BaghouseFilter

Baghouse filters, also known as fabric filters, are air pollution control devices that remove particulate matter from industrial exhaust streams by passing dirty gas through fabric filter bags. They are capable of handling large volumes of air and are used across a range of industries to meet emissions regulations and protect workers and environments from dust.

In operation, the dirty gas enters the baghouse and flows through the porous fabric bags. Particles are trapped on the surface and within the weight of the dust cake that forms on the outside of the bags, while clean gas exits the unit. To maintain airflow and filter efficiency, the bags are periodically cleaned by methods such as pulse-jet cleaning (brief bursts of compressed air that dislodge dust into a hopper), shaker cleaning, or reverse-air cleaning. The collected dust is discharged from hoppers for disposal or recycling.

Key components include the housing or enclosure, filter bags arranged in cages or cartridges, a clean air plenum, a dust collection hopper, and the cleaning system. Bag materials, such as polyester, polypropylene, or PTFE membranes, are selected for temperature and chemical compatibility with the process gases. The design uses an air-to-cloth ratio and adequate sealing to minimize leaks and manage pressure drop, which typically increases during bag cleaning cycles.

Baghouses offer high filtration efficiency, often achieving 99% or greater removal for a wide range of particle sizes and capacities for high-temperature or abrasive dusts. Limitations include higher capital and operating costs, space requirements, energy use for cleaning, and ongoing maintenance such as bag replacement and leak testing. They are widely used in cement, metal, mining, wood, chemical, and power industries and are designed to meet applicable regulatory emission limits.