Abstract: The invention provides a solar cell or photovoltaic element 1, which is a layered structure or stack 25, comprising a flexible conductive composite foil 23, including a support material layer foil 23b and a first electrically conductive layer 23a, an oxide layer 28, a crystalline metal-oxide semi-conductor 26 layer 14, a photosensitization material 15, an electrolytic liquid (or other 18 hole conducting medium) 16, a catalyst layer 19, a transparent second electrically conductive layer 18 and transparent flexible substrate 26.

Abstract: The present invention provides a process for obtaining a hydrocarbon-enriched fraction from a gaseous feedstock comprising a hydrocarbon fraction and carbon dioxide, which process comprises the steps of: providing a membrane having a retentate side and a permeate side; and contacting the feedstock with the retentate side of the membrane, obtaining a hydrocarbon-enriched fraction at the permeate side of the membrane, wherein the membrane is an organic modified meso-porous membrane.

Abstract: Sealing socket (1) and method for arranging a sealing socket to a tube (2). A sealing socket (1) includes a sleeve (3) having an outer dimension somewhat larger than the tube (2) to be sealed, defining an annular compartment (4) between the tube (2) and the sleeve (3), in which a gasket (6) is introduced. The gasket material is pressurised by a ring (7) which is permanently connected by welding (8) to the sleeve (3).

Abstract: Microporous hydrophobic inorganic membrane having an average pore size of less than 2 nm and a hydrophobicity index octane/water of at least 2 can be obtained by a process comprising hydrolyzing a metal alkoxide in the presence of a hydrocarbyl metal alkoxide having at least one non-hydrolyzable group in an organic solvent to produce a metal (hydr)oxide sol, and precipitating metal (hydr)oxide from said sol and drying the precipitate. In this process, at least 50% of the amount of hydrocarbyl metal alkoxide is introduced into the solvent after 20% of the hydrolysis period has lapsed.

Abstract: Apparatus for separating fluid mixtures includes plural tubular membranes parallel to each other. Each of the membranes has an inner lumen and the flow direction is from the exterior of the membrane to the inner lumen. Each tube is surrounded by a larger diameter feed tube and a gap is formed between the outside service of the tubular membrane and the inside service of the feed tube. This annulus provides a feed flow channel for the fluid mixture along the outer surface of the tubular membrane. The annulus has first and second ends connected to entrance and discharge ports respectively of the feed flow. The inner lumen of the tubular membranes are sealed from the annular gap and provided with a connection for the discharge of the permeate flow.

Abstract: Sealing socket (1) and method for arranging a sealing socket to a tube (2). A sealing socket (1) comprises a sleeve (3) having an outer dimension somewhat larger than the tube (2) to be sealed, defining an annular compartment (4) between the tube (2) and the sleeve (3), in which a gasket (6) is introduced. The gasket material is pressurised by a pressure ring (7) which is permanently connected by welding (8) to the sleeve (3).

Abstract: Apparatus for separating of fluid mixtures. A number of tubular membranes are arranged parallel to each other. Each of the membranes has an inner lumen and the flow direction is from the exterior of the membrane to the inner lumen. Each tube is surrounded by a larger diameter feed tube and a gap is formed between the outside service of the tubular membrane and the inside service of the feed tube. This annulus provides a feed flow channel for the fluid mixture along the outer surface of the tubular membrane. The annulus has a first and second end each being connecting with means for entrance and discharge respectively of the feed flow and with means to direct the feed flow through the channels. The inner lumen of the tubular membranes are sealed from the annular gap and provided with a connection for the discharge of the permeate flow.