Abstract: Method of making a current collecting grid for solar cells, including the steps of a) providing a continuous layer stack (1) on a substrate (8), the layer stack (1) including an upper (2) and a lower (3) conductive layer having a photoactive layer (4) interposed there between; b) selectively removing the upper conductive layer (2) and the photoactive layer (4) for obtaining a first contact hole (10) extending through the upper conductive layer (2) and photoactive layer (4) exposing the lower conductive layer (3); c) printing a front contact body (4) on the upper conductive layer (2) and a back contact body (5) in the first contact hole (10) on the lower conductive layer (3) and forming an electrically insulating first gap surrounding the back contact body (5) between the upper conductive layer (2) and the back contact body (2).

Abstract: Method of making an array of interconnected solar cells, including a) providing a continuous layer stack (1) of a prescribed thickness on a substrate (8), the layer stack (1) including an upper (2) and a lower (3) conductive layer having a photoactive layer (4) and a semiconducting electron transport layer (6) interposed there between; b) selectively removing the upper conductive layer (2) and the photoactive layer (4) for obtaining a contact hole (10) exposing the semiconducting electron transport layer (6); c) selectively heating the layer stack (1) to a first depth (d1) for obtaining a first heat affected zone (12) at a first centre-to-centre distance (s1) from the contact hole (10), the first heat affected zone (12) being transformed into a substantially insulating region with substantially the first depth (d1) in the layer stack, thereby locally providing an increased electrical resistivity to the layer stack (1).

Abstract: Method and reactor for producing a product gas from a fuel. The fuel is input into a pyrolysis chamber (6) and a pyrolysis process is executed for obtaining a product gas. Parts of the fuel exiting from the pyrolysis chamber (6) are recirculated to a combustion chamber (20, 23). In the combustion chamber (20, 23) a gasification process is executed in a fluidized bed (20) using a primary process fluid, followed by a combustion process in an area (23) above the fluidized bed (20) using a secondary process fluid.

Abstract: A process for altering the composition of a feed gas containing H2S equivalents is disclosed. The process comprises (a) contacting the feed gas with a solid adsorbent at a temperature of 250-500° C., to obtain a loaded adsorbent, (b) purging the loaded adsorbent with a purge gas comprising steam, thus producing a product stream which typically contains substantially equal levels of CO2 and H2S. The process further comprises a step (c) of regenerating the purged adsorbent by removal of water. The adsorbent comprises alumina and one or more alkali metals, such as potassium oxides, hydroxide or the like.

Abstract: Tar-like components can be removed from gas streams resulting from gasification of coal, waste or biomass by contacting the gas with a liquid organic aryl polysiloxane. The polysiloxane preferably contains alkyl groups and aryl groups, and is in particular a polymethyl polyphenyl polysiloxane. The gas comprises one or more of hydrogen, carbon monoxide, carbon dioxide, and methane.

Abstract: Heat integrated distillation column for separating components in a fluid mixture. The heat integrated distillation column is provided with a stripper part (S), a rectifier part (R) and a compressor (2) between the stripper part (S) and the rectifier part (R). Furthermore, a heat exchange assembly for transferring heat between the stripper part (S) and the rectifier part (R), and a mass transfer assembly for condensation and vaporization in the heat integrated distillation column are provided. The stripper part (S), the rectifier part (R), or the stripper part (S) and rectifier part (R), comprise a channel formed by adjacent channel assemblies (6), each forming a structural part of the heat integrated distillation column and a functional part of the heat exchange assembly and of the mass transfer assembly. A plate (8) and a structured packing in the form of two or more corrugated plates (7) are provided.

Abstract: Back side connection layer for a photo-voltaic module with a plurality of PV-cells (1, 2). The PV-cells (1, 2) are of a type having a plurality of back side contacts (11, 12). A by-pass diode connection path (6) is formed in the back side connection layer (3) along an edge direction of two adjacent cells (1, 2) with a straight or meandering pattern around outer contacts (4, 5) of the plurality of back side contacts (11, 12) of the two adjacent cells (1, 2).

Abstract: Back side connection layer for a photo-voltaic module comprising a plurality of PV-cells (i,j), the plurality PV-cells (i,j) being of a type having one or more back side contacts and divided in a preset number of strings (3) of series connected PV-cells (i. j). By-pass diodes are connectable in parallel to each of the preset number of strings (3), and three or more strings (3) are provided. The plurality of PV-cells (i,j) are positioned such that electrical connections to the first PV-cell and last PV-cell of each of the preset number of strings (3) are provided in a part of the back side connection layer overlapping a part of a two-by-two arrangement of PV-cells (i,j).

Abstract: Photovoltaic module with a negative terminal (5) and a positive terminal (6), and a parallel connection (3, 4) of m sub-modules (2) connected to the negative and the positive terminal (5, 6) of the photovoltaic module (1). Each of the m sub-modules (2) has a string of n series-connected back-contact cells (9), wherein the n cells (9) of each sub-module (2) are arranged in an array. The parallel connection (3, 4) and connections (8) for each string of n series-connected back contact cells (9) are provided in a back conductive sheet, and the back conductive sheet comprises designated areas (7) for the parallel connection (3, 4), corresponding to edge parts of each corresponding sub-module (2).

Abstract: Reactor for producing a product gas from a fuel having a housing (11, 12, 13) with a combustion part accommodating a fluidized bed (7) in operation, a riser (2) extending along a longitudinal direction of the reactor (1), and a downcomer (3) positioned coaxially around the riser (2) and extending into the fluidized bed (7). One or more feed channels (8) for providing the fuel to the riser (2) are provided. The riser (2) is attached to the housing (11, 12, 13) of the reactor (1) in a bottom part (13) of the housing (11, 12, 13), and a part of the riser (2) above the one or more feed channels (8) is moveable with respect to the downcomer (3) in the longitudinal direction of the reactor (1).

