Patents by Inventor Mitsuaki Echigo

Mitsuaki Echigo 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).

  • Publication number: 20190341640
    Abstract: An electrochemical element (Q) has a metal substrate (1) and multiple electrochemical reaction portions. The metal substrate (1) has gas flow allowing regions that allow the flowing of a gas between the upper side (4) and the lower side (5) of the metal substrate (1). The electrochemical reaction portions each have at least an electrode layer (A), an electrolyte layer (B), and a counter electrode layer (C), and are arranged on the upper side (4) of the metal substrate (1). The electrolyte layer (B) is arranged between the electrode layer (A) and the counter electrode layer (C), and the gas flowing through the gas flow allowing regions is supplied to the electrode layer (A).
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 16, 2017
    Publication date: November 7, 2019
    Inventors: Mitsuaki Echigo, Hisao Ohnishi, Osamu Yamazaki
  • Patent number: 10347929
    Abstract: Realized are a high-performance electrochemical element and solid oxide fuel cell in which the contact properties between a dense and highly-gastight electrolyte layer and an electrode layer are improved while the treatment temperature during formation of the electrolyte layer is suppressed to a low temperature, and methods for producing the same. An electrochemical element includes an electrode layer 3, and an electrolyte layer 4 arranged on the electrode layer 3, wherein the electrode layer 3 has a plurality of pores that are open on a face thereof in contact with the electrolyte layer 4, and the pores are filled with fine particles made of the same components as the electrolyte layer 4.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 18, 2015
    Date of Patent: July 9, 2019
    Assignees: Osaka Gas Co., Ltd., National Institute of Advanced Industrial Science and Technology
    Inventors: Mitsuaki Echigo, Hisao Ohnishi, Kyohei Manabe, Osamu Yamazaki, Kazuyuki Minami, Jun Akedo, Toshio Suzuki
  • Publication number: 20180269489
    Abstract: Realized is an element having an electrolyte layer that is dense and has high gas barrier characteristics. A metal-supported electrochemical element includes at least a metal substrate as a support, an electrode layer formed on/over the metal substrate, a buffer layer formed on the electrode layer, and an electrolyte layer formed on the buffer layer. The electrode layer is porous and the electrolyte layer is dense. The buffer layer has density higher than density of the electrode layer and lower than density of the electrolyte layer.
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 14, 2016
    Publication date: September 20, 2018
    Inventors: Mitsuaki Echigo, Hisao Ohnishi, Kyohei Manabe, Osamu Yamazaki, Kazuyuki Minami, Yuji Tsuda
  • Patent number: 10020527
    Abstract: Realized are an electrochemical element and a solid oxide fuel cell that have a dense electrolyte layer and that have excellent durability and robustness, and methods for producing the same. An electrochemical element includes: a metal substrate 2 having a plurality of through holes 21; an electrode layer 3 provided over a front face of the metal substrate 2; and an electrolyte layer 4 provided over the electrode layer 3, wherein the through holes 21 are provided passing through the front face and a back face of the metal substrate 2, the electrode layer 3 is provided in a region larger than a region, of the metal substrate 2, in which the through holes 21 are provided, and the electrolyte layer 4 has a first portion 41 coating the electrode layer 3, and a second portion 42 that is in contact with the front face of the metal substrate 2.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 18, 2015
    Date of Patent: July 10, 2018
    Assignee: Osaka Gas Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Mitsuaki Echigo, Hisao Ohnishi, Kyohei Manabe, Osamu Yamazaki, Kazuyuki Minami, Yuji Tsuda
  • Publication number: 20170309941
    Abstract: Realized are an electrochemical element and a solid oxide fuel cell that have a dense electrolyte layer and that have excellent durability and robustness, and methods for producing the same. An electrochemical element includes: a metal substrate 2 having a plurality of through holes 21; an electrode layer 3 provided over a front face of the metal substrate 2; and an electrolyte layer 4 provided over the electrode layer 3, wherein the through holes 21 are provided passing through the front face and a back face of the metal substrate 2, the electrode layer 3 is provided in a region larger than a region, of the metal substrate 2, in which the through holes 21 are provided, and the electrolyte layer 4 has a first portion 41 coating the electrode layer 3, and a second portion 42 that is in contact with the front face of the metal substrate 2.
