation unit (600) cools a low temperature medium (800) which is circulated by a low temperature medium circulation pipe line (700) into a low temperature transfer part (502). An electricity generation part (500) consists of a thermoelectric transducer (530) is installed between the high and low temperature heat transfer parts.    ADVANTAGE -   Increases conversion efficiency. Generates electricity. Reduces power required for circulation of each heat medium. Controls temperature rise.
The method involves preparing a cell sandwich (32) with spheres (4) mounted on a foil matrix (2) between upper and lower pressure pads (34,36) each comprising layers of compliant sheets coated with a release coat layer. The sandwich is then heated to about 530 degrees C.    The spheres are then fixed to the matrix by directing the cell sandwich through a roll press (48) which sequentially compresses the heated cell sandwich. The sandwich is placed inside a clamshell.    ADVANTAGE -   Provides process flow allowing continuous throughput under uniform pressure.
The conversion system includes a desalination unit receiving warm sea water which is flash evaporated to produce steam. The steam is condensed with a working fluid. The working fluid is then evaporated.    A turbogenerator receives the warm sea water, evaporates the working fluid at the natural depth of the received warm sea water to produce a working vapour. Using the turbogenerator (106) electrical energy is produced from the working vapour and the evaporated working fluid. The working vapour and the evaporated working fluid is condensed with cold sea water at the natural depth of the cold sea water.    ADVANTAGE -   Provides improved ocean thermal energy conversion system.
The method involves heating a fluid, contained in a vessel in a liquid state, by heat exchange with a heat source to generate a vapour of the fluid at a first elevation, causing the vapour of the fluid to rise to a second elevation within an enclosed space, and condensing the vapour of the fluid at the second elevation by heat exchange with a cold source. The condensed fluid is then caused to fall from the second elevation, with the energy of the falling fluid being converted to another form of energy. The fallen fluid is returned to the vessel. The steps of heating the fluid, causing it to rise and condensing the vapour, occur at a pressure where the fluid vaporises at a temperature equal to the temperature of the exterior environment.    A regulator controls the rate of heating, condensing and energy conversion, the regulator receiving inputs from temperature, pressure and fluid flow sensors positioned within the apparatus and at least one temperature sensor outside the apparatus and, based on input data provided by the sensors, regulates the rate of heating, condensing and energy conversion.    ADVANTAGE -   Can operate in locations where there is no naturally-occurring temp. differential between hot and cold source.
The device has several units (4), set up under a road (3), which collect vibration energy of the moving objects on the road. The energy collected by the units is generated into electricity by a dynamo (5). The electricity generated by the dynamo is temporarily stored in a double layer electric capacitor (6).    ADVANTAGE -   Achieves energy conservation without pollution. Widens operating temp. limit since power density of capacitor is large. Enables shorter charging time and promotes maintenance free structure.
The system uses a terrestrial heat source to heat the water in a steam boiler provided with a coolant. The temp. of boiling water in the steam boiler is raised by pressurizing it with the replenishing water from a river at a higher position than the boiler.    ADVANTAGE -   Efficiently obtains electric power generation because it improves pressure of steam boiler.
The device consists of a generator/motor (12) and a reversible pump turbine (13). A proper rotational speed generator (1) outputs the rotational drive instruction inputting the net pump head and gross head. The output of the electric motor/generator is controlled by an electric motor controller (5) inputting the output of an adding appts., that adds the output signals of the electric motor drive output instruction (Pi) and the rotational speed controller.    A reference value generator (14) outputs a reference value signal of the electric motor drive output instruction and inputs the net pump head and the gross head. The reference value generator outputs the electric motor drive output instruction when it exceeds the reference value signal after comparing. A lower bound limitation appts. (15) outputs the electric motor drive output instruction when it is lower than the reference value signal and this output signal is substituted for the electric motor drive output instruction and is input to the adding appts..    ADVANTAGE -   Prevents rotational speed from decreasing since lower bound is limited, thus preventing rushing into backflow area.
The condenser (1) has a cooling part (2) which condenses the steam. The condensed water is then stored in a hot water tank (3). The piping system is installed under the surface of the hot water tank and circulates water from the hot water tank. A heater (17) heats the circulating water.    ADVANTAGE -   Facilitates efficient use of thermal energy. Improves de-aerating efficiency. Shortens starting time of condenser.
In a procedure for controlling the power output of a wind power plant with a super-sync current converter stage, the induction generator is run at, or below, synchronous speed and is DC-excited using electronics on the stator side. The total mechanical power of the wind turbine rotor is fed into the electrical grid via the conventional converter cascade on the rotor side. The 3-phase AC regulator[6] is fully connected for AC excitation of the generator. The transition into DC-excited operation takes place by switching off the valves of the AC regulator and switching on those of the DC regulator [7].    ADVANTAGE -   Rotor-side converter cascade between electrical grid and rotor windings are operated without interruption, whilst only the stator is changed over from AC-to-DC excitation.
A procedure for controlled transmission of power of constant time average from a wind power plant with induction generators in super-sync operation into a network with constant parameters requires having the rotor current held constant by a conventional electronic regulator.    The set-point for the rotor excitation is proportional to the mean stator power output which is fed into the network. It is also proportional to the mean value of the total, ie stator plus rotor, power fed into the network. The set-point is adjusted if the abandonment of a defined change region of rotor speed as the result of the change of mean mechanical power as a function of the wind rising should be prevented.    ADVANTAGE -   Speed of rotor within a defined change region can be freely adjusted so that torque changes occurring with a stochastic distribution cause a positive or negative acceleration of the rotor
The energy concentration device comprises the main collector dish (MR), a supplementary reflector (SR) and a receiver (P). Radiant energy, such as solar energy is reflected from the main collector to a zone on the supplementary reflector which is then focused to the receiver.    In this way the receiver is positioned substantially at the focal point of the supplementary reflector to receive the energy reflected from it. The main collector can be constructed of a number of flat or curved reflector panels.    ADVANTAGE -   Provides solar concentrating collector with increased capability, capacity and usefulness.
The energy production appts. includes a hydraulically and thermally connected or isolated device (11) for diffusion operations having input flows of at least one solution with a solute whose solubility is sensitive to temperature variations. The solution produces at least two output flows at different concentrations of the solute.    The appts. also has at least one dosage device (12) and at least one second device (13) for diffusion operations for the transfer of matter by osmosis between the two flows. The second device has at least two input flows which are conveyed to a generator unit (14). The apparatus is distributed so that the first device is located in a second region that is at a lower temperature than a first region, where the second device is located.    ADVANTAGE -   Capable of safely producing and/or absorbing energy to make low-energy-level heat sources economically usable. Use of e.g. potassium nitrate solute entails practically no pollution or toxicity risk, so that appts. does not particular attentions as regards monitoring and safety.
The energy conversion method involves using a number of inflation devices (50a to 50f) which are linked together to form a loop (48) that is movably restrained in a body of water (24). The loop operates in a substantially vertical orientation and is generally immersed in the body of water except for the topmost segment at which point each inflated device is deflated by a compression facility (52).    The buoyancy of the inflated devices on the loop cause then to rise while the deflated devices on the other path of the loop move downwards to be inflated with gas again to ensure their subsequent upward journey. The movement of the inflated devices is used to elevated water (25) that flows, under the force of gravity through a hydroelectric generating facility (28) that generates electricity.    ADVANTAGE -   Efficient system capable of generating harnessable energy over extended period of time yet does not generate unacceptable waste products.
A thermovoltaic cell comprises: (a) a first electrode made of an electrically conductive material; (b) a second electrode made of a metal; and (c) a porous non-metallic solid separator that readily passes gaseous O ions through it located adjacent to and between the 2 electrodes. The first and second electrodes each have a different oxidation-reduction reaction occurring at the interface with the non-metallic separator. A battery of cells is also claimed.    USE -   As high performance cells and batteries.    ADVANTAGE -   High performance conversion of thermal to electrical energy; inexpensive, easily fabricated, non-hazardous.
The station consists of a vertical, sealed cylindrical housing (1) containing an energy converter in the form of a linear power generator, the armature (10) windings of which are situated along the housing while its inductor (9) is in the form of an inertia weight (5) with permanent magnets, able to move up and down on springs (6). The top (2) of the housing is hemispherical in shape, with a radius of curvature equivalent to that of its cylindrical section, and its lower end (4) is spherical with a larger radius. The generator armature windings are attached to the inner wall of the housing, and the inductor magnets are combined in annular sections and situated inside the armature windings. The lower, spherical end of the housing contains a dynamic inertial energy accumulator (11) with a two-way electro-mechanical drive.    ADVANTAGE -   efficient, stable and reliable in operation, forming part of multi-source power supply system. Bul. 17/19.6.95
The panel has a transparent electrode (18) which is inserted in a door or window frame. The transparent electrode is layered in order on a glass substrate (12), semiconductor-light active layer (19), and a metal electrode (20).    A connector individually connects the transparent electrode to an external wiring. A part of the metal electrode is removed to form a permeation part (21). The connector includes a lag terminal (17) which corresponds to a socket (22).    USE/ADVANTAGE -   Used in collecting solar energy as power supply for building, residence, etc. Reduces size of by making lag terminal thin without reducing its cross section. Reduces possibility of disconnection by enlarging cross section of lag terminal.
The secondary battery consists of an ion exchange process film (3) whose one side is set at high temperature and another side at low temperature. The film separates a low temperature side electrode (1) and a high temperature side electrode (2), and low temperature side electrolyte (6) and high temperature side electrolyte (7). These are arranged in an e-shape. A pair of sub-electrodes is set up at either side of ion exchange. The auxiliary tanks (13,14) set at high and low temperature are attached to main electrodes at high and low temperature respectively.    ADVANTAGE -   Enlarges discharge capacitance in case of temperature difference dissolution. Expands applicability.
The micro lens comprises a first surface (13) on which a predetermined number of minute openings (14) are formed. A transparent member (12b) is formed on the first surface. A second surface (15) is placed over the transparent surface. The minute opening formed on the first surface spreads to the second surface, to form a high refraction area (16a) of predetermined number, whose refraction rate is higher than surroundings.    ADVANTAGE -   Achieves highly effective use of light energy. Improves collecting efficiency. Decrease mfg cost.
The equipment comprises a heat recovery tube (19) that is placed loosely in a moat drilling (15) formed underground. The heat recovery tube encloses a working fluid (A). An injection unit (21) injects a heat transmitting fluid (22) in the moat drilling. A fluid circulating unit circulates the heat transmission fluid in and out by pressure difference between space part and earth, between heat recovery tube and moat drilling.    ADVANTAGE -   Prevents environment pollution. Improves heat extraction ability of device.
Affixing a conductive foil sheet to semiconductor members mounted in a conductive foil matrix comprises: (a) providing a cell matrix including the conductive foil matrix with the members mounted therein and an insulating layer disposed on each of the members; (b) removing a portion of the insulating layer from each of the members to expose a portion of the members; (c) forming a cell sandwich between an upper pressure pad and a lower pressure pad, the cell sandwich including the cell matrix and the conductive foil sheet; (d) disposing the cell sandwich within a clamshell; (e) heating the cell sandwich; and (f) affixing the members to the conductive foil sheet by directing the cell sandwich within the clamshell through a roll press thereby compressing the cell sandwich.    Also claimed is a process for making an array of solar cells.    USE -   Used for affixing semiconductor members to a conductive sheet. The process is partic. applicable to solar cell fabrication.    ADVANTAGE -   The process time and costs are reduced. The manufacturability is improved and good ohmic contact is provided.
The water intake unit uses a pump (21) to draw warm water from the deep sea and pumps it to a conversion plant on the land through a hose (5). The pump shaft is fitted perpendicular to the surface of the water.    A drive unit (18) for the pump is fitted above a water tank (15) storing the warm water before supplying it to the conversion plants. The pump is installed below the tank. A drive shaft (20) coupling the pump to the drive unit, passes through the tank.    ADVANTAGE -   Prevents mixture of warm and cold water. Reduces bearing parts and consequently wear and breakdown of components. Decreases cost of parts of intake unit.
The method involves fixing a bag (9) to a rotatable endless belt (8) at fixed intervals and immersed in a liquid. The endless belt is moved upwards by supplying the gas to the bag due to buoyancy. A compressing roller (12) compresses the bag and the bag gets shrunk, lowering the belt. Again, the gas is filled in the other bag that rises in the fluid and the endless belt is continuously rotated.    ADVANTAGE -   Offers permanent power. Eliminates pollution problem. Avoids need for fuels.
The method involves using a buoyancy machine rubber which rotates and which is arranged in a gear ring (1). A deceleration motor (7) is forwarded to bear the buoyancy. The motor is connected to a sending shaft which pushes another shaft and at the same time pushes a slide. Then, the buoyancy machine rubber expands like an umbrella while bearing buoyancy.    ADVANTAGE -   Stops dissolution of electric power storage. Prevents environmental destruction which is caused in case of thermal power generation and nuclear power generation.
The generator has a pressure tank (1) having compressed gas and furnished with a gas release valve (2a). A set of liquid tanks (2, 2') are used for storing liquid. A water mill (4) connected to a dynamo is installed above a saucer container (5) to drain water along the upward direction.    A gas introduction tube (6) connects the pressure tank and liquid tanks through a set of gas introduction valves (6a, 6a'). A discharge pipe (7) connects the liquid tank with an updrain mouth (3) in the saucer through a water draining valve (7a).    ADVANTAGE -   Connects natural energy to compressed energy of gas. Has large practical usage. Suits insulation at remote areas such as isolated island.
The panel includes a hole opening (1a) at its centre. It has radial projection lines (2a) and radial recess lines (2b) alternately arranged around the centre. Several projection line segments (3a) and recess line segments (3b) are alternately connected, crossing the radial lines. The line segments are arranged in three different levels between the hole and periphery of the panel.    Several similar trapezoidal folding parts (4-7) are formed through the intersection of the lines and the line segments in a cobweb-like formation. The folding parts are folded using each recess line segment as hinge. The panel is contractible into an eddy-current type cylinder with height based on division number of folding parts in the most external periphery. The panel expands automatically due to the centrifugal force of the rotating appts. main part where it is installed.    USE/ADVANTAGE -   For space station. Enables reliable automatic deployment operation and large expansion of panel. Accelerates panel expansion when folding part made of sheet surrounded by flexible frame with spring nature is used.
A formation of e.g. six tumbling floats carries the tower of a conventional horizontal-axis wind turbine plant. Each float (1) has a U-section ring (7) around the edge of a circular track (5) with resilient internal teeth (8) whose revolution drives the electric generator (6) mounted on a satellite float (2) with wheels (4) running on the track.    A connecting column (9) in the centre of the main float is jointed on all sides and carries a lashing arm (10) with a shackle hole to prevent carousel rotation.    ADVANTAGE -   The annular structure of the tumbling float is easily and quickly transported and assembled from simple segments and has high stability.
A solar heat collector (10) comprises an evacuated envelope (18) contg. a large area absorber (60), formed from narrow-spaced plates which define an evaporation gap therebetween. The plates extend between a reservoir (40) of heat transfer fluid at one, lower end of the absorber, and a condenser (102) at the other, top end of the absorber.    The narrow gap between the plates causes fluid to be drawn by capillary action from the reservoir towards the condenser. The absorber transfers heat from incident solar radiation to fluid in the evaporation gap.    USE/ADVANTAGE -   Solar heat collector with improved efficiency, conveying heat transfer fluid by capillary action and maintaining optimum exposure of fluid to incident radiation.    Note: The international Search Report on this Patent Specification accepts only Claims 1-7. Further claims for a preformed heat concentrator were not considered to be linked by a single inventive concept.
A prepared substrate assembly (1) for semiconductor film devices comprises: (a) a substrate (2) for supporting a semiconductor film (15); and (b) a single-layer back-contact film (3) deposited on the substrate for bonding the semiconductor film to the substrate. The back-contact film comprises a multiphase film of M-Mo where M = Cu, Ga or mixtures thereof. The film layer has a columnar microstructure to provide regions (4) which are pure Mo and interstitial microchannels (5) of pure ductile M-metal which partially penetrate the film layer. The Mo is inert to constituents of the semiconductor film. The ductile microchannels reduce residual stress in the back contact film and provide good ohmic contact. Upon deposition of the semiconductor layer, the M-metal in the microchannels is partially leached and becomes partly incorporated in the semiconductor film to provide good mechanical adhesion thereof, thus reducing delamination and improving efficiency and fill factor characteristics of the active solar cell layers deposited thereon.    USE -   Useful for solar cell mfr. esp. for copper indium di:selenide (CIS) solar cells.    ADVANTAGE -   Good electrical and mechanical adhesion properties are obtained by the multiphase back-contact layer. Resulting solar cells have greater photovoltaic conversion efficiency, fill factor, uniformity and longer life.
A solar battery contains modules (1) of photo-converters having 2-sided sensitivity and commutated by means of a busbar (2), while wire busbars (3) are connected to the commutating busbar and have loop brackets (4), set at right angles to the surfaces of the photo-converters. Belts (5) are of an electro-insulating material and are tensioned on a body (6) perpendicular to the plane of the modules of photo-converters. Fixing of the modules to the belts is carried out by fixing the brackets in the slots in the belts. This construction reduces the amplitude of any vibrations of the base with the fixed modules of photo-converters and the belts receive any bend loading, increasing the bend rigidity of the solar battery.    USE/ADVANTAGE -   Direct conversion of solar radiation into electrical energy. Better reliability of solar battery. Bul. 17/19.6.95
A solar battery consists of modules of photo-converters (1) with photo-sensitive surfaces and the photo-converters in each module are commutated using busbars (2). Conducting busbars (3) with loops (4) are connected to the commutating busbars and cords (5) of an electro-insulating material are stretched and their ends are fixed to the walls of the body, while partitions (7) of an electro-insulating material prevent electrical shorting between the modules of photo-converters. When the modules are placed on the carrying surface, the loops are bent onto the cores (5), which presses the photo-converters and the modules tightly to the cords. The solar battery can be used in artificial earth satellites and the photo-sensitive surface can generate up to 70% of the energy obtd. form the surface.    USE/ADVANTAGE -   Direct conversion of solar energy into electrical energy. Increased power of battery. Bul. 17/19.6.95
A solar battery is formed of glass-gauze (1), a photo-converter (2) and a fastening (3). The insulating glass-gauze is stretched onto a body and fixing of the photo-converter and their modules onto a carrying surface is carried out by means of the fastening. As a result, the wt. of the construction is reduced and the thermal mode of the photo-converter is improved because of the absence of a glue layer, ie. the heat is emitted directly into the space of the forward side of the photo-converter. This method of fixing of the photo-converter improves the capability of dismantling of the separate photo-converters during failure of 1 of the photo-converters.    USE/ADVANTAGE -   Construction of solar batteries with photo-converters fixed to flexible fabric having electric insulating properties. Improved specific wt. characteristics of solar battery. Bul. 17/19.6.95
The thermoelectric power generator consists of a cylindrical object which contains thermo-electrons emission type P and N type semiconductor and an insulator (8) positioned by turns. Two collector junction parts (2a,2b) are set-up at the peripheral surface and internal circumferential side of the cylindrical object, respectively. A double pipe type heat pipe (6) is formed on the outside of the first collector junction part and a heat pipe for cooling (7) is formed on the inside of the second collector junction part.    ADVANTAGE -   Performs efficient collection and dissipation of heat energy. Improves heat transfer capability and enhances stability of electric power unit. Simplifies structure of heat insulation member and its correspondence to thermal stress. Increases degree of freedom of designing.
The photovoltaic element is formed on a single crystal silicon supporting substrate (1). A silicon dioxide film (2) is formed on the surface of the silicon support substrate. The thickness of the SiO2 film is set as 0.11 - 0.39 micrometers or 0.69 - 0.86 micrometers. The isolation of n-type island domain (3) of pyramid trapezoid in the single crystal silicon of a crystal orientation [1 0 0] is formed SiO2 film. An n+ type contact domain (4) of a long and slender rectangle is formed along with one edge of the upper face of the island domain. A rectangular p-type domain (5) is formed in the remaining portion of the upper surface. Next, SiO2, Si3N4 and two or more steps of TiO2 films are formed resulting in a transparent reflection prevention film (6). A window (7) is opened by selectively etching the reflection prevention film. Then, a connection wiring (8) is formed using a metal such as aluminium.    ADVANTAGE -   Reduces cost. Increases level of generated emf.
The photovoltaic appts. (10) has a transparent electric conduction film (4) which is provided at the light incidence surface of a photoelectric conversion layer (3). A deterioration part (3a) is provided at the edge of the photoelectric conversion layer. An opposing position is included through deterioration part and electric conduction film. A collector pole (5) for current collection is provided on the electric conduction film.    ADVANTAGE -   Reduces quantity of light projected by collector pole at photoelectric conversion layer. Performs sufficient photoelectric conversion.
The photovoltaic appts. has a metal substrate (1) on which a n+ type polycrystal silicon layer (2) and insulation layer (3) are formed. Then, a seed portion (4) is distributed on the silicon and insulation layer. Above the seed portion, a hemispherical n-type polycrystal GaAs layer (5) is formed by vapour phase epitaxy method. Then above the GaAs layer a p-type polycrystal GaAs layer and transparent electric conduction film (7) are formed.    ADVANTAGE -   Improves conversion efficiency by utilising incident light effectively. Provides cheap manufacture of photovoltaic appts.
The method involves using a vacuum tank (11) which has two gas introduction pipes (15,16). Through the first pipe, GeH4 and H2 gases are introduced into the main gas decomposition domain in the vacuum tank through the second tube. The silane gas SiH4 or silane radical system is introduced. The second introduction tube is connected to heater inside the vacuum tank. Before applying silane gas the second introduction tube is heated. Thus a predetermined amount of energy is given to the silane gas. Therefore the Si-H2/Si-H bonding ratio of a SiGe:H film is controlled.    ADVANTAGE -   Provides highly stable and efficient photovoltaic appts.
The current supply device has a number of thermoelements (2) acting as a heat source for warming a thermobattery (1) on one side, which is held at a lower temp., e.g., the room air temp. on the opposite side. The electrical voltage obtained across the thermobattery is fed to the measuring instrument.    The thermobattery is formed in the surface of a substrate (3) via conductor structures (8, 15) of 2 different material together with a large number of closely packed thermoelements, arranged in a flat raster.    USE -   For providing defined voltage in the order of single volts.
The method involves selectively depositing solar modules (2) on a resin layer (1) in a mould which completely surrounds it. After embedding into the paving a glass fibre reinforced plastics laminate (3) is used for the assembly completion. In the laminate is formed a cavity (5).    The cavity shape is obtained by a cup-shaped support inlay (7) with an access branch (6) for a liq. Then an insulation plate (8) and a reflective foil (9) are resin coupled. The glass fibre reinforced laminate is fitted with an outside seal (4), and the formed hybrid collector is removed from the mould, with the laminate forming its rear side.    ADVANTAGE -   Frameless structure suitable even for irregular surfaces on mobile or stationary objects. Optimum utilisation of daylight. Environmentally friendly.
The plant includes the anchored floating platform (1) which is anchored with hawsers (6) and is self adjusting to align across wave motion. It has a doubly curved ramp (13) facing the waves and leading to a shallow basin (14) from which water flows back to sea down through a turbine driving generator.    The platform may be fitted with stiff, self stabilising wave reflectors (2) which deflect and focus the waves towards the ramp. The platform is sufficiently stable to be fitted with windmills to obtain further natural energy.    USE/ADVANTAGE -   Provides stable all-weather power plant for exploitation of wind and wave energy on high seas to give electrical power transmitted ashore via cable.
The assembly includes several photovoltaic modules (104-110), and several preformed spacers, pedestals or supports (112-122). The modules are deposited as a layer on top of a roofing membrane (102). The pre-formed spacers, pedestals or supports are placed below and integrated with or fixed to the modules. The modules are spaced from the membrane by a predetermined distance and allow heat transfer to a convecting fluid.    The roofing assembly may have a tapered profile for orientating modules (204-210) in a direction of increased sun exposure. Phase change material can be used for temperature regulation. The spacers can be made of insulation block to provide spacing and thermal control.    ADVANTAGE -   Simple, low-cost, maximises efficiency, eliminates need for roofing penetrations.
An electrical power generator appts. comprises photon mirror concentrators each having an entrance aperture and an exit aperture; photon converters in proximity to the exit apertures, the mirror concentrators forming first electrodes of the photon converters, an electrically insulating material on back surfaces of the first electrodes. The photon converters convert energy in photons received directly or indirectly from the mirror concentrator to electrical energy.    A method for forming the mirrors is disclosed.    USE -   Electrical power generation using mirror photon concentrators.    ADVANTAGE -   Improved efficiency and semiconductor utilisation; high vol. prodn. reduced mfg. costs; good durability; application to a wide variety of existing power generating device types.
The tipping device is used to tip the planar mirror in 2 different directions, relative to a fixed ground plane. The mirror plane is attached to the ground plane via an auxiliary plane, which can pivot about an axis relative to the ground plane. The mirror plane is pivoted about a second axis at 90 degrees to the first axis relative to the auxiliary plane.    Pref. the tipping is controlled by a pair of independently-controlled electromechanical, pneumatic, or hydraulic setting elements, secured to the ground plane.    ADVANTAGE -   Simple tipping mechanism suitable for solar-tracking mirror installed in domestic dwelling.
The mirror is pivoted in 2 perpendicular directions for following the movement of the sun and directing the reflected solar energy onto a target point. A plate is secured to the mirror parallel to the mirror surface, with guide slots in the surface of the plate, equi-angularly spaced around a central point (A), with the mirror pivot axes passing through the latter.    The position of the sun is detected by a radiation sensor, coupled to rods fitted in each of the guide slots and at the centre of the plate, with corresponding positioning of the mirror via a setting drive controlled by the radiation sensor.    USE -   For domestic installation used to direct sunlight into living area, or onto solar energy panel.
A procedure for generating DC using relative movement between a coil (4) and a magnet within it. A suspension (5) of magnetic particles in a fluid flow through the coil. The flow is due to natural convection or by the application of heat. The heat being created by a hot gas, a burner, or solar energy. The flow speed of the suspension is supported by local evaporation and condensation within the system.    The suspension is in a closed loop (1). If solar energy is used for heating, there is a parabolic reflector. There is also a cooling section (3) for the loop. Both heated and cooled sections have ribs (8).    ADVANTAGE -   Inexpensive and energy-saving method to generate DC.
The power plant, with long-term energy storage, has a number of parabolic reflectors (1), which are axially rotatable and vertically pivoted, for obtaining the optimum solar energy/signal reception position. The reflectors are coupled via an energy-/signal-amplifier system to a solar energy supply system and a signal reception device for extra-terrestrial signals.    Pref. the parabolic reflectors are associated with planar optical mirrors (2, 3) and a multi-facetted mirror (4), positioned centrally over a shaft (6) associated with a long-term energy store (8), beneath the surface of the ground. A signal reflector (5) contained in the shaft reflects the received signals onto an above-ground signal reception device (11).    ADVANTAGE -   Low installation costs for combined solar energy generation and extra-terrestrial signal reception.
The module has several solar cells (1) electrically connected between a back-side structure (4) and a transparent glass. It sets a frame structure (6) at the periphery of the back-side structure and transparent glass. The transparent glass colour is almost unity except for the part which faces the frame structure against the solar cell.    ADVANTAGE -   Reduces solar light, carries few viewable colour by having numerous solar cells which supported between backside structure and transparent glass.
The device has a first electrode layer (30), an SC light active layer (60) and a second electrode layer (70) electrically connected in series by connection domains. The connection domains with the greater thickness form electric power generation drains (20).    A first electrode (30c) is positioned on the insulated surface of a substrate (10). A protection film (150) is bonded by thermocompression on entire second electrode (70c) through a thermoplastic resin adhesive agent (160) at a temperature of more than 120 degree centigrade.    ADVANTAGE -   Provides thin adhesive agent on connection domain. Avoids generation of internal stress. Avoids generation of wrinkles.
The semiconductor has a substrate (10) which consists of an insulated surface, a first electrode layer (30c), a light active layer (60c),    and a second electrode layer (70c). An output terminal domain which has a metal foil (140c) is provided which carries a solder plate on the extended part from one of the electrode layer.    ADVANTAGE -   Provides small thickness of output terminal domain, reduces output loss and enables output to derive outside by having metal foil.
The solar modulus is made by building up alternate layers of thin solar cell material (E2, E4) and TCO-electrode material (E1, E3, E5) on a transparent substrate (1). The solar cell material which may be pin- or nip-type is structured to interconnect them by using a laser beam. This produces solar cells within one layer with a parallel connection and solar cells in different layers with series connection. By focussing the laser beam on the bottom surface of the first solar cell material (semi-conductor), this material is blown off from the bottom electrode material and in the cases where other material is on top of this layer, such as material from layers (E3, E4, E5), this is removed at the same time.    USE -   Used as photo-voltaic cells.    ADVANTAGE -   By blowing off the material instead of vaporising, there is less danger of producing unwanted structure lines which could lead to short circuits, because the energy required for structuring is independent of the depth of the lines, the process is quicker and consumes less energy.
The system includes a heat exchanger (102,110) which receives energy from a solar energy collector and heats gases to drive a gas turbine with an air inlet (116 ), a compressor (100), an expansion chamber and a turbine (112). The turbine is rotated by gases from the expansion chamber.    The compressor provides compressed air to the two-part heat exchanger which raises the temp. of the compressed air to over 800C. The first heat exchanger section (104,108) is heated by solar energy and the other section (102) recovers latent heat.    USE/ADVANTAGE -   For use in helicopter or aircraft. Electrical generator may be driven by turbine which utilises solar power with enhanced efficiency.
The power production method involves separating the geothermal fluid from a well at a pressure of at leat 6 atmospheres absolute into steam containing gaseous CO2 and the other minor constituents of non-condensable gases, and geothermal liquid. The steam is supplied to a steam turbine for producing power, and lower pressure steam is supplied from the steam turbine after power has been produced to at least one steam condenser operating at a pressure above atmospheric pressure indirectly cooled by an organic fluid for producing steam condensate and organic fluid vapour. Carbon dioxide and other minor constituents are extracted from the steam condenser at a pressure above atmospheric pressure and the CO2 and minor constituents are compressed to above the injection well pressure to reduce the power consumption of the compressor used.    The organic fluid vapour is supplied to at least one organic turbine for producing power and lower pressure organic fluid is supplied from the organic turbine to at least one air-cooled condenser for producing organic fluid condensate which is supplied to a preheater for preheating the condensate with steam condensate. The geothermal liquid is supplied to another preheater. The compressed CO2 and minor constituents are then mixed with cooled steam condensate and cooled geothermal liquid, before being injected back into the well.    ADVANTAGE -   Enhances prevention of non-condensable gases often containing large quantities of CO2 and other minor constituents from exhausting into atmosphere.
The generator has a balancer (3) that contains same weight on both ends. The balancer have a balance fulcrum (5) which evaluates the difference in distance of weight pressure cone apex individually. The balancer does an inclination movement that produces a kinetic energy.    The kinetic energy is regarded as a gravity potential energy to the hanging weight which is saved on a flywheel (26). The flywheel serves as rotational kinetic energy. Repeating inclination movement of the balance generates an electric power energy.    ADVANTAGE -   No need for natural features, i.e. sunny or windy climate, proximity to river or sea etc. Non-polluting, no noise, no fuel. Cheap energy supply.
The machine (1) has the steam separator (20) that separates mixed flow body supplied to exhaust tube (10b) of air and water, and simultaneously isolates by pressing water surface of the draft tube (8). Then it separates the water.    It drives air in the runner (3) room of the machinery such as the water mill or reversible pump turbine. And the idling drives the runner being filled. The machinery, exhausts water in the runner by pressing up the air to the surface of the water of draft tube through exhaust tube.    ADVANTAGE -   Prevents air in runner room from decreasing. Prevents vibration and torque variation generated by temperature rise.
The method involves the dropping of sea water from the elevated sea water tank to the power generating unit, to generate electric power. Then returns the sea water to the sea after being used, and fills it again if electric power is needed.    It has a cylindrical water tank (1) which has an inside and outside wall that is made up of ceramic and concrete anticorrosive materials. It installs water pipe (2,3) and longest prop (4) for the power generation and uses a pump for supplying the tank with water.    ADVANTAGE -   Constant supply.
The apparatus includes a cap (6) for a cap attaching portion (3) which is closed in a necessary space for the division of runner (7), installed at the cap attaching portion providing the head cover (1), bottom ring (2), and assumed individually by putting a runner division beforehand.    ADVANTAGE -   Allows new method of time division.
The light source direction sensor consists of four identical photosensitive sensors (1-4) mounted concentrically on a hemisphere equidistant from each other and at the same inclination to the surface normal.    The sensors may also be mounted on a pyramid structure. The sensors are connected to a tracking system for solar generator arrays, also may be used in a navigation system. The sensors are covered by glass filters to protect against overheating.    ADVANTAGE -   Used in conjunction with solar array, array efficiency is increased.
Thermal and/or electric energy is generated from solar radiation by a solar collector (2) with an absorber (4). The latter is surrounded, at least in part-sections energy concentrator (6), optically focussing the solar radiation onto the absorber.    The energy concentrator comprises a prism assembly (12) in at least one peripheral region, corresp. to the daily sun travel. The assembly is irradiated with sunlight and consists of of axial, adjacent prisms (14), parallel to the absorber and peripherally distributed. They may have convex outer faces (20) on the side facing the sunlight.    ADVANTAGE -   Improved, low-cost concentration fctor and consequent efficiency.
The method involves using hemicircular bent portions on an aluminum plate, a copper pipe, and a steel ball. The bent portions are alternately repeated on the aluminium plate. The copper pipe is inserted into the bent portion and the steel ball is then forcibly passed through the copper pipe.    ADVANTAGE -   Eliminates fluid loss within absorbent due to risk of cracks in the copper pipe .
The device has a photoelectric cell (1) consisting of a direct light reception surface (1a) and a pair of reflected optical light reception surface (1b,1c). A chain side reflector (2) positioned horizontally to both sides of the photoelectric cell.    When a light is irradiated to the photoelectric cell, the light directly hits the direct light reception surface while the reflected optical light reception surface receives the light through a pair of reflecting surface (2b,2c).    ADVANTAGE -   Higher efficiency than planar cells.
The generator (1) uses the solar light and heat to generate electric power. It has a solar battery (11) which is interposed and mounted on a cement structure which consists of mortar concrete similar to the receiving platen. The cement structure serves as a natural grounding for the solar battery. The generator also uses other solar heat collection device.    USE/ADVANTAGE -   To supply electricity to community situated between mountains.Enables use of solar power efficiently and supplies large quantity of electricity to far flung areas. Provides hotels with everyday supply of hot water for bathing. Enables de-icing of road during winter and pumping of underground water and river for supply. Develops life condition in communities between mountains. Improves environmental maintenance by eliminating use of petroleum and coal as power generation source.
The power generator has a coal part furnace (6) where coal (3) is decomposed and combustible gas (4) and char (5) are generated. The gas is lead into a porous membrane like furnace (8) where high temperature waste gas (7) is generated. A gas turbine (13) drives a compressor (1) and a dynamo (11) using a mixture of the high temperature waste gas and combustible gas passing through it.    Air (2) is supplied to the coal part furnace and porous membrane type furnace to aid heating and combustion of the gases. The dynamo thereby driven, generates electricity. The exhaust gas (14) which goes out of the gas turbine is fed to exhaust heat recovery boilers (16,30) to generate steam (15). A combustion machine (29) for start receives combustion gas and waste gas and generates waste gas (28) which is fed to the recovery boiler for heating it along the waste gas, combustion gas and char at high temperature.    ADVANTAGE -   Uses high temperature waste gas effectively for power generation.
An oxygen discharger having an emergency lamp (4) comprises a thermal insulation case (1), oxygen candle (2) placed in the thermal insulation case to generate oxygen, thermoelectric element (3) placed in the thermal insulation case to generate electricity by the heat occurred in the oxygen candle, and an emergency lamp lighted by the electricity generated by the thermoelectric element.    USE -   The oxygen discharger is used for lighting up the inside of a submarine, if necessary, when oxygen in the submarine becomes low.    ADVANTAGE -   When sodium chlorate in the oxygen candle is converted to oxygen and sodium chloride, the heat is generated and the emergency lamp can be lighted by converting the heat to electricity. Therefore even when a general power source does not function, a light source can be maintained in the submarine.
The module includes photovoltaic units mounted on noise absorption panels. The photovoltaic unit is in the form of a cover or lid and is directly mounted on an individual noise protection element. The module has several connections between two or more prefabricated noise protection and solar power generation parts.    The side facing the noise source remains an independent protection element. Pref. different solar cell technologies and cell can be used, as well as photovoltaic module shapes and materials. DC and AC may be realised.    USE/ADVANTAGE -   For decentralised urban renewable energy sources. Simple assembly and retrofitting.
The power generation device employing the chimney effect utilises either wind, solar or heat energy or a combination of any or all of these elements to produce airflow of sufficient velocity to drive a fan/turbine driven generator and thus produce an electricity supply. An airflow inducer of the venturi style is utilised to augment power generation.    An airflow inducer of the spinning type may be utilised to augment power generation. The airflow inducer is linked by an interlocking device to the generator for use when available wind power is greater than heat source energy.    USE/ADVANTAGE -   For agricultural use. Preserves natural resources. Requires smaller area than existing technology for installation and can supply power for more hours per day. Eases load on present system, reduces fuel consumption and cost, and lowers pollution levels.
The object includes P and N type annular electrothermal elements with notches provided on their circumference. The elements are twisted around heat transfer pipes with high thermal conductivity, in turns. Metal foils like copper foils are attached at regular intervals.    A pipe expansion machine expands the heat transfer pipe. The internal heat transfer pipe, internal resin film, the cut electrothermal element and external resin film constitutes the set object of the thermoelectric element. Finally, crimp formation is carried out due to stress generated.    ADVANTAGE -   Decreases cost. Simplifies assembly. Improves ring like shape of thermoelectric element.
The photovoltaic element consists of a silicon substrate (1) over which an insulating film (2) is formed. An n-type island domain (3) of a single crystal silicon is arranged on a matrix with a four pyramid trapezoid of the insulating film. A U-shaped n-type contact domain (4) is formed along the slope surface of the island domain. A rectangular-shaped P-type domain (5) is formed on the upper surface of the island domain.    A transparent insulating non-reflective film (6) is formed on the surface of the n-type domain. A lens board (7) is installed over the substrate. A connecting wire (8), a cathode electrode (9) and an anode electrode (10) which are made of aluminium are formed on the slope side of the island domain so the upper surfaces of the island domain are used as a light receiving surface.    ADVANTAGE -   Increases light receiving areas. Rises photoelectromotive forces.
The solar battery consists of a glass substrate (11). A divided substrate side electrode (12) is arranged on the glass substrate. A first p-type semiconductor layer (13) is formed on the surface of the substrate side electrode. An i-type semiconductor layer (14), n-type semiconductor layer (15), a p- type layer (16), i-type layer (17) and a n-type semiconductor layer (18) are formed sequentially, on the first p-type semiconductor layer. A semiconductor layer division separating slot is provided, which separates the formed semiconductor layers except the first p-type layer.    A back side electrode (19) is formed on the surface of the first n-type semiconductor layer. The back side electrode is adjoined with the substrate side electrode, through the semiconductor layer division separating the slot. The film thickness of the first i-type layer detaches the end side of the separating slot of the first p-type layer, which is five times or more than the separating slot.    ADVANTAGE -   Connects each generation of electric power unit in series. Avoids reduction of efficiency. Reduces cost.
The solar battery connection structure has a thermosetting film substrate which has an electric conduction layer (22). An electrode layer, an amorphous silicon layer and a transparent electrode layer are formed on an insulated portion of the film substrate. An electrode extraction part is formed on the battery and has a notch and a hole. One side of the substrate is connected to the electrode extraction part.    The substrate is connected to an internal circuit through a connection spring. A set of constriction parts (22c) are formed on the electric conduction layer and are connected to the substrates. A contact part is formed at the ends of an output electrode of the battery. An anisotropic conductive layer (24) is connected to the output electrode.    ADVANTAGE -   Prevents conduction defects. Simplifies structure. Improves stability and reliability. Reduces trouble generation.
The appts. includes solar cells (8) and heat absorbing plates (4), transparent covers (1), and outlets (2). The solar cells convert solar energy into electrical energy while the plates convert it into thermal energy. The covers, e.g. plexiglas, face the sun while the outlets take in and return heat conducting fluid, e.g. water. The covers are made in the shape of waves, e.g. sinusoidal, and are alternately convex and concave.    The fluid is transparent to the light and refracts it. The absorbing plate is made of metal and forms a seal with the cover. The solar cells are fitted in regions where the light reaches them as refracted beams.    USE/ADVANTAGE -   For solar energy installations. Solar cells are cooled by fluid also. Does not need additional devices for focussing rays before entry to thermo-electric converter.
The lens includes an array of planar reflecting slots (22) reach of which is of non-uniform extent or surface area (t), and/or is non-uniformly spaced from adjacent slots. The slots may be parallel or non-parallel. Each slot is positioned such that the ratio of spacing (dn) to extent (tn) is determined by the angle of incidence on the nth slot, given by a mathematical relationship (a) where (dn) is the spacing between the nth and (n+1)th adjacent slats of the lens, (tn) is the length of the nth slot, and M is the magnification of the lens.    The slats are designed and positioned to minimise shadowing on other slats. The generatrix of the lens is of simple or compound, hyperbolic, parabolic, elliptical or circular shape. The reflectors may be crystals or multi-layer mirrors, and reflection to due to Bragg reflection. A multi-lens formed of two lenses may be used as a beam profile homogeniser to arrange a first type of beam into a second type of beam.    USE/ADVANTAGE -   For sky-light enhancer, solar concentrator. Has increased gain.
The unit has a string of pipes fitted in the producing well (1) for thermal water, a string of pipes fitted in the pressure well (2), connected to the pressure pump (3), and a secondary heat carrier system which has a turbine (5) connected to the generator (6), and a condenser (7). The unit also has an additional pipeline (8) situated in the pressure well beyond pipe space and is connected to the condenser for the secondary heat carrier supply to the additional pipeline. The producing well pipes string is connected to the pump for thermal water supply to the pressure well pipes string.    The secondary heat carrier is heated, evaporated and super-heated by the thermal water. The super heated steam flows to the turbine (5), rotates the rotor which operates the generator (6). The used steam flows to the condenser (7).    USE/ADVANTAGE -   For energy production using underground thermal water. The economy is increased. Bul.14/20.05.95.
The system consists of pressurised gas power storage (10) that is set up at an underground with a predetermined depth. It has an airtight storage tank (11) where a pressurised gas is stored. A water supply piping (15) is fed downward with the upper end connected to a connection water channel (16) while the second end which is installed lower than the first end is connected to a storage reservoir (14).    Air is supplied through an air supply piping (13) by a power processing plant (12) that is furnished with an institution of compressors for pressurised gas mfr. i.e. stored under the ground.    USE/ADVANTAGE -   Functions as underground tank of constant pressure system for commonly used system of pressurised gas power storage i.e. used economically and effectively. Effectively uses commonly used system of pressurised gas storage from underground by sewer processing institution, dust incineration furnace, fuel storage institution and parking place institution.
The solar battery device comprises a solar battery (1) which is positioned such that it receives the reflected light from an optical reflector (2). The light receiving surface of the solar battery is made perpendicular to the reflecting surface of the optical reflector. The rotation of the optical reflector is performed to carry out focussing along the vertical axis of its reflecting surface.    ADVANTAGE -   Prevents problems faced with tracked type solar battery device and condensing type battery. Provides simple structure. Increases amount of incident solar light.
The photo-voltaic element consists of one bypass diode (113) for each element. The bypass diode is a flat diode. The lead wire of the bypass diode consists of metal foil material (112) of two layers. The metal foil material is connected with the bypass diode through connection material.    ADVANTAGE -   Realizes strength to bending stress. Enables easy manufacture. Obtains inexpensive photo-voltaic element. Increases endurance during usage in open air. Improves reliability.
The module includes a collector pole (1) which comprises of an amorphous silicon (2), an N-type fine crystal silicon (3) and a P-type amorphous silicon (2') stainless-steel wire. The collector pole has a photovoltaic ability. A filament structure (10) is arranged and fixed to the surface side of a ditch (60) shaped through a silver paste (11) in the focal zone of a second electrode (6).    The second electrode is arranged on the other light-incidence side and is connected to the surface peripheral part of the filament structure. The ditch acts as the concave mirror.    ADVANTAGE -   Improves photoelectric-conversion efficiency sharply.
The module comprises a solar battery group which includes a first electrode layer, a photoelectric-conversion layer (5) and a second electrode layer (6) arranged on one sequence. The through hole of a substrate (1) is passed in the connection between the unit solar batteries. Then flows to the second and third electrode layer.    The third electrode layer connected to the first electrode layer of the unit solar battery on one end. The other end of the unit solar battery reaches the position which passes through a portion parallel to the unit solar-battery direction. Eventually arranging beside a reverse polarity terminal. Moreover, the modularity of the third electrode layer-edge circuit of such a sub-module is connected and made.    ADVANTAGE -   Improves mass-production nature and reduces cost due to formation of third electrode layer between sub-module. Provides easy connection since it has few wiring connection.
River water or seawater (C1) fills a circular cavity within a body (b) rotating about a horizontal axis (A1) coupled to a fixed system of reference (A). Resistance to the rotation is offered by a fixed insert having a smaller cross-section (C2).    Additional power is supplied from solar radiation (E), wind (H) or water (D2, D3) and the circulation may be assisted by a vacuum system (G) or a blower (P). The movement may be optimised by fixed or movable paddles (B3-B5) within or outside the body. The system may be mounted on a floating platform.    USE/ADVANTAGE -   For applications with water power plant, wind power plant and solar power plants. The system conserves finite energy resources and contributes to environmentally friendly and low-risk power supply by exploiting naturally available and renewable energy.
The module includes several solar cell elements in electrical contact with one another, an electrode, or with electrodes in electrical contact with surfaces. The solar cell elements and/or electrodes are mounted between two faces or walls (2,3) sealed against air or gas at a pressure below atmospheric.    The walls are connected together at their edges (10). Electrical poles (7,8) project from this evacuated space and the two faces are pressed together by mechanical force to maintain the low pressure. At least one of the walls is made of a transparent plastic or glass.    USE/ADVANTAGE -   Suitable for solar energy plants. Electrical contact between cells has been improved.
The process consists of conveying a heated sheet substrate, including a planar glass sheet, through a heated chamber, containing Cd and Te vapours, to allow continuous deposition at elevated temp. of a layer of cadmium telluride (CdTe) onto one surface of the substrate to function as a semiconductor for absorbing solar energy. The sheet substrate is orientated horizontally with CdTe deposited on the upper surface and with the sheet supported underneath.    Also claimed is a process as above where the CdTe film is 1-5 m thick and has crystals in range 0.5-5.0 m.    USE -   Useful for mfg. photovoltaic devices for low cost electrical power.    ADVANTAGE -   The improved process uses a large area glass sheet of over 1000 cm2 on which high-quality semiconductor is deposited at a relatively fast rate.
The appts. (10) includes a light-transmissive glass support (12), at least one amorphous silicon solar cell (14), a protective composite layer (16), and a metal support (18). The solar cell has a component of amorphous silicon or amorphous silicon alloy secured to the glass support. The amorphous silicon cell has a p-type doped layer, an n-type doped layer, an intrinsic layer disposed in between. A tin oxide conductive layer is positioned between the glass support and the p-type doped layer. A back contact layer is positioned away from the n-type doped layer.    The protective composite layer is positioned adjacent the back contact layer of the cell and is formed from a polymeric material and asphalt. The polymeric material may be a polymeric mesh, a polymeric web, or a polymeric sheet. The metal support is positioned adjacent the protective composite layer and    the layer is disposed between the amorphous silicon solar cell and the metal support.    ADVANTAGE -   Has improved resistance to mechanical breakage and environmental stress due to layer of asphaltic material. Resistance to environmental stress further increased by barrier coating between solar cells and asphaltic material.
The method includes grouped formation of solar element on silicon substrate, durable connection of silicon substrate to solar elements with formation on it of solar elements with second silicon substrate, separation of silicon substrate into separate solar elements, separation of both silicon substrates into separate blocks of solar elements and electrical interconnection of contacts of solar elements.    The silicon substrate (1) has silicon solar elements (2) consisting of silicon substrate of p-type conductivity with highly doped layer of n+-type of conductivity (3), silicon layer of p+-type of conductivity (4), positioned on a base layer, clear layer (5), ohmic contacts (6,7) of n+- and p-types of conductivity, dielectric gap (8), current conducting pieces (9), contacts (10) for voltage removal from battery.    ADVANTAGE -   Solar batteries used in electronic equipment of various applications with raised output of fit batteries and conversion efficiency of solar energy. Bul. 13/10.5.95
Device comprises the solar elements (2) panel, units (2) fixing the elements (1), lighter than air balloons (3, 4), solar panels (1) rotation mechanisms (5), flexible tractions (6) and the balloon vertical shift mechanisms (7, 8). The solar elements (1) panel is mounted between the balloons (3, 4). The distance between the balloons (3, 4) vertical shift mechanism (7, 8) axes complies with the following inequality B is equal to or greater than L-2hmin, where L- is solar elements panel length; hmin- is the minimal solar elements (1) panel positioning height at which the power station assembly and operation is carried out.    The power station is mounted on the balloons (3, 4) and lifted to the height exceeding the maximal cloud cover height for the particular region. The balloon (3, 4) long axes are arranged along the east-west line. The solar elements (1) panel is orientated toward the sun by rotating it around the axis set at an angle alfa equal to the power station position geographical latitude.    USE/ADVANTAGE -   Solar power station can be used in any part of world as alternative source of electric power. Its operation is simplified. Bul. 13/10.5.95
The roof is furnished with a wooden frame (12) that is fixed to the mother roof of a building. Above the wooden frame is a heat-insulating material (15) that serves as a ventilating unit for the building.    A solar panel (17) composed of an amorphous silicon solar cell, is mounted on the heat-insulating material and acts as a light-receiving surface. The roof is being supported by a reinforcing part (13) attached below the wooden frame.    ADVANTAGE -   Prevents extreme reduction of power output due to optical deterioration. Eases bonding of solar panel with heat-insulating material. Improves endurance of wooden frame against torsion by attaching reinforcing part. Eases solar panel maintenance checking. Improves building habitability. Provides proper ventilation of building by presence of heat-insulating material.
The apparatus has a flap (2) in order to determine the thickness and shortness of board. A chain mechanism (3) connects to a core that rotate constantly. A drive unit (4) operates in making of opening and shutting to an inlet channel (1) along the route of reverse-U-shaped.    In opening and shutting flap goes underwater and brought up to the inlet channel by easy switch ON at the drive unit.    ADVANTAGE -   Decreases cost of energy and easy operation.
The system comprises an array of solar cells (2) which generate a voltage (VS) when irradiated with light. The array has positive terminal connected to one end of an electric double layer capacitor (30) through a diode (20) which provides reverse current protection. The positive is also connected to the supply line (VCC) of a discharge controller (40) through a supply switch (11).    The negative terminal is connected to the other end of the capacitor and to a grounding line (GND) of the controller. The reverse current protective diode, the capacitor and the controller form the control circuit which light the light emitting diodes (7c) of a swing member (7).    USE/ADVANTAGE -   For solar car for intermittently operating solenoid to drive its wheels. Derives a large amount of power from small solar cells.
A flexible protective cover (14) for a flexible solar cell (12) has the effect of increasing cell output. Solar cell (12) is of known type, consisting essentially of a plurality of silicon spheres (16) fixed to a conductive sandwich (18), typically consisting of aluminium foil layers (20,22) separated by an insulating coating (24). Cover (14) is a flexible transparent material (60) with a planar upper surface (64) and an irregular lower surface (66). Surface (66) includes portions (68) that conform to polar regions of spheres (16), interspersed by regions (72) of prism-like convexity between spheres, defining spaces (78) bounded by a reflective surface (20T) of soil (20). Light falling directly on surface (20T) is unproductive in prior art, but regions (72) of cover (14) direct some of this light to spheres (16) where it is converted in known manner to electrical energy. The respective refractive indices of cover (14) and spheres (16) are such that suitable diffraction of light occurs.    ADVANTAGE -   The cover increases the efficiency of the cell by about 25 percent.
The device comprises a thermal emitter and a thermal receiver is the form of shells (2,3) located co-axially with each other. The inner shell forms a closed space, and between the shells is a corrugated filler (4) with the electrodes (5) of thermocouples attached on the sides of the corrugations. A device (6) for changing the temperature of the working medium is located inside the inner shell and has an electrical feed source connected to the thermocouples.    When the necessary temperature difference is achieved on the hot and cold junctions, the thermocouples begin to produce a thermal EMF which is fed to the input of the temperature change device, and the latter input begins to function as a source of independent electrical power supply and by means of the device heats or cools the working medium. The hot or cold medium constantly maintains the temperature difference between the outside medium and inner space of the shell.    ADVANTAGE -   Constant stable operating regime is maintained. Bul. 12/30.4.95
The mfg method involves forming a crystal semiconductor thin film (5) and an electrode (9) on the main field of a metal substrate (2). A part of the crystal semiconductor thin film is formed as an amorphous layer or as a fine crystal layer. By irradiating the amorphous layer with X-rays, the amorphous layer gets crystallized.    ADVANTAGE -   Provides high quality crystal thin film at low temperature than thermal crystallization temperature.
The solid state electrolyte is constituted by an ion conduction domain (1) and mixed conduction domain (2). The ion conduction domain is made up of beta alumina type structure while the mixed domain is generated by carrying out implantation of Al ion Gallium ion into the beta alumina type structure.    ADVANTAGE -   Enhances endurance of device. Improves shape of device.
The terrestrial heat extracting equipment comprises a casing tube (17) inserted in a hole (16) which is installed in a terrestrial heat belt (15). One end of an evaporator (20) is inserted in the casing tube and other end of the evaporator is connected with a heat pipe (19), which is thinner than the evaporator pipe.    A bag (21) covering the heat pipe is inserted in the casing tube. A transmission medium supply exhaust unit (24) injects and exhausts an exhaust heat transmission medium (23) and are fixed between bag and heat pipe.    ADVANTAGE -   Obtains excellent heat extraction ability. Prevents heat transmission medium from leaking from casing tube.
The energy generator installs a cylinder (3) in a main body container (2) which is divided into two chambers. A piston (1) is inserted into the cylinder from the outer side of the container. The fluid pressure is enclosed in the main body container which is sinked in another tank filled with fuel.    ADVANTAGE -   Differs distance from center of main body to top and bottom of body due to buoyancy. Does not affect specific gravity of fluid.
The guide vane (3) is provided with a groove (12) on its end face (3b) which is closer to a moving vane side surface (3c). This groove faces the rotating impeller blade. The guide vane is intercepted by a shaft (3a). This interception is arranged to be equal to or less than 20% of total length of the groove.    If there is a leakage, it flows from the stay vane side impeller blade to the moving vane side impeller blade, i.e from high to low pressure side, thus changing its direction.    ADVANTAGE -   Decreases leakage flow by rapidly expanding effective area of channel. Simplifies mechanism involved and maintenance required.
The mfr. involves layering a thin film photoelectric conversion layer, a backside electrode layer, a photoelectric conversion layer and a transparent electrode layer sequentially on the surface of a flexible insulating substrate. Multiple layers of photoelectric converting elements which have an auxiliary electrode layer are connected to the same substrate by an auxiliary electrode. A hole is formed on all the surfaces, then the light receiving surface is hidden and protected with a heat adhesive resin film. Only the best conversion elements are selected by sorting them out based on their characteristics before piercing. A module of these layers are assembled and laminated by applying heat adhesive resin to other sides.    USE/ADVANTAGE -   Used for mfg. photoelectric module where multiple layers of conversion elements are sandwiched on flexible substrate. Improves quality by selecting only best conversion elements and improves yield and prodn. efficiency by easy modular stages.
The fuel cell system is formed with a stack of discrete cells (1) that have a rectangular profile. Gas is introduced on the anode side of the stack through an inlet (20) and circulates from the cathode inlet chamber (22) to cathode outlet chamber (23). The gas then leaves the stack by an outlet (21). The stack is enclosed by a gas tight housing (3) with end plates. The inlets and outlet chambers are sealed by elements (6, 7, 8) that compensate for differences in thermal expansion between the enclosure and the stack.    ADVANTAGE -   Structure compensates for thermal stress effects.
The disabling apparatus for disconnecting a battery of a vehicle includes a solenoid having a retracted orientation when electrically energized and an extended orientation when de-energized. A first switch mechanism is couplable between an electrical system of the vehicle and its battery and further engaged with the solenoid. The mechanism has a first orientation when the solenoid is de-energized for allowing electrical energy to be delivered from the battery to the electrical system and a second orientation when the solenoid is energized for preventing such delivery.    A spring-loaded plunger has a biased and extended orientation when impact pressure is applied to it and an unbiased and retracted orientation when no impact pressure is applied. A second switch mechanism is coupled to the solenoid and further positioned in juxtaposed relation to the plunger and has an activated orientation when the plunger is momentarily abutted against it in its biased and extended orientation for energizing the solenoid.    ADVANTAGE -   Allows battery of vehicle to be disconnected upon discretion of user or in event of collision.
A distribution cable mounting device includes a junction block which may be mounted on a cable distribution box. The junction block has a tapered junction hole with an internal thread. Also included is a hollow, tapered plug with longitudinal slits extending from both ends formed in it.    Serrations are formed at one end of the through bore of the plug to secure the conductor when the plug is engaged within the tapered junction hole. A hollow screw member having an external thread formed at the front end of it is threaded into the junction hole and stopped against the tapered plug, so as to tightly secure the insulator and conductor of the cable.    USE/ADVANTAGE -   For fastening a distribution cable to an electric box junction block. Simplified cable mounting structure using fewer component parts.
A fuel refining equipment is composed of a containing vessel (3), a burner (6) to supply combustion gas (2) into the vessel, refining pipes (5) placed inside the vessel, stuff gas supplying devices (7,10), and refined gas discharging devices (10,8) to discharge refined gas produced through heat exchange with the combustion gas (2). The containing vessel has a heat insulating member (4) made of fibrous material, such as fibre ceramics, inside the outside wall (16) and has low temp. gas supplying device (15), such as thin pipes with small holes, to supply the low temperature gas into the heat insulating member (4). Also claimed is that the low temperature gas is air branched from the air feed pipe upstream of the air preheater (12), whose flow rate is controlled with the valve (14) along with a temperature sensor (25) and a controller (26).    ADVANTAGE -   Heat efficiency of the refining equipment is increased, with an improved heat insulation in the containing vessel.
The device is an U-shaped cross section having a strap (10). The strap has an edge part (10a) which is bent towards the lower side.    Thus, strap is used to compress upper surface of the battery in order to hold it in position.    ADVANTAGE -   Improves rigidity. Simplifies structure. Exhibits rustproof nature. Eases structure and execution.
In a fuel reforming reactor corresp to a desulphuriser (1) and CO converter (3) in a fuel cell power generation plant to treat gas to be treated, feed gas or reforming gas, by passing it through a reaction vessel (5) filled with catalyst, both inlet and outlet of gas to be treated are opened at the nearly central part of cross section of reaction vessel.    USE -   For providing reaction vessels used as desulphurisers or CO converters for reforming fuel in a fuel cell power generation plant.    ADVANTAGE -   An efficiency of reaction of gas to be treated by catalyst is increased, the reaction vessel is miniaturised and piping of reaction vessel is simplified.
A starting heater (4) and a catalyst burner (5) are installed in a space adjacent to an air flow-in side of the opening of a cell stack (7) in the casing. Air introduced from the casing exterior is supplied to the cell stack interior via the starting heater (4) and the catalyst burner. The end on the air flow-in side is shut off with an air guide (8) installed on the air flow-in port (8a).    ADVANTAGE -   Air is effectively supplied to the space between cells to narrow a temp. distribution range.
The fuel cell is composed of matrix layer of silicon carbide (s) carrying electrolyte, which is inserted between fuel electrode and oxidising agent electrode. (s) is the - type silicon carbide fine particles having specific surface area of less than 10 m2/ g.    ADVANTAGE -   The process of this invention can provide the fuel cell having high power generating performance by preventing reaction between silicon carbide and electrolyte which are composing electrolytic matrix layer.
The device comprises rectangular batteries arranged to be electrically connected with one another in a case. The case is composed of perforated outer light alloy casing, and a fibre-reinforced synthetic resin layer partly fitted into perforations in the casing, so as to be monolithically placed on the inside of the casing.    USE -   Used as a package battery device in motor vehicles, etc.    ADVANTAGE -   The device has a lightweight case having good delamination resistance, vibration resistance and impact resistance.
A procedure for making a corrosion-resistant current collector with a high grade steel carrier and a nickel coating has the seamless nickel-plated wire (3) bent into a three dimensional structure to form the collector. The wire is wound into a spiral and the structure is then formed by spirals stacked beside each other. A variant has the wire intertwined to form a 3-D mesh. The mesh is then bent into a rectangular, triangular or sawtooth shape. The wire diameter is between 0.1 and 0.6mm, but preferably between 0.25 and 0.35mm. The proportion of nickel to steel is between 5% and 50% but preferably between 15% and 35%.    ADVANTAGE -   Suitable for carburising atmospheres at high temperatures and minimum nickel content for high corrosion resistance..
The high energy density electrolyte solution comprises vanadium redox ions in a high concentration and an electrolyte. The concentration of the electrolyte and the temp. of the solution is such as to reduce precipitation of the vanadium redox ions from the electrolyte solution to a rate whereby the all-vanadium electrolyte solution is acceptable for use in an all-vanadium redox battery. Preferably the solution is an aqueous solution and the vanadium ions are oresent in the solution at a concentration above the saturation solubility.    The electrolyte solution may further include a stabilising amount of a stabilising agent which is less than that required to fully complex the vanadium redox ions in the electrolyte solution and is sufficient to reduce precipitation of the vanadium redox ions from the stabilised solution to a rate whereby the stabilised all-vanadium electrolyte solution is acceptable for use in an all-vanadium redox battery. The stabilising agent may allow the operating temp. range of the electrolyte solution to be extended.    USE -   For all-vanadium redox battery/fuel cell. For remote area power supply or emergency back-up system. In electric vehicle.
An electrochemical cell comprises an electrode, a membrane in contact with 1 side of the electrode, a current bus on the other side of the electrode, and a conductive inflatable part between the bus and the electrode providing uniform electrical contact. An electrochemical cell for directly producing dry halogen gas from anhydrous H halide using the inflatable member as above is also claimed.    USE -   In the treatment of HCl by-prod. from chlorination reactions, e.g. in the prodn. of PVC, isocyanates and chlorinated/fluorinated hydrocarbons; other H halides may also be processed; and the cell may also be a fuel cell.    ADVANTAGE -   Uniform pressure can be maintained over very large areas, even with variation in thickness of the cell components, thus allowing increases in the fabrication tolerances and thus reduction of cost, and changes in cell dimensions can also be compensated for, enabling higher current densities to be run over the life of the cell. The pressure in the part is easily adjustable, enabling optimum cell performance to be obtd., and it may also be used to remove heat from the cell using a low cost cooling fluid, e.g. water.
An electrochemical cell comprises: (a) an electrode; (b) a membrane in contact with side of the electrode; (c) a current bus on the other side of the electrode; and (d) current distributing means for distributing current by electronic conduction between the electrode and the current bus. The current distribution means comprises anode C.    Also claimed is an electrochemical cell for the direct prodn. of dry halogen gas from anhydrous H halide comprising: (a) means for oxidising mols. of anhydrous H halide to produce H halide; (b) cation transporting means for transporting protons where one side of means (a) is in contact with the side of the means (b); (c) reducing means for reducing the transported protons where the means is in contact with the other side of means (b); and (d) a current distributor in contact with the other side of the means (a) where the current distributor comprises a carbonaceous material.    USE -    Cell is used for converting anhydrous H halide directly to dry halogen gas e.g. anhydrous HCl to Cl2gas or in cell for converting aq. reactants.    ADVANTAGE -    Distributor is useful in aggressive (corrosive) environments, e.g. HCl. Recovery and feedback reduces over-prodn. of HCl and potential discharge into environmental streams. O2prodn. side reactions, which reduce electrical efficiency and increase corrosion of cell components, do not occur. Process conditions are simplified and capital costs are reduced.
An electrochemical cell comprises:    (a) an electrode with a compartment for contg. a fluid, and including a catalyst layer and a diffusion layer;    (b) a membrane in contact with one side of the electrode;    (c) a mass flow field in contact with the other side of the electrode to direct fluid and away from the electrode; and    (d) means between the electrode and mass flow field to increase the diffusion resistance of the fluid.    Also claimed are:    (1) an electrochemical cell for directly producing dry halogen gas from anhydrous hydrogen halide, comprising:    (a) a means to oxidise hydrogen halide to produce dry halogen gas and protons;    (b) a cation-transporting means for the protons, in contact with one side of the oxidising means and with one side of a means for reducing the transported protons, this reducing means having a compartment for contg. a fluid; and    (c) a mass flow field and diffusion resistance increasing means as above;    (2) a method for increasing the diffusion resistance of the fluid by adjusting the thickness of the gas diffusion layer;    (3) a diffusion resistance increasing method by adjusting the porosity of the gas diffusion layer; and    (4) a diffusion resistance increasing method by adjusting the hydrophobicity of the gas diffusion layer.    USE -   To convert e.g. HCl or HBr to the corresp. halogen gas, to recover the halogen used for mfg. e.g. PVC, chlorinated / fluorinated hydrocarbon etc. for feeding back to the mfg. system.    ADVANTAGE -   Self-regulating mechanism which internally controls limiting current, avoiding the need to externally adjust the cell parameters. Dry halogen gas is obtd. without having to dissolve the hydrogen halide in water. Lower investment costs and fewer process steps compared to prior art electrochemical or catalytic systems.
Electrochemical cell comprises:    (a) an electrode;    (b) a membrane disposed in contact with one side of the electrode; and    (c) a mass flow disposed in contact with the other side of the electrode, the mass flow field comprising an elastomer.    Also claimed is an electrochemical cell for directly producing dry halogen gas from anhydrous hydrogen halide.    USE -   Partic. useful to produce dry chlorine, fluorine, bromine and iodine gases, and to convert aq. reactants to aq. prods..    ADVANTAGE -   The resilient flow field provides uniform contact with an electrode of the cell.
A gas turbine is driven with high temp. and high pressure combustion gas to generate electric power and afterwards, high temp. exhaust gas of which the temp. is 400-650C and the pressure is normal is used as a heating source. High purity hydrogen is also mfd. using a hydrocarbon vapour modification device which has a hydrogen separating permeation film and obtd. high purity hydrogen is supplied to a fuel cell and electric power is generated.    ADVANTAGE -   Very high generating efficiency can be obtd. using the hydrocarbon fuel cell.
A gas turbine is driven with high temp. and pressure combustion gas to generate electric power and then high temp. and pressure exhaust gas of 650-850C and 1-5 kg/cm2pressure is taken out. High purity hydrogen is then mfd. using a hydrocarbon vapour modification device which has a hydrogen sepg. permeation film using the exhaust gas as a heating source and the obtd. high purity hydrogen is supplied to a fuel cell and electric power is generated.    ADVANTAGE -   Very high generating efficiency can be obtd. using the unit hydrocarbon fuel cell.
The ion exchange membrane is reinforced at least at its peripheral parts with expanded porous membranes holding ion exchange resins in pores.    USE -   Ion exchange membranes used for fuel cells, secondary cells or electrolysis appts.    ADVANTAGE -   The reinforcement with expanded membranes including ion exchange resins prevents damage caused by repeated expansion and contraction on process and maintains high ion conductivity.
A new hydrocarbon fuel reformer is equipped with a device by which a hydrocarbon fuel is sepd. into methane and other hydrocarbons; a reforming catalyst layer by which steam and the sepd. methane are reacted to form H2-contg. fuel, and a heating means to heat the reforming catalyst layer. The other hydrocarbon sepd. is used as a fuel for combustion in the heating means.    USE -   Used for fuel cell systems.    ADVANTAGE -   Only methane is reacted with steam in the reforming catalyst layer so that no carbon is deposited on the catalyst and the catalyst can be kept active at all times.
An electrochemical energy converter includes a body (1), positive and negative electrodes (2,3), a chamber (4) with a positive reagent, a chamber (5) with a negative reagent, a sepg. membrane (6), made in the form of nickel foil and an external load (7). During closing of the external load, oxidation of the positive reagent, ie. methanol, takes place in chamber (5) on the surface of the negative electrode (3), accompanied by sorption of hydrogen on the surface of the anode (3) and freeing of electrons in the external circuit.    The hydrogen is reduced on the positive electrode (2) acting as a cathode with formation of a hydroxyl ion and connection of the electron from the external circuit. The formed hydroxyl ions are diffused through the membrane to the anode, where they are combined with the hydrogen ions to form water. The presence of the membrane prevents diffusion of the reagents to the opposite electrode, preventing self-charging and redn. of the efficiency of the converter, also reducing contamination of the electrodes. Methanol is used as the fuel and hydrogen peroxide is used as an oxidiser.    USE/ADVANTAGE -   Construction of electrochemical energy converters i.e. redn.-oxidation (redox) elements, fuel elements with liq. reagents, electrolysers etc. Better working life and improved electrical characteristics
The anode (2) in a fuel cell is sealed by a ring (1). Perforated stainless steel plates (3,4) are accurately positioned with portions of their perforations (8) overlapping. Plates may be made from plastics. The perforations, which may be punched in each plate, differ so that when placed together a zigzag channel (13) is formed for gas passage.    A number of parallel channels may be constructed with common inlet and outlet forming part of the gas-lead-through channels in the cell. Plate thickness pref. lie between 0.2 and 1.0 mm.    ADVANTAGE -   Enables even distribution of fluids e.g. gas in fuel cell allowing accurate metering and discharge of moisture.
Then auxiliary power device comprises a hollow shaft (70) supported on a hanger lug (1) of the bicycle (B) in such a manner that it freely rotates on it but is restricted in movement along a rotational centre line and having end portions projecting outwardly of the hanger lug. A rear wheel driving output gear (17) is releasably mounted on one of the end portions and an input gear (5) is fixed to the other end of it. A crank shaft (80) is supported in a central hole (71) of the hollow shaft in such a manner that it freely rotates in it but is restricted in movement along a rotational centre line of the hollow shaft and has end portions projecting outwardly of the hollow shaft, with a pair of crank arms (81,82) each having a pedal being releasably mounted on the end portions.    Auxiliary power units (50,30,40) releasably mounted on the body of the bicycle, include the electric motor (40) and the rotational force transmitting mechanism (50) for transmitting the rotational force from the electric motor (40) to the input gear. The one-way clutch allows the rotational force transmitting mechanism to transmit a rotational force from the electric motor to the input gear only in the advancing direction of the bicycle. A rotational force controlling unit (T) is interposed between the crank shaft and hollow shaft outside the hanger lugs not only for transmitting a rotational force of the crank shaft to the hollow shaft but also for causing the electric motor to generate a rotational force when the rotational force of the crank shaft exceeds a predetermined value.
The lead-acid battery has at least one inside plastic container (12) having partitions (24) dividing it into cells (22). An outside container (14) is spaced from the inner one to provide a fluid compartment annular space around the periphery of the battery. At least one of the containers have a series of fluid baffles (30,32) spanning the width of the fluid compartment.    Each baffle is less than the height of the fluid compartment and provides a fluid flow path through the compartment and about the inside container. A fluid inlet (26) is formed in the outside container and allows ingress into the fluid compartment. The two containers are attached to each other. A cell element includes positive and negative plates and separators. The cells are electrically connected together and to terminals. A cover is sealed to at least the inside battery container.    ADVANTAGE -   Reduces thermal effects of high under-hood ambient temperatures by preventing or reducing convection induced, heat transfer from engine.
A water return pipe is connected to steam separator through a flow control valve to use water form the fuel cell as cooling water.    ADVANTAGE -   Heat from fuel battery can be utilised effectively.
Branch pipes from the loop piping connected to the fuel cell are coupled to output port of the coolant circulation pump.    ADVANTAGE -   Heat from the fuel cell can be utilised efficiently.
The power generation system has a steam injector coupled to a steam turbine which is driven by steam generated by heat from the fuel battery.    ADVANTAGE -   Power generation efficiency can be improved.
Cell units are connected in series. Fuel gas from the fuel refresher is introduced into the cell units by a blower.    ADVANTAGE -   Fuel gas can be used efficiently.
Plate-type refining equipment has a fuel preheater made by piling combustion chambers (Co) and refining chambers (Re) alternately with heat transmitting partition walls (13) between them. The combustion chamber (Co) is composed of a distribution chamber (14) and a pair of combustion catalyser chambers (15), while the refining chamber (Re) is composed of a preheater chamber (11) and a pair of refining catalyser chamber (12). In the preheater chamber (11), the gas is led from manifold (16a) through regions A, C to B1, where it is led to the refining catalyser chamber (12) through holes there. In the refining catalyser chamber (12), the gas is led from B1 via B2, D to A passing through a refining catalyser placed at D2 and D3, and is discharged from the manifold (16e).    ADVANTAGE -   The refining equipment has the function of fuel preheater and reduces heat loss from sidewalls of the refining chamber.
A plate-type refining appts. refines a raw material gas into refined gas by a refining catalyser along with heat transfer from combustion gas through a partition wall. The hollow cylindrical-type refining appts. is composed of an inner pipe (11), outer pipe (12), and combustion chambers (Co) and chambers (Re) alternately piled with a heat transmitting partition wall (13) between them. Each chamber is divided into regions A-G and regions A-E have the corresp. manifolds (16a-16c) connected with a through opening. The combustion chamber (Co) is composed of a distribution room (14) and a couple of combustion catalyser rooms (15). In the distribution room (14), the fuel gas is led from the manifold (16d) through D to A clockwise which is ejected into the combustion catalyser room (15) through holes provided at regions E,F and A. In the combustion catalyser room (15), air is led from (16c) through C to B and (16b) clockwise, passing through a combustion catalyser placed at regions E to A. In the refining chamber (Re), the stuff gas is led from (16a) through A to E and (16e) anticlockwise, passing through a refining catalyser placed at regions G and F.    ADVANTAGE -   The refining appts. avoids excessive thermal stresses at structure corners and supplies refined gas maintaining high temp..
A gas sepn. membrane is placed between the fuel electrode and the built-in fuel refresher to separate hydrocarbon.    ADVANTAGE -   Off-gas flow from the fuel refresher can be minimised.
An actuator is connected to the moving tank holder coupled to an air duct with air discharge nozzles.    ADVANTAGE -   Deposited water can be rejected quickly.
An exhaust oxygen gas concn. detector is connected to the combustion air flow valve controller connected to the fuel battery.    ADVANTAGE -   Reaction air and combustion air can be controlled optimally.
The mechanism has a stopper (15) projected downward which is located in a space between the top wall (11a) of the battery containing room (11) and the top of the battery case (13).    ADVANTAGE -   Prevents damage occurring to battery and case.
The system has a primary cooling and humidifying circuit (42,44,32,45,9,46) with demineralised, pressurised water with a small volumetric capacity. A second liquid cooling circuit (50,53,51,22,143) with plate exchangers (46) for cooling the demineralised water of the primary circuit. Air/liquid exchangers (26) cool compressed air for supply to the cells.    The system has an electric heater (43) which heats the liquid in the secondary circuit and a fan (23) for recycling hydrogen leaving the cells.    ADVANTAGE -   Cells can be put into service quickly and uses fuel optimally.
The terminal connector of a battery of type used in automotive applications has a pressed metal contact element that is designed to located onto the tapered terminal post (4) that projects from the battery.    The connector is held in place by a spring clip (8) that is moved through an arc of approximately 45 degrees relative to the axis of the post and in doing so applies a contact force to the connector. The rotation of the clip is obtained with the aid of a tool that has a pair of pins (44) that locate in slots.    ADVANTAGE -   Designed for reliable automatic assembly on to vehicle battery.
A process for generating electrical energy by fermentation of biomass has the bio-gases produced during the process removed, conditioned and then passed to a fuel cell. The processing entails removal of sulphurous compounds and interfering gases, followed by enrichment of the methane content. The humidity is also reduced. Heat energy created in the heat cell is passed back to the fermenter and also to the steam reformer. The residue from the fermenter has the humidity reduced by the heat from the fuel cell and/or the reformer. The liquid product of the fermenter is conditioned in the form of an alcohol.    ADVANTAGE -   Process has high efficiency independent of energy output, is relatively emission-free and has very low maintenance costs, without the need for a complete plant shut-down to replace defective components, such as spent electrodes.
The upper layer (3) of the terminal has a deep-drawn slotted recess (33) similar to its counterpart in the underlying layer. The two are joined together by two U-shaped bars (41,42) enclosing a cavity into which a screw (45) can be driven to secure the terminal to a pole of the battery. At the opposite end a double-layered crimped terminal (7) is formed with two other components (12,13) in extensions (14,15) of the upper layer and counterparts of the underlayer which are symmetrical about the longitudinal axis (A-A), with openings (18,19) for threaded pins (28,29).    USE -   For interconnection of several systems, electrical and mechanical properties are optimised and manufacture is simplified.
Mfr. of a graphitised composite article, comprises (i) forming a uncured composite article of carbon fibre felt embedded within a matrix of a carbon filler, a thermosetting resin and a solvent, (ii) removing the solvent from the uncured article; (iii) applying pressure and heat to the uncured article to produce a cured compressed composite article; (iv) heating the cured article to a first temp. to produce a carbonised composite article, where the fibres, the filler and the resin are carbonised; and (v) heating the carbonised composite article to a second temp. higher than the first temp. to produce the composite article. The graphitised composite article is impermeable to gases and liquids.    Also claimed is a method as specified above but where step (iii) is carried out in two stages namely (iiia) applying heat and pressure to the uncured article to produce an uncured compressed article and (iiib) applying heat and pressure to the uncured compressed article to produce a cured compressed article.    Also claimed is a graphitised composite article made by the above method.    Also claimed is a graphitised composite article, which comprises graphitised carbon fibres, a graphitised carbon filler and a graphitised resin char, such that the article is impermeable to gases and liquids.    USE -   The graphitised laminate can be used as a separator plate for a fuel cell.    ADVANTAGE -   The separator plate prevents permeability of reactants for up to and exceeding 40,000 hours. There is additionally improved prod. reliability, reduced sensitivity to isolated defects within a single composite article when a laminate is formed of several composite articles, significantly increased yield due to the redn. of warping problems
The battery clamp includes an electrically conductive fastening clamp member which can be attached to a terminal of a battery. A guard circuit is coupled between a body of the clamp and a cable receiver. The guard circuit includes a controllable electronic switch which has a current input connected to the clamp and a current output connected to the receiver.    A control unit has an output coupled to an input of the switch. Monitoring members are connected to inputs of the control unit. The control unit operates the switch in response to signals which it receives at its monitoring inputs.    ADVANTAGE -   Improved safety due to reducing risk of fire caused by overheating. Interrupts overload current. Prevents motor being started by unauthorised person.
A cover fitment for mounting on a vehicle battery case which is itself attached to a chassis member (12) at the side of eg an articulated tractor unit (10) is moulded as a one-piece component (21, 22) in high impact on tough plastic eg polystyrol, ABS or glass-reinforced nylon.    The fitment (21, 22) is supported in a fixed cradle (not shown) on the chassis runner (12) using the spigot projections (25) and is removed below by a pair of wing nuts (not shown) which tighten against the battery casing.    The top surface (21) has grooved non-slip serrations (23), as have the two treads (35, 36) which are rivetted/screwed (38) to the side-checks (27, 28) to provide a 3-step mounting-aid for access to the cab (13) or other parts of the tractor unit (10).    USE/ADVANTAGE -   Is suitable for all types of commercial vehicle with external batteries and is easily attached/removed. Provides convenient and safe access to cab or other parts.
A structural element, with reversibly changeable surface shape, has a gastight elastomeric housing (2) contg. one or more pressure spaces (5) in which are embedded electrochemical cells (6) which, during charging, generate gas to enlarge the or each pressure space (5) and, during discharging, eliminates the gas to decrease the pressure space size. Pref. the pressure spaces (5) are contained in ordinary polyurethane foam (4) and the cells (6) are contained in open-pored polyurethane foam (5a) in the pressure spaces. Each cell (6) pref. comprises an outer cathodic casing of braided carbon fibre with a catalytic Pt coating, an inner potassium hydroxide gel electrolyte and an anodic braided silver wire core.    USE -   For incorporation in the surface of an aircraft wing (claimed).    ADVANTAGE -   The structural element allows controlled surface shape variation at low energy cost without the use of compressed air and is inexpensive to mfr..
Method of increasing the flame temp. of combustion gases, used with a furnace of the type having a shell, an air inlet for introducing a furnace fuel into the shell, and a fuel preheat chamber disposed outside of the shell and integral with the shell, comprises: (a) introducing a low temp. furnace fuel into the fuel preheat chamber; (b) flowing the fuel through the preheat chamber such that the fuel is in heat transfer relationship with combustion gases thereby heating the low temp. furnace fuel to produce a high temp. furnace fuel; (c) flowing the high temp. furnace fuel to the fuel inlet; and (d) combusting the high temp. furnace fuel and air, thereby creating the combustion gases, the gases having a flame temp. of 2100 - 2700 F. Also claimed are: (i) a furnace to provide combustion gases by combusting a furnace fuel and air, the furnace having a shell, an air inlet for introducing the air into the shell, a fuel inlet for introducing the furnace fuel into the shell; and (ii) an improved fuel cell power plant of the type having a fuel processing appts. to provide a product gas by steam reforming a hydrocarbon fuel and steam.    USE -   Used for processing fuel using an improved furnace for a fuel cell power plant.    ADVANTAGE -   The improved furnace design increases the temp. of the fuel and/or air prior to their introduction into the furnace, giving lowered costs with efficient prodn.
The circuit includes first light emission display circuit connected by a pair of connection members, which displays light when terminal voltage between the terminals of respective unit cells of high voltage cell constituted by series-connected number (n) of unit cells is or was below a first set value (V1), and second light emission display circuit which emits light for display in different colours from that of the first light display circuit when the terminal voltage exceeds a second set value (V2), provided in the voltage detection circuit.    The light emitting diodes having red colour are used for the first light emission display circuit, and light emitting diodes having green colour are used for the second light emission display circuit. Since degradation of the unit cell can be detected at an initial stage, the cell life can be increased, and the environmental problem can be improved by eliminating wastes.    ADVANTAGE -   Voltage detector provides simplified safe means of quickly finding defective constituent unit cells in high voltage cell with no skill without touching individual cells.
The spaced structure, comprises at least two parallel planar sheets, and a particle-enhanced material between the sheets providing a spaced separation between them. The particle-enhanced material includes associated particles having a hardness greater than that of the parallel planar sheets. The particle-enhanced material defines a void, which provides a fluid transport path.    The fluid transport path includes a thermal transport medium.    The spaced structure, comprises at least two parallel planar capacitor plates, and a particle-enhanced material forming a dielectric matrix support.    USE/ADVANTAGE -   E.g. in batteries fuel cells and capacitors. Particles form protuberances that concentrate stress when contact surface is brought into contact with opposing surface under pressure.
A coolant inlet line admits coolant to the stack. A coolant outlet line remover the coolant from the stack. Coolant inlet lines connect cells in the stack with the coolant inlet line. Multiple coolant outlet conduits connect cells in the stack with the coolant outlet line. A coolant bypass conduit bypasses cells in the stack and directly interconnects the coolant bypass conduit is operable to transfer a portion of the total coolant in the system directly from the coolant inlet line to the coolant outlet line. A variable valve in the coolant inlet line alters the amount of coolant transferred from the coolant inlet line into the coolant bypass line. The amount of coolant that is transferred through the coolant bypass line can be controlled.    USE -   System for cooling fuel cell stack with aqueous based coolant to provide more constant cell temperature profile and production of optimum amount of steam.
A dual battery system e.g. for an automobile, includes a first battery having a positive terminal and a second negative terminal, a second battery having a second positive terminal and a second negative terminal the latter electrically communicating with the first negative terminal, a transistor having a gate and with a drain coupled to the first positive terminal, and a source coupled to the second positive terminal. Also included is an indicator, and a drive circuit which responds to the first state of the indicator for providing a first control signal to the gate and to a second state of the indicator for providing a second control signal to the gate.    USE/ADVANTAGE -   For battery back-up systems e.g. for motor vehicles. Enables vehicle operator to engage and disengage auxiliary battery and monitor the condition of the battery switch from the interior of the vehicle, and the control and indicator circuit uses only a single outside connection to an indicator switch.
The process comprises gasification of low quality solid fuel in a plasma-chemical reactor (1), compressing the synthesis gas formed in a compressor (7), sepn. and directing the synthesis gas to a steam generator (5) for steam generation and electric power forming in a turbo-generator (6). The synthesis gas after compression in the compressor is directed to a sepn. unit which consists of two successively positioned membrane devices (8,10) with a compressor (9) between them. Methane is sepd. in the device (8) and the synthesis gas is supplied for combustion to the steam generator. Hydrogen is formed in the second device (10) and is supplied to the utiliser or partially directed to plasma-chemical reactor.    Also claimed is a plant for hydrogen and electric power generation.    USE -   Used for hydrogen and electric power generation from low quality solid fuel.    ADVANTAGE -   The economy is increased.
A plate type reforming appts. is composed of a combustion chamber Co, a reforming chamber Re, and a partition wall (not shown) between them, and a fuel gas entering to the reforming chamber Re is processed to a reformed gas to be supplied to the anode of a fuel battery by heat transfer through the partition wall. The inner sidewalls (51) are provided in the reforming chamber Re so as to limit the reforming reaction domain (52) to the portion of the partition wall, which is heated from the combustion chamber Co to the almost uniform temp.    ADVANTAGE -   This enables to improve the reforming efficiency, preventing redn. in reforming rate.
A fuel battery control device for a vehicle comprises a fuel gas feeder (26) to feed fuel gas to the electrode of a fuel battery. An oxygen-contained gas introduction device (17a) to introduce oxygen-contained gas into the fuel gas.    An operation switch controls the operation and the stop of a vehicle. A gas introduction operating device to operate the oxygen-contained gas introduction device for a given period.    ADVANTAGE -   Increase of number of parts does not occur.
A fuel battery generating device creates power by anode gas containing hydrogen and cathode gas containing oxygen, the fuel battery generating device consists of a blower (50) to feed combustion exhaust gas from a cooled reforming appts. (10) to a circulation line (14). A feed water line (52) supplies feed water to an exhaust heat collection steam generator (40).    ADVANTAGE -   Suppresses heat loss of whole device.
The device includes a reforming apparatus (10) to reform fuel gas (1) to anode gas (2). A fuel battery (20) is used to generate power by anode gas and cathode gas containing oxygen. A turbine compressor (30) is driven by cathode exhaust gas (7) and pressurising air. An air line (6a) is provided to mix air pressurised by the turbine compressor in cathode gas.    An air blower (36) further pressurises the air, and an air line (37) is used to feed air, pressurised by the air blower, to the combustion chamber of the reforming apparatus.    ADVANTAGE -   Generation efficiency is improved.
A switching device forms a semiconductor switch circuit (1) which has a switching function to control the value of a drive power and a monitor function to detect abnormality of a fuel battery and abnormality of a heater for starting and output an abnormality signal. A control signal by which a semiconductor switching element is caused to effect switching operation is fed to the semiconductor switching circuit. An external control device to receive an abnormality signal outputted from the semiconductor switching element and detect abnormality is arranged outside a closed container.    ADVANTAGE -   Size is reduced, safety is ensured, and the occurrence of abnormality is detected.
The generator has a catalyst burner for mixing and burning gas branched from feeding line for anode and cathode exhaust gas to a burning chamber of a improver and exhaust gas returning line for returning exhaust gas in the burner to exhaust gas circulation line.    ADVANTAGE -   Abnormal rise of temp. of the burner and overheat of the improver in low load operation can be prevented.
The device comprises a container; a cathode (3) contg. H2-absorbing metal or alloy; anodes (4); electrolytic soln. (2) contg. heavy water housed in the container; a power source (101) for supplying DC current to the cathode and the anodes; and a heat output unit (8) able to transmit heat generated in the cathode to the outside of the container. The cathode incorporates a stowing layer (5) formed by deuterium absorptive metal powder; a sepg. film (6) for stopping movement of the deuterium absorptive metal powder while allowing passage of the deuterium, and a heat insulating layer (7) for preventing heat transfer generated in the deuterium-absorptive metal powder to the cathode, interposed between the stowing layer and the cathode. The heat output unit (8) penetrates the stowing layer (5).    USE -   The device is used to obtain high output energy as compared with input energy by absorbing the deuterium in the heavy hydrogen-absorbing metal or alloy, generated by electrolysis or fuel cell electrolysis.    ADVANTAGE -   Boiling of the electrolyte soln. is prevented even though heat temp. obtd. by the electrolysis or the fuel cell electrolysis is high, and acquisition of heat energy is performed effectively.
The apparatus has a calculator (21), which estimates the voltage-current change state of a battery while power is being supplied from the battery. Another calculator (29) computes an approximate linear function based on the total power supplied from the battery and terminal voltage of the battery and a further calculator (30) obtains the open circuit voltage of the battery, when the battery starts or stops supplying the power. The linear function is used to obtain the residual capacity voltage.    According to the residual capacity voltage and total current capacity of the battery, during supply of power, residual capacity of the battery is measured and displayed. A discrimination unit (32) integrates the current values, to obtain and store the total current capacity according to the open circuit voltage measured when the battery stops supplying power, only when the residual capacity voltage is lower than the previous residual capacity voltage.    USE -   Batteries for electric cars.    ADVANTAGE -   Restrains error in measurement accuracy, due to deterioration of discharge characteristic.
The electrode compsn. comprises an X pts.wt. of an anode of a lead alloy, and active substance of a lead dioxide, Y pts.wt. of a cathode of a lead alloy, sponge lead, and active substance, and D pts.wt. of an electrolytic solution of a dilute sulphuric acid; where D = q x (X + Y); Y = (1.0 - 1.2) x X; q is 1.5 to 1.3.    USE -   For automobile battery electrode.    ADVANTAGE -   The lead battery in which the electrode composition is included exhibits improved low temp. starting characteristics, and high temp. durability.
A load system which is connected to an electricity transferring system through a system protection contact breaker and is directly connected to a load without a failure of electric supply whose capacity is not more than a generation capacity of a fuel battery and is connected to each of many general loads through capacity controlling contact breakers is provided. An inverter detects a function for converting a direct current output from the fuel battery to an alternative current output and detects an abnormal condition of the electricity transferring system and controls the system protection contact breaker and the capacity controlling contact breakers.    ADVANTAGE -   Continuously supplies electricity from fuel battery only to a special load when failure of electric supply or other abnormal condition happens in electricity transferring system.
The generator of a fuel battery comprises a generation apparatus provided with a fuel battery apparatus for generating a direct current when a fuel gas and an oxidizing agent gas are supplied, and an air exhausting apparatus which exhausts the air that has been exhausted from the fuel battery apparatus.    In the fuel battery apparatus, a selective absorption film is formed outside a plane that can receive at least a sun light. When the sun light is received through the selective absorption film, a temperature rises and the exhausted air is heated.    USE -   For providing generator of fuel battery which can prevent exhausted air from becoming white smoke as much as possible.
The fuel battery power generation system includes a reformed gas cooler serving as a heat regenerator with a cooling temp. regulation function, and a bypass placed before the cooler allowing the reformed gas to circulate to the rear end reformed gas cooler when the waste heat regenerator and waste heat recovering heat regenerator are not used.    USE/ADVANTAGE -   For co-generation type fuel battery power generation system. Protects waste heat recovering heat regenerator from failure caused by scale and water boiling
The fuel battery power generation arrangement comprises an instrument to detect pressure at which city gas is supplied, and at least either an upper limit of gas pressure decrease per time, or a lower limit of gas pressure decrease during a certain period prescribed to determine the time to change the line for supply city gas to the one for supplying liquefied propane gas, introduce the liquefied propane gas to the fuel battery proper and continue operation with the propane gas in case city gas is cut.    ADVANTAGE -   Facilitates prompt change of the gases.
The ventilator has an air inlet (5) located at the side of a box (1) that contains a fuel cell power appts. A filter (6) is arranged adjacent to the inner surface of the inlet. Inside the box facing the filter is a ventilation fan and an exhaust port distributed all over the box.    One end of the filter is built in the inner surface of the air inlet rotatably so that it is pressed against the inner surface of the air inlet by the expansion power of a compression spring (9). The inlet is closed and opened according to the displacing movement of the filter.    ADVANTAGE -   Provides ventilator which can be efficiently driven with high safety. Reliably detects reduction in ventilation ability due to stopped up of filter.
A combined parking meter/battery charger station includes a detachable remote receiver to inform the vehicle operator of charge-level status and other information. Upon sufficient payment or credit, the remote receiver is released so that it may be carried away from the charging station. The receiver includes a visual or audible indicator which may keep the operator apprised of charge status, time remaining on the meter or account information.    The audible alert may be used to indicate a full charge or to warn that little time is remaining, or other conditions. Communication from the station to the receiver may either be directly from the station or, alternatively, a station may communicate with a central office associated with a number of the stations and broadcast may be made from it.    USE/ADVANTAGE -   For battery powered vehicles. Enables battery of an electric vehicle to be charged at convenient station.
Fuel reformer comprises a reforming vessel, reforming tubes (3) filled with reforming catalyst and placed in the reforming vessel, and combustion chamber (17) which is a flowing space of high temp. combustion gas. A sleeve (18) surrounds the reforming tubes along their axial lines to form combustion gas passages, and a thermal insulation cap (19) is placed at the tops of reforming tubes. The lower end of thermal insulation cap is extended from the upper end of sleeve to a lower direction to eliminate the pts. of reforming tubes exposed to the combustion chamber.    USE -   Used to provide fuel reformers suitable for fuel cell power generation systems.    ADVANTAGE -   Temp. of combustion gas at the inlet of combustion gas is equalised and dispersion of temps. at the tops of reforming tubes are equalised.
The battery stoppers are moulded as a set, with all the stoppers (1) attached to a strap (6). The stoppers are positioned along the strap at regular intervals. The zones of the strap between the stoppers are flexible and allow bending of the strap so the stoppers can be fitted to the spacing of the battery cell openings.    A tongue at one end of the strip allows it to be removed in a single operation to give access to all cells of the battery. The sections of the strap between the plugs can be broken along lines of weakness if individual cell access is preferred. The stoppers are designed to allow escape of gas, but not of electrolyte.    USE/ADVANTAGE -   Stoppers for cells of motor vehicle batteries. Multiple plugs that are easily handled for quick installation.
The fuel cell is constructed with a number of tubular fuel elements (1) that are mounted between a pair of current take off plates (2,3) that are of electrically isolating material. The tubes have on the outer surface a cathode (11) and coaxially within this is an anode (13). Between the two is an electrolyte matrix (12). All three elements are cylindrical and are coaxial. Cathode gas (K) flows around the outer cathode surface of the tubes while fuel gas (B) is directed through the tubes and over the anodes.    ADVANTAGE -   Reduced no. of high cost elements.
A thermocouple is inserted into the gap formed perpendicular to the gas flow channel between laminate separator sheets.    ADVANTAGE -   Thermocouple can be inserted without affecting gas flow.
In a methanol reformer comprising a heat source and reforming feed gas supply part (10) to prepare reforming feed liq. contg. methanol and water and supply it to a part for reforming the feed liq. to fuel gas contg. hydrogen, the reforming feed gas supply part comprises a reforming feed liq. vapourisation part (14) to vapourise the reforming feed liq., reforming feed gas passages (15) capable of exchanging heat feed liq., reforming feed gas passages (15) capable of exchanging heat with the heat source and flowing the reforming feed gas vapourised exchanging heat with the reforming feed gas, a given amt. of particles (22) to fluidise by the flowing reforming feed gas and porous members (20,21) fitted with holes smaller than the particles and placed in the reforming feed gas passages to place the particles at given positions in the passages.    USE -   For reforming feed liq. contg. methanol and water to fuel gas contg. hydrogen gas.    ADVANTAGE -   Amt. of thermal energy supplied is increased and temps. of reforming feed gas flowing in a fluidised layer are equalised.
The terminal (39) includes a cylindrical electrode holder (51) formed at the terminal of a substrate (45) connected to a wire joint (49). A terminal main body (41) is formed opposite the substrate.    A lever (43) with a fastening is rotatably fixed to a plate (53). The space between the plate and the substrate as well as the space within the electrode holder is reduced when the fastening is clamped to the substrate.    ADVANTAGE -   Improves operativity by attaching battery terminal to battery post easily and firmly without causing deformations to battery post; rotates lever toward substrate easily.
A fuel cell power generation system is provided with a steam reforming unit for reforming raw fuel into a hydrogen-based fuel gas by steam reforming reaction using a catalyst, and a fuel cell for extracting electrical energy by causing the fuel gas to react with oxygen in the air, and has the conduit leading the reformed fuel gas to the fuel pole of the fuel cell. The raw fuel is input to the pre-reformer charged with a precious metal catalyst, the output of the pre-reformer is input to the steam reforming unit, and the pre-reformer bypass line is installed which links the input-side line and output-side line of the pre-reformer.    USE -   Used to improve the fuel-cell power generation system so that it does not cause carbon pptn. in the catalyst of the hydrogen reforming unit.    ADVANTAGE -   Prevents carbon from precipitating in the catalyst and maintains high performance.
A series circuit of a discharge switch and a resistor is connected in parallel to the capacitor connected across the output of the voltage-boosting chopper connected between the fuel battery and the dc-ac inverter from which ac power is delivered to a load.    ADVANTAGE -   Battery deterioration can be prevented.
A active-carbon tank and ion exchange resin tanks are placed in the water output line of the built-in cooling-water purifying equipment and shunted by a bypass water line through a switch valve.    ADVANTAGE -   The cooling-water purifying equipment can be replaced easily and economically.
Fuel city-gas supply failure detector is connected to a fuel selector in which fuel supply is switched to the built-in emergency liq. fuel tank when city gas supply failure is detected. A fuel gas generator is connected to the liq. fuel tank.    ADVANTAGE -   Uninterruptable power generation can be implemented.
The system includes a water supply unit which is connected to a condensation tank. The steam supplied from a boiler is introduced into the condensation tank after thermal load testing.    ADVANTAGE -   System can be tested without fuel battery connection.
The method involves connection of an exhaust battery gas mixer with a solenoid valve to the fuel combustion air supply line of a fuel battery. The solenoid valve is controlled in reference to the load current of the fuel battery.    USE/ADVANTAGE -   E.g. battery power generation system. Temperature overshoot can be prevented even though load of battery suddenly decreases.
USE/ADVANTAGE -   E.g. fuel battery power generation plant chamber. Condition of gas exhaust can be monitored.
The mixed salt for evaluating resistance to corrosion contains NaCl (32-38%), KCl (4-6%), MgSO4 (13-17%) and CaCl2.    ADVANTAGE -   The mixed salts to evaluate the resistance to corrosion in dust incineration is composed of chemically stable elements.
Water (5), possibly sea water, is decomposed into H2 and O2in a cell (1, 2, 3) using electrical power from large solar cells arrays (4). The gases generated are conveyed (8, 9) to be compressed and put into special containers for transport and further use.    ADVANTAGE -    Ecologically beneficial process reducing greenhouse effect from CO2generation.
Processing waste inorganic materials comprises: (i) anaerobically digesting organic materials with fermenting and reducing microorganisms in the presence of gypsum and, if necessary, nitrates or other N cpds.; and (ii) using the resulting gaseous and dissolved reducing agents as electron donors for generating electricity in a fuel cell or galvanic cell and for producing biogas (CH4 , H2, etc.).    ADVANTAGE -   Allows waste materials to be disposed of with high energy recovery efficiency, and is readily integrated into existing power station operations.
A cation exchange membrane comprises a polymer having cation exchange gps. with dispersed inorganic filler, the polymer in the bulk of the membrane being substantially free of metal catalysts.    Also claimed are: (1) a membrane and electrode assembly comprising a cation exchange membrane of polymer having cation exchange gps. with an electrode formed on its surface(s): (i) having inorganic proton conductor of conductivity at least 10-4 S/cm dispersed within the polymer or (ii) the electrode comprising a layer of electroconductive, catalytically active particles and binder polymer having cation exchange gps. dispersed with inorganic filler; (2) an electrochemical cell comprising an anode compartment, a cathode compartment and the cation exchange membrane of (1)(i) serving as separator and electrolyte between them; (3) a fuel cell for operation with a direct feed organic fuel comprising an anode compartment contg. an anode, a cation compartment contg. a cathode and the membrane of the main claim serving as separator and electrolyte between them; (4) prepn. of cation exchange membranes comprising dispersed inorganic filler comprising forming a membrane of polymer having cation exchange gps. and dispersing inorganic filler in the membrane by in situ pptn..    USE -   The cation exchange membranes are useful in electrochemical cells and fuel cells (claimed).    ADVANTAGE -   The membrane has a low fuel crossover rate and improved mechanical properties e.g. stiffness. Membranes contg. inorganic proton conductors have increased proton conductivity.
