Abstract: The device for removing pollution from the exhaust gases of an internal combustion engine includes an exhaust box (12) containing, in series, a catalytic purification unit (18) and a particle filter (20). The exhaust box (12) includes means (36; 60) providing access to the upstream face of the particle filter (20). Application to removing pollution from automobile vehicle diesel engines in particular.

Abstract: Axial flow dehydrogenation reactors comprising multiple catalyst beds formed of honeycomb monoliths, the beds being separated from each other by heating stages to maintain reactant stream temperature, provide low pressure drop and improved conversion efficiency when used alone or in combination with other reactors, e.g., as reactor upgrades for series reactor systems incorporating radial flow reactor stages.

Abstract: A reactor/purifier for generating pure hydrogen in a stack or array of pairs of alternatingly connected high and low pressure reactor chambers wherein a gas-porous turbulence-promoting screen structure washcoated with a steam-reforming catalyst is sandwiched between a planar hydrogen-selective palladium alloy membrane and a planar gas-impermeable heat-conducting metal plate within the high pressure reactor chamber of each high pressure reactor chamber; and wherein the catalyst-coated structure in each high pressure chamber is reacted with steam and hydrocarbon fuel, such as methane or syn/gas, and/or carbon monoxide at an appropriately controlled temperature of between about 200° C. to 650° C.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a catalytic device for the implementation of a reaction in a gaseous medium at high temperature, such as, for example, the synthesis of HCN or the oxidation of ammonia, comprising: at least one textured material (1) which is effective as catalyst for the said reaction, a support (2) comprising at least one ceramic part (3), the structure of which makes possible the passage of the gases, the said part (3) of the said support (2) having a corrugated face (6), so that the increase in surface area (&bgr;) produced by the corrugations with respect to a flat surface is at least equal to that (&agr;) calculated for sawtooth corrugations and of between approximately 1.1 and approximately 3, the said textured material (1) being positioned so that it is held against the corrugated face (6) of the said part (3) of the said support (2) and follows the form thereof.

Abstract: A reactor for evaporating liquid feed and reacting said feed in the presence of catalyst to make product comprises a housing having at least one inlet and at least one outlet and encasing an evaporation zone and a reaction zone, an injector passing through the inlet and having an orifice in the evaporation zone for introducing a liquid feed, an insert containing packing for vaporizing the liquid feed where the packing is in the evaporation zone, a receptacle for retaining catalyst in the reaction zone and at least one heater associated with at least a portion of the reactor, wherein the injector orifice and the packing define a gap between the orifice and the packing sufficiently small to interfere with the formation of a drop at the orifice.

Abstract: With a catalyst that is operated in a dust-containing off-gas, there is a problem with the catalyst becoming blocked by individual particles contained in a gas flowing onto the catalyst. The invention describes a catalyst body with a multiplicity of first longitudinal passages, which also contains second longitudinal passages. The second longitudinal passages have a larger passage cross-section than the first longitudinal passages. As a result, the advantage of a high specific surface area per volume of the catalyst is maintained in combination with simultaneous permeability to individual particles.

Abstract: A pollution control device has a metal housing, a solid pollution control device disposed within the metal housing, and a mounting mat disposed between the pollution control element and the housing for positioning the pollution control element and for absorbing mechanical and thermal shock. The mounting mat includes a layer of intumescent material having at least one insert formed of a resilient, flexible, fibrous non-intumescent material. The insert is positioned along at least a portion of at least one lateral edge of the mounting mat to prevent erosion of the intumescent material and to provide a seal between the pollution control element and the housing.

Abstract: This invention relates to apparatus particularly a monolith catalytic reactor in a stirred tank reactor.

Abstract: Systems, processes, and reactors for the catalytic reforming of naphtha are provided. Embodiments of the invention include reactors comprising monolithic catalyst having honeycomb-type structure that allows for improved efficiency, productivity, and reaction selectivity over conventional catalytic reforming technology.

