Abstract: Processes are provided for preparation of precursors of Group III-V compounds, i.e., nitrides, phosphides, arsenides, antimonides and bismuthides of boron, aluminum, gallium and indium. The precursors are easily converted, e.g., by thermal decomposition, to the Group III-V compounds which are useful as thin-film coatings for aerospace components or as powders which may be shaped as desired.

Abstract: A luminescent substance contains silicon and nitrogen as major components and has an amorphous structure. The silicon content of the luminescent substance is greater than the stoichiometric silicon content of Si3N4, and the luminous intensity of the luminescent substance has a maximum at approximately 2.2 eV. The luminescent substance has a high luminous efficiency and a short luminous decay lifetime. A light-emitting device includes this luminescent substance and a substrate. The luminescent substance can be readily formed on the substrate by a chemical vapor deposition process.

Abstract: A method is provided for performing catalytic or non-catalytic processes which uses oxygen supplied from the permeate side of a mixed oxygen ion and electron conducting membrane by means of a sweep gas at an elevated temperature. The sweep gas is formed by burning fuel in a sweep gas preheater. The sweep gas containing oxygen picked up from the membrane is reacted with a hydrocarbon fuel in a catalytic reactor to form a syngas containing nitrogen and hydrogen. The nitrogen and hydrogen containing syngas is worked up into ammonia; the ammonia is burned in an ammonia burner to produce a nitrogen oxides containing gas, and the nitrogen oxides containing gas is used in the production of nitric acid. The process is able to directly transfer the oxygen containing sweep gas to the catalytic reactor, without any intermediate cooling; recompression and reheating.

Abstract: Nitride or oxidenitride based red to yellow pigments, such as tantalum(V) nitride and oxidenitrides containing tantalum may be produced by passing ammonia over nitridable metal compounds, in particular oxide compounds, at 700 to 1250° C. According to the invention, nitriding proceeds in a rotary tube or fluidised bed reactor in the presence of an oxide from the series SiO2, ZrO2, GeO2, SnO2, TiO2 and HfO2 under conditions under which this oxide is substantially not nitrided.

Abstract: This invention relates to the autothermal decomposition of ammonia to produce high purity hydrogen. This invention also relates to a fuel cell system wherein hydrogen that is produced from the autothermic decomposition of ammonia is used as fuel to a fuel cell.

Abstract: A process is provided for preparing ammonium metavanadate from the combustion ashes resulting from the combustion of petroleum fuels in a boiler by using the ammonium sulfate and vanadium components in the combustion ash. Water is added to the combustion ash to form a slurry. The solids are removed from the slurry. Ammonia and an oxidizing gas, such as air, oxygen or ozone, are added to the aqueous solution obtained from the slurry to oxidize the vanadium, thereby producing an aqueous solution containing ammonium metavanadate. The ammonium metavanadate is crystallized and recovered from the aqueous solution. Calcium hydroxide or calcium oxide is injected into the aqueous solution and reacts with the ammonium sulfate to produce gypsum and ammonia. This gypsum and ammonia containing solution is flowed down a packed column, where it is counter-currently contacted with air or steam which strips the ammonia out of the solution.

Abstract: The present invention provides methods and compositions for enhancing the activity of various therapeutic agents that induce apoptosis by modulating the apoptosis-inhibiting effects of the expression products of mutant epidermal growth factor receptor (EGFR) genes. Methods and compositions of particular use in the treatment of cancers, such as glioma, that express such a mutant EGFR gene are provided.

Abstract: Recuperative heat exchangers or regenerative heat exchangers are used for the thermal decomposition of N2O in N2O-containing gases. The process for the thermal decomposition of N2O in N2O-containing gases at from 800 to 1200° C. comprises passing the N2O-containing gas through one or more recuperative heat exchangers or regenerative heat exchangers in such a way that when the gas to be reacted is passed through a charge of heat transfer material it is heated to a temperature in the range from 800 to 1200° C. and the N2O present is decomposed thermally, and cooling the reacted gas by heat exchange so as to heat the charge of heat transfer material and the gas to be reacted.

