Abstract: One exemplary embodiment can be a process for lowering an amount of carbon monoxide in a stream rich in hydrogen. The process can include passing the stream rich in hydrogen through a carbon monoxide removal zone to produce a product stream having no more than about 10 vppm carbon monoxide and communicating the product stream to a reduction zone receiving a catalyst comprising unreduced metal species.

Abstract: A multi-bed selective catalytic reduction system comprising a gas input duct, a first ammonia injection grid assembly located downstream from the gas input duct, a first selective catalytic reduction catalyst assembly located downstream from the first ammonia injection grid assembly, a second ammonia injection grid assembly located downstream from the first selective catalytic reduction catalyst assembly, a second selective catalytic reduction catalyst assembly located downstream from the second ammonia injection grid assembly, and an exhaust stack located downstream from the second selective catalytic reduction catalyst assembly.

Abstract: The present invention provides compositions comprising ionic liquids and an amine compound, and methods for using and producing the same. In some embodiments, the compositions of the invention are useful in reducing the amount of impurities in a fluid medium or a solid substrate.

Abstract: A method of removing carbon monoxide from an oxygen carrier including setting a carbon monoxide bonded oxygen carrier solution across a separation membrane from an oxygen-dissolved solution; and exposing the setting part to the light and a method of removing carbon monoxide from an oxygen carrier including setting a carbon monoxide oxygen carrier solution across a hollow fiber separation membrane from an oxygen-dissolved solution; and exposing the setting part to light.

Abstract: A method for treating exhaust gases containing fluorine-containing compounds which comprises the steps of bringing an exhaust gas containing fluorine-containing compounds into contact with a metal catalyst carrying a tungsten oxide on an alumina-zirconium composite oxide and then bringing the emission into contact with a ?-alumina catalyst.

Abstract: A method for treating exhaust gas includes: adsorbing target components in the exhaust gas with an adsorbent (5); introducing a nitrogen gas with an oxygen concentration of 10 vol % or less and a purity of 90 vol % or more into the adsorbent (5); and applying (6, 7, 8) nonthermal plasma to the adsorbent (5). After the adsorbent (5) adsorbs the target components in the exhaust gas, the nitrogen gas is introduced into the adsorbent (5), and then an electric discharge is generated so that the nonthermal plasma of the nitrogen gas is applied to the adsorbent (5) and causes desorption of the target components and regeneration of the adsorbent (5). This method can remove the target components effectively from oxygen-containing exhaust gas by using nitrogen gas plasma with high activity as a result of ionization of a nitrogen gas and combining adsorption, desorption by the nitrogen gas plasma, and nitrogen plasma treatment.

Abstract: A method of reducing at least one atmospheric oxidising pollutant, such as ozone, with a reducing agent comprises contacting the reducing agent with the at least one atmospheric oxidising pollutant, wherein the reducing agent comprises a precious metal-free trap material, such as a zeolite, including at least one trapped atmospheric reducing pollutant, e.g. a hydrocarbon, whereby as the at least one atmospheric oxidising pollutant is reduced the at least one trapped atmospheric reducing pollutant is oxidised.

Abstract: A method for reducing or substantially eliminating oxides of nitrogen from an effluent gas stream, that includes providing a source of ultraviolet radiation with a precise wavelength, adding ammonia or an ammonia based reagent to the effluent stream, upstream of the ultraviolet radiation source, controllably operating the ultraviolet radiation source to irradiate the effluent stream flowing in the duct and substantially reducing or eliminating oxides of nitrogen by promotion a reaction of ammonia with the oxides of nitrogen to produce N2 and H2O, and also thereby destroying any surplus ammonia. This process can also be modified to oxidize carbon monoxide and VOC's to CO2 and H2O.

Abstract: A process for treating exhaust gas from a compression ignition engine wherein substantially all fuel for combustion is injected into a combustion chamber prior to the start of combustion comprises contacting the exhaust gas with a catalyst comprising a supported palladium (Pd) catalyst.

