How Exactly Does a Baghouse Filter Work?

Fabric filters sitting on a table

There are many air filters on the market today, but one of the most popular is the baghouse filter. A baghouse filter removes particulates by forcing air through a filter fabric. The air is forced through the filters, which removes the dust and other pollutants. Baghouse filters are commonly used in industrial applications to clean the air before releasing it into the environment.

This article will illustrate crucial information about the functionality of baghouses, their benefits and drawbacks, as well as how to calculate efficiency.

How does a Baghouse Filter Work, and Why is it Important for Industrial Applications?

A baghouse filter is a type of air pollution control device commonly used in industrial applications. The system functions by passing contaminated air through a series of filters, which capture the pollutants on the surface of the filter bags.

Baghouse filters remove contaminants from the air using a two-step process.

  1. When contaminated air enters the woven filter fabric, the larger particles are caught in the pockets of the filter bags.
  2. Then, as the air continues to flow through the filter, the smaller particles are caught on the surface of the filter media.

As a result, all contaminants are trapped in either the pockets or on the surface of the filter media, allowing clean air to flow through. The filtered air is then discharged into the atmosphere, while the contaminants remain trapped in the baghouse filter bags.

What are the Benefits of Using a Baghouse Filter?

Info graphic for use of a bag filter

There are several benefits of using an industrial bag filter system, including:

  • The ability to remove a wide variety of contaminants
  • The ability to operate continuously
  • Minimal maintenance requirements
  • The bag effectively removes particulate matter from exhaust gasses, making it an important component of many industrial emission control systems.

How Effective are Baghouse Filters?

Baghouse filters are designed to capture dust and other airborne particles, making them an important tool in many industries. But how effective are they?

Studies have revealed that baghouse filters can be up to 99% effective at capturing particulate matter, making them extremely reliable at maintaining clean air. In addition, baghouse filters have a very long lifespan –often 1 to 5 years or more – meaning they are a low-maintenance option.

Baghouse Cleaning Systems

The three most common industrial baghouse dust collectors are reverse air bag filters, pulse jet bag filters, and shaker bag filters. Each type of collector has unique advantages and disadvantages.

Reverse Air Baghouse

A typical reverse air baghouse consists of a chamber where the dusty air is brought into contact with a fabric filter. The dirty air is pulled through the fabric from the inside out, while the clean air is sent back into the atmosphere. As the dusty air passes through the fabric, the particles become trapped in the billions of tiny fibers that make up the fabric.

Pulse Jet Bag Filter

A pulse jet bag filter removes particulates from gas streams. The operation of a pulse jet bag filter is based on the principle of inertia separation. Particulates in the gas stream are collected on the surface of the filter bag. When the filter bag is pulsed with air, the particulates are dislodged and fall into the bottom of the industrial bag filter, where they are collected. The cycle is then repeated until the filter bag is cleaned.

Shaker Bag Filter

A shaker bag filter is a mechanical filter that vibrates to remove dust and impurities. The filter bag is hung at the hop of the filter, and pressurized air flow enters from the bottom of the bag. This airflow causes the filter bag to vibrate, trapping the impurities in the pores of the bag. Shaker bag filters are simple to use and provide an effective way to remove impurities.

Are there Potential Drawbacks to Using a Baghouse Filter in an Industrial Setting?

While baghouse filters offer several advantages for industrial settings, there are some potential drawbacks to also consider.

  1. They must be regularly monitored.
  2. They can become overloaded, which can reduce their efficiency and potentially cause problems with the system.
  3. There are many Baghouse filter materials available. Care should be taken, weighing the pros and cons before deciding which filter media is right for your needs.

How is Baghouse Efficiency Calculated?

Baghouse efficiency is the percentage of the particulate matter captured by the filter media of a baghouse. This is the formula used to calculate its efficiency:

  1. The ratio of gas volume to total cloth area of the baghouse.
  2. Determine filter cloth area, which equals [bag diameter x 3.14 x length/144 (to get the number of inches per square foot). Next, multiply that figure by the total number of bags within the collector.
  3. Air to cloth ratio = system’s CFM/ the total filter cloth area.

Air-to-Cloth Ratio

The air-to-cloth ratio in a baghouse measures the amount of airflow that passes through the fabric compared to the amount of cloth. The ratio is typically expressed as a percentage, and it helps determine the baghouse’s efficiency. A higher ratio indicates that more air flows through the fabric, and a lower ratio indicates that less air flows through the fabric.

Person sewing on a sewing machine

The ideal air-to-cloth ratio depends on several factors, including the type of fabric used and the intended use of the baghouse. For example, a baghouse used for storing grain might have a different ideal ratio than a baghouse used for collecting dust from a manufacturing process. Typically, a higher air-to-cloth ratio is optimal.

How Often Should the Filters be Replaced

The frequency with which baghouse filters need to be replaced depends on the type of filter, the level of particulate in the air, and the amount of time the filter is in use.

Baghouse filters are essential to protecting equipment and keeping workers safe. If you’re looking for a baghouse filter, contact the Filter Holdings team to find the right filter for your manufacturing process.

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