Abstract: The present invention provides a method of decomposing an ammonia gas, including the step of decomposing an ammonia gas, into a nitrogen gas with use of a composite material as a catalyst. The composite material has a carrier made mainly of carbon and at least one kind of an active element which is supported by the carrier and selected from alkaline earth metals and transition metals.

Abstract: The present invention related to methods of manufacturing oxide, nitride, carbide, and boride powders and other ceramic, organic, metallic, carbon and alloy powders and films and their mixtures having well-controlled size and crystallinity characteristics. This invention relates, more particularly, to a development in the synthesis of the ceramic, metallic, composite, carbon and alloy nanometer-sized particles with precisely controlled specific surface area, or primary particle size, crystallinity and composition. The product made using the process of the present invention and the use of that product are also claimed herein.

Abstract: A carbon-coated titania powder containing titanium nitride in which at least part of the surface of the titania powder containing titanium nitride is coated with carbon.

Abstract: The invention provides crystalline nanoscale particles and tubes made from a variety of stoichiometries of BxCyNz where x, y, and z indicate a relative amount of each element compared to the others and where no more than one of x, y, or z are zero for a single stoichiometry. The nanotubes and nanoparticles are useful as miniature electronic components, such as wires, coils, schotky barriers, diodes, etc. The nanotubes and nanoparticles are also useful as coating that will protect an item from detection by electromagnetic monitoring techniques like radar. The nanotubes and nanoparticles are additionally useful for their mechanical properties, being comparable in strength and stiffness to the best graphite fibers or carbon nanotubes. The inventive nanoparticles are useful in lubricants and composites.

Abstract: A homoleptic polynitrogen ion and salts thereof are described as being highly exothermic in nature and thus give rise to compounds useful for propulsion and explosive applications, among others. Also described are processes for the macroscopic production of compounds containing homoleptic polynitrogen.

Abstract: The invention relates to compositions of matter that can be used in NOx reduction. The compositions include non-zeolitic materials such as Group IIIB metal oxides which have high surface areas to promote high catalytic activity. In particular, the compositions have high surface areas comprise agglomerates of nanocrystalline metal oxide particles. The invention also provides methods for making these compositions and for using these compositions to reduce NOx compounds without a need for toxic reducing agents such as ammonia.

Abstract: A small system for efficiently producing low flow rates of a nitrogen or nitrogen/hydrogen stream from an initial feed which also contains oxygen, employing a defined catalytic reactor unit producing product at very high space velocities.

Abstract: Nitrogen-absorbing and -desorbing compositions, novel ligands and transition metal complexes, and methods of using the same, which are useful for the selective separation of nitrogen from other gases, especially natural gas.

Abstract: A fluidized-bed reactor for ammo-oxidation or oxidation and an ammo-oxidation or oxidation process using the reactor. The reactor comprises a vessel, a sparger for supplying and dispersing a gas containing an organic material, and a distributor for supplying and dispersing an oxygen-containing gas, the sparger comprising a header and a plurality of dispersion pipes connected laterally to the header, the dispersion pipes each having a plurality of orifices, wherein the hole size of an orifice farthest from the header is larger than the hole size of an orifice nearest the header, and the hole size of one orifice is larger than or equal to the hole size of adjacent orifice that is nearer the header than the one orifice.

Abstract: Process for purifying a gas flow with respect to at least one of the impurities capable of being oxidized and/or reduced which it contains, in which the gas flow is subjected to at least the following steps:(a) compressing the gas flow to a pressure in excess of atmospheric pressure,(b) bringing the compressed gas flow into contact with at least a first bed of particles of a material containing at least one metal peroxide, and(c) bringing the gas flow resulting from step (b) into contact with at least a second bed of at least one catalyst.

