Abstract: The present invention is to provide, in a combined system of a bioethanol producing device and an SOFC, a method that is capable of further enhancing the electric power generation efficiency of the SOFC, and is also capable of achieving further reduction of the energy required for distillation of the fermented liquid. A part of an anode off-gas is refluxed to the water-containing ethanol vapor line from the mash column to the reforming device at a reflux ratio ((flow rate of reflux gas)/(flow rate of (anode off-gas)?(reflux gas))) of from 1 to 2. The ethanol concentration of the water-containing ethanol vapor is controlled by refluxing, to a range of from 25 to 35% by weight with water contained in the anode off-gas of the solid oxide fuel cell.

Abstract: The present invention is to provide, in a combined system of a bioethanol producing device and an SOFC, a method that is capable of further enhancing the electric power generation efficiency of the SOFC, and is also capable of achieving further reduction of the energy required for distillation of the fermented liquid. A part of an anode off-gas is refluxed to the water-containing ethanol vapor line from the mash column to the reforming device at a reflux ratio ((flow rate of reflux gas)/(flow rate of (anode off-gas)?(reflux gas))) of from 1 to 2. The ethanol concentration of the water-containing ethanol vapor is controlled by refluxing, to a range of from 25 to 35% by weight with water contained in the anode off-gas of the solid oxide fuel cell.

Abstract: In the carbon dioxide separation system, a mixed gas having a carbon dioxide concentration of 3 to 75% is introduced into a primary carbon dioxide separation device equipped with a zeolite membrane for carbon dioxide separation to produce a primary permeated gas having a carbon dioxide concentration of 80% or more on the permeate side of the zeolite membrane and also reduce the carbon dioxide concentration of a primary gas on the non-permeate side of the zeolite membrane to 3 to 15%. Next, the primary gas on the non-permeate side is introduced into a secondary carbon dioxide separation device that employs an amine absorption method or a pressure swing adsorption (PSA) method to produce a secondary separated gas having a carbon dioxide concentration of 80% or more separated by the separation device and also produce a carbon-dioxide-removed gas having a carbon dioxide concentration of 2% or less.

Abstract: To reduce an influence of concentration polarization in a simple structure without an outer membrane element 32 and baffles, reduce a manufacturing cost of a module, and reduce a risk of damaging a membrane surface during manufacture. A plurality of horizontal cylindrical membrane elements 32 are disposed to form a row in a vertical direction in a module main body 11. An inside of each of the membrane elements is depressurized. A treatment liquid is sprayed from above the uppermost membrane element 32 so as to form a falling liquid membrane on outer faces of the respective membrane elements 32.

Abstract: In a metal-air battery, a negative electrode, an electrolyte layer, and a positive electrode are concentrically disposed in the stated order, radially outward from the central axis, and the outer circumferential surface of the positive electrode is enclosed by a liquid-repellent layer (29). The liquid-repellent layer (29) includes a relatively high-strength inorganic porous material (292) having a continuous pore structure, and a fluorine-based porous part (293) formed by fusing fluorine-based particles to each other. The fluorine-based porous part (293) is fused to the inorganic porous material (292) in pores (294) of and on the outer surface (295) of the inorganic porous material (292). This makes it possible to provide the liquid-repellent layer (29) that is a functional porous material having desired mechanical strength, gas permeability, and liquid impermeability.

Abstract: In the device for mounting a separation membrane element in a separation membrane module, a sealing member is constituted of a plurality of notched circular packings made of graphite, for example, each having a notched circular shape as viewed in a plan view. The plurality of notched circular packings are fitted on an upper end portion of the separation membrane element in a state where the notched circular packings are made to overlap with each other in plural stages, notched portions of the notched circular packings arranged adjacent to each other vertically are arranged at positions different from each other as viewed in a plan view, the notched circular packings in plural stages are received by the inwardly projecting annular receiving portion in the mounting hole, the notched circular packings in plural stages are pressed to the annular receiving portion by threaded engagement of the press fitting thus applying sealing.

Abstract: In a separation membrane module in a module main body, an upper horizontal partition plate forms an upper fluid channel, a lower horizontal partition plate forms a lower fluid channel, a plurality of vertical outer tubes are fixed between the upper horizontal partition plate and the lower horizontal partition plate, and vertical tubular membrane elements extend through the respective outer tubes with a gap. An upper end of the gap is in communication with the upper fluid channel and a lower end of the gap is in communication with the lower fluid channel. An upper end opening of each of the membrane elements is open to outside of the module main body and a lower end opening each of the membrane elements is closed. A vertical partition plate is provided in either the upper fluid channel or the lower fluid channel to form an inlet chamber and an outlet chamber.

Abstract: In the carbon dioxide separation system, a mixed gas having a carbon dioxide concentration of 3 to 75% is introduced into a primary carbon dioxide separation device equipped with a zeolite membrane for carbon dioxide separation to produce a primary permeated gas having a carbon dioxide concentration of 80% or more on the permeate side of the zeolite membrane and also reduce the carbon dioxide concentration of a primary gas on the non-permeate side of the zeolite membrane to 3 to 15%. Next, the primary gas on the non-permeate side is introduced into a secondary carbon dioxide separation device that employs an amine absorption method or a pressure swing adsorption (PSA) method to produce a secondary separated gas having a carbon dioxide concentration of 80% or more separated by the separation device and also produce a carbon-dioxide-removed gas having a carbon dioxide concentration of 2% or less.

Abstract: To reduce an influence of concentration polarization in a simple structure without an outer membrane element 32 and baffles, reduce a manufacturing cost of a module, and reduce a risk of damaging a membrane surface during manufacture. A plurality of horizontal cylindrical membrane elements 32 are disposed to form a row in a vertical direction in a module main body 11. An inside of each of the membrane elements is depressurized. A treatment liquid is sprayed from above the uppermost membrane element 32 so as to form a falling liquid membrane on outer faces of the respective membrane elements 32.

Abstract: A separation membrane module is provided with a module main body 11, an upper horizontal partition plate 21 which is positioned in an upper portion within the module main body 11 so as to form an upper fluid channel 22, a lower horizontal partition plate 23 which is positioned in a lower portion within the module main body 11 so as to form a lower fluid channel 24, a plurality of vertical outer tubes 13 which are fixed between the upper horizontal partition plate 21 and the lower horizontal partition plate 23, and vertical tubular membrane elements 21 which are put through the respective outer tubes 13 with a gap. An upper end of the gap between each of the outer tubes 13 and the membrane elements 12 put there through is joined with the upper fluid channel 22, and a lower end of the gap is joined with the lower fluid channel 24. An upper end opening of each of the membrane elements 12 is open to an outer side of the module main body 11, and a lower end opening each of the membrane elements 12 is closed.