Patents by Inventor Yusuke Kofuji

Yusuke Kofuji 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: 20240124995
    Abstract: An electrochemical reaction device in an embodiment includes: an electrochemical reaction cell including a first accommodation part for accommodating carbon dioxide, a second accommodation part for accommodating an electrolytic solution containing water, or water vapor, a diaphragm provided between the first accommodation part and the second accommodation part, a reduction electrode arranged in the first accommodation part, and an oxidation electrode arranged in the second accommodation part, a detection unit detecting a reaction amount in the electrochemical reaction cell; a regulation unit regulating an amount of the carbon dioxide to be supplied to the first accommodation part, and a control unit controlling the regulation unit based on a detection signal of the detection unit.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 27, 2023
    Publication date: April 18, 2024
    Applicant: KABUSHIKI KAISHA TOSHIBA
    Inventors: Ryota KITAGAWA, Yusuke KOFUJI, Asahi MOTOSHIGE, Masakazu YAMAGIWA, Jun TAMURA, Yuki KUDO, Akihiko ONO, Satoshi MIKOSHIBA
  • Publication number: 20240117515
    Abstract: An electrolytic device includes: an electrolysis cell including: an anode; a cathode; a first flow path plate facing on the anode, the first flow path plate having a first recess defining an anode flow path through which a first liquid flows; a second flow path plate facing on the cathode, the second flow path plate having a second recess defining a cathode flow path through which a first gas flows; and a separator provided between the anode and the cathode. The second flow path plate has an uneven surface on an inner surface of the second recess. An arithmetic mean roughness of the uneven surface is 0.03 ?m or more and 50 ?m or less.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 1, 2023
    Publication date: April 11, 2024
    Applicant: KABUSHIKI KAISHA TOSHIBA
    Inventors: Akihiko ONO, Yusuke KOFUJI, Yuki KUDO, Satoshi MIKOSHIBA, Ryota KITAGAWA
  • Publication number: 20240091736
    Abstract: A sequestration system includes: an electrolysis part having an electrolysis cell having an anode, a cathode, an anode flow path facing on the anode, and a cathode flow path facing on the cathode; and a reaction part configured to switch a first operation and a second operation, the first operation including producing solid carbon using a catalyst from a first raw material containing a first fluid to be introduced from the cathode flow path, and the second operation including performing a reaction of a second raw material containing a second fluid to be introduced from the anode flow path and solid carbon to be deposited on the catalyst to remove at least a part of the deposited solid carbon from the catalyst.
    Type: Application
    Filed: February 27, 2023
    Publication date: March 21, 2024
    Applicant: KABUSHIKI KAISHA TOSHIBA
    Inventors: Ryota KITAGAWA, Naoya FUJIWARA, Yusuke KOFUJI, Akihiko ONO, Satoshi MIKOSHIBA
  • Publication number: 20240011172
    Abstract: An electrochemical reaction device includes: a first reactor including a first room and a second room, the first room being configured to store a gas containing carbon dioxide or a first electrolytic solution containing carbon dioxide, and the second room being configured to store a second electrolytic solution containing water; a cathode disposed in the first room, the cathode being configured to reduce the carbon dioxide and thus produce a reduction product; an anode disposed in the second room, the anode being configured to oxidize the water and thus produce an oxidation product; a first pressure adjuster configured to adjust pressure in the first room; a temperature detector configured to detect a temperature in the first reactor to form a detection signal; and a controller configured to control the pressure adjuster in accordance with the detection signal from the temperature detector.
