Abstract: Provided are a method of efficient separation/purification of hydrogen from a hydrogen-containing gas that contains, in addition to hydrogen, at least one component of water, carbon monoxide, carbon dioxide, methane and nitrogen in an amount of at least 1% where the hydrogen permeability is kept high; a hydrogen separation membrane for use in the method; and a hydrogen purification apparatus. The hydrogen purification method for separation/purification of hydrogen from a hydrogen-containing gas that contains at least one component of water, carbon monoxide, carbon dioxide, methane and nitrogen in an amount of at least 1% is characterized by using a hydrogen separation membrane produced by adhering fine particles of palladium to the surface of a palladium alloy membrane; the hydrogen separation membrane is for use for the method; and the hydrogen purification apparatus comprises the membrane.

Abstract: A hydrogen generating apparatus composed of an autothermal-reforming catalyst layer, a conduit pipe for feeding a mixture of methanol and steam, a conduit pipe for feeding oxygen equipped with a flow regulator, and a hydrogen-permeable membrane disposed downstream of the autothermal-reforming catalyst layer. The hydrogen generating apparatus is equipped with a temperature-measuring device for measuring the temperature of the hydrogen-containing gas discharged from the autothermal-reforming catalyst layer. The amount of oxygen to be fed to the autothermal-reforming catalyst layer is increased or decreased by the flow regulator according to the measured temperature of the hydrogen containing gas. Thus, the heat generation by the autothermal reforming is controlled and the temperature of the hydrogen containing gas is regulated within a limited range so as to maintain the hydrogen separation step at an optimum temperature.

Abstract: There is disclosed a process for producing a hydrogen-containing gas, which comprises reacting methanol, steam and oxygen in the presence of (1) a catalyst comprising platinum and zinc oxide, wherein the content of the platinum is in the range of 5 to 50% by weight based on the total amount of the platinum and zinc oxide, or (2) a catalyst comprising platinum, zinc oxide and chromium oxide, wherein the atomic ratio of zinc to chromium (zinc/chromium) is in the range of 2 to 30, or (3) a catalyst comprising platinum, zinc oxide and at least one element selected from the group consisting of lead, bismuth and indium.

Abstract: There is disclosed a process for producing a hydrogen-containing gas, which comprises reacting methanol, steam and oxygen in the presence of (1) a catalyst comprising platinum and zinc oxide, wherein the content of the platinum is in the range of 5 to 50% by weight based on the total amount of the platinum and zinc oxide, or (2) a catalyst comprising platinum, zinc oxide and chromium oxide, wherein the atomic ratio of zinc to chromium (zinc/chromium) is in the range of 2 to 30, or (3) a catalyst comprising platinum, zinc oxide and at least one element selected from the group consisting of lead, bismuth and indium.

Abstract: There are herein disclosed a method for heat recovery and heat utilization by the use of chemical energy which comprises the steps of doing the heat recovery by the following formula (I), and doing the heat utilization by the following formula (I'):HCOOCH.sub.3 .fwdarw.CH.sub.3 OH+CO (I)CH.sub.3 OH+CO.fwdarw.HCOOCH.sub.3 (I')the reaction of the formula (I') being carried out in the presence of an alkali fluoride and zinc oxide. According to the present invention, steam or hot water can be generated at a high temperature of 100.degree. C. or more by the use of a factory waste heat or a river water at a low temperature of 100.degree. C. or less as a heat source from which heat has scarcely been utilized so far, and the thus generated steam or hot water can effectively be used as a heat source or be used in an air conditioner. The catalyst which comprises the alkali fluoride and zinc oxide is used for preparing methyl formate or CO gas according to the formula (I) or (I').