Patents by Inventor Mikio Yoneoka
Mikio Yoneoka 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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Patent number: 7101513Abstract: A fuel supplying apparatus for maintaining a stable supply of a mixed water-methanol solution while preventing water from freezing in a cold climate, and for immediately supplying a mixed water-methanol gas that has a composition which is outside of the high-rate reaction region during the starting/stopping operation of the reformer when the control tends to be unstable. The methanol reforming apparatus that generates a hydrogen-rich gas by reacting a mixed gas of water, methanol and air on a catalyst is supplied with the fuel from a fuel supplying apparatus comprising a mixed water-methanol solution tank wherein the molar ratio of water and methanol used for reforming is controlled to a predetermined value, a mixed water-methanol solution tank wherein the molar ratio of water and methanol is controlled to 4.6 or higher, and a switching means that switches the mixed water-methanol solution tank used as a fuel source according to the conditions of operation of the methanol reforming apparatus.Type: GrantFiled: July 26, 2001Date of Patent: September 5, 2006Assignees: Honda Giken Kogyo Kabushiki Kaisha, Mitsubishi Gas Chemical Co., Inc.Inventors: Takahiro Naka, Hideaki Sumi, Masataka Furuyama, Shoji Isobe, Yasushi Hiramatsu, Mikio Yoneoka
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Patent number: 6926881Abstract: There is disclosed a process for producing a hydrogen-containing gas, which comprises reacting methanol, steam and oxygen in the presence of (1) a catalyst comprising platinum and zinc oxide, wherein the content of the platinum is in the range of 5 to 50% by weight based on the total amount of the platinum and zinc oxide, or (2) a catalyst comprising platinum, zinc oxide and chromium oxide, wherein the atomic ratio of zinc to chromium (zinc/chromium) is in the range of 2 to 30, or (3) a catalyst comprising platinum, zinc oxide and at least one element selected from the group consisting of lead, bismuth and indium.Type: GrantFiled: November 15, 2002Date of Patent: August 9, 2005Assignee: Mitsubishi Gas Chemical Company, Inc.Inventors: Shigeyuki Hirose, Futoshi Ikoma, Masayuki Katagiri, Koki Takamura, Yasushi Hiramatsu, Mikio Yoneoka
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Patent number: 6916458Abstract: There is disclosed a process for producing a hydrogen-containing gas, which comprises reacting methanol, steam and oxygen in the presence of a catalyst comprising palladium, zinc and at least one metal selected from the group consisting of chromium, gallium, copper, indium, bismuth and platinum.Type: GrantFiled: November 12, 2002Date of Patent: July 12, 2005Assignee: Mitsubishi Gas Chemical Company, Inc.Inventors: Yasuhiro Kushida, Masayuki Katagiri, Hutoshi Ikoma, Shigeyuki Hirose, Yasushi Hiramatsu, Mikio Yoneoka
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Patent number: 6905998Abstract: In a reforming catalyst apparatus provided with a reforming catalyst for forming a hydrogen rich reformed gas by a reforming reaction of the fuel with water, the catalyst performance can be recovered by heating the catalyst within a temperature ranging from 500° C. to 800° C. while supplying said fuel and air to the catalyst. This method allows recovery of the catalyst performance without demounting the catalyst from the reforming catalyst apparatus and allows providing the reforming catalyst with a long service life.Type: GrantFiled: March 26, 2002Date of Patent: June 14, 2005Assignees: Honda Giken Kogyo Kabushiki Kaisha, Mitsubishi Gas Chemical Co., Inc.Inventors: Takahiro Naka, Osamu Usaka, Shoji Isobe, Yasushi Hiramatsu, Mikio Yoneoka
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Publication number: 20030157019Abstract: There is disclosed a process for producing a hydrogen-containing gas, which comprises reacting methanol, steam and oxygen in the presence of a catalyst comprising palladium, zinc and at least one metal selected from the group consisting of chromium, gallium, copper, indium, bismuth and platinum.Type: ApplicationFiled: November 12, 2002Publication date: August 21, 2003Inventors: Yasuhiro Kushida, Masayuki Katagiri, Hutoshi Ikoma, Shigeyuki Hirose, Yasushi Hiramatsu, Mikio Yoneoka
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Publication number: 20030095919Abstract: There is disclosed a process for producing a hydrogen-containing gas, which comprises reacting methanol, steam and oxygen in the presence of (1) a catalyst comprising platinum and zinc oxide, wherein the content of the platinum is in the range of 5 to 50% by weight based on the total amount of the platinum and zinc oxide, or (2) a catalyst comprising platinum, zinc oxide and chromium oxide, wherein the atomic ratio of zinc to chromium (zinc/chromium) is in the range of 2 to 30, or (3) a catalyst comprising platinum, zinc oxide and at least one element selected from the group consisting of lead, bismuth and indium.Type: ApplicationFiled: November 15, 2002Publication date: May 22, 2003Inventors: Shigeyuki Hirose, Futoshi Ikoma, Masayuki Katagiri, Koki Takamura, Yasushi Hiramatsu, Mikio Yoneoka