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 18, 2015
    Publication date: October 26, 2017
    Inventors: Mitsuaki Echigo, Hisao Ohnishi, Kyohei Manabe, Osamu Yamazaki, Kazuyuki Minami, Yuji Tsuda
  • Publication number: 20170301941
    Abstract: Realized are a high-performance electrochemical element and solid oxide fuel cell in which the contact properties between a dense and highly-gastight electrolyte layer and an electrode layer are improved while the treatment temperature during formation of the electrolyte layer is suppressed to a low temperature, and methods for producing the same. An electrochemical element includes an electrode layer 3, and an electrolyte layer 4 arranged on the electrode layer 3, wherein the electrode layer 3 has a plurality of pores that are open on a face thereof in contact with the electrolyte layer 4, and the pores are filled with fine particles made of the same components as the electrolyte layer 4.
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 18, 2015
    Publication date: October 19, 2017
    Inventors: Mitsuaki Echigo, Hisao Ohnishi, Kyohei Manabe, Osamu Yamazaki, Kazuyuki Minami, Jun Akedo, Toshio Suzuki
  • Patent number: 8591850
    Abstract: In operating the carbon monoxide removal reactor or the fuel reforming system, there is provided a technique for removing carbon monoxide in a stable manner for an extended period of time. In a method of removing carbon monoxide including an introducing step of introducing a reactant gas including mixture gas and an oxidizer added thereto to a carbon monoxide removal reactor forming in its casing a catalyst layer comprising a carbon monoxide removal catalyst for removing carbon monoxide contained in the mixture gas and an removing step of removing the carbon monoxide by causing the oxidizer to react with the mixture gas on the carbon monoxide removal catalyst, in said introducing step, the reactant gas of 100° C. or lower is introduced to the carbon monoxide removal reactor.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 25, 2002
    Date of Patent: November 26, 2013
    Assignee: Osaka Gas Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Mitsuaki Echigo, Takeshi Tabata, Osamu Yamazaki
  • Patent number: 8357341
    Abstract: In operating the carbon monoxide removal reactor or the fuel reforming system, there is provided a technique for removing carbon monoxide in a stable manner for an extended period of time. In a method of removing carbon monoxide including an introducing step of introducing a reactant gas including mixture gas and an oxidizer added thereto to a carbon monoxide removal reactor forming in its casing a catalyst layer comprising a carbon monoxide removal catalyst for removing carbon monoxide contained in the mixture gas and a removing step of removing the carbon monoxide by causing the oxidizer to react with the mixture gas on the carbon monoxide removal catalyst, in said introducing step, the reactant gas of 100° C. or lower is introduced to the carbon monoxide removal reactor.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 31, 2011
    Date of Patent: January 22, 2013
    Assignee: Osaka Gas Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Mitsuaki Echigo, Takeshi Tabata, Osamu Yamazaki
  • Publication number: 20110229383
    Abstract: In operating the carbon monoxide removal reactor or the fuel reforming system, there is provided a technique for removing carbon monoxide in a stable manner for an extended period of time. In a method of removing carbon monoxide including an introducing step of introducing a reactant gas including mixture gas and an oxidizer added thereto to a carbon monoxide removal reactor forming in its casing a catalyst layer comprising a carbon monoxide removal catalyst for removing carbon monoxide contained in the mixture gas and a removing step of removing the carbon monoxide by causing the oxidizer to react with the mixture gas on the carbon monoxide removal catalyst, in said introducing step, the reactant gas of 100° C. or lower is introduced to the carbon monoxide removal reactor.
    Type: Application
    Filed: May 31, 2011
    Publication date: September 22, 2011
    Applicant: OSAKA GAS CO., LTD.
