A process for producing a polyetheramine by reacting a polyether alcohol, previously synthesized in the presence of a basic potassium or sodium compound as catalyst, with ammonia in the presence of hydrogen and a catalyst in one reactor or a plurality of reactors, wherein the employed polyether alcohol when previously synthesized in the presence of a basic potassium compound as catalyst has a content of potassium ions of less than 50 wppm and when previously synthesized in the presence of a basic sodium compound as catalyst has a content of sodium ions of less than 50 wppm.

A process for producing a polyetheramine by reacting a polyether alcohol, previously synthesized in the presence of a basic potassium or sodium compound as catalyst, with ammonia in the presence of hydrogen and a catalyst in one reactor or a plurality of reactors, wherein the employed polyether alcohol when previously synthesized in the presence of a basic potassium compound as catalyst has a content of potassium ions of less than 50 wppm and when previously synthesized in the presence of a basic sodium compound as catalyst has a content of sodium ions of less than 50 wppm.

There is disclosed a process for producing taurine in a molar yield of at least 80% from alkali isethionate, alkali ditaurinate, or alkali tritaurinate by adding excess ammonia and at least of equal molar amount of an alkali hydroxide to a solution comprised of alkali ditaurinate, alkali tritaurinate, or their mixture and subjecting the solution to an ammonolysis to yield a solution comprised of alkali taurinate.

Provided is a photocatalytic composition comprising zinc (Zn) doped titanium dioxide (TiO.sub.2) nanoparticles, wherein the ratio of titanium dioxide nanoparticles to zinc is from about 5 to about 150. The photocatalytic composition absorbs electromagnetic radiation in a wavelength range from about 200 nm to about 500 nm, and the absorbance of light of wavelengths longer than about 450 nm is less than 50% the absorbance of light of wavelengths shorter than about 350 nm.

The present invention relates to an improved process for addition of hydrogen cyanide across olefins and, in particular, to the use of a specific aluminum oxide to catalyze the reaction. The aluminum oxide catalyst must have total alkali metal and/or alkaline earth metal content, measured in the form of alkali metal oxide and/or alkaline earth metal oxide, of less than 3,000 ppm by weight.

The present invention relates to an improved process for addition of hydrogen cyanide across olefins and, in particular, to the use of a specific aluminum oxide to catalyze the reaction. The aluminum oxide catalyst must have total alkali metal and/or alkaline earth metal content, measured in the form of alkali metal oxide and/or alkaline earth metal oxide, of less than 3,000 ppm by weight.

A transesterification catalyst that is heterogeneous and a method for preparing said transesterification catalyst are provided. The catalyst can be used in a variety of transesterification reactor configurations including CSTR (continuous stirred tank reactors), ebullated (or ebullating) beds or any other fluidized bed reactors, and PFR (plug flow, fixed bed reactors). The catalyst can be used for manufacturing commercial grade biodiesel, biolubricants and glycerin.

A transesterification catalyst that is heterogeneous and a method for preparing said transesterification catalyst are provided. The catalyst can be used in a variety of transesterification reactor configurations including CSTR (continuous stirred tank reactors), ebullated (or ebullating) beds or any other fluidized bed reactors, and PFR (plug flow, fixed bed reactors). The catalyst can be used for manufacturing commercial grade biodiesel, biolubricants and glycerin.

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.

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.