Abstract: Described in a process for hydrotreating (HDT) a petroleum feedstock (1) that contains sulfur and nitrogen are the catalytic cracking of the ammonia, produced by the hydrotreating process, in a catalytic cracking furnace (F), the cooling (E2) and separating of the cracking effluent to produce an H.sub.2 S containing gas phase, the extraction of the hydrogen sulfide from said gas phase and from the hydrotreating purge gas in an amine washing unit (20), and the separation (SM) of the hydrogen from the resultant effluent. The recovered hydrogen is recycled to hydrotreating unit (HDT) via a pipe (17).

Abstract: Nitrogen-absorbing and -desorbing compositions, novel ligands and transition metal complexes, and methods of using the same, which are useful for the selective separation of nitrogen from other gases, especially natural gas.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for producing a clean dry air product stream. In accordance with the method and apparatus, a compressed feed air stream is introduced into one adsorption bed to adsorb moisture and carbon dioxide and to produce a first intermediate product stream. Impurities contained within the first intermediate product stream such as hydrocarbons, carbon monoxide and hydrogen are catalytically reacted to produce a second intermediate product stream that contains additional carbon dioxide and moisture produced from the catalytic reaction. The second intermediate product stream is introduced into another adsorption bed that adsorbs the additional moisture and carbon dioxide formed by the catalytic reaction to produce the clean dry air product stream. The present invention can be used alone to serve the need of supplying a clean dry air product stream. Additionally, it can be used as a prepurification unit of an air separation plant designed to produce an ultra-high purity industrial gas product.

Abstract: The present invention is directed to a process for simultaneously obtaining pure carbon monoxide and pure hydrogen in a steam reformer plant for hydrogen or ammonia generation, having a primary reformer, a secondary reformer and downstream thereof, a CO conversion stage. A part gas stream of the synthesis gas stream, which is discharged from the secondary reformer having a CO content of between 2 and 20 mol. % and is at a temperature of from 200 to 500.degree. C. and a pressure between 15 and 50 bar, is removed between the secondary reformer and the CO conversion stage. The part gas stream is then is cooled to a temperature below 100.degree. C., thereby condensing out the major part of the steam contained in the gas stream. The remaining raw synthesis gas stream is then guided by way of a multistage gas separation plant in which the gas components H.sub.2, residual steam, CH.sub.4, CO.sub.2 and optionally N.sub.2 are separated, either individually or together, from the CO.

Abstract: A process for oxidizing fuel and transferring the heat produced to a particular use in a combustion system such as fuels conversion. A bed of a mixture of materials forming an unmixed combustion catalyst, which in an oxidized state is readily reducible and in a reduced state is readily oxidizable, is placed in efficient thermal contact with a heat receiver for use in the combustion system. Fuel and air are alternately contacted with the bed, whereby the fuel is oxidized, the air is depleted of oxygen, and heat is liberated. The heat is efficiently transferred to the heat receiver by careful selection of the materials of the bed such that the temperatures produced when the fuel is oxidized and when the air is depleted of oxygen are advantageous to the particular use in the combustion system.

Abstract: A method is provided for cracking ammonia to produce hydrogen. The method includes the steps of passing ammonia over an ammonia-cracking catalyst which is an alloy including (1) alloys having the general formula Zr.sub.1-x Ti.sub.x M.sub.1 M.sub.2, wherein M.sub.1 and M.sub.2 are selected independently from the group consisting of Cr, Mn, Fe, Co, and Ni, and x is between about 0.0 and about 1.0 inclusive; and between about 20% and about 50% Al by weight. In another aspect, the method of the invention is used to provide methods for operating hydrogen-fueled internal combustion engines and hydrogen fuel cells. In still another aspect, the present invention provides a hydrogen-fueled internal combustion engine and a hydrogen fuel cell including the above-described ammonia-cracking catalyst.

Abstract: Food grade carbon dioxide is produced from oxyfuel fired glassmaking furnace waste gas by a series of steps including quenching the waste gas with aqueous quench liquid, dry-filtering sulfur salt from the gas, scrubbing the filtered gas with aqueous carbonate to convert the remaining sulfur dioxide to an aqueous sulfite suspension and using the suspension as part or all of the above-mentioned aqueous quench liquid, contacting the sulfur dioxide-free waste gas with ammonia in the presence of a catalyst that selectively converts nitrogen oxides to nitrogen, thereby removing substantially all nitrogen oxides from the waste gas, and distilling the resulting waste gas stream thereby producing high purity liquid carbon dioxide and producing an off-gas, which is recycled to the furnace as fuel.

