A self-cleaning window blind includes a thin layer of photocatalytic material on at least one surface of the slats. The window blind includes an ultraviolet light source which directs ultraviolet light onto the photocatalytic material. Consequently, the window blind is not dependent on available sunlight. The ultraviolet light source is located in either the headrail or the bottom rail of the window blinds. Upon exposure to ultraviolet light, organic material on the slats which may include dust, grease, or microorganisms, is converted to carbon dioxide and water. One or both of the horizontal edges of the slats may include a lip which collects water formed by the photocatalytic reaction. In some embodiments, the slats are slightly convex. This shape may inhibit water from collecting in droplets on the slat and help direct the water towards the lip. Consequently, water spots are not created on the slats.

A metal porous body has a skeleton of a three-dimensional network structure, an outer layer portion of the skeleton having a second pore smaller in size than a first pore formed by the skeleton, wherein the outer layer portion is a metal layer, and a water vapor reforming catalyst is supported in the outer layer portion.

The present invention provides a mixed injection fluid and a corresponding method for enhancing CO.sub.2 sequestration and oil recovery, which is a method of the geothermal driven CO.sub.2 catalytic reduction for enhancing CO.sub.2 sequestration and oil recovery. In the present invention, a technical solution of the liquid nitrogen fracturing, an injection fluid injection, and the catalysis transportation and storage were adopted, which makes full use of the thermal energy of deep geothermal reservoir in combination with nano-Cu-based catalysts to activate the hydrothermal cracking reaction of crude oil and CO.sub.2 thermal reduction reaction, so to simultaneously enhance crude oil recovery and CO.sub.2 sequestration, fundamentally solving the existing problems of CO.sub.2-EOR technologies. Moreover, CO.sub.2 thermal catalytic reduction products can also work as a surfactant to accelerate the desorption crude oil from the rock surface and decrease the interfacial tension, and finally EOR.

The present invention provides a mixed injection fluid and a corresponding method for enhancing CO.sub.2 sequestration and oil recovery, which is a method of the geothermal driven CO.sub.2 catalytic reduction for enhancing CO.sub.2 sequestration and oil recovery. In the present invention, a technical solution of the liquid nitrogen fracturing, an injection fluid injection, and the catalysis transportation and storage were adopted, which makes full use of the thermal energy of deep geothermal reservoir in combination with nano-Cu-based catalysts to activate the hydrothermal cracking reaction of crude oil and CO.sub.2 thermal reduction reaction, so to simultaneously enhance crude oil recovery and CO.sub.2 sequestration, fundamentally solving the existing problems of CO.sub.2-EOR technologies. Moreover, CO.sub.2 thermal catalytic reduction products can also work as a surfactant to accelerate the desorption crude oil from the rock surface and decrease the interfacial tension, and finally EOR.

Processes for producing neopentane are disclosed herein. Processes comprise demethylating a C.sub.6-C.sub.8 alkane within a shell and tube reactor to produce a demethylation product including at least 10 wt % neopentane based on the weight of the demethylation product.

Provided is a method for preparing a diol. In the method, a saccharide and hydrogen as raw materials are contacted with a catalyst in water to prepare the diol. The employed catalyst is a composite catalyst comprised of a main catalyst and a cocatalyst, wherein the main catalyst is a water-insoluble acid-resistant alloy; and the cocatalyst is a soluble tungstate and/or soluble tungsten compound. The method uses an acid-resistant, inexpensive and stable alloy needless of a support as a main catalyst, and can guarantee a high yield of the diol in the case where the production cost is relatively low.

Provided is a method for preparing a diol. In the method, a saccharide and hydrogen as raw materials are contacted with a catalyst in water to prepare the diol. The employed catalyst is a composite catalyst comprised of a main catalyst and a cocatalyst, wherein the main catalyst is a water-insoluble acid-resistant alloy; and the cocatalyst is a soluble tungstate and/or soluble tungsten compound. The method uses an acid-resistant, inexpensive and stable alloy needless of a support as a main catalyst, and can guarantee a high yield of the diol in the case where the production cost is relatively low.

A composition comprising a ternary intermetallic compound X.sub.2YZ, wherein X, Y, and Z are different from one another; X being selected from the group consisting of Mn, Fe, Co, Ni, Cu, and Pd; Y being selected from the group consisting of Cr, Co, and Ni; and Z being selected from the group consisting of Al, Si, Ga, Ge, In, Sn, Zn, and Sb; wherein the ternary intermetallic compound is supported on a porous oxidic support material. The composition may be prepared by providing a liquid mixture of sources of X, Y, and Z, and the porous oxidic support material, removing the liquid and heating the resulting mixture in a reducing atmosphere. The composition is useful as catalyst.

A composition comprising a ternary intermetallic compound X.sub.2YZ, wherein X, Y, and Z are different from one another; X being selected from the group consisting of Mn, Fe, Co, Ni, Cu, and Pd; Y being selected from the group consisting of Cr, Co, and Ni; and Z being selected from the group consisting of Al, Si, Ga, Ge, In, Sn, Zn, and Sb; wherein the ternary intermetallic compound is supported on a porous oxidic support material. The composition may be prepared by providing a liquid mixture of sources of X, Y, and Z, and the porous oxidic support material, removing the liquid and heating the resulting mixture in a reducing atmosphere. The composition is useful as catalyst.

Provided is a method for preparing a diol. In the method, a saccharide and hydrogen as raw materials are contacted with a catalyst in water to prepare the diol. The employed catalyst is a composite catalyst comprised of a main catalyst and a cocatalyst, wherein the main catalyst is a water-insoluble acid-resistant alloy; and the cocatalyst is a soluble tungstate and/or soluble tungsten compound. The method uses an acid-resistant, inexpensive and stable alloy needless of a support as a main catalyst, and can guarantee a high yield of the diol in the case where the production cost is relatively low.