Abstract: A reformer (2) produces a reformate gas by partial oxidation of vaporized fuel with air supplied through a first air supply passage (10A). A hydrogen-rich gas is produced by removing carbon monoxide from the reformate gas with a carbon monoxide oxidizer (3) and thereafter is supplied to the fuel cell stack (1). A second air supply passage (8A) which has a smaller cross sectional area than the first air supply passage (10A) is also provided to supply air to the reformer (2). When substantially no load is applied to the fuel cell stack (1), the first air supply passage (10A) is cut off with a valve (7A) and a minute amount of air is supplied to the reformer (2) from the second air supply passage (8A) to maintain a standby operation of the power plant in order to prevent reductions in the temperature of the fuel cell stack (1).

Abstract: In a fuel cell system and a method of controlling the same, a fuel cell stack 1 is connected at its downstream side with a hydrogen control valve 11 and a hydrogen draw pump 12. A control unit 5 controls the hydrogen draw pump 12 such that hydrogen drawing power is increased to a level larger than that required for normal operation and controls the hydrogen control valve 11 such that opening degree is decreased. After that, the control unit 5 controls the hydrogen control valve 11 such that the opening degree is increased to purge moisture in the fuel cell stack.

Abstract: The fuel cell system according to this invention disposes a moisture exchanger (30) at a suction side of an air supply device (7). This causes an increase in the pressure differential and temperature differential of the fresh air and the cathode exhaust in the moisture exchanger (30) and promotes transfer of moisture. Since the moisture exchanger (30) effectively transfers moisture, it is possible to downsize the radiator for the cooling water and the condenser (60). Thus it is possible to reduce the weight and size of the fuel cell system.

Abstract: The hydrogen permeating to a post-separation side (11B) of the membrane hydrogen separator (11) is supplied to an anode chamber (2A) of a fuel cell stack (2) via a hydrogen supply passage (25). A hydrogen recirculation passage (8) recirculates hydrogen from the anode chamber (2A) to the post-separation side (11B). When the hydrogen partial pressure on the post-separation side (11B) increases, air is introduced into the hydrogen recirculation passage (8) from an intake valve (30). When the hydrogen partial pressure decreases, gas in the hydrogen recirculation passage (8) is discharged from an exhaust valve (60). The rate of hydrogen permeation through the membrane hydrogen separator (11) is thereby maintained to a preferred level.

Abstract: A vehicle fuel cell system according to this invention comprises a controller (20) that compares a input running distance to a predetermined distance. When the input running distance is less than the predetermined distance, the controller (20) finishes running using only the hydrogen supplied from a hydrogen storage device (14) without starting a start-up combustor (50). When the input running distance is larger than the predetermined distance, the controller (20) starts hydrogen supply from the hydrogen storage device (14), and simultaneously starts warm-up of a reformer (3) by starting the start-up combustor (50). When warm-up of the reformer (3) is complete, supply of hydrogen from the hydrogen storage device (14) finishes, and hydrogen supply from the reformer (3) starts.

Abstract: A reformer (2) produces a reformate gas by partial oxidation of vaporized fuel with air supplied through a first air supply passage (10A). A hydrogen-rich gas is produced by removing carbon monoxide from the reformate gas with a carbon monoxide oxidizer (3) and thereafter is supplied to the fuel cell stack (1). A second air supply passage (8A) which has a smaller cross sectional area than the first air supply passage (10A) is also provided to supply air to the reformer (2). When substantially no load is applied to the fuel cell stack (1), the first air supply passage (10A) is cut off with a valve (7A) and a minute amount of air is supplied to the reformer (2) from the second air supply passage (8A) to maintain a standby operation of the power plant in order to prevent reductions in the temperature of the fuel cell stack (1).

Abstract: A fuel cell generation system of the invention includes a reforming apparatus; a fuel cell; a reformed gas flow rate control section controlling a flow rate of reformed gas flowing from the reforming apparatus so that an operating pressure of the reforming apparatus is equal to its target pressure; a reformed gas flow rate detecting section detecting a flow rate of the reformed gas flowing into the fuel cell; a target load current calculating section calculating a target load current taken out of the fuel cell in accordance with the flow rate of the reformed gas detected by the reformed gas flow rate detecting section so that an operating pressure of the fuel cell is equal to its target pressure; an inlet pressure detecting section detecting an inlet pressure of the fuel cell; a target load current correction quantity calculating section calculating a load current correction quantity in accordance with a deviation between the inlet pressure of the fuel cell detected by the inlet pressure detecting section and

Abstract: In a fuel cell system and a method of controlling the same, a fuel cell stack 1 is connected at its downstream side with a hydrogen control valve 11 and a hydrogen draw pump 12. A control unit 5 controls the hydrogen draw pump 12 such that hydrogen drawing power is increased to a level larger than that required for normal operation and controls the hydrogen control valve 11 such that opening degree is decreased. After that, the control unit 5 controls the hydrogen control valve 11 such that the opening degree is increased to purge moisture in the fuel cell stack.

Abstract: An apparatus for soil remediation to remedy a soil contaminated with a pollutant less affecting the environment, which includes a soil borer having a rotatable drilling form or portion capable of agitating the soil, introducing into the soil at least one agent selected from the group consisting of a microorganism capable of degrading the pollutant, a nutrient for the microorganism and an inducer to make the microorganism express the pollutant-degrading activity, and measuring pollutant concentration in the soil.

Abstract: A soil remedying process for the soil contaminated with a volatile pollutant, which comprises the steps of forming in a probe a remediation site containing a microorganism which can degrade the volatile pollutant, introducing the volatile pollutant into the remediation site in the probe, and degrading the volatile pollutant by the microorganism.

Abstract: A process for remedying polluted soil which comprises the steps of injecting a liquid agent containing a microorganism into the polluted soil, and injecting a gas into a region wherein the water content of the soil became 0.6 or more times its saturation water content after the injection of the liquid agent. Using this method bioremediation of contaminated soil can be economically and efficiently carried out.

Abstract: A ferritic stainless steel comprises C: not more than 0.025 wt %, Si: not more than 0.10 wt %, Mn: not more than 1.0 wt %, Cr: 17.0-25.0 wt %, Ni: not more than 0.50 wt %, Mo: 0.50-2.00 wt %, Al: not more than 0.025 wt %, N: not more than 0.025 wt %, at least one of Nb: 10(C wt %+N wt %)-1.0 wt % and Ti: 10(C wt %+N wt %)-1.0 wt %, and the balance being substantially Fe and inevitable impurities and is effectively used in various heat exchangers.

Abstract: A heat exchanger of a brazed-plate-fine type and a counter-flow type consists of a plurality of tube elements which define first-fluid flowing spaces while inner fins are disposed in the spaces, respectively. The tube elements are alternately laminated with a plurality of outer fins, and the laminated elements and fins are surrounded by a housing for constituting a second-fluid flowing space. A first-fluid inlet port and a first-fluid outlet ports are formed so as to outwardly project from a lateral side of the outer fin. The housing is formed to have curved portions conforming with projecting outer peripheries of the inlet and outlet ports. Accordingly, the heat transmission efficiency of the heat exchanger is improved.