In 2000, numerous applied programs of scientific research carried out by the Ministry of Education of the Russian Federation were united into one super-program "Scientific Research of Higher School in Priority Directions of Science and Technology". A new Regulation on the formation of the program was adopted and the scheme of scientific activity management was significantly changed. At present the program consists of 11 subprograms: "Production Technologies", "New Materials", "Chemistry and Chemical Products", "Technologies of Living Systems", "Transportation", "Fuel and Energy", "Ecology and Environmental Management", "Electronics", "Innovations", "Quality", "Architecture and Construction". This list of subprograms almost explicitly includes nine areas from the list of research and development activities, the financing of which at the expense of a portion of profit is taken into account for taxation.
The processes of hydrocarbon oxidation in a gas medium with a catalyst have been studied. Specific properties of heat and mass transfer of swirling flow of optically active medium consisting of hydrocarbon low-concentration components and air bilaterally irradiated with IR light are shown. Experimental results show that this method of gas purification has high technological and economic efficiency. The design of a new highly efficient multi-tube unit for oxidation of hydrocarbon low-concentration components, developed in accordance with the latest achievements of technology, which can be used in various industries, is proposed.