Abstract: A method for the production of a cross-linked support matrix that in form of a bed will permit liquid flow velocities above 5 cm/h, preferably above 50 cm/h, to pass through the bed. The method is characterized in that it comprises the steps: (a) providing a starting support matrix that has pendent unsaturated groups, and (b) subjecting said starting support matrix to electron beam or gamma-ray irradiation. The use of a cross-linked support matrix produced by a method comprising the steps of: (a) providing a starting support matrix that has pendent unsaturated groups, and (b) subjecting said starting support matrix to electron beam or gamma-ray irradiation as a support matrix in liquid chromatography, cell culturing, step-wise solid phase synthesis of organic compounds, running catalytic reactions by the use of a solid phase bound catalyst.

Abstract: The reactive distillation is carried out in a column (1) with a packing (2) which is at least partly designed as a catalyst carrier (23). Fluids (3, 4) which form two phases of different densities flow through the packing. An internal volume flow (300) is set for the denser fluid (3), the value of which lies in an interval (I) about a distinguished value (a), with this value being associated with a dwell time distribution (32) of the denser fluid: For the distinguished value the variance (s) of the dwell time distribution—as a function of the internal volume flow—takes on a minimum; and at the boundaries of the named interval the internal volume flow does not differ from the distinguished value by more than 30%, preferably by more than 10%.

Abstract: A reformer is disposed in the flow path of a reactant fluid. The reformer includes an electrically heatable heater unit of honeycomb structure, in the upstream of the flow path of a reactant fluid, and a catalyst unit of honeycomb structure capable of generating hydrogen from a reactant fluid containing an organic compound or carbon monoxide, by catalysis, in the downstream of the above heater unit. The heater unit and catalyst unit satisfy the following relationship: Cell density of the heater unit≦Cell density of the catalyst unit. The reformer improve efficiency for production of hydrogen and reduce CO as the by-product.

Abstract: A system and reactor stack for generating hydrogen from a hydride solution in presence of a catalyst is disclosed. The reactor stack includes a number of reaction chambers, coolant chambers, and reactor plates. Each reaction chamber is configured to receive the hydride solution and to bring at least a portion of the hydride solution in contact with the catalyst. Each coolant chamber is configured to receive a coolant flow. The reactor plate has a first face and an opposing second face, where the first face defines a portion of each reaction chamber and the second face defines a portion of each coolant chamber. A number of reactor plates and separator plates alternate with one another, to define reaction chambers alternating with coolant chambers. Each reaction chamber is in fluid communication with an adjacent reaction chamber and each coolant chamber is in fluid communication with an adjacent coolant chamber.

Abstract: A fixed-bed reactor is described for carrying out reactions of fluid reaction mixtures in the presence of a particulate heterogeneous catalyst having a structured packing which forms interstices in the reactor interior, in which the quotient of the hydraulic diameter for the fluid flow through the structured packing and the equivalent diameter of the catalyst particles is in the range from 2 to 20, preferably in the range from 5 to 10, to such an extent that the catalyst particles are introduced into the interstices, loosely distributed and discharged under the action of gravity.

Abstract: A reformer includes two or more catalyst units in the flow path, capable of generating hydrogen from a reactant fluid containing an organic compound or carbon monoxide, by catalysis. In the reformer, at least two of the catalyst units satisfy the following relationship: Heat capacity of the upstream-side catalyst unit≦Heat capacity of the downstream-side catalyst unit. The reformer is improved in the relationship between these catalyst units with respect to heat capacity. This improvement leads to improvement of the reformer in safety, heating characteristics during the start-up period, efficiency of hydrogen production and reduction in production of CO as the coproduct.

Abstract: A tube reactor based on a laminate, at least comprising at least three structured layers and a covering layer on the top and on the underside of the laminate, in which each layer has openings which are arranged in adjacent longitudinal rows and are elongated transverse to the longitudinal rows, in which the openings of a layer intersect at least three openings of an adjacent layer and the sequence of intersecting openings forms a channel in the longitudinal direction or in the transverse direction of the layers.

Abstract: A device for extending a flooding limit of a packed column includes a stack of monolith segments having a plurality of channels. The monolith segments are stacked in order of increasing channel diameter so as to effectively increase the effective channel hydraulic diameter of the packed column.

Abstract: A device for extending a flooding limit of a packed column includes a stack of monolith segments having a plurality of channels. The monolith segments are stacked in order of decreasing channel diameter in the direction of liquid flow into the column, the increasing channel diameters toward the top of the stack acting to effectively increase the inlet channel diameter of the column.

