Abstract: This invention was conceived to provide a method capable of synthesizing a precious metal catalyst the cluster size of which is controlled and which does not contain impurities. The production method of a precious metal catalyst according to the invention includes the steps of uniformly mixing a precious metal containing solution and an aqueous solution of a polymer compound capable of coordination with the precious metal to form a complex of the precious metal and said polymer compound, adding drop-wise the aqueous solution containing the complex to water containing micro-bubbles containing therein hydrogen, mixing both of the solutions to reduce the precious metal, and supporting the mixed solution on a support and then baking the support.

Abstract: There is disclosed a process for producing a catalyst. The process includes the steps of: a) combining a dendrimer polymer and metal salt in solution forming a metal ion complex; b) exposing the metal ion complex to a reducing environment forming a dendrimer metal nanocomposite; c) depositing the dendrimer metal nanocomposite onto a catalyst support material; d) removing a solvent from the dendrimer metal nanocomposite forming metal clusters; and e) removing the dendrimer polymer forming a catalyst. Additionally, there is disclosed a catalyst having a catalytic metal deposited on a substrate. The catalytic metal is formed in clusters having a size of from 2 to 150 atoms. In another aspect, the clusters may have a spacing of from 2 to 100 nanometers between adjacent metal clusters. Further, in another aspect, the metal clusters which comprise the catalyst have a size distribution in which 70% of the clusters are within 0.6 nm of the average diameter and 99% of the particles are within 1.

Abstract: The invention makes use of an exhaust gas catalyst, comprising an active component comprising at least one type of metal from noble metals and transition metals; NOx-absorbing material for absorbing and releasing nitrogen oxides according to the surrounding nitrogen oxide concentration; and compounds represented by A2O2SO4 and/or A2O2S (A is a rare earth element).

Abstract: A process for decomposing nitrogen oxides includes the following steps: providing a catalyst, passing a gaseous nitrogen oxide over the catalyst and exposing the catalyst to microwave energy. The gaseous nitrogen oxide is broken down into nitrogen and oxygen molecules.

Abstract: An exhaust gas purifying apparatus provided in an exhaust passage connected with an engine includes an upstream catalyst that is provided in the exhaust passage, and that removes NOx; a downstream catalyst that is provided downstream of the upstream catalyst in the exhaust passage; and a supply device that supplies an oxygen-activating component to a portion of the exhaust passage located between the upstream catalyst and the downstream catalyst. In the exhaust gas purifying apparatus, the upstream catalyst removes NOx, and then an oxygen-activating component is supplied to the exhaust gas. Further, the downstream catalyst removes a hydrocarbon compound contained in the exhaust gas.

Abstract: The present invention provides a plasma injector wherein a reducing agent injected from an injection port (19) at the distal end portion of an injection nozzle (18) is at least partially converted into a plasma; an exhaust gas purifying system; and a method for injecting a reducing agent. Using the plasma injector, the exhaust gas purifying system, and the method for injecting a reducing gas of the present invention, it is possible to vaporize a reducing agent supplied in an injection manner and/or to provide a highly reactive reducing agent from the reducing agent.

Abstract: The present invention provides a novel heat generating system and method which allow repeated generation of heat. The heat generating system comprises a heat generating part comprising a heat generating material which generates heat when oxidized, wherein the heat generating system further comprises an oxidizing gas source which supplies an oxidizing gas to the heat generating part, and a reducing gas source which supplies a reducing gas to the heat generating part, and wherein the oxidizing gas supplied from the oxidizing gas source causes the heat generating material to be oxidized and generate heat, and the reducing gas supplied from the reducing gas source reductively regenerates the heat generating material which has been oxidized. The heat generating method comprises supplying an oxidizing gas to a heat generating material which generates heat when oxidized to generate The present invention provides a novel heat generating system and method which allow repeated generation of heat.

Abstract: The present invention provides a method for more easily producing a controlled-cluster-size noble-metal catalyst. This method comprises depositing a polynuclear complex comprising a plurality of organic polydentate ligands and a plurality of noble metal atoms on an oxide support, and then removing the organic polydentate ligands.