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 19, 2023
    Publication date: January 11, 2024
    Applicant: KABUSHIKI KAISHA TOSHIBA
    Inventors: Satoshi MIKOSHIBA, Asahi MOTOSHIGE, Ryota KITAGAWA, Akihiko ONO, Yusuke KOFUJI, Yuki KUDO, Masakazu YAMAGIWA
  • Patent number: 11851774
    Abstract: A carbon dioxide electrolytic device according to an embodiment includes: an electrolysis cell including a reduction electrode, an oxidation electrode, a gas flow path supplying gas containing CO2 to the reduction electrode, a liquid flow path supplying an electrolytic solution containing water to the oxidation electrode, and a diaphragm separating the reduction electrode from the oxidation electrode; a first supply path connected to the gas flow path; a first discharge path connected to the gas flow path; a first moisture content detecting unit installed in the first discharge path to detect a moisture content in the gas flowing in the first discharge path; a moisture content adjusting unit configured to adjust a moisture content supplied to the reduction electrode; and a control unit configured to control the moisture content adjusting unit based on a detection signal of the first moisture content detecting unit.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 18, 2021
    Date of Patent: December 26, 2023
    Assignee: KABUSHIKI KAISHA TOSHIBA
    Inventors: Ryota Kitagawa, Yusuke Kofuji, Akihiko Ono, Yuki Kudo, Jun Tamura, Satoshi Mikoshiba
  • Patent number: 11795557
    Abstract: An electrochemical reaction device includes: a first reactor including a first room and a second room, the first room being configured to store a gas containing carbon dioxide or a first electrolytic solution containing carbon dioxide, and the second room being configured to store a second electrolytic solution containing water; a cathode disposed in the first room, the cathode being configured to reduce the carbon dioxide and thus produce a reduction product; an anode disposed in the second room, the anode being configured to oxidize the water and thus produce an oxidation product; a first pressure adjuster configured to adjust pressure in the first room; a temperature detector configured to detect a temperature in the first reactor to form a detection signal; and a controller configured to control the pressure adjuster in accordance with the detection signal from the temperature detector.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 6, 2020
    Date of Patent: October 24, 2023
    Assignee: KABUSHIKI KAISHA TOSHIBA
    Inventors: Satoshi Mikoshiba, Asahi Motoshige, Ryota Kitagawa, Akihiko Ono, Yusuke Kofuji, Yuki Kudo, Masakazu Yamagiwa
  • Publication number: 20230323549
    Abstract: An electrode catalyst layer for electrolytic cell 3 of an embodiment includes: a carbon material; a metal catalyst supported on the carbon material; and a water-repellent organic substance. In the electrode catalyst layer for electrolytic cell of the embodiment, the water-repellent organic substance includes an organic substance containing sulfur. A metal-sulfur bond is formed between the organic substance containing sulfur and the metal catalyst. A mass ratio (S/M) of a sulfur element (S) to a metal element (M) in the metal catalyst in the catalyst layer is not less than 0.03 nor more than 0.1.
    Type: Application
    Filed: August 18, 2022
    Publication date: October 12, 2023
    Applicant: KABUSHIKI KAISHA TOSHIBA
    Inventors: Maki YONETSU, Yusuke KOFUJI, Ryota KITAGAWA, Satoshi MIKOSHIBA, Yuki KUDO, Asahi MOTOSHIGE, Akihiko ONO, Takashi YOSHIDA
  • Patent number: 11781231
    Abstract: A carbon dioxide electrolytic device, includes: an electrolysis cell including an anode to oxidize water and thus form oxygen, an anode flow path facing the anode, a cathode to reduce carbon dioxide and thus form a carbon compound, a cathode flow path facing the cathode, and a separator between the anode and the cathode; a cooling flow path provided opposite to the anode flow path or the cathode flow path and connected in parallel to the anode flow path; an anode inflow path connecting an inlet of the anode flow path, an inlet of the cooling flow path, and an outlet of a liquid tank to store a liquid containing water; an anode outflow path connecting an outlet of the anode flow path, an outlet of the cooling flow path, and an inlet of the liquid tank; and a cooler to cool the anode outflow path.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 2, 2021
    Date of Patent: October 10, 2023
    Assignee: KABUSHIKI KAISHA TOSHIBA
    Inventors: Akihiko Ono, Yuki Kudo, Yusuke Kofuji, Asahi Motoshige, Ryota Kitagawa, Masakazu Yamagiwa, Satoshi Mikoshiba
  • Publication number: 20230304171
    Abstract: An electrolytic device, includes: an electrolysis cell including: a cathode; an anode; a cathode flow path facing the cathode; and an anode flow path facing the anode; a tank including: a first room; a second room; and an opening connecting the first and second rooms, the first and second rooms store a liquid containing at least one ion, the tank forms a level difference so that the first liquid level of the liquid in the first room is higher to the bottom of the second room than the second liquid level of the liquid in the second room, and thus cause an ion in the liquid to move from the first to the second room through the opening; a first flow path connecting an outlet of the cathode flow path and the first room; and a second flow path connecting the second room and an outlet of the anode flow path.
