Catalytic filtration device and method

A catalytic filtration device for separating a particulate-containing feed stock into a filtrate and a particulate-containing filter cake, which device comprises

• a monolith of porous ceramic material containing a plurality of passageways extending longitudinally from an inlet end face to an outlet end face, having a plurality of plugs in the ends of the passageways at the inlet end face and at the outlet end face to prevent direct passage of the feed stock through the passageways from the inlet end face to the outlet end face;
• a microporous ceramic membrane selected to separate the feed stock into a filtrate and particulate-containing filter cake, the membrane applied to at least the wall surfaces of the passageways open at the inlet end face and of mean pore diameter from about 0.1 micron to 5 microns;
• the device regenerable by withdrawal of the filter cake from the inlet end face of the device;
• and
• a catalyst applied to the device for catalyzing a reaction in the filtrate as it passes through the device.

A method for the preparation of a catalytic filtration device for separating a particulate-containing feed stock into a filtrate and a particulate-containing filter cake, which method comprises

• providing a monolith of porous material containing a plurality of passageways extending longitudinally from an inlet end face to an outlet end face, having a plurality of plugs in the ends of the passageways at the inlet end face and at the outlet end face to prevent direct passage of the feed stock through the passageways from the inlet end face to the outlet end face;
• applying a microporous membrane selected to separate the feed stock into a filtrate and particulate-containing filter cake to at least the wall surfaces of the passageways open at the inlet end face and of mean pore size smaller than the mean pore size of the porous material;
• and
• applying a catalyst to the device for catalyzing a reaction in the filtrate as it passes through the device.

A method for the filtration and catalytic reaction of a particulate-containing fluid feed stock which method comprises

• providing a catalytic filtration device, which device comprises
• a monolith of porous material containing a plurality of passageways extending longitudinally from an inlet end face to an outlet end face, having a plurality of plugs at the ends of the passageways at the inlet end face and at the outlet end face to prevent direct passage of the feed stock through the passageways from the inlet end face to the outlet end face;
• a microporous membrane selected to separate the feed stock into a filtrate and particulate-containing filter cake, the membrane applied to at least the wall surfaces of the passageways open at the inlet end face and of mean pore size smaller than the mean pore size of the porous material;
• a catalyst applied to the device for catalyzing a reaction in the filtrate as its passes through the device;
• introducing a fluid feed stock into the inlet end passageways of the catalytic filtration device;
• filtering the fluid feed stock by the device to provide a filtrate and a particulate-containing filter cake;
• catalyzing a reaction in the filtrate as the filtrate passes through the device;
• and regenerating the device by withdrawal of the filter cake from the inlet end face of the device.