Non-oxidative direct methane conversion (NDMC) to value-added products, such as H.sub.2, C.sub.2 hydrocarbons, and aromatics, occurs within a reactor heated to an elevated temperature. The reactor can have a first volume, where a feed gas including methane is provided, separated from a second volume, where a sweep gas is provided, by a dense thin film membrane supported on a porous wall. The thin film membrane is a mixed ionic-electronic permeable membrane that allows H2 generated in the first volume to be transported to the second volume for removal by (or reaction with) the sweep gas. A catalyst can be provided in or adjacent to the first volume. For example, the catalyst can be a metal doped quartz material (e.g., Fe(c)SiO.sub.2) or a metal/zeolite material (e.g., Mo/ZSM5). Methane conversion and/or product selectivity in the reactor can be manipulated by control of gas flow rates, reaction temperatures, and/or feed and sweep gas compositions.

The invention relates to a multitubular reactor for dehydrogenation of liquid phase alcohol dehydrogenation and a method of liquid phase alcohol dehydrogenation. Most of the alcohol dehydrogenation reaction is endothermic reaction, the reaction temperature is high and the equilibrium conversion rate is low.

A chemical reactor for use in a chemical process wherein a reactant and/or a target product is prone to produce undesirable byproducts through secondary reactions. The reactor is configured with a first flow passage for passing a flow of an overly reactive reactant; a permeable first wall for controlled flow of the overly reactive reactant into a second flow passage providing a flow of a second reactant; a permeable second wall having a catalyst supported on an inner surface thereof for catalyzing reaction of the reactants flowing in the second flow passage; the permeable second wall passing through a flow containing the target product; and a non-permeable third wall defining a third flow passage for exiting the product mixture. The reactor can be employed in selective oxidation, oxidative dehydrogenation, and alkylation processes to reduce the formation of byproducts.

An apparatus includes a conduit with two process fluid inlets at one end of the conduit, one process fluid outlet at an opposing end, a heat exchange medium inlet, and a heat exchange medium outlet. One of the fluid inlets includes a tube extending into the conduit and a perforated node at the end of the tube, and the other of the fluid inlets is arranged up stream of the perforated node. The apparatus further includes hollow tubes positioned longitudinally within the conduit between the two process fluid inlets, the process fluid outlet, the heat exchange medium inlet and the heat exchange medium outlet. In addition, the apparatus includes a collection vessel positioned proximate the fluid outlet and fibers extending through each of the hollow tubes, wherein one end of the fibers is secured to the perforated node and the other end of the fibers extends into the collection vessel.

The invention is directed to a furnace suited for oxidation of a gaseous starting mixture comprising one or more sulphur compounds to obtain an oxidized gas mixture and reduction of the oxidized gas mixture to obtain a gaseous mixture of reduced sulphur compounds comprising an interior furnace space, an inlet conduit for the gaseous starting mixture, an inlet for supply of an oxygen comprising gas, a ceramic comprising outlet conduit provided with an inlet opening for the mixture of reduced sulphur compounds, an inlet for hydrogen and heating means, wherein the inlet opening of the outlet conduit is comprised of more than one opening which openings fluidly connect the interior furnace space and the interior of the outlet conduit.

In a first stage of a methane conversion system, at least some methane (CH.sub.4) in an input gas flow stream can be converted into C.sub.2 hydrocarbons, hydrogen gas (H.sub.2), and aromatics to provide a first processed stream. The conversion can be direct non-oxidative methane conversion (DNMC). At least some of the aromatics can be removed from the first processed stream to provide a second processed stream. In a second stage of the methane conversion system, at least some of the H.sub.2 can be removed from the second processed stream to provide a recycle stream. The recycle stream can be returned to the first stage of the methane conversion system for further conversion of methane and removal of aromatics and H.sub.2 products.

A catalytic membrane composite that includes porous supported catalyst particles durably enmeshed in a porous fibrillated polymer membrane is provided. The porous fibrillated polymer membrane may be manipulated to take the form of a tube, disc, or diced tape and used in multiphase reaction systems. The supported catalyst particles are composed of at least one finely divided metal catalyst dispersed on a porous support substrate. High catalytic activity is gained by the effective fine dispersion of the finely divided metal catalyst such that the metal catalyst covers the support substrate and/or is interspersed in the pores of the support substrate. In some embodiments, the catalytic membrane composite may be introduced to a stirred tank autoclave reactor system, a continuous flow reactor system, or a Parr Shaker reaction system and used to effect the catalytic reaction.

A continuous process for making polyolefines are disclosed. The process involves a membrane-assisted separation of non-reacted olefins downstream a polymerisation reactor and enables economical production of polyolefines from non-polymer grade olefin monomers. Uses of membranes adapted to such processes are also disclosed. And, further disclosed are membranes, membrane modules, and separation units adapted to such process as well as polymerisation plants comprising such membrane separation units.

A system and a method for producing hydrogen and electrical power from an aqueous ammonia solution are provided. An exemplary system includes a distillation unit to produce ammonia gas from the aqueous ammonia solution, a compression unit to boost the pressure of the ammonia gas, a membrane separator to catalytically convert the ammonia gas to nitrogen and hydrogen and remove the hydrogen as a permeate, and a micro turbine to combust a retentate to generate energy.

Disclosed are ruthenium-based catalyst systems, hafnium-based catalyst systems, and yttrium-based catalyst systems for use in ammonia decomposition. Catalyst systems include ruthenium, hafnium, and/or yttrium optionally in combination with one or more additional metals that can be catalytic or catalyst promoters. Hafnium-based and yttrium-based catalyst systems can be free of ruthenium. The catalyst systems also include a support material. Disclosed catalyst systems can decompose ammonia at relatively low temperatures and can provide an efficient and cost-effective route to utilization of ammonia as a carbon-free hydrogen storage and generation material.