Abstract: A hot oxygen stream is fed into a catalyst regenerator flue gas stream that contains carbon monoxide to remove carbon monoxide. NOx precursors such as NH3 and HCN are converted into N2 and if NOx is present in the flue gas stream the addition of the hot oxygen stream lowers the amount of NOx present.

Abstract: The combustion fume flowing in through line 1 is decarbonated by contacting with a solvent in column C2. The solvent laden with carbon dioxide is regenerated in zone R. The purified fume discharged through line 9 comprises part of the solvent. The method allows to extract the solvent contained in the purified fume. The purified fume is contacted in zone ZA with a non-aqueous ionic liquid of general formula Q+ A?; Q+ designates an ammonium, phosphonium and/or sulfonium cation, and A? an anion likely to form a liquid salt. The solvent-depleted purified fume is discharged through line 17. The solvent-laden ionic liquid is regenerated by heating in evaporation device DE. The solvent separated from the ionic liquid in device DE is recycled.

Abstract: A method treats a flow gas that is guided via a catalytic adsorber module to oxidize contaminants carried in the flow gas. The method reliably purifies the flow gas using equipment that is held to a comparatively low level of complexity. To this end, the flow gas is guided in a first purification step via a first catalytic adsorber module to oxidize contaminants carried along therewith, during which molecular or atomic oxygen is added to the flow gas, and the flow gas mixed with the added oxygen is guided in a second purification step via an oxidation catalyst. The flow gas flowing away from the oxidation catalyst is guided in a third purification step via a second catalytic adsorber module to reduce excessive oxygen.

Abstract: Method for reducing mercury emissions from coal-fired combustion comprising staging of a combustion unit to remove mercury with fly ash from the flue gas, introducing activated carbon to remove mercury from the flue gas, and collecting the fly ash, activated carbon, and associated mercury in a particulate control device.

Abstract: A gasifier 10 includes a first chemical process loop 12 having an exothermic oxidizer reactor 14 and an endothermic reducer reactor 16. CaS is oxidized in air in the oxidizer reactor 14 to form hot CaSO4 which is discharged to the reducer reactor 16. Hot CaSO4 and carbonaceous fuel received in the reducer reactor 16 undergo an endothermic reaction utilizing the heat content of the CaSO4, the carbonaceous fuel stripping the oxygen from the CaSO4 to form CaS and a CO rich syngas. The CaS is discharged to the oxidizer reactor 14 and the syngas is discharged to a second chemical process loop 52. The second chemical process loop 52 has a water-gas shift reactor 54 and a calciner 42. The CO of the syngas reacts with gaseous H2O in the shift reactor 54 to produce H2 and CO2. The CO2 is captured by CaO to form hot CaCO3 in an exothermic reaction.

Abstract: A fuel processor system is provided including an autothermal reactor (ATR), a pressure swing adsorber (PSA) located downstream of the ATR, and a methanation reactor located downstream of the PSA. A method of operating of proton exchange membrane fuel cell stack involves cooling the methanator output and feeding it into the stack as an anode fuel.

Abstract: A method is described for producing a hydrogen-containing gas mixture from a suitable hydrocarbon-containing feed gas in a reformer, wherein at least part of the feed gas is diverted before it enters the reformer and is supplied to at least one secondary reformer, and wherein the feed gas is contacted with a nanostructured catalyst in the secondary reformer and the substantially CO and CO2-free exhaust gases of the secondary reformer are either combined with the hydrogen-containing gas mixture which escapes the reformer or introduced into the reformer. Furthermore, there is described the use of this method for producing high-quality soots, nanoonions, nanohorns, nanofibers and/or nanotubes which adhere to the catalyst, and a device for producing a hydrogen-containing gas mixture from a suitable feed gas in a reformer (1) which comprises a supply line (a) with a superheated-vapor line (b) joining said supply line, and a discharge line (c).

