Decontamination of process streams

1. A process unit assembly comprising:

(a) a non-reactive vessel located upstream of a process unit in which a contaminated process stream can be processed, the non-reactive vessel having a plurality of reticulated elements randomly packed and contained therein, the reticulated elements having a pore distribution range of about 4 to 800 pores per linear inch, thereby providing a void space between a substantial number of the reticulated elements to enhance filtration of contaminants within the contaminated process stream on a surface of the plurality of reticulated elements so that when the contaminated process stream contacts a substantial number of the plurality of reticulated elements contaminants within the contaminated process stream are substantially removed in a non-reactive manner, thereby producing a substantially decontaminated process stream; and

(b) a process unit located downstream of the vessel for processing the substantially decontaminated process stream.

2. The process unit assembly of claim 1 , wherein the reticulated elements comprise a material selected from the group consisting of a ceramic material, a metallic material, a plasma deposition material, a carbonaceous material, and a chemical vapor deposition material.

3. The process unit assembly of claim 1 , wherein the reticulated elements are formed from a material selected from the group consisting of a foam material and a monolithic material.

4. The process unit assembly of claim 1 , wherein the downstream process unit is selected from the group consisting of a chemical reactor, a distillation column, a tail gas treater, an incinerator, a tank, a vessel, a heat exchanger, a furnace, a packaging facility, a pipeline, a catalytic process unit, an extractor, a scrubber, a boiler, a reboiler, a separator, a cooling tower, and a condenser.