Abstract: A device for distributing fluid into a monolith bed includes a plurality of flow channels stacked in order of decreasing diameter. The flow channels successively split a flow stream into a multiple flow streams prior to the flow stream entering the monolith bed.

Abstract: A multiphase reactor device incorporating a stack of monolith catalysts comprising monolith slabs (spacers) between adjacent monolith blocks, the stack, preferably of larger channel diameters and higher void fractions than the monolith blocks, the spacers (i) reducing hydraulic restriction and channel blocking at the stacking interface, (ii) increasing the number of block interfaces for the disruption and mixing of the laminar film falling down the monolith wall and, (iii) for countercurrent applications, raising the resistance of the stack to flooding to broaden the operating window or range of gas and liquid flow velocities operable in the reactor.

Abstract: Selective oxidizers and methods of selectively oxidizing carbon monoxide in a hydrogen-containing gas mixture are provided. In one aspect, the present selective oxidizer assembly consists essentially of: a feed gas inlet for directing a feed gas comprising carbon monoxide and hydrogen into the assembly; an injector upstream of the feed gas inlet for supplying a gas stream comprising oxygen to the assembly; a catalyst bed for converting the feed gas and oxygen to a process gas, the catalyst bed comprising a selective oxidation catalyst on a metal foam support; and a process gas outlet.

Abstract: The present invention includes Fischer-Tropsch catalysts, reactions using Fischer-Tropsch catalysts, methods of making Fischer-Tropsch catalysts, processes of hydrogenating carbon monoxide, and fuels made using these processes. The invention provides the ability to hydrogenate carbon monoxide with low contact times, good conversion rates and low methane selectivities. In a preferred method, the catalyst is made using a metal foam support.

Abstract: A system for catalytically treating a gas stream includes a gas phase reactor containing a catalyst for the treatment of the gas stream in at least one catalyst bed having an upstream end and a downstream end, an axial fan positioned upstream of the at least one catalyst bed and having an impeller for moving the gas stream through the gas phase reactor. The gas flow is modified between the impeller and the gas phase reactor to decrease gas stream velocity and increase gas flow uniformity.

Abstract: Contained within an enclosure formed by an outer cylinder 2 and couplings 5, 5 equipped with connection ports 7, 7 connected to a liquid fuel system there are ceramic bodies 11, 11, which are formed by baking or firing of a substance wherein an effective microorganism colony, or a material obtained by fermentation thereof, or both, has or have been kneaded, and which are respectively arranged between the north poles N, N, . . . and the south poles S, S, . . . of permanent magnets 10, 10.

Abstract: Syngas production process and reforming exchanger. The process involves passing a first portion of hydrocarbon feed mixed with steam and oxidant through an autothermal catalytic steam reforming zone to form a first reformed gas of reduced hydrocarbon content, passing a second portion of the hydrocarbon feed mixed with steam through an endothermic catalytic steam reforming zone to form a second reformed gas of reduced hydrocarbon content, and mixing the first and second reformed gases and passing the resulting gas mixture through a heat exchange zone for cooling the gas mixture and thereby supplying heat to the endothermic catalytic steam reforming zone. The endothermic catalytic steam reforming zone and the heat exchange zone are respectively disposed tube side and shell side within a shell-and-tube reforming exchanger.

Abstract: The invention generally relates to a fuel processor design and a method for manufacture. In one aspect of the invention, a fuel processor assembly has a first plate and a second plate that are mated to form a plurality of reactor housings and channels to direct the reactants. At least one of the first and second plates has an inlet orifice feature adapted to receive a hydrocarbon stream, and at least one of the first and second plates has an outlet orifice feature adapted to exhaust a reformate stream. In some embodiments, a third plate and a fourth plate can be mated to enclose the first and second plates so that a coolant can be circulated between an external surface of the first and second plates and an internal surface of the third and fourth plates.

