The present disclosure relates to zeolite-containing catalysts useful in the transalkylation of aromatic hydrocarbons, such as the isomerization of ethylbenzene, to methods for making such catalysts, and to methods for aromatic transalkylation with such catalysts. One aspect of the disclosure provides an aromatic transalkylation catalyst that includes one or more zeolites, an inorganic binder, a transition metal catalyst, and vanadium.

The present disclosure relates to zeolite-containing catalysts useful in the transalkylation of aromatic hydrocarbons, such as the isomerization of ethylbenzene, to methods for making such catalysts, and to methods for aromatic transalkylation with such catalysts. One aspect of the disclosure provides an aromatic transalkylation catalyst that includes one or more zeolites, an inorganic binder, a transition metal catalyst, and vanadium.

The disclosure relates to an actuator based on carbon nanotubes and actuating system using the same. The actuator includes: a carbon nanotube layer and a vanadium dioxide layer stacked with each other. Because the drastic, reversible phase transition of VO.sub.2, the actuator has giant deformation amplitude and fast response. An actuating system using the actuator is also provided.

The disclosure relates to an actuator based on carbon nanotubes and actuating system using the same. The actuator includes: a carbon nanotube layer and a vanadium dioxide layer stacked with each other. Because the drastic, reversible phase transition of VO.sub.2, the actuator has giant deformation amplitude and fast response. An actuating system using the actuator is also provided.

The invention is a method and a sulfuric acid plant design for reduction of start-up SO.sub.2, SO.sub.3 and H.sub.2SO.sub.4 emissions in sulfuric acid production, in which SO2 is converted to SO.sub.3 in n successive catalyst beds, where n is an integer >1. The final catalytic beds are used as absorbents for SO.sub.2 to SO3 during the start-up procedure, and one or more of the m beds downstream the first bed are purged, either separately or simultaneously, with hot gas, where m is an integer >1 and m<n, during the previous shut-down. Also, one separate purge with hot gas is used on the final bed.

The invention is a method and a sulfuric acid plant design for reduction of start-up SO.sub.2, SO.sub.3 and H.sub.2SO.sub.4 emissions in sulfuric acid production, in which SO2 is converted to SO.sub.3 in n successive catalyst beds, where n is an integer >1. The final catalytic beds are used as absorbents for SO.sub.2 to SO3 during the start-up procedure, and one or more of the m beds downstream the first bed are purged, either separately or simultaneously, with hot gas, where m is an integer >1 and m<n, during the previous shut-down. Also, one separate purge with hot gas is used on the final bed.

Unique SCR catalyst including multiple washcoat formulations with differing performance characteristics are disclosed. One exemplary embodiment is an apparatus including a catalyst substrate defining a plurality of flow channels leading from an inlet to an outlet, a first washcoat composition distributed over a first portion of the flow channels, and a second washcoat composition distributed over a second portion of the flow channels. The first washcoat composition has a lower ammonia storage density than the second washcoat composition.

Unique SCR catalyst including multiple washcoat formulations with differing performance characteristics are disclosed. One exemplary embodiment is an apparatus including a catalyst substrate defining a plurality of flow channels leading from an inlet to an outlet, a first washcoat composition distributed over a first portion of the flow channels, and a second washcoat composition distributed over a second portion of the flow channels. The first washcoat composition has a lower ammonia storage density than the second washcoat composition.

Nanowires useful as heterogeneous catalysts are provided. The nanowire catalysts are prepared by polymer templated methods and are useful in a variety of catalytic reactions, for example, the oxidative coupling of methane to ethane and/or ethylene. Related methods for use and manufacture of the same are also disclosed.

Nanowires useful as heterogeneous catalysts are provided. The nanowire catalysts are prepared by polymer templated methods and are useful in a variety of catalytic reactions, for example, the oxidative coupling of methane to ethane and/or ethylene. Related methods for use and manufacture of the same are also disclosed.