Abstract: An electric power converter includes a first capacitor being located between an input terminal and an output terminal, and that connects a first terminal being located between the input terminal and a ground, a reactor that connects through electric contact between the first terminal and the output terminal, a switching element that connects through electric contact between the input terminal and the output terminal, and a control unit that executes a first PWM control process controlling a pulse width of the PWM waveform by on and off of the switching device according to the fluctuation of the output voltage, and that executes a second PWM control process widening a pulse width of the PWM and a duty cycle of a PWM than those of the previous cycle when a pulse width becomes a lower limit.

Abstract: The present invention provides a steam generator capable of greatly improving energy efficiency, and an energy supply system that uses the steam generator. The steam generator of the present invention includes a high-temperature chamber to which heat of 250° C. to 800° C. is supplied; a low-temperature chamber arranged adjacent to the high-temperature chamber and configured to produce low-temperature steam of 50° C. to 185° C. from water using the heat of the high-temperature chamber; and at least one thermoelectric element arranged between the high-temperature chamber and the low-temperature chamber.

Abstract: An electric power converter includes a first capacitor being located between an input terminal and an output terminal, and that connects a first terminal being located between the input terminal and a ground, a reactor that connects through electric contact between the first terminal and the output terminal, a switching element that connects through electric contact between the input terminal and the output terminal, and a control unit that executes a first PWM control process controlling a pulse width of the PWM waveform by on and off of the switching device according to the fluctuation of the output voltage, and that executes a second PWM control process widening a pulse width of the PWM and a duty cycle of a PWM than those of the previous cycle when a pulse width becomes a lower limit.

Abstract: A power supply apparatus that receives electric power from a power generation apparatus having a varying output and supplies electric power to an outside, the apparatus comprising: a power storage device that has a larger amount by which electric power is stored and/or a lower self-discharge rate than a capacitor device used as a passive device and also has higher charge and discharge efficiency and/or higher responsiveness than a secondary battery, the power storage device receiving electric power from the power generation apparatus and discharging electric power to the outside; a current control unit that controls a current supplied from the power storage device to the outside; and a control unit that controls a current and a voltage of the power generation apparatus by charging and discharging the power storage device so as to maximize an amount of power generation by the power generation apparatus.

Abstract: A power source system includes: a power storage device; a switch portion for connecting or disconnecting the power storage device to or from outside; a converter for converting electric power output from a power generation apparatus into external power; and a control unit for controlling a connection or disconnection operation of the switch portion, in which the control unit is for: disconnecting, when an output current of the power generation apparatus is low current, connection between the power storage device and the outside to charge the power storage device with the electric power output from the power generation apparatus; and controlling, when a voltage of the power storage device becomes higher than an operating voltage of the converter as a result of the charging, the connection or disconnection operation of the switch portion so as to connect the power storage device and the converter to output the stored electric power.

Abstract: A power supply apparatus that receives electric power from a power generation apparatus having a varying output and supplies electric power to an outside, the apparatus comprising: a power storage device that has a larger amount by which electric power is stored and/or a lower self-discharge rate than a capacitor device used as a passive device and also has higher charge and discharge efficiency and/or higher responsiveness than a secondary battery, the power storage device receiving electric power from the power generation apparatus and discharging electric power to the outside; a current control unit that controls a current supplied from the power storage device to the outside; and a control unit that controls a current and a voltage of the power generation apparatus by charging and discharging the power storage device so as to maximize an amount of power generation by the power generation apparatus.

Abstract: Disclosed is a method for production of lower olefins from a raw material containing dimethyl ether (DME), which can produce lower olefins (e.g. propylene) with good yield and in an economically advantageous manner by prolonging the time until the reversible deactivation of a zeolite catalyst and preventing the irreversible deactivation of the catalyst, can reduce the amount of water to be recycled to increase the thermal efficiency of the process, and can simplify the facilities and operations. Also disclosed is a method for improving the yield of propylene with good efficiency under practical operating conditions. A feed gas which comprises a DME-containing feedstock gas and an additive gas and further contains steam at a specific proportion is introduced into an olefin synthesis reactor to contact the feed gas with a zeolite catalyst, thereby producing a hydrocarbon product containing C2-C5 olefins.

Abstract: The present invention provides a steam generator capable of greatly improving energy efficiency, and an energy supply system that uses the steam generator. The steam generator of the present invention includes a high-temperature chamber to which heat of 250° C. to 800° C. is supplied; a low-temperature chamber arranged adjacent to the high-temperature chamber and configured to produce low-temperature steam of 50° C. to 185° C. from water using the heat of the high-temperature chamber; and at least one thermoelectric element arranged between the high-temperature chamber and the low-temperature chamber.

Abstract: Disclosed is a method for production of lower olefins from a raw material containing dimethyl ether (DME), which can produce lower olefins (e.g. propylene) with good yield and in an economically advantageous manner by prolonging the time until the reversible deactivation of a zeolite catalyst and preventing the irreversible deactivation of the catalyst, can reduce the amount of water to be recycled to increase the thermal efficiency of the process, and can simplify the facilities and operations. Also disclosed is a method for improving the yield of propylene with good efficiency under practical operating conditions. A feed gas which comprises a DME-containing feedstock gas and an additive gas and further contains steam at a specific proportion is introduced into an olefin synthesis reactor to contact the feed gas with a zeolite catalyst, thereby producing a hydrocarbon product containing C2-C5 olefins.