Methods for producing ethylene using nanowires as heterogeneous catalysts are provided. The method includes, for example, an oxidative coupling of methane catalyzed by nanowires to provide ethylene.

The present invention provides a method for producing α-hydroxyisobutyric acid amide by hydration of acetone cyanohydrin under the presence of a catalyst composed mainly of manganese oxide using a reactor in which at least two reaction regions are connected in series, the method being characterized by comprising: a step (B) of cyclically supplying at least a portion of a reaction liquid withdrawn from at least one reaction region to a first reaction region (I) in the reactor; and a step (b1) of further cyclically supplying at least a portion of the reaction liquid withdrawn from at least one reaction region to at least one reaction region other than the first reaction region. The method is also characterized in that an oxidizing agent is supplied to at least one reaction region in the reactor.

The present invention provides a method for producing α-hydroxyisobutyric acid amide by hydration of acetone cyanohydrin under the presence of a catalyst composed mainly of manganese oxide using a reactor in which at least two reaction regions are connected in series, the method being characterized by comprising: a step (B) of cyclically supplying at least a portion of a reaction liquid withdrawn from at least one reaction region to a first reaction region (I) in the reactor; and a step (b1) of further cyclically supplying at least a portion of the reaction liquid withdrawn from at least one reaction region to at least one reaction region other than the first reaction region. The method is also characterized in that an oxidizing agent is supplied to at least one reaction region in the reactor.

An exhaust gas purification catalyst includes: a first catalyst unit that consists of a hydrogen generating catalyst including a noble metal and an oxide that contains lanthanum, zirconium and an additional element such as neodymium; a second catalyst unit that consists of an oxygen storage/release material and a perovskite oxide disposed in contact with the oxygen storage/release material and represented by the general formula La.sub.xM1.sub.1-xM2O.sub.3-δ, where La is lanthanum, M1 is at least one element selected from the group consisting of barium (Ba), strontium (Sr) and calcium (Ca), M2 is at least one element selected from the group consisting of iron (Fe), cobalt (Co) and manganese (Mn), x satisfies 0<x≦1, and δ satisfies 0≦δ≦1; and a holding material that holds the first catalyst unit and the second catalyst unit in a mutually separated state.

An exhaust gas purification catalyst includes: a first catalyst unit that consists of a hydrogen generating catalyst including a noble metal and an oxide that contains lanthanum, zirconium and an additional element such as neodymium; a second catalyst unit that consists of an oxygen storage/release material and a perovskite oxide disposed in contact with the oxygen storage/release material and represented by the general formula La.sub.xM1.sub.1-xM2O.sub.3-δ, where La is lanthanum, M1 is at least one element selected from the group consisting of barium (Ba), strontium (Sr) and calcium (Ca), M2 is at least one element selected from the group consisting of iron (Fe), cobalt (Co) and manganese (Mn), x satisfies 0<x≦1, and δ satisfies 0≦δ≦1; and a holding material that holds the first catalyst unit and the second catalyst unit in a mutually separated state.

Process for transformation of a feedstock of lignocellulosic biomass and/or the carbohydrates, into mono-oxidized or poly-oxidized compounds, wherein the feedstock is contacted, simultaneously, with a catalytic system that comprises one or more homogeneous catalysts selected from Brønsted acids and heterogeneous catalysts comprising at least one metal selected from groups 6 to 11 and 14 of the periodic table, and a substrate selected from perovskites of formula ABO.sub.3, in which A is Mg, Ca, Sr, Ba, and La, and B is selected from Fe, Mn, Ti and Zr, oxides of lanthanum, neodymium, yttrium, cerium, and niobium, or mixtures thereof, and mixed oxides of aluminates of zinc, copper, and cobalt, or mixtures thereof, in the same reaction chamber, with at least one solvent, being water or water with at least one other solvent, under reducing atmosphere, and temperature of 50° C. to 300° C., and pressure of 0.5 MPa to 20 MPa.

Process for transformation of a feedstock of lignocellulosic biomass and/or the carbohydrates, into mono-oxidized or poly-oxidized compounds, wherein the feedstock is contacted, simultaneously, with a catalytic system that comprises one or more homogeneous catalysts selected from Brønsted acids and heterogeneous catalysts comprising at least one metal selected from groups 6 to 11 and 14 of the periodic table, and a substrate selected from perovskites of formula ABO.sub.3, in which A is Mg, Ca, Sr, Ba, and La, and B is selected from Fe, Mn, Ti and Zr, oxides of lanthanum, neodymium, yttrium, cerium, and niobium, or mixtures thereof, and mixed oxides of aluminates of zinc, copper, and cobalt, or mixtures thereof, in the same reaction chamber, with at least one solvent, being water or water with at least one other solvent, under reducing atmosphere, and temperature of 50° C. to 300° C., and pressure of 0.5 MPa to 20 MPa.

Disclosed is method for removing carbonyl sulphide and/or carbon disulphide from a sour gas stream. The method comprises subjecting the gas stream to simultaneous contact with an absorption liquid, such as an aqueous amine solution, and with a catalyst suitable for hydrolyzing carbonyl sulphide and/or carbon disulphide. To this end, the invention also provides a reactor system wherein both an absorption liquid and a catalyst are present. In a preferred embodiment, the catalyst is a heterogeneous catalyst present on or in an absorption column, either coated on the trays of a column with trays, or contained in the packing of a packed column.

Disclosed is method for removing carbonyl sulphide and/or carbon disulphide from a sour gas stream. The method comprises subjecting the gas stream to simultaneous contact with an absorption liquid, such as an aqueous amine solution, and with a catalyst suitable for hydrolyzing carbonyl sulphide and/or carbon disulphide. To this end, the invention also provides a reactor system wherein both an absorption liquid and a catalyst are present. In a preferred embodiment, the catalyst is a heterogeneous catalyst present on or in an absorption column, either coated on the trays of a column with trays, or contained in the packing of a packed column.

The present invention describes the preparation of heterogeneous catalysts of mixed oxides based upon niobium and mixed oxides of zinc, manganese, nickel, cobalt and/or aluminum, originating from hydrotalcites (HTs) as precursor phase of heterogeneous catalysts, and application thereof in the chemical recycling of poly(ethylene terephthalate) (PET) for the production of metal free bis(hydroxy)ethylene (BHET) monomers and oligomers having a processing performance similar to that of the homogeneous catalysis system.