Some embodiments are directed to a new methodology aimed at preparing highly N-doped mesoporous carbon macroscopic composites, and their use as highly efficient heterogeneous metal-free catalysts in a number of industrially relevant catalytic transformations.

Some embodiments are directed to a new methodology aimed at preparing highly N-doped mesoporous carbon macroscopic composites, and their use as highly efficient heterogeneous metal-free catalysts in a number of industrially relevant catalytic transformations.

Herein is disclosed a method of producing a ceramic support suitable for a catalyst, the method comprising providing a porous ceramic structure, comprising a body portion with a monomodal macropore structure, wherein the macropores comprises a first mean pore size; washcoating the porous ceramic structure using a suspension comprising oxide and/or hydroxide nanoparticles and drying and calcinating the washcoated porous ceramic structure at a temperature below the melting point of the nanoparticles. In addition, the ceramic support and its structure is disclosed.

Herein is disclosed a method of producing a ceramic support suitable for a catalyst, the method comprising providing a porous ceramic structure, comprising a body portion with a monomodal macropore structure, wherein the macropores comprises a first mean pore size; washcoating the porous ceramic structure using a suspension comprising oxide and/or hydroxide nanoparticles and drying and calcinating the washcoated porous ceramic structure at a temperature below the melting point of the nanoparticles. In addition, the ceramic support and its structure is disclosed.

A ceramic porous body including: skeleton portions including an aggregate and at least one bonding material; and pore portions formed between the skeleton portions, the pore portions being capable of allowing a fluid to flow therethrough, wherein the pore portions have a pore volume ratio of pores having a pore diameter of from 10 to 15 μm, of from 4 to 17%.

A ceramic porous body including: skeleton portions including an aggregate and at least one bonding material; and pore portions formed between the skeleton portions, the pore portions being capable of allowing a fluid to flow therethrough, wherein the pore portions have a pore volume ratio of pores having a pore diameter of from 10 to 15 μm, of from 4 to 17%.

An electrically heating converter includes: a pillar shaped honeycomb structure made of conductive ceramics, including: an outer peripheral wall; and a partition wall disposed on an inner side of the outer peripheral wall, the partition wall defining a plurality of cells, each of the cells penetrating from one end face to other end face to form a flow path; metal electrodes; a pressing member configured to press each of the metal electrodes against the pillar shaped honeycomb structure, so that the pillar shaped honeycomb structure is electrically connected to each of the metal electrodes; and an antioxidant material of (i) or (ii) below: (i) an antioxidant material provided between the pillar shaped honeycomb structure and each of the metal electrodes, or (ii) an antioxidant material provided from a surface of the pillar shaped honeycomb structure over an outer surface of each of the metal electrodes.

An electrically heating converter includes: a pillar shaped honeycomb structure made of conductive ceramics, including: an outer peripheral wall; and a partition wall disposed on an inner side of the outer peripheral wall, the partition wall defining a plurality of cells, each of the cells penetrating from one end face to other end face to form a flow path; metal electrodes; a pressing member configured to press each of the metal electrodes against the pillar shaped honeycomb structure, so that the pillar shaped honeycomb structure is electrically connected to each of the metal electrodes; and an antioxidant material of (i) or (ii) below: (i) an antioxidant material provided between the pillar shaped honeycomb structure and each of the metal electrodes, or (ii) an antioxidant material provided from a surface of the pillar shaped honeycomb structure over an outer surface of each of the metal electrodes.

The present invention relates to a simple process for regenerating a hydroformylation catalyst consisting of a heterogenized catalyst system on a support consisting of a porous ceramic material. The invention also relates to a process for the start-up of the hydroformylation reaction after regeneration according to the invention.

A method 10 for processing hydrocarbons for recycling includes the steps of: a) heating solid and/or liquid hydrocarbons in a chamber 16 in the absence of air, to convert at least some of the hydrocarbons into hydrocarbon gas; b) reacting the hydrocarbon gas in a reactor 20 or conduit with a catalyst 22 including a transition metal or transition metal salt, and a carbide, to break the hydrocarbon gas down into hydrocarbon products; and c) collecting the hydrocarbon products or conveying the hydrocarbon products elsewhere for use.