A method of producing hydrogen gas comprising: hydrolyzing sodium borohydride (NaBH.sub.4) with water at a temperature of from 20 to 75 C. in the presence of a nanocomposite catalyst. The method is characterized in that the ratio by weight of sodium borohydride to the nanocomposite catalyst is from 1:1 to 5:1. Further, the nanocomposite catalyst comprises graphite sheet particles on which are disposed nanorods of -MnO.sub.2 and nanoparticles of MgO.

The invention relates to a method of regenerating the catalytic activity of a spent catalyst comprising nickel on a refractory oxide support, said method comprising the steps of contacting the spent catalyst with a nitric acid solution, heat-treating the spent catalyst, calcining and reducing the catalyst.

The invention relates to a method of regenerating the catalytic activity of a spent catalyst comprising nickel on a refractory oxide support, said method comprising the steps of contacting the spent catalyst with a nitric acid solution, heat-treating the spent catalyst, calcining and reducing the catalyst.

A shaped catalyst body for heterogeneously catalyzed reactions of organic compounds in the gas-phase in fixed-bed reactors, containing an element from group 3 to 12 of the Periodic Table of the Elements, and having a three-lobed structure with a lateral surface around the lobes, a top cover and a bottom cover, as well as three continuous holes running from one cover side to the other cover side, wherein each hole is assigned to one lobe and wherein the cover sides have outwardly shaped arches, its production and a process for its use in the heterogeneously catalyzed reaction of an organic compound in the gas phase.

A shaped catalyst body for heterogeneously catalyzed reactions of organic compounds in the gas-phase in fixed-bed reactors, containing an element from group 3 to 12 of the Periodic Table of the Elements, and having a three-lobed structure with a lateral surface around the lobes, a top cover and a bottom cover, as well as three continuous holes running from one cover side to the other cover side, wherein each hole is assigned to one lobe and wherein the cover sides have outwardly shaped arches, its production and a process for its use in the heterogeneously catalyzed reaction of an organic compound in the gas phase.

A method of manufacturing a clay-supported catalyst is provided. The method includes adding halloysite nanotubular (HNT) in water to form an HNT-water mixture, adding Ni precursor salt in water to form a Ni salt solution, adding the Ni salt solution to the HNT-water mixture to form a Ni-HNT mixture, and heating the Ni-HNT mixture at a predetermined temperature for a predetermined time to form a Ni-HINT catalyst. The HNT serves as a catalyst support.

A method of manufacturing a clay-supported catalyst is provided. The method includes adding halloysite nanotubular (HNT) in water to form an HNT-water mixture, adding Ni precursor salt in water to form a Ni salt solution, adding the Ni salt solution to the HNT-water mixture to form a Ni-HNT mixture, and heating the Ni-HNT mixture at a predetermined temperature for a predetermined time to form a Ni-HINT catalyst. The HNT serves as a catalyst support.

A catalyst suitable for use in carbon oxide conversion reactions is provided. The catalyst is in the form of a shaped unit formed from an oxidic catalyst powder and contains 30-70% by weight of copper oxide, zinc oxide, alumina and silica. The catalyst has a Si:Al atomic ratio in the range 0.005:1 to 0.15:1, 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.

A catalyst suitable for use in carbon oxide conversion reactions is provided. The catalyst is in the form of a shaped unit formed from an oxidic catalyst powder and contains 30-70% by weight of copper oxide, zinc oxide, alumina and silica. The catalyst has a Si:Al atomic ratio in the range 0.005:1 to 0.15:1, 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.

A catalyst for decomposition of ammonia, and a method for decomposition of ammonia in which a decomposition reaction of ammonia is performed in the presence of the catalyst, the catalyst including a carrier, and catalytically active components supported on the carrier, where the catalytically active components include i) ruthenium (Ru) as first metal; ii) lanthanum (La) as second metal: and iii) one or more of aluminum (Al) and Cerium (Ce) as third metal, and the catalyst has a porosity of 25% or more. The catalyst exhibits very high ammonia conversion rates, has little pressure difference between the front end and back end of the reactor, has high catalyst strength, and catalyst layer temperature difference is very small.