Abstract: A building is heated using an infrared heater with a radiant tube. A heated gas is fed to the radiant tube at a first end and the tube is further fluidically connected at its second end to a heat exchanger. A portion of the thermal energy contained in the heated gas is conveyed to a buffer storage tank, from which the energy can be removed in particular to heat up industrial water or to heat a second part of a building thermally isolated from the first building, or a second building. There is also provided a solar collector. The feed and/or return of the heat exchanger and/or the feed and/or return of the buffer storage tank can be fluidically connected to the feed and/or return of a thermal solar collector via pipes and switchable valves.

Abstract: The present invention creates an apparatus for determining physical collective parameters of particles in gases, which comprises a measuring chamber with light entrance ports (121) and exit ports (123, 124) for electromagnetic radiation, an emission source (113) for electromagnetic radiation being provided and at least two detection apparatuses (114, 115) for determining the intensity of electromagnetic radiation scattered at the particles being provided, and the detection apparatuses (114, 115) detecting electromagnetic radiation of different scattering regions. The present invention further creates a method for determining physical collective parameters of particles in gases, the particles being exposed to electromagnetic radiation which is scattered at the particles, wherein the intensities of the scattered radiation of at least two different scattering regions are determined and their ratio is taken subsequently.

Abstract: The disclosure is a probelike apparatus (16) for spectroscopic analysis of a fluid medium (19) by attenuated reflection. Two light beams from a light source (11) impinge upon the boundary (18) between a prism (17) and the medium (19) to be analyzed and the intensities of the light beams reflected at the boundary are measured in a detector unit (22). The two light beams differ in their angle of incidence on the boundary and/or in their polarization state. Measurement is preferably carried out under total reflection.

Abstract: A method is for production of solid agents that contain nutrients for plants, that are coated with at least one biodegradable layer and that are produced by using dispersions containing polymers carrying urethane and urea groups for surface treatment of solid agents containing nutrients for plants.

Abstract: Fertilizer formulations comprising polysulfonic acid together with inorganic fertilizers or slurry or liquid fertilizers and one or more nitrification inhibitors.