Filter element

Abstract

The invention pertains to a filter element ( 1 ) that can be easily adapted to the respective filtration task and in which the risk of the catalytically active components separating from the filter is largely eliminated. The filter element consists of a dimensionally stable porous formed body ( 3 ), the interior of which is partially filled with a catalyst material ( 8 ) or a material ( 8 ′) that is coated with catalyst material such that a flow channel ( 10 ) remains open. It is possible to insert a perforated formed body insert ( 7, 7′, 7 ″) that causes the flow channel to remain open. The intermediate space between the formed body ( 3 ) and the formed body insert ( 7, 7′, 7″ ) is filled with a bulk catalyst material ( 8 ) or a bulk material ( 8 ′) that is coated with catalyst material.

1 . A filter element comprising a dimensionally stable porous formed body with an interior that forms a space for unfiltered fluid or a filtrate space, wherein the interior of the formed body includes a catalyst material or a material that is coated with catalyst material and an open flow channel.  
     
     
         2 . The filter element according to  claim 1 , wherein the dimensionally stable porous formed body has a wall, and further comprising a porous or perforated formed body insert which is inserted into the interior such that it is spaced apart from the wall of the dimensionally stable porous formed body and causes the flow channel to remain open, and wherein the intermediate space between the dimensionally stable porous formed body and the formed body insert is filled with the catalyst material or the material that is coated with catalyst material.  
     
     
         3 . The filter element according to  claim 2 , wherein the formed body insert comprises a ceramic material.  
     
     
         4 . The filter element according to  claim 2 , wherein the formed body insert comprises a metal.  
     
     
         5 . The filter element according to  claim 2 , wherein the formed body insert comprises a plastic.  
     
     
         6 . The filter element according to  claim 1 , further comprising a dimensionally stable dimensionally stable porous catalyst body which is inserted into the interior of the formed body, wherein said catalyst body comprises the catalyst material or the material that is coated with catalyst material and causes the flow channel ( 10 ) to remain open.  
     
     
         7 . The filter element according to  claim 1 , wherein the uncoated material comprises ceramic fibers or expanded ceramics.  
     
     
         8 . The filter element according to  claim 1 , wherein the uncoated material comprises metallic fibers or expanded metals.  
     
     
         9 . The filter element according to  claim 1 , wherein the uncoated material comprises plastic fibers or expanded plastics.  
     
     
         10 . The filter element according to  claim 2 , wherein the dimensionally stable porous formed body has a cylindrical or rectangular configuration and the interior is closed on one side, and wherein the formed body insert comprises a tube that is open on one or both sides.  
     
     
         11 . The filter element according to  claim 6 , wherein the dimensionally stable porous formed body has a cylindrical or rectangular configuration and the interior is closed on one side, and wherein the catalyst body comprises a tube that is open on one or both sides.  
     
     
         12 . The filter element according to  claim 2 , wherein the dimensionally stable porous formed body has a cylindrical configuration and the interior is open on both sides, and wherein the formed body insert comprises a tube that is open on both sides.  
     
     
         13 . The filter element according to  claim 6 , wherein the dimensionally stable porous formed body has a cylindrical configuration and the interior is open on both sides, and wherein the catalyst body comprises a tube that is open on both sides.  
     
     
         14 . The filter element according to  claim 2 , wherein the dimensionally stable porous formed body has a disk-shaped configuration and includes a peripheral wall, a bottom wall and a top wall which enclose a disk-shaped interior, wherein an inlet or outlet opening is respectively provided in the bottom wall and in the top wall, and wherein the formed body insert represents a smaller version of the disk-shaped formed body.  
     
     
         15 . The filter element according to  claim 6 , wherein the dimensionally stable porous formed body has a disk-shaped configuration and includes a peripheral wall, a bottom wall and a top wall which enclose a disk-shaped interior, wherein an inlet or outlet opening is respectively provided in the bottom wall and in the top wall, and wherein the catalyst body represents a smaller version of the disk-shaped formed body.  
     
     
         16 . The filter element according to  claim 1 , wherein the catalyst material comprises one  
     
     
         17 . The filter element according to  claim 1 , wherein the catalyst material comprises calcium aluminate.  
     
     
         18 . The filter element according to  claim 1 , wherein the catalyst material is modified with catalyst promoters.  
     
     
         19 . The filter element according to  claim 18 , wherein the catalyst material is doped with catalytically active precious metals or non-precious metals.  
     
     
         20 . The filter element according to  claim 19 , wherein the catalyst material is doped with platinum, palladium, rhodium, gold, silver, nickel, copper, manganese, vanadium, tungsten and/or cobalt.