    Inventors: Mitsuaki Echigo, Takeshi Tabata, Osamu Yamazaki
  • Patent number: 7972585
    Abstract: In operating the carbon monoxide removal reactor or the fuel reforming system, there is provided a technique for removing carbon monoxide in a stable manner for an extended period of time. In a method of removing carbon monoxide including an introducing step of introducing a reactant gas including mixture gas and an oxidizer added thereto to a carbon monoxide removal reactor forming in its casing a catalyst layer comprising a carbon monoxide removal catalyst for removing carbon monoxide contained in the mixture gas and a removing step of removing the carbon monoxide by causing the oxidizer to react with the mixture gas on the carbon monoxide removal catalyst, in said introducing step, the reactant gas of 100° C. or lower is introduced to the carbon monoxide removal reactor.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 14, 2008
    Date of Patent: July 5, 2011
    Assignee: Osaka Gas Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Mitsuaki Echigo, Takeshi Tabata, Osamu Yamazaki
  • Patent number: 7658908
    Abstract: A carbon monoxide removing catalyst such as a ruthenium supporting catalyst is provided for removing, through oxidation thereof, carbon monoxide from an alcohol reformed gas containing hydrogen and carbon monoxide to be supplied to a fuel cell. For its activation, the catalyst is caused to contact an inactive gas or a hydrogen-containing inactive gas consisting of less than 50 volume % of hydrogen gas and the remaining volume of inactive gas, thereby to avoid poisoning of the electrode of the fuel cell with carbon monoxide.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 24, 2006
    Date of Patent: February 9, 2010
    Assignee: Osaka Gas Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Mitsuaki Echigo, Takeshi Tabata, Hirokazu Sasaki, Osamu Yamazaki
  • Patent number: 7544634
    Abstract: A carbon monoxide removing catalyst such as a ruthenium supporting catalyst is provided for removing, through oxidation thereof, carbon monoxide from an alcohol reformed gas containing hydrogen and carbon monoxide to be supplied to a fuel cell. For its activation, the catalyst is caused to contact an inactive gas or a hydrogen-containing inactive gas consisting of less than 50 volume % of hydrogen gas and the remaining volume of inactive gas, thereby to avoid poisoning of the electrode of the fuel cell with carbon monoxide.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 24, 2006
    Date of Patent: June 9, 2009
    Assignee: Osaka Gas Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Mitsuaki Echigo, Takeshi Tabata, Hirokazu Sasaki, Osamu Yamazaki
  • Patent number: 7544341
    Abstract: A carbon monoxide removing catalyst such as a ruthenium supporting catalyst is provided for removing, through oxidation thereof, carbon monoxide from an alcohol reformed gas containing hydrogen and carbon monoxide to be supplied to a fuel cell. For its activation, the catalyst is caused to contact an inactive gas or a hydrogen-containing inactive gas consisting of less than 50 volume % of hydrogen gas and the remaining volume of inactive gas, thereby to avoid poisoning of the electrode of the fuel cell with carbon monoxide.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 24, 2006
    Date of Patent: June 9, 2009
    Assignee: Osaka Gas Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Mitsuaki Echigo, Takeshi Tabata, Hirokazu Sasaki, Osamu Yamazaki
  • Publication number: 20080199380
    Abstract: In operating the carbon monoxide removal reactor or the fuel reforming system, there is provided a technique for removing carbon monoxide in a stable manner for an extended period of time. In a method of removing carbon monoxide including an introducing step of introducing a reactant gas including mixture gas and an oxidizer added thereto to a carbon monoxide removal reactor forming in its casing a catalyst layer comprising a carbon monoxide removal catalyst for removing carbon monoxide contained in the mixture gas and a removing step of removing the carbon monoxide by causing the oxidizer to react with the mixture gas on the carbon monoxide removal catalyst, in said introducing step, the reactant gas of 100° C. or lower is introduced to the carbon monoxide removal reactor.
    Type: Application
    Filed: January 14, 2008
    Publication date: August 21, 2008
    Applicant: OSAKA GAS CO., LTD.
    Inventors: Mitsuaki Echigo, Takeshi Tabata, Osamu Yamazaki
  • Patent number: 7247592
    Abstract: A carbon monoxide removing catalyst such as a ruthenium supporting catalyst is provided for removing, through oxidation thereof, carbon monoxide from an alcohol reformed gas containing hydrogen and carbon monoxide to be supplied to a fuel cell. For its activation, the catalyst is caused to contact an inactive gas or a hydrogen-containing inactive gas consisting of less than 50 volume % of hydrogen gas and the remaining volume of inactive gas, thereby to avoid poisoning of the electrode of the fuel cell with carbon monoxide.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 14, 2001
    Date of Patent: July 24, 2007
    Assignee: Osaka Gas Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Mitsuaki Echigo, Takeshi Tabata, Hirokazu Sasaki, Osamu Yamazaki
  • Publication number: 20070098615
    Abstract: The present invention relates to a carbon-monoxide removing (removal) catalyst for removing mainly carbon monoxide from a gas containing hydrogen (H2) gas as the major component thereof and containing also a small amount of carbon monoxide (CO) gas, such as a reformed gas obtained by reforming (steam reforming, partial oxidation reforming, etc.) a hydrocarbon such as a natural gas, naphtha, kerosene or the like and an alcohol such as methanol.
