Abstract: Embodiments relate to methods for enhancing chemical conversions. One or more embodiments relate to a method for enhancing a multi-step chemical conversion reaction. The method includes providing a reactant mixture comprising one or more reacting specie(s); and providing a catalyst or sorbent comprising one or more support materials and one or more deposited catalytically active materials. The method further includes applying an electromagnetic field with a prescribed power, frequency, and pulsing strategy specific to interactions of reactant species and an electromagnetic field with at least one of the support materials, sorbent, and catalytically active materials in a particular chemical reaction.

Abstract: One or more embodiments relates to a method of catalytically converting a reactant gas mixture for pollution abatement of products of hydrocarbon fuel combustion. The method provides substituted mixed-metal oxides where catalytically active metals are substituted within the crystal lattice to create an active and well dispersed metal catalyst available to convert the reactant gas mixture. Embodiments may be used with gasoline and diesel fueled internal combustion engine exhaust, although specific embodiments may differ somewhat for each.

Abstract: In one aspect, the disclosure relates to relates to heterogeneous catalysts useful for the synthesis of ammonia under microwave irradiation, processes for preparing the disclosed heterogeneous catalysts, and processes for synthesizing ammonia using the heterogeneous catalysts with microwave irradiation. In various aspects, the disclosed heterogeneous catalysts comprise: a metal selected from Group 7, Group 8, Group 9, Group 10, Group 11, or combinations thereof; a metal oxide support; and optionally a promoter material. This abstract is intended as a scanning tool for purposes of searching in the particular art and is not intended to be limiting of the present disclosure.

Abstract: A method of enhancing a chemical reaction. The method includes providing catalyst particles with a predefined geometric shape having at least one of edges and points; and applying microwave energy to the catalyst particles, enhancing catalytic activity of the catalyst particles without increasing bulk temperature of surrounding reactants.

Abstract: One or more embodiments relates to a method of catalytically converting a reactant gas mixture for pollution abatement of products of hydrocarbon fuel combustion. The method provides substituted mixed-metal oxides where catalytically active metals are substituted within the crystal lattice to create an active and well dispersed metal catalyst available to convert the reactant gas mixture. Embodiments may be used with gasoline and diesel fueled internal combustion engine exhaust, although specific embodiments may differ somewhat for each.

Abstract: One or more embodiments relates to a method of catalytically converting a reactant gas mixture for pollution abatement of products of hydrocarbon fuel combustion. The method provides substituted mixed-metal oxides where catalytically active metals are substituted within the crystal lattice to create an active and well dispersed metal catalyst available to convert the reactant gas mixture. Embodiments may be used with gasoline and diesel fueled internal combustion engine exhaust, although specific embodiments may differ somewhat for each.

Abstract: In one aspect, the disclosure relates to relates to heterogeneous catalysts useful for the synthesis of ammonia under microwave irradiation, processes for preparing the disclosed heterogeneous catalysts, and processes for synthesizing ammonia using the heterogeneous catalysts with microwave irradiation. In various aspects, the disclosed heterogeneous catalysts comprise: a metal selected from Group 7, Group 8, Group 9, Group 10, Group 11, or combinations thereof; a metal oxide support; and optionally a promoter material. This abstract is intended as a scanning tool for purposes of searching in the particular art and is not intended to be limiting of the present disclosure.

Abstract: Embodiments relate to methods for enhancing chemical conversions. One or more embodiments relate to a method for enhancing a multi-step chemical conversion reaction. The method includes providing a reactant mixture comprising one or more reacting specie(s); and providing a catalyst or sorbent comprising one or more support materials and one or more deposited catalytically active materials. The method further includes applying an electromagnetic field with a prescribed power, frequency, and pulsing strategy specific to interactions of reactant species and an electromagnetic field with at least one of the support materials, sorbent, and catalytically active materials in a particular chemical reaction.

