Modern ideas about the mechanism of catalytic isomerization of α-pinene are discussed. Catalytic systems, modifiers, process conditions and their influence on catalyst activity and selectivity in the reaction of primary products (camphene, dipentene) are considered. Studying the process of α-pinene isomerization on Belarusian natural aluminosilicate (Al–Si RB), including activated by HCl and H3PO4, and modified diatomite (Al/Dia) and bentonite (ZSM-5/Ben). Industrial aluminosilicate catalyst AC-36 used as a benchmark. Al–Si RB was treated for 3 hours at 50 °C by 50–250 ml/g 10 % HCl and 50–100 ml/g 10 % H3PO4. α-pinene was isomerizated in three-necked flask with reflux at a speed of mixer 10 turns per second streaming by nitrogen. The highest catalytic activity and selectivity for camphene is observed on Al– Si RB treated by 50 ml/g HCl. Activated Al–Si RB 85 % probability of α-pinene conversion is achieved at 130 °C, catalyst concentration 0,5 wt.% in 5,5 h, on AC-36 – in 7 hours. On Al–Si RB treated by 50 ml/g HCl the selectivity to camphene is 61 %, which is ~ 20 and ~ 10 % higher than in the AC-36 and Al/Dia respectively. The catalytic activity of Al–Si RB is still 70 hours and completely restored by acetone regeneration.

Disclosure of cycles of naphthenic and aromatic compounds considered in recent years as one of the ways to improve the quality of motor fuels. In the gasoline the disclosure of monocyclic compounds such as di-and trialkylcyclohexanes allows to produce a high-octane components – C7–C10 isoparaffins, in the case of diesel fuels containing significant amounts of bi-and polycyclic compounds such as triatomic derivatives like naphthalene (decalin), phenanthrene, indane, etc. it will receive a monocyclic compounds and alkanes, which could reduce the freezing temperature of the fuel, and in the case of a linear alkanes predominantly – to improve the cetane number. We made a brief analysis of available data on the disclosure of cyclic compounds on oxide and zeolite deposited catalysts.

There is presentation of results of studies of the catalytic properties Ni/Al2O3 composites deposited on the ceramic honeycomb structure of the synthetic cordierite matrix block, in the oxidative conversion of methane. The tests of the pre-reduced catalyst were carried out in the flow type reactor (composition of the reaction mixture during the oxidation of methane 2–6 % CH4, 2–9 % O2 and Ar, with carbon dioxide and oxy carbon dioxide conversion of methane 2–6 % CH4, 6–12 % CO2, 0–4 % O2 and Ar). Physicochemical studies included a control of carbon formation and the oxidation, bond strength of Ni–O, the phase composition of samples on a diffractometer HZG-4C. The authors have shown that structured Ni–Al-catalysts are significantly higher than traditional granular contacts in catalytic performance in carbon dioxide conversion of methane. Increase of the stability of their performance is achieved by regulation of acid-base properties of the surface with the introduction of alkali metal oxide (Na, K), due to the slowdown of surface cocking. Established that the oxides of rare-earth metals with a low redox potential (La2O3, CeO2) increases the activity and stability of the Ni–Al2O3/cordierite catalysts in the reactions of deep and partial oxidation of carbon dioxide and methane conversion. In the presence of a catalyst (NiO + La2O3 + Al2O3)/cordierite the carbon dioxide methane conversion process can be intensified by oxygen introducing into the reaction gas mixture, which leads to lower of temperatures to achieve high conversion and no effect on the selectivity of H2.

For the first time the authors summarized published over the last 15–20 years, information on the synthesis and the main indicators of quality – the degree of crystallinity, adsorption capacity of H2O, RSH, H2S, CO2 and C6H6, as well as the mechanical strength of zeolites A and X without a binder, which granules are uniform aggregates of crystals. The ways for their synthesis are considered. A comparison of these indicators of crystalline aluminosilicate micro-, meso-and macroporous materials with zeolite adsorbents with bonding materials. It is shown that granulated zeolites A and X without a binder in the adsorption capacity and mechanical strength are superior to analogues with binding materials, widely used in adsorption processes. Most of the developed methods for preparing of these zeolite materials had pilot testing, and some have already been introduced at «Salavat Catalyst Plant» (Synthetic Zeolites: NaA-BS STO 05766575-109-2008, KA-BS TU 2161-126-05766575-2005) , at «Ishimbai specialized chemical plant of catalysts» [CaA-V (5A), TU 2163-004-05766557-97, zeolite KA-I (improved) (3A), TU 2163-006-05766557-98, zeolite NaA-I (improved ) (4A), TU 2163-003-05766557-97] and at «Plant of molecular sieves “Real Sorb”» (TU 2163-005-21742510-2004 NaA, KA-NPG TU 2163-009-21742510-2005, NPG-CaA TU 2163-006-21742510-2004). The main directions of research for this area in the near future are formulated.

