Agency of Industrial Science and Technology

Japan as Represented by Director General of Agency of Industrial Science

Michio Araki

Kiyoshi Ogawa

Toshio Ishikawa

Takashi Hayakawa

Kunio Suzuki

Shigemitsu Shin

Haruo Takaya

Katsuomi Takehira

Masanori Kuroda

Tsutomu Nishimura

Tadasuke Hosoya

Kazuo Kamimura

An inorganic thermochromic substance is proposed which is a composite oxide of strontium and manganese in a specified molar ratio as prepared by the calcination of a powder blend of strontium carbonate and manganese dioxide, instead of conventional manganese carbonate, at a specified temperature for a specified length of time. The temperature of the thermochromic color change is about -130.degree. C., much lower than the color-change point of most of conventional thermochromic substances. The color of the composite oxide is grey or pale green at room temperature but reversibly changes to pale red when it is chilled to -130.degree. C. or lower.

Thermochromic composite oxide and method for detecting temperature

The invention provides a novel and efficient method for preventing biofouling on the surface of a solid body continuously in contact with bacteria-containing sea water, such as the heat transfer surface in a heat exchanger using sea water as the cooling medium, caused by the attachment of the proliferated bacteria. The method comprises adding bacteriophages capable of lysing the bacteria responsible for the biofouling of the surface to the sea water brought into contact with the surface so that the sea water can be efficiently and inexpensively sterilized prior to contacting with the surface not to cause biofouling absolutely without the problem of environmental pollution.

Method for preventing biofouling of surfaces in contact with sea water

The invention provides a novel highly heat-resistant solid catalyst for the ethanation of hydrogen and carbon monoxide into methane. Different from conventional nickel catalysts, the inventive catalyst comprises a binary active ingredient composed of an alloy of nickel and molybdenum and a molybdenum carbide supported on a porous catalyst carrier. The catalyst is prepared by heating a catalyst intermediate comprising the oxides of nickel and molybdenum supported on the carrier in a gaseous mixture of hydrogen and carbon monoxide at 500.degree.-700.degree. C., preferably, following a step of hydrogen reduction at 400.degree.-900.degree. C. The most preferable catalyst carrier is a mixture or a composite oxide compound composed of magnesium and aluminum oxides. The methanation reaction can be carried out with the inventive catalyst at a much higher temperature, e.g. 650.degree. C., than with conventional catalysts so that the heat recovery from the gaseous product is greatly facilitated contributing to the energy economy.

Catalyst for methanation and method for the preparation thereof

A process for the production of conjugated diolefins having 4-6 carbon atoms from the corresponding monoolefins according to the oxidative dehydrogenation process wherein oxides of molybdenum, arsenic and an alkaline earth metal are used as catalyst. The use of this catalyst enables the production of conjugated diolefins in a high yield.

Process for the production of conjugated diolefins

Growing community of inventors

Kure, Japan

Michio Araki