Patents by Inventor Michikazu Hara
Michikazu Hara 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).
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Publication number: 20100305346Abstract: The present invention provides a method for producing a fatty acid monoester product by reacting an animal oil and/or a vegetable oil with an alcohol in the presence of a sulfonic acid group-introduced amorphous carbon catalyst and water. By this method, the production of a fatty acid monoglyceride, which is difficult to separate from the fatty acid monoester, can be suppressed, and the fatty acid monoester can be efficiently produced. Also, the present invention provides a method for producing a fatty acid monoester product by performing the transesterification reaction of an animal oil and/or a vegetable oil with an alcohol, or the esterification reaction of a fatty acid with an alcohol, in the presence of a sulfonic acid group-introduced amorphous carbon catalyst washed with water. By this method, the life of the catalyst can be extended, and the production cost can be reduced.Type: ApplicationFiled: October 27, 2008Publication date: December 2, 2010Applicants: Tokyo Institute of Technology, ASAHI KASEI KABUSHIKI KAISHAInventors: Michikazu Hara, Kunihiko Yamashita
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Publication number: 20100216953Abstract: The method for producing a sulfonic acid group-containing carbonaceous material of the present invention comprises the step of carbonizing and sulfonating a polymer having a structural unit derived from resorcinol by heating in an inert gas atmosphere to obtain a sulfonic acid group-containing carbonaceous material. A catalyst comprising the resulting sulfonic acid group-containing carbonaceous material is useful for producing a target substance with high efficiency in various reactions in hydrophobic media such as alkylation reaction and polymerization reaction of olefins.Type: ApplicationFiled: May 8, 2008Publication date: August 26, 2010Applicants: NIPPON OIL CORPORATION, TOKYO INSTITUTE OF TECHNOLOGYInventors: Shinichirou Yanagawa, Hidesato Kondo, Michikazu Hara
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Patent number: 7670712Abstract: An electrode catalyst that maintains catalytic activity under conditions of an electrode potential as high as 0.4 V or above and exhibits improved stability. The metal oxynitride electrode catalyst is composed of an oxynitride containing at least one transition metal element selected from the group consisting of La, Ta, Nb, Ti, and Zr, the metal oxynitride electrode catalyst being used at a potential of 0.4 V or higher relative to the reversible hydrogen electrode potential in an acidic electrolyte. The metal oxynitride electrode catalyst is useful as an electrode catalyst for electrochemical systems used in acidic electrolytes in the fields of water electrolysis, organic electrolysis, fuel cells, etc.Type: GrantFiled: November 30, 2004Date of Patent: March 2, 2010Assignee: Japan Science and Technology AgencyInventors: Kenichiro Ota, Nobuyuki Kamiya, Shigenori Mitsushima, Akimitsu Ishihara, Kazunari Doumen, Michikazu Hara
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Publication number: 20100048835Abstract: A sulfonic acid group-containing carbonaceous material that is useful as a solid acid catalyst for various reactions such as hydration of olefins and acidolysis reaction of hydroperoxide and also useful as a proton conductor material having excellent proton conductivity is provided. In addition, an economical and environmentally friendly method for producing methyl ethyl ketone is provided. A sulfonic acid group-containing carbonaceous material having high catalytic activities for various acid catalyst reactions and also having high proton conductivity can be obtained by carbonization and sulfonation of a phenolic resin.Type: ApplicationFiled: February 20, 2008Publication date: February 25, 2010Applicants: Nippon Oil Corporation, Tokyo Institute of TechnologyInventors: Shinichirou Yanagawa, Hidesato Kondo, Michikazu Hara
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Patent number: 7622618Abstract: A novel olefin hydration method is provided for efficiently producing alcohols by hydration of olefins containing 2 to 5 carbon atoms in the presence of a catalyst. Thus, alcohols are produced by hydrating olefins containing 2 to 5 carbon atoms at reaction temperature of 100 to 250° C. in the presence of a solid acid catalyst consisting of carbonaceous materials containing sulfonic acid groups obtained from an organic matter by carbonization and sulfonation. In carrying out this method, the organic matter is preferably an aromatic hydrocarbon or a saccharide, the olefin is preferably propylene or a butenes, and the hydration reaction temperature is not lower than 120° C., more preferably not lower than 150° C.Type: GrantFiled: November 30, 2006Date of Patent: November 24, 2009Assignees: Nippon Oil Corporation, Tokyo Institute of TechnologyInventors: Shinichiro Yanagawa, Michikazu Hara
