The exhaust gas purification device includes a substrate, a first catalyst layer, and a second catalyst layer. The substrate includes an upstream end, a downstream end, and a porous partition wall defining a plurality of cells extending between the upstream end and the downstream end. The plurality of cells include an inlet cell opening at the upstream end and sealed at the downstream end, and an outlet cell adjacent to the inlet cell sealed at the upstream end and opening at the downstream end. The first catalyst layer is disposed on a surface of the partition wall in an upstream region. In a downstream region, the second catalyst layer is disposed inside the partition wall, and a second catalyst-containing wall including the partition wall and the second catalyst layer has a porosity of 35% or more.

The exhaust gas purification device includes a substrate, a first catalyst layer, and a second catalyst layer. The substrate includes an upstream end, a downstream end, and a porous partition wall defining a plurality of cells extending between the upstream end and the downstream end. The plurality of cells include an inlet cell opening at the upstream end and sealed at the downstream end, and an outlet cell adjacent to the inlet cell sealed at the upstream end and opening at the downstream end. The first catalyst layer is disposed on a surface of the partition wall in an upstream region. In a downstream region, the second catalyst layer is disposed inside the partition wall, and a second catalyst-containing wall including the partition wall and the second catalyst layer has a porosity of 35% or more.

A photo catalytic filter is configured such that a plurality of plate-shaped members on which a photocatalyst is carried face each other with a gap therebetween, and the gaps form an air flow path. Each plate-shaped member has end surfaces respectively on an air entrance side and an air exit side of the gap. A UV irradiation unit faces the end surfaces on at least one of the air entrance side and the air exit side of the plate-shaped members, and is a predetermined distance away from those end surfaces. An air supply path for taking air from a lateral direction substantially parallel to the end surfaces, and supplying the air to the flow path, or an air discharge path for discharging the air exiting the flow path to a lateral direction substantially parallel to the end surfaces, is formed between the UV irradiation unit and the end surfaces of the plate-shaped members.

A photo catalytic filter is configured such that a plurality of plate-shaped members on which a photocatalyst is carried face each other with a gap therebetween, and the gaps form an air flow path. Each plate-shaped member has end surfaces respectively on an air entrance side and an air exit side of the gap. A UV irradiation unit faces the end surfaces on at least one of the air entrance side and the air exit side of the plate-shaped members, and is a predetermined distance away from those end surfaces. An air supply path for taking air from a lateral direction substantially parallel to the end surfaces, and supplying the air to the flow path, or an air discharge path for discharging the air exiting the flow path to a lateral direction substantially parallel to the end surfaces, is formed between the UV irradiation unit and the end surfaces of the plate-shaped members.

A process for coating substrates of motor vehicle exhaust gas catalysts is described, and includes steps of applying a suspension (e.g., washcoat) to a substrate, allowing a shear force to act on the applied washcoat, as in pressure transmitted by gas (e.g., air), and then sucking and/or pressing the washcoat into the substrate. The process in inclusive of providing the suspension (washcoat) containing the catalytic material from above in a metered charge process. An apparatus for carrying out the noted process steps is also featured.

A process for coating substrates of motor vehicle exhaust gas catalysts is described, and includes steps of applying a suspension (e.g., washcoat) to a substrate, allowing a shear force to act on the applied washcoat, as in pressure transmitted by gas (e.g., air), and then sucking and/or pressing the washcoat into the substrate. The process in inclusive of providing the suspension (washcoat) containing the catalytic material from above in a metered charge process. An apparatus for carrying out the noted process steps is also featured.

A hydrogen plant for producing hydrogen, including: a reforming reactor system including a first catalyst bed including an electrically conductive material and a catalytically active material, a heat insulation layer between the first catalyst bed and the pressure shell, and at least two conductors electrically connected to the electrically conductive material and to an electrical power supply placed outside the pressure shell, wherein the electrical power supply is dimensioned to heat at least part of the first catalyst bed to a temperature of at least 500° C. by passing an electrical current through the electrically conductive material, where the pressure shell has a design pressure of between 5 and 200 bar; a water gas shift unit downstream the reforming reactor system; and a gas separation unit downstream the water gas shift unit. A process for producing hydrogen from a feed gas including hydrocarbons.

A hydrogen plant for producing hydrogen, including: a reforming reactor system including a first catalyst bed including an electrically conductive material and a catalytically active material, a heat insulation layer between the first catalyst bed and the pressure shell, and at least two conductors electrically connected to the electrically conductive material and to an electrical power supply placed outside the pressure shell, wherein the electrical power supply is dimensioned to heat at least part of the first catalyst bed to a temperature of at least 500° C. by passing an electrical current through the electrically conductive material, where the pressure shell has a design pressure of between 5 and 200 bar; a water gas shift unit downstream the reforming reactor system; and a gas separation unit downstream the water gas shift unit. A process for producing hydrogen from a feed gas including hydrocarbons.

The present invention provides an exhaust gas purification catalyst including an alkaline earth metal supported in a highly dispersed state on a porous carrier. A catalyst layer of the exhaust gas purification catalyst provided by the invention has an alkaline earth metal-supporting region including a porous carrier, a catalyst metal belonging to the platinum group, and a sulfate of at least one type of alkali earth metal supported on the porous carrier. In a cross-section of this region, a Pearson correlation coefficient R.sub.Ae/M is at least 0.5 as calculated using α and β for each pixel obtained by carrying out area analysis by FE-EPMA under conditions of pixel size of 0.34 μm×0.34 μm, and measured pixel number 256×256, and by measuring the characteristic X-ray intensity (α:cps) of the alkaline earth metal element (Ae) and the characteristic X-ray intensity (β:cps) of the main constituent element of the inorganic compound constituting the porous carrier for each pixel.

The present invention provides an exhaust gas purification catalyst including an alkaline earth metal supported in a highly dispersed state on a porous carrier. A catalyst layer of the exhaust gas purification catalyst provided by the invention has an alkaline earth metal-supporting region including a porous carrier, a catalyst metal belonging to the platinum group, and a sulfate of at least one type of alkali earth metal supported on the porous carrier. In a cross-section of this region, a Pearson correlation coefficient R.sub.Ae/M is at least 0.5 as calculated using α and β for each pixel obtained by carrying out area analysis by FE-EPMA under conditions of pixel size of 0.34 μm×0.34 μm, and measured pixel number 256×256, and by measuring the characteristic X-ray intensity (α:cps) of the alkaline earth metal element (Ae) and the characteristic X-ray intensity (β:cps) of the main constituent element of the inorganic compound constituting the porous carrier for each pixel.