Abstract: A carbon dioxide (CO2) capture and utilization system captures CO2 from flue gas and utilizes the same to enhance algae or cyanobacteria growth. The system generally comprises a CO2 capture unit and a utilization unit that is in fluid communication with the CO2 capture unit. The CO2 capture unit includes a membrane CO2 absorber that captures CO2 from incoming flue gas to produce a CO2-rich solvent. The utilization unit processes the CO2-rich solvent to produce a product stream that includes CO2 and NH3 in a predetermined CO2:NH3 ratio. The product stream is delivered to a cultivation subsystem of the utilization of the unit including one or more species of algae or cyanobacteria. A method for capturing and utilizing CO2 is also provided herein.

Abstract: An algae cultivation medium includes a growth medium and at least one of an amine additive and a water-soluble biomimetic catalyst. A related method of increasing carbon shuttling in an algae cultivation medium includes adding at least one of the amine additive and the water-soluble biomimetic catalyst to the algae cultivation medium.

Abstract: The invention herein concerns a catalyst of gold particles on a layered double hydroxide (LDH) that assists in oxidation of alcohols in lignins. In some embodiments, the LDH comprises lithium and aluminum metals. Also considered are methods of using the catalyst to oxidize lignins and methods of preparing the catalyst.

Abstract: An algae cultivation medium includes a growth medium and at least one of an amine additive and a water-soluble biomimetic catalyst. A related method of increasing carbon shuttling in an algae cultivation medium includes adding at least one of the amine additive and the water-soluble biomimetic catalyst to the algae cultivation medium.

Abstract: A passive NOX adsorbent includes: palladium, platinum or a mixture thereof and a mixed or composite oxide including the following elements in percentage by weight, expressed in terms of oxide: 10-90% by weight zirconium and 0.1-50% by weight of least one of the following: a transition metal or a lanthanide series element other than Ce. Although the passive NOX adsorbent can include Ce in an amount ranging from 0.1 to 20% by weight expressed in terms of oxide, advantages are obtained particularly in the case of low-Ce or a substantially Ce-free passive NOx adsorbent.

Abstract: A passive NOX adsorbent includes: palladium, platinum or a mixture thereof and a mixed or composite oxide including the following elements in percentage by weight, expressed in terms of oxide: 10-90% by weight zirconium and 0.1-50% by weight of least one of the following: a transition metal or a lanthanide series element other than Ce. Although the passive NOX adsorbent can include Ce in an amount ranging from 0.1 to 20% by weight expressed in terms of oxide, advantages are obtained particularly in the case of low-Ce or a substantially Ce-free passive NOx adsorbent.

Abstract: A passive NOX adsorbent includes: palladium, platinum or a mixture thereof and a mixed or composite oxide including the following elements in percentage by weight, expressed in terms of oxide: 10-90% by weight zirconium and 0.1-50% by weight of least one of the following: a transition metal or a lanthanide series element other than Ce. Although the passive NOX adsorbent can include Ce in an amount ranging from 0.1 to 20% by weight expressed in terms of oxide, advantages are obtained particularly in the case of low-Ce or a substantially Ce-free passive NOx adsorbent.

Abstract: The invention herein concerns a catalyst of gold particles on a layered double hydroxide (LDH) that assists in oxidation of alcohols in lignins. In some embodiments, the LDH comprises lithium and aluminum metals. Also considered are methods of using the catalyst to oxidize lignins and methods of preparing the catalyst.

Abstract: A method is provided for producing germanium nanowires encapsulated within multi-walled carbon nanotubes. The method includes the steps of performing chemical vapor deposition using a combined germanium and carbon source having a general formula of GeR(4-x)Lx, where x=0, 1, 2, or 3; R is selected from a group consisting of alkyl, cycloalkyl or aryl and L=hydrogen, halide or alkoxide and growing germanium nanowires encapsulated within multi-walled carbon nanotubes on a substrate. A reaction product of that method or process is also provided.

Abstract: The invention herein describes a novel photobioreactor (PBR) system for culturing algae. The PBR system utilizes vertical transparent tubes that can be cyclically filled with an algae culture. The vertical tubes further feature pipe pigs deployed therein to disrupt formation of biofilm on the inner walls during the cyclic filling and emptying of the cultures.

Abstract: A mixed oxide catalyst is prepared by precipitating a Ni/Al layered double hydroxide having a general formula [NixAly(OH)2](CO3)y/2. mH2O where x+y=1 and m=about 0.5. The Ni/Al layered double hydroxide is aged and then isolated and heat treated under reducing atmosphere to produce the mixed oxide catalyst.

