Abstract: The invention describes a highly efficient catalytic pollution control process for removing N.sub.2 O from gaseous mixtures. The process utilizes catalysts derived from anionic clay minerals, which after appropriate heat activation, provide superior N.sub.2 O decomposition activity. The catalytic process comprises contacting an N.sub.2 O-containing gaseous mixture with the decomposition catalyst under conditions sufficient to convert the N.sub.2 O into gaseous nitrogen and gaseous oxygen. The process catalysts are derived from anionic clay materials such as the hydrotalcites, sjogrenites and pyroaurites. A small but critical amount of an activator metal is provided to promote the decomposition of N.sub.2 O, particularly in wet gas steams. The activator metal may be an alkali metal such as sodium, potassium or lithium, or an alkaline-earth metal such as magnesium, with sodium giving particularly good results.

Abstract: A coconut shell char having a high oxygen volumetric capacity is provided by crushing and sizing coconut shells to form granules which are then heated in flowing inert gas at a temperature ramp rate of about 2.degree. to 12.degree. C. per minute to a peak temperature of 775.degree. to 900.degree. C. which is then held so that the total heating time is up to 8 hours and thereafter the granular char is cooled in an inert gas atmosphere. The granular char thus produced is oxygen selective in air separation without further modification to narrow the openings of its micropores and has an oxygen volumetric capacity in excess of 8.0 cc/cc. Further modification of this char is provided by contacting it with an oxidizing atmosphere of carbon dioxide or a mixture of inert gas and carbon dioxide, H.sub.2 O or O.sub.2 at temperatures ranging from 650.degree. to 900.degree. C. until the gasified char has been altered so that its volumetric oxygen capacity is greater than 9.0 cc/cc.

Abstract: Composite oxygen selective desiccants comprising a carbon molecular sieve which is kinetically selective for the adsorption of oxygen over nitrogen and an agent for the sorption of water such as lithium chloride, lithium bromide, calcium chloride, magnesium chloride, calcium nitrate, potassium fluoride, oxides of silicon, aluminum, calcium or barium are disclosed. Methods of making the components and their use in air separation are also set forth.

Abstract: A process is provided for making a modified carbon molecular sieve which is suitable for separating gases having different adsorption rates on the sieve. The process involves modifying a starting sieve support having a majority of micropores with an effective pore size of about 4.5 to 8 angstroms, with a two-step process in which the sieve is contacted with two different volatile carbon-containing organic compounds, preferably hydrocarbons, which have different molecular dimensions. The compound used in the first step is larger than that in the second step, so that the pore openings of the micropores of the support are narrowed successively in two distinct steps without filling the micropores themselves. The invention also discloses an improved carbon molecular sieve and the separation of gases, such as oxygen from nitrogen, by the use of this improved adsorbent.

Abstract: Carbon molecular sieves, useful in the separation of air into oxygen and nitrogen, are improved through modification of the micropores of the sieve by contact with the pyrolysis products of a carbon-containing compound in the gaseous state diluted with helium, with or without nitrogen as a part of the diluting gas. Volatile organic compounds, such as trimethylcyclohexane, are used with the diluent gas to narrow the micropore openings of a carbon molecular sieve and increase its kinetic selectivity for oxygen adsorption. Carbon dioxide and helium or argon in the diluent gas are used to open pores available to contacting gases.