Abstract: The selective catalytic reduction of nitrogen oxides to nitrogen is effected by reacting nitric oxide, nitrogen dioxide or a mixture thereof with a reducing agent consisting of an aliphatic carboxylic acid having 1 to 5 carbon atoms at a temperature ranging from about 250.degree. to, about 600.degree. C., in the presence of a catalyst comprising a metal oxide selected from the group consisting of vanadium oxide, copper oxide, nickel oxide and iron oxide, the catalyst being supported on a porous carrier. The process of the invention enables one to substantially completely reduce NO.sub.x to harmless N.sub.2 in an efficient, environmentally friendly and cost-effective manner.

Abstract: The direct conversion of methane to hythane, an alternative fuel for internal combustion engines, is effected by subjecting methane to a controlled oxidation with water vapor at a temperature of about 400.degree. to about 500.degree. C. and a pressure of about 1 to about 5 atmospheres, in the presence of a catalyst comprising palladium or a binary alloy thereof with another metal selected from the group consisting of elements belonging to Group IB, Group IIA, Group VIII and the lanthanide series of the Periodic Table, the catalyst being supported on a porous carrier. The direct conversion of methane to hythane under conditions of low temperature and pressure in accordance with the present invention enables hythane to be produced not only economically and efficiently, but also at or near vehicle fueling sites, thereby eliminating the storage and transportation of dangerously reactive hydrogen for mixing with methane or natural gas.

Abstract: A direct contact water heater having a hybrid heat source, and its method of operation is described. The water heater is comprised of an elongated vertical tubular housing having a water spray nozzle in an upper end thereof for spraying water substantially uniformly over a top packing of heat exchange bodies. An intermediate space is provided below the packing where external hot recovery gases are admitted into the housing. A burner chamber is provided at the bottom of the housing above a reservoir to provide a primary heat source. Heat from the primary heat source mixes with the hot recovery gases below the packing, and is in counter-current flow with the water percolating through the housing from the packing located at the top of the housing. Two packings of heat exchange bodies may be provided in the tubular housing spaced from one another with the hot recovery gases fed between the two packings and the primary hot gas from the heat source being generated below a lower one of the packings.

Abstract: The invention is concerned with a high-density adsorbent comprising a compacted mass of high surface area carbon particles bound together with a binder and defining a network of substantially unobstructed micropores, the mass of carbon particles having been compacted under a pressure sufficient to cause a reduction of about 50 to about 200% in bulk volume of the mass and a corresponding increase of about 50 to about 200% in density, thereby providing a gas storage capacity increase of about 20 to about 100% over that of the high surface area carbon particles in loose or uncompacted form. The high-density adsorbent according to the invention is particularly useful in adsorption storage systems for low-pressure storage of compressed natural gas.