Abstract: A production system for a product selected from a nitrogen-containing product and a fermented and cultured product that does not involve (or can minimize) the transport of liquid ammonia can include: an ammonia synthesis apparatus in which an ammonia-containing gas is synthesized by reaction of a source gas containing hydrogen and nitrogen in the presence of a supported metal catalyst containing as a support one or more selected from the group consisting of: i) a conductive mayenite compound; ii) a two-dimensional electride compound or a precursor thereof; and iii) a complex formed of a support base containing at least one metal oxide selected from ZrO2, TiO2, CeO2, and MgO and a metal amide represented by a formula M(NH2)x (where M represents one or more selected from Li, Na, K, Be, Mg, Ca, Sr, Ba, and Eu; and x represents a valence number of M) supported by the support base.

Abstract: Provided is a novel production system that does not involve, or can minimize, the transport of liquid ammonia in the production of an organic compound or the production of a microorganism by microbial fermentation. A production system for an organic compound or a microorganism includes: an ammonia synthesis apparatus in which an ammonia-containing gas is synthesized by reaction of a source gas containing hydrogen and nitrogen in the presence of a supported ruthenium catalyst; and a culture apparatus that cultures a microorganism having organic compound productivity using ammonia originating from the ammonia-containing gas obtained by using the ammonia synthesis apparatus.

Abstract: Provided is a novel production system that does not involve, or can minimize, the transport of liquid ammonia in the production of an organic compound or the production of a microorganism by microbial fermentation. A production system for an organic compound or a microorganism includes: an ammonia synthesis apparatus in which an ammonia-containing gas is synthesized by reaction of a source gas containing hydrogen and nitrogen in the presence of a supported ruthenium catalyst; and a culture apparatus that cultures a microorganism having organic compound productivity using ammonia originating from the ammonia-containing gas obtained by using the ammonia synthesis apparatus.

Abstract: Provided is a novel production system that does not involve, or can minimize, the transport of liquid ammonia in the production of an organic compound or the production of a microorganism by microbial fermentation. A production system for an organic compound or a microorganism includes: an ammonia synthesis apparatus in which an ammonia-containing gas is synthesized by reaction of a source gas containing hydrogen and nitrogen in the presence of a supported ruthenium catalyst; and a culture apparatus that cultures a microorganism having organic compound productivity using ammonia originating from the ammonia-containing gas obtained by using the ammonia synthesis apparatus.

Abstract: Provided is a novel production system for a product selected from a nitrogen-containing product and a fermented and cultured product that does not involve (or can minimize) the transport of liquid ammonia.

Abstract: A process for producing a synthesis gas which comprises the steps of mixing a desulfurized light natural gas with steam; pre-heating the mixed gas; carrying out a first reforming reaction at a temperature of 500 to 750° C. under adiabatic conditions by bringing the gas into contact with a catalyst having a specific porosity in which a specific amount of nickel or a platinum group metal is contained as an active component in a carrier composed of CaO and Al2O3 and containing a specific amount of CaO, at least part of CaO forming a compound together with Al2O3, or a catalyst in which a specific amount of nickel is contained in an &agr;-alumina carrier containing 98% by weight or more of aluminum oxide and having a specific porosity; and then carrying out a second reforming reaction in reformer tubes in a heating furnace. The light natural gas may be a gas obtainable by reacting a desulfurized heavy natural gas with steam.

Abstract: A catalyst for reforming of hydrocarbons with less reduction in activity. An improved steam-reforming catalyst for hydrocarbons, wherein the active component Ni is supported on an &agr;-Al2O3 or CaO—Al2O3carrier, a part of the active component Ni is combined with the carrier to form a compound NiAl2O4, and carbon is contained in both of the Ni and NiAl2O4 components, and the grating constant of Ni and the grating constant of NiAl2O4 in the catalyst are increased as compared with those of the catalyst before carbon is added to in both of the said components.

Abstract: To provide an improved steam reforming catalyst for lower hydrocarbons which is highly active and has a high crushing strength. An improved steam reforming catalyst for lower hydrocarbons comprising a support constituted of CaO and Al.sub.2 O.sub.3 and an active component comprising nickel or a platinum-group metal. The content of CaO is 0.5 to 25 wt% based on the catalyst, and at least part of the CaO forms compounds with the A1.sub.2 O.sub.3. The support has a void fraction X of pores with a diameter of 0.5 .mu.m to 20 .mu.m of 0.08 or higher, a void fraction Y of pores with a diameter smaller than 0.5 .mu.m of 0.15 or higher, and a total void fraction Z of 0.23 to 0.8 (provided that Z.ltoreq.(X+Y)).

Abstract: A catalyst for steam reforming of a hydrocarbon carrying from three to twenty weight percent of nickel as nickel oxide, which is made by immersing alumina particles in a nickel containing solution, drying and then calcining the particles, which alumina particles are of a .alpha.-alumina and of 98 weight percent or more purity and has a pore volume of the pores having a diameter of from 0.1 to 0.5 microns of 0.2 ml/g or more and pore volume of the pores having a diameter of more than 0.5 microns but not more than 10 microns of 0.05 ml/g or more.

Abstract: A catalyst for steam reforming of a hydrocarbon or alcohol carrying from three to twenty weight percent of nickel as nickel oxide, which is made by immersing alumina particles in a nickel containing solution, drying and then calcining the particles, which alumina particles are of .alpha.-alumina and of 98 weight percent or more purity and has a pore volume of the pores having a diameter of from 0.1 to 0.5 micron of 0.2 ml/g or more and a pore volume of the pores having a diameter of 0.5 microns or more of 0.05 ml/g or more.

Abstract: An apparatus for an endothermic reaction of a gas such as steam reforming having a cylindrical vessel which is provided therein a fuel gas supply room, a combustion catalyst holding wall, a flue gas passage room, and a reaction room, all of which are cylindrical or annular and coaxially piled in this order, the catalyst holding wall having a combustion catalyst holding layer on a flue gas passage room side thereof and the reaction room having a product gas passage; whereby a mixture of a fuel gas and an oxygen containing gas passes through the catalyst holding wall from the supply room into the flue gas passage room, being burnt by the catalyst to become a flue gas and to generate combustion heat, and the flue gas is discharged while the heat is given to the reaction room mainly by radiation from the catalyst layer; a raw material gas passes through the reaction room reacting endothermically to become a product gas, which is discharged through the product gas passage in countercurrent heat exchange arrangemen

Abstract: An apparatus for an endothermic reaction, such as steam reforming of hydrocarbon gas, comprises a reaction vessel sandwiched or surrounded by heat generating apparatus. In the heat generating apparatus, a primary fuel gas and air are supplied and mixed therein, then pass through a fuel gas heating section therefor, a combustion catalyst bed, a combustion section and a discharge section in that order. A secondary fuel gas is supplied into the combustion section, typically in a plurality of stages. The primary fuel gas mixture is heated up or ignited in the preheating section, burns and passes through the catalyst bed. At least a part of the combustion section is packed with heat transfer bodies. The gas from the catalyst bed burns in the combustion section with the secondary fuel. The heat transfer bodies receive heat from the combustion gas passing therethrough by convection and radiates the heat to the reaction vessel.

Abstract: A pressure regulating diaphragm comprises a central base plate section in the form of a hard disc, a peripheral sealing section having the form of a ring located concentrically with said plate section and an intermediate section located between said peripheral sealing section and said central base plate section, said intermediate section consisting of a film having a thickness of from 10 to 100 microns and made of a plastic resistant to chemicals and defining a deformable, flexible portion, whereby a desired shape can be obtained therein.