Abstract: A method for producing vapor-grown carbon fibers, comprising contacting a carbon compound with a catalyst and/or a catalyst precursor compound in a heating zone, wherein the carbon compound is a combination of compounds respectively selected from carbon compounds having no benzene ring structure within molecule [Group (a)] and from aromatic compounds [Group (b)], these compounds satisfy the conditions that, in the raw materials, (number of atoms of element as catalyst)/(number of all carbon atoms) & equals; 0.000005 to 0.0015 and [number of carbon atoms contained in compound of Group (a)]/[number of carbon atoms contained in compound of Group (a)+number of carbon atoms contained in compound of Group (b)] & equals; 0.001 to 0.9, and the residence time in the temperature region of 600° C. or more is 30 seconds or less.

Abstract: The present invention provides a process for producing a vapor-grown carbon fiber by supplying a raw material at least containing a carbon source and a catalyst and/or catalyst precursor compound into a heating zone, wherein the raw material further containing an oxygen-containing carbon source compound which is selected from the group consisting of ketones and ethers. The process for producing a vapor-grown carbon fiber according to the present invention does not leave a residue in a reaction device because a raw material used contains a particular oxygen-containing carbon source compound and, thereby, can continuously produce a vapor-grown carbon fiber.

Abstract: A process for continuously producing carbon fibers in a vapor phase by causing a carbon compound to contact a catalyst and/or a catalyst precursor compound in a heating zone. In this process, the carbon compound, the catalyst precursor compound and an additional component are supplied to the heating zone, and these components are subjected to a reaction under a reaction condition such that at least a portion of the additional component is present as a solid or liquid in the heating zone.

Abstract: The present invention provides a process for producing a vapor-grown carbon fiber by contacting a carbon source in the supplied raw material with a catalyst and/or a catalyst precursor compound in a heating zone to produce a carbon fiber in a vapor phase, wherein the carbon source at least includes methane, the concentration of methane in the supplied raw material is at or more than 15 mol % to less than 100 mol %, and the temperature in the high-temperature part of the heating zone is from 1,100 to 1,500° C. The process of the present invention is simple and effective, and in which the effectiveness of a catalyst or a catalyst precursor can be remarkably enhanced and, in turn, a carbon fiber can be produced at a low cost.

Abstract: A method for producing vapor-grown carbon fibers, comprising contacting a carbon compound with a catalyst and/or a catalyst precursor compound in a heating zone, wherein the carbon compound is a combination of compounds respectively selected from carbon compounds having no benzene ring structure within molecule [Group (a)] and from aromatic compounds [Group (b)], these compounds satisfy the conditions that, in the raw materials, (number of atoms of element as catalyst)/(number of all carbon atoms) & equals; 0.000005 to 0.0015 and [number of carbon atoms contained in compound of Group (a)]/[number of carbon atoms contained in compound of Group (a)+number of carbon atoms contained in compound of Group (b)] & equals; 0.001 to 0.9, and the residence time in the temperature region of 600° C. or more is 30 seconds or less.

Abstract: A process for continuously producing carbon fibers in a vapor phase by causing a carbon compound to contact a catalyst and/or a catalyst precursor compound in a heating zone. In this process, the carbon compound, the catalyst precursor compound and an additional component are supplied to the heating zone, and these components are subjected to a reaction under a reaction condition such that at least a portion of the additional component is present as a solid or liquid in the heating zone.

Abstract: A process for producing an ester comprising reacting a carboxylic acid and ethylene in the presence of an acid catalyst in a vapor phase, wherein the concentration of olefin having 3 or more carbon atoms in the starting materials is controlled to 10,000 ppm or less in terms of the molar ratio to the total of the olefin and ethylene. The deterioration of the catalyst can be remarkably prevented from proceeding and a continuous and stable operation can be performed for a long time.

Abstract: A catalyst for use in producing a lower aliphatic carboxylic acid ester, wherein the catalyst is produced by a process comprising a step of contacting the catalyst with a gas containing at least one member selected from water, lower aliphatic carboxylic acids and lower aliphatic alcohols; a process for producing the catalyst; and a process for producing a lower aliphatic carboxylic acid ester using the catalyst. The catalyst can exhibit high initial activity and high space time yield, ensure sufficiently long catalyst life in practice in industry, and can prevent the production of by-product materials. A siliceous support for use in a catalyst, which has a silicon content of from 39.7 to 46.3% by mass or a silicon content of from 85 to 99% by mass in terms of silicon dioxide or a crush strength of 30 N or more.

Abstract: A vapor grown fine carbon fiber including a hollow space along the fiber in its interior, and having a multi-layer structure, an outer diameter of 2 to 500 nm, and an aspect ratio of 10 to 15,000 is disclosed. The fiber has a center portion and a peripheral portion, and the center portion having a carbon structure different from that of the peripheral portion. A method for producing the fine carbon fiber, and a battery and gas occlusion material containing the fine carbon fiber are also disclosed.

Abstract: A process for producing a lower aliphatic carboxylic acid ester, comprises reacting a lower aliphatic carboxylic acid with a lower alcohol in a gas phase in the presence of a catalyst. The catalyst comprises an inorganic support having supported thereon at least one heteropolyacid and/or a salt thereof. The catalyst exhibits high initial activity and is able to stably and continuously perform the reaction.

Abstract: A vapor grown fine carbon fiber including a hollow space along the fiber in its interior, and having a multi-layer structure, an outer diameter of 2 to 500 nm, and an aspect ratio of 10 to 15,000 is disclosed. The fiber has a center portion and a peripheral portion, and the center portion having a carbon structure different from that of the peripheral portion. A method for producing the fine carbon fiber, and a battery and gas occlusion material containing the fine carbon fiber are also disclosed.

Abstract: A catalyst for producing lower fatty acid esters through esterification of a lower aliphatic carboxylic acid with a lower olefin, comprising a heteropoly acid or a, salt thereof held on a carrier, and having a specific surface area of the catalyst, as measured by a BET method, of 65 m2/g-350 m2/g. A process for producing the catalyst and a process for producing a lower fatty acid ester by using the catalyst are also provided.

Abstract: A catalyst, for use in producing a lower aliphatic carboxylic acid ester, which is used in producing a lower aliphatic carboxylic acid ester by esterifying a lower aliphatic carboxylic acid with a lower alcohol in a gas phase and which can exhibit high initial activity and is able to stably and continuously perform the reaction. The catalyst comprises an inorganic support having supported thereon at least one heteropolyacid and/or a salt thereof.

Abstract: A vapor grown fine carbon fiber including a hollow space along the fiber in its interior, and having a multi-layer structure, an outer diameter of 2 to 500 nm, and an aspect ratio of 10 to 15,000 is disclosed. The fiber has a center portion and a peripheral portion, and the center portion having a carbon structure different from that of the peripheral portion. A method for producing the fine carbon fiber, and a battery and gas occlusion material containing the fine carbon fiber are also disclosed.

Abstract: A catalyst for use in producing a lower aliphatic carboxylic acid ester, wherein the catalyst is produced by a process comprising a step of contacting the catalyst with a gas containing at least one member selected from water, lower aliphatic carboxylic acids and lower aliphatic alcohols; a process for producing the catalyst; and a process for producing a lower aliphatic carboxylic acid ester using the catalyst. The catalyst can exhibit high initial activity and high space time yield, ensure sufficiently long catalyst life in practice in industry, and can prevent the production of by-product materials.