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Publication number: 20020187890Abstract: In a reforming catalyst apparatus provided with a reforming catalyst for forming a hydrogen rich reformed gas by a reforming reaction of the fuel with water, the catalyst performance can be recovered by heating the catalyst within a temperature ranging from 500° C. to 800° C. while supplying said fuel and air to the catalyst. This method allows recovery of the catalyst performance without demounting the catalyst from the reforming catalyst apparatus and allows providing the reforming catalyst with a long service life.Type: ApplicationFiled: March 26, 2002Publication date: December 12, 2002Applicant: HONDA GIKEN KOGYO KABUSHIKI KAISHAInventors: Takahiro Naka, Osamu Usaka, Shoji Isobe, Yasushi Hiramatsu, Mikio Yoneoka
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Publication number: 20020030175Abstract: A fuel supplying apparatus for maintaining a stable supply of a mixed water-methanol solution while preventing water from freezing in a cold climate, and for immediately supplying a mixed water-methanol gas that has a composition which is outside of the high-rate reaction region during the starting/stopping operation of the reformer when the control tends to be unstable. The methanol reforming apparatus that generates a hydrogen-rich gas by reacting a mixed gas of water, methanol and air on a catalyst is supplied with the fuel from a fuel supplying apparatus comprising a mixed water-methanol solution tank wherein the molar ratio of water and methanol used for reforming is controlled to a predetermined value, a mixed water-methanol solution tank wherein the molar ratio of water and methanol is controlled to 4.6 or higher, and a switching means that switches the mixed water-methanol solution tank used as a fuel source according to the conditions of operation of the methanol reforming apparatus.Type: ApplicationFiled: July 26, 2001Publication date: March 14, 2002Applicant: Honda Giken Kogyo Kabushiki KaishaInventors: Takahiro Naka, Hideaki Sumi, Masataka Furuyama, Shoji Isobe, Yasushi Hiramatsu, Mikio Yoneoka
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Patent number: 6290877Abstract: The present invention presents: (1) a starting method that is capable of quickly switching to the reforming process after warming up a catalyst; (2) a fuel supplying apparatus that is capable of maintaining a stable supply of a mixed water-methanol solution while preventing water from freezing in a cold climate, and is also capable of immediately supplying a mixed water-methanol gas that has a composition which is outside of the high-rate reaction region during the starting/stopping operation of the reformer when the control tends to be unstable; (3) a method to quickly cool down a catalyst layer without causing thermal runaway when stopping the operation of the methanol reforming apparatus; and (4) a method to quickly cool down the catalyst layer while preventing thermal runaway from occurring and removing residual fuel when stopping the operation of the methanol reforming apparatus.Type: GrantFiled: November 30, 2000Date of Patent: September 18, 2001Assignees: Honda Giken Kogyo Kabushiki Kaisha, Mitsubishi Gas Chemical Co., Inc.Inventors: Takahiro Naka, Hideaki Sumi, Masataka Furuyama, Shoji Isobe, Yasushi Hiramatsu, Mikio Yoneoka
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Publication number: 20010002043Abstract: The present invention presents: (1) a starting method that is capable of quickly switching to the reforming process after warming up a catalyst; (2) a fuel supplying apparatus that is capable of maintaining a stable supply of a mixed water-methanol solution while preventing water from freezing in a cold climate, and is also capable of immediately supplying a mixed water-methanol gas that has a composition which is outside of the high-rate reaction region during the starting/stopping operation of the reformer when the control tends to be unstable; (3) a method to quickly cool down a catalyst layer without causing thermal runaway when stopping the operation of the methanol reforming apparatus; and (4) a method to quickly cool down the catalyst layer while preventing thermal runaway from occurring and removing residual fuel when stopping the operation of the methanol reforming apparatus.Type: ApplicationFiled: November 30, 2000Publication date: May 31, 2001Inventors: Takahiro Naka, Hideaki Sumi, Masataka Furuyama, Shoji Isobe, Yasushi Hiramatsu, Mikio Yoneoka
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Patent number: 5965769Abstract: There are herein disclosed a method for heat recovery and heat utilization by the use of chemical energy which comprises the steps of doing the heat recovery by the following formula (I), and doing the heat utilization by the following formula (I'):HCOOCH.sub.3 .fwdarw.CH.sub.3 OH+CO (I)CH.sub.3 OH+CO.fwdarw.HCOOCH.sub.3 (I')the reaction of the formula (I') being carried out in the presence of an alkali fluoride and zinc oxide. According to the present invention, steam or hot water can be generated at a high temperature of 100.degree. C. or more by the use of a factory waste heat or a river water at a low temperature of 100.degree. C. or less as a heat source from which heat has scarcely been utilized so far, and the thus generated steam or hot water can effectively be used as a heat source or be used in an air conditioner. The catalyst which comprises the alkali fluoride and zinc oxide is used for preparing methyl formate or CO gas according to the formula (I) or (I').Type: GrantFiled: January 7, 1998Date of Patent: October 12, 1999Assignee: Mitsubish Gas Chemical Company, Inc.Inventors: Shiro Kajiyama, Futoshi Ikoma, Atsushi Okamoto, Mikio Yoneoka, Shuji Ebata, Kenji Nakamura
