Abstract: A method of preparing a steam reforming catalyst characterized by improved resistance to attrition loss when used for cracking, reforming, water gas shift and gasification reactions on feedstock in a fluidized bed reactor, comprising: fabricating the ceramic support particle, coating a ceramic support by adding an aqueous solution of a precursor salt of a metal selected from the group consisting of Ni, Pt, Pd, Ru, Rh, Cr, Co, Mn, Mg, K, La and Fe and mixtures thereof to the ceramic support and calcining the coated ceramic in air to convert the metal salts to metal oxides.

Abstract: A method of preparing a steam reforming catalyst characterized by improved resistance to attrition loss when used for cracking, reforming, water gas shift and gasification reactions on feedstock in a fluidized bed reactor, comprising: fabricating the ceramic support particle, coating a ceramic support by adding an aqueous solution of a precursor salt of a metal selected from the group consisting of Ni, Pt, Pd, Ru, Rh, Cr, Co, Mn, Mg, K, La and Fe and mixtures thereof to the ceramic support and calcining the coated ceramic in air to convert the metal salts to metal oxides.

Abstract: A method for making an aluminum oxide (Al2O3) component utilizes an amount of aluminum oxide in particle form. The aluminum oxide initially has less than about 100 parts per million of sodium and less than about 600 parts per million of silica. The aluminum oxide is ground with media that comprise aluminum oxide ceramic pieces that have less than about 200 parts per million of sodium to deagglomerate and reduce the particle size of the aluminum oxide. The ground aluminum oxide is placed into a slurry, and a low sodium grade binder is added to the slurry. The slurry is dried to provide an aluminum oxide powder having a sodium content that is less than about 200 parts per million. The powder may then be formed into a certain shape and thermally treated to produce an aluminum oxide component having a low sodium and low silica content.

Abstract: Porous metal-containing materials are provided for a variety of uses including filters, electrodes for batteries and fuel cells, light weight structural materials, heat exchangers and catalysts. A method is provided for making the porous metal-containing materials involving vapor phase sintering of a metal oxide green form followed by reduction to form a porous metal-containing material, typically without any significant shrinkage of the sample occurring during processing. The porous metal-containing materials may have porosities of from about 40 percent to as high as 90% in some embodiments. Furthermore, the pore volume is highly interconnected, which is particularly advantageous for many applications.

Abstract: Micro/ultra filtering elements are provided. The filtering elements comprise a support having one or more levels and a porous filtering membrane layer formed thereon comprising sintered ceramic and/or metallic particles of uniform diameters. The membrane may also contain ceramic particles which are disposed in the pores of the membrane. The filtering membrane preferably has an average pore size of from about 0.005 to about 10 micrometers. The filter element is capable of being formed in a variety of geometrical shapes based on the shape of the porous support.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a process for producing filled vias which are made of two components, a first component which forms a bonding layer between the wall of the via and a second component which forms the core of the via. Preferably, the two components solidify from a melt which includes two immiscible liquids. The first liquid is capable of wetting the wall of the via and the second liquid. The resulting product is also disclosed. Preferably the first component comprises a copper oxide and the second component comprises a conductive metal such as silver or copper.

Abstract: A micro/ultrafiltering element (10) and method for making a filter element are provided. The filtering element comprises a multi-level support (26) having a filtering membrane layer (12) formed thereon comprising sintered particles (14) of uniform diameter. The filtering membrane preferably has an average pore size of from about 0.005-10 micrometers.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a process for producing filled vias which are made of two components, a first component which forms a bonding layer between the wall of the via and a second component which forms the core of the via. Preferably, the two components solidify from a melt which includes two immiscible liquids. The first liquid is capable of wetting the wall of the via and the second liquid. The resulting product is also disclosed. Preferably the first component comprises a copper oxide and the second component comprises a conductive metal such as silver or copper.