Sulphonated aromatic polyether-ketones (PEK) contg. units of formula -[Ar-O]p-Ar-[(CO-Ar')x-O-Ar]m-[CO-Ar']y-[O-Ar]n-CO]- (II) are claimed, in which 1-100% of the -O-phenylene-CO- units are substd. with a SO3M gp., sulphonated and unsulphonated -O-phenylene-CO- gps., and sulphonated and unsulphonated -O-phenylene-O- gps. in any sequence. In (II), Ar = p- and/or m-phenylene (p- and/or m-Phe); Ar' = phenylene, naphthylene, biphenylene, anthrylene or other arylene; M = H, NR4+ (R = H or 1-4C alkyl) or a metal, pref. an alkali(ne earth) metal or sub-Gp. 8 metal; x, n and m = 0 or 1; y = 0, 1, 2 or 3; and p = 1, 2, 3 or 4.    Also claimed are: (i) a process for the prodn. of (II); (ii) a polymeric electrolyte soln. contg. (II); and (iii) a film with a thickness of 5 m to 1 mm contg. (II).    USE -   Solns. (ii) are used for the prodn. of asymmetric membranes and compact films to give intimate contact between two polymer electrolyte surfaces and for producing a porous or rough surface after contacting the soln. with a pptn. agent (claimed). Polymers (II) are used for the prodn. of polymeric electrolyte solns. and/or polymer films, and in electrochemical cells, esp. fuel cells or electrolysis cells (claimed).    ADVANTAGE -   Enables the controllable prodn. of new sulphonated PEK polymers by sulphonation of PEK under mild conditions including the sulphonation of -O-phenylene-CO- units (-O-Phe-CO- units). Polymers with more than a certain deg. of sulphonation are soluble.
Sulphonated aromatic polyether-ketones (PEK) of formula(II) are claimed, in which 1-100% of the -O-phenylene-CO- units are substd. with a SO3M gp., with sulphonated and unsulphonated -O-phenylene-CO- gps. in any sequence: -(Ar-O-Ar'-CO-Ar'-O-Ar-CO-Ar"-CO)- (II) Ar, Ar', Ar" = opt. substd. 1,2-, 1,3- or 1,4-phenylene; M = H, NR4+ (with R = H or 1-4C alkyl), or an alkali or alkaline earth metal or Sub-Gp. 8 metal, pref. H, NR4+,Li, Na, K, Ca, Mg, Fe or Pt.    Also claimed are: (i) a process for the prodn. of (II); (ii) a polymeric electrolyte soln. contg. (II); and (iii) film with a thickness of from 5 microns to 1 mm contg. (II).    USE -   Solns. (ii) are used for the prodn. of asymmetrical membranes (e.g. for nano-, ultra- or micro-filtration) and compact films, for obtaining partic. intimate contact between two polymer electrolyte surfaces, and for producing a porous or rough surface after contacting the soln. with a pptn. agent (claimed). Polymers (II) are used for the prodn. of polymeric electrolyte solns. and/or polymer films, and in electrochemical cells, esp. fuel cells or electrolysers (claimed).    ADVANTAGE -   Enables the controllable prodn. of new sulphonated PEK polymers by sulphonation of PEK under mild conditions, including the sulphonation of -O-phenylene-CO- units (-O-Phe-CO- units).
A gripping portion is formed of elastically deformable and electrically conductive metal material in the shape of a hollow shell having adjacent ends which define and axially extending slot to enable the shell to open and close. A pair of extension arms are integral with the ends of the shell and extend parallel to one another. A first of the arms connectable to an electrical cable, with radially inwardly extending indentations on the gripping portion for engaging the battery post at spaced locations.    A fastener is carried by the extension arms for moving the extension arms toward each other to close the gripping portion around the battery post to clamp the indentations and gripping portion onto the battery post. The indentations comprise three radially inwardly extending pads at three equidistantly spaced circumferential locations of the gripping portion. The pads have an inner end face which is knurled so that the pads bite into the battery post to provide both a good mechanical and a good electrical connection with the battery post.    USE -   Connector for connecting electrical cable to battery terminal post.
A gas mixture whose main constituent is hydrogen and contg. carbon monoxide and carbon dioxide, is added with gas contg. oxygen then their mixture is made to contact with catalyst (A) carrying cation type Pt compound (B). (B) is (Pt(NH3)4) is divalent cation. Specific compounds of the catalyst carrier and method of producing gas contg. hydrogen utilising this method are also claimed.    USE -   Used for eliminating carbon monoxide selectively from gas mixture for fuel cells.    ADVANTAGE -   Oxidn. of carbon monoxide in the gas mixture contg. a relatively large amount of carbon dioxide at high temp. with high efficiency.
The reactor comprises rod heat transfer heaters for catalyst rise arranged in a reactor filled with catalyst and heat transfer fins on the outer peripheries of the heat transfer heaters to be projected into a surrounding catalyst layer.    ADVANTAGE -   When the reactor is activated, catalyst can be uniformly and efficiently heated to a preset temp. in a short time.
The process comprises placing combustion chambers via heat transfer partition plates across reforming chambers and placing fuel or air dispersing chambers via dispersing plates outside both combustion chambers, so that fuel or air may be supplied into the dispersing chambers from the outside, air or fuel supplied into the combustion chambers to exhaust combustion gas and reformed material gas supplied into the reforming chambers to exhaust reformed gas.    ADVANTAGE -   A plate reformer can be easily assembled using less parts.
The reformer comprises a double-structured catalyst layer in a reforming tube, a precious metal based catalyst layer on the entrance side of material gas formed on steam and fuel and a base meal based catalyst layer on the exit side of the reformed gas.    ADVANTAGE -   The pptn. of carbon in a steam reforming process for fuel is prevented and an increase in the amt. of methane prod. in the reformed gas is restricted.
The reformer comprises spacers arranged at the first or second annular section to keep the space between an inner tube and a middle tube or between the middle tube and an outer tube constant.    ADVANTAGE -   High quality reformed gas is obtd. whilst maintaining a lower max. temp. of a reforming reaction tube.
The reformer comprises a flame surrounding cylinder in front of a burner, to surround flames from the burner, and isolate the flames from the inside wall face of a reforming tube.    ADVANTAGE -   The abnormal local overheating of reforming catalyst is prevented even if the flames are in one-sided condition during burning.
New Cu-Zn composite ultrafine particles consist of: (a) spherical ultrafine particles of copper (oxide); and (b) columnar or whisker-shaped ultrafine particles of zinc (oxide). Also claimed are new Cu-Zn-Mn composite ultrafine particles consisting of (c) spherical ultrafine particles of copper (oxide) contg. Cu, Cu oxide, and M element selected from Al, Cr, Ce, La, Pd, Ga, Au, or Ag; and (d) columnar or whisker-shaped ultrafine particles of zinc (oxide).    USE -   For methanol synthesis from CO2 and H2 or conversion to fuel gas contg. H2 and CO2.    ADVANTAGE -   The new particles are fine and of higher purity, providing a higher catalytic activity, selectivity, and durability.
The appts consists of a multiple heat exchange pipes (18) arranged inside a fuel heating chamber (24). Liquid fuel is supplied to this fuel heating chamber using a pump (20). Gas at high temperature is passed through heat exchange pipes. The liquid fuel gets heated thereby generated gaseous fuel. The gaseous fuel accumulates at an accumulator part (22) of the heating chamber. The gaseous fuel is then led from the accumulator part into a combustion chamber (28).    The gaseous fuel is mixed with air inside the combustion chamber and is then burnt. The waste gas generated during this process is flown out through a nozzle (37). The fuel gas is then mixed with air at high pressure from an air nozzle (36) and is flown out of the combustion chamber into a gas flow tube (34) through a gas fuel outlet (30).    ADVANTAGE -   Uses low calories fuel like alcohol for generating fuel gas. Enables burning of fuel gas at high temperature. Increases combustion duration sharply.
A mounting plate (1) carries an integral terminal lug (3) incorporating a passageway for receipt of a bolt which holds in place a connector for an electrical cable on a car battery. An adaptor post is of circular external shape with a slight upward taper and incorporates a recess. This precisely matches the shape of the terminal lug (3).    The post (5) can be placed very firmly over the lug (3) so that there will be secure frictional engagement between these parts to hold the post (5) securely in place. This converts the mounting to one with an alternative type of connector for an electrical cable in the form of a sleeve which is clamped over the post (5).    ADVANTAGE -   Terminal on battery can be modified from one design to another.
A cellular battery (1) including a number of cells (2) in a required configuration to provide the required current flow, each cell (2) having a rectangular shape and each cell (2) provided with corresp. locating formations (8) for enabling a cell to receive and locate similar cells adjacent thereto in various configurations. Each cell has an electric connector in the form of a plug (10) and socket formations, the latter being interlinked by conductive members.    USE/ADVANTAGE -   Battery consisting of unitary cells that can be connected in various configurations of parallel or series arrangement to obtain a desired level of either voltage or storage capacity e.g. for the automotive industry. Simple and relatively inexpensive cellular battery.
A heat exchanger made up of plates and with a reformer is fitted with 2 types of channels (3,5). A heat exchange medium (G1) flows through one type of channel (3) whilst the gas mixture (G2) to be reformed passes through the other (5). This 2nd type of channel (5) contains material    USE -   To make use of heat from a stack of fuel cells for reforming gas mixtures.    ADVANTAGE -   By combining this heat exchanger with fuel cells, the energy demands of the reformer are covered and operating costs are improved.
The pref. aircraft (101) is a span-loaded wing having no fuselage or rudder. Its two hundred foot wingspan carries photo voltaic cells (113) power eight propellers (102) to fly at about 90 m.p.h. at up to 60,000 ft.    The regenerative fuel cells (104) in the wing store excess energy to maintain flight at night so that the aircraft can sustain elevation almost indefinitely while transmitters and receivers are controlled from the ground.    ADVANTAGE -   Inexpensive, steerable aircraft can remain aloft for long periods while used for weather monitoring, communication, surveillance and atmospheric testing.
Bipolar cell comprises: (i) a bipolar substrate plate (12) composed of serially conductive contiguous strands of carbon and a cured mix of carbon particles and a fluoro-elastomer material, the plate comprising two opposed generally flat surfaces; and (ii) an electrode (14,16) integrally inseparably and conductively joined to each of the two plate (12) surfaces.    Also claimed is a bipolar battery comprising: (a) many bipolar cells; (b) a peripheral seal (54) composed of cured fluoro-elastomeric material imperviously peripherally bonded to and disposed between at least 2 adjacent bipolar plates (12); and (c) an electrolyte reservoir (50) between successive bipolar cells.    Also claimed are: (1) a bipolar cell where the two opposed generally flat surfaces are silane treated; and (2) a bipolar cell where the bipolar substrate plate comprises a backbone of contiguous strands of carbon and a filler of mix of carbon particles and a crosslinked fluoro-elastomeric material.    USE -   The cell is used in the mfr. of bipolar batteries.    ADVANTAGE -   Battery can accommodate high specific power energy storage, and has a low wt.. The current path is relatively short and internal losses are minimised. The wt. and vol. of each cell is reduced. The cells and batteries can be stored for a long time without deleterious effects, and are corrosion resistant and strong and flexible. The useful life is long because they are rechargeable.
The water generated by the reaction of a battery is temporarily stored until one oxygen cylinder and / or one hydrogen cylinder has been used. The generated water is then stored in the empty cylinders in order. A large amt. of generated water can therefore be stored without making large a size of an oxygen and water separating appts. Generation of electricity does not have to be stopped when the generated water is fully filled in a storing container.    USE -   For sufficiently filling water generated by a reaction of a fuel battery in a storing container without requiring a large sized storing container.
The electricity collector involves a fuel battery which contacts a pair of electrodes that hold an electrolyte film, which collects electricity from the electrodes and includes a gas flow route.    A three-dimensional net-shaped structure made from a highly conductive material is made into an electricity collecting base which is provided with the gas flow route. An electricity collecting material is filled in a clearance in the 3D structure.    ADVANTAGE -   Does not need shaving process by end mill or milling machine.
The cell structure includes the plate type oxygen pole which is set to one plane of the plate type electrolyte layer. By setting a separator, an oxygen containing gas flow route or a fuel flow route is divided.    A number of cells are separated from each other so that the fuel flow route or the oxygen containing gas flow route which connects the plate type oxygen pole and the separator is placed between the adjacent cells.    USE -   For making cells compact and piling them up in fuel battery.
A pump is attached to a battery liquid supplementing container. A liquid guide and an illumination lamp are set at a tip of a hose. A "L"-shaped projection is attached to the liquid guide so that a level of the liquid comes to a "high"-level. A detection case and a liquid supplementing hose are incorporated inside the liquid guide. A control box and a liquid guide cleansing tank are set outside the liquid supplementing container.    A detection apparatus which uses a transistor and an IC, an automatically supplemented liquid stopping apparatus, a guide cleansing apparatus, and an alarming apparatus are incorporated in the control box. A positive side lead wire and a negative side lead wire are connected to the control box.    ADVANTAGE -   Completes supplementation of liquid to each cell by switch without battery being detached from vehicle.
The fuel reformer consisting of one or more than one reforming tube for producing a reformed gas contg. mainly hydrogen via steam reforming by heating a raw material gas obtd. by mixing hydrocarbons and a steam, a storage container for storing the reforming tube, a raw material gas tube for introducing a raw material gas into the reforming tube, and a burner for producing a combustion gas for heating the reforming tube is effected in that a tubular heat exchanger for preheating the raw material gas is placed in the exhaust gas in the storage container is discharged.    USE -   In a fuel cell power generating system.    ADVANTAGE -   A preheater for raw material gas can be downsized or eliminated.
A fuel reformer comprises a reforming tube and a burner placed inside the reforming tube. The reforming tube comprises a cylindrical intermediate cylinder, an inner cylinder and an outer cylinder interposing the intermediate cylinder, a catalyst layer formed by filling granulated reforming catalyst in a space between the intermediate cylinder and the inner cylinder, and fins formed on the catalyst layer side surface of the inner cylinder. The catalyst layer comprises individual catalyst layers formed by filling the granulated reforming catalyst on partition plates provided along the raw fuel flow direction while forming spaces between the individual catalyst layers and respective partition plates adjoining in the raw fuel flow direction. Through holes for passing the raw fuel and/or reformed gas are formed in the respective partition plates.    USE -   The fuel reformer is used for mfg. of fuel for a fuel battery etc.    ADVANTAGE -   Collapsing of the granulated reforming catalyst under a severe operating condition is suppressed.
The battery terminal has an elastic contact (18) fixed at an inclination to a first leg shaped piece (6) by a bolt (11) and a nut (14) arrangement. When the elastic contact strikes a second leg shaped piece (5) placed opposite to it, the tightening is strengthened and the elastic contact is further deformed. A ring shaped metallic electrode retainer (2) is attached to the two leg shaped pieces at its ends.    The peripheral part of an electrode (P) is pushed into a slot (3) by means of the electrode retainer. The diameter of the electrode retainer is reduced by deformation and the two leg shaped pieces change positions mutually. The elastic contact gets energized between the two leg shaped pieces, and suitably expands. The amount of deformation of elastic contact is regulated by a cuff part and the elastic contact moves against a convex part (20).    ADVANTAGE -   Enables simple removal work. Provides prolonged life of elastic contact.
Fuel cell mfr. comprises making the width of the protuberance of the channel for oxygen bearing gas smaller than that of the channel for hydrogen bearing gas.    ADVANTAGE -   Increases oxygen bearing gas diffusibility in the channel, preventing deterioration of output voltage in high current density domain, and improves energy efficiency in total system.
The paper plate on gas side includes porous carbon paper plate (1) with the gas permeation hole (2) in the middle and the peripheral part treated free of gas permeation, and the manifold (5) and dowel pin holes (6) for passing gas and cooling water. The paper plates on the gas side are built up on both sides of the conductive gas non-permeation material and made into one piece for the plate of fuel cell.    ADVANTAGE -   The plate for the fuel cell is thin, compact and lightweight, good cooling efficiency.
Insulative resin is coated on a synthetic resin sheet having fine pores, at least along with left and right ends of one side of the sheet up to frame position of both terminals of an electrode plate, and then the sheet is bent to a U-shape bag for use as a separator.    USE -   Used in cars.    ADVANTAGE -   Oxidn. deterioration of the separator of the battery is restrained by preventing contact between the anode and the separator.
A four-pole battery for vehicles includes a cranking battery (CRA) (23) with a positive pole for connection to a starter motor, and an auxiliary (AUX) (22) battery with a positive pole for connection to the auxiliary loads.    The CRA battery has high current plates, the AUX battery having deep cycle plates, both batteries being of different construction and housed in a case which is a monobloc moulding, with side-by-side compartments.The CRA battery has a positive and a negative pole and the AUX battery has a positive and negative pole,    but neither battery has a common negative.    USE/ADVANTAGE -   For automotive and marine applications, such as starting motor vehicles and boats. Easy to mfr. and easy to connect into vehicle for controlling electronic circuitry.
Method for fumigating a treatment chamber for the purposes of pest control using an inert gas such as N2, Ar, CO2, or mixts. of these comprises circulating an inert gas/air mixt. through the treatment chamber and through a fuel cell which serves as a consumer of oxygen and thus extracts oxygen from the circulating gas stream.    USE -   Used for treating goods or articles infested with pests by killing the pests due to the absence of oxygen.    ADVANTAGE -   The process does not require the use of toxic gases; the fuel cell continuously consumes any oxygen present in the circulating inert gas atmos. e.g. due to leakage of seals in the treatment chamber. No environmentally harmful substances are produced during operation of the unit.
Anion exchange mouldings are made from a soln. of: (a) polymer with reactive functional gps. contg. halogen: and (b) tert. amine (I) by evapn. of the solvent or phase inversion. The polymer is a polyether (II), which is soluble in the solvent mixt. and has a main chain of ethylene oxide gps. contg. structures of formula -(CR1R2-CR3R4-O-)n- (IIA). At least one of R1-4 = CH2Z, where Z = halogen. (I) contains 2 or more tert. amino gps..    USE -   The mouldings are used as diaphragms for fuel cells, microporous substrates for gel electrophoresis and selective layers for gas sepn. or pervaporation membranes, for making charged reverse osmosis, ultrafiltration and microfiltration membranes and for ion-conducting bonding of ion exchange membranes (all claimed).    ADVANTAGE -   The universally-applicable strongly basic anion exchanger can be made in any physical form (e.g. blocks, granules, coatings on substrates and for bonding). Although strongly basic, it is made without using toxic (carcinogenic) chloromethylating agent. It is chemically stable (esp. towards high and low pH values and oxidn.), has satisfactory mechanical stability and can be made cheaply and easily.
A suspension of fibre material is filtered through the sieve of a rotating perforated cylinder completely immersed in a tank with the suspension. Compaction of the obtd. humid intermediate prod. is carried out by a roller parallel to the cylinder.    The prod. is then dried to a constant mass during evacuation. The filtrate is continually returned to the tank during the continuous filtration process and the process is ended after obtg. of a diaphragm of the required thickness.    USE/ADVANTAGE -   Mfr. of porous diaphragms for fuel elements or moisture-transmitting membranes. Reduced variation of porosity. Bul. 4/10.2.96
(1) Catalyst carrier (A) is contact with the soln. (B) contg. at least one of Ru cpd (C), Zr cpd (D), alkali metal compound (E) and rare earth metal compound, (F). (2) Catalyst made above process and contg. ruthenium for steam modifying of hydrocarbon is also claimed (3).    USE -   Used for steam reforming of hydrocarbon, applicable to hydrogen production processes of fuel cell.    ADVANTAGE -   This method disperses ruthenium component homogeneously around Zr component with simple process, so that this product shows high activity (transformation ratio of butane=100%) at high temp.
The connector device includes the connection box (18) having fixings (44,46) to the vehicle connecting it to earth and a cover (52) for the components which has holes (62) allowing access to the connection posts (44,46) for the cables from the battery and an opening for the connections (40).    The surface carrying the components faces the battery, preferably along its longer edge on the side nearer to the battery terminals. Variations allow the cover to extend over the battery terminals, to use a base to take both the battery and the connector box or the cover may be adapted as a combined housing.    ADVANTAGE -   Simpler connection, fuses closer to battery, improved earthing, suitable for different types of battery.
The battery terminal has stoppers (18,19) protruding from respective leg pieces (6,5). The stoppers are used for regulating approach and displacement of the leg pieces by making contact with the other leg piece.    The stoppers are formed on both sides in the direction of length with a bolt (11) mounting position between them.    ADVANTAGE -   Excessive deformation of battery terminal does not occur.
A stopper (18) makes contact with the opposite surface of one leg of legs (5,6) when a bolt (11) is fastened by a given amount is arranged to the other leg piece. Deformation regulating parts (19,20) to regulate slide of a stopper (18) over the leg piece by engaging the deformation regulating parts (19, 20) with each other in such a state that the stopper makes contact with the leg piece are formed on the stopper (18) and the leg piece positioned facing the stopper.    ADVANTAGE -   Excessive deformation of battery terminal does not occur.
The device includes the first liquid reservoir part (6) branched from downward flow passages (2,4) through which one of oxidising gas and fuel gas flows or other flow passages (2,3) communicated with the flow passages (2,4).    The second liquid reservoir part (7) is connected to the lower part of the first liquid reservoir part (6). Valves (9,10) alternately opened and closed are arranged between the liquid reservoir parts (6,7) and on the outflow part side of the liquid reservoir part (7).    ADVANTAGE -   Surplus water in fuel battery is discharged from gas flow passage without leakage of gas and entrance of outside air.
The device includes the conductive porous material (15) to input production water in the manifold (13b) for storage and generate heat by energisation, arranged in at least one of, for example, a fuel gas discharge manifold (14b) of an oxidizing gas feed manifold (14a), a fuel gas feed manifold (13a), an oxidizing gas discharge manifold (14b), and a fuel gas discharge manifold (14b).    ADVANTAGE -   High output operation is practicable right after starting of operation.
The device comprises a first tank (6) connected to the water recovery system through an openable first valve (5). A second tank (8) communicates with the first tank through an openable second valve (7). It is connected to a water supply system (S) of the fuel battery (3). A pressure change absorbing device communicates with the first tank and absorbs a pressure change in it. A controller (11) controls the first and second valves so that water in the first tank is fed into the second tank when there is a reduction of a pressure in the second tank.    ADVANTAGE -   Recovered water is fed to water supply system so there is continued operation of fuel battery and effective re-use.
The fuel battery generating plant comprises a fuel battery body (1), and a cooling system to feed cooling water to the fuel battery body for cooling. A secondary cooling system (17) cools the cooling water through heat-exchange of the cooling water from the cooling system with secondary cooling after.    In the fuel battery generating plant, a controller (13) is provided to reduce the output of the fuel battery body (1) when the process value of the cooling system or the secondary cooling system (17) exceeds a value within a predetermined given range.    ADVANTAGE -   The number of times of thermal stress exerted on fuel battery body and an apparatus is reduced.
The fuel cell comprises layer-built unit cells with a matrix layer (14) holding electrolyte inserted between a fuel electrode (15) and an oxidant electrode, and cooling plates for supplying or discharging coolant installed for every specified number of unit cells. The cooling plates (13) includes a first and second boards with a heat transfer tube (23) inserted. The sides of a cooling plate are covered with a heat-resistant, corrosion-resistant, insulating resin layer (33).    USE -   Used for the prevention of corrosion of the cooling plate and heat transfer tube caused by entrance of electrolyte into the cooling plate interior.
When the vehicle collides in the advancing direction of the vehicle, the collision deformation promoting part (6) is formed in the collision energy absorbing part (14a) so that the collision energy absorbing member (14a) is deformed in a given shape.    At least the fuel battery (20) is mounted on the collision energy absorbing member so that the groove (30) formed in the containing case (30) for the battery (20) is positioned facing the collision deformation promoting part, e.g. notch part (6) formed in the energy absorbing part (14a).    ADVANTAGE -   Collision energy is sufficiently absorbed by collision energy absorbing member.
The fuel reformer comprises a reforming tube (8) and a burner. The reforming tube comprises an intermediate cylindrical member (81) and an inner cylindrical member and an outer cylindrical member (83) placed coaxially while interposing the intermediate cylindrical member. One end of the inner cylindrical member and the outer cylindrical member are covered by a covering plate at a position sepd. from one end of the intermediate cylindrical member. A catalyst layer is formed in a space between the intermediate cylindrical member and the inner cylindrical member by filling granulated reforming catalyser. The burner is placed at the inside portion of the reforming tube so as to supply heating medium for heating the reforming layer to the inner peripheral side of the inner cylindrical member and the outer peripheral surface of the outer cylindrical member. Original fuel of hydro-carbon is reformed to reformed gas enriched with HL by applying a steam reforming process by using the catalyst layer heated by the heating medium. Heat transfer accelerators are provided on the inside peripheral surface of the outer cylindrical member and/or the outer peripheral surface of the outer cylindrical member of the reforming tube.    ADVANTAGE -   A heat transfer rate between the heat medium flowing through a heat medium passage (52) and material gas passing an outer annular space (87) of the reformer is improved without increasing flow speed of the heat medium.
The electrical energy system has a common armature (5) for both the motor and the generator sides (M, G), the generator side (G) having a north pole (1) and a south pole (2) and the motor side (M) having a south pole (3) and a north pole (4).    The motor side has a greater length than the generator side, so that the braking effect caused by the generator side when both sides have the same current requirement is eliminated.    ADVANTAGE -   Allows normal vehicle battery to be replaced by smaller battery used solely as starter battery.
An electro-chemical generator contains a bank of fuel elements (1), a fuel prepn. and supply device, a heat-insulating body, radiation jacket a profiled screen (5), 2 burners, a gas-duct , a gas burner (9), pipelines and through coaxial channels.    The screen acts as the base of the jacket, while the burners are placed 1 over the other and their heat is accumulated by the screen and the jacket, acting as a sec. heat source to ensure uniform heating of the fuel elements.    USE/ADVANTAGE -   Generation of energy using melting electrolyte. Rational highly-effective heat exchange process. Bul.35/20.12.95.
Components such as H2 , hydrocarbons, and carbon disulphide are produced at at most 200 C, pref. at the ordinary temp. or lower when required, by introducing hydrocarbons, esp. methane or a methane-rich gas, and H2S into a reaction tower contg. a catalyst and a hydrogen absorbing alloy.    USE -    Applied to H2-producing equipment, fuel cells, and prepn. of carbon disulphide.    ADVANTAGE -    Methane can be used at low temps. to produce H2 and CS2 , which can be used as additive to fuels. H2can be produced at low cost.
The hydrogen producing appts. uses a supply comprising lower alkanes or alcohols in a catalytic reactor (30) for the supply of a fuel cell (2). The reactor has an internal heating circuit (33). It includes a catalytic burner (60) for burning a fuel mixture comprising the exhausted cathodic gases and the exhausted anodic gases from the fuel cell.    The burner has an exhaust section (63) connected to the inlet end (33a) of the internal heating system of the catalytic reactor, using one or more of the exhaust pipes (50 and 53).    ADVANTAGE -   Lower alkanes and lower alcohols can be easily synthesised at reasonable cost if they are not present naturally and their storage presents min. problem, technical difficulties and with less risk.
A hydroplane aggregate comprises, in addn. to turbo-jet engines or reciprocating piston engines, a high temp. superconductor linear motor for the catapult start and a magnetohydrodynamic (MHD) motor for the water landing, the superconductors of which are cooled with the same liq. hydrogen. Also claimed are high temp. superconductors and their rotors, a MHD motor and high temp. superconductor linear motor-MHD aggregates, esp. for hydroplanes. Further claimed are high temp. superconductor-semiconductors, comprising BiPbSrCaCuO in which the Cas is substd. by Ho, Tb, Dy and/or Er and opt. in p-n junction form; high temp. superconductor p-n soldering points, electromagnetic elements, thermomagnetic elements, thermoelectric elements and piezo-pressure elements; semiconductor-permanent magnet-high temp. superconductor regenerator; and various other high temp. superconductor-contg. devices such as hybrid fuel cell storage device, fuel pumps, ignition coils and electronic devices.    ADVANTAGE -   The high temp. superconductor components of the hydroplane can be cooled with the same liq. hydrogen with which the turbo-jet engines or reciprocating piston engines are operated.
The equipment includes a coupling part which allows gas and condensate discharged through first and second drain pipings (41,42-44) to be collected. The condensate is drained to a drain tank (38) and gas discharged through the second drain pipings (42-44) is returned to gas routes (21,23,27) through the first drain piping (4).    ADVANTAGE -   Prevents adverse effect of condensate on transformer, battery etc.
The power generating system is composed of air sepn. equipment to produce oxygen enriched air(a), reforming equipment to produce reformed gas(r) by combustion of steam and fuel gas by using (a) with existence of combustion plasma, and fuel cell to generate power by using (r) and (a).    ADVANTAGE -   The process can provide the power generating system of fuel cell, having improved operation ratio and overall generating efficiency.
The apparatus includes a gas feed pipe (4), with a water sealing apparatus (6) and a manometer (5), which is connected to a gas cylinder (10) for providing nitrogen gas to a fuelled gas feed manifold (2). The fuel gas flow passage of a fuel    pole is held at a specified value by adjusting a pressure reduction valve and the water sealing apparatus.    An oxygen gas detector (8) is arranged at the end faces of the air pole base material of air poles, facing each other. The oxygen density of the atmosphere is measured and leakage permeation between electrodes is detected from decrease of density.    ADVANTAGE -   Leakage and permeation of reaction gas is rapidly, simply and precisely detected.
The battery (12) is joined to an associated water separating device (44) by a circulation passage (44), which refines and separates anti-freeze solution by using an ultrafiltration film located in the circulation passage. This removes ethylene glycol, allowing permeation of water free of anti-freeze. The refined water is fed to a device for moistening hydrogen (18), located between a methanol reformer (20) and the battery.    ADVANTAGE -   No need for external water supply for moistening hydrogen since internal system supplies clean water.
A separator (11) comprises collectors (17,19) formed of a conductive rubber material and supports (16,22) having rigidity. A collecting part (27) for the collecting bodies (17,19) is brought into surface contact with a plate.    ADVANTAGE -   Internal resistance of battery is reduced and electromotive force increased.
The battery includes a number of layers (3) which have a melt point lower than that of the cathode edge (1). An alloy is formed on the two surfaces which are positioned facing each other in the direction of the width of the cathode edge. The alloy is pref. a calcium alloy. The width of a cathode shelf (2) is increased to a value higher than that of the cathode edge to surround the periphery of the edge.    ADVANTAGE -   High durability against vibration is provided. Prevents corrosion.
The prepn. of H2 comprises suspending, in water, a catalyst consisting of a Pt gp., element supported on a semiconductor, and irradiating the suspension with -rays to decompose water into H2.    Also claimed is an alternative prepn. of H2, which comprises suspending, in water, a catalyst consisting of Ru, Rh, or Pd supported on a semiconductor, and irradiating the suspension with -rays to decompose water into H2.    ADVANTAGE -   H2 can be produced effectively and cleanly using radiation emitted from nuclear reactors and also the catalysts need not be made of highly radioactive materials.
A power generation plant with a fuel cell comprises: a fuel cell body for generating power by electrochemical reaction between fuel and oxidising agent; a fuel cell body cooling system for cooling the fuel cell body by circulating cooling water for cooling heat of the reaction, via a steam separator and a circulation pump; a means for feeding steam generated in the steam separator to a steam-utilising system; and a steam processing appts. for taking out the steam generated in the steam separator separately from the fuel cell body cooling system and the steam-utilising system.    ADVANTAGE -   The power generation plant can operate continuously without changing the temp. of a fuel cell body when feed of steam to a steam-utilising system is suspended.
A power generator with a fuel cell comprises an appts. for forming modified gas rich in hydrogen by reacting original fuel from an original fuel feeding means in the presence of a modification catalyst, a means for reducing carbon monoxide concn. in the modified gas by oxidising the carbon monoxide using oxidising gas, and a fuel cell body where a cell reaction is effected between the modified gas low in carbon monoxide at a hydrogen pole and oxidising agent gas at an oxidation pole. A counterflow-preventing means for the oxidising agent gas and the modified gas are installed at an oxidising agent-feeding path and a modified gas-feeding path respectively.    ADVANTAGE -   The power generator is protected from flame and explosion by preventing counterflow in modified gas.
Mfg. current collector for a fuel cell comprises packing a mould with a material for a current collector, and forming the current collector for a fuel cell by compressing the mould with applying of pressure from a number of directions.    ADVANTAGE -   The performance of a fuel cell can be improved by mfg. a current collector low in intrinsic resistances in every direction.
The body comprises a fluorinated macromolecule sheet.    ADVANTAGE -   The fuel battery separator complex body has high proton conductivity, and high temp resistance.
Coating of a substrate with a vitreous material layer(4,6,8,10) is carried out by spraying.    Also claimed is a high temp. fuel cell stack comprising various planar components which are gas-tightly joined together by and mutually electrically insulated by a vitreous material layer produced by spraying.    Pref. the substrate (2) is preheated at up to 600 C and the layer surface (12) is smoothed by a plasma or high velocity flame after spraying.    USE -   For prodn. of a high temp. fuel cell stack (claimed).    ADVANTAGE -   The process avoids the use of a binder (and thus deleterious side-effects) and can be carried out under various conditions (e.g. at atmos. pressure or in a vacuum). The power density of a fuel cell stack is not reduced when the process is used for joining the stack components.
An electric energy source comprising acoustic vibration means for effecting cavitation in which the parameters affecting the cavitation are optimally adapted at least momentarily to the operating conditions of the energy source.    Also claimed is a method for influencing the cavitation process in an electric energy source in dependence on the load conditions.    The operating conditions are charging and/or discharging of the electric energy source. The parameters are selected from acoustic, thermodynamic, electric, mechanical, or liquid parameters. The energy source is fitted with a parameter data processing control system for controlling the cavitation process, and a current and voltage measuring means to input data to it.    USE -   Batteries and fuel cells.    ADVANTAGE -   Improved efficiency under load or extreme conditions.
The battery shield includes first and second members which are dimensioned to fit around the battery, forming a shield structure, that is open at its top and encloses the battery on all four sides and on the bottom, forming a heat shield for protecting the battery from hot temperatures.    The first and second members are hinged to a common base and are adapted to be pivoted about respective hinges outwardly away from another to an open position to facilitate installation of a battery in the shield and to then be moved upwardly and toward one another, in the manner of a "clamshell", to a closed position for enclosing the battery within the battery shield.    ADVANTAGE -   Is more space efficient and thermally effective. Improves battery life.
The arrangement for heating and cooling a vehicle battery includes a thermal chamber shaped to hold the vehicle battery. The thermal chamber includes a floor and three walls and is positioned against a fender of the vehicle so that the fender forms a fourth wall of the chamber. The thermal chamber includes an inlet opening for receiving air and an outlet opening for expelling air. The inlet opening receives air from a first inlet duct which transports ambient air from outside of the engine compartment, and from a second inlet duct which transports air from an exhaust manifold of the engine.    A temperature controlled damper directs air from either the first inlet duct or the second inlet duct into the inlet opening. An outlet duct transports air expelled through the outlet opening into the engine intake manifold. A filter positioned in the thermal chamber filters the air expelled through the outlet duct. The thermal chamber also includes heating elements which may be energized by household current to heat the thermal chamber.    ADVANTAGE -   Provides space efficient arrangement for effective thermal management of vehicle battery.
The O2 -selective permeation membrane is mfd. by dispersing a soln. of oxygen transportation carrier contg. metal complex capable of combining with O2 specifically and reversibly, in a hydrophobic medium having a slow speed of dissolution of CO2.     Also claimed is a cell comprising a cell vessel (3) having air inlets (31a), a gas diffusion electrode (5) to activate oxygen, and the O2-selective permeation membrane (A) placed between the air inlets and gas diffusion electrode.    USE -    Used as O2-selective permeation membranes for air cells or fuel cells.    ADVANTAGE -    The membrane prevents intrusion of steam or CO2into a cell to extend the life of cell.
A three-pole or four-pole battery switch includes a series-connector arranged between the cranking the engine (CRA) part and power to the auxiliaries (AUX) part of the battery and a sensing device for sensing at least the state of charge of the CRA part and for giving priority to the generator current for the CRA part via the series connector.    USE/ADVANTAGE -   For application with marine craft engines, vehicles etc. Provides improved starting.
A fuel cell and gas turbine combined cycle system which includes dual fuel cell cycles combined with a gas turbine cycle where a solid oxide fuel cell cycle operated at a pressure of between 6 to 15 atm tops the turbine cycle and is used to produce CO2 for a molten carbonate fuel cell cycle which bottoms the turbine and is operated at essentially atmospheric pressure.    A high pressure combustor is used to combust the excess fuel from the topping fuel cell cycle to further heat the pressurized gas driving the turbine. A low pressure combustor is used to combust the excess fuel from the bottoming fuel cell to reheat the gas stream passing out of the turbine which is used to preheat the pressurized air stream entering the topping fuel cell before passing into the bottoming fuel cell cathode. The CO2 generated in the solid oxide fuel cell cycle cascades through the system to the molten carbonate fuel cell cycle cathode.    USE/ADVANTAGE -   Integrated fuel-cell power plant for the production of electrical power. Improved efficiency of combined cycle.
The fuel battery has a drive motor voltage controller connected to built-in cooling fan to set output of fan so that the temperature of the fuel battery can be set to the predetermined value.    ADVANTAGE -   Battery output voltage can be maintained constant.
The lead-acid battery has gas exhaust passages independently provided to the respective cells, and at least one gas exhaust port (5) communicates with the gas exhaust passages. Porous materials are fitted to the gas exhaust ports, and the gas exhaust passages of the respective cells collectively communicate with the outside through the porous materials.    ADVANTAGE -   Necessary quantity of electrolyte can be maintained up to the end of the battery life, and danger of explosion can be restrained, and also even if explosion occurs, influence can be minimised.
The main cable (1) which links the vehicle battery (6) to the vehicle electrics is interrupted by an explosive charge (5) activated by an electric current. The charge is connected between the live terminal of the battery and a safety conductor (3) woven into the insulating sheath (4) of the main cable. In an accident a sharp edge of the vehicle body structure pierces the sheath and connects the safety conductor to earth return.    The safety conductor can have a braided structure forming one layer of the main cable sheath. A variation has an earthing cable near the safety fracture point. The explosive charge is in a capsule which drives a cutting edge through the cable.    ADVANTAGE -   A simple safety isolator which does not require a control circuit with its inherent failure mode.
The fuel cell system (2) has a fuel cell block (4) with anode (6) and cathode (8) sections and is constructed with a number of planar cells stacked together. Coupled to the block is an ac inverter (46) that converts the generated dc into ac voltage. The cathode stage has a supply stage (10) for oxygen and this contains an electrical heating element (24). The anode has a supply (30) for hydrogen or a mix of fuel gas and reaction steam. Feed lines (36,37) connect with a mixing stage (38) and the loop contains a second heating stage (44).    USE/ADVANTAGE -   Fuel cell system with gas heating avoids contamination and damage.
A sampling pipe (2) is connected to a fuel gas discharge manifold (14) of a fuel battery body (10). A specified flow rate of exhaust fuel gas is sucked by a suction pump (34) controlled by a flow rate controller (36) and guided to a high temp. gas cooler (22) and an electron cooler (27) to cool the fuel gas. The obtained drain (31) on the high temp. side and drain (32) on the low temp. side are stored as metered drain (33) at a drain metering container (39).    A time in which a given amount is stored by a water rate meter (42) is measured to determine a fuel gas drain flow rate. In a so formed air drain measuring device (44), by comparing with a standard flow rate calculated by adding an output current value obtained by a current converter (48), the increase or the decrease is researched.    ADVANTAGE -   Occurrence of leak and permeation of reaction gas is detected.
A fuel battery generating device comprises oxidn. gas feeders (14,15,16) to selectively feed oxidn. gas contg. oxygen gas to fuel gas, a modifying reaction part operating state detector (13) to detect the operation state of a modifying reaction part (10) and oxidn. gas feed controller (17) to control operation of the oxidn. gas feeders (14,15,16) based on a signal from the modifying reaction part operation state detector (13).    ADVANTAGE -   From a time right after starting, generating is effected by a fuel battery part.
An exhaust device (5) is provided to mix at least one of exhaust gas, inherent to a fuel battery generating system and discharged from a battery body and a reactor, and exhaust gas from ventilation air of each partition chamber and discharge the mixt.    ADVANTAGE -   Corrosion of an exhaust duct is reduced and the generation of white smoke is reduced.
Converter comprises: (a) a cylindrical reformer (3) to mfr. reformed gas contg. hydrogen as a main component; (b) hollow cylindrical vessel placed around the reformer through an thermal insulation material (9); (c) catalyst layer (50) filled with catalyst and placed at the inside of the cylindrical vessel; (d) inlet (46) placed at one end of vessel to supply reformed gas; (e) outlet (47) placed at another end to flow out reformed gas after passing through the vessel, the first cooling tube provided at the outer surface of vessel and extended from the inlet to the outlet and second cooling tube (53) placed near the exit at the inner surface of vessel.    USE -   Used for converting carbon monoxide formed in a reformer of fuel cell to carbon dioxide.    ADVANTAGE -   Temp. distribution of converter can be maintained at the optimum condition to decrease the concn. of carbon monoxide significantly.
Burner for reformers comprises a burner body (3) placed under a reformer, having a bowl shape with a bottom and open upper part, and having a supply part (3a) to supply liq. fuel and air to a part of circumferential wall surface, a heater (2) to heat the burner body electrically to the vapourisation temp. of liq. fuel, and a flame-forming cylinder (4) provided at the upper part of supply part in the inside of burner body and having a closed upper surface, open lower surface and brim-shaped flange extending at the opening surface. Flame forming holes are formed on the circumferential wall surface of the flame-forming cylinder to emit combustion flame of liq. fuel to the inner circumferential wall surface of burner body to heat the burner body by the flame emitted from the flame forming holes, and vapourisation of liq. fuel supplied to the burner body is maintained by the transmitted heat to continue the stable combustion of liq. fuel.    USE -   Used for reforming feed gas supplied to fuel cells.    ADVANTAGE -   Liq. fuel can be heated continuously and stably and, completely fired to heat reformers effectively.
Prepn. is by thermally decomposing hydrocarbons in the presence of fine carbonaceous substances with outside surface areas of at least 1 m2/g.    USE -   Hydrogen can be produced efficiently from hydrocarbons eg. methane without using heavy metal catalysts.    ADVANTAGE -   CO2 is not produced as a by-prod.. Also the deterioration of catalysts takes place slowly and the deteriorated catalysts do not produce ash which is hazardous to environment.
A fuel cell system comprises a reformer (3) of material fuel gas into hydrogen-rich gas, a converter (4) from carbon dioxide to carbon monoxide, a fuel cell main (5), start-up burner (7) to increase temp. of the fuel cell main a steam generator (8) and a piping system for feeding the generated steam to the surrounding of the converter (4) to increase the temp.    ADVANTAGE -   The converter can be heated up in a short time at start-up without an extra heater.
Inert gas generation for pest control, fills the volume under treatment (1) with a recirculated gas mixture, containing residual air and, e.g. nitrogen, carbon dioxide and/or argon. The gas is made by the abstraction of oxygen during circulation, using an electrochemical cell (5,6,7). The novel plant converts the oxygen into water, which as required, may be used to humidify the atmosphere in the treated volume.    USE -   The method can be used to treat a space with nitrogen, carbon dioxide or other effectively inert gas, generated with the aid of an electrolytic process, for the control of pests.    ADVANTAGE -   The process improves on prior art by keeping the process parameters, esp. residual oxygen concentration, temperature and moisture, within set limits; also improving on the achievable oxygen extraction. The gas is recirculated through the cathode of an electrolytic cell, where sufficient oxygen is reduced to water, to produce a lethal asphyxiant. The system copes with any air ingress, and there are no undesirable by-products. Water produced may be used to re-humidify the treated volume as necessary. The polymer electrolytes of the sandwich cells used, contain the migrating protons, which act as an intermediate in the reactions, hence no potentially dangerous hydrogen arises.
A liq. electrolyte plasticiser of formula (I) is new. RaO-(OC2Rb4)_-(CO)_-[O(X)_-Rc(Z)(Y)(X)_-O-CO-]l-(OC2Rb4)_-ORa (I) Ra = alkyl, -(CO)ORd, -(CH2)_-(OC2Rb4)_-ORd Rb = H, alkyl, alkenyl, fluoro and fluorinated lower alkyl; Rc = alkylene or -(C_H2_)_-(OC2Rb4)_-; Rd = H or alkyl; X = lower alkylene; Y = H, aryl and alkyl; Z = H, CH2O(CO)ORa; , , l, , = 0-10; = 0, 1 or 2; p = 1-5; and q = 0-6. Rb is as previously defined; Ri = alkyl, -(OC2Rb)_-Rj or -(CO)ORj, Rj = H, alkyl or -(OC2Rb4)_-Rk; and Rk = H or alkyl.    USE -   The liq. electrolyte plasticisers, conductive compsns. and conductive films are used in solid-state batteries, fuel cells, sensors, supercapacitors, and electrochromic devices.    ADVANTAGE -   The solid state batteries have enhanced ambient temp. conductivity and rechargeability.
The bipolar substrate which electrodes are secured to form a bipolar battery cell, has a backbone comprising overlapping contiguous strands of carbon and a mixture carbon particles and fluoroelastomeric material disposed in voids between the carbon strands cured to cross-link the fluoroelastomeric material and to form a monolithic composite possessed of strength, flexibility and conductivity. The overlapping strands are bound together.    The overlapping contiguous strands are bound together by a binder comprising a cured phenolic resin. The carbon particles comprise carbon powder which comprises glassy carbon. The back-bone comprises a mat comprising the overlapping carbon strands.    The cured fluoroelastomer is cross-linked.    ADVANTAGE -   Material is strong, flexible,has high conductivity and is chemically stable. Is ultra-thin and electrochemically inactive and has low specific gravity.
The fuel reformer comprises a reforming part where a reformed gas contg. hydrogen and carbon monoxide is produced from methanol and water and an oxidn. part where the reformed gas and oxygen are introduced and carbon monoxide contained in the reformed gas is oxidised. The oxidn. part comprises at least two stages, and the earlier stage contains a catalyst which prioritises the oxidn. of carbon monoxide to the oxidation of hydrogen.    USE -   Hydrogen-rich fuel gas with a very low concn. of carbon monoxide can be produced from methanol and water.The reformer can be mounted on a vehicle.    ADVANTAGE -   The hydrogen-rich fuel gas produced with the reformer contains carbon monoxide at a very low level. Also the equipment can be down-sized.
Feed gas reformer comprises the 1st. cylinder (3) having a heat source (2) at its bottom, cylinders placed at the outside of 1st. cylinder, reflection wall (4a) placed above the 1st. cylinder to introduce rising combustion gas to a combustion gas passage (7a) provided between the 1st. cylinder and 2nd. cylinder (4) placed at the outside of 1st. cylinder, feed gas reforming catalyst (6) filled in the space between the 2nd. cylinder and 3rd. cylinder placed (5) placed at the outside of 2nd. cylinder, upper lid (5a) fitted with a feed gas supply hole (5b) placed at the upper end of 3rd. cylinder and above the reflection wall to close the 3rd. cylinder. The height of upper surface of feed gas reforming catalyst is equal to or higher than the height of reflection wall of 1st. cylinder. The feed gas supplied from the feed gas supply hole enters the feed gas reforming catalyst through the space under the upper lid, and the feed gas is heated by combustion gas and reformed during passing through the feed gas reforming catalyst.    USE -   Used to reform feed gas by heated catalyst.    ADVANTAGE -   Overheating of feed gas does not occur, and deterioration of catalyst also does not occur.
The fuel cell has an electrolyte matrix (1) containing the electrolyte with an anode (4) and a cathode (5) on opposite sides and sealing rails (2,3) around the outside of the fuel cell for sealing the anode and cathode gas spaces.    A sealing element (1A) of the electrolyte matrix fits between the sealing rails and is provided by a sealing material contained within the electrolyte which remains solid at the operating temp. of the fuel cell, e.g. K2CO3 or LiCO3.    ADVANTAGE -   Simplified fuel cell construction.
The power supply comes from a fuel cell (Brennstoffzelle) attached to a gas meter (Messzelle). A small amount of the gas (usually methane or hydrogen) is directed to the fuel cell which also has an opening to let in the outside air and use the oxygen (Sauerstoff) to cold burn and to produce enough energy to record and measure any necessary parameters.    ADVANTAGE -   No maintenance required. No recharging of power supply. Environmentally friendly.
A fuel cell anode comprises: (a) a network of perforated arterial tubing formed in a spoke-and-wheel (700) or trunk-and-branch configuration and wrapped in hydrophilic porous covering; and (b) a knitted or felted fabric including many PTFE hydrophobic fibres in regions, some of which are rectangular, and many hydrophilic fibres communicating with the covering which transverse the fabric and define the hydrophobic region. At least some of the fibres are of proton-exchange type or rice hulls. Also claimed is a wick as above comprising a network of perforated arterial tubing wrapped in a hydrophilic porous covering.    USE -   For regenerative H2O2 fuel cells.    ADVANTAGE -   The need for fuel cell pumps is reduced as are the wt. and complexity, cells are more reliable and membrane drying-out is eliminated.
The fuel battery generating equipment comprises a fuel battery (20) to generate from anode gas (2) and cathode gas (3), and a pressure recovery device (40) to pressurise air (6) driven by cathode gas (7) passing through a fuel battery. An air feed line (14) mixes pressure air in cathode gas situated upper stream from the fuel battery. Pressure air is cooled by an air cooling device according to lowering of performance of a fuel battery.    ADVANTAGE -   Sufficient overheat steam is generated by heat recovered device without wastefully using fuel gas.
The system has an air feed system which contains at least an intermediate heat exchanger to recover an exhaust heat generated by intermediate cooling of an air boosting system. A heat-exchanged device to recover the exhaust heat of the intermediate heat-exchanger and feed it to a heat utilising device (2) is provided.    ADVANTAGE -   Integral efficiency of system containing utilisation of exhaust heat is improved.
The battery has a damper (47) which has a main surface in a direction crossing an exhaust gas flow direction and comprises a slide plate (60) sliding along the main surface. A holding body (50) holds the slide plate. The damper is switching in a first stage so that by sliding the slide plate, an opening is formed in the given position of the main surface and exhaust gas is guided to the lower part of a hydrogen storage alloy tank. In a second state the opening is closed and exhaust gas is discharged along the mains surface and directly to the outside.    ADVANTAGE -   Hydrogen in hydrogen storage alloy tank is sufficiently effectively utilised.
Cell of an electrolyte layer having electrode on both surfaces is inserted in between a fuel gas stream path (FGSP) and an oxidn. gas stream path (OGSP). At least the (OGSP) out of the (FGSP) and the (OGSP) is bent at inner plane vertical to the electrode.    USE -   The cell is suitable for high power generation.    ADVANTAGE -   The cell has improved output power by improving flow of oxidn. gas stream to surface of the negative pole.
The combustion device has a pair of burners (13, 14) for heating a reactive unit. A high and a low calorie gas supply paths (8, 10) are provided to supply fuel individually to a fuel gush part (17) through a small diameter nozzle (15) and a large diameter nozzle (16) respectively.    A control valve (20), at an opening (21), is provided in the low calorie gas fuel distribution system path. The mixing of air to the high calorie gas is obstructed by this control valve. The pre-fixing of air with the low calorie gas in the opening of the control valve is then carried out.    ADVANTAGE -   Burns each fuel of natural gas and unreactive gas reliably. Reduces flame to large extent during burning. Reduces size by providing small structure.
The combustion appts incorporates a burner (11) to heat a reactive device. The burner includes a flame hole part (11a,11b) for low calorie gas and high calorie gas respectively. A fuel supply pipe (14) for low calorie gas is connected directly to first hole part through a low calorie gas fuel supply part (13).    A high calorie gas gush nozzle (18) is installed in a fuel gush part (20) for high calorie gas. The high calorie gas sent by a high calorie gas fuel supply pipe (21), is passed into the flame hole part and a fuel supply part (15) for high calorie gas, through the gush nozzle.    ADVANTAGE -   Enables complete burning.
A doughnut-type cell and a number of circular separators are provided. The circular separators comprise centre manifolds for the cathode gas, primary manifolds and secondary manifolds for the anode gas, a pair of doughnut-type reaction areas, so that the anode gas and cathode gas respectively flow along one of its sides in a radial manner.    USE -   For decreasing short-circuiting between cells and generation of migration.
This power generation apparatus of a fuel battery comprises a body of fuel battery in which an electrolyte body is held by a fuel electrode and an air electrode with a cooling plate being interposed, a gas supplying and exhausting apparatus, a cooling water supplying and exhausting apparatus, a direct-current converting apparatus which converts a direct current of the body of fuel battery to an alternate current, a power source for control which supplies power to a control apparatus of above-mentioned gas supplying and exhausting apparatus and cooling water supplying and exhausting apparatus, and an uninterruptible power supply.    USE -   For keeping a supply of power to a control apparatus even though a supply of power from a power source for control is stopped by some trouble.
The process comprises conduction-treating a porous substrate and electrodeposition-coating a paint contg. metal powder on the substrate.    USE -   Used in a nickel hydrogen battery, nickel cadmium battery, fuel cell or a car battery.    ADVANTAGE -   A metal layer having uniform thickness can be formed on the substrate and the processing time is reduced.
The charger (A) is equipped with a charging section (11) which supplies an electric current to the secondary cell (B) through a connector (6) and a charge control section (10) which controls the charging section (11). The cell (B) is provided with a temperature sensor (5) which is connected to the DC power source of the charger (A) through the connector (6). The control section (10) is connected to either of the terminals of the sensor (5) and stores the range of the voltage applied by the sensor (5) when the cell (B) and charger (A) are connected to each other.    When the voltage applied to the control section (10) is out of the range, the section (10) judges that the cell (B) and charger (A) are not connected to each other.    USE/ADVANTAGE -   E.g. for electric vehicle, or motor vehicle with auxiliary motive power. Does not use any special wiring.
The current collector (5) is made of a special steel alloy forming a corrosion-resistant oxide layer (5b) at the current collector surface during the operation of the fuel cell. The current collector contains a doping agent at its surface with a valency which differs from that of the cations contained in the oxide layer.    The doping agent can either be deposited on the surface of the current collector or be provided as a component of the steel alloy, eg. a chromium containing steel alloy forming a lithium ferrite layer at its surface.    ADVANTAGE -   Good corrosion resistance combined with high conductivity.
The fuel cell module has a at least one fuel cell stack (4) contained within a thermally-insulating protective housing (1), width an anode inlet for supplying the combustion gas to the fuel cell anodes, an anode outlet for discharging the combustion gases, a cathode inlet for supplying the cathode gas to the fuel cell cathodes and a cathode outlet for discharging the spent cathode gas.    The fuel cell module is coupled to a catalytic combustion device (5) for treating the combustion gases and a reformer (6) for reforming the combustion gas fed to the anode inlet, combined with the fuel cell module within the protective housing.    ADVANTAGE -   Uses mass produced components with repeating parts for reduced plant cost.
The appts includes a fuel cell having a number of sub-modules. Each of the sub-modules is used for producing fuel cell electric power at a number of terminals. A generator device has a number of armature turns, each of which is sued for producing generator electric power at a number of terminals. A number of connection devices is provided for interconnecting the number of terminals of the fuel cell device with the number of terminals of the generator device in order to provide a configurable voltage-current profile for the load.    The fuel cell device has a first housing and the generator device has a second housing. The number of terminals of the fuel cell devices is located outside of the first housing. The number of terminals of the generator device is located outside of the second housing.    USE/ADVANTAGE -   For powering load such as vehicle. Allows use of common fuel, improved operating range, and capability of acceleration, while significantly reduces total pollution and reduced fixed and operating costs.
(JP8140204-A)   NOVELTY - Monitoring apparatus for a battery pack has a number of voltage monitors connected in parallel to each of the battery modules, which are assembled in series to constitute the pack. A signal isolator receives an output of the voltage monitor as a primary input. It then generates a secondary output which is electrically insulated from the primary input. A signal transmitter transmits this secondary output to an external control apparatus.    USE - For a storage battery e.g. in a vehicle.    ADVANTAGE - The apparatus avoids the dangers of that can be present by wiring a high tension line into the interior of the vehicle. Any fault occurring with respect to the battery is easily detected and identified.    DESCRIPTION OF DRAWING(S) - The drawing is an internal circuit diagram of a voltage monitor unit (master unit).    Serial communication lines (4a, 4b)    CPU (21)    Operational amplifier (22)    Reference voltage source (23)    Photocoupler (24)    Master unit (201)
The cell stack is enclosed by a vacuum vessel, and a pressing mechanism is placed under the cell stack.    ADVANTAGE -   The cell stack can be thermally isolated.
A seal structure uses a metal sealing material which softens at the operating temp. of the fuel battery.    ADVANTAGE -   High strength sealing can be implemented at a low contact pressure.
A turning fixture is attached to the cell stack of the fuel battery, then the position of the cell stack reversed. The cell stack is then disassembled from the bottom section.    ADVANTAGE -   Safety component handling can be ensured.
When charging the battery, the valence state of the anode is changed from one to another. After charging, the battery is operated so that the anode active material of the first valence state can be left in the electrolytic soln..    ADVANTAGE -   Electrode deterioration can be minimised.
Method has processes which comprise: (a) removing an electrolyte contaminated by formic acid, from the cell; (b) adding an organic solvent to the electrolyte for extracting the formic acid into the solvent; (c) separating the organic solvent from the electrolyte to remove the formic acid and (d) sending the electrolyte back to the cell.    USE -   Suitable for improving cell life.    ADVANTAGE -   The method is operated in the plant site.
Electrolyte contg. up to 1.5 mol/l of V concn. and 2-4 mol/l of sulphuric acid concn.    USE -   The electrolyte is suitable for a cell at power station for controlling balance of demand and supply.    ADVANTAGE -   The electrolyte contributes stable operation of the cell, since no deposition of V is generated.
A sterilising heater is connected to the water collection tank coupled to the fuel reformer in a fuel battery.    ADVANTAGE -   Germ growth in the water collection tank can be prevented.
A nitrogen gas supply cylinder is connected to a manifold in which the cell stack of a fuel battery is enclosed.    ADVANTAGE -   Gas leak testing can be simplified.
A battery operation control data processor is connected to a memory in which battery performance data are registered.    ADVANTAGE -   The performance of the battery can be maintained at the max. condition.
A gas supply controller is coupled to the fuel electrode of at least one cell in the cell stack of the fuel battery.    ADVANTAGE -   Fuel gas is supplied economically to the cell stack.
A heat exchanger is connected to the blow-down water drain pipe line coupled to the battery cooling water line. The flow of blow-down water is controlled in reference to the output of the built-in water temp. detector.    ADVANTAGE -   High-efficiency power generation is obtd.
Electrolyte is filled between the fuel electrode and the oxygen electrode in the cell in which an impurity gas remover is placed in the oxidiser gas supply path.    ADVANTAGE -   Redn. in battery performance can be prevented.
A pressure differential gauge is connected to the fuel electrode or oxidiser electrode in the battery container, to which an inert gas supply is connected through a gas flow control valve.    ADVANTAGE -   The pressure in the battery container can be controlled exactly.
A hydrophilic film is formed on the surface of the fuel gas flow path between power generation layer and electrolyte layer.    ADVANTAGE -   Water in the fuel path can be rejected positively.
Positive and negative catalysis electrodes are formed on the surfaces of the ion exchange film of the battery cell, and contact porous guides between which a reaction gas passage is formed.    ADVANTAGE -   Overvoltage generation due to reaction can be prevented.
Variable resistors and ammeters are connected respectively in the cell stacks to which a dc-ac inverter is connected.    ADVANTAGE -   The current difference between cell stacks can be avoided.
The structure comprises a connection between pipes, encircled with a metal foil, with the metal foil fitted on the pipes with a ceramic ring elastically deformable to the radial direction.    ADVANTAGE -   A gap in a connection between pipes due to temp. change can be sealed.
The battery carrier has a support (2) that can be moved between a working position and a maintenance position. The support is carried on two bars (21,22). The two bars are attached to the support by a pivot, one at the top of the support and the other at the bottom.    The top of the bars is pivoted (31,32) from fixed points on the structure of the vehicle, so the two bars are approximately parallel. The battery is moved to the raised maintenance position with the assistance of a pneumatic spring (4) attached to an arm (41) coupled to one of the bars (22). The pneumatic spring also holds the battery in the maintenance position.    ADVANTAGE -   Movable battery carrier allows tighter packing of engine compartment of vehicle.
The unit is fitted along the cross bar of the bicycle and has a photo electric solar module (2) that connects with a battery (4) via a charger. A bicycle is fitted with a solar energy powered unit that provides sufficient energy to operate the lighting units.    A lighting unit (3) is installed at the rear and a further one (10) at the front. The complete unit can be fitted with a permanent arrangement and it can also have an identification number (9) that cannot be falsified.    USE/ADVANTAGE -   Solar energy power unit for bicycle lighting. Does not require mechanical actuation to power light. Protects environment from waste chemicals of quickly worn out batteries.
Metal-ceramic composite material (I) comprises (a) Ag and CuO; and (b) MgO in a compsn. of formula: (Mg1-(x+y)Cux)O+Agy (where x = 0.03-0.1 and y = 0.01-0.5). Prodn. of (I) is also claimed.    USE -   (I) is used for self-lubricating materials in mechanical friction bearings made of ceramic, for electrical contacts in fuel cells, and for materials with high electrical and thermal conductivity (claimed) and also as substrate material for thin and thick layers of high temp. superconductors.    ADVANTAGE -   (I) has good self-lubricating properties.
In an arrangement for destruction of car and engine batteries, the battery is put (1) into a container in which a standard shredder (2) operates acid being collected in a vessel while broken material is conveyed (3) into a washing tank (4) and then to a water column separator (5). The unit can be transported to site for treating batteries.    ADVANTAGE -   Transportable and stationary small unit.
The mechanically-alloyed hydrogen storage alloy comprises a major proportion of magnesium and minor amts. of at least two or nickel, molybdenum, iron, and titanium    USE -   Used for partic. thermal, but also electrochemical hydrogen storage, heat pumps and fuel cell storage material.    ADVANTAGE -   The alloys have improved hydriding and dehydriding kinetics and resistance to poisoning.
This electric cleaner comprises a fuel battery, and a motor blower to which electricity generated by the fuel battery should be supplied. And also this invented electric cleaner comprises a portable type hydrogen cylinder for storing a fuel supplied to the fuel battery, and a pressure controller for controlling a supplyign amount of hydrogen from the hydrogen cylinder.    USE -   For providing an electric cleaner to which a fuel is appropriately and continuously supplied without a power source cord.
A mobile type washing toilet comprises fuel storage parts; a fuel cell to generate a power by the fuel; and washing devices to which the generating power of the fuel cell is fed to wash a human body.    USE -   Used for a patient, a physically handicapped person, and an aged man in a hospital or a home.    ADVANTAGE -   Mobile type washing toilet is used in an arbitrary place without using a large and heavy charge type battery or a commercial source, and a sufficient high performance washing function is provided.
A system comprises a reformer comprising a vaporising section for vaporising a hydrocarbon fuel and a reforming section for reforming the vaporised hydrocarbon fuel to produce a hydrogen-rich gas and a burner for producing a heat-source gas which is sent to the vaporising and reforming sections of the reformer. The burner has a cooler by spraying cooling water.    USE -   The hydrogen-rich gases obtd. can be used as fuel gases for fuel batteries.    ADVANTAGE -   As the burner is cooled using the heat of vaporisation of water which has a large heat capacity, the cooling efficiency is improved e.g. the conventional method using air for cooling and the temp. of the reformer and burner can be controlled more accurately.
The fuel cell arrangement includes bipolar monolithic elements, each comprising an anode plate and a cathode plate joined by a step, and which are stacked to form the electrolytic cell. The anode of one element cooperates with the cathode of the adjacent element. The elements are made from an electrolyte-resistant material e.g. graphite.    An electrolytically active material is held between the anode and cathode which are electrically insulated from one another. The cathode is air-breathing as by a perforate such as a grating construction.    ADVANTAGE -   Is suitable for mass production and enables design flexibility using standard parts with limitless choice of voltage and current capacities, indeterminate lifetime. Compact.
A portable filter-press type electrolyser for oxygen and hydrogen production comprises parallel bipolar Ni electrodes forming a packet of electrode cells, stretched by plates with the aid of pins, an electrolyte feed channel, and a gas removal channel. Pads made from alkaline grade rubberised asbestos fabric, impregnated with fluoroplastic lacquer, are located between the electrodes, in the form of a rectangular frame, with formation of inter-electrode cell cavities. The electrodes consists of rectangular plates, projecting beyond the pads at the sides and below, a feed channel, in the form of a labyrinth of 3.0-2.5 mm dia. holes for electrolyte entry, each of which is located in the lower angular part of the electrode in the order of alternation of the entry of electrolyte from plate to plate. The electrolyte level is 1/3-2/3 of the height of the cell cavity, and the tightening pins are located outside the electrode plates, with formation of a channel for forced air cooling.    USE -   For welding and cutting under any conditions.    ADVANTAGE -   High gas output combined with compactness, low energy consumption, and is very reliable.
In a fuel cell, a cooling plate (2) comprises first cooling plates (2a) arranged at the two end parts of a laminate (3); and a second cooling plate (2b) arranged at an intermediate part. Amt. of cooling water flowing to the first cooling plates (1a) is regulated by a cooling water amt. regulator (10).    ADVANTAGE -   Temp. distribution of all cooling plates is made uniform.
Fuel battery is formed in so that an electrolytic film (20), a gas discharge electrode (30), and a collecting electrode (40) are laminated together. Ribs (42) are formed on a contact surface between the collecting electrode (40) and the gas diffusion electrode (30). A gas flow passage (40) and the gas diffusion electrode (30). A gas flow passage (44) for oxide gas or fuel gas is formed between the ribs and the surface of the gas diffusion electrode (30). The surface of the gas flow passage is filled with short fibres (52) with a size of 5 m and a length of 100 m and coated with polytetrafluoroethylene giving water repellency.    ADVANTAGE -   Water produced in a flow passage for fuel for a fuel battery is rapidly discharged through a flow passage.
Hydrogen filling appts. (1) comprises: (a) a valve (4) for controlling the supply of hydrogen from a hydrogen tank (20) to a hydrogen absorbing alloy tank (3); (b) a temp. sensor (6) to detect a temp. of hydrogen absorbing alloy tank; (c) a pressure sensor (5) to detect a pressure of hydrogen absorbing alloy tank; (d) a first controller to control the opening or closing of the valve so that the upper limit of detected values of temp. sensor is maintained to a given temp.; and (e) a second controller to control the filling to finish it when a detect value of pressure sensor reaches a pressure corresp. to the first temp. at the completely filling state based on a PCT characteristic of hydrogen absorbing alloy (31).    USE -   Used for filling hydrogen absorbing alloy tanks with hydrogen to use them as small-sized fuel cells.    ADVANTAGE -   Hydrogen absorbing alloy tanks can be filled by hydrogen completely without calculation of an amt. of hydrogen absorbed and the supply of hydrogen is easily controlled.
The device has a transmission controller (10) connected to the positive terminal (+BB) of a battery through an ignition switch. During the ON state of the switch, a signal (20) from the controller is stored in a storage device (11).    ADVANTAGE -   Simplifies device composition. Reduces controller cost.
The connector consists of a lead terminal (26) made of a single metallic sheet with an upper flat part (26a) having a central hole (26b) and a lower bent part (28) having a central hole (28a). The upper and the lower parts are integrated with each other to form a U=shaped clamp.    The battery has hollow positive and negative terminals (10a), each having a side entrance (10a11), top and side holes (10a12) and a stopper block (17). The U=clamp of the lead terminal is inserted into the side entrance (10a11) of the battery terminal (10a) and is fixed by a bolt (20) which is inserted from the top hole (10a12).    ADVANTAGE -   Simpler to assemble. Prevents short circuiting of terminal to vehicle body. Prevents falling of nut.
Carbon dioxide sepn. appts. for a fuel cell comprises an inlet port (22) and an outlet port (23) of the condensed water provided respectively against upper side and lower side surfaces of the body (21); three stepped trays (24) disposed in the body (21), and a number of pierced holes (24a) formed in each tray. The condensed water is passed through the body from the inlet port to the outlet port, while air is passed through the body from the outlet port to the inlet port.    USE -   To provide the carbon dioxide sepn. appts. for a fuel cell, by which solute carbon dioxide in the condensed water is removed efficiently even if the height of the body is lowered.
In the fuel cell power plant, a water injection nozzle (12) is engaged into an inclined gas pipe (11a) branched from the main gas piping (11) which has a drain pot (15) at its lowermost end. The nozzle (12) is connected to a water feeding pipe (13) through a water feeding valve (14) being in periodic operation, and the drain pot (15) is connected to a drain discharge pipe (16) having a drain (18) underneath through a drain valve (17).    USE -   Used as a fuel cell power plant by which undesirable effects of the electrolyte and/or electrolyte cpds. for the plant performance is avoided. Arresting frequency of the plant is highly improved.
Quality improving appts. and a steam heater are connected to a fuel cell electrode. A cooling system of the body of fuel cell is formed from an air and water separator, a circulation pump, a pipe arrangement for guiding a cooling water, and another pipe arrangement for exhausting the cooling water. A condenser is connected to the quality improving appts. through an air pre-heating equipment. The condenser is connected to the air and water separator through water processing equipment. The water processing equipment is connected to the air and water separator through a supplementary water control valve.    A steam generator is placed between the air pre-heating equipment and the condenser. The steam generator is connected to a steam heater through a pipe arrangement for quality improved steam. The water processing equipment is connected to the steam generator.    USE -   For improving efficiency for generating power, by making small load of water processing equipment and a pump.
The method involves adjusting the quantity of water added to fuel gas to the optimal concn. of added water beforehand, found from a measured voltage between the anode and cathode of the fuel cell having water added to the fuel gas.    ADVANTAGE -   Suppresses precipitating carbon in fuel gas piping, to improve power generating efficiency.
The fuel cell system has a fuel cell (8) receiving oxygen and hydrogen and providing water. An electrolyser (2) generates oxygen and hydrogen from water. The fuel cell and the electrolyser are each coupled to a hydrogen reservoir (7) for temporary storage of hydrogen.    The electrolyser is coupled to the fuel cell via the hydrogen reservoir. Pref. the fuel cell and the electrolyser are contained in a common housing (1), the electrolyser pref. acting as an inverse fuel cell and having a sponge for storing the water.    ADVANTAGE -   Eliminates need for pressurised gas container.
PEM (polymer electrolye membrane) fuel cell consists of strip membrane(s) (17) with 2-10000 flat individual cells on both sides of a membrane (10) of an electrode films (11-13, 14-16) on polymeric solid electrolyte, in which the individual cells are connected in series. The contacted plates (18, 19) on both sides of the this membrane have conducting and insulating zones (20, 21) arranged to prevent a short circuit between individual electrodes on one side of the membrane.    ADVANTAGE -   The cell has high output voltage, is of very simple construction and can be made cost-effectively.
A hydrogen storage material has the formula: R6-xR'xT11-yT'yX3-zX'z where R is a rare earth element, R' is Er or Y, T is Co, T' is selected from Ni, Fe, Mn, and Cr, X is Ga, X' is selected from Al, Si, Sn, Ge, Cu, In, and Mo, x = 0.0-3.6, y = 0.0-9.0, z = 0-2.    A hydrogen absorber device, and an electrochemical cell employing the hydrogen storage electrode are disclosed.    USE -   Hydrogen storage material suitable for use in electrochemical cells, heat pumps, storage devices.    ADVANTAGE -   Rechargeable; hydrogen capacity &gt;80 H/M; electrochemical capacity &gt;60 mAh/g.
Full-width at half max. of peak in (101) face of tetragonal zirconia crystal by X-ray diffraction measurement using CuK alpha rays on the sintering member is over 0.3 degree.    USE -   It is used in oxygen sensors, fuel cells, parts for industrial machines, implants, etc.    ADVANTAGE -   Volume change due to phase transformation can be reduced, deterioration of strength over time can be prevented and thermal stability in an atmosphere where water exists can be improved.
The fuel reformer comprises: (a) a combustion part for producing a heat source gas by burning a combustion agent together with an oxygen-rich combustion improver gas; (b) a vaporiser part for heating and vaporising a reforming liq. fuel, consisting of a hydrocarbon or alcohol and water, using the hot source gas to produce a reforming raw material gas; and (c) a reforming part for converting the reforming raw material gas from the vaporiser part to a hydrogen-rich reformed gas, by steam reforming in the presence of a reforming catalyst. The reformer has: (i) a means of detecting the temp. of the reforming part; (ii) a means of electrically heating the reforming part when the temp. detected by the reforming temp. detecting means is lower than a given temp.; (iii) a means of detecting the temp. of the vaporiser; and (iv) a means of controlling the supply amts. of the combustion agent and combustion improver gas to the combustion part, so that the temp. of the vaporiser is kept in a range sufficiently higher than a given temp..    USE -   The fuel reformer is used in a fuel cell generator.    ADVANTAGE -   The fuel reformer can be downsized.
The balancer (3) clings to the back side of a body frame (1) on the front end side of an automobile. A flat surface is formed to the balancer by which a battery (9) may be set. The battery is placed at the lower surface side of the balancer.    A hole is formed as passage from which the battery may pass through the balancer leading to a supplementary balancer (4).    ADVANTAGE -   Provides weight that would balance battery when mounted to automobiles.
The signal (8) is supplied to a control system (7',7), and the control switch controls at least one switch (5,6) arranged between the supply battery (1) and the users (2,3). The switch or switches open at a specified voltage.    The signal supplied to the control system, indicates whether a main switch is switched on or off. The value of the specified voltage with switched off main switch is greater than that with a switched on main switch. The value of the specified voltage with switched off main switch is 12.5 volt max and with switched on main switch is 11 volt max.    ADVANTAGE -   Protects against draining of battery caused by very small loads currents which do not change indicated voltage noticeably.
The ion-conductive polymer contains covalently bound ion complexes of one of the formulae (Ia)-(Ic). In the formulae: M+ = H+, Li+, Na+ or K+; m = 0-4; m' = 0-7; m'' = 0-8; R5 and R6 = H, 1-5C alkyl, opt. substd. phenyl, phenylcarbonyl or 1-6C alkanoyl; R7 = H, 1-5C alkyl, 2-5C alkenyl or alkynyl, or substd. phenyl; R is: (i) halogen, -CO-O-, -CO-O-M+ or -SO2-O-M+, cyano, nitro, 1-5C alkoxy, opt. substd. phenyl or substd. phenoxy, -CONR5R6, -NR5R6, -N(R5)-CO-R7, R7-CO-, R7-O-CO-, R7-CO-O-, R7-O-CO-O-, cycloheptatrienyl; or (ii) an ion complex as (Ia)-(Ic) above, provided the R gp. in the second ion complex is not a further ion complex; or (iii) 2 R gps. bound to 2 adjacent C-atoms may together form a divalent, 3-8C aliphatic or alicyclic gp. having at least C=C double bonds, carbonyloxycarbonyl, carbonylthiocarbonyl, -CO-N(R7)-CO-; and a = either a direct bond to the polymer backbone or a bond through an intervening gp..    Also claimed are: (1) an electrochemical battery comprising as the electrolyte a polymer as above; and (2) a proton exchange membrane fuel cell comprising as the electrolyte a polymer as above in which M+ = H+.    USE -   The polymer is used as an electrolyte in electrochemical devices, e.g. fuel cells (claimed) and rechargeable batteries (claimed) for mobile telephones, portable music and video systems, video camcorders, laptop computers, etc.    ADVANTAGE -   The polymer has the high ionic conductivity required for batteries and fuel cells.
The appts includes a first gas compressor drivably interconnected with a first drive device, for compressing gas derived from atmosphere. The first gas compressor device has an outlet. A second gas compressor has an inlet in communication with the outlet of the first gas compressor and an outlet in communication with the inlet of the first chamber of a housing of a fuel cell.    A second drive is drivably interconnected with the second gas compressor for driving the second gas compressor. The second drive has a gas inlet and a gas outlet in communication with the inlet of the second chamber of the fuel cell. A fuel supply device has an outlet in communication with the inlet of the second drive device for driving the second drive device.    USE/ADVANTAGE -   In integrated system contg fuel cell which is interconnected with pair of turbo-compressors. Increases pressure of atmos oxygen fed to fuel cell using potential energy of exhaust of fuel cell and potential energy of source of fuel under pressure.
A physical model is in the form of a mixt. of fuel gas with oxidiser and a body is made in the form of foam, the bubbles of which are filled by hydrogen (1) and oxygen (2). The walls of the bubbles are obtd. from a water soln. of a surfactant and a catalyst for oxidisation of the hydrogen in the oxygen.    Gas sources are in the form of compressed gas bottles for the hydrogen and oxygen and a chamber is in the form of a vessel with the water soln. of surfactant.    USE/ADVANTAGE -   Creation and testing of analogues of ball lightning. Better stability of ball lightning. Bul. 31/10.11.95
One of a pair of gas passageway members (G) in a fuel cell is pressed toward a cell integrator (NC) by a pressing member (14). The pressing member (14) undergoes press-back force to the cell integrator (NC) using an energiser (H), while allowing the pressing member (14) to move toward the direction away from the cell integrator (NC). The other of a pair of gas passageway parts (G) is held by a stopper (13) for blocking movement toward the energiser (H).    ADVANTAGE -   Air tightness in a junction is maintained under increased temps..
Hydrogen (10a) generated by thermochemical reaction (100) using reactive metal like aluminium and magnesium (9) and water (2), together with oxygen with its density increased by an air compressor, is supplied to a fuel cell (72) for power generation.    USE -   Using hydrogen by thermochemical reaction, power is directly generated through a hydrogen-oxygen fuel cell.
A hydrogen occluded alloy container with one or more hydrogen occluded alloy tank (11) includes partially a heating element (5) which heats up by the chemical reacton such as metal powders reacted with air for prodn. of oxidant heat or acidic soln. blended with alkaline soln. for prodn. of neutralisation heat.    ADVANTAGE -   Hydrogen occluded alloy discharges hydrogen gas stably at low temps. in start-up for power generation of a fuel cell.
The ground installation type fuel battery produces a high temperature saturated steam and a low temperature warm water from a quantity of heat generated by associating with an electricity generation. The low temperature water is fed to an evaporator (13) from which the vapour is absorbed by an executor (12) installed in the path of the high temperature saturated steam.    The output vapour of the executor is supplied to a high temperature heat load (10). The low temperature warm water which remained in the evaporator is supplied to a low hot temperature load (11).    ADVANTAGE -   Improves heat recovery efficiency.
The purge device includes a main part (4) in which an air pole, a fuel pole and a cooler are provided. A fuel modifier (3) supplies hydrogen gas formed by changing the quality of the fuel, to the fuel hole. A liquid fuel vaporiser (2) vaporises the liquid fuel which is supplied by the fuel modifier. Then cooling water is circulated through the cooler. An electric power generating part of the battery is provided with a gas substitution device which replaces the gas remaining in the liquid fuel vaporiser.    The gas flows through a vapour line provided at the upstream side of the liquid fuel vaporiser and a process line and an exhaust line change valve (11) are provided at its downstream sides. Thus an inflammable gas is replaced by an inert gas and a stream splitter (10) separates the water cooling system and the inert gas.    ADVANTAGE -   Prevents liquid fuel from remaining in liquid fuel vaporiser, when operation is stopped. Ensures safety during discharging and replacing process.
The fuel battery consists of a fuel pole (7) and an air pole (8) and an electrolyte impregnation board is provided in between them. Two or more air-passage slots (11) are formed on the surfaces of a separator (10) which lets fuel or air to pass to the other side. Two poles are positioned so that the air passage slots are mutually perpendicular to each other.    Between the fuel and air poles, multiple cells supporting a porous board which impregnates an electrolyte, are layered through the separator and a stacked cell structure of rectangular parallelepiped shape is formed. The side edge part parallel to the air-passage slot, connects a manifold which supplies fuel or air to the air passage slot. A gasket (16) or a sealing agent (14) is interposed between the electrolyte impregnation board and the separator. The air passage slot and a parallel conducting slot (15) are provided at the sealing surface of each separator. The outer side of each manifold provides opening for both ends of the conducting slot.    ADVANTAGE -   Prevents leakage of gas. Avoids burning of stacked cell structure. Improves gas sealing efficiency.
The fuel-battery electricity generation installation involves a modifier (10) which generates hydrogen (4). This hydrogen is supplied to an anode pole (2) through a fuel supply line (6). An air compressor (18) and a gas turbine (17) are rotated along the same axle supply compressed air to a cathode pole (5).    A gas exit line (7a) for a high temperature combustion gas (15) leads to a hot-air generator (11) for starting. One end of a hydrogen discharge tube (33) is connected to the fuel supply line and its other end is connected to the hot-air generator. An air vent (36) is connected to the hot-air generator through an hydrogen cooler (32) and it supplies compressed air to it.    ADVANTAGE -   Reduces installation space. Reduces installation cost. Makes safe processing of superfluous hydrogen. Does not require separate installation of exhaust gas processing device.
The fuel battery system consists of a fuel battery (1) which performs the chemical reaction of the fuel gas and oxygen in air and outputs a hot exhaust air. A temperature rise unit (4) generates a hot combustion gas so as to increase the temperature of the fuel battery. A warm water generation unit (7) generates water of predetermined temperature by performing the heat exchange of the exhaust gas obtained from the fuel battery.    A warm water supply unit (9) supplies the warm water generated by the warm water generation unit to the temperature rise unit. The temperature rise unit performs the heat exchange of the warm water that is supplied by the warm water supply unit by using the combustion gas. A high temperature water generation unit is provided to generate water of high temperature.    ADVANTAGE -   Stabilizes warm water supply. Reduces size. Obtains required high temperature warm water. Simplifies mechanism.
The fuel battery system consists of a modifier (2) which changes the ingredients of a material gas into a gas containing hydrogen as the main ingredient. The gas from the modifier is supplied through a fuel battery (1) which generates electricity. A cooling air supply unit (5) supplies cooled air to the fuel battery.    An air exhausting heating unit (4) is set-up to heat the exhaust gas coming out of the fuel battery. The heated gas is then supplied to a heat exchanger (3). The heat exchanger generates steam by using the heated exhaust gas obtained from the air exhausting heating unit. The steam generated by the heat exchanger is then supplied to the modifier for obtaining a gas having hydrogen as the main ingredient.    ADVANTAGE -   Provides compact system. Improves tracking nature of load. Improves efficiency.
The lead storage battery has a plate matrix made of a calcium alloy. The middle of the gas exhaust path is provided with a water column manometer.    The water column manometer is formed with a porous body made of a resin composition in the range of 400 mm -700 mm, at the time of air ventilation. An exhaust hole (3) is provided to one side of a base opening part (1) for exhalation.    ADVANTAGE -   Improves performance without need for maintenance at high temperature.
The battery has a porous body (5) in the middle of an exhaust path of gas generated inside the battery. This porous body maintains an inside pressure between 30mm and 300mm of the water column monometer.    The porous body contains 60% or more of pores with a diameter of 100 micrometers or more and 10% or more of pores have a diameter of 300 micrometers or more. Calcium alloy is used in the lattice object of the electrode which is the main cause for the electrolytic reduction.    ADVANTAGE -   Reduces temperature rise inside of battery. Reduces loss of electrolyte by vibration of vehicle on road. Increases life of battery. Eliminates corrosion of battery lid by dilute sulphuric acid contained in electrolyte. Prevents corrosion effect on nearby equipment. Improves reliability of battery.
A shell catalyst (I) contains (A) one or more metals of Gp. VIII and/or IB on (B) a powder or formed support, these metals being in finely divided form within a shell 1200 (pref. not more than 100) nm thick, with crystallite sizes of 10 (pref. &lt; 3) nm, in concns. of 0.05-35 wt.% w.r.t. dry wt. of catalyst.    Also claimed is (i) a process for the prodn. of (I) by coating the support with aq. solns. of 1 preformed, mono- or bi-metallic colloids of the above catalyst metals, stabilised with strongly hydrophilic surfactants; (ii) an electro-catalyst contg Gp. VIII metal(s) on a conductive support, obtd. by coating the support as above.    USE -   Used (i) for the hydrogenation or oxidn. of single and/or conjugated double bonds not forming part of an aromatic system, and of carbonyl cpds., carboxylic acids and derivs., and unsatd. C-N cpds., (ii) for the redn. of N-O cpds., (iii) for the hydrogenolysis of C-O and C-X cpds. (X = F, Cl Br or I) and (iv) as electro-catalysts in fuel cells (claimed).    ADVANTAGE -   Provides shell catalysts in which the catalyst metals are easily accessible, enabling high activity in various reactions as above. In addn., the method of prodn. of (I) overcomes the disadvantages of prior-art processes by enabling the prodn. of shells with a higher concn. of the catalyst metal from more concd., stabilised colloidal solns.
The appts includes a substrate, while a resistive film is formed on a first portion of the substrate. First and second conductive leads are formed on the substrate engaging the resistive film. First and second electrodes are coupled to the first and second conductive leads, respectively. An over-moulded body is made of insulating material and formed on the substrate to encapsulate the resistive film.    The first and second conductive leads, and a portion of the first and second electrodes, the over-moulded body form a slot adjacent the resistive film to receive the material to be heated. The substrate is formed to include first and second apertures in close proximity to the first and second conductive leads, respectively. The first and second electrodes each include a tab portion extend through the first and second apertures, respectively.    USE/ADVANTAGE -   As electrical heating device for e.g. dispensing fragrances, insect repellents, vapours for health care purpose etc. Allows use as heater in automotive applications such as battery warmer or mirror heaters. Inexpensive to manufacture, reliable, and can be used in variety of heating applications.
Discs (1) are movable in relation to one another, of which a symbol disc carries markings and symbols without sections and within each section carries different possible values and of which the other discs carry different fields. By moving one of the other discs to adjust another of the values to a marking on the symbol disc and another of the other discs to adjust a third of the values to a marking on the symbol disc, within the section where the first of the values is marked, a symbol can be found on the symbol disc from which the battery condition can be derived.    First, second and third discs are displaceable in relation to one another. The first disc is divided into sections and in a first part (5) has markings within each section for the values of the first of the battery parameters. In a second part, elongated parallel fields (11,13,15,17) are marked, which extend over all sections and within each section are divided into several part sections with a symbol in each of them.    ADVANTAGE -   Device enables, without special skills, and with aid of standard measurements, situation in conventional electrolytic battery, esp. road vehicle start battery, to be established.
The structure has an adhering object (5) attached to a connector main part (1). A side wall surface (1a) of the main part and an inner side wall (5a) of the adhering object are arrange parallel to a plane and perpendicular to a rotation axis.    The recess (23) is formed on the inner side wall of the object and the press-fitted parabolic projection (21). The projection protrudes from the side wall surface of the connector main part when the adhering object rotates to a closing position.    ADVANTAGE -   Prevents generation of short circuits due to connection between battery terminal and car chassis. Provides insulated cover which may be opened and closed. Causes less friction due to surface contact.
A portable fuel cell comprises a cell stack (3) made of layered power generating cells (40), a recovery manifold (5) located at the bottom of the cell stack (3) to recover exhaust gas including the unreacted H2and an exhaust gas feed-out tube (14) from the recovery manifold (5) to a catalyst burner (13). Moisture absorbing material (62) is laid on the inside of the manifold (5) to absorb moisture in exhaust gas at start-up when a temp is low.    ADVANTAGE -    Moisture accumulated in the manifold will not pass into the gas feed-out tube, supplying H2.
In a fuel cell power plant comprising a reformer (13) to generate fuel gas, a burner (15) to heat the reformer (13), a fuel cell (10) to generate electric energy and a unit for substituting the fuel and oxidant gas for inactive gas, a heater is provided for heating the inactive gas to be supplied to the fuel cell (10).    ADVANTAGE -   Supplying the heated inactive gas to the fuel cell keeps the temp. of the fuel cell, preventing a drop of voltage.
A fuel cell comprises a flat electrolyte plate (t), a flat anode (a) and cathode (c) an conductive separator boards (22). The separator boards (22) contain a first anode gas passage (26) for flowing anode gas including hydrogen, second anode gas passages (32) for introduction of anode gas to the centre of the first anode gas passage (26) and a cathode gas passage (27) for flowing cathode gas including carbon dioxide and oxygen.    ADVANTAGE -   An excessive reaction heat due to diluted anode gas is prevented, decreasing a temp. at the cathode area and increasing the cell life.
A new deuterium producing plant comprises: a pure water producing apparatus; an electrolysis apparatus in which pure water is electrolysed to produce O2 gas and a mixed gas contg. H2 and D2 ; a gas separating apparatus where the mixed gas is separated into H2 and D2 ; and a fuel cell where the separated H2 gas and the O2gas are reacted to generate electricity and heat.    USE -   For producing a large amt. of deuterium.    ADVANTAGE -    By-produced H2 and O2are recovered as heat or electrical energy so that the new plant has a higher energy efficiency.
The appts. for producing heavy water consists of an appts. for producing pure water from source water, electrolysis equipment for electrolysing the obtd. pure water to oxygen and a gas mixt. of hydrogen and heavy hydrogen, a separator for separating the gas mixt. to hydrogen and heavy hydrogen, a fuel cell for reacting the heavy hydrogen obtd. with the separator and the oxygen obtained with the electrolysis equipment to obtain heavy water and at the same time for recovering energy in the form of electricity, and a fuel cell for reacting the hydrogen obtained with the separator and the oxygen obtained with the electrolysis equipment to recover energy in the form of electricity and heat.    The appts. for producing pure water pref. employs one or a combination of methods of evaporation (multi-flash evaporator or multiple effect evaporator), reverse osmosis, ion-exchange and electrodialysis.    ADVANTAGE -   Heavy water can be obtd. efficiently on a large scale.
Hydrogen producing appts. comprise container (10), an anode (12) placed in container (10), cathode (14) which is faced to the anode (12) and placed over it so that the cathode (14) pierces through a pipe passage (16A) formed at the top of container (10), a means (32) which is placed between the anode and cathode and supplies steam, and a means (40) applying voltage across the anode and cathode to generate plasma.    USE -    For producing H2gas by decomposing steam with glow discharging.    ADVANTAGE -    H2gas can be produced in a short time, in a cost-effective manner.
A gas flame tube is inserted into a double reaction barrel and connected to a burner.    ADVANTAGE -   Reaction for reforming fuel gas can be accelerated.
The battery (1) has the battery poles (3,4) projecting from the battery housing, with the positive pole (4) having a terminal (16) for the starter motor cable and additional terminals (17), for supplying a number of electrical auxiliaries within the automobile.    A plastics base plate (15) has conductive inserts for providing the electrical connections between the additional terminals and the positive pole, with fuses (18) incorporated within the automobile.    A plastics base plate (15) has conductive inserts for providing the electrical connections between the additional terminals and the positive pole, with fuses (18) incorporated in the connection paths.    ADVANTAGE -   Allows fully automatic assembly of multi-terminal positive pole.
The solar powered aircraft has two airfoil shaped wings which each have containers connected to them for storing a lighter-than-air gas. A propulsion device is supported by each wing and generates a lift in combination with the wing.    A payload is supported beneath the wing is adapted to position solar cells in an optimum solar-radiation-gathering position w.r.t. the sun. The solar energy is collected and converted by a device in the wing, and provides power to the propulsion device.    ADVANTAGE -   Maintains max. exposure of solar energy capturing cells in optimum direction as long as aircraft is airborne, and allows aircraft to be capable of remaining airborne at high altitude day and night for many months or years.
ADVANTAGE -   No fault current occurs between electrodes.
In the fuel-cell (1) there is a chromium-bearing connection element (3) connected between the cathode (2c) of an electrochemical plate (2) to the PEN-anode (2a) of a corresponding electrochemical plate (2) in a neighbouring cell. This acts as a current collector, temperature equaliser and heat exchanger to warm the air (35a,33a) for the cathode reaction. The free area of the connection plate (3) that comes into contact with the heated air (33a) has a ceramic covering layer (8) that acts as a barrier to chromium-oxide at the working temperature. This reduces the transportation of gaseous chromium-oxide and prevents the damage caused by deposition of chromium-oxide.    ADVANTAGE -   Reduces the damage caused by the transportation and deposition of chromium-oxide in the fuel-cell.
The cell anodes (2) and cathodes (4) are separated by bipolar metal sheets (6) with anodes supplied with combustion gas (B), and cathodes with cathode gas (K). Between the anode and cathode is located an electrolyte matrix (3).    Between the bipolar sheets, adjacent to the anodes and cathodes, is fitted a wire fabric current collector (5a,b), forming at each anode and cathode a flow cross-section for combustion and cathode gases and an electric contact to each adjacent bipolar metal sheet. The collector forming wire fabric is pref. corrugated in cross-section.    ADVANTAGE -   Simple current collector of small number of components with a high service life.
The sheet device for eliminating corrosion in combination with the automotive battery comprises the extended rectangular metal strip having a copper surface on one side for placement between battery terminals and on an outside surface of the battery with long sides of the rectangle aligned with a line between the battery terminals. Short ends of the strip have cut-out portions permitting the strip to surround three sides of each of the terminals when mounted on the battery.    An adhesive layer on a surface of the metal strip opposite from that of the copper surface affixes the metal strip to the outside surface of the battery. A peel-off cover protects the adhesive layer prior to affixing the metal strip to the battery. The peel-off cover is removable to expose the adhesive layer when it is desired to affix the copper strip to the battery.    USE/ADVANTAGE -   Improved corrosion collector for batteries. Simple and effective.
Integrated fuel processing appts. for a fuel cell power plant has a containment vessel with a cylindrical shell (12). The vessel is divided by a plate (18) into an upper gas reformer portion (16) and a lower shift converter portion (54) with a burner (32) discharging combustion gas into the upper portion. A number of reactor tubes (20) contg. catalyst provide heat exchange to the combustion gas and form a process gas flow-path through the tubes. After heat exchange with the tubes the combustion gas passes to an outlet plenum (36) above the dividing plate and a combustion gas outlet (40). A process gas reactor outlet plenum (52) is located below the dividing plate and is connected to reactor outlet tubes (26) which pass from the reactor tubes through the combustion gas outlet plenum and the dividing plate. A shift converter (56) contg. a bed of catalyst (58) receives process gas from the process gas outlet plenum and passes it to a process gas outlet line (68).    USE -   Fuel processor is used for a fuel cell power plant.    ADVANTAGE -   The integrated unit combines multiple components within a single vessel to provide a lower cost assembly with a smaller footprint and volume. It also decreases the external piping and lowers heat loss.
A hollow plate-type oxidant electrode (3 dash) is formed of an electrode material and used in a solid electrolytic type fuel battery and has oxidant gas flow passages (6) formed in it. At least one belt-type protrusion part (9) is formed on at least one surface of a hollow plate-type oxidant electrode (3 dash).    ADVANTAGE -   Gas airtightness is high and electrode material having high mechanical strength is used as constituting material.
The fuel battery generating device comprises a generating chamber (30) to contain a cell (C) of a fuel battery, a mixing chamber (40) to generate non-modified mixture gas, and a combustion chamber (50) to burn exhaust fuel gas and exhaust oxygen-contained gas. A modifying chamber (20) is arranged adjacently to a combustion chamber (50).    ADVANTAGE -   Combustion heat is effectively utilized for heating of modifying chamber and heat recovery coefficient is improved.
A CO removing device (34) to remove CO in H2-rich fuel gas by oxidn. comprises: (a) first reaction part (40) arranged on the upstream side of the fuel gas, having selective oxidn. catalyst carrying pts. (44) and cooling layers (46) to cool the selective oxidn. catalyst carrying pts. (44) so as to keep within the active temp. range; (b) second reaction pt. (42) arranged in series with the first reaction pt. (40) on the downstream side of the fuel gas, having combustion catalyst carrying pts. (48) and cooling layers (50) to cool the combustion catalyst carrying parts (48) so as to keep within the active temp. range; (c) an oxidising agent supply device to supply the oxidising agent to the first and/or second reaction pts.; (d) fuel gas switching unit; (e) temp. detectors (68), (70) provided in the first and second reaction parts; and (f) control device.    USE -   Used to remove CO in the H2-rich gas to be supplied to a fuel cell which operates at lower temps..    ADVANTAGE -   The concn. of the CO2 in H2-rich fuel gas to be supplied to a fuel cell can be reduced exactly down to 100ppm.
Prodn. of an electrolytic soln. contg. vanadium as positive and negative electrode active materials is claimed. The solns. are suitable for a redox battery, and the process comprises: (a) a purificn. step in which a vanadium cpd. contg. impurities selected from vanadium pentoxide and ammonium metavanadate is dissolved in a solvent under an alkaline or neutral condition, a polyvanadate cpd. is pptd. by thermal polymerisation of vanadium ions under an acidic condition, and the polyvanadate cpd. is isolated from the soln. contg. impurities; (b) a de-ammoniation step in which a part of the polyvanadate cpd. prepd. in the purificn. is baked at 400-690C in an inert or oxidising gas atmos. so as to remove ammonium ions; (c) a trivalent vanadium cpd. forming step in which a trivalent vanadium cpd. is formed by treating another part of the polyvanadate cpd. prepd. in the purificn. under a reductive atmos.; (d) a V3+ electrolytic soln. forming step in which a trivalent vanadium electrolytic soln. is formed by dissolving the trivalent vanadium cpd. in an acid soln.; and (e) a V4+/V3+ mixed electrolytic soln. forming step in which vanadium pentoxide obtd. in the de-ammoniation step and a part of the trivalent vanadium cpd. obtd. in the V3+ electrolytic soln. forming step are reacted by mixing so that mixed electrolytic solns. having various mixing ratios of V4+ and V3+ are formed.    A further process for the prodn. of the electrolytic soln. is also claimed.    USE -   Used for a redox battery.    ADVANTAGE -   The process economically produces high purity vanadium electrolytic solns. not effecting the deterioration of the ion exchange membrane. The electrolytic soln. can be easily produced from low purity vanadium raw materials which are inexpensive and can be steadily supplied.
The fuel cell system has a fuel cell block (4) with an anode    and cathode (6,8). A discharge line (36) leads the cathode    discharge gas (38) to a heat exchanger (40). The discharge gas    passes to a branch point (42) that has two partial flows (44,6).    One partial flow leads via a mixing point (52) for fresh air and    via the heat exchanger, to the cathode.    The second partial flow is fed to a heat utilisation device (34), e.g. a turbine, via a further heat exchanger (30) for raising its temp.    USE -   For use as alternative energy source to i.c. engine.
The converter has a device, within an electrolyte cell, for converting water into hydrogen gas and oxygen gas, the hydrogen gas being routed to the engine. A high density direct current source is generated to power the converting device whereby the hydrogen gas will serve as the major fuel source to replace, at steady state, a majority of the vol. of gasoline normally used by the engine.    The electrolytic cell has a water-tight frame, a positively charged perforated and grooved graphite carbon anode and a negatively charged perforated steel cathode. The flow of electrolyte through the cell is facilitated, and asbestos diaphragms separate the anodic from the cathodic compartments.    ADVANTAGE -   Emissions resulting from the combustion of hydrogen are relatively non-pollutant, therefore CO and unburned hydrocarbons are reduced by as much as 65%. Also there is a redn. in undesirable nitrogen pollutants due to decreased consumption of air as oxygen source.
The battery tool has an intermediate portion (118) connecting the top (114) and bottom (116) portions, the bottom portion tapering away from the intermediate portion. The three portions are aligned along a longitudinal axis. The intermediate portion has a cavity (120) for receiving the top portion. The cavity has an inner wall (122), and a projection extending into the cavity from the surface of the inner wall.    The top portion is partially contained in the cavity and has a notch (124) on it for mating with the projection. The top portion has a brush member (126) with a plastic body and filaments (128) embedded in the top portion, and disposed parallel to the longitudinal axis.    ADVANTAGE -   Enables user to polish or clean contact surface without excessive removal of material. Can withstand rotational forces experienced during cleaning process.
A porous substrate is immersed in zirconia suspended soln., dried and burned.    USE -   Used as a solid electrolyte in cells and sensors.
The method involves placing the battery terminal in the mould, and placing the spacer in the mould adjacent the top surface of the battery terminal, the spacer being provided with an annular groove in an outer surface. The battery terminal and the outer surface of the spacer are encased within an insulating, resilient material, such that when the insulating material is cured, the spacer may be removed, thereby creating an annular opening in the insulating material, the annular opening having an inner wall and an annular bead protruding from the inner wall.    The method also involves crimping a barrel of the battery terminal onto a first conductor such that the barrel conforms to an outer dimension of the first conductor, and encasing a portion of the first conductor adjacent the battery terminal in the insulating, resilient material.    ADVANTAGE -   Provides improved battery cable assembly that will resist corrosive environmental effects and have longer life. Simplified mfr.
Process for treating a particulate material, where the particles are caused to move in a vacuum chamber (12) in the presence of the vapour of a catalytic metal, comprising effecting a high vacuum in the chamber; evaporating the catalytic metal (44) by heating it; fluidising the particles by placing them in an open container (52) connected to a low frequency vibration source (56), whereby the vapour condenses on the particles, coating them. The appts. of the above process is claimed, including high vacuum deposition chamber; heat source for evaporating the catalytic metal; vacuum means; open container for particulate material; and low frequency vibration means.    USE -    In the deposition of catalytic metal on particulate materials by vacuum evaporation of the metal and condensation on the substrate (claimed), such as for the manufacture of electrocatalytic powder for use in electrodes for industrial applications, e.g. energy conversion, electrical storage devices and production of gases e.g. H2 , O2, by electrolysis.    ADVANTAGE -   The claimed process achieves more uniform and complete coatings than known in vacuo methods.