Abstract: There are disclosed a selective permeation membrane reactor which includes a selective permeation membrane having an excellent permeation performance and a separation performance with suppresses of methanation reaction of CO2 contained in hydrogen-containing gas to efficiently perform CO methanation reaction and manufacture highly pure hydrogen, and a method of manufacturing a hydrogen gas. The selective permeation membrane reactor includes a CO reducing unit for reducing carbon monoxide contained in concentrated hydrogen-containing gas; and the unit having a methanation catalyst layer which performs a methanation reaction to reduce carbon monoxide contained in the concentrated hydrogen-containing gas, and a reaction temperature control section for controlling temperature of the catalyst layer at 250° C. or more and 350° C. or less, thereby selectively treating carbon monoxide. As the methanation catalyst, Ru carried by a carrier made of alumina may be used.

Abstract: Gold oxide is precipitated together with iron oxide from a solution containing a gold source and an iron source; the gel formed thereby is washed, dried, ground to a size range of 0.85 mm to 4.25 mm, calcined and activated by passing a hydrogen and oxygen containing gas through it; then used as a catalyst for oxidizing CO to CO2 in the presence of a large excess of hydrogen.

Abstract: In an integrated process for the production of synthesis gas, a partial oxidation unit and a steam methane reformer are used to convert natural gas or another fuel to first and second mixtures of at least carbon monoxide and hydrogen, only the first process consuming oxygen. Carbon dioxide derived from the second mixture is sent to the inlet of the first process to reduce the oxygen consumption. The first and optionally second mixtures may be used as synthesis gas for a process such as a Fischer Tropsch process.

Abstract: A gasifier 10 includes a first chemical process loop 12 having an exothermic oxidizer reactor 14 and an endothermic reducer reactor 16. CaS is oxidized in air in the oxidizer reactor 14 to form hot CaSO4 which is discharged to the reducer reactor 16. Hot CaSO4 and carbonaceous fuel received in the reducer reactor 16 undergo an endothermic reaction utilizing the heat content of the CaSO4, the carbonaceous fuel stripping the oxygen from the CaSO4 to form CaS and a CO rich syngas. The CaS is discharged to the oxidizer reactor 14 and the syngas is discharged to a second chemical process loop 52. The second chemical process loop 52 has a water-gas shift reactor 54 and a calciner 42. The CO of the syngas reacts with gaseous H2O in the shift reactor 54 to produce H2 and CO2. The CO2 is captured by CaO to form hot CaCO3 in an exothermic reaction.

Abstract: The present invention relates to improved catalyst compositions, as well as methods of making and using such compositions. In particular, preferred embodiments of the present invention comprise rare earth catalyst supports, catalyst compositions having rare earth supports, and methods of preparing and using the catalysts and supports. Accordingly, the present invention also encompasses an improved method for converting a hydrocarbon containing gas and an oxygen containing gas to a gas mixture comprising hydrogen and carbon monoxide, i.e., syngas, using the rare earth catalyst supports in accordance with the present invention. In addition, the present invention contemplates an improved method for converting hydrocarbon gas to liquid hydrocarbons using the novel syngas catalyst supports and compositions described herein.

Abstract: A fuel processing system (FPS) (110) is provided for a fuel cell power plant (115) having a fuel cell stack assembly (CSA) (56). A water gas shift (WGS) reaction section (12, 120) of the FPS (110) reduces the concentration of carbon monoxide (CO) in the supplied hydrocarbon reformate, and a preferred oxidation (PROX) section (40) further reduces the CO concentration to an acceptable level. The WGS section (12, 120) includes a reactor (124) with a high activity catalyst for reducing the reformate Co concentration to a relatively low level, e.g., 2,000 ppmv or less, thereby relatively reducing the structural volume of the FPS (110). The high activity catalyst is active at temperatures as low as 250° C., and may be a noble-metal-on-ceria catalyst of Pt and Re on a nanocrystaline, cerium oxide-based support. Then only a low temperature PROX reactor (46) is required for preferential oxidation in the FPS (110).