Abstract: The invention relates to a process for the removal of ammonia from gasification gas by selective oxidation in the presence of a solid catalyst. The oxidant used may be a mixture of oxygen and one or more oxides of nitrogen, e.g. nitrogen monoxide NO, whereupon gaseous nitrogen, water and possibly hydrogen are obtained as the result of the oxidation reaction. According to the invention, the catalyst used is aluminum oxide, which catalyzes the reaction within a temperature range of approx. 400.degree. C. 700.degree. C. The catalyst, made up of small particles, may be in the form of a solid or fluidized bed (12) in a separate oxidation reactor (11) subsequent to the gasifier (1).

Abstract: A method for producing hydrogen and sulfur from a first gaseous mixture containing hydrogen sulfide and ammonia by separating ammonia from the first gaseous mixture to produce a second gaseous mixture containing hydrogen sulfide; combusting a portion of the hydrogen sulfide in the second gaseous mixture to produce a third gaseous mixture containing hydrogen sulfide and sulfur dioxide; heating the ammonia to a temperature of at least 1800.degree. F. to produce a fourth gaseous mixture containing nitrogen and hydrogen; and, combining the third gaseous mixture and the fourth gaseous mixture and passing the combined gaseous mixture to a sulfur recovery process wherein the hydrogen sulfide and sulfur dioxide are recovered as sulfur.The ammonia may be partially oxidized by the use of substoichiometric amounts of oxygen or thermally dissociated.

Abstract: A non-oxide, transition metal based ceramic material has the general formula A.sub.y M.sub.2 Z.sub.x, wherein A is a group IA element, M is a transition metal and Z is selected from the group consisting of N, C, B, Si, and combinations thereof, and wherein x.ltoreq.2 and y.ltoreq.6-x. In these materials, the group IA element occupies interstitial sites in the metallic lattice, and may be readily inserted into or released therefrom. The materials may be used as catalysts and as electrodes. Also disclosed herein are methods for the fabrication of the materials.

Abstract: A gas phase process for the production of titanium dioxide powders having well-controlled crystalline and surface area characteristics is disclosed. In this process, which is preferably carried out in a laminar diffusion flame reactor, vapor phase TiCl.sub.4 and oxygen are mixed in a reaction area which is heated externally. The titanium dioxide powder formed is then collected. It is preferred that the heat source used be a hydrocarbon fueled (e.g., methane) flame. Optionally, a vapor phase dopant (such as SiCl.sub.4) may be added to the reaction mixture to desirably affect the physical properties of the titanium dioxide produced. In a particularly preferred embodiment, a corona electric field is positioned across the area where the combustion reaction takes place (i.e., the reaction area). High anatase, high surface area titanium dioxide powders made by this process are excellent photocatalysts. The products of this process and the use of those products as photocatalysts are also disclosed.

Abstract: This invention relates generally to inorganic ionic liquids which function as electrolytes and do not crystallize at ambient temperature. More specifically, this invention is directed to quasi-salt inorganic ionic liquids which comprise the reaction product of a strong Lewis acid with an inorganic halide-donating molecule. This invention is further directed to quasi-salt inorganic ionic liquid mixtures which comprise combinations of electrolyte additives and quasi-salt inorganic ionic liquids. These quasi-salt inorganic ionic liquid mixtures are useful electrolytes.

Abstract: A process is described for the catalytic cracking of ammonia present in a fluid containing hydrogen sulphide, in which the fluid is introduced into a reactor comprising a suitable catalyst and a catalytic cracking effluent is recovered. The temperature in the reaction zone is 1000.degree. C. to 1400.degree. C. and a reactor for carrying out the process comprises at least one heating chamber (3, 4) and at least one catalysis chamber (11) in which the ammonia is cracked without cracking the hydrogen sulphide. In a further variation, the reactor comprises at least one catalyst in the spaces defined between the heating elements.