    Type: Application
    Filed: August 24, 2022
    Publication date: September 28, 2023
    Applicant: KABUSHIKI KAISHA TOSHIBA
    Inventors: Masakazu YAMAGIWA, Akihiko ONO, Yuki KUDO, Yasuhiro KIYOTA, Yusuke KOFUJI, Ryota KITAGAWA, Satoshi MIKOSHIBA
  • Publication number: 20230287588
    Abstract: A carbon dioxide electrolytic device in an embodiment includes: an electrochemical reaction cell including: a first accommodation part that accommodates gas or a first electrolytic solution containing CO2; a second accommodation part that accommodates a second electrolytic solution containing H2O; a diaphragm provided between the first and second accommodation parts; a cathode that is in contact with the gas or the first electrolytic solution; and an anode that is in contact with the second electrolytic solution; a first supply part that supplies the gas or the first electrolytic solution to the first accommodation part; a second supply part that supplies the second electrolytic solution to the second accommodation part; and a carbon dioxide separation part that is connected to a discharge portion of a discharge containing O2 and CO2 from the second accommodation part and includes a cryogenic separation device to separate CO2 from a gas component in the discharge.
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 2, 2022
    Publication date: September 14, 2023
    Applicant: KABUSHIKI KAISHA TOSHIBA
    Inventors: Satoshi MIKOSHIBA, Ryota KITAGAWA, Akihiko ONO, Masakazu YAMAGIWA, Yusuke KOFUJI, Yasuhiro KIYOTA
  • Publication number: 20230250546
    Abstract: CO2 reaction methods may include: supplying CO2-containing gas to a first accommodation part (AP) of an electrochemical reaction cell (ERC) from a first supply unit, the ERC including the first AP, a second AP, a cathode in the first AP, and an anode in the second AP; supplying an electrolytic solution containing H2O to the second AP; controlling ERC temperature to 60 to 150° C. so discharged gas and discharged solution discharged from the first and second APs are 60 to 100° C.; supplying current to the electrodes, reducing the CO2 at the reduction electrode and discharge gas from the first AP, and oxidizing H2O and discharge the solution containing O2 and CO2 from the second AP; separating O2 and CO2 gas from the discharged solution; combusting the O2 to produce CO2, and discharging mixed-CO2 gas containing combustion CO2 and CO2; and supplying the mixed-CO2 gas to the first AP.
    Type: Application
    Filed: April 17, 2023
    Publication date: August 10, 2023
    Applicant: KABUSHIKI KAISHA TOSHIBA
    Inventors: Satoshi MIKOSHIBA, Asahi MOTOSHIGE, Ryota KITAGAWA, Akihiko ONO, Yusuke KOFUJI, Yuki KUDO
  • Publication number: 20230083090
    Abstract: A carbon dioxide electrolytic device of an embodiment includes: an electrolysis cell including a first accommodation part for accommodating carbon dioxide, a second accommodation part for accommodating an electrolytic solution containing water, or water vapor, a diaphragm provided between the first accommodation part and the second accommodation part, a reduction electrode arranged in the first accommodation part, and an oxidation electrode arranged in the second accommodation part; a first power supply control unit capable of being connected to a first power supply which supplies power to the electrolysis cell; a second power supply control unit capable of being connected to a second power supply which supplies power to the electrolysis cell; and an integration control unit controlling the first power supply control unit and the second power supply control unit, and switching the supply of power from the first power supply or the second power supply to the electrolysis cell.
