Abstract: A method for laterally confining neutral excitons in a semiconductor layer structure (11) of a solid-state device comprises creating an inhomogeneous electric field (F) in the semiconductor layer structure (11), the electric field (F) having an in-plane field component (Fx) whose magnitude varies along at least at least one confinement direction (x) in the device plane, the magnitude of the in-plane field component (Fx) having a maximum along the confinement direction (x). In this manner a lateral confining potential (V(x)) for neutral excitons is caused around the maximum. The solid-state device (10) is irradiated with light to create neutral excitons in the semiconductor layer structure (11). The neutral excitons are laterally confined along the confinement direction (x) by the lateral confining potential (V(x)).

Abstract: A device is provided for generating combustible product gas from carbonaceous feedstocks through allothermal steam gasification in a pressurized gasification vessel. The pressurized allothermal steam gasification of carbonaceous fuels requires that heat be supplied to the gasification chamber at a temperature level of approximately 800-900° C. In a heat pipe reformer, as is known from EP 1 187 892 B1, combustible gas is generated from the carbonaceous feedstocks to be gasified through allothermal steam gasification in a pressurized fluidized bed gasification chamber. The heat needed for this is fed to the gasifier or reformer from a fluidized bed combustion system through a heat pipe arrangement. Due to the straight and tubular construction of heat pipes, the combustion chamber and reformer/gasification chamber are disposed one above the other in the known heat pipe reformer from EP 1 187 892 B1. The pressure vessel base is under particular stresses due to the high temperatures in the combustion chamber.

Abstract: The invention relates to a fluidized-bed reactor having a higher power density and to an exchangeable insert for said fluidized-bed reactor, which insert makes the higher power density possible. The supply and pre-heating of the fluidizing agent, especially air, to the fluidized bed is combined with the cooling of the reactor vessel wall owing to the preferably exchangeable insert in the fluidized-bed reactor. The “cold” fluidizing agent is guided in at least one flow channel in the metal jacket surrounding the fluidized bed and is preheated and said channel and is then injected into the fluidized bed in an appropriate location. The reactor vessel wall is cooled by pre-heating the fluidizing agent. The desired and required values for cooling the reactor vessel and the desired pre-heating of the fluidizing agent can be adjusted by suitably selecting the parameters ‘length’ and ‘volume’ of the flow channels in the insert and the flow rate of the fluidizing agent in the flow channels.

Abstract: A heating system, in particular for motor vehicles, which utilizes waste heat of an internal combustion engine and has a heater that can be operated with liquid fuel for generating heat independently of the operation of the internal combustion engine or in addition to the waste heat of the engine, wherein the heater is associated with an oil storage space of the internal combustion engine. The heater is arranged with its direction of principal extension essentially in parallel to the axis of the crankshaft and eccentrically, mainly in the oil pan of the internal combustion engine.

Abstract: A device for transporting and preheating fuel which is susceptible to cold temperatures comprises a pump which has an electromagnetic coil which is supplied with current to move a plunger for pumping the fuel so as to transport it. The plunger is returned for example, by a return spring and the electromagnetic coil is set out so that a maximum portion of the coil heats a fuel as it is passed through a pumping space. In accordance with the method of the invention, the coil has its own current supply control which advantageously may be set to supply a heating current which is in excess of that required for moving the plunger. A return spring set for returning the plunger may also be made stronger than necessary to effect return and the timing of the operation of the coil for moving the plunger may be set to be longer than necessary in order to keep the coil at a higher operating temperature and thus transform more heat to the fuel.