Abstract: An improved methods and systems are provided for transferring heat in a combustion system. The methods and systems provide for alternately exposing a reducing gas and a gas containing molecular oxygen to an unmixed combustion catalyst to respectively reduce and oxidize the unmixed combustion catalyst. The unmixed combustion catalyst is readily reducible when in its oxidized state and is readily oxidized when in its reduced state. The alternating reduction and oxidation reactions enable the unmixed combustion catalyst to efficiently release heat to a heat receiver in efficient thermal contact with the unmixed combustion catalyst. In most embodiments of the present invention, the unmixed combustion catalyst is in a reactor bed of a combustion system.

Abstract: A fluidized-bed denitrating method and a fluidized-bed denitrating device are disclosed which are capable, of effectively denitrating a combustion exhaust gas by oxidizing nitrogen monoxide occupying the major portion of NO.sub.x contained in the combustion exhaust gas to nitrogen dioxide which can be reduced at high reduction reaction rate by the oxygen contained in the combustion exhaust gas, and by reducing the nitrogen dioxide by fine carbon particles adhered to fine particles of a fluid medium. A combustion exhaust gas containing at least nitrogen monoxide and oxygen is introduced into a fluidized bed of a fluid medium consisting of fine particles with fine carbon particles adhered thereto. The fine particles of the fluid medium adsorb the nitrogen monoxide, the nitrogen monoxide is oxidized on the surfaces of the fine particles of the fluid medium to nitrogen dioxide, and the nitrogen dioxide is then decomposed into carbon dioxide and nitrogen by the reducing function of the fine carbon particles.

Abstract: Process for purification of essentially oxygen-free process gases by catalytic oxidation of the oxidizable, mainly organic impurities with the addition of a oxygen-containing gas, where oxygen-containing gas is added to the process gas in an amount responsive to the carbon monoxide content of the process gas measured after oxidation. The carbon monoxide set point is in the range of 10 to 1000 vpm.

Abstract: A process for generating a nitrogen-based gas, comprising the steps of:(i) combining a secondary reducing gas including at least one reducing gas with a primary nitrogen gas including 0.5-5% by volume of oxygen, the combining of the secondary gas being performed according to an uncontrolled all-or-nothing method;(ii) reacting the primary gas and the secondary gas in a catalytic deoxygenation reactor so as to obtain a nitrogen-based reaction gas which includes water vapor; and(iii) removing at least a part of the water vapor present in the nitrogen-based reaction gas by cooling the reaction gas under pressure to induce formation of a liquid phase and then extracting the liquid phase from the reaction gas under pressure to obtain a purified reaction gas.

Abstract: A process for the substantial removal of at least one of the carbon monoxide and hydrogen impurities contained in a composite gas, according to which:(a) at least one of the carbon monoxide and hydrogen impurities contained in the composite gas are reacted with oxygen, in contact with a catalyst comprising particles of at least one metal chosen from the group consisting of gold and palladium, these particles being supported by titanium dioxide, in order respectively to form carbon dioxide and water;(b) optionally, the carbon dioxide and the water formed are removed from the composite gas;(c) the composite gas, substantially free of its carbon monoxide and/or hydrogen impurities, is recovered.

Abstract: An ammonia decomposition catalyst wherein a first catalyst having a crystalline silicate which is represented by the formula in terms of molar ratio of oxides as dehydrated:(1.+-.0.8)R.sub.2 O.?aM.sub.2 O.sub.3.bM'O.cAl.sub.2 O.sub.3 !.ySiO.sub.2,wherein R denotes an alkaline metal ion and/or hydrogen ion, M denotes a VIII Group element, rare earth element, titanium, vanadium, chromium, niobium, antimony or gallium, M' denotes magnesium, calcium, strontium or barium, a.gtoreq.0, 20>b.gtoreq.0, a+c=1, 3000>y>11 or a specific porous material as a carrier and iridium or a noble metal as an active metal is present together with or covered with a second catalyst having at least one element selected from the group consisting of titanium, vanadium, tungsten and molybdenum, if necessary, as well as a method of using the same.