Abstract: A method for manufacturing a solar cell module that includes a solar cell based on a semiconductor substrate with front and rear surfaces, includes—fabricating a solar cell from the substrate, and—depositing on at least the rear surface a coating layer. The deposition step includes applying a coating powder on at least the rear surface, forming an adhered powder layer on said surface. The method includes after the deposition step: performing a first annealing process on the solar cell module for transforming the adhered powder layer in a pre-annealed coating layer. Further the method includes—creating open contacting areas on the solar cell by removal of the adhered powder layer at locations of contacting areas on the solar cell , wherein the removal precedes the first annealing process, or by masking contacting areas on the solar cell 1, wherein the masking precedes the deposition step.

Abstract: Photovoltaic module with a back side conductive substrate (10) and a plurality of PV-cells (2) having back contacts and being arranged in an array on a top surface of the back side conductive substrate (10). A circuit of series and/or parallel connected PV-cells (2) is formed by connections (8) between the back contacts and the back side conductive substrate (10). A plurality of by-pass diodes (5) are present having back contacts (6a, 6b) in electrical contact with the circuit of series and/or parallel connected PV-cells (2), wherein the by-pass diodes (5) are positioned on empty parts (4) of the top surface of the back side conductive substrate (10). Each by-pass diode is a wafer based diode and is connected in parallel with one or more PV-cells (2).

Abstract: A photo-voltaic cell has a first and second two-dimensional array of contact points on the first surface, each coupled to a respective one of base and emitter areas in or on the semi-conductor body. Electrically separate first and second conductor structures on the first surface emanate from each contact point, coupled to contact points of the first and second two-dimensional array respectively. The first conductor structure comprises sets of first conductor line branches, the first conductor line branches of each set branching out from a respective one of the contact points of the first two-dimensional array in at least three successive different directions at less than a hundred and eighty degrees to each other.

Abstract: Corrosion effects in a solar cell are measured by means of a conduit with electrolytic fluid. The rim of an open end of the conduit is placed against the surface of the solar cell to expose a selected area of the solar cell to the electrolytic fluid, leaving a free part of the planar surface of the solar cell outside the exposed area. Current and/or voltage fluctuations are measured in an electric circuit that contains the electrolytic fluid, an interface between the electrolytic fluid on the exposed area and a conductor layer on the planar surface, and a contact to the conductor layer in the free part.

Abstract: A solar cell including a semiconductor substrate, having a front side surface for receiving radiation and back-side surface providing a first junction structure in a first area substrate portion and with a second junction structure in a second area substrate portion. The second area portion borders the first area portion. The first junction structure includes a first conductivity type semiconductor layer covering the first area portion. The second junction structure includes a second conductivity type semiconductor layer covering the second area portion. The second junction structure, second conductivity type semiconductor layer partially overlaps the first junction structure, first conductivity type semiconductor layer, with the overlapping second conductivity type semiconductor layer portion being above a first conductivity type semiconductor layer portion while separated by a first dielectric layer.

Abstract: The invention relates to a photovoltaic cell, comprising a plate shaped substrate of a semiconductor material with a solar face and a connection face, a first volume of the substrate adjacent to the solar face is doped with a first polarity, the second volume is doped with a second polarity and the volumes are separated by a pn-junction, a number of apertures in the substrate extending between both faces and in which a plug has been positioned of which a part is conducting, contact tracks at the solar face of the substrate connected with the first volume and the conducting part of the plug, first contacts at the connection face of the substrate connected with the conducting part of the plug and second contacts located at the connection face of the substrate connected with the second volume, wherein the specific electrical conductivity of the plug decreases from its centre to the contact face with the substrate.

Abstract: The present invention is directed at a process for fractionating lignocellulosic biomass for the purpose of reducing processing costs, increasing delignification, reducing side-reactions, in particular reducing hemicelluloses degradation, improving cellulose hydrolysis and increasing the nativity of the obtained lignin, by performing organosolv fractionation of the biomass with a treatment liquid at a temperature below 170° C., wherein the treatment liquid comprises a non-hydroxylic organic solvent, in particular a ketone, water and some acid, and optionally subjecting the cellulose-enriched product stream to enzymatic hydrolysis.

Abstract: High-pressure steam supply in hydrogen production process is made more efficient by water gas shift process which comprises, in alternating sequence: (a) a reaction stage wherein a feed gas comprising CO and H2O is fed into a water gas shift reactor containing a sorbent material capable of adsorbing H2O and CO2 and wherein a product gas issuing from the reactor is collected, (b) a regeneration stage wherein CO2 is removed from the reactor, (c) a loading stage, wherein H2O is fed into the reactor; wherein said feed gas mixture has a molar ratio of H2O to CO below 1.2, and the loading stage is performed at a lower pressure than the pressure of the reaction stage.

Abstract: Lignocellulosic biomass can be fractionated for the purpose of increasing cellulose purity in the pulp, increasing native lignin content of the isolated lignin, and improving cellulose hydrolysis, by performing the steps of: (a) extracting the biomass with an extracting liquid comprising at least 20 wt % of a first organic solvent at a temperature below 100° C.; (b) treating the extracted biomass with a treatment liquid comprising a second organic solvent selected from lower alcohols, ethers and ketones, optionally water and optionally an acid, at a temperature between 120° C. and 280° C., and, optionally: (c) subjecting a cellulose-enriched product stream resulting from step (b) to enzymatic hydrolysis. The first and second organic solvent may be different or the same; in particular they comprise ethanol or acetone.