The heat battery operates with an external thermal source. A terminal (2) is formed on a lithium heat source (4) and a DBE (5), then calcium (6) is deposited on top of the heat source (4). A collector (7) having a terminal line (3) id deposited on top of the calcium (6). The heat source (4) detects melting of lithium when temp. rises over 180C and the DBE is melted in a chain reaction to form electrolyte.
The fuel cell comprises a water passage formed in an electrolytic membrane ranging from one electrode side to the other electrode side, and an electrolytic shut-off layer formed between the electrolytic membrane and either one electrode to shut off the water passage.    ADVANTAGE -   The electrolytic membrane is prevented from damage and fuel gas is humidified.
The gas detector has an e.g. carbon monoxide sensor (1) which incorporates an electrolyte membrane (10) with a pair of electrodes (12,14) arranged across the membrane to form a sandwich structure, where a gaseous fuel is supplied to one electrode (12) via a conduit (28) and the other electrode (14) is exposed to the atmosphere. A pair of meshed metal plates (16,18) disposed across the sandwich structure prevent deflection of the structure which is supported by holders (20,22) connected by an insulating member (24).    The membrane is composed of a solid polymer, such as fluoro-resin, to be proton-conductive. The electrodes are made of carbon cloth weave of carbon fibres, where carbon powder with a platinum catalyst is inserted into the pores of the carbon cloth. The potential difference across a resistor (32) connected across the electrode terminals (20T,22T) is measured by a voltmeter (32).    ADVANTAGE -   Provides high precision detection of organic compound in hydrogen rich reactant gas.
The separator is used in fuel cell stacks (1) which have stacked separator/membrane, electrode assembly cells, in which the separators comprise a series of thin sheet platelets (30-1..30-7). Each platelet has individually configured serpentine micro-channel reactant gas humidification (35,40), active area (25) and cooling fields.    The individual platelets are stacked with co-ordinate features precisely aligned and bonded to form a monolithic separator. The preferably material for the platelets is 4-25 mil Titanium in which the features are formed by chemical, laser etching etc. with combinations of depth and through etching.    ADVANTAGE -   Gives improved outputs and eases mfr. and permits easier introduction of change in design feature to accommodate range of thermal and humidification parameters.
The battery has electrical lines for connection of a processor to electrical terminals of the battery for sensing the electrical current intensity and the electrical voltage. The processor determines all the time a value of the remaining charge of the battery, at periodically repeated times, from sensed values of the current intensity and the battery voltage. The processor is arranged to control the internal switch to an opened state in the case where the vehicle is in a non-operative state and simultaneously the value of the remaining charge of the battery is lower than a predetermined value.    ADVANTAGE -   Ensures battery is not discharged too much and that generator supplies a suitable recharge current.
A method of making a negative electrode comprising a precharged active material for a lead-acid battery comprises forming a Pb-based powder having at least 95 wt.% Pb, forming a leady-oxide powder having at least 85 wt.% of Pb oxide and a BET surface area of at least 0.1 m2-1and combining 65-80 % of the Pb powder with 35-20% of the oxide powder in an aq. mixt. This is applied to at least one side of a grid and dried.    Also claimed is the active material formed above.    USE -   As automotive batteries.    ADVANTAGE -    There is no need for slow curing, complex basic PbSO4reactions are avoided, performance is good and a consistent prod. is obtd..
The fuel cell system comprises a fuel cell having an anode with an anode hydrogen inlet, and a cathode having a cathode air inlet, and a main water storage tank having a fuel cell spent air inlet communicating with the cathode air inlet, an oxygen inlet, referred to as an electrolyzer-to-water tank inlet, an air/oxygen exhaust outlet, a water outlet, referred to as a main-to-secondary-water-tank outlet, and a make-up water inlet. A secondary water storage tank has a water inlet, referred to as a secondary-water inlet and a water outlet, referred to as a secondary-water-outlet. An air pump has a discharge communicating with the fuel cell cathode air inlet.    The water electrolyser has the electrolyser oxygen outlet communicating with the electrolyser-to-water-tank inlet, and the electrolyser hydrogen outlet. The liquid-gas separator communicates with the electrolyser hydrogen outlet and the anode hydrogen inlet. A condensed phase hydrogen storage tank communicates with the liquid-gas separator. The system also has a wick having an anode end in contact with the anode and a water end in direct communication with the secondary-water-outlet, and a water pump having an inlet communicating with the main-to-secondary-water-tank outlet and a discharge communicating with the secondary-water inlet.    USE/ADVANTAGE -   E.g. for powering lights and radios in space craft. Reduces system's operating pressures from roughly 21 MPa (3,000 psia) to roughly 2.1 MPa (300 psia), when fully charged, and eliminates need for gaseous oxygen storage altogether.
The operation of a H2-air fuel cell that is fed by the in situ generation of hydrogen by contacting H2O with ground or crushed Fe, the Fe being ground or crushed in situ to enhance its activity. The operation comprises: (a) providing a fluidised bed of Fe, initially in pellet form prior to grinding or crushing, and a source of H2O in combination with a H-air cell; (b) generating H2 for the fuel cell by reacting Fe with H2O at max. temp. of 450 C; (c) grinding or crushing the Fe in situ within operative cell cycle to produce enhanced activity Fe particles to generate H in (b) at a rate about 2% per minute; (d) supplying the generated H to the cell; (e) generating H2O and electricity in the H-air fuel cell; and (f) using at least some of the generated H2O from (e) to resupply H2O for (b).    USE -   For generating H2 for use in H2-air fuel cell.    ADVANTAGE -   Produces H2 in situ at faster rate by activated Fe. The spent metal particles are easily and cheaply regenerated. The operation has lower cost and improved safety. The fuel cell is less delicate than conventional metal hydride systems.
An ion exchange resin tower for maintaining purity of cooling water is passed through the cooling water for cooling electrical equipment. An ion collecting tube is set in a pipe arrangement for the cooling water near an insulation tube of the electrical equipment. The ion collecting tube is made from an insulation tube area, and joint areas attached to both sides of the insulation tube area. The strength of electric field between the joint areas attached to both sides of the insulation tube area is set larger than that between other joint areas provided to both sides of the insulation tube.    USE -   Used for suppressing corrosion of a heat exchanger and electrical equipment in a cooling water system and of joint areas.
The method consists of (A) prepn. of a mixt. soln. from an aq. soln. of water soluble La cpd. and another aq. soln. contg. other metal elements (a), (B) the mixt. soln. added with hydrazine to give a precursor (b) contg. La and (a), and (C) to produce oxide powder with perovskite structure by heating (b).    USE -   Used for producing La system oxide with perovskite structure.    ADVANTAGE -   The method is able to produce La system oxide with perovskite structure with lower cost and at lower temp. (1000 C) than conventional methods.
In the methanol reformer for fuel cells which steam-reforms methanol to supply H2 to a fuel cell where H2 and O2are electrochemically reacted, the reforming section and the chemical heat source section which radiates heat in the form of oxidn. heat, are connected by heat pipes which convey heat through the latent heat of vaporisation of the operating fluid, and an electrical heat source section which assists the chemical heat source section is placed in such a manner that it can exchange heat with the heat pipes.    ADVANTAGE -   The temp. of the reforming section can be kept constant and a high reforming rate can be maintained.
The hydrogen-producing device consists of a zinc-aluminium alloy and produces hydrogen through contact with an electrolyte.    ADVANTAGE -   Since the device consists of a zinc-aluminium alloy, it can be mfd. by a simple process. Using the device, a stable amt. of hydrogen can be produced throughout the operation period. Also since zinc and aluminium are distributed homogeneously in alloy, the alloy does not dissolve locally in an electrolyte and hydrogen is produced at a constant rate.
A fuel cell stack comprises a cell laminated body composed of laminated cells, current collecting members disposed at the sides of the cell laminated body, a clamp member for holding the current collecting members outwardly, and a metallic fixing tool passing through the cell laminated body, the current collecting member, an electrically insulating member and the clamp member and clamping them together. Each of the current collecting members is provided with a through-hole for the metallic fixing tool and is fixed to maintain an electrical insulation to the metallic fixing tool.    USE -   Used as a fuel cell stack formed by assembling unit cells.    ADVANTAGE -   A cell laminated body can be held with necessary strength and insulation between current collecting members and tie rods.
Mfg. a redox flow-type battery electrolytic liq. comprises preparing an aq. HCl soln. contg. Cr ions, and impurity metal ions other than Cr, mixing an organic solvent with the aq. HCl soln., extracting the impurity metal ion in the HCl soln., sepg. the organic solvent contg. impurity metal ions, and the HCl soln. contg. Cr ions, and removing the HCl soln. contg. Cr ions.    USE -   Used for power storage.
The hydrogen supply system generates hydrogen by decomposing fuel mainly contg. alcohol such as methanol or ammonia in a decomposing reactor, hydrogen is passed through a hydrogen sepg. membrane provided in the decomposing reactor.    USE -   The refined hydrogen@ used as fuel for a fuel cell battery.    ADVANTAGE -   The system can be initially started in a short time and increased in hydrogen conversion efficiency even at a low temp..
The battery comprises cells with fuel and air poles and cell cooling plates alternately laminated to obtain electricity with electrochemical reaction, and a voltage sensor to measure obtd. voltage.    ADVANTAGE -   The voltage sensor can be easily mounted and demounted without giving damage to the cooling plates.
The system comprises a gas replacing means to replace reformed gas, which resides in at least one of a fuel reformer, a CO remover and a fuel cell, with combustion gas exhausted from a combustor for the fuel reformer when the fuel cell generating system is stopped.    ADVANTAGE -   The system is very safe when restarted, and has a low generating cost.
The method comprises supplying air from an air blower to a starting hot air generating furnace, so that gas in a cathode circulation line is circulated and supplying material gas from a material blower to the starting hot air generating furnace.    ADVANTAGE -   Temp. rise in a reformer is performed without using exhaust gas from the starting hot air generating furnace.
The plant comprises a means to part all or part of cooling water, an absorption refrigerator which uses parted cooling water for input, a means to combine cooling water again after passing through the absorption refrigerator and a means to control the temp. in a steam separator.    ADVANTAGE -   The discharge energy of cooling water is utilised while maintaining the water quality easily.
The generator comprises a fuel cell with a cathode and an anode, a reformer with a reforming chamber and a combustion chamber, a turbine compressor to supply compressed air to the cathode in the fuel cell, a low temp. blower, and a reformer combustion air flow control valve.    ADVANTAGE -   Abnormal temp. rise in the combustion chamber of the reformer, is prevented.
Mfg. the plate comprises heated a metal filler, melting, placing between a cooling pipe and a cooling pipe holder and then cooling down to room temp. to form a heat conductive medium.    ADVANTAGE -   The cooling performance is increased.
The battery (1) includes the battery cover (2) with terminals (11) lowered from the top of the battery box, the battery side wall (9) with its shoulders recessed in accordance with the height of terminals (11) and through holes (10) for connection between abutted cells at partitions (5) of the battery, to make deposition without decreasing the strength of the deposit.    ADVANTAGE -   Deposition between battery cover and battery is improved, preventing short-circuit between terminals.
The novel feature in a polymeric cation-exchange membrane contg. contg. sulphonic acid gps. and having on at least one side finely-divided metal which can catalyse water formation from H2 and O2is that the polymer is soluble in aprotic-polar solvents and contains units of formula (I) and (II) which are at least partly substd. by sulphonic acid gps..     (Ar1X) (I)     (Ar2Y) (II)     Ar1 and Ar2= divalent arylene; X = S or O; and Y = carbonyl, sulphoxide or sulphonyl.    ADVANTAGE -    Membranes are provided which have a well-adhered layer of high specific area catalytic metals such as Pt, this layer being applied eg. by a simple chemical deposition method and the membrane being suitable for high current density(A/cm2) use in fuel cells.
A method for mfg. a membrane and electrode structure comprises surface hydrolysing at least one side of a polymeric ion exchange membrane and contacting the hydrolysed surface with an electrode ink.    USE -   The membrane and electrode structure is used in fuel cells and batteries.    ADVANTAGE -   The hydrolysis prevents swelling or distortion of the membrane following application of the electrode ink and improves adhesion between the electrode ink and the membrane.
Organic aerogel microspheres are prepd. by: (a) mixing an aq. reactant phase soln. contg. a multi-functional monomer with a non-miscible solvent; (b) agitating until the aq. phase polymerises and forms gel spheres; (c) curing the spheres; and (d) drying.    Also claimed are: (i) a method for producing organic aerogel microspheres having a dia. of 1-1000 m; (ii) a method of mfg. resorcinol/formaldehyde carbon aerogel microspheres; and (iii) a method of mfg. organic aerogel microspheres by inverse emulsion polymerisation.    USE -   The microspheres can be used in capacitors, batteries, thermal insulation, and as absorption/filtration media and chromatographic packings.    ADVANTAGE -   Microspheres with a wide range of dias. (1 m-3 mm), densities (0.5-1.2 g/cm3) and surface areas can be prepd. by controlling the chemical formulation and processing conditions. The microspheres can also be doped and/or carbonised.
In the method, after driving voltage is applied at a coil of the electromagnetic valve, the voltage is changed over twice to a voltage which is less than about half the driving voltage and the valve is transferred from a closed state to an opened state with a holding voltage which is about half of the driving voltage on the electromagnetic valve for the fuel cell generating device.    The closed state is operated with a main valve pushing down with a spring and with a ring shape seal material which is set at lower end of the main valve pressing on a ring shape seat at upper end of the main valve, and the opened state is operated with the main valve transferring upward with voltage applying to a coil.
The tool includes the air chuck for holding the battery rod which is coupled to the rotary table. The held battery arm is dropped on the receiver from the chuck by the actuation of the rotary table and then transferred to the fastening actuator.    ADVANTAGE -   Battery rod can be positioned exactly to fastening stage.
Continuously casting positive battery grids upon rotation of a casting mould comprises: (a) providing a pair of patterned grid cavities (24, 24') on the casting mould (22); (b) directing molten casting material at an elevated temp. from a heated pot (56) via a pump (52) and supply line (50) to the cavities through an internal passageway and discharge slot in a fixed shoe (28) having an outer surface conforming to and positioned against the cavities on the rotating mould and in sliding engagement with the mould; (c) heating the molten material flowing through the shoe to maintain the material at an elevated temp. prior to discharge through the slot; (d) returning excess molten material from the shoe via a return line (60) to the heated pot; (e) allowing the molten metal to harden in the cavities to form a corresponding pair of battery grid strips; and (f) removing the battery grid strips from the rotating casting mould. Also claimed is a battery grid formed on a continuous casting machine used in lead-acid batteries having two recticula for retaining chemically active battery paste formed from lead or a lead alloy with a scrim bonded to the recticulum by a binder selected from low m. pt. binders, epoxies and pressure sensitive adhesives.    USE -   Continuously cast lead acid battery grids partic. multilayered battery grids.    ADVANTAGE -   Multiple battery grid strips are simultaneously continuously cast with casting mould rotation speed decreased but with productivity increased. Deficiencies in grid quality related to turbulence and temp. gradients are overcome improving grain structure, increasing strength and resistance to corrosion and mechanical stresses with the high productivity rate.
The regenerative fuel cell system comprises the fuel cell having (1) an anode with an anode hydrogen inlet, and (2) a cathode having a cathode oxygen inlet, and a main water storage tank having (1) a fuel cell oxygen outlet communicating with the cathode oxygen inlet (2) a first oxygen inlet, referred to as an electrolyser-to-water tank inlet, and (3) a second oxygen inlet, referred to as an oxygen-tank-to-water-tank inlet. A water electrolyser has (1) an electrolyzer oxygen outlet communicating with the electrolyser-to-water-tank inlet, and (2) an electrolyser hydrogen outlet.    The system also has (d) a hydrogen storage tank having (1) a hydrogen tank inlet communicating with the electrolyser hydrogen outlet, and (2) a hydrogen tank outlet communicating with the anode hydrogen inlet and with the electrolyser hydrogen outlet. An oxygen tank has an oxygen tank outlet communicating with the oxygen-tank-to-water-tank inlet. A wick has (1) an anode end in contact with the anode and (2) a water end in direct communication with a source of water, referred to as a wick water reservoir.    ADVANTAGE -   Reduces overall weight and mechanical complexity of fuel cell system, improving system reliability. Use of anode wick reduces probability of drying fuel cell's anode membrane surface.
Battery includes a grating made of a Pb-Ca-Sn type alloy for anode and cathode where the cathode plate is enveloped with a bag type separator. The ratio of the total active material of the cathode plate to the total active material of the anode plate in the electrode plate gp. is 0.80-1.10.    USE -   The battery is suitable for a car.    ADVANTAGE -   The battery has improved running life because growth of the anode plate, which breaks separator bag, is prevented.
The structure includes a carburettor (12) connected to the rear side of the cylinder head (10a) of an engine (10). The suction system of the engine has air cleaner cases (43) connected to the rear side of the carburettor. A battery folder (44) stores a battery (16) between the engine and a rear fender (20). An axial line (46a) forms a suction passage (46) of the air cleaner case to go up to the rear side of the cylinder head and the carburettor.    The axial line can insert-remove a front suction pipe (43e) of the air cleaner case to the suction pipe (12a) at the rear side of the carburettor. Simultaneously, the axial line is in parallel to the suction passage and passes to the rear lower end of an air cleaner case (43a). Then, the air cleaner case sets the battery folder upper end (44a) low.    ADVANTAGE -   Retreats cleaner case easily; eases carburettor detachment.
A soln. comprises an aq. soln. of sulphuric acid contg. vanadium and/or vanadyl-ion and a protection colloid agent as an additive.    USE -   For power storage sec. battery.    ADVANTAGE -   Stabilises electrolytic soln. and inhibits vanadium cpd. from pptg.
The hydrogen preservation type power generation system comprises a prim. power source, the water electrolysis equipment to form hydrogen by feeding power from the prim. power source, and gas drying equipment to remove moisture from hydrogen formed in the water electrolysis equipment. The hydrogen preservation equipment occludes and releases hydrogen using hydrogen occluding alloy, and the power generating equipment operated with fuel hydrogen released from the hydrogen occluding equipment. Power generated from the prim. power source is prevented converting it into hydrogen. According to requirement, the hydrogen is utilised to generate power.    USE -   The hydrogen preservation type power generation system can be used for emergency power supply or at peak power demand time.    ADVANTAGE -   The hydrogen preservation type power generation system can be operated for power cost only 1/4 as much as that of the sec. cell. Its work life lasts for a period of 3 times as long as that for the sec. cell.
A fuel cell power plant comprises a cylindrical steam compressor (4) installed on a mid way of a steam supply pipe between compressor (4) installed on a mid way of a steam supply pipe between a steam generator and a steam header, a steam pressure detector (7) to detect steam pressure on the sec. side of the steam compressor (4) and a controller (10) to boost pressure inside the steam header when the detected steam pressure is lower than the pressure inside the header.    USE -   Used as a steam pressure booster for a fuel cell power plant.    ADVANTAGE -   Steam out of the fuel cell power generator is boosted to a pressure greater than the steam pressure inside the steam header, improving the comprehensive efficiency.
In a BWR comprising a pressure vessel, a steam pipe, a turbine, a generator, a condenser, hydrogen and oxygen supply pipes to an off-gas line, etc., a branched oxygen pipe is connected to the water supply pipe.    ADVANTAGE -   An oxide coat is formed in water pipes to prevent corrosion.
The reactive metallic material is discharged by contacting with a starting electrode, and is reacted hydrothermally with water.    ADVANTAGE -   This invention can provide the hydrogen generating process by a miniaturised appts. with high efficiency, using metallic material which reacts hydrothermally with water.
The installation is arranged in a cabinet, and includes an AC power supply (3), where each phase has a rectifier (4) and a re-chargeable buffer battery (6), required if the AC power supply fails. The operation of the sources is managed by a switching and control arrangement.    The arrangement consists of two separate units (17, 18), one provided with all the switching and control units of the alternating current side and the other with the switching and control units of the direct current side.    USE/ADVANTAGE -   For cellular network station. Provides uninterrupted power supply. Improved design to suit national standards of service and safety.
The method involves layering a first cell and a second cell in which both the first and second cells are each less than about 50 mm thick and comprise an electrolyte, a first charge side, and a second charge side located opposite the first charge side. The layering is such that the first charge side of the first cell is coupled to the first charge side of the second cell to form a first charge zone.    The method also involves layering a third cell that is less than about 50 mm thick and comprises an electrolyte, a first charge side, and a second charge side located opposite the first charge side. The layering is such that the second charge side of the third cell is coupled to the second charge side of the second cell to form a second charge zone. The second charge side of the first cell is then electrically interconnected the to the second charge zone, and the first charge zone is electrically interconnected to the first charge side of the third cell.    USE/ADVANTAGE -   Can be used with laminar film lithium polymer cells to make lightweight rechargeable batteries, used in portable computer, telephone or motor vehicle. Number of electrically insulating separators is reduced, thereby also reducing weight and volume of resulting battery systems.
The method involves providing a moulded plastic cover of the type having a base, a lid, a hinge connected between them allowing the base and lid to be relatively displaced between open and closed positions, an aperture in the base for receiving a battery post, a number of resilient tabs extending upwardly from the base in a spaced relationship around a portion of the aperture, and a pair of locking arms extending upwardly from the base for engaging the bolt.    The method further involves opening the cover and placing the battery cable terminal adjacent the base of the opened cover with the split-ring portion in alignment with the aperture. The method also involves displacing the battery cable terminal directly toward the base in registry with the aperture to lock the flange within the resilient tabs and to simultaneously engage the bolt with the locking arms, and closing the cover around the battery cable terminal.    USE/ADVANTAGE -   For protective cover for battery cable terminal fitted to motor vehicle battery in engine compartment for providing protection against dirt, water and salt etc. Effectively encloses entire terminal.
A battery cable connector connects a battery cable to a battery post. The connector comprises first and second outer connector portions and a third intermediate connector portion trapped between the first and second connector portions. The first and third connector portions have opposing battery post receiving recesses. The second connector portion is adjustably secured to the first connector portion by a threaded adjustment on which the third connector portion is slidably mounted. Also provided is a pusher member movable to and from a connector tightening position. The threaded adjustment provides an initial tightening of the connector around the post with the pusher member away from the tightening position. The pusher member is then moved to the tightening position where it pushes the third connector portion away from the second connector portion and towards the first connector portion to provide a tight fit of the first and third connector portions around the battery post.    ADVANTAGE -   Avoids build-up of dirt and corrosion, particularly around the terminal post, thus alleviating the problems associated with removing the connector when corrosion is present causing the nut to bind on the securing bolt.
The holder (18) has a battery fitting part (27) which obstructs the unnecessary movements of a battery (30). The holder is provided with an adjustment mechanism to change the battery fitting according to the battery size.    ADVANTAGE -   Enables easy conversion of battery size.
The notch (25) and the hole (26) are formed in both ends of the ceiling part (23a) of the battery band (23) having a U-shape cross-section and the battery band (23) is placed on the battery (22).    Coupling members (29,31) are inserted and hooked in the hole (26) and the notch (25) and a battery (22) is fixed in a battery box (24) through the coupling members. In the so formed battery fixing device, the notch (25) and the hole (26) are offset to either the rise wall parts (23b or 23c) sides of the battery band (23).    ADVANTAGE -   Weight of vehicle is reduced and mfg. cost is reduced.
Stack of the fuel cell is tightened by up and down holders in determined force. Between end separator arranged at upper most stack of the cell and the upper holder and between end separator at arranged down most stack of the cell and the down holder, spacer corrugators are arranged. The spacer corrugators have determined height and pass air.    USE/ADVANTAGE -   For converting chemical energy to electric energy directly. Distribution of tightening force is uniformed preventing deformation of end separators.
The enclosure comprises two identical members (12, 14) sized to fit around the battery to form a shell structure which is open at the top and the bottom. The battery is partly enclosed on two sides and fully enclosed on the other two sides. The members snap together using interlocking tongue and groove portions ((40, 180; 140, 80) of mating sides of the members.    Upper portions (60, 90, 160, 190) of the members are disposed in juxtaposed relation with handle brackets (20, 20-1) of the battery so that the enclosure members are lifted with battery so that no load is placed on the latches holding the two portions together. Lower portions (101, 102) of the front (26) and the back (126) walls of the enclosure are open to accommodate standard hold-down mechanism for the battery.    ADVANTAGE -   Thermally insulates the battery from underhood heat.
The method involves collecting a quantity of organic material,    generating an redefined biogas component containing sulphur from the collected quantity of organic material. That is followed by    introducing the sulphur-containing unrefined biogas component into a high-temperature sulphur-tolerant fuel cell.    The latter converts the biogas component to electricity by an electrochemical process without significantly degrading the performance of the fuel cell. The generating is performed by a biological treatment process which involves an anaerobic filter.    Before the introducing step, it requires controlling the presence of sulphur in the biogas component by removing at least a portion of the sulphur from the biogas, such that the sulphur content in the biogas is below 10,000 ppm.    USE/ADVANTAGE -   In electrochemical fuel cells. Provides efficient conversion of e.g. animals wastes to electricity, while generating less pollution and allowing introduction of unrefined gas into converter.
Generating electric energy from biological raw materials comprises using biological raw materials which are sufficiently free of sulphur of natural origin. A combustion gas is generated from biological raw materials in an oxidation reactor by partial oxidation, thereby adjusting and maintaining an oxygen/biological raw material proportion of ingredients and a gas phase temperature which ensure a combustible gas phase temperature which ensure a combustible gas virtually free of nitrogen oxides.    USE -   After removing suspended matter from the combustible gas in a separator, the combustible gas is converted into electric energy in fuel cells having a porous anode, a porous cathode and a suitable electrolyte.
An inner cell (21) is formed so that a fuel electrode (21c) is formed on either the inner or outer surface of a cylindrical solid electrolyte (21a) and an air electrode (21b) is formed on the other surface. The inner cell (21) and an outer cell (22), formed in a similar manner as the inner cell, are concentrically disposed with a given gap in between. The two cells (21,22) are electrically interconnected through a conductive member (25) having elasticity.    ADVANTAGE -   Rigidity is improved and mfr. is facilitated.
An exhaust line (4) of a fuel battery body (2) is coupled to the middle of a combustion exhaust line (3) of a modifier (1) and a condenser (5) is arranged on the downstream side of a coupling part. A water processing line (6) is connected to the condenser (5). A water tank (7), a water processing device (8), and a feed pump (9) are located in the water processing line (6). A battery cooling water line (10) is connected to the end part on the water feed pump (9) side of the water processing line (6). A water processing line switching valve (21) is located in a spot situated upper stream from the water tank (7) of the water processing line (6). A water discharge is connected in a state to branch from a part situated upper stream from the water processing line switching valve (21) of the water processing line (6). A discharge line switching valve (23) is arranged at the inlet part of the discharge line (22).    ADVANTAGE -   Pollution of the interior of a water tank does not occur and the load of a water processing device is reduced.
The equipment has a decarboxylation tower for evaporating carbon dioxide melting in condensed water condensed by condensn. heat exchanger, pressure detector for detecting pressure in a water tank, and alarm.    USE -   The equipment is provided with device for predicting performance deterioration of the tower to prevent unpredicted stopping of a generator.    ADVANTAGE -   The unpredicted stop of the generator due to shut down of the tower can be prevented.
A heat-exchanger (22) for heating gas is arranged between a low temp. carbon monoxide transformer (4) and a heat-exchanger (5) for heating steam. A part of fuel gas from the high temp. carbon monoxide transformer (2) is branched through a bypass piping (21) for a heat-exchanger. Fuel gas is fed to a heat-exchanger (3) for heating gas bypassing after it bypasses the heat-exchanger (3) for regulating a gas temp. The heat-exchanger (22) for heating gas recovers the heat of fuel gas from the bypass piping (21) for heat-exchanger and fuel gas flowing out through the outlet of the low temp. carbon monoxide transformer (4) is heated by utilising the heat.    ADVANTAGE -   Operation of a system is started as rapidly as possible.
Unit cells (1) in layers from one block (6) and a cooling plate (2) is laminated between the blocks. By the flow of pressurised cooling water (9) through a cooling pipe (4) running through a direction extending along the laminate surface of a cooling plate, the operation temp. of a laminate fuel cell (20) is maintained at a constant value. In cooling of the laminate fuel cell, cooling water passing through a cooling plate, e.g. a cooling pipe (4), positioned at an intermediate part in a laminate direction is made to flow in series to a cooling pipe (4A) of a cooling plate (2A) positioned at an end in a laminate direction.    ADVANTAGE -   Temp. distribution in a laminate direction is made uniform and the reaction efficiency of a unit cell is also made uniform. Output voltage is improved through the increase of the efficiency of generating reaction.
High temp. heat recovered water from a direct contact heat exchanger (3) is circulated to the heat exchanger (3) via the heat supplier (11). Limestone is filled in a part (16) of the heat recovered water piping (9) to react CO2and carbonic acid ions with the limestone to form water soluble calcium bicarbonate.    ADVANTAGE -   Part of the calcium bicarbonate is pptd. and acts as a protection film for the piping preventing corrosion and deposits of slag.
Metal porous body is made by metal spraying on a porous matrix comprising a laminate of one or more than one of a three dimensional network contg. a foam, unwoven fabric, and mesh to adhere the metal on the both sides and on the entire surface of skeleton surrounding voids including inner void surfaces.    USE -   For electrode plate for various cells, or storage batteries for cars.
The steam reforming of hydrocarbons is effected by using a catalyst obtd. by bringing a support into contact with an impregnation soln. consisting of an aq. soln. contg. a ruthenium cpd. and zirconium cpd. with a pH of up to 3, drying and sintering.    USE -   The steam reforming can be applied to the process of hydrogen prodn. incorporated into fuel cells.    ADVANTAGE -   Since the ruthenium component and zirconium component exist closely in a highly-dispersed state in the catalyst, the deposit of carbon is inhibited even under an operation condition with a low steam/carbon ratio and therefore hydrocarbons can be reformed economically.
The reformer which consists of a container contg. more than one reforming tube filled with a reforming catalyst bed and in which a reaction gas consisting of a mixt. of a raw material fuel and steam is introduced into the reforming tubes and a heating fluid such as a combustion gas is sent to the outside of the reforming tubes to heat the reforming tubes and reform the reaction gas into a fuel gas contg. mainly hydrogen, has a noble metal catalyst packed at the entrances to the catalyst beds in the reforming tubes.    ADVANTAGE -   Since hydrocarbons with a number of carbon of at least two contained in the raw material fuel are completely decomposed to methane with the ruthenium catalyst, the deposit of carbon on the nickel catalyst can be prevented.
Raw gas contg. carbon monoxide is made to pass through multiple chambers (A) in series, in which oxidising catalyst is installed respectively. Chambers are equipped with an inlet (B) of oxygen gas respectively. (B) is installed at the upstream of every chamber. Amt. of catalyst installed in an upstream chamber is smaller than that of other's situated downstream.    USE -   Used for removing carbon monoxide from raw gas.    ADVANTAGE -   The method is able to keep the catalyst in every chamber on the optimum temp. for oxidising carbon monoxide, so that oxidn. reaction can be carried out in the optimum condition.
The gas pipe removes from gas in gas-liq. separator with gas/liq. mixt. feed opening at upper portion of separator container. The pipe body extends almost horizontally into separator container through wall. Flow hole is provided in lower wall of pipe body near opening of pipe body inside container.    ADVANTAGE -   Liq can be prevented from entering gas taken outside.
Battery has a pole plate with an active material coated on the grating, bag-type separator made of synthetic resin with fine pores for wrapping the pole plate, and a U-letter type glass mat inserted in between the pole plate and the separator. At least the bend portion at the bottom of the glass mat has an acid-resistant reinforcing material.    USE -   The battery is suitable for a car.    ADVANTAGE -   The battery has no inner short circuit.
The cell fastener includes a fuel cell stack (8) with an intermediate holder (7) which is positioned between top and bottom parts (1,2) and is held by the top and bottom holders (5,6). Springs (12) and bellows (13) are located in a space between the top part and the top holder. The space between the top and bottom parts is fastened by a tightening rod (10).    ADVANTAGE -   Shrinkage and expansion of fuel cell stack caused by varied load can be absorbed by springs and bellows for increased efficiency.
Square mono-cells with different sizes (11), are built up alternatively with square separators (12) in a truncated cone shaped container (14). Corners of the individual mono-cells (11) and separators (12) are engaged with the inner periphery of the container (14) at specified levels, to restrict the downward movement.    ADVANTAGE -   Filling fused glass for gas sealing in the container will not move the mono-cells and separators, preventing degradation in sealability.
One end of a metallic bellows (24) is welded to the full round of manifold (5,7), and the other end is welded to the lower holder (11) at the portion meeting the manifold (5,7). An end separator (23) is indirectly connected to the lower holder (11) which has a different thermal expansion rate from the end separator.    ADVANTAGE -   Because of indirect connection between the end separator and the lower holder, deformation of the end separator is prevented at high temp..
A fuel cell is fastened to an opposed face of the manifold (5) and an insulator (4). The manifold and the insulator are slanted so that the component force of the fastening may act on a space enclosed with the manifold (5), the insulator (4) and sealing material, to prevent the insulating members (41) from movement in accordance with the expansion of the manifold (5) toward outside.    ADVANTAGE -   Sealing material and ceramic powders between the manifold and insulator prevent the movement of insulating members along with the expansion of manifold, increasing the sealability.
A gas manifold (10) to supply and discharge fuel and oxidant to and from a gas diffusing electrode is installed on the side of a cell body (1). The gas manifold (10) comprises a frame (11) connected to the side of the cell body (1) via a sealing material (6) and a cover (12) to shut off the opening of the frame (11).    ADVANTAGE -   Inspection and repair of the fuel cell is available only be removing the cover to relieve the manifold.
A fuel cell body (1) housed in a case (2) is supported at a side vertical to the laminations of cell and separator. When the fuel cell body (1) expands thermally toward the laminating direction of the cell and separator, the fuel cell body (1) extends toward both top and bottom directions of lamination.    USE -   For reducing the deformation on piping due to thermal expansion of the fuel cell.
A power generation system comprises a fuel cell (3) for generating power (34) by reacting pressurised air (42, 43) with fuel via a solid electrolytic membrane (3), a combustor (7), a gas turbine (81) to drive a power generator (83), an air compressor (4) to produce the pressurised air (42, 43) and a re-heat exchanger (51) for heating the pressurised air (42, 43) using the exhaust from the gas turbine (81).    ADVANTAGE -   Heat efficiency of the re-heat exchanger on air side is improved in heat recovery, increasing the power generating efficiency of the gas turbine.
Cell comprising many laminates of separators and unit cells with structure of an electrolyte plate is inserted between an oxygen pole and fuel pole, while passing oxidn. gas to the oxygen pole and fuel gas to the fuel pole. Passage of oxidising gas is kept counter-current on each layer.    USE -   The cell is suitable for power station.    ADVANTAGE -   The cell has improved power generating factor and running life, since temp. distribution is homogeneous in planar direction of unit cell.
An opening (30) is provided to an end separator (25) which is at the end of a manifold for supplying oxidant gas (7) and manifold for supplying fuel gas (9). A recessed end cap (32) is joined to the outer periphery of the opening (30) to make a gas collecting section (33) at the inside of the end cap (32).    ADVANTAGE -   Gas distribution is uniform.
A hydrogen ion conductor consists of an amorphous material having a hydrogen ion conductivity of 10 -1-10-6 S/Cl at room temp.    The material is a phosphate, esp. Zr phosphate. the ratio of P to Zr is 80:20 - 40:60 as expressed in terms of the molar ratio P2O5:ZrO2. other phosphate used include Ti and W phosphate. The material is prepd. by a sol-gel method.    USE -   The conductor may be used in inorganic ion exchangers, oxygen-hydrogen fuel cells, electrolytes for electrolysis of water, solid electrolyte sensors, e.g. hydrogen sensors, solid electrolytes for completely solid type nickel-hydrogen cells, acid catalysts and membranes for electrodialysis, etc.    ADVANTAGE -   The material is prepd. by a sol-gel process, which allows films of easily controlled thickness or bulk materials to be produced on an industrial scale without requiring high temps., e.g. of 1000 C or more. it includes a large amt. of hydrogen ions and molecular water and has a large number of sites available for hydrogen ion migration, which gives it excellent hydrogen ion conductivity. It also has good long-term stability of electrical conductivity. Phosphate glasses contg. an additive to prevent deliquescence can incorporate large amts. of hydrogen ions and show an improved electrical conductivity.
An Al alloy steel includes less than 0.1 wt.% of C, less than 1 wt.% of Si, less than 1 wt.% of Mn, 15-25 wt.% of Cr, 20-30 wt.% of Ni, 3-5 wt.% of Al, less than 0.04 wt.% of N, 0.0005-0.005 wt.% of Ca and Mg in total and Y, REM, B, Ti, Ba, Ta and Zr when necessary.    USE -   Effectively used as a gas sealing material for fuel battery.
The catalytic-combustion and heat-exchange type reformer consists of a horizontal tubular plate, a cylindrical container which is attached to the tubular plate at the top and closed at the bottom, a partition which is placed in the container with the top end fixed to the bottom of the tubular plate, the bottom end at a given distance from the bottom of the container, and the both sides contacting the container, the first header with a raw material gas supply port and the second header with a reformed gas discharge port, which are both placed above the tubular plate on opposite sides of the partition below, the third header placed below the bottom end of the partition in the container, an exhaust gas discharge port provided on the upper wall of the container below the first header, a fuel gas supply port provided on the upper wall of the container below the second header, the first gp. of tube which pass through the tubular plate and connect the first and third headers, and the second gp. of tubes which pass through the tubular plate and connect the second and third headers, a combustion catalyst is packed in the container to a given height, a reforming catalyst is packed in the first and second gps. of tubes to almost the same height as that of the combustion catalyst and in the third header, a raw material gas is supplied from the raw material gas supply port to produce reformed gas using the reforming catalyst, a fuel gas is supplied from the fuel gas supply port and burned with the combustion catalyst, and the exhaust gas is discharged from the exhaust gas discharge port.    USE -   The reformed gas can be used in fuel cells.    ADVANTAGE -   Reformed gas can be produced stably with a low-calorie combustion gas.
The cover includes a recess in a cover opening to a top surface of it. A battery condition indicator assembly includes at least one display light secured within the recess, and a thin seal adhered to the cover overlying the recess and sealing the indicator assembly in it. The indicator assembly is activated through the film, and with the display light visible through the seal.    The battery condition indicator assembly includes a number of indicator lights, and the seal includes a transparent window overlying, the indicator lights. The battery condition indicator assembly comprises an elongated housing having an upper surface with a switch aperture and a number of indicator light apertures formed in it. A circuit board assembly is mounted in the housing and including a push button switch and the number of indicator lights on it.    USE/ADVANTAGE -   In lead-acid storage batteries used in automotive and marine applications. Low cost and reliable operation. Easy to use and manufacture.
The connector assembly comprises a terminal end (12), a cable end (14), and a sleeve (16). The cable end has a first connector detachably connected to an end of a cable and pin having an outer surface extending out from it. The terminal end has a second connector detachably connected to a battery terminal and has a post with a threaded exterior and a tubular pocket having an inner surface.    The sleeve is rotatably seated on the pin and has a threaded interior, that engages with the threaded exterior of the post. The engagement is fully substantial enough that the entire outer surface of the pin is engaged with the entire inner surface of the tubular pocket of the post.    ADVANTAGE -   Provides full contact at point of connection which does not raise resistance at point of connection above that of cable connected to switch thus, does not interfere with potential flow of starting current from battery to engine's electrical system. Assembly captures any spark which may occur at point of connection between pin and post, thereby preventing any explosion.
(TW269066-A)   NOVELTY - The battery charger consists of an inner case having an electric component and an outer case having a touch down unit. The width of the touch down unit is larger than the base of the inner case. The drain holes are provided on both the sides of the inner case and the touch down unit. The drain hole located on the touch down unit, is provided at a higher level than the grounding point.    USE - Battery charger e.g. for electric bicycle.    DESCRIPTION OF DRAWING(S) - The figure shows a schematic view of the bicycle.
Lithium -aluminate prodn. includes mixing lithium carbonate with aluminium cpd. and thermal treatment of the mixt. The intercalation cpd. of Al and Li contains an anion of carbonic acid. Thermal treatment is carried out in two stages; initially by heating to the temp. of decomposition of the carbonates in an atmos. of inert gas or in vacuum and then at 900 - 950 C in air.    USE -   For prodn. of inorganic cpds. of lithium and aluminium, used for prepn. of the electrolyte plates of fuel elements with carbonate electrolyte to obtain from this powder a ceramic material suitable for nuclear technology.    ADVANTAGE -   Allows the synthesis of pure lithium -aluminate.
A seal plate, a current-collecting plate, an insulation plate, and a tightening plate are piled in order on both sides of a laminating end plane of a laminate body of a single cell in which phosphoric acid is the electrolyte. A specified plane pressure is added to a laminating plane. A cut area is made on an outer circumferential area of a plane of the seal plate, which electrically contacts the current-collecting plate. An insulation plate, whose outer circumference is larger than that of the current-collecting plate, is set in a space formed in the cut area.    USE -   For producing a stack provided with an insulation structure with excellent processing and damage-resisting characteristics.
An electrolytic ozone generator is combined with a fuel cell. Hydrogen gas and oxygen gas secondarily generated from the ozone generator are solely at simultaneously fed to the fuel cell, respectively. The hydrogen and oxygen gases are used as reaction gas for the fuel cell.    USE -   For disinfection, sterilisation water purificn. decay or deteriorating prevention, deodorisation of perishable or processed foods.    ADVANTAGE -   The combined system saves energy and resources.
The prepn. of a hydrogen-contg. gas, for fuel cells, comprises reforming a fuel for hydrogen prodn. which can be converted by reforming to a fuel gas contg. at least hydrogen, mixing an oxygen-contg. gas and the reformed gas contg. mainly hydrogen and also CO2 and CO, and selectively oxidising and converting CO to CO2by passing the gas mixt. through a catalyst bed. Part of the oxygen-contg. gas is mixed with the reformed gas in several separated portions during the process of passing the gas through the catalyst bed.    USE -   The hydrogen-contg. gas obtd. can be used as a fuel for fuels cells operated at low temps., such as phosphoric acid type, KOH type, and polymeric solid electrolyte type fuel cells.    ADVANTAGE -   When the hydrogen-contg. gases obtained are used as fuels for fuel cells, poisoning and deterioration of platinum catalysts on the negative electrodes can be inhibited.
The holder includes a plate-form metallic plate which is pressed and moulded, and a pair of lock parts (1) having respective through-holes (7) through which a bolt for fastening a battery is inserted.    The tie-plate-form metallic plate is pressed and moulded, and the two end parts of a coupling part (2) through which the lock parts (1) are intercoupled are fixed.    ADVANTAGE -   Uniform and stabilised shape. Quality of battery holder is improved.
(JP8033103-A)      The system includes a motor drive device, and a smoothing capacitor connected in parallel with the motor drive device. A switching device operates in connection with an operation switch operated by the vehicle operator. A discharging device discharges the smoothing capacitor. The discharging device comprises a draw detecting device and discharge restricting device.    The system opens the switching device to shut off output from the battery and to discharge the smoothing capacitor when the switching device is open, but restricts discharging during a towing or drawing condition of the electric vehicle.    ADVANTAGE -   Optimally discharges smoothing capacitor connected to input terminal of inverter in accordance with condition of electric vehicle.
The instrument comprises a pH sensor to output signal corresp. to ion concn. in battery, a differential amplification circuit to output reference value in accordance with signal from pH sensor and an amplification circuit to logarithmically amplify differential output from differential amplification circuit.    ADVANTAGE -   Current amt. is actually based on size of ion concn. in battery.
The device comprises a reclaimer into which air-off gas and exhaust ga are guided to directly contact supplied water for condensing and reclaiming water and discharging treated gas, and a decarbonator into which air-off gas is guided to directly contact supplied water for condensing and reclaiming water and discharging treated gas.    ADVANTAGE -   Low concn. carbon dioxide-contg. reclaimed water is obtained without sacrificing generating efficiency.
The plant comprises a combustible gas leakage detecting means provided at the exhaust part or in its vicinity of a package to detect the leakage of combustible gas from a fuel cell battery mainframe and its peripheral elements into the package.    ADVANTAGE -   The operation rate of the fuel cell battery main frame is improved without extra load.
The method comprises connecting a steam separator to a water collector via a valve, so that cooling water can be supplied from the steam separator to the water collector and returned to the steam separator via the water resupply pipe by opening and closing the valve when the operation of a fuel cell generator is stopped.    ADVANTAGE -   The temp. of cooling water is dropped during stopping operation to cool a fuel cell battery itself down to a safe temperature of 100C or lower.
The conductive formed body comprises 100 pts. wt. of thermoplastic or thermosetting resin, mixed with 50-100 pts. wt. of C black and at least 150 pts. wt. of truly spherical graphite particles, as conductive filler. The formed body has a porosity of up to 5%, and a value of up to 2 in the ratio of intrinsic volume resistance in the z-direction of the formed body to that in the x-y direction of the formed body.    USE -   The conductive formed body is used for separator of the fuel cell, conductive material for the connectors, th movable contact pt. for the push-button switch, or antistatic tray for IC.    ADVANTAGE -   The conductive formed body can be formed by pressing, injection moulding, extrusion, and calender forming. Fuel cell separator having conductivity, impact resistance, and bending resistance in good balance can be obtd..
The gas feed system has the reaction gases and the exhaust gases supplied and extracted from 2 opposing sides of the fuel cell element (2) formed by a number of stacked fuel cells.    Each of the opposing sides of the fuel cell element has 2 types of openings (3, 4) for the reaction gases and the exhaust gases respectively, with offset openings in the fuel cell bipolar plates (1, 1') and vertical channels (7) connecting the openings for the same gases on each side. The vertical channels on one side are coupled together via a transverse channel (9).    ADVANTAGE -   Secure prevention of gas leakages, with compact arrangement of large fuel cell stack.
An aero-derivative gas turbine power system (70) includes an electrochemical converter (72) and a gas turbine assembly. The gas turbine comprises a compressor (76), a turbine (80) and a generator (84). Air from a source (73) is introduced to the compressor where it is compressed and thus heated and is then discharged to the electrochemical converter. Fuel (74) is introduced to a preheater (68) where it is heated to an elevated temp.    The heated air and fuel function as input reactants and power the electrochemical converter. The converter (72) heats the compressed air and the fuel to produce a high temp. exhaust which is fed to the gas turbine to drive the generator.    ADVANTAGE -   Integrates an electrochemical converter and a gas turbine to create a high efficiency power system.
The battery (10) is excited by a time-varying voltage (or current) signal (22) which periodically makes step transitions between discrete levels. The immediate change in current (or voltage) that occurs in response to such excitation is closely related to the condition of the battery under test. A response signal is determined by a circuit (24) that is only enabled during a brief "window" of time encompassing a step transition and is disabled at all other times.    A holding capacitor (C3) follows the dynamic voltage of the battery during period of disablement and stores the condition existing at instant of enabling throughout ensuring enabling period. As a result, the circuit responds only to changes in noise occuring during enabling "window" but not to actual level of noise. By making time window sufficiently narrow, noise excitation signals can change by only an acceptable small amount. Residual noise can be removed from output by sync. detection of output signal and averaging (16) the result over time. The detected and time averaged output signal is related to the condition of the battery under test by an appropriate display or alarm device (18).    USE/ADVANTAGE -   For motor vehicle, telephone central office. As dashboard mounted instrument, portable hand-held test instrument or permanently installed system for remotely monitoring group of stationary cells. Can assess battery condition while actually being charged by motor vehicle's alternator.
The battery connector (2) has a battery mount (8) for connecting to a battery post, and a power supply connector (4 and 6) for connecting to the vehicle power supply conductors. This connector has an insulative support (4) with a terminal (6) fixed to it.    The terminal has a fuse link extending between a power supply connection section and a battery terminal section. This section has a part for the mechanical and electrical connection of the mount to it. The vehicle power supply conductors are clamped to a connection platform, using deformable tabs extending from the platform.    ADVANTAGE -   Allows simple and safe interconnection of power lines to motor vehicle battery. Connector is cost effective, reliable, and can satisfy complex operating specifications.
The fuel cell arrangement has cells in a block (1), each with a fresh combustion gas inlet (13) at its anode on one side of the block and an outlet (14) for used gas on the opposite side and an input (15) for fresh cathode gas on another side with an outlet (16) for used cathode gas on the opposite side. A recycling device (7) heated by the fuel cell reaction recycles the fresh combustion gas. The recycling device has a recycling region with a catalyser with an input for the fresh combustion gas to be recycled and a recycled gas output connected to the anode input.    The recycling device is a heat exchanger arranged immediately after the fuel cell block in the exhaust gas flow. It has a second region thermally coupled to the recycling region. The second region carries the exhaust gas from the fuel cells to heat the recycling device.    ADVANTAGE -   High efficiency gas recycling is achieved without complex design or catalyser material contamination.
A wet operating electrolyte, curved shape, oxygen-redn. fuel cell comprises gas-pervious, curved current-collecting electrodes shaped to mate one with another, gas-dissociating catalyst zones at each electrode and a proton transport electrolytic member constrained between the current collecting electrodes, the current collecting electrodes are load-bearing structures acting to compress the electrolytic member characterised in that at least one of the electrodes includes a coiled winding acting to assist compress the electrolytic member.    Mfr. of the fuel cell is also claimed.    USE -   Used for the mfr. of hydrogen fuel cells.    ADVANTAGE -   The cell is rapidly initiated at room temp., is lightweight and portable and helically wound electrodes assist compression of the electrolytic membrane and provide novel and efficient current collection means.
The method involves supplying H2O (steam) gas to the energy storage reactor containing iron metal operating at a temperature of between about 600 to 800 deg C, to produce iron oxide in the energy storage reactor and H, gas. The H gas is passed to a fuel anode of the at least one electrochemical cell operating as a fuel cell and supplying 0 gas or air to an air cathode of the at least one electrochemical cell operating at a temperature of between about 600 to 1200deg C., to conduct electrical energy along the external leads and produce H2O (steam) along the fuel anode.    The method also entails recirculating the H2O (steam) produced at the fuel anode of the fuel cell to the energy storage bed. the above steps are repeated until complete conversion of iron metal to iron oxide and H, gas for electrical energy recovery form chemical energy storage and, recovering the electrical energy produced.    USE/ADVANTAGE -   For conveying and storing electrical energy in form of chemical potential energy during off-peak electric power plant operation. Relatively compact and energy can be stored indefinitely for later reconversion to electrical energy.
The power device includes a rectification power section equipped with a voltage regulator and using an AC magneto driven by the internal combustion engine as a power supply for it. A switch circuit includes at least one MOSFET acting as a switching element and adapted to carry out short circuit between output terminals of the AC magneto.    An FET control circuit repeatedly subjects the MOSFET to on-off operation when an output voltage of the rectification power section is at a set level or below and keeps the MOSFET turned off when the output voltage exceeds the set level. The MOSFET is subjected to on-off operation during a low speed operation of the internal combustion engine to boost an output voltage of the AC magneto, to thereby provide a voltage for driving a load. On-off operation of the MOSFET is interrupted when an output voltage of the rectification power section exceeds the set level, so that loss due to switching of the MOSFET is reduced.    ADVANTAGE -   Is capable of satisfactorily driving load over range between low speed operation of engine and high speed operation and of reducing switching loss in switch circuit for boosting output voltage of AC magneto.
The fuel battery includes a water processing system (5). The return pipe (11) returns a part of the water discharged by the second pump (9b) to a water tank (6) after being processed by a filter (7). The water pipes are fabricated using an alloy contg. copper, zinc, lead or a combination of these three metals. The wire mesh used in the filter and metal piece (12) immersed in the water tank are also made from a similar alloy.    ADVANTAGE -   Prevents generation of microbe. Does not required UV ray stabilizer. Performs continuous operation for extended period.
The device connection system has a discharge quantity control valve (40) provided at the condensed water discharge pipe (25) of a thermoelectric power generator (21). The pressure of a steam splitter (5) is detected by a pressure detector (12). This detected pressure is compared with the set point of the battery cooling water pressure. A suitable signal is output to the condensed water discharge quality control valve when the variation in the cooling water pressure is detected.    ADVANTAGE -   Improves output of thermoelectric power generated.
The device has a desulphurisation receptacle (1) which desulphurises some amt. of a fuel gas. The gas is heated to a predetermined temp. beforehand. A modifier (4) heats the desulphurised gas and performs quality change. A transformer (6) transforms the quality changed gas. The transformer outputs such as transfer gas is fed to fuel battery which performs electricity generation. A heat emitting steam splitter (3) is connected to the fuel battery to generate steam. A recycling path (11) is furnished in the device to boost-up a part of the transfer gas and supplied to the receptacle. A steam executor (10) is provided in the recycling path to desulphurize the transfer gas. Another steam splitter supplies steam to the steam executor.    ADVANTAGE -   Obtains sufficient electricity generation rapidly. Makes use of desulphurization receptacle effectively. Stabilizes operation desulphurization receptacle effectively. Reduces amount of inert gas used at time of start.
The washer has an anti-corrosion part which impregnated anti-corrosion oil (100) and a holder (200) which holds the periphery of the anti-corrosion part. The anti-corrosion part has a front part (101a) and a rear part (101b) held respectively by the front part (201a) and the rear part (201b) of the holder.    One end of the holder front part is connected through a rotatable connection part of a press-fit hole (214) while one end of the holder rear part is connected through a rotatable connection part of a press-fit projection (222).    ADVANTAGE -   Prevents etching of battery mounted in motor vehicle. Provides anti-corrosion battery washer which is hard to separate to terminal post. Enables grade of anti-corrosion part made to all peripheries of terminal post. Increases anti-corrosion nature.
The battery consists of a cathode (1) protruded into a shelf (2). The cathode is made up of a lead calcium alloy. A low fusing point alloy layer (5) is also protruded into shelf around the cathode, and has a low fusing point than a welding boundary face of the cathode protrusion. The thickness of the protruded alloy layer is maximum at a root portion of the shelf.    ADVANTAGE -   Prevents crack generation at protruded root welding portion. Prevents etching of cathode protrusion at time of vibration. Improves reliability.
The fuel battery system comprises a fuel battery main part (1) which has a fuel tank (5) to supply fuel through a fuel vaporizer (6) to a quality changing device (7). Water is supplied through a water heating device from a gas liquid splitter (10). The quality change device supplies H2 and CO2gas to the main part of the fuel battery. An oxidizing agent tank (2) supplies an oxidizing agent through an oxidizing vaporizer (3) and a reaction energy is generated.     The fuel battery main part supplies water and CO2 to the splitter which separates water and CO2 through water condensation device (9). The CO2 gas is pressurized to a normal temperature, condensation pressure by a pressure application unit (111). The pressurized gas is condensed using a condensation unit (115). The condensed CO2is discharged to the sea water by a discharge unit (116).    ADVANTAGE -   Improves efficiency. Reduces weight. Reduces generation of reaction gas, sharply.
The battery has a separator (2) inserted between collector objects (1a,1b). A positive electrode (3) consisting of a porous material, is set-up by the side of the first collector object near the separator. An electrolytic liq. (4) is filled between the positive electrode and the separator. A set of penetration holes (6) are arranged at the positive electrode.    ADVANTAGE -   Redn. in battery performance is prevented. The continuity of the liq. phase is maintained.
The battery includes a positive plate (2) which is a matrix formed from lead-calcium-tin alloy. The upper part of the positive plate has higher tin content than lower part which has a low tin content. This makes the upper part of positive plate highly resistant to corrosion compared to the lower part.    USE/ADVANTAGE -   For supplying power to engine. Improved preservation characteristics. Enables user to confirm deterioration grade of battery while starting engine.
A cell assembly (41) comprises cells (40), stacked, with inter cellular passages (y) between. The cells are formed as rectangular plates, including an electrolyte layer (1), with an oxygen electrode (2) on one surface and a fuel electrode (3) on the other. Intracellular passages (x) are formed by members (4), opposite to the electrodes and open at one pair of opposite sides.    The intercellular passages are closed where the intracellular are open, and vice versa. Cell holder pairs (5) hold a cell each, with notches (51) receiving opposite sides, where intracellular passages are open. The notches have surfaces (53), similar in thickness to cells and in tight contact with their closed sides. The assembly is completed by cells stacked with open sides in notches of opposed holder pairs.    ADVANTAGE -   Simple horizontal or vertical assembly, reduced cost, easy gas connections, with long cell life.
The automobile has the energy usage reduced by recuperation of kinetic and thermal energy, the latter effected by using a steam cylinder and/or a hot air turbine for converting the waste heat of the i.c. engine into electrical energy for driving an auxiliary electric drive motor.    Pref. the recovered electrical energy is used to charge a battery, connected to a pair of electric motors and switched to provide 6, 12, 24 and 48 volts, corresponding to 4 velocity stages, allowing the vehicle to be driven solely by the electric motor in town traffic.    ADVANTAGE -   Reduced running costs and environmental pollution.
Voltage control device consists of the supply filter (1), bias voltage source (2), controlled voltage divider (3) with the two resistors R4 and R5 setting the threshold voltages, diode-resistor circuit (4), comparators (5, 6), generator (7), indication unit (8), decoupling unit (9) and the transistor switch (10). When the battery voltage drop below a set threshold eg 11 V the voltage across the resistive divider (3) resistors is less than the bias voltage source (2) voltage. As a result high voltage level exists at the comparator (5, 6) outputs sufficient to supply the generator (7). The generator (7) capacitor C2 begins to discharge in the circuit: comparator (6) output, resistors R10, R11, battery; and when the voltage of 5-6 V is reached the discharge takes place in the circuit: transistor VT1 emitter-base junction and the resistors R10, R11. The base current produced in the process controls the transistor switch whose collector circuit contains the decoupling unit (9) diodes VD3, VD4 and the indicator (8).    USE/ADVANTAGE -   Battery voltage control device is used in transport vehicles. Information on battery state is improved. Bul. 18/27.6.95
A sintered zirconia body has 1:99-5:95 mol. ratio of NdO2 to ZrO2 , 0.1-5 mol.% Al2 O3 , and 0.05-1.5 mol.% SiO2.    USE -   Used for ceramic scissors, heat resistant and wear resistant media, metal mould extrusion dies, adiabatic type engine part, and oxygen sensor and fuel battery structural part.
The reformer which reforms a raw material gas into a fuel gas contg. a combustible gas by a reforming reaction involving endothermic action by bringing the raw material gas into contact with a catalyst supported on a support with more than one passage for a gas is characterised in that the support consists of PTC ceramic and electrodes for applying a voltage to the support are set at the both ends of the support where the passages for a gas are open.    USE -   The reformer can be used to produce a hydrogen-contg. gas using hydrocarbons or methanol as a raw material.    ADVANTAGE -   Temp. drops in the reformer due to endothermic reactions and heat radiation are recovered promptly and the reforming efficiency of the reformer is improved.
The methanol reformer consists of a burner, a reforming tube which is coiled and placed in such a way that it surrounds the burner, a liq. evapn. part which is provided near the entrance of the reforming tube and contains a gas-permeable filler, a reforming catalyst which is packed in the reforming tube on the downstream side of the liq. evapn. part, a CO-modifying tube which is connected to the reforming tube, coiled, and placed outside the reforming tube, a CO-modifying catalyst which is packed in the CO-modifying tube, and an outer cage which consists of a heat insulating material. Methanol and water are fed from the liq. evapn. part of the reforming tube to conduct methanol reforming and CO modification.    USE -   The methanol reformer can be used to produce fuels for fuel cells.    ADVANTAGE -   The methanol reformer has a compact and simple structure.
Plate reformer comprises: (a) a reforming chamber (2) sandwiched by combustion chambers (4) with heat transfer plates (5) between the reforming and combustion chambers. Gas flows between the chamber exits and entrances are opposite to each other and the chambers are partitioned into entrance side and exit side sections; (b) a reforming reaction entrance side section (2a) of the reforming chamber filled with a reforming catalyst (1) and partitioned by a gas permeable wall (8) with a heat exchanger exit side section (2b) filled with heat transfer balls (10); (c) a combustion reaction entrance side section (4a) of the combustion chamber filled with a combustion catalyst (3) and partitioned by a gas permeable wall (9) with a heat exchange exit side section (4b) filled with heat transfer balls (10). Plate reformers with a fuel introducing pipe (11) with dispersion holes (11a) inserted into the combustion chamber and with fuel introducing chambers with dispersion holes sandwiched between combustion chambers are claimed.    USE -   A plate reformer for producing fuel gas for introduction to the anode of a fuel cell in a fuel cell power generation system.    ADVANTAGE -   The most appropriate arrangement of the reaction sections of the reformer and the combustion chamber and of reformed gas temp. at the reforming chamber exit may be achieved. Efficient heat removal from gases emitted from the reaction sections of the chambers is provided. The location of the graph peaks of the reformed gas and the combusted gas in their temp. distribution are coincident with each other without using large amounts of expensive catalysts. By inserting the fuel introducing tube into the combustion chamber reactions section reduction in size of the whole system may be achieved.
The stack of fuel cells (10) are arranged inside a protective housing (2) that has sealed inlets for anode fuel gas (5) and cathode fuel gas (7) and outlets for burnt anode (6) and cathode (8) gases. These gases are circulated within the protective housing (2). The circulating used cathode and anode gases combine in a mixing zone (9) and are directed to a fan (4) which blows them, along with fresh air, through a catalytic burner and heat exchanger (3) that burns the remaining fuel. The surplus gas is then removed by an exhaust flap.    ADVANTAGE -   Reduced need for electrical insulation, simplified piping giving low hydrodynamic resistance and minimum loss, low temperature differences and heat-stress.
Electro-coating of the lead acid battery anode is performed using negatively charged carbon powder.    ADVANTAGE -   Enables charging in short time. Reduces weight, thereby reducing the weight of the motor vehicle.
The mfg method involves using a rack (20) in which a number of battery modules are layered. An electrolytic film member (150) and a press-fit projection (115) is formed in each module. The projection part is inserted into a press-fit hole formed in the rack. Many such modules are layered and a multilayer body is formed. A number of connection parts are set up in the side of each cell and contact the multilayer body. A second rack is attached in the upper part of the multilayer body.    ADVANTAGE -   Simplifies structure. Performs mfg process with good accuracy. Reduces internal resistance.
The assembly structure makes use of a number of cells (1) arranged vertically in a multi layer body (15). A pair of clamping boards (11a, 11b) are tightly binded by a rod (14). The lower clamping board is fixed on a mounting plate (25) using an insulating bolt (26) through an insulating board (12). An one end of the mounting plate is fixed to a package mount (20). An another end of the mounting plate is fixed to the package mount using a sliding hook (31).    ADVANTAGE -   Improves reliability and operativity of assembly work, sharply.
When the density of suspensions in the water flowing in a water treatment system for a fuel cell reaches the limit of the allowable range, the water in the treatment system is flowed to the filter (20) side to remove the suspensions collectively. When the density is lowered to the specified value or below, the filter (20) is by-passed.    ADVANTAGE -   The frequency of exchanging of the filter is reduced.
The electricity generation plant installation comprises a fuel battery main part (1). The gas, rich in hydrogen, is supplied to a fuel pole (1a) of the fuel battery main part and air is supplied to an air pole (1b) of the fuel battery main part.    The air supplied to the air pole gets heated and is discharged from the air pole. A suction heat exchanger (10) connected with the fuel battery main part recovers the phosphoric acid which leaks out from the air pole.    ADVANTAGE -   Improves thermal efficiency. Prevents corrosion and deterioration. Absorbs phosphoric acid leaked from fuel battery main part effectively.
The fuel battery has a unit into which the fuel gas is introduced. An oxidizing agent is introduced into an oxidizing agent pole. Due to the electrochemical reaction between the gas and oxidizing agent, the heat generated during electric field is generated of electric field.    The process is removed by the cooling system (2). A steam generator (2a) heat treats the cooling liquid and generates vapour. A regulation valve (11) regulates the amount of operating fluid to the steam generator.    ADVANTAGE -   Supplies vapour satisfactorily. Maintains operating temperature of fuel battery. Maintains cooling system satisfactorily.
The water processing device comprises a capture filter (20). The capture filter with rust nature material is arranged in the boundary portion of battery cooling water system (L1) and water processing system (L4).    ADVANTAGE -   Removes obstruction of water processing system by rust.
The processing device has an ionic device (21) which discharges the concentrated water. The ionic device is provided in a water processing system (L4). A set of counter units (L7,22,22a,26,32) maintains the amount of water which is reduced in accordance with the amount of water discharging from the ionic device.    ADVANTAGE -   Reduces maintenance cost. Cuts down operation of battery during water shortage condition.
The terminal fitting (50) is provided for an electrode (2) provided in a battery (1). A cylindrical holder (51) is provided externally for supporting the electrode. The tubular holder is furnished with a pair of projecting portions (53, 54) and a wiring fixed portion (52) as a single part.    A bolt (57) is used to bind the projecting portions, through a pair of connection members (55, 56) with the electrode. An angle of comes to be setup between the axial line (C) of the electrode and the axial line (S) of the bolt.    ADVANTAGE -   Carries out binding of terminal lightly. Improves operativity and production efficiency. Carries out binding of terminal fitting without interfering with circumference of battery. Prevents deformation of terminal fitting.
The battery post connection terminal has an angular part (33). A linear connector (15) has a bend and the angular part is connected to its terminal part. The sloping part is attached to a flat terminal fastened to a hollow fixture (29). The hollow fixture is attached to a battery post (19).    ADVANTAGE -   Reduces cost. Increases yield.
The mfg method uses battery jar (1), having sloping top edge (23), an upper edge (22), a lower edge (21), a sloping lid (4), a bottom edge (53) with its own upper edge (51) and lower edge (52). The fusing of the battery jar and the lid is effected by applying a heat board (24) between the corresponding top and bottom edges. The division of battery jar is done by a partition (2) set up in an inner of a circumferential side wall (8) into two or more cell chambers (12). The partition has a hole (3).    A plate group (10) is accommodated in each of the cell chambers. A cathode strap (11a) and an anode strap (11b) to which negative and positive plate of the plate groups are connected, are connected mutually to the adjoining plate groups by an electric conductor (110). Thus, plate groups are connected in series to establish connection between the cells. Downward circumferential side wall (a) and downward portion (5) of the lid is set up joining the circumferential side wall and the partition of the battery jar respectively.    ADVANTAGE -   Prevents liquid flow between cells. Secures firm joint between battery jar and lid.
The fluid manifold assembly comprises a fluid impermeable housing, a device within the housing for introducing at least one inlet fluid stream to each of the fuel cell stacks, and a device within the housing for exhausting at least one outlet fluid stream from each of the fuel cell stacks. The introducing device comprises at least one inlet passage formed within the housing, each of the at least one inlet passage containing one of the at least one inlet fluid stream within the housing.    The exhausting device comprises at least one outlet passage formed within the housing, each of the at least one outlet passage containing one of the at least one outlet fluid stream within the housing. The at least one inlet fluid stream comprises an inlet fuel stream and an inlet oxidant stream. The introducing device comprises two inlet passages, each containing one of the inlet fuel stream and the inlet oxidant stream. The at least one outlet fluid stream comprises an outlet fuel stream and an outlet oxidant stream. The exhausting device comprises two outlet passages, each containing one of the outlet fuel stream and the outlet oxidant stream.    ADVANTAGE -   Improves volumetric efficiency of array. Reduced complexity.
Prepn. of perfluoroalkanesulphonyl fluorides (I) comprises electrochemically fluorinating in presence of anhydrous HF a cpd. (II) of formula (RSO2)nX. In (II), R is 1-20C alkyl chain opt. interrupted by one or more O atoms; (a) n is 1, and X is R1, OR2, NR2R3 or SO2R; and R1-R3 are 1-8C alkyl chain opt. interrupted by one or more O atoms or NR2R3 is 5-7 membered ring opt. interrupted by N,O or S; excluding dimethyl sulphone and diethyl sulphone; (b) n is 2, and X is R1, OR1, OR4O or NR2; R1 is 1-8C alkyl chain opt. interrupted by one or more O atoms; and R4 is H or 1-8C alkyl chain opt interrupted by one or more O atoms; or (c) n is 3, and X is R or N. Reaction is conducted under current density of 10-600 amps/sq. m. of anode surface, and a temp. sufficient to maintain boiling HF liq. phase during fluorination.    Also claimed is prepn. of perfluoromethanesulphonyl fluoride (Ia).    USE -   (I) are useful as starting materials for the prepn. of a variety of cpds. having utility as strong acids, herbicides, pesticides, antimicrobials, pharmaceuticals, and as electrolyte from battery or fuel cell applications.    ADVANTAGE -   (I) can be prepd. in good yield. Process is more electrically-efficient and more fluorine-efficient than conventional preparative methods.
Porous layer (5), each pore of which has small opening and inwardly diverged shape, is formed onto compact sintered part (1), and then the hot sprayed film (8) is formed.    USE -   Provides process to mfr. the laminate, by which good bonding characteristics are assured.
Prepn. of a H2 -contg. gas for fuel cells by reforming a fuel for H2 prodn. which can be converted by reforming to a fuel gas contg. at least H2 , mixing an O2 -contg. gas and the reformed gas contg. mainly H2 and also 17-40 vol.% CO2 on a dry basis and CO, then selectively oxidising and converting CO to CO2by bringing CO into contact with a catalyst comprising an L-type zeolite on which a platinum-contg. cpd. is supported.    USE -   The gases obtd. can be used as fuels for fuels cells operated at low temps. such as phosphoric acid type, KOH type and polymeric solid electrolyte type fuel cells.    ADVANTAGE -   The poisoning of platinum of hydrogen electrode of fuel cells by CO can be prevented and the lifetime of fuel cells can be extended.
Reformer for fuel cells comprises a reaction tube (2) filled with reforming catalyst and placed vertically, heating chamber (10) formed along the outer wall of reaction tube, combustion device (7) placed under the heating chamber and thermal radiation member (20) placed in the heating chamber to radiate the heat by heating. The shape of thermal radiation member is set so that the geometrical view factor to the reaction tube becomes larger toward the downstream side of heating gas.    USE -    Used to mfr. H2-enriched gas from natural gas to use it as fuel of fuel cells.    ADVANTAGE -   Temp. of reforming catalyst is rapidly equalised to increase the efficiency of reforming of feed gas.
The battery cover (10) consists of a side wall part (12), which covers the outer surface of a battery (B). The side wall is actually a double structure consisting of an inner wall (12b) and an outer wall (12a). Both the inner and outer walls enclose an air tight space (16) in between them.    ADVANTAGE -   Protects battery from damage due to heat. Controls increase in size. Reduces cost by reducing number of parts.
A compsn. contg. electroconductive filler at a high content is kneaded and extruded while the head of the extruder is in the open state.    USE -   The compsn. suitably press, injection or extrusion moulded to produce fuel cell separators, contact materials, and conductivity-rendering materials for conductive inks.    ADVANTAGE -   Conventional compounds contg. C filler at a high content have a low fluidity, and are difficult to be extruded. Flake pellets can be obtd., enabling the stable supply of such compounds to press, injection, and extrusion moulding machines.
The appts. for the disconnection of the electric power battery of a vehicle upon impact with another vehicle or with "road furniture" such as to disconnect at least one power lead from the battery, consists of a composite member comprising an outer annular insulating layer and an inner electrically conductive core, so as to prevent, or at least severely restrict the risk of electrical sparking or heating leading to combustion of fuel. At least one lead to at least one of the terminals of the battery is of a telescopic nature.    The composite lead is held together in its connected position by means of a pin extending through the radially outer surface of the connected lead through at least outer insulating layers of the telescopic connection to secure the telescopic connection together. The pin carries at its radially outer end, a mass which, upon impact of the vehicle in any direction, is immediately moved by the impact forces to disconnect the pin from the telescopically connected portions of the battery lead whereby the telescopic portions of the lead disconnect to break the electrical contact from the battery.    ADVANTAGE -   Reduces possibility of fire when vehicle is involved in collision.
The negative and positive pole plates (21,26) enclose the gas    spaces (22,7) between which the membrane (24) extends between    the negative and positive electrodes (23,25). All of these    elements are held together by a frame (28) extending right round    the edge of a cell. The frame has pref. a U-section whose limbs    hold together the pole plates and membrane so that the interior    of the cell is sealed and no gas or vapour can escape into the    environment.    USE/ADVANTAGE -   Esp. in low-temp. traction batteries for electrically propelled vehicles. Cells with individual edge sealing independent of the frame are suited to mass prodn., and the risk of pole plate corrosion in long-term storage is excluded.
Treatment of an anaerobic digester effluent gas stream to render it usable as a fuel gas for a fuel cell or other power plant, comprises: (a) adding oxygen to the gas stream to form an O-enriched gas stream; (b) removing entrained particulates including water, solids and bacteria from the enriched gas stream to form a particulate-free, O-enriched gas stream; and (c) removing H2S from the gas stream from (b) via the Claus reaction to form a H2S-free gas stream suitable for use as a fuel gas source. Also claimed is a system for treating the effluent gas stream comprising: (a) a line for receiving the effluent gas stream; (b) a station connected to the line for adding oxygen to the gas stream to produce an O-enriched gas stream; (c) a station for receiving the enriched gas and removing particulates; and (d) a station for removing H2S from the gas stream.    USE -   The process is used for treating anaerobic digester effluent gas for use as fuel gas for a fuel cell or power plant.    ADVANTAGE -   The process removes H2S and particulates e.g. water, solids and bacteria. The process reduces disposal problems from wastewater treatment facilities including anaerobic digesters and produces a usable gas.
An electrochemical fuel cell stack for producing electrical energy and reaction product from a fluid fuel stream and a fluid oxidant stream comprises: a first end plates; a second end plate; at least one fuel cell assembly interposed between the first and second end plates, and a membrane electrode assembly having a catalytic active region and further having at least one opening formed there extending through the catalytically active region; a compression assembly comprising at least one restraining member extending within the at least one opening, fastening means disposed at opposite ends of the at least one restraining member, and compressive means interposed between at least one of the fastening means and at least one of the first and second end plates; whereby the fastening means and the compressive means urge the first end plate toward the second end plate, thereby applying compressive force to the at least one fuel cell assembly.    USE -   Electrochemical fuel stack.    ADVANTAGE -   Design increases both volumetric and gravimetric power density of the fuel cell stack.
The fuel battery consists of a stacked cell (21) accommodated in a stack receptacle (23). A press board (25) is fixed at the upper part of the stacked cell so that it slides vertically inside the stack receptacle.    A pressure chamber (26) is formed by the press board and the inner wall of the stack receptacle. A pressure fluid is supplied into the pressure chamber so that a predetermined press power is applied on the stacked cell.    ADVANTAGE -   Avoids need of tubes for applying pressure. Reduces number of parts. Improves reliability. Prevents damage of pressure application mechanism.
The fuel reforming appts. consists of combination of fuel reforming units, which are composed of partial oxidn. reactors, reforming reactors, and heat transfer plates.     In the drawing, (4) is raw gas, (7,33) are H2-rich reformed gas, (22) is heat transfer plate, (27) is reforming reactor, which produces (7) from (4), 28 is pre-mixed fuel, mixt. of hydrocarbon or alcohol and air, (32) is partial oxidn. reactor, which produces (33) from (28), and (36) is fuel reforming unit.    ADVANTAGE -    The process can provide fuel compact reforming appts. having good starting, load response, and high fuel conversion efficiency to H2.
Fuel battery has a contact piece (11) which is used to establish connection of an electrode with either sides of an electrolyte film. The control piece is supported by a pair of collector objects (22,23). The contact piece is pushed into a gas flow path and a set of projections (22a,23a) provided in the supporting collector objects effect deformation of the contact piece, so as to make it have a waveform-like structure.    Oxidising gas is supplied to one surface of the contact piece, while fuel gas is supplied to the its other face. The two gases are made to react chemically due to the presence of contact piece and consequently generate electricity.    ADVANTAGE -   Is applicable to stacked model fuel battery. Reduces contact resistance between fuel cells. Increases gas reaction area. Improves energy efficiency and battery performance. Improves productivity.
A compound electric power plant has a heat source appts. consisting of a compressor (1), a combustor (2), and a gas turbine (3), and an exhaust heat recovery appts. such as an exhaust heat recovery boiler (5). The heat source appts. is that by which heat of at least 800 C is generated, and a hydrogen producing compound electric power plant comprises hydrogen and oxygen producing devices (10-15), in which water is subjected to thermal decomposition by a part of or the whole of the combustion gas of the heat source appts. and also a hydrogen storing device (45) and an oxygen storing device (44).    USE -   For using the heat generation equivalent to the difference between the rated power output and the electric power demand at night.    ADVANTAGE -   The heat quantity of combustion gas equivalent to the difference in the power demands can be converted into the prodn. of hydrogen and oxygen.
The output current of a solar battery, composed of parallel connected modules (No.1-No.4), is monitored by a current detector (4) and a water electrolysis tank is operated at lower than a limiting current (Max. current defined by a specification) while disconnecting a portion of modules (No.4) when the output current exceeds the limiting current. Generated power of the solar battery module (No.4) is accumulated in a storage battery (7) when the module (No.4) is disconnected from the operating system.    USE -   For performing water electrolysis operations by a water electrolysis tank using a solar battery for mfg. hydrogen and oxygen.    ADVANTAGE -   The water electrolysis equipment is operated safely while using a solar battery as a power source without exceeding the limiting current.
The appts. comprises the combined dual ganged manifold and cover (10) arrangement for batteries with gas flow channelled to an explosion attenuation device (30). The attenuation device is located between the manifolds and a cover which is designed to return to the battery the maximum of any electrolyte which may contact the cover due to vibration, tilting, overheating or overcharging. Splash barrels (21,22,23,24,25,26) within the cover include an acid level indicator.    Feet (93) on the manifold prevent the manifolds from inadvertently being used with the cover designs. Batteries with terminal posts along the battery centreline are particularly catered for. The cover utilises external and internal gas pick-up systems and perpetual hill and infinite well concepts to control the acid flow. A narrow channel reduces standing wave electrolyte surface violence.    USE/ADVANTAGE -   For motor car and truck batteries. Minimises electrolyte entrainment in exhaust flow path and facilitates distribution of electrolyte to number of battery cells.
Foam product formed at least from metal foam has handling means.    The handling means comprises one or more localised increases (5,6) in the wall thickness of the pores (3) of the metal foam (1), pref. the pores of the metal foam (5) are provided with fillings (9) which are solid after application. Wall thickness of the pores at the positions of thickness increases (5,6) is at least twice the wall thickness of pores outside these regions. Pref. the metal foam (1) and the thickness increases are Ni (4).    USE -   Metal foam product material is used for electrodes and electrode carriers, sound insulating, catalyst (carriers), reactor packing, filters, filter carriers, electromagnetic screening, selective cleansing of electrolytic baths or waste flows, heat insulating, fuel cell composites and construction.    ADVANTAGE -   Handling regions avoid damage to the material during handling or mounting.
The fuel cell assembly within an electrochemical fuel cell stack has a cooling jacket adjacent the cathode layer. The cooling layer comprises a coolant stream inlet and at least one channel directing the stream from the inlet to an outlet.    The coolant stream channels extend so that the coolest region of the cooling layer coincides with the region of the adjacent cathode layer with the highest concentration of oxygen (and lowest water content). The warmest region coincides with the region with the lowest concentration of oxygen and highest water content.    ADVANTAGE -   Improved performance, increased electrolyte lifetime, optimised water management.
Feedstock comprising organic fuel and an O2 source is injected at high velocity into a catalyst mass contg. Cu and precious metal moieties using multipoint entry to cause a significant pressure drop and obtain a H2 prod. A reactor for the prodn. has a feedstock inlet (5) with a restricted multipoint entry into the mass via a porous ceramic tube (7) and a prod. outlet (4).    USE -   Self starting and sustaining H2 generation usable in fuel cell powered vehicles (claimed).    ADVANTAGE -   Continuous energy input is not needed. Pressure drop prevents prod. backflow and oxidn. of H2 prod. Start-up is from ambient temp.
Porous membranes prepn. comprises: (a) preparing a slurry of at least one micro-pyretic substance and at least one liq. carrier; (b) drying the slurry into a green form having a desired geometric configuration; and (c) combusting the green form to produce a porous membrane.    USE -   The membranes are useful as e.g. thin or thick film resistors, heating elements, electrodes for electro-chemical reactions (claimed) and for batteries and fuel cells, when contg. electrically conductive materials; for gas or vapour sepn.; reverse osmosis; electrochemical applications; for filters (claimed), e.g. for hyperfiltration, ultrafiltration, and microfiltration. Multilayer single layer monolithic and composite membranes can be prepd. contg. both inorganic and organic multilayer membranes.    ADVANTAGE -   Compared to prior methods, a wider variety of materials can be used to form membranes having a greater range of properties and applications. The process is also much simpler and less involved.
The fuel cell battery has a cell multilayer body (6) in which number of cells (4) are stacked. Above the multi-layer body, a top plate (19) is setup. At the lower part of the multilayer body, a gas connector plate is provided.    A pair of heat insulation layers (13,22) at the lower and upper part of the multilayer body are used to cut-off heat transfer of cell layer from lower part to upper part of multilayer body.    ADVANTAGE -   Reduces heat loss and difference of temperature distribution between cells. Aims at equalization of cell characteristics. Increases life span of cell.
The fuel battery has several separators (12,16,17). Air is supplied to an air pole electrode (15) through the first separator. The fuel is supplied to a fuel pole electrode (14). The second separator isolates the circulating fuel and air. A spacer (18) is formed around the circumference of an air discharge hole (23). A fuel supply slot (44), air supply slot (45), fuel discharge slot (46) and air discharge slot (47) are formed between the spacer and the second separator.    ADVANTAGE -   Reduces cost. Isolates fuel and air with high reliability. Reduces number of parts.
An ion-conductive electrode has an electrode substrate having a through-hole(s) penetrating one side to the another side of the electrode substrate, an ion exchange material layer composed of ion exchange high polymer formed on the outside surface of the electrode substrate and inside surface of the through-hole(s),and electrode catalyst attached to the surface of the ion exchange material layer.    USE -   Suitable for use in fuel cell, oxygen and/or hydrogen generator or oxygen and/or hydrogen sensor, etc.    ADVANTAGE -   The ion-conductive electrode shows high catalytic efficiency, and electrolysation can be carried out with a high efficiency.
In an insulated electric wire having an electric wire and an insulating layer around the electric wire, the improvement is that the insulating layer is formed by impregnating an inorganic fibre cloth tape with a heat resistant compsns. to be transformed into inorganic material, and winding the tape around an electric wire.    USE -   Suitable for use in a high temp. environment of atomic power generator, fuel cell or geothermal power plant, etc.    ADVANTAGE -   The insulated electric wire shows excellent heat resistance at temp. higher than 400 C.
A hydrogen reaction unit is connected to an equipment container to sample air in the container and convert hydrogen in the air to water.    ADVANTAGE -   Hydrogen leaks can be detected exactly.
The fuel battery has multiple single cells and cooling boards connected to a stack (17) with end plates (18). The piled stacks are bonded by a binding rod (31) which has an internal hole for supply and exhaust cooling water, reaction material to stack.    ADVANTAGE -   Provides fuel battery of simplified structure. Provides compact and light weight fuel battery. Facilitates for easy assembly of fuel battery.
The fuel battery cell stack consists of several macromolecular electrolyte films stacked between the upper and lower steel plates used for fastening. In each of these films, an internal manifold (13) is provided. A gas supply passage is provided in each cell, connected with others in series to pave way for gas flow between the anode and cathode.    ADVANTAGE -   Supplies reaction gas to all cells and increases gas utilisation. Improves gas distribution reliability. Stabilises output. Increases power generation efficiency. Removes steam or condensed steam reliably.
The fuel battery consists of a front stage processing appts and a latter stage processing appts. The front stage is a deoxidation appts which removes oxygen from exhaust gas upto a considerable percentage. Further removal of oxygen is carried out to the order of ppm, by the latter stage processing appts. The gas without oxygen is supplied as purge gas.    ADVANTAGE -   Provides inexpensive and compact inert gas mfg installation. Avoids liquid nitrogen installation. Eliminates constraints in installation conditions.
Raw fuel gas, e.g. methane, is supplied to a fuel cell, through an internal heating reformer, and a CO modifier, and part of the exhaust gas is recycled to the reformer, to increase H2 yield, to improve the efficiency of the generating system and to reduce CO2exhaust.    ADVANTAGE -    The process increases H2yield by recycling part of the exhaust gas from the fuel cell to the reformer.
The fuel battery electric power generator has several functional sub systems. The connection inlet of a water supply system supplies water (27) to a fuel pole (5) and an oxidising agent pole (11). A electric output switching device (24) changes a load (17) between external power supply (23) and a fuel battery cell stack (4). A supply gas system switching appts (25) switches the fuel gas and oxidising agent gas. A exhaust gas processing system switching device (28) changes the exhaust gas processing system by switching either the exhaust gas of the oxidising electrode or the exhaust gas of fuel electrode.    ADVANTAGE -   Performs electrolysis of water and supplies fuel to fuel receptacle.
Fuel reformed gas contg. H2 is fed to a fuel cell. A buffer process is arranged between the fuel cell and the fuel reformer. The gas is temporarily reserved at the buffer procedure, and then fed into the cell with required pressure.    USE -   Used for car with fewer pollution problems.    ADVANTAGE -   The fuel cell is resistant to sudden road change by using the buffer process.
The system consists of a pair of modifiers (1,2). The second type modifier consists of a burner part (2a) into which materials like fuel gas, steam and air for combustion are supplied. The burnt material is supplied to a quality changing part (2b) which raises the hydrogen density.     Similarly the first modifier is also supplied with materials which are then modified into high density H2gas. The high density fuel gas from the two modifiers are added and is supplied to a battery main part (4).    ADVANTAGE -   Reduces energy required for recycling process. Simplifies structure of device.
The fuel battery has a compression machine (1) which supplies the fuel. A desulphurisation unit (2) removes a part of sulphur of the supplied fuel. A modifier (3) forms gas rich in hydrogen by steam exchanging with the fuel.    A part of the gas rich in hydrogen exiting of a condensation unit (9) is given to the suction side of the compression machine through a pipe (11) and a flow rate regulation valve (12) using the pressure difference. The gas fed to the compression machine is used as hydrogen for desulphurisation.    ADVANTAGE -   Reduces construction cost and operation cost.
The fuel battery generates electrical energy by the electrochemical reaction of the fuel gas which is introduced in the fuel pole and the oxidizing agent gas which is introduced in the oxidizing agent pole.    A cooling unit supplies cooling liquid to remove the heat emission from the fuel battery and maintains the operation temperature of the fuel battery. An operation temperature control unit controls the operation temperature of the fuel battery based on the current value and the voltage value of the fuel battery.    ADVANTAGE -   Improves life period of fuel battery. Avoids characteristic reduction of fuel battery by avoiding rise in fuel temperature.
The single unit fuel battery has several manifolds arranged in a vertical sequence. An air preheater is provided in the first four manifolds (M1-M4). A modifier is provided in the 5th-9th manifolds (M5-M9). Predetermined manifolds are cross coupled (M8- M3,M9-M7,M4-M2). A fuel preheater is connected to the 11th-15th manifolds. The high temp. blower is connected between the second and sixteenth manifolds. The cathode exhaust gas is supplied to the turbine compressor from the seventeenth manifold.    ADVANTAGE -   The battery reduces device area as well as installation area, and controls heat dissipation loss.
The battery includes a cooling board (90). The cooling board divides two or more flow path slots (80) into two sets. The space between the flow path slots is enlarged by the cooling board.    A temperature slope is generated by circulating water on both sides of the slot groups with different temperatures. The flow path is defined so that it goes from a high temperature region to a low temperature region.    ADVANTAGE -   Stabilizes electrochemical reaction in cell. Improves battery performance. Prevents rapid drying of cell.
The DC hybrid electric power feeder (1) has a first DC power supply (2) which supplies a DC power to a D/D convertor (22). A preservation circuit (25) saves the information related to the output power value, and outputs the signal voltage and current value to a first generating circuit (26). The product of current and voltage values is agreed with the power value, saved in the preservation circuit. When the voltage value reaches the permission minimum voltage value, the power value is made to reduces. When the voltage value reaches a permission minimum voltage, a second generating circuit (27) passes the signal so that the power value is made to increase.    The control of DC power supplied from the first DC power supply is performed by a second power supply (5A) which is connected in parallel to two or more sets of nodes between the output of first DC power supply, mutually. Thus the DC power from the node of the first and second DC power supply is supplied to the load.    ADVANTAGE -   Simplifies controller process. Stabilizes operation of each DC power supply. Obtains high efficiency.
The potential divider uses a sheet metal contact strip (10) at one end of which (15) is the principal electrical connection (16) designed to be connected by a conductor to a battery. Projecting from the strip (10) are a number of contact elements (11,12) which act as current outputs for the automobile electrical systems.    The contact elements (11,12) are made from a separator metal sheet (28,29') which has a shaped base (21). The shape of the base (21) is designed to fit into slots formed in zones (13,14) in the contact strip (10).    USE/ADVANTAGE -   Designed to simplify connection of battery supplies to automobile electrical circuits.
H2 is obtd. by the partial oxidn. and/or steam reforming of CH3 OH using a low temp. Cu/ZnO/Al2 O3 catalyst. A porous metal or ceramic wall (2) separates the reaction chamber (4) from where the H2 is drawn off (5) and is coated on the reaction chamber side with a layer of Pd/Ag alloy. The reaction chamber (4) temp. is about 220 C and the pressure 5-30 bar. The pressure in the drawing off chamber (5) is 1-5 bar. The reaction is carried out with a mixt. of CH3 OH, steam and a controllable amt. of O2 . Also claimed is the appts. for carrying out the above process, having a temp. adjusting tube (3) passing through the middle of the porous tube (2). Also claimed is a similar appts. with a fluid passing through tube (3) to control the temp. Heat transfer walls which are remote from the Pd/Ag layer on the porous wall are coated with a layer of the Cu/ZnO/Al2 O3catalyst. The reaction mixt. passes between the heat transfer walls and the porous walls.    USE -    To obtain H2for use in fuel cells.    ADVANTAGE -    Selective sepn. of the H2leads to a high purity prod. which, being free of CO, is suitable for use in fuel cells. The appts. is simple and capable of being used for a technical scale process.
The switch device comprises semiconductor switches such as MOSFET-switches (11) connected in parallel between the middle battery cells (7, 9). The switch or switches are generally plate-shaped and comprise each one a main part of body and have one electrical terminal located on a large bottom side and another electrical terminal located on another side of the body. The switches are mounted in a line or a row on a large side of a first electrically and thermally conducting metal plate. A second conducting plate comprises two large sides on an edge connecting the large side. The edge extends in parallel to the switches and at one side of the switches. The second plate is arranged to form a gap between the two plates which are then the electrical terminals of the switch device. Electrical connection wires extend between the terminals located at the other sides of the switches and the second plate. For providing increased heat dissipation the first plate can be prolonged by a bent cooling flange.    The switches are controlled by a processor (15) which can receive signals from the exterior, such as rf signals received by a receiver (25) for allowing a high but not too high current for powering a starter motor from the battery. In other cases only small currents can be drawn from the battery for powering the charge state and can block also small currents when there is too little charge left whereby also a sufficient charge can be left for starting the motor. For an interrupt in a lead to a power supply unit the control circuit can be provided with voltage from a reduced number of battery cells. Therefore, suitably placed diodes are provided in the interior supply lines to the power supply unit.    ADVANTAGE -   Protection against overvoltages and over-temperatures. Provides security for interrupts in conductor connections.
Mixed gas containing CO, O2 , and less than 3 vol.% impurities of at least one of methanol, formic acid, and formaldehyde, is contacted with noble metal catalyst, to selectively oxidise CO to CO2.    ADVANTAGE -   CO concentration in gas is decreased to under 100 ppm. The gas can be used for fuel for a fuel cell, avoiding poisoning of Pt electrode and improve performance.
The reformer in which hydrocarbons contg. hydrocarbons and/or oxygen atoms and a gas contg. water and oxygen are mixed and gasified and the hydrocarbons are partially oxidised, decomposed. The reformer has a catalyst for partial oxidn., decomposition, and reforming and a heating resistor.    USE -   Used to feed hydrogen to fuel cells of electric cars.    ADVANTAGE -   Since the heating resistor is contained in the reformer, the start-up of the reformer is quick and thermally efficient and the recovery rate of hydrogen is improved. The reformer can be down-sized and consumes less electricity than conventional reformers.
The system for producing high purity H2, by reforming hydrocarbons contg. hydrocarbons and/or oxygen atoms to produce H2-contg. gases and sepg. H2 from the produced gases, is equipped with sources of hydrocarbons, water, and oxygen, a gasification chamber, and a reforming chamber with a catalyst for steam reforming and partial oxidn. and a membrane for sepg. hydrogen. The sources of hydrocarbons, water and oxygen are connected with the gasification chamber. The gasification and reforming chambers are thermally connected.    ADVANTAGE -   Since the system has high H2 productivity and heat conductivity, high purity H2 can be produced at low cost.
The mounting structure mounts a battery (22) in the interior of a vehicle room (12). A steering support member (16) by which the battery is prolonged towards the vehicle side, is positioned by the front part of the room.    The battery is mounted at the assistant seat side part of the steering support member. The positions of the battery and steering support member overlap in a horizontal surface.    ADVANTAGE -   Regulates displacement within predetermined amount.
Composite is mfd. by: loading one or more polymers with soluble metal cpds., the polymer particles having a size 10-15000 nm; contacting the loaded polymers with a support; and removing the polymers to form a composite.    Also claimed is that the support is contacted with a first set of loaded polymer(s) and the polymer(s) removed to form a composite; and this composite is then contacted with a second set of loaded polymer(s) and these polymer(s) are then removed to form a further composite.    Composite prods. are claimed formed of a support carrying domains of inorganic cpds., the domains having a dia. of 0.4-1000 pref. 0.8-700 nm.    USE -   As a catalyst, esp. with a honeycomb monolith support, fuel cell, emissive coating, optoelectronic coating, superconductor or ceramic. (claimed).    ADVANTAGE -   Method allows good control of stoichiometry, size, spacing and location of the inorganic domains.
Prepn. of a H2 -contg. gas for fuel cells reforming a fuel for hydrogen prodn. which can be converted by reforming to a fuel gas contg. at least H2 , mixing an O2 contg. gas and the reformed gas contg. mainly H2 CO2 and CO, selectively oxidising and converting CO to CO2 by bringing CO into contact with a catalyst. The selective oxidn. of CO is controlled such that the concn. of residual O2in the exhaust gas emitted from the reaction system becomes 0.2-2 vol.% and that of CO becomes up to 100 ppm.    USE -    The H2-contg. gases for fuel cells obtd. can be used as fuels for fuels cells operated at low temps., such as phosphoric acid type, KOH type and polymeric solid electrolyte type fuel cells.    ADVANTAGE -   The efficiency and lifetime of fuel cells are extended.
Load responsive hydrogen generator for releasing H2 from a particle hydride bed comprises:    (a) an enclosed housing adapted for contg. hydrogen gas under pressure;    (b) an hydride storage compartment disposed within the housing for storing a mass of hydride particles dispersed in a matrix, and further including a corrugated, perforated support structure adapted to accommodate volumetric expansion of the hydride particles upon conversion of hydrogen to hydroxide;    (c) a liquid water storage removed from the hydride storage compartment, the liquid water storage structure including a macroporous water absorbent material for storing liquid water;    (d) a liquid water transfer device disposed between the liquid water storage structure and the hydride storage compartment for permitting passage of the liquid water from the storage structure to the hydride storage compartment, the transfer device being impervious to passage of hydrogen gas from the hydride storage compartment to the liquid water storage structure while permitting passage of liquid water storage structure to the hydride storage compartment;    (e) a distributor for receiving the liquid water from the liquid water transfer device and for distributing the liquid water directly to the hydride particles, thereby permitting hydriding reaction to generate hydrogen gas into the hydride storage compartment; and    (f) a gas communicating device for removing the hydrogen gas from the hydride storage compartment upon load demand.    USE -   The generator is used for releasing hydrogen gas from a particle hydride bed as demand for hydrogen warrants, e.g. for filling meteorological balloons, for electric power generation in fuel cells.    ADVANTAGE -   The combination of the corrugated cartridge structure and the wicking material dispersed throughout the cartridge allows complete utilisation of the hydride and water in a demand responsive mode.
The cell includes a group of electrodes comprising positive and negative electrodes allowing absorption and release of a light metal and separators accommodated in a closed-end cell-armouring can, together with a non-aqueous electrolyte. An opening of the armouring can is closed by an insulating gasket positioned around the inner periphery of the can opening, and a closed lid fitted in and supported by the gasket and simultaneously serving as a positive or negative terminal. The closing lid comprises an explosion proof valve capable of deforming towards the direction opposite to the group of electrodes in response to an increase in the internal pressure of the cell.    A terminal cap provided with vent holes is arranged at the side of the explosion-proof valve opposed to the group of electrodes. A non-reverse switch is positioned between the explosion-proof valve and the terminal cap and serves to shut-off the electrical connection between the terminal cap and the positive or negative electrode when the temperature of the cell is raised or the pressure in the cell is increased. The current-cut-off effect can be further improved through the use of the positive electrode active material in combination with sodium and/or potassium and/or rubidium and/or magnesium and/or calcium and/or barium salts of carbonic acid.    USE -   Cell for use in motor vehicles, word processors, portable telephones, pagers, portable facsimiles, copiers, printers, video movies, liquid crystal televisions, handy cleaners, portable CD's, electric shavers, motor-driven tools etc.
The electrical switch comprises a battery mating surface (46) and a contact mating surface. A mechanism slides the contact mating surface on and off the battery mating surface. A resilient wiping arm is connected to the contact wiping mating surface. A mechanism moves the wiping arm (8) about the battery mating surface.    A pocket contact (48) has a slot and the first end of the wiping arm is mounted within the slot. A contact driver (82) is mounted on the wiping arm. A pin (64) abuts the contact driver to move the contact. The wiping arm and the pocket contact consists of conductive material. The mating surfaces are convex in shape.    ADVANTAGE -   Removes debris and other foreign matter so that electrical connection can be reliably made.
The generator comprises a quality fuel change appts. (2) carrying out a quality of change of rich fuel gas and supplies into a fuel battery (1). An orthogonal transformer (4) converts outflow power to an AC power and compares the AC output power with the load set point of a load setting appts. (11). A current increase-and-decrease command mechanism (10) converts load control appts. into additional current signal.    A subtraction current signal directs a fixed increase-and-decrease speed. The increase speed of the additional current signal has a delay setting appts. (30) with a constant-current value updated in response to either the delayed additional current signal or the subtraction current signal. And load controller mechanism (40) directs the output AC power of the orthogonal transformer to bring the DC current detection value closes to the updated constant-current value.    ADVANTAGE -   Ensures stable operation without requiring unnecessary supply of reaction gas and provides correction on amt. of reaction gas flowing due to load control appts. Eliminates delay of attainment time of reaction gas.
The recovery system uses an exhaust gas supply pipe (13) of the mirror cycle gas engine (1) which is connected to a vapour generator (9). A steam turbine (10) is connected to the vapour generator through a fluid circulation piping (6). An over supplying machine (12) supplies compressed air from mirror cycle gas engine as heat source to the output shaft (10a) of the steam turbine.    ADVANTAGE -   Improves engine output and recovers engine deheat.
The fuel battery system has a main-part (10) to which fuel gas is sent from a fuel gas supply passage (20). An oxidized gas supply passage (30) sends oxidized gas to the main-part. A fuel gas discharge passage (40) is used to discharge the exhaust gas from the main-part. An oxidized gas discharge passage (50) is used to discharge the oxidized gas from the main-part.    A circulation passage (60) connects the oxidized gas discharge passage with the fuel gas supply passage and enables circulation of exhaust gas. The exhaust gas from the oxidized gas discharge passage contains oxidized gas and water particles. Water particles are formed by the reaction of oxygen in the exhaust gas with hydrogen in the fuel gas.    ADVANTAGE -   The system is compact and has improved efficiency.
The fuel battery based electricity generator has a fuel gas supply part which supplies fuel gas to the battery. An oxidn. gas supply part (2) supplies oxidn. gas to the battery. An exhaust circulation part supplies exhaust stream from the battery to the exit side of the oxidn. gas supply part. A mixt. temp. control part detects the temp. of the mixt. of oxidn. gas and exhaust stream, then controls the supply capability of the exhaust circulation part. An oxidn. gas cooling part (5) is connected to the end of the oxidn. gas supply part to cool the oxidised gas. An amt. detector detects the amt. of the reaction inside the battery. An oxidn. gas temp. control part (7) provides a control variable to control the temp. of the oxidn. gas based on the output of the amount detector. An oxidn. gas temp. setting vessel (9) provides input direct current to the oxidn. gas temp. control part. A current sensor (8) senses the output current and sets up a temp. control set point for the operation of the oxidn. gas temp. control part.    ADVANTAGE -   Avoids scattering of electrolyte. Increases lifespan. Prevents increase in oxidization gas flow supply rates.
