Abstract: The object of the present invention is to provide a stable isotope concentration method that reduces equipment cost and power without prolonging the start-up time and enables efficient concentration, and the present invention provides a stable isotope concentration method using multiple cascaded distillation columns (1st column to mth column; m is an integer of 2 or more), wherein the method includes a step in which one of gas and liquid is supplied from a position in the vicinity of the bottom of a (n?1)th column to a position in the vicinity of the top of an nth column (1<n?m), and the other of liquid and gas is returned from a position in the vicinity of the top of the nth column to a position in the vicinity of the bottom of the (n?1)th column; and wherein in each distillation column, when a flow rate of an ascending gas in the column is a first flow rate and a flow rate of the gas or the liquid supplied from a previous column or a next column is a second flow rate, the second flow rate is 4% by volume

Abstract: A distillation apparatus includes: a distillation column group in which a plurality of distillation columns, which are respectively equipped with a reboiler, is connected in the form of a distillation cascade; feed-gas condensers which liquefy feed gases from respective former distillation columns and feed said liquefied feed gases to respective latter distillation columns; gas-feeding lines which connect the respective former distillation columns and the respective feed-gas condensers; and liquid-feeding lines which connect the respective feed-gas condensers and the respective latter distillation columns.

Abstract: A distillation apparatus of the present invention includes: a distillation column group in which a plurality of distillation columns (D1, D2, D3), which are respectively equipped with a reboiler (R1, R2, R3), is connected in the form of a distillation cascade; feed-gas condensers (C?2, C?3) which liquefy feed gases from respective former distillation columns (D1, D2) and feed said liquefied feed gases to respective latter distillation columns (D2, D3); gas-feeding lines (QA2, QA3) which connect the respective former distillation columns (D1, D2) and the respective feed-gas condensers (C?2, C?3); and liquid-feeding lines (QG2, QG3) which connect the respective feed-gas condensers (C?2, C?3) and the respective latter distillation columns (D2, D3).

Abstract: Method for concentrating nitrogen isotope to obtain a final product nitrogen, in which the stable nitrogen isotope, 15N, is concentrated, by low-temperature distillation of raw material nitrogen containing trace amounts of oxygen and argon using a plurality of distillation columns in a cascade arrangement. An argon-oxygen mixture is discharged from the bottom of the final column and 15N-concentrated nitrogen is extracted from a lower intermediate point of the final column. The flow rate of the argon-oxygen mixture discharged from the bottom of the final column is controlled based on the reading of a thermometer installed below the point where the final product 15N-concentrated nitrogen is extracted, thereby providing a stable nitrogen product.

Abstract: A laser welding device for manufacturing a prismatic battery 10 of the invention has a pair of jigs 12A, 12B for securing a prismatic battery outer can B1, a gas supply section for supplying inert gas to welding points of a sealing cover B2 fitted to the prismatic battery outer can B1, and a laser unit 11 for irradiating laser beam. Each of the jigs 12A, 12B is provided with a slit-shaped blower outlet and the blower outlet is positioned below the welding points. The inert gas is supplied to the blower outlet from the gas supply section and is blown from the blower outlet to the welding points from below. The laser welding device for manufacturing a prismatic battery 10 can obtain a laser welding device that welds the sealing cover B2 fitted to the prismatic battery outer can B1 fast, preventing weld droops and allowing uniform welding.

Abstract: The method for concentrating an oxygen isotope or isotopes of the present invention combines the step of concentrating 17O and/or the step of depleting 18O that utilizes photodissociation of ozone by a laser beam with an oxygen distillation step that concentrates the oxygen isotope. At this time, it is preferable to carry out a step of isotope scrambling in addition to the above. When both a step of concentrating 17O and a step of depleting 18O are carried out, whichever thereof may be done first prior to the other. Also these steps may be placed either before or after the oxygen distillation step. Moreover, at least one of said oxygen distillation step, the concentrating 17O step, the depleting 18O step and the isotope scrambling step is preferably carried out twice or more.

Abstract: Fuel cell of this invention generates electricity by supplying fuel fluid to one of a pair of electrodes forming an MEA 1, supplying oxidation fluid to the other electrode, at least one of the fuel and oxidation fluids being gas, comprising a gas supply device transferring the gas along a flow path 10 defined on a surface of the MEA 1 and a drive circuit driving the gas supply device comprising a vibrating plate 4 and a reflection wall on both sides of the flow path 10, and the drive circuit performs a normal operation control generating gas flow from inlet to outlet of the flow path 10 due to sound pressure gradient generated in the flow path 10 by vibrating the vibrating plate 4 and a foreign material elimination operation control eliminating foreign material in the flow path 10 by changing a vibration mode of the vibrating plate 4.

