Abstract: A gas stream containing hydrogen, carbon monoxide, and steam, and having a steam to dry gas molar ratio below 0.5 and a steam to carbon monoxide molar ratio above 0.5, and that has been formed at a temperature above 700.degree. C., is passed, at a temperature within the range 550.degree. to 650.degree. C., over an iron-free catalyst effective at such temperatures to catalyze the shift reaction. This effects some shift reaction thus increasing the amount of high grade heat that can be recovered from the gas. Also the hydrogen content of the gas is increased and the carbon monoxide to carbon dioxide ratio of the gas is decreased, thus decreasing the risk of hydrocarbon formation if the gas is subsequently subjected to a further shift reaction using an iron-oxide containing catalyst. Suitable catalysts comprise palladium and/or an oxide of an alkali, or alkaline earth, metal on a refractory support.

Abstract: A catalyst, or a precursor thereto, comprises, as the active material or as a support therefor, a ceramic foam having a network of irregular passages extending therethrough, said passages having an average minimum dimension in the range 20 to 300 .mu.m, said foam having a total porosity in the range 40 to 85% and an apparent density of at least 0.7 g. cm-3. The foam may be made by forming a negative replica of an open cell plastics foam by impregnation of the latter with a dispersion of the ceramic material, followed by drying and calcining the impregnated foam to remove the plastics material and to cause the ceramic material to sinter.For a steam reforming catalyst the ceramic may be alpha alumina and the active material nickel and/or cobalt.

Abstract: A catalyst, or a precursor thereto, comprises, as the active material or as a support therefor, a ceramic foam having a network of irregular passages extending therethrough, said passages having an average minimum dimension in the range 20 to 300 .mu.m, said foam having a total porosity in the range 40 to 85% and an apparent density of at least 0.7 g.cm.sup.-3. The foam may be made by forming a negative replica of an open cell plastics foam by impregnation of the latter with a dispersion of the ceramic material, followed by drying and calcining the impregnated foam to remove the plastics material and to cause the ceramic material to sinter.For a steam reforming catalyst the ceramic may be alpha alumina and the active material nickel and/or cobalt.

Abstract: Reduction of aromatic nitro compounds, e.g. nitro-benzene, using a catalyst containing nickel and/or cobalt and at least one difficulty reducible metal oxide, e.g. alumina, particularly alumina plus a rare earth, and having a high nickel/cobalt content.

Abstract: Alkylamines are produced by reacting an alcohol with an amino compound, especially ammonia, using a catalyst containing nickel and/or cobalt and at least one difficulty reducible metal oxide, e.g. alumina, particularly alumina plus a rare earth, and having a high nickel/cobalt content.

Abstract: A process for treating effluent wherein an oxidizing agent in the effluent is decomposed on contact with a catalyst bed. The oxidizing agent can be a pollutant present in the effluent, for example hypochlorite in the effluent from chlorine-producing brine electrolysis cells or from the scrubbing of chlorine gas. In an alternative the effluent may contain oxidizable pollutants and the oxidizing agent is purposefully added thereto. Passage over the catalyst bed catalyzes the decomposition of the oxidizing agent and oxidizable pollutants.The catalyst bed comprises an intimate mixture of an oxide of Group III, nickel oxide and, optionally, cobalt oxide, supported on pieces of a non-porous substantially inert material.

Abstract: A method of preparing a thin film of a phthalocyanine compound on a substrate comprising forming a thin layer of the phthalocyanine compound on the surface of a suitable liquid and passing the substrate through the layer so that a film of the phthalocyanine is deposited upon the surface of the substrate. Very thin films are formed and the resulting composite articles are useful in the manufacture of electronic, electrical, electrochemical and photochemical devices of high sensitivity.

Abstract: A process of reacting a hydrocarbon feedstock with steam and/or carbon dioxide is carried out over a catalyst in the form of at least one undeformable hollow unit permitting gas flows in at least two mutually transverse directions within its boundaries. The catalyst typically comprises random-packed metal tubular units with apertures in their walls, such as PALL rings. The process is capable of high throughputs at low pressure drop and with low concentrations of catalytically active metal per unit catalyst bed volume as compared with conventional ceramic ring catalyst.

Abstract: A shaped solid material to be contacted with a flowing fluid, in the form of tubular units each having a perforated wall and having means to distance that wall from the wall of a container in which they are to be stacked in axial relationship with one another and with the container. The shaped solid material is especially useful as a hydrocarbon steam reforming catalyst, in which event it is made of metal or highly calcined ceramic and carries a coating of for example nickel and alumina.

Abstract: A catalyst for producing hydrogen by reacting in the gaseous phase a hydrocarbon, hydrocarbon derivative or carbon monoxide with steam and/or if appropriate, carbon dioxide is in the form of hollow pieces each having walls 0.5 to 2 mm thick and comprising a primary support of low pore volume and a secondary support of relatively high surface area. The hollow pieces preferably are partitioned rings and are especially useful in hydrocarbon steam reforming because they can afford high catalytic activity at relatively low active metal content, high mechanical strength and low pressure drop.

Abstract: A catalyst for the selective hydrogenation of highly unsaturated hydrocarbons, e.g. acetylene, in the presence of less unsaturated hydrocarbons, e.g. ethylene, comprises palladium supported on a calcined refractory material comprising a calcium aluminate cement having a Ca:Al ratio of 1:4 to 1:10, the average depth of penetration of the palladium into the catalyst pieces being less than 300 .mu.m.