The fuel battery comprises a cell supporting an electrolyte (10) by a pair of electrodes (20,30). A separator (60) is setup between the cells having a flow path slot (40) for fuel gas flow whose depth is shallower towards an exit side (40e) than an entrance side. A rectification board (42) is setup in the flow path slot made of resin of U-shaped cross-section. The rectification board divides the flow path slot into a pair of gas flow path (40a,40b).    ADVANTAGE -   Improves battery performance and lifetime. Obtains electrically conductive equalization of electrolyte.
Utilisation of electro-chemical generators includes forcing liq. from combustion chamber by inert gas into intermediate container connected to compensation tank before passage of hydrogen into combustion chamber of fuel element-combustible. The vol. ratio of the intermediate and combustion chambers is 1-10.    USE -   Operation of electro-chemical generators.    ADVANTAGE -   Better life by maintaining active layer of fuel element-combustible.
The fuel battery consists of an anode pole (2) and a cathode pole (3). A fuel supply appts (4) supplies fuel gas to the anode pole. An air supply appts (5) supplies air to the cathode pole. A hydrogen isolation membrane condenses hydrogen component of fuel gas and gives an output to the anode pole. An oxygen isolation membrane (8) condenses oxygen component of air and gives an output to the cathode pole. The air acts as an oxidising agent. It also serves as the fuel gas producing hydrogen rich gas.    ADVANTAGE -   Increases electric power generation output. Rises density of oxygen and hydrogen.
The method involves detecting the hydrogen gas pressure which is supplied from hydrogen occlusion tank for every fixed period. The hydrogen gas pressure judging step judges whether the detected pressure is less or more than the predetermined standard value.    When the hydrogen gas pressure detected is less then the predetermined standard pressure, then a less current than predetermined value is supplied to the heater. However, if the hydrogen gas pressured detected is more than the predetermined standard pressure, then a high current than predetermined value is supplied to the heater. This process is repeated till the fuel battery main device is in regular operation state.    ADVANTAGE -   Reduces power consumption. Realizes miniaturized fuel battery system. Shifts battery operation to normal state gradually.
The control device has a fuel battery (11) to aid in an electrochemical reaction. The heat is removed from the fuel battery by a main mechanism (20). A steam separator (22) separates cooling water from the high temperature water discharged from the fuel battery. A cooling water heat exchanger (29) is connected to the main mechanism, and cools the high temperature water from the steam separator.    A rate control part (41) controls the amount of supply of deheat recovery steam to a heat load. An amount control part (42) controls the amount of cooling water in the cooling water heat exchanger, such that the exit temperature of cooling water from the fuel battery corresponds to the load level of the fuel battery.    ADVANTAGE -   Improves supply performance of deheat recovery steam. Maintains temperature of fuel battery exit cooling water, to desirable value.
The method involves installation of a fuel battery in a pressure receptacle (21). Fuel gas is supplied to the fuel battery based on the size of load, by changing the pressure of fuel gas filled up in pressure receptacle.    ADVANTAGE -   Enables uniform rate of flow distribution. Operates supplement machines with high efficiency. Controls heat dissipated from battery main part.
The fuel battery is provided with channel members (9, 12) having slot to allow the reactant gas. Separators (6, 7) are provided to combine two gas isolation boards (8, 11) connected to the corresponding channel members. An anode (3) and a cathode (3) are arranged on an electrolytic matrix (1) in which the electrolyte is impregnated. The anode and cathode form an unit cell. A set of shims (4, 5) are provided between the two separators for gas sealing purposes.    A bidirectional opening is formed at the end of each gas isolation board. A set of gas passage members (10, 13) are provided along the channel member with their surfaces placed opposite to the projections of the channel member. A flat planar surface is formed perpendicular to the direction of flow of the reactant gas passing through the bidirectional opening. A gas flow slot is provided on the inner surface of each gas passage member.    ADVANTAGE -   Provides good sealing nature. Avoids distortion. Simplifies production and structure.
The fuel battery has a square shaped cell stack (1) formed by layering a set of rectangular unit cells. Each unit cell consists of a pair of electrodes with an electrolyte. The cell stack is constituted by a set of gas manifolds (2-5) and an air supply and discharge pipes (8,9) and a fuel supply and discharge pipes (6, 7) which are connected to the four sides of cell stack.    A set of drain slots (20, 21) are arranged to a lower end plate (17) of the lower part of the cell stack. The water generated during discharging of battery overflown out of the cell stack is discharged through drain pipes.    ADVANTAGE -   Decreases height of battery. Excels in insulating between gas manifold and gas piping.
The mfg method involves formation of a multilayer body. The multilayered body consists of an air pole, a solid electrolyte layer, a fuel pole and a collector layer. Due to heat treatment, the interface layer acquires a value for rate of contraction which lies inbetween the values for rate of contraction of the other two layers, interposed between the layers and performs cofiring.    ADVANTAGE -   Prevents crack generation during cofiring. Enables mass production. Reduces number of processes. Obtains high reliability.
Raw methanol (1) is mixed with raw water (3), and mixed with recovered methanol (5) and supplied to a methanol reformer (101). Unreacted methanol removed reformed gas (4) from (101) is passed to a CO oxidising reactor (114).    ADVANTAGE -   The reformed gas supplying system reduces generation of CO, efficient supplies reformed gas for a fuel battery and recovers unreacted methanol.
The composite electrolytic film consists core material consisting of polyolefin having a proton conductive functional gp. on entire region, and an exchange capacity of 1-15 milli-equiv./g and an ion exchange resin component having an exchange capacity of 0.9-15 mill-equiv. The polyolefin component uses a sulphonic acid gp. as the proton conductive functional gp. The ion exchange resin component consists of a fluorine-based ion exchange resin having exchange capacity of 0.9-2 milli-equiv./g., and uses a sulphonic acid gp. as a proton conductive functional gp. The electrolytic film has a film thickness of 1.1-200 (10-100)m.    USE -   The composite electrolytic film is used for a fuel cell, a primary battery, a sec. battery, an electrochromic device, or a sensor.    ADVANTAGE -   Uniformly introducing proton conductive functional gp. in the core material using the ion exchange resin component yield composite electrolytic film having reduced value of resistance. The surface of the polyolefin component has the functional gp. The result increases affinity to the ion exchange resin component, partic., the fluorine-based ion exchange resin component to firmly bond the polyolefin component to the ion exchange resin component. Uniformly providing functional gp. in the polyolefin component allows core material to function as electrolyte, enhancing proton conductivity.
The method involves setting current required at the time of acceleration, beforehand. A discharging current and battery voltage from a battery are detected. A battery capacitance samples two or more discharge current and voltage within a short time regularly.    The battery voltage at the time of battery electric discharge is computed using the pair of sampled current and voltage value. The value with highest frequency is presumed as battery voltage among calculated value. Based on the presumed value, the charging state of battery is determined.    ADVANTAGE -   Determines charging state correctly, enabling correct determination of charging time required.
Pt catalyst fuel cell is operated by: supplying H2 and/or alcohol fuel to the anode and O2 to the cathode and operating the cell at not above 250 C; providing a first interruptable external circuit taking current flow from the cell flowing from cathode to anode; providing a second external circuit which supplied current to the fuel cell in a reverse direction; and operating the two external circuits alternately, the period for the first circuit being at least 10 times that for the second circuit whose period is not more than 0.25 sec.. Appts. for operating a fuel cell as above is claimed.    ADVANTAGE -   Pt anode catalyst which may be poisoned by CO can be de-toxified in a simple, low-cost manner.
A charging circuit-breaker for the auxiliary battery in a car's main electrical circuit, where the current is controlled by MOSFETs, is a circuit (1) to protect against accidental reversal of polarity. The charging path has a resistor (5) for determining the charging current. From the voltages of the main electrical circuit and the battery, the permitted charging current is calculated and compared with the actual current. A corresponding PWM control signal applies voltages to the gates of the MOSFETs (30). A level converter (7) and a low pass filter of the second order (8) are used for this.    USE/ADVANTAGE -   Minimised electrical loading on main circuit during heating of catalyst during vehicle start-up phase, with minimum charging time and minimum loss. Reduction in noxious emissions.
The gas piping attachment structure includes an end plate (7) with a penetration hole (11). A gas supply pipe (10) is inserted into fuel battery through a penetration hole without touching the end plate and attached with an insulated board (6) by a gas piping attachment structure part (8).    The fuel gas supply pipe is connected to a gas flow path (3) through a gas passage (9) and a gas piping attachment structure part and fuel is supplied to gas flow path. The gas pipe is positioned to setting member, which is set up between end plate and cell object.    ADVANTAGE -   Simplifies structure. Reduces cost. Prevents cooling of gas pipeline. Prevents electric flow in gas pipe. Prevents corrosion of piping. Prevents reduction in reaction. Excels in endurance.
The battery consists of an electrolyte board (1) inserted between an anode (2) and a cathode (3), to which fuel gas and an oxidising agent gas are supplied, respectively. A pair of repair materials (4a,4b) which are made up of insulated porous material are placed on either sides of the electrolyte board facing the anode and cathode respectively.    Fusion temperature of the repair objects is set to be more than the operational temperature of the battery. A gas crossing generation part (10) formed from low fusion point having material is set up between the two repair materials. The repairing objects fuse and dissolve to stop gas crossing from anode to cathode due to raise in internal temperature.    ADVANTAGE -   Operates at high temperature. Enables gas crossing to be prevented effectively.
The fuel cells have a pair of flat plate electrodes (5,6) separated by an electrolyte matrix (6). The plate-electrolyte assembly is enclosed by two gas distribution plates (3,10). An outer cover (1,12) encloses the cell.    A strip (7) of a sealing material is placed between an electrode and the electrolyte matrix, extending round the periphery of the cell. The sealing strip is made of an elastomer reinforced with woven fibres. The strip is supple, resistant to extrusion effects and resistant to degradation. The preferred material is a butyl rubber, reinforced with glass fibres. This is suitable for use in an alkaline fuel cell operating between 60 and 80 C.    ADVANTAGE -   Reduced weight, long life and high reliability
A device comprises a fastening ring (13) to be fastened to the ring. The ring is deformable to make it have a smaller diameter. A rotatable ring (21) is rotatably fitted around the outer surface of the fastening ring and is formed such that a rotation of the rotatable ring w.r.t. the fastening ring makes the diameter of the fastening ring smaller.    The post is a battery terminal post and there is an electrically conductive wire attached to the mechanism by a wire connecting portion. The fastening ring is formed unitarily with the wire connecting portion.    ADVANTAGE -   Provides battery terminal which can be easily coupled to battery terminal post.
The modular battery includes a number of cells in a required configuration so as to provide a given current flow. Each cell is rectangular. Each cell has locating formations which allow it to receive and locate similar cells adjacent to its front, rear and side walls. The cells may be arranged in various configurations in series or parallel.    Each cell has a connector through which current flows between the various cells. The electrical connector is in the form of plug and socket formations which indirectly connect the various cells. The formations are interlinked by conductive members.    ADVANTAGE -   Simple. Easy to replace dead cell due to modular structure.
The clamp includes an electrically connective housing with a circular cylindrical bore. The bore can be located over a battery terminal post. An attachment is used with an electrically conductive cable. There is a split between inner and outer margins of the housing. A clamp attaches the housing to the terminal post.    The housing is in two parts which are connected by a hinge. The two parts are moved relative to each other between closed and open positions. The clamp can be removed from the post when it is in its open position.    ADVANTAGE -   Avoids damage to clamps during removal by motorist. Requires fewer spares.
Water-insol. membrane and a fuel cell contg. the membrane are claimed, the membrane comprising acid-stable polymer mols. each having at least one ion-conducting polymer segment of formula (I) covalently bonded to at least one flexible connecting polymer segment of formula (II) or (III) such that continuous H ion-conductive channels penetrate the membrane with the channels being regions contg. anionic species in an elastic matrix of (II) or (III).    An esp. pref. membrane consists of a styrene/(ethylene-butylene)/styrene copolymer (SEBS) with the styrene component being sulphonated. R1-R4 = H or lower alkyl; R5 = H, Cl or lower alkyl; R6 = H or Me; R7 = mixt. of H with -SO3H, -P(O)(OR8)OH, -R9.SO3H and/or -R9.P(O)(OR8)OH; R8 = H or lower alkyl; R9 = lower alkylene; Ar = phenyl; and m, n, p and q = 0 or 50-10,000.    ADVANTAGE -   A mechanically-stable membrane is provided which allows ion diffusion but prevents both the flow of electrons and the diffusion of gases.
A spreading machine has a first conveyor belt, with a high friction rest surface for carrying a grid to be covered with paste; a paste spreading chamber towards which the first conveyor belt advances, where paste is spread on an upper and a lower face of the grid; apparatus for spreading paste on the grid at the spreading chamber; a paste loading hopper which feeds the spreading chamber; a second conveyor belt moving away from the spreading chamber, having an incompressible rest surface; a calibrator for regulating breadth of paste spread on one face of the grid; a paste recycling chamber communicating with the spreading chamber and the loading hopper to remove excess paste from the spreading chamber; and a paste pressure regulator inside the spreading chamber.    USE/ADVANTAGE -   For spreading of paste on lead grids in the mfr of plates for electrical storage batteries e.g. for automobiles or other fixed applications. Obtains optimal covering thickness of lead-oxide paste simultaneously on both faces of lead grids.
A constraint jig comprises an upper plate jig (1) and a lower plate jig (2) where a manifold (16) therebetween clamps a thin plate, wherein protrusions (3,4) are formed around an opposed face of the jigs, a hole (5) for height adjusting means and a hole (7) for constraint means, each are formed on the upper plate jig, a hole (8) for the constraint means is formed on the lower plate jig, height adjusting means (6,10) for lifting the upper plate jig, installed in the hole (5), and constraint means (9,10) for clamping the both jig are installed in the holes (7,8).    USE -   Used for welding, cutting, etc. for a thin plate with a manifold.    ADVANTAGE -   The jig can contact the ends of thin plate closely, cut thin plates, simultaneously and prevent thermal strain.
The battery forms a unit battery and a cooling board at the bottom of the body. The reaction gas supply chamber and reaction gas discharge chamber is arranged on the side of the multilayer body.    The container of the battery connecting the reaction gas piping is made to the pressure receptacle. The reaction gas piping provides electrical insulation for the pressure receptacle.    ADVANTAGE -   Improves seal and strength of piping because of omission of insulating couple. Provides stable electrical insulation over long period of time because adhesive of coupling is omitted.
The device has a switch (11) and a resistor (10) in the main battery part electrically connected between a multilayer body (1) and a water piping (4).    Several insulators are used throughout the multilayer body. When an insulator generates leakage current for longer than a predetermined time, the power is interrupted.    ADVANTAGE -   Provides continuous power generation if leakage occurs for short period of time because of timing mechanism. Shortens release time.
The appts. inputs data (DO) of fault detection from a electricity generating fuel battery (1) to a data entry part (2a). When the data of fault detection is outputted from a trouble monitoring object the time elapsed is monitored. A memory part (2) stores the data from the data entry part.    A clock (3) records the time of fault at all times. A memory control part (4) is able to move the data to a memory domain before the next data is inputted.    ADVANTAGE -   Enables early detection of trouble. Enables proper tracking of trouble detection because of clock.
The fuel battery purge device has a bomb unit (B) which installs a reducing valve (3) and connects it to a bomb set pipe (2). A nitrogen gas cylinder (1) is connected to the pipe through normally closed main solenoid valve (4) at the fuel battery main part (C). A normally closed solenoid valve (5) is connected in parallel to the main solenoid valve.    The fuel battery purge device opens the solenoid valve (5) and protects the catalyser after opening the main solenoid valve and performs inflammable gas purge of fixed duration, during fuel battery (A) shutdown. A primary pressure adjustment valve (6) is installed in pipe at the entrance of the reducing valve. An orifice (7) with fine rate of flow is arranged in parallel with the primary pressure adjustment valve.    ADVANTAGE -   Performs inflammable gas purge and catalyser protection purge during shutdown.
The power supply uses a fuel battery for generation of electrical energy. The fuel battery has a case (1) containing a hydrogen storage tank (8), a cover (2) on the top side which closes the case airtight. Then, the chemical energy of the gas is converted into electrical energy. A tank check stick (35) contacts the fuel tank if closed.    The tank check stick is set up at the top plate, back side of the cover to ensure that the case is not closed with fuel tank inside. A switch press stick (36) set up at the top plate of the cover presses the switch (34) to OFF position whenever the case is tightly closed.    ADVANTAGE -   Prevents closing of case by mistake without switching OFF. Prevents airtight closing of case with gas tank inside.
The power supply is constituted by a fuel tank (5) containing hydrogen. The tank is connected to a coupler (12) set up through a hydrogen piping member (13). The coupler is connected to a fuel battery (3) through a hydrogen supply piping member (11).    The connection between the fuel tank and the hydrogen supply piping member is carried out by switching action of the coupler. The fuel is thus passed onto the battery where it is converted to electrical energy. A recess is provided for receipt of the coupler when it is released from its connection with fuel tank.    USE/ADVANTAGE -   In e.g. mobile communication system. Simplifies switching action. Prevents breakage of switching element.
The stack structure consists of multiple single cells. A catalyst layer is arranged, which is sandwiched between the multiple single cell and an electrolyte layer, by a separator (3). The separator is a three layered structure (17-19). The first and third layers which touch collector surface of the electrolyte layer are made of high density graphite. The second main layer is formed with amorphous C.    ADVANTAGE -   Improves vol. power density and achieves size redn.
The fuel battery consists of a stack with many layers of single cells (2). These single cells are sandwiched with a catalyst layer arranged on an electrolyte layer (10) on either sides and are sepd. The separator is in the shape of a rectangle. Three pairs of fluid passage with openings are arranged in the direction of stacked cell which encloses the activation domain adjoining the catalyst layer (11). The separator has an activation domain (3a) formed by a concave part (14), which is expanded upto a passage (6) of reaction gas (7).     The H2 supply passage (6a) is formed on the upper right corner and the discharge passage (6b) is formed at lower left corner. The O2supply passage (7a) is formed on the upper left side and the discharge passage (7b) is on the lower right side. The cooling water passages (5a, 5b) are formed between fuel discharge passages (67a, 67b) and oxidising agent discharge passage.    ADVANTAGE -   Avoids leakage of gas from reaction gas passage.
The hydrogen storage tank consists of a pair of parallel maintenance frame (6,7). A hydrogen occlusion alloy bomb (8) is installed between the maintenance frames. A connector (16) for a temperature sensor and a coupler (14), are installed at the ends of the maintenance frame.    The coupler is connected with the hydrogen occlusion bomb through a piping (12). A wiring (17) connects the connector for the temperature sensor which is arranged in the occlusion alloy bomb to the inner side of the frames.    ADVANTAGE -   Provides safety. Prevents breakage of connector and coupler.
The waste gasification process comprises (a) feeding waste material into a first combustion chamber having a rotatable tuyere with a central column extending from a base of the tuyere towards a means for feeding the waste material, the tuyere supporting an annular column of waste material; (b) introducing an oxidiser into the column of waste; (c) rotating the rotatable tuyere to shear the annular column of waste; (d) igniting the waste within the first combustion chamber; (e) controlling the feed rate of the waste and of the oxidiser to maintain a temp. within the first combustion chamber of 600 to 2100F; (f) withdrawing combustion gases from an upper portion of the first combustion chamber often passing upwardly therethrough and feeding the combustion gases to a second combustion chamber, the second chamber including a restricting orifice smaller in cross-sectional area than that of the second chamber, such that the combustion gases pass through the restricting orifice and strike a target provided downstream of the orifice, the target having an impingement surface that faces the restricting orifice; (g) introducing an oxidiser into the second chamber to cause combustion reactions to occur at the target combustion chamber ear the target; and (h) withdrawing a relatively clean producer gas from the second combustion chamber.    USE -   Treating municipal, industrial, construction and agriculture waste.    ADVANTAGE -   The treated municipal and other waste material is processed to reduce the disposal vol. of the solid waste and to produce a clean producer gas for other uses, or burnt to yield a non-polluting off-gas. Partic., the controlled thermo-gasification of waste materials uses two separate and distinct gasification chambers operating in series.
Use of additional suspension of Klebsiella, Bacillus and Pseudomonas putida microorganisms (I) as biostimulator in the mixt. for the prepn. of biocompost, improves its properties. The mixt. contains (in wt.%) bird's droppings 43-50, peat 30-35, sawdust 18-25, cattle manure 1.2-5, lignin 1-2 and (I) 0.1-0.5 and ripens in 7-10 days.    USE -   In agriculture.    ADVANTAGE -   Quicker prepn., higher quality prod.
The working fluid contains 1,1,2,2-tetrafluoroethane, 3-50 wt.% difluoromethane and up to 95 wt.% propane.    Also claimed is a working fluid contg. 5-15 wt.% difluoromethane and 85-95 wt.% propane.    USE -   The working fluids are used for heat pumps.
Treatment set comprises bag made of resin to fit and to be held to the water closet and contacting saw dust.    ADVANTAGE -   Human waste can be managed in case of failure of water supply in water closet.    Resin bags are made to fit and to be held to water closet and saw dust is contained in the bag.
The processing installation comprises a pre-processing device, a crushing device provided at a post stage of the pre-processing device, and a selecting device provided at a post stage of the crushing device. A foamed material processing device is provided at the post stage of the selecting device and a depolymerisation device is provided at the post stage of the foamed material processing device.    USE -   The installation is suitable for processing various waste domestic electric apparatus, e.g. television receivers, refrigerator etc.    ADVANTAGE -   A through-waste processing system matching to the global environmental program is obtd. while recovering useful materials.
In the crude refuse treatment appts. to decompose crude refuse (25) aerobically by stirring crude refuse and filling material (24) stored in a cylindrical treating tank (3) with the stirring appts. (11), the stirring appts. comprises a rotation shaft (12) erected on the centre of bottom of treating tank, arm (13) fixed to the rotation shaft at its central part and having both ends extended in a dia. direction to parts neighbouring to inner wall of treating tank, respectively, and stirring wing (14) erected from one end of arm upward and spirally along the inner surface of treating tank in a retreating direction to a rotation direction of arm.    USE/ADVANTAGE -   To treat crude refuse generating in general homes. The arm can smoothly be rotated, and conventional motion of filling material is generated in the whole treating tank to mix a filling material, crude refuse and air sufficiently to accelerate action of aerobic bacteria.
Appts. (1) is for decomposing crude refuse (23) aerobically by stirring crude refuse and filling material (22) stored in a cylindrical treating tank (3) with the stirring appts. (11). The stirring appts. comprises a rotation shaft (12) erected on the centre of bottom of treating tank, arm (13) extended from the rotation shaft in a radial direction to a part neighbouring to the inner wall of treating tank and belt shaped stirring wing (14) provided at the front end of arm. The stirring wing is erected upward and spirally from the fixing position of stirring wind in the arm along the inner surface of treating tank and to a retreating direction to the arm rotation direction and twisted so that the rear edge of stirring wing is sepd. from the inner wall surface of treating tank according to increase of distance from the arm.    USE/ADVANTAGE -   To treat domestic crude refuse. Air is sufficiently mixed with crude refuse and filling material to accelerate decompsn. of crude refuse by moving a filling material present at the outer circumference of stirring wing by its rotation to accelerate convection motion of filling material.
Appts. comprises a crushing part (10) having an injection hole (11) for crude refuse to separate water from the refuse and crush it. A water discharge tube (4) to discharge water sepd. from the crude refuse and means to connect the crushing part and a biologically decomposing part (30) to transport the crude refuse crushed in the crushing part to the biologically decomposing part are present. There is an air pump (43) to flow outside gas to microorganism carrier (31) placed in the biological decomposing part, decomposed gas exhaust passage (50) to transport decomposed gas generating in the biological part and drain tube (52) connected to the decomposed gas exhaust passage to discharge the decomposed gas and water from the discharge tube.    USE/ADVANTAGE -   For treating crude refuse discharged from domestic kitchens. Water discharged from the tube does not contain fine crude refuse to obtain clean water and a life of biologically decomposing part is long.
Machine has a crude refuse treating tank (11) and crude refuse injection hole. A part (5) to removably control the machine is provided near the injection hole as an integral structure with the hole.    USE/ADVANTAGE -   Machines comprising crude refuse treating tanks placed under kitchen counters or outside houses and crude refuse injection holes at the wall surfaces inside houses to decompose crude refuse in the crude refuse treating tanks. Installation areas for crude refuse treating machines can be decreased and the installation is simplified.
Appts. comprises a fixed shaft (1), cylindrical vessel (2) to rotate around the fixed shaft and material (3) used in the vessel to treat crude refuse in the vessel. The fixed shaft is a hollow. An air supply nozzle (6) is connected to the hollow part of fixed shaft. The front of air supply nozzle is projected from the crude refuse treating material in the vessel and an air exhaust means (12) is also provided.    USE/ADVANTAGE -   For decomposing crude refuse in the treatment appts. Fresh air can be supplied in the treatment tank to increase the ventilation in the vessel to increase the ability to treat crude refuse.
Appts. (10) comprises a treatment bath (12) filled with decomposing media, e.g. saw dust (18), rotation shaft (20) placed in the treatment tank horizontally, stirring wings (24) fixed to the rotation shaft rotatably, and ventilation means to suck or exhaust air to or from the treatment tank. The stirring wings rotate so that they move from one side of the treatment tank to another side at the upper part of their rotation orbit and the ventilation means suck air at another side of treatment tank and exhaust it at one side to supply air to the upper surface of decomposing media.    USE/ADVANTAGE -   For treating crude refuse generated in kitchens in homes or restaurants. Water is efficiently released from crude refuse and microorganisms on decomposing media are contacted with air in a more activated state to increase their ability to decompose.
Appts. comprises hopper (2) to store joining materials, bacteria and crude refuse to be treated; stirrer (9) placed in hopper; exhaust means at upper part of hopper; ozoniser (19); ozone eject nozzle (21) to eject ozone into exhaust means; and opening or closing valve (14) under hopper to discharge materials stored in hopper.    USE/ADVANTAGE -   Used for dewatering and deodorising crude refuse from restaurants, biologically. Appts. has extremely high deodorisation efficiency.
Appts. comprises treatment appts. body (1) to treat crude refuse; stirring tank (2) in treatment appts. body to stir crude refuse; crude refuse treating material contg. live microorganisms and stored in the stirring tank; exit (3) at lower part of stirring tank to discharge crude refuse; removal lid (13) capable of sliding along exit to close exit during ordinary operation and open exit when crude refuse is removed; and bag (5) fixed detachably to stirring tank from outside approaching to the removal lid to cover exit.    USE/ADVANTAGE -   Used outdoors and is suitable for injecting crude refuse from inside of house to appts. Appts. can be operated cleanly.
The chemical luminescence uses peroxidase, 2,3-dihydro-1,4-phthalazine-dione, oxidant and chemical luminescence accelerator. A cationic or amphoteric surfactant is also used.    ADVANTAGE -   The reagent has improved stability.
The gas flux measuring device consists of a gas sampling unit (20), with a pair of air bags (25,26). A first exit (21a) of a first sampling pipe (21) is connected to an entrance (24a) of the first air bag through a second sampling pipe (22) and first three lead valve (34). An outlet lead (30a) of the first three lead valve is connected to an exit (24b) of the first air bag. Similarly, a second exit (21b) of a first sampling pipe is connected to an entrance (26a) of the second air bag through a third sampling pipe (23) and a second three lead valve (35). An outlet lead (30b) of the second three lead valve is connected to an exit (26b) of the second air bag. An up-down direction wind velocity detection unit (36) is connected the selected lead of the first and second valve respectively.    The velocity detection unit detects the vertical component of wind velocity. The second valve is switched suitably so that the lead connecting to the first sampling pipe is activated/shorted. The sample is raised or lowered, depending upon the detected vertical component value of wind velocity and the gas near the detection unit. A gas analysis meter (38) calculates the difference `deltaC' between the mean density value of the sampled gas and the standard deviation of the wind velocity `sigmaw'. A gas flux calculation unit (40) calculates the gas flux (Fg), based on the calculated `deltaC' value. The three lead valve is subjected to time division ratio control process, based on the vertical component of the wind velocity, in the predetermined cycle time.    ADVANTAGE -   Improves reliability. Obtains high separation performance. Measures photosynthesis breath speed and evaporation speed of vegetable stock. Eliminates delay circuit and solenoid valve. Prevents non uniform flow velocity distribution. Cancels error factor accompanied by setting of threshold value. Reduces error produced by fault in thermocouple.
The flux measuring device consists of a gas sampling unit (20). First and second air bags (24,25) are provided in the gas sampling unit. A first sample piping (21a) of the sampling unit is connected to the first three-way solenoid valve (30). Second and third ways of solenoid valves are connected to entrance and exit parts (24a,24b) of the first air bag, respectively.     A second sample piping (21b) is connected to first air bag, through a second three way solenoid valve. Gases like CO2 , CH3, nitrous oxide and steam are passed into the sample piping, from a forest, prairie and a swamp. The flux `Fg' of the gas is measured based on difference C in concentration, standard deviation `w' of wind velocity, experiment count `b' and mean value of the gas constituents,    ADVANTAGE -   Eliminates need for relay circuit. Eliminates error factor in setting up threshold value. Improves measurement precision. Avoids non-uniformity in distribution of flow velocity.
Process for detecting methane in a gas mixt. comprises: (a) heating the gas mixt. to 800C; (b) flowing the gas mixt. over an oxygen-sensitive semiconducting metal oxide, whose temp. is 800C; and (c) measuring the resistance, the conductivity or the relative permeability of the metal oxide.    USE -   The process is used in a methane sensor in the household and in industry.    ADVANTAGE -   Low concns. of methane can be clearly detected in gas mixts.
N-acylated protein hydrolysates or N-acylated amino acids, where the acyl gp. is 5-21C and (un)satd., are used in the microbiological breakdown of residual oil fractions in oil-contaminated soils.    ADVANTAGE -   The tensides are mild, kind to the skin and toxicologically acceptable.
Improving the chemical, physical and biological procession agriculture, horticulture and animal husbandry and in humans comprises using carbonaceous mine-stone (CMS).    USE/ADVANTAGE -   The method can be used to promote plant growth, influence digestive and/or metabolic processes in animals to produce tastier meat, improve the health of the animals and promote milk prodn. without current disadvantages (e.g. expense, undesired results and prodn. of large amts. of ammonia). The processed carbonaceous mine-stone is partic. suitable for supplementation to the soil in cases of (re)introduction of nature projects, forest, landscape, sports fields, lawns, parks, avenue trees, remaining urban green areas, private gardens and other forms of land use. It can also be successfully used as additives for artificial substrates such as rock-wool, peat, oasis, clay granules and for cultivation under glass. The mine-stone may also be used with tank culture, such as chicory culture, or as an additive for potting soil and other natural substances. The stone may be used to solve environmental pollution problems and in land farming to aid purificn. and the environment, in purificn. techniques for e.g. sludge, waste water, groundwater, soil or substrates and for the prepn. of fungus inoculum for agricultural purposes and in food or other fungus prodn. The mine stone inoculated with a microorganism (pref. mycorrhiza) of particle size 0-3 (pref. 0-0.6) mm. 2-30000 kg/ha (pref. 2000-20000) kg/ha for soil application in horticulture and 0.1-4 wt.% mine-stone in capsules, tablets or powder are used in animal husbandry and in humans.
Compsn. comprises: (a) 1 or more metal-chelated macrocyclic amido-amines (I), (b) a P-source (II), and (c) a diluent; with overall N:P ratio = 10:1-5. In (I), R = opt. branched 8-22C alkane, opt. branched 4-22C alkene; T1-3 = (CH2)2, (CH2)3, (CH2)2(NHCH2CH2)x; x = 1-10; MaQb = metal cpd.; M = Fe, Co, Ni, Cu, Zn, and Mn; Q = nitrate or phosphate; a, b = 1-3 to satisfy valence.    USE -   (I) are surface active and have nutrient attributes, providing the compsns. with enhanced bioremediation properties for use with hydrocarbon-contaminated soils and H2O ((I) stimulate the propagation of naturally occurring microflora).
The prodn. of ethanol from municipal solid waste involves: (a) obtaining municipal solid waste, (b) removing tyres, bulk ferrous and non-ferrous metals, plastic, glass and rubber from the waste to give a cellulosic component, (c) shredding the cellulosic component obtd. in (b), (d) treating the shredded cellulosic component with dil. sulphuric acid at 40-100C to solubilize the remaining heavy metals and give a soluble component and an insol. component, (e) removing the soluble component obtd. in (d) from the insol. component, (f) drying the insol. component obtd. in (e), (g) treating the dried insol. component with 1:1 conc. sulphuric acid:insol. component by wt. to give a partially hydrolysed mixt., (h) diluting the partially hydrolysed mixt. with water at 80-100C, (i) agitating the diluted mixt. at 80-100C to give a digested mixt., (j) removing the solids from the digested mixt. obtd. in (i) to give a filtrate, (k) sepg. the filtrate into an acid-contg. soln. and a sugar-contg. soln., (l) concentrating the sugar soln.-contg. soln. to about 12-14% sugar, (m) adjusting the pH of the conc. sugar-contg. soln. to about 6, (n) fermenting the conc. soln. with yeast to give a beer and (o) recovering the ethanol from the beer.    USE -   For prodn. of commercially useful ethanol e.g. as fuel, and opt. for removing heavy metals and producing glucose, from municipal solid waste.    ADVANTAGE -   Utilises municipal solid waste for prodn. of commercially useful ethanol and opt. glucose. Removes heavy metals associated with such waste. Economical and energy efficient process which reduces costs of landfill disposal. Utilises waste water or sewage.
Composting waste comprises mixing with a mixt. of compost contg. aerobic microorganisms and synthetic organic high molecular wt. foam continuously or intermittently and fermenting.    Also claimed is composting appts. for waste comprising a roller crusher (6) placed under a water injection hole and fitted with a rotation shaft extending to a lateral direction, a fermentation tank (2) placed under the roll crusher to store crushed waste, stirring blade (3-1) rotating horizontally to stir stored materials in the fermentation tank and a motor to drive the stirring blade.    USE/ADVANTAGE -   Used for composting waste at a high speed. Waste can be fermented in response to the fluctuation of water content rapidly and stably to reduce its vol.
Organic sludge fermentation appts. comprises a fermentation tank (1) having an oval shape, a pair of tracks (1a) on the upper surface of the circumferential wall of the fermentation tank, a carrier (2) placed on a pair of tracks movably to shift reciprocatively, a rotatable support frame (3) on the carrier and screw conveyor (6) for supplying feed and stirrer (4) on the support frame, respectively and extended to the reverse directions to each other from the rotation centre of the support frame.    USE/ADVANTAGE -   Used for fermentation of organic sludge. The appts. can be operated completely automatically, addn. of seed sludge to ferment feed is eliminated and fermentation can be operated continuously.
Reversible thermosensitive recording media has a reversible thermosensitive recording layer which is laminated on a substrate and contains a light-heat converting material absorbing light of generate heat and a heat-sensitive recording substance changing its crystal state reversibly by heat.    ADVANTAGE -   The media permit recording of images with high contrast and clear peripheries and prevent unintended recording conditions of the peripheries on erasing.
A combustion chamber is formed at the bottom of the fermentation tank frame and coupled to a burner.    ADVANTAGE -   Odour leak from the fermentation tank can be prevented.
Downward-swing shelf boards are placed in upright fermentation tank and furnished with their respective horizontal swing-shaft supporters.    ADVANTAGE -   Construction cost of fermenter can be minimised.
Organic wastes contg. algae, collected in the cleaning processes of polluted water areas, is mixed with contending bacteria then de-watered and dried.    USE/ADVANTAGE -   Used for producing compost for fertilizer or feed. Method uses waste contg. algae without generating smells.    In an example, algae contg. filamentous was de-watered and immersed into the aqueous soln. contg. (photosynthesis bacteria, Actinomycetes, denitrating bacteria, and nitrifying bacteria) then de-watered with high speed centrifuge, cut and dried at 60C, added with enzyme (yeast) and fermented.
Appts. comprises running device (20) placed along storing tank (1) which stores organic waste (M) device being movable in horizontal direction, and sheet material drawing out mechanism (22) loaded onto running device to draw out sheet material (21).    ADVANTAGE -   Diffusion of odour to the outside and gathering of harmful insects to the storing tank can be prevented.
Appts. comprises treatment tank (1) having a nearly arc shaped bottom to store organic material, opening (2) at the bottom of treatment tank for discharging organic material, slidable shutter (49) attached to opening to open or close opening, stirrer (35) to stir organic material in treatment tank, and driving mechanism to rotate stirrer. Shutter has a flat plate shape.    USE/ADVANTAGE -   Used for decomposing organic material e.g. crude refuse using microorganisms. Opening for discharging organic material is accurately closed even when material is adhered to opening. Stirring efficiency is also increased.
Organic treatment appts. comprises treatment tank (1) to store organics opening (2) placed near lowest part of bottom of treatment tank for discharging organics, shutter (49) to open and close openings main body case to cover treatment tank and vessel (58) fixed detachably under opening. A guide (44) is formed to main body case to slide vessel into lateral direction. Guide is inclined to shift upward w.r.t. shift of guide from position at which vessel is pulled from lower part of opening to position under vessel.    USE/ADVANTAGE -   Used for decomposing organic cpds. e.g. crude refuse by microorganisms. Heap of organic cpds. in the vessel is prevented from falling e.g. by contacting with back of shutter.
Appts. comprises a treatment tank (1) to store organics, stirrer (35) to stir organics in the treatment tank, and driving mechanism to rotate the stirrer. The stirrer comprises a shaft (37) supported in the treatment tank rotatably, and stirring wings (38) inserted to penetration holes bored in the stirring shaft and fixed to the stirring shaft by a snap ring (71), key or pin.    USE/ADVANTAGE -   For decomposing organics, e.g. crude refuse, by microorganisms. The appts. can be assembled easily and rapidly to increase the workability of assembling. Falling of stirring wings is prevented and the stirring wings are fixed by uniform forces.
Appts. comprises box body (1) placed in a room (A) adjacent to building wall and fitted with opening at the back, a door (5) to the outer wall of building to open or close opening of box body, movable crude refuse box body (15) stored in box body to move outside of room and decompose crude refuse inside, injection hole (20) at top of box body and connected to opening (19) at top of crude refuse box body, openable lid (21) for injection hole and exhaust means (23,24,26) connecting inside of box with outside of rooms.    USE/ADVANTAGE -   Appts. can be placed at the inside of building or house when the space between buildings or houses is extremely narrow without causing environment pollution in rooms.
Vibrio S-1-6, partic. a strain named FERM P-14531 with high H2O2 decomposition activity, is new.    Decompositions of H2O2 in water discharged from factories including fish processing factory is by contacting with Vibrio S-1-6. Waste water discharged from fish industries contg. 0.3-0.4% H2O2 is treated with Vibrio S-1-6 (FERM P-14531).    ADVANTAGE -   Used to treat waste water contg. 0.3-0.4% H2O2.    In an example, in waste water contg. 0.374% of H2O2, cultured Vibrio S-1-6 was added and concn. of H2O2 was determined over time. Concn. of H2O2 immediately after addn., 2, 4 and 6 hrs. after addn. was 0.330, 0.014, 0.012 and 0.101 %, respectively. In media, Vibrio S-1-6, Escherichia coli or Bacillus subtilis was cultured up to optical density of 1.0 at 650 nm. Then, 10 mM of H2O2 was added and allowed to stand for 1 hr. Vibrio S-1-6 showed increase of 2000000000 cells ml compared to control gp. of 700000000 cells/ml, while Escherichia coli showed decrease of 680000000 cells/ml compared to control gp. of 800000000 cells/ml and Bacillus subtilis also showed decrease of 250000000 cells/ml compared to control gp. of 670000000 cells/ml, respectively.
A treatment system for an effluent gas has a packing (6) of randomly arranged calcareous elements each having a liq retention portion. Depending on the orientation of the element within the packing the portion may form an individual liq reservoir.    USE -   Biofilter or bioscrubber for malodorous gases, e.g. H2S, organosulphur, organonitrogen, chlorinated hydrocarbons, other VOCs.    ADVANTAGE -   System handles high and variable levels of these gases, esp H2S and has low capital and running costs.
Gases, such as waste gases and/or synthesis gases generated from waste of all types, such as domestic and commercial refuse, are purified in a horizontal pressure vessel (1) with a number of successive washing stages (A-E), sepd. by vertical, plate-like vertical bulkheads (4) with large-area passages (12). Each stage has its own sump and inspection hatch (8). Mass transfer units/columns (11) are associated with individual stages. Pref. a gas deflection bulkhead (6) and immersed bulkhead (5) is positioned within at least one stage.    ADVANTAGE -   Low construction and maintenance costs and operational reliability are obtd..
An insulated compost receptacle (1) comprises: (a) two inter-connectable twin-walled side wall elements (2), (b) a concave perforated bottom (3) with a raised outer edge (7), (c) a lid (4), which may opt. be twin-walled and may have one or two folding lines for opening one half at a time, (d) ventilation channels (5) extending vertically from the bottom of the side wall elements (2), and (e) an air duct (6) in the bottom (3).    USE -   For decomposition of waste material.    ADVANTAGE -   Accelerates the composting rate without engendering odour or mould problems.
Prodn. of a carbonaceous absorbent (A) comprises: (a) halogenating a carbonised coal by contacting it with a halogen gas; (b) eliminating all or part of the halogen to give a porous carbonaceous material; and (c) micropore adjusting by contacting with a thermally decomposable hydrocarbon. Also claimed is a prodn. method for another carbonaceous absorbent (B) comprising performing activation treatment in place of the above step (c).    USE -   For prepn. of a carbonaceous absorbent having 9-14 cm3/g oxygen absorption (25 C, 1 atmos.) and 40-80 oxygen/nitrogen sepn. factor (claimed); for sepn. of CO2 and/or methane from a starting gas (claimed); for sepn. of nitrogen from air (claimed); for prodn. of hydrogen by removing CO2 from a methane-decompsn. gas; for prodn. of hydrogen by removing methane, etc., from coke oven gas; and for prodn. of CO2 by concentrating CO2 from a combustion discharge gas.    ADVANTAGE -   The absorbent (A) has remarkably improved oxygen absorption, and gives high nitrogen prodn. yield and decreased costs. The absorbent (B) has remarkably improved CO2 and methane absorption, and gives good sepn. of CO2 or methane from mixed gases.
Degradation of a hydrophobic organic cpd. (HOC) is effected by:    (a) contacting the HOC, at ambient temp., with a microorganism capable of metabolising the HOC, for a period of time sufficient to degrade some, but not all of the HOC;    (b) heating the HOC not degraded, and    (c) contacting this with a microorganism capable of metabolising it.    Also claimed is a method of degrading an HOC by heating it then contacting it with a microorganism capable of metabolising it.    USE -   The method can be used for recycling a medium contaminated with an HOC, partic. soil, sludge, sediment and chemical waste. It can be used for degrading polychlorobiphenyls, polybromobiphenyls, diphenylphenols, DDT and polyaromatic hydrocarbons (PAHs) (all claimed).    ADVANTAGE -   The heating step is carried out at relatively low temps. (below 150 C) and together with biological treatment gives excellent results.
Mfr. of a combination plant food supplement and compost material is effected by (a) mixing a carbonaceous material with a nitrogenous material to form a bacterial biomass; (b) including activated C and perlite dust in the mixt. to limit the loss of ammonia nitrates, to lock nitrogen in the biomass and to limit fly larva and odours; (c) adding water to the mixt. to maintain a moisture content of 60-70%; and (d) periodically mixing bringing the temp. first to at least 55 deg.C and then down to ca. 37.8 deg.C. Also claimed is the plant food supplement and compost material formed by this process.    USE -   The prod. provides a slow release plant food.    ADVANTAGE -   All of the ingredients of the prod., including water, may comprise industrial waste prods. The final prod. is clean and substantially odour free. It is light and fluffy to handle. The overall processing time averages ca. 3 months.
Toxicity of materials introduced into soil can be estimated more efficiently by using a Cephalobus-type nematode as a test object, cultivated in tested and control soil samples over three generations. The statistically significant drop in population increase of the first generation gives the indication of toxicity, while additional determn. of the amt. of live and dead nematodes in the third generation indicates the cumulative toxicity. If the proportion of the live nematodes is 50% of those in control soil, then the material is deemed to be cumulatively toxic.    USE -   The method is used in agriculture and soil toxicology to determine the optimal doses of fertilisers and composts used on fields to ensure max. productivity of plants while ecologically monitoring the used soil.    ADVANTAGE -   The method can be used to determine the toxicity of both macro- and microdoses of the additives.
The method is carried out by successive staged cooling of the compressed gas mixt. using external cooling cycle and regenerative heat exchange with return flows forming gas-liq. mixt., latter inter-stage sepn. into gas and liq. phases, removing the prod. gas after the last sepn. stage by return flow for regenerative heat exchange with the original gas mixt. The sepd. liq. is supplied for rectification forming demethanised liq. prod. and gaseous methane phase. Latter is cooled using external cooling cycle with partial formation of the condense, separation into gaseous and liq. phase and removal of liq. and gaseous methane fraction by return flow for regenerative heat exchange with gas mixt. Prior to sepn. the methane fraction is additionally cooled in regenerative heat exchange with gaseous fraction removed after sepn. The liq. methane fraction after separation is divided into two streams. The first stream is throttled with temp. reduction and is supplied as the return flow for the regenerative heat exchange with original gas mixt. prior to its last sepn. stage. The second stream is throttled with temp. reduction and is supplied for evaporation with heat supply from additionally cooled methane fraction. After evaporation the second methane fraction is mixed with the first stream after its regenerative heat exchange with the original gas mixt.    USE -   For hydrocarbon gases separation.    ADVANTAGE -   The product loss and energy consumption are reduced.
Thermal decomposition of plastics for decomposing waste plastics thermally to recover light oil comprises carrying out the decomposition in the presence of a silica-alumina catalyst having a combined content of silicon dioxide (SiO2 ) and aluminium oxide (Al2 O3 ) of at least 90 wt.% and a SiO2 /Al2 O3wt. ratio of 0.05-5.     Also claimed is the catalyst having an average particle size of 50-5,000 m, a specific surface area of 50-1,500 m2/g, and an average pore dia. of 30-100 .     The combined content of SiO2 and Al2 O3 is 95 wt.% or higher. The SiO2 /Al2 O3 ratio is 0.1-4. The catalyst has an average particle size of 300-3000 m., a bulk density of 0.40-0.47 g/cc, a specific surface area of 50-1,000 m2/g and an average pore dia. of 50-80 . The addn. ratio of the catalyst is usually 0.5-20 wt.%, pref. 1-10 wt.%, w.r.t. the amt. of plastics to be decomposed. Target plastics include polyethylene, polypropylene and polystyrene.    USE -   Used in treatment of waste plastics to recover a light oil.    ADVANTAGE -   The process gives lighter distillate oil at a high decomposition rate. The catalyst has a high decomposition activity.
Appts. to decompose crude refuse by microorganisms in a treatment tank (1) under aerobic conditions comprises a dehumidifier (15) and means to circulate air in the treatment tank passing through the dehumidifier.    USE/ADVANTAGE -   Appts. is for domestic use. Crude refuse is dried by circulating air between the treatment tank and dehumidifier without exhaust of air to the outside to decrease the water content of crude refuse without an adverse effect to the surrounding environment.    In an example, Crude refuse treatment appts. comprises the treatment tank having a stirrer (5) to stir crude refuse to contact with air uniformly, metal filter (7) placed at its lower part, heater (9) placed at its bottom and air tube (13) connected to its upper part and extended to the lower part of treatment tank through the dehumidifier and fitted with a blower (11) and the circulation means is constituted by the air tube and blower.
Fermenting chambers comprising openable shelves are vertically placed. The shelves at the upper stage have openings larger than those of the shelves at the lower stage.    USE/ADVANTAGE -   The compost fermenter is used for producing fertiliser by using municipal waste, or sewage sludge as a raw material. The shelves having larger openings at the upper stage h ave reduced plugging where raw material having high moisture evaporation forms a ball-like state. Air require for fermentation is positively supplied to promote smooth fermentation. The shelves having the smaller openings at the lower stage prevent the compost becoming rough due to reduced moisture downflowing through the openings.
Waste decomposition treatment appts. comprises a storing tank (1) to store organic waste (M), a stirrer (6) running along a horizontal direction and having stirring blades (5) to scrape up organic waste placed at its front side to its back side to ferment and decompose the organic waste, and pressure receiving plate mechanism (20) to run the stirrer. The pressure receiving plate mechanism comprises a transmission means having two sets of endless chains (25) placed near the side wall of the storing tank surrounding the stirrer, pressure receiving plates (22) fixed to the endless chains to shift the stirrer forward by a pushing force of organic waste scraped up by the stirrer from its back side, and receiving pressure plate driving means (23) to shift the receiving pressure plates to the reverse side of the running direction of the stirrer by driving the endless chains. Scraping pieces (30) are placed at the parts of endless chains at which the pressure receiving plates are not present to prevent organic waste from entering between the side walls of storing tank and endless chains by projecting to the moving direction of the stirrer when the pressure receiving plates ar placed at the reverse side of the moving direction of the stirrer.    USE/ADVANTAGE -   Used for decomposing crude waste discharged from homes or excrement of livestock. Organic waste does not clog the space between the side wall of the storing tank and endless chains.
Appts. comprises fermentation tank (3) in which crude refuse (12) and decomposing bacteria (4) are stirred; deodoriser (17) to deodorise gas from the fermentation tank; first gas passage (16) connected to fermentation tank to guide gas to deodoriser; and second gas passage to guide gas passing through deodoriser to fermentation tank. Deodoriser comprises a catalyst (18) to contact gas from fermentation tank; and heater (19) to heat catalyst. Temp. of fermentation tank is controlled w.r.t. heater.    USE -   /    ADVANTAGE -   Used to decompose crude refuse from kitchens, offices or restaurants to reduce its vol. Heaters used for only fermentation tanks are unnecessary to reduce energy consumption.
Method for removing ammonium ion contd. in sample to be tested, comprises allowing -keto glutallic acid, glutamic acid dehydrogenase, formic acid, formic acid dehydrogenase and reducing type nicotine amide adenine nucleotide or nicotine amide adenine nucleotide phosphoric acid to act upon sample.    ADVANTAGE -   Ammonium ion can be removed and accurate measurement of specific components in sample can be conducted.
A cooling device has: (a) a closed chamber (50) contg. a liq. of atmos. pressure boiling point equal to the desired cooling temp. and having a wall (22) with an exterior surface for contacting an object to be cooled; and (b) an arrangement (60) for instantaneously opening the chamber to the atmos. when cooling is desired. Pref. the liq. is a hydrocarbon (esp. C3 H6 , C3 H8 or C4 H10) which is gaseous at atmos. pressure and which has a b.pt. 180-250 K.    USE -   As a miniature rapid cooling device, esp. for I.R. detectors used in intelligent weapons.    ADVANTAGE -   The device cools an I.R. detector to its optimum operating temp. of 200-250 K in &lt; 1 s.
New slimming cosmetics comprises a mixt. of cyclic adenosine monophosphate (AMP), caffeine and lipase.    ADVANTAGE -   The compsns. are stable and have increased lipolytic activity.
The ultrasonic reactor destroys cell structures in microorganism suspensions, e.g. sewage sludges, by use of ultrasound. In the new development the reactor is tubular and the sludge is passed through it. One or more electromechanical ultrasonic transducers are used, in the form of rod oscillator-transmitters (3). The reactor's lower inlet takes the sludge supply, which is then passed through the reactor, to experience the ultrasound treatment, inducing cavitation. The sludge leaves via the upper outlet (5).    USE -   The arrangement is used for the ultrasonic treatment of sewage sludge, to break down agglomerates and induce lysis.    ADVANTAGE -   The equipment described is intended for large scale ultrasonic treatment, in contrast to earlier, less economic designs. The electromagnetic transducer and transmission rods produce an ultrasonic field which tears biomass agglomerates apart and mechanically disrupts cells in the region of the rods and foci. The damaged cells then form nutrients for other, unaffected organisms. The practical economic gains are an increase in the rate of release of methane, and a decrease in the dry wt. of sludge produced. The process may be carried out repeatedly. Two metres head of pressure is a practical max., beyond which high power is required to establish cavitation. This limit is significant, because cavitation must be induced, to damage the cells of organisms. A zig-zag arrangement of tubular sections described, provides adequate length for exposure to ultrasound, without excessive height. Reactors focusing the ultrasound are described, with further operational information
Method for treating sludges which have a microbial content,esp. treated sludges from municipal sewage treatment plants, so that more water can be extracted from the sludges by mechanical means, where the novelty is that the sludge is first frozen and then thawed.    Also claimed are two alternative appts. for the above method. A refrigeration plant (9,10,11,12) is used to simultaneously freeze, and with the waste heat, to thaw the sludge (1,4); the sludge is frozen and thawed on a conveyor (3), and no agitation of the sludge on the conveyor is needed. Alternatively the sludge is frozen in a fluidised bed.    USE -   To prepare treated sludge for use or for disposal,where in successive stages the sludge is: mechanically dewatered; frozen; thawed; mechanically dewatered; and dried (claimed). The treated sludge can be used as a fuel in esp. cement and asphalt plant and in refuse incinerators.    ADVANTAGE -   Enables 50-70% more water to be mechanically extracted, uses less energy for the thermal drying stage, and produces a drier product which has a better performance as a fuel than known methods. Can be used as a continuous process. Avoids the need for devices to scrape frozen sludge from the surfaces of the appts. The water extracted after thawing is rich in nutrients, and is of benefit when fed into the activator stage of the treatment plant.
Process for purifying gas streams uses a biofilter and/or scrubber followed by an adsorption unit, where substances desorbed from the adsorbent during regeneration are passed to the biofilter and/or scrubber. Desorption is effected with air or a pollutant-free gas in countercurrent to the direction of flow during adsorption. The bed in the adsorption unit comprises a combustible adsorbent (e.g. active carbon) and sufficient non-combustible hydrophilic material (I) to render the mixt. non-combustible. (I) adsorbs more than 3 wt.% water during the adsorption phase and releases it back into the gas flowing through the bed during the desorption phase.    USE -   Used esp. for removing pollutants from air streams.    ADVANTAGE -   Practically complete removal of pollutants can be achieved at low cost and without fire hazards.
Biological waste is treated along with wood or wood-like material in a screw extruder by mixing, comminution and pulping so that it can be used as a substrate with relatively short composting period. Pref. high pressures and temps. in the extruder kill off germs, viruses, weeds etc., avoiding the need for further treatment. Water content of the waste partially evaporates on emergence from the extruder, reducing the amt. of percolating water from the compost heap.    ADVANTAGE -   High-quality humus can be obtd. in short period.
A cellulosic biomass is delignified by a process comprising: (i) reducing a defiberised biomass of cellulosic material to a pulped, lignin-contg. fibre slurry, (ii) adding a fibre-protecting additive to the slurry, (iii) forming in-situ nascent oxygen from molecular oxygen to modify the lignin in the slurry, and (iv) washing the slurry with an aq. soln. of alkaline material to extract at least a portion of the lignin.    Also claimed are: (a) the above process wherein the source of nascent oxygen is atmospheric, and (b) a pulping process for one or more of recycled paper or paperboard, kenaf, hemp, wheatstraw, hemp, pulp wood and annual plants, wherein, in the above process, the biomass is defiberised to a kappa number of at least 30, nascent oxygen is formed by the addn. of stoichiometric amts. of oxygen and nitric oxide to the slurry, and the resulting fibre slurry is bleached with a non-chlorine-contg. material.    ADVANTAGE -   Delignification is effected without the use of environmentally harmful chloride in a process which costs only 25% of the equivalent chlorine-based process.
Method for recovering methane from a solid carbonaceous subterranean formation penetrated by an injection and prodn. well comprises: (a) injecting desorbing gaseous fluid comprising weaker and stronger adsorbing fluid component into formation through injection well (b) recovering effluent comprising methane through production well (c) subsequent to step (a), injecting liq. into formation through injection well.    Two further methods are also claimed.    USE -   Fractionising a mixture of gaseous fluids within a solid carbonaceous subterranean formation.    ADVANTAGE -   Method disposes of carbon dioxide within a solid carbonaceous subterranean formation whilst simultaneously recovering methane.
Process for sepg. components of a feed gas contg. methane and heavier hydrocarbons comprises: (a) condensing the feed gas to provide a first vapour component of vapour and a first liq. component of condensed liquid; (b) directing the first vapour component to a demethaniser; and (c) partially vaporising at least a portion of the first liq. component to form second vapour and liq. components, the second components being directed to different feed points on the demethaniser.    Also claimed is a process for recovering components of a feed gas stream (under high pressure) contg. methane and heavier hydrocarbons(/components).    The process also includes: (i) directing the second vapour component to the demethaniser after it is partially or totally condensed to form a reflux, whose pressure is lowered by expansion and is fed to the demethaniser, in which the first liq. is formed by cooling and sepg. the feed gas in one or more heat exchangers and in one or more sepn. stages; (ii) totally or partially condensing the first vapour component and feeding the resulting condensate to the demethaniser; and (iii) feeding the refluxed second vapour condensate is to the demethaniser at a higher point than that at which the condensate from the first vapour component is fed.    USE -   Recovering liquids from multicomponent hydrocarbon feed gases.    ADVANTAGE -   Cryogenic fractionation uses a demethaniser to remove light hydrocarbons, such as methane, from a feed gas, and to recover heavier hydrocarbons as liquids; the various streams may be configured to provide heating and/or cooling by heat exchange with the feed gas stream.
The method is carried out by primary separation, expansion and primary separation condensate degassing, cooling and expansion of the primary separation gas with subsequent low temp. separation of the gas-liq. mixt, demethanisation of the condensate of the low temp. separation of the degassing gases and degassing the condensate in absorption-steaming column forming gas and C2fraction. The demethanisation is carried out in two stages. In the first stage in one column the demethanisation of light condensate after low temp. separation is carried out whilst in the second stage in another column the demethanisation of heavier degassed condensate is carried out.    USE -   For hydrocarbon mixtures separation by low temp. treatment.    ADVANTAGE -   The extraction level is increased.
Mfr. of planting pots comprises: (i) mixing 70-98% of earthworm excrement with 2-30% of a water soluble adhesive (e.g. agar, gelatin, sodium silicate, polyvinyl chloride, polyvinyl alcohol, polyacrylamide or acryl resin); and (ii) subjecting to a pressure of 0.2-10 kg/cm2 or blowing at 0.1-19 kg/cm2to make the prod. porous.    ADVANTAGE -   The pots supply potassium, calcium, magnesium and phosphorus to the plants and the process makes use of waste from e.g. the paper industry.
Waste (A) is continuously carbonised as it is moved through an indirect heating type heating pipe (1). Coal and heat decomposition gas generated through the carbonisation are used as fuel for indirect heating by a coal combustion devices (2) and a gas combustion device (3) arranged below the heating pipe (1).    ADVANTAGE -   Incineration disposal of high economical efficiency is achieved.
Accelerator for biological wastes contg. zeolite, pulverised minerals, pulverised ceramics and yeast.    The fermentation accelerator is prepd. by mixing 40% of zeolite, 30% of minerals including ores, 30% of ceramics powder including Al2O3, and 0.2% of bromelain.    USE/ADVANTAGE -   Prodn. of compost. Fermentation in a short period of time of within 6 months is obtd..    In an example, to cattle manure, 30-40% of saw dust and 0.3-0.5% of the accelerator were added and fermented for 2-6 months to give compost.
Appts. comprises an outer contour (4) of compost fermentation chamber (5) in which left and right side walls (A,A') and back surface wall (B) are constructed of L-shaped concrete blocks (1) and corner walls (C) between the left and right side walls and back surface wall are constructed of corner type concrete blocks (2), bottom plate (611) provided at the inner surface of bottom part (6) of outer contour, ventilation pipes (8) provided on the bottom plate, blower (10) connected to the ventilation pipes, controller (9) provided in the compost fermentation chamber to control revolution number of motor of blower, and roof (711) formed by placing a polyvinyl chloride resin film on roof frames (311) placed on the opened upper part of outer contour.    Also claimed is the L-shaped concrete block having a thin part (111a) at its vertical wall (111) and extremely thin part (111b) at its bottom part.    USE/ADVANTAGE -   For mfg. appts. by using existing L-shaped concrete blocks. Appts. has long durability and high earthquake resistance can be mfd. without skilled operators.
Appts. comprises a treatment appts. body for decomposition, fermentation and dewatering organic waste by microorganisms and dry it moderately and solar cell (67) to generate electric energy as a power source for the treatment appts. body.    USE/ADVANTAGE -   For decomposing, fermenting, dewatering and drying organic waste, e.g. crude refuse generating in kitchens of general homes or restaurants, various unnecessary organic waste of marine products, seaweeds, straws, saw dust or cut grass. Solar energy is power source of organic waste treatment appts.. Treated materials can be used as organic fertiliser.
Appts. comprises a treating tank (1) for storing supporting material, e.g. fine pieces of wood, for supporting microorganisms to treat kitchen waste, and heater (12) to heat the supporting material in the treating tank so that temp. of supporting material is maintained between 60 and 70 deg.C.    USE/ADVANTAGE -   To treat waste discharged from kitchens of general homes by using aerobic microorganisms to compost the kitchen waste. Insects, e.g. larvae or eggs of filter, entering the treating tank are killed maintaining a function of microorganisms for treating kitchen waste. Hatched larvae are destroyed at 60 - 70 deg.C and a temp. of supporting material is raised to 60 - 70 deg.C once in 10 days to destroy them.
A heater is assembled for a fermentation bath to heat garbage to kill pathogenic-bacteria.    ADVANTAGE -   Garbage can be treated safely.
Liquid bath is coupled to liquid separator into which garbage is introduced. Aromatic fermentation tank is connected to liquid bath.    ADVANTAGE -   Low-cost garbage disposal can be implemented.
Spaced mesh separators are placed in the garbage tank to form bacteria reaction chambers into which oxygen is supplied.    ADVANTAGE -   Garbage is treated effectively by bacteria reaction.
The disposal of malodorous gas is effected using a microorganic reactor filled with a filling material adhered by carrier and made up of activated sludge admixed with microorganisms capable of decomposing malodorous substances, and introducing gas contg. malodorous components into the reactor through the lower part of the filling material while spraying water from above the upper part.    USE -   This method is useful for deodorising purposes in sewage disposal facilities.    ADVANTAGE -   The method produces highly efficient and stable deodorant effects from the initial stage of operation of sewage deodorant devices.
A microbe carrier in which a number of open pores are provided from the surface to the interior and a number of strong carrier materials are included in the interior and at least part of the strong carrier material is open to the air through the open pores.    Also claimed is a treatment appts. for rubbish in which a sepg. device for sepg. garbage slurry discharged from a garbage crusher into garbage and waste water is provided. A garbage treatment device for aerobically treating garbage sepd. in the above sepg. device and a water purifying device for purifying waste water sepd. in the above sepg. device are also provided. The above microbe carrier is attached to the above garbage treatment device.    ADVANTAGE -   The appts. can decompose garbage easily and can be easily maintained.
Streptomyces albulus having D-xylose utility and raffinose utility and having antagonism against a plant pathogenic bacterium, is new.    Also claimed are:(a) Streptomyces albulus 619 (FERM P-14673), a preventive agent of a plant pathogenic bacterium, and(b) a compost contg. the above Streptomyces albulus and pref. a (2,3-trans)-2-(1'-hydroxyalkyl)-3-(hydroxymethyl)-butanolide of the formula (I):    R = alkyl.    USE -   (I) can be used together with S. albulus 619 (FERM P-14673) or the compost as above for the prevention of a plant pathogenic bacterium.    ADVANTAGE -   The agent gives no pollution and is safe to human beings and other creatures.
Organic waste and/or sewage sludge is composited in heaps in a closed system, pref. a forced air circulation reactor through which air needed for rotting passes, in an amt. controllable in dependence on parameters derived from the system. At intervals, air is fed to the system under a pressure above the external pressure and is later withdrawn at a suction pressure below the external pressure.    ADVANTAGE -   Uniform fermentation is obtd. at low cost.
Landfill (3) is mined by injecting (5,7) moisture and air and venting (1,2) depleted air and moisture to convert it to aerobic prodn. and to increase the rate of waste decomposition. The landfill is excavated to allow the removal and disposal of a selected material and the return of the remaining material.    Also claimed is a method of controlling landfill temp. by injecting air and water and venting depleted air and water, where the air injection is controlled to keep the depleted air at 5-15% oxygen content.    USE -   The method can be used to increase the capacity of landfills.    ADVANTAGE -   An existing landfill can be converted to an aerobic processor. Decomposed waste can be selectively recovered for sale or recycling, increasing landfill capacity. Landfill temp., and thus operating efficiency, are controllable and prodn. of methane and other noxious or odorous gases is eliminated, reducing the risks of fire and explosion.
The gel contains 0.5-2.0 wt.% water-soluble high mol. polysaccharides and 5-25 g/mg of dry wt. of gel of polyvalent metal ions. Also claimed is the prodn. of the water-contg. gel of PVA by (i) contacting a mixed soln. of water-soluble high mol. polysaccharides and PVA with an aq. soln. contg. polyvalent metal ions to obtain a moulding; (ii) washing with water to reduce unreacted polyvalent metal ions; (iii) repeatedly freezing; and (iv) drying the moulding.    USE -   Useful as carriers for treating effluents and for bio-reactors.    ADVANTAGE -   The gel has high durability and is easy and of low cost to produce.
Appts. comprises a crude refuse treating machine (2) having injection holes (1) and pretreating machine (16) for crushing and drying crude refuse. Two parallel guide chains (13) are placed at the facing sides of plane square shaped racks(4), connected to the upper part (14) of one side edge of rack and to the lower part (15) of another side edge and connected to both sides of the pretreating machine through sprockets (21,22) for pulling the upper direction and lower direction, respectively, to support it, and the end of pretreating part, to which the lower connection parts of guide chains are connected, is connected to a lifter (25) for interlocking with the lifter.    USE/ADVANTAGE -   For treating crude refuse from restaurants or homes to convert it to compost. The pretreating part can automatically be lifted or lowered maintaining suitable position.
Crude waste treatment appts. (A) comprises a crude waste treating part (2) having injection holes (12) to inject crude waste, pairs of double-leafed hinged lids (13) attached to the injection holes piling their front ends to open or close the injection holes, opening or closing operation means (14) connected to the opening or closing lids for interlocking with the opening or closing lids, and time lag generating mechanisms (73) at opening or closing operation means to generate a time lag between the opening or closing operation of the opening or closing lid of one injection hole and that of another injection hole to prevent interference of both opening or closing lids.    USE/ADVANTAGE -   Used to treat crude waste generated in homes or workplaces to convert it to compost. Injection holes of crude waste treating part are opened or closed automatically and the injection holes can be closed tightly.
Crude waste treatment appts. (A) comprises a crude waste treating part (2) to treat crude waste by fermentation, a pretreating part (3) placed in the lateral side direction of the crude waste treating part to crush and dry the crude waste, and lifting or lowering and laterally shifting part to lift or lower the pretreating part in the lateral side direction of the treating part and shifting the pretreating part laterally above the treating part to inject crude waste crushed and dried in the pretreating part to the crude waste treating part.    USE/ADVANTAGE -   Used to treat crude waste generated in homes or works places to convert it to compost. Crude waste can be transported and treated automatically.
Cylindrical fermenting treatment appts. comprises a lateral cylindrical fermentation tank (1); a belt (5) placed along the inner circumferential wall of the fermentation tank to move along the wall, raw material stirrers (6) at the inside of the belt; and a motor (4) to move the belt together with the stirrers along the inner circumferential wall of tank.    USE/ADVANTAGE -   Used to treat organic waste, e.g. excrement or crude waste by planting bacteria in the organic waste directly or indirectly, and stirring it to compost it by fermentation. The whole raw material is uniformly stirred to ferment it in the simplified treatment appts.
Crude refuse is treated by injecting it with crushed coconut husks to a treating vessel (1) having stirring wings (5), stirring and mixing them together with crude refuse decomposing bacteria, and leaving them in the treating vessel for several hours to compost the refuse.    Water content of crushed coconut husks is adjusted to 20-80 wt.% before injecting to the treating vessel, and the coconut husks are crushed to fine particle shapes, particle shape, fibres or blocks.    USE/ADVANTAGE -   To treat crude refuse generated in kitchens for converting it to compost. Crude refuse is easily and smoothly decomposed by microorganisms.
The method comprises (a) garbage is mixed with liq. generated by the decomposition of garbage and contg. aerobic and anaerobic bacteria then their mixt. (A) is ground and decomposed anaerobically, (b), (A) is passed through a filtering medium (B) carrying aerobic bacteria together with the air, (c) gas generated in (a) and (b) is treated (sterilised and deodorized) then discharged, (d) non-decomposed residue is de-watered and liquid is sent back to process (a) and solid is discharged.    USE/ADVANTAGE -   Used for treating garbage. Method treats garbage without generating smells.    In an example, a schematic diagram of this method is shown in fig.1 and fig. 2, where garbage is put into a pulverizer (3) and ground together with liquid, and their mixture is moved from Fa (fig.2) to Db (fig.2) then to Dc (fig.2) and decomposed anaerobically, filtered with filtering medium (5 in fig.1), liquid that passed through (5) is discharged from (20 in fig.1) via pipe (8 in fig.1), gas generated in decomposition process treated with ozone (10) and discharged via smell absorbing column (7 in fig.2).
The prepn. consisting of bacteria for promotion of feed efficiency is claimed. Polypeptide-producing bacteria and cellulase-producing bacteria are used, which include e.g. Bacillus subtilis, Bacillus licheniformis.    USE -   Used to produce odourless farmyard manure    ADVANTAGE -   Availability and persistence of fertiliser are increased, injury of continuous cropping is prevented, and the smell of excretion is inhibited.
Acid resin oil industry waste is rendered harmless by incinerating liq. fractions at 600 C. A resulting hardened portion is subjected to chemical-hydromechanical treatment to yield calcium-sulphonates and burnt subsequently in the presence of air. Fuel for this purpose is obtd. from coke briquettes, produced from incineration residues and additives of low sulphur content. Flue gases are passed through a 10% hydrogen-peroxide soln. This oxidises the sulphur content of cpds. to sulphuric-acid. The latter is neutralised by basic potassium or ammonium cpds. to produce fertilisers or by calcium cpds. to produce gypsum plaster. Hydrocarbons found in flue-gases are incinerated in a sec. (post)-incinerator and liq. hydrocarbon are collected from the surface of the hydrogen-peroxide absorber.
Fermentation treatment of refuse uses water absorbent resin particles (A) to control the water content of the refuse.    Also claimed is a treatment of refuse comprising mixing it with an organic carrier and microbes and then adding (A).    USE -   The process is used to produce dry, free-flowing compost from domestic or restaurant refuse.    ADVANTAGE -   The high water absorbence of (A) enables the process to cope with high water content waste, encouraging aerobic fermentation and preventing the growth of anaerobic bacteria.
Refuse, partic. biological refuse, is put in a container with one part (3a,3b) that can be moved from a closed position to an open position by pivoting about a horizontal axis. An inner container (19) is fastenable on these movable sections adjacent to its filling aperture, which is enlarged when the container parts are opened. Preferably the two parts can be separated and closed from the same point and are mounted on a base (2). They are preferably U-shaped in horizontal section and have a back (4a,4b) and two lateral wings (5a-5d), the cross section tapering down towards the top. The inner container pref. consists of a compostable paper with a weight of 70-120g/m2 which is impermeable to water for 14 days under normal conditions.    ADVANTAGE -   Simple means of reducing smell nuisance.
Contaminated soil is cleaned using a biological process in a stirred vessel.    ADVANTAGE -   The stirred vessel is readily operated in continuous mode. The bio-reactor is capable of surprisingly high conversion rates, when high concns. of substance-specific micro-organisms are added. The use of suspensions facilitates continuous operation. The substrate aids sepn. of the micro-organisms after treatment, allowing them to be recycled. The substrate may be of differing density to assist sepn. The micro-organisms are immobilised. Suitable substrates include calcium alginate, glass, porous ceramics or expanded fireclay. In 0.5-3 days residence time, about 98% purificn. is achieved with continuous abstraction and supply.
For composting organic material, esp. from refuse waste (13), the exhaust air from the closed composting vessel (4) is wholly returned to it without any added oxygen.    ADVANTAGE -   The method gives a simpler composting process, without robbing the ambient environment of oxygen.
The fuel compsn. is based on liq. hydrocarbon fraction with octane number 89-93, and contains additive in the form of 2.0-9.2 wt.% of propane-butane mixt. To improve results, the content of propane in mixt. is 0.2-1.2 wt.% per wt. of fuel, at total partial pressure of all gases dissolved in fuel not exceeding atmos. pressure.    Saturation of gasoline with propane and butane to required concn. is achieved by bubbling the gases, together or separately, through gasoline at pressure equal to or lower (to 0.3 atmos.) than atmospheric. Bubbling process results in replacement of sparingly soluble gases, naturally present in fuel (e.g. air, methane), with butane and propane. Dissolved gases can be removed from directly distilled gasoline intermediate prod. before bubbling, e.g. by vacuuming.    Tests show that the use of proposed fuel compsn. in internal combustion engine results in same engine power as the use of state fuel AI-95. Ecological characteristics of exhaust combustion gases (in internal combustion engine provided with catalyst) are comparable to those of engines using standard fuel AI-95.    USE -   Fuel compsn. for internal combustion engines with the degree of compression 9.4-10.6.    ADVANTAGE -   The compsn. ensures normal (no detonation) performance of internal combustion engines using gasolines of octane number lower than that of standard fuel.
The unit contains housing (1) with roof (2) contg. solar cells (3) made of silico hydrogen fluoride alloy on sheets of galvanised steel, frame with perforated shaft-formers (5) and mechanism (6) in the form of cables (7), lower grid (8) made of axes (9) hinged in walls (10) with possibility of rotation, with one, two or three blades (11) and asterisks (12) connected with chain (13) to electromotor (14); below the grid two bunkers (15) with lower transporters (16) in channels (17), chain (18) with scrapers (19) and electromotor (20), inclined transporter (21) with electromotor (22); upper scraper-transporter (23) with scrapers (24) and rollers (25) in guides (26) and chain (27); mechanism for extraction of worms from substratum contg. perforated tapes (28) and cables (29) fastened on winches (30); the solar cells are connected to battery (31) and electromotors (35, 20, 22); each shaft (32) is connected to ventilator (33) by pipe (34); the winches are with electromotors (36); screw-shaft transporters (37) with electromotors (38); electromotor (39) for scraper-transporter (23); vehicle (40) for supply of substratum; hinged plate (41) in contact with microswitch (42) connected to electric bell (43); ventilator (33) is with heating elements (44); conductors (7) and grid (8) are periodically connected to ultrasound generator (50) with time relay (51). The unit can be realised as overground, underground, or semi-underground.    USE -   In agriculture, in units for processing of manure to bio-humus.    ADVANTAGE -   The processing can be carried out daily with reduced size of unit rather than every 3 months.
The device contains trays (1) mounted vertically one on the top of another, three in each module with basis (2). The modules can be placed on a support (3). The top tray is with flexible roofing (4) made of e.g. polyethylene of paper. The side walls of trays are with openings (5) for passage of string (6) for the formation of net bottoms (7) for support of culture material with worms (8). The side walls (9) are with flanges (10). The trays can be made of wood, and string of synthetic material.    USE -   In method of cultivation of worms for ecologically clean fertilizer, protein feed, and dissemination culture.    ADVANTAGE -   Increased productivity of cultivation of worms; possible complete separation of substratum from worms.
A VA mycorrhiza inoculum prepn. is composed of i) VA mycorrhiza infection source, and ii) Crustacean carapaces, shellfish shells and/or oxygen supplying agent. Also claimed is the infection to plants with VA mycorrhiza by applying VA mycorrhiza and at least one of the above essential agricultural materials on the circumference of the root of host plants. The essential agricultural materials are Crustacean fertilizer, Crustacean fertilizer powder, shellfish shell powder, fossilized shellfish fertilizer, fossilized shellfish powder, shellfish shell ash, calcium carbonate and/or calcium oxide. The VA mycorrhiza used are e.g. Gagaspora margarita, G.albida, Scutellospora gregaria, Glomus f asciculatum, Acaulospora laevis, Sclerocystis dussii and/or Entrophosphora infrequens.    USE/ADVANTAGE -   Prepn. is useful in agriculture/horticulture. Prepn. improves the infectious capability of VA mycorrhiza and concomitantly promotes the growth of VA mycorrhiza-infected plants.    In an example, a sample (30 g) of VA mycorrhiza inoculum prepd. by compounding spores (3,000) as Glomus etunicatum and crab carapace powder (2 g) with the addn. of red earth as an extender. This sample was mixed with cultivation soil (11). The mixt. was filled in a 128-well seedling-raising tray, and lettuce seeds were sown on each well and cultured for 4 weeks in an air-conditioned room (16-hour light), 25 C; 8-hour dark, 20 C). During the culture, the seedlings were irrigated properly, and additionally fertilized once weekly. After the end of culture, VA infection rate and live upper ground wt. were measured: 41%, 1.3 g. Similar test without crab carapace powder showed 27% VA infection with 1.0 g live above ground wt. of the plant.
Filtration comprises passing extracted water or absorbed water through a filter in which materials contg. useful bacteria, silica source and magnesium source are charged.    ADVANTAGE -   Propagation of Escherichia coli and other disease-causing bacteria can be controlled and wastes in circulated water can be removed reliably.
Drain waste which is generated from distillation residue of spirits by means of a multi-effect can, is aerated to vaporize alcohol in the drain and recover it.    ADVANTAGE -   Reduction of water-purifying load by oxidn. of alcohol.
Safety valve (26) of closed vessel (1) comprises a fine hole (13) connected to the inside of vessel, leaf spring valve body (14) placed on a valve fitting seat (12) provided to the vessel or a tightly closing lid (2), and valve holder (15) covering the valve fitting seat detachably to contact the attaching part of leaf spring valve body to the valve seat.    USE/ADVANTAGE -   Used as safety valves for fermenting crude refuse. Crude refuse can be fermented in a small closed vessel used in general homes without monitoring by an operator to simplify the operation of fermentation of crude refuse.
Appts. (1) comprises treating tanks (3,4,5,6) having an injection hole (7) and discharge hole (11) to store organic waste, rotation shafts (15) in the tanks, stirring members (16) attached to the shafts to stir organic waste, motor (18) to rotate the shafts in both forward and reverse directions, and controller (23) to control the operation of motor, to stir organic waste and discharge fermented organic waste from the discharge hole. The controller comprises a stirring mode to stir organic waste in the treating tanks by rotating the motor and stirring and transporting mode to transport the organic waste stirred by the stirring mode toward the discharge hole.    USE/ADVANTAGE -   For treating organic waste, e.g. crude refuse. Treating capacity of organic waste treatment appts. can be increased.
Crude waste treatment appts. comprises a crude waste treating tank (1) having a stirrer (19) to stir crude waste treating agent and crude waste stored in the treating tank and placed outdoors, a duct (3) penetrating from inside the house to the outside placing its front in the treating tank to inject crude waste to the treating tank, an injection hole (5) with an opening or closing lid (4) at the back end of the duct in the inside of the house, a detector (31) to detect a total amt. of crude waste and treating agent in the treating tank, and a display (30) at the indoor side of the duct to display and detect the result.    USE/ADVANTAGE -   Used for treating crude waste by placing the treatment appts. at the outside of the house and injecting crude waste from inside the house. The amt. of crude waste and treating agent in the treating tank can be recognised inside the house to detect of problems.
Crude waste treatment appts. comprises a treatment appts. body (1) to treat crude waste, stirring tank (2) in the treatment appts. body to stir crude waste, air blowing pipe (16) to supply hot air to the stirring tank, exhaust hole (28) to exhaust air in the stirring tank to the outside of the treatment appts. body, and an exhausting means (34) to forcibly flow air near the exhaust hole to the outside.    USE/ADVANTAGE -   Used to store and treat crude waste discharged from domestic kitchens, by placing the appts. in an outdoor storing case. Exhaust holes of the appts. do not clog with ice or condensn.
The method involves using of fermentation tank (3,6) installed one after the other. Wall partitions (12-14) are provided for separating each of the tanks. A rotating shaft (15) with number of stir members (16)is provided in each of the tank. Motor (18) are provided individually for giving separate drive motion in each tank. A control mechanism (23) is provided which starts first the most wear upstream tank.    The organic waste is supplied the first tank to an inlet (7). After processing for certain specified time period the waste goes to the second tank and sequentially to others in stir conveyance mode. The control device provides starting of the individual motors as and when the corresponding tanks is to process the waste. Opening (12a,13a) and outlet (14a) are provided in zigzag manner for feeding the waste and for discharging the processed waste.    ADVANTAGE -   Provides for reduction in electric power. Provides for smooth conveying and transfer of organic waste from one tank to another.
Decomposing organic chorine cpd. comprises irradiation by an energy beam of a wavelength of &lt;250 nm. The remaining organic chlorine cpd. is decomposed by a microbe. Also claimed is Pseudomonas alkaligenes TK102 having ability to decompose polychlorobiphenyl.    ADVANTAGE -   The method is performed at normal temp. under normal pressure and requires no high energy.    In an example, 2 ml of 0.2 % methanol soln. of Kanechlor was fed in a quartz cell and irradiated by ultraviolet ray for 26 hrs.. Biphenyl was added to 1000 ppm and the mixture was added to 5 ml of a medium inoculated by TK102 and cultured at 30 C for 7 days. The culture was extracted with ethyl acetate and analyzed by GCMS. The contents of PCB components had decreased to 0.5 ppb or lower.
A method for decompsn. of organic chlorine cpds. comprises application of an oxygenase expressible variant of microorganism capable of decomposition of organo chloride cpds. prepd. by gene technology, followed by isolation and proliferation. The microorganism, partic. Corynebacterium sp. is isolated from an environment, partic. soil, esp. those polluted with organo chlorine cpds., partic. trichloroethylene (TCE) or dichloroethylene (DCE). A microorganism capable of decomposition of TCE is isolated and cultured in a medium contg. a physical and chemical variant inducer (e.g. UV light, gamma light, N-methyl-N'-nitro-N-nitrosoguanidine (NTG), ethylmethanesulphonate (EMS), NaNO2, acridine dyes including acridine orange, proflavine and acriflavine) to give the variant.    In an example, Corynebacterium sp. J1 (FERM P-14332), is cultured in M9 medium contg. 20 ppm of NTG and 200 ppm of phenol at 30 C. The formed variant, Corynebacterium sp. JM1 (P-14727), was cultured in M0 medium contg. 0.2% yeast extract. A mixt. of 4 g of soil and 0.1 ml of the cultured soln. was kept at room temp. for 8 days. TCE in the mixt. was determined and &lt; 0.002 ppm of TCE was found. Control gp. without addn. of the cultured microorganism showed corresp. rate of 0.015-0.019 ppm.
Mulch material comprising jute fibres, for use in encouraging plant growth, is new.    The compsn. contains in g./sq.m. to be covered, jute fibres and dust 100-200, fertiliser or soil ameliorant 200-100, tackifier 2-5, and water 3500. Opt. the compsn. includes seeds to be planted.    USE -   The mulch material aids germination of seeds and plant growth, and is of partic. value on barren and/or sloping and/or unstable surfaces to prevent erosion, e.g. industrial spoil heaps. These types of surface, partic. steep slopes. often encourage moisture, growing medium and nutrients to drain away, making germination impossible.    ADVANTAGE -   The compsn. is at near neutral pH, non-toxic and biodegradable. Jute is a waste prod., notably from carpet and underlay manufacture, and large amts. of waste dust and fibres, which have merely been discarded, are available. This waste, contg. fibres of different lengths, is highly water-absorbent and forms a strong mat which holds moisture, encourages seed and plant growth, and deposition of other material which might form a permanent soil layer. These advantages are also associated with cotton waste contg. compsns. in use for soil improvement in the above situations, but the supply of cotton waste is limited. Jute waste is still in plentiful supply, and is superior in water retention and germination properties to other non-cotton waste, e.g. cellulose, sugar beet waste, and maize stalk waste, which have been proposed.
To register the emission levels from biofilters, such as in composting processes, a pipe carrying an air flow is placed on a biofilter layer near the outer surface to carry off separate and/or mixed samples. At least one sensor is located at the outlet end of the pipe. Also claimed is an operation where the emissions are registered and measured by a gas mixt. sensor to determine the concn. of smells and equivalent emissions, in an on-line action.    ADVANTAGE -   The system gives an on-line measurement of matter contg. smells, in the missions from biofilters, in a simple assembly, to determine the action of the filters and the effects on the ambient environment.
Household waste is prepared before composting by disintegrating and compressing in a shaft (2) by forcing past knives (17) with the aid of second knives (15) on a driven piston (14) and fitting into the spaces between the first knives, the spacing between which determines disintegration rate. The piston is pref. operated for a set number of strokes at a set force and is then stopped even if some material has not passed the knives. Litter is pref. added as the piston operates in an amount related to the composition of the waste.    ADVANTAGE -   Provides quiet, odourless treatment producing material ready for composting.
In the treatment of a gas (1) contg. hydrogen sulphide, in which the gas is washed with an alkaline wash liq. in a scrubber (5), the spent wash liquor (4) is treated with oxygen in an aerobic reactor (6) in the presence of sulphide-oxidising bacteria, elemental sulphur is removed from the reactor effluent (9), and the effluent (13) then used as wash liq. in the scrubber. The effluent (13) is treated in an anaerobic reactor (17) with sulphate-reducing bacteria and returned to the aerobic reactor.    Also claimed is an appts. for the above process.    USE -   Used for treating natural gas, coal gas and other gases required for use. The gas may contain NH3, HCN, SO2, COS and/or CS2.    ADVANTAGE -   In the unmodified process, small amts. of sulphate are produced in the aerobic reactor, and accumulate in the system. In the modified process above, sulphate (and any SO2 in the gas) is reduced to sulphide, in the anaerobic reactor, and the sulphide converted to elemental sulphur in the aerobic reactor.
The microbial degradation of hydrocarbon contg. H2O or soil is enhanced by contact of the material with one or more surfactants of formulae (I) and (II): A = CH2; B=CH2CH2O; x=1-10; and y=2-20.    Pref. (I) and/or (II) are dissolved in a hydrocarbon solvent e.g., petroleum distillates, alcohols or terpenes. The soil or H2O is also treated with a P-source (esp. trilaureth phosphate, (NH4)3PO4, (NH4)2HPO4 and/or (NH4)H2PO4 pref. dissolved in H2O), esp. in amounts to provide with (I) and/or (II) a C:N:P ratio 100:10:1 to 100:1:0.1, and an application rate 5-45 wt.% based on contaminant wt..    ADVANTAGE -   Addn. of the surfactants (I) and/or (II) stimulates the growth of naturally occuring, hydrocarbon-assimilating microflora in hydrocarbon-contaminated soils and H2O, thus enhancing the bioremediation of these.
Large, unbroken, unground wood wastes, are deposited in piles together with any associated soil forming mounds of sufficient height to permit a lower internal portion to remain dry during rain. The mounds are shaped to facilitate the growth of vegetation and avoid rain collection. The roots of the vegetation permeate the uncovered mounds which are left undisturbed and unturned for 6 months to 5 years without artificial aeration, without the addn. of heat and without chemical treatment. Heat is not generated internally. Disintegration occurs to give the wood wastes a dry and crumbly texture. The mound is periodically sampled to determine when the desired texture is achieved, after which the waste is sepd. into large unbroken pieces and a non-composted wood waste prod. contg. dry wood particles and soil. The non-composted prod. is used as ground cover.    USE -   Used to form a wood waste prod. from relatively large, unbroken, unground wood wastes, e.g. stumps, limbs, branches, tree trunks and whole trees. The prod. can be used for ground cover over area such as filled landfills or surface mines. It may also be used for topsoil, high quality organic soil, potting soil, garden beds, or as an additive to soil prods. contg. other organic matter, sand, sawdust, cotton yarn waste, bark fines or sludge.    ADVANTAGE -   The process is simple in that it involves no grinding or the addn. of water or chemicals, heat generation, composting, aeration, breaking, burning or burying. The process may be carried out at the same location as the wood waste is formed.
Liq. contaminants are reduced or removed from soil by: inserting a probe into the soil to a predetermined depth and supplying pressurised gas to the probe to produce a fracture network in the soil, and; passing a pressurised gas stream into the fractures and adjacent soil, the gas having a liquid and opt. water added to it. The gas/liq. ratio is high enough to atomise the added liq., and the oxygen or other electron acceptor content is high enough to promote microorganism growth in the fractures. Also claimed is an appts. for reducing subsurface contaminants, having a tubular probe connected to a pressurised gas supply, and a pump for adding liq. and opt. water to the gas flow.    USE -   For removing organic contaminants from soil, in situ.    ADVANTAGE -   Treatment is with indigenous microorganisms and may be tailored to specific requirements of the location. Low permeability geological formations may be treated. Rate of contaminant removal is greatly improved. Operation may be automated.
This conversion of the excretory products of animals is novel in that the cultured biomass is sepd. from the substrate in a filtering centrifuge (26), disintegrated, a new substrate is prepared and bacteria are again grown. The biomass is sepd. by filtration, part of the biomass is returned for growth of bacteria and the remaining part of the biomass is heated as liq. at 90-95 deg.C.    USE -   For the prodn. of protein and vitamin additives for agricultural formulations from the conversion of the excretory products of animals.    ADVANTAGE -   Improves the quality of the protein and vitamin products by separating them from raw material substrate contg. microbial metabolites.
Crude waste decomposition accelerator comprises microorganism-contg. particles pref. 10 mesh dia., with a water content of 5-30 wt. % obtd. by culturing crude waste -decomposing bacteria, fungi or actinomycetes in a mixt. of plant residues, pref. coffee dregs, oil cake and/or soybean cake, and sewage sludge.The accelerator pref. additionally contains nitrification accelerating bacteria and insect control prepn., pref. insecticides, hormones, pyrethrum extract and/or other natural physiologically active substances and a water-absorbing agent.    USE/ADVANTAGE -   The compsn. is useful for disposed of home-made and industrial crude wastes. The accelerator permits stable and rapid decomposition of crude waste without generating malodour or involving pest insect emergence. The compost produced by the process promotes plant growth.In an example, bacillus subtilis, Nitrosomonas sp., Streptomyces achromogenes and Trichoderma viride were added to a mixt. (1:1 dry wt.) of coffee dregs and food industry sewage sludge, and cultured in a fermenter for 4 weeks. The culture was crushed and passed through a 10-mesh sieve to prepare a sample of the accelerator (bacteria 1.91 x 109/g. Actinomycetes 1.71 x 108/g, fungi 7.25 x 105/g). The sample was thrown in crude wastes of onion, Welsh onion, soybean curd, milk, sardine, eggs, and pork, respectively. The wastes were decomposed 1.5-5 times faster than the control.
Crude waste treatment appts. comprises a treating tank (17) to store crude waste, rotation shaft (25) extended to the vertical direction and placed in the treating tank rotatably, and blades (26a-26e) at the rotation shaft along the vertical direction so that each blade is inclined downward from the back end of its rotation direction to the front end. The inclined angle of each blade becomes smaller from the blade at a top part to that at a bottom part.    USE/ADVANTAGE -   Used for treating crude waste to mfr. compost. Crude waste placed at the bottom part of the treating tank is easily pushed up and a large amt. of crude waste at the upper part of the treating tank is pushed up so that the crude waste in the treating tank can be contacted with air at the upper part of the tank.
Waste is reclaimed as resources by dividing waste contg. inflammable materials into high water content waste and low water content waste.    USE -   For reclaiming municipal waste by dividing into fresh refuse and inflammable waste to mfr. compost from the fresh refuse and fuel from the inflammable waste by dividing into the high water content waste and low water content waste.    ADVANTAGE -   Low water content waste is moulded into solid fuels and high water content waste is carbonised together with residues formed by mfg. compost from fresh refuse in an indirect heating dryer (4) to mfr. fuel. Gaseous fuel is also obtd. by recovering thermal decomposition gas from the dryer by adjusting an amt. of exhaust gas from inlet and outlet.
Inert gas is supplied to the fuel electrode of the fuel battery after stopping air and fuel supply to the fuel battery, and inert gas supply is stopped before the atmosphere of the fuel gas changes fuel gas to inert gas. Then inert gas is supplied to the air electrode of the fuel battery, and inert gas supply is stopped when the atmosphere of the air electrode is replaced with inert gas.    ADVANTAGE -   Fuel electrode consumption can be prevented.
A manure compsn. comprises a mixt. of non-combusted manure and combusted manure residue. Also claimed are: (1) a method of reducing the imbalance between nitrogen phosphate and potash in a non-combusted manure by adding an amt. of combusted manure; (2) prodn. of a manure compsn. comprising combusting an amt. of manure to produce heat; using at least a portion of this heat to dry an amt. of manure; then mixing the dried amt. with an amt. of combusted manure.    USE -   A naturally-derived manure or compost with a more balanced compsn. of N2, phosphate and potash.
A process treats sludge and other residues containing water, and incorporating a high proportion of organic substances, by drying into a dry-flow bulk state and recovery of the resulting condensate. Part of the dried product is then returned to the untreated wet mass, so that drying of the wet mass begins in state of less than 50 % moisture.    The novelty is that the drying process uses indirect heating, and that the required heat energy is derived by the incineration of contaminated wood and/or wood chippings. The drying process takes place within a closed system, and the residual vapours arising from the drying process are introduced into the incinerator chamber after the combustion zone. The wood chippings are approx. 5 cm long and are incinerated in a sub-fire zone.    USE -   The process converts sludge and other organic residues containing water into a dry bulk grainy or powdered solid for other purposes.    ADVANTAGE -   The process facilitates the use of contaminated wood or wood chippings as a heat energy fuel.
A battery of submerged water treatment assemblies supply (1) mechanically cleaned municipal effluent water to a distributor box (2) and bio-reactor (3) linked by a number of plastic drainage tubes (3a-n). Cleaned water migrates (4) towards an outlet. Air is supplied by a perforated ventilator pipe (5). Sludge settles in a tank (6) and is removed by a pump (7). The novelty is that the pipes (3a-n) are wrapped in a natural or man-made fibre providing a residence substrate for microorganisms. The bio-reactor (3) pipes (3a-n) are between 3 m and 10 m, with an inner dia. of from 5 cm to 20 cm, with the water residence time in the pipes being from 10-60 mins. The pipes (3a-n) are stacked in parallel rows. A constant oxygen supply is maintained by a series of low-level perforated air pipes (5).    USE -   The assembly is a biological reactor to clean esp. municipal water effluent.    ADVANTAGE -   The assembly raises the efficiency of the biological water treatment process and maintains it at a constant enhanced level.
Processing waste inorganic materials comprises: (i) anaerobically digesting organic materials with fermenting and reducing microorganisms in the presence of gypsum and, if necessary, nitrates or other N cpds.; and (ii) using the resulting gaseous and dissolved reducing agents as electron donors for generating electricity in a fuel cell or galvanic cell and for producing biogas (CH4 , H2, etc.).    ADVANTAGE -   Allows waste materials to be disposed of with high energy recovery efficiency, and is readily integrated into existing power station operations.
The conversion of a lower alcohol selected from methanol,ethanol and/or propanol to a higher branched oxygenate by aldol condensation involves contacting the lower alcohol at reaction pressure atmos. to 200 kPa and WHSV 0.05 hr-1 with a solid catalyst. The solid catalyst comprises: (a) a mixed metal oxide support having at least two components selected from Zn oxide, Mg oxide, Zr oxide, Mg oxide, Ti oxide, Cr oxide and/or La oxide and (b) an activator metal selected from Pd, Pt, Ag, Rh and/or Co.    USE -   For conversion of methanol, ethanol and/or propanol to higher branched oxygenate useful in prodn. of high octane gasoline.    ADVANTAGE -   Catalyst has improved selectivity and yields esp. to isobutanol.
A composter has a frame rotatably mounting an airtight housing (320) with two air headers, each connected to the housing via a number of air manifolds (354,356). Air can be directed into the housing through one header and its manifolds, and out via the second manifolds and header, the manifolds included in the two sets pref. depending on the rotational position of the housing. The housing pref. has a material inlet and outlet at opposite ends, and the headers are formed by a partitioned (440) tube (410) extending axially from the housing end, the manifolds extending radially from the tube and formed of PVC or chlorinated PVC. There are pref. screens to pass air into the housing while preventing material entering the manifolds.    USE -   The appts. is used for composting all types of material.    ADVANTAGE -   The appts. permits controlled air circulation without requiring internal air tubes. The manifolds can be made of inexpensive materials and be easily repaired.
Prodn. of a combustible fuel product from biological sludge comprises: (a) mixing a removable bulking agent with the sludge; (b) aerobically composting the mixt. of (a) under conditions effective to attain a temp. of 170-175 F; (c) maintaining the temp. of the mixt. at 170-175 F for time sufficient to reduce pathogenic microorganisms and produce a composted sludge mixt. having a moisture content of up to 45%; and (d) separating the bulking agent from the posted sludge mixt. to produce a treated sludge fuel product, where the fuel product has a heating value of 3,800-10,300 Btu/lb.    Also claimed is the combustible fuel product prepd. as above.    USE -   A combustible fuel product is produced from a biological sludge.    ADVANTAGE -   The process provides a facile, efficient and inexpensive method for producing low sulphur or sulphur free combustible fuel product from biological sludge with a heating value competitive with currently used waste fuels.
A strain of Mycobacterium flavescens (MF), VKPM V-6000, used for removing petroleum and petroleum products (PPP) from water and soil is new.    ADVANTAGE -   The new strain grows in minimal media, utilises petroleum, kerosene and fuel and diesel oils at low temp. and can thus be used for the biological removal of PPP from water and soil in northern regions.
This biological formulation contains (wt.%) 12-18C normal paraffins 1.0-1.5, ammonium oxalate 0.05-0.1, a filler (H2 O) 98.40-98.95 and aerobic oil oxidising bacteria (in a sufficient quantity (expressed as cells/ml of the said biological formulation)). A novelty of the biological formulation is that the oil oxidising bacteria may be in the form of Mycobacterium phlei at a final concn. of at least 2.5 107 cells/ml of the biological formulation. A further novelty is that the aerobic oil oxidising bacteria may be in the form of Pseudomonas aeruginosa at a final concn. of at least 6 107 cells/ml of the biological formulation. The final novelty is that the aerobic oil oxidising bacteria may be in the form of the Rhodococcus species at a final concn. of at least 7 107cells/ml of the biological formulation.    USE -   For the removal of oil and oil prods. contamination from soil and surface waters.    ADVANTAGE -   Yields a highly efficient oil and oil prods. removal formulation w.r.t. soil and surface water.
This biological formulation contains (wt.%) a filler (in the form of a solid organic or mineral substrate) 40-45, 12-18C normal paraffins 1-1.5, ammonium oxalate 0.05-0.25, H2 O 53.25-58.95 and aerobic oil oxidising bacteria (in an appropriate quantity (expressed as the number of cells per g of the formulation)). A novelty of the biological formulation is that the aerobic oil oxidising bacteria may be in the form of Mycobacterium phlei at a final concn. of at least 2.5 109 cells/g of the biological formulation. A further novelty is that the aerobic oil oxidising bacteria may be in the form of Pseudomonas aeruginosa at a final concn. of at least 6 109 cells/g of the biological formulation. A final novelty is that the aerobic oil oxidising bacteria may be in the form of the Rhodococcus species at a final concn. of at least 7 109cells/g of the biological formulation.    USE -   For the removal of oil contamination from soil and surface waters.    ADVANTAGE -   Is a highly efficient bacterial formulation for the removal of oil contamination.
This biological formulation involves the addn. of microorganisms and a nutrient culture to the medium being treated, and is novel in that the microorganisms may be Acinetobacter valentis subspecies paraffinicum VKPM B-6727 or Acinetobacter valentis subspecies paraffinicum VKPM B-6728 or Acinetobacter valentis subspecies paraffinicum VKPM B-6726. Under these conditions, the nutrient culture temp. is maintained at 10-50 C and the pH is in the range of 5.5-8.5. A further novelty is that H2O and waste waters are treated at a flow rate of 0.25-0.55 per hour.    USE -    For the treatment of H2O, waste waters and soil contg. oil prods.    ADVANTAGE -   The treatment efficiency is increased w.r.t. oil prods.
The method involves impregnating alumina with soln. of palladium chloride in hydrochloric acid, drying, treating with soln. of allyl alcohol, and final drying. To produce catalyst with improved activity, selectivity, productivity and service life, the method uses alumina with specific surface area 210-220 m2/g, and average pore radii 65-85. Impregnation is conducted, according to moisture absorption capacity, with soln. of palladium chloride in diluted hydrochloric acid, and treatment is conducted with acidified 3-5% soln. of allyl alcohol, with subsequent washing with water to remove excess alcohol.    USE -   Used in petrochemical synthesis, as the method of prepn. of catalyst for selective hydrogenation of acetylene, contained in ethane-ethylene fraction.    ADVANTAGE -   Catalyst has increased activity, selectivity, productivity and service life.