Abstract: The object of the present invention is to obtain a carbon-monoxide removing technique capable of very effectively reducing/removing carbon monoxide present at one thousand of ppm to several % in a hydrogen-rich treatment-object gas such as a reformed gas obtained by reforming of a fuel such as natural gas, methanol, etc. to a concentration of several tens of ppm (preferably 10 ppm) or lower without excessive loss of hydrogen, even when carbon dioxide, methane are co-existent For accomplishing this object, there are provided two stages of CO removers for removing carbon monoxide from a hydrogen-containing treatment-object gas, the first-stage CO remover removing a portion of the carbon monoxide by methanation thereof through a catalyst reaction, the second-stage CO remover removing the remaining portion of the carbon monoxide mainly by oxidation thereof through a further catalyst reaction involving addition of an oxidizing agent.

Abstract: An apparatus for treating an exhaust gas has a pre-treatment section (1) for removing at least one of a powdery component, a water-soluble component and a hydrolytic component from the exhaust gas containing at least one of a fluorine compound and CO, and a heating oxidative decomposing section (2) for performing heating oxidative decomposition of the at least one of the fluorine compound and CO to detoxify the exhaust gas. The apparatus has a post-treatment section (4) for post-treating an acid gas such as HF which has been produced by the heating oxidative decomposition.

Abstract: Provided is a catalyst for selective oxidation of CO gas in a gas of essentially hydrogen, and a method for producing the catalyst. The catalyst is highly active in a relatively high temperature range. The catalyst is for selectively oxidizing CO gas with hydrogen, and this carries ruthenium held on a carrier of titania and alumina, or carries ruthenium with an alkali metal and/or an alkaline earth metal held thereon. For producing the catalyst, a solution containing ruthenium and an alkali metal and/or an alkaline earth metal is applied to the carrier.

Abstract: The purpose of the present invention is to provide a process and an apparatus for efficiently treating a gas containing fluorine-containing compounds and CO to be discharged, for example, from the step of dry cleaning the inner surfaces and the like of a semiconductor manufacturing apparatus or the step of etching various types of formed films such as oxide films in the semiconductor industry. In order to accomplish the above-mentioned purpose, the gas treating process according to the present invention is a process for treating a gas containing fluorine-containing compounds and CO which comprises contacting the above described gas with O2 and H2O at a temperature of 850° C. or higher to oxidize the CO to CO2; and then contacting the gas with &ggr;-alumina at a temperature of 600 to 900° C. to decompose the fluorine-containing compounds.

Abstract: The invention disclosed is a method for the reduction of carbon monoxide to carbon dioxide in a gas stream comprising carbon monoxide, hydrogen and water vapor, wherein the carbon monoxide and hydrogen have a mole ratio greater than 5:1, with substantially reduced methanation. The invention utilizes a reactor having at least one channel having a catalyst positioned thereon and a flow rate of the gas stream over the catalyst such that a boundary layer having a thickness less than a maximum thickness boundary is created.

Abstract: The present invention provides a catalyst for oxidizing reformed gas, which catalyst can selectively oxidize carbon monoxide—which is contained in the reformed gas used as a fuel of a solid polymer fuel cell and which acts as a catalyst poison of the fuel cell—into carbon dioxide with high performance. The reformed gas is oxidized by use of the catalyst of the present invention, which catalyst is characterized in that M-type mordenite, among different types of zeolite, is used as a carrier and a bimetallic alloy metal system containing platinum and an alloy-forming metal other than platinum is supported by the carrier, wherein the amount of the alloy-forming metal in the alloy is 20-50 at. %.

Abstract: An improved methane wash cycle is disclosed wherein a reduced amount of methane wash is required, thereby allowing for savings in energy costs in operation of the cycle and capital costs in constructing the cycle. Further embodiments allow for an energy recovery and an enhanced recovery of a carbon monoxide and/or hydrogen product.

Abstract: Gas-phase methods and systems for reducing NOx emissions and other contaminants in exhaust gases, and industrial processes using the same, are disclosed. In accordance with the present invention, hydrocarbon(s) autoignite and autothermally heat an exhaust gas from an industrial process so that NH3, HNCO or a combination thereof are effective for selectively reducing NOx autocatalytically. Preferably, the reduction of NOx is initiated/driven by the autoignition of hydrocarbon(s) in the exhaust gas. Within the temperature range of about 900-1600° F., the introduced hydrocarbon(s) autoignite spontaneously under fuel-lean conditions of about 2-18% O2 in the exhaust gas. Once ignited, the reactions proceed autocatalytically, heating the exhaust gas autothermally. Under some conditions, a blue chemiluminescence may be visible.

