Abstract: An object of the present invention is providing a method for producing formic acid under mild reaction conditions and by a simple procedure. As a means for achieving the object, the method for producing formic acid of the present invention is characterized by a reaction between carbon dioxide and hydrogen in the presence of an ionic liquid. According to the present invention, it is possible to generate formic acid effectively, because the method does not require that carbon dioxide be brought into a supercritical state and because no basic substances are required to be added to the reaction system.

Abstract: An object of the present invention is to provide a method for producing hydrogen by using formic acid as a feedstock, which provides a solution to problems to be solved for the production of hydrogen on an industrial scale, such as problems of production cost, storability and transportability, and also offers improved convenience. The method for producing hydrogen of the present invention is characterized by heating an ionic liquid containing formic acid. The ionic liquid is preferably an ionic liquid in which a counteranion is a formate anion (i.e., formic acid salt). Such an ionic liquid is, as a medium for the production of hydrogen from formic acid as a feedstock, excellent in terms of reaction selectivity (high-purity hydrogen is produced) and reaction velocity.

Abstract: An object of the present invention is providing a method for producing formic acid under mild reaction conditions and by a simple procedure. As a means for achieving the object, the method for producing formic acid of the present invention is characterized by a reaction between carbon dioxide and hydrogen in the presence of an ionic liquid. According to the present invention, it is possible to generate formic acid effectively, because the method does not require that carbon dioxide be brought into a supercritical state and because no basic substances are required to be added to the reaction system.

Abstract: An object of the present invention is to provide a method for producing hydrogen by using formic acid as a feedstock, which provides a solution to problems to be solved for the production of hydrogen on an industrial scale, such as problems of production cost, storability and transportability, and also offers improved convenience. The method for producing hydrogen of the present invention is characterized by heating an ionic liquid containing formic acid. The ionic liquid is preferably an ionic liquid in which a counteranion is a formate anion (i.e., formic acid salt). Such an ionic liquid is, as a medium for the production of hydrogen from formic acid as a feedstock, excellent in terms of reaction selectivity (high-purity hydrogen is produced) and reaction velocity.

Abstract: A porous inorganic oxide support comprising an oxygen-containing carbonaceous material supported thereon, preferably a porous inorganic oxide support wherein the oxygen-containing carbonaceous material is a carbide of an oxygen-containing organic compound, wherein the ratio of the supported carbon amount with respect to the mass of the support for preparing the catalyst is from 0.05 to 0.2, the atomic ratio of the supported hydrogen amount with respect to the supported carbon amount is from 0.4 to 1.0, and the atomic ratio of the supported oxygen amount with respect to the supported carbon amount is from 0.1 to 0.

Abstract: A porous inorganic oxide support comprising an oxygen-containing carbonaceous material supported thereon, preferably a porous inorganic oxide support wherein the oxygen-containing carbonaceous material is a carbide of an oxygen-containing organic compound, wherein the ratio of the supported carbon amount with respect to the mass of the support for preparing the catalyst is from 0.05 to 0.2, the atomic ratio of the supported hydrogen amount with respect to the supported carbon amount is from 0.4 to 1.0, and the atomic ratio of the supported oxygen amount with respect to the supported carbon amount is from 0.1 to 0.

Abstract: A hydrotreating catalyst comprising a Group 8 metal of the periodic table, molybdenum (Mo), phosphorus and sulfur, wherein the average coordination number [N(Mo)] of the molybdenum atoms around the molybdenum atom is from 1.5 to 2.5 and the average coordination number [N(S)] of the sulfur atoms around the molybdenum atom is from 3.5 to 5.0 when MoS2 structure in the catalyst is measured in accordance with extended X-ray absorption fine structure (EXAFS) analysis.

Abstract: An NMR probe for high-temperature NMR measurements includes tubular heating means mounted respectively immediately below and immediately above an area to be measured. A sample tube is inserted inside the tube formed by the two heating means. A sample placed in the sample tube is heated. Heat from the two heating means is transmitted to the sample via at least one heat transfer pipe of a good thermal conductivity. The heat transfer pipe is disposed inside the tube of the heating means.

Abstract: An NMR probe for high-temperature NMR measurements includes tubular heating means mounted respectively immediately below and immediately above an area to be measured. A sample tube is inserted inside the tube formed by the two heating means. A sample placed in the sample tube is heated. Heat from the two heating means is transmitted to the sample via at least one heat transfer pipe of a good thermal conductivity. The heat transfer pipe is disposed inside the tube of the heating means.

Abstract: A hydrotreating catalyst comprising a Group 8 metal of the periodic table, molybdenum (Mo), phosphorus and sulfur, wherein the average coordination number [N(Mo)] of the molybdenum atoms around the molybdenum atom is from 1.5 to 2.5 and the average coordination number [N(S)] of the sulfur atoms around the molybdenum atom is from 3.5 to 5.0 when MoS2 structure in the catalyst is measured in accordance with extended X-ray absorption fine structure (EXAFS) analysis.

Abstract: To obtain a high-quality cast product of a cylinder head, a proper directivity to the cooling process of the molten metal after a pouring process by utilizing the shape of a cylinder head is discussed. In a process where molten metal is injected to a casting mold cavity formed between upper and lower molds to fill it therewith so that the molten metal is solidified to form a cylinder head of an engine, a plurality of core protrusions corresponding to holes (plug holes and bolt holes) are formed in the upper mold, and a cooling means is attached to each of the core protrusions. With respect to cooling means attached to the plurality of core protrusions, those attached to the inner core protrusions comparatively closer to the center of the casting mold are designed so as to have a greater cooling capability than those attached to the outer core protrusions; therefore, with respect to the center portion and the outer portion of the casting mold cavity.

Abstract: In a low-pressure casting in which molten metal is introduced into a cavity of a casting mold under a pressure applied to the surface of the molten metal according to a preset reference pressurizing pattern, the reference pressurizing pattern is corrected when that the cavity has been filled with molten metal is detected and the pressure applied to the molten metal surface is controlled according to the reference pressurizing pattern after the correction. The pressure difference between a set pressure at a predetermined time in the reference pressurizing pattern after the correction and a set pressure at the corresponding time in the reference pressurizing pattern before the correction, is calculated and a set pressure for the period up to the time the cavity is filled with molten metal in the reference pressurizing pattern for the next casting cycle is corrected on the basis of the calculated pressure difference.

Abstract: A low-pressure casting apparatus includes a casting mold having upper and lower molds, a lower mold platen to which the lower mold is fixed, a molten metal holding furnace which holds molten metal to be supplied to a cavity in the casting mold and is disposed in a position offset from the casting mold, a cutaway portion which is formed in the lower mold platen to open toward the furnace and a molten metal supply pipe which extends obliquely upward through the cutaway portion from the furnace to the lower mold to connect the furnace to the cavity. The molten metal supply pipe is arranged to connect the casting mold and the furnace with the molten metal supply pipe supported on a support table and the support table is provided with a pressing mechanism which presses the pipe against the furnace to connect the furnace-side end of the pipe to the furnace.