One of the most efficient devices for removing suspended particulates is an assembly of fabric filter bags, commonly called a baghouse. A typical baghouse comprises an array of long, narrow bags--each about 25 cm (10 inches) in diameter--that are suspended upside down in a large enclosure. Dust-laden air is blown upward through the bottom of the enclosure by fans. Particulates are trapped inside the filter bags, while the clean air passes through the fabric and exits at the top of the baghouse.

 

 

A fabric-filter dust collector can remove very nearly 100 percent of particles as small as 1 m (0.00004 inch) and a significant fraction of particles as small as 0.01 m (0.0000004 inch). Fabric filters, however, offer relatively high resistance to airflow, and they are expensive to operate and maintain. Additionally, to prolong the useful life of the filter fabric, the air to be cleaned must be cooled (usually below 300 °C [570 °F]) before it is passed through the unit; cooling coils needed for this purpose add to the expense. (Certain filter fabrics--e.g., those made of ceramic or mineral materials--can operate at higher temperatures.)

Several compartments of filter bags are often used at a single baghouse installation. This arrangement allows individual compartments to be cleaned while others remain in service. The bags are cleaned by mechanical shakers or by reversing the flow of air, and the loosened particulates are collected and removed for disposal.

 

Baghouse Features:

• They can come in almost any size to suit an available location or process.
• Their ability to work in almost any reasonably dry dusty atmosphere is remarkable.
• There are many available parts or retrofits available for almost any make or model.
• They can withstand a lot of abuse and still carry on operating within design specifications.
• There is a large array of filter medias available to suit every type of process.
• Most baghouses are only limited by operating temperature and chemical conditions.
• Overhaul costs are relatively cost effective if the machine is serviced on a regular basis