Treatment of farmyard slurry comprises a combination of biological nitrification and/or denitrification (N/D) and treatment in an algal pond.    Also claimed is a process as above in which the liq. stream to be treated is sewage or industrial waste water.    USE -   The method can be used esp. for the treatment of pig or cattle slurry.
The process comprises: (A) aerobically agitating excrement mixed night soil in a liquid (J), by blowing air into a tank; (B) injecting photosynthesis germ of Rhodospirillum rubrum and Rhodopseudomonas capsulate and fermenting in treated excrement mixed night soil; (C) finely breaking the fermented excrement into pieces using a propeller to form a slurry and (D) evaporating 40-70 % moisture in the excrement by fermentation heat.    USE -   The transferred slurry is used as a fermented liq. fertiliser.
Spaced outer furnace cylinders are fitted concentrically to the inner furnace cylinder which is displaceable in the axis direction.    ADVANTAGE -   The furnace is prevented from being damaged by thermal expansion.
Prodn. of compost from soybean curd waste and water-absorbing agent is by anaerobic fermentation in tightly-closed container with microorganisms producing lactic acid without producing butyric acid and having anti-oxidn. property.Pref. microorganisms is actinomycetes, photosynthetic bacteria, lactic acid bacteria, fungi and yeast. Water-absorbing agent is dried plant fibres, partic. pulverised coconut husk.    Soybean curd waste is fermented with Actinomycetes (e.g. Streptomyces sp. (ATCC 3004)); photosynthetic bacteria (e.g. Rhodopseudomonas sp.), lactic acid bacteria (e.g. Lactobacillus sp. (IFO 3070)], fungi [e.g. Aspergillus sp. (RIFY 5770)] and yeast [e.g. Saccharomyces sp. (NRRL 1346)) together with plant fibres (e.g. cotton, flax, straw, pulp and saw dust).    ADVANTAGE -   No malodour is formed.In an example, a mixt. of 10 kg of soybean curd waste, 2.0 kg of dried nd pulverised coconut husk, Actinomycetes, photosynthetic bacteria, lactic acid bacteria, and yeast were placed in synthetic resin bag, sealed under vacuum and allowed to stand for 10 days in the shade to form the compost.
Container is composed of cylindrical body having light- transmitting layer and light-reflecting layer. Lid is included which adjusts the opening rotation. Insulating layer can be arranged around the body.    USE -   Used for treating household garbage whereby contents are heated and dried by solar energy to promote quick fermentation and decomposition.
Disposer comprises a fermenter formed with double inner and outer tanks to pass air for fermenter into cavity formed between double inner and outer tanks. Heater is provided in the inner tank.Sprocket (10) (11) are firmly provided at right end of stirring pawl shaft (7) and on drive shaft of motor (M), respectively. Chain (12) is wound between sprockets (10),(11) so that stirring pawl shaft (7) can be rotated by drive of motor (M) to crush garbage being stirred in fermenter (1).
Waste disposal appts. comprises a fermenter having double inner and outer tanks and a heater mounted on the outer bottom face of the inner tank. A sprocket (10) and a sprocket (11) are pref. firmly positioned at the right end of a stirring pawl shaft (7) and on the drive shaft of a motor (M), respectively, and a chain (12) is wound over between the sprockets (10,11) so that the stirring pawl shaft (7) can be rotated by the drive of the motor (M) to crush waste stirred in a fermenter (1).    ADVANTAGE -   The appts. has good heating efficiency.
Disposer comprises fermenter which can tilt forward to about 45 deg. when garbage is added and which can rotate to 90 deg. or more when compost is discharged.In a fermenter (1), a stirring pawl shaft (7) in which pawls (8) are embedded to stir garbage, is mounted in the lateral direction and driven by a motor (M) arranged in a lower frame (5).    ADVANTAGE -   Disposer has simple structure and is easy to add garbage and discharge compost.
Biologically-decomposable, solid waste material is stored in storage room(s) having lower temp. than external atmos.(c), and transferred to fermentation tank(f) by shutting (c) to cause aerobic fermentation. Temp. of (s) is made lower than that of (c) by shutting (f) before next charge.    ADVANTAGE -   Prevents diffusion of malodorous hot air into atmos. at opening of charging cover of compositing appts.
Fertiliser produced by aerobic fermentation of fish waste and soybean curd waste with complex microorganisms is composed of 100,000,000 of pleomorphic asporogenic Gram positive rods, 10,000,000 of mesophilic aerobic asporogenic bacteria, 1,000,000 of thermophilic aerobic sporogenic bacteria, 50,000,000 of catalase and Gram positive cocci, 30,000,000 each of mesophilic yeast and actinomycetes, and 20,000,000 of mesophilic fungi to give fish meal followed by mixing with charcoal powder.Mixts. of 10 pts.wt. of fish waste and 2-8, pref.3-5 pts.wt. of soybean curd waste contg. 20-90, pref. 60-70% of water are fermented with the complex microorganisms at 55-85 C. and dried to reduce water content of 2-25, pref.5-15%. The resultant fish meal is mixed with charcoal powder at wt. ratios of 10:0.1-5, pref. 10:0.5-2.    ADVANTAGE -   Prodn. of fertiliser useful for rapid improvement of soil conditions.In an example, a mixt. of 590 kg. of fish waste contg. 90% of water and 300 kg. of soybean curd waste contg. 10% of water and 100g. of complex microorganisms, and aerobically fermented at 70 C. for 5 hrs., dried and pulverised to give fish meal contg. 9.7% of water. The dried fishmeal, 80 kg. with water content of 9.7%,20kg. of charcoal powder with water content of 6.9% and 7 kg. of water were mixed to give the fertiliser contg. 15% of water.
Waste treatment comprises introducing deodorant or moisture absorbent into a drier and introducing waste into the garbage.    ADVANTAGE -   Waste can be disposed of without odour generation.
The device comprises a container having an opening to put in food waste and decomposed micro-organism, an open/closed covering means to prevent the mixt. of unnecessary material from the opening of the container into the inside and to allow the throwing of food waste and decomposed micro-organism from the opening, a stirrer circulated almost on the outside of the container, a rotator to rotate the stirrer and a supporter to pivotally support a fixing means.A mainbody (4) is inserted in and fixed to a mainbody holding tool (6) in such a manner that the mainbody holding tool (6) is located to be circulated almost at the centre of the mainbody (4).    ADVANTAGE -   The device can be mfd. at a lower cost.
The device comprises a waste treatment tank for waste, a cap mounted at the upper opening of the waste treatment tank to be freely open/closed and an inner lid mounted at the upper opening on the inner side of the cap to be freely open/closed.    A waste treatment tank (3) is formed by internally mounting a tank body (3b) open at the upper part in a case (3a) open at the upper part, a stirring cutter (10) being internally mounted in the tank body (3b) to constitute a stirring means.    ADVANTAGE -   The device has improved sealing ability to prevent heat radiation through the cap.
Disposal device comprises a treatment tank provided with a means to crush and decompose material when carrying it from the upstream side to the downstream side and an exhaust passage connected to the most downstream side of the treatment tank to exhaust air in the treatment tank to the outside. The disposal device (1) pref. consists of a treatment tank (2), a stocker (3) and a neutralizing and deodorizing device (4), the treatment tank (2) being formed into a hollow box with a curved bottom (5) in a sectionally semicircular shape.    ADVANTAGE -   Steam contg. odour during treatment is exhausted to the outside after neutralized and deodorized to give less influence to environment.
Crude waste deodorant comprises solid organic acids and moulds, and pref. lactic acid, and pref. contg. saccharides.    Also claimed is a crude waste disposal accelerator comprising solid organic acids, lactic acid, and moulds, and pref. contg. saccharides. Also claimed is disposal of crude waste which comprises installing the crude waste deodorant disposal accelerator in a disposal tank together with crude waste and agitation of the crude waste and the deodorant or disposal accelerator in the disposal tank. Also claimed is a crude waste disposal device having a disposal tank to accommodate crude waste and the deodorant or disposal accelerator, and agitating device.    USE/ADVANTAGE -   The method is useful for microbially disposal of domestic waste, commercial or industrial waste. Organic acids suppress the propagation of malodour generating bacteria, leading to the emergence of acid-fast fungi as dominant species, which produce aromatic esters under acidic conditions. Agitation provides oxygen to the fungi and prevents adhesion of fungal hyphae or dispersion of fungal spores.
Waste crusher comprises a pair of crushing rolls with pawls on the outer periphery and supported at the bottom of a dust hopper in parallel so that the crushing rolls may be rotationally moved mutually inward to crush waste thrown into the dust hopper.    A crusher main body (1) is pref. placed on a push pulley (3) on a pair of wheels (2) with bearings (7) fixed to the mutually opposite sides of an angular cylinder frame (6), open at the upper and lower parts, to pivotally support a pair of shafts (8a,8b) horizontally.    ADVANTAGE -   Waste is conveniently crushed in pieces and easily treated.
A water-soluble microbe-wrapping paper is claimed that wraps microorganisms immobilised on grain or powder, with the whole or part of the paper allowed to contain nutrients for the microorganisms. Also claimed is a drainage-disposing prepn. with specific substance-decomposing microorganisms immobilised on grain or powder wrapped in the wrapping powder. Further claimed is the disposal of drainage by throwing the prepn. in domestic drainpipes to allow the immobilised microorganisms to decompose oily matters, etc. present in the pipes.    USE -   Useful for disposing home drainage.    ADVANTAGE -   Permits simple and handy disposal of domestic drainage without direct handling of the microorganisms.    EMBODIMENT - The water-soluble wrapping paper, e.g. carboxymethyl cellulose (CMC), dissolves in water when the prepn. is thrown in drain-pipes, permitting the wrapped-in microorganisms, e.g. Flavobacterium, Pseudomonas, etc., immobilised on grain, e.g. diatomaceous earth, etc., or powder, e.g. wheat flour, rice bran, etc. to launch their activities of decomposing oily matters, etc. with the activation by the nutrients contained in the paper. The prepn. should comprise 10-30g of microorganism-carrying grain or powder.
Appts. (7) for purifying contaminated air has an air inlet adjacent a road surface (1) and an air outlet (19) spaced from the toad surface. A soil bed (17) populated with micro-organisms is disposed between inlet and outlet, the air being allowed to pass through it. A subterranean pipe (21) interconnects the soil bed and air outlet and air is caused to flow from the inlet, through the soil bed, to the outlet for discharge.    USE -   Appts. is for purifying contaminated air in the environment by passing it through a soil layer populated with micro-organisms which degrade contaminants in the air.    ADVANTAGE -   Appts. achieves a more satisfactory result than traditional methods.
Process for the prepn. of valuable substances from a waste paper mixt. comprises one of the following treatments for a crushed mixt. of paper, plastic-coated board and aluminium film card :    (a) cultivation of the mixt. in a cellulytic and hemi-cellulytic activity culture soln., sepn. and removal of the solid components and extrusion of the semi-liq. or liq. prod. at 110 - 200 C, or    (b) rendering the mixt. hydrophilic, mixing it with clays, minerals, glasses, or their mixt. and simultaneously sintering the mixt. at 600 - 1000 C and gasifying or carbonising, or    (c) rendering the mixt. hydrophilic, homogenising, adding hydrophobic treatment agents and/or biocides and processing it into a granulate.    The extruded, sintered or granulated prod. can be used directly as a valuable substance or it can be shaped into a recyclable material.    USE -   The prods. can be used as building materials (sintered ceramics), fertilisers or substrates for them, fuels, animal feeds, aggregating agents, noise damping materials, insulation materials or adsorbent filters (e.g. for exhaust gases). Plastics and Al can be recovered too. The unsorted waste paper mixt. is obtd. from domestic or industry sources and may contain paper, plastic-coated paper and milk- or fruit juice cartons.    ADVANTAGE -   All the recyclable and biodegradable useful substances are recovered. No expansion-promoting substances need to be added due to the expansion capability of the biodegradable prod.
Isomerisation process for converting at least one satd. feed hydrocarbon selected from 4-10C alkanes and 5-10C cycloalkanes to at least one satd. prod. hydrocarbon isomer involves contacting the feed stream in reaction zone at isomerisation conditions with a Pt/zeolite catalyst. The feed stream comprises (i) at least one satd. feed hydrocarbon, (ii) hydrogen gas, (iii) 0-60 p.p.m. wt. water w.r.t (i) and (iv) at least one S cpd. present as impurity. The catalyst deactivation by the S cpd(s) is eliminated by addn. of at least one Cl cpd. selected from hydrogen chloride and organic chlorides to the reaction zone.    USE -   For isomerisation of satd. hydrocarbons esp. alkanes and/or cycloalkanes.    ADVANTAGE -   Alleviates or eliminates catalyst deactivation by S cpds. present as impurities.
Mycelium waste left over from commercial antibiotic prodn. can be treated in such a way as to remove the fungus-derived antibacterial subst. and thus render the material suitable for use as an agricultural fertiliser. Mycelium waste contg. 5-20% organic additive is exposed to the action of the Eisenia foetida dung worm for 20-30 days.    USE -   The method is used in the pharmaceutical mfr.    ADVANTAGE -   Mycelium waste is converted into an antibiotic-free prod. in the form of soil-type granules, suitable as a fertiliser or as an environmentally-safe growth medium.
In the battery, fuel flows in from a flow-in opening to be distributed to each single battery. A fuel rectifying member, shaped to a specified thickness by a porous body that permeates fuel, is set in a distribution route spaced away from the flow-in opening.    USE -   Used for rectifying fuel in a distribution route and for uniformly supplying fuel to each single battery.
Fermentation tank (1) comprises a top outlet (3) above the cylindrical tank. An upper radially extending rotatable support means carries multiple vertical agitator shafts extending to the tank bottom each with multiple blades rotatable about a vertical shaft axis. A gas intake means (not shown) feeds air into the tank below the agitator blades but above a transfer opening in the tank base into a maturation tank (4) below. A deodorising filter is fitted into the tank top below the outlet means (3).    USE -   The tank can be used to ferment sewage sludge and other waste materials to yield compost.    ADVANTAGE -   The small footprint tank ferments efficiently without odours at an opt. temp. without external heating and produces restricted amts. of liq. effluent when fed with a range of organic waste materials.
For the incineration of used vehicle tyres, they are burned together with coal with a coal content of at least 60 wt.% of the material plus the coal. The material is fed in below the bed surface of the fluidised bed combustion.    USE -   The coarse ground vehicle tyre material, with 3-50%of the original ferrous matter, is used to generate energy together with coal in a fluidised bed combustion process.    ADVANTAGE -   The process gives an effective combustion of material with a rubber and/or plastics content, with high efficiency and low emission values in a simple system.
A process and assembly cleans gas bearing a load of impurities. The novelty is that the gases: (a) are first passed with a liq. through a globe-shaped basket sieve; (b) that the gases and liq. from the globe-shaped basket sieve and the coke bed are then sepd. from the gas by means of a droplet separator. The liq. used is water, caustic soln. or acid. The globe-shaped basket sieve describes an angle of between 10-80 deg. pref. 40-70 deg. A number of such sieves are arranged in a vertical down-flow stack.    USE -   The process and assembly remove impurities from a gas. The gas can be subjected to separate treatment using an acid stage followed by a single or multi-stage biological treatment using one or more coke beds. The biologically treated fluid can be returned to the first-stage filtration/coke bed treatment stage and prevents blockage of the coke bed.    ADVANTAGE -   The process and assembly offer a wide range of options to clean gases using acid, alkaline and biological treatments.
Device to recover condensable contaminants, esp. solvents and refrigerants, e.g. CFCs, butane, pentane, from materials, pref. to be disposed of, e.g. foams, plastics. The device has a feed chamber (3) with means (1) of releasing the contaminants from the feed material. A line contg. a ventilator (10) runs from the chamber, leading via a pref. multistage cooler (11) to the adsorption filter of a filter arrangement (19) comprising filters (20,21) which operate alternately as adsorption or desorption filters. Downstream of this there is an air discharge (9) to the surroundings, where a filter operating as a desorption filter can be charged with cleaning gas via a line contg. a ventilator (23) and a heater (28) before the filter. The line leaving the feed chamber (3) is an open line (8) running freely back to the air exhaust (9). The line through the desorption filter is separate from the line leaving the feed chamber (3) and is a self enclosed loop (22), which runs through a further cooler (24) arranged after the desorption filter.    USE -   Used in the disposal of defunct equipment contg. environmentally dangerous solvents or refrigerants e.g. fridges contg. CFC's, butane, pentane.    ADVANTAGE -   Process is economic, and gives a high purity of exhaust air over a long period, guaranteeing a low load on the environment.
Device to recover condensable contaminants, esp. solvents and refrigerants, such as CFCs, butane, pentane, from materials, pref. to be disposed of, such as foams, plastics. The appts. a feed chamber (3) with device (1) of releasing the contaminants from the feed material. A line contg. a ventilator (10) runs from the chamber, leading via a pref. multistage cooler (11) to the adsorption filter of a filter arrangement (19) comprising filters (20,21,21a) which operate together as an adsorption filter. Downstream of this there is an air discharge (9) to the surroundings, where a filter operating as a desorption filter can be charged with cleaning gas via a line contg. a ventilator (23) and a heater before the filter. The filter arrangement (19) has at least three filters (20,21,21a) which can alternately operate as adsorption, desorption or resting filter, the adsorption filter following the rest filter. The desorption and resting filters are arranged in sequence with a cooler (24) between them.    USE -   In the disposal of defunct equipment contg. environmentally dangerous solvents or refrigerants e.g. fridges contg. CFC's, butane, pentane.    ADVANTAGE -   Improves known devices so that the waiting times from changing filters are unnecessary by using at least three filters which alternate in use.
Micro-biological breakdown of organic waste in a composting container uses oxygen obtd. from air forced into the container. The novelty is that the rate of forced aeration is controlled automatically by determining the oxygen demand obtd. by measuring the temp. in the container. Also claimed is the appts. for the above process comprising at least one sensor for measuring the temp. in the container.    USE -   The process and assembly maintain the temp. of the composting reaction in the optimum range.    ADVANTAGE -   The process proceeds at a maximum rate with low energy consumption. Unlike prior art appts., the appts. is simple to operate and requires no experienced personnel for effective operation.
A modular compost bin has flexible, pref. metal or plastics, strips which interlock to form a rigid bin. Pref. each strip has a projection at its leading end for interlocking with a slit at its trailing end. Each strip has indentations so the bottom edge of another strip can weave in and out of them and interlock the strips when stacked. Each strip has holes to facilitate aerobic composting.    USE -   Modular compost bin.    ADVANTAGE -   Bin occupies less floor space in shops and when being transported.
Process for sepn. of a gaseous mixt. contg. an impurity comprises the following steps: (i) the gaseous mixt. is sent through the non-permeable side of a first membrane system (3, 3a); (ii) a fluid with a lower partial pressure at least for the impurity is sent through the permeable side of the first membrane system; (iii) the non-permeate of the first membrane system is recovered, with fewer impurities; (iv) the non-permeate is then sent through a second sepn. system (5, 5a) for final sepn. The separator for a gaseous mixt. as above, contains a first membrane system with means for sending the gaseous mixt. through the non-permeable side and a fluid with a lower partial pressure for at least the impurity through the permeable side; a second sepn. system and means for sending the non-permeate of the first system to the second system.    USE -   Removal of an impurity from a gaseous mixt., in partic., removal of a minor second reaction prod. from a first reaction prod.(claimed).
A method for cultivating edible fungi comprises subjecting a substratum composed of cellulosic material (e.g. straw, waste wood, manure, chalk or gypsum opt. supplemented by carbohydrate, protein or fat) to a thermal treatment (opt. in connection with composting) prior to cooling and spawning by mycelium before it is made ready for fructification. During at least one of the prepn. stages a calcium saponified fatty substance is added to the substratum.    ADVANTAGE -   The method is partic. economical and produces a higher yield and to a more stable composting/heat treatment when preparing the substratum.
Prodn. of bio-compost comprises: (i) mixing birds' droppings with an organic filler; and (ii) composting in 8-11 x 2-4 x 4-5 m3 chamber loaded with the mixt. to height of 0.33-0.5. Composting is performed for 5-7 days with aeration and the temp. is kept above 50-55 deg.C and humidity at min. of 40-45%. The fermenter is fitted with a double door and thermal shield.    USE -   Used in agriculture.    ADVANTAGE -   Increased efficiency of process is attained.
The method is based on milling of a caramel-like prod. obtd. as a waste in the prodn. of fodder yeast, and saponifying with sodium hydroxide soln. To improve results, the milling of the caramel-like prod. is conducted with simultaneous saponification using a 40-50% soln. of sodium hydroxide, for 30 mins..    The amts. of the components are (in pts.wt.): caramel 4.0-6.0 and 40-60% soln. of sodium hydroxide 1.67-2.5.    Process is conducted at ratio of caramel-like prod. to alkali to water (in pts.wt.) at (4-6):1:(0.67-1.5). Milling of the caramel-like prod. together with the conc. soln. of alkali is conducted over 60 min, at medium temp. 20 2C. Produced additive is in the form of a friable powdered product.    USE -   In building materials industry for prodn. of an aerating additive for cement concretes and mortars.    ADVANTAGE -   Additive has good solubility and can be obtd. in the form of a 95-100% conc. soln..
Expandable styrene-type resin particles comprise expandable styrene resin particles consisting of (A) styrene-type resins and (B) easily volatile blowing agents with at least (C) terpene-type hydrocarbons as blowing aids.    ADVANTAGE -   When mouldings obtd. from the resin particles are recycled, offensive odour is not generated.
Composting device comprises several rotary kiln-type fermentation devices arranged in series. The fermentation devices are connected to each other via conveyance device; and have an independent air supply device, an air-removing device, and a rotary drive unit, respectively.    Pref. each rotary kiln-type fermentation device has chains mounted in it to prevent deposition of organic waste and to disintegrate deposition.    Organic waste stored in a storage tank (1) is mixed in a mixer (2), and dried in a drier (3). Material is fed to the rotary kiln-type fermentation cylinders (4, 5, 6) arranged in series.    USE/ADVANTAGE -   Used to compost organic waste such as faeces of domestic animals, sewage sludge, etc. for recycling. Organic waste can be composted continuously and efficiently.
Prodn.of fermented compost involves fermentation of a mixt. of granular or crushed organic materials, highly water absorptive granular resin and animal manure.    ADVANTAGE -   Compost is rapidly produced.    Pref., upto 30 wt.% raw materials of granular or crushed organic materials (e.g. saw dust, bark and straw), highly water absorptive granular resin (e.g. polyacrylates, starch-acrylonitrile polymer and hydrolysate, carboxymethylcellulose, polyvinyl alcohol (PVA), hydrolysate of methyl (meth)acrylate-vinyl acetate copolymer and graft copolymer of cellulose-sodium acrylate) and 1-30 (5-10) % animal manure are mixed and fermented to give compost.    In an example, a mixt. of 10 kg used saw dust in a livestock barn for 10 days and 100 g crosslinked sodium polyacrylate was kept at 25 deg.C and 80% RH for a month to give compost.
Treatment comprises placing and submerging organic substances in an aq. treatment soln. in which enzymes and/or microorganisms can be dissolved to decompose the organic substances and separating the decomposed organic substances.    Also claimed is an alternative treatment comprising placing and submerging organic substances in an aq. treatment soln. in which microorganisms and/or enzymes are dissolved, passing air through the solid liquid mixt. contg. the organic substances and filtering and separating the liquid. The organic substances are pref. crushed and then added to the aq. treatment soln..    USE/ADVANTAGE -   Organic waste such as household garbage can be treated easily in a short time at each home without releasing offensive odours. The amt. of waste can be reduced easily.
Machine has a built-in treating tank (2) to treat crude refuse by injection through a hole (4) provided at the main body (1) of machine. A blade (8) in the treating tank stirs crude refuse by rotating along its bottom.    USE/ADVANTAGE -   For treating crude refuse generating in kitchens in general homes or restaurants. Because blades are rotated near the bottom of tank, tank has low height and long width and can be placed in the space with low height. Because blades are rotated horizontally, crude refuse injected from the injection hole is distributed uniformly.
Machine comprises main body (1) consisting of bent pipe with a section like a chair and having a water discharge hole (7) at its bottom part; and slightly raised part provided at a part (2) of flat part of chair-shaped pipe. Flexible bag (13) for storing, is attached to the outlet (3) of main body.    USE/ADVANTAGE -   Used as simplified and anaerobic crude refuse treating machines for homes. Crude refuse can be treated from injection of crude refuse through fermentation to remove generated liq. and solid continuously until flexible bag placed at outlet is completely filled with discharged solid to simplify treating machine and reduce investment and operation costs.
Deodoriser (10) to remove bad smells generating in crude refuse treatment machine (1) comprises photocatalyst (12), e.g. metal oxide like anatase-type TiO2, to adsorb bad smell substances and a light source (13) to irradiate UV rays.    USE -   Used as the deodoriser of crude refuse treatment machine to treat crude refuse with bacteria to which a carbon adsorption tower is provided conventionally to remove bad smells.    ADVANTAGE -   Provides the small sized deodorisers with low investment cost and low running cost compared with carbon adsorption towers used as conventional deodorisers.
The fuel supply system for fuel battery comprises a package container for generating hydrogen, a hydrogen supply device for supplying the hydrogen generated in the package container to the fuel battery and water recovery device for recovering the water vapour produced in the fuel battery.    USE -   For outdoor small portable fuel battery.    ADVANTAGE -   Dispenses with piping, vessel, and reformer.
A sludge densitometer is connected to the sludge intake tank of an anaerobic digester, and coagulant supply is controlled in reference to the output of the sludge densitometer.    ADVANTAGE -   The amt. of coagulant can be controlled optimally.
The fertiliser mfg. device comprises cylindrically-formed first and second drying tanks, a tank rotator, first and second blocks, first and second material suppliers, a tank heater and exhaust gas treatment means.    ADVANTAGE -   Wastes containing a great amt. of water, including animal and/or plant residual, organic sludge and garbage, can be dried and fermented.
Prodn. of compost material from nitrogen-contg. liq. waste prods. (A) and carbon-contg. substrate materials (B), pref. manure and straw, comprises distributing, mixing and kneading (A) into (B) in a single step to form a pulp which is immediately milled. Also claimed is a composting appts. comprising a tank and distribution system for (A), a kneading device and a conveyor for creating a stack of the milled pulp.    USE -   The nutrient-rich prod. can be used instead of commercial fertilisers.    ADVANTAGE -   The carbon in (B) is broken down more efficiently to convert it into a form which can be taken up more easily by plants.
In the treatment of waste water, involving nitrification and denitrification:    (a) ammonium is withdrawn from the water by dialysis and fed to a separate nitrification cycle,    (b) the ammonium withdrawn from the waste water is converted to nitrite in the nitrification, opt. with formation of nitrate and N2 and    (c) the nitrite or nitrate formed in the waste water is recycled in such a way that it is reduced to molecular nitrogen on transfer to the nitrification cycle.
The binary compsn. comprises: (a) 1-70 wt.% bis(difluoromethyl) ether and 30-99 wt.% butane; or (b) 1-20 wt.% bis(difluoromethyl) ether and 70-99 wt.% isobutane. At 25C the binary compsn. has a vapour pressure higher than the vapour pressure of each of the components of the mixts..    Also claimed are: (i) an azeotrope or azeotrope-like compsn. comprising 1-70 wt.% bis(difluoromethyl) ether and 30-99 wt.% butane which has a vapour pressure of 36 psia when the temp. has been adjusted to 25C, and the vapour pressure of the compsn. changes by less than 10% after 50 wt.% of the initial compsn. is removed; (ii) an azeotrope or azeotrope-like compsn. comprising 1-30 wt.% bis(difluoromethyl) ether and 70-99 wt.% isobutane which has a vapour pressure of 50.6 psia when the temp. has been adjusted to 25C, and the vapour pressure of the compsn. changes by less than 10% after 50 wt.% of the initial compsn. is removed; (iii) the prodn. of refrigeration comprising condensing the above compsn. and thereafter evaporating the compsn. in the vicinity of a body to be cooled; and (iv) the prodn. of heat comprising condensing the above compsn. in the vicinity of a body to be heated, and thereafter evaporating the compsn..    USE -   Used as a refrigerant, cleaning agent, expansion agent for polyolefins and polyurethanes, aerosol propellants, heat transfer medium, gaseous dielectrics, fire extinguishing agent, power cycle working fluid, polymerisation medium, particulate removal fluid, carrier fluid, buffing abrasive agent and displacement drying agent.    ADVANTAGE -   The compsn. has zero ozone depletion potential.
Use of Bacillus mycoides bacteria (I) as inoculant in the prepn. of fertiliser followed by humic acid prepn. (II), is new. The fertiliser prepn. contains coal mining waste, manure, (I) and (II) in the ratio 74-84:10-20:1:5.    USE -   The fertiliser is used in agriculture.    ADVANTAGE -   The process is simpler and utilises industrial waste.
The refrigeration operating fluid contains at least 20-30 wt.% of propane and the balance of 1,1-difluoroethane.    ADVANTAGE -   The operating fluid has ozone destroying factor of zero, and having refrigeration medium characteristic of similar to or more than that of R-22.
Treatment of waste water contg. n-hexane extract comprises decomposing n-hexane extracts in waste water by using Pseudomonas sp. ER-BI strain having ability for decomposing n-hexane extract.    ADVANTAGE -   The method can remove n-hexane extract in waste water efficiently.    In an example, pseudomonas sp. ER-B1 was cultured in a medium contg. 4.0% Lecithin contg. defatted soybean powder, 1.0% corn steep liquor, 0.1% ammonium sulphate and 0.1% dipotassium phosphate at 25 deg.C for 30 hrs. The culture was ultrafiltered and freeze-dried. The lipase activity of the concentrate was 120 U/ml. Olive oil, soybean oil, lard, mineral oil emulsion type cutting oil, gas oil and heavy oil were added to an artificial waste water contg. 40 mg/l meat extract, 40 mg/l peptone, 250 mg/l Na bicarbonate, 10 mg/l monopotassium phosphate and 20 mg/l Mg sulfate to resp. 1000 mg/l. The decomposition rate by Pseudomonas sp. ER-B1 was examined. The decomposition rate was resp. 82, 91, 68, 56, 67 and 48%. A dining room waste water mixed with a cutting oil was also examined and gave a good result.
The organic waste material generated at the place where the waste heat is available is crushed and heated to 36-60 C in a methane fermentation tank using the above waste heat to achieve methane fermentation to decompose organic waste material to CO2 and CH4gases.
Crude waste is treated by heating crude water (G) in a closed treating chamber by irradiating micro-waves to dry it during moving the crude waste in the treating chamber. Also claimed is a crude waste treatment appts. comprising the closed treating chamber having a transportation means to move crude waste contg. added bacteria for fermentation to a transportation exit (17b) and microwave generating and heating means (22) along the moving direction of crude waste.    USE -   Used for treating crude waste by fermentation to mfr. compost and removing excess ater from the crude waste.    ADVANTAGE -   Organic fertiliser powder, soil improvement powder of livestock feed powder can be mass-produced from crude waste.
The gas biological treating appts. comprises a treating vessel in which water is stored in a lower portion and a floating carrier to which a microorganism is attached. The filler layer is floated in the treating vessel, while its lower portion is immersed in the water. A gas introducing device for introducing raw gas into the water and a treated gas exhaust device is provided for discharging treated gas from the filler layer.    USE -   Used for biologically treating volatile organic cpds. or offensive odour-contg. gas.    ADVANTAGE -   A support plate supporting the filler layer from the lower side is unnecessary.
Prodn. of city gas contg. 20-50 vol.% methane comprises gasifying a solid, liquid or gaseous fuel by partial oxidn. and producing a gasified gas, which is de-dusted, cooled and desulphurised to produce a gas mixt. consisting of at least 90 vol.% H2 ,CO and CO2 . The novelty is that a synthesis gas is produced, whose concns. of H2 ,CO and CO2 give the stoichiometric ratio S=(H2 -CO2 ):(CO+CO2)= 1.9-2.3. A part of the synthesis gas is fed through a saturation zone, in which it is contacted with water at 100C and is thus enriched with water vapour. The gas leaving the zone is catalytically converted at 250-550C and the converted gas is divided into a 1st partial stream of 50-95% of converted synthesis gas and a residual stream. The 1st partial stream is fed through a catalytic methane synthesis operating at 250-500C. Part of the methane-contg. gas leaving the methane synthesis is fed together with the residual stream through a cooling zone, in which the gas mixt. is sprayed with water, which is withdrawn from the saturation zone. The methane-contg. gas mixt. withdrawn from the cooling zone is dried.    ADVANTAGE -   City gas can be economically produced, while at the same time producing methanol and other products, e.g. hydrocarbons. The process has improved flexibility.
Bio-humus can be produced from the sediments of sewerage purificn. plants by treating fresh sediment with aerobic organisms in the form of active mud and fungal mounted mycelium; blowing air at 40-50 deg. through the mixt. for 15-30 hrs.; and adding dry mud from mud fields and a culture of Dendrobena vinjetta worms. Periodic addn. of deodorised sediment serves as feed.    USE -   Used in agriculture.    ADVANTAGE -   Utilises waste from sewerage purificn. plants and prodn. time of bio-humus is reduced by 4-6 times.
Unit comprises air-tank reservoir (1) with a wastewater input which comprises a pipe (2) from a building (3), grid (4) or self-cleaning filter; recirculation pumps (5) with a pressure line (6) and a method of distribution (7) to the sprinklers (8) of the air-filters (9). The air-filters contain filter blocks (10) with conic bottoms (11), a fencing surface (12) with windows (13) and ventilators (14). Each filter block contains a frame (15) of rigid cords (16) and bottom transition to current aerators (17) or pipes (18) for the silt mixt. to pass to the secondary tank (19). The secondary tank contains a thin-layer module (20) and a pipe (21) for the return of the active silt. Purified water is removed through a trough (22) and line (23) and the overflow (22) can be varied in height by a device contg. a cable (25), a block (26), a winch (27) and a fixator (28).    USE -   The unit can be used in water purificn. systems in communal management, in microbiological, food processing and chemical plants and in treatment plants.    ADVANTAGE -   The unit can safeguard the stability of the required quality of purified water, reduces the cost of subsequent purificn. and sediment processing and reduces the plant area. The coefficient of non-uniformity of hr. input is 2.
The waste is passed in a multistage circulation system through granules of active carbon having a layer of microorganisms fixed on the granule surface, which regenerate the sorbent directly. The waste is passed through the sorbent, then aerated and ozonised to a level of 0.2-0.5 mg/l ozone before passing again through the sorbent, and the cycle is repeated as required.    USE -   The sorbent will clean waste from the paper industry, or remove organochlorine cpds. from water.    ADVANTAGE -   The sepn. of difficultly oxidisable organics is improved by 20-60%, and the life of the sorbent is prolonged due to the use of attached microorganisms for regeneration.
The tank has a gas bell which is fixed on a central perforated tube (5) and which is free to rotate and reciprocate. The gas bell rests on brackets and is held by tension members. The first cylinder (9) of the hydraulic lock is located in upper part of the bell and the second cylinder (10) on the outer coaxial tube (11) secured to bottom of the bell. The tube (11) has openings (12) and forms an annulus with the tube (5). The outer tube (11) has stirring blades at the top and bottom and has tension members in its lower part.    USE -   Used for fermenting organic forming waste.    ADVANTAGE -   Improved quality of fermentation.
Replacement of biological treatment of slurry with mechanical treatment, i.e. mechanical sepn. and aeration, is new.    Also claimed is a treatment plant which comprises a centrifugal decanter (1), a centrifugal separator (2) and an aerator (3) in an aeration tank.    USE -   The plant can be used in the treatment of slurry from poultry and other livestock farms.
The liquefication processor consists of a detachable raw waste container. The water is made to circulate at the bottom of the container. The raw waste is put into the container. A boiler is provided below the container to heat the water. The raw garbage is stirred along with the hot water, thereby forming the raw waste solution.     The microorganism group inside a decomposition processing tank is made to mix with the raw garbage solution in order to decompose it. The solution is decomposed into water and CO2after the decomposition process. The generated water is used for recycling.    ADVANTAGE -   Enables processing food, fodder and fertilizer. Prevents environmental pollution. Does not adhere rubbish easily. Reduces raw waste processing cost. Reduces pollution.
Crude waste treatment appts. comprises a tank (3) to store crude waste (1) and treating agent, e.g. wooden chips, a shaft (4) which is at the rotation centre of the tank, and ventilation hole (17) formed in the tank. A shaft is inclined against the vertical direction and the ventilation hole is formed at the upper part of the tank.    USE/ADVANTAGE -   Used for decomposing crude waste by using decomposition action of microorganisms. Crude waste and treating agent can always be placed under the ventilation hole during rotation of tank, so that the ventilation hole does not contact with the crude waste and treating agent, and the ventilation hole does not clog oxygen flow in the tank continuously to prevent decrease in the ability to decompose crude waste.
Domestic waste is crushed with water. The crushed waste is sepd. into solid and liquid, and the sepd. waste is reduced in volume and composted. In the crushing, the waste is reduced to an average particle size of 2-20mm.    Disposal device comprises a crushing device to crush the waste; a solid-liq. sepn. device to separate the crushed waste into solid and liq.; and a disposal device to reduce the vol. of the waste and to compost.    ADVANTAGE -   The waste can be reduced in vol. and composted at the place where it is produced, and without increasing the load to the sewerage system, the vol. of waste can be reduced.
Fresh waste such as kitchen waste, and waste comprising packing materials and containers for food and drink made from biodegradable plastics material are reduced in vol. and composted with the same biological waste disposal device.    The device disposal device comprises a crushing device to crush together the kitchen waste and the packing materials, a solid-liq. sepn. device to separate the waste into solid and liq., and a disposal device to reduce the vol. of waste and to compost.    ADVANTAGE -   The optimum activity conditions of microorganisms can be easily maintained, and the waste disposal efficiency can be improved.
Gas sensor comprises electrodes(6) in contact with thin film(2); a sensitive part (8); and film-like resistor(62). At least one electrode and the resistor are connected by a conductor. The resistance value from the resistor is a factor of the resistance value of the measured sensitive part at a fixed temp. and gas density/concn. and atmosphere.    USE -   The sensor is used in a gas leakage alarm device.    ADVANTAGE -   An expensive variable resistor is not reqd. The sensor is compact. The degree of freedom of the circuit design around the sensor is increased.
The microbial breakdown of substrates loaded with organic matter, esp. waste from large kitchens and bio-waste, is in 1 stage in a reactor with a first methanisation stage. The organic residue taken from the methanisation stage is sepd., e.g. in a centrifuge in which the residue is conc. and the liq. contained is reduced by 50-85%. The sepn. stage is followed by a second reactor, comprising a second methanisation stage, into which the conc. organic residue from the sepn. is fed.    ADVANTAGE -   Highly conc. residues and waste are broken down to a very small residue for disposal, which forms no gaseous or liq. emissions. Up to 90% of the organic dry matter is broken down. The energy in the substrate is utilised to an optimum degree.
In a bio-filter for purification of air, comprising an aggregate of biologically active organic material through which the waste air can flow, the bio-filter substrate consists of wood particles with dry sieving grain size distribution of 20-90 wt.% of above 32 mm to a max. of 300 mm, and 5-6% of 8-32 mm, the rest (not above 20%), being fines below 8 mm, in a layer of height 50-250 cm, and a structurally stable portion, 30-90 (50-80) volumes. of difficulty degradable wood, e.g. root wood or hard wood, the rest being completely hot-fermented and composted wood particles as support for the inoculation.    USE -   The waste air may come from a clarification plant, food processing, lacquering or from container compositing.    ADVANTAGE -   The filtration effect is better.
In biological systems, esp. composting or cold domestic refuse decomposition, energy is recovered by a system which includes heat exchangers, connected to consumers either directly via a transformer station or, where distances are great, via a heater battery, which may be a self-propelling vehicle or a replaceable container or a trailer. The heat battery contains a circulation pump, a heat pump and a heat exchanger. The heat exchanger, comprising Cu pipes, can be re-used after completion of decomposition.    ADVANTAGE -   The device allows the recovery of large amts. of heat.
In prodn. of N-conditioned compost, after intensive rotting, a finely divided material, contg. mainly lignocellulose, is added to the rotted material.    USE -   Applns. include prodn. of a compost-wood fibre mixt. for use as a base plant culture substrate in horticulture, prodn. of an N-stabilised substrate for culture of seedlings carrying mycorrhiza in forestry, prodn. of support for mycorrhizal fungi, and prodn. of prepd. compost for deposits.    ADVANTAGE -   Excess N is immobilised and the range of appln. of the compost is widened.
Organic wastes, which are purified by a process in which solids are composted and inoculated with earthworms to form a vermi-compost positioned above a water permeable layer (4), have: (a) leakage water continuously collected on a bottom layer (2), spaced from the permeable layer (4), (b) the water being continuously led away (31) for further treatment, and (c) have waste water from baths, laundry and dish washing supplied to the compost to heat the compost bed from beneath. The water is supplied to the bed by capillary action for desalination and to preserve humidity.    Also claimed is an appts. for purifying organic wastes, having an inner enclosure for a vermi-compost bed, an outer enclosure spaced from the inner enclosure, the bottom of which has an outlet for leakage water, and an inlet and outlet for domestic waste water.    USE -   The process and device are used for biologically purifying, stabilising, dewatering, desalinating, compositing and degrading household wastes and sewage sludge.    ADVANTAGE -   The capital and running costs are low. Growth of mould and pathogens is prevented. Saleable compost is produced, having the texture and smell of ordinary soil.
Process for the treatment of high concn. waste water comprises solid-liq. sepn., warming, anaerobic digestion and ultra filtration / reversed osmosis membrane sepn.    USE -   The process can be used for the treatment of waste water from animal husbandry, human excretion and other high organic waste. The liq. fertilised is used for water culture and foliar spray.
Facility for the combined aerobic and anaerobic treatment of hog wastewater comprises:    (a) a raw wastewater tank;    (b) a grit removal tank located downstream of the raw wastewater tank;    (c) a natural solid-liq. separator located downstream of the grit removal tank;    (d) an equalisation basin located downstream of the separator;    (e) an aeration tank located downstream of the equalisation basin, and    (f) a final clarifier located downstream of the aeration tank.    Also claimed is a combined aerobic and anaerobic method for treating hog wastewater.    USE -   The facility can treat hog wastewater using a combined aerobic and anaerobic treating process. A highly economical organic fertiliser is produced which can be directly used for soil fertility improvement.    ADVANTAGE -   Biochemical oxygen demand and suspended solids values are decreased by decomposing organic matter effectively without the need to add any chemical precipitant or coagulant. Solids are sepd. from the wastewater naturally.
A method for preparing a claimed mixed coolant comprises admixing chlorodifluoromethane, a butane or butadiene and a catalytically effective amount of ethanol, in a mixing zone, heating the admixed components to effect a coupling reaction under pressure generated in situ, passing the reaction prod. to a cooling zone in which it is suddenly cooled and decompressed, and drying the resulting prod. to obtain a relatively low pressure, substantially non-combustible coolant.
The appts. has a base with a stationary mounting (1) fitted in its centre, shape forming walls (2), and mechanism with loading unit. The shape forming walls are provided with horizontal shaft formers (5) and supporting wheels (3) which can turn about the vertical support (7). The shape forming walls slope at the top along the radius at 10-50 deg. The mechanism with loading unit is made as a crane. The appts. has several mountings placed in a row, paired together and connected by turning wall.    USE -   In agriculture for biohumus prodn.    ADVANTAGE -   The output is increased and material content is reduced.
This conversion of pig manure into protein feed and biocompost including the raising the larvae on a substrate based on pig manure, sepn. of the fly larvae under the action of light and heat with subsequent prodn. of the finished prod., is distinguished in that, to the substrate based on pig manure are added malt shoots in the wt.% ratio: malt shoots 1.25-12.50, pig manure 87.50-98.75. As fly larvae Musca domestica L are used. Before sepg. the larvae into the mixt. obtd. as a result of the raising of the maggots on the substrate, they are exposed to a current of air at 30-70 C and flow rate of 0.51-2.0 m/s, and sepn. of the larvae is by the action on the substrate of a light flux keeping the luminosity at the upper substrate level of 300-1,600 lux and the fly larvae are sepd. in at least two stages. The thickness of the layer of the mixt. at each subsequent stage is kept at 20.0-30.0% less than the thickness of the layer in the preceeding stage.    USE -   As a method and converter of pig manure into protein feed and biocompost and is most effectively used on pig farms and complexes where the moisture content of the manure, when the compartments are cleaned and during later transportation, reaches 75-85%.    ADVANTAGE -   Significantly intensifies the aeration of the manure and increases the level of sepn. of the larvae from the substrate which increases the overall productivity of the proposed converter.
Crude refuse-treating appts. to mfr. compose (09) from crude refuse (02) comprises a means for receiving crude refuse; means for removing compost, means for stirring crude refuse; means for irradiating microwaves to crude refuse; and means for detecting water content of crude refuse.    Also claimed is method for treating crude refuse by irradiating microwaves onto crude refuse and then contacting aerobic microorganisms or thermophilic bacteria with the refuse under condition of 60 - 70 wt.% water content.    USE/ADVANTAGE -   Used to mfr. compost from crude refuse discharged from kitchens of homes and restaurants. Manufactures high-quality compost from crude refuse, adjusting water content of refuse and suppressing propagation of various bacteria.
The open-type acidic fermenting tank in a two-phase methane fermenting appts. is operated such that cooled water is sent from a cooling device (4) to a heat exchanger (3) through a cooling pipe (2) to keep the temp. at 36C, air is sent from a ventilating device (5) through a filter (6) and an air sending pipe (7) to an air supplying part (8) below a stirring device (9). H2 SO4is added from a pH controlling device (10) to keep the pH in the tank at 3.5-4.5, and bacteria for decomposing a substrate of yeast and malted rice are increased to digest the substrate, and excess bacteria are returned through a bacteria-returning devices (13,14,15).    ADVANTAGE -    As NH3 is not generated in the tank, deterioration of treated soln. is prevented and stopping of after-treatments occurring due to the existence of NH3, which sometimes occurs in a conventional process, is prevented.
Hot water type crude waste treating machine comprises a crude waste treating tank (3) having a double-structured circumferential wall (4), stirring blades (2) placed at its inside and small beads of capsules (5) enclosing heat accumulating agent, placed in the circumferential wall, and an opening or closing lid (1) placed on the crude waste treating tank. Hot water supplied from a gas water heater through hot water tubes (6a,6b) for circulation is circulated in the circumferential wall.    USE/ADVANTAGE -   To treat crude waste discharged from kitchens by heating the crude waste machine with hot water. The temp. in the crude waste treating tank can be maintained at the optimum temp. of thermophilic bacteria (60 deg.C) by using a gas water burner to produce hot water at cost lower than the use of electricity and using the heat accumulating agent.
Crude waste treatment appts. comprises a fermenting and stirring tank (2) having a crude waste injection hole (4) at its top, crude waste transportation hole (16) at one side of its bottom (2a) and a rotation blade (7) supported at the central part of its inside rotatably, and having a hot air supply hole (14) at its back side end, crude waste outlet hole (16) at its front side end, an opening (18) at its back part of the circumferential wall and screw (13) fixed along the length direction of its inner surface. The rotation drum is rotated in normal and reverse direction by a driving force contacting with the lower part of the circumference of the fermenting and stirring tank to connect or disconnect the opening with the crude waste transporting hole by the rotation.    USE/ADVANTAGE -   Used to treat crude waste discharged from kitchens. The contact area of crude waste and hot water is increased to increase the efficiency of drying and decrease the installation area and generation of problems is decreased.
Pseudomonas sp. TL1 (FERM P-14726) is new.    Also claimed is a method for biologically cleaning up polluted media by making Pseudomonas sp. TL1 act on the media polluted with aromatic cpds. or volatile organic chlorine cpds..    Aromatic cpds. are phenol and o-, m- or p-cresol, which also work as inducer for biodegradation of the volatile cpds., Organic chlorine cpds. are trichloroethylene (TCE) or dichloroethylene (DCE). Polluted media are water, air, and soil.    Pseudomonas sp. TL1 was isolated from the loam of Kanto area, Japan. It has the following properties: (1) growing well on a standard agar but not on MacConkey agar; (2) optimum temp. for growth 25-35C; (3) physiological properties: growing aerobically; oxidase (+); catalase (+); oxidn./fermentation test (-/-); redn. of KNO3 (-); conversion of L-tryptophan into indole (-); glucose acidification (-); (4) anabolism: glucose, L-arabinose, D-mannitol, K gluconate (+); D-mannose, N-acetyl-D-glucosamine, maltose, adipic acid (-).     It may be cultured on a solid or liq. M9 medium (6.2 g Na2 HPO4 , 3.0 g KH2 PO4 , 0.5 g NaCl and 1.0 g NH4C1/l; pH 7) contg. yeast extract at 30C.    USE -   The microorganism may be used in clean-up of polluted soil, ground water or air in the field of paper-pulp industries or precision machine industries. It may be fixed on a carrier (e.g. porous glass, ceramics, metal oxide, active C, kaolinite, zeolite, silica gel, alumina, starch, agar, chitin, polyvinyl alcohol, polyacrylamide) and used as bioreactor (column, tube or tank).    ADVANTAGE -   The method can be applied in a closed or open system.
Method for producing a group of effective microorganisms (EM) comprises incubating a mixt. of ten species of microorganisms of lactic acid bacteria, Bacillus subtilis, yeast, photosynthetic bacteria, Actinomycetes, Aspergillus, Penicillium, Neurospora, Mucor, Rhizopus, Syncehalastrum, Absida and Streptomyces, moisture and sugars with zeolite, shell fossil powder and enzyme at 30 deg.C to yield a mixt. of microorganisms, and further incubating with a powdered rice bran or wheat bran (1).    The microorganisms mixt. in a spore form is incubated in molasses or fruit juice for a day and night to give an undiluted soln., which is diluted several times.    USE/ADVANTAGE -   EM is useful in fertilising the sol of farming land and forest. EM can be used in prevention of unpleasant smell in urine or faeces and in treatment of obstipation. EM may also be used in removal of sludge or dirt. EM can also be used in converting kitchen waste into fertiliser. EM acts as anti-oxidant or antiseptic, which prevents putrefaction of the root of woods or cereals to promote growth of new roots. EM also prevents putrefaction of the food in digestive organs.
The swathe turner consists of a frame (1) with wheels (4), equipped with a swather lifter (12) set across the direction of travel and driven from a tractor pto shaft (28) through a coupling system (24). The tractor (28) also acts as a power unit for the wheel drive and steering systems (5,6,8,9,10), with the wheels situated furthest from the coupling unit being steerable. The swathe lifter (12) is driven through a propshaft system (32), connected to the pto shaft through an angle-turning unit (34) and a propshaft (36). The wheels are driven by hydraulic motor/reduction gear units (5,6) and chain and sprocket transmission mechanism (8,9,10).    ADVANTAGE -   Reasonable operating cost, operating at speeds compatible with obtaining a good level of aeration.
Swathe turner consists of a frame on wheels (4) or tracks, and a swathe lifter in the form of an oblique conveyor (12) with at least one toothed endless belt (14), inclined downwards in the direction of the machine's travel. Actuating means (30, 32, 34, 36) for the oblique conveyor are also included. The swathe turner is improved in that auxiliary means (12) are also included to remove and transfer the manure from the oblique conveyor.    USE -   Used for aerating manure or forestry waste to reduce its volume prior to transportation.    ADVANTAGE -   Low cost, simple design and efficient operation with material having less tendency to compact.
The container (1) for compost has a base (3) which is also perforated with ventilation holes (4). Several containers (1) can be fitted over each other to form a stack.    ADVANTAGE -   The container system can be used to compost large vols. of material in a small space, without oxygen starvation in the centre of the compost.
Two-stage composter for rotting kitchen or garden waste has a covered top opening. Leachate and rotting material are sepd., in a closed system with ventilation. The compost volume has two detachable interconnected casing sections (4,6). The cover (3) opens above the first (4) and below, in the second (6), is the fluid separator (7). Pref. basal openings of the slide-in-lower casing separate rotting material and liquid. The section (6) is clamped (5) against the first casing section and has ventilation openings (10) above the regions for fluid (9). Horizontal separating rods penetrate the upper casing, interconnected externally. A valve allows the fluid to be emptied. In the cover, a vent tube (22) is pref. connected with a roof ventilator.    USE -   A composter for rotting materials, esp. kitchen and garden waste.    ADVANTAGE -   The composter is designed for easy disposal of the rotting material, and emptying of the fluid produced. It takes advantage of the reduction in volume and weight of continuously composted materials, and removes the free water, for simple low volume, low cost disposal of the waste. The system is closed with respect to odour and fluid release, at the same time enjoying forced ventilation, hence it can be used indoors. This improves on earlier closed types, and cleaning is simpler. Fluid from the compost is collected separately, rather than saturating the material. The rod grid separates the composting stages, at the same time allowing continuous operation. Special provisions improve ventilation.
Oils and solvents contaminated by radioactive substances are treated by: (a) prepg. a vol. of water with predetermined dissolved O2 content, pH and redox potential; (b) adding to the water a vol. of contaminated oil or solvent which is only a fraction of the vol. of water; (c) allowing microorganisms to act on the mixt. at a predetermined temp. and for a predetermined time; (d) removing (part of) the effluent; (e) sepg. water from the material in the effluent; (f) recycling or rejecting the sepd. matter; (g) regenerating the water freed from the matter of the effluent, to restore the predetermined characteristics; (h) recycling (part of) the regenerated water; and (i) starting the cycle again from stage (a). An appts. is also claimed.    ADVANTAGE -   Air and water can be released into the atmosphere or the drains under strictly controlled conditions. The radioactive matter is collected in a very small vol. of waste, which is easily treated and stored. Gelling of the oxidn. prods. from the oils and solvents is avoided.
The biological treatment appts. comprises: (i) a vessel contg. contaminated material and water producing a satd. solid phase with an overlying water column; (ii) an aeration system comprising a pump (10), an aerator (11) and a controller (12), for injection of air into the water colum at a rate sufficient to maintain the dissolved oxygen level at the biological oxygen demand without agitation that would produce an unacceptable level of air emission; (iii) contaminant-digesting microbes with supporting material, to sustain growth of a microbial bloom in the water column; and (iv) a wand system comprising a liq. pump (5) producing 85-130 psi, a discharge hose (6) and a wand outlet (7), to produce a slurry of material, microbes and oxygen.    Also claimed is the removal of contaminated materials, in which surfactants are present at concns. of 8-64 ounces per 15 cubic yards.    USE -   Used in the treatment of e.g. soil or a man-made material. Contaminants are hydrocarbons and/or other organic materials.    ADVANTAGE -   Mechanical, chemical and biological remediation processes are integrated. Any open vessel may be used. The small vol. of water may be reused. The process rejuvenates itself after each cycle. The air system does not cause stripping of volatile contaminants and no undesirable prod. that requires further treatment is obtd..
A process for the conversion of synthesis gas to liq hydrocarbons and less than 10 mole % methane involves contacting, at reaction conditions, a feed contg. CO and H2 in molar ratio H2:CO of 0.5:1 or more, at total pressure of 80 psig or more, over a catalyst compsn. of productivity of at least 150 hr-1 at 200 C. The catalyst compsn. comprises Co dispersed as a catalytically active layer on the outer surface of an inorg. oxide support of thickness of less than 200 m with the loading of Co at least 0.04 g/cc in the layer, calculated at metallic Co per packed volume of catalyst.    Also claimed is a process for the conversion of synthesis gas to 10C+ hydrocarbons.    USE -   For conversion of synthesis gas to liq. hydrocarbons esp. distillate fuel contg. linear paraffins and olefins.    ADVANTAGE -   Has high selectivity and conversion esp. to 10+C distillate at low methane selectivity.
Use of organic waste may be utilised in cultivation of synanthropic fly larvae is claimed. Ovipositors are placed in an organic substrate contg. (in wt.%) 4-18 dried milk and 1-6 yeast as the source of proteins and carbon and additionally, 10-20 sawdust as a filler and the balance, water. Cultivation for 12-48 hrs. at 26-36 deg.C and 60-75% relative humidity using air change of 0.0.1 m3/hr.kg is followed by transfer of the larvae to organic waste for further cultivation up to the pre-chrysalis stage.    USE -   Used in agriculture and technical entomology.
The device includes a helium gas feed pipe (22) which is connected to a gas fuel feed pipe coupled to a gas fuel feed manifold (1). Helium gas is fed to a fuel rod together with gas fuel. A gas sensor (23) is connected to an air discharge pipe (17) which is coupled to an air discharge manifold (12). The density of the helium gas which leaks and permeates from a fuel pole to an air pole and is discharged with non-reactive air is detected.    A helium gas density measuring signal is fed to a computing device (24). An abnormal signal is generated by adding an operation condition and a current value signal to the calculated helium density. Gas fuel flow rate signal and air flow rate signal for a fuel battery generating device are compared with a standard value.    ADVANTAGE -   Leakage and permeation of reactive gas between two electrodes is accurately detected during generating operation.
Prodn. of fertiliser comprises (1) pulverising organic waste, (2) adding microorganisms for fermentation stimulator and water content adjuster followed by mixing, (3) anaerobic fermentation of the mixt., and (4) drying the fermenter mixt.    The microorganisms pref. comprises at least 1 of lactic acid bacteria, photosynthetic bacteria, moulds, actinomycetes and yeasts. The lactic acid bacteria are Lactobacillus, Propionibacterium, Pediococcus and Streptococcus, partic. Lactobacillus bulgaricus, Propionibacterium freudenreichii, Pediococcus halophilus, Streptococcus lactis and Strepto. faecalis, photosynthetic bacteria of Rhodopseudomonas, Rhodospirillum, Chromatium and Chlorobium, partic. Rhodopseudomonas sphaeroides, Rhodospirillum rubrum, Chromatium okenii and Chlorobium limicola, moulds of Aspergillus and Mucor, partic. Aspergillus japonicus, Asper. oryzae and Mucor hiemalis, actinomycetes of Streptomyces, Streptoverticillium, Nocardia, Micromonospora and Rhodococcus, partic. Streptomyces albus, Streptoverticillium baldaccii, Nocardia asteroides, Micromonospora chalcea and Rhodococcus rhodocrous and yeasts of Saccharomyces and Candida, partic. Saccharomyces cerevisiae, Saccharomyces lactis and Candida utilis. The fermentation stimulator is fixed on organic or inorganic powder.    Organic waste is pulverised to sizes of up to 5 mm. and fermented with the fermentation stimulator prepd. by anaerobic culture of the microorganisms for 7-10 days at pH 3.5-4.5 in organic powder (e.g. 80% rice bran and 20% coffee wastage). The fermented fertiliser is granulated and dried to give fertiliser.    ADVANTAGE -   Fertiliser is produced without malodour or growth of insects.
Treatment of fowl droppings comprises culturing microorganisms e.g. photosynthetic bacteria, lactic acid bacteria, and actinomycetes and adding to sewage contg. fowl droppings so that the fowl droppings are fermented and decomposed.    The treating device comprises: a henhouse (100) having a water passage in which circulation water to receive the fowl droppings flows; a sewage treating tank (200) which stores the sewage including the fowl droppings and effects fermentation and decomposition with the microorganisms; and a spawn tank (300) to receive the sewage and fresh water from the sewage treating tank and to culture the microorganisms.    ADVANTAGE -   The fowl droppings can be treated without generation of malodour to the environment.
Prodn. of organic fertiliser comprises (1) adjusting raw materials contg. organic materials to water content of 40-60 wt.%, (2) shearing, kneading and heating with friction under pressure at 40-90 deg.C, (3) granulation and ozone oxidn. of the surface of granules to inhibit growth of thermophilic anaerobes while stimulating the growth of thermophilic aerobes and (4) fermentation.    Pref. wastage e.g. from kitchens, agriculture, livestock and food industries, faeces, manures and sewage treatment are treated. During the process, thermophilic aerobes are selectively grown and psychrophilic and mesophilic microorganisms, pathogenic microorganisms and seeds of weeds are killed under elevated temp. The prodn. of fertiliser is carried out using a flow system appts.    ADVANTAGE -   Culture of thermophilic aerobes is effected with suppression of thermophilic anaerobes without malodour or waste water.
A fuel cell appts. is provided with a fuel cell for generating electric power by oxidizing electrochemically fuel gas formed by a modification reaction, comprises a means for feeding oxygen gas-containing oxidising gas to the fuel gas selectively, a means for detecting lowering of the electric power output emitted from the fuel cell, and a means for controlling the supply of the oxidising gas according to the detection signal.    ADVANTAGE -   The appts. prevents poisoning of an electrode catalyst effectively. Fuel component is effectively utilised.
Rate of water content detection sensor (13) to detect the rate of water content of crude waste treating agent in a treating tank (3) contg. the crude treating agent, a heat generation means and temp. sensor (13c) to detect a temp. increase caused by a rate of water content of crude waste treating agent, when it is heated by the heat generation means, are fixed to the back of a casing (14) having the surface formed by a high thermal conductivity material to contact with crude waste treating agent. At the back of the casing a moulding (15) is moulded together with the heat generation means and temp. sensor.    USE -   Used to detect a rate of crude waste treating agent, e.g. saw dust, in a treating tank to decompose crude waste.
Gas storage appts. for use in storing a gas including methane as a main component comprises: (a) an entrance/exit opening for allowing entrance and exit of the gas to be stored; (b) a gas-tight maintaining mechanism capable of maintaining the gas under a pressurised state inside a container; and (c) a pressure vessel which may be constantly maintained at a normal temp. and which accommodates an organometallic complex with a one-dimensional channel structure. A gaseous fuel automobile is also claimed and includes the above gas storage appts. and an internal combustion engine powered by the gas supplied from the storage appts.. Further claimed is a gas storage method including the adsorption and retaining of a target gas under pressurised, normal temp. condition on an adsorbing-retaining agent comprising as the main component an organometallic complex as above. A methane absorbing-retaining agent is obtd. by mixing carboxylic acid dissolved in organic solvent with a soln. contg. at least one salt of Cu, Mo, Cr, Rh, W and Pd. The agent comprises as main component the above organometallic complex.    USE -   The appts. for storing gas including methane for use in gaseous fuel automobiles.    ADVANTAGE -   The inexpensive appts. includes an organometallic complex which is a gas absorbing-retaining agent. It has increased vol. adsorbing capacity and stable pore structure.
Combined decontamination of soil polluted with organic pollutants and with heavy metals, which are difficult to degrade comprises mixing the soil with small amts. of organic substrates by contacting it with process water contg. micro-organisms, nutrients, trace elements and complex-formers.    ADVANTAGE -   The organic pollutants and heavy metals are broken down in one stage. The heavy metals are mobilised and complexed and do not affect the efficiency of the microorganisms. Admixture with about 5% of organic matter opens up the soil and releases surfaces for adsorption of microorganisms. The process water can be recycled.
Compost curing system has air delivered to a plenum beneath a floor on which partially cured compost is deposited. Air passes from the plenum (14) into the compost through slits in the floor. The slits narrow from bottom to top. In 1 aspect the slits are 1/16 in. wide at their top. The floor is made of planks (12), each is a longitudinally extended polyhedron with a trapezoidal cross section and the planks are laid with their longer parallel side uppermost so the slits are at the apex of generally triangular trenches.    Also claimed is a method of curing compost as above.    ADVANTAGE -   The system gives uniform air distribution which avoids clogging and resultant system downtime Emissions to the atmos. are dispersed and water is conserved within the system.
Air containing volatile organic contaminants (VOCs) is incorporated into a liq by generating a foam. The liq contains a surfactant, nutrients and micro-organisms which metabolically degrade the VOCs into CO2 and other components. A bioreactor for performing as above has a foam generator (15) connected to a reaction pipe. The pipe (20) is long enough and the foam flows through it slowly enough for the VOCs to be degraded within it. The pipe connects to a defoamer (25) with a CO2effluent port (62).    A foam has a liq phase containing nutrients and VOCs degrading micro-organisms and a gaseous phase containing VOCs. The liq phase contains no substantial source of C as a feedstock for the micro-organisms.    USE -   Biodegradation of airborne VOCs.    ADVANTAGE -   A cost effective vapour phase bioreactor which maintains a controlled uniformly thick biofilm and does not biofoul.
Prodn. of higher mol. wt. hydrocarbons from hydrogen and carbon monoxide using a Fischer Tropsch synthesis and a promoted Fe-based catalyst in a slurry reaction comprises: (a) converting carbonaceous material in the presence of carbon dioxide and water into hydrogen and carbon monoxide in a ratio of 0.5-2.5 pts. hydrogen to 1 pt. carbon monoxide; (b) removing the carbon dioxide from the hydrogen and carbon monoxide by conversion; (c) reacting the hydrogen and carbon monoxide in above ratios in a Fischer-Tropsch synthesis reaction vessel in the presence of a hydrocarbon slurry contg a catalyst consisting of a promoted Fe catalyst at sufficient temp, pressure, and space velocity to promote the formation of 5C+ hydrocarbon, the hydrocarbon slurry contg 5-20 wt% catalyst; (d) recovering gaseous and liquid hydrocarbons produced by the Fischer-Tropsch reaction; and (e) recovering at least a portion of the carbon dioxide in the recovered gaseous products back to the 1st conversion step. The hydrocarbon products are continuously produced at preselected varying rates depending on a varying amt of continuously available synthetic gas.    USE -   The process is used for converting hydrocarbon-contg. gases, esp. gases rich in methane, into hydrogen and carbon monoxide.    ADVANTAGE -   The hydrocarbon products are efficiently produced with(out) recycling gaseous effluent directly back into the Fischer-Tropsch reaction zone. The catalyst has high activity and selectivity for producing 5C+ hydrocarbons.
Prepn. of solid compsn. (I) contg. Pt and Cl2 comprises: (a) impregnating alumina with at least one Pt cpd.; (b) heating the impregnated alumina obtd. at 300-650C for 5 min; (c) heating the calcined material obtd. with a reducing gas at 100C for 5 min; and (d) heating the material obtd. with gaseous aluminium chloride and gas titanium tetrachloride at 400-700C for 10 min, where the molar ratio of AlCl3:TiCl4 is 5-15:1.    (I) is prepd. by the above method is also claimed and contains 0.2-0.4 wt.% Pt, 0.15-0.2 wt.% Ti and 2.5-4 wt.% Cl.    (I) is used as a catalyst in the isomerisation of satd. 4-8C hydrocarbons.
The fuel cell stack includes a number of fuel cell blocks which has a number of fuel cell units. Each fuel cell units has an anode, a cathode, and a matrix containing an electrolyte. A first internal manifold has a first input and a number of first outputs. The first outputs are respectively connected to the number of fuel cell units. A first external manifold has a number of first branches.    Each of the first branches is respectively connected to the first input of the first internal manifold in each of the number of fuel cell blocks. The fuel cell blocks has a number of bipolar plates, which are respectively interposed between the number of fuel cell units. The valves are respectively provided on each of the first branches of the first external manifold to control amount of reaction gas supplied to each of the number of fuel cell blocks.    ADVANTAGE -   Has reliable gas seal and uniformly distributes fuel.
Processing of a carbon-contg. material (CCM) comprises letting microorganisms act on it in an aq. soln. under aerobic conditions at 20-35 C while stirring. The CCM is treated with a mixt. of bacteria consisting of strains of Acinetobacter calcoaceticus VKPM B-4883, Pseudomonas denitrificans VKPM B-4884, Pseudomonas sp. 'longa' VKPM B-4885, taken in respective quantities (6-8)x109, (3-4)x109 and (2-3)x109 cells per litre of soln. respectively, in the presence of a source of dissolved phosphorus, under non-sterile conditions.    The source of dissolved phosphorus is KH2PO4, in quantity 0.1-0.5 g/l or phosphate meal, in quantity 1-10g/l. The ratio of solid to liq. components is 1:4. The raw materials include peat, hard and brown coals and waste from their processing.    USE -   The method is useful in the prodn. of humus contg. prods. e.g. in the agricultural, microbiological, chemical and coal industries.    ADVANTAGE -   The method is simpler and quicker than previous processes, is cheap, ecologically clean, waste-free, and ensures the microbiological transformation of difficult-to-dissolve organic and mineral materials into soluble form, easily assimilated by higher plants, and activation of soil biochemical processes.
Recultivation of ground damaged by coal mining comprises smoothing of the surfaces, introduction of coal waste, prepn. of humic acids and sowing of plant seeds, previously treated with a bacterial culture of Azotobacter chroococcum (AC). Before its introduction the coal waste is mixed with wood waste in 1: (0.2-0.8):0.1 ratio, and the mixt. obtd. is mixed with plant seeds, previously wetted in a humic acid prepn. inoculated with AC, strain K-1 N34, and after introduction of the mixt. the ground is harrowed. The humic acid prepn. is pref. diluted with water in 1:20000 to 1:2000 ratio.    USE -   The method is useful for the recultivation of land damaged by e.g. coal mining, building work or pipeline laying.    ADVANTAGE -   The method improves the agrochemical properties and biological activity of grounds in dry regions and shortens seed germination time. The method increases the level of saprophytic microflora and Azotobacteria, doubles seed germination capacity and increases the mean plant ht. compared with known methods.
A profiled Kaggen (RTM: glass fibre-reinforced polyester)container with a removable rot-resistant polyester fabric filter for dewatering and composting sewage pumped up into the container from a cesspit. Solid sludge particles are retained whilst water passes through the filter and runs down between the filter and container wall to the base of the container from where it is passed along a pipe back to the cesspit. Kitchen and garden refuse may also be added to the sludge in the container. Compost is removed by lifting out the filter.    USE -   Useful for toilets in houses located in suburban or rural areas.    ADVANTAGE -   The need to take away sewage sludge from individual households and then dispose of it at disposal sites is eliminated. (Reissue of entry advised in week 9634 based on complete specification).
Catalyst for producing S from H2S is obtd. as follows: (a) plasticised Al(OH)3 is mixed with additional 30 - 50 wt. % silica in the form of acid soln. or technical clay contg. 63 - 65 wt. % SiO2, of up to 30 microns particle size, and with 4.8 - 19.2 wt. % Ti concentrate contg. 93 - 95 wt. % TiO2 of the same fineness. Granulation, drying at 110 C and calcining at 550 - 1200 C completes the prepn.    USE -   In catalytic purification of fuel gases rich in CH4.    ADVANTAGE -   Increased stability and mechanical strength of the catalyst
A burner drying device comprises a powdery material fuel feeding device (1) to feed powdery material fuel; a powdery material burner (burner device) (6) to burn powdery material fuel fed by the device (1); a drier (11) to dry refuse using the temp. of combustion gas generated by the powdery material burner (6); a refuse feeding device (14) to feed refuse in the drier (11); and a return line (23) to introduce a smell in the drier (11) to the powdery material burner (6).    ADVANTAGE -   Smell does not float in a periphery and environment is maintained.
Germination inhibiting compost is produced by fermentation of raw materials by inoculation of seed culture of long chain fatty acid producing microorganisms.    Raw materials pref. contain 50-80 wt.% far animal faeces, seed culture is prepd. by fermentation of raw materials contg. rice bran and waste molasses at concns. of at least 50 wt.% in total by inoculation of long chain fatty acid producing microorganisms, partic. Aspergillus candidus KGM4403 (FERM P-14701), Mortierella sp. KGM3801 (FERM P-14700) and/or Kluyveromyces sp. KGY4701 (FERM P-14702), aerobic fermentation at 30-80 wt.% of water content and at 30-70C.    Seed culture with microorganisms including Saccharomyces cerevisiae and Candida lipolytica and Rhodotorula gracilis is carried out on nutrients (e.g. rice bran, waste molasses, wastes of breweries and tea, and starch). The seed culture is inoculated to raw materials contg. 50-80 wt.% of farm animal faeces in 3 steps of pre-culture and 1st and 2nd main culture to give compost.    ADVANTAGE -   Control of weeds.
Treatment comprises adding organic waste to sludge and fermenting them to make plant compost.    ADVANTAGE -   High quality soil can be manufactured from sludge, without dumping sludge into the sea or embedding sludge.
An organic substance is charged in a disposal tank (1). The organic substance is decomposed by microorganisms and changed into compost. In the organic substance disposal device, a culturing carrier (63) for microorganism is formed of a mixt. of wood fine pieces and activated coal.    ADVANTAGE -   The generation of odour and lowering of organic substance disposal efficiency is prevented.
Device is equipped with a fermentation chamber (A) in which fermentation bed (B) is installed; a water content sensor (C) that detects water content of (B); a temp. sensor (D); a heater (E) that heats (D); another heater (F) that heats (B); and a controller (G).    ADVANTAGE -   Water content of fermentation bed can be kept on optimum condition for growth of garbage-decomposing microorganisms.    In an example, (3) is the fermentation chamber; (6) is the controller; and (13) is the water content sensor.
Device is equipped with fermentation bed (A) and system (B) that detects (A)'s water content (C), (B) comprises a temp. sensor (D), a heater (E), a storage device (F), and a controller (G). (E) heats (D). Temp.-rise characteristics (H) of (D) is stored in (F), (G) calculates (C) by comparing output of (D) with (H). (D) is a thermistor.    ADVANTAGE -   Device is able to suppress deviation of outputs of conventional water content sensor so that it is able to treat garbage with higher efficiency than conventional devices.    In an example, (3) is a fermentation chamber; (6) is a controller; and (13) is a water content sensor.
Device is equipped with fermentation chamber (A) in which fermentation bed is installed; a heater (B) which heats (A); and an on-off junction (C) made of bimetal. (B) is insulated thermally from the air. On-off of (B) is carried out using a controller (D) by the prefixed duty-ratio according to the temp. outside of the device.    (A) is pref. also equipped with a thermistor which detects temp. outside of device and supplies it to (D).    ADVANTAGE -   Device is able to heat fermentation chamber with high efficiency, besides able to prolong the life of bimetal owing to the variable duty ratio of bimetal according to the temp. outside the device.    In an example, (3) is the fermentation chamber; (6) is the controller; (13) is the thermistor; and (21) is the heater. Duty ratios are prefixed for the temp. outside the device, i.e. if the case temp. is lower than 5 deg.C: 85% (on = 850 ms and off = 150 ms), if the case temp. is 5-15 deg.C: 70% (on = 70% and off = 30%), if the case temp. is higher than 15 deg.C: 50%.
Device is equipped with a fermentation chamber (A) in which a fermentation bed is installed, a blower (B) which supplies warm air to (A), two sensors (C,D) that determine the temp. inside and outside of (A) respectively. Temp. of warm air is controlled w.r.t. temp. outside of (A). Temp. of warm air is higher than 10 deg.C.    ADVANTAGE -   Device is able to supply warm air to fermentation chamber of which temp. is optimum for growth of microorganisms to remove excess moisture from fermentation chamber w.r.t. temp. outside of device. Running cost is also decreased.    In an example, (3) is a fermentation chamber; (14) is a heater; (18) is a thermistor that determines the temp. outside of device; and (50) is second thermistor that determines temp. inside of fermentation chamber.
Device (A) decomposes garbage (B) with microorganisms, equipped with a sensor (thermistor) (C) that detects the water content of (B), another sensor (thermistor) (D) that detects the temp. outside of (A), a controller (E) that controls water content-adjusting means (F), and a controller that corrects the output of (C) w.r.t. output of (D).    ADVANTAGE -   Device is able to hold garbage on the optimum condition for garbage decomposing microorganisms.    In an example, (2) is a sensor (a thermistor) that detects water content of garbage, (3) is a fermentation chamber and (18) is a thermistor that detects the temp. outside of this device. Precise water content of fermentation bed (garbage) can be obtd. by correcting the differences between the outputs of (C) and (D) with the outputs of (D).
The method involves using a true fungus (4). The solid organic waste is taken in a container (2), to which the fungus is added. A screw type tool (1) is used for mixing the contents of the container.    By the action of the fungus, the solid organic waste is decomposed and liquified. The pH requirement of the fungus is 4.7-6.7.    ADVANTAGE -   Enables addition of external alkali even if pH of fungus reduces remarkably. Eases meltability.
The raw garbage processor (10) has a processing chamber (12) set up in inner peripheral surface of an air tight container (11). Raw garbage (40) from a fluidizing disposer (20) is supplied to the processing chamber. An agitating wing (14) is set up to agitate the raw garbage. A microorganism group (17) is supplied by a porous member (17A) and contains ferment group to decompose the agitated raw garbage.    An oxygen supply part (19) supplies oxygen to the raw garbage. An outlet (11D) is set up in the air tight container to expel processing water (60) from the processing chamber.    ADVANTAGE -   Performs decomposition process in short time. Expels processing glass which does not contain solid. Prevents stopping of drainage.Controls stopping of processing chamber.
In a compositing system air is supplied and venting is provided by aerating lines in several planes running horizontally from the lateral edge to the centre of the heap, where they pass into a chimney extending up to the top of the heap. Venting lines are laid transversely through the heap, with their lowermost point at the centre of the heap, rising on both sides and projecting 20 cm from the heap.    Each venting line is pref. angled to form its own chimney.    Aerating and venting lines can be laid alteratively in equally-spaced planes.    ADVANTAGE -   Heaps higher than 1.5 m can be reliably aerated and vented.
A recycling process for composite packaging involves fermentation with the aid of a substance such as clarification sludge, using a bio-gas unit operated with or without heating. Pref., after fermentation, polyethylene floats on the surface of the fermenting substance and any metal, contained in the packaging, sinks.    ADVANTAGE -   Recycling is carried out without chemicals, high drinking water consumption and high heating costs.
The decomposition vessel includes a container for decomposing material, an air intake by which air can be admitted to container and a vent extending within the decomposing material in the container. Gases can be vented from within the decomposing material to control the temperature. The vent is provided by one or more venting tubes extending into the container, each tube including an array of venting orifices spaced around and along the length of the venting tube.    The vessel includes a container cover and each venting tube includes a vent cover to allow exit of gasses but limit entry of insects and other pests. The depth of the venting tube or tubes within said container is adjustable. The venting tube or tubes is replaceable by a tube or tubes having a different array of venting orifices. A drainage system is included by which liquid may be drained off. The drainage system also serves as an air intake for said container.    USE/ADVANTAGE -   For cultivation of worms. Oxygen levels and temp are controlled giving more efficient decomposition. Gases can be vented.
A sec. fuel comprises a mainly organic material, rich in crude fibre, biologically inert and low in pollutants, obtd. from waste contg. organic material by (a) feeding the waste, without pre-fermentation, into a single or multi-chamber rotting device, (b) subjecting the material for not more than 100 h to intensive aerobic rotting under the usual conditions, (c) subjecting the material for not more than 350 h to closed aerobic post-rotting, under the usual conditions, and (d) stopping further rolling by lowering the moisture in the rotting device or during the post-rotting to below 40%, thus drying the mainly organic compsn. to a dry matter content of at least 60%.    USE -   Use of the organic compsn. as a sec. fuel is claimed,e.g. in vortex or grate firing or in the cement industry.    ADVANTAGE -   The sec. fuel has a valuable heating value, can be stored for long periods, is cheap to produce, is bio-inert, and is flexible w.r.t. starting materials. No drainage water is formed.
System for handling residual prods., pref. from toilets,comprises a toilet seat (1) which separates the urine and faeces, containers (2, 3) for the urine and faeces, separating pipes (4, 5) for some of the urine and some of the faeces, a novel hose pump (6) which transports the faeces and flush water and a flush system which restricts the amt. of flush water to a small amt. per flush. The new pump (6) comprises a casing (10) which contains the following parts: (i) a rotor (11) with a boss (12) that has projecting feed wings (13); (ii) a rotor drive device in the form of hand- or foot-driven pedal or column (14) connected to the rotor via a stop boss (15); and (iii) a compressible hose (16) between an inlet (17) in the housing from the toilet seat and an outlet (18) to a pipe (5), supported by a rotation surface (20) on the casing when the hose is compressed by the respective feed wing as the latter passes along this rotation surface as the rotor turns.    USE -   The system is useful for making compost in farms or domestic dwellings, esp. in conjunction with new ''dublette'' toilets in which the urine/flush water is sepd. from the faeces.    ADVANTAGE -   Semi-dry faeces and kitchen waste can be transported to an anaerobic composting unit, thereby saving flush water. The compost prod. has a substantially reduced vol., high nutrient content (esp. N) and pH value, is well oxygenated and its moisture content is easily regulated. (Reissue of the entry advised in week 9633 based on complete specification).
The working fluid contains 25-60 wt.% cyclopropane and 30-70 wt.% 1,1,1,2-tetrafluoroethane.    Also claimed are: (i) a working fluid contg. 1,1,2,2-tetrafluoroethane, 20-70 wt.% cyclopropane and 15-65 wt.% pentafluoroethane; (ii) a working fluid contg. 1,1,2,2-tetrafluoroethane, 25-35 wt.% cyclopropane and 20-70 wt.% propane; and (iii) a working fluid contg. 1,1,2,2-tetrafluoroethane, 5-80 wt.% cyclopropane and 10-55 wt.% 1,1,1-trifluoroethane.    USE -   Used for heat pumps.
Fermentation closed vessel is in form of small bucket body (1). A ring-shape projection (13) is provided all over opening of bucket (1). A groove-shape recess (14) is provided all over the circumference of a flexible plastics cover (4). By inserting the ring-shape projection (13) into the groove-shape recess (14), cover (4) is placed on bucket (1). A small hole (17) is provided on the bucket (1) to release fermentation gas. The hole (17) is opened or closed by part of the cover (4) which is deformed by fermentation gas.    ADVANTAGE -   Fermentation can be performed stably without occurrence of decay.
Prodn. of compost from organic waste is by (I) adjusting water content to 30-60% by mixing with other components and anaerobic fermentation material followed by anaerobic fermentation in a sealed vessel for 4-8 days.    Also claimed is appts. for prodn. of compost from organic waste using above process, followed by granulation, drying and storage, opt. equipped with dehydrating device prior mixing with the other components and further equipped with a partial return device of the produced compost to raw materials.    Process is carried out in a sealed apparatus.    ADVANTAGE -   Produces compost in short period of time without malodour or fear of pest insects.    In an example, organic food waste contg. 76.3% water and anaerobic fermentation material contg. 9.3% water were mixed to water content of 42.3%. Mixt. was anaerobically fermented for 4 days to form compost.
A bioconcrete in which EM bacteria and other useful microorganisms (photoautotroph, yeast, lactobacillus, and Aspergillus oryzae etc.) are used as an admixture. Also claimed is bio no-fines concrete having continuous pores, in which EM bacteria and other useful microorganisms (photoautotroph, yeast, lactobacillus, and Aspergillus oryzae etc.) are used as an admixture.    USE -   The bio (no-fines) concrete is useful for purifying industrial waste water, improving the quality of water in a pond and tank, treatment of waste water from home and factories. It is also useful for a construction which is required to promote greening, for example a structure in a park etc.    ADVANTAGE -   Bioconcrete can be produced easily,inexpensively and in any place. The bioconcrete itself can be used as a biofilter.
Garbage is pulverised and mixed with bio-fibre by a mixer (A) in fermentation bath then decomposed. Water vapour generated during fermentation is condensed with cooler utilising Peltier effect then treated with deodoriser and discharged from fermentation bath with carbon dioxide.    Also claimed is device in which a micro-switch is installed which detects change in load on mixer's vanes by obstacles then makes it to rotate reversely.    ADVANTAGE -   Decomposes garbage in optimum fermentation condition by removing produced water from fermentation bed.    In an example, a cross-section of this device is where (2) is a fermentation bath; (25) is the axis of the mixer; (28) is a vane of the mixer; (40) is a Peltier effect element; and (41) is a heat radiation fin. Water vapour generated in fermentation process flows as arrows and condensed with a cooler (39) and stored in a tank (36) where it is deodorised with absorbent (54) and discharged (37) with carbon dioxide.
Crude waste treatment appts. comprises treatment vessel (12) to store crude waste; stirrers (15) provided in treatment vessel; and heater (20) placed at lower part of treatment vessel for forming culture medium for microorganisms in treatment vessel and controlling culture medium so that crude waste injected continuously is easily decomposed by fermentation decomposition of microorganisms. Air-permeable plates (21, 22) are provided at the bottom and both sides of treatment vessel to provide the spaces at the bottom and both sides.    USE/ADVANTAGE -   Used for decomposing crude waste from kitchens by fermentation of microorganisms in domestic homes. Decomposition speed of crude refuse by microorganisms is increased by supplying warm air from heater to treatment vessel via the bottom.
System has a container (A) in which a fermentation bed (B) is installed and garbage is mixed with (B) and decomposed by microorganisms carried in (B). (B) is peat moss.    Also claimed is a device (C) equipped with (A); a mixer (D); a driver that drives (C); and a heater. (C) treats garbage using (B) made of peat moss.    USE/ADVANTAGE -   Used for treating garbage. Peat moss is economical and easily available.    In an example, cross section of this device is shown in fig. 2, where (2) is a lid, (3) is the container made of gas-permeable material, (10) is a heater, and (5) are vanes of mixer (4). Garbage is mixed with peat moss then heated up to temp. optimum for growth of microorganisms.
Appts. comprises a driving mechanism (2); rotation drum (1) placed on driving mechanism rotatably; stirring mechanism (3) placed inside rotation drum and intersecting rotational direction of rotation drum while exposing both ends from side plates of rotation drum slightly to the outside; and stirring rods (32) fixed to the driving mechanism at its both ends; stirring rods (32) connected to part of stirring mechanism inside rotation drum and projected downwards.    USE/ADVANTAGE -   Used for biologically treating crude refuse from kitchens of homes or restaurants. Crude refuse placed in rotation drum is automatically stirred, and prodn. cost of crude refuse decomposition treatment appts. can be decreased.
Organic waste treatment appts. comprises (a) a main body (10) divided into an upper chamber and lower chamber connected to each other by a passage (15); (b) an adjustment tank (20) which is the upper chamber of the main body, used to store organic waste; (c) a dewatering appts. (30) connected to the adjustment tank and connected to the passage at its delivery hole; (d) a deodorising appts. (40) having a deodorising chamber provided in a duct (43) with an air suction hole (41) at one end and blowers (42) for exhausting air at another end; (e) tanks (51a-51f) fitted with blades (56) divided in the lower chamber by parting plates (52) and arranged sequentially from one end to the other; (f) heaters (H) placed under each tank; and (g) on air supply tube (59) placed above each tank, connected to a blower (F) and fitted with a heater (h).    USE -   To reduce the vol. of crude refuse and suppress generation of bad smells.    ADVANTAGE -   Water content of organic waste can be decreased before fermentation to accelerate the fermentation of organic waste and organic waste can be treated continuously because the adjustment tank is included.
Appts. comprises crusher (10) to crush crude refuse supplying water with the crude refuse; transportation tube (20) to transport crushed crude refuse; dewatering appts. (30) to separate water from crushed refuse; water discharge tube (37) to discharge sepd. water, decomposing appts. (50) to decompose crude refuse by microorganisms after dewatering; microorganism carrier (51) placed in decomposing appts. to support microorganisms; water-permeable support plate (53) placed under microorganism carrier to support the microorganism carrier providing a space under the support plate; water discharge hole (55) connected to space under the support plate to discharge water; air pump (60) placed in decomposing appts. to supply air; air supply tube (63) connected to delivery hole of air pump to supply air to space under the support plate; exhaust hole (64) to guide decomposed gas generated in decomposing appts. to water discharge tube; and traps (20a, 37a) for transportation and water discharge tubes, respectively to prevent malodours from entering or leaving the tubes.    USE/ADVANTAGE -   Used to treat crude refuse from kitchens of homes. Appts. supplies air necessary for decomposing crude refuse to decomposing appts. and contains and exhausts generated decomposed gas outside.
Appts. comprises cultivation chamber (10) e.g. greenhouse to grow plants; crude waste treatment machine (1) to treat crude waste using aerobic microorganisms; and gas transportation means (9) e.g. blower to connect crude refuse treatment machine and cultivation chamber.    USE/ADVANTAGE -   Used for supplying carbon dioxide generated by aerobic decomposition of crude refuse by microorganisms to plants in greenhouse to recycle carbon in crude waste. Carbon is effectively recycled by decomposing crude waste to carbon dioxide and water and supplying carbon dioxide to plants for aiding growth.
Micro amt. of impurities (A) in inert gases (B) are removed by contacting with catalyst (C), comprising noble metal oxide (D) supported on porous inorganic materials (E) at 0-60C. (A) is at least one of methane, hydrogen gas, carbon monoxide, and nitrogen monoxide. (D) is at least one of palladium oxide and silver oxide). Facilities, equipped with a supply system of (B), an absorbing column filled with (E), a filter (F) for treated inert gases, and an outlet of treated inert gases, are claimed.    USE -   Used for producing high purity inert gases for prodn. of semiconductors.    ADVANTAGE -   The method decreases impurities in inert gas down to less than 0.1 ppb with high stability at room temp.
Nitrogen is sepd. from natural gas contg. 1-8C hydrocarbons by: (1) feeding to a distillation column to produce methane-rich bottoms liq., nitrogen rich overhead vapour and at least one intermediate vapour stream; (2) heat-exchanging the overhead vapour with the intermediate stream(s) to at least partially condense the intermediate stream(s); (3) returning the partially condensed stream(s) to the column to provide reflux; (4) using part of the warmed overhead vapour to provide at least part of the reboil for the column and produce a mixed vapour-liq. stream; and (5) returning the mixed stream to the column to provide further reflux. Also claimed is a plant for carrying out this process.    ADVANTAGE -   Process gives efficient sepn. in a single column (e.g. less than 2 mol.% methane in the nitrogen and less than 0.5 mol.% nitrogen in the methane), works well with low nitrogen-content gases and is tolerant of CO2 and heavier hydrocarbons.
In a process for gasifying material contg. combustible components in a circulating fluidised bed, the material is gasified in the fluidised bed reactor (4) with a feed of oxygen-contg. gas at 600 - 1000 C., a gas-solid mixt. is fed from above the reactor to a separator (8), dust-contg. gas is withdrawn from the separator, solids are removed from the gas, and the solids are recycled into the reactor. The dust-contg. gas from the separator is fed into a combustion chamber (19), in which the gas is burned at 1200 - 1900 C. forming a liquid slag. The slag and combustion gas are removed from the chamber, the gas being cooled forming water vapour. At least one part of the solids formed in the separator is fed to a fluidised bed condenser and cooled solids recycled into the lower part of the fluidised bed reactor. Water vapour is fed through the fluidised condenser to indirectly cool the solids, in which the water vapour is superheated to 300 - 600 C.    USE -   For gasifying municipal waste.    ADVANTAGE -   No caking on the walls of the reactor is produced.
Purification of waste comprises feeding water to several fixed-culture biological filters or other fixed-culture units operating in parallel at least once and at a constant rate, the number of filters to be fed being varied as a function of the total rate of flow.    The treatment pref. involves: (i) measuring, for each bio-filter, the cumulative duration or rate of flow over a given period of time, as well the amt. of time that the filters are not fed; and (ii) varying the order in which the filters are fed according to cumulative duration or rate of flow. The constant rate of flow to each filter corresponds to its max. purification capacity.    USE -   The process is applicable to municipal or industrial waste water, and in the purification of water for drinking purposes.    ADVANTAGE -   The performance of bio-filters is improved, fewer filters are used and nitrification yields are improved.
The operating method involves feeding the process gas for the cathode part (8) of the fuel cell block (4) through a heat exchanger (22), before supplying it to the fuel cell block, for pre-heating by the exhaust gases from a combustion process.    The process exhaust gas from the anode part (6) of the fuel cell block can be fed to a heat exchanger (82) for pre-heating the process gas for the anode part (6) of the fuel cell block. The exhaust gas from the cathode part similarly used for pre-heating the process gas for the cathode part by a further heat exchanger (24) in front of the combustion gas heat exchanger.    USE/ADVANTAGE -   For 200kWe power and heat system. Prevents damage to fuel cell block by soiling.
Waste material (A) comprising a raw fibre-rich, biological reaction-inert and low harmful substance content material is obtd. from waste (B) contg. organic material by a method contg. the following steps: (a) (B) is subject to a single- or multi-step decomposition process; (b) an intensive decomposition of (B) is carried out under standard conditions over a max. period of 100 hrs.; (c) an opt. further decomposition of (B) is carried out in sealed and/or open conditions; (d) the moisture content in the decomposition device is reduced to &lt;40%, opt. by means of step (c), to carry out another decomposition; and (e) the organic material is dried to dry substance content of 60% or more. Also claimed are (i) the above process for the prepn. of (A) and (ii) the use of (A) as an inert-rendered waste material.    USE -   (A) Is useful as a sec. fuel.    ADVANTAGE -   (A) Can be stored for long periods of time and is prepd. cheaply from a wide range of materials using standard equipment. (A) May also be decomposed at a later date if required.
The supply (1) to this waste water treatment plant passes to the primary sedimentation tank (2). There is at least one transfer device (20) (recycled activated sludge pump) and thickening system (8,14) for sludge produced. Settled sewage passes to the aerobic activated sludge plant (3). An anaerobic reactor (12) digests the sludge. The original feature is the construction of thickening and/or transfer systems, with the deliberate intention of subjecting micro-organism cells in the thickened sludge to lysis.    Also claimed are: (i) a device to thicken and/or transport sludge, which subjects the cells to lysis, and (ii) a sludge reduction procedure causing lysis as described.    USE -   To construct and run a waste water treatment plant producing less sludge and more sludge gas.    ADVANTAGE -   Significant reduction in sludge production is claimed. Conventional thickening and/or transfer devices may be used, with economy, to break down the cells, as well as more novel methods, such as ultrasound. Plant and personnel requirements do not alter, however the capacity of the sludge digester to produce methane for power generation is increased, together with the digestion rate of the sludge. Problem micro-organisms and poisons have less effect.
Humus material (I) comprises on dry wt. basis: 45% cellulosic material, 0.1-1.5% stabilised phosphorus, 0.1-1.5% stabilised potassium, 0.5-5.0% stabilised nitrogen, ammonia comprising &lt;3% of the total nitrogen. (I) is harvested from an animal excrement waste bioconversion process which comprises:(a) introducing an aq. mixt. of waste into a solids eco-reactor zone (EZ; II in figure);(b) precipitating and settling solids, N, K and P from the mixt.;(c) treating the mixt. with bio-converting microorganisms to form an aq. anaerobic effluent;(d) introducing the effluent into a bioreactor (20) comprising an anaerobic zone (ANZ) and an aerobic zone (AZ) (22);(e) treating the effluent in ANZ;(f) treating the effluent in AZ;(g) forming in AZ a biomass contg. enhanced facultative bacteria;(h) actively bio-converting at least part of the soluble P and N in the effluent treated in ANZ and AZ;(i) recycling effluent from step (h) to EZ (by line 17);(j) bio-converting, precipitating and settling at least a part of the transported material in EZ;(k) evaporating aq. fluid from EZ, and(l) recovering (I) from EZ.    USE -   (I) is a biologically active and/or nutrient rich, stable, economically and/or ecologically beneficial humus material.    ADVANTAGE -   Animal wastes which may include toxins, eg. insecticides and herbicides, are converted to a useful material. Ecological problems associated with local migration of unstabilised P and N are resolved.
The compositions consist of the following compositions ranges: R-22 : 20 to 80 wt. % R-218 : 80 to 20 wt. % and R-600a : 1 to 20 wt. %. The azeotrope or azeotrope-like mixtures of R-22 and R-218 are previously known (US3338287), but the ternary azeotropic mixture containing isobutane was not known before.    USE -   The composition is either azeotropic or azeotrope-like and is useful as a refrigerant, heat transfer fluid, foam blowing agent, aerosol propellant, etc.    ADVANTAGE -   Isobutane improves the oil solubility properties of the mixture. The ternary mixture also has a lower boiling point and better energy efficiency than the binary mixture. Other hydrocarbons may also be incorporated in the binary mixture for similar results.
Refrigerant compsn. comprises: (A) one of octafluorocyclobutane, 1,1,1-trifluoroethane, pentafluoroethane and 1,1,1,2-tetrafluoroethane; (B) trifluoromethane; (C) tetrafluoromethane; and (D) methane. Also claimed is a refrigerator having a compressor, a condenser, a prim. gas-liq. separator, a prim. heat exchanger, a second gas-liq. separator, a sec. heat exchanger and a cooler.    ADVANTAGE -   The refrigerant compsn. does not destroy ozone.
Composting agricultural product waste comprises fermenting microorganisms including a high-temps. bacteria gp. and activated sludge and mixing with the agricultural product waste. Until the fermentation has ended the pH of the mixt. is suitably adjusted.    Pref. the high-temp. bacteria gp. are those derived from sewage sludge. The pH adjusting agent is calcium hydroxide and calcium carbonate.    USE/ADVANTAGE -   Used to compost agricultural product waste (such as strained lees of oranges, soybeans, etc. produced during the prepn. of agricultural products). A large amt. of agricultural product waste can be composed efficiently in a short period.
The bio-reactor is composed of a box body (12), air blowing pipe (16), which can effectively treat the waste water containing organic material.    ADVANTAGE -   The process provides the bio-reactor, which can effectively treat the waste water contg. organic material.
Appts. (1) having a microorganism carrier (3) to support microorganisms to decompose crude waste comprises a heating means (10) to heat the microorganism carrier a carrier temp. detector (11) to detect a temp. of carrier, a temp. discrimination means to detect if a detected temp. of the carrier is lower than a target temp. of the microorganism carrier, a first controller to output a working signal to the heating means until the temp. of the carrier reaches the target temp., when a detected temp. is lower than the target temp., and a second controller to maintain the temp. of the carrier to the target temp. for a specific period by outputting a signal to the heating means after the temp. of microorganism carrier reaches the target temp.    USE/ADVANTAGE -   used for treating crude waste generated from homes or restaurants by injecting microorganism carrier contg. microorganisms to a crude waste treating tank (2). Water content and temp. of microorganism carrier may be maintained to the optimum condition to maximise the ability of microorganisms to decompose crude waste.
Method for the pyrolytic treatment of waste containing organic material comprising; (i) a stage for loading the waste onto transport trolley (5); (ii) a stage for inserting the loaded trolleys (5) into a treatment tunnel (2) where there is a pyrolysis chamber (21); (iii) a stage for indirectly heating the waste inside the pyrolysis chamber (21) to a temp. that causes pyrolysis; and (iv) extraction of gaseous pyrolysis products from the chamber (21); and (v) a stage for extracting the trolleys (5) from the tunnel (2) to unload the solid residues from the trolleys (5).    Also claimed is a plant for treating waste containing organic material.    USE -   For the pyrolytic treatment of waste containing organic material, particularly municipal solid waste.    ADVANTAGE -   The method is simpler than conventional pyrolytic methods, allowing easier energy recovery of the products. There is high operating flexibility. The carbon residue is recovered and can be used optionally as a combustible product even outside the plant. The plant can perform practically continuously. The plant requires relatively low investment and operating costs. The plant limits environmental pollution.
The refrigerant compsn. used in a refrigerator including a compressor, a condenser, a receiver, an expansion valve, an evaporator, etc., comprises: (a) at least one paraffin hydrocarbon refrigerant gas; (b) a silicone oil for flame-retarding (a); and (c) at least one ether.    USE -   The non-azeotropic refrigerant compsn. is used as a substitute for 'Freon' (RTM) refrigerants.    ADVANTAGE -   The compsn. has a low evaporating temp. from the atmos., a low condensing pressure, a high latent heat of vaporisation, a low freezing pt., a large specific vol., a high critical temp., it does not react chemically with a refrigerating machine oil, its viscosity is low and it has good heat-transfer characteristics and it has good electrical insulation properties and it does not corrode electrical insulation materials. The silicone oil flame retardant prevents explosive burning if the paraffin hydrocarbon is ignited, making the compsn. safe for use in domestic refrigerators. The compsn. is harmless to humans and the environment and it may be used in refrigerators designed to use conventional 'Freon' (RTM) refrigerants. A polyhydric alcohol added to the compsn. acts as a second flammability reducing agent, an anticorrosion agent for metals, plastics, rubber, etc., and also as a lubricating oil for the refrigerator.
A method for the sepn. of an acidic gas from a gaseous mixt. contg. this gas and at least one non-acidic gas-comprises contact of the gaseous mixt. with a multi-layer composite membrane consisting of a first polymer carrier layer and a sepn. layer comprising a mixt. of water-soluble polymer and a salt of formula AxBy.nH2O (I) contg. at least one semi-equiv. of the repeat units in this polymer which is reactive towards the acidic gas. The membrane separates the acidic gas from the mixt. by selective permeation. A, B = ionic species with opposite charges; and n = moles water per mol. (I).    USE -   Useful for the sepn. of CO2 from H2 in synthesis plants for H2 and the removal of H2S and CO2 from natural gas.    ADVANTAGE -   The membrane has an increased permeability to the acidic gas without a redn. in selectivity.
The appts. for calibrating a gas sensor exhibiting a change in electrical characteristics in response to being exposed to a gas and having an output for a signal corresp. to the change in electrical characteristics, comprises: (a) an array of resistors arranged to produce a predetermined resistance, the array being coupled to the output of the sensor to produce an output signal corresp. to the electrical output response of the sensor, the array including a test point for measuring the output signal; and (b) a device for determining an arrangement of resistors in the array to provide a desired output response for the sensor based on output signal measured at the test point.    Also claimed are: (i) a process for calibrating a gas detector having a sensor exhibiting electrical characteristics in response to exposure to gas and having an array of fixed resistors for calibrating the electrical output characteristics of the sensor; and (ii) an improved gas detector.    USE -   Used for calibrating a solid-state sensor for use in a detector for gases, e.g. carbon monoxide or methane.    ADVANTAGE -   The calibration of the sensor detector requires only one measurement to be taken in the gas chamber, the resistor array being set using the look-up table provided, simplifying the calibration process and reducing the time needed to calibrate a gas detector.
