Abstract: A process for producing an inorganic porous material, comprising the steps of preparing an aqueous medium solution containing water-glass as a silica source, a water-soluble polymer and an acid, causing phase separation and gelation in the solution at the same time to form a wet gel, and washing and drying the gel. According to the present invention, use of water-glass which is easily acquired as a silica source makes it possible to produce porous silica having mutually continuous through holes with macro-pores. According to the present invention, the diameter of each macro-pore can be controlled to a desired value.

Abstract: A soldering station with indicator lights to display system status is provided. The soldering station comprising a power supply and a control board coupled to the power supply. The control board is operable to adjust output of the power supply. The soldering station further comprises a card reader coupled to the control board. The card reader receives a control card from a user. The control card allows the user to change the settings of the soldering station. The soldering station also includes a plurality of indicator lights. The plurality if indicator lights illuminate in patterns that are indicative of the status of the soldering station.

Abstract: A process and system for providing a hydrogen-containing gas stream to a fuel cell anode that includes providing a hydrogen-containing gas stream that includes carbon monoxide, introducing the hydrogen-containing gas stream into a pressure swing adsorption module that includes at least one carbon monoxide-selective adsorbent to produce a purified hydrogen-containing gas stream, and introducing the purified hydrogen-containing gas stream to the fuel cell anode. The pressure swing adsorption module can also include a second adsorbent and/or catalyst. Also disclosed is a fuel cell system coupled to an internal combustion engine and a fuel cell system that utilizes fuel cell waste heat for vaporizing a hydrocarbon/water mixture.

Abstract: An apparatus and method of generating a carburizing atmosphere stably generate a reformed gas containing carbon monoxide of high concentration that is suitably used as a carburizing atmosphere. A first reforming furnace and a second reforming furnace are connected in series. A first cooler that removes moisture in an intermediate reformed gas from the first reforming furnace and a hydrocarbon adding section that adds hydrocarbon to the intermediate reformed gas are disposed between the first and second reforming furnaces. A raw material mixed gas with a low mixture ratio of hydrocarbon is introduced into the first reforming furnace to cause a catalytic reaction, thereby generating the intermediate reformed gas. Moisture contained in the intermediate reformed gas is removed. Hydrocarbon is added to the intermediate reformed gas. The intermediate reformed gas is introduced into the second reforming furnace to cause a catalytic reaction, to generate a carburizing atmosphere.

Abstract: A process and catalyst are disclosed for reducing coking in hydrocarbon processing reactions. The preferred embodiments employ a sulfur-containing material such as hydrogen sulfide to reduce catalyst susceptibility to deactivation from carbon deposits formed during processing.

Abstract: A silicon carbide-based porous material containing silicon carbide particles (1) as an aggregate and metallic silicon (2), wherein the average particle diameter of the silicon carbide-based porous material is at least 0.25 time the average particle diameter of the silicon carbide particles (1), or the contact angle between the silicon carbide particles (1) and the metallic silicon (2) is acute, or a large number of secondary texture particles each formed by contact of at least four silicon carbide particles (1) with one metallic silicon (2) are bonded to each other to form a porous structure. This silicon carbide-based porous material can be sintered, in its production, at a relatively low firing temperature and, therefore, can be provided at a low production cost, at a high yield and at a low product cost.

Abstract: The invention pertains to precipitated silica particles having edged surfaces and a length: width: depth ratio of 1:1:1 to 3:3–1:1 with the length being 0.25 to 15 mm, an absorbing capacity PV water (wt. % >;125, a pore volume PV Hg (ml/g) 0.8–4, a pore volume PV N2 (ml/g) 0.2–1.5, a bulk density BD (g/l) 200–500, and preferably a pH<8, for use as a cat liter.

Abstract: The present invention provides a method for carrying out high temperature thermal dissociation reactions requiring rapid-heating and short residence times using solar energy. In particular, the present invention provides a method for carrying out high temperature thermal reactions such as dissociation of hydrocarbon containing gases and hydrogen sulfide to produce hydrogen and dry reforming of hydrocarbon containing gases with carbon dioxide. In the methods of the invention where hydrocarbon containing gases are dissociated, fine carbon black particles are also produced. The present invention also provides solar-thermal reactors and solar-thermal reactor systems.

Abstract: A process is provided for conversion of a feedstock, in particular a hydrocarbon feedstock such as methane or natural gas, in which a reactive mixture containing the feedstock is prepared and fed to a reaction zone. A reaction is initiated in the reactive mixture within the reaction zone so as to generate a conversion wave of increased temperature and pressure. The conversion wave is allowed to pass through the reaction zone, from where converted feedstock is recovered. An apparatus for carrying out the process is also provided. The process operates with a high conversion and selectivity to desirable products and is particularly suitable for the conversion of methane to carbon monoxide and hydrogen.