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Publication number: 20090176979Abstract: The object is to produce a polysaccharide and/or a monosaccharide efficiently by hydrolyzing a different polysaccharide efficiently. The hydrolysis of a polysaccharide is an important means for producing a monosaccharide that can be used as a starting material for the production of ethanol, the solubilization of a water-insoluble polysaccharide, and the production of a useful water-soluble low-polymeric saccharide or the like. For achieving the object, a polysaccharide to be hydrolyzed is reacted with water in the presence of a carbonaceous material having sulfonic acid group therein to cause the hydrolysis of the polysaccharide to be hydrolyzed, thereby producing a other polysaccharide and/or a monosaccharide.Type: ApplicationFiled: June 22, 2007Publication date: July 9, 2009Applicants: TOKYO INSTITUTE OF TECHNOLOGY, NIPPON OIL CORPORATIONInventors: Michikazu Hara, Shinichiro Yanagawa, Akira Matsuo, Hidesato Kondo
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Publication number: 20090137850Abstract: A novel olefin hydration method is provided for efficiently producing alcohols by hydration of olefins containing 2 to 5 carbon atoms in the presence of a catalyst. Thus, alcohols are produced by hydrating olefins containing 2 to 5 carbon atoms at reaction temperature of 100 to 250° C. in the presence of a solid acid catalyst consisting of carbonaceous materials containing sulfonic acid groups obtained from an organic matter by carbonization and sulfonation. In carrying out this method, the organic matter is preferably an aromatic hydrocarbon or a saccharide, the olefin is preferably propylene or a butenes, and the hydration reaction temperature is not lower than 120° C., more preferably not lower than 150° C.Type: ApplicationFiled: November 30, 2006Publication date: May 28, 2009Applicants: Nippon Oil Corporation, Tokyo Institute of TechnologyInventors: Shinichiro Yanagawa, Michikazu Hara
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Publication number: 20090131709Abstract: As means for producing a biodiesel oil from a feed oil containing a free fatty acid at high efficiency, the following processes (1) to (3) are provided: (1) a process for producing a higher fatty acid ester, comprising reacting a lower alcohol with a higher fatty acid in the presence of an amorphous carbon having a sulfonate group introduced therein, thereby producing the higher fatty acid ester; (2) a process for producing a higher fatty acid ester, comprising reacting a lower alcohol with a higher fatty acid and a higher fatty acid triglyceride in the presence of an amorphous carbon having a sulfonate group introduced therein, thereby producing the higher fatty acid ester by both of the reaction between the lower alcohol and the higher fatty acid and the reaction between the lower alcohol and the higher fatty acid triglyceride; and (3) a process for producing a higher fatty acid ester, comprising: reacting a lower alcohol with a higher fatty acid and a higher fatty acid triglyceride in the presence of an amType: ApplicationFiled: June 20, 2006Publication date: May 21, 2009Applicant: TOKYO INSTITUTE OF TECHNOLOGYInventor: Michikazu Hara
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Publication number: 20090099345Abstract: A carbon-based solid acid which has high activity and high thermal stability and is useful as an acid catalyst for various reactions such as hydration of olefins. The carbon-based solid acid for use as a catalyst is obtained by carbonization and sulfonation of an organic substance, which has a reduction rate of 10 mol % or less of acid content as measured by immersing the solid acid in hot water at 120° C. for 2 hours, is used as the acid catalyst. The organic substance to be used as the raw material for preparing the solid acid is preferably a saccharide having ?1-4 glycosidic bond (e.g. cellulose) or lignin. Amylose is also suitable as the raw material. Examples of the reaction for which the solid catalyst can be used include hydration of olefins, etherification of olefins, and acid/alcohol esterification.Type: ApplicationFiled: March 8, 2007Publication date: April 16, 2009Applicants: NIPPON OIL CORPORATION, TOKYO INSTITUTE OF TECHNOLOGYInventors: Shinichirou Yanagawa, Hidesato Kondo, Michikazu Hara
