Abstract: Catalysts comprising a catalytically active metal on a NiO—MgO coated porous metal alloy support that are active for catalyzing the oxidative conversion of methane to CO and H2 are disclosed. The preferred catalytically active metal is rhodium and the porous metal alloy support is preferably a perforated fecralloy foil. A method of making the catalysts and coated supports, and processes for using the new catalysts for converting light hydrocarbons, such as methane, to synthesis gas, are disclosed.

Abstract: Catalysts comprising a catalytically active metal on a NiO—MgO coated porous metal alloy support that are active for catalyzing the oxidative conversion of methane to CO and H2 are disclosed. The preferred catalytically active metal is rhodium and the porous metal alloy support is preferably a perforated fecralloy foil. A method of making the catalysts and coated supports, and processes for using the new catalysts for converting light hydrocarbons, such as methane, to synthesis gas, are disclosed.

Abstract: Thermally integrated monolith catalysts active for catalyzing the oxidative conversion of methane to CO and H2 are disclosed. The composition and multi-layer configuration facilitates heat balancing between exothermic and endothermic reactions that take place in different sections of the monolith in a short contact time syngas reactor. The monolith comprises an active catalyst material supported by a multi-layer structure made of thin, porous metal pieces, the opposing faces of which are joined together at their perimeters. The metal pieces may be perforated disks made of at least two metals or metal oxides, and may also include a metal oxide coating.

Abstract: A method is disclosed for converting light hydrocarbons to synthesis gas employing a reduced nickel alloy monolith catalyst which catalyzes a net partial oxidation reaction. Certain preferred catalysts comprise bulk Ni—Cr, Ni—Co—Cr or Ni—Rh alloy materials. A method of making a bulk nickel alloy catalyst includes depositing a combination of chromium and cobalt metals, or rhodium metal, onto a nickel metal substrate and then thermally diffusing the Cr and Co coating, or the Rh coating, into the atomic lattice of the nickel substrate to produce a bulk Ni—Co—Cr or Ni—Rh alloy monolith catalyst. Preferred 3—D catalyst configurations include perforated foil, metal gauze, metal foam and expanded metal. The catalysts are mechanically strong and self-supporting, and retain high activity and selectivity to carbon monoxide and hydrogen products under syngas production conditions of high flow rate, superatmospheric pressure and high temperature.

Abstract: Syngas catalyst compositions supported on refractory ceramic textiles and fibrous ceramic composite catalysts are disclosed, together with their methods of making and use for catalyzing syngas production from methane by a net partial oxidation reaction. In certain preferred embodiments the active catalyst material is Rh, Ni, Cr, or combinations thereof. The ceramic textiles may be arranged in a variety of 3-D forms, such as Nextel™ or various woven or braided meshes and layers. The ceramic textile is easier to scale up to commercial reactor dimensions than the conventional foams and monoliths comprising ceramics and metals. Tolerance to thermal expansion and thermal heat integration are also improved by the new catalysts. A synthesis gas production process employs a new ceramic composite catalyst in a fixed reaction zone maintained at conversion-promoting conditions effective to produce an effluent stream comprising carbon monoxide and hydrogen in a molar ratio of about 2:1 H2/CO.

Abstract: A method is disclosed for converting light hydrocarbons to synthesis gas employing a reduced nickel alloy monolith catalyst which catalyzes a net partial oxidation reaction to produce an effluent stream comprising carbon monoxide and hydrogen in a ratio of about 2:1 H2/CO. Preferred catalyst beds comprise a compositionally graded axial array, or stack, of Ni—Cr, Ni—Co—Cr, or Ni—Rh monoliths, and their manner of making is disclosed. The Ni alloy monolith catalysts are mechanically strong and retain high activity and selectivity to carbon monoxide and hydrogen products under syngas production conditions of high gas space velocity, elevated pressure and high temperature.

Abstract: A method is disclosed for the catalytic conversion of light hydrocarbons to synthesis gas. The method involves the contacting of a feed stream comprising the hydrocarbon feedstock and an O2-containing gas with a catalyst in a reaction zone maintained at conversion-promoting conditions effective to produce an effluent stream comprising carbon monoxide and hydrogen. The preferred catalysts of the invention comprise bulk nickel monoliths that have been activated by heating in a reducing environment. The preferred catalysts convert hydrocarbons to syngas primarily by a predominantly partial oxidation reaction and retain a high level of activity and selectivity to carbon monoxide and hydrogen under conditions of elevated pressure, high gas space velocity and high temperature in a short contact time reactor.

Abstract: A system for indicating the lapsed time from a start point for each of a plurality of entities, such as race horses, to reach a succession of stations, such as furlong posts, along a path of movement, such as a race track, is disclosed. Preferably, the entities each include radio frequency transmitters carried by each entity, such as a transmitter mounted to the forehead of a horse. Each transmitter emanates a radio frequency signal discrete to that entity. Radio frequency receiving means, such as loops buried in the track, are located at each of the stations and are adapted to receive an interval of signals from each transmitter on each entity when it passes within a reception area of each station. The receiving means communicates to detector means which is adapted to discriminate and detect each discrete radio frequency and screen out the remaining discrete radio frequencies. The detector means generates an output signal which has two functions.

Abstract: A system and method by which antenna type loops are situated at predetermined positions about a race track in which a plurality of contestants are passed sequentially over the loops while carrying a transmitter arranged to transmit a low radio frequency signal of a frequency discreet for each contestant and in which a series of timers controlled by a single clock are arranged in reference to each contestant so that at the start of the race all of the timers are made to start to operate in timed unison and whereby the several timers associated with each contestant are sequentially stopped upon the signal from the transmitter emanating from each contestant being sequentially received at the succession of loop antennas to indicate the lapsed time from the start of the race to each station incorporating an active loop.