Abstract: A process for the substantial elimination of at least one of the impurities carbon monoxide and hydrogen contained in a gaseous compound, according to which:(a) at least one of the impurities carbon monoxide and hydrogen contained in the gaseous compound is caused to react with oxygen, in contact with a catalyst comprising particles, on the one hand, (i) of gold, silver or gold and silver, and, on the other hand, (ii) of at least one metal of the platinum family, these particles being supported by a support to form, respectively, carbon dioxide and water;(b) as needed, the carbon dioxide and water are eliminated from the gaseous compound;(c) the gaseous compound is recovered substantially free from its impurities of carbon monoxide and/or hydrogen.

Abstract: Disclosed is a production process and apparatus of high-purity air and various air material gases for semiconductor production factories that, together with enabling the production of high-purity air, also enables the production high-purity nitrogen simultaneous to the production of oxygen-rich air as the finished product. This is accomplished by compressing feed air to a pressure of 3 to 10 kg/cm.sup.2 G, introducing this compressed air into a catalyst tower (8) to convert the carbon monoxide, hydrocarbons and hydrogen contained in the feed air into carbon dioxide and water, and introducing the purified air into an adsorption tower (12a) or (12b) after cooling the heated air following catalytic reaction to remove carbon dioxide, water and other minute amounts of impurities by adsorption. A portion of the resulting purified air is removed as product high-purity air, while the remainder is introduced into a main heat exchanger (18) where it is cooled to substantially the liquefaction temperature.

Abstract: Process for the purification of an inert gas recycled from a solid state polycondensation (SSP) reactor of aromatic polyester resins, comprising the step of adding the gas with oxygen or gas containing oxygen in stoichiometric quantity or in such an excess that the gas at the outlet of the catalytic bed contains no more than 250 ppm of oxygen, circulating the gas on a catalytic bed comprising Pt or Pt and Pd heated at temperatures from 250.degree. to 600.degree. C. and recycling the gas to SSP reactor with previous drying to eliminate the water formed in the oxidation stage.

Abstract: Nitrogen-containing substituents of aliphatic or aromatic compounds can be reduced by treatment with a reagent comprising (i) at least one complex of a transition metal of group 4 or 5 with a multidentate or unidentate organic or inorganic ligand and (ii) a reducing agent. The reaction is conducted optionally in the presence of an aliphatic or aromatic amine, and/or in the presence of an inert organic solvent.

Abstract: In a process for the preparation of high-purity liquid nitrogen substantially free from at least one of the impurities hydrogen, carbon monoxide and oxygen, liquid nitrogen to be purified is placed in contact with an adsorbent and high-purity liquid nitrogen is recovered. A device for making use of this process includes a source of liquid nitrogen to be purified connected by a conduit to the entry of a reactor containing an adsorbent, the reactor exit being provided with a connecting conduit.

Abstract: Process for the purification of inert gases containing impurities of organic nature particularly of gas (nitrogen) coming from solid state polycondensation reactors or polyester resins including the gas treatment with the stoichiometric quantity (or slightly higher) of oxygen as regards the present impurities at a temperature between 250.degree. and 600.degree. C. by using Pt or Pt/Pd catalysts supported on a porous solid and the gas recycling directly to the polycondensation reactor before drying to eliminate the water produced during the reaction of impurities oxidation.

Abstract: A process for nitric oxide (NO.sub.x) emissions reduction and post combustion gases at power plants and industrial boilers. The process deactivates nitrogen gaseous atoms which react with the nitric oxide to form N.sub.2 +O(.sup.3 P). The process reduces the NO which is nitric oxide. The oxygen atom by itself reacts with carbon monoxide (CO) to become carbon dioxide (CO.sub.2). The N.sub.2 nitrogen atom simply becomes part of air. Therefore, the process reduces not only the nitric oxide, but also carbon monoxide.

