Abstract: A lighting system for use in areas of low-level lighting, such as a planetarium, theater, museum, or auditorium, which improves visibility of objects without detracting from the overall desired low-level lighting. The lighting system provides a safe and low cost way to illuminate certain areas of a darkened room while maintaining an overall dimly lit environment.

Abstract: A composition for use after reductive activation as a catalyst for the conversion of synthesis gas to hydrocarbons having a carbon number greater than one, which composition has the formula:Ru.sub.a A.sub.b CeO.sub.xwhereinA is an alkali metal,x is a number such that the valence requirements of the other elements for oxygen is satisfied,a is greater than zero and less than 1% w/w, based on the total weight of the composition,b is in the range from zero to 10% w/w, based on the total weight of the composition, andCe and O constitute the remainder of the composition,is produced by the process comprising the steps of:(A) bringing together in solution soluble salts of the metals ruthenium and cerium and a precipitant comprising a carbonate and/or bicarbonate and/or a hydroxide of an alkali metal or ammonium under conditions whereby there is formed a precipitate comprising ruthenium and cerium in the form of compounds thermally decomposable to their oxides, and(B) recovering the precipitate obtained in step (A).

Abstract: A composition for use after reductive activation as a catalyst for the conversion of synthesis gas to hydrocarbons having a carbon number greater than one, which composition has the formula:Ru.sub.a A.sub.b CeO.sub.xwhereinA is an alkali metal,x is a number such that the valence requirements of the other elements for oxygen is satisfied,a is greater than zero and less than 1% w/w, based on the total weight of the composition,b is in the range from zero to 10% w/w, based on the total weight of the composition, andCe and O constitute the remainder of the composition,is produced by the process comprising the steps of:(A) bringing together in solution soluble salts of the metals ruthenium and cerium and a precipitant comprising a carbonate and/or bicarbonate and/or a hydroxide of an alkali metal or ammonium under conditions whereby there is formed a precipitate comprising ruthenium and cerium in the form of compounds thermally decomposable to their oxides, and(B) recovering the precipitate obtained in step (A).

Abstract: An oxygenated hydrocarbon product comprising methanol and ethanol is produced by hydrogenating carbon monoxide at a temperature in the range 150.degree. to 450.degree. C. and a pressure in the range 1 to 700 bars in the presence as catalyst of a supported mixture of the metals rhodium, silver, zirconium and molybdenum and optionally also one or more of the metals iron, manganese, rhenium, tungsten, ruthenium, chromium, thorium and potassium. The preferred support is silica.

Abstract: C.sub.1 to C.sub.4 oxygenated hydrocarbons are produced by contacting synthesis gas at a temperature in the range 150.degree. C. to 450.degree. C. and a pressure in the range of 1 to 700 bars with a catalyst comprising a supported mixture of a rhodium component and a silver component. The preferred support is silica. Other metal components which may be incorporated on the support are iron, manganese, molybdenum, tungsten, ruthenium, chromium, thorium and zirconium. Furthermore the support can be activated prior to incorporation of the metal components.

Abstract: Oxygenated hydrocarbon compounds containing from one to four carbon atoms, e.g. acids, alcohols and/or aldehydes are produced by reacting carbon monoxide with hydrogen in the presence of a supported mixture of a rhodium component and a chromium component, optionally incorporating also iron, manganese, molybdenum, tungsten or ruthenium at elevated temperature and generally at elevated pressure. A preferred support is silica which may be activated by the addition of metal and non-metal activators followed by calcination, prior to incorporation of the rhodium and chromium components.