The present invention relates to catalysts, more particularly to a cobalt-containing catalyst composition. The present invention further relates to a process for preparing a cobalt-containing catalyst precursor, a process for preparing a cobalt-containing catalyst, and a hydrocarbon synthesis process wherein such a catalyst is used. According to a first aspect of the invention, there is provided a cobalt-containing catalyst composition comprising cobalt and/or a cobalt compound supported on and/or in a silica (SiO.sub.2) catalyst support wherein the average pore diameter of the catalyst support is more than 20 nm but less than 50 nm; the catalyst composition also including a titanium compound on and/or in the catalyst support, and a manganese compound on and/or in the catalyst support.

A catalyst includes a mixed metal oxide; an alumina; silica, and calcium, where the mixed metal oxide includes Cu and at least one of Mn, Zn, Ni, or Co. Such catalysts exhibit enhanced tolerance sulfur-containing compounds and free fatty acids.

A process for the preparation of aliphatic amines, comprises reacting an aliphatic alcohol with an aminating agent in the presence of a catalyst. The catalyst contains copper oxide on a support made of porous alumina, wherein the porous alumina has a volume, corresponding to pores greater than 500 Å in diameter, of from 10 ml/100 g to 95 ml/100 g.

A process for the preparation of aliphatic amines, comprises reacting an aliphatic alcohol with an aminating agent in the presence of a catalyst. The catalyst contains copper oxide on a support made of porous alumina, wherein the porous alumina has a volume, corresponding to pores greater than 500 Å in diameter, of from 10 ml/100 g to 95 ml/100 g.

Bulk-metal crystalline catalysts for conversion of synthesis gas to olefins are described. Also described are method of making the catalyst. A bulk metal catalyst can include a first transition metal core surrounded by a silica-alkaline earth metal framework crystal lattice and includes at least one transition metal atoms bound to periphery of the framework crystal lattice. The two transition metals can be iron (Fe), cobalt (Co), manganese (Mn), rhodium (Rh), ruthenium (Ru) and combinations thereof.

The present invention relates to a method for producing hollow activated carbon nanofibers for activating peroxymonosulfate used in water purification; a catalyst for water purification comprising the hollow active carbon nanofibers produced by the method; and a method for purifying contaminated water using the catalyst. The production method of the present invention can easily produce hollow activated carbon nanofibers capable of rapidly purifying contaminated water by highly efficiently activating peroxymonosulfate used for water purification.

When the porous ceramic structure contains Co together with Fe or Mn, the Co content is higher than or equal to 0.1 mass % and lower than or equal to 3.0 mass % in terms of Co.sub.3O.sub.4, and when the porous ceramic structure contains Co without containing Fe and Mn, the Co content is higher than or equal to 0.2 mass % and lower than or equal to 6.0 mass % in terms of Co.sub.3O.sub.4. The Ce content is higher than or equal to 0.1 mass % and lower than or equal to 10 mass % in terms of CeO.sub.2. The Fe/Mn/Co ratio is higher than or equal to 0.8 and lower than or equal to 9.5. The porous ceramic structure contains more than or equal to 0.03 percent and less than or equal to 2.5 percent by mass of Zn in terms of ZnO.

When the porous ceramic structure contains Co together with Fe or Mn, the Co content is higher than or equal to 0.1 mass % and lower than or equal to 3.0 mass % in terms of Co.sub.3O.sub.4, and when the porous ceramic structure contains Co without containing Fe and Mn, the Co content is higher than or equal to 0.2 mass % and lower than or equal to 6.0 mass % in terms of Co.sub.3O.sub.4. The Ce content is higher than or equal to 0.1 mass % and lower than or equal to 10 mass % in terms of CeO.sub.2. The Fe/Mn/Co ratio is higher than or equal to 0.8 and lower than or equal to 9.5. The content of the metal oxide particles is higher than or equal to 0.3 mass % and lower than or equal to 8.0 mass %.

The invention relates to a method for elemental analysis, in particular for determining carbon and nitrogen in a sample, an apparatus suitable for said method, and the use of a catalyst suitable for said method, the catalyst being a metal oxide catalyst comprising oxides of Ce, Cu and Mn.

A catalyst for synthesizing a carbon nanotube includes a support containing a metal, and an active metal impregnated on the support. The active metal includes cobalt and manganese. A surface molar ratio of the active metal relative to the metal of the support is 40% or less of a bulk molar ratio of the active metal relative to the metal of the support. A carbon nanotube having high purity and low resistance is obtained from the catalyst.