Abstract: The invention concerns a catalyst, in particular for reducing NO.sub.x, using methane or any mixture containing mostly methane. The catalyst consists of a zeolite of mordenite structure with "small pores" exchanged with Pd and/or Co. The invention is useful for reducing nitrogen oxides.

Abstract: Catalysts for the oxyhydrochlorination of methane into methyl chloride, comprising a chemical compound of great specific surface area of the zeolite type which is partially exchanged at least with divalent metallic cations, preferably Cu.sup.++ cations, the catalysts being applicable in particular to the formation of monochlorinated products usable as such or as intermediate chemical agents.

Abstract: A method of converting natural gas or light alkane(s) into unsaturated hydrocarbons, consisting in providing inside of a reaction space a fluidized bed of particles of a refractory and advantageously catalytic material and feeding a plasma of a hydrogen-containing gas and the natural gas or the light alkane(s) into the bed so that the latter effects the quenching of the reaction medium and catalyses the conversion reaction.

Abstract: A method of cracking heavy hydrocarbons into lighter hydrocarbons consisting in providing an advantageously catalytic bed of particles in a reaction chamber, feeding a bed fluidizing gas with a predetermined flow rate to provide a springing fluidized bed and feeding a plasma jet preferably containing argon into the chamber, the jet being directed towards a determined place of the bed so as to provide a reaction space with at least two reaction zones of different temperatures, the zone of higher temperature being the one where the plasma jet is directed; feeding heavy hydrocarbons into the reaction zone of lower temperature and feeding preferably in the zone of higher temperature at least one light alkane for carrying out the cracking of the heavy hydrocarbons within the fluidized bed, the latter effecting a quenching of the reaction medium and catalysing the cracking and consisting in discharging the products obtained downstream of the zone of lower temperature.