This invention provides a method for catalytic conversion of carbohydrates to low-carbon diols using alloy catalysts. In the process, carbohydrates as the feedstock are subjected to one-step catalytic conversion to realize the highly efficient and selective production of ethylene glycol etc. under hydrothermal conditions, with an alloy catalyst composed of tin, and a transition metal such as iron, cobalt, nickel, rhodium, ruthenium, palladium, iridium, platinum and copper, or a mixture thereof. The reaction is carried out in water at a temperature range of 120-300 C., with a hydrogen pressure range of 1-13 MPa. Compared with the present petroleum based synthesis technology of ethylene glycol, the method in this invention possesses advantages of using renewable feedstock, high atom economy and environmental friendly. Besides, compared with other technologies using biomass as feedstock to produce ethylene glycol, the alloy catalyst in this invention possesses the advantages of few leaching amount, good hydrothermal stability and easy to recycle.

Embodiments of the present invention include a filter element for decomposing contaminants including a substrate, and a photocatalytic composition comprising at least a photocatalyst and a co-catalyst. The embodiments of the present invention also includes a system for decomposing contaminants including a substrate, and a photocatalytic composition comprising at least a photocatalyst and a co-catalyst; and a method using the system.

Embodiments of the present invention include a filter element for decomposing contaminants including a substrate, and a photocatalytic composition comprising at least a photocatalyst and a co-catalyst. The embodiments of the present invention also includes a system for decomposing contaminants including a substrate, and a photocatalytic composition comprising at least a photocatalyst and a co-catalyst; and a method using the system.

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.

The invention relates to a supported catalyst that comprises an oxide substrate that is for the most part calcined aluminum and an active phase that comprises nickel, with the nickel content being between 5 and 65% by weight of said element in relation to the total mass of the catalyst, with said active phase not comprising a metal from group VIB, the nickel particles having a diameter that is less than or equal to 20 nm, said catalyst having a median mesopore diameter of between 8 nm and 25 nm, a median macropore diameter of greater than 200 nm, a mesopore volume that is measured by mercury porosimetry that is greater than or equal to 0.30 mL/g, and a total pore volume that is measured by mercury porosimetry that is greater than or equal to 0.34 mL/g. The invention also relates to the method for preparation of said catalyst and its use in a hydrogenation method.

The invention relates to a supported catalyst that comprises an oxide substrate that is for the most part calcined aluminum and an active phase that comprises nickel, with the nickel content being between 5 and 65% by weight of said element in relation to the total mass of the catalyst, with said active phase not comprising a metal from group VIB, the nickel particles having a diameter that is less than or equal to 20 nm, said catalyst having a median mesopore diameter of between 8 nm and 25 nm, a median macropore diameter of greater than 200 nm, a mesopore volume that is measured by mercury porosimetry that is greater than or equal to 0.30 mL/g, and a total pore volume that is measured by mercury porosimetry that is greater than or equal to 0.34 mL/g. The invention also relates to the method for preparation of said catalyst and its use in a hydrogenation method.

The invention relates to a process for producing a product gas comprising acetonitrile and/or hydrogen cyanide from a feed stream comprising ammonia and methanol over a solid catalyst comprising a support, a first metal and a second metal on the support, wherein the first metal and the second metal are in the form of a chemical compound, wherein the first metal is Fe, Ru or Co and the second metal is Sn, Zn, or Ge. The pressure is ambient pressure or higher and the temperature lies in a range from about 400 C. to about 700 C. Thus, the process for producing acetonitrile and/or hydrogen cyanide from ammonia and methanol may be catalyzed by a single catalyst and may be carried out in a single reactor. The invention also relates to a catalyst, a method for activating a catalyst and use of a catalyst for catalysing production of acetonitrile and/or hydrogen cyanide from ammonia and methanol.

The invention relates to a process for producing a product gas comprising acetonitrile and/or hydrogen cyanide from a feed stream comprising ammonia and methanol over a solid catalyst comprising a support, a first metal and a second metal on the support, wherein the first metal and the second metal are in the form of a chemical compound, wherein the first metal is Fe, Ru or Co and the second metal is Sn, Zn, or Ge. The pressure is ambient pressure or higher and the temperature lies in a range from about 400 C. to about 700 C. Thus, the process for producing acetonitrile and/or hydrogen cyanide from ammonia and methanol may be catalyzed by a single catalyst and may be carried out in a single reactor. The invention also relates to a catalyst, a method for activating a catalyst and use of a catalyst for catalysing production of acetonitrile and/or hydrogen cyanide from ammonia and methanol.

Embodiments of the present invention include a filter element for decomposing contaminants including a substrate, and a photocatalytic composition comprising at least a photocatalyst. The embodiments of the present invention also includes a system for decomposing contaminants including a substrate, and a photocatalytic composition comprising at least a photocatalyst; and a method using the system.

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.