Abstract: A reactor device comprises a reaction chamber for carrying out a reaction with hydrogen (H2) as reaction product. The reactor device comprises a combustion chamber, and a hydrogen-permeable membrane, which is provided between the reaction chamber and the combustion chamber. A supply channel is provided in the combustion chamber. The supply channel is designed, for example, as a tubular supply line. The supply channel is provided with lateral supply apertures for supplying a fluid containing oxygen (O2), such as air, to the combustion chamber.

Abstract: A method for manufacturing a solar cell includes providing a first conductivity type doped crystalline silicon wafer, depositing on one side a first intrinsic a-Si:H buffer layer, followed by a second conductivity type doped a-Si:H layer, turning over the wafer and depositing on the opposite side a surface passivating anti-reflection coating, applying a first mask having a grid opening on the second conductivity type doped a-Si:H covered surface of the wafer, dry etching to remove the second conductivity type doped a-Si:H layer not covered by the first mask, while maintaining the first mask in position: depositing a second intrinsic buffer layer of a-Si:H, depositing a first conductivity type doped a-Si:H layer.

Abstract: A hydrothermally stable, microporous organic-inorganic hybrid membrane based on silica, having an mean pore diameter of between 0.2 and 1.5 nm, is characterised in that between 5 and 40 mole % of the Si—O—Si bonds have been replaced by moieties having the one of the formulas: Si—{[CmH(n-1)X]—Si—}q, Si—[CmH(n-2)X2]—Si or Si—CmHn—Si{(CmHn)—Si—}y in which m=1-8, n=2m, 2m-2, 2m-4, 2m-6 or 2m-8; provided that n?2, X=H or (CH2)pSi, p=0 or 1, and q=1, 2, 3 or 4. The membrane can be produced by acid-catalysed hydrolysis of suitable bis-silane precursors such as bis(trialkoxysily)alkanes, preferably in the presence of monoorganyl-silane precursors such as trialkoxy-alkylsilanes.

Abstract: Module for a solar panel, comprising a glass plate and a monolithic solar cell, wherein the monolithic solar cell is joined to the glass plate. A glass frit layer is located between the solar cell and the glass plate and forms the join between a surface of the glass plate and a photoactive surface of the solar cell.

Abstract: A process for treating biomass comprises providing a material that contains an amount of residual moisture. The material is heated to a torrefying temperature in a low-oxygen atmosphere in a torrefaction reactor to convert it into a torrefied material. The material with the contained residual moisture is essentially fully dried in a drying chamber by evaporation of residual moisture. The torrefaction reactor comprises a torrefying chamber, in which the torrefaction of this dried material is essentially carried out. The material is conveyed through the torrefaction reactor. The drying of the material in the drying chamber is carried out by introducing into it a hot drying gas that flows therethrough cocurrently with the material. The torrefaction of the material in the torrefying chamber of the torrefaction reactor is carried out by introducing into it a hot torrefying gas that flows through the torrefying chamber countercurrently with the material.

Abstract: The invention relates to a method for the catalytic reduction of NOx in an NOx containing gas using methane in the presence of a catalyst which comprises a palladium-containing zeolite. In this process one uses a zeolite based on rings of 12 oxygen atoms, wherein the zeolite also comprises scandium, yttrium, a lanthanide or a combination thereof. The invention also relates to the catalyst itself and the preparation thereof.

Abstract: The invention provides solar cells and methods of manufacturing solar cells having a Hetero-junction with Intrinsic Thin-layer (HIT) structure using an n-type multicrystalline silicon substrate. An n-type multicrystalline silicon substrate is subjected to a phosphorus diffusion step using a relatively high temperature. The front side diffusion layer is then removed. As a next step, a p-type silicon thin film is deposited at the front side of the substrate. This sequence avoids heating the p-type silicon thin film above its deposition temperature, and maintains the quality of the p-type silicon thin film.

Abstract: A device for producing a product gas from biomass includes a reactor which is delimited by a base part and reactor walls. The reactor walls include a circumferential wall and an upper wall. The reactor includes a supply opening for the supplying of biomass, and also at least one riser for the chemical conversion of supplied biomass to a product gas and a solid substance. The riser is attached within the circumferential wall and includes an upper end and a lower end. The reactor also has a discharge opening for the discharging of the product gas. The riser is fastened to at least one reactor wall. The base wall of the reactor has a through-opening through which the lower end of the riser movably extends.

Abstract: Method and assembly for determining the presence of soot particles in a gas stream such as in the air. To prevent the disturbing effect of salts and the like that may be deposited on soot particles, it is proposed to introduce the soot particles into water as a suspension. The salts concerned dissolve in the water and have no effect when determining the change in optical properties resulting from the presence of the soot particles. This determination comprises in particular a light transmittance measurement. The presence of the soot particles can be determined after the gas stream is first passed through a filter, as a result of which a particle size distribution can be determined. Suspension of the soot particles can be achieved by subjecting these to a stream of steam, whereby the steam condenses on the soot particles and then causes these to precipitate out of the gas. The various processes can be expedited by using a cyclone.