Treating a biomass comprising liq. manure from animal husbandry contg. heavy metals comprises anaerobic microbial degradation to form a biogas contg. i.a. hydrogen sulphide gas, conveying at least a part of the biogas through at least part of the microbially degraded biomass to ppte. the heavy metals as metal sulphides and sepg. the mixt. into a ppte. and a supernatant.    USE -   The method is used to treat liq. manure where the biomass also contains organic waste material from households and industry and/or sludge from water purificn. plants.    ADVANTAGE -    The microbial degradation of liq. manure yields very high amts. of H2 S gas. The method is simple and does not require complicated process plants. The H2 S formed by microbial degradation is used in the pptn. of heavy metal sulphides and is emitted to the atmos. only in very low amts. No addn. of pptn. agents is required. The amt. of H2S gas formed as above is many times higher than in the degradation of waste water sludge, which would not be sufficient to ppte. heavy metals in the sludge. The process removes all undesirable substances and the liq. manure further yields methane gas corresp. to an amt. of power which is sufficient to run an entire plant of liq. manure and sludge processing and to leave an excess amt. of power. which may be put into a connected power distribution net.
The prepn. of a solid Pt- and Cl-contg. compsn. comprises: (a) impregnating alumina with at least one Pt cpd., (b) heating the impregnated alumina at 300-650 C for at least 5 minutes, (c) heating the calcined material from (b) with a reducing gas at 200-650 C for at least 5 minutes, (d) treating the material from (c) with at least one organo Al chloride selected from methyl Al chloride, methyl Al sesquichloride, dimethyl Al chloride, ethyl Al dichloride, ethyl Al sesquichloride and/or diethyl Al chloride at temp. at least 100 C for at least 5 minutes; and (e) treating the material from (d) with gaseous Ti tetrachloride and at least one chloroalkane at 250-500 C for at least 10 minutes. A compsn. prepd. as above is also claimed.    USE -   The compsn. is useful in the isomerisation of 4-8C hydrocarbons esp. n-butane.    ADVANTAGE -   Catalyst has high isomerisation activity esp. for n-butane.
Hydrolysation of lignocellulosic material contg. hemicellulose, cellulose and lignin comprises: (a) subjecting the material in a comminuted form to a first stage hydrolysis step in an aq. medium, at a temp. and pressure which brings about depolymerisation of the hemicellulose without major depolymerisation of cellulose to glucose, a slurry results in which the liq. aq. phase contains dissolved mono-saccharides resulting from depolymerisation of hemicellulose and a solid phase contg. cellulose and lignin; (b) separating from the prod. of step (a), a portion of the liq. aq. phase; (c) also separating from the prod. of step (a), the solid phase and subjecting it to attrition; (d) subjecting the sepd. solid phase from step (c), in the form of an aq. slurry, to another hydrolysis step under conditions in which most of the cellulose is depolymerised. This results in a liq. aq. phase contg. the soluble depolymerisation prods. of cellulose. The conditions are chosen to minimise the degradation of the depolymerisation prods. of cellulose; (e) separating from the prod. of step (d), the majority of the liq. aq. phase; and (f) also separating from the prod. the undissolved solids. The steps (a)-(f) are carried out under conditions which minimise heat loss from the system and minimises the exposure times of the solns. from (a)-(d), to high temps.    USE -   To treat biomass material to produce ethanol, methane and other useful organic cpds..    ADVANTAGE -   The yield of monosaccharides is maximised and the time required for overall hydrolysis is reduced. Little or no solids leave the system so there is no waste disposal problem. The wt. oxidn. step is exothermic and the system is largely independent of an external energy source. The system is designed to produce sufficient thermal energy to operate without requiring surplus energy from outside.
Process for agglomerating sludge with yard waste comprises: (i) mixing the yard waste and the sludge; (ii) drying the mixture in a thermal dryer to a constant solids content; (iii) conveying the dried mixture from the dryer to a surge bin; and (iv) recycling a portion of the dried mixt. by mixing it with additional sludge and drying the resultant mixture again.    USE -   Used for drying waste sludge, particularly when mixed with yard waste.    ADVANTAGE -   The process simultaneously recycles waste sludge and deals with yard waste, grass and leaf clippings, which can no longer be publicity burned or sent to landfill in many areas.
Closed vessel is used for preparing compost by sprinkling raw fertiliser powder fermented by anaerobic microorganisms on crude waste discharged from each home with the waste is injected to the vessel, closing the vessel tightly, keeping the waste in the closed vessel for 1-3 weeks to ferment the waste nearly completely at a low temp., and burying the fermented prods. under the ground to use them as compost. The closed vessel comprises a small plastic bucket shaped body (1), a hand (16) for hanging, a leg (7) at the bottom of the body, a water discharge hole (3) with a plug at the leg and connected to the bottom, a disc shaped filter (5) detachably fixed on the bottom of body. A lid (4) free to open to close the opening of the bucket shaped body, and safety valve at the body or lid and opened or closed by a fermentation pressure.    USE/ADVANTAGE -   Used for treating crude waste discharged from homes. Small sized closed vessel is easy to handle and ferments crude waste by using anaerobic microorganisms.
Several kinds of compost raw materials supplied from feed supply conveyor (9), are crushed by dropping them onto upper part of rotation blades (1) radially attached to shaft (4) rotated by motor (7). Materials are mixed by scattering them by the rotation blades rotating in their rotation direction.    USE/ADVANTAGE -   Used for crushing and mixing lumps of compost raw materials. Different kinds of compost raw materials can be crushed and mixed to form compost having good qualities without clogging of appts. by materials or mixing of impurities.
Prepn. of liq. fertiliser from wasted plant material, comprises decomposing pectin, cellulose or hemicellulose of the material by polysaccharide-decomposing enzyme from fungi or bacteria and then fermenting the product.    ADVANTAGE -   Effective treatment without generating bad smell can be conducted.
Excrement-treatment appts. comprises a rectangular fermentation tank (A) having both sidewall and ventilated from its base; running rails (1) placed on upper edges of both sidewalls; running truck (B) equipped with circular track (2) and placed on rails for running and rotating truck (D) placed on circular track and equipped with cutting machine (C) loaded so that lower end of cutting machine approaches bottom of fermentation tank. Deodoriser comprises fine mist spray nozzles (3a,3b,3c) placed at upper part of cutting machine, and chemical liq. tank (4) and power sprayer (5) placed on the rotating truck. Chemical liq. in the tank is ejected from fine mist nozzles by the power sprayer.    USE/ADVANTAGE -   Used as deodorisers for excrement-treatment appts. to ferment excrement for compost mfr. Malodours carried by stirring excrement with the cutting machine are removed by spraying deodorising liq. which forms fermentation gas which suppresses release of malodours to the atmos.
Excrement fermentation and decomposition device has a fermentation tank with a feed inlet connected to a blower and a discharge outlet connected to a fan. Cutting blades in the tank, and heaters to control the temp. of tank inside to 50 C.    ADVANTAGE -   Compact and efficient decomposing device for excrement may be used domestically.
A petroleum type hydrocarbon assimilation microorganism is added to the waste water so that an oil/fat and/or a mineral oil is removed from the waste. The microorganism belongs to genus Corynebacterium or Debaryomyces.    USE -   The process is partic. useful for treating waste water from a petrochemical factory or bilge which contains a petroleum type hydrocarbon (mineral oil), as well as for treating sewage and waste water from a food factory which contains an oil/fat etc..    ADVANTAGE -   Without adding a surfactant, the oil/fat and mineral oil is efficiently and easily removed. The facility does not require much space and the cost is low.
Machine comprises a treating vessel (12) having opening (13) at its top and detachable upper lid (14) having ventilation hole (18) covered with waterproof and water-permeable membrane to close opening. When lid closes opening, surface of upper lid with ventilation hole is inclined.    USE/ADVANTAGE -   Used for treating crude refuse in homes with machine easily placed outside the house. Since rain water rapidly flows into exterior of machine along waterproof and water-permeable membrane, rain water does not disturb diffusion of steam from inside of machine.
Appts. comprises a vessel (1) supported by a base (2) and fitted with a bottom plate (3) and upper plate (4), a stirring paddle shaft (8) placed at the central axis of the vessel, extended from the bottom plate to the upper plate and supported by the vessel rotatably, and stirring paddles (9) attached to the stirring paddle. Shaft and extended to the vertical direction of the axial line of shaft. The vessel comprises a cover placed at its upper end and having crude waste supply hole (10) capable of opening or closing, ozone supply hole (11), vaporisation appts. (14) and nonvolatile material outlet hole (13) at its side wall. A motor (17) is positioned in the base to drive the stirring paddle shaft, and a compressor is positioned in the base to blow compressed gas on the bottom of vessel through a nozzle block (20).    USE/ADVANTAGE -   Used to treat crude waste, lawn clippings, sludge or paper. The appts. mfrs. organic fertilisers or livestock feed from crude waste without discharge of foul water, malodour or dust.
Toilet paper comprises water soluble paper carrying useful microorganisms.    ADVANTAGE -   Paper can effectively be decomposed.
Material comprises powdered resin member on a substrate surface. A water absorption agent which contains powdered resin having a mean particle diameter of 50 microns is used.    A crosslinking agent is also added to the resin. Polyhydric alcohol is added to the water absorption agent.    ADVANTAGE -   Improves performance. Increases absorption power of excrement. Eases mfr. Increases mfg efficiency.
A garden compost separator (1) comprises a horizontally-fitting panel for a compost container (A) to allow a fresh layer of compost to be deposited as the vol. of a previous layer decreases due to composting action.    Pegs (3) protrude through the container to support the separator and prevent it from compressing the lower layer. The separator has ventilation holes (4) to allow air to circulate.    ADVANTAGE -   A greater vol. of material may be composted over a given period of time.
Solid waste material contg. biodegradable solids is collected in a solids digestion vessel at a first location and transported in the vessel to a second location where there is a source of organic material undergoing anaerobic bacterial digestion in a fluid phase digestion stage which produces a fluid fraction contg. active bacteria. At least part of the fluid fraction from the fluid phase digestion stage is fed into the solids digestion vessel to provide at least part of a fluid phase in a solids digestion stage, at least part of the environmentally more acceptable solids fraction from the solids digestion stage being recovered.    Also claimed is the mobile solids digestion vessel used in the process for digesting solid waste material, the vessel having 1 connection for fluids.    USE -   The process and the vessel can be used for treating regularly produced solid organic waste from abattoirs, farms and food processing plants so that it may be discharged into the environment.    ADVANTAGE -   Use of the process and vessel obviates the need for a skip or similar for transporting offensive, smelly, untreated waste, the waste being loaded directly into the vessel at source so as to reduce the amt. of handling necessary and the vessel being sealed to prevent the escape of odours. The treated waste may be unloaded from the vessel at leisure and replaced with a new load.
Appts. for composting animal slurry with a fibrous plant material has a large circular composting area (1). The area is slightly sloped down towards its centre (C), forming a shallow cone which liquid will run down. A gutter (4) positioned in the centre of the cone collects any surface water and channels it away (30 and 40) to a collection vessel (2). Slurry is stored in the same vessel, until being fed (56 and 50) to the central area.    USE -   Used in prodn of compost from animal slurry by spreading over straw, wood chippings or other fibrous material, with the addition of additives to aid moisture absorption.    ADVANTAGE -   The slurry is turned into a useful compost which can be spread on the land. The shape of the composting area and collection of any run-off water means the earth is not polluted by contaminated water high in ammonia. Handling and mixing of compost during prodn is minimised.
Sepn. of 1-5C hydrocarbon(s) from a gas mixt. (I) comprising 1-5C hydrocarbon(s) and N2, O2 and/or Ar by a pressure swing absorption process in a bed of adsorbent which selectively adsorb the 1-5C hydrocarbon(s), comprises (a) pressurising the bed of adsorbent to 2.0-4.1 bar by concurrently flowing the gas mixt. into the bed; (b) concurrently purging the bed of adsorbent with hydrocarbon-enriched prod. at the adsorption pressure, so that hydrocarbon-depleted gas is formed; and (c) concurrently depressurising the bed of adsorbent so that the adsorbent is regenerated and hydrocarbon-enriched prod. is produced.    USE -   To recover low. m.wt. hydrocarbons (e.g. methane) from gas mixts. in coal and petroleum deposits etc., and those produced in industrial processes.    ADVANTAGE -   The process is part suitable for the sepn. of flammable gases (hydrocarbons) from O2-contg. gas mixts.
Raw sewage sludge, esp. sludge from aerobic sewage plants,is mechanically dewatered and subjected to aerobic wet fermentation. The fermentation residue is again mechanically dewatered, conditioned, and dried for use as a fuel.    ADVANTAGE -   The prod. has high energy value, about that of lignite, and the biogas produced can also be used as a heat source.
A rectangular composting container (30) is closed overhead by a top (28) incorporating a lid (31) which opens to admit the charge. A sieve base (51) extends from wall-to-wall (46) within the container covering the container floor (44).    The novelty is that the container (30) is linked to a clutch (76) by means of which it is rotated (75, 75a) around an axis (A) by a drive. The whole unit (44, 28, 46) with overhead frame (48) forms a drum rotating about a longitudinal axis.    USE -   The assembly is a container in which refuse can be both collected and composted. As the container rotates, the charge is sorted into layers of similarly-sized particles which migrate classified through the sieve for discharge.    ADVANTAGE -   The composting process is improved.
Test for material to be composted comprises comparing the material with a small amt. of healthy material under the same conditions of moisture and heat by adding worms and determining how their influx varies, so as to decide whether the material is to be used as fertiliser or sent to a laboratory for further testing. Plant seeds known to react to various soil pollutants are also added to see how they react.    USE -   The test can be used by farmers to determine if material is suitable for composting.    ADVANTAGE -   The test is simple and ensures a good compost base material is used.
Purificn. of water or soil contg. heavy metals comprises setting up conditions in the soil or water in which the microorganisms present will form hydrogen sulphide and opt. adding apathogenic, facultative anaerobics tolerant to heavy metals also, in order to form hydrogen sulphide which reacts with the heavy metals to form metal sulphides.    Nutrient or buffer salts, biologically utilisable carbon source cpds. and yeast (pref. a pre-culture with increased cell density) are added to the soil or water. The soil is covered with a surface sealing material. A carrier treated with sulphur vapour and seeded with microorganisms is added to the water.    In an example, 5 g of light brown soil contaminated with 1000 mg/kg PbCrO4 was added to an airtight vessel into which was added 4 ml of an aq. soln. contg. ca. 40 mg Na acetate, 5 mg Na ammonium hydrogen phosphate and 20 g colloidal sulphur. The vessel was sealed and left to stand for 8 weeks at room temp. during which period the soil changed to a black colour due to the formation of PbS.    ADVANTAGE -   Heavy metals present in a wide concn., temp. or pH range can be removed without the use of microorganisms which can cause illness in humans. The need to place the soil or water in a sarcophagus is eliminated.
A method for the removal of tar from a fuel gas generated during the slow gassing of bio-fuel in a solid bed carburettor comprises selectively burning the tar at ca. 850C by the addn. of a suitable amt. of combustion air to the fuel gas in a combustion device (8).    USE -   The method is used in electricity generating combination power stations contg. a solid oxide fuel cell (SOFC) and a gas or steam turbine, the bio-fuel comprising peat and/or combustible domestic refuse components.    ADVANTAGE -   A high fuel gas temp. is ensured for the combination power station and tar is removed without creating any gas or water purificn. problems or the pptn. of naphthalene. The method is suitable for small to large scale plants. (Reissue of the entry advised in week 9630 based on complete specification).
Container or enclosure for compostible garden refuse from e.g. a house or holiday home, comprises a soft, thin, tubular, single piece plastic fabric with top and bottom openings. Rings, cord holes or small holes with reinforced edges are positioned around the edge of bottom opening to assist the installation of the container into the ground with the aid of e.g. nails or metal hooks. A tape, cord etc. is threaded in and out of small holes around the edge of the top opening.    USE -   Useful for making compost from fallen leaves.    ADVANTAGE -   Despite its high internal vol. the container is very light and easy to handle, making it suitable for sale in small shops or by post. (Reissue of the entry advised in week 9630 based on complete specification).
The apparatus produces fertiliser from kitchen food waste. The apparatus comprises: A) the first cutting section (1) having a blade of zigzag type; B) the second cutting section (2) having a gateway (22) for discharging after cutting; C) a precision crusher (3) having a blade of zigzag type (31); D) a fine powder crusher (5); E) a dryer (6); F) a sorter (7) distributing waste and reusing material.
A working fluid comprises at least 1,1,1,2-tetrafluoroethane (R134a), up to 60 wt.% of cyclopropane (RC27O) and up to 15 wt.% of isobutane (R6OOa). The ratio of RC27O to R6OOa is within the range obtd. by joining pt. A (0,60), pt. B (15,30), pt. C (15,20), pt. D (5,20) and pt. E (0.30) in the fig. 8.    USE -   Used for heat pumps.
A working fluid comprises at least 1,1,1-trifluoroethane, up to 45 wt.% of 1,1-difluoroethane (R152a) and up to 20 wt.% of isobutane (R600a). The ratio of R152a to R600a is within the range obtd. by joining pt. A (30,20), pt. B (35,20), pt. C (45,10), pt. D (45,o), pt. E (35,0) and pt. F (30,15) in fig. 8.    USE -   Used for heat pumps.
A working fluid comprises up to 70 wt.% propane (R290), up to 60 wt.% cyclopropane (RC270) and opt. 1,1,1,2-tetrafluoroethane such that the ratio of R290 to RC270 is within the range obtd. by joining pt. A (0,60), pt. B (10,60), pt. C (35,50), pt. D (70,30), pt. E (70,20), pt. F (55,20) and pt. G (0,30) by straight lines in fig. 8.    USE -   Used for heat pumps.
Appts. comprises a cylindrical fermentation tank (20) with a built-in cutting means (30) for raw material of compost and base (10) to place the fermentation tank to compost a raw material e.g. crude refuse. The cutting means comprises a rotation shaft (31) extended to a top and bottom direction of cylindrical fermentation tank and belt shaped stirring wing (32) extended spirally from one end of rotation shaft to another end surrounding the rotation shaft and providing the space between the rotation shaft and stirring wing. The cylindrical fermentation tank is placed on the base slanting its cylindrical axis to the gravity direction.    USE/ADVANTAGE -   Appts. has a fermentation tank to store a raw material of compost. e.g. crude refuse, excrements of livestock, to compost it by using microorganisms. Raw material is contacted with air in the fermentation tank sufficiently.
Appts. comprises a treating tank (1) having stirring blades (29) to stir organics, main body case (52) to cover the treating tank and motor (24) placed in the space between the side surface of treating tank and main body case to drive the stirring blades. The main body case consists of a lower case (38) to place and fix the treating tank and upper case (51) fixed to the lower case to cover the treating tank, and the connecting part of both upper and lower cases is placed under the motor.    USE/ADVANTAGE -   Used as the organics treating appts. to stir organics injected to the treating tank by the stirring blades. When trouble occurs in the motor, maintenance of motor is easily operated by removing the upper case.
Appts. comprises a treating tank (1) to store organics, opening (5) formed at the bottom of treating tank, and shutter (8) to close the opening freely to close or open. The shutter is placed freely to make in or take out to the side direction of treating tank.    USE/ADVANTAGE -   Used to treat crude refuse and compost it. Organics are discharged from the opening at the bottom of treating tank by their own weights to increase the workability. Organics adhered to the edge of opening are not bitten between the edge of opening and shutter.
Appts. comprises a treating tank (1) to store organic material main body case (51) to cover the treating tank, exhaust hole (42) formed at the main body case, circulation passage formed in the treating tank to circulate air in the treating tank, fan (22) placed in the circulation passage and an exhaust passage (19) connected to the circulation passage to exhaust a part of the air circulating in the circulation passage to the outside of the main body case through the exhaust hole.    USE/ADVANTAGE -   Used for treating organic material e.g. crude waste. Cost of the treating appts. is decreased by simplifying the structure. The treatment efficiency of organic material is increased by exchanging circulation air in the treating tank accurately.
Method comprises (1) mowing a lawn contg. a max. amt. of protein to 1-2 cm height, (2) drying and pulverising the mowed lawn grass, (3) adding pulverised lawn grass to feed of domestic animals, (4) recovery faeces of domestic animals, (5) producing fertiliser from the faeces, and (6) dispersing the fertiliser.    The faeces is pref. from domestic animals including poultry and cattle. The lawn grass includes zoysia grass, fescue, Bermuda, centipede, carpet, colonial bent, creeping bent, Kentucky blue and/or buffalo, partic. cultured lawn grass without contamination with weeds.    ADVANTAGE -   A golf course is managed effectively.
Shaped body from compressed compost, together with nutrients, a binder and opt. contg. embedded seeds comprises green and/or bio waste compost. The nutrient is a mineral and/or organic fertiliser and the binder is biodegradable. The shaped body has a structure material to hold it together.    The green and/or bio waste is at rotting stage II-V and the binder is bone glue, wax or resin or is produced from a bitumen-latex base. The shaped body may also contain an adsorbent esp. bentonite, clay and/or a zeolite and has a water content of &lt; 30 wt.%. The material is compressed in a mould of biodegradable plastic or braided hemp, wood or straw in a suitable geometric shape. The body can be a plate shape, with at least one wedge recess at the upper and lower sides and a wedge projection directly above or below the recess. It can be an angled profile or a plate with a rectangular surface with steps cut into the long sides.    USE -   The material is used for fertilising and/or soil improvement in agriculture, horticulture, vineyards or gardening, and also for vegetation, erosion prevention and the recultivation or protection of embankments (claimed).    ADVANTAGE -   The material has a wide range of applications and a long lasting fertilising action.
Malodorous warning compsn., of matter which is non-flammable and non-ozone depleting for introduction into a pressurised air breathing system of a facility to warn a person of danger comprises: (i) 1 pt. wt. of a liq. malodorous substance selected from methyl, ethyl, propyl and butyl mercaptan and tetrahydrothiophene; (ii) 2-6 pt. wt.of 1,1,1,2-tetrafluoroethane; and (iii) 0.2-0.4 pt. wt. of an inert gas (pref. nitrogen) under pressure. Also claimed are two other malodorous warning compsns. comprising: (A) (i) 1 pt. wt. of dimethyl sulphide, (ii) 2-6 pt. wt. of 1,1,1,2-tetrafluoroethane and (iii) 0.2-0.4 pt. wt. of an inert gas (pref. nitrogen) under pressure; and (B) (i) 1 pt. wt. of isopropyl sulphide, (ii) 2-6 pt. wt. of 1,1,1,2-tetrafluoroethane and (iii) 0.2-0.4 pt. wt. of an inert gas (pref. nitrogen) under pressure.    USE -   For use in mines.
Organic matter (I) and residual cleaning agent (II) in a used cleaning and degreasing solution are degraded in situ by: (a) providing a closed rinsing system containing an aq. rinse liquid (III); (b) placing materials which have been cleaned in an aq. degreasing and/or cleaning bath, and which contain (I) and (II) (e.g. on their surfaces), in the system; (c) adding to (III) microorganisms capable of degrading (I) and (II); (d) controlling condition of (III) to promote growth of the microorganisms; (e) rinsing the materials with (III), so dispersing (I) and (II) in (III); and (f) degrading (I) and (II) in (III) with the microorganisms.    ADVANTAGE -   Contamination of the materials, costs of recycling and disposing of rinse water, and impact on the environment, are reduced.
Appts. (1) for handling waste (7, 11) from toilets and other domestic waste sources comprises: (A) a collection vessel (2) for the household liquids (8); (B) 2 compost chambers (9, 10) for the waste and faeces (7), pref. contg. worms; (C) a filter bed connected to (A) via a passage (13); (D) a pump for conveying liq. and/or sludge (14) from a waste storage unit (15); (E) a dispenser (16) for the addn. of chemicals and/or other materials to (A), and (F) a urine sepn. device (6) operated by centrifugal force, from which passages (19, 24, 20, 23) lead to (A) and (B) respectively. The novel urine sepn. device is controlled manually or automatically and comprises: (F1) an exchange mechanism (23) for positioning the device at a level above (B) and supplying faeces to (B); (F2) a channel for supplying liq. to (B), and (F3) passages (25, 26) leading to (B) from the outside (17) above the soil level (27) for supplying compostable kitchen and/or garden waste (30) to (B). These passages are sealable and are regulated by (F1), so that when one of the compost chambers (10) is being supplied by the latrine, the passage (26) for the compost waste (11) is opened whilst the other compost passage (25) is closed.    ADVANTAGE -   In this modification of the so-called Aquatron(RTM) technique the N content in the waste is significantly reduced by sepg. the urine using this small scale appts.. (Reissue of the entry advised in week 9629 based on complete specification)
The feed device for moist material under high steam pressure conditions, e.g. pre-hydrolysed cellulose material, comprises a material supply means (3), e.g. screw conveyor, forming a homogeneous flow of material to a sluice feed inlet; a sluice feed (5) consisting of two wheels rotating in opposite directions, both of which have cog-like parts; and a pipe (6,7) from the sluice feed outlet, forming a wad of material travelling towards the pipe exit (11), the material being compressed enough so that in conjunction with the material in the supply means and sluice feed, a gas seal is created.    USE -   The material being dispensed by the device is, e.g., brown coal, bagasses, sewage sludge, paper pulp, plant or fruit waste or sugarbeet waste.    ADVANTAGE -   Leakage or backflow of steam is prevented.    (Reissue of the entry advised in week 9629 based on complete specification)
Prodn. of fertiliser is by aerobic fermentation of chicken manure, sludge, beer waste and wood waste chips, partic. at wt. ratios of 1:0.05-5:0.05-5:0.05-5 with stirring at elevated temp. (partic. at 55-85 deg.C) esp. with hot air at 55-500 deg.C and esp. within 0.5-2 hrs. and initial water content of 40-80% and removal of water during fermentation, esp. up to 5-35%.    Also claimed is the fertiliser partic. composed of 1 pt.wt. of chicken manure and 0.05-5 pts.wt. each of the remaining components . Water content is 5-35%.    Claimed raw materials are mixed to give water content of 40-80%, heated with hot air up to 55 deg.C within 0.5-2 hrs. and aerobically fermented with stirring at temps. up to 85 deg.C with removal of water up to 5-35%.    ADVANTAGE -   Provides new use of industrial waste.    In an example, a mixt. of 50 kg of chicken manure of water content 21%, 30 kg of organic sludge of water content 80%, 10 kg of beer waste of water content 12%, and 10 kg of wood waste of water content 40% was mixed with aerobic fermentation microorganisms, and 25 kg water. Mixt. was heated with hot air at 150 deg.C within 1 hr. up to 80 deg.C and stirred for 2 hrs. to reduce water content to 25%. Fermented mixt. was allowed to cool for 1 hr. to give the fertiliser.
Long-type fermentation tanks having two sidewalls and effecting breathing through a bottom are provided. Running rails are installed on upper edges of two sidewalls of long-type ferment of the tanks. Rotating vehicle is formed such that running truck equipped with circular track rail is caused to span between the rails for running, and lower end of chain with rotary blade slide over surface of inclining body of turning machine approaches bottoms of fermentation tanks. Rotating vehicle spans between circular truck rails.    Also claimed is excreta disposing device having a vibration device arranged on back of inclination body of the turning machine.    ADVANTAGE -   Fermentation composting disposing capacity of excreta is improved.
Organic substance-contg. waste e.g. garbage, and a coal substance, e.g. charcoal and activated coal, are mixed together to prepare a mixt. having a moisture content of 40-70%. By kneading the mixt. under pressure the temp. is increased to 40-80 deg.C. The mixt. is released from a pressure state and contacted with air. Only organic substance-contg. waste of the mixt. is fermented and decomposed by high temp. aerobic bacteria at at least 40 deg.C or the mixt. is charged in a fermentation tank in which electrodes are positioned facing each other. By applying a voltage to th electrodes, the mixt. generates heat at 40-80 deg.C for fermentation and decomposition.    ADVANTAGE -   Charcoal is left as a disposal prod. after fermentation and decomposition is so that cost is reduced.
In a garbage disposing device where garbage is disposed of by a decomposing medium agent (2) contg. microorganisms, comprises a disposing tank (4) to contain decomposing medium agent (2) and garbage; and agitating device (4) arranged in the disposing tank (4) and having rotary blades. Discharge port (8) through which content charged in the inner side is discharged, is formed in bottom of disposing tank (8). Partial discharge port (9) is formed in upper part of discharge port (8).    In a partial port, content is properly discharged and a new decomposing medium agent equivalent to the reduced amount is charged. This avoids exchanging the whole agent for a new one.    ADVANTAGE -   By partial discharge of content, decomposing medium agent in disposing tank is activated by slightly discharging new decomposing medium agent, effectively utilizing a comparatively high-cost decomposing medium agent with high efficiency.
Garbage disposing tank to contain garbage is provided. A decomposing medium agent is contained in the tank. As charged garbage is agitated together with decomposing medium agent, garbage is decomposed and disposed by microorganisms. The garbage and decomposing medium agent are intermittently agitated. Actual agitation time in initial time zone where garbage is charged is set to value higher than an actual agitation time at time zone (T2) preceded by initial time zone.    ADVANTAGE -   At initial stage working of anaerobic microorganism is suppressed and aerobic microorganisms are actively worked. Suppressing malodour generation at garbage decomposing disposal process.
Garbage disposing device comprises garbage disposing tank (1) to decompose and dispose of garbage using contained garbage disposing material; a suction fan (2) to feed air into garbage disposing tank (1); and exhaust fan (3) to exhaust air from garbage disposing tank (1). Control panel (4) to increase airflow of exhaust fan (3) when external air is below specified value or humidity in the garbage disposing tank (1) exceeds given value. Alternatively, control panel (a) operates smell protecting fan when a garbage charge port is not opened when an external air temp. is decreased to a value below specified value or humidity in the garbage disposing tank exceeds a specified value.    ADVANTAGE -   Dew is not condensed in garbage disposing tank by the simple construction i.e. the change of an exhaust airflow of exhaust fan.
Refuse disposing device comprises disposer body to dispose of garbage; and an agitating tank (2) arranged in the body to agitate garbage. Rotary shaft (4) having blade (9), is horizontally arranged in agitating tank (2). A detecting sensor (3) to detect atmosphere in agitating tank (2) is at attached to inner surface of sidewall of agitating tank (2) to which rotary shaft (4) is attached. Sensor (3) comprises mounting base sheet (25) having hat shaped cross-section attached to inner surface of sidewall of agitating tank (2). A detecting sensor body is contained in the mounting base sheet. Edge of mounting base sheet (25) is curved to contact the inner surface of the sidewall of the agitating tank (2).    ADVANTAGE -   Detecting sensor is worked as usual and functions with high precision.
Liq.-dropping device includes a cylinder communicated with a hole at the lower part of a container in which solid and liq. are contained in mixed state, a piston displaceable inside the cylinder, and a mechanism for vertically moving the piston in cylinder. The peripheral wall of the cylinder allows passing of liq. discharged from the container.    USE/ADVANTAGE -   Device is used for discharging liq. produced during enzyme decomposition of organic waste with microorganism. Liq. can be sepd. from solid.
Odorous gas is passed through a tower filled with bacteria-loaded supports while water is sprayed intermittently. The supports are active carbon or blocks which are obtd. mixing char and coal or petroleum pitch binder. The mat is then moulded and fired. The char is obtd. by low temp. carbonisation. In another claimed process, the blocks are obtd. by mixing char, coal or petroleum pitch binder, and cracking coal powder.    USE -   For deodorisation of odorous gas produced from sewage or human waste treatment plants or chemical factories.    ADVANTAGE -   The blocks provide a larger wet surface contacting the odorous gas. The water retained in the capillaries of the blocks provides a good culture base for bacteria by preventing an increase in the oxide concn. in the biological decomposition of odorous gas.
Fermentation agent comprises a symbiotic cultured mixt. of Thermoactinomyces SK053 sp. nov (FERM P-13598) having wide growth temp. range of 10-85 deg.C and wide pH range of 5.3-10.8, lignin solubilising and fibrinolytic properties and Clostridium thermocellum biovar, SK522 (FERM RP-3458) having growth temp. range of 40-80 pref. 65-72 deg C and active fibrinolytic property, partic. in the presence of the other fibrinolytic microorganism, Thermus aquaticus biovar SK542 (FERM BP-3382) having growth temp. range of 40-82, pref. 72-76, more pref. 75-85 deg.C. pH range of 4.0-11.3, and proteolytic enzyme and carotinoid yellow pigment productivities.    Thermophilic actinomycetes Thermoactinomyces SK053 (FERM P-13598), Clostridium thermocellum biovar. SK522 sp. nov. (FERM BP-3459) and Thermus aquaticus biovar SK542 (FERM BP-3382), including aerobic fibrinolytic microorganisms having optimal temp. of 22-35 deg.C (eg Bacillus fimi and Actinomyces melanocyclus), anaerobic fibrinolytic microorganisms having optimal temp. of 25-37 deg.C (e.g. Clostridium werneri and Plectridium celluloyticum) and thermophilic fibrinolytic microorganisms having optimal temp. of 55-65 deg.C (e.g. Clostridium thermocellum and Bacillus cellulosae dissolvens) and denitrifying fibrinolytic microorganisms having optimal temp. of 35 deg.C (e.g. Bacterium cellaresolvens are used for fermentation, of kitchen waste contg. fibrous materials. partic. difficulty degradable fibrous material and conventional medium.    USE -   Fermentation accelerator is used for kitchen waste, faeces of pets, fallen leaves and dried grass.    ADVANTAGE -   Acceleration of fermentation for prodn. of compost.
Complex of non-pathogenic Bacillus and Lactobacillus strains capable of converting a nitrogen source to bacterial protein are new, where the nitrogen source is selected from inorganic nitrogen cpds., esp. ammonia, nitrates and nitrites, and organic nitrogen cpds., e.g. urea, urates, amino acids, nitrogen-contg. bases and any other nitrogen cpds. of low mol.wt.    USE -   The cultures are useful for digesting and sanitising biological waste materials, esp. livestock excreta and litter, manure, lagoons, vegetable waste, farmyard slurry, sewage, animal cadavers, septic pits or compostable materials (claimed).    ADVANTAGE -   Combinations of Bacillus and Lactobacillus sp. have synergistic effects. w.r.t. nitrogen utilisation, protein synthesis and elimination of pathogens such as Clostridium, Bacteroides, Listeria, Salmonella and Staphylococcus sp. and coliform bacilli.
Flooding agent (I) comprises a liquor produced in the prodn. of xanthan, in which bacteria producing xanthan are grown in a nutrient soln. to form the liquor precipitated from the xanthan by adding alcohol and then filtering off. The liquor is then formed by recovering the alcohol.    USE -   (I) is used to recover oil from crude oil deposits, and to recover natural gas (claimed).    ADVANTAGE -   Improved recovery of crude oil and natural gas.
The conversion of paraffinic feedstock to prod. hydrocarbons involves contacting the feedstock at reaction conditions with a catalyst compsn. comprising crystalline material of ZSM-48 structure. The catalyst compsn. is prepd. by: (i) preparing an aq. mixt. of mineral base (MB), pyrrolidone (PYR) and B-contg. crystalline material with structure of zeolite beta, the mixt. having the following compsn. in moles/mole SiO2 : Al2 O3 /SiO2 0-0.005; B2 O3 /SiO2 0.001-0.5; MB/SiO2 0.005-0.15; PYR/SiO2 0.01-0.5; H2 O/SiO25-100; (ii) maintaining the mixt. at crystallisation conditions until crystals of ZSM-48 are formed; (iii) sepg. the crystals from the reaction mixt.; (iv) treating the sepd. ZSM-48 crystals by (a) contacting with a soluble alumina-contg. species of (b) mixing with alumina and extruding or pelletising or (c) contacting with a soluble Al-contg. species and mixing with alumina and extruding or pelletising and (v) recovering the treated ZSM-48 catalyst.    USE -   For conversion of paraffinic feedstock, esp. to gasoline components.    ADVANTAGE -   Catalyst have improved activity and selectivity esp. to increase the octane and reduce the vapour pressure of low octane naphthas.
The gas phase isomerisation of an alkane to an isomerised prod. of same alkane number, esp. n-butane to 2-methylpropane, n-pentane to 2-methylbutane or 2,2-dimethylpropane or 6-8 C alkane contg. 1 methyl branch to isomerised prod. contg. 2 methyl branches, comprises: (a) continuously introducing, under effective isomerisation conditions, the alkane and a desorbent into a simulated moving bed of a mixt. of solids contg. an isomerisation catalyst and an adsorbent for selectively adsorbing the alkane w.r.t. isomerised prod.; (b) isomerizing the alkane to at least one isomerised prod. in a zone of the simulated moving bed with concurrent sepn. of the isomerised prods. using the adsorbent; (c) desorbing the alkane from the adsorbent using the desorbent in a subsequent zone of the simulated moving bed and continuing the isomerisation of the alkane with concurrent sepn. of the isomerised prod(s). using the adsorbent; and (d) removing and collecting the isomerised prods. from the simulated moving bed.    USE -   For gas phase isomerisation of alkane esp. n-butane, n-pentane or 6-8 C aliphatic alkane to prods. useful as gasoline blending components or for prepn. of oxygenates.    ADVANTAGE -   Provides continuous isomerisation of alkanes in simulated moving bed contg. both isomerisation catalyst and adsorbent for alkanes. Desorbed alkanes are catalytically isomerised to form additional isomerised prods..
A method (i) for purification of a gas contg. volatile organic cpds. comprising passing the gas through an amt. of liq. polyethylene glycol ester to cause the cpds. to be absorbed in the ester. Also claimed is method (ii) comprising removing water vapour from gas and introducing gas at a controlled flow rate into an absorption vessel wherein gas percolates through a polyethylene glycol ester contained with the absorption vessel. Further claimed is an appts. for extn. of volatile organic cpds. from a gas comprising: (a) an absorption vessel contg. the ester, (b) a device to introduce the gas into the vessel, (c) a device for placing the gas in contact with the ester and (d) a device for recovering the gas from the absorption vessel, subsequent to contact with the ester.    USE -   For extn. and recovery of volatile organic cpds. from gas esp. landfill gas.    ADVANTAGE -   Efficient and low cost method for extraction and recovery of volatile organic cpds. from landfill gas which is mostly methane, useful as fuel gas.
One end of a discharge pipe (4) communicates with a disposer (3) and the ends on one side of a drain outflow pipe (6) and a garbage outflow pipe (7) communicate with the other end of the discharge pipe (4) through a motor-driven switching valve (5). The other end of the outflow pipe (7) communicates with a garbage dehydrator (9) having a water pass hole (11). A dehydrated garbage outflow port 13 of the garbage dehydrator (9) is connected to the upper part of a garbage disposing tank (15). The lower side of the dehydrator (9) is connected to the upper part of a drain treating tank (17). A disposer (3) is operated and the valve (5) is switched. Simultaneously with closing of the outflow pipe (6), the garbage outflow port (7) is opened. After garbage crushed by the disposer (3) is dehydrated by the dehydrator (9), the garbage is disposed in the tank (15) for recovery. Foiled drain dehydrated by the dehydrator (9) is treated by the train treating tank (17) and discharged. Operation of the disposer (3) is stopped and switching valve (5) is switched. The outflow pipe (6) is opened and the outflow pipe (7) is closed. Less fouled drain is discharged without being treated.    ADVANTAGE -   Waste to be treated by microorganism is reduced and organism treatment efficiency is improved.
Activator comprises symbiotic cultured mixt. of thermophilic actinomycetes Thermoactinomyces SK053 sp. nov. (FERM P-13598) with growth temp. range of 10-85 deg.C and pH 5.3-10.8 having lignin solubilising and fibrinolytic properties and the other thermophilic and fibrinolytic microorganisms, partic. Clostridium thermocellum biovar, SK522 (FERM BP-3459) with growth temp. range of 40-80 deg.C, opt. temp. range of 65-72 deg.C and fibrinolytic properties.    Thermophilic actinomycetes Thermoactinomyces SK053 sp. nov. (FERM P-13598) and Clostridium thermocellum biovar, SK522 (FERM BP-3459) including aerobic fibrinolytic microorganisms having optimal temp. of 22-35 deg.C (e.g. Bacillus fimi and Actinomyces melanocyclus), anaerobic fibrinolytic microorganisms having optimal temp. of 25-37 deg.C (e.g. Clostridium werneri and Plectridium cellulolytcum) and thermophilic fibrinolytic microorganisms having optimal temp. of 55-65 deg.C (e.g. Clostridium thermocellum and Bacillus cellulosae dissolvens) and denitrification fibrinolytic microorganisms having optimal temp. of 35 deg.C (e.g. Bacterium cellaresolvens) are cultured in conventional medium and used together with conventional additives and carriers. The supernatant of cultured mixt. is isolated.    ADVANTAGE -   Improvement of soil condition for stabilised biomass and fertiliser, and prevention of insect pest and diseases.    In a field, 500 m1/m2 of the supernatant prepd. by the microorganisms was dispersed and tomato was cultured. The yield of tomato was 207 kg. While control gp. without addn. of the fertiliser gave corresp. yield of cucumber of 153 with total yield of 157.3 kg.
Activator comprises symbiotic cultured mixt. of thermophilic actinomycetes Thermoactinomyces SK053 sp. nov. (FERM P-13598) with growth temp. range of 10-85 deg.C and pH 5.3-10.8 having lignin microorganisms, partic. Clostridium thermocellum biovar, SK522 (FERM BP-3459).    Thermophilic actinomycetes Thermoactinomyces SK053 (FERM P-13598) and Clostridium thermocellum biovar, SK522 sp. nov. (FERM BP-3459) including aerobic fibrinolytic microorganisms having optimal temp. of 22-35 deg.C Ie.g. Bacillus fimi and Actinomyces melanocyclus), anaerobic fibrinolytic microorganisms having optical temp. of 25-37 deg.C (e.g. Clostridium werneri and Plectridium cellulolytcum) and thermophilic fibrinolytic microorganisms having optimal temp. of 55-65 deg.C (e.g. Clostridium thermocellum and Bacillus cellulosae dissolvens) and denitrification fibrinolytic microorganisms having optimal temp. of 35 deg.C (e.g. Bacterium cellarsolvens) are cultured in conventional medium and used together with conventional additives and carriers.    ADVANTAGE -   Improvement of soil condition for stabilised biomass and fertiliser, and prevention of noxious insect and diseases.    In a field, 500 g.m2 of the fertiliser prepd. by the activator was dispersed and cucumber was cultured. The yield of cucumber was 267 for 15 plants with the total yields of 40.48 kg while control gp. without addn. of the fertiliser gave corresp. yield of cucumber of 153 with total yield of 19.87 kg.
Container is used as compost so that garbage contained together with microorganisms are converted to compost. The container comprises a bag body formed so that outer and inner bag bodies (1, 2) are laminated together. The inner bag body (2) contains a reticulate substance. A pocket heater is placed in the inner bag body (2) or the outer bag body (1). Activated coal is inserted in the opening of the inner bag body (2). The device is placed and oscillating or rotationally driven around an oblique shaft. The container is placed on the upper surface of the disposing device and a bottom is formed in a spherical shape and the container is oscillatory moved through an operation force or a drive force.    ADVANTAGE -   A garbage disposing device forms a bag-form container and handling after disposal is convenient.
A method comprises aerobic fermentation with dried organic carbon sources at elevated temps. in a fermentation tank provided with an air space and fitted with a stirrer and a heating device; evaporation of moisture by elevated temp. resulted from fermentation and air flow with fan, removal of bad odour; and drying to give compost. Human waste is treated in a fermentation tank at water content of 30-70% and at at least 20 deg.C up to 50-70 deg.C with carbon/nitrogen (C/N) ratios of 25-90:1 by addn. of carbon sources (e.g. saw dust).    USE/ADVANTAGE -   Treatment of human waste. Economic treatment of human waste and prepn. of compost.    In an example, at fermentation day 7, total organic carbon content, total nitrogen content and C/N ratio was 42%, 0.121% and 341. While fermentation day 89, the corresp. rate was 38.2%, 1.42% and 27, respectively.
Fermentation and carbonisation of waste are carried out without consuming energy.    The appts. has multiple fermentation baths installed. Each fermentation bath contains percolation residue of coffee, which in aerobic condition ferments and loses its water owing to its high (75C) fermentation temp. down to 20 wt.% (initial water content is 90 wt.%) then it is carbonised by heating it. Exhaust gas cooled with a fan and condensed pyro-lignous acid can be recovered.    USE -   Used for carbonising wastes, esp. for carbonising percolating residue of coffee.    ADVANTAGE -   The method is able to produce raw carbon in one process without consuming energy.
A protrusion (28) is formed on an inner wall (13b) of a garbage disposing tank (13). The garbage disposing tank (13) is filled with a decomposing medium, e.g. wood chips, up to height enough to cover an agitating shaft (15). Garbage is charged and by rotating an agitating blade (14) integrally with the agitating shaft 15, and the garbage and the decomposing medium are agitated to decompose the garbage by microorganism. When the decomposing medium is worn or refined activity of medium is lowered and decomposition capacity is lowered, resulting in the increase of the volume of a mixture of the decomposing medium agent and the garbage. The protrusions (28) promotes agitation of the decomposing medium and the garbage.    ADVANTAGE -   Correct time for replenishing decomposing medium is clearly and easily detected.
An agitating blade (8) is attached on a shaft (7) vertically arranged to the central part of a disposing tank (2). An air supply opening (17) is formed in the lower position, in the tank (2), of the rotary shaft (7) or the agitating blade (8). The upper part of the tank (2) is closed with a cover (3). A device (11) to drive the rotary shaft (7) and a feeder (14) to feed air to the rotary shaft (7) are arranged at the cover (8). The rotary shaft (7) is rotatably erected on the bottom of the disposing tank (2), and the drive device (11) and air feeder (14) are arranged at the bottom of the disposing tank (2).    ADVANTAGE -   Garbage (29) is decomposed with high efficiency and there is no need to install a device to treat water resulting from decomposition. Structure is simplified.
A cover (3) is removably arranged at the upper part of a disposing tank (2). A device (6) to agitate the interior of the disposing tank (2), a drive device (10) for the agitating device (6), and a ventilation device (14) to replace air in the disposing tank (2) are arranged at the cover (3). The agitating device (6) is removably connected to the drive device (10) attached to the cover (3). An openable cover (5) is attached to a part of the cover (3). The drive device (10) and the ventilation device (14) are arranged at a part other than the openable valve (5). A filler (15), e.g. wood chips, is contained in tank (2). Garbage is charged and the filler and the garbage are mixed together by the agitating device. By ventilating air in the disposing tank, the garbage is decomposed by the action of aerobic bacteria.    ADVANTAGE -   By removing cover (3), tank (2) is separated easily in a container-form state, and the interior is easily cleaned.
Decomposition device to decompose plant chips in a treatment container comprises a device to mix cold fermentation bacteria and its cold nutrient resource in the plant chips; a device to damage the surfaces of the plant chips and a device to introduce air into the treatment container.    The decomposition device (1) pref. has a horizontal barrel-shape treatment container (2), in which wood chips, the bacteria to decompose the wood chips, and a nutrient source can be fed. In the treatment container (2), an agitating device (4) having screw-shape fins is used to be rotatable. The wood chips, bacteria, and the nutrient source are mixed, and the surfaces of the wood chips are rubbed with each other to damage the surfaces of wood chips each other. A spray device (5) to adjust the moisture in the treatment container, a temp. regulator (6) to regulate the temp. in the treatment container, and an aeration port (7) to aerate the inside of the container are used in the treatment container (2).    USE/ADVANTAGE -   Used to compost plant chips. The plant chips can be rapidly composted.    In an example, the bacteria was added to the treatment container (10 l) filled with wood chips. As the nutrient source, fresh waste produced in each home was added. The humidity was adjusted to 60 - 70% and the temp. was held at 28 deg.C.
Smell and dust in air discharged from fermentation tanks (1a, 1b) to ferment, decompose, and dry garbage are burnt by a deodorising furnace (7) and rendered non-toxic. Garbage in the tanks (1a, 1b) is heated by high temp. gas discharged from the deodorising furnace (7). Air discharged from the tanks (1a, 1b) is treated by a single deodorising furnace (7) and garbage in the tanks (1a, 1b) is heated by gas discharged from the single deodorising furnace (7). A mixture of many kinds of microorganisms consisting mainly of aerobic high temp. fermentation bacteria is used as fermentation bacteria. Garbage in tanks (1a, 1b) is agitated by blade (6) and mixed with high temp. gas as it is crushed. The temp. of the garbage is increased to 70-90 deg.C and fermentation, decomposition, and dry are started by breading of fermentation bacteria.    ADVANTAGE -   A need for a burner for heating a fermentation tank is eliminated, the size of a device is reduced, and the device is simplified.
A device body (1) on the two upper ends of which drive rollers (14) are mounted is mounted on a base plate (2). The peripheral part of a rotary drum (3) contg. garbage is rotatably and removably placed on the two drive rollers (14). Slide rails (6) are slidably installed between the two sides of the base plate (2) and a container body (4). Device body (1) is securely installed on the upper surface of a base plate (2). A bracket (13) consists of two frame plates (11,11) positioned facing each other, and a bottom plate (12) to interconnect the lower ends of the frame plates (11,11) and is formed in an inverted U-shape in a side shape and about in an inverted trapezoidal shape in a front shape. Drive rollers (14,14) to rotate the rotary drums (3,3) are rotated between the two frames.    ADVANTAGE -   Complicated work to clean the interior of rotary drums (3) and exchange a decomposition disposing material is eliminated.
A device body (1) at the two ends of which drive rollers (14) are respectively attached is mounted on base plate (3). The peripheral drum part of rotary drum (2) contg. garbage is rotatably and removably placed on the two drive rollers (14). Inclination operation and the stop state of the device body (1), the lower central part of which is pivotally supported, are maintained through engagement and disengagement between the tip of a stopper pedal (6) and the tip of a bottom plate (12). A bracket (13) in an inverter U-shape in a side shape and about in an inverted trapezoidal shape in a front shape comprise two frame plates (11,11) positioned facing each other; and a bottom plate (12) to interconnect the lower end parts of the frame plates (11,11). Rotary drums (2,2) are rotatably placed on the two upper ends of the bracket (13). Drive rollers (14,14) rotatably spar between the frame plates (11,11).    ADVANTAGE -   Troublesome work to clean the rotary drum interior and exchange decomposition disposing material is eliminated.
An agitating device to agitate the interior of a disposing tank (1) and sensor (3) to detect the moisture content of garbage disposing material are arranged in the material to effect decomposition disposal of garbage are arranged in a disposing tank (1). A controller controls agitating device (2); it is effected right before measurement by the moisture content detecting sensor (3). The moisture content of each part in the disposing tank (1) is levelled by agitating by the agitating device (2), then moisture content is measured by the sensor (3).    ADVANTAGE -   The detecting error in a moisture content of a moisture content detecting sensor is reduced.
Device has fermentation bath in which garbage is mixed with carrier (A) carrying garbage decomposing micro organisms. (A) is made of porous ceramic. A schematic diagram of this device is shown in fig.1 where (2) is a fermentation bath with fluid bed (8) made of ceramic bed material and garbage which is mixed with the rotation of mixer (3), (6) is a diffuser pipe, (4) is an electric fan, and (5) is a lid of the fermentation bath.    USE/ADVANTAGE -   Used for decomposing garbage. Ceramic carrier or fluidised bed material made of porous ceramic material cannot be decomposed like saw dust, and an also absorb water which is the product decomposing process. The inorganic substances precipitated on its surface can be removed easily by washing.
An agitating blade (5) rotating around a vertical shaft is arranged in a disposing tank (1) contg. a disposing medium (2). By rotation of the agitating blade (5), garbage is mixed with the disposing medium (2), decomposition is effected through activity of microorganisms living in the medium. Water produced along with the decomposition is discharged through a discharge port (7), formed in the bottom of the disposing tank (1), to the outside. Device comprises a division plate (3) spanning in the disposing tank (1) and dividing the disposing tank (1) into an upper part contg. the rotation area of the agitating blade (5) and a lower part contg. the discharge port (7); and communicating holes (32) formed in the partition plate in a state to have an opening fronting on a spot situated under stream from rotation in one-way of the agitating blade and intercommunicating above and below the division plate.    ADVANTAGE -   Medium is easily and sanitarily exchanged.
Device comprises a weighing part (5) to weigh charged organic substance; a computing part (30) to integrate weight over a specified time; and a device (U) to prevent charging when integrating value attains a given value.    A weighing part (5) is located at a chute (4) for charging garbage. Each time garbage is charged, the weight of the garbage is measured, the measurements are integrated for one day and one week and stored in a memory. It is decided whether an integrating value of a charging weight per day attains a predetermined upper limit value and whether an integrating value of a charge weight in one week attains a predetermined upper limit value. When either of them exceeds the upper limit value, a shutter plate (d) arranged in a garbage drop port (4b) of the shutter (4) is magnetically adhered through excitation of an electromagnet unit (U), the shutter plate is locked and charged garbage is prohibited from feed to a disposing tank (2).    ADVANTAGE -   Charge of excessive microorganism exceeding decomposition capacity of microorganisms is prevented and the generation of smell due to decomposition delay is prevented.
Garbage is charged in a dispersing tank (2) contg. a disposing medium and agitated by wheel (2) in the tank (2). Decomposition of the charge garbage is effected through activity of microorganisms in the disposing medium. In device, the agitating wheel (3) is formed so that agitating blades (31, 3r) spanning between the peripheral edge parts of two side plates (31, 3r) are arranged in the peripheral directions of the side plates (31, 3r). The bottom wall of the disposing tank (2) is formed in an arcuate curved surface extending along the rotation area of the agitating wheel (3).    ADVANTAGE -   Even when charged garbage is large, the garbage is rapidly cut and crushed into fine pieces by agitating blades. Slow and delayed decomposition, does not occur.
Garbage charge in a disposing tank (1) is mixed with a disposing medium (2). Through activity microorganisms living in the medium (2), decomposition is effected aerobically with air introduced in the disposing tank (1). Device comprises heaters (H sub. 1 and H sub. 2) to heat the inside of the disposing tank (1); and a controller (8) to control the heaters so that the inside of the treating tank (1) is kept at a target temp. corresp. to amt. of charged garbage. Disposing medium (2) is wood fine pieces which are made porous by treatment. They ensure breathability and water retentivity.    ADVANTAGE -   Since the internal temp. of disposing tank is automatically adjusted through activity of microorganisms operation cost for control operation is very low.
A disposal tank (3) is obliquely pivotally supported in an inner case (2) so that a charge port (3f) for waste is positioned above. A feed screw (3a) is securely arranged on the inner peripheral wall of the disposal tank (3). The disposal tank (3) is rotated forward and reversed by rotating forward and reversing a motor coupled to the disposal tank (3). Charged waste is fed to the deep side of the disposal tank (3) through forward rotation and mixed and agitated with a disposal medium (A). By reversing the disposal tank, the disposal medium (A) is fed to the waste charge port (3a) side and discharged to the outside.    ADVANTAGE -   By rotating a disposal tank in one direction, mixing and agitation of waste with a disposing medium are promoted. By rotating a disposal tank in the other direction, exchange of a disposing medium is extremely facilitated.
Method comprises aerobic treatment of organic waste and a measurement process. Organic waste is introduced in a fermentation medium of wood powder pH 7-9 kept at 250-60 deg.C and it is decomposed by the action of aerobic bacteria cultured in the fermentation medium. In the measurement process, the total weight of the organic waste and the fermentation medium is measured. Equipment for detecting the decomposition of organic waste in fermentation comprises a fermentation tank and a weighing instrument. The total weight is pref. measured and displayed with time.    USE/ADVANTAGE -   For treatment of organic waste like kitchen or stock farm waste. Decomposition state of organic waste is monitored, so that the decomposition can be controlled.
Device has a fermentation bath (A), an exhaust port (B), an electric fan (C) to introduce air into (A), an oxygen sensor (D), a temp. sensor (E) in (A), a humidity sensor (F), and a controller (H). (D) and (F) are in (B). Rotation rate of (C) is determined by (H) based on the outputs of (D), (E), and (F) so that the flow rate of air is optimised for the activity of waste decomposing microorganisms. Device has an exhaust electric fan (J) instead of (C). (E) is in (B). (F) and (D) are in (A).    USE/ADVANTAGE -   Used for treating waste. The device optimises conditions inside the fermentation bath for the activity of waste decomposing microorganisms.
Device comprises a tank (1) to store organic waste (M); an agitator (1) located to run horizontally and effect fermentation decomposition disposal of organic waste through agitation. The agitator (6) has a pressure receiving plate mechanism (20) to run the agitator is arranged at the agitator (6). The pressure receiving plate mechanism (20) comprises a transmission device (21) having a chain (25) surrounding the agitator (6) therewith; a pressure receiving plate (22) fixed to the chain of the transmission device (21) and running forward the agitator by being pressed from the rear side by organic waste scraped up by the agitator (6). There is a pressure receiving plate driving device (23) to move the pressure receiving plate (22) to the opposite side to the running direction of the agitator by driving the transmission device (21).    USE/ADVANTAGE -   Used for fermentation decomposition of excermentitious matter of domestic animal and refuse. Installation work is facilitated and the height of a waste decomposing container is not increased.
A biological deodorising appts. includes bottomed tower body in which upper, intermediate and lower deodorising chambers (8, 9, 10) are divided by partitions (7, 7a). Pipes (13, 13a) are erected through partitions to communicate with deodorizing chambers. Spaces under upper end openings of pipes are upper and lower water-storing sections (14, 15), in which activated sludge bacteria are placed. The lower deodorising chamber is lower water-storing section with photosynthesis bacteria. Exhaust gas introduction duct is arranged in upper portion of lower deodorising chamber, and inside the duct is water spraying section for spraying water in lower water-storing section in filmy form. Deodorant made of polcanite (sic.) is filled above upper water-storing section in upper deodorizing chamber, and deodorant made of crissbarl (sic.) is filled above water-storing section in intermediate deodorising chamber. Spraying head is provided above deodorant in each of upper and intermediate chambers for spraying water in storing section.    ADVANTAGE -   Since high temp. exhaust gas is always contacted with sprayed filmy water, microorganisms in upper and intermediate chambers are prevented from being adversely affected by high temp. gas.
Adsorbent for separating N2 from a feed gas contg. at least one other gas having molecular dimensions equal to or larger than methane comprises clinoptilolite having a Na ion content of at least 17 equiv.% of the total ion exchangeable cations and opt. one or more non univalent cations, which if present comprise in total less than 12 equiv. % of the total ion-exchangeable cations, the balance if any being one or more non-Na univalent cations. Prodn. of the adsorbent is also claimed.    USE -   The adsorbent is used in cyclic adsorption processes, e.g. pressure swing and thermal swing adsorption separation e.g. for natural gas treatment.    ADVANTAGE -   Divalent exchangeable cations, e.g. Mg and Ca,can be minimised within the clinoptilolite to improve regeneration in a pressure swing adsorption process, while still maintaining or improving the rate selectively for N2 of the mineral.
The process comprises: (1) collecting and treating the residues; (2) mechanically preparing to achieve ideal size and moisture content; (3) gasifying by thermal decomposition of the organic material; (4) heat exchange to produce hot and superheated water and steam; (5) storing the gas to allow sedimentation of entrained particles; (6) combustion of the gas in a special combustion engine to produce electrical energy; and (7) sale of the electricity and heat produced.
A method for developing a photo-patterned film comprises: (a) contacting the film with a developing soln. comprising a solvent of benzyl alcohol or -butyrolactone; (b) removing the developing soln. and dissolved film from the patterned film; (c) rinsing residual developing soln. and dissolved film from the patterned film in a rinse of water or low vapour organic solvents; and (d) aerating the rinse in an activated biomass.    Also claimed are: (i) a method of stripping a polymerised photo-patterned film from a substrate; (ii) a method of fabricating an electronic circuit package; and (iii) a method of treating a waste stream from a photolithographic process producing a benzyl alcohol or a -butyrolactone waste stream.    USE -   Used for developing and stripping free-radical-initiated, addn. polymerisable resists, cationically cured resists, solder masks and Vacrel (RTM) photoresists, and acrylate-based photoresist.    ADVANTAGE -   Simple environmentally-friendly organic cpds.are used with non-toxic solvents with improved dissolution times.
Isolation of a microorganism (MO) which aerobically degrades an organic contaminant (OC), consisting of an aliphatic and/or aromatic cpd(s)., comprises: (a) culturing a soil sample contg. OC, under aerobic conditions, on minimal medium contg. an aromatic cpd(s). (AC) as the sole source of carbon and/or nitrogen and energy; (b) selecting an MO which can utilise the OC as the sole source of C and/or N and energy; (c) culturing the selected MO under aerobic conditions in the presence of at least one N cpd. (I) selected from nitrobenzene, aniline, melamine and cyanuric acid and an aromatic cpd. (II) selected from naphthalene, benzene, toluene, ethyl-benzene and xylene; and (d) isolating an OC-degrading MO from the MO's cultured in (c). Alternatively the process comprises: (a') culturing an MO which can aerobically utilise AC as the sole source of C and/or N and energy under aerobic conditions, in the presence of (I) and (II); and (b') recovering the OC-degrading MO from the MO's cultured in step (a'). Also claimed is a compsn. for obtaining an MO which can aerobically degrade OC, comprising minimal medium contg. (I) and (II), where the C:N ratio is 10-50:1.    USE -   The MO's degrade OC's such as aromatic, nitroaromatic, halo-aromatic, halonitroaromatic, aliphatic and haloaliphatic cpds. to CO2 and H2O. The OC-contg. wastes to be treated ('bioremediated') include elastomeric solids or sludges (after fluidisation), tarry materials, soil, gases, aerosols and liquids. The MO's may be immobilised on a support, e.g. a biofilter.    ADVANTAGE -   The MO's rapidly and efficiently degrade a wide range of OC's, without producing toxic intermediates or by-prods.. They can be stored for long periods (e.g. at least 4 months) without loss of activity, degrade OC's at relatively high concns. (e.g. at least 1 wt. %) and tolerate a wide range of OC concns. and concn. variations.
The method comprises leaching with prods. of metabolism of heterotrophic organisms, contg. aminoacid, in presence of oxidant. The leaching is conducted with prods. of metabolism of heterotrophic organisms, contg. asparagic acid as aminoacid, in presence of potassium permanganate as oxidant. Process is conducted at concn. of asparagic acid 4-8 g/l.    USE -   Leaching of difficulty enrichable polymetallic pyrite ores.    ADVANTAGE -   The method ensures complexity of metals sepn., namely sepn. of precious metals from polymetallic pyrite ores and concentrates, contg. small amts. of precious metals, and reduces toxicity of process owing to use of ecologically safe reagents.
Base particles (TiO2 particles having an average dia. of 10-500 nm) are coated by three coating layers. A slurry of the base particles is added with cpds. of Al, Si, Zn, Zr, Sn, Sb or Ce and neutralised to give a first layer contg. their oxides, hydroxides, hydrated oxides, and added with metal salts of Pt gp. (e.g. Pd), and neutralised to give a second layer containing oxides, hydroxides, hydrated oxides of Pt gp. metals, and added with cpds. of Al, Si, Zn, Zr, Sn, Sb or Ce and neutralised to give a third layer contg. their oxides, hydroxides, hydrated oxides. The slurry of base particles with coating agent, is heated to 250-600 C to give a gas leakage detection pigment.    ADVANTAGE -   The process of this invention can provide a paint contg. gas leakage detecting pigment, to detect the leakage of hydrogen, carbon monoxide, acetylene, methane, by painting on the walls of a chemical plant or a room.
Prodn. of methane comprises: reacting carbon dioxide and hydrogen by using cobalt cpd. contg. rare earth metal as catalyst.    Pref. catalyst used is that contg. lanthanum-cobalt gp. alloy as main component and at least one member of oxides of aluminium, silicon, titanium, magnesium, and zirconium as the third component. Catalyst in which active component is lanthanum-cobalt gp. oxide and carrier is at least one member of aluminium dioxide, silicon dioxide, titanium oxide, magnesium oxide and zirconium oxide.    ADVANTAGE -   Methane can be efficiently produced from carbon dioxide because present catalyst exhibits high conversion rate even in high speed reaction under comparatively mild condition and high activity can be kept for long time. The method contributes to relaxation of warming up of the earth and saving of hydrocarbon resources e.g. petroleum.
Prodn. of methane comprises: reacting carbon dioxide and hydrogen by using nickel cpd. contg. rare earth element as catalyst.    Catalyst used contains cerium-nickel gp. alloy as main component and at least one member of aluminium, silicon, titanium, magnesium, and zirconium as the third component. Catalyst in which active component is cerium-nickel gp. cpd. oxide and carrier is at least one member of aluminium dioxide, silicon dioxide, titanium oxide, magnesium oxide and zirconium oxide.    ADVANTAGE -   Methane can be efficiently produced from carbon dioxide because present catalyst exhibits high conversion rate even in high speed reaction under comparatively mild conditions and high activity can be maintained for long time. The method contributes to relaxation of the earth and saving of hydrocarbon resources e.g. petroleum.
Crude waste treating machine comprises a plastic vessel (1) having a bottom, an upper lid (2) placed at the opening of the top of the vessel detachably, a stirrer (3) placed inside the vessel and ventilation hole (11) at the upper lid and/or vessel. Both the side wall and bottom wall of the plastic vessel have double structures.    USE/ADVANTAGE -   Used to treat crude waste discharged from homes by decomposing it biologically to carbon dioxide and water. A temp. in the plastic vessel can be maintained to the optimum for working of microorganisms when an environmental temp. is decreased, because the plastic vessel has high thermal insulation property.
In situ bioreduction of Cr(VI)-bearing solids (I) comprises: (a) adding organic material, bacteria, nutrients, mineral acid or base to maintain pH 6.5-9.5 and water to (I); and (b) mixing thoroughly to effect reduction of Cr(VI) to Cr(III) in situ.    USE -   The process is used for treating e.g. soils, sediments and wastes, partic. chromite ore processing residue (COPR) contaminated with Cr(VI).    ADVANTAGE -   The process provides simple, effective and efficient in situ biological redn. of Cr(VI) to the less mobile, less toxic Cr(III) valence state.
The prepn. of an isobutane/isohexane contg. prod. comprises passing an isopentane feed to a disproportionation stage and disproportionating the feed in the presence of an olefinic and/or higher branched paraffinic hydrocarbons, by contact with an acid catalyst of acidity Ho more than 8 at 0-150C. and withdrawing the prod..    USE -   For prepn. of isobutane/isohexane contg. prod. useful in high octane gasoline prods..    ADVANTAGE -   Prod. is rich in isobutane and isohexane. High prod. yields are obtd..
Anaerobic digestion of degradable organic material is effected in a single 2-stage reactor equipped for controlled recycle of water drained from the reactor    ADVANTAGE -   The recycling of the drainage water improves the wetting of the feed material.
Prodn. of compost with high water absorbing and retaining capacity which improves soil fertility comprises: (a) dehydrating compost material produced from wood industrial waste material transformed to plant absorbable mesure (sic) and decomposed under aerobic conditions, to 30-35% water content; (b) sieving and putting into prism while adding 1.5-3.0 wt.% water absorbing and retaining adjuvant during prism formation process; (c) turning over the prism several times by power machine homogenising the mixt; (d) covering with black foil, and (e) maintaining and controlling water content at 30-35%.    USE -   The compost is useful in agriculture and is esp. used during dry or rainless periods or in desert or semi-desert areas by storing the water for the plant. It is used in areas where the soil water retaining capacity is low.    ADVANTAGE -   The compost has high water absorbing and retaining capacity and improves soil fertility. The compost remains refillable several times by natural or artificial methods after discharging its water content, thus providing the water supply for the plant according demand.
A neutral cleaning agent comprises: 5 vol.% nonylphenol ethoxylate 9.5 mole, serving as a surfactant; 2 vol.% nonylphenol ethoxylate 4.0 mole, serving as a surfactant; 3 vol.% alkane sulphonate, serving as a wetting agent; and 90 vol.% water, serving as a vehicle; and pref. further comprises: a bacterial culture able to degrade hydrocarbons. Also claimed is a method for preparing the cleaning agent.    USE -   The clearing agent removes fats, oils, dirt and grease and is esp. useful for cleaning vehicle parts and the floors of vehicle maintenance facilities to facilitate their combination.
The appts. has a container (1) for the suspension (2), a working chamber (3) made as a rotating body provided with a rotation drive. The chamber upper part is provided with a circular edge (4) which is perpendicular to its axis. The chamber bottom (5) is provided with an opening (6). The chamber inner walls are provided with longitudinal baffles (8). The chamber bottom part is provided with at least one additional opening which is identical to the main opening. All the openings are placed symmetrically w.r.t. the working chamber rotation axis. The circular edge inner diameter is equal to the diameter of the circumference passing through the furthest points of the openings edges. The rotation drive number of revolution can be changed. The working chamber side is cylindrical.    USE -   For organic-mineral matter separation from harmful matter and specifically sapropel, peat, animal husbandry discharge.    ADVANTAGE -   The operation efficiency is increased.
Municipal waste utilisation method comprises removal of inorganic components from the waste, milling the waste, mixing with waste water sediment and composting until organic enrichment is achieved. The municipal waste is preliminarily dried at 75-105 C and the process of inorganic components removal involves extn. of the metallic fraction and pressing into bales. The milling of the remaining mass is carried out to achieve the coarse sand grain size and the heavy fraction, density of which is greater than that of water, is sepd. The heavy fraction is mixed with cement and formed into blocks. The organic fraction is carried with the water into the dewatering installation which is followed by mixing with the waste water sediment. The mixt. is saturated with atmospheric oxygen and composted.    USE -   Technology is used for conversion of waste into a useful prod.    ADVANTAGE -   Various waste fractions are sepd. and utilised.
The centrifuge has a body (1) with sediment and filtrate collection containers (2,3), a rotor (4) fitted in the body with a distribution chamber (6) fitted on the drive shaft (5) and a feeding pipe(8). Filtering elements (7) are fitted on the chamber (6) outer surface. The feeding pipe outlet section is situated in the distribution chamber. The filtering elements are made as two discs (9,10) with coaxial alternating perforated and solid conical cowlings (11,12) which form a zigzag channel (13). The distance between the disc can be changed. The perforated cowlings of one disc are situated opposite the solid cowlings of the other disc.    USE -   Used for suspension sepn. into solid and liq. fraction in a centrifugal field and can be employed in agriculture for manure sepn..    ADVANTAGE -   The sepn, efficiency is increased.
Exhaust gas is passed through a layer of humidified plant matter containing microorganisms. Freshly cut straw is used as the plant matter stored without the access of condensing moisture and having the relative humidity of not less than 40%. The straw layer humidification is conducted by feeding water countercurrently to the gas flow undergoing purification.    USE -   Gas purification method is used in the mfr. of chipboard.    ADVANTAGE -   Process is simplified by the elimination of preliminary milling of plant material.
Fluid is composed of below 50 wt.% of difluoromethane, below 70 wt.% of isobutane and the balance of 1,1,1,2-tetrafluoroethane, where the proportion of isobutane and difluoromethane is in the range enclosed by points A,B,C,D,E,F,G and H shown in Fig.    USE -   Operating fluid is used for running a heat pump for air conditioner, water heater, refrigerator etc.    ADVANTAGE -   The fluid has no action of destroying ozone layer.
Composting appts. comprises cylindrical vessel supporting aerobic microorganisms to decompose crude refuse and contains sawdust-type water content adjuster rotating around a horizontal shaft, cutting blades positioned at given positions of inner wall of rotating cylindrical vessel and arranged along rotation direction of cylindrical vessel; doctor knife contacting the upper part of inner wall of rotating cylindrical vessel to scrape adhered substances; and crank handle to rotate cylindrical vessel.    USE/ADVANTAGE -   Used to compost crude refuse discharged from households by mixing it with water content adjuster and microorganisms. Crude refuse is easily composted by using aerobic microorganisms and this simplified composting appts.
Composter comprises cylindrical tank having upper lid tightly sealed by a packing at its inner edge and capable of opening by treadle; shelf having baseplate with penetration holes or meshes and several projections on baseplate and placed on fixing part at part higher than bottom of tank; inner cylinder having folded upper edge to fix it onto upper end of tank and inserted into tank; and inner lid contacting inner wall of inner cylinder to airtightly seal inside of inner cylinder.    USE/ADVANTAGE -   Used to mfr. organic fertilisers by fermenting and decomposing crude refuse from domestic homes by using anaerobic microorganisms, e.g. yeast fungi, lactic acid bacteria. Actinomycetes. Composter is closed airtightly to increase efficiency of bacteria and commercial bags can be used instead of special bags.
Prodn. of fermented fertiliser comprises aerobic fermentation of chicken manure, sludge, bean curd waste and wastes of woods, partic. at wt. ratios of 1:0.05-5:0.05-5:0.05-5, in a fermentation tank, partic with a water content of 40-80 %, under elevated temp. with aeration of hot air at 55-500 deg. C to increase the temp. to 55-85 deg C to give fertiliser with water content of 5-35%. Also claimed is the fertiliser with a water content of 5-35%. Raw materials are mixed and heated with hot air at 55-500 (60-400) deg.C to glue a water content of 40-80 % and aerobically fermented at 55-85 deg.C to give fertiliser with a water content of 5-35 pref (10-30%).    ADVANTAGE -   Heat treatment eliminates microorganisms in raw materials and gives safe fertiliser.    In an example a mixt. of 50 kg chicken manure with water content of 21%, 30 kg organic sludge with water content of 90%, 10 kg each of bean curd waste and wastes of woods with water content of 10%, aerobic microorganism for fermentation and 15kg of water were heated with hot air at 150 deg C. to increase the temp. to 80 deg C in 1 hr. and stirred for a further 2 hrs. to reduce the water content t 25% and allowed to cool to give fertiliser. The fertiliser was spread on a field at a rate of 150 g/m2 and corn was cultured. the grown corn gave satisfactory appearance.
Refuse fermenting decomposition tank (1) is coupled to disposer (10). Water-treating tank (2) having a settling tank (21) is coupled to the fermenting decomposition tank via a porous plate (13) to gather sludge at a lower part. Sludge disposing tank (3) to decompose sludge (31) from the settling tank (21) is included.    ADVANTAGE -   Decomposed residue and sludge are easily disposed.
Japanese paper draining bag (6) for receiving refuse (7) crushed by a disposer (2) and sepg. solid and liquid away from each other, is mounted on solid-liq. sepg. device (3). Draining bag (6) and recovered refuse solid are charged in fermenting decomposition tank (4) for decomposition. Sludge (9) in water-treating tank (5) is also fed to the fermenting decomposition tank (4) for decomposition disposal.    ADVANTAGE -   Refuse is simply disposed when generated. Also, maintenance management is facilitated.
Appts. comprises a treatment tank (1), stirring cylinder (10) placed in the treatment tank and having a screw (3) for stirring a motor (M1) placed above the stirring cylinder to drive the screw and crude waste injection hole (30) placed at the upper part of the treatment tank.    Also claimed is a deodoriser comprising a closed water tank (40) divided in to three portions (A, B, C) connected to each other, both intake tube (37) and exhaust tube (38) above the water level of the first water tank (A) to intake gas generated from a malodour generation source and exhaust it, and a suction tube (47) on a filter cloth (43) in the exhaust tube to spray water sucked from the third water tank (C) on the filter cloth.    USE/ADVANTAGE -   Used to treat crude waste generated in schools or offices by decomposing biologically and deodorising it. The treatment appts. can be operated by school children or aged persons easily, and in the deodorising, tubes are not clogged by fine dust in gas.
Appts. used to decompose crude waste by mixing crude waste with a decomposing bed contg. aerobic microorganisms and anaerobic microorganisms and stirring them, comprises a rotation drum (18) having a rotation shaft (2) held horizontally and rotation blade (18A) fixed to the inside of the rotation drum, an injection tube (38) having a round opening facing to the inside of the rotation drum at one end and an injection hole (38A) opened upward at another end an air supply system to supply air from the injection tube to the rotation drum, and exhaust system connected to another side of the rotation drum.    USE/ADVANTAGE -   Used to decompose crude waste e.g. leftover rice, vegetables, fish or meat, rapidly by using microorganisms. The decomposition reaction and increase the treatment capacity.
A rotary shaft (7) having radial agitating blades (8) is arranged in a contain body (2) for waste. Three types of microorganisms of aerobic bacteria, anaerobic bacteria, and facultative anaerobic bacteria to promote decomposition of waste (10) and a decomposing medium (9) comprising chips to absorb a component generated by decomposition of waste are arranged in the container body (2).    ADVANTAGE -   Waste is decomposed with high treating efficiency.
Waste decomposition treatment appts. comprises a storing chamber (10) to store organic waste, and stirring machine (100) running along length direction of storing chamber to stir organic waste to decompose it by fermentation. Storing chamber consists of divided tanks (11) capable of dividing in its length direction and connected by connection tools (12) to each other. Air supply tubes (30) are provided at the bottom of storing chamber to supply air to the stored organic waste.    USE/ADVANTAGE -   Used for decomposing organic waste e.g. livestock excrement and crude refuse from domestic homes by fermentation. Storing chamber capacity is easily changed by connecting or disconnecting the divided tanks.
Crude waste treating vessel comprises a storing chamber (6) to store wooden chips (16) and crude waste, temporary storing chamber (5) to store crude waste temporarily and air intake chamber (15) fitted with a suction hole (14) and divided from the storing chamber by a perforated plate (13). The storing chamber comprises a heating means to accelerate fermentation decomposition of crude waste. The temporary storing chamber comprises a second door (4) to supply crude waste to the storing chamber from the temporary storing chamber or from the crude waste injection hole (2) having a first door (3). A fixed cutting blade (8) is placed at the inner wall of the storing chamber and a rotor (7) is positioned in the storing chamber to cut and stir crude waste together with a fixed cutting blade.    USE/ADVANTAGE -   Used to reduce the vol. of crude waste from kitchens or restaurants by decomposing the crude waste by fermentation. Molecular can be removed completely from the storing chamber.
The dechlorination reaction is stopped when the poly-biphenyl chloride is decomposed to less than 3 chlorinated PVC(c), and (c) or 150-350 C fraction of (c) is bacteria decomposed, under aerobic condition, with nutrient and poly-biphenyl chloride decomposing bacteria.    ADVANTAGE -   Provides efficient decomposing process for poly-biphenyl chloride by which treated material is easily disposed of.
Packing materials for use in units for biological treatment of waste air comprise an organic material (I) pelletised with an organic material (I) pelletised with an organic binder (II).    Also claimed is the prodn. of such materials by mixing (I) and (II) and pressing the mixt. into pellets while curing the binder.    Pref. (I) is peat, heather and/or compost,(II) is an aminoplast or phenoplast resin, esp. urea-formaldehyde, and is present in an amt. of 10-50 wt.%.    USE -   The materials are useful in units for bioconversion of pollutants in waste air from industrial plants, e.g. lacquering or printing works.    ADVANTAGE -   The pellets have good mechanical stability and moisture resistance while retaining the properties of (I) as a moisture reservoir and microbial nutrient source. Being biodegradable, they can be disposed of by composting.
Biogas reactor converting fluid loaded with organic material, esp. animal waste, consists of a tank (2) with a roof shaped insert (3) which divides the tank interior into upper and lower, connected digestion spaces (30,31). There is a gas tube which can be shut off. The design has an original arrangement to agitate the contents. The gas tube is set in the highest part of the upper digestion space (30), and receives gas from the collection space (8) high in the lower division (31). The valve (6) in the tube is opened intermittently, allowing gas to pass into the head space, or a connected fluid draining space (5).    USE -   To make biogas from animal waste.    ADVANTAGE -   The reactor prevents the formation of floating and sedimented layers in a simple manner with no additional energy expenditure. Accumulation of gas, to the required pressure in the collection space, displaces sludge downwards, and during this period, sedimentation occurs. Opening the gas valve both stirs the upper space and causes a rush of fluid back into the lower space, stirred up deposited material. The valve must be quick-opening; the tube dia. large. Process interruption due to floating or sedimentary layers is prevented by the agitation, which also increases gas prodn.
Appts. for mfg. solid fuel from organic matter incl. one of carbonising a portion of the material such that (a) means is provided to extract from the material itself combustible prods. for use in the energising of the carbonising and/or drying processes; (b) the organic matter is organic waste material; (c) the appts. include carbonising and drying equipment; and (d) the combustible prods. include methane and hydrogen.    USE -   Mfg. solid fuel consisting of compacted and extruded organic matter.    ADVANTAGE -   Solid fuel is mfd. from organic matter enabling waste prods., such as sawdust, sugar bagasse and serial stalks, to be processed ito usable solid fuels, whilst reducing environmental pollution, and reducing the costs associated with disposal of these waste materials.
A biological waste treatment plant has a new arrangement, with a mixer comminutor (2) which can be closed to treat a raw bio-waste, and a feeder (5) for additives. The measuring device (3) yields raw material data which is loaded into the programmable controller (4) connected to the feeder (5) for additives. These are supplied in accordance with the measurements. At least 1 automatic classification and sorting device follows the mixer comminutor. The raw material supply is selected from delivered bio-waste or stored compost made from it.    USE -   A plant for the treatment of biological waste produced by small communities.    ADVANTAGE -   The plant described may be used for smaller quantities of communal organic waste material, with economic and ecological benefits. Odour is reduced to a min. within and outside the plant. Hand sorting is obviated. Putrefaction processes taking place at low pH (acid) in the waste as collected, are cut short by admixture of lime. An homogenised, quickly composted material with neutral odour is produced, avoiding a pre-composting stage, saving time and space. Size redn. followed by automatic sepn. stages reduce the need for manual operations.
Producing a rigid polyisocyanate based foam comprises adding 2-chloropropane to a polyoxyalkylene polyether polyol and a blowing agent comprising a 4-6C aliphatic hydrocarbon in an amt. to homogeneously solubilise the hydrocarbon in the polyol to form a soluble polyol compsn., and reacting it with an organic isocyanate to produce the foam.    Also claimed is a process for making a homogeneously soluble polyol compsn. comprising adding 2-chloropropane to a cpd(s). having at least two isocyanate active hydrogens comprising a polyoxyalkylene polyether polyol and a blowing agent comprising a 4-6C aliphatic hydrocarbon cpd., to solubilise the hydrocarbon in the polyether polyol.    USE/ADVANTAGE -   Foams produced are rigid or semi-rigid and are therefore useful as insulation materials. Hydrocarbons used as blowing agents in polyurethane mfr. can be solubilised in polyol components by use of 2-chloropropane. They can then be successfully used to replace previously used ozone depleting CFC's.
A set of cyclones (414, 514) are arranged in parallel within a main separator vessel (412). At least one cyclone is of a different size from another of the set. A water/solids/oil mixt forms in the hopper of the cyclones. The solids are removed from the bottom (475, 575) and the oil/water mixt from an upper part of the hopper. An oil/gas vapour mixt is removed from the top of the cyclones. The oil/water mixt is sepd, pref by gravity, by controlling the water level in the main vessel.    USE -   Oil, water and solids separators for use in oil and gas industry, paper mills, municipal waste treatment, steel mills, food processing, power generation plant, etc.
The compsn. is based on biologically active substrate and additionally contains clarified liq. from above crude pptes. after primary settling tanks of biological purificn. of chemical effluents (I), and contains biological substrate in form of excess active sludge collected after sec. settling tanks of biological purificn. of aq. effluents from chemical industry (II), at ratio of components (in pts. wt.):(II) 1.0 and (I) 0.2-0.5.    USE -   In oil extn. industry, as compsn. for increasing oil yield of strata being at the late stages of working-out by flooding.    ADVANTAGE -   Compsn. has increased efficiency.
Defoaming water contg. hydrolase having power to decompose. Actinomyces is added, to sum floating on the water surface in treatment of sewage. The hydrolase, which decomposes the cell walls of Gram-positive bacteria, is fixed and added to activated sludge for water treatment to prevent formation of scum.    USE -   For physically defoaming scum.    ADVANTAGE -   As actinomyces in scum is decomposed hydrolase, scum is not formed in treated sewage when it is aerated again so that sewage is effectively treated.
Device (A) has a fermentation bath (B) and a mixer (C), (B) is cylindrical and its bottom is conically shaped (C) is spiral and installed vertically in the centre of (B) so that its axis is parallel to the wall of (B) A cylinder tube (D) with protruding rods from its bottom end is installed vertically to cover (C). Axes of (C) and (D) are identical. (C) and (D) are made to rotate reversely each other. An inlet of air is installed at the bottom of (B). Cutting blades are installed above the top of (D).    USE -   Used for decomposing waste.    ADVANTAGE -   The method is able to cut waste into small pieces and to ensure homogeneous mixing and rapid fermentation.
The device is equipped with a fermentation bath in which garbage is mixed with a filler (A) then it is made to decompose. (A) Is foamed resin granule.    USE -   Used for decomposing garbage.    ADVANTAGE -   The method is able to prevent the coagulation of the mixt. between garbage and filler (conventionally saw dust) and also able to keep the water content of the mixt. on the optimum level.
Device (A) has a chamber (B), a mixer (C), a sensor (D), a drier (E) and a controller (F). Waste is fermented in (B) having a water content detected by (D). (F) passes start up or shut down signals to (E) according to the output of (D) to keep the water content of waste in (B) in a prefixed range. A ventilator which exhausts air inside (B) is also installed in (A).    USE -   Used for decomposing waste.    ADVANTAGE -   The method maintains the water content of waste to an optimum value for waste decomposing micro-organisms.
Remedying a polluted soil environment comprises introducing: (a) a microorganism which can decompose the pollutant; (b) a nutrient for (a); and (c) an inducer for expressing an activity in (a) w.r.t. the pollutant. The process comprises controlling a coefft. of permeability of the polluted soil so that the substance introduced into the soil may be uniformly distributed over a soil area to be remedied.    USE -   The process is useful for treating soil polluted by strong carcinogens and other organic pollutants.    ADVANTAGE -   The ecosystem of the area which does not need remediation is not disturbed by foreign substances injected there, since its diffusion extent can be controlled.
A two-stage assembly which ferments organic residues contg. a max. of 25 % organic dry matter, incorporates a reactor (7) which hydrolyses and introduces an initial quantity of acid into the organic material. The organic material is then subjected to one or pref. two methane reactors (11) for thermophilic fermentation of the hydrolysed and pre-acidified material. The novelty is that : (a) the hydrolysis reactor (7) is ventilated by compressed air; (b) that 2 settlement vessels (13.1, 13.2) are arranged in parallel down-flow from the methane reactors. These concentrate the resulting biomass in process water and are operated alternately; and (c) that the settlement vessels (13.1, 13.2) are linked to the hydrolysing reactor (7) and as necessary to the methane reactor (11) by a pump (14) and pipe (15) to return process water. The hydrolysis reactor (7) is linked to an air compressor (8). The hydrolysis reactor operates at between 20-40 C.    USE -   The process is a first-stage semi-aerobic and second-stage anaerobic process for the disposal of organic wastes contg. a max. of 25 % organic dry matter, esp. catering and food industry wastes, sewage sludge, slaughterhouse residues, mineral oils and solvents, by generating methane.    ADVANTAGE -   The efficiency of operation and stability of an existing process are improved by accelerating the bacterial break-down of food residues and facilitating optimum use of the end-prods.
Diatomite generated as a waste prod. in the beverages industry, esp. in breweries, is useful as a high thermal insulation, lightweight inorganic additive for reduced density building materials, esp. those based on Portland cement matrices, fulfilling the requirements for concrete according to DIN 1045. The organic component of the waste diatomite is strongly reduced or eliminated using a min. amt. of energy via a biochemical process in a reactor at 20-75C, non- or poorly degradable diatomite which contains organic polymer and/or oligomer residues which have a desirable effect on the building materials and their parts bound with the cement contg. the diatomite.    Also claimed are (i) the biochemical treatment of the waste diatomite in which the temp. for the single step (an)aerobic or two step aerobic-(an)aerobic fermentation process is produced by bacteria, and (ii) (cement) building elements contg. the recycled diatomite.    USE -   Diatomite is used as an adsorbent material in filters to remove yeast cells, cloudiness-causing substances and colloidally dissolved flavourings, melanoidins, proteins, bitter-tasting substances etc. from beverages, esp. beer.    ADVANTAGE -   The low temp. biochemical redn. of the diatomite requires very little energy input and generates no waste gases due to combustion of material, giving good purity diatomite. The process is much quicker than present biological-chemical processes that take 4-7 months.
Appts. (100) for denitrification of wastewater from mixed liquor source, comprises 2 non-aerated continuous channels (4, 1) in series, each with an inlet (5, 2), an outlet (6, 3) and a circulating means (27). Wastewater flows from the mixed liquor source into the initial channel and from outlet of the final channel in series back into the mixed liquor source.    Also claimed are 2 methods for treating wastewater which comprise flowing it through the above appts.    USE -   The appts. can be used in the treatment of wastewater with denitrification.    ADVANTAGE -   The denitrification method is compatible with known wastewater treatment systems with aerated mixed liquor. The level of nitrogen is significantly reduced, the flow is close to plug flow, the appropriate ratio of nitrogen, aerobic microorganisms and BOD can be maintained by the operator and capital costs, energy and mechanisms are minimised.
Microorganisms used in bacterial-chemical leaching of sulphide ores, are activated with 0.01-0.1% peat-alkali reagent. The bacteria used are Candida sp., Th. novellus and Th. ferroxidans, for the treatment of the Mo, Cu-Zn and Mo ores resp..    USE -   In hydrometallurgy.    ADVANTAGE -   Better stimulation of the growth of biomass.
The method is carried out by aerobic yeast generation and anaerobic fermentation of the must with introduction of the must and forming alcohol and bread baking yeast biomass sepn.. The bread baking biomass sepn. is carried out after aerobic fermentation stage. The molasses prior to introduction to the anaerobic fermentation is diluted by mash formed after bread baking yeast biomass sepn.. Also claimed is an appts. to carry out the method.    USE -   In alcohol prodn. to produce ethyl alcohol and bread baking yeast.    ADVANTAGE -   The ethyl alcohol yield is increased.
Soil damaged during coal mining operations can be recultivated more efficiently as follows: the surface is levelled, treated with coal mining waste in the form of oxidised coal added in amts. of 8-24 t/ha, and the material is ploughed in. Subsequent sowing is followed by spraying twice with 1-2% aq. soln. of humic acids, and inoculation with bacteria Azetobacter chroococum and Bacillus megaterium used in amts. of 80-100 g/ha, with watering.    USE -   The methyl is used in reclamation of soil.    ADVANTAGE -   Increased efficiency of reclamation and better quality resulting soil are obtd.
Process for removing carbon, phosphorus and/or nitrogen cpds. from effluent water in which the effluent water is treated successively in an anaerobic zone, a first aerobic zone, an anoxic zone and a second aerobic zone in contact with a sludge contg. microorganisms, after which the phosphate-enriched sludge is sepd. from the effluent and at least partially subjected to de-phosphatisation. The de-phosphated sludge is then at least partially recycled, partly to the first aerobic zone and partly to the anoxic zone.    ADVANTAGE -   Recycling part of the de-phosphated sludge to the anoxic zone gives more effective denitrification of the effluent water.
The process for purifying soil contaminated with hydrocarbons comprises contacting the soil in a reactor with aerobic microorganisms which break hydrocarbons down in the presence of O2. Air is passed through the reactor at a rate of 2-100 l/h/kg of dry substance and the soil is dried, then when the dry solids content is greater than 65 wt.% the soil is mixed with air in a mixer reactor in such a way that the volatilised hydrocarbon phase is microbiologically broken down under conditions of a low throughput of air and high dry solids content.    USE -   Used, e.g., for cleaning soil contaminated with diesel oil, etc., on the site of filling stations.    ADVANTAGE -    The process is simple to perform, rapid, requires less O2than previous processes, and is relatively cheap to operate.
A plastic moulded product is produced by cultivating useful microorganisms (both aerobic and anaerobic microorganisms) and mixing the resulting useful microorganism group EM (which exhibits various useful EM activities including polluted environment purification activity due to the decomposition of organic substances) or an EM ceramics having the similar EM activities (which is obtd. by burning a ceramic contg. the useful microorganism group EM) with a moulding material and moulding the resulting mixt.    USE -   The plastic moulded prod. obtd. by using a specific material shows EM effect, thus useful for a bucket, flowerpot, garbage fermentation vessel etc.    ADVANTAGE -   The specific plastic moulded prod. (made into a bucket, for example) cleans the foul water or foul substance contained therein, and has high resistance to oxidation, thus the stain is not easily adhered on it. The plastic product prevents the content from generating a foul smell as well. The prodn. cost remains the same as that of ordinary plastic product.
Fermentation of raw material, partic. excreta of animals including humans opt. together with other raw wastes including compost, rice and wheat brans, and husk is effected with a purified cultured soln. of non-toxic microorganism, partic. soil borne microorganisms, esp. anaerobic microorganisms, partic. at 20-40C and 60% humidity.    Also claimed is a fertiliser prepd. from fermented raw waste.    Soil-borne non-toxic anaerobic microorganisms are pref. cultured to give bulk solns. The bulk solns. are dispersed to raw materials (e.g. excreta of animals including human being, compost, rice and wheat brans, and husks), and fermented to give fertiliser.    ADVANTAGE -   Anaerobic fermentation of raw materials with cultured non-toxic microorganisms is effected.
Device body (1) comprises a bottom plate (11), a front cover (14) the lower end of which is pivoted to open below, a rear cover (13), side covers (12), (12) standing vertically on the bottom plate (11), and an upper cover (15) one end of which is pivoted; a shaft (4) is supported by the side covers (12), (12) to rotate an agitating blade (5). An agitating vessel (2) is supported by the shaft (4) so as to turn in the device body (1); a gear motor (3) to turn the shaft (4) is provided integrally with the agitating vessel (2); and the fresh refuse which has been composted in the agitating vessel (2) is collected in a discharge receiving dish (16) provided in the front cover (14).    USE/ADVANTAGE -   Used to ferment and decompose the fresh waste generated in each home to form a compost. This device is small and can be manufactured at low cost. It can be used readily and sanitarily.
Perishable organic matter is contacted with a decomposition medium formed of a porous material in which microorganisms can live; both of them are agitated and mixed; and the perishable organic matter is completely decomposed by penetrating hot air through the mixture from below to above.    USE/ADVANTAGE -   Used to decompose organic matter (animal and plants waste as the industrial refuse or perishable organic matter such as refuse as the general wastes) into water, carbon dioxide, and ammonia. No public hazard occurs since the organic matter is turned to harmless inorganic matter. Further, the amount of the decomposition medium against organic matter can be minimized.
Waste (A) is mixed with a medium (B) of fermentation and decomposed aerobically. (B) is ground wood powder (chip) having a pH and temp. adjusted to 7-9 and 25-60C respectively. When the water content of (B) is lower than a prefixed value water is added to it, and if it is higher than the prefixed value addn. of new waste to the medium is stopped.    Also claimed is an appts. for decomposing garbage having a fermentation bath, a heater, a water content sensor, a water supply system for the fermentation bath, a controller, and an alarm.    USE/ADVANTAGE -   Used for decomposing waste. The method optimises the environment inside the fermentation bath for garbage decomposing microorganisms.
Machine comprises a microorganism activation treating tank having a frame (1) and nearly U-shaped body part, and heater (6) for adjusting heating and placed under the body part of the treating tank. The microorganism activation treating tank comprises a lateral shaft type rotation shaft (5) laterally placed at the centre of the inside of the treating tank, arm rods (51) with stirring blades (52) at the rotation shaft, and an upper lid (12) with an opening or closing type crude waste injection lid (13) placed at the upper opening part of the treating tank.    Also claimed is the use of decomposition accelerators which comprises mixing zeolite with rice hulls, injecting the mixt. into the microorganism activation treating tank, adding water to the treating tank, injecting crude waste stirring and heating the tank.    USE -   Used to decompose crude waste discharged from homes or restaurants or crude waste contg. organic material e.g. sludge sepd. from waste water of food plants. Crude waste can be treated without damage to the environment.
Plastics wastes which contains chlorine and produces dioxin by firing are packed in a sealed container; then heated above 250C in an atmos. free of oxygen so as to decompose them and to advance the de-HCl reaction; the resultant HCl is sucked and removed out of the container.    USE -   For thermal decomposition of plastics waste contg. chlorine like vinyl chloride or vinylidene chloride plastics.    ADVANTAGE -   Vinyl chloride plastics wastes can be rendered harmless without by-producing toxic dioxin.
Microorganism deodoriser contains a microorganism belonging to genus Thiobacillus, and a neutralising agent for neutralising sulphur oxide produced by the microorganism.    The microorganism belonging to the genus Thiobacillus pref. includes Thiobacillus thiooxidans, Thiobacillus ferrooxidans, Thiobacillus thioparus, Thiobacillus denitrificans, T. neapolitanus, T. tepidarius, T. versutus and T. intermedius. The neutralising agent is pref. a carbonate or hydrogen carbonate of an alkaline earth metal. The microorganism deodoriser pref. further contains a buffer soln. (having pH of 3-8).    USE -   The microorganism deodoriser is useful for a sewage disposal plant or food factory, and for treating malodour contg. sulphur generating from waste and stock breeding etc.    In an example, thiobacillus thiooxidans was cultured and suspended in 0.1 M sodium citrate-sodium hydroxide buffer soln. (pH 6) (OD = 10, lambda = 660 nm). 1ml of the resulting suspension was mixed with 0.01g commercially available burned type calcium agent contg. calcium carbonate (derived from coral) to provide a microorganism deodoriser.
Phytoplankton are claimed. The phytoplankton are obtd. directly as living material, as industrial material and/or as functional material, and comprise all or part of the phytoplankton.    Also claimed are prods. obtd. from the moist phytoplankton, by culturing and growing the phytoplankton, then collecting and drying, and producing fibre materials. Also claimed are a method for growing the phytoplankton, by culturing while extracting a toxin such as an organomercury.    The phytoplankton are pref. of the Spirogyra or Zygnema genus.    USE/ADVANTAGE -   The phytoplankton produce materials which resemble cotton, thread, or wool, that can be used to form cloth or sheet materials useful as bulk materials, for heat insulation or sound absorption, or for cushioning or filtering. They are also useful for purifying bodies of water such as ponds, lakes, rivers and marshes, and waste water, by removing nutrients and pollutants. The phytoplankton purify the water with less time and labour than conventional methods using sepg. agents such as precipitants and hydrophobic materials.
This refers to microorganisms for, and microbiological degradation of aromatic hydrocarbons of toluene, xylene and ethylbenzene type. Process uses specified microorganisms belonging to genus Pseudomonas (stored on 13th June 1994 under the number 4501 in C.E.C.T.), which are able to tolerate 90% (v/v) of toluene, xylene and ethylbenzene and utilise those cpds. as carbon source, thus causing their elimination. Elimination of toluene, xylenes and ethylbenzenes in effluents, water and soil contaminated with these cpds. is conducted by inoculation of the effluents and soils with above specified bacterial culture. The method can be used to eliminate contamination of industrial effluents, water and soil with toluene, xylenes and ethylbenzenes, as well as to eliminate the excessive amt. remaining in storage tanks, thus providing effective soln. of environmental problems associated with treatment of this frequently occurring pollutants.    USE -   In chemical, oil processing and petrochemical industry and in environment protection technology, as the method of elimination of pollution with aromatic hydrocarbons of toluene, xylene and ethylbenzene type, using Pseudomonas putida microorganisms.
A novel biologically pure culture of Pseudomonas alcaligenes KB2 is identified under deposition No. FERM P-14644 in National Institute of Bioscience and Human Technology, Agency of Industrial Science and Technology. Also claimed are: (1) a process for decomposing aromatic cpd(s). and/or haloorganic cpd(s). using the microorganism; and (2) a process for remedying environment polluted with the aromatic and/or haloorganic cpd. by decomposing them using the microorganism.    USE -   The microorganism is useful for decomposing aromatic cpds. such as phenol, m-cresol, p-cresol etc. (esp. p-cresol) and halogenated organic cpds. such as trichloroethylene, dichloroethylene etc., and remedying polluted environments such as soil, sewage, waste water and gases contg. the contaminants.    ADVANTAGE -   The microorganism has adequate decomposing activity against aromatic cpds. and volatile chloroorganic cpds. and have growth conditions different to those of known microbial strains to be applicable to a wider field and in more ways.
A device for the thickening of sewage sludge has 1 centrifuge (4), and 1 lysis unit on the centrifuge. The lysis unit is a device which disrupts cells by setting up strong hydrodynamic forces, by rapid shearing of the fluid. Hence the cells contained in the sewage sludge are broken down mechanically. This can assist their thickening, i.e. concn..    Also claimed are: (i) a pump for waste water contg. sludge, with a lysis unit to split the cells; and a sewage treatment plant.    USE -   Used in the thickening of sewage sludge, pumping of waste water contg. sludge and the construction of sewage works.    ADVANTAGE -   The devices outlined, by disrupting the cells of the living organisms contained in the sludge supplied to them, reduce the quantity of sludge to be disposed of, from sewage works, Improving dewatering. Anaerobic digestion, producing biogas, is accelerated, also speeding the processing to waste biomass and clean outfall.