Abstract: Process and reaction unit for isothermal shift conversion of a carbon monoxide containing feed gas, the process comprising the steps of

Abstract: A fuel processing system is operative to remove substantially all of the sulfur present in a logistic fuel stock supply. The fuel stock can be gasoline, diesel fuel, or other like fuels which contain relatively high levels of organic sulfur compounds such as mercaptans, sulfides, disulfides, and the like. The system is a part of a fuel cell power plant. The fuel stock supply is fed through a reformer where the fuel is converted to a hydrogen rich fuel which contains hydrogen sulfide. The hydrogen sulfide-containg reformer exhaust is passed through a sulfur scrubber, to which is added a small quantity of air, which scrubber removes substantially all of the sulfur in the exhaust stream by means of the Claus reaction. The desulfurizing step causes sulfur to deposit on the scrubber bed, which after a period of time, will prevent further sulfur from being removed from the reformer exhaust stream.

Abstract: Disclosed are a gas purification-treating agent and a gas purifying apparatus, which treat carbon monoxide and/or hydrogen contained in a gas in the presence of oxygen. The gas purification-treating agent consists of an adsorbent having carbon dioxide and/or water adsorptivity, and a metal or metal compound which is carried on the adsorbent and activates oxidation reaction of carbon monoxide and/or hydrogen. The gas purifying apparatus has the gas purification-treating agent contained in a container having a gas inlet and a gas outlet. The adsorbent adsorbs carbon dioxide and/or water contained originally in the gas, as well as, carbon dioxide and/or water to be formed by the oxidation reaction of carbon monoxide and/or hydrogen. The metal or metal compound is at least one selected from Au-on-metal oxides, Au-on-metal hydroxides and an Au colloidal powder, or palladium and/or platinum.

Abstract: A process for regenerating a spent catalyst having coke deposits thereon in a catalyst regeneration vessel having a dense phase and a dilute phase, wherein the process comprises the steps of: (a) contacting the spent catalyst with a primary oxygen-containing gas in the dense phase, thereby combusting the coke, resulting in the formation of a combustion gas comprising nitrogen oxides and carbon monoxide which further reacts, thus reducing a majority of the nitrogen oxides to form elemental nitrogen; and (b) contacting the combustion gas with a secondary oxygen-containing gas, and typically a shield gas, at a location just above the interface between the dense phase and the dilute phase and also in the dilute phase, thereby oxidizing the remaining CO to CO2 without significant temperature rise in the dilute phase due to the after burn.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for injecting oxygen into a fuel cell reformate stream to reduce the level of carbon monoxide while preserving the level of hydrogen in a fuel cell system.

Abstract: Selective oxidizers and methods of selectively oxidizing carbon monoxide in a hydrogen-containing gas mixture are provided. In one aspect, the present selective oxidizer assembly consists essentially of: a feed gas inlet for directing a feed gas comprising carbon monoxide and hydrogen into the assembly; an injector upstream of the feed gas inlet for supplying a gas stream comprising oxygen to the assembly; a catalyst bed for converting the feed gas and oxygen to a process gas, the catalyst bed comprising a selective oxidation catalyst on a metal foam support; and a process gas outlet.

Abstract: A method for the selective oxidation of carbon monoxide in a gas stream comprising carbon monoxide, hydrogen and oxygen in an adiabatically operated fixed-bed, catalytic reactor. In the method the inlet temperature is controlled based upon the space velocity of the gas stream through the reactor.

Abstract: A process is provided for the production of hydrogen from hydrogen sulfide by reacting carbon monoxide with hydrogen sulfide to produce hydrogen and carbonyl sulfide, and then reacting the carbonyl sulfide with oxygen to produce carbon monoxide and sulfur dioxide. The carbon monoxide is recycled back to the hydrogen sulfide reaction step. The catalyst used to promote the reaction between carbonyl sulfide and oxygen is an oxide of a metal, such as V, Nb, Mo, Cr, Re, Ti, W, Mn or Ta, which is supported on a support, such as TiO2, ZrO2, CeO2, Nb2O5 and Al2O3.