Abstract: A distillation apparatus of the present invention includes a distillation column group in which a plurality of distillation columns including a condenser and a reboiler is connected in the form of a cascade; a gas-feeding line which feeds gas from the distillation column to a latter distillation column; a gas line which introduces the gas from the distillation column to the condenser attached to the distillation column; a liquid-line which withdraws a condensed liquid from the condenser; a liquid-reflux line which introduces a part of the condensed liquid from the liquid-line to the distillation column; a liquid-return line which returns the remainder of the condensed liquid from the liquid-line to a former distillation column; a valve provided on the liquid-return line; and a bypass line which connects the liquid-return line and the gas line so as to flow an evaporated gas generated in the liquid-return line to the gas line.

Abstract: A method of enriching a heavy oxygen isotope by distillation of the present invention includes: a first distillation step of feeding oxygen and ozone generated by an ozonizer 12 into a distillation column 13 filled with a diluent gas, and separating the oxygen, and the ozone and the diluent gas; a photodecomposition step of introducing a mixed gas of the ozone and the diluent gas from a bottom of the distillation column into a photoreaction cell 14, and irradiating the mixed gas with a laser light to selectively decompose the ozone containing the heavy oxygen isotope; and a second distillation step of returning non-decomposed ozone and oxygen containing the heavy oxygen isotope to the distillation column, and separating the oxygen, and the ozone and the diluent gas.

Abstract: A method for concentrating effectively the heavy nitrogen isotope 15N to 50 atom % or more in which 14N15N and/or 15N2, which are molecules containing a heavy nitrogen isotope of 15N, are concentrated by distilling successively nitrogen N2 using plural distillation columns T1 to T4 each of which includes at least one condenser C1 to C4 and at least one reboiler R1 to R4 and is arranged in series, and a part of nitrogen in the distillation is drawn out to be subjected to isotope scrambling in an isotope scrambler S1, and nitrogen after the isotope scrambling is returned to the distillation to produce nitrogen N2 with a 15N concentration of 50 atom % or more.

Abstract: The present invention provides a method for concentrating nitrogen isotope comprising a step for obtaining a final product nitrogen, in which the stable nitrogen isotope, 15N, has been concentrated, by low-temperature distillation of raw material nitrogen containing trace amounts of oxygen and argon with a plurality of distillation columns composed in a cascade arrangement, wherein together with discharging an argon-oxygen mixture from the bottom of the final column and extracting a 15N-concentrated nitrogen fluid from a lower intermediate point of the final column, the flow rate of the argon-oxygen mixture discharged from the bottom of the final column is controlled based on the reading of a thermometer installed below the point where the final product 15N-concentrated nitrogen is extracted, thereby enabling the final product nitrogen to be stably obtained.

Abstract: Provided are a fluid transfer device having higher efficiency than conventional devices and a fuel cell comprising the fluid transfer device. The fluid transfer device according to the present invention comprises a loop-like elastic body 1, at least two piezoelectric elements 3, 3 arranged on the elastic body 1 along a loop direction, and at least one flow path 6 formed along a flat plate part 11 of the elastic body 1. Voltages having phases different from each other are applied to both the piezoelectric elements 3, 3 to generate in the elastic body 1 a flexural wave advancing in the direction of the loop, and this transfers fluid in the flow path 6. The fuel cell according to the present invention comprises an MEA placed in the loop-like elastic body, and a liquid flow path and a gas flow path are formed along the MEA.

Abstract: A laser welding device for manufacturing a prismatic battery 10 of the invention has a pair of jigs 12A, 12B for securing a prismatic battery outer can B1, a gas supply section for supplying inert gas to welding points of a sealing cover B2 fitted to the prismatic battery outer can B1, and a laser unit 11 for irradiating laser beam. Each of the jigs 12A, 12B is provided with a slit-shaped blower outlet and the blower outlet is positioned below the welding points. The inert gas is supplied to the blower outlet from the gas supply section and is blown from the blower outlet to the welding points from below. The laser welding device for manufacturing a prismatic battery 10 can obtain a laser welding device that welds the sealing cover B2 fitted to the prismatic battery outer can B1 fast, preventing weld droops and allowing uniform welding.