Abstract: Silicon raw material and gallium dopant are charged and mixed in a crucible. The silicon raw material is heated to a predetermined temperature, and melted under an inactive gas atmosphere. The melted silicon raw material is cooled down to be crystallized to make a polycrystalline silicon incorporating the gallium dopant.

Abstract: The invention provides a method of reversibly producing a source of hydrogen gas comprising mixing together a plurality of hydrogen-containing starting materials; and then heating the mixed materials at a temperature sufficient to release hydrogen. Upon release of hydrogen, there is formed a residue which comprises at least one material different from the starting materials. There is also synergy whereby it is possible to regenerate at least one of the hydrogen-containing starting materials by exposing hydrogen gas to the aforesaid residue.

Abstract: The present invention provides a method of producing a CuZnAlZr oxide catalyst consisting of reacting an aqueous NaOH solution and aqueous Na2CO3 solution with a mixture of aqueous solutions of each nitrate of Cu, Zn, Al, and Zr, producing a precipitate by coprecipitation, aging, filtering, washing and drying this precipitate to prepare a catalyst precursor consisting of a CuZnAlZr layered double hydroxide, and then obtaining a CuZnAlZr oxide by calcining this precursor in an air ambient atmosphere, a CuZnAlZr oxide catalyst, a CuZnZrCe oxide catalyst, a CoCuZnAl oxide catalyst for producing hydrogen by oxidative steam reforming a methanol, and methods of producing hydrogen gas consisting of converting methanol to hydrogen gas by oxidative steam reforming in the presence of air and steam using these oxide catalysts.

Abstract: A method and system for eliminating, in whole or in part, contaminants in a gas stream or gaseous body such as air or an exhaust gas or gas emission stream is provided. The method includes the steps of contacting the gas stream or gaseous body with a biocide containing liquid so as to eliminate, in whole or in part, the contaminant(s). The biocide containing liquid is typically an aqueous solution, suspension, or emulsion comprising hydrogen peroxide (H2O2) in combination with a catalyst for enhancing the activity thereof, the catalyst preferably comprising a superoxidedismutase formed from the combination of elemental copper (Cu), silver (Ag), manganese (Mn) and zinc (Zn). The method and system find particular application in the combating of sick building syndrome (SBI) and building related illness (BRI).

Abstract: A process for producing inorganic spheres, which comprises injecting an aqueous liquid containing an inorganic compound through an inlet hole into an organic liquid which flows at a flow rate of from 0.001 to 2 m/s in a laminar flow state in a flow path to form a W/O type emulsion, and solidifying the aqueous liquid containing an inorganic compound in the W/O type emulsion.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a method for gas-solid contacting in a bubbling fluidized bed reactor by: (a) introducing into a reactor with bed length to bed diameter ratio below about 5.

Abstract: A process and apparatus are disclosed for the generation of hydrogen from hydrogen rich compounds. The process uses hydrogen peroxide as an oxidizer with a hydrogen rich compound forming a mixture such that when the mixture is exposed to a catalyst forming a hydrogen rich gas.

Abstract: The present invention is directed at a hook mechanical fastener/fibrous composite comprising hook elements on hook containing backing elements or a netting embedded in a fibrous web. The hook elements preferably are on backing elements that are connected or integral and can be strands oriented at angles to each other in a net form. The backing elements generally have a first outer face and a second outer face. The backing elements on at least one of the first or second outer faces have a plurality of hook elements. The hook containing backing elements are embedded within a fibrous web, preferably by hydroentangling the fibers around the backing element, preferably without use of auxiliary attachment means such as adhesives or point bonding.

Abstract: The invention is a process and device for exchanging heat energy between three or more streams in a microchannel heat exchanger which can be integrated with a microchannel reactor to form an integrated microchannel processing unit. The invention enables the combining of a plurality of integrated microchannel devices to provide the benefits of large-scale operation. In particular, the microchannel heat exchanger of the present invention enables flexible heat transfer between multiple streams and total heat transfer rates of about 1 Watt or more per core unit volume expressed as W/cc.

Abstract: There is provided a process of preparing hydrogen through thermochemical decomposition of water capable of supplying a mixture composed of the impalpable powders of CaO and coal directly to a main reactor. The process of preparing hydrogen through thermochemical decomposition of water, wherein coal powders are caused to react with water in the presence of CaO under a condition of temperature in a range of 600° C. to 800° C.

Abstract: A honeycomb structure having a large number of channels through along the axial direction and being defined by partition walls. A honeycomb structure containing a refractory particle to be an aggregate and metallic silicon and being porous. This honeycomb structure can be suitably used under high SV conditions as a filter for purifying automobile exhaust gas by treatment such as clogging or catalyst supporting.