| abstract |
A three dimensional interstitial catalyst support and a catalyst system comprising the support for use in (specially pressure-sensitive) surface reactions involving disturbed fluid flow, especially trickle feed three phase reactions such as the hydrogenation of crotonaldehyde or butyraldehyde. The support comprises a three dimensional self-supporting form-stable interstitial (preferably knitted) wire (11, 23) structure (5, 20) in which the volume of the interstices (4a, 9a, 25, 26) is from 60 to 98 (preferably at least 85) % of the volume of the structure (5, 20). The combination of the use of wire, form-stability and an open structure allows c.sturbance to be imparted by the catalyst system with less risk of blockages, flooding or damage by attrition and hence less need to increase pressure during a reaction which is undesirable in pressure-sensitive reactions. Also a method for making the structures (5, 20) by rolling up wire cloth (1), compressing it to the pre-determined volume and annealing. Also the use of the catalysts in disturbed fluid/solid/catalysed reactions. |