Abstract: An alkaline earth metal-containing MFI zeolite catalyst is used when synthesizing a lower hydrocarbon from dimethyl ether and/or methanol, which has a Si/Al atomic ratio ranging from 30 to 400, an alkaline earth metal/Al atomic ratio ranging from 0.75 to 15, and an average particle diameter ranging from 0.05 to 2 ?m.

Abstract: A gas transfer pipe arrangement includes a pipe in which gas containing droplets flows. A centrifugal force type separation unit is provided in the pipe for applying a radial centrifugal force to the gas flowing in the pipe so that the droplets in the gas adhere to an inner periphery of the pipe to be separated from the gas. A liquid collecting unit is annularly provided on the inner periphery of the pipe at a position downstream of the centrifugal force type separation unit for collecting a liquid from the droplets separated by the centrifugal force type separation unit. A discharge unit is provided at a lower side of the pipe for discharging the liquid collected by the liquid collecting unit to the exterior of the pipe.

Abstract: A gas transfer pipe arrangement includes a pipe in which gas containing droplets flows. A droplet separation unit is provided in the pipe for separating the droplets from the gas. A liquid collecting unit is annularly provided on the inner periphery of the pipe at a position downstream of the droplet separation unit for collecting a liquid from the droplets separated by the droplet separation unit. A liquid discharging mechanism is provided at a lower side of the pipe for discharging the liquid collected by the liquid collecting unit to the exterior of the pipe.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a vortex type furnace for burning powder. The furnace includes a first body, at least one air-supply pipe for generating a vortex, and at least one powder-supply pipe for feeding powder to be burned in said first body. The first body includes an elongated combustion chamber of a polygonal, elliptical, or circular cross section. The first body has an axis therealong, an ignition burner at an end thereof, and an exhaust port at another end thereof. The air-supply pipe generates a vortex around the center axis in the first body. The air-supply pipe, which opens at the internal peripheral surface of said furnace, is disposed quasi-tangentially or generally colinear with the internal peripheral surface of said first body. The powder-supply pipe, which opens at the internal surface of said first body, is disposed to be spaced apart from said air-supply pipe.