Abstract: An apparatus for converting at least one nitrogen oxide, such as NO, NO2, or N2O converts oxide in the presence of a catalyst supported on a metal mesh-like structure. The mesh-like structure is preferably fibrous formed of metal or ceramic fibers which may include knitted wire, sintered metal fibers and so on and has a porosity greater than about 85%. The mesh is formed into channels, preferably corrugations, and includes vortex generators, which generate turbulence to create a pressure differential across the mesh, to promote flow of fluids through the mesh pores which normally do not exhibit flow therethrough in the absence of such pressure differential. Preferred embodiments of structured packing and monoliths are disclosed each having a catalyst preferably in the mesh pores and/or coated on the fibers for converting the nitrogen oxide.

Abstract: A plate-type selective oxidation device, for the selective oxidation of constituents of a process stream, contains a media chamber located between two plates of the device. Each media chamber contains fins or ridges for the input or dissipation of thermal energy and/or to selectively direct the process stream. In partial areas of each media chamber, the fins or ridges are thermally decoupled from the plates that border the respective media chamber, to facilitate cold start-up of the device.

Abstract: The invention pertains to an improved apparatus comprised of a monolith catalytic reactor having an inlet and an outlet and a static mixer having an inlet and an outlet thereto with the outlet of said static mixer in communication with the inlet of said monolith catalytic reactor. The invention also pertains to an improvement in a process for effecting a reaction in the monolith catalytic reactor wherein a reactant gas and reactant liquid are introduced to the inlet to the monolith catalytic reactor, reacted and, then, the reaction product passed through the outlet of the monolith catalytic reactor.

Abstract: A molding (catalyst structure) for chemical apparatuses which is formed from at least two closed frames and one or more cross-pieces connecting these frames, where the frames are arranged at a distance from one another in a single plane or in a plurality of parallel planes about an (imaginary) molding (structure) axis which is perpendicular to the plane(s) and passes through the center points of the frames. The molding (catalyst structure) is preferably formed from at least four closed frames and one or more cross-pieces connecting these frames, where the frames are arranged one inside the other at a distance from one another in at least two parallel planes about an (imaginary) molding (structure) axis which is perpendicular to the planes and passes through the center points of the frames, and each plane has at least two frames.

Abstract: The present invention is a chemical reactor and method for catalytic chemical reactions having gas phase reactants. The chemical reactor has reactor microchannels for flow of at least one reactant and at least one product, and a catalyst material wherein the at least one reactant contacts the catalyst material and reacts to form the at least one product. The improvement, according to the present invention is: the catalyst material is on a porous material having a porosity that resists bulk flow therethrough and permits molecular diffusion therein. The porous material further has a length, a width and a thickness, the porous material defining at least a portion of one wall of a bulk flow path through which the at least one reactant passes.

Abstract: Selective production of a dialkanolamine is attained by controlling the volume preceding the entrance to a catalyst bed and the temperature prevailing under respectively fixed levels subsequent to the mixture of an alkylene oxide thereby repressing a reaction occurring in the absence of a catalyst and curbing the formation of trialkanolamine.

Abstract: An apparatus and method is disclosed for producing hydrocarbons according to the Fischer-Tropsch process. The apparatus comprises a catalytic distillation reactor where reactants are fed into the catalytic distillation reactor to undergo catalytic reaction to form hydrocarbons. Physical separation of the unreacted materials and products occurs simultaneously in the catalytic distillation reactor. The catalytic distillation reactor is divided into reaction chambers so as to optimize control of the reaction and the distribution of hydrocarbon products. A monolith, such as a foam monolith or a honeycomb monolith, preferably a honeycomb monolith, is disposed with said reaction chamber serves both as catalyst support and as distillation packing material. A honeycomb monolith preferably includes channels having an axis disposed at a nonzero angle with respect to the axis of a reaction chamber containing the honeycomb monolith.

Abstract: The invention concerns a method for producing a gas mixture containing hydrogen and carbon monoxide, and optionally nitrogen, from at least a hydrocarbon such as methane, propane, butane or LPG or natural gas, which consists in performing a partial catalytic oxidation (1) of one or several hydrocarbons, at a temperature of 500° C., at a pressure of 3 to 20 bars, in the pre of oxygen or a gas containing oxygen, such as air, to produce hydrogen and carbon monoxide; then in recuperating the gas mixture which can subsequently be purified or separated, by pressure swing adsorption, temperature swing adsorption of by permeation (3), to produce hydrogen having a purity of at least 80% and a residue gas capable of supplying a cogeneration unit In another embodiment, the gas mixture can subsequently be purified of its water vapour impurities and carbon dioxide to obtain a thermal treatment atmosphere containing hydrogen, carbon monoxide and nitrogen.

