Apparatus for removing pyrophoric catalyst

Abstract

Spent pyrophoric reaction catalyst from a reaction mixture is removed safely, cheaply, and rapidly using a single plate pressure filter. After hydrogenation, the reaction mixture is decanted, the desired hydrogenation product is removed, and catalyst-rich material which settles at the bottom of the vessel is delivered to a single plate pressure filter fitted with a filter bag 40 of permeable material. The spent catalyst is retained in the filter bag 40 and stored under water awaiting recovery. The filter apparatus 1 comprises a container having a domed base 2, a generally cylindrical sidewall 3 terminating in an upper rim 4 closed by a lid 5 having lifting lugs 6. The lid 5 is fixed in pressure-tight engagement with the sidewall 3 by flange engaging screw clamps 7 and an embedded polytetrafluoroethene gasket 8. The filter bag 40 is held in position by a band 11 and may be readily released for removal of the spent catalyst material. The bag 40 may be reused.

Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.