The Complete Guide to Baghouse Filtration for Your Asphalt Plant

The U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) has issued regulations that require all asphalt plants to meet emission standards if they produce more than 300 tons of product per year. Asphalt plants are required to install a particulate matter control system that is capable of reducing emissions by 95% when compared with the baseline condition. Many asphalt plants already have these systems in place, but there are some protocols you can implement to ensure your plant’s baghouse filtration system is operating at maximum efficiency.

Particulate Matter Emission Control is an Important Safety Challenge in the Asphalt Industry.

Particulate matter emission control is an important topic in the asphalt industry. Particulate matter (PM) is one of the biggest contributors to air pollution, and it can cause respiratory problems, lung disease, and even death. When not properly filtered, asphalt plants can emit toxic air pollutants including polycyclic aromatic compounds, and hydrogen sulfide, among others.

As a result, controlling PM emissions at your plant is essential to protecting your employees’ health and improving local air quality.

Using Baghouse Filters to Remove Harmful Pollutants

Baghouse filtration systems are used to remove particulate matter from flue gas, which is the exhaust that emerges from combustion processes such as burning coal or oil. Baghouse filters are primarily used in industrial applications where air pollution is an issue. They can be found in power plants and other facilities that use fossil fuels for energy production and asphalt plants that burn petroleum coke for fuel.

However, baghouses are not limited simply to removing pollutants from emissions gasses—they can also be used to remove pollutants from other sources of waste gasses, such as sulfur dioxide (SO2) and nitrogen oxides (NOx). These two compounds contribute to acid rain and smog, so it’s crucial for them to be removed before they enter the atmosphere.

What is a Baghouse Filter and How Does it Work?

Baghouse filters, also known as industrial filter socks, are a type of air pollution control device used in industrial and manufacturing processes to remove particulate matter from the exhaust gasses produced during combustion. Baghouse filters use a series of cloth bags, with each bag acting as an individual component. The fabric of these bags has very small pores that act as tiny separators, allowing the exhaust gasses to pass through while capturing the particulate matter that they come into contact with. As this process continues, the exterior of the bag becomes clogged with captured particulate matter until it reaches its maximum pressure differential and needs to be replaced by another bag in order for proper filtration to continue.

A typical plant will have multiple baghouses at various stages along its production process. Each time an exhaust gas passes through one element before going on to another stage in production – whether that be heating asphalt or cooling it down after finishing – there will be some amount left over from previous stages that need cleaning out before moving on.

What are the Advantages of Industrial Filter Socks?

Efficient Filtration

Baghouse filtration systems are more efficient than other types of filters. The bags are designed to catch fines, which can be recycled into asphalt or used as aggregate in concrete. The bags also capture dust particles that would otherwise end up in the air surrounding your plant, creating a nuisance for both employees and surrounding residents.

Variety of Applications

Filter socks can be used for a variety of applications. They’re effective at removing fine dust from all types of materials, including sawdust and fly ash; they’re also able to filter out harmful contaminants like asbestos waste or heavy metals like lead. In fact, they’ll filter virtually any type of material except water-based liquids like rainwater!

Cost Effective

Baghouse filters are cost-effective since they use less energy than other types of filtration equipment while still providing excellent results (i.e., low maintenance costs). Additionally, baghouses have high initial capital costs but low operating costs compared with other systems like cyclonic separation devices (that require frequent replacement parts) or electrostatic precipitators that require regular maintenance due to wear and tear over time.

How Do You Calculate the Air-to-Cloth Ratio for a Baghouse?

It is important to understand the relationship between airflow, pressure drop, and baghouse performance. The air-to-cloth ratio is the number of cubic feet per minute (CFM) of air that passes through a baghouse per square foot of fabric area. It is calculated by dividing the air pressure drop across the baghouse by the fabric area.

The OEMs have used this relationship for years to ensure that they have sufficient airflow rates and filter efficiency to meet their requirements. With this understanding, you can use it too!

Asphalt Plants Must Comply with the EPA’s NESHAP Requirements

Asphalt plants of all types, from large fixed facilities to portable, relocatable and self-erecting plants, must comply with the EPA’s NESHAP requirements for filtration of particulate matter emissions.

There are a number of different baghouse designs available on the market today. The choice of which one is right for your facility depends on factors such as intended use, size and budget of your asphalt plant. While some people may think that all baghouses are similar in function and design (and many share common features), they have clear differences that can affect performance and efficiency.

The type you choose will depend on many factors such as:

• how much space you have available at your plant site
• whether or not there is electricity available nearby
• if it needs to be portable or self-erecting
• whether or not it requires maintenance access points

How Can I Get New Baghouse Filter Media Installed for my Asphalt Plant?

When new baghouse cells are installed, they must be preheated. This process ensures that the new bags don’t contain any moisture and will not cause problems with the plant’s system. If you do not preheat your baghouse when new bags are installed, then you may experience issues with the heating elements in your system.

It is best to use a propane torch for this purpose because it is fast and easy to control; however, if you do not have access to one at your facility, another option would be high-pressure steam cleaning devices that can quickly heat up an entire cell of bags at once and prevent them from developing condensation issues within their pores.

Conclusion

It’s easy to see why baghouses are so popular in the asphalt industry. With a proper filtration system, your plant will be able to meet emission regulations and stay compliant with the EPA.

Contact the Filter Holdings team to find the best filtration media for your baghouse system.