Patents by Inventor Makiko Niino

Makiko Niino has filed for patents to protect the following inventions. This listing includes patent applications that are pending as well as patents that have already been granted by the United States Patent and Trademark Office (USPTO).

  • Patent number: 8778056
    Abstract: There are provided a process for producing a zeolite membrane which, even when large, has few defects and which has higher separation performance than conventional zeolite membranes, and a zeolite membrane obtained by the process. In the process, the structure-directing agent is removed in the atmosphere having an O2 concentration of 22.0 vol % or more. Specifically, the process includes: a particle adhesion step of allowing zeolite particles functioning as seeds to flow down the surface of the substrate by means of the weight of the slurry itself, thereby adhering to the substrate and a membrane-forming step of forming a zeolite membrane on the substrate by immersing the substrate having the zeolite particles adhering thereto in sol containing the structure-directing agent for hydrothermal synthesis, thereby forming a zeolite membrane on the substrate.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 9, 2012
    Date of Patent: July 15, 2014
    Assignee: NGK Insulators, Ltd.
    Inventors: Tetsuya Uchikawa, Kenji Yajima, Makiko Niino
  • Patent number: 8697760
    Abstract: A process for producing a zeolite film is provided in which seed crystals thinly adhere to the surface of a support to form a thin and even zeolite film having fewer defects than conventional zeolite films. Also provided is a zeolite film obtained by the producing process. The process for producing the zeolite film comprises: a particle adhesion step of allowing a slurry, where zeolite particles which become seeds are dispersed, to flow down on the surface of a base material by the self-weight of the slurry, so that the zeolite particles adhere to the base material; and a film formation step of immersing the base material, to which the zeolite particles adhere, into a sol to carry out hydrothermal synthesis, thereby forming the zeolite film on the base material.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 28, 2012
    Date of Patent: April 15, 2014
    Assignee: NGK Insulators, Ltd.
    Inventors: Shinji Nakamura, Makiko Niino, Makoto Miyahara
  • Patent number: 8597612
    Abstract: Disclosed is a method for producing a DDR zeolite, which can be carried out using materials that are less harmful to the environment. The method for producing a DDR zeolite has a short hydrothermal synthesis time and does not require continuous agitation of the raw material solution. Specifically disclosed is a method for producing a DDR zeolite, which comprises: a raw material solution preparation step in which a raw material solution that contains 1-adamantaneamine, silica (SiO2) and water at a molar ratio 1-adamantaneamine/SiO2 of 0.002-0.5 and a molar ratio water/SiO2 of 10-500 but does not contain ethylenediamine is prepared; and a crystal growth step in which hydrothermal synthesis is carried out while having the raw material solution and a DDR zeolite powder in contact with each other, so that crystals of DDR zeolite are grown using the DDR zeolite powder as a seed crystal.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 12, 2012
    Date of Patent: December 3, 2013
    Assignee: NGK Insulators, Ltd.
    Inventors: Tetsuya Uchikawa, Makiko Niino
  • Patent number: 8497223
    Abstract: A process for production of a DDR-type zeolite membrane, which comprises: both a seed crystal-forming step of immersing a porous substrate in a seed crystal-forming raw material solution which contains a DDR-type zeolite powder dispersed therein and performing hydrothermal synthesis to form plural DDR-type zeolite crystal particles on surface of the porous substrate, and a membrane-forming step of immersing the resulting porous substrate with DDR-type zeolite crystal particles on the surface in a membrane-forming raw material solution which is free from DDR-type zeolite powder and performing hydrothermal synthesis to form a DDR-type zeolite membrane on the surface of the porous substrate. According to the process, a dense DDR-type zeolite membrane can be formed, and the vessel used in the synthesis can be prevented from being damaged.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 22, 2011
    Date of Patent: July 30, 2013
    Assignee: NGK Insulators, Ltd.
