Guide to Filter Media

Welcome to our comprehensive guide on baghouse filters! In this blog, we'll explore everything you need to know about filter configurations, treatments, media types, and more for optimizing your baghouse filtration system. From understanding the different filter media options to exploring specialized treatments and configurations, this guide will equip you with the knowledge to enhance the efficiency and effectiveness of your baghouse filters, ensuring clean air and optimal performance.

Polyester

Starting with polyester, this filter media is ideal for applications below 275 degrees Fahrenheit. It's a cost-effective option known for its resistance to abrasion and performance in dry conditions. Commonly used in industries like food manufacturing and agriculture.

Aramid

Next up, aramid. This material can handle temperatures up to 400 degrees Fahrenheit, making it suitable for cement, metalworking, and foundry applications. Like polyester, aramid is abrasion-resistant, offering durability in demanding environments.

Fiberglass

Moving on to fiberglass, a specialty media designed for temperatures exceeding 400 degrees Fahrenheit. It thrives in high-temperature and moist conditions, making it a top choice for industries such as chemicals, minerals, and energy utilities. Keep in mind there are other specialty medias out there.

Special Treatments and Coatings

Additionally, filter media can benefit from special treatments like PTFE coatings, which enhance efficiency, reduce wear on pulse valves, and decrease plant energy consumption. 

Common Filter Bag Top & Bottom Designs for a Pulse-Jet Dust Collector

Plenum and pulse jet baghouses collect dust on the outside of the filter. Below is a general outline of the most common types of filter bag construction you would see for a pulse jet or plenum pulse dust collector. 

• Snap Band Cuff
• Flange Top
• Ring Top
• Sleeve Top
• Hem Top
• Raw Edge
• Disc Bottom Bags

Low Temp Filter Bag Media

If your plant is operating from ambient to 275 degrees Fahrenheit, there are a few low temp filter media bag options you can choose to use in your dust collection system. To guide you to the right one, we’ve gathered information on the three commonly used medias in low temperature dust collection applications. The following filter medias are generally for dry dust applications with very little moisture and no issue heats or acids.

Polyester

Polyester is one of the most economical low temp filter bag medias used in the dust collection industry because of its reliable performance in a broad range of applications and availability. This media is used in industries including food manufacturing, woodworking, metalworking, building products, and energy. Polyester is one option if you are continuously operating between ambient – 275 degrees Fahrenheit, and have less than 10% moisture.

Polypropylene

Polypropylene is another relatively low-cost, low temp filter bag media. The big difference between polyester and polypropylene is that polypropylene can withstand some moisture. If your continuous operating temperatures are between ambient – 170 degrees Fahrenheit, and you have more than 10% moisture in your application, then Polypropylene could be the right fit for your baghouse.

Acrylic

Another option for applications with more than 10% moisture is Acrylic. This is similar to polypropylene but more expensive. Acrylic can handle moisture better than polyester and has a higher temperature rating. If you need to run between 200-265 degrees Fahrenheit, but you have moisture, you could use acrylic.

What's the most effective filter media based on your application? To get the best performance and longevity out of your dust collector filters, start off by choosing the right media. Choosing media for your filters is going to be based on the type of application they will be used for. When you're looking at different options, take into consideration the following things:

• Product - what you are filtering?
• Particles - what the size of the dust you are filtering?
• Temperature - are you operating with extreme temperatures?
• Chemistry - does your filter need to withstand dust particles that have a chemical make-up?
• Resistance - what's the filter's ability to resist the wear and tear of dust?

Watch Video: Understanding Dust Properties

The most common concern for cement, asphalt and concrete industries is to find a dust collector that will be cost effective, run at peak efficiency, prevent them from losing product while taking up minimal space. With all of these of this in mind, what's the most common solution to these frustrations?

The overwhelming choice for dust control in the cement, concrete, and asphalt industry is a bin vent system with Spunbond Polyester filters. When you are trying to figure out what type of dust collector is right for your application, you'll find that bin vents are most commonly used in applications involving silos, storage bins, or where you are moving product from one location to another. One of the greater advantages of using a bin vent is that they are very space-efficient and modular. Bin vents have a small footprint you can easily expand down the road. You also have the option of installing several smaller bin vents instead of one large central baghouse with ducting. Whether you need one or several, you're still going to benefit from the top advantages of a bin vent.

Top Benefits of a Bin Vent:

Ideal for product transfer applications Compact and Modular Designed for easy service and change outs May not require additional ductwork

Most Common Dust Collector for Cement, Concrete, and Asphalt Applications:

• Bin Vent Model 3-PBBV-39-6.25
• Bin Vent Model 66-PTPV-84-6
• Bin Vent Model 22-PBBV-39-6.25

Most Common Filter Media for Cement, Concrete, and Asphalt Applications:

• Pleated filters in Spunbond Polyester

Filter Bag Top Designs for a Reverse Air or Shaker Dust Collector

In a baghouse using reverse air or shaker cleaning systems, the particulate is collected on the inside surface of the bag. Below is a general outline of the most common types of top bag construction you would see for reverse air or shaker dust collectors.

• Grommet Top
• Loop Top
• Trap Bags
• Strap Top
• Envelope Style
• Cord Top Cuffs

Pretreatment for Baghouse Filters

Pretreatment processes affect your filter medium in various ways. Here's a quick overview of the different types of pretreatment and their functions.

• Calendering: High pressure pressing of the fabric by rollers to flatten or smooth the material.
• Napping: This is the scraping of the filter surface across metal points or burrs on a revolving cylinder.
• Singeing: This is done by passing the filter material over an open flame, removing any straggly surface fibers.
• Glazing: High pressure pressing of the fiber at elevated temperatures. The fibers are fused to the body of the filter medium.
• Coating: Involves immersing the filter material in natural or synthetic resin such as polyvinyl chloride, cellulose acetate, or urea-phenol.

Some of the results and reasons to use these pretreatments are:

• Calendering: Result is that it flattens, smooths or decorated the filter medium. This can increase surface life, dimensional stability, and provides a more uniform fabric surface.
• Napping: The result is that it raises surface fibers, which can provide extra areas for interception and diffusion
• Singeing: Removes straggly fibers and provides a uniform surface area.
• Glazing: Fibers are fused to the filter medium as a result. This improves mechanical stability.
• Coating: This helps to lubricate woven fibers. Coating helps provide high temperature durability as well as chemical resistance for various fabric material.