Composting system comprises a plate (10) of fibre-reinforced concrete contg. a number of full footers (20), each having a base (22), and a number of partial footers (26) each having a base (28), all footers being arranged in a circular pattern about the centre point of the plate. The plate also includes a number of air nozzles (14), each having a lower opening (18) and positioned to give max. strength to the place. Plates are arranged in an array with a perimeter barrier and membrane for containment of liquids to prevent seepage below the support surface. A manifold void provides for air pressure to be controlled between plates and support surface.    Also claimed is a compost aeration block constructed of fibre-reinforced cement and in one piece.    ADVANTAGE -   Accelerated composting of biodegradable material by use of a single layer array.
The appts. treats material containing solid or liquid volatile organic compounds (VOCs) in a novel arrangement comprising: a chamber with a gas inlet below the gas outlet, with intermediate support for the material. In addition an upward air flow from inlet to outlet, warms the material, hence volatilising VOCs, and entraining them. The low inlet of a second chamber receives the airflow from the first Inside it, a biologically active matric before the upper outlet, carries organisms which degrade the VOCs. A venturi in the interconnection couples to an auxiliary chamber. Here, pressurised containers e.g. aerosol cans, may be punctured, releasing gases into the airflow. Also claimed are: a biodegradation unit for an organic compound, methods of biodegrading gaseous or volatilised organic compounds.    USE -   For the biological treatment of hazardous waste, esp. for objects contaminated by VOCs, e.g solvent soaked rags arising in paint shops.    ADVANTAGE -   VOC containing residues, can be disposed of safely by the method and appts. described. It is noted that whereas aerosol cans and paint residues are neither safe nor environmentally acceptable, dried paint residues are considered more so, and are much more readily disposed of. Materials supplied already in the gaseous state can also be treated. Biological decomposition breaks down the VOCs, during which the matrix may heat up, hence any evaporation is replace; nutrients are also added. Secondary air is supplied, so there is no tendency for the second bio-matrix, the polishing stage, to become inactive due to lack of oxygen. Low cost materials ae used in the bio-matrix, e.g wood fibre and manure, optionally with perlite for open structure. Spent compost from the appts. is simply disposed of as e.g. mulch.
Mineral crude can be leached using autotropic acidophilic bacteria more efficiently as follows. The ore is treated with aq. acidic compsn. of pH 1.5-3.5 contg. the bacteria grown continuously, and phenobarbitone. The process is carried out with heating and aeration.    USE -   In bacterial leaching of mineral ores.    ADVANTAGE -   Increased rate of leaching.
Mineral crude can be leached using specific bacteria more efficiently as follows. The crude is treated with aq. acidic compsn. of pH 1.5-3.5, contg. autotropic acidophilic bacteria which are grown continuously and ammonium p-molybdate, with heating and aeration.    USE -   In bacterial leaching of sulphide, oxide, etc. ores.    ADVANTAGE -   Increased rate of leaching.
This catalyst of conversion of carbon monoxide by steam prodn. based on oxides of copper and zinc, is distinguished in that, the catalyst is obtd. by the thermal decomposition at 250-450 deg. C of mixed basic carbonate of Cu-Zn-Cr and or Al with a hydrotalcite-pyroaurite or hydrozincite-aurichalcite structure. Catalysts of Cu0 .30-0 .33 Zno .06-0 .08 Meo .59-0 .64 +3 On or Cuo .30-0 .55 Zn0 .30-0 .62 Me0 .08-0 .15 +3 On, where Me can be Al + Cr, or Al or Cr, n - according to stoichiometry.    USE -   For the prodn. of catalysts for the process of low temp. conversion of carbon monoxide by steam.    ADVANTAGE -   Provides a new method of obtaining oxide catalyst obtaining its max. activity, selectivity, stability and reproducibility of the properties.
The refrigernat cpd contains octafluorocyclobutane, difluoromethane, trifluoromethane, tetrafluoromethane, and methane.    ADVANTAGE -   The cpd is free from ozone sphere depletion.
A mown lawn (1) contg. quantities of sand is fed through a hopper (2) to a feed port (4a) at one end of a carbonising furnace (4). The mown lawn is heated with the mown lawn agitated by a screw conveyor (4d) or a rotary kiln and conveyed to a discharge port at the other end. The lawn is carbonised and sand is baked and sterilised. Cooling is effected by a cooling sepn. tower (6) and the lawn is recovered as a prod. being reutilised.    ADVANTAGE -   An optimum prod. is produced by varying a heating time and a heating temp. according to the moisture content and combustibility of lawn.
The device comprises: (a) a heating chamber (11) for putting waste tyres formed at the upper portion of a main body (10); (b) a burner chamber (12) formed at the lower portion of the main body; (c) an exhaust gas pipe (21) for sending exhaust gas from the heating chamber to the burner chamber; and (d) a chimney (22) attached to the burner chamber. One opening of the exhaust gas pipe (21) is placed in a combustion cylinder (23a) of a burner (23) in the burner chamber.    USE -   A carbonisation processing device for combustible industrial waste including motorcar waste tyres.    ADVANTAGE -   Reusable carbide is produced by an effective carbonisation process applied on the waste tyres in the heating chamber by using combustion heat from the burner placed in the burner chamber, and combustion heat of the combustible exhaust gas supplied to the burner chamber through the exhaust gas pipe.
Device comprises travelling rails (3) provided on a fermentation composting tank (1), a carriage (4) running on the travelling rails (3), and a turning conveyor (17) mounted on the carriage (4). A first feed conveyor (44) is provided on the outside of the tank (1) to lift upward from the compost discharge side to the compost material feed side. A second feed conveyor (45) is provided under the top side of the first feed conveyor (44) to receive the compost material for supplying to the feed side of the tank (1) or to the outside; and a discharge conveyor (46) is provided above the lower end side of the first end conveyor (44) to receive the compost material turned by the turning conveyor (17) and supply it to the first feed conveyor (44).    USE/ADVANTAGE -   Used to compost material such as waste from stockbreeding, sewage sludge, fresh refuse, etc.. The capacity of fermentation composting is increased and the equipment cost can be reduced.
A mixer (A) is installed in a fermentation bath (B). (A) has multiple vanes (C) around a rotating axis (D) and a screw blade (E). (A) has two screw blades of which directions of screw are opposite to each other. (A) has parallel double blades. Garbage is mixed with a medium carrying garbage decomposing microorganism.    USE/ADVANTAGE -   Used for decomposing garbage. Mixer mixes garbage and the medium completely and three dimensionally, so that decomposition is efficient.    A schematic diagram of this mixer is shown in fig.1, where (1) is the mixture of garbage and the medium, (4) is a vane, (2) is a fermentation bath, (3) is a rotating axis, and (5) is a screw blade.
Appts. used to decompose crude waste biologically by injecting crude waste in a treating tank (1) contg. saw dust (14) as decomposing agent and stirring and mixing them, comprises a heater (11) to heat the decomposing agent in the treating tank, temp. detector (22) to detect a temp. of the decomposing agent in the treating tank and water detector to detect the amt. of water of the decomposing agent based on a temp. detected by the temp. detector.    USE/ADVANTAGE -   Used to decompose crude waste discharged from domestic kitchens by fermentation. The amt. of water of the decomposing agent can be rapidly and accurately measured.
Machine comprises a hot air dispersing and ejecting body (6) placed in a fermentation tank (1), a duct (7) between the hot air dispersing and ejecting body and exhaust hole (2) of the fermentation tank to connect them, an ejector (8) at a part of the duct to take in outside air, a fan (9) at a part of the duct at the downstream side of the ejector, and a hot water circulation heat exchanger (10) positioned at a part of the duct at the downstream side of the fan.    USE/ADVANTAGE -   Used to decompose crude waste biologically with recirculation of treating gas from the fermentation tank. Heat of fermentation can be used to reduce fermentation time, malodour is not exhausted and the inside of the fermentation tank can be uniformly heated.
Machine comprises a recirculation passage (4) formed by branching a part of an exhaust passage (2) to return a part of the gas to a fermentation tank (1), a damper (5) driven by a motor and positioned at the exhaust gas passage to flow a part of the exhaust gas to the recirculation passage, a humidity sensor (8) in the treating tank and a controller (7) to control a degree of opening of the damper based on the humidity detected by the humidity sensor.    USE/ADVANTAGE -   Used to decompose crude waste biologically with exhaustion of a part of the gas generated in the treating tank to the outside. The optimum humidity can be maintained in the treating tank, the heat contained in the exhaust gas can be reduced and malodour generated from the treating tank is reduced.
Machine comprises a treating tank (12) to receive crude waste, filling material (30) stored in the treating tank, a blower (26) to blow air to the lower part of the treating tank, stirring blades (22) in the treating tank, a motor (20) to drive the stirring blades, a heater (28) at the treating tank, and deodoriser contg active carbon (42) and acidic adsorber (44) to deodorise gas from the treating tank.    Saw dust or rice hulls is pref used as a filling material.    USE/ADVANTAGE -   Used to reduce the vol of crude waste by decomposing it with microorganisms contained in a filling material. Crude waste is decomposed without generation of liq and malodour to decrease its vol.
Microorganism-carrier is made by mixing dehydrated and dried prod. of activated sludge (4-70 wt.%), rice hull and/or its smoked prod. (20-60 wt.%), thermosetting resin (5-10 wt.%), and water-soluble nutrition source (4-20 wt.%), granulating the mixt., drying and hardening the granules, and pref. treating the granules with water to dissolve the water-soluble nutrition source into the water, and drying the remainder, or pref. adding microorganisms, after drying/hardening the granules, and culturing the microorganism added dry and hardened granules in water and drying it.    USE/ADVANTAGE -   The microorganism-carrier is useful for decomposing crude waste to recycle and reuse it to produce compost. The microorganism-carrier has good air-permeability, water-holding capacity and durability with a large microorganism-carrying capacity.    In an example dehydrated and dried (40-50 deg.C) activated sludge (40 wt.%), rice hill (45 wt.%), polyester resin (8 wt.%), sucrose (2 wt.%), glucose (3 wt.%) and ammonium chloride (2 wt.%) were mixed. The mixt. was then granulated using a pan pelletiser into granules of 2-10 mm dia. The granules were then dried/hardened at 50 deg.C. to prepare a sample of the microorganism-carrier. The microorganism-carrier sample (10 kg) was mixed with crude water (2 kg) with addn. of a small amt. of water. The mixt. was placed in a waste decomposer. Decomposition was completed in 50 hr. The microorganism-carrier showed no deteriorated function and was available for long repeated use.
Crude waste treating machine comprises a fermentation tank (15) covered with an outer frame and stirring claw shaft (22) inserted in the centre of the fermentation tank horizontally to stir the contents in the tank by rotating stirring claws (21) fixed to the stirring claw shaft. The fermentation tank is rotated by the stirring claw shaft to place the injection hole at the lower part during discharging the contents. The wall of the fermentation tank has a hollow and thermally insulated structure with an air layer, the inner wall and outer wall of its hollow part are partially contacted tightly, and a heater is placed at the tightly contacted parts of both walls.    USE/ADVANTAGE -   Used to produce compost by decomposing crude waste discharged from domestic kitchens biologically. Heat from the heater is conducted to the fermentation tank by placing the heater at tightly contacted parts of both walls of the fermentation tank.
Crude waste treating machine comprises a fermentation tank (15) covered with an outer frame and stirring claw shaft (22) inserted in the centre of the fermentation tank horizontally to stir the contents by stirring claws (21) fixed to the stirring claw shaft. The fermentation tank is rotatably supported by the stirring claw shaft to place a injection hole at the lower part during discharging the contents. A safety switch (34) is positioned at the upper frame (19) of the fermentation tank to stop the start of a motor for driving the stirring claw shaft, when an injection lid (20) placed at the opening of the upper frame inserted to the upper part of outer frame of fermentation tank is opened or when the upper frame is opened together with the injection lid.    USE/ADVANTAGE -   Used to produce compost by decomposing crude waste discharged from domestic kitchens biologically. Crude waste treating machine is operated safely because the stirring claw shaft is not rotated when the contents are removed.
Crude waste treating machine comprises a fermentation tank (15) covered with an outer frame, and stirring claw shaft (22) inserted in the centre of the fermentation tank horizontally to stir crude waste in the tank by rotating stirring claws (21) fixed to the stirring claw shaft. The fermentation tank is supported by the stirring claw shaft rotatably to place the injection hole at the lower part during discharging the contents. Two discharge switches (32, 33) are positioned in a circuit of a motor for starting the stirring claw shaft, independently of the switch circuit of the motor driving the stirring claw shaft during discharging the content, at positions apart from each other so that two switches at both positions are not operated by one hand of an operator but by both hands.    USE/ADVANTAGE -   Used for mfg compost by decomposing crude waste discharged from domestic kitchens. The contents in the fermentation tank can be removed without use of hands and the treating machine can be operated safely.
Appts comprises a drum (1) placed on a base horizontally or slanting and rotatably, an injection hole (2) at one side of the drum, a discharge hole (3) at another side of the drum transporting means (4) at nearly the centre of the drum to move organic feed from the injection hole to the discharge hole stirring them, a rotating means (5) connected to the transporting means, a crushing means (6) projected from the transporting means to its outside, blowing means (7) connected to the drum to blow air to the drum, exhaust means (8) to exhaust air in the drum, and feed removal means (9) connected to the transporting means.    USE/ADVANTAGE -   Used to produce compost of livestock feed from organic waste, eg waste from kitchens. Compost of livestock feed is easily obtd from organic waste automatically without generation of malodour.
Crude waste treating machine comprises heat accumulating agent (6), eg paraffin, placed between the inner wall (1a) and outer wall (1b) of a fermentation tank (1), heat exchanger (7) in the heat accumulating agent to circulate hot water, temp sensor (10) in the fermentation tank, and controller (9) to control the flow of hot water so that a temp detected by the temp sensor is the optimum temp for activating fermentation bacteria.    USE/ADVANTAGE -   Used to treat crude waste by decomposing them biologically. Optimum activation temp is maintained when a large amt of crude waste is injected to the fermentation tank simultaneously and the whole fermentation tank is maintained at a uniform temp.
A carrier is prepd. by filling fine fibres and/or fine porous granules in a three-dimensional structure comprising a thick fibrous material. Also claimed is the prepn. of a microbe-immobilised carrier in which fine staple fibres are included in a nonwoven fabric comprising fibres of 500 denier, prepd. by spun lace or the needle punch-method to form and fill the nonwoven fabric.    USE -   The carrier can be used as a bioreactor for the prepn. of fermentation prods. and chemicals, and the treatment of e.g. wastes and air.    ADVANTAGE -   The carrier can be easily used at low cost.
Process and device for the descaling and cleaning of water pipes by circulation of a bacterial culture comprise 2 reservoirs (8 and 8') contg. a bacterial culture capable of digesting scale and cleaning pipes, and a suitable nutrient solution. The 2 liqs. are fed (13 and 13') to a mixing vessel (30) where they are diluted in water and mixed (33) at a controlled temp. (9-12, 16). After mixing, the bacterial culture is distributed (32) to the pipes requiring treatment.    USE -   The process can be used for cleaning and descaling drain pipes, particularly vertical drains linking individual flats in a tower block with the main sewer. The bacterial cultures used eliminate hydrogen sulphide prodn. and digest, or at least soften, fatty sediments.    ADVANTAGE -   The cleaning method is simple and cheap and relatively gentle compared to high pressure cleaning, for example, and less likely to cause damage to pipes, leading to leaks.
For multi-stage anaerobic microbial decomposition of organic substrates, such as industrial or agricultural waste water, a reactor housing (A) has two or more discs (B) with an elastic absorbent growth carrier on a perforated hollow shaft (D), through which waste water is supplied, and rotated in opposite directions by a suitable drive. Up to half of the discs dips into the liquid substrate and squeezing rolls (F) between the discs squeeze the carrier when a first disc emerges while the opposing disc absorbs the squeezed-out substrate while the first disc is immersed to absorb substrate.    ADVANTAGE -   Rapid and self-regulating system.
The disposal of sewage sludge from municipal and industrial sewage treatment plants, comprises centrifuging the sludge or otherwise dewatering and kneading; mixing with other water materials, such as trash rack material, waste paper, thermoplastic plastic waste etc.; and deaerating and pressing to form briquettes in the form of pellets, rods, or bar sections.    ADVANTAGE -   The process has low environmental impact and low cost allowing use in landfills or for building.
An animal carcass disposal chamber (11) in which carcasses can be placed to decompose retains liquids and prevents liquid ingress, is located partly below ground level and is closable by a hatch (23).    The chamber is pref. made of concrete, with the bottom and at least the lower side walls waterproof. Decomposition is pref. accelerated by a catalytic contact member of stainless steel which may be a mesh at the chamber lower end, elongate elements in the chamber, or a basket (26) which can be raised for removal of non-decomposed matter and fits against the bottom and lower side walls.    Also claimed is a method of disposing of animal carcasses by placing them through a top hatch into a basket.    USE -   Used partic. for disposal of e.g. chickens in high-density farming units.    ADVANTAGE -   Minimises the danger of groundwater pollution or infection of other animals, and is less expensive than incineration.
Appts. for granulation and drying of organic material in sewage sludge or industrial waste comprises:(a) a wet sludge bin (10);(b) a dry silo (20);(c) a mixer (30);(d) a dryer (40);(e) a screen (50), and(f) a crusher or mill. The bin and the silo are connected to the mixer, dryer, screen and crusher/mill and the mixer (30) and the dryer (40) are separate units.    USE -   The appts. can be used for drying and granulating organic or biological material, e.g. sewage or industrial waste sludge.    ADVANTAGE -   Granules of a specific size are prepd. without the use of additional granulation equipment after drying is completed. The material can be used as a fertiliser, soil additive, landfill cover, fuel, bulking agent or an animal feed additive and retains its nutrient content. Smaller amts. of heating medium are used than in methods using direct heating, the process is odourless and non-polluting and the treated material is environmentally safe and clean.
The prodn. of a gaseous mixt. comprising 5-20 vol.% H2 and 80-95 vol.% methane comprises oxidn. of methane with water vapour at 400-500C and pressure 1-5 atmos. in the presence of a catalyst comprising Pd or binary alloy of Pd with a metal of Gp.IB, IIA, VIII and the lanthanides, supported on a porous carrier.    The oxidn. is at atmos. pressure and temp. 400-450C. The catalyst is Pd, Pd-Ni, Pd-Cu, Pd-Mg, Pd-La or Pd-Ce. The carrier is alumina, silica or zirconia, pref. -alumina. The catalyst contains 2 wt.% Pd or 1:1 wt. ratio alloy. The oxidn. is carried out at methane/water feed ratio 2.5, pref. 3.5, dry gas feed rate 20-100, pref. 25 ml/min., and mass supported catalyst of 0.2-1, pref. 0.2g. The amt. of inert porous material is 1-2 times amt. of supported catalyst.    USE -   For prodn. of a gaseous mixt. of hydrogen and methane (hythane), useful as alternative fuel for internal combustion engines.    ADVANTAGE -   Provides economical prod. of hythane under low temp. and pressure, at or near vehicle fuelling sites, thus eliminating the storage and transportation of reactive hydrogen.
A process of reacting rubber polymers to obtain high prod. yields of hydrocarbon and oxygenated hydrocarbons (3-8 C) comprises: (a) forming a reaction mixt. of a vulcanised rubber polymer, water at or near supercritical conditions, and an oxidant to inhibit complete oxidn. of the polymer; (b) reacting the polymer with oxidant in the presence of water at 200-500 C, and at pressure 70-400 atmos.; (c) decoupling carbon to sulphur bonds of the polymer; (d) producing 30 wt.% 3-8 C (oxygenated) hydrocarbon cpds.; (e) producing &lt; 20 vol.% CO2; and (f) recovering the prod. cpds. Also claimed are: (1) a process in which at step (a), 5-85 % oxidant is used and complete combustion of the polymer to water and carbon dioxide results; step (b) is carried out at 200-450 C; and 50 wt.% prods. are formed; and (2) a reaction prod.    USE -   The process is used for recycling rubber waste materials such as waste tyres. High yields of lower mol. wt. (oxygenated) hydrocarbons suitable for use as a fuel or which can be sepd. or further refined to form various commodity chemicals, speciality chemicals or both are produced.    ADVANTAGE -   The process is environmentally friendly as it takes place in a closed oxidn. process which is free of hazardous stack emissions. The rubber materials can include compounding ingredients and other impurities without affecting the overall conversion.
A bacterial incubator (10) for positioning beneath the surface (84) of a liq. in a grease trap (80) has a feed tube (14) which extends above the liq. surface (84). Bacteria may be supplied through the tube (14) to an inner chamber, which communicates with an incubation chamber contg. particles of high surface area, the incubation chamber being in communication with the liq. Also claimed is a method of maintaining bacterial levels in a grease trap by periodically adding bacterial cultures through the tube of an incubator as above.    USE -   The device maintains effective bacterial levels in grease traps, which are used in the disposal of organic waste, in e.g. restaurants.    ADVANTAGE -   Bacteria may be added without removing the incubator from the trap. It is inexpensive to use the device and prior prepn. is not required. The device is easy to use and minimal operator training is required.
Two-stage biological purificn. of aq. effluent from the yeast-hydrolysis industry includes an initial flocculation-purificn. (consumption of flocculant 20-25 mg/l) stage, biological purificn. being conducted at 18-20 kg COD/m3 /day:(a) in anaerobic conditions with active sludge, and(b) with active sludge in aerobic conditions (air consumption 40-50 3 m/m3 /hr.). The second stage is preceded by degassing the effluent with air at specific air consumption 10-15 m3 /m3/hr. and purificn. at all stages is conducted at 34-36 C and pH 7.0-7.2.    USE -   The method can be used in the purificn. of aq. effluents from the microbiological industry, esp. the biochemical purificn. of spent culture liq. from the yeast-hydrolysis industry.    ADVANTAGE -   The method increases the degree of purificn., introduces the possibility of purificn. of conc. and difficult to oxidise aq. effluents and also reduces air and power consumption.
In the removal of S and/or N contained in coal, detonation crushing of coal is performed as a pretreatment. In the removal of sulphur contained in coal by microbes, detonation crushing of coal is performed as a pretreatment. In the removal of nitrogen contained in coal, a microbe capable of denitrifying coal is cultured in a culture medium which contains the coal. The microbe is psuedomonas putide (ATC No 27212), bacilus circulane (ATC No 2 9654), arthrobacter paraffinius (ATC No. 15590) or flavobacterium (ATC No. 27551).    ADVANTAGE -   The process makes is possible to perform desulphurisation and denitrogenation of coal efficiently in a short time.
A method of making foamed polystyrene sheet comprises melting polystyrene by heat, impregnating 100 pts. wt. of the polystyrene with 2.5-5 pts. wt. of butane consisting of 70-100 wt.% of isobutane and 0-30 wt.% of n-butane, and extrusion-foaming it so that the amt. of remaining butane per 100 pts. wt. of the polystyrene becomes 2.0-3.5 pts. wt.    USE -   Used for e.g. for food containers.    ADVANTAGE -   The foamed polystyrene sheet exhibits a lower foaming ratio and excellent mouldability and does not cause danger of e.g. explosion even after long period storage.
A pair of motor-driven valves of which opening degree varies in proportion to the elapsed time are connected in series to receive digestion sludge in a tank. Opening of valves is controlled with the drain valve.    ADVANTAGE -   Accurate sampling without residual sludge in a sample receiver.
Garbage or condensed garbage is fluidised under high pressure and temp., and anaerobically digested to recover methane, or fluidised material is liq.-solid sepd. and the sepd. liq. digested and methane recovered. The sepd. liq. is digested and methane is recovered. The sepd. solid component is incinerated or converted to organic fertilizer.    ADVANTAGE -   The garbage treating process is economical.
A waste decomposing device (A) comprises: a fermentation bath (B) with a mixer (C), a temp. sensor (D), a ventilator (E), which introduces outside air into (B), and a controller (F). (F) controls the flow rate and temp. of the air intake according to the output of (D). (F) also controls the running of (B) when the temp. detected by (D) reaches the upper or lower limit of a prefixed temp. range. (A) is also equipped with a gas sensor (G) and a gas decomposing device (H). The waste is mixed with a microorganism having waste decomposing enzymes.    ADVANTAGE -   This method is able to produce an optimum environment for the waste decomposing microorganism by controlling the temp. and the rate of introduced air into the fermentation bath.
Machine comprises a hot water circulation coil (6) around a fermentation tank (1), a temp. sensor (10) to detect the temp. of the inside of the fermentation tank, and a controller (11) to increase a temp. of the inside of the fermentation tank to a set temp. by circulating hot water in the hot water circulation coil when the temp. of the inside of fermentation tank is under a set temp. and increase the temp. of the inside of the fermentation tank to a disinfection temp. at a specific cycle by stopping the circulation of hot water when a temp. of the inside of the fermentation tank reaches a set temp.    USE/ADVANTAGE -   The machine decomposes crude waste biologically. Fermentation tanks are uniformly heated by circulating hot water at 60 deg.C, and maggots in the fermentation tanks are prevented.
The equipment has (A) a first reaction tower having: (a) an inflow portion for receiving drainage contg. organic matter or organic residual sludge from a biological treatment system, for drainage; (b) a portion for filling a solid filler eluting a silica component; (c) a diffusing portion located under the filling portion and (d) an output portion for releasing humic sludge contg. the spored useful microorganisms; and (B) a sec. reaction tower having: (a) an inflow portion for receiving the humic sludge contg. the spored useful microorganism from the first reaction tower; (b) a portion for filling a solid filler eluting a silica component; (c) a stirring portion located under the filling portion and for forming an ascending current toward the filling portion; and (d) an output portion for releasing the sludge contg. the budded useful microorganisms. The sec. reaction tower is hermetically sealed.    USE -   The equipment is used in obtaining seed sludge for various waste water treatment fertiliser, artificial humic soil, a soil conditioner, or garbage (kitchen refuse) compost.    ADVANTAGE -   The sludge is available without the fermentation process. The sludge contains useful microorganisms. The propagation of putrefying bacteria, Escherichia is continuously depressed.
Crude waste drying and treating machine (1) is completely automated by cutting and compressing crude waste to dewater it at an initial time, storing it in a dewatering and drying tank (3), dewatering again it centrifugally by high speed rotation and then rotating the tank at a low speed to drop the crude waste and drying it with hot air during dropping.    Dewatering and drying tank with baffles (2) is used and driven by a motor (7) through a belt (8) to rotate the tank at high speed and low speed.    ADVANTAGE -   75% of water contained in crude waste is removed mechanically and the remaining 25% water is removed by hot air so that drying time is reduced and power consumption is decreased. The machine is automatic.
The system has a rubbish incinerator (1) with a waste boiler (2), which generates steam. A combustion type superheater (3) further heats the steam formed by the boiler. An electricity generator (4) generates electricity from the superheated steam obtained from the combustion type superheater. A melting mechanism (9) liquidises the organic components with high moisture content, like kitchen dirt with high temperature, high pressure oxygen gas.    A fermentation appts (5) performs methane fermentation of liquefied kitchen dirt to form fermentation gas with hydrocarbon as principle ingredient. A desulphurization equipment (6) removes the sulphide components from the fermentation gas formed by fermentation appts. The desulphurized fermentation gas from the desulphurization equipment is used as fuel for the combustion type superheater.    ADVANTAGE -   Shortens fermentation time of semifluid kitchen dirt. Provides efficient use of energy generated from rubbish. Provides economical electricity generating system.
Moisture retaining compost is made from corn cob stalks, dried and ground to produce a grain size of 20-50 mm, with an acid fertiliser added to reduce pH. The material is composted for 6-8 weeks before being incorporated into the soil.    USE -   The compost is dug into soil, e.g. for growing a lawn or flower beds, where it absorbs a substantial amt. of water from normal pptn. which is then released during dry spells.    ADVANTAGE -   The compost gives improved soil structure and aeration and a high level of surface thermal insulation.
A halogenated organic acid (I) is decomposed by culturing, in presence of (I), a microorganism (M) having a dehalogenase capable of decomposing (I).    An aliphatic organochlorine cpd. (II) is decomposed using two kinds of microorganism, (M1) and (M2), together; M1 introduces an oxygen atom into (II) to convert (II) into an epoxide, and M2 decomposes a halogenated organic acid into chlorine ion, carbon dioxide and water.    Also claimed is a biologically pure culture of a microorganisms having a dehalogenase able to decompose (I) hydrolytically, esp. Renobacter sp AC, FERM P-14641.    Further claimed is the treatment of a gas, soil or water with P-14641.    (I) is halogenated acetic or propionic acid, e.g. chloro-, dichloro-, trichloro- or bromo-acetic acid, or chloro- or dichloro-propionic acid (II) is trichloroethylene. (M) and M2 are of genus Renobacter. (M) is esp. P-14641. M1 is of genus Pseudomonas or Corynebacterium.    USE -   The methods are of use in remedying environments, e.g. soil or ground or waste water, polluted with (I) or (II).
(US5688609-A)      In a process for producing electrical energy in an internal reforming high temperature fuel cell by steam reforming, at a reforming rate, a carbonaceous feed gas in the presence of a steam-reforming catalyst in heat-conducting relationship with electrochemical reactions in the fuel cell and electrochemically reacting the steam reformed feed gas in an anode compartment of the fuel cell, the improvement comprising the steps of:    feeding a gaseous sulfur-containing compound to the carbonaceous feed gas; and    controlling the amount of the gaseous sulfur-containing compound fed to the carbonaceous feed gas so as to obtain a sulfur coverage on the steam reforming catalyst and to control the reforming rate.
Acidic solid material (I) contains (a) an iron and/or manganese oxide and (b) an oxide of a Group (IVB) metal modified with an oxyanion of a Group (VIB) metal. Material (I) is obtd. by co-pptn. from sources of the metal oxides and oxyanions.    (I) also contains a noble metal partic. Pt.    Group (IVB) metal is Zr and group (VIB) metal is W.    Oxyanion source is ammonium metatungstate or molybdate, chlorides or carbonyls of W or Mo, or tungstates or molybdates of Na, etc..    In an example, 500 g ZrOCl2.8H2O were dissolved in 7 l H2O then a soln. contg. 263 ml of conc. NH4OH, 400 mls H2O, 54 g (NH4)6H2W12O40.xH2O was added dropwise with pH kept about 9 by further NH4OH addn. Resulting slurry was held in a steam-box for 72 hrs., then solids obtd. recovered, dried and air calcined (825C, 3 hrs.), to give a tungsten modified zirconia prod. (WOx/ZrO2). When used in n-pentane isomerisation (210C, 350 psig, 2 moles H2/mol. nC5 and 2 LHSV), wt.% n-C5 conversion obtd. was 73.5.    USE -   (I) are catalysts for converting organic cpds. or used in isomerisation of 4-8C hydrocarbons (claimed). Typical applications are hydrocracking, ring opening of cyclics, alkylation of naphthalenes; metals, N2 and/or S removal from feedstocks, etc..    ADVANTAGE -   (I) can be obtd. at low cost and in few preparative stages.
A compsn. (I) comprises: (a) a phosphorus source, (b) a diluent and (c) a macrocyclic amido amine and/or amido amine acid salt of formula (II): R = 8-22C alkane or 4-22C alkene; T1-T3 = ethylene, trimethylene or CH2CH2(NHCH2CH2)x; x = 1-10; Q = HNO3 or H3PO4; n = 0-10.    Also claimed is the enhanced biodegradation of hydrocarbon-contaminated soil or water by adding cpd. (II) or a mixt. of such cpds.    USE -   Cpds. (II) have surfactant and nutrient attributes and stimulate the propagation of naturally occurring hydrocarbon-assimilating microflora.
Organic waste converter comprises a hopper (1) for the initial organic material, a dryer-granulator chamber (2), a feeder of initial organic waste from hopper (1) to the dryer-granulator chamber (2) contg. a sprayer (4), a feeder of hot gas to inlet (5) of the dryer-granulator chamber (2), a separator of the dried cut waste from the gas flow and a purifier of the gases issuing from chamber (2). The section of dryer-granulator chamber (2) between its inlet (5) and sprayer (4) is made as a reducer with increasing flow section of chamber (5) immediately before sprayer (4). The separator of the dried out wastes from the gas flow comprises at least one settling chamber (7,8).    USE -   The convertor is useful in agriculture for converting various organic wastes into fertiliser and or feed, e.g. for conversion of bird droppings into fertiliser.    ADVANTAGE -   The appts. is simple to construct and requires min. energy consumption and does not require the forced feed of initial prod. to the treatment zone.
City refuse (W1 ) is selected into incombustible refuse(W2 ), combustible refuse (W4 ) and garbage refuse (W3 ) by a selector (1). After the garbage refuse, (W3 ) is placed in a compost container (2) to start composing process, the compost refuse (W5 ) is mixed with the combustible refuse and crushed by a crusher (3). The mixt. and a curing agent (W6 ) are kneaded by a kneader (4) and moulded by a moulder (5) to produce refuse fuel (W7).    ADVANTAGE -   Refuse fuel is mfd. at a low cost.
Preventives contain chloroform-resistant bacteria.    The chloroform-resistant bacteria is one of clostridium sp. pref.    USE -   The preventives are for control of enteric bacteria such as E. coli, Enterococcus faecalis, Pseudomonas, or Salmonella relating to opportunistic infection. The dose was around 1-10 mg/kg/day.Soil (5g) was added to sterilized water, shaken and left still for 30 seconds. Intermediate layer (4 ml) of the mixt was separated, and mixed with chloroform (0.3 ml), shaken, and kept still for 5 mins. Obtd. chloroform-contg. soln. (1 ml) was cultured in EGF cultural medium (4 ml) to give a soln. contg. chloroform-resistant bacteria (CRB). CRB-containing soln. (0.1 ml) was administered to mice previously given E. coli and E. faecalis (0.1 ml). Analytic count of enteric bacteria after 6 days shoed no can be of mice, controlling enteric growth of E. coli and E. faecalis.
Fermentation/ripening device comprises: cylinder installed almost horizontally; organic matter feed port and a discharge port at both ends of cylinder; a conveying device provided in cylinder to move organic matter from feed port to discharge port; an air blowing device connected to inside of cylinder; and discharge device for air in cylinder.    USE/ADVANTAGE -   Used to ferment and ripen organic matter such as organic refuse (leftover rice, refuse of vegetables and fish, etc.). Large quantity of organic refuse can be fermented and ripened automatically in short time to obtain compost.
Apparatus comprises a solid and liq. separation apparatus for feces and urine of livestock, a fertilisation and decompsn. tank, a filter tank, partic. filled with zeolite of 2-5 mm size, a digestion and decompsn. tank of the filtrate with microorganisms to give dischargeable low BOD water. The filter and digestion and decompsn. tanks are filled with particles with 0.2-5 mm sizes, a specific surface area of 30 square m/g and 70-80% of voids made from Cryptomeria japonica D.Don and composed of 60-16% of water, partic. having a fertilisation layer for the filtered residue and a discolouring tank by dispersion of ozone.    Waste of livestock is pref. separated into solid mass contg. about 80% of water and liq. The solid mass is mixed with coffee waste contg. about 30% of water and wood chips to reduce water content of 50-60% and fermented for 4-5 weeks to give the fertiliser. The separated liq. is filtered through absorbing agents (e.g. zeolite, clay, wood chips and coffee waste) to reduce suspending particles, BOD, COD and NH4+, and then fermented to give dischargeable low BOD water.    USE -   Prepn. of fertiliser from feces and urine.    ADVANTAGE -   A systematic prepn. of fertiliser from feces and urine of livestock with reduced labour.    In an example, pig waste was filtered to give solid mass contg. 82% water. In 1,000 kg of the solid mass, 800 kg of coffee waste contg. 35% water and 1.8 kg of microorganisms were mixed, and to give aimed fertiliser. 100 litre of the separated liq. fraction was filtered through 350 kg of wood chips and then through 700 kg of wood chips. The filtrate was oxidised and discoloured with ozone to give dischargeable water.
Hot spring water contg. oil content and oil smell, is contacted with porous plate to which microorganisms cultured in the hot spring water are adhered. Oil content and oil smell in hot spring water are removed by interaction between decomposition removal operation of oil content and oil smell by microorganisms adhered to porous plate and operation to adsorb and remove oil content and oil smell of porous body.    ADVANTAGE -   Oil content and oil smell, contained in hot spring water, are further removed without lowering hot spring effect.
System equipped with pretreatment device (A) which pulverises waste contg. shellfishes into slurry; a reactor (B) which decomposes dead shellfish with protein-decomposing enzyme; and series of water treatment facilities including a bio-reactor, a settler and other devices.    USE/ADVANTAGE -   Used for treating sludge and sediment in sea water for heat exchanger of power plant or other industrial facilities using sea water as coolant. Method is able to treat waste contg. shellfish without generating malodours and to produce fertiliser from waste.    In an example, a flow diagram of this system is shown in fig. 1 where mixt. of sediment and shellfish (21) is sepd. into sediment (22) and shellfish using screen (2A). Shellfish are ground with grinder (2B) to form slurry (23) which is added to protein-decomposing enzyme (24) and agitated in a treating bath (3A) to liquidise protein that is sepd. from ground shell (27) using filter (4A) and stored in a tank (4B). (6A) Is bio-reactor and (7B) is a settler.
Appts. comprises a filter beneath a horizontal rotary wing unit in a vessel, microbe fixed bed comprising porous ceramic grains contained in the vessel and a drain pipe extending from th bottom of the vessel to a higher position than the water level in the level.    USE -   Used for decomposing waste with microbes.
Kitchen waste treatment appts. comprises storing tank (6) to store kitchen waste together with treating media and microorganisms; stirrer in storing tank; exhausting device to exhaust water and odours from storing tank to outside; water content detector (26) to detect water content of treating media in storing tank; and controller to determine water content of treating media in storing tank from detected value of water content detector and control operation of stirrer and exhausting device from result so that higher water content of treating media in the storing tank is, the greater the stirring amt. and exhaust amt., respectively.    USE/ADVANTAGE -   Used to decompose kitchen waste by microorganisms. Optimum range of moisture for microorganisms can be maintained to decompose kitchen waste, vigorously.
Appts. comprises a storing tank (1), hot air passage (4) under the bottom of the storing tank, heater (6) at the upper part of the storing tank, a duct (5) connecting th upper part of the storing tank and hot air passage and a blower (8) to supply hot air in the hot air passage to the upper part of th storing tank. The appts. also comprises temp. sensors (31a,31b) of organic waste placed near the bottom of the storing tank, a first temp. set device (32) to set an upper limit treatment temp. at normal operation, a second temp. set device (33) to set an upper limit temp. when organic waste contg. added microorganism groups is treated, a changeover switch means (35) to change the normal operation and the operation using microorganism groups, and operation controller to control the heater and operation of the blower based on the temp. of organic waste detected by the temp. sensors and set temp. of first and second temp. set devices.    USE/ADVANTAGE -   Used to dry and ferment organic waste, e.g. crude waste generated from restaurants. The organic waste treatment appts. changes normal operation and operation using microorganism groups easily to treat organic waste under conditions suitable for microorganisms.
Appts. (1) to treat crude refuse by injecting crude refuse successively, comprises main body (2) of treatment appts. divided to an upper chamber (17) and lower chamber (19) by net. Upper chamber comprises a stirrer, net-like bottom to divide both chambers, removal hole (7) with a lid (7a) provided at side of upper chamber; and lid (4) having a net-like ventilation hole (3) at the top of upper chamber. Lower chamber comprises a cock attached to its bottom. At upper part of upper chamber, charcoal powder is stored. Charcoal powder contg. anaerobic microorganisms is placed at lower part of upper chamber.    USE/ADVANTAGE -   Used in domestic homes to treat crude refuse without malodour formation. Odourless crude refuse treatment appts. can be used for six months by simple operation without malodour formation. Waste charcoal can be used as compost.
A composite microbiological fermentation prod. is used for the bioconversion of org. waste to compost. The microorganism are on a solid substrate. The prod. is subsequently sterilised.
A new process for the dimerisation, co-dimerisation or oligomerisation of olefins in which the olefin is contacted with a catalytic compsn. comprising a mixt. of at least one oxy-halide of tungsten, aryl isocyanate and/or di-isocyanate and an alkyl aluminium halide.    USE -   The process is partic. applicable to the di-, co- and oligo-polymerisation of 2-10C alpha-olefins, esp. ethylene, propylene and 1-butene.    ADVANTAGE -   The method avoids difficulties encountered in former techniques, which involved the use of costly halides such as WCl6 and WBr5.
Degradation of toxic substances present in contaminated wood comprises fermenting a mixt. of shredded wood with liq. manure. Fermentation is performed under conditions which produce heat.    USE -   The method is used to reduce the concn. of toxic substances, e.g., hydrocarbons, halogenated hydrocarbons and mineral oils, in contaminated wood, such as railway sleepers and roofing timbers.    ADVANTAGE -   The method requires only one procedure and installation for the disposal of two waste types (liq. manure from animal rearing and contaminated wood) and converts these into a useful prod. in the form of a compost-like material, which can be used as a soil improver. It also saves expense in the purificn. and storage of liq. manure.
Utilising wood with or without contaminants comprises pyrolysing and gasifying the pyrolysis prods. A moving heat carrier is used in the pyrolysis.    USE -   The process is used to recycle waste wood from e.g. furniture and windows, contg. lacquers wood preservers.    ADVANTAGE -   The pollutants can be removed from the residues and converted to a usable form.
Biochemical process for treating waste water after prodn. of antibiotics, esp. penicillin involves acidifying pretreatment to reduce the concn. of sulphate and organic material and aerobic, amphiprotic and anaerobic treatments are then effected to make the rates of COD, BOD and sulphate respectively 98-99.6%, 98-99.7% and 98%.
Sepn. and conditioning municipal waste, esp. domestic rubbish, comprises: (a) rough mechanical selection of the un-pulverised waste to remove a coarse fraction (A) with an edge length &gt; 1000 (pref. &gt; 500) mm together with pollutants, giving a residual fraction (B); and (b) sepn. of (B) into fractions by mixing with 5-30 (pref. 10-20) wt.% of pieces of wood with an edge length of 5 (pref. 50-150, esp. 100-150) mm, opt. with other microbiologically degradable substances (pref. slurry) and opt. with water, and subjecting the mixt. to fermentation for a specific time in a fluid-tight fermenter fitted with inlets and outlets for fluids, esp. gases.    ADVANTAGE -   The process enables the sepn. and conditioning of rubbish at a very low cost in terms of labour and energy and with min. exposure of operators to unpleasant odours and health hazards. The process also enables the highest possible recovery of useful substances and compostable materials before incineration and reduces the vol. of final residue to be dumped.(Reissue of the entry advised in week 9620 based on complete specification)
The sulphide concn. in a reservoir, esp. an oil, gas or waste water reservoir, is decreased by the addition of 5-50 ppm nitrate or nitrite. The nitrate is converted in situ to nitrite by denitrifying bacteria (DNB); the nitrite inhibits prodn. of sulphide by sulphate-reducing bacteria (SRB) in an actively souring system.    USE -   Souring and fouling of the reservoir is reduced; and biomass, plugging problems and sulphide toxicity and corrosion are decreased.
A main fermenter for bio-technical processes consists of a pressurised vessel with a superior inlet for the biomasses, a lower outlet for the fermented sludge, an upper outlet for gaseous substances, and a mixer. The novel features are that the main fermenter (6) volume is variable, it is constructed with hard load-bearing points, and is linked to a superior overflow vessel (21). The vessel (21) incorporates free space for the gaseous substances and space for displaced biomass. The free space in the vessel (21) is linked in a closed circuit with a pressurised storage vessel (32).    Further claimed is that a fermentation sack (19) is suspended within the main fermenter (6) pressure vessel (9), which has an inlet (5) for the biomass, an outlet (10) for the fermented sludge, which is linked to a rising gas pipe (20), and which is surrounded by a pressurised medium.    USE -   The assembly is a multi-stage main variable-volume fermenter, esp. for biological refuse, generating gas for power supplies.    ADVANTAGE -   All parts of the biomass are incorporated in the reaction as a result of alternating pressure and pressure relief on the biomass, and the associated mass displacement. The improved inter-mixing of layers, linked with alternating and increased pressures within the fermentation space, results in a better gas yield and thus a reduction in fermentation times. The biogas supplied and the sludge discharged is of consistent and uniform quality. Further claimed is that the main fermenter is of simple construction, of low-cost manufacture, and economic in operation.
A reaction vessel for biologically decomposing a material comprises: (i) a frame; (ii) an airtight housing mounted rotatably on the frame and defining an enclosure within, with an aperture for putting material in and an aperture for discharging material from the enclosure and (iii) a controller for controlling environmental conditions within the enclosure so that biological decomposition of the material can occur at a controlled rate. Also claimed is a method of composting comprising: (i) introducing a material to be composted into an airtight vessel; (ii) rotating the vessel, and (iii) continuously monitoring the environmental conditions inside the vessel. Depending on conditions inside the vessel, the method further comprises: (i) introducing reactants into, or removing reactants from the vessel; (ii) adding heat to, or removing heat from the vessel; (iv) adding water to, or removing water from the vessel; (v) adding oxygen to the vessel, and (vi) removing carbon dioxide from the vessel.    USE -   The method and the vessel are used for composting large quantities of waste material.    ADVANTAGE -   Large quantities of waste material can be composted continuously and cost-effectively while maintaining max. control over the reaction parameters. Air is circulated in the enclosure without requiring internal air tubes. The air manifolds are external to the enclosure and may thus be constructed of inexpensive materials and easily repaired.
A volatile organo-chloride (VOC) is degraded by contact with Pseudomonas mendocina KR-1 ATCC 55706 (KR1) and trichlorethylene (TCE); a medium contaminated with VOC's may be remediated. Trichlorethylene in a medium contaminated with at least 1 micromole, is degraded by adding KR1 to the medium, inducing with the TCE toluene monooxygenase (TMO) genes naturally occuring in KR1, and degrading at least a portion of the TCE with the KR1 and the genes.    USE -   VOC's are widely used in industry, e.g. in dry cleaning, degreasing and mfr. of chemicals and pharmaceuticals; they are toxic environment pollutants, e.g. of aquifers, soils, ground water and waste water. Present degradation does not require addition of further toxic substances; natural microorganisms are used, and additional inducers are not required. The degradation of VOC;s, e.g. TCE, is catalysed by the THO genes which are induced by TCE.
A graded temp. methanol reactor, comprises: an inclined container contg. a liq. heat transfer medium having a varying temp. along the container, which has an inlet near its lower end to permit the liq. heat transfer medium to enter, and an outlet near its upper end to permit heated heat transfer medium to exit as a vapour; conduits within the container and in contact with the heat transfer medium to permit heat transfer therewith; a feed gas contained in the conduit having hydrogen and CO in ratio 2:1; and a Cu catalyst within the conduits to cause the hydrogen and CO to react to form methanol, which condenses as the temp. decreases along the container from the upper to lower end.    USE -   The reactor can be used to produce methanol from a feed gas produced by biomass gasification and reforming.    ADVANTAGE -   The reactor is sturdy and straightforward to build, most of the components can be constructed from plate stock. Methanol can be produced from a feed gas having hydrogen and CO in a 2:1 ratio regardless of the source. The methanol condenses along the vessel causing further methanol formation, resulting in a 70% reaction yield.
An appts. for the delivery of remediation materials to an underground site of contamination includes a source of pressurised drilling fluid (20) and a source of pressurised remediation materials (16,18). A pipe (26) with a tip is insertable into the ground. The source of pressurised drilling fluid is selectively connected to the pipe to force the fluid as a pressurised stream from the proximal tip. This action drills a hole through the ground. Subsequently, the source of remediation materials is connected to the pipe so that they flow from the tip into the contaminated zone.    USE -   The appts. is used for remediation of contaminated underground soils and water.    ADVANTAGE -   The appts. is mobile, economic, and effective and convenient in use. It is inexpensive to mfr. and damaged parts can be easily replaced.
The unit has a pyrolysis reactor (5) with a loader (1) and pyrolysis gases extn. system connected to its upper part and its lower part is provided with an unloader (19), a bar grate (18), a heater (7) with a body (6) whose inner surface is lined with refractory material (23), provided with burner and air and fuel supply system. The reactor (5) body (4) is rigidly connected to the heater body (6). The heater body lower part is provided with an opening (8) which connects it to the reactor. The gasification system (10) has a pipe (11) with openings. The pyrolysis gas extn. system has gas lines (15) and slide valves (16).    USE -   Used for solid domestic and industrial waste treatment.    ADVANTAGE -   The cost is reduced, efficiency increased and environment pollution reduced.
The refrigerator oil compsn. is used for refrigerant compressor which has a compression mechanism set in a closed vessel and which employs difluoromethane or trifluoromethane-contg. hydro:fluorocarbon as refrigerant. The oil compsn. is prepd. by mixing a refrigerator oil not containing an ester gp. consists of at least one mineral oil selected from naphthenic and paraffinic mineral oils, pref. at least one selected from alkylbenzene, polyether and fluorine type synthetic oils. The ester type oil and refrigerator oil are used in a blend ratio of 1:1 to 9:1. A fluorine-based refrigerator oil is also added to the compsn. in 0.01 to 10 vol.%. The hydro:fluorocarbon includes HFC 32/HFC 125, HFC 32/HFC 125/HFC 134 a, etc. The ester oil is obtained from a polyol such as diol, triol and tetraol.    ADVANTAGE -   The refrigerant oil compsn. has low hygroscopicity and reactivity with moisture, does not cause deterioration of freezing cycle material by moisture and reduces formation of oil sludge.
Microorganisms are applied on a material to be treated contg. a pollutant. The material is maintained in anaerobic atmosphere. By irradiating the material with light and electromagnetic waves, the microorganisms are activated. Physical index data of the material is measured and based on the physical index data, irradiation with light and electromagnetic wave and an anaerobic level of anaerobic atmosphere are controlled. Pollutant is converted into an organic substance, utilized by animals and vegetables, through acceleration of mainly anaerobic fermentation decomposition and photosynthesis.    ADVANTAGE -   Activation of environment organic is rapidly achieved.
Device has a fermentation bath (A) contg. materials (B) carrying aerobic waste decomposing bacteria (C). Waste is put into (A) contained in bags (D) made of bio-degradable plastic film (E). (D) is decomposed by (C) when water content of (B) is 20-60% and its temp. is 20-60 deg.C. The thickness of (E) is 20-40 micron and its rupture strength is less than 3.5 kg/mm2. One portion of (D) has less rupture strength than other portions.    USE/ADVANTAGE -   Used for decomposing waste. Waste may be handled easily by the system.
Stirring appts. comprises a treating tank to store and treat crude refuse, hollow rotation shaft placed in the treating tank, hollow stirring bodies fixed to the shaft to stir crude refuse in the tank, means to supply compressed air to the hollow shaft, and air ejection nozzles provided at the stirring bodies.    USE/ADVANTAGE -   Used to treat crude refuse by using microorganisms supplying air to accelerate decomposition by fermentation. Appts. supplies air to microorganisms in the treating tanks of crude refuse treating machines.
A garbage decomposing device, equipped with a fermentation bath (A) in which a mixture of garbage and a medium carrying aerobic bacteria is fermented, a ventilating system (B), a sensor (C) that detects the temp. inside of (A), and a controller that changes operation mode (ventilation or cooling) of (B) according to the output of (C).    The fermentation bath (2) contg. medium (4) usually made of saw dust carrying aerobic bacteria of which activity is most high at 45-50 deg. C. A temp. sensor (7) is installed inside the bath. (10) is a controller that controls operation of the ventilator (8) and the mixer (5).    USE/ADVANTAGE -   Used for decomposing garbage. Method keeps the temp. inside the fermentation bath optimum for aerobic decomposition so that it can decompose garbage with high efficiency.
Waste decomposing device (A) has a fermentation bath (B) in which garbage is mixed with a medium (C) carrying aerobic bacteria (D). (A) also has a sterilisation device (E) which sterilises the inside of (B). (E) is a heater. (A) has a controller which keeps the temp. inside (B) higher than a fixed value (F) for fixed time, using heat generated in the fermentation process of waste and (E). (F) is 45 deg.C.    USE/ADVANTAGE -   Used for decomposing waste. The method is safe with low energy cost.
A waste decomposing device has a fermentation bath (A) in which waste is mixed with a medium (B) carrying aerobic microorganisms, a rotating mixer (C) which mixes (A) and (B), and a driver (D) that rotates (C). When fermentation of the garbage is complete, the mixt. is exhausted from (A) by reverse rotation of (C). When (C) is stopped by obstacles, it is made to rotate reversely.    USE/ADVANTAGE -   Used for decomposing waste. Disposal of decomposed garbage is easily and safely carried out.
Waste decomposing device comprises a cabinet like frame and a drawer in which waste decomposing device is positioned. The amt. of pulling out of the drawer is predetermined for putting waste into the device or for maintenance by an adjuster that adjusts the amt. of sliding length of the drawer. If the drawer is pulled out for maintenance of the device, an electric source is automatically cut off.    USE/ADVANTAGE -   Used for decomposing waste. This device prevents over-pull of the drawer to improve space utility and ensure safety for maintenance.    In an example, a housing or a cabinet (3) in which the decomposing device (3) is installed, is supported with multiple casters (5) and can be pulled out forward.
Appts. to exhaust air in a treating tank (2) having an injection hole (3) opened or closed by a lid (8) to the outside of the treating tank by sucking hole placed near the injection hole and controller (23) to control the amt. of air blown by the exhausting fan at lid opening so that it is greater than an amt. of air blown by the exhausting fan at lid closing interlocking with the opening or closing of the lid.    USE/ADVANTAGE -   Used for decomposing crude waste in home or industrial crude waste treatment appts. by using microorganisms without side effects on sludge contg. organics and water. Odour does not leak when the lid is opened.
Indoor type crude waste treatment appts. comprises an exhausting means (2) to forcibly ventilate exhaust gas or moisture generated by decomposition of crude waste to outside of the main body (1) of the appts., an exhausting tube (3) to pass the exhaust gas from the main body to outside, and an adjusting part (4) to adjust the amt. of exhaust gas passing through the exhaust tube according to a pressure loss generated by the shape of the exhausting tube.    USE/ADVANTAGE -   Used for decomposing crude waste generated in kitchens by using microorganisms. The amt. of exhausting gas necessary for treating crude waste can be adjusted when the crude waste treatment appts. is installed by adjusting according to the length or bend of an exhausting tube.
Appts. comprises a main body (1) placed in a cabinet (3) movably to enter or leave the cabinet, a treating tank (2) in the main body, a lid (15) placed on the upper part of the main body and opening or closing, and a lid opening or closing means (4) between the cabinet and main body to open or close the lid interlocking with removal or entering of the main body of treating appts.    USE -   Used for decomposing crude waste generated in kitchens by using fine wooden pieces contg. microorganisms as crude waste treating agent. Lid of the main body of the treatment appts. is opened or closed when the main body is stored in or taken out from the cabinet without touch of operator's hands.
Refuse-treating device comprises treating tank (1) contg. refuse-treating agent to decompose and treat refuse; and agitator (2) arranged in the treating tank. An odour-destroying agent feeder (3) to automatically feed a deodoriser such as a deodorant or aromatic substance into the treating tank (1).    ADVANTAGE -   Provides highly efficient deodorisation.
Waste treating device comprises a treating tank (1) contg. a waste treating material to decompose and treat waste; and an exhaust outlet (12) to exhaust gas in the treating tank (1). An insecticide feeder (3) feeds insecticide to the upper space of the treating tank (1). A device stops operation of the exhaust fan (12) during feed of the insecticide to the treating tank (1) and in a time in which a specified time starting from a time after a feed elapses.    ADVANTAGE -   Efficient insect killing is effected.
Crude refuse treatment appts. comprises treating tank (2) formed in main body (1) of treatment appts. to decompose crude refuse; outlet (3) at lower part outside of treatment appts. main body and connected to treating tank; and partition at outlet to divide treating tank and outlet movably to open or close.    USE/ADVANTAGE -   Used for decomposing crude refuse from kitchens by using fine wooden pieces contg. microorganisms as crude refuse treating agent. Certain amt. of crude refuse treating agent can arbitrarily and easily be replaced to simplify replacing operation and maintain high treating capacity of treating appts.
The cell (200) comprises a reformer (216a) generating hydrogen gaseous fuel from original fuel. A pair of electrodes, carrying a catalyst, receives the fuel gas, generating an electromotive force by electrochemical reaction. The concentration of carbon monoxide in the fuel gas is measured (1) and the reformer controlled (230) accordingly, to decrease this measurement.    The fuel cell generator may have a first flow path supplying gaseous fuel to the cell and another discharging residual gas from the fuel cell. The carbon monoxide sensor may be in the second flow path. Alternatively, both flow paths may have sensors, of differing sensitivity. These sensors may comprise an electrolyte membrane, with two electrodes carrying a platinum based catalyst arranged across the membrane.    ADVANTAGE -   Cancels catalyst poisoning, improving fuel cell performance, by early detection.
A composting device comprises a tunnel-like box (1) with a base (26) to receive the material. The base (26) consists of several adjacent rails (15) running in the longitudinal direction of the box. A charging device (4) is provided at one end of the box and a discharge device (4) on the other end for the prepared compost (24). The rails (15) can be pushed forwards together and simultaneously, to transport the material for composting from the charging end to the discharging end. The rails are returned to their starting position individually and successively.    ADVANTAGE -   Adequate ventilation and uniform transport.
Prodn. of secondary fuels, e.g. methanol or methane, from primary fuels in the form of renewably produced biomass is effected by a process in which H2 is supplied from the decomposition of water, external energy is supplied from CO2-emission-free processes, and practically the whole carbon content of the primary fuel is converted into the carbon content of the secondary fuel.
A method of enzymatically degrading synthetic polymer comprises degradation carried out using a manganese-dependent peroxidase in the presence of manganese ions.    Pref. degradation in the presence of at least one additive selected from phosphoric, succinic and acetic acid and their salts. The Mn depending peroxidase is isolated from a wood-deteriorating basidiomycetes. The peroxidase is sepd. from NK-1148. The peroxidase is sepd. from Phanerochaete chrysosporium. The conc. of the above manganese ion is 0.1-10 mM. The amts. of added phosphoric acid, succinic acid and acetic acid are 2-40 mM, 2-300 mM and 70-1200 mM, respectively. The synthetic polymer is polyamide or polyolefin.    USE -   The method is useful in the resolution of the environmental problem of synthetic polymer wastes.    ADVANTAGE -   The method enables various synthetic polymers, particularly polyamides and polyolefins, to be degraded more efficiently.
The deep desulphurisation of liq. fossil fuel contg. organic S consisting of aromatic S-bearing heterocycles, comprises: (a) subjecting the liq. fossil fuel to (i) hydrodesulphurisation to remove susceptible S or (ii) microbial desulphurisation to remove susceptible S, (b) contacting the liq. fossil fuel with biocatalyst in aq. medium in an amt. and under conditions sufficient for conversion of organic S of the aromatic heterocycles to inorg. S and (c) sepg. the deeply desulphurised liq. fossil fuel from the aq. medium. The biocatalyst comprises bacteria or a cell-free prepn. having the capability of the parent microorganism for catalysing the removal of S from the heterocycles.    USE -   For deep desulphurisation of liq. fossil fuel contg. aromatic S-bearing heterocycles.    ADVANTAGE -   Multistage process for prodn. of deeply desulphurised liq. fossil fuel esp. from lower grade, high-S fuels. Does not need post-combustion desulphurisation.
The removal of S from a S-bearing material comprises contacting the material with a protonic acid and an organophosphorus cpd. of formula PR3 or P(OR)3, where each R = aliphatic or aromatic gp.. Contacting is carried out for a time sufficient to remove at least part of the S.    The protonic acid is a non-oxidising strong acid pref. phenol, para-nitrophenol, trifluoroacetic acid, phosphoric acid and hydrohalic acid. The organophosphorus cpd. is bound to a solid support. The S-bearing material is liq. or solid.    The process further involves exposing the material to reduced pressure prior to contacting. The contacting is at room temp.     The obtd. organophosphorus sulphide cpd. is heated in the presence of H2for time and temp. sufficient to regenerate the organophosphorus cpd.. The organophosphorus sulphide is removed from the reaction mixt. prior to heating. The organophosphorus cpd. is in a catalytic amt. or in excess amt.     The organophosphorus sulphide cpd. is heated in the presence of a lower metal sulphide to form higher metal sulphide and regenerate the organophosphorus cpd., and the higher metal sulphide cpd. is heated in the presence of H2 to form H2S and regenerate the lower metal sulphide.    USE -   For removing S from S-bearing material, esp. coal and petroleum products (e.g. heavy residua or discarded tyres).    ADVANTAGE -   Effectively removes S from coal and petroleum prods., esp. those contg. organically bound S, e.g. thiophenes.
A mechanically mixed packet bed bioreactor includes a reaction chamber with contaminated gas or liq. inlet and outlet. The reaction chamber contains packing material and microorganisms which are capable of sepg. contaminants from the gas or liq. and degrading the contaminants after sepn. from the gas or liq.. The packing material is circulated and mixed with the reaction chamber.    USE -   The bioreactor is used for sepg. and degrading contaminants in gases or liqs..    ADVANTAGE -   The appts. is capable of sepg. contaminants from a variety of effluent carriers. Means are provided for mechanically removing and cleaning the packing used in the appts. followed by returning the cleaned packing to another part of the appts. for re-use.
The device involves a composting plant for biological waste and incorporates a rotating cylinder (8) with perforations for dewatering compost material and a part arrangement for sieving compost material. A drum sieve (11-13), a movable transport plate (29) and a shaking sieve (27) are integrated in the composting plant for automation of the processing of waste and driving from a common unit. The drum sieve incorporates a cylindrical sieve network (11) with a surrounding collection part (12) for sieved waste. An exit slot (28) is located at the cylinder outer end for coarse particles. The shaking sieve is located above an after-composting chamber and is driven by the drum sieve drive shaft (44). The transport plate is arranged to receive large particles which fall down through the exit slot. The large particles are fed out into a sepn. container.    USE -   To compost biological waste.    ADVANTAGE -   The composting technique is matched to the requirements of the user with regard to compost quality and granule size.
Crude waste treating vessel (B) has a lid (4) for opening or closing, a paper heating element (A) placed at the bottom plate (5) or body (6) of the vessel and a lead wire (7) with a plug (8) at its front extended from the paper heating element to the outside of vessel. The paper heating element is made by forming a thin sheet material (1) by diffusing and mixing carbon short filaments (1a) uniformly in a paper pulp so that an electric current flows, forming belt-shaped electrodes (2) at both left and right edges of thin sheet material, and covering the sheet material contg. the electrodes with a waterproof and thermally insulating synthetic resin film (3).    USE/ADVANTAGE -   Used for producing compost by storing crude waste discharged from kitchens in the treating vessels. The compost is used as soil improving agent for gardens and crude waste can be stored by tightly sealing to prevent environment pollution.
Crude waste treating appts. comprises a treating tank (6) having an injection hole for crude waste at its upper part and perforated plate (17) at its lower part, a lid part (2) contacting with the injection hole tightly, a discharge hole (13) penetrating through the sidewall of the treating tank, a stirrer (15) in the treating tank, a heater (16) to heat the inside of the treating tank, ventilation controller in the treating tank to control the ventilation in the treating tank, waste oil tank to supply waste oil to the treating tank, and water tank to supply water to the treating tank.    Also claimed is treatment of waste by mixing crude waste, waste oil, water contg. mineral and water content adjusting material and stirring the mixt. while maintaining it at 40-60 deg.C and flowing air to decompose the crude waste and waste oil by microorganisms.    USE/ADVANTAGE -   Used to decompose crude waste or waste oil from in kitchens or restaurants by using microorganisms. Waste oil is also decomposed by the crude waste treating appts. and power necessary for decomposition can be reduced.
Combustion exhaust gas contg. lower hydrocarbons, e.g., methane and ethane, NOx , CO, O2and water vapour, is contacted with a catalyst contg. In as the main component and Ir, Pt, Rh, Cr, Pd, Fe and Ce as additives supported by ZSM-5 zeolite, to be purified. The shortage of lower hydrocarbons is compensated by adding lower hydrocarbons from outside.    ADVANTAGE -    NOxin exhaust gas is removed efficiently.
Animal waste is separated into solid and liquid phases by lime addition, releasing ammoniacal nitrogen, with iron salt addition for pptn. of orthophosphate, and polymer addition, to coagulate particulates.    The undiluted waste is treated continuously in two stages. Lime is added in the first reaction vessel, freeing ammonia, and the iron salt in the second, where polymer and dispersion water are also added. The mixt. undergoes flotation, sepg. into solid and cleaned liquid phases.    Also claimed is a device for the above procedure.    Pref., by addition of milk of lime, the pH is raised to 9.5. Removal of ammonia is assisted by stirring, with injection of microbubbles. Pref. the ammonia is intercepted above the first vessel in a receiver containing sulphuric acid. The slurry/lime mixt. is supplied to the second vessel by pump. An iron salt in the form of FeCl3, FeClSO4 and/or FeSO4 is fed in, adjusting for a pH value of about 7, for further processing. To reduce the COD, the liquid phase pref. undergoes a biological and/or a chemical-physical after-treatment.    USE -   Used to treat animal waste, separating it into a solid and purified liquid phase.    ADVANTAGE -   The process is a simple, compact and economical means for the continuous treatment of slurry, reducing its volume and removing impurities. The ammonia liberated is removed effectively by stirring and microbubble injection, and odour is prevented by intercepting in sulphuric acid. Valuable compost is produced from the solids; during this process the water content may be influences as described, as well as the carbon/nitrogen ratio. Mobile mounting of the equipment on a trailer or in a container allows flexible application. Supporting laboratory test analyses are presented.
Waste air or -water is cleaned to remove organic waste material. In the case of air, a container (2) is partially filled with carrier elements (3) forming a packed bed through which waste air can flow from an air feed (4) in the bottom of the container. Purified air exits through an outlet (9) in the top of the container. A water sprinkling device (6) sprays water which passes gradually downwards through the carrier elements and through a support grid (13) to the bottom of the container, from which it can be returned by a pump (8). In the case of water, air is passed from the bottom through the carrier elements.    USE -   Efficient processing by development of micro-organism in bed. Development of sludge is efficiently prevented.
A parts washer (10) comprises a first chamber (20) such as a sink and a second chamber (80) such as a tank. The first chamber (20) has a false bottom member (36) covering a support grid (40) supporting a porous medium (38) above a bottom panel (22) having a drain opening (24) allowing washing liquid (82) to drain to the second chamber (80). The first chamber (20) is also provided with a flexible faucet (48) and a brush (123). The second chamber (80) incorporates a modular controller (100) which includes a heater (110), thermostats (111,112), a level probe (116) to monitor the level of washing liquid (82) as well as other safety features. A circulation mechanism (124) directs hot water to the first chamber (20) whenever movement therein is sensed. A biological component in the form of microorganisms is added to the washing liquid to break down organic wastes, and the porous medium (28) traps particulate matter. The washer is preferably made from plastics material, most pref. a polyolefin.    USE -   For washing parts contaminated with organic matter.    ADVANTAGE -   A simple, low cost parts washer that uses a washing liquid and biological agents in place of mineral spirits and chlorinated solvents.
A cleaning tank (10) for removing organic matter from a component by circulating a fluid (72) from a holding tank (44) to a basin (14) which receives the component, has a biological component within the fluid for biodegrading the organic matter. Also claimed is a cleaning solution containing microorganisms capable of biodegrading organic matter, the microorganisms living with a surfactant. Also claimed is a method of removing hydrocarbons from a component by brining it into contact with a fluid which has microorganisms suspended in it, and allowing the microorganisms to biodegrade the hydrocarbons.    USE -   For cleaning of components, e.g. automotive valves, pistons, covers and transmission elements, which have been contaminated with hydrocarbons, oils and greases.    ADVANTAGE -   Production of hazardous wastes is reduced. Fluid replacement is infrequent. The cleaning fluid is not volatile or flammable and is not toxic to users. No automatically-closing fire lid is required. Organic waste is broken down into non-contaminating components. Filters are easily replaced.
A nutrient system for promoting bioremediation using a culture of 1 or more Achromobacter and/or Mycobacterium spp. comprises: (a) 100 pts. wt. NH4Cl; (b) 5-20 pts. wt. hydrated MgSO4; (c) 5-20 pts. wt. NaCl; and (d) 15-20 pts. wt. KH2PO4.    USE -   The system is useful for biodegrading polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbon contaminants in soil or liq., esp. landfill leachates, groundwater or industrial effluents.    ADVANTAGE -   The nutrients are harmless to the environment and provide a safe and affordable means for rapid and effective decontamination.
Method of condensing fugitive methane, comprises: (a) mfg. solid methane, (b) passing the fugitive methane in heat exchange relationship with the solid methane to condense the fugitive methane, (c) mfg. solid methane includes: providing liquid methane, cooling to form a sheet of solid methane, breaking into pieces.    Also claimed is an appts. for condensing fugitive methane.    USE -   Fugitive methane or natural gas is recovered and reliquified for use, simply and efficiently, and the methane is not contaminated.    ADVANTAGE -   Uncontaminated methane plus natural gas is effectively recovered and recycled, reducing waste and undesirable emissions, and carbon dioxide will solidify for simple removal.
Process includes thermal decomposition with no air input of waste at 1600 C in the presence of calcium oxide, hydrolysis of calcium carbide at temp. not less than 700 C and pressure not less than 0.2 MPa which are supercritical for acetylene, and condensation of hydrolysis prods.    USE -   Used in communal management in utilisation of waste, and also in mfg., chemical, and petrochemical industries, and in agriculture.    ADVANTAGE -   Avoids input of additional calcium carbide; liquidation of waste in different forms and obtaining artificial petroleum prods.
Appts. comprises a fermentation tank placed laterally and rotatably and having a spiral feed blade placed along the total length of inner surface of fermentation tank, hollow rotation shaft provided in the fermentation tank rotatably independently of the fermentation tank, spiral reversing feed blade provided on the circumference of hollow rotation shaft along its total length in the reverse direction of feed blade in the fermentation tank, air blow holes at the circumferential wall of hollow rotation shaft, air supply hole with air blow appts. and connected to a projected part of one end of hollow rotation shaft projected from the closed wall of fermentation tank. Seal box can close the opening at other end of fermentation tank. Through the seal box, organic waste is supplied to the fermentation tank. Gas occurring in the fermentation tank is exhausted and fermented and dried products are discharged.    USE/ADVANTAGE -   For fermenting, drying and composting organic waste, e.g. excrement of livestock. Appts. ferments and dries under suitable fermenting conditions.
Appts. comprises an appts. main body (1) having a lid main body (11) attached to its upper surface movably to open or close a rotation drum (2) having a crude waste injection hole (22) with a middle lid (23) supported by bearings (12) detachably and movably to rotate by contacting with a rotation driving mechanism (3) placed at the lower inner part of the appts. main body.    USE/ADVANTAGE -   Used to decompose and treat crude waste discharged from kitchens of homes or restaurants by mixing the crude waste with sawdust contg. bacteria. After treating the rotation drum is easily replaced to simplify the maintenance of the appts.
Device has a fermentation bath (A), a heater (B) that heats (A), and an oxygen generator (C) which passes generated oxygen to (A). In (C) the polarity of electrodes can be exchanged. A water tank is installed in (C) which contains activated carbon together with water.    USE/ADVANTAGE -   Used for decomposing waste. The method controls oxygen concn. in the fermentation bath so that the device is compact.
Garbage disposal appts. comprises a housing part (2) in which a bacteria living member (1) is filled, an agitator (3), an exhauster (4), an ozone supplier (5), and a catalyst (6) for decomposing noxious gas. Garbage mixed with the bacteria living member (1) is decomposed and the produced water content is exhausted together with air by the exhauster (4). A heater (10) is incorporated in the catalyst (6) for heating the air passing through the catalyst and for reducing the relative humidity of the air, so that the air is exhausted without attaching water drops to the catalyst (6).    USE -   Used in garbage disposal.    ADVANTAGE -   Noxious gas is efficiently decomposed by the catalyst, so that the exhaust of noxious gas is greatly reduced.
The processor consists of an outside container (1) which is insulated. A bag (7) which stores the product that has to be processed, is provided inside the container. A funnel shaped base plate (2) is provided in the container below the bag. A pair of separators (5,6) form a space between the bag and the container, and the bag and the base plate, respectively.    A unit (9) with multiple ventilation windows (13) is provided under a roof (11). The roof covers the opening of the container. An air supply tube (8) or an air supply hole (81) is provided in the container. The opening of the ventilation window, the air supply tube or air supply hole are completely covered by the roof.    ADVANTAGE -   Prevents entry of noxious insects. Improves container's heat insulation. Simplifies raw garbage collection work by municipality.
Biodegradation of organic chlorine cpds. uses bacteria, capable of decomposing organic chlorine cpds. which is applied to the organic chlorine cpds. under alkaline conditions pref. pH 8.5-9.5.    Pref. bacteria for biodegradation of trichloroethylene or dichloroethylene is of Pseudomonas sp. (e.g. Pseudomonas sepacia KK01 (FERM BP-4236)) or Corynebacterium sp. (e.g. Corynebacterium J) (FERM BP-14332)).    USE/ADVANTAGE -   Useful for preventing water and soil pollution of organic chlorine cpds. such as chlorinated ethylene (e.g. trichloroethylene or dichloroethylene). Alkaline pH gives no prodn. of the by-product dichloroacetic acid.    In an example, trichloroethylene (10 ppm) was added to M9 medium (1 l) contg. Na2HPO4 (6.2g), KH2PO4 (3.0g), NaCl (0.5g), NH4Cl (1.0g), and balance water. Pseudomonas KK01 or Corynebacterium J) (6-8 10 power 8 cells/ml) was added to medium and cultivated at 30 deg.C, 120 rp, for 24 hrs., in pH 4,5,6,7,8,9 and 10. Trichloroethylene concn. after 24 hrs. from pH 4-9 could not be detected.
EM diluents are prepd. by incubating mixt. of molasses and EM germs with organic material contg. rice bran and opt. rice hulls, oilcake and fish refuse wherein 30-60% coffee grounds are added thereto. EM germs is a liq. mixt. of photosynthetic bacteria, yeasts, lactic acid bacteria, Aspergillus, actinomycetes, mould, and nitrogen-fixing bacteria and are used in treatment of kitchen refuse, or excrement and urine of livestock. Usual EM diluents used in treatment of kitchen refuse consist of 10 pts. rice bran, 2 pts. rice hulls, 3-4 pts. water, 30-40 pts. molasses, and 10-40 pts. EM germ (MSK101, MSK102, MSK103, (RTM) which are fermented at 30-40 deg.C in tightly closed vessel for 4-5 days.    USE/ADVANTAGE -   EM diluents can be used in treatment of kitchen refuse or compost in order to remove malodours. Fermentation odour generated from refuse can be removed and coffee fragrance neutralises environmental malodour. Coffee grounds which have been discarded can be utilised effectively.    In an example, coffee grounds (20 pts.), rice bran (20 pts.), rice hulls (10 pts.), molasses (100-fold diluted; 0.05 pts.), EM germ (100-fold diluted) and distilled water (5 pts.) were provided. Molasses and EM germ were dissolved in water and placed in mixer together with other components. Mixt. was placed in tightly-closed vessel, fermented anaerobically at 40 deg.C for 100 hrs. and then dried to give EM diluent which had no disagreeable odour.
Appts. to convert solid or liquid vegetable waste matter into a fertiliser has a culture chamber (18) to take the mixed waste (11) for biodegrading. The matter is initially treated (15) with bacteria, cinders, trace elements and micro-organisms, and mixed with water (13). In the chamber (18), the material is exposed to oxygen (19), nitrogen (20), steam (21) and heat (22). A liquid fertiliser is produced by pressing (25) and a solid fertiliser by drying (24).    USE -   The assembly is for the conversion of vegetable waste, often toxic and noxious, into a useful plant fertiliser. The vegetable waste can be from fruit and vegetables, grape residue from wine prodn. after distillation, wine sediment, dead leaves and forestry waste, rice and other waste cereals, domestic and marine vegetable rubbish, liquid residue from distillation, peanut waste and residue from breweries, and the like.    ADVANTAGE -   The system gives effective conversion of vegetable matter into a useful fertiliser which encourages plant growth and retains ground moisture.
A process for the simultaneous elimination of synthetic prods. contg. calcium carbonate and/or one of its derivs. and neutralisation of acidic gases evolved during the thermolysis of refuse to be treated. This comprises at least one stage in which a mixt. composed of waste prods. to be treated and at least one synthetic prod. comprising an organic component and mineral part, rich in CaCO3 , is heat treated at 200-1500 deg.C. In the course of this treatment acidic gases generated by the waste are neutralised by CaCO3and the organic part of the synthetic prod. is destroyed by heat. Also claimed is the apparatus for effecting the process.    USE -    The process is used to treat wastes contg. chemical cpds. rich in Cl, F and S which form acidic gases: sources include household refuse, plastic waste, used tyres, industrial sludge etc. Also it deals with the destruction of materials comprising thermoplastics and thermosets contg. CaCO3as filler.    ADVANTAGE -   The process combines simultaneous neutralisation of acidic gases and elimination of waste synthetic prods.
The synthesis gas is generated by gasification of organic and even toxic materials such as refuse, biomass and coal, using oxygen in an inclined flow process in a modified producer gas generator. Several adjacent tuyeres are omitted, and a bed of coke develops at this point from coke loaded for start-up. The coke bed is sepd. from the raw material to be processed by a steel shield and the bed can thus be topped up. One end of a pipe, which is internally lined with heat resisting material, and provided with a means for injecting oxygen, is connected to the coke bed at the height of the coal compartment. The pipe leads to a cracking reactor which is vertically charged with coke or wood charcoal.    USE -   Useful for conversion of refuse, biomass, etc..
A refrigerant compsn. comprises 1,1,2,2,3,3,4,4- octafluorobutane and a 3-7C hydrocarbon.    Also claimed are: (i) a refrigerant compsn. comprising 1,1,2,2,3,3,4,4-octafluorobutane and ethyl formate, propylene oxide, bis(pentafluoroethyl) sulphide, dimethoxyethane or tetrahydrofuran; (ii) azeotropic or azeotrope-like compsns. comprising effective amts. of the above refrigerants; (iii) prodn. of refrigeration, by condensing one of the above compsns. and then evaporating the compsn. in the vicinity of the body to be cooled; (iv) producing heat by condensing a compsn. of the above in the vicinity of a body to be heated and then evaporating the compsn.; (v) prepn. of a thermoset or thermoplastic foam using one of the above compsns. as a blowing agent; (vi) process of cleaning a solid surface using a compsn. as above; and (vii) process for suppressing a fire, by applying to the fire one of the above compsns..    USE -   The compsns. can be used as refrigerants, cleaning agents, expansion agents for polyolefins and polyurethanes, aerosol propellants, refrigerants, heat transfer media, gaseous dielectrics, fire extinguishing agents, power cycle working fluids, polymerisation media, particulate removal fluids, carrier fluids, buffing abrasive agents or displacement drying agents.    ADVANTAGE -   The compsns. have lower ozone depletion potential than existing refrigerants.
Lactic acid is produced from municipal solid waste (I) by (a) obtaining (I); (b) removing tyres, bulk metals, plastic, glass and rubber to give a cellulosic component (II); (c) shredding (II); (d) treating shredded (II) with dilute sulphuric acid at 40-100 C to solubilise remaining heavy metals and give a soluble component (III) and an insoluble component (IV); (e) removing (IV) from (III); (f) drying (IV); (g) treating dried (IV) with an equal amt. of conc. sulphuric acid to give a partially hydrolysed mixture (V); (h) diluting (V) with water at 80-100 C; (i) agitating at 100 C to obtain a digested material (VI); (j) removing solids from (VI) to give a filtrate (VII); (k) separating (VII) into an acid-containing solution and a sugar-containing solution (VIII); (l) concentrating (VIII) to 1-20% sugar; (m) adjusting the pH to 4.5-7.5; (n) fermenting with lactic acid bacteria to give a solution (IX); and (o) processing (IX) to obtain commercially acceptable lactic acid. In a variant on the process, the cellulosic component of (I) is shredded and treated by steps (g)-(o); solids (VI) contain essentially all the heavy metals in (IV). Alternatively the shredded component is hydrolysed to give insoluble components (which are dried and burned as boiler fuel to obtain energy) and soluble components which are treated by steps (k)-(o).    USE -   Municipal solid waste and sewage sludge, esp. sewage sludge cake are treated efficiently without adverse environmental impact. Existing land fills may be treated.
A nitrogen removal process for a natural gas liquefaction plant removes nitrogen from a relatively warm high pressure liq. stream contg. at least 80 mole% methane and up to 20 mole% nitrogen. The process comprises: (a) cooling the liq. stream in an enhanced surface heat exchanger against relatively low pressure liquefied natural gas (LNG) stream to form a relatively cool high pressure liq. stream and partially vaporise the low pressure LNG stream, (b) expanding the relatively cool high pressure liq. stream from (a) to form further cooled mixt. of liq. and vapour, (c) feeding the mixt. from (b) to a separator to form a liq. stream and a vapour stream, (d) supplying the liq. stream from (c) to the heat exchanger in (a) as the relatively low pressure stream which is partially vaporised to form a fluid of enhanced nitrogen content and a liq. prod. stream lean in nitrogen, (e) countercurrently contacting the low pressure LNG stream in the heat exchanger with the fluid vaporised in the heat exchanger to strip nitrogen, (f) supplying the fluid vaporised in the heat exchanger to the separator in (c) and (g) recovering the vapour stream from the separator, the vapour stream being enriched in nitrogen content.    USE -   For removing nitrogen from liquefied natural gas.    ADVANTAGE -   Nitrogen is effectively removed from LNG with energy savings and reduced capital costs, by using a reflux or plate-fin heat exchanger.
Biochemical cleaning of effluents (based on authors Certificate No. 1189815) comprises passing the effluent upward through aerobic zones then down through anaerobic zones contg. a suspension of activated sludge microorganisms. In the aerobic zones, the vol. mass transfer coefficient is 30-900/hr. and the first mixing of the gas-liq. stream with the suspension of activated sludge microorganisms is obtd. in an aerobic zone over 0.5-5.0 hrs., after which the mixt. leaves through the anaerobic zone. The duration of this culturing sequence in the aerobic and anaerobic zones is 4-40 hrs.    ADVANTAGE -   The method increases the biomass yield from the activated sludge microorganisms and also increases the degree of cleaning because of the increased effectiveness of molecular oxygen utilisation.
Stirring device has two rectangular tanks. The end parts are closed with a sidewall (2a) having the width of the tank as the radius to form a loop-shaped fermentation tank. (1) A carriage (3) is positioned on the sidewalls of the fermentation tank (1), which can make a reciprocating motion in the linear part. A stirring and turning device (6) for the material supplied into the tank is mounted on the carriage (3). The stirring and turning device (6) can be turned in the direction against the carriage at the moving end positions of the carriage. The turning axis (11) is located at the centre of the carriage (3).    USE/ADVANTAGE -   Used to stir and turn material e.g. sewage sludge, in a composting device. The material in the fermentation tank may be stirred uniformly, and a continuous operation may be effected.
Composting device has two rectangular tanks. The end parts are closed with a sidewall (2a) having the width of the tank as the radius to form a loop-shape fermentation tank (1). A material supply device (4) is positioned above the fermentation tank (1), and a discharge device (5) for the treated material positioned at the bottom of the fermentation tank (1) to correspond to the material supply device (4). A material stirring and turning device (6) is positioned in the fermentation tank to prove in the tank (1).    USE/ADVANTAGE -   Used to compost sludge. Where sewage sludge is composted by fermentation, the work from the start to the discharge may be made automatically. No moisture adjusting device is required for the material.
The processor has a waste decomposition chamber (2) provided with a moisture absorption member (1) to which bacteria that decompose the waste are added. An agitating member (3) is provided in a decomposition chamber to agitate the garbage. An exhaust path (7) exhaust air from the fresh waste to the outside environment. The exhaust part is extended in a vertical direction.    A sucking out part (10) provided at the lower part of the exhaust path sucks out foreign material deposited in the path. The sucking out operation is controlled by an opening and shutting lid (9). The air is exhaust from the exhaust path by shutting the opening and shutting lid. The foreign material is sucked out through a sucking tube (11) provided below decomposition chamber by opening the opening and shutting lid.    ADVANTAGE -   Exhausts foreign material easily. Deodorises exhaust air efficiently.
The system (A) consists of a fermentation tank (1) in the large scale fermentation processor (2) into which raw waste is fed by trucks (B,C). The trucks carrying the raw waste discharge the garbage through the bucket conveyor mechanism (4).    Number of such processing stations (3) are arranged on the periphery of the circle. The fermented waste is collected at an outlet (5) located at the axial centre of the system. The fermented garbage is cleared in almost the same path through which garbage is input.    ADVANTAGE -   Provides large capacity processing system. Utilizes same truck for feeding raw garbage and evacuating fermented waste.
Collection of bacteria-accumulating useful organic materials comprises (i) adding organic materials as carbon source for the bacteria to sludge contg. the bacteria; (ii) sepg. and washing sludge; (iii) culturing the latter after addn. of nutrient source except carbon source; and (iv) repeating steps.    Sludge which contains variety of organic materials, N, P, K and minerals is diluted with water upto appropriate concn. to which is added carbon source which is converted into desired organic material. When desired material is glycogen, glucose is pref. used as carbon source and when it is PHB, acetate is added. Water-soluble materials which are nutrients for bacteria are removed by decantation, centrifugation or pptn. in order to utilise carbon source effectively. Sludge is then washed with water and carbon source to be utilised for producing desired material is added. Time required for mixing is about 1 hr before start of growth. Sludge contg. bacteria is then collected by pptn. or centrifugation then dispersed in water, and agitated aerobically. The supernatant contg. carbon source and other unnecessary nutrient is removed. Washed sludge is re-dispersed in water and necessary nutrient (N, P, mineral) except carbon source is added. Culture is formed under aeration and agitation for 5-10 hrs.. After collecting sludge which contains grown bacteria, same operation is repeated about 100-500 times.    USE -   Collected bacteria can be used in prodn. of useful materials, e.g. sugars, (e.g. glycogen, glucose, xylose), PHB, sodium acetate. Bacteria per se (cells) can be used as additives for feed.
Appts. comprises fermentation tank storing organic waste; porous air opening area formed at lower portion of fermentation tank; inhalation pipe; and stirring wing provided in fermentation tank. Exhaust opening connection tube is formed on inhalation pipe. This tube is adhered to inhalation pipe at specific angle so that water droplets formed by steams absorbed by inhalation pipe effectively fall into inhalation pipe. Air circulates in porous air opening area interior of fermentation tank, and airtight inhalation pipe through blower.    ADVANTAGE -   Effectively stirs materials and reduces fermentation time.
Prepn. of nutrient base (NB) for growing medium comprises mixing food processing waste (FPW) and matrix material (MM).    USE -   GM are used as multi-purpose composts for plants and are suitable for seed sowing, root cuttings, container growing and in general purpose garden use. A wide variety of food processing effluent materials may be used including meat wastes such as abattoir wastes, vegetable processing wastes, industrial fermentation process wastes from e.g. yeast prodn., and/or dairy waste esp. from cheese and/or whey processing.    ADVANTAGE -   GM has excellent nutrient supplying capacity and do not suffer from the disadvantage of prior art materials in partic. those of peat-based and sewage-based growing media, e.g. heavy-metal contamination and high pathogen content and environmental aspects related to peat extn. The present method permits the addn. of unusually high proportions of nutrient with no adverse effect on germination and plant growth at salinity levels &gt; 800 S/cm3 that in other growing media would result in severe phytotoxicity. The addn. of matrix material such as bark eliminates or reduces noxious odours from the waste and provides a use as a means of waste treatment. GM has a high nutrient supplying capacity making it suitable for a wide range of growing media uses.
A process for the purificn. of effluent contg. organic halogen cpds. by wet catalytic oxidn. and biodegradation comprises (i) dehalogenation and oxidn. at a temp. less than 80 (20-50)C and an overpressure less than 5 (1) bar, in the presence of a bifunctional catalyst, and (ii) complete mineralisation of the partially dehalogenated material in a biological treatment step.    USE -   The process is suitable for the removal of environmentally harmful chlorinated hydrocarbons.    ADVANTAGE -   A good selectivity is achieved at low temp. and pressure using simple equipment, with the high rate of biodegradation resulting in a more economic process.
Comminuted organic waste enters the static bio-digester at the top and is subjected to aerobic digestion in presence of pure oxygen which converts it into organic compost.    USE -   Used in agriculture and recovery of non-fertile soil.
The mfr. of a polyisocyanate based foam comprises reacting (A) an organic polyisocyanate inc. dispersed 4-7C aliphatic or cycloaliphatic hydrocarbon blowing agent and a polyol soln. comprising (a) a polyol having polyester linkages, (b) a blowing agent, and (c) a reacted or unreacted compatibiliser of formula (I) (where R1 = OH, NH2 , COOH or oxyalkylated addn. prods., and R2= 6-24C aliphatic, branched or unbranched hydrocarbon gp.).    Pref. the organic polyisocyanate contains 10-20 phb blowing agent. The polyol soln. contains 10-20 php blowing agent. The reaction mixt. may further comprise a polyisocyanurate catalyst. The organic polyisocyanate is reacted with the polyol soln. at an isocyanate index of 200 or more. The organic polyisocyanate is aromatic and has a functionality of &gt; 2.2. The blowing agent comprises n-pentane, isopentane and/or cyclopentane, and may further comprise water. The reacted or unreacted compatibiliser comprises nonyl phenol or its oxyalkylated prods.. The polyol is an aromatic polyester polyol deriv. from dimethyl terephthalate, phthalic acid, terephthalic acid, PET, and their anhydrides.    USE -   Used for the mfr. of rigid closed cell polyisocyanate based foams for laminate board for building and house insulation, refrigeration appliance cabinets, and entry way door insulation.    ADVANTAGE -   The method used a 4-7C hydrocarbon blowing agent and good quality foams are produced.
A compsn. for enhancing the biodegradation of hydrocarbons in soil or water contain (a) a source of P, and (b) a tenside of formula: A = CH2; B = CH2CH2O; x = 1-10; y = 2-20.    ADVANTAGE -   The tenside raises the hydrocarbon-water interface between the hydrocarbon contaminant and microflora, and also contains microbially assimilable C and N.
The purificn. of gases from organic substances including oxidn. by ozone, obtd. during the passing of gases through the zone of ionisation of a high voltage electrical discharge, is distinguished in that processing is at a specific discharge power of 0.35-0.95 (V.A)/m3of the gas being purified by the breakdown of the organics into ions and radicals with subsequent oxidn. by oxygen and the ozone formed to carbon dioxide gas and water.    USE -   Used for the purificn. of spent gases from microorganisms and unpleasant smelling substances and may be used in microbiological, chemical, food and medical industries.    ADVANTAGE -   The process is simple and ensures deodorisation of gases from unpleasant smelling substances. Prevents contamination of the surrounding environment by microorganisms and unpleasantly smelling organic substances to 96.5-97.5%. Reduces the prodn. area. Ozone release to the surrounding environment is avoided.
Fermenting machine to stir compost stored in a pit (P) running on the compost automatically comprises a shifting stand (1) moving back and forth on a pair of pit rails (PR) automatically, and conveyor (2) supported by the shifting stand at one end of its frame so that another end if placed in a lower inclining direction to place it near the bottom of the pit. The conveyor comprises a driving shaft and driven shaft placed at one end and another end of its frame, respectively, chains (7) hung between the driving shaft and driven shaft to rotate between them, scooping members (33) attached to each chain along the circulation direction at specific pitches and cutting claws (4) attached between chains adjacent to the driven shaft.    Also claimed is livestock excretion fermentation and treatment appts which comprises the pit, the fermenting machine, a livestock house, ventilator, and water jet means to suppress the generation of malodours during mixing compost in the pot and replenish water.    USE/ADVANTAGE -   Used to mfr fertilisers from livestock excretion or organic industrial waste. The fermenting machine is miniaturised and the appts gives pollution free livestock excretion fermentation and treatment.
Purification of animal excrement comprises: (a) adding specific powdered ore, a specific microorganism starter, and water to animal egesta; (b) culturing the resulting mixt. to obtain compost. Also claimed is the treated substance obtd. by the method.    Calcium, magnesium, phosphorus, iron, copper, zinc, iodine, sodium, sulphur, molybdenum, manganese, chromium, selenium, boron, gallium, bismuth, silver, germanium, strontium, tungsten, cobalt, fluorine, bromine, gold, tin, chlorine, lithium, vanadium or nitrogen are contained in the ore. Nitrobacteria bacteria, gram-negative or aerobic Azotobacter or Rhizobium is pref.    USE/ADVANTAGE -   The method purifies the animal egesta to obtain compost. The compost has no odour provided by the animal egesta and is used as organic fertiliser. The aged compost is dissolved in warm water at 30 degrees C. A microorganism group in the compost retains its chemical, independent, and nutritive activity for three years.
Iron oxidising bacteria (resistant to chloride ions) are propagated in activated sludge by blowing O2-contg. gas into an aeration tank through which waste water contg. Fe(II) ions or Fe(II) and chloride ions is passed. The activated sludge is cultured in an organic waste decomposing plant (where factory waste water which is discharged from ironworks and is diluted with sea water). The pH of the aeration tank is kept within 1.0-3.0. Nitrogen-contg. cpds. and phosphorus-contg. cpds. are put in the aeration tank.    USE -   For propagating iron oxidising bacteria in a biological treatment system of waste water contg. Fe(II) and chloride ions.    ADVANTAGE -   Iron oxidising bacteria resistant to chloride ions can be propagated in industrial or domestic waste water.
Batch-wise waste water treatment uses bacteria which are enclosed and fixed with a hydrated gel of polyvinyl alcohol (PVA)-related polymer whose syndiotacticity is at least 55%.    USE -   Used for treatment of sludge, industrial waste water, domestic waste water or human waste.    ADVANTAGE -   The bacteria enclosed and fixed with the hydrated gel are easy to prepare. Waste water can be treated batch-wise stably over a long time.
Device comprises decomposing digesting tank (1) having sidewall formed from heat-insulating material and a bottom part formed from moisture-permeating member, agitator (6) to agitate organic substance charged in decomposing digesting tank; a horizontal transfer device (7) having opening through which organic substance at base of decomposing digesting tank is received; and vertical transfer device (9) to lift organic substance and charge it in the decomposing digesting tank from above.    ADVANTAGE -   Good decomposition and digestion is attained.
Garbage decomposer (A) is equipped with fermentation bath (B) in which mixing device and pair of electrodes (C) are installed. Detector which determines electric resistance between (C) is installed in (A). (C) is printed on baseplate and covered with nonwoven fabric. Water content controller (D) is also installed in (A) which adjusts water content of garbage to present range if necessary.    (1) is fermentation bath, (2) is mixer, (3) is sensor for electric resistance of garbage, and (5) is electric fan.    ADVANTAGE -   Decomposer keeps water content of garbage within optimum range for microorganisms so that garbage decomposition is highly efficient. Also, water content of garbage can be easily determined.
Garbage decomposer (A) is equipped with fermentation bath (B) in which negative thermistor (C) that detects water content of garbage and garbage-pressing device (D) are installed. (D) is installed in front of (C). (A) is equipped with controller that maintains water content of garbage in preset range.    In fig. 1, (1) is fermentation bath, (2) is vane of mixer, (3) is negative thermistor, (4) is pressing device, and (A) is water content controller.    ADVANTAGE -   By pressing garbage accurate water content of garbage can be determined, enabling highly efficient decomposed garbage.
Garbage decomposer is equipped with fermentation bath (A) in which mixing device is installed, and device (B) that discharge water vapour generated during fermentation. (B) consists of vent pipe and heat exchanger (C). An inlet for external air opens in (C).    Cross-section of decomposer, has water vapour generated in fermentation bath (5) introduced into suction pipe (26) then sent to heat exchanger (29). External air introduced into heat exchanger via a port (28a) is warmed then introduced into fermentation bath.    ADVANTAGE -   Decomposer suppresses ammonia gas generation by thoroughly mixing garbage with microorganism, so that it is able to operate for long time without ammonia gas absorbent or corrosion.
Fermenting tank (A, B) comprising blades (30) to agitate and convey a substance to be processed, eg refuse, and a heater (H) to heat the substance to be processed, are arranged in a hierarchical system. Flow passage through which the substance is conveyed from the upper stage fermenting tank (A) to the lower stage fermenting tank (B), is formed. Blast duct (14) is placed along the flow passage. Lower end of blast duct (14) is coupled to blower (17). Blower (18) for exhaust gas and a dehydrating device (20) are installed at upper part of fermenting tank (A).    ADVANTAGE -   Vol of refuse is reduced and diffusion of malodour is suppressed.
Garbage decomposer is equipped with fermentation bath (A) using microorganisms. A device which introduces insects incubated in (A) into a chamber where they are killed, is installed in (A). Introduction of insects is by light irradiation or with pheromones. Destroying of collected insects by UV irradiation or an insecticide.    In the fig. (1) is fermentation bath, (5) is garbage, and (15) is pheromone. Insects introduced into a collecting chamber with pheromone are destroyed with insecticide spray (6=pump) and dead insects are added to garbage by pulling lever (10).    ADVANTAGE -   Method decomposes garbage efficiently.
A cover removably mounted on a container body to make container airtight comprises air holes formed in the cover body as a gas pressure release mechanism to escape a gas pressure by fermentation gas generated by anaerobic germs; and energizing devices (18) (balls) to energize the air holes from the outer surface of the cover body to close the air holes.    ADVANTAGE -   A closed disposing container is easily handled and its constitution is simplified.
Device has a fermentation bath (A) with a heating jacket (B) and a mixer, a burner (C), an air supply system to feed heated air to (A), an exhaust system (D) to vent exhaust gas of (C) mixed with the gas (E) generated in (A), and a blower to pass (E) to (D). (B) has an intake of exhaust gas of (C) and an outlet of it connecting with (D). Dampers are installed in (D). A filter and a deodoriser are installed in the flow path of (E). A vibrator is installed in (A).    USE/ADVANTAGE -   Used for treating waste with microorganisms. The device decomposes waste rapidly without generating odours.
Device is equipped with fermentation bath (A), mixer (B) with a rotating axis (C) and vanes, a structure (D) that supports (C) with bearings, an electric motor (E), and a drive mechanism with a chain and sprockets. (E) is mounted on thick baseboard with high stiffness which in turn is bolted on (D) with an adjust bolt (F). By turning (F), tension of chain can be adjusted.    In the device, (1) is fermentation bath, (2) is axis of mixer driven by motor (7), sprockets (4,6), and chain (5). An electric motor is mounted on thick baseboard which in turn is bolted onto structure with adjust bolt.    USE/ADVANTAGE -   Used for decomposing solid organic waste using microorganisms. Tension of driving chain can be easily adjusted.
A long box-like inclined treating chamber (A) is used in which waste is made to move upward with a conveyor (B). (B) is a combination of two screw conveyors (C) of which the axes (D) are parallel, and they rotate inversely to each other. (D) are divided into an upper portion and lower portion with a bearing respectively, and their rate of rotation is different to each other.    USE/ADVANTAGE -   Used for decomposing waste using microorganisms. The method decomposes waste independently of its amt or shape.
The fresh rubbish processing machine (1) has input devices for rubbish and microbes; and temp. sensors (8-10) linked to device to determine the state of microbial activity. The stirring is controlled according to the microbial activity.    The device may have humidity sensors (11, 12) for determining the active state of microorganisms; and a number of stirring devices (6) to stir the rubbish.    ADVANTAGE -   The actual conditions in the device are known, and do not have to be inferred from previous experience. The effects of additions of rubbish can be controlled.
The new Synechocystis sp. has high proliferation and salt, SO2 gas and NO gas resistance. Also claimed is Synechocystic sk-1 strain having high proliferability, salt-, SO2 gas- and NO gas-resistances. Also claimed is the fixation of CO2 in waste gas by means of microalgae of Synechocystis genus.    USE -   New microalgae of Synechocystis genus absorb CO2 with high efficiency and culture of the microalgae are carried out on a mass scale and the microalgae are useful for industrial fixing of CO2 in atmos., partic. waste gas from waste gas processing plant of large scale establishment e.g. steam-power station, iron works, fermentation works, cement factory etc.
Deodorants which are prepd. by treating strained coffee beans with a strain of Bacillus circulans HA12 (FERM P-13428) and/or a strain of Bacillus stearothermophilus HA19 (FERM P-13429), are new.    USE -   The deodorants are used in removing odours from the home environment (e.g. bathroom, drainpipe, shoes box, toilet for pet animal, waste), excrement and urine of livestock, or fish meal residues. They may be used in an amt. of 3 g/kg garbage, 100 g/m3 in a shoes box, 50-100 g for a pet toilet, 3% for a compost pile, and 3-5% for raw fish meal residue or shell guts. The deodorant effect for garbage is maintained over about 3 months.    ADVANTAGE -   Waste coffee beans can be reused. There is no influence on human body or environment.