    Inventors: Makiko Niino, Kenji Yajima
  • Patent number: 8307992
    Abstract: A liquid separation membrane installation body includes a porous base material, and a liquid separation membrane provided on the porous base material, the liquid separation membrane is a porous membrane formed of a dispersant layered inorganic compound, and a membrane thickness of the liquid separation membrane is 0.1 to 1.5 ?m. The liquid separation membrane is preferably formed of a sheet-like dispersant layered inorganic compound which has a thickness of 0.1 to 100 nm, a major diameter of 0.01 to 5 ?m and an aspect ratio (the major diameter/the thickness) of 3 or more and which is formed into the membrane on the porous base material. There is disclosed the liquid separation membrane installation body capable of increasing a permeation flow rate of a liquid.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 6, 2008
    Date of Patent: November 13, 2012
    Assignee: NGK Insulators, Ltd.
    Inventors: Kenichi Noda, Makiko Niino, Miyuki Yabuki
  • Publication number: 20120272826
    Abstract: There are provided a process for producing a zeolite membrane which, even when large, has few defects and which has higher separation performance than conventional zeolite membranes, and a zeolite membrane obtained by the process. In the process, the structure-directing agent is removed in the atmosphere having an O2 concentration of 22.0 vol % or more. Specifically, the process includes: a particle adhesion step of allowing zeolite particles functioning as seeds to flow down the surface of the substrate by means of the weight of the slurry itself, thereby adhering to the substrate and a membrane-forming step of forming a zeolite membrane on the substrate by immersing the substrate having the zeolite particles adhering thereto in sol containing the structure-directing agent for hydrothermal synthesis, thereby forming a zeolite membrane on the substrate.
    Type: Application
    Filed: July 9, 2012
    Publication date: November 1, 2012
    Applicant: NGK Insulators, Ltd.
    Inventors: Tetsuya UCHIKAWA, Kenji Yajima, Makiko Niino
  • Publication number: 20120196739
    Abstract: Disclosed is a method for producing a DDR zeolite, which can be carried out using materials that are less harmful to the environment. The method for producing a DDR zeolite has a short hydrothermal synthesis time and does not require continuous agitation of the raw material solution. Specifically disclosed is a method for producing a DDR zeolite, which comprises: a raw material solution preparation step in which a raw material solution that contains 1-adamantaneamine, silica (SiO2) and water at a molar ratio 1-adamantaneamine/SiO2 of 0.002-0.5 and a molar ratio water/SiO2 of 10-500 but does not contain ethylenediamine is prepared; and a crystal growth step in which hydrothermal synthesis is carried out while having the raw material solution and a DDR zeolite powder in contact with each other, so that crystals of DDR zeolite are grown using the DDR zeolite powder as a seed crystal.
    Type: Application
    Filed: April 12, 2012
    Publication date: August 2, 2012
    Applicant: NGK Insulators, Ltd.
    Inventors: Tetsuya UCHIKAWA, Makiko NIINO
  • Publication number: 20120183759
    Abstract: A process for producing a zeolite film is provided in which seed crystals thinly adhere to the surface of a support to form a thin and even zeolite film having fewer defects than conventional zeolite films. Also provided is a zeolite film obtained by the producing process. The process for producing the zeolite film comprises: a particle adhesion step of allowing a slurry, where zeolite particles which become seeds are dispersed, to flow down on the surface of a base material by the self-weight of the slurry, so that the zeolite particles adhere to the base material; and a film formation step of immersing the base material, to which the zeolite particles adhere, into a sol to carry out hydrothermal synthesis, thereby forming the zeolite film on the base material.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 28, 2012
    Publication date: July 19, 2012
    Applicant: NGK Insulators, Ltd.
    Inventors: Shinji NAKAMURA, Makiko Niino, Makoto Miyahara
  • Publication number: 20110301017
    Abstract: A process for production of a DDR-type zeolite membrane, which comprises: both a seed crystal-forming step of immersing a porous substrate in a seed crystal-forming raw material solution which contains a DDR-type zeolite powder dispersed therein and performing hydrothermal synthesis to form plural DDR-type zeolite crystal particles on surface of the porous substrate, and a membrane-forming step of immersing the resulting porous substrate with DDR-type zeolite crystal particles on the surface in a membrane-forming raw material solution which is free from DDR-type zeolite powder and performing hydrothermal synthesis to form a DDR-type zeolite membrane on the surface of the porous substrate. According to the process, a dense DDR-type zeolite membrane can be formed, and the vessel used in the synthesis can be prevented from being damaged.
