Abstract: The present invention relates to a metal palladium composite membrane or an alloy palladium composite membrane in which essentially the metal palladium membrane or alloy palladium membrane exists substantially on the outer surface of the porous substrate support, with little or no presence in the pore channels of the support, and to process for its preparation. The process comprises the steps of treating the porous substrate with a pore filler before plating it with a palladium solution to form the composite membrane.

Abstract: A process for producing an olefin and/or an ether is described, which comprises heating an alcohol in the presence of an acidic ionic compound which exists in a liquid state at a temperature of below 150° C.

Abstract: A method for breaking an emulsion of an ionic liquid which is a salt that is in the liquid state at a temperature below 1500 C, and an oil, comprising the steps of (a) irradiating the emulsion with microwave radiation; (b) separating the emulsion into an ionic liquid phase and an oil phase; and (c) recovering at least one of the phases.

Abstract: A method of producing hydrogen for a fuel cell from a hydrocarbon fuel composition, by providing a hydrocarbon fuel composition, which is obtained by contacting a liquid hydrocarbon feed comprising an alkylating agent with an acidic catalyst, under conditions effective to alkylate at least a portion of the hydrocarbon feed; converting the hydrocarbon fuel composition into hydrogen; and optionally, introducing the hydrogen produced into a fuel cell. In a preferred embodiment the liquid hydrocarbon feed further comprises sulphur-containing impurities, at least a portion of which are alkylated during the alkylation step.

Abstract: A synthesis of the micro-porous silica gel and its application to preparation of catalysts for C2 oxygenates synthesis from syngas is invented. The small particles of silica gel which are, produced by sol gel process are heated in a basic solution, followed by drying and/or calcinations, and thus form micro-porous silica as catalyst support. The basic solution can be one or a mixed solution of hydroxides, carbonates, bicarbonates, formates and acetates of alkali metal and ammonium. The obtained micro-porous silica can be impregnated with the solutions of rhodium salt and other transition element salts (as promoter precursors), followed by drying and/or calcinations, thus forming a micro-porous silica supported rhodium based catalyst. The rhodium salt can be RhCl3 or Rh(NO3)3. The promoter precursors can be water-dissolvable transition metal salts, rare earth metals salts, alkali metal salts and alkali earth metal salts.