    Type: Application
    Filed: August 24, 2006
    Publication date: May 3, 2007
    Applicant: OSAKA GAS CO., LTD.
    Inventors: Mitsuaki Echigo, Takeshi Tabata, Hirokazu Sasaki, Osamu Yamazaki
  • Publication number: 20070078054
    Abstract: A carbon monoxide removing catalyst such as a ruthenium supporting catalyst is provided for removing, through oxidation thereof, carbon monoxide from an alcohol reformed gas containing hydrogen and carbon monoxide to be supplied to a fuel cell. For its activation, the catalyst is caused to contact an inactive gas or a hydrogen-containing inactive gas consisting of less than 50 volume % of hydrogen gas and the remaining volume of inactive gas, thereby to avoid poisoning of the electrode of the fuel cell with carbon monoxide.
    Type: Application
    Filed: August 24, 2006
    Publication date: April 5, 2007
    Applicant: OSAKA GAS CO., LTD.
    Inventors: Mitsuaki Echigo, Takeshi Tabata, Hirokazu Sasaki, Osamu Yamazaki
  • Publication number: 20070048562
    Abstract: A carbon monoxide removing catalyst such as a ruthenium supporting catalyst is provided for removing, through oxidation thereof, carbon monoxide from an alcohol reformed gas containing hydrogen and carbon monoxide to be supplied to a fuel cell. For its activation, the catalyst is caused to contact an inactive gas or a hydrogen-containing inactive gas consisting of less than 50 volume % of hydrogen gas and the remaining volume of inactive gas, thereby to avoid poisoning of the electrode of the fuel cell with carbon monoxide.
    Type: Application
    Filed: August 24, 2006
    Publication date: March 1, 2007
    Applicant: OSAKA GAS CO., LTD.
    Inventors: Mitsuaki Echigo, Takeshi Tabata, Hirokazu Sasaki, Osamu Yamazaki
  • Patent number: 6913738
    Abstract: The object of the present invention is to obtain a carbon-monoxide removing technique capable of very effectively reducing/removing carbon monoxide present at one thousand of ppm to several % in a hydrogen-rich treatment-object gas such as a reformed gas obtained by reforming of a fuel such as natural gas, methanol, etc. to a concentration of several tens of ppm (preferably 10 ppm) or lower without excessive loss of hydrogen, even when carbon dioxide, methane are co-existent For accomplishing this object, there are provided two stages of CO removers for removing carbon monoxide from a hydrogen-containing treatment-object gas, the first-stage CO remover removing a portion of the carbon monoxide by methanation thereof through a catalyst reaction, the second-stage CO remover removing the remaining portion of the carbon monoxide mainly by oxidation thereof through a further catalyst reaction involving addition of an oxidizing agent.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 5, 1999
    Date of Patent: July 5, 2005
    Assignee: Osaka Gas Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Mitsuaki Echigo, Minoru Suzuki, Osamu Okada
  • Patent number: 6844292
    Abstract: In a method of manufacturing a copper-zinc-aluminum-based methanol reforming catalyst by coprecipitation, the methanol reforming catalyst is obtained by using a copper compound, a zinc compound and aluminum hydroxide, mixing them with an alkaline substance to produce a precipitate, calcining the precipitate obtained, and reducing the calcined product. Thus, a method is provided for manufacturing a highly active, highly heat resistant and durable methanol reforming catalyst which can be used for a long time even under reaction conditions of 300° C. and higher.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 19, 2000
    Date of Patent: January 18, 2005
    Assignee: Osaka Gas Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Osamu Okada, Mitsuaki Echigo