To provide a functional structural body that can realize ong life time by suppressing the decline in function of the functional substance and that can attempt to save resources without requiring a complicated replacement operation, and to provide a method for making the functional structural body. The functional structural body (1) includes a skeletal body (10) of a porous structure composed of a zeolite-type compound, and at least one functional substance (20) present in the skeletal body (10), the skeletal body (10) has channels (11) connecting with each other, and the functional substance is present at least the channels (11) of the skeletal body (10).

To provide a highly active structured catalyst for methanol reforming that suppresses the decline in catalytic function and has excellent catalytic function, and a methanol reforming device. A structured catalyst for methanol reforming, including: a support of a porous structure composed of a zeolite-type compound; and a catalytic substance present in the support, in which the support has channels communicating with each other, and the catalytic substance is present at least in the channels of the support.

A functional structural body includes a skeletal body of a porous structure composed of a zeolite-type compound, and at least one type of metallic nanoparticles present in the skeletal body, the skeletal body having channels connecting with each other, the metallic nanoparticles being present at least in the channels of the skeletal body.

Process for preparing a hydrocracking catalyst carrier which process comprises subjecting a carrier comprising an amorphous binder and zeolite Y having a silica to alumina molar ratio of at least 10 to calcination at a temperature of from 700 to 900 C., hydrocracking catalyst carrier comprising amorphous binder and zeolite Y having a silica to alumina molar ratio of at least 10, the infrared spectrum of which catalyst has a peak at 3690 cm.sup.1, substantially reduced peaks at 3630 cm.sup.1 and 3565 cm.sup.1 and no peak at 3600 cm.sup.1, hydrocracking catalyst carrier comprising an amorphous binder and zeolite Y having a silica to alumina molar ratio of at least 10, which catalyst has an acidity as measured by exchange with perdeuterated benzene of at most 20 micromole/gram, hydrocracking catalyst derived from such carrier and hydrocracking process with the help of such catalyst.

According to one or more embodiments described, a zeolite supported catalyst may be synthesized by a process that includes combining a colloidal mixture with a metal oxide support material to form a support precursor material, processing the support precursor material to form a support material, and impregnating the support material with one or more metals to form the zeolite supported catalyst. The colloidal mixture may include nano-sized zeolite crystals, and the nano-sized zeolite crystals may have an average size of less than 100 nm.

To provide a structured catalyst for catalytic cracking or hydrodesulfurization that suppresses decline in catalytic activity, achieves efficient catalytic cracking, and allows simple and stable obtaining of a substance to be modified. The structured catalyst for catalytic cracking or hydrodesulfurization (1) includes a support (10) of a porous structure composed of a zeolite-type compound and at least one type of metal oxide nanoparticles (20) present in the support (10), in which the support (10) has channels (11) that connect with each other, the metal oxide nanoparticles (20) are present at least in the channels (11) of the support (10), and the metal oxide nanoparticles (20) are composed of a material containing any one or two more of the oxides of Fe, Al, Zn, Zr, Cu, Co, Ni, Ce, Nb, Ti, Mo, V, Cr, Pd, and Ru.

Cluster-supporting catalyst having an improved heat resistivity, and method for producing the same are provided. The cluster-supporting catalyst includes boron-substitute zeolite particles, and catalyst metal clusters supported within the pores of the boron-substitute zeolite particles. The method for producing a cluster-supporting catalyst, includes the following steps: providing a dispersion liquid containing a dispersion medium and boron-substitute zeolite particles dispersed in the dispersion medium; and in the dispersion liquid, forming catalyst metal clusters having a positive charge, and supporting the catalyst metal clusters on the acid sites within the pores of the boron-substitute zeolite particles through an electrostatic interaction.

The invention relates to a method for optimizing layered catalytic processes. This is accomplished by testing various catalysts with a compound found in a feedstock to be tested, to determine the facility of the catalyst in hydrogenating, hydrosulfurizing, or hydrodenitrogenating the molecule, and hence the feedstock. In a preferred embodiment, the Double Bond Equivalence of the feedstock and molecule are determined, and catalysts are pre-selected based upon their known ability to work with materials of this DBE value. In preferred embodiments, the layered catalysts include a demetallization catalyst, used before hydrocracking. In additional preferred embodiments, the test feedstock contains 500 ppmw or less asphaltenes, preferably C.sub.5-asphaltenes.

Provided is a NaY molecular sieve and a method for preparing the NaY molecular sieve, an HY molecular sieve and a method for preparing the HY molecular sieve, a hydrocracking catalyst, and a hydrocracking method. The average grain diameter of the NaY molecular sieve is 2-5 m, and the sum of pore volumes of pores in 1-10 nm diameter accounts for 70-90% of the total pore volume of the NaY molecular sieve. The HY molecular sieve obtained from the large-grain NaY molecular sieve can be used as an acidic component in the hydrocracking catalyst. When the hydrocracking catalyst containing the HY molecular sieve is applied in the hydrocracking reaction of heavy oils that contain macromolecules, it can provide better cracking activity and product selectivity in the hydrocracking reaction.

Disclosed herein is a process for producing para-xylene comprising the steps of: (a) contacting a feedstock comprising toluene with a first catalyst under effective vapor phase toluene disproportionation conditions to disproportionate said toluene and produce a first product comprising benzene, unreacted toluene and greater than equilibrium amounts of para-xylene; and (b) contacting a feedstock comprising C.sub.9+ aromatic hydrocarbons and benzene with a second catalyst in the presence of 0 wt. % or more of hydrogen having a 0 to 10 hydrogen/hydrocarbon molar ratio under effective C.sub.9+ transalkylation conditions to transalkylate said C.sub.9+ aromatic hydrocarbons and produce a second product comprising xylenes.