Abstract: A process for removing sulfur and sulfur compounds from a catalyst includes the following steps: exposing the catalyst to a reducing atmosphere and exposing the catalyst to microwave energy. Desorption of the sulfur and sulfur compounds from the catalyst occurs at a temperature less than 600 degrees centigrade.

Abstract: A process for cracking hydrocarbons at atmospheric pressure includes the following steps: providing a catalyst, passing a gaseous hydrocarbon over the catalyst and exposing the catalyst to microwave energy. The hydrocarbons are broken down into lower Carbon number molecules.

Abstract: An exhaust gas purifying apparatus provided in an exhaust passage connected with an engine includes an upstream catalyst that is provided in the exhaust passage, and that removes NOx; a downstream catalyst that is provided downstream of the upstream catalyst in the exhaust passage; and a supply device that supplies an oxygen-activating component to a portion of the exhaust passage located between the upstream catalyst and the downstream catalyst. In the exhaust gas purifying apparatus, the upstream catalyst removes NOx, and then an oxygen-activating component is supplied to the exhaust gas. Further, the downstream catalyst removes a hydrocarbon compound contained in the exhaust gas.

Abstract: A gas purifying apparatus includes an adsorption member (e.g., a honeycomb structural body) that adsorbs particulate matter contained in the gas by the action of an electric field. The apparatus also includes a supply device (e.g., an ozone generator including a discharger, a pulsed power supply, a pump, and a discharge port) that supplies a pro-oxidant to the adsorption member.

Abstract: The present invention provides an exhaust gas purifying apparatus 10 which can effectively purify an exhaust gas with the use of a plasma. The present exhaust gas purifying apparatus 10 comprises a NOx purifying catalyst 1 disposed in an exhaust gas pipe 11 for an internal combustion engine (ENG); a plasma generator 2 for converting a gas into a plasma and supplying the plasma to the exhaust pipe at the upstream of the NOx purifying catalyst; a switching device 3 for selectively supplying one of a recirculated exhaust gas 13 and air 12 as a gas to be converted into a plasma to the plasma generator 2; and an injector 4 for adding a reducing agent to the gas 14 to be converted into a plasma or a plasma 15 converted from the gas by the plasma generator. The present invention further provides a method for controlling the exhaust gas purifying apparatus.

Abstract: The present invention relates to an exhaust gas purifying apparatus, for trapping and burning PM, which comprises electrodes and an insulative honeycomb structure. The apparatus is characterized in that the electrodes sake an electric field in the honeycomb structure, the electric field not being parallel with the cell passages of the honeycomb structure. Further the apparatus is characterized in that the electrodes make an electric field in the honeycomb structure, and that the honeycomb structure carries at least one metal selected from the group consisting of an alkali metal and an alkali earth metal; a material that generates oxygen radical by conducting an electric current therethrough; a manganese dioxide; and/or a material having a high dielectric constant.

Abstract: A noble metal composite colloid composed of a plurality of noble metals is constructed to be loaded on a porous oxide support. The noble metals are loaded in particles which are larger than the conventional grains in the atomic state. Thus, vapor pressure decreases and volatile components, such as PtO2, are suppressed from dislocation or diffusion. In addition, affinity of the noble metals with the support is improved, and are suppressed from moving on the support. Thus, nobel metal grain growth is suppressed, decreases in catalytic activity is minimized and durability is improved.

Abstract: An exhaust gas purifying catalyst is formed of a first powder formed of porous particles supporting rhodium (Rh), and a second powder formed of porous particles supporting platinum (Pt) and a nitrogen oxides (NOX)-adsorbing material. The second powder and the first powder are present in a mixed state. In this catalyst, Rh is supported apart from Pt and the NOx adsorbent, so that reduction of the oxidizing performance of Pt is prevented, and so that the problems of poor compatibility between Rh and the NOx adsorbent is eliminated. The catalyst therefore maintains high NOx removing rate not only during an initial period but also after the endurance test.