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Choosing the right filter bags for your dust collection system is critical to ensuring long term, reliable performance of your collector and the safety of your employees. Our guide will help you understand your facility's unique dust properties and provide an overview of various filter media, construction, and treatment options available.
We've organized our dust collector filter bags guide into these key topics:
Top Factors to Consider for Dust Collector Filter Bags
- Understanding Your Dust Properties
- Dust Testing
- Common Filter Media
- Filter Bag Finishes
- Filter Bag Construction
- Air-to-Cloth Ratio
- Additional Resources
Understanding Dust Properties
Choosing the right filter media for your dust collection system is critical to achieving peak performance while reducing system wear, plant downtime, and extending filter life. The first step is to consider the properties of your dust particulate and review the following:
- Product - What you are filtering? Does your product contain a moisture or oil? Products with moisture content greater than 25% are not suited for a dry dust collection system (baghouse, cartridge collector or bin vent). Products containing hydrocarbons, including oils, may require the application of special treatment to your filter media for optimal
- Temperature - What is your typical operating temperature? Max temp? Media temperature ranges for dry dust collection can typically be sorted into three categories listed below:
- < 275°F - Polyester filter media performs very well for ambient airflow temperatures in this range.
- Between 275°F and 400°F - Aramid filter media is the optimal choice for temperatures in this
- Between 400°F - 500°F - Fiberglass filter media is the most economical option for high-temperature applications; however depending on the type of dust, another filter media may be a better
Once you understand the temperature of your work environment, you can narrow down your filter media options and in many cases, apply a special treatment to the media to further improve performance. Treatment application can be an efficient way to minimize costs before considering a more expensive filter media.
Chemistry
Does the airstream or dust contain chemicals that could damage the filter media? Are their acids or alkalines in the airstream? Often when certain compounds are combined during processing, a chemical reaction can occur, which may require a specific media treatment or coating on your filter bags to protect the bags from accelerated wear.
Abrasion
How abrasive is the dust being filtered? Consider the hardness of the material that's being filtered along with the shape of the dust. The velocity of your airflow can also make your dust more abrasive. If you are designing a new dust collection system, it's important to engineer the ductwork, fan size, and unit placement to ensure the airstream is not entering your dust collector too quickly or too slowly.
Particle Size
What size dust particulate are you collecting? Depending on your emissions requirements, your application may require a special membrane. This will apply if your particulate is very fine.
Is Your Dust Combustible?
Combustible dust can be defined as any fine material that has the ability to catch fire and explode when mixed with the proper concentration of air. Examples of combustible dust include wood , food products such as grain, sugar, flour, starch, metals, rubber, chemicals, pesticides, plastics, and more. To protect your plant and your employees from the