Abstract: A method and apparatus are provided for selectively oxidizing carbon monoxide in the presence of hydrogen gas while leaving the hydrogen substantially unoxidized. This method utilizes a catalytic material, such as copper/copper oxide, silver/silver oxide, nickel/nickel oxide, and the higher and lower oxides of cerium, which in a more oxidized state is readily reduced by carbon monoxide and which in a more reduced state is readily oxidized by air. A carbon monoxide/hydrogen gas mixture and air are alternately contacted with the catalytic material, such that the carbon monoxide is selectively oxidized and the catalytic material is regenerated.

Abstract: In the presence of an imide compound (e.g., N-hydroxyphthalimide) shown by the following formula (1): wherein R1 and R2 represent a hydrogen atom, a halogen atom, an alkyl group, an aryl group and a cycloalkyl group, and R1 and R2 may bond together to form a double bond, or an aromatic or non-aromatic ring, and Y is an O or OH, and n denotes 1 to 3; a substrate is allowed to contact with at least one reactant selected from (i) a nitrogen oxide and (ii) a mixture of carbon monoxide and oxygen to be introduced with at least one functional group selected from a nitro group and a carboxyl group. The nitrogen oxide includes, for example, a compound represented by the formula NxOy (e.g., N2O3, NO2). The substrate includes, for example, a compound having a methine carbon atom (e.g., adamantane), a compound having a methyl group or a methylene group at an adjacent moiety of an aromatic ring.

Abstract: Heterocyclic compounds containing furfural and hydroxymethylfurfural are derived from acidic hydrolysis of biomass. Heterocyclic compounds are vaporized and subjected to reforming and steam shifting to produce a gas containing hydrogen, carbon dioxide and carbon monoxide. The gas containing hydrogen, carbon dioxide and carbon monoxide is scrubbed by a solvent, capable of dissolving carbon monoxide, to produce a gas containing hydrogen, carbon dioxide and substantially devoid of carbon monoxide. The solvent containing dissolved carbon monoxide is heated to provide a solvent for scrubbing and a vapor containing carbon monoxide recycled for additional steam shifting. The gas containing hydrogen, carbon dioxide substantially devoid of carbon monoxide, is further scrubbed of carbon dioxide to produce a gas substantially devoid of carbon monoxide and substantially devoid of carbon dioxide containing hydrogen suitable for use in a fuel cell.

Abstract: A CO-shift device includes a main body having therein a space in which a CO-shift catalyst is accommodated, the space being divided into an inner space and an outer space surrounding the inner space; an inlet portion formed at one end portion of the inner space, the inlet portion being supplied with a reformed gas such that the reformed gas flows through the inner space. An outlet portion is formed at one end portion of the outer space and a redirecting portion is provided between the other end portion of the inner space and the other end portion of the redirecting portion, thereby reversing the reformed gas flown into the other end of the inner space in order that the resulting reformed gas passes through the outer space to be exhausted from the outlet portion, the reformed gas being shifted to reduce CO by the CO-shift catalyst during its movement through the inner and outer spaces.

Abstract: Process for the preferential oxidation of carbon monoxide and/or CH3OH in a hydrogen containing process stream by contacting the process stream with a catalyst comprising gold on a support comprising non-reducible magnesium aluminium oxide in form of MgAl2O4 spinel.

Abstract: Compounds having the formula A2B3O6±d wherein A is an alkaline-earth metal, an alkaline metal, a lanthanide, or a solid solution thereof, B is a transition metal, an element of group III, or a solid solution thereof, and d has a value between 0 and 1; a method for preparing the compounds; a method for producing composite materials on various matrices and thin or thick films deposited on various substrates which contain the compounds; their use; and a method for eliminating certain gases from a mixture that includes them by using the compounds.