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Patent number: 5399745Abstract: There are disclosed a process for producing methyl formate by dehydrogenating methanol in liquid phase in the presence of a solid catalyst and a process according thereto wherein a gas (N.sub.2, H.sub.2, CO, etc.) is continuously blown into the liquid phase from outside, and the gas along with the reaction product are continuously withdrawn outside the reaction system from the gaseous phase directly or through a cooler. By virtue of the liquid-phase reaction in the above process, as compared with the conventional gaseous phase reaction, the reaction temperature can be lowered, the reaction gas rich in the objective methyl formate rather than methanol is obtained by continuously withdrawing the resultant methyl formate outside the reaction system and accordingly, a single pass yield higher than that at the thermodynamical equilibrium-value is assured, whereby energy saving is made possible.Type: GrantFiled: April 7, 1994Date of Patent: March 21, 1995Assignee: Mitsubishi Gas Chemical Company, Inc.Inventors: Mikio Yoneoka, Takeo Ikarashi, Kumiko Watabe, Kenji Nakamura
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Patent number: 5395989Abstract: Disclosed is a process for producing neopentyl glycol which comprises hydrogenating hydroxypivaldehyde in the presence of a catalyst comprising copper, zinc and zirconium.The catalyst has a high catalytic activity and a long service lifetime.Type: GrantFiled: April 14, 1993Date of Patent: March 7, 1995Assignee: Mitsubishi Gas Chemical Company, Inc.Inventors: Mikio Yoneoka, Kumiko Watabe, Gen Matsuda
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Patent number: 4916104Abstract: A catalyst composition for decomposition of methanol comprising a substantially aluminum-free precipitate composed of a copper compound and a nickel compound, a phosphate salt of aluminum and an alkali metal compound, the content of the alkali metal being 1 to 100 atoms per 100 atoms in total of copper and nickel in the precipitate.Type: GrantFiled: January 10, 1989Date of Patent: April 10, 1990Assignee: Mitsubishi Gas Chemical Company, Inc.Inventors: Nobuo Isogai, Makoto Takagawa, Kumiko Watabe, Mikio Yoneoka, Ken Yamagishi
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Patent number: 4913842Abstract: A condensed liquid obtained after separation of gaseous components from the gas produced by the steam reforming reaction of methanol is brought into contact, in a gaseous phase, with catalyst (I) containing copper oxide (A), oxide of at least one type of metals selected from the group consisting of zinc, aluminium and chromium (B) and oxide of the group VIII metal in the periodic table (C), or catalyst (II) comprising the group VIII metal in the periodic table or compound thereof supported on carriers.The treatment of the condensed liquid yields water containing substantially no methanol, ethanol and high boiling point components. The treated condensed liquid causes no pollution problem when disposed as effluent and may be reused for the steam reforming reaction of methanol.Type: GrantFiled: February 14, 1984Date of Patent: April 3, 1990Assignee: Mitsubishi Gas Chemical Company, Inc.Inventors: Mikio Yoneoka, Tomiyoshi Furuta, Yasuo Yamamoto, Sadao Nozaki, Kazuo Takada, Kumiko Watabe, Takeo Ikarashi
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Patent number: 4319037Abstract: A process for producing methyl formate which comprises dehydrogenating methanol in vapor phase in the presence as a catalyst of copper and at least one element selected from the group consisting of elements of Group IIIA (including the rare earths) of the periodic table, of Group IVA and of the actinides is disclosed.Type: GrantFiled: August 31, 1978Date of Patent: March 9, 1982Assignee: Mitsubishi Gas Chemical Company, Inc.Inventor: Mikio Yoneoka
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Patent number: 4232171Abstract: A process for producing methyl formate which comprises dehydrogenating methanol in the vapor phase in the presence of a catalyst containing copper and a cement is disclosed.Type: GrantFiled: April 10, 1979Date of Patent: November 4, 1980Assignee: Mitsubishi Gas Chemical Company, Inc.Inventors: Mikio Yoneoka, Minoru Osugi, Takeo Ikarashi
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Patent number: 4149009Abstract: A process for producing methyl formate which comprises dehydrogenating methanol in vapor phase in the presence as a catalyst of copper, zirconium and zinc and optionally aluminum is disclosed.Type: GrantFiled: November 21, 1977Date of Patent: April 10, 1979Assignee: Mitsubishi Gas Chemical Co., Inc.Inventors: Mikio Yoneoka, Minoru Osugi