Abstract: A method of hydrogenation utilizing a reactant gas mixture comprising a carbon oxide and a hydrogen agent, and a hydrogenation catalyst comprising a mixed-metal oxide containing metal sites supported and/or incorporated into the lattice. The mixed-metal oxide comprises a pyrochlore, a brownmillerite, or mixtures thereof doped at the A-site or the B-site. The metal site may comprise a deposited metal, where the deposited metal is a transition metal, an alkali metal, an alkaline earth metal, or mixtures thereof. Contact between the carbon oxide, hydrogen agent, and hydrogenation catalyst under appropriate conditions of temperature, pressure and gas flow rate generate a hydrogenation reaction and produce a hydrogenated product made up of carbon from the carbon oxide and some portion of the hydrogen agent. The carbon oxide may be CO, CO2, or mixtures thereof and the hydrogen agent may be H2. In a particular embodiment, the hydrogenated product comprises olefins, paraffins, or mixtures thereof.

Abstract: The disclosure provides a gasification process for the production of a methane-rich syngas at temperatures exceeding 400° C. through the use of an alkali hydroxide MOH, using a gasification mixture comprised of at least 0.25 moles and less than 2 moles of water for each mole of carbon, and at least 0.15 moles and less than 2 moles of alkali hydroxide MOH for each mole of carbon. These relative amounts allow the production of a methane-rich syngas at temperatures exceeding 400° C. by enabling a series of reactions which generate H2 and CH4, and mitigate the reforming of methane. The process provides a methane-rich syngas comprised of roughly 20% (dry molar percentage) CH4 at temperatures above 400° C., and may effectively operate within an IGFC cycle at reactor temperatures between 400-900° C. and pressures in excess of 10 atmospheres.

Abstract: A method of hydrogenation utilizing a reactant gas mixture comprising a carbon oxide and a hydrogen agent, and a hydrogenation catalyst comprising a mixed-metal oxide containing metal sites supported and/or incorporated into the lattice. The mixed-metal oxide comprises a perovskite, a pyrochlore, a fluorite, a brownmillerite, or mixtures thereof doped at the A-site or the B-site. The metal site may comprise a deposited metal, where the deposited metal is a transition metal, an alkali metal, an alkaline earth metal, or mixtures thereof. Contact between the carbon oxide, hydrogen agent, and hydrogenation catalyst under appropriate conditions of temperature, pressure and gas flow rate generate a hydrogenation reaction and produce a hydrogenated product made up of carbon from the carbon oxide and some portion of the hydrogen agent. The carbon oxide may be CO, CO2, or mixtures thereof and the hydrogen agent may be H2.

Abstract: A method for the rapid and continuous production of crystalline mixed-metal oxides from a precursor solution comprised of a polymerizing agent, chelated metal ions, and a solvent. The method discharges solution droplets of less than 500 ?m diameter using an atomizing or spray-type process into a reactor having multiple temperature zones. Rapid evaporation occurs in a first zone, followed by mixed-metal organic foam formation in a second zone, followed by amorphous and partially crystalline oxide precursor formation in a third zone, followed by formation of the substantially crystalline mixed-metal oxide in a fourth zone. The method operates in a continuous rather than batch manner and the use of small droplets as the starting material for the temperature-based process allows relatively high temperature processing. In a particular embodiment, the first zone operates at 100-300° C., the second zone operates at 300-700° C., and the third operates at 700-1000° C., and fourth zone operates at at least 700° C.

Abstract: The disclosure provides a gasification process for the production of a methane-rich syngas at temperatures exceeding 700° C. through the use of an alkali hydroxide MOH, using a gasification mixture comprised of at least 0.25 moles and less than 2 moles of water for each mole of carbon, and at least 0.15 moles and less than 2 moles of alkali hydroxide MOH for each mole of carbon. These relative amounts allow the production of a methane-rich syngas at temperatures exceeding 700° C. by enabling a series of reactions which generate H2 and CH4, and mitigate the reforming of methane. The process provides a methane-rich syngas comprised of roughly 20% (dry molar percentage) CH4 at temperatures above 700° C., and may effectively operate within an IGFC cycle at reactor temperatures between 700-900° C. and pressures in excess of 10 atmospheres.

Abstract: A method for the rapid and continuous production of crystalline mixed-metal oxides from a precursor solution comprised of a polymerizing agent, chelated metal ions, and a solvent. The method discharges solution droplets of less than 500 ?m diameter using an atomizing or spray-type process into a reactor having multiple temperature zones. Rapid evaporation occurs in a first zone, followed by mixed-metal organic foam formation in a second zone, followed by amorphous and partially crystalline oxide precursor formation in a third zone, followed by formation of the substantially crystalline mixed-metal oxide in a fourth zone. The method operates in a continuous rather than batch manner and the use of small droplets as the starting material for the temperature-based process allows relatively high temperature processing. In a particular embodiment, the first zone operates at 100-300° C., the second zone operates at 300-700° C., and the third operates at 700-1000° C., and fourth zone operates at at least 700° C.

