Composite filter aids having novel pore size characteristics

Abstract

Filter-aid materials are disclosed herein, as well as processes, systems, and methods using such filter-aid materials for filtering and removing particles and/or constituents from a fluid. Further disclosed herein are filter-aid materials and processes, systems, and methods using such filter-aid materials for filtering and removing particles and/or constituents from a fluid, wherein the filter-aid material comprises at least one composite filter-aid having novel pore size distribution and comprising at least one adsorbent component formed in-situ on at least one filtration component.

1 - 39 . (canceled) 
     
     
         40 . A composite filter aid comprising:
 at least one filtration component comprising at least one of diatomite and perlite; and   at least one adsorption component comprising precipitated silica,   said composite filter aid having a permeability ranging from 50 millidarcys to 5000 millidarcys, a BET surface area of greater than about 10 m 2 /g, and a Total Pore Area ranging from about 10 m 2 /g to about 100 m 2 /g.   
     
     
         41 . The composite filter aid of  claim 40 , wherein the composite filter aid has an Average Pore Diameter 4 V/A ranging from about 0.1 micron to about 0.5 micron. 
     
     
         42 . The composite filter aid of  claim 40 , wherein the composite filter aid has a permeability ranging from about 150 millidarcys to about 400 millidarcys. 
     
     
         43 . The composite filter aid of  claim 40 , wherein the composite filter aid has a Total Pore Area ranging from about 20 m 2 /g to about 80 m 2 /g. 
     
     
         44 . The composite filter aid of  claim 40 , wherein the composite filter aid has a median pore diameter by area ranging from 1 nm to 50 nm. 
     
     
         45 . The composite filter aid of  claim 40 , wherein the composite filter aid has a median pore diameter by volume ranging from 1 micron to 10 microns. 
     
     
         46 . The composite filter aid of  claim 40 , wherein the composite filter aid has a BET surface area ranging from about 30 m 2 /g to about 200 m 2 /g. 
     
     
         47 . The composite filter aid of  claim 40 , wherein the composite filter aid has a median particle size ranging from about 5 microns to about 40 microns. 
     
     
         48 . The composite filter aid of  claim 40 , wherein the composite filter aid has a porosity ranging from about 70% to about 95%. 
     
     
         49 . The composite filter aid of  claim 40 , wherein the at least one adsorbent component comprises from about 5% to about 40% by weight of the composite filter aid. 
     
     
         50 . A composite filter aid comprising:
 at least one filtration component and at least one adsorption component,   wherein the composite filter aid has an Average Pore Diameter 4 V/A ranging from about 0.1 micron to about 0.5 micron and a Total Pore Area ranging from about 10 m 2 /g to about 100 m 2 /g.   
     
     
         51 . The composite filter aid of  claim 50 , wherein the composite filter aid has an Average Pore Diameter 4 V/A ranging from about 0.1 micron to about 0.3 micron. 
     
     
         52 . The composite filter aid of  claim 50 , wherein the composite filter aid has a Total Pore Area ranging from about 20 m 2 /g to about 80 m 2 /g. 
     
     
         53 . The composite filter aid of  claim 50 , wherein the composite filter aid has a Total Pore Area ranging from about 30 m 2 /g to about 50 m 2 /g. 
     
     
         54 . The composite filter aid of  claim 50 , wherein the composite filter aid has a BET surface area ranging from about 30 m 2 /g to about 200 m 2 /g. 
     
     
         55 . The composite filter aid of  claim 50 , wherein the composite filter aid has a median particle size ranging from about 5 microns to about 40 microns. 
     
     
         56 . The composite filter aid of  claim 50 , wherein the composite filter aid has a permeability ranging from about 50 millidarcys to about 1000 millidarcys. 
     
     
         57 . The composite filter aid of  claim 50 , wherein the composite filter aid has a porosity ranging from about 70% to about 95%. 
     
     
         58 . The composite filter aid of  claim 50 , wherein the at least one adsorbent component comprises from about 5% to about 40% by weight of the composite filter aid. 
     
     
         59 . A composite filter aid comprising:
 at least one filtration component comprising at least one of diatomite and perlite; and   at least one adsorption component comprising precipitated silica,   said composite filter aid having a permeability ranging from 50 millidarcys to 5000 millidarcys, a BET surface area ranging from 0.5 m 2 /g to 500 m 2 /g, and a median pore diameter by area ranging from 1 nm to 50 nm.