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Publication number: 20080227996Abstract: An amorphous carbon having sulfonate group introduced therein is provided which is characterized in that chemical shifts of a condensed aromatic carbon 6-membered ring and a condensed aromatic carbon 6-membered ring having sulfonate group bonded thereto are detected in a 13C nuclear magnetic resonance spectrum and that at least a diffraction peak of carbon (002) face whose half-value width (2?) is in the range of 5 to 30° is detected in powder X-ray diffractometry, and which exhibits proton conductivity. This sulfonated amorphous carbon is very useful as a proton conductor material or solid acid catalyst because it excels in proton conductivity, acid catalytic activity, thermal stability and chemical stability and can be produced at low cost.Type: ApplicationFiled: September 8, 2004Publication date: September 18, 2008Applicant: The Circle For The Promotion Of Science And Engine eringInventors: Michikazu Hara, Kazunari Domen
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Patent number: 7335790Abstract: A composite solid strong acid comprising, a solid acid and a carbon material, wherein said solid acid is obtained by heat treating of polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons or polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons to which the carbon material is blended in concentrated sulfuric acid or fuming sulfuric acid, transforming said polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons to a solid acid which is insoluble in a polar solvent by condensation and sulfonation further compositing with said carbon material.Type: GrantFiled: September 8, 2003Date of Patent: February 26, 2008Assignee: Japan Science and Technology AgencyInventors: Kazunari Domen, Michikazu Hara
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Publication number: 20080045745Abstract: A composite solid strong acid comprising, a solid acid and a carbon material, wherein said solid acid is obtained by heat treating of polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons or polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons to which the carbon material is blended in concentrated sulfuric acid or fuming sulfuric acid, transforming said polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons to a solid acid which is insoluble in a polar solvent by condensation and sulfonation further compositing with said carbon material.Type: ApplicationFiled: August 3, 2005Publication date: February 21, 2008Applicant: Japan Science Technology AgencyInventors: Kazunari Domen, Michikazu Hara
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Publication number: 20070128884Abstract: [Problems] Carbides and many other non-platinum-based compounds are activated and dissolved and cannot be stably present in an acidic electrolyte under conditions of an electrode potential as high as 0.4 V or above, and thus, the application range of these compounds as an electrode catalyst is limited to low electrode potentials. There has been need for development of an electrode catalyst that maintains catalytic activity under these conditions and exhibits improved stability. [Means for Solving Problems] To provide a metal oxynitride electrode catalyst composed of an oxynitride containing at least one transition metal element selected from the group consisting of La, Ta, Nb, Ti, and Zr, the metal oxynitride electrode catalyst being used at a potential of 0.4 V or higher relative to the reversible hydrogen electrode potential in an acidic electrolyte.Type: ApplicationFiled: November 30, 2004Publication date: June 7, 2007Applicant: JAPAN SCIENCE AND TECHNOLOGY AGENCYInventors: Kenichiro Ota, Nobuyuki Kamiya, Shigenori Mitsushima, Akimitsu Ishihara, Kazunari Doumen, Michikazu Hara
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Publication number: 20060276668Abstract: A composite solid strong acid comprising, a solid acid and a carbon material, wherein said solid acid is obtained by heat treating of polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons or polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons to which the carbon material is blended in concentrated sulfuric acid or fuming sulfuric acid, transforming said polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons to a solid acid which is insoluble in a polar solvent by condensation and sulfonation further compositing with said carbon material.Type: ApplicationFiled: September 8, 2003Publication date: December 7, 2006Inventors: Kazunari Domen, Michikazu Hara