    Type: Application
    Filed: February 21, 2022
    Publication date: March 16, 2023
    Applicant: KABUSHIKI KAISHA TOSHIBA
    Inventors: Yuki KUDO, Akihiko ONO, Yasuhiro KIYOTA, Yusuke KOFUJI, Masakazu YAMAGIWA, Satoshi MIKOSHIBA, Ryota KITAGAWA
  • Publication number: 20230079481
    Abstract: A carbon dioxide electrolytic device includes an electrolysis cell including: an anode configured to oxidize water to produce oxygen; a cathode configured to reduce carbon dioxide to produce carbon compound; a cathode flow path plate having a surface provided in contact with the cathode and a cathode flow path provided on the surface and facing to the cathode; and a separator provided between the anode and the cathode. The surface has a hydrophilic region provided on the cathode and having a contact angle to water of less than 45 degrees.
    Type: Application
    Filed: February 23, 2022
    Publication date: March 16, 2023
    Applicant: KABUSHIKI KAISHA TOSHIBA
    Inventors: Akihiko ONO, Yuki KUDO, Yusuke KOFUJI, Jun TAMURA, Masakazu YAMAGIWA, Yasuhiro KIYOTA, Ryota KITAGAWA, Satoshi MIKOSHIBA
  • Publication number: 20220298660
    Abstract: A carbon dioxide electrolytic device includes: an anode configured to oxidize water or a hydroxide ion and thus generate oxygen; an anode solution flow path configured to supply an anode solution to the anode; a cathode configured to reduce carbon dioxide and thus generate a carbon compound; a gas flow path configured to supply a gas to the cathode, the gas containing carbon dioxide; and a diaphragm provided between the anode and the cathode and including a porous film. The porous film includes a first porous surface provided on an anode side and having a first average pore size, and a second porous surface provided on a cathode side and having a second average pore size. The first average pore size being larger than the second average pore size.
    Type: Application
    Filed: February 24, 2022
    Publication date: September 22, 2022
    Applicant: KABUSHIKI KAISHA TOSHIBA
    Inventors: Yusuke KOFUJI, Akihiko ONO, Ryota KITAGAWA, Satoshi MIKOSHIBA
  • Publication number: 20220298651
    Abstract: A carbon dioxide electrolytic device according to an embodiment includes: an electrolysis cell including a reduction electrode, an oxidation electrode, a gas flow path supplying gas containing CO2 to the reduction electrode, a liquid flow path supplying an electrolytic solution containing water to the oxidation electrode, and a diaphragm separating the reduction electrode from the oxidation electrode; a first supply path connected to the gas flow path; a first discharge path connected to the gas flow path; a first moisture content detecting unit installed in the first discharge path to detect a moisture content in the gas flowing in the first discharge path; a moisture content adjusting unit configured to adjust a moisture content supplied to the reduction electrode; and a control unit configured to control the moisture content adjusting unit based on a detection signal of the first moisture content detecting unit.
    Type: Application
    Filed: August 18, 2021
    Publication date: September 22, 2022
    Applicant: KABUSHIKI KAISHA TOSHIBA
    Inventors: Ryota KITAGAWA, Yusuke KOFUJI, Akihiko ONO, Yuki KUDO, Jun TAMURA, Satoshi MIKOSHIBA
  • Publication number: 20220298652
    Abstract: A carbon dioxide electrolysis device includes: a cathode configured to reduce carbon dioxide and thus form a carbon compound; an anode configured to oxidize water and thus generate oxygen; a cathode gas flow path facing on the cathode and configured to supply gas containing carbon dioxide; an anode solution flow path facing on the anode and configured to supply an electrolytic solution containing water; and a separator provided between the anode and the cathode. An aspect ratio of the cathode gas flow path is greater than 1 and 3 or less. In a cross-section along a direction perpendicular to a facing surface between the cathode and the cathode gas flow path in the cathode gas flow path, a fluid mean depth M of the cathode gas flow path and a depth h of the cathode gas flow path satisfy a formula: h/8?M<h/4.
