Monolithic catalytic converter having fluidized abrasive particles bed for maintaining catalyst activity

Claim 1

A catalytic reactor for purifying exhaust gases including: a vertically disposed chamber having a bed of abrasive particles in the bottom thereof; a first porous screen for supporting the particles; a catalytic structure above the particles and mounted in the chamber, said structure having vertical passages defining substantially vertical catalytic surfaces, each of said vertical passages extending from the bottom of said structure to the top thereof and providing for the unimpeded flow of gases therethrough, the abrasive particles being substantially smaller than the passages for movement of the particles vertically in both directions in the passages; a second porous screen at the top of said catalytic structure for preventing loss of said particles from said reactor; the bottom end of the catalytic structure being spaced above the top surface of the bed of particles to leave a clearance space therebetween; and said reactor having an inlet located below said first porous screen and an outlet at the top of the reactor above the top of said second porous screen for passing exhaust gases upwardly through the bed and through the catalytic structure for purifying said exhaust gas and fluidizing said bed such that the particles abrade the catalytic surfaces.