Abstract: Cordierite honeycomb structural bodies having coefficients of thermal expansion of not more than 1.0x10.sup.-6, an improved thermal shock resistance, a very small leakage amount and an improved heat exchanging efficiency are provided by using very fine particles of kaolin and talc to restrict a total pore volume of a given pore diameter to a given range. The cordierite honeycomb structural bodies are useful in broader fields than conventional ones.

Abstract: Heat-resisting phosphate based compound sintered bodies are disclosed, which each contain not less than 10% by weight of a crystalline phase of RZr.sub.4 (PO.sub.4).sub.6 in which R is an element in Group IIa of the Periodic Table. A weight-reduced percentage of the sintered body when being thermally treated at 1,400.degree. C. for 100 hours is not more than 10%. A process for producing such phosphate based compound sintered bodies is also disclosed.

Abstract: A method of extruding ceramic bodies in a downward direction is disclosed, which includes the steps of supporting an extruded body being downwardly extruded through an extruding die to prevent deformation of the extruded body, and cutting the extruded body in a given length. An apparatus for effecting this extruding method is also disclosed, which includes an extruding unit provided with a die at a bottom thereof, a unit for holding the extruded body being downwardly extruded, and a cutter for cutting the extruded body in the given length.

Abstract: A novel solid solution has a composition of R.sub.y Zr.sub.4 Si.sub.x P.sub.6-x O.sub.24 (R is at least one forming bivalent or trivalent element 0.ltoreq.x.ltoreq.2, 2/3.ltoreq.y.ltoreq.2). Furthermore, a heat-resistant sintered body and heat-resistant phosphate based compound sintered body comprises the above solid solution and has excellent heat resistance and high temperature stability. And also, a method of producing such sintered bodies is disclosed.

Abstract: A process for determining a relative temperature distribution at a surface of a high temperature member to be used in a gas containing oxygen at high temperatures is disclosed. The process comprises the step of determining the relative surface temperature distribution of the member by measuring concentrations of oxygen at the surface of the member, which surface is composed of silicon carbide or silicon nitride. The process may also include the step of quantitatively determining a distribution of temperatures at the surface of the member by measuring concentrations of oxygen at the surface of the member, determining a relationship between temperatures and concentrations of oxygen on a surface of a standard member, and comparing the measured oxygen concentrations at the surface of the member with those of a standard member with reference to this relationship.

Abstract: Zirconyl phosphate sintered bodies are disclosed, which each have a molar ratio of ZrO.sub.2 /P.sub.2 O.sub.5 being not less than 1.8 but less than 2.0 and contain .beta.-(ZrO).sub.2 P.sub.2 O.sub.7 as a main crystalline phase. The zirconyl phosphate sintered bodies have a coefficient of thermal expansion and a thermal expansion hysteresis in a temperature range from room temperature to 1,4000.degree. C. being not more than 20.times.10.sup.-7 /.degree.C. and 0.05 to 0.30%, respectively. A process for producing zirconyl phosphate sintered bodies is also disclosed, which comprises preparing a starting material powder of zirconyl phosphate, shaping the starting material powder, and firing the shaped bodies. The zirconyl phosphate sintered body has a molar ratio of ZrO.sub.2 /P.sub.2 O.sub.5 being not less than 1.8 but less than 2.0 and the average particle diameter of 0.5 to 20 .mu.m, and contains oxides of an alkali metal and an alkaline earth metal in a total amount of not more than 0.5% by weight.

Abstract: Heat resisting low expansion zirconyl phosphate-zircon composite bodies are disclosed, which contain zirconyl phosphate and zircon as a main crystalline phase and a secondary crystalline phase, respectively. The heat resisting low expansion zirconyl phosphate-zircon composite bodies have a coefficient of thermal expansion in a temperature range from room temperature to 1,400.degree. C. being not more than 30.times.10-7/.degree. C. and a melting point being not less than 1,600.degree. C. The composite bodies have a chemical composition essentially consisting of 58.2 to 65.4% by weight of ZrO.sub.2, 17.4 to 37.1% by weight of P.sub.2 O.sub.5, and 1.5 to 19.0% by weight of SiO.sub.2. The heat resisting low expansion zirconyl phosphate-zircon composite bodies optionally contain MgO and Al.sub.2 O.sub.3 in a total amount of not more than 2.5% by weight or 0.1 to 4% by weight of Nb.sub.2 O.sub.5. A process for producing such zirconyl phosphate-zircon composite bodies is also disclosed.

Abstract: Catalyst carriers made of cordierite honeycomb structures having low thermal expansion, porosities of not exceeding 30%, high strengths and thin partition walls with high cell density or low cell density are provided by using very fine particles of kaoline and talc which are considered heretofore disadvantageous for producing such catalyst carriers. The catalyst carriers are useful in a broader use field than conventional ones, particularly as catalyst carriers for purifying exhaust gases exited from automobile engines.

Abstract: Cordierite series dense and low expansion ceramics have excellent thermal shock resistance property, being airtight, heat resistant and having high dimensional stability at high temperatures can be achieved by incorporating 2-10% by weight of P.sub.2 O.sub.5 in the cordierite ceramic and acid treating the fired or sintered body to selectively remove P.sub.2 O.sub.5 to primarily result in an amount of 0.1% by weight of P.sub.2 O.sub.5 remaining in the sintered body.

Abstract: A continuous alcohol manufacturing process using yeast comprising a zone where a conventional yeast (Yeast B) which has an alcohol producing activity is mainly present (zone of Yeast B); a zone disposed in the fore part of said zone of Yeast B where a yeast (Yeast A) which has an alcohol producing activity and is superior in sugar resistance as compared with Yeast B is mainly present (zone of Yeast A); and a zone disposed in the rear part of said zone of Yeast B where a yeast (Yeast C) which has an alcohol has an alcohol producing activity and is superior in alcohol resistance as compared with Yeast B is mainly present (zone of Yeast C), wherein a substrate solution is supplied to said zone of Yeast A thereby to effect alcohol fermentation; the resulting fermentation liquid is introduced in said zone of Yeast B thereby to effect alcohol fermentation; the resulting fermentation liquid is further introduced in said zone of Yeast C thereby to effect alcohol fermentation; and then a product alcohol broth is obtai

Abstract: Continuous fermentation with yeast to produce alcohol is carried out by continuously passing a carbohydrate-containing substrate liquid through a vessel packed with a thin film means having yeast immobilized therein. Surfaces of the thin film means extend in the direction of flow within the vessel to provide elongated parallel passages. The thin film means occupies from 10 to 65% of the volume of the vessel and preferably has a thickness of 0.1 to 3 mm. Preferably, the thin film means is formed by mixing an aqueous yeast suspension with a photo-crosslinkable resin and subjecting the mixture to radiation to photo-crosslink the resin.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a catalyst comprising at least a metal salt of heteropoly-acid, which is composed of a sort of heteropoly-acid and one or more metals selected from a group of the first transition metals of the periodic table. The catalyst of the present invention exhibits high activity and selectivity in the catalytic reduction of nitrogen oxides with ammonia at a temperature of from 250.degree. to 550.degree. C. and offers high resistivity to the poisonous effect of sulfur oxides. It does not entail a wasteful use of the reducing agent, because the catalyst of the present invention does not accelerate the reaction of the reducing agent such as ammonia with oxygen coexisting in the waste gas to be treated, which results in the elimination of the undesired excessive consumption of the reducing agent.