Abstract: A method and system for reducing the amount of NOx in an automotive vehicle combustion exhaust gas are disclosed. Accordingly, the system includes a first converter for forming aldehyde in a tributary fluid that includes fuel from the fuel tank of an automotive vehicle. Once the aldehyde is formed, the tributary fluid is combined with combustion exhaust of the vehicle to form an aldehyde/exhaust admixture. Thereafter, a second converter of the system is used to reduce NOx in the aldehyde/exhaust admixture to N2 gas and O2 gas.

Abstract: The present invention includes a catalyst having a layered structure with, (1) a porous support, (2) a buffer layer, (3) an interfacial layer, and optionally (4) a catalyst layer. The invention also provides a process in which a reactant is converted to a product by passing through a reaction chamber containing the catalyst.

Abstract: A catalyst carrier body includes a honeycomb body having sheet-metal layers and an axial extent. The sheet-metal layers are at least partly structured in such a way that the honeycomb body has passages through which an exhaust gas can flow. The sheet-metal layers of the honeycomb body have end regions lying radially outwardly. A tubular jacket has an edge and an axial span shorter than the axial extent of the honeycomb body. The tubular jacket is connected to the honeycomb body in at least one axial partial-region by a joining technique. A sleeve has an axial length shorter than the axial extent of the honeycomb body and is disposed on an outer region of the honeycomb body, in the vicinity of an end surface. The sleeve has an inner shell surface connected by a joining technique to the end regions of the sheet-metal layers at the end surfaces. The honeycomb body projects beyond an edge of the tubular jacket in a projecting section surrounded by the sleeve.

Abstract: A catalyst bed is made of a monolith having a plurality of pores extending through the monolith, the pores forming tortuous flow paths through the monolith. The tortuous flow paths are obtained by modifying the monolith channels with turbulence-inducing objects or means. Catalyst is disposed on the wall surfaces formed by the pores. Reactants are passed through the tortuous flow paths creating turbulent flow thereby increasing the contact of the reactants with the catalyst on the wall surfaces and the mixing across the reactant stream.

Abstract: The present invention includes Fischer-Tropsch catalysts, reactions using Fischer-Tropsch catalysts, methods of making Fischer-Tropsch catalysts, processes of hydrogenating carbon monoxide, and fuels made using these processes. The invention provides the ability to hydrogenate carbon monoxide with low contact times, good conversion rates and low methane selectivities. In a preferred method, the catalyst is made using a metal foam support.

Abstract: Disclosed is a method for reforming hydrocarbons comprising contacting the hydrocarbons with a catalyst in a reactor system of improved resistance to carburization and metal dusting under conditions of low sulfur.

Abstract: A device for catalytically converting at least one component of an exhaust gas, including the exhaust gas from an internal-combustion engine, is described. The device includes a casing and a metallic support body formed from a plurality of layers of sheets. The casing at least partially surrounds the metallic support body and is connected to the metallic support body. The sheets are corrugated sheets or corrugated and smooth metal sheets. The metallic support body has at least two outer layers formed from smooth sheet-metal sections overlapping one another. The at least two outer layers are formed substantially diametrically opposite one another and in each case have connection-free areas with respect to the casing.

Abstract: A radial reactor for utilization for catalytic reactions of gaseous or liquid feed streams including an annular catalyst bed, wherein the material contained within the catalyst bed includes an active catalyst material, contained within an outer ring-shaped layer of the catalyst bed, and a generally inert material, contained within an inner ring-shaped layer of the catalyst bed, wherein the generally inert material includes a potassium-containing compound, such as potassium oxide, hydroxide, carbonate or bicarbonate.

