In one aspect, the disclosure relates to CO.sub.2-free and/or low-CO.sub.2 methods of co-producing hydrogen and solid forms of carbon via natural gas decomposition using microwave radiation. The methods are efficient, self-sustaining, and environmentally benign. In a further aspect, the disclosure relates to recyclable and recoverable catalysts useful for enhancing the disclosed methods, wherein the catalysts are supported by solid forms of carbon. Methods for recycling the catalysts are also disclosed. This abstract is intended as a scanning tool for purposes of searching in the particular art and is not intended to be limiting of the present disclosure.

The present invention relates to a steam reforming catalyst for hydrogen production. More specifically, the present invention provides a novel catalysts support for sustainable hydrogen production by steam reforming process using bio-based materials feedstock such as ethanol, glycerol, n-butanol and ethylene glycol. The said improved support catalyst and metal doped catalysts therefrom, are comprising of combination of crystalline Mesoporous cellular foam (MCF) silica and basic site assistant for enhancing catalytic activity of doped active metals thereon and lower coke formation. The benefits of present invention is in the cost efficient steam reforming process for hydrogen production, wherein the said catalysts are efficiently providing a high reactant conversion at lower temperature, no coke formation, high thermal stability for longer time and effective catalytic performance for multiple cycles.

Described is a method for the preparation of a reforming catalyst. The method comprises: (a) depositing a metal precursor on a porous support by wet impregnation, wherein the porous support is selected from the group consisting of a fumed silica, a fumed metal oxide, and combinations thereof; (b) drying the porous support after depositing the metal precursor to form a powder; (c) adding additional porous support to the powder to form a diluted powder; and (d) pressing the diluted powder to form pellets.

A porous carbon-based metal catalyst, a preparation method and application thereof are provided. The preparation method includes: successively performing activation, surface corrosion, nitrogen-doping treatment and graphitization treatment on washed micro-grade porous carbon, then performing sensitization treatment, and subsequently carrying out loading, reduction and other treatments of catalytic metal, so as to finally obtain the porous carbon-based metal catalyst. The porous carbon-based metal catalyst provided by the present application has excellent catalytic performance, is especially suitable for producing hydrogen by efficiently catalytically decomposing ammonia borane, is not prone to inactivation, and is easy to regenerate after inactivation. Meanwhile, the preparation method is environmental-friendly, is suitable for large-scale production and has a wide application prospect in the fields such as hydrogen fuel batteries.

Modified red mud catalyst compositions, methods for production, and methods of use in steam reforming, the composition comprising: red mud material produced from an alumina extraction process from bauxite ore; and nickel oxide, the nickel oxide present at between about 5 wt. % to about 40 wt. % of the modified red mud catalyst composition.

A method for producing a hydrogen rich gas from a heavy hydrocarbon feed comprising the steps of introducing the hydrocarbon feed to a reactor, the reactor comprising a low temperature reforming catalyst, the low temperature reforming catalyst comprising an amount of praseodymium, 12 wt % nickel, and an aluminum oxide component, contacting the low temperature reforming catalyst with the hydrocarbon feed in the reactor, wherein the reactor operates at a temperature between 500° C. and 600° C., wherein the reactor operates at a pressure between 3 bar and 40 bar, and producing the hydrogen rich gas over the low temperature reforming catalyst, wherein the hydrogen rich gas comprises hydrogen.

A calcium silicate based nickel catalyst and a preparation method and application thereof are provided. The method includes: leaching a silicon based solid waste with an alkali agent to obtain a silicate leaching solution; adding the silicate leaching solution and a nitrate solution corresponding to a lanthanum metal dropwise to a calcium hydroxide suspension for a first precipitation reaction, and subjecting a precipitate produced by the reaction to filtration, drying and calcination to obtain a modified calcium silicate support; and dispersing the modified calcium silicate support in an anhydrous alcohol solvent to obtain a mixed suspension, adding an alcohol solution of a nickel salt dropwise to the mixed suspension for a second precipitation reaction, conducting heating and stirring until alcohols in the anhydrous alcohol solvent and the alcohol solution of a nickel salt are volatilized, and conducting drying and calcination to obtain the modified calcium silicate based nickel catalyst.

Methods for autothermal reforming over a modified red mud catalyst composition, one method including providing a methane feed with oxygen and carbon dioxide to react over the modified red mud catalyst composition at increased temperature and increased pressure to produce synthesis gas comprising H.sub.2 and CO, the composition comprising red mud material produced from an alumina extraction process from bauxite ore; nickel oxide, the nickel oxide present at between about 5 wt. % to about 40 wt. % of the modified red mud catalyst composition; and a Periodic Table Group VIB metal oxide, the Group VIB metal oxide present at between about 1 wt. % and about 30 wt. % of the modified red mud catalyst composition.

Described herein is a gaslight multilayered composite tube having a heat transfer coefficient of >500 W/m.sup.2/K which in its construction over the cross section of the wall of the composite tube includes as an inner layer a nonporous monolithic oxide ceramic surrounded by an outer layer of oxidic fiber composite ceramic, where this outer layer has an open porosity of 5%<ε<50%, and which on the inner surface of the composite tube includes a plurality of depressions oriented towards the outer wall of the composite tube. Also described herein is a method of using the multilayered composite tube as a reaction tube for endothermic reactions, jet tubes, flame tubes or rotary tubes.

A catalyst suitable for use in carbon oxide conversion reactions is described, said catalyst in the form of a shaped unit formed from an oxidic catalyst powder, said catalyst comprising 30-70% by weight of copper oxide, combined with zinc oxide, alumina and silica, having a Si:AI atomic ratio in the range 0.005 to 0.15:1, and having a BET surface area >105 m.sup.2/g and a copper surface area >37 m.sup.2/g catalyst. The catalyst is prepared by a co-precipitation method using an alumina sol.