    Type: Application
    Filed: August 19, 2021
    Publication date: September 22, 2022
    Applicant: KABUSHIKI KAISHA TOSHIBA
    Inventors: Masakazu YAMAGIWA, Akihiko ONO, Yusuke KOFUJI, Yuki KUDO, Ryota KITAGAWA, Satoshi MIKOSHIBA
  • Publication number: 20220298655
    Abstract: A carbon dioxide electrolysis device, includes: an anode configured to oxidize water or a hydroxide ion and thus generate oxygen; an anode solution flow path configured to supply an anode solution to the anode; a cathode configured to reduce carbon dioxide to generate a carbon compound; a gas flow path configured to supply a gas to the cathode, the gas containing carbon dioxide; a diaphragm provided between the anode and the cathode and including a porous film with a hydrophilic polymer supported thereon; and a protective member provided between the anode and the diaphragm and protecting the diaphragm.
    Type: Application
    Filed: August 31, 2021
    Publication date: September 22, 2022
    Applicant: KABUSHIKI KAISHA TOSHIBA
    Inventors: Yusuke KOFUJI, Akihiko ONO, Yuki KUDO, Ryota KITAGAWA, Masakazu YAMAGIWA, Jun TAMURA, Satoshi MIKOSHIBA
  • Publication number: 20220290311
    Abstract: A carbon dioxide electrolytic device of an embodiment includes: an electrolysis cell including a cathode, an anode, a gas supply flow path, a solution supply flow path, and a separator; a CO2 gas supply unit configured to supply CO2 gas to the gas supply flow path; an electrolytic solution supply unit configured to supply an electrolytic solution to the solution supply flow path; and a rinse material supply unit configured to supply a rinse material to the gas supply flow path. The gas supply flow path has a first opening, a second opening, and an auxiliary flow path provided to a part of a flow path between the first opening and the second opening, and configured to make at least the rinse material flow therethrough. A switching mechanism configured to switch a flow direction of the rinse material in the auxiliary flow path is connected to the gas supply flow path.
    Type: Application
    Filed: August 25, 2021
    Publication date: September 15, 2022
    Applicant: KABUSHIKI KAISHA TOSHIBA
    Inventors: Akihiko ONO, Yuki KUDO, Yusuke KOFUJI, Ryota KITAGAWA, Satoshi MIKOSHIBA
  • Patent number: 11293109
    Abstract: A carbon dioxide electrolytic device in an embodiment includes: an electrolysis cell including a cathode including a CO2 gas supply flow path, an anode, and a separator; a CO2 supply unit configured to supply CO2 gas to the gas supply flow path; and a rinse material supply unit configured to make a rinse material containing H2O flow through the CO2 gas supply flow path. The CO2 gas supply flow path includes a first opening provided on one end side, a second opening provided on another end side, and a third opening provided between the first opening and the second opening. The rinse material supply unit is configured to make the rinse material flow at least between the first opening and the third opening of the CO2 gas supply flow path.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 10, 2020
    Date of Patent: April 5, 2022
    Assignee: KABUSHIKI KAISHA TOSHIBA
    Inventors: Akihiko Ono, Yuki Kudo, Yusuke Kofuji, Asahi Motoshige, Ryota Kitagawa, Masakazu Yamagiwa, Satoshi Mikoshiba
  • Publication number: 20220064808
    Abstract: A carbon dioxide electrolytic device, includes: an electrolysis cell including an anode to oxidize water and thus form oxygen, an anode flow path facing the anode, a cathode to reduce carbon dioxide and thus form a carbon compound, a cathode flow path facing the cathode, and a separator between the anode and the cathode; a cooling flow path provided opposite to the anode flow path or the cathode flow path and connected in parallel to the anode flow path; an anode inflow path connecting an inlet of the anode flow path, an inlet of the cooling flow path, and an outlet of a liquid tank to store a liquid containing water; an anode outflow path connecting an outlet of the anode flow path, an outlet of the cooling flow path, and an inlet of the liquid tank; and a cooler to cool the anode outflow path.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 2, 2021
    Publication date: March 3, 2022
    Applicant: KABUSHIKI KAISHA TOSHIBA
    Inventors: Akihiko ONO, Yuki KUDO, Yusuke KOFUJI, Asahi MOTOSHIGE, Ryota KITAGAWA, Masakazu YAMAGIWA, Satoshi MIKOSHIBA