Abstract: The disclosure relates to a method of utilizing a catalyst system for an oxidation process on a gaseous hydrocarbon stream with a mitigation of carbon accumulation. The system is comprised of a catalytically active phase deposited onto an oxygen conducting phase, with or without supplemental support. The catalytically active phase has a specified crystal structure where at least one catalytically active metal is a cation within the crystal structure and coordinated with oxygen atoms within the crystal structure. The catalyst system employs an optimum coverage ratio for a given set of oxidation conditions, based on a specified hydrocarbon conversion and a carbon deposition limit. Specific embodiments of the catalyst system are disclosed.

Abstract: The disclosure relates to a method of utilizing a catalyst system for an oxidation process on a gaseous hydrocarbon stream with a mitigation of carbon accumulation. The system is comprised of a catalytically active phase deposited onto an oxygen conducting phase, with or without supplemental support. The catalytically active phase has a specified crystal structure where at least one catalytically active metal is a cation within the crystal structure and coordinated with oxygen atoms within the crystal structure. The catalyst system employs an optimum coverage ratio for a given set of oxidation conditions, based on a specified hydrocarbon conversion and a carbon deposition limit. Specific embodiments of the catalyst system are disclosed.

Abstract: A method of catalytically reforming a reactant gas mixture using a pyrochlore catalyst material comprised of one or more pyrochlores having the composition A2B2-y-zB?yB?zO7-?, where y>0 and z?0. Distribution of catalytically active metals throughout the structure at the B site creates an active and well dispersed metal locked into place in the crystal structure. This greatly reduces the metal sintering that typically occurs on supported catalysts used in reforming reactions, and reduces deactivation by sulfur and carbon. Further, oxygen mobility may also be enhanced by elemental exchange of promoters at sites in the pyrochlore. The pyrochlore catalyst material may be utilized in catalytic reforming reactions for the conversion of hydrocarbon fuels into synthesis gas (H2+CO) for fuel cells, among other uses.

Abstract: A metal substituted hexaaluminate catalyst for reforming hydrocarbon fuels to synthesis gas of the general formula AByAl12-yO19-?, A being selected from alkali metals, alkaline earth metals and lanthanide metals or mixtures thereof. A dopant or surface modifier selected from a transitions metal, a spinel of an oxygen-ion conductor is incorporated. The dopant may be Ca, Cs, K, La, Sr, Ba, Li, Mg, Ce, Co, Fe, Ir, Rh, Ni, Ru, Cu, Pe, Os, Pd, Cr, Mn, W, Re, Sn, Gd, V, Ti, Ag, Au, and mixtures thereof. The oxygen-ion conductor may be a perovskite selected from M?RhO3, M?PtO3, M?PdO3, M?IrO3, M?RuO3 wherein M?=Mg, Sr, Ba, La, Ca; a spinel selected from MRh2O4, MPt2O4, MPd2O4, MIr2O4, MRu2O4 wherein M=Mg, Sr, Ba, La, Ca and mixtures thereof; a florite is selected from M?O2.

Abstract: A method of catalytically reforming a reactant gas mixture using a pyrochlore catalyst material comprised of one or more pyrochlores having the composition A2-w-xA?wA?xB2-y-zB?yB?zO7-?. Distribution of catalytically active metals throughout the structure at the B site creates an active and well dispersed metal locked into place in the crystal structure. This greatly reduces the metal sintering that typically occurs on supported catalysts used in reforming reactions, and reduces deactivation by sulfur and carbon. Further, oxygen mobility may also be enhanced by elemental exchange of promoters at sites in the pyrochlore. The pyrochlore catalyst material may be utilized in catalytic reforming reactions for the conversion of hydrocarbon fuels into synthesis gas (H2+CO) for fuel cells, among other uses.

Abstract: Processes for producing citraconic anhydride and citraconic acid using porous materials with specific surface acidities and surface areas are described. The preferred catalyst is a porous gamma alumina. Itaconic acid is produced from citraconic acid. Itaconic acid is an intermediate to a variety of compounds including polymers.