Abstract: A process for performing reactions in a liquid-solid catalyst slurry where feed gases pass continuously upward through the slurry bed contained in a reactor vessel and operating at elevated temperature and pressure; convening the gases to liquid and vaporous products; withdrawing the liquid products through a shaped-wire filter element having precise slit openings in the range between 0.5 and 100 microns; and exiting from the bed and then from the top of the reactor vaporous products formed in the slurry and any unreacted gas. The filter element retains in the bed the solid catalyst particles larger than the slit width. The liquid is withdrawn to an accumulator external to the reactor vessel. The accumulator and the liquid chamber inside the filter element have unrestricted venting to the space above the expanded slurry bed. Liquid is withdrawn from the accumulator, while holding a suitable fixed level. The filter system neither plugs nor forms a cake during sustained operation.

Abstract: A wire filter element having slit openings of between 0.5 and 100 microns, and a method of manufacturing the filter element are disclosed. The filter element includes a plurality of generally parallel spaced elongated filter wire members having a trapezoidal cross-sectional shape, or rectangular cross-sectional shape separating pairs of trapezoidal shaped filter wires. Laterally extending support bars secure the filter wire in place. Ridges are formed on one side of the trapezoidal filter wires and on both sides of the rectangular filter wires. The ridges have lateral dimensions the same as the desired slit openings between adjacent filter wires. The filter wires are secured in place with the ridges engaging the upper side portions of adjacent filter wires. The ridges may be permanently fixed with the filter wires or removable after the filter wires are secured in place to define the slit openings.

Abstract: An apparatus for and method of pumping hot, erosive slurry of coal solids in a coal derived, water immiscible liquid to higher pressure involves the use of a motive fluid which is miscible with the liquid of the slurry. The apparatus includes a pump 12, a remote check valve 14 and a chamber 16 between and in fluid communication with the pump 12 and check valve 14 through conduits 18,20. Pump 12 exerts pressure on the motive fluid and thereby on the slurry through a concentration gradient of coal solids within chamber 16 to alternately discharge slurry under pressure from the outlet port of check valve 14 and draw slurry in through the inlet port of check valve 14.