Abstract: A non-cryogenic system for producing ultra-pure nitrogen includes a pressure swing adsorption (PSA) unit for converting incoming ambient air into a process stream containing mainly nitrogen. The process stream is combined with hydrogen, in a reactor, to remove residual oxygen. The process stream is then cooled, and the cooled process stream is directed through a dryer. The output of the dryer is ultra-pure, dry nitrogen. The dryer contains at least two sections, one being the active section and the other section being regenerated. A portion of the output nitrogen leaving the active section is directed back into the section being regenerated, where it absorbs moisture, and is then recycled to the PSA unit. The result is an ultra-pure and dry product. The invention avoids the need for providing heat to the dryer, and also eliminates the need for many of the components used in prior art systems. The invention is economically operated even for small or medium-sized flow rates.

Abstract: A process for the manufacture of nitric oxide by the Ostwald process where group VIII metal is recovered in a catchment trap, and the nitrous oxide is converted to nitrogen and oxygen by passing it through a bed of zirconium oxide at reaction temperature.

Abstract: An ultra-high purity nitrogen generating method comprises: feeding feed air to a carbon dioxide eliminator-drier and a primary rectification column, thereby removing catalyst poisons for an oxidation catalyst used for oxidation of carbon monoxide and hydrogen in the feed air by means of the carbon dioxide eliminator-drier and the primary rectification column, condensing and liquefying a part of low purity nitrogen gas separated in the primary rectification column by means of a condenser, warming the raw nitrogen gas which has not been condensed and liquefied in the condenser to normal temperature by means of a heat exchanger and compressing it by a recyclic compressor so that the pressure thereof is increased and the temperature thereof is raised, oxidizing carbon monoxide and hydrogen in an oxidation column and removing the resulting carbon dioxide and water by an adsorption column.

Abstract: A hydrogen-selective membrane comprises a tubular porous ceramic support having a palladium metal layer deposited on an inside surface of the ceramic support. The thickness of the palladium layer is greater than about 10 .mu.m but typically less than about 20 .mu.m. The hydrogen permeation rate of the membrane is greater than about 1.0 moles/m.sup.2.s at a temperature of greater than about 500.degree. C. and a transmembrane pressure difference of about 1,500 kPa. Moreover, the hydrogen-to-nitrogen selectivity is greater than about 600 at a temperature of greater than about 500.degree. C. and a transmembrane pressure of about 700 kPa. Hydrogen can be separated from a mixture of gases using the membrane. The method may include the step of heating the mixture of gases to a temperature of greater than about 400.degree. C. and less than about 1000.degree. C. before the step of flowing the mixture of gases past the membrane. The mixture of gases may include ammonia.

Abstract: Bimetallic oxynitrides and nitrides which have catalytic properties comprise two transition metals selected from Groups IIIB to VIII of the Periodic Table of the Elements. Preferably, one metal is either molybdenum or tungsten. The other can be tungsten or molybdenum, respectively, or another transition metal, such as vanadium, niobium, chromium, manganese, cobalt, or nickel. They have a face centered cubic (fcc) arrangement of the metal atoms and have a surface area of no less than about 40 m.sup.2 /gm.

Abstract: An ultra-high purity nitrogen generating method is disclosed which comprises: oxidizing feed nitrogen gas containing oxygen added therein so that carbon monoxide in the feed nitrogen gas is converted for removal to carbon dioxide and hydrogen to water; then introducing the feed nitrogen gas to a nitrogen rectification column, and taking out liquid nitrogen containing unreacted oxygen from the lower portion thereof; adding nitrogen gas obtained by gas liquid separation in a gas-liquid separator and containing the unreacted oxygen gas to the feed nitrogen gas, and using a resulting mixture in circulation; taking out high purity nitrogen gas from the top portion of the nitrogen rectification column, condensing in a condenser the taken out high purity nitrogen gas by liquid nitrogen from the gas-liquid separator, refluxing the condensed nitrogen gas to the upper portion of the nitrogen rectification column as a reflux liquid, and taking out ultra-high purity nitrogen gas or ultra-high purity liquid nitrogen.