Abstract: A heat exchanger for exchanging heat between a liquid-containing medium and a gas comprises a medium inlet and a medium outlet and a flat heat exchanger mat, wherein the mat comprises a number of parallel, equidistant capillaries of heat-conducting material and wires of heat-conducting material which are attached in heat-conducting contact to the capillaries, extend in transverse direction relative thereto and have a mutual distance in the order of magnitude of the diameter of the wires, wherein gas can flow along the wires for heat exchange between this gas and the medium flowing through the capillaries, and wherein the gas flows along the mat and at least a substantial part of the gas is prevented from flowing through the mat, and the gas flows in longitudinal direction of the wires.

Abstract: The invention relates to a ventilation system for exchanging the air in a room with outside air, which system comprises: A fine wire heat exchanger having a first channel and a second channel, which channels are in heat-exchanging contact with each other, and wherein the first channel has an inlet connected to outside air and an outlet connected to the air in the room, and wherein the second channel has an inlet connected to the air in the room and an outlet connected to the outside air; balancing means for balancing the flow in both channels, such that the heat transfer is maximized. The invention also relates to a combination of a façade, a room on the inside of and adjacent to the façade and a ventilation system, wherein the inlet of the first channel of the system is connected to outside air on the outside of the façade and the outlet is connected to the air in the room, and wherein the inlet of the second channel is connected to the air in the room and the outlet is connected to the outside air.

Abstract: A heat exchanger for exchanging heat between a liquid-containing medium and a gas comprises a medium inlet and a medium outlet and a flat heat exchanger mat, wherein the mat comprises a number of parallel, equidistant capillaries of heat-conducting material and wires of heat-conducting material which are attached in heat-conducting contact to the capillaries, extend in transverse direction relative thereto and have a mutual distance in the order of magnitude of the diameter of the wires, wherein gas can flow along the wires for heat exchange between this gas and the medium flowing through the capillaries, and wherein the gas flows along the mat and at least a substantial part of the gas is prevented from flowing through the mat, and the gas flows in longitudinal direction of the wires.

Abstract: The invention pertains to a solar cell unit comprising a back electrode, a photovoltaic (PV) layer, and, optionally, a front electrode, with part of the surface of the solar cell unit not generating any energy, characterised in that on at least a portion of the part of the solar cell unit which does not generate any energy a colouring layer is present, while at least a portion of the energy generating part of the solar cell unit is free of a colouring layer. Preferably at least 50%, more preferably, at least 85%, more preferably still, at least 90% of the energy generating part of the solar cell unit is free of a colouring layer. The solar cell unit may be either a wafer-based solar cell unit or a thin film solar cell unit. The colouring layer may be applied on, e.g., the optionally present grid and/or in the case of thin film solar cell units on the part of the surface of the solar cell unit which does not generate any energy as a result of the connection in series.

Abstract: Pervaporation device for the desalination of salt water comprising a channel or cavity for holding or transporting salt water and a liquid-water-impermeable, water-vapour-permeable non-porous membrane, which is made of a copolyether amide wherein the polyether and (poly)amide segments are linked via amide bridges.

Abstract: The present invention pertains to a solar cell unit comprising a back electrode, a photovoltaic (PV) layer, and, optionally, a front electrode, with part of the surface of the solar cell unit not generating energy, wherein at least part of the non-energy-generating part of the solar cell unit is provided with a coloring material, while at least part of the energy-generating part of the solar cell unit is free of a coloring material, the color of the coloring material being different from that of the solar cell unit. If so desired, part of the non-energy-generating part of the solar cell unit may be provided with a camouflage material. The present invention makes it possible to select the color impression of the solar cell unit and/or decorate the solar cell unit while the electrical output of the solar cell unit is not affected.

Abstract: The invention is aimed at providing a heat and power generating apparatus comprising a polymer electrolyte fuel cell stack, and a fuel processing system that converts a hydrocarbon into a hydrogen rich mixture, the apparatus according to the invention has a high electrical as well as thermal efficiency. The high efficiency is realized according to the invention by operating the system at atmospheric pressure, low-pressure drop, and by using an efficient inverter.

Abstract: The invention relates to an apparatus for the conversion of hydrocarbons to hydrogen, and to the conversion process. Fuel processors, or reformers are often used for large-scale conversion of natural gas to hydrogen containing mixtures. Although large fuel processors perform well, small reformers still have some major drawbacks. The object of this invention is to provide an apparatus for the conversion of hydrocarbons to hydrogen rich gas mixtures, that operates at a relatively low temperature, uses air instead of pure oxygen, can be operated at atmospheric pressure, has a low pressure drop, is compact, has low thermal mass and having high thermal efficiency.

Abstract: The invention pertains to a method of manufacturing a photovoltaic foil supported by a carrier and comprising a plurality of photovoltaic layers which together have the ability of generating electric current from incident light, a back-electrode layer on one side adjacent and parallel to the photovoltaic layers, and a transparent conductor layer on the other side of, and adjacent and parallel to the photovoltaic layers, which method comprises the following subsequent steps: providing a temporary substrate, applying the transparent conductor layer, applying the photovoltaic layers, applying the back-electrode layer, applying the carrier, removing the temporary substrate, and, preferably, applying a top coat on the side of the transparent conductor layer.

Abstract: The invention pertains to a process for producing cellulose fibers and filaments from a spinnable cellulose-containing solution, by spinning the solution using a centrifuge, with the solution which is spun containing 94-100 wt. % of the following constituents:cellulose,phosphoric acid and/or its anhydrides, andwater.By means of this process cellulose fibers and filaments can be produced which have exceptionally favorable properties for both textile and industrial applications.

Abstract: A heat exchanger which includes a first space through which a first medium can flow along a first path; a second space through which a second medium can flow along a second path; and heat conducting means which are in thermal contact with the first medium in the first space and the second medium in the second space for transferring heat therebetween; which heat conducting means includes heat conducting wires which extend from the first space and the second space with mutual interspacing and in mutually parallel relation in a direction differing from the directions of the first and second path over at least a part of both transverse dimensions relative to the paths, and has the characteristic that the wires are arranged in flat strips or mats which are placed such that at least one of the media flows first between the strips or mats and then through the strips or mats and between the wires with heat exchange between that medium and the wires.

Abstract: Production of sodium bicarbonate by the Solvay-soda method, employing a volatile aliphatic amine instead of ammonia, is combined with the oxychlorination of olefins in liquid phase by using the amine hydrochloride side-product of the soda plant as chlorine source in the oxidative regeneration of the spent chlorinating liquid. The chlorinating liquid contains iodine and copper chloride or iron chloride and on regenerating the spent liquid the amine is recovered in the vapor phase and recycled to the soda plant.

Abstract: An apparatus for detecting a yarn break on a textile machine having at least one yarn processing position where the transport of a yarn is to be monitored, comprising a triboelectric signal generator located at said processing position for producing a signal indicating the transport of the yarn and a signal detection circuit for amplifying and rectifying the signal to provide an output indicative of a yarn break.