Abstract: A configuration for decomposing nitrogen oxides in a gas stream includes a plurality of catalytic converters disposed one after the other through which the gas stream can flow. Each of the catalytic converters has a honeycomb structure with many parallel cells through which the gas stream can flow. Each of the catalytic converters also has a predetermined cell density and a predetermined average level of activity defined as a proportion by weight of the catalytically active agent. The predetermined cell density of a second catalytic converter through which the gas stream flows after a first catalytic converter is lower than the predetermined cell density of the first catalytic converter. The predetermined average level of activity of the second catalytic converter is also higher than the predetermined average level of activity of the first catalytic converter. The configuration is preferably used in conjunction with an exhaust gas from a combustion drive unit.

Abstract: This invention relates generally to a method for producing composites of single-wall carbon nanotubes (SWNTs) and compositions thereof. In one embodiment, the present invention involves a method of producing a composite material that includes a matrix and a carbon nanotube material embedded within said matrix. In another embodiment, a method of producing a composite material containing carbon nanotube material is disclosed. This method includes the steps of preparing an assembly of a fibrous material; adding the carbon nanotube material to the fibrous material; and adding a matrix material precursor to the carbon nanotube material and the fibrous material.

Abstract: The present invention provides a reactor, which includes:

Abstract: A honeycomb body, in particular a catalyst carrier body, includes a carrier matrix shell for a carrier matrix formed of partially structured, layered and/or wound or folded metal sheets. The carrier matrix has a plurality of passages which are fluid-permeable and extend substantially parallel to a central longitudinal axis. The carrier matrix shell has at least two individual, smooth layers, preferably with substantially the same thickness, disposed concentrically relative to one another and at least two of the layers are adjacent one another. In addition to an improved ability to compensate for expansion of a thermal origin, the honeycomb body has vibration damping and sound-proofing qualities, resulting from the multi-layer structure of the carrier matrix shell.

Abstract: An improved metal gas separation membrane for separating hydrogen from a gas steam includes a quantity of metal particles that are bonded together to form a porous body. The porous body may have a porosity that increases from a first surface to an opposite second surface and may additionally include a coating of ceramic particles on the first surface. The metal gas separation membrane may include a coating of a dense precious metal applied thereto that is permeable by hydrogen via chemisorption-dissociation-diffusion. The porous body may include a catalytic enhancement. Also disclosed are three gas separation modules that employ the metal gas separation membrane disposed within a core of the gas separation module for separating hydrogen from a gas stream. The gas separation membranes are each supported on a first mounting member and a second mounting member. The gas separation modules may also include a catalytic enhancement.

Abstract: A honeycomb body is used, in particular, for an apparatus for the catalytic conversion of exhaust gases in an exhaust system, especially an exhaust system of an internal combustion engine, preferably an Otto engine. The honeycomb body is surrounded by a smooth portion of a metal layer that extends over a part of an axial length of the honeycomb body. The layer is an integral component of the honeycomb body and is located in axial subregions between the honeycomb body and a jacket tube. Undesired brazed connections between the honeycomb body and the jacket tube are avoided in these axial subregions, regardless of the brazing material application method that is employed.

Abstract: A method for purifying a mixture comprising single-wall carbon nanotubes and amorphous carbon contaminate is disclosed. The method includes the steps of heating the mixture under oxidizing conditions sufficient to remove the amorphous carbon, followed by recovering a product comprising at least about 80% by weight of single-wall carbon nanotubes. A method for producing tubular carbon molecules of about 5 to 500 nm in length is also disclosed. The method includes the steps of cutting single-wall nanotube containing-material to form a mixture of tubular carbon molecules having lengths in the range of 5-500 nm and isolating a fraction of the molecules having substantially equal lengths The nanotubes may be used, singularly or in multiples, in power transmission cables, in solar cells, in batteries, as antennas, as molecular electronics, as probes and manipulators, and in composites.

Abstract: A method is disclosed for maintaining a volumetric gas to liquid ratio in a segmented gas/liquid flow along a reactor of monolithic catalyst beds in series. The present invention includes the steps of: initiating the segmented gas/liquid flow at a first end of the reactor by introducing feed liquid and feed gas both at a predetermined volume and a predetermined flow rate; injecting an additional amount of gas at least once into any of the spaces between catalyst beds; and combining the segments of the segmented gas/liquid flow at a second end of the reactor. The injection of gas is controlled such that the segmented gas/liquid flow can be maintained near or at the Taylor regime.