W. L. Gore & Associates, Inc.

Marc A Plinke

Robert L Sassa

William P Mortimer, Jr

Glenn A Brinckman

Gernot G Pranghofer

Ulrich Virnich

A method of using an improved catalytic filter material for removing contaminants such as NO.sub.x from a fluid stream. The filter employs composite fibers of expanded polytetrafluoroethylene (PTFE) filled with catalytic particles. The composite fibers are chopped into staple fibers and made into a felt material. Preferably, the felt material is then laminated on at least one side with a protective microporous membrane. The combined filter removes both macro-particles, such as dust, from the filter stream before the dust can clog active catalytic sites and effectively catalytically coverts undesirable contaminants in the fluid stream to acceptable end products.

Method of using a catalytic filter

The present invention is an improved catalytic filter material for use in removing contaminants such as NO.sub.x from a fluid stream. The filter of the present invention employs composite fibers of expanded polytetrafluoroethylene (PTFE) filled with catalytic particles. The composite fibers are chopped into staple fibers and made into a felt material. Preferably, the felt material is then laminated on at least one side with a protective microporous membrane. The combined filter removes both macro-particles, such as dust, from the filter stream before the dust can clog active catalytic sites and effectively catalytically coverts undesirable contaminants in the fluid stream to acceptable end products.

Catalytic filter material and method of making same

The present invention is an improved method and apparatus for monitoring the status of particle filtration devices found in various filter units. The invention employs one or more light sources aimed across the filter units and one or more corresponding detectors that detect changes in light intensity from the light source. When a leak occurs whereby dust is released into the atmosphere around any given filter, the detectors will note a decrease in light intensity and will signal a problem. By using multiple light sources and detectors, or by getting signals from different angles from a single light source and detector, the present invention allows for quick and accurate pin-pointing of leakage problems.

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Baltimore, MD, United States of America

Marc A Plinke