Abstract: A fluid transfer device having a simple structure and smaller size than conventional ones is provided. In the fluid transfer device according to the present invention, a vibrating plate 2 is placed facing a predetermined flow path, a flow path forming plate 4 is interposed in the flow path, at least one flow path hole 41 opens on the flow path forming plate 4, a gap is provided between the vibrating plate 2 and the flow path forming plate 4 so that static pressure is generated between the vibrating plate 2 and the flow path forming plate 4 when the vibrating plate 2 is vibrated in an ultrasonic range, and fluid is transferred by the static pressure.

Abstract: Fuel cell of this invention generates electricity by supplying fuel fluid to one of a pair of electrodes forming an MEA 1, supplying oxidation fluid to the other electrode, at least one of the fuel and oxidation fluids being gas, comprising a gas supply device transferring the gas along a flow path 10 defined on a surface of the MEA 1 and a drive circuit driving the gas supply device comprising a vibrating plate 4 and a reflection wall on both sides of the flow path 10, and the drive circuit performs a normal operation control generating gas flow from inlet to outlet of the flow path 10 due to sound pressure gradient generated in the flow path 10 by vibrating the vibrating plate 4 and a foreign material elimination operation control eliminating foreign material in the flow path 10 by changing a vibration mode of the vibrating plate 4.

Abstract: A fuel cell includes a membrane electrode assembly 1 in which an oxidant electrode and a fuel electrode are disposed on the respective sides of an electrolyte layer. The fuel cell includes a vibrating plate 32 which generates an acoustic wave, and which is disposed so as to face the oxidant electrode with a flow path 30 for a gas formed between the vibrating plate and the oxidant electrode. The vibrating plate 32 is formed to have at least one hole 34. Moreover, the gas is transferred by acoustic streaming that occurs in the flow path for the gas 30 due to vibration of the vibrating plate 32 and reflection on a surface of the oxidant electrode facing the vibrating plate 32.

Abstract: A method of enriching a heavy oxygen isotope by distillation of the present invention includes: a first distillation step of feeding oxygen and ozone generated by an ozonizer 12 into a distillation column 13 filled with a diluent gas, and separating the oxygen, and the ozone and the diluent gas; a photodecomposition step of introducing a mixed gas of the ozone and the diluent gas from a bottom of the distillation column into a photoreaction cell 14, and irradiating the mixed gas with a laser light to selectively decompose the ozone containing the heavy oxygen isotope; and a second distillation step of returning non-decomposed ozone and oxygen containing the heavy oxygen isotope to the distillation column, and separating the oxygen, and the ozone and the diluent gas.

Abstract: A fluid transfer device according to the present invention is intended to cause a fluid to travel along a channel (1). A vibrating plate (3a) for generating an acoustic wave and a reflector (2) for reflecting the acoustic wave face each other at opposite sides of the channel (1) with the channel held therebetween. The fluid is caused to travel by a sound pressure gradient formed in the channel (1) by the vibration of said vibrating plate (3a). A fuel cell according to the present invention includes a membrane electrode assembly (14) with an electrolytic membrane (14a), and an anode (14c) and a cathode (14b) arranged on opposite sides of the electrolytic membrane. The fluid transfer device according to the present invention is used to supply a fluid to the anode (14c) and/or cathode (14b) constituting the membrane electrode assembly (14).

Abstract: The object of the present invention is to provide a method for concentrating effectively the heavy nitrogen isotope 15N to 50 atom % or more. In order to achieve the object, the present invention provides a method for concentrating a heavy nitrogen isotope 15N, in which 14N15N and/or 15N2, which are molecules containing a heavy nitrogen isotope of 15N, are concentrated by distilling successively nitrogen N2 using plural distillation columns T1 to T4 each of which comprises at least one condenser C1 to C4 and at least one reboiler R1 to R4 and is arranged in series, and a part of nitrogen in the distillation is drawn out to be subjected to isotope scrambling in an isotope scrambler S1, and nitrogen after the isotope scrambling is returned to the distillation to produce nitrogen N2 with a 15N concentration of 50 atom % or more.

Abstract: The method for concentrating an oxygen isotope or isotopes of the present invention combines the step of concentrating 17O and/or the step of depleting 18O that utilizes photodissociation of ozone by a laser beam with an oxygen distillation step that concentrates the oxygen isotope. At this time, it is preferable to carry out a step of isotope scrambling in addition to the above. When both a step of concentrating 17O and a step of depleting 18O are carried out, whichever thereof may be done first prior to the other. Also these steps may be placed either before or after the oxygen distillation step. Moreover, at least one of said oxygen distillation step, the concentrating 17O step, the depleting 18O step and the isotope scrambling step is preferably carried out twice or more.