Filtering medium and method for contacting solids containing feeds for chemical reactors

Abstract

A filtering medium and method for removing contaminants from an organic-based feed stream that includes the use of a layer of ceramic filter units having a plurality of elliptical or trisoidal openings extending therethrough to filter organic-based feed streams and to provide liquid distribution upstream of the catalyst beds.

1 . A catalyst composition which comprises a ceramic foam material interspersed between solid catalyst particles.  
   
   
       2 . The catalyst composition of  claim 1 , wherein the ceramic foam material is comprised of a silicon carbide composition.  
   
   
       3 . The catalyst composition of  claim 1 , wherein the ceramic foam material is in the shape of hollow cubes.  
   
   
       4 . The catalyst composition of  claim 1 , wherein the porosity of the ceramic foam material is in the range of from 10 to 800 pores per linear inch.  
   
   
       5 . The catalyst composition of  claim 4 , wherein the porosity is within the range of 10 to 80 pores per linear inch.  
   
   
       6 . The catalyst composition of  claim 4 , wherein the porosity is in the range of 10 to 30 pores per linear inch.  
   
   
       7 . The catalyst composition of  claim 1 , wherein the void space in the ceramic foam material ranges from about 80 to about 85 volume %.  
   
   
       8 . The catalyst composition of  claim 7 , wherein the void space is about 85 volume %.  
   
   
       9 . The catalyst composition of  claim 1 , wherein the crush strength of the ceramic foam material ranges from 100 to 600 lbs/sq. inch.  
   
   
       10 . The catalyst composition of  claim 9 , wherein the crush strength of the ceramic foam material ranges from 400 to 500 lbs/sq. inch.  
   
   
       11 . The catalyst composition of  claim 1 , wherein the percentage of ceramic foam material in the mixture, based on volume, ranges from 20 to 60%.  
   
   
       12 . The catalyst composition of  claim 1 , wherein the solid catalyst particles comprise diatomaceous earth.  
   
   
       13 . The catalyst composition of  claim 1 , wherein the solid catalyst particles comprise a solid phosphoric acid catalyst.  
   
   
       14 . The catalyst composition of  claim 13 , wherein the solid catalyst particles comprise a diatomaceous earth impregnated with phosphoric acid.