Computational fluid dynamics has become an important tool in studying the processes and apparatuses of chemical technology (in particular, the proportion of papers using this method in 2010 was almost 6 % of all publications in chemical engineering publishing «Elsevier Science»). Capabilities of computational fluid dynamics are shown in three examples from different areas of chemical technology: developing a method of tubular reactor loading in natural gas steam reforming, the study of heat transfer in the reactor of vegetable fats hydrogenation at the catalyst replacing, the study of transients in the automotive converter. Verification of the computational fluid dynamics results was performed by comparison with experimental data at developing of loading method in tubular reactor as an example the solution of the catalyst particles deceleration by air flow. The obtained data are compared with the classical results of measurements of aerodynamic drag of the sphere and cylinder are a further development work on the flow past a stream of complex shape particles. The paper presents the results of survey of the fats hydrogenation reactor with the possibility of flow heating and even distribution before applying to the catalyst bed. It is shown that the design of the reactor does not provide the necessary quality of homogeneity of the reaction stream, it’s necessity to modify the heating elements. Effectiveness of computational fluid dynamics to study fast processes with chemical reaction is shown by the example of the study of transients in automotive catalytic converter (the influence of flow hydrodynamic and heat transfer on the thermal regime of the cellular catalyst particles is very difficult to investigate by experimental methods). Application of computational fluid dynamics can significantly reduce timecost to develop and optimize designs of effective catalytic reactors with a fixed, fluidized or moving bed (in particular, multi-phase reactors with stirrers), as well as mixers, adsorbers, bubblers and other apparatuses of chemical technology with moving media.

The article discusses the problem of methane post-combustion in the exhaust gases of automobile engines fueled by natural gas. In conventional converters PdO/Al2O3 catalyst is used, which main drawback is activity decreasing under the influence of water vapor that always present in exhaust gases. To increase the resistance to water vapor is prepared and investigated a series of binary catalysts PdO–MexOy/Al2O3 (Me – Co, Cu, Fe, Ni, Mn and Sn). Comparative tests under conditions simulating the process of methane post-combustion in the automotive converters have shown that Pd-catalysts promoted with oxides of nickel, cobalt and tin are more resistant to the inhibitory effect of water vapor. The stability of catalysts in the presence of water vapor caused by high PdO crystallinity and its uniform distribution over the surface of modified Al2O3. Optimization of quantity and route of promoters adding will almost completely eliminate the deactivation of Pd-catalysts under the influence of water vapor.

In «NIAP-KATALIZATOR» company the production technology of supports for reforming catalysts by slip casting under pressure is developed. This technology made possible not only to expand the possibility to produce supports of different complex geometrical shapes, but also to produce supports on the basis of pure aluminum oxide (α-Al2O3) without calcium and magnesium supplements, providing increased stability of a catalyst for even in adverse conditions. The article presents the results of development and commercial exploitation of NIAP-03-01 – a catalyst for natural gas conversion with cylinders with seven holes and biconvex ends granules shape, and NIAP-03-01SH – a new generation catalyst with of granules in the form of perforated balls, which use in the industry offers significant promise in enhancing productivity and techno-economic performance in methane steam reforming in tubular furnaces.

From June 21 to June 24, 2011, the 11th Moscow International Oil and Gas Exhibition (MIOGE-2011) was held at the Expo Center. Simultaneously with the exhibition, the 9th Russian Oil and Gas Congress (RPGC-2011) was held. The organizer is the international group of companies "ITE", the main partner of the exhibition and congress was the Ministry of Energy of the Russian Federation. The exhibition area covered almost the entire Expo Center complex on Krasnaya Presnya. All areas of the fuel and energy complex were presented: geology and geophysics, oil and gas production, transportation and storage, oil and gas processing, automation and instrumentation, environmental and industrial safety. About 1000 companies from 40 countries of the world took part in the exhibition.