Abstract: Gas-phase methods and systems for reducing NOx emissions and other contaminants in exhaust gases, and industrial processes using the same, are disclosed. In accordance with the present invention, hydrocarbon(s) autoignite and autothermally heat an exhaust gas from an industrial process so that NH3, HNCO or a combination thereof are effective for selectively reducing NOx autocatalytically. Preferably, the reduction of NOx is initiated/driven by the autoignition of hydrocarbon(s) in the exhaust gas. Within the temperature range of about 900-1600° F., the introduced hydrocarbon(s) autoignite spontaneously under fuel-lean conditions of about 2-18% O2 in the exhaust gas. Once ignited, the reactions proceed autocatalytically, beating the exhaust gas autothermally. Under some conditions, a blue chemiluminescence may be visible.

Abstract: A process for generating a high-hydrogen, low-carbon monoxide gas comprises generating a product gas in a gas generating device. The product gas contains hydrogen and carbon monoxide that are generated from catalytic water vapor reforming of a water/fuel mixture and/or from partial oxidation of an oxygen/fuel mixture. In a gas purification stage, the carbon monoxide fraction in the product gas is reduced by selective CO oxidation on an oxidation catalyst. During a starting phase, oxygen is admixed to the supplied fuel and the flow direction is reversed such that the flow first takes place through the gas purification stage and only then through the gas generating device.

Abstract: An integrated process for vent gas treatment for the abatement of volatile emissions is disclosed. The vent gas comprises dioxygen, carbon monoxide, hydrocarbons and other organic compounds comprising one or more alkyl halide compound of 1 to 5 carbon atoms. In the preferred embodiment, the vent gas is heated and mixed with an amount of combustible fluid. Then the mixture is directed to a catalytic oxidation reactor having a suitable oxidation catalyst disposed therein, wherein the mixture is catalytically oxidized. The effluent from the catalytic oxidation reactor is directed to heat the incoming vent gas and subsequently to a scrubber wherein the effluent is scrubbed of soluble compounds and the resultant treated gas stream is vented. Importantly, the amount of combustible fluid supplied to the vent gas stream is controlled so at to provide sufficient reactants for the catalytic oxidation to maintain reaction temperatures from 200° C. and 600° C.

Abstract: Thermal catalysts, particularly catalysts coated with precious metals, are used to reduce the concentration of CO, HC and NOx in exhaust gases from internal-combustion engines. While catalysts coated with precious metals exhibit catalytic activity from about 140.degree. C., to ensure very low emission levels thermal catalysts need to be heated during cold starting so that the pollutants produced during the cold start react. The specification discloses a catalyst with a photocatalytic semiconductor illuminated with UV light for this purpose. Suitable for use as the photocatalytic material is e.g. titanium dioxide. This enables pollutant levels to be reduced immediately after the engine has been started and even at relatively low ambient temperatures. The invention is suitable for use with diesel engines and lean-mixture spark-ignition engines.

Abstract: A process to generate an enhanced output of a desired product from an ion transport reactor utilizes the reaction products from both the cathode side and the anode side of an oxygen selective ion transport ceramic membrane. An oxygen donating first feed stream containing the desired product in a chemically bound state is delivered to the cathode side while an oxygen accepting second feed stream is delivered to the anode side. Following chemical reactions on both the cathode side and the anode side, a desired product is recovered from a first product stream exiting from the cathode side and from a second product stream exiting from the anode side such that the sum of the desired product contained within the two product streams exceeds that attainable from either product stream alone.

Abstract: The invention is a method for treating exhaust gas containing carbon monoxide, hydrocarbons, and nitrogen oxides generated by a lean burn internal combustion engine. It includes bringing the exhaust gas into contact with a particular metal-zirconium oxide material made by sol-gel processing and which includes at least 0.1 wt. % precious metal. The alkoxides include heterometallic alkoxides containing zirconium and alkali metal or alkaline earth metal. Optionally the oxide may contain a lanthanide metal. Under lean-burn conditions nitrogen oxides are absorbed on the oxide and when the oxygen concentration is lowered the absorbed nitrogen oxide are desorbed and reduced over the precious metal.