A catalyst bed includes a structure defining a plurality of channels configured to receive flow of fluid to be chemically catalyzed. The plurality of channels are oriented at least partially non-parallel to an overall flow direction of the flow from inputs of the plurality of channels to outputs of the plurality of channels. A catalyst is exposed at an exterior of the structure.

A method for producing a catalyst or catalyst precursor is described including: applying a slurry of a particulate catalyst compound in a carrier fluid to an additive layer manufactured support structure to form a slurry-impregnated support, and drying and optionally calcining the slurry-impregnated support to form a catalyst or catalyst precursor. The mean particle size (D50) of the particulate catalyst compound in the slurry is in the range 1-50 μm and the support structure has a porosity ≧0.02 ml/g.

A method for producing a catalyst or catalyst precursor is described including: applying a slurry of a particulate catalyst compound in a carrier fluid to an additive layer manufactured support structure to form a slurry-impregnated support, and drying and optionally calcining the slurry-impregnated support to form a catalyst or catalyst precursor. The mean particle size (D50) of the particulate catalyst compound in the slurry is in the range 1-50 μm and the support structure has a porosity ≧0.02 ml/g.

A process for producing a Fischer-Tropsch synthesis catalyst according to the present invention comprises a step of calcining a carrier precursor containing silica calcined at a temperature T.sub.1 and a zirconium compound at a temperature T.sub.2 to obtain a carrier; and a step of calcining a catalyst precursor containing the carrier and a cobalt compound and/or a ruthenium compound at a temperature T.sub.3, wherein the content of the zirconium compound in the carrier precursor is 0.01 to 7% by mass in terms of zirconium oxide based on the total mass of the catalyst, and T.sub.1, T.sub.2, and T.sub.3 satisfy conditions represented by expressions (1) to (3):
T.sub.1≧T.sub.3  (1)
250° C.≦T.sub.2≦450° C.  (2)
250° C.≦T.sub.3≦450° C.  (3).

A method consisting in depositing coating of a semiconductor such as TiO.sub.2 on the surface of a substrate of activated carbon in the form of grain or powder that acts by an advanced oxidation-reduction mechanism in environmental decontamination processes, by way of a heterogeneous electrocatalysis system applying an electrical potential having a magnitude equal to or greater than that of the bandgap energy of the semiconductor, which is 3.2 eV in the case of anatase TiO.sub.2, such that an electron rises from the valence band to the conduction band, leaving in its place holes, h+, with enough oxidative capacity to be able to oxidise H.sub.2O and form OH radicals.

Synergized platinum group metals (SPGM) with ultra-low PGM loadings employed as underfloor (UF) three-way catalyst (TWC) systems with varied material compositions and configurations are disclosed. SPGM UF catalysts in which ZPGM compositions of binary and ternary spinel structures supported onto support oxides are coupled with commercialized PGM close-coupled (CC) catalysts and tested under Federal Test Procedure FTP-75 within TGDI and PI engines. The performance of the TWC systems including commercialized PGM CC and SPGM UF (with ultra-low PGM loadings) catalysts is compared to the performance of commercialized PGM CC and PGM UF catalysts. The disclosed TWC systems indicate that SPGM UF TWC catalytic performance is comparable or even exceeds high PGM-based conventional TWC catalysts, with reduced tailpipe emissions.

A lean gasoline exhaust treatment catalyst article is provided, the article comprising a catalytic material applied on a substrate, wherein the catalytic material comprises a first composition and a second composition, wherein the first and second compositions are present in a layered or zoned configuration, the first composition comprising palladium impregnated onto a porous refractory metal oxide material and rhodium impregnated onto a porous refractory metal oxide material; and the second composition comprising platinum impregnated onto a porous refractory metal oxide material. Methods of making and using such catalyst articles and the associated compositions and systems employing such catalyst articles are also described.

A process and device for reducing the environmental contaminants in a ISO 8217 compliant Feedstock Heavy Marine Fuel Oil, the process involving: mixing a quantity of the Feedstock Heavy Marine Fuel Oil with a quantity of Activating Gas mixture to give a feedstock mixture; contacting the feedstock mixture with one or more catalysts to form a Process Mixture from the feedstock mixture; separating the Product Heavy Marine Fuel Oil liquid components of the Process Mixture from the gaseous components and by-product hydrocarbon components of the Process Mixture and, discharging the Product Heavy Marine Fuel Oil. The Product Heavy Marine Fuel Oil is compliant with ISO 821 7 for residual marine fuel oils and has a sulfur level has a maximum sulfur content (ISO 14596 or ISO 8754) between the range of 0.05% wt. to 0.5% wt. The Product Heavy Marine Fuel Oil can be used as or as a blending stock for an ISO 8217 compliant, IMO MARPOL Annex VI (revised) compliant low sulfur or ultralow sulfur heavy marine fuel oil.

A process and device for reducing the environmental contaminants in a ISO 8217 compliant Feedstock Heavy Marine Fuel Oil, the process involving: mixing a quantity of the Feedstock Heavy Marine Fuel Oil with a quantity of Activating Gas mixture to give a feedstock mixture; contacting the feedstock mixture with one or more catalysts to form a Process Mixture from the feedstock mixture; separating the Product Heavy Marine Fuel Oil liquid components of the Process Mixture from the gaseous components and by-product hydrocarbon components of the Process Mixture and, discharging the Product Heavy Marine Fuel Oil. The Product Heavy Marine Fuel Oil is compliant with ISO 821 7 for residual marine fuel oils and has a sulfur level has a maximum sulfur content (ISO 14596 or ISO 8754) between the range of 0.05% wt. to 0.5% wt. The Product Heavy Marine Fuel Oil can be used as or as a blending stock for an ISO 8217 compliant, IMO MARPOL Annex VI (revised) compliant low sulfur or ultralow sulfur heavy marine fuel oil.

A nanostructured material system for efficient collection of photo-excited carriers is provided. They system comprises a plurality of plasmonic metal nitride core material elements coupled to a plurality of semiconductor material elements. The plasmonic nanostructured elements form ohmic junctions at the surface of the semiconductor material or at close proximity with the semiconductor material elements. A nanostructured material system for efficient collection of photo-excited carriers is also provided, comprising a plurality of plasmonic transparent conducting oxide core material elements coupled to a plurality of semiconductor material elements. The field enhancement, local temperature increase and energized hot carriers produced by nanostructures of these plasmonic material systems play enabling roles in various chemical processes. They induce, enhance, or mediate catalytic activities in the neighborhood when excited near the resonance frequencies.