Abstract: A fuel cell is constructed as anode-supported solid oxide fuel cell, but can also be used with electrolyte- and metal-supported solid oxide fuel cells. The anode and electrolyte are larger than the cathode and the portion of the anode/electrolyte protruding beyond the cathode is provided with a peripheral seal. The anode-/electrolyte/cathode combination is provided with a flow/gas distribution grid on both the anode and the cathode side. The anode/cathode combination including the flow/gas distribution grids is enclosed between two separator plates, an auxiliary plate and a spacer. The auxiliary plate is designed for external feeding and discharge of a cathode gas, while the separator plate and the auxiliary plate are provided with openings for internal feeding/discharge of anode gas. The auxiliary plate and spacer are solder joined to the separator plate. Several fuel cells of the invention can be used to form a cell stack.

Abstract: Turbine farm comprising at least a first turbine and at least a second turbine for energy extraction from a flowing fluid, wherein when the second turbine is on the lee side of the first turbine, under nominal power, the axial induction of the first turbine is lowered with respect to the second turbine, to reduce turbulence mainly at the location of the at least second turbine.

Abstract: The invention relates to a method for the catalytic decomposition of N2O in a gas containing N2O in the presence of a catalyst, wherein the catalyst comprises a zeolite that has been loaded with a first metal selected from the group of noble metals consisting of ruthenium, rhodium, silver, rhenium, osmium, iridium, platinum and gold, and with a second metal selected from the group of transition metals consisting of chromium, manganese, iron cobalt, nickel and copper, and wherein the loading of the zeolite with metals has been obtained by first loading the zeolite with the noble metal and then with the transition metal, as well as a catalyst for this method and a method for the preparation of this catalyst.

Abstract: Method and assembly for extracting energy from a flowing fluid. It is proposed to regard all devices of the assembly together as one flow body. In particular those devices on the upstream side of the assembly are set such that they exert lateral (horizontal and/or vertical) forces on the fluid flow, as a result of which flows are produced that guide fast fluid through the energy-extracting devices and guide slow fluid precisely away therefrom. The assembly includes a wind farm and the devices that generate the lateral forces are a type of vortex generators for the atmospheric boundary layer; more particularly they are horizontal or vertical wind turbines positioned at an angle to the wind.

Abstract: Liquid-containing photovoltaic element, comprising a platelike work electrode and a platelike counter-electrode adhered thereto by means of a vapour and liquid-tight peripheral edge, wherein the work electrode and the counter-electrode are each formed on a flat substrate provided with an electrically conductive layer and wherein a liquid is received into a space between the work electrode, the counter-electrode and the peripheral edge, wherein a system of mutually connected electrical conductors is provided on the conductive layer of each of the substrates for the work electrode and the counter-electrode, which conductors are provided with a layer of an electrically insulating material, in which layer there is provided at least one recess for an electrical contact on a conductor, and which systems of conductors have a mirror-symmetrical form relative to each other.

Abstract: A process for the production of electrodes for fuel cells includes applying an ink consisting of a mixture of at least a carbon powder, an ion-conducting polymer and a fluid, the fluid containing at least 3% of an alkanediol, and a fuel cell electrode which can be obtained by applying such an electrode ink to a substrate, followed by a heat treatment.

Abstract: Method for producing a porous titanium material for example a support. Starting from a titanium powder this powder is sintered under vacuum conditions in an inert/reducing atmosphere. Titanium hydride is added as powder and decomposes during sintering. The hydride ions provide a very reducing atmosphere preventing any titanium oxide or carbide/nitride composition to be formed at elevated temperature.

Abstract: A heat exchanger is used between the stripper section and rectifier section. The heat exchanger (10) has channels closed on all sides with an end inlet and end outlet for the related section. A compressor is fitted between the sections. According to the invention the heat exchanger is a so-called compact heat exchanger, that is to say a heat exchanger made up of a series of adjacent plates (15, 16) between which channels (11, 12) closed on all sides for the related section are delimited. These channels (11, 12) extend essentially vertically and are so constructed that all liquid contained therein is able to move towards the bottom of the section concerned. The flow cross-section of the channels of the stripper/rectifier section changes depending on the process carried out therein.

Abstract: A method for the simultaneous removal of nitrogen oxides and laughing gas from a stream containing nitrogen oxides and laughing gas, wherein a first catalyst that contains cobalt and, as support, an inorganic metal oxide, and a second catalyst that contains iron and, as support, an inorganic metal oxide, are used. In particular the method is carried out in such a way that (a) the gas stream containing nitrogen oxides and laughing gas is reacted with a reducing gas, the reducing gas comprising a saturated hydrocarbon, in the presence of the first catalyst and (b) the gaseous product from step (a) is reacted with a reducing gas, the reducing gas comprising a saturated hydrocarbon, in presence of a second catalyst. The catalyst system can be used for the treatment of off-gases from a nitric acid plant.

Abstract: Method and device for converting CO on one side of a membrane with the addition of water to give CO2 and H2O. During this reaction H2 passes through the membrane. On the other side of the membrane H2 is combined with oxygen and burned. This oxygen can be supplied in the form of air and can originate from a fuel cell or fed thereto. CO and H2 originate from a fuel cell.

Abstract: A blade of a wind turbine is presented. This blade is provided with a root section for connecting the blade to the shaft or hub of the turbine. The blade also contains a wind-energy-absorbing profile which is optimized for wind flow. The output of the wind turbine is increased by providing the root section with a member that is designed in such a way that the assembly consisting of the member and the root section can absorb wind energy and will increase the overall efficiency of the wind turbine.