Abstract: This invention provides a catalyst and a process for the catalytic partial oxidation of a hydrocarbon feedstock by contacting a feed stream including a hydrocarbon feedstock and an oxygen-containing gas with a catalyst in a reaction zone maintained at conversion-promoting conditions effective to produce an effluent stream including carbon monoxide and hydrogen. The process of this invention is characterized by using a porous catalyst containing rhodium, such as rhodium gauze or rhodium felt.

Abstract: A reactor for the catalytic oxidation of ammonia to form nitrogen oxides which has a noble metal gauze catalyst and a heat exchanger in that order in the direction of flow, a catalyst for the decomposition of N2O is located between the noble metal gauze catalyst and the heat exchanger and in a process for the catalytic decomposition of N2O in a gas mixture obtained in the preparation of nitric acid by catalytic oxidation of ammonia, where the N2O is decomposed catalytically over a catalyst of the decomposition of N2O, the hot gas mixture obtained from the catalytic oxidation of ammonia is brought to contact with the catalyst for the decomposition of N2O prior to subsequent cooling.

Abstract: A family of discrete and uniformly sized silicon nanoparticles, including 1 (blue emitting), 1.67 (green emitting), 2.15 (yellow emitting), 2.9 (red emitting) and 3.7 nm (infrared emitting) nanoparticles, and a method that produces the family. The nanoparticles produced by the method of the invention are highly uniform in size. A very small percentage of significantly larger particles are produced, and such larger particles are easily filtered out. The method for producing the silicon nanoparticles of the invention utilizes a gradual advancing electrochemical etch of bulk silicon, e.g., a silicon wafer. The etch is conducted with use of an appropriate intermediate or low etch current density. An optimal current density for producing the family is ˜10 milli Ampere per square centimeter (10 mA/cm2). Higher current density favors 1 nm particles, and lower the larger particles.

Abstract: A process for the production of hydrogen cyanide is provided, wherein hydrogen cyanide is synthesized by reacting methane or methane-containing natural gas, ammonia and oxygen-enriched air or oxygen in the presence of a catalyst comprising platinum or a platinum alloy; wherein the reactants are present in the following molar ratios [ O 2 ] [ O 2 + N 2 ] = 0.25 ⁢   ⁢ to ⁢   ⁢ 1.

Abstract: A method is provided to inject liquid water into the normal stream of fuel, superheated air and superheated steam entering a primary reactor of a fuel processor. The injection location is in the steam supply line where superheated steam vaporizes a majority of the liquid water, preferably prior to injection into the primary reactor. Steam supplied by a vaporizer may temporarily lag desired steam production due to system up-power transients or startup conditions, coupled with vaporizer thermal lag time. Injection of liquid water overcomes this temporary deficit of steam. Additional air is also supplied as needed to improve reactance for a given steam volume/temperature. Injection rate or volume of the liquid water and air may also be based on one or more measured variables of the primary reactor.

Abstract: A gas generating system for a fuel cell system as well as to a method of operating same. In order to provide hydrogen-containing combustible gas as rapidly as possible and to reduce the exhaust gas emissions, for the start of the operation of the gas generating system, at least one catalytic burner is started and the generated heat is used for evaporating a combustion agent and/or water and for the heating-up of an additionally connected partial reforming unit or partial oxidation stage in order to generate a hydrogen-containing gas for the fuel cell unit by reforming or partial oxidation.

Abstract: The present invention provides a method and apparatus for activating a hydrogen-absorbing alloy. An embodiment of the present invention includes, compressing and supplying hydrogen from a first container in a hydrogen release condition to a second container in a hydrogen absorption condition via hydrogen piping, which connects the first and second containers, and supplying heat released from the second container to the first container via heating medium piping, which connects the first and second containers, and reversing the hydrogen flow direction and heat supply direction.

Abstract: Regenerable gas purifier materials are provided capable of reducing the level of contaminants such as oxygen and moisture in a hydride gas stream to parts-per-billion levels or sub-parts-per-billion levels. The purifier materials of this invention comprise a thin layer of one or more reduced forms of a metal oxide coated on the surface of a nonreactive substrate. The thin layer may further contain the completely reduced form of the metal. In one embodiment, the total surface area of the thin layer is less than 100 m2/g.

Abstract: It is described a process based on sol-gel chemistry suitable to the production of nanocomposite materials being photoluminescent at ambient temperature, comprising silicon grains of dimension of nanometers embedded in a silica matrix.

Abstract: This patent describes technology for generating ammonia from urea. The method is based on the hydrolysis of an aqueous solution of urea and/or biuret by heating under pressure to form a mixture of ammonia, carbon dioxide and water. The gas mixtures produced are useful for supplying ammonia at controlled pressure and rate of flow for many industrial applications without the risks and hazards associated with the transportation and on-site storage of ammonia, thereby providing a significant safety advantage over present industrial practice.