Abstract: A method is provided for producing germanium nanowires encapsulated within multi-walled carbon nanotubes. The method includes the steps of performing chemical vapor deposition using a combined germanium and carbon source having a general formula of GeR(4-x)Lx, where x=0, 1, 2, or 3; R is selected from a group consisting of alkyl, cycloalkyl or aryl and L=hydrogen, halide or alkoxide and growing germanium nanowires encapsulated within multi-walled carbon nanotubes on a substrate. A reaction product of that method or process is also provided.

Abstract: A catalyst composition comprising titanium incorporated into a silica support, characterized in that the silica support is a shaped extrudate of silica powder. The catalyst composition is useful in the epoxidation of olefins into alkylene oxides using organic hydroperoxides. The composition can be prepared by extruding silica powder into an extrudate having a selected shape; calcining the extrudate; impregnating the extrudate with a titanium-containing impregnating agent; and drying and calcining the impregnated extrudate.

Abstract: The present invention provides a catalyst system that may be used to regenerate NOx adsorber catalysts. It also provides methods for using these catalysts. According to the present invention, hydrocarbons are introduced into an exhaust gas stream upstream of a metal ion exchanged zeolite catalyst to generate CO. The metal ion exchanged zeolite catalyst is preferably a Cu-ZSM-5 catalyst that has a high loading of copper. The hydrocarbons are oxidized to carbon monoxide, and the carbon monoxide is then exposed to a NOx adsorber catalyst, which facilitates regeneration of that catalyst.

Abstract: A process for the preparation of a catalyst support material involving the steps of: (a) subjecting a used titania-on-silica catalyst to a decoking treatment, (b) washing the decoked catalyst with a washing liquid selected from an aqueous solution of a mineral acid, an aqueous solution of an ammonium salt and combinations thereof, and (c) drying and calcining the washed and decoked catalyst to yield the catalyst support material. The support material thus obtained is suitably used as support material for titania in a heterogeneous catalyst for the epoxidation of olefins into alkylene oxides.

Abstract: The invention relates to a process for the preparation of an epoxidation catalyst which process involves: (a) drying a silica gel carrier at a temperature of from 400° C. to 1000° C.; (b) hydrolysing the dried silica gel carrier; (c) optionally drying the hydrolyzed carrier; and (d) contacting the carrier obtained with a gas stream containing titanium halide to obtain an impregnated carrier, in which process the hydrolysis of step (b) is carried out at a temperature of at most 200° C.

Abstract: The present invention provides a catalyst system that may be used to regenerate NOx adsorber catalysts. It also provides methods for using these catalysts. According to the present invention, hydrocarbons are introduced into an exhaust gas stream upstream of a metal ion exchanged zeolite catalyst to generate CO. The metal ion exchanged zeolite catalyst is preferably a Cu-ZSM-5 catalyst that has a high loading of copper. The hydrocarbons are oxidized to carbon monoxide, and the carbon monoxide is then exposed to a NOx adsorber catalyst, which facilitates regeneration of that catalyst.

Abstract: Catalyst composition comprising titanium chemically bonded to a silica support, characterised in that the silica support is a shaped extrudate of silica powder. The catalyst composition is very useful in the epoxidation of olefins into alkylene oxides using organic hydroperoxides. The composition can be prepared by a process comprising the steps of: (a) extruding silica powder into an extrudate having a selected shape; (b) calcining the extrudate; (c) impregnating the extrudate with a titanium-containing impregnating agent; and (d) drying and calcining the impregnated extrudate.

Abstract: Process for the preparation of a catalyst support material comprising the steps of: (a) subjecting a used titania-on-silica catalyst to a decoking treatment, (b) washing the decoked catalyst with a washing liquid selected from an aqueous solution of a mineral acid, an aqueous solution of an ammonium salt and combinations thereof, and (c) drying and calcining the washed and decoked catalyst to yield the catalyst support material. The support material thus obtained is suitably used as support material for titania in a heterogeneous catalyst for the epoxidation of olefins into alkylene oxides.

Abstract: Durability of emissions catalysts in vehicular and other emissions control systems is significantly increased by positioning, prior to the catalyst-laden catalytic converter, at least one poison trap consisting of a low back pressure structure having a coating which reacts with non-metal or amphoteric oxides to form non-volatile reaction products.