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Patent number: 7015171Abstract: A photo-catalyst containing titanium fluoride nitride comprising, Ti(IV)OaNbFc or a compound represented by MeTi(IV)OaNbFc prepared by doping at least one metal Me selected from the group consisting of alkali or alkaline earth metals on Ti(IV)OaNbFc. (wherein, b is 0.1 to 1, c is 0.1 to 1 and a is a value to maintain Ti(IV) and is decided in relation to b and c.). The photo-catalyst containing titanium fluoride nitride is especially characterized by loading at least one promoter selected from the group consisting of Pt, Ni and Pd.Type: GrantFiled: August 7, 2002Date of Patent: March 21, 2006Assignee: Japan Science & Technology AgencyInventors: Kazunari Domen, Michikazu Hara, Tsuyoshi Takata, Kota Nukimizu
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Publication number: 20060058186Abstract: A solid acid catalyst represented by HTixNbyO5 wherein x is 1.1<x<1.2 and y is 0.9>y>0.8, having a Ti/Nb atomic ratio z of 1<z<1.5, and has been produced by subjecting a cation exchangable lamellar metal oxide composed of polyanion nano-sheets comprising lamellar metal oxide layers of titanium niobate being arranged regularly while sandwiching an alkali metal cation between them to the proton exchange of the alkali metal cation by the use of an inorganic acid or an organic acid prepared into a 0.0001M to 1M solution, and then inserting a cation selected from the group consisting of an organic amine and an organic ammonium between the resulting proton exchanged layers, to thereby delaminate the laminated layers temporarily and prepare an aqueous colloidal solution comprising metal oxide sheets having the organic amine or organic ammonium adsorbed thereon, and then adding an inorganic acid or an organic acid prepared into a 0.Type: ApplicationFiled: June 16, 2003Publication date: March 16, 2006Inventors: Kazunari Domen, Michikazu Hara
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Patent number: 6878666Abstract: A photo-catalyst comprising of oxynitride of at least one transition metal and oxynitride of transition metal further containing at least one element selected from the group consisting of alkali, alkali earth and IIIB group. Especially, the transition metal contained in said photo-catalyst comprising of oxynitride of transition metal is selected from the group consisting of La, Ta, Nb, Ti and Zr, and further containing metal is selected from the group consisting of Ca, Sr, Ba, Na, K and Rb. Desirably, a promoter comprising Pt or Ni is loaded on said oxynitride of transition metal.Type: GrantFiled: July 11, 2001Date of Patent: April 12, 2005Assignee: Japan Science and Technology AgencyInventors: Kazunari Domen, Michikazu Hara, Junko Nomura
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Patent number: 6864211Abstract: A photocatalyst which contains at least rhombic tantalum nitride or consists of rhombic tantalum nitride. A photocatalyst wherein said photocatalyst loads a promoter composed of transition metal, in particular, the photocatalyst wherein a transition metal is platinum, further the photocatalyst for decomposition of water comprising any of these photocatalysts.Type: GrantFiled: November 14, 2001Date of Patent: March 8, 2005Assignee: Japan Science and Technology AgencyInventors: Kazunari Domen, Michikazu Hara, Tsuyoshi Takata, Go Hitoki
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Publication number: 20050020440Abstract: A photo-catalyst containing titanium fluoride nitride comprising, Ti(IV)OaNbFc or a compound represented by MeTi(IV)OaNbFc prepared by doping at least one metal Me selected from the group consisting of alkalis or alkali metals on Ti(IV)OaNbFc, (wherein, b is 0.1 to 1, c is 0.1 to 1 and a is a value to maintain Ti(IV) and is decided in relation to b and c.). The photo-catalyst containing titanium fluoride nitride is especially characterized by loading at least one promoter selected from the group consisting of Pt, Ni and Pd.Type: ApplicationFiled: August 7, 2002Publication date: January 27, 2005Inventors: Kazunari Domen, Michikazu Hara, Tsuyoshi Takata, Kota Nukimizu
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Patent number: 6838413Abstract: A photocatalyst which comprises an oxysulfide containing at least one transition metal; a preferable photocatalyst which also comprises a rare earth element such as Sm in addition to the above and wherein the transition metal is at least one selected from the group consisting of Ti and Nb; a more preferable photocatalyst which further comprises a promoter comprising a transition metal such as Pt loaded on each of the above photocatalyst; and a catalyst for use in the decomposition of water by a light which comprises one of the above oxysulfide photocatalysts.Type: GrantFiled: January 23, 2002Date of Patent: January 4, 2005Assignee: Japan Science and Technology AgencyInventors: Kazunari Domen, Michikazu Hara, Tsuyoshi Takata, Akio Ishikawa