Abstract: A process for the preparation of a synthesis gas containing hydrogen and carbon monoxide by a combination of catalytic partial oxidation and further an autothermal reforming process, comprising (a) providing separate streams of predetermined proportions of a hydrocarbon feedstock, an oxygen source and of process steam, (b) injecting said separate streams into a catalytic partial oxidation reaction zone to react, and to form a prereformed product stream, (c) introducing the prereformed product and a predetermined proportion of a second oxygen source into a further partial oxidation process step forming a further partially oxidised process stream by flame reactions, (d) reacting the further partially oxidised process stream in the reaction zone constituting a steam reforming process step to form a synthesis gas product stream, and (e) withdrawing the synthesis gas product stream from the further partial oxidation process step and the steam reforming process step, the two steps constituting the autothermal

Abstract: A multistage catalytic partial oxidation (CPO) process for oxidizing a hydrocarbon feedstream comprising C1-C4 hydrocarbons, with an oxygen-containing feedstream to produce a product comprising CO and H2, also known as synthesis gas or syngas.

Abstract: Various aspects of the present invention provides a nanocrystalline powder suitable for storing hydrogen and a method of producing such a powder. One embodiment provides a nanocrystalline powder containing crystals of an aluminum alloy selected from the group consisting of NaAlx, LiAlx, and MgAl2x, wherein x is between 0.9 and 1.1, desirably 0.95-1.05, preferably about 1. The nanocrystalline powder also desirably includes an intercalated catalyst selected from the group consisting of C, Ti, Pt, Pd, V, Zr, and combinations of two or more of those materials.

Abstract: A device and method for separating water into hydrogen and oxygen is disclosed. A first substantially gas impervious solid electron-conducting membrane for selectively passing hydrogen is provided and spaced from a second substantially gas impervious solid electron-conducting membrane for selectively passing oxygen. When steam is passed between the two membranes at disassociation temperatures the hydrogen from the disassociation of steam selectively and continuously passes through the first membrane and oxygen selectively and continuously passes through the second membrane, thereby continuously driving the disassociation of steam producing hydrogen and oxygen.

Abstract: A process for removing unreacted ammonia from an effluent of a catalyst bed used in a hydrocarbon ammoxidation reaction is provided. The process includes a step of providing a fluidized bed reactor. The reactor includes the catalyst bed for reacting ammonia and hydrocarbons therein. The reactor also includes a dilute phase of the catalyst bed disposed above the catalyst bed. The reactor further includes a set of internals disposed at least partially within the dilute phase of the catalyst bed. The reactor additionally includes an inlet of a first-stage cyclone separator disposed above the set of internals. The process also includes a step of removing the unreacted ammonia from the effluent of the catalyst bed by passing the effluent through the set of internals. The ammonia and hydrocarbons present in the effluent contact the dilute phase of the catalyst bed and react therein.

Abstract: In an air conditioning system which includes a catalytic air purifier, a control system is provided for sensing the level of predetermined conditions in a space and for responsively modulating the air purification process in a manner which optimizes the process in terms of its effectiveness and its economical use. The conditions that are sensed include the levels of VOC's, CO2, and biological contaminants, as well as degree of occupancy, relative humidity and air flow. The air purification process is modulated by varying the power to a UV lamp, turning one or more UV lamps on or off, varying the effectiveness of the catalyst, varying the volume or speed of the air flowstream and/or varying the relative humidity in the space.

Abstract: In the reduction of quantities of Nox in the exhaust gases of lean bum engines such as diesel engines, using a selective reduction catalyst and a source of ammonia, the present invention improves overall conversion by supplying ammonia or a precursor intermittently so that it is adsorbed and desorbed during the engine operating cycle.

Abstract: The invention concerns derivatives of calixarene having the formula: in which: R1 represents various hydrocarbon groups, R2 and R3 represent an alkyl, cycloalkyl or aryl group or a group having the formula: O(CH2)n[O(CH2)p]q OR4, or form a heterocyclic group with the nitrogen atom, and, n equals 6, 7 or 8. These derivatives can be used for extracting strontium from aqueous solutions.

Abstract: The present invention includes a supported catalyst for the reduction of nitrogen oxides (NOx) with a lower hydrocarbon. The supported catalyst comprising at least one active metal and at least one promoter metal attached to a support. The support may additionally include activated carbon. The promoter metals may be chosen from the lanthanide metals and the active metals may be chosen from palladium or platinum. The invention also includes a method of making the above mentioned catalysts and a method of using the catalysts to reduce nitrogen oxides (NOx) with a lower hydrocarbon.

Abstract: A system and method for the selective catalytic reduction of nitrogen oxide in a furnace exhaust includes cooling the furnace exhaust in a first heat recovery section to a temperature between 400° F. and 500° F., introducing a reducing agent into the exhaust gas and reacting the nitrogen oxide in the exhaust gas with the reducing agent in the presence of an SCR catalyst in a reactor positioned in the furnace stack. The treated gas emerging from the reactor can be further cooled in a second heat recovery section. The system and process is particularly suitable for use in conjunction with furnaces for thermally cracking hydrocarbon feedstock to produce olefin. The feedstock is preferably preheated in the heat recovery sections prior to introduction into the furnace.