An assembly processes refuse, at least some of which may be composted. The refuse is pre-sorted into silos (10a -10c) classified (A) from industrial and hard bulky items, (B) bio-degradable domestic refuse, and (C) vegetable matter. The lower output (18) from the selection assembly supplies material to a bio-reactor vessel (20), while the overflow (26) is linked to a composting line (38) supplying a stratified compost heap (40). The selection assembly is preceded by a common dosing bunker. A mixer pump is placed before the bio-reactor vessel, which is connected to a gas membrane. A de-watering pump is positioned after the bio-reactor.    USE -   The assembly sorts and composts domestic and commercial refuse.    ADVANTAGE -   Different types of refuse are classified and composted at low cost by a single assembly.
A process and assembly to break down and treat pollutants in water effluent which are difficult to degrade with purely biological means. The novelty is that: (a) a gas contg. ozone is generated (18) from a gas contg. oxygen; (b) the gas contg. ozone is introduced and mixed into the circulating water; (c) the ozone-water mixt. is introduced into a reactor vessel (24) in which the pollutants are de-oxygenated, and (d) the water effluent is passed through an aerobic treatment vessel (8) which then further breaks down the de-oxygenated pollutants.    USE -   The process and assembly treat and process water effluent contg. pollutants such as toxic substances from refuse tips and industrial effluent e.g. chlorinated hydrocarbons, dioxins, pesticides and dyes.    ADVANTAGE -   The process and assembly sharply reduce the cost of waste treatment by minimising requirements for plant and energy, compared with previous processes, by maximising the efficient use of oxygen.
Waste and rubbish, is disposed of by biological/mechanical processing. The incoming rubbish is sifted, ground and homogenised. The material is rotted, for a biological degrading, and finally separated into organic and inorganic fractions. Also claimed is a process assembly with a rotting station (14), a sieve assembly (22,23), a wet sepn. unit (21) and at least one water extraction system (34,40) to remove water from at least one of the fractions from the wet sepn. stage.    ADVANTAGE -   The technique gives a disposal process for all the waste and rubbish, to deliver a fraction which can be dumped and a fraction which can be incinerated.
Gas sensor has two adjacent electrode structures (11,12) on a substrate (S), one electrode structure (11) surrounded by a n-type semiconductor-contg. gas sensitive arrangement (GS) having a gas- and temp.-dependent resistance and the other electrode structure (12) surrounded by a gas insensitive arrangement (NGS) which contains n-type and p-type semiconductors and which has a resistance dependent only on temp.    USE -   Used at 600-850 C for detecting reducing gases or at 950 C for detecting oxygen (claimed), e.g. for methane or carbon mon:oxide alarm equipment, small furnaces or combustion regulation.    ADVANTAGE -   The NGS arrangement reduces the effects of temp. fluctuations, resistance drift (resulting from ageing), prodn. process fluctuations and interactions between the GS arrangement and the substrate.
Aq. KF waste stream (I) is treated by: (a) inert gas stripping; (b) passing through a carbon bed; and/or (c) concentrating, to remove dissolved organic cpds. from stream (I).     Stripping in (a) is with air, N2 , He, CH4, steam or burner discharge waste gas. Concn. in (c) is to 20 wt.% at least to remove 50-95% of dissolved organics. Prior to treatment (I) is treated to remove insoluble organic and inorganic cpds..     The pH of the treated stream is adjusted to 6-8 to decompose carbonates and ppte. SiO2plus heavy metal cpds.. Treated (I) is further processed using electrodialytic water splitting appts. to obtain KOH, HF or an acid depleted salt stream.    (I) is an alkylation KF waste stream.    USE -   The process removes dissolved organic cpds. from an aq. KF stream. The treated stream can then be subjected to electrodialytic splitting to form HF and KOH. The HF can be concentrated and used commercially.    ADVANTAGE -   By electrodialytic water splitting of KF to HF and KOH, both potassium and fluoride values are recovered.
A composting unit has a horizontal rotatable aeration drum (50) in a housing (22) connected to receive waste from a toilet. The drum has a wide end (72) with a liq. outlet (76) and a narrow end (70) with an outlet to discharge decomposed solid radially into the housing where it is held until periodically removed. The drum ends are pref. of constant diameter over a section of the drum with the wide end section longer than the narrow end, and are linked by an inclined section. There may be a removable receptacle (38) under the narrow end to hold solid until decomposition is completed. The housing may have openings for addn. of conditioners and accelerators, and an electric fan for air circulation in the housing.    ADVANTAGE -   The drum favours sepn. of dried decomposed waste while maintaining a moist environment for decomposition, and minimises escape of noxious odours.
Vinyl chloride resin bag comprises a vinyl chloride resin cylinder (4) open at upper and lower ends and a string (5) at the upper part of the cylinder. The vinyl chloride resin bag comprises a vinyl chloride resin cylinder of which pref. one part is transparent and the vinyl chloride resin bag comprises a ring-shaped solid substance (6) at the lower part of the vinyl chloride resin cylinder.    USE -   Used to cover crude refuse from domestic kitchens during compositing.    ADVANTAGE -   Crude refuse is converted to compost in the vinyl chloride resin bag on the earth without generation of bad smells when the crude refuse cannot be injected to a crude refuse treating vessel.
Appts. to remove water from crude waste use injected into the appts. by crushing and discharge the dewatered crude to an axis passage (Th), comprises an exit passage having an inner shape gradually larger to its exit side and vibration applying means comprising a piezoelectric element at the exit passage and power supply circuit for supplying ac to the piezoelectric element.    USE/ADVANTAGE -   Used to remove water from crude waste discharged from kitchens to transport it easily. The dewatered crude waste can move in the exit passage smoothly without clogging.
Culture media comprise pieces of e.g. exodermis of graminoid grains, having air-maintaining hollows. Pref., the pieces contain proteins (at least 20 wt.%) and/or fats (at least 5 wt.%), and opt. chlorophyll.    Also claimed is the prepn. of the culture media by eliminating the buds from the germinated barley, crushing, boiling the crushed barley in water, and removing the liq. from the solid. Also claimed is a garbage disposal appts. which comprises a bioreactor chamber in which the culture media are placed.    The materials for preparing the culture media re pref. obtd. from beer brewing by sepn. of the extract from the boiled malt. The boiled malt residue comprises boat-formed small pieces of the exodermis which contains at least 20% proteins and at least 5% fats. The proteins and fats act as nutrients in the medium for the microorganisms.    USE/ADVANTAGE -   The culture media can be used in decomposing garbage (e.g. meal waste, vegetable waste, fish or meat waste, without generation of ammonia odour. Chlorophyll acts as an inclusion cpd. to prevent generation of acetic acid odour. The medium can be prepd. from the waste of beer prodn. The aerobic microorganisms (e.g. Bacillus) can grow on the medium because oxygen is supplied from the hollows and it contains no lignin or phenol which has antimicrobial activity and is contained in sawdust used as the media.
Mixt. of fermented soybeans or cooked and seasoned soybeans and alginic acid salt aq. soln. is moulded, frozen and contacted with calcium salt aq. soln. to form an ice layer on the surface.    ADVANTAGE -   Stickiness of fermented soybeans is reduced and the solid state is maintained for a specified time after removing from the freezer. Processing of fermented soybeans is easily carried out.
Waste material (16), esp. refuse, is thermally treated by being conveyed through the drum (30) of a rotary kiln (1) and subjected to a gaseous oxidant (26) which forms flames (28) with the volatile constituents (27) of the waste above the material. The heat thus generated leads to the release of further volatile constituents. The solids sepd. from the volatiles are recovered as refuse-coke, and the volatile constituents are recovered as a combustible gas. Also claimed is an appts. having a rotary kiln with a lance (18) for the oxidant projecting into it, whereby the lance has outlets for the oxidant along its entire length.    USE -   For the disposal of household and industrial refuse.    ADVANTAGE -   The waste material needs no pre-treatment. The volume of off-gas is reduced by up to 80 percent compared with that from conventional processes, and the overhead firing does not result in the carry-over of particulate matter associated with grate incinerators. The waste gas can be used as a fuel in other applications. The relatively low temperatures in the reaction chamber result in reduced thermal stresses of the materials of construction.
Waste substances, e.g. household refuse, sewage sludge, are pyrolysed in a rotary kiln and the resultant pyrolysis coke is, after mechanical processing, converted into a synthesis gas in a gasification cyclone using oxygen. The gas generated in the pyrolysis stage is fed directly into the gasification cyclone whilst still hot, and the C in the coke and the H2 in the pyrolysis gas are converted into a CO/H2rich synthesis gas at above 1400 C.    Also claimed is a plant for utilising waste materials, having a rotary kiln whose outlet for the pyrolysis coke is connected to a liq. phase gasification cyclone via a mechanical prepn. stage; the pyrolysis gas outlet being connected to the cyclone via a dust separator.    USE -   The method is used for the disposal of waste materials such as household refuse and sewage sludge.    ADVANTAGE -   Condensible constituents of the pyrolysis gas are converted into a useful product instead of being allowed to condense and form undesirable further waste.
In the generation of an ethane-rich fraction for use as make-up in the cooling circuit in a process for liquefying a hydrocarbon-rich fraction, a side-stream of the already liquefied hydrocarbon fraction is fed to a C1/C2/C3+ fractionating column. An ethane-rich fraction is drawn off from the middle of the fractionating column and mixed with the ethane-bearing cooling medium.    USE -   The method is used for generating an ethane-rich mixture to make up the losses from the cooling circuit in plants for the liquefaction of, e.g. natural gas.    ADVANTAGE -   Ethane is obtd. more cost effectively, and operation of the ethane recovery process for 1-3 days produces sufficient ethane for several weeks of operation of the liquefaction plant.
Anaerobic fermentation of solid organic waste takes place in a reactor tank (1) in which there is a mixt. of solid organic substances and an anaerobic fluid, in which a layer of material (10) floating on a methane generating fluid is moved from a supply end (7) of the reactor to a discharge end (12) and a methane generating reaction is induced in the methane generating fluid. Fluid extracted from the fluid under the floating layer is fed (via lines 16, 18) to nozzles (19) which spray the fluid into or onto the floating layer in order to induce fermentation in the floating layer and, by percolation, to remove acid fermentation prods. from the floating layer and deliver them to the methane generating zone. The floating layer (10) is moved (11) in a controlled manner so that the fermentation can take place in the floating layer. Also claimed is the reactor used in the fermentation process.    USE -   The reactor is used in the anaerobic fermentation of e.g. vegetable, fruit, garden, household and organic industrial waste.    ADVANTAGE -   Residence times in the floating and methane generating layers can be different and controlled independently without complicated appts., while fermentation in the floating layer is enhanced.
The air in a composting system which includes an aerobic composting reactor, is controlled by: (a) sucking out the composting air; (b) cooling the air with washing water after pressing it into an air washer; (c) withdrawing part of the composting air; (d) throttling the rest of the composting air; and (e) mixing this with fresh air, and recirculating it to the reactor.    The air withdrawn in (c) is passed through 1 or more serially-connected container contg. composted organic material. NH3-contg. condensate is continuously withdrawn from the air washer, stripped in an ammonia washer with the exit air, and passed through the serially-connected container(s).    USE -   A considerable amt. of composting heat is generated which can be transferred to a heating system via a heat exchanger, and ammonia is evaporated which can be collected and used as a soil conditioner.    ADVANTAGE -   The control ensures a very high degradation rate by controlling the oxyen supply for the composting and the water content in the organic material.
Self-foaming, soap-free shaving gel compsn. comprises (by wt.): 65-85% H2O; 4-16% N-(10-20C)acyl sarcosine (I); 1-6% organic amine base (II) to solubilise (I) and provide pH 4-8; 1-8% self-foaming agent (III); 1-8% nonionic surfacant (IV); and 1-10% non-volatile paraffinic hydrocarbon fluid (V).    ADVANTAGE -   The soap-free foaming shave gel compsn. maintains superior performance attributes while avoiding the harshness and drying associated with soap-based preparations.
Furfurol concn. can be doubled in hydrolysates obtd. as a by-prod. from wood processing for alcohol and yeast prodn. by using conifer wood as the raw material for hydrolysis. A wood mass of the following compsn. is recommended as the source (wt. %): shavings 30 mm in size (1.9-11.7), quality standardised shavings 10 mm (16.2-20.2), bark (9.9-12.9) and rotten wood (62.2-65.0).    USE -   The process can be used in wood reprocessing and furfurol mfr.    ADVANTAGE -   Furfurol hydrolysate content is increased to 0.04595-0.0607 % and the effluent vol. is reduced.
The reformer which consists of a container contg. more than one reforming tube filled with a reforming catalyst bed and in which a reaction gas consisting of a mixt. of a raw material fuel and steam is introduced into the reforming tubes and a heating fluid such as a combustion gas is sent to the outside of the reforming tubes to heat the reforming tubes and reform the reaction gas into a fuel gas contg. mainly hydrogen, has a noble metal catalyst packed at the entrances to the catalyst beds in the reforming tubes.    ADVANTAGE -   Since hydrocarbons with a number of carbon of at least two contained in the raw material fuel are completely decomposed to methane with the ruthenium catalyst, the deposit of carbon on the nickel catalyst can be prevented.
Excess sludge, leached coffee and tea residue, sludge contg. diatomaceous earth, and calcium carbonate cakes, are mixed with seed material (A) and their mixture is then composted. (A) Is made by composting mixt. of excess sludge, organic food waste, cattle excreta and calcium oxide. Mixing ratio of organic waste to (A) is 100:(1.5-15).    Facilities are also claimed.    USE/ADVANTAGE -   Used for composting organic waste. Method is capable of composting organic waste without generating malodours.
Crude refuse treatment appts. comprises treatment appts., main body (1); treatment tank (4) fitted with an opening (4a) at its upper part and placed in main body; and stirring rods (9) to stir crude refuse in treatment tank to cause decomposition by fermentation. Treatment tank is rotatable. A part (10) of sidewall of main body is formed by part of wall of treatment tank to open or close tank according to rotation of treatment tank. The opening of treatment tank is exposed from part of sidewall of main body.    USE/ADVANTAGE -   Used to decompose crude refuse discharged from domestic homes by mixing and fermentation. Crude refuse treatment appts. is simplified and waste after treatment, is easily removed. The treatment tank is easily cleaned.
Crude refuse treatment appts. has a storing vessel (14) to store bacteria beds (46) at its base and crude refuse (16) e.g. leftover food; injection hole (12a) connected to upper part of storing vessel to inject crude refuse; and rotatable stirring wings (28) placed in the storing vessel to mix bacteria beds and crude refuse, uniformly. The storing vessel comprises a cylindrical bottom and rotation shaft (26) placed near to centre and extending horizontally and fitted with the stirring wings arranged at set distances in axial direction and extended to radial direction forming twists of given pitches. Stirring wings are rotated to clockwise direction and to anticlockwise direction, alternately to move crude refuse and bacteria beds for mixing.    USE/ADVANTAGE -   Used to treat crude refuse discharged from domestic homes, e.g. refuse of vegetables, fish, rice. Crude refuse and bacteria beds are effectively and uniformly mixed and decomposed rapidly for use as compost.
Purificn. of metal-contaminated, sulphate-rich, acidic water is effected by treatment with immobilised sulphate-reducing microorganisms in the presence of a C source, so that: (a) the resulting sulphide causes pptn. of heavy metal sulphides and As; (b) cations are partly reduced by the sulphide; (c) uranium is pptd. as the oxysulphide and/or as a U(IV) cpd.; (d) radium is bound by growing microorganisms by biosorption and/or bioaccumulation; and (e) proton consumption during sulphate reduction shifts the pH to neutral of weakly alkaline.    ADVANTAGE -   The process is inexpensive to operate (only small amts. of cheap C sources are required) and produces only small amts. of sludge for disposal.
The bulk waste is first mechanically size-reduced and thermally dried. After size reduction, the waste passes into an intermediate storage container. The material is dried to below 30% water content, in order to prevent biological activity of micro-organisms. In this process, the waste reaches temps. between 80 C and 120 C. Thermal drying is carried out under reduced air pressure. The dryer is any of the following: belt, drum, disk, kneading, screw or chamber dryer.    USE -   To treat waste for storage and transport by preventing undesirable biological activity and reducing wt.    ADVANTAGE -   Effectively stabilises waste with a high proportion of organic material for storage and transport purposes through compaction and drying to below 30% moisture. Most of the organisms are killed by heating and the use of microwaves.
Foreign materials such as buttons, sliding clasp fasteners and metals are removed from natural fibre textile materials, which are then cut into 5 mm long pieces. The product is used in composts for growing plants and assists in retention of water and nutrients.    ADVANTAGE -   Avoids necessity of burning waste, using it for biological recycling.
A composter has at least three vertically stacked compartments (A,B,C), a top inlet (99) and a bottom outlet (100), each pref. with a closure. Each compartment above the lowest has a shelf (93,94) to support material being composted and which facilitate the serial cascading of materials as more material is loaded. Also claimed is a method of composting which comprises loading an initial amt. of material into the composter and subsequently loading additional material via inlet, until composted material accumulates in the bottom compartment.    USE -   The appts. is useful as a garden composter.    ADVANTAGE -   The compact appts. ensures that the oldest material is accessible for use before the newer material.
Biodegradation of crude oil wastes and recovery of contaminated land is by: (i) reacting an alkaline salt with an extracted waste-contg. sludge in a container under constant humidity; (ii) adding black earth to neutralise the sludge and to degrade the oil waste; (iii) enriching the sludge by adding high humidity sawdust, rice husks, sugar cane, bagasse or animal excrement; and (iv) degrading the sludge organically by fermentation or putrefaction.    ADVANTAGE -   Process is an improvement on leaching methods. It can be effected using cheap materials with the degradation being by anaerobic bacteria.
Methane is reacted with oxygen in the molar ratio 1-4:1 and at 750-800C in the presence of a catalyst contg. sodium carbonate and calcium oxide in the molar ratio 0.01-0.25:1, to yield higher hydrocarbons.     The volumetric flow rate for the process is 720-44000 h-1.     In an example, a soln. of 0.106 g Na2 CO3 in 10 ml distilled water was added to 10.0 g CaCO3 . The mixt. was evapd. and heated to 950C for 2 hours. 0.5 cc of catalyst were loaded into a quartz reactor and a 2:1 CH4 /O2 mixt. fed through at 800C at a volumetric rate of 4100 h. The percentage yields w.r.t. CH4 were: C2 H4 17.2, C2 H6 3.8, ~EC3 2.0, ~EC6 -C10 aromatics 0.2, overall 23.2, ~ECO + CO220.4, cpds. contg. oxygen 0.1.    ADVANTAGE -   The proposed catalyst gives an improvement in productivity.
Purificn. of the prod. gas produced in a coal gasifying reactor in a reducing atmos. at high temps. and pressures comprises spraying a desulphuriser comprising one or a mixt. of limestone, calcium hydroxide, hydrated and quick lime, barium oxide, hydroxide and carbonate, magnesium oxide and hydroxide, cement clinker and cement over a prod. gas at a gas temp. of about 1000 C and introducing the gas into a cyclone arranged downstream. A jet-layer coal gasifying reactor is arranged downstream to the cyclone, a slag-packed layer packed with the slag drawn from the lower part of the reactor is formed, and the gas from the outlet of the cyclone is introduced into the slag-packed layer to remove dust and desulphurise.    ADVANTAGE -   The process is inexpensive, compared with conventional processes using ceramic filters, allows adjustment of the dust-removing performance and permits stabilising treatment of fine particles captured in the packed tower and moving layer without influencing the jet layer reactor. The particles are reusable as a SO2 absorber.
Refrigerant consists of a mixt. of pentafluoroethane (HFC125) and propane (HC290).    USE -   The refrigerant is suitable to freezing chamber requiring -45 - -55 C of temp..    ADVANTAGE -   The refrigerant secures positive press. of vaporisation press. up to the temp. range of -52 - -55.7 C so that the burden to compressor is lightened and has total O.P. n umber of and non-combustibility.
Municipal waste treatment includes: (a) introducing a part of the wet waste into a pre-culture tank (10, and feeding organic decomposed microorganisms of fermentation soln. obtd. from a reaction tank (12) to form pre-culture; (b) introducing the residual part of the wet waste into the reaction tank (12) and introducing the wet waste pre-cultured in the pre-culture tank (10) into the reaction tank (12) to effect microbial decomposition, so that the solids and the fermentation soln. are sepd from each other; and (c) removing the solids from the reaction tank (12) and circulating a part of the fermentation soln. from the reaction tank (12) to the preculture tank (10).    USE -   Used to treat municipal waste efficiently.    ADVANTAGE -   The wet waste in municipal waste is decomposed by the microorganisms including anaerobic bacteria, so that the modular components or generation of heat are prevented.
Solid organic material is resolved and liquefied by anaerobic fermentation while waste water and waste are mixed and restored.    USE -   Mixed waste water and waste drained from kitchens are purified and treated.    ADVANTAGE -   Resolution of the organic material may be promoted and treatment efficiency improved.
The desulphuriser comprises absorber, decarboxylation device for releasing carbon dioxide from cleaning agent absorbing sulphur cpd. and aerobic oxidiser for aerobically-oxidising the cleaning agent from which the carbon dioxide is released.    USE -   Hydrogen sulphide and other sulphur cpd. are removed from anaerobic biological reactive gas generated by anaerobic biological reaction of organic material.    ADVANTAGE -   Amt. of alkali used for neutralisation of mixt.- or treatment-agent can be reduced.
Device (A), has a drum like fermentation bath (B) that rotates around a horizontal axis in a housing, an outer lid (C) of the housing, and an inner lid (D) of the drum. A mechanism that opens or shuts (C) is linked with another mechanism that opens or shuts (D), so that by opening (C) (D) is made to open simultaneously.    USE/ADVANTAGE -   Used for treating domestic garbage. Garbage can be put into the fermentation bath with single motion. (1) is the fermentation bath, (36) is the outer lid, (12) is the inner lid, and (3) is the housing. An example of open and shut mechanism is illustrated in fig. 11, where (28 and 29) are rollers, (16) is a hinge with coil spring, and (17) is a hook.
Waste treating device (X), has a fermentation bath (A), a fermentation bed (B) carrying microorganism, a mixer (C), heater (D), a sensor (E) that detects the water content of (B), and a controller (F) that controls (D) according to the output of (E) to adjust the water content of (B) to a prefixed value. (F) also controls (C) according to the output of (E) to adjust the water content of (B) to a prefixed value. (X) also has a ventilator (G) controlled by (F) according to the output of (E) to adjust the water content of (B) to the prefixed value. (E) has electrodes and the water content of (B) is determined by the electric resistance between them.    USE -   Used for treating domestic waste.    ADVANTAGE -   The device maintains the water content of the fermentation bed at an optimum value for the growth of microorganism which decomposes waste.
Waste treating device has a fermentation bath with a lid, fermentation bed material, and a mixer. The mixer is run at regular intervals of more than 5 hours. The time interval can be fixed at 6, 8, or 12 hours.    USE -   Used for treating domestic waste.    ADVANTAGE -   Decomposition of waste may be stimulated.
Device has a fermentation bed (A) carrying microorganism. (A) is made of microparticles (B) of saw dust and wood chips (C). The vol. of one particle of (C) is 30 times larger than that of (B). The surface area of one particle of (C) is 10 times larger than that of (B). The concn. of (C) in (A) is 20-60 % of (B).    USE -   Used for treating domestic waste.    ADVANTAGE -   Owing to the slow fragmentation rate of (C) longer life of (A) is obtd. (A) is washable with water so that waste contg. high concn. of salts may be treated.
Pot like device (A) has a top lid, a mixer, and a ventilator. (A) is tubular, and the top can be opened. (A) is separable. The mixer comprises blades and a shaft with one end penetrating the wall of (A) and extrudes outside to which a rotating handle is attached. A water impermeable and gas permeable membrane coves the ventilator.    USE -   Used for treating domestic waste.    ADVANTAGE -   The device treat waste without generating odour.
CO2 fixing appts. has a closed reaction vessel contg.: (a) CO2 fixing algae in conditions capable of radiation of light; (b) a mechanism feeding a CO2contg. exhaust gas into the vessel; (c) a mechanism discharging treated gas from the vessel; and (d) a mechanism for supplying water to the algae.    ADVANTAGE -   The appts. is efficient and achieves a redn. of costs for use of water, operation of the blower and concn. and recovery of fine algae.
Prodn. of yoghurt comprises keeping a mixt. of milk with a seed yoghurt in a vessel in a rice boiling kiln at the external temp., and heating the vessel to mature the mixt. at a 1st temp. and then a 2nd temp.    USE -   Used for making yoghurt and boiled rice.
Enhancing plant growth properties of composted materials comprises adding free H3 PO4 and/or NHO3and/or organic acid to the compost to reduce the pH to 7.    pref. the acid is added at the end of composting. It is esp. absorbed onto a solid diluent or carrier and this is incorporated into the compost. The acid is provided by a solid material having acidic properties, esp. urea phosphate. The acid is incorporated into the compost while the compost is tumbled to distribute the acid throughout the mixt.. It is esp. added in aliquots to give the desired pH.    ADVANTAGE -   Acidification stops composting at a desired stage, e.g. to prevent excessive vol. redn.. It also improves the benefit to plants.
A method for dephosphorising manure, esp. pig manure, comprises: (i) dissolving phosphate (present at least partially in the form of phytate) in the manure; (ii) separating the manure into solid and liq. fractions; and (iii) removing the phosphate from the liq. fraction.    Also claimed is an installation for the process comprising at least one manure storage container and appts. for carrying out steps (i) and (iii).    USE -   The process is suitable for large-scale use, e.g. on a farm.    ADVANTAGE -   Transfer of the phosphate from the solid to a liq. fraction facilitates phosphate removal. The solid fraction, contg. organic material and a reduced amt. of phosphate, can be disposed of directly or composted, without polluting the environment with excessive phosphate. The liq. fraction can be conc. to recover a mineral-rich concentrate, which can be disposed of or used as a fertiliser. The final prod. is a clean liq. which can be drained or evapd. without damage to the environment.
In a process for the treatment of domestic refuse and other suitable materials, in which the organic constituents are first driven off as a gas, and the residual solid material is gasified in a high temp. reactor, the solid material is partly melted and partly gasified as it enters the reactor by a so-called `cutting torch'.    USE -   In refuse disposal plants where hydrogen is recovered from the gases generated from the feedstock.    ADVANTAGE -   The proportion of hydrogen is recovered from the gases generated from the feedstock.
A modular container (2) to rest on the ground, is formed of grid sections (4,6,8,10,12) where each has a rail (42) aligned inwards at the outer sides, for plastics panes (44) to be inserted in a sliding action.    The panes (44) are either transparent or clouded.    USE -   The container is for use as e.g. a cage for small animals, or to hold compost for storage or composting, or early beet.    ADVANTAGE -   The structure gives a grid container with a wide variety of applications, and which is easily assembled from the grid modules.
A method for the hydrolytic treatment of organic residue with a separate methane step without any intermediate steps comprises the following stages: (1) two-stage hydrolysis step comprising biomechanical dissolving of the substance and mesophilic treatment at a temp. greater than 37 C and (2) sepn. of solid and liq. components in a subsequent biogas reactor in which a horizontal flow is generated so that (partially) mineralised solids are removed from the reactor base and solid-free liq. is removed from the upper section of the reactor.    USE -   Suitable for the prepn. of methane from cattle manure, or for breaking down organic waste from disposal sites.    ADVANTAGE -   The biological solid degradation efficiency is increased.
Method comprises spraying with aq. bacterial suspension, storage until lipophilic content is reduced, and deposition in waste dump.    USE -   Microbiological treatment of shredder residues from the scrap metal process involves: (a) inoculation of the residues, carrying a wide variety of lipophilic substances, with an aq. bacterial suspension, by spraying, to a moisture content of 20%, (b) storing the inoculated residues, pref. on a sealed interlayer with a cover, at an initial content of lipophilic substances in the mass of 2 wt.%, for at least 30 days or until tests show that the content of lipophilic substances is not above 0.8%, and (c) lasting deposition of the mass in a domestic waste deposit. The process is pref. carried out batchwise.    ADVANTAGE -   The content of lipophilic substances is reduced as far as possible. The vol. of the mass is not greatly increased.
Polyesters (I) which are biodegradable under natural conditions by the action of microorganisms (e.g. as described in DIN 53739D) comprise polycondensation prods. with statistically distributed or alternating monomer units, derived from: (a) a mixt. of aliphatic and aromatic polyols and an aliphatic polycarboxylic acid or, (b) an aliphatic polyol, possibly with an aromatic polyol, and a mixt. of aromatic and aliphatic polycarboxylic acids, or (c) an aromatic hydroxy-monocarboxylic acid and an aliphatic hydroxy-monocarboxylic acid.    USE -   Used as biodegradable synthetic polymers, e.g. in the form of film or other prods.    ADVANTAGE -   The compsns. provide synthetic polymers which combine the good biodegradability of fully aliphatic polyesters with the good thermal and mechanical properties of fully aromatic polyesters.
Prodn. of a catalytically active substrate comprises arranging the substrate near to or in a plasma and implanting a metal in atomic and/or ionic form into the substrate and/or depositing on the substrate by sputtering a target contg. a metal.    An appts. for carrying out the process is claimed. The appts. comprises an evacuated container (10); a 1st electrode (20) and a 2nd electrode (22); a direct voltage (30) to apply a direct voltage to the electrodes; a device (32) to produce the plasma between the electrodes; a device (22) to support the substrate (26) neighbouring or in the plasma; and a device (20) to support the target (24).    Further claimed is a catalyst used to remove SO2 from a gas, and for oxidising methane.    ADVANTAGE -   Improved catalytic activity.
Composter comprises a cover (14) with one or more supports (111) to carry a sieve (60) when the cover (14) is inverted. The cover (14), under the sieve (60), gives a collection zone (113) for compost passed through the sieve. The mantle of the composter, the cover (14) and the shrouding (17) to carry out compost from the interior of the composter, are of recyclable polyethylene or another plastics material.    ADVANTAGE -   The composter contains an integrated component system to sieve the compost material for use.
A sediment contg. microbes, polynuclear aromatic hydrocarbons and petroleum hydrocarbons is compacted by: (a) contacting with (i) a biochemical oxidant for detoxifying a microbial toxin produced during microbial degradation of the polynuclear and aromatic hydrocarbons, and (ii) an organic fermentation by-prod.; (b) carrying out microbial degradation of the hydrocarbons; and (c) compacting the sediment by evolution of gaseous by-prods. from the contact.    ADVANTAGE -   The natural microbial degradation is accelerated.
Processing of biomasses of microbiological, animal or vegetable origin or biogenic sludges, esp. sewage sludge from biological water purificn. plants and lime-treated sewage sludge, contg. 5-90 wt.% solids comprises: (a) mixing the biomass or sludge with water-binding, swellable and ion-exchanging binder and porous rock dust and/or aerated concrete dust or wood dust, and (b) subjecting the mixt. to high pressure agglomeration by compression and subsequent rapid pressure release to generate heat which produces a hygienic prod. in the form of a consolidated organic-inorganic structural matrix.    USE -   The prod. is useful as a fertiliser or soil structure improver.    ADVANTAGE -   The method is simpler and cheaper to perform than the processes known from DE 3128673, DE 4138670, DE 2931949, DE 2812274, DE 1467395, DE 1467396, DE 146389, EP 301689, DE 2641627 and DE 2634849. The water removal is rapid, no externally generated heat is required and the prod. is rendered hygienic and formed in the same appts. The prod. is biodegradable and particulate with a low dust content and has good mechanical and storage stability coupled with long-term fertilizer activity and plant compatibility.
The unit contains manure collector (1) with water input to consistency of liquid suspension, pump (2) for transport to bioreactor (3), receiver (4) for emergency dump of organic mass; the bioreactor contg. thermo-insulating jacket (5), fermentation chamber (6) divided by vertical partition (7) to two sections: in larger section radiator (8) for heating of organic mass, and shaft (9) with blades of mill type for mixing. The organic mass is heated to 32-55 C to accelerate methane-oxygen fermentation; sepd. gaseous mixt. contg. methane and carbon dioxide saturated with water vapour is directed to water-separator (10) and gas-holder (11); gas is sepd. to methane and carbon dioxide; methane is directed to user and also recirculated to heating of water in boiler (12) for radiator. Fermented biomass is output to dehydrator (13) which contains two screens of box form; sepd. water at about 30 C is recirculated for dissolution of input organic mass; dehydrated biomass can be used as fertiliser.    USE -   The appts. is used on farms for prodn. of fertiliser from animal and also other organic by-prods.    ADVANTAGE -   Energy consumption is reduced, construction simplified and ecological cleanliness improved.
The facility includes a methane tank (1) in outer water filled jacket (2) and a heat generating windmill (14) with first (9) and second (10) heating loops. The first loop (9) is hydraulically connected with the jacket (2) and includes the sunlight collector (15) connected in series. The second loop (10) is connected with inner coil (3) of the jacket (2).    USE -   The forming in prodn. of methane gas from animal manure by anaerobic fermentation of the latter.    ADVANTAGE -   The facility has wider technical capability and is more productive.
Unit for biochemical purificn. of waste water contains an input chamber (1), aerotank (2), pump (3), hydro-elevator (4), biofilter (5) with spray system (6), filter load (7), and bottom (8), aeration columns (9), cowl (10) of triangular form and settling tank (11) with trough-collector (12) for purified water. The filter load contains spherical elements with indentations of pyramidal form and rounded edges.    USE -   The unit is used in the purificn. of household-communal and similar waste water for use in small settlements and prodn. units. It is also used in the chemical, microbiological and biotechnological industries.    ADVANTAGE -   The process is intensified due to increased time of contact with air oxygen. The time of the process is reduced by 10% with simultaneous improvement in quality of purificn. due to increased saturation with oxygen. The energy consumption is reduced by 20%. The pump can be disconnected for up to 6-12 hours, i.e. 2-3 times longer than in the prototype with retained biochemical activity.
Sulphur prodn. from gas which contains hydrogen sulphide by the Klaus method, includes the high temp. oxidn. of the initial gas, three stage catalytic oxidn. of the obtd. gas mixt. with extn. of the gaseous sulphur after thermal, first and second catalytic stages by cooling the gas mixt., and with adsorption of the formed sulphur into three catalytic stages. In the third catalytic stage the gas mixt. is fed with a vol. ratio of SO2 /H2 S = 0.1-0.4, and exhaust gases contg. 0.5 vol.% H2S are fed to the fourth catalytic stage.    USE -   The process relates to the conversion of gas contg. hydrogen sulphide to obtain elemental sulphur, and may be used during the purificn. of natural gas from hydrogen sulphide, gases from oil processing, coal or oil shale.    ADVANTAGE -    The yield of sulphur is increased to 99.9% and the amt. of SO2discharged into the atmos. is reduced.
The method consists of contacting a microbe which belongs to Pseudomonas, Bacilus, Escherichia or Serratia genus and is capable of decomposing organic nitro gen cpd. with a substance which contains aromatic organic nitrogen gps. to effect bio-degradation of the cpd.    ADVANTAGE -   The method produces organic nitrogen cpds. from petroleum and coal and makes it possible to refine petroleum and coal at normal temp. under normal pressure.
Soil conditioners prepd. by anaerobic fermentation, partic. of hyphae of mushrooms, of alternatively piled up marine prods., e.g. starfish and sea urchins, and peat or green soil under peat, partic. mixed with pulverised shells of shellfish and crabs, and fused Mg phosphate, or pulverised rocks.    Piled up raw materials are fermented anaerobically for 1-3 months and the formed liq. is mixed with pulverised rocks at ratios of 80-90:20-10 vol.%.    USE/ADVANTAGE -   Improvement of soil conditioning is obtd. Prevention of injury by continuous cropping and soil borne diseases, and improvement of sugar content in crops.    In an example, the compsns. were dispersed to field for vegetables and satisfactory crops were obtained. Field without dispersion of the compsn. showed complete loss of poor crops.
Domestic crude refuse treating machine (A) comprises a fermentation tank (1), outside frame (6) for covering the circumference of fermentation tank, stirring claw shaft (10) inserted to the central part of fermentation tank horizontally, and claws (11) fixed to the stirring claw shaft. The claws are rotated by the stirring shaft to stir crude refuse and the fermentation tank is supported by the stirring claw shaft rotatably to place the injection hole (1e) of tank downward by rotation when the contents are discharged.    USE/ADVANTAGE -   To decompose crude refuse discharged from kitchens by fermentation to obtain compost. A structure of machine is simplified and compost obtd. is easily taken out.
Rhodococcus rhodochrous EC12 decomposes ethylene cyanohydrin (EC) and uses the decomposate ammonia nitrogen.    USE -   The bacterium may be used in removal of EC discharged into waste water as by-prod. of using acrylonitrile.    ADVANTAGE -   Bacterium can take the decomposate ammonia of EC in the organism as nitrogen source for proteins or nucleic acids.
The appts. runs under its own control in both directions between parallel perpendicular walls, suspended on and/or supported by, rollers. Its scraper conveyor lifts up and transports the waste, throwing it off in the direction of travel. Its ejection opening may be varied in position, to equalise the height of the waste, stocking it beneath the device. As may be required, for e.g. in limited headroom in a tunnel composter, its height is reduced by retractable telescopic elements, flaps and folding devices, to allow free travel in both directions over the bed surface.    USE -   The appts. is used for the frequent turning of composting heaps, in order to assure maximum oxygen availability, with even distribution, accelerating the process.    ADVANTAGE -   Large agglomerates may be broken down by the cutters on the scraper conveyor and air is supplied evenly through the waste, thus accelerating the decomposition process.
Method and process for the treatment of waste organic matter comprises waste containers which are emptied at regular intervals, and humus production units. Waste is ducted into the storage compartment of the waste container and at least part of the contained fluid is separated. The contents of the storage compartment of the waste container are transferred to the humus production unit at regular intervals. Decomposition of the organic waste is started in the storage compartment.    USE -   The process can be used for the treatment of organic waste e.g. in the food industry, stores, restaurants and homes.    ADVANTAGE -   The method and process of the invention provide a substantially air-tight and closed system from the stage of waste grinding to the stage of humus production. The system is more convenient to use than the systems of prior art.
An aerosol antiperspirant compsn. comprises:(1) an aerosol concentrate comprising: (a) 10-25 wt.% of the compsn. of antiperspirant active; (b) 15-55 wt.% of the compsn. of liquid carrier; and (c) 0.05-3 wt.% of the compsn. of suspending agent; and (2) 20-50 wt.% of the compsn. of propellant. The concentrate has a viscosity of 10-10,000 centipoise.    ADVANTAGE -   The compsn. uses reduced amts. of the liquid propellant without causing clogging of the valve of the aerosol container, and provides for less cloud/gassiness. The compsn. provides drier feel and compact packing allowing easier handling, less waste and better value.
A hydrocarbon-polluted environment is decontaminated by: (a) analysing the pollutants and determining the type and quantity of hydrocarbons present; (b) selecting, on the basis of the analysis and the type of environment, two or more bacterial strains from the group Azotobacter vinlandii 21, Pseudomonas sp 9, sp 19, and sp 31, and Acinetobacter calcoaceticus 23; and (c) contacting the environment with the selected strains.    USE -   The environment is soil, fresh or salt water or industrial waste effluent; the pollutants may be anthracene, octadecane, decalin, and/or asphaltenes.
Appts. for mfg. garden compost comprises a closed container formed by wrapping a collar (8) around a rubber bucket (18) and adding, e.g. waste or manure to the bucket. An upper bucket (16) is secured upside down to the upper portion of the collar with fasteners (6). Holes (10) are provided to suspend the container on a pivot support rod in a frame. Buckets have indents (12) which match indents (2) of the collar for securing the buckets between an upper rib (14) and the bucket body. The container is rotated to turn and mix the material.    ADVANTAGE -   The appts. has an inexpensive arrangement for accelerated prodn. of compost.
The contaminated medium is treated with a biomass comprising a petroleum-oxidising bacterium and a fertiliser as nutrient. A suitable bacterium is Rhodococcus sp. VKPM S-1267, in an amount of 1 g of dry mass per m2 of contaminated medium.    USE -   The method removes petroleum prods. from water and soil.    ADVANTAGE -   The bacterium degrades petroleum products at the low temps. occurring in northern regions, reducing an initial level of 469 to 9.4 mg in 4 days at 28-30 C and to 9.7 mg in 4 days at 4-5 C
Organic waste is decomposed with a cultured microorganism gp. or a microorganism gp., in the organic waste. A bio reaction is effected by adding a pH buffer to organic waste to retain the pH in a predetermined range. The pH buffer contains an inorganic cpd. or an organic cpd. having an acid dissociation index of 5.8-8.4.    Also claimed is treatment appts. having (a) a bio reaction chamber for decomposing the organic waste with the microorganism; (b) an inlet for passing the organic waste in the bio reaction chamber; and (c) a pH conditioning part for supplying the pH buffer into the bio reaction chamber. A moisture evapn. assistant for increasing the moisture evapn. area in the organic waste is filled in the bio reaction chamber.    USE/ADVANTAGE -   Used to treat organic waste, including kitchen waste. Adjusting the pH retains the pH in the predetermined range for two months. A pH of 5.8-8.4 accelerates the decomposition of malodorous components, including ammonia, amine, mercaptan and methyl sulphide.
Compost is produced from putrefactive waste, partic. pasty pulverised and kneaded putrefactive waste, and/or water content of 50-65%, by fermentation with Bacillus sp. GallusX (FERM P-14331). Growth of microorganisms is suppressed at the initial stage of fermentation with elevated temp., partic. at 40-70 deg. C, by pulverisation and kneading, or heating the pasty waste under poor oxygen condition. The treated pasty mixt. is contacted with air to accelerate the growth of surviving microorganisms under poor oxygen and elevated temp., partic. Bacillus sp. GallusX is added prior to process 2). Excreta is treated by the claimed process using Bacillus sp. GallusX (FERM P-14331) at 45-70, pref. 50-60 deg. C under water content of 50-65 %.    USE/ADVANTAGE -   The prodn. of compost using excreta. Economical and easily controlled prodn. of compost excluding facultative anaerobe and bad odours.    In an example, in a tower 1000kg of excreta contg. about 75 % water and 800 kg of compost, made from cattle excreta contg. about 20 % water, were placed to make water content about 56 %, then mixed and kneaded to make pasty mixt. The mixt. was then contacted with air to raise temp. to about 70 deg. C in 4-5 hrs. and allowed to stand for 4 days with daily turnover to give the aimed compost.
Prodn. of bean cake-like fertiliser from waste edible oil comprises (1) mixing oil with rice bran and/or soybean meal (e.g. soybean curd waste), with partic. further addn. of sodium bicarbonate, iron powder, calcium and charcoal, and fermentation, and (2) adding and mixing aluminium silicate rich soil nd actinomycetes with partic. further addn. of a lipase and fermentation. The whole process is pref. carried out in flexible synthetic resin bags.    In the process (1), waste edible oil, rice bran, or soybean curd waste are pref. mixed at ratios of 1:2.5-3. In the process (2), aluminium silicate rich soil is added at about 1.5 fold to the total wt. of fermented prod. in process (1). The whole process is pref. carried out in dark coloured synthetic resin bags.    USE/ADVANTAGE -   Prodn. of fertiliser. New use of waste edible oil.    In an example, a black vinyl bag, 1 kg of waste edible oil and 2.5 kg of rice bran were filled, mixed and 10 g of NaHCO3 was added. The bag was allowed to stand for about 1 month with occasional turnover. Then, about 1.5 fold aluminium silicate rich soil and 10 g of actinomycetes were added and allowed to stand for about 1 month at about 30-40 deg.C to give the aimed fertiliser.
Compost is prepd. from beer waste by fermentation with subcultured mixt. of at least 1 of Trichoderma sp., partic. Trichoderma viride and/or T. lignollum, photosynthetic bacteria, partic. Rhodospirillum, Rhodopseudomonas and Rhodobacter, lactic acid-forming bacteria, partic. Lactobacilli, Diococcus and Leuconostoc, and nitrate reductive bacteria, partic. Pseudomonas, Paracoccus, Aquaspirillum, Superoterium, in barley juice with added hops.    Pref. at least bacteria is subcultured in a medium prepd. from 10-20 times diluted juice of barley with added hop at 10-35 (20-30) deg. C for 1-4, pref. 3 days. The obtd. subculture is used for fermentation of waste of beer at 2-4 L/cm3 of the waste upto 60 deg. C for 15-20 days with occasional turnover.    ADVANTAGE -   High quality compost is rapidly obtd. without malodour.    In an example, in 50 m3 of beer waste, 100 of subcultured soln. contg. Trichoderma viride JCM1875, a mixt. of photosynthetic and lactic acid-forming bacteria and Superoterium nitrobacter was dispersed and cultured upto 60 deg. C for 19 days with occasional turnover to give compost.
Organic fertilisers is mfd. by fermenting a mixt. of residues from food and drink mfg. processes and waste from trees and plants. Pref. the water content of the mixt. is adjusted to 40-70% and mixt. is fermented aerobically by passing air through the mixt. in an amt. of 0.1-1.8 l/min/kg of mixt. and the mixt. is stirred 1-3 times/day.    USE/ADVANTAGE -   For mfg. organic fertilisers, from the residues of food and drink mfg. process dumped formerly, e.g. beer dregs and waste from trees and plants, e.g. pruned branches. The mixt. of the residues and waste can be fermented sufficiently by adjusting its water content suitably for fermenting.
The activated carbon is obtd. by using CO2-fixed fine algae biomass as a carbon source.    Also claimed the prepn. of activated carbon by carbonising and activating CO2-fixed fine algae biomass to convert it into activated carbon. An alternative prepn. of activated carbon comprises carbonising CO2-fixed fine algae biomass at 500-800C and activating the obtained carbon in an activating gas atmos. such as steam, CO2 and O2 to convert it into activated carbon. Also claimed is another prepn. of activated carbon by carbonising and activating CO2-fixed fine algae biomass in the presence of steam, CO2 or O2 to convert it into activated carbon.    USE -   Used as an adsorbent in water or gas treatment and as a catalyst for various reactions.    ADVANTAGE -   Activated carbon can be produced from CO2-fixed fine algae. A large amt. of algae biomass to which CO2 is fixed can be converted into useful activated carbon.
Organic waste treatment equipment comprises gas-recovering system (14) connected to digesting tank (4) and recover methane gas generated; a first heat medium generating device (16) connected to the gas recovery system and generating heat medium by burning the methane gas; heat accumulator (19) to accumulate the generated first heat medium; and a first heater (42) to heat organic waste in the digesting tank by accumulated heat.    ADVANTAGE -   Methane gas is effectively utilised.
Organism treatment of refuse comprises: (1) crushing refuse to form refuse water slurry; (2) concentrating refuse water slurry; (3) anaerobically treating the concn. refuse water slurry using microorganisms and solubilising; and (4) aerobically treating liq. from anaerobic organic treatment.    ADVANTAGE -   Malodours are eliminated.
Fermentation treatment appts. comprises horizontal long fermentation tank (1) having groove-shaped section to ferment organic materials moving it; stirring machine (13) shifting along longitudinal direction of fermentation tank to stir and shift organic materials; an odour collector composed of hood (14) placed above stirring machine; and suction blower (15) shifting along shift path of stirring machine and connected to deodorising appts. (10) at its discharge side.    USE/ADVANTAGE -   Ferments crude refuse generated from domestic homes, agricultural or fishery waste discharged from markets or food residues discharged from restaurants to reduce its vol. or produce compost. Strong malodours are effectively removed and working environment of appts. is increased.
Deodoriser is mixed with garbage and is produced by mixing with cattle's dung.    USE/ADVANTAGE -   Used for deodorising the smells generated in the fermentation process of garbage. Production cost is low.    In an example, cattles dung was composted in open air for 3 years, 1kg of garbage and 10-15g of (EM) bacteria was mixed and their mixture composted in an air tight chamber for 5 days then added with 30g of deodoriser and left for 3 days. Garbage was totally composted without generating smells.
Device is equipped with fermentation bath with adjustable bottom; multiple rotating mixers with parallel and horizontal vanes; injection port of warm air installed under lowest vanes hatch at bottom of fermentation bath; and a drawer-like stocker that receives decomposed residue through the hatch. System injects deodorising liq. contg. bacteria into fermentation bath. Temp. of air injection into fermentation bath through port is 40-80 deg C. Inner surface of fermentation bath (at least 2/3 depth from bottom) is coated with ultra-red paint.    USE/ADVANTAGE -   Used for treating garbage of restaurants and hotels. System does not generate odours and due to hot air injection can prevent bacteria growth which are harmful to fermentation.
In a crude refuse treating machine comprises treating tank (1) having stirring wings (3) driven by a motor (2) and adjust material for (4) adjusting water content, used as microorganism carriers and consisting of sawdust or wood powder. Ozone deodoriser (5) is provided at exhaust hole (18) for ventilation.    Also claimed is crude refuse-treating machine comprising exhaust tube fitted with exhaust hole at its one end and placed in door to close opening of treating tank, and ozone deodoriser provided at exhaust tube.    USE/ADVANTAGE -   Used for treating crude refuse discharged from domestic homes by decomposing it by fermentation using microorganism. Malodours are not discharged externally and the ability to deodorise can be maintained for a long time.
Crude refuse treating machine comprises treating tank (1) having stirring wings (3) driven by motor (2); adjust material (4) which is used for adjusting water content and as microorganism carriers and consists of sawdust or wood powder and is placed in treatment tank, detector (5) to detect number of rotation of stirring wings; controller (C) to control motor; and heater to accelerate decomposition.    USE/ADVANTAGE -   Used for treating crude refuse discharged from domestic homes by decomposing it by fermentation using microorganisms. Motor and heater are controlled by detecting injection amt. of crude refuse, water content or state of adjust material from number of rotation of stirring wings.
Crude refuse treatment appts. comprises crude refuse-treatment tank (12) having a lid; culture bed material (23) contg. microorganisms injected into the treating tank; electric motor (16) provided in treatment tank; shaft (17) driven by electric motor and placed in treatment tank; and stirring wind (18) attached to shaft to stir inside of treatment tank. Concave culture bed material storing parts (19) are formed at circumference of shaft.    USE/ADVANTAGE -   Used for treating crude refuse from domestic homes. Crude refuse is contacted with culture bed material uniformly. When shaft is entangled with long fibrous crude refuse, entangled crude refuse is decomposed by microorganisms present at concave parts to decompose crude refuse, effectively.
Garbage-decomposing device is equipped with garbage fermentation bath contg. bacteria carrier which carries aerobic bacteria, a mixer with rotating vanes, and a ventilator. A plane heater is installed on baths outer surface. Bath is made of polyolefin resin such as polypropylene and polyethylene. Temp. controller is installed in device which controls temp. of baths inner surface between 20 and 40 deg. C.    USE/ADVANTAGE -   Used for decomposing domestic garbage. Due to plane heater, temp. variance inside fermentation bath can be kept small so that energy cost can be reduced.
Crude refuse treating machine comprises a treating tank (4), stirring wings (2), exhaust appts., controller (24) and frame body (1) to decompose crude refuse by microorganisms by placing microorganisms in saw dust culture medium in treating tank, injecting crude refuse to the treating tank and stirring. The stirring wings are rotated naturally and reversed periodically and locking of driving motor for stirring is detected based on stop signal of normal rotation and reverse rotation.    USE/ADVANTAGE -   Used for detecting locking of stirring wings caused by mixing of impurity in crude refuse-treating machine for treating crude refuse discharged from domestic homes. Locking of electric motor can easily be detected by using inexpensive mechanism accurately to increase safety of crude refuse-treating machine.
The crude refuse treating machine comprises a treating tank, stirrer, controller and frame body for decomposing crude refuse by action of microorganisms by placing microorganisms in a culture medium, e.g. saw dust, in the treating tank, injecting crude refuse to the treating tank and stirring them. The crude refuse is decomposed by using a culture medium formed by mixing coffee grounds with sawdust.    USE/ADVANTAGE -   To decompose crude refuse by using coffee grounds as deodorising agent. By adding coffee grounds to sawdust, blocking of crude refuse is retarded and oxygen can be supplied to microorganisms sufficiently to increase the ability to decompose the crude refuse and extend a life of culture medium. Bad smells are not produced by the crude refuse treating machine.
An aerobic treatment oxidiser is connected to the output of a S cpd. absorption unit in which porous plate trays are vertically stacked.    ADVANTAGE -   Gas with high methane content can be produced.
Hydrophobic growth factors used for microorganisms are prepd. by coating a microorganism growth factor with a solid hydrophobic organic cpd. (specifically wax or higher satd. fatty acid) in which the microorganism (e.g. Pseudomonas, Arthrobacter, Acinetobacter, Corynebacterium, Flavobacterium) has oil-decomposing ability. Also claimed is a method for treatment of pollutant oil which comprises making hydrophobic growth factors contact with the pollutant oil in the presence of the microorganism.    USE -   The factors can be used in decompsn. of pollutant oils flowing out in sea, river etc. or seeping into the soil at oil stockpiling bases or construction sites. The factors may be sprayed at 10-70 wt.% suspension (pref. 30-50 wt.%) in an aq. solvent to the oil-contaminating material or place at a rate of 200-1000 ml/l. litre pollutant oil.    ADVANTAGE -   The organic cpd. coating the factor dissolves in the oil and is readily decomposed by the microorganism to cause no secondary pollution.
A gram-positive bacterium of Rhodococcus (Rhodococcus sp. RH A1, FERM P-14342) which can metabolise biphenyl and polychlorinated biphenyl (PCB) is new.    USE -   The bacteria can be used in removal or detection of highly stable pollutants, biphenyl and PCB, partic. 2,4,4',4'-chlorinated one, in polluted soil or water.    ADVANTAGE -   By the treatment of pollutants by microorganisms, it is possible to simplify the equipment, reduce energy consumption, make automation simple, recover the metabolised prod. and reduce the total cost.
The solids-heating rotary kiln is very suitable for waste (A) pyrolysis. Within (13) the drum (8), parallel tubes (12) are heated by an internal flow of hot gases (h). At the colder end of the tubes, in the last-thirds of their length, turbulators (4), i.e. turbulence inducing rings, are located on the inner tube surfaces. The rings are pref. of stainless steel, rectangular or round in cross section, and offset from each other by given distance; fastened to a pair of locating wires (42) running through, either inside or outside the rings.    USE -   Provides a method of raising the heat transfer coefficient of a hot tube, in a specific location along its length, by the insertion of an assembly of bluff bodies, to bring about a local increase in heat transfer. The physical length of a tube-heated rotary kiln may be reduced for the same overall heat transfer. The efficiency or an existing kiln of this type may be raised by these means.    ADVANTAGE -   Inclined drums of the kind described, often in the form of rotary kilns. heat solids fed at the upper end, in counter current with the gases, which is fed from the lower end, such that hottest gas meets the already heated solids. In the case described, the gas is fed into tubes, keeping it separate from the solids, and relying on heat transfer through the tube walls. This allows a material to be carbonised in the drum, and the vapours the gases evolved, to be collected separately. The equipment is esp. suitable for the low temperature carbonisation of waste, often called pyrolysis, producing a combustible, carbon rich char. Unfortunately, where the solids are fed, they enter with a particularly high heating requirement; they must be heated up from cold, and in particular, can have a high moisture content. In this region, the gases in the heating tubes are at their coldest yet here there is a demand for max. heat transfer.
Decontamination of soil or building waste contg. hydrocarbons to allow re-use comprises mixing the soil or waste with rubber particles, pref. from scrap tyres; placing the mixt. in a container after leaving for hours or days; treating with at least twice the vol. of water and stirring, so that light particles contg. hydrocarbon are discharged; and drying, giving soil or waste with a lower hydrocarbon content and modified structure.    ADVANTAGE -   The technique greatly reduces the cost of decontaminating highly contaminated soil or waste and also improves the soil structure.
A contaminant is removed from a contaminated reusable material (92) by placing the contaminated material (92) into a tank (12) and circulating a cleaning fluid (112) around it so that contaminant is sepd. out and floats to the top (114) of the cleaning fluid (112). Floating contaminant is then drawn off (32) and removed from the tank (12).    Also claimed is a tank for removing contaminants, which has a skimming operation in one of its walls, a fluid-circulation manifold and pump, and a contaminant container connected to the skimming opening.    USE -   Removing hydrocarbon contaminates from e.g. mats, rubber beads, air filters and oil filters.    ADVANTAGE -   Cleaning agents are used more effectively. The appts. is efficient, durable and economical to mfr.
The appts. for sepg. the components of a mixt. has a generally funnel-shaped casing (106) fitted with an end cap which carries a central tubular assembly (112,112B). A pipe (130A) is mounted to direct the mixt. to the tube (112B), and the casing (106) has a port near its larger end for introducing a pressurised fluid into the annular chamber (134). This fluid passes into the tube (112B), which extends through the end cap, via an annular passageway defined by angled members (152,156).    USE -   The appts. is used to remove water from mixts. such as coal slurries, sewage, sludges, and animal manure.    ADVANTAGE -   The appts. is relatively simple, can be adjusted readily to accommodate different types of mixt., and does not use heated fluid for drying purposes. It can process large amts. of mixts., and is easily operated.
The collection of grain crops includes cutting the crop, rolling the ear-part, flattening and cutting the stalks to a length of 2-3 cm, loading the heaps to transport vehicles, transporting them to a stationary unit for processing by anaerobic fermentation, the small fraction of the non-grain part in a mixt. with liq. manure in methane-tanks for obtaining fertiliser, and mixing the large fraction of the non-grain part with manure for obtaining compost. Additional disintegration of heaps is carried out under the action of ventilators and by division to fractions in a pulsating airflow. In the process of anaerobic fermentation the utilisation of heat is made by input of polluted air from farm units. The compost mass is loaded in a depository and covered to obtain rarefaction for the control of the process of anaerobic fermentation. By-prods. are bio-gas and ammonia-water.    USE -   The process is used in agriculture in collecting grain crops and processing them in stationary units with possible variations in the utilisation of the non-grain part.
The appts. comprises a screw to carry a raw material in a tube, and a heater to heat the tube from outside. The screw is composed of a shaft disposed in the tube and band-like blades spirally wound around the shaft.    USE -   For carbonising wood chips, sawdust, paper wastes, etc.
System comprises a crude waste storing body (1) placed in an outside case (2) and having holes at a part of its bottom to remove liq.    Also claimed are a crude waste treatment system comprising a small lid (3) placed on the surface of crude waste in the crude waste storing body to intercept air from the crude waste to activate the microorganism groups and a crude waste treatment system comprising an outside case having a structure to prevent light from entering and capable of taking out liq. sepd. from the decomposed crude waste.    USE/ADVANTAGE -   Used to treat crude waste discharged from homes. More than 50 % of the vol. of crude waste may be reduced in homes to reduce the collection of crude waste.
The novelty is that an assembly which processes solid organic substances incorporates: (a) a digesting tank which receives the organic solids in which the tank ferments the organic substances to compost before discharge; (b) a heat exchanger which is located outside the process tank, in which vapours and gases emitted from the process tank are condensed into a liq. for discharge. The heat exchanger is positioned with an intervening gap on the process tank wall, on that side from which compost is discharged. A blower fan adjacent to the tank directs air at one side of the heat exchanger. Part of the gas transferred from the tank is deodorised by an assembly located under the heat exchanger.    USE -   The assembly converts esp. kitchen wastes into animal feed.    ADVANTAGE -   The assembly is very compact, facilitating installation at the point where organic wastes arise, esp. in restaurant kitchens.
Extn. of carotenoid dyes from natural raw materials comprises extracting the pre-dried raw material with compressed propane and/or butane, opt. in presence of an organic entraining agent, at 20-100 deg.C and 10-200 bars.    USE -   The dyes are used in the food industry.    ADVANTAGE -   The dyes are obtd. in higher concn. and greater yield.
A cementitious or metallic surface is decontaminated by inoculating it with a microorganism able to produce citric acid, then growing this on the surface so that the acid degrades the surface to the required depth. Once this depth has been reached, growth of the organisms is stopped, the degradation products are removed and, after treatment, disposed of.    USE -   The method is partic. used for in situ decontamination to remove actinides or their decoy products, fission products or toxic heavy metals, e.g. during decommissioning of nuclear power stations. The microorganisms release contaminants by corrosion or selective leaching, including those held within cracks, fissures and/or grain boundaries of metals.    ADVANTAGE -   Citric acid is a chelating agent for metal contaminants and most metal citrates are soluble in water so easily removed from the surface.
Ultrafine coal particles (I) suitable for use in coal water slurries (II), are obtd. by: (a) inoculating a medium contg. 20-100 mesh coal pieces with an anaerobic microorganism which produces a decarboxylating enzyme, and (b) incubating at 20-40 C under anaerobic conditions until the pieces are reduced to (I).    USE -   (II) is of use as a valuable fuel; the H/C ratio of the starting material is increased, and the volatile C/fixed C ratio is also# increased.    ADVANTAGE -   The method is inexpensive; operating at ambient temp. without using expensive appts..
Vegetable matter is decomposed in a composter comprising wall panels (16), a cover panel (18) and rods (20), which extend through vertically spaced lugs (32, 34) formed on the left and right-hand sides of the panels. Panels may be provided with grooves (36) to reduce the amount of material used. Lugs are positioned on each edge so that they fit in corresponding notches on the adjacent edge of the adjacent wall panel. Slots open through side edges of the lugs and are displaced angularly w.r.t. adjacent lugs on adjacent wall panels. Each wall panel can be cut to form upper and lower separate parts along a transverse median line, so located that each part contains at least two lugs one each side edge.    ADVANTAGE -   Simple in construction and use, lightweight, can be accessed from the side.
The contaminated medium is mixed with microorganisms as a suspension in an aq. feed soln. contg. a source of ammonia, phosphate, potassium, magnesium and iron, in amts. of 1-20,000 : 1-45,000 : 0.5-20,000 : 0.4-40,000 : 0.1-1,000 mg./l., with water to make up 1 l. A suitable microorganism is a mixt. of Acinetobacter oleovorum TsMPM B-1878 and A. oleovorum VKPM U-4091, in the ratio 10 : 1 - 1 : 10.    USE -   The method is used to remove petroleum spills on soil or water.    ADVANTAGE -   The method has improved efficiency in removal of a 1-5% level of contamination, esp. of heavy petroleum, to a degree of 95% for soil and 93% for water, over a wider range of pH and to a lower temp. limit.
Upper and lower limits are set at level of liq. in methane gas-generating tank. A sensor to promote fermentation of methane in range of the limits is provided. Discharge valve is opened at upper limit of liq. level by sensor, and closed at lower limit to promote fermentation.    ADVANTAGE -   Fermentation of methane for methane gas formation is promoted.
Organic waste treatment appts. to ferment organic waste in a closed vessel by using aerobic microorganisms comprises a pressure control valve (9) to open the valve when a pressure in the closed vessel exceeds a given pressure and close the valve when a pressure in the closed vessel is under a given pressure.    The organic waste is placed in a bag (4) having water permeability and biodegradability.    USE/ADVANTAGE -   Used to ferment organic waste without generation of malodour. Microorganisms are activated, the composting time of the organic waste is reduced and the organic waste or organic compost is easily injected or taken out.
The processing method involves injecting rhizobium into a medium where garbage is to be processed for providing vaccination. Then garbage is passed into the medium immediately. The rhizobium grows using the decomposition product as the nourishment source and provides decomposition of garbage without any generation of bad smell.    ADVANTAGE -   Avoids generation of stench. Decomposes garbage in very short time.
The prodn. of a halide of an alkali metal supporting samarium oxide-type catalyst, wherein a mixt. of a halide of an alkali metal, samarium acetate or a samarium acetyl acetonate is heated and evapd., fired and then ground.    USE -   The catalyst is useful for the oxidn. coupling reaction of methane for prodn. of ethane and ethylene.    ADVANTAGE -   The catalyst has high C2 selectivity and yields, and has a remarkably long life.
The prod. of an alkali metal supporting samarium oxide catalyst comprises heating a mixt. of an alkoxide of an alkali metal, samarium acetate or acetyl acetonate, evaporating, firing and then grinding.    USE -   The samarium oxide type catalyst is useful for oxidn. coupling reactions of methane for producing ethane and ethylene.    ADVANTAGE -   The samarium oxide type catalyst has high C2 selectivity and yields, and a long life. The catalyst contains no corroding component such as halogen, thus the reactor can be protected from corrosion.
A dimethyl sulphide treatment agent contains an alkali salt of phosphoric acid and Thiobacillus thioparus which is pre-cultured in a small amt. of thiosulphate. The Thiobacillus thioparus is substantially free from thiosulphate.    Also claimed is the prodn. of the agent comprising preculturing Thiobacillus thioparus in a culture medium contg. thiosulphate, and mixing with a soln. contg. an alkali phosphate. The Thiobacillus thioparus is pre-cultured in a small amount of thiosulphate, then DMA was dissolved in it to acclimate the Thiobacillus thioparus, which is sepd. from the culture medium, then mixed with a soln. contg. the alkali phosphate.    USE -   The dimethyl sulphide treatment agent is useful for treating odorous gas generated in faeces treatment, sewage treatment and various factories.    ADVANTAGE -   DMS which is difficult to decompose can be decomposed and deodorised efficiently.
A dimethyl sulphide (DMS) treatment agent, contg. an alkali salt of H3 PO4and Thiobacillus thioparus, is precultured in a culture medium contg. a thiosulphate, wherein the Thiobacillus thioparus is substasntially free from thiosulphate. Also claimed is a prodn. method comprising preculturing Thiobacillus thioparus in a culture medium contg. thiosulphate, and mixing it with a soln. contg. an alkali phosphate, wherein the precultured Thiobacillus thioparus is sepd. from the culture medium, then acclimatised in a culture medium contg. an alkali phosphate followed by mixing with a soln. contg. the alkali phosphate.    USE -   The DMS treatment agent is useful for treating an odorous gas generated in e.g. sewage treatment.    ADVANTAGE -   DMS can be decomposed and deodorised efficiently.
Combustion exhaust gas from LNG, is directly contacted with a dehumidifying cooling medium to condense moisture in the gas. The condensed water is discharged inside the dehumidification system as circulating water. The resulting exhaust gas is subjected to indirect heat exchange between the cold LNG before being fed to a combustion unit, thereby solidifying CO2 and discharging. The resulting cooled exhaust gas is fed to a dehumidifying refrigerant circuit, in which circulating water is super-cooled, frozen, and regenerated as the dehumidifying cooling medium for recycling.    ADVANTAGE -   Energy can be saved.
Raw gas composed mainly of CH4 with CO2 as impurity is fed into any one of tower under pressure to make the CO2 absorb onto adsorbent. Tower having terminated its adsorbing step is connected with tower having terminated its regenerating step to make their pressures equal. Pressure of former tower is further reduced down to near atmospheric pressure and succeedingly reduced to regenerate the tower. Pressure of the latter tower is further raised by introducing desorbed gas generated from pressure reducing step down to near atmospheric pressure. Above steps are successively repeated with respect to a number of towers.    ADVANTAGE -   There is no need to charge unnecessarily large amt. of adsorbent by using part of desorbed gas for pressurising absorbing tower.
Galdieria genus sp. of microalgae having SO2 resistance, higher temp. resistance, high CO2 resistance and lower pH resistance is new.    Also claimed is a process for fixing CO2 in waste gas by means of microalgae of Galdieria genus sp..    USE -   New Galdieria genus sp. of microalgae, partic. AMA3-1 strain, is useful for fixing CO2 in waste gas. The microalgae is used for fixing CO2 from waste gas at steam-power stations, metal prodn. industry, cement factories, petrochemical industry, pulp paper industry, dust-incinerating industry or fermentation industry.    ADVANTAGE -   The microalgae has SO2 resistance, higher temp. resistance, high CO2 resistance and lower pH resistance, and is useful for fixing CO2 on aeration even at high concns. of SO2.
New bacterial strain having petroleum decomposing activity at a high temp.; Rhodococcus sp. I-7-2 strain is claimed. Also claimed is a process for treating petroleum using the above-mentioned bacterial strain.    USE -   Useful for treating the seacoast contaminated by oils (oil hazard) etc.    ADVANTAGE -   This new bacterial strain has remarkable petroleum decompsn. activity even at a high temp., thus it can be useful for effective decompsn. and removal of petroleum on the sea (seacoast) under the direct rays of sunlight.
The unit comprises; a double walled (2,3) heated tank (1), an internal lower base plate (10), slightly inclined from the horizontal, and 1 outlet opening (13), at the lowest position. Immediately above this, the horizontal base plate, forming the floor on which the filling rests, takes the form of a sieve (9). In the open space of the tank, a height adjustable cover (11,11',20), grips gas tight, along the inner wall (3). The entire tank (1) is carried on the transportable under-support (6), by means of interposed weighing units (12).    USE -   The transportable multi-function disposal plant simulates the long term behaviour of material for disposal, which contains organic components, eg. household waste for landfill, contaminated earth for reinstatement and composting materials.    ADVANTAGE -   The plant described simulates conditions under disposal, and has a range of functions. It may be adapted flexibility, to carry out a wide range of tests and experiments on all kinds of polluted ground. Functions previously carried out in the laboratory can be simulated on a more representative scale; and measurements can be taken using a variety of added instrumentations. Load-cells facilitate the measurement of inventory and change, and transportability allows on-site or remote testing. Costly simulations once carried out individually in the laboratory may now be run in sequence or simultaneously as required, in one unit, economically.
A method of the prepn. of ethane and/or ethylene by coupling methane comprises the radiolytic formation of methyl radicals and subsequent thermal reaction.    A device for carrying out the method, comprising an ionising radiation field through which the methane is passed, which is linked to a thermal reaction zone, is also claimed.    Pref. radiolysis is achieved using electron beam radiation (eg. from an electron accelerate, radiation, radiation, (hard) X-ray radiation or microwave radiation. The subsequent thermal reaction is carried out at 300-800(600)C. Ionisation is carried out in a tube reactor with entry windows for the ionising radiation.    ADVANTAGE -   Compared with prior art metal oxide catalysis or simulated counter-current bed chromatographic reactor (SCMCR) techniques, this method offers improved C2 selectivity and yield, a simple reactor system and low temp. reaction conditions, and very little catalyst is needed, whilst no expensive reaction monitoring system is required.
A device for measuring the amt. of a reactive component in a single or mixed gas (in which at least one gas reacts with the reactive component) comprises: a reaction chamber (2); contg. means (4) for supporting a removable catalyst (8); and an adjacent heat sensor (6). The sensor (6) measures the heat released or absorbed by any catalysed reaction and generates a representative electrical signal. The catalyst (8) may be positioned at two different locations along with separate adjacent heat sensors (6). If so, the support (4) limits the gas exchange rate between the catalyst (8) and the test gas at one of the locations, to 0.1-5.0% of the exchange rate at the other location.    USE -   For detecting potentially explosive gas mixtures at low pressures.    ADVANTAGE -   Can detect small amounts of methane in air, or oxygen in hydrogen, deuterium or tritium gas having a pressure of less than 10 mbar.
A non-azeotropic refrigerant compsn. contains: (A) carbon dioxide and/or fluoromethane; (B) at least one cpd. from hydrofluorocarbons and hydrofluorocarbon ethers; and (C) at least one hydrocarbon. The b.pt. of (B) being at least 150 C higher than the sublimation temp. of CO2and/or the b.pt. of fluoromethane in (A). Also claimed is a cooling method involving condensing the compsn. then evaporating in heat exchange relationship with a fluid to be cooled.    USE -   Provides desired cooling in heat transfer devices such as air conditioning and low temp. refrigeration systems.    ADVANTAGE -   The compsn. contains cpds. which have low or zero ozone depletion potentials. The mixt. boils over a wide temp. range which can be used to increase the energy efficiency of the system in which it is used. This increase in energy efficiency leads to a reduction in global warming properties.
Prodn. of dendrimers where a starting cpd. is successively reacted in different reaction steps with different reactants the reactant being applied in excess in one step, the excess reactant being extracted in supercritical state with extraction agent.    USE -   For the prodn. of dendrimers.    ADVANTAGE -   Undesirable substances present in the reaction mixt. can be removed rapidly and easily, allowing economical and commercially viable prodn. of dendrimers.
Installation for the anaerobic digestion of organic waste in a sealed vessel (1) with recovery of the gases produced (20), has organic waste placed in a hopper (4) and ground (2) or broken up mechanically before being placed in a secondary vessel (18) positioned inside the primary digestion vessel (1). Material is recirculated (12, 15) and pumped (13) within the primary and secondary vessels and transferred from the secondary to the primary. It can be introduced into the primary vessel at different levels (17a, 17b). Digested solids (9) and liquid (22) are removed separately.    Also claimed is the treatment process.    USE -   Used to treat organic waste produced by a restaurant kitchen, or other large scale kitchen (claimed) where approximately 25 l of waste are produced per day.    ADVANTAGE -   Waste is treated locally and immediately and does not need to be stored, avoiding unpleasant odours. A useful quantity of methane gas is produced.
Deposit formation in a system firing tyre-derived fuels is minimised by the addn. to the system of an effective amt. of a suspension comprising: (a) 45-50 wt.% Mg(OH)2, (b) 1-5 wt.% organic dispersant contg. amino, sulphonyl and/or carboxylic gps. and (c) the balance water.    USE -   For minimising deposit formation in a system burning tyre-derived fuels e.g. boilers, furnaces, incinerators.    ADVANTAGE -   Minimises deposit formation resulting from the high levels of Zn in the fuels. Increases Mg content of the fuel ash making the ash less adherent and easily removable by blowing.
Composting unit (1) includes a container with a receiving space (3) for filling with composting material and worms, a vessel for collection of leak water and a heating unit (9). The electrically driven heating unit is motivated by means of a weak current and heats the leaking water in the collection vessel. Internally in the receiving space is arranged a dividing wall (10) which divides the space into several spaces. Internally in the wall is a ventilation passage (13). In the divided wall are located a number of through air openings (14) and worm passages (15). The worm passages are formed by combined fixed and distance tubes extending crossways in the container between mutually spaced wall plates (10a, 10B) which function as a tunnel for the worms which wish to change from one space to another (11,12). Once the material is entirely composted it is emptied.    USE -   The unit is used for composting organic material.    ADVANTAGE -   The unit is suitable for use outdoors, is compact and functions safely for both the environment and people. (Reissue of the entry advised in week 9607 based on complete specification).
The material contains composite oxide contg lanthanide(s), rare earth elements, copper and noble metals. where materials wt ratio to composite oxide is 0.03 to 1.3% by wt and is composed of one from Pt and Rh.    USE -    The material is used for detecting reducing gases e.g. NO and CO, hydrocarbon gas e.g. propane and oxidised gas e.g. NO2.    ADVANTAGE -    Absorption of NO or NO2gas can be heightened and gas sensitivity and response are improved.
Pigs' slurry is converted in its entirety into a dry fertiliser by admixture with dry absorbent by-products of vegetable origin (coconut fibre, cotton, dung and their mixtures).    ADVANTAGE -   Process overcomes nuisance caused by storage of slurry where pigs are reared. The product may be presented in various forms and is easy to use, of agronomic benefit and may be used to replace soil, peat and chemical fertilisers.
Method of transforming pigs' slurry in its entirety into a dry product by admixture with a dry vegetable absorbent, esp. cotton, sawdust, coconut fibre and their admixtures.    USE -   The process overcomes the nuisance caused by stored slurry where pigs are reared, and gives a product that is easier to spread on the land as a fertiliser.
Intensively mixed and homogenised organic waste is sepd. into a solid-, and a liquid fraction contg. soluble residues, by pressing. Before passing, the waste is passed through several screw conveyors (16) in a closed circuit (1), loosening it. During this treatment the material is moistened and/or aerated.    The speed of conveying may be increased in a part of the circuit, to achieve this loosening. The speed may be varied by the pitch of one or more of the conveying screws.    Appts. for the process is also claimed.    USE -   Used to treat an extremely wide range of organic wastes,of natural and industrial origin, including raw and cooked food residues, agricultural wastes, esp. animal wastes, and plant remains.    ADVANTAGE -   The method minimises bridging by the use of the screw conveyors, which break up the material; after which it is moistened and/or aerated. Treating the material in this way prevents bridge formation, and usefully homogenises both the material, and its moisture content. Temperatures are controlled in order to promote optimum biological activity, and also to ensure as far as possible, that the product is sterilised. Arrangement achieves a high throughput.
Process for the re-introduction of slightly contaminated waste into the eco-system by adjustment of the concn. of substances by using their residual potential for the recovery of industrial raw materials is claimed. Process involves an aerobic composting to mineralise organic substances to humic acids and humic acid complexes and hydrolysed ions and ion complexes. Process involves the application of (1) controlled, biological fermentation, (2) clay minerals with high cation-exchange capacity, and of Fe and Fe cpds., to form crystallisation seeds, and (3) absorptive soil colloids to fix liberated heavy metals.    USE -   The prod. is a "Hortisol", which can be used in horticulture, agriculture and forestry.    ADVANTAGE -   Useful areas for prodn. of renewable raw materials can be prepd., and natural materials can be protected.
The apparatus treats solid-type wastes such as waste tyre or waste rubber by pyrolysis method and extracts fuel oil from residual wastes after treating. The method is composed of pyrolysing the waste in 200C oxygen-isolated state and outside heating; cooling and liquefying the gas generated in pyrolysis; extracting oil ingredient from liquefied gas after removing moisture. The apparatus comprises a cartridge (1) for sealing the wastes, a pyrolyser (2) with heating means (9) for setting the cartridge, cooling apparatus (3)(4) for liquefying the generated gas, a moisture separator (6) for separating moisture and oil-ingredient from the liquefied gas.
Device for treating organic waste comprises a processing tank with one or more mouths for introducing the waste. The tank is underground and the mouths project from the ground. The bottom of the tank is a permeable layer of chippings, to allow the water released by the biological decomposition of the waste to percolate away. The bottom of the tank and the edge of the sides are covered by a waterproof sheet. The gap between the waterproof sheet and the tank parts is filled with a layer of a material such as powdered volcanic rock which lifts water by capillary action, and a layer of topsoil where the microbes can increase.    USE -   The device is used to compost organic materials produced at intervals by work processes.    ADVANTAGE -   The device prevents pollution of underground water or soil, e.g. with nitrates or nitrites.
Purifying contaminated soil utilising crushed microorganism in valves contacting coil with crushed prod. of microorganism having contaminated substance decomposing activity.    Pref. contact of crushed microorganism and soil is carried out in presence of another microorganism having same or different contaminated substance-decomposing activity. Microorganism is pref. Pseudomonas bacterium, pref. Pseudomonas cepacia, and esp. Pseudomonas cepacia KK01 strain. Soil contaminant is pref. volatile organic chlorine cpd. pref. trichloroethylene.    ADVANTAGE -   Method is bio-remediation process free from disturbance of ecosystem.    In an example, Pseudomonas cepacia KK01 (FERM:BP-4235) was planted in 201 medium (contg. 100 ppm of phenol) and grown at 30 deg.C. After 13 hrs. bacterium was collected by centrifugation, pellet was added to and suspended in 2 l of 20 mM TRIS buffer and bacterium was collected again and washed. Pellet was added to and suspended in 1 l of 20 mM TRIS buffer contg. 1 mM of phenylmethylsulphonyl fluoride and cells in soln. were crushed by French press (1500 kg/cm2). Resulting crushed cell soln. was centrifuged to remove uncrushed cells to form the crushed microorganism.
Machine comprises a partially opened and circular trough-shaped transportation duct (4) at the centre of an inner circular hollow part (3) formed in the main body of the machine, a screw conveyor (5) placed in the duct, and fermentation tanks (2) placed around the duct movably to revolve around the central shaft line of the duct and having openings (2a) formed at parts of their circumferences facing the duct.    USE/ADVANTAGE -   Used to ferment crude waste continuously to reclaim it as fertilisers. Crude waste may be continuously fermented by treating it in each fermentation tank successively.
Waste is treated by using aerobic bacteria and aerobic anaerobic bacteria. The waste is added and mixed with a culture medium comprising charcoal particles having a particle size of 1-10 mm.    A porous material having a particle size of 5-10 mm which is harder than the charcoal is pref. added to the culture medium. The aerobic and anaerobic bacteria are pref. grown in the micro pores of the culture medium prior to treatment of the waste.    USE/ADVANTAGE -   Useful for continuous treatment of waste. Waste may be treated without generating malodour. The culture medium may be easily maintained to keep a good environment for growing aerobic and anaerobic bacteria.    In an example, 250 kg charcoal particles having a particle size of 2-5 mm were put in a concrete treatment tank (2m x 2m x 30 cm) to prepare culture medium. After molasses liq. was sprayed over the charcoal particles, Bacillus and Lactobacillus were added and they were grown at a suitable temp. and humidity. 200 kg of waste was mixed with the culture medium and kept at 40 deg. C and the waste disappeared after 24 hours without generating malodour.
Device equipped with garbage-decomposing chamber (A) in which garbage is mixed with aerobic microorganisms (B); a mixing device (C) with vanes; a motor (D) that drives (C); switching system (E); and sensor (F) that detects temp. of micro organism carrier.    USE/ADVANTAGE -   Used for decomposing garbage. Method is able to determine life of aerobic microorganism by detecting temp. insides decomposing chamber so that it is able to decompose garbage with high efficiency and low cost.    In an example cross-section of this device is shown in fig. 3 where (1) is the aerobic microorganism carrier (3) is mixer with vanes (2) is decomposing chamber, (5) is ventilator, (5A) is ozone generator, (5B) is catalyst, (8A) is temp. sensor, (10) is display, (7) is switch, and (8) is control unit.
The process comprises an ion-exchange process (A), an impregnating process (B), and a heating process (C). In (A), surface active agent (D) is introduced into a layer-structured silicate (E) through ion-exchange using an aq. soln. (F) contg. (D). In (B), (E) contg. (D) is impregnated with alkali metal or alkaline earth metal ion. In (A), pH value of (F) is kept greater than 10. In (A), the temp. of (F) is kept on lower than 50C.    USE -   Used for producing absorbent of natural gas, propane and nitrogen.    ADVANTAGE -   The prod. is able to desorb gas under lower pressure than that of absorption, suitable for the preservation of gases.
The process involves bringing exhaust gases into contact with an aq. soln. of sodium thiosulphate in an absorption tower so that nitrogen oxides in the exhaust gases are absorbed by the sodium thiosulphate aq. soln., oxidising nitrogen oxides with the microorganisms supported on a fixed support in the absorption tower, sending the sodium thiosulphate aq. soln. to a fixed bed reactor, and removing the oxidised nitrogen oxides with the microorganisms supported on saddle type ceramics set in the reactor.    ADVANTAGE -    Nitrogen oxides can be removed stably at low cost from exhaust gases contg. NOxat concns. as low as not more than 10 ppm.
A gasification treatment process for organic waste is claimed in which air is introduced into a treatment tank; fermentation of organic waste is carried out by the use of an aerobic microorganism to decompose the organic waste into gases; and the atmospheric gas, including the gas generated by decomposition of the organic waste, is released into the air after it is deodorised by being contacted with a soln. contg. a low mol. wt. of furfural polymer produced by reacting caustic alkali and water.    USE -   For treating organic wastes produced in various factories or homes and is partic. useful for treating garbage or excretions.    ADVANTAGE -   The gas to be released into the air is made odourless.
Prodn. comprises: (a) stirring and mixing a mushroom waste culture medium with a combination of an aerobic microorganism and an anaerobic microorganism and (b) fermenting under a nearly closed state and an anaerobic state. The mushroom waste culture medium may be mixed with agricultural or animal waste to adjust moisture to obtain a predetermined moisture content.    A combination of a photosynthetic bacteria, yeast, lactic acid bacteria, Actinomyces and Aspergillus oryzae if pref. used.    USE -   The method produces feed or fertiliser.    ADVANTAGE -   The method transforms the mushroom waste culture medium into a high-quality prod. including a soil conditioner.
Reactor with porous ceramic wall is new. Also new is a method for prepn. of ethane, ethylene and other hydrocarbons from methane.     Pref. methane is fed across a catalyst bed opt. having all or part of the wall of porous medium across which O2contg. gas permeates.
Monitoring and regulating a reactor for the biological treatment of effluents involves constructing the reactor so that the four basic reaction processes created by the microbiological material contained in a single vessel are effected alternately during three oxygenation steps to stepwise remove contaminants or particles from the cloudy effluent.    The method is pref. based on redox reactions which are used at the start of the microbiological reaction process and pref. effected in the single vessel for the microbiological material.    USE -   The reactor is used for the removal of carbon, nitrogen and phosphorus cpds. from sewage or industrial effluent.    ADVANTAGE -   Turbulence in the reactor is reduced, so that less volatile, malodorous substances are liberated, operating costs are reduced by using a reduced number of treatment vessels (and therefore a reduced number of oxygen supply devices), and the treatment process does not require highly skilled personnel to operate it.
The novelty is that brewers or distillers grains, or kieselguhr filter materials, or a combination of these, are used as biologically degradable packing materials. The chosen materials are subjected to extrusion processes, thermal processes, or pressure processes, or a combination. The strength of the packaging materials is created by the adhesive characteristics of the protein, sugar and starch held in the organic materials and brought forth by the processes used, and enhanced as required by the introduction of further glues or binding agents. The packaging mass used may be chosen from many other substances such as straw, grass and sugar beet. The process temperatures used are between 30 and 300 degrees C, and pressures of between 50 and 1000 bar.    USE -   The process converts brewers or distillers grains, or kieselguhr filter materials into packaging materials.    ADVANTAGE -   The process provides an alternative means of non-tipping disposal for a waste product otherwise used as animal feed, and for which demand is not continual.
The two stage treatment first breaks down the structure of the food waste in a free-flow homogeniser (3). This assists the initiation of microbial breakdown; fermentation will take place in undiluted form. The waste is hydrolysed, preacidified, and then, under strictly anaerobic conditions, fermented in a bioreactor (7). Biomass is sepd. from the fluid phase. The entire process is carried out in a closed system.    A plant for effecting the process is also claimed. Food waste is stored in a vessel (1) containing the homogeniser (3). This is connected to the stirred hydrolysis reactor (5), and thence to one or more bioreactors (7.1, 7.2). Each has a separator (10) to extract biomass. All units are mounted in a single transportable container.    USE -   Method is used to anaerobically treat food waste, arising from catering, food industries and the trade, at the point of origin.    ADVANTAGE -   The process treats food waste undiluted, with no other waste additions. Mixed fractions are broken down anaerobically, producing no pollutants. The product biogas and biomass are easily re-used. Because the plant is transportable, the waste can be treated at the point of generation, with virtually no emissions. Further modules can be added if required, to treat differing fractions of food waste. The waste may be processed to a dry material content of about 20%. After separation from the fluid phase it can be composted at little expense. Process stability and continuity are assisted by the two stage process. The biogas makes the process self sufficient in energy, and is largely free of hydrogen sulphide.
Treatment of waste from olive oil prodn. comprises:(a) intensively grinding and mixing natural bentonite with the effluent liq. waste of density 800-1000 kg/m3, at a ratio of 300 kg bentonite/m3 liq., to activate the bentonite, and(b) inoculating and subjecting to forced aeration.    ADVANTAGE -   The process avoids the discharge of the waste into the environment using simple appts.
The anaerobic microbial dechlorination of highly chlorinated PCBs (I) in aq. sediment contg. anaerobic microorganisms (II) capable of dechlorinating PCBs is accelerated by: (1) screening for presence of (II) by: (a) adding to a portion of the sediment a halogen-substd. benzoic or salicyclic acid or (1-5C) alkyl ester thereof (III); (b) allowing the mixt. to incubate anaerobically at 5-55 C for 20 days; and (c) measuring the decrease in concn. of (I); and (2) mixing an effective amt. of (III) with the remaining sediment, and incubating under conditions effective to dechlorinate (I).    USE -   The process decontaminates marine sediments, sands and soils contaminated with PCBs, and environmental sites, e.g. landfills, waste sites, lakes, ponds and stream beds are remediated.    ADVANTAGE -   The process does not reduce the total number of PCB mols., but decreases the toxicity, carcinogenicity and bioaccumulation of PCBs, and increases their susceptibility to further biodegradation by anaerobic bacteria and metabolism by higher organisms. Cpds. (III) are readily available and easily biodegraded.
The process for obtaining decomposition prods. from municipal waste slurry comprises placing the slurry in a deep geothermal reservoir, sealing the opening and retorting the waste slurry for sufficient time to remove recoverable prods.. The liberated prods. are removed from the geothermal reservoir and sepd..    Also claimed is a process as above, where retorting takes place at 315-550C to remove methane, ammonia, urea, nitrates, nitrates and phosphates. The process is repeated until the compartment is filled with solids from the waste.    Also claimed is a process as above, where, after the compartment becomes full with solids, the solid-contg. compartment is fractured hydraulically until fluid communication is made with another compartment or reservoir.    USE -   used for the disposal of slurries of municipal waste.    ADVANTAGE -   The disposal of municipal waste is safe and efficient and valuable by-prods. are obtd..
Multipart appts. for the thermal insulation of a conical compost vessel tapered upwards from its base, comprises at least two ring-shaped extruded polyethylene (or similar material) insulation bodies which surround the vessel. The lower ring in each pair overlaps the upper ring in the adjacent pair, and the height of the lowest ring is greater than the outlet opening for the vessel.    ADVANTAGE -   The insulation appts. is cheap to make and simple to install. (Reissue of the entry advised in week 9604 based on complete specification)
A component vessel comprises a no. of ring-shaped plastic vessel sections (A), ventilating baseplate (B) and lid (C). A section of the peripheral edge of (B) has a wall section which forms a ventilating gap with the air-permeable valve part for the lower section of the vessel, allowing air to be introduced into the internal regions of the vessel.    Also claimed are an injection moulding tool and prepn. method for the vessel.    ADVANTAGE -   Air supply to the composting regions inside the vessel is improved. (reissue of the entry advised in week 9604 based on complete specification)
A hydrocarbon density detection line and a methane density detection line are connected to the output of a gas trap to which a sample gas feed line is connected.    ADVANTAGE -   Hydrocarbon analysis with high methane selectivity is obtd.
The procedure consists of subjecting the tyre rubber to thermal destruction or depolymerisation in a medium at a controlled pressure and temperature, adding 1-3 wt.% of calcium oxide to the tyres before the process is started. The thermal destruction process is carried out at a temperature of 100-130C in an atmosphere enriched with saturated water vapour, and the substances obtained from the process are drawn off by forced suction and compressed.    The installation for carrying out the procedure consists of a thermal destruction unit (3) with a top hatch for feeding in the tyres to be processed and calcium oxide from a container (4) and doser (5), a hopper at the bottom for evacuating the residue from the process, and a duct (14) with an automatic valve (39) for drawing off the combustible substances.    ADVANTAGE -   Economical, reliable, automatic and relatively simple to operate, eliminating large quantities of used tyres.
Prodn. of carbon black (12) comprises a) partially burning and gasifying organic wastes (1) in a gaseous mixt. of an O2-contg. gas (16) and steam (17) with an equiv. ratio of O2 being 1 or less; b) partially burning the resulting combustible gas (5) at 1000 C or above in an O2 deficient environment contg. less than a stoichiometric amt. of O2; and c) quenching the resulting partial combustion gas having a temp. of 1000 C or above to 700 C or below in an inert atmos.    Also claimed are (i) a process for the prodn. of carbon black with a first step of pyrolysing and gasifying organic wastes; (ii) a system for the prodn. of carbon black; (iii) a method for organic waste treatment comprising burning the waste in a gas mixt. having an O2 concn. of 10 to 21% and passing the exhaust gas over a heat exchanger to form steam some of which is used in the process; (iv) fixed bed gasification furnaces including a furnace divided into two sections, a volatiles pyrolysis section and a fixed carbon partial combustion/gasification section and including controlling the furnaces in response to organic waste layer height and temp.; and (v) methods of gasification of organic waste with controlled composition and feed rate of a gasifying agent.    USE -   In the combustion of organic wastes such as scrap tyres and waste plastics.    ADVANTAGE -   Carbon black can be produced from organic wastes in easily operated systems with high efficiency. Organic wastes can be burnt without producing soot or tar, without leaving any residual fixed carbon and without causing high temp. damage to the furnace. High molecular hydrocarbon gas containing aromatic compounds can be produced from organic waste. The fixed bed gasification furnace gasifying agents feed rates can be controlled to minimise fluctuation in temp. and maintain a stable pyrolysis temp. with variable organic waste feed rates.
The following stages are executed: (a) the 20-65% methane gas is withdrawn and compressed to 5-15 bar; (b) carbon dioxide and water are extracted from the gas; (c) the gas is pre-cooled, to the extent that partial condensation of the methane sets in; and (d) the gas/fluid mix is separated at low temperature into an 85% or higher methane product, and residual gas. In addition to the process described, suitable plant to accomplish it, is also claimed.    USE -   For the enrichment of low grade landfill or mine gas, containing a low methane concentration, with mainly carbon dioxide, and some nitrogen and oxygen.    ADVANTAGE -   The low quality of gas from drainage schemes means a methane content as low as 20%, which is too low for use as a fuel, or even for supplementary firing. Because the methane is sufficiently enriched, in the process described, it becomes perfectly suited for injection into a natural gas supply network. Using the divided column, it is possible to recover methane fractions of differing concentration. Gases can be enriched to over 90% methane. The gas is of sufficient purity to be used directly as a product gas. A further advantage is that the liquefaction of the residual gas is not necessary. Crystallisation of water and carbon dioxide is prevented by their removal. Low boiling nitrogen and oxygen are removed at the head of the column.
Prepn. of fertiliser from cattle manure or urban or vegetable waste comprises: (a) inoculating a mixt. of manure and cattle urine with 5 wt.% of a biological culture prepd. by transfer of manure into multiplication tanks; (b) adding 5 wt.% urea with gentle stirring; (c) adding up to 50% ground phosphate rock with gentle agitation; (d) transport and storage in silos for 30-40 days; and (e) drying.
An alkali-free rare earth oxide stabilised, cobalt promoted Ni catalyst for the prodn. of gases rich in H or methane with decreased C deposition is prepd. by: (i) providing a refractory material contg. at least one of the oxides of Al, Si, Mg, Ca,Ti or mixts. thereof; and (ii) supporting on the refractory material, (a) 0.2-15 wt.% single rare earth oxide(s); (b) 0.1-25 wt.% Co selected from elemental Co and/or reducible cpd. of Co; and (c) 0.1-50 wt.% Ni, selected from elemental Ni and/or reducible cpd. of Ni.    A process for the prodn. of H-rich gases including synthesis gas and reducing gas, or for the prodn. of methane rich gases, including town gas and pipeline gas from hydrocarbon feedstock using the above catalyst is also claimed. The operating conditions include temp. 400-2200 F, pressure 0-1500 psig, C1 equiv. space velocity 100-20,000 v/hr/v, and steam:C ratio of 0-3.5, using oxygen-contg. gas which is steam, air, oxygen and/or oxides of C.    The hydrocarbon feedstock includes methyl fuel and a variety of single hydrocarbon or mixts of hydrocarbons including: 1-40C paraffins, naphthenes, olefins and aromatics, natural gas and its condensate, petroleum refinery streams including refinery gases, light naphtha, heavy naphtha and gas oil and petrochemical streams, including hydrocarbon contg. by-prods. from ethylene plants.    USE -   For prodn. of H-rich or methane-rich gases including synthesis gas, reducing gas or town gas from hydrocarbons.    ADVANTAGE -   Improved catalyst which can operate at relatively low steam:carbon ratios without deleterious C deposition on the catalyst. The catalyst has a long life at high operating temps..
A membrane process for the prodn. of a desired very high purity permeate gas prod. from a feed gas mixt. contg. less than 40 vol.% of the desired permeate gas comprises: providing in a prim. stage a process feed gas mixt. to a prim. membrane separator unit comprising a membrane having a relatively high intrinsic permeability, to provide an intermediate permeate gas and a retentate gas; and providing the intermediate permeate gas in a sec. stage to a sec. membrane separator unit comprising a membrane having a relatively high selectivity, to produce therefrom the very high purity permeate gas product.    The prim. membrane separator unit comprises a membrane with an intrinsic permeability of more than 250 Barrer/cm x 104. The sec. membrane separator unit comprises a membrane with an intrinsic permeability of 250 Barrer/cm x 104 or less. The intermediate permeate gas comprises 40-80 vol.% of the gas to be provided as the very high purity permeate gas prod. The process further comprises using prods. of fossil fuel combustion, or of hydrocarbon combustion in air or in a limekiln, as the process feed gas mixt. The process feed gas mixt. is a process gas stream contg. 25 (11.7) vol.% or less of carbon dioxide. The process feed gas contains carbon dioxide which is recovered as the very high purity permeate gas prod. at a purity of more than 96.0 vol.%.    USE -   This process is partic useful for providing local prodn. of high purity carbon dioxide starting from abundantly available low concn. sources, e.g., sepn. of CO2 from wellhead gas.    ADVANTAGE -   This process provides high purity gases in an economical and efficient manner.
Making thermal insulating pipe coated with flame retarding foamed resin comprises extrusion coating polystyrene or styrene copolymer resin contg. 0.1-20% red phosphorus and 0.5-10% liq. hydrocarbon gas onto the outer circumference of metal pipe with 3-20 fold foaming ratio.    USE -   The pipe is useful for the retention of temp. or the prevention of dew condensn. of e.g. piping of air conditioner or piping for supply and exhaustion of water or hot water.    ADVANTAGE -   A thermal insulating pipe of high flame retarding effect can be made at low cost by a very simple process. As the foaming ratio of the foamed resin coated layer can be made high, the thermal conductivity can be lowered and the thickness of the coated layer can be decreased.
The compsn. comprises 20-45 wt.% of a soln. contg. 3-30 wt.% of resin powder, 3-40 wt.% of ethanol and 30-85 wt.% of pure water and 55-80 wt.% of n-butane as spraying agent.    ADVANTAGE -   Good skin moisturising effect. It is easily applied to the skin even when damaged.
A thin film has a carbon particles-contg. matrix resin on the single surface of a heat-resistant film. The thin film is pattern-printed on part of at least one wall of the inner and the outer wall of a container for housing garbage (kitchen refuse). A flat heater for generating heat at 20-80 deg.C is provided to the thin film.    USE -   The device is used for accelerating rot and used in garbage (kitchen refuse).    ADVANTAGE -   The heater retains a constant temp. to accelerate the rot of the garbage (kitchen refuse). The effective rot is observed in winter or at a cold area. Pref. carbon particles are globular carbon particles or expanded graphite powder. Pref. resin comprises mainly a thermoplastic resin.
Preventing bulking in an activated sludge tank caused by filamentous bacteria, comprises adding an enzyme of Subtilisin capable of killing filamentous bacteria by bacteriolysis, to the activated sludge tank.    USE/ADVANTAGE -   Prevents bulking of activated sludge tanks which are used in waste water treatment plants. Filamentous bacteria can be selectively killed instantly. The other bacteria are hardly damaged by addn. of enzyme.    In an example, filamentous bacteria of Type 021N or Beggiatoa alba ATCC33555 were cultured in base contg. 0.3 g/l of glucose, 0.3 g/l of sodium acetate, 0.1 g/l of ammonium sulphate, 0.02 g/l of CaCO3, 0.0005 g/l of FeCl3, 0.312 g/l of sodium biphosphate, 0.02 g/l of sodium monophosphate, 200 ml/l of agar, and 5 ml/l of vitamin mixt. of 30 deg. C for 1-3 days. Cultured bacteria were homogenised in HCl buffer soln. pH8.5. Subtilisin was added in amt. of 600 ppm to suspension which was incubated at 37 deg. C. Optical absorbence at 600 nm was recorded with time to measure the percent of bacteriolysis. After 60 minutes. Type 021N bacteria were reduced to about 40% and Beggiatoa alba ATCC33555 were reduced to about 50%.
The appts. comprises a decomposition chamber (2) holding a moisture absorption member (1), bacteria including aerobic bacteria and a stirrer (3) to stir the refuse and the moisture absorption member. There is a motor (3A) to drive the stirrer, a controller (18) to drive the motor intermittently at set time intervals, and a ventilator (4) to ventilate the chamber.    The controller has a built-in timer to memorise an operation time and stopping time of motor, a sensor (18B) to detect the load on the stirrer, and reversing means (18C) to reverse the rotation of the motor by treating a signal from the sensor. When a load larger than a set value is applied to the stirrer, the sensor detects it and the reversing means drives the stirrer reversing the rotation of motor during a set time.    USE/ADVANTAGE -   To decompose domestic refuse from general homes by using bacteria. Oxygen can be supplied to aerobic bacteria in the moisture absorption member sufficiently without increase in power consumption and supplied sufficiently when impurities, e.g. metal, plastics are contained in the crude refuse.
The appts. comprises a crude refuse decomposition chamber (2) holding a moisture absorption member (1), with bacteria including aerobic bacteria a stirring member (3) to stir the crude refuse and moisture absorption member in the chamber and a ventilator (4) to ventilate the chamber and a deodoriser (5) to deodorise air from the ventilator.    The ventilator has a dividing wall (4A) to separate the inlet side (11) of the chamber connected to a suction hole (10) to supply outside air to the chamber, a discharge side (12) connected to a discharging passage (7) to discharge air in the chamber; and a fan (4B) for forced ventilation of the chamber. The lower end of the dividing wall is at the upper surface of the moisture absorption member or extends in side it.    USE/ADVANTAGE -   To decompose domestic organic refuse. A large quantity of oxygen can be supplied to the aerobic bacteria without increase in the amt. of air for ventilation. Power consumption is decreased, and the refuse is decomposed effectively.