    Type: Application
    Filed: August 22, 2011
    Publication date: December 8, 2011
    Applicant: NGK Insulators, Ltd.
    Inventors: Makiko NIINO, Kenji Yajima
  • Patent number: 7819944
    Abstract: A dehydration method by which water is selectively separated from a water-containing mixture 31 with a separation membrane. The separation membrane is a DDR type zeolite membrane 2. The dehydration method includes bringing the mixture 31 into contact with one side of the DDR type zeolite membrane 2 and causing a pressure difference between that side of the DDR type zeolite membrane 2 which is in contact with the mixture and the other side of the DDR type zeolite membrane 2 to thereby cause the water to selectively permeate and separate out. By the dehydration method, water can be selectively separated from a water-containing mixture without the need of a high energy cost. The separation membrane has excellent acid resistance.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 5, 2008
    Date of Patent: October 26, 2010
    Assignee: NGK Insulators, Ltd.
    Inventors: Kenji Yajima, Kunio Nakayama, Makiko Niino, Toshihiro Tomita
  • Publication number: 20090007780
    Abstract: A dehydration method by which water is selectively separated from a water-containing mixture 31 with a separation membrane. The separation membrane is a DDR type zeolite membrane 2. The dehydration method includes bringing the mixture 31 into contact with one side of the DDR type zeolite membrane 2 and causing a pressure difference between that side of the DDR type zeolite membrane 2 which is in contact with the mixture and the other side of the DDR type zeolite membrane 2 to thereby cause the water to selectively permeate and separate out. By the dehydration method, water can be selectively separated from a water-containing mixture without the need of a high energy cost. The separation membrane has excellent acid resistance.
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 5, 2008
    Publication date: January 8, 2009
    Applicant: NGK Insulators,Ltd.
    Inventors: Kenji Yajima, Kunio Nakayama, Makiko Niino, Toshihiro Tomita
  • Publication number: 20080217247
    Abstract: A method of separating a liquid mixture selectively separate a substance having a molecular weight of 90 or more from a liquid mixture 31 by a separation membrane. The separation membrane is a MFI type zeolite membrane 2, the liquid mixture 31 is brought into contact with a face on one side of the MFI type zeolite membrane 2, and pressure is reduced on the other side of the MFI type zeolite membrane 2 to trap a membrane-permeable substance 32 permeating the MFI type zeolite membrane 2. The method of separating a liquid mixture can separate a predetermined substance from a liquid mixture without requiring high energy costs.
    Type: Application
    Filed: May 15, 2008
    Publication date: September 11, 2008
    Applicant: NGK Insulators, Ltd.
    Inventors: Makiko Niino, Kenji Suzuki, Toshihiro Tomita
  • Publication number: 20080156721
    Abstract: A liquid separation membrane installation body includes a porous base material, and a liquid separation membrane provided on the porous base material, the liquid separation membrane is a porous membrane formed of a dispersant layered inorganic compound, and a membrane thickness of the liquid separation membrane is 0.1 to 1.5 ?m. The liquid separation membrane is preferably formed of a sheet-like dispersant layered inorganic compound which has a thickness of 0.1 to 100 nm, a major diameter of 0.01 to 5 ?m and an aspect ratio (the major diameter/the thickness) of 3 or more and which is formed into the membrane on the porous base material. There is disclosed the liquid separation membrane installation body capable of increasing a permeation flow rate of a liquid.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 6, 2008
    Publication date: July 3, 2008
    Applicant: NGK Insulators, Ltd.
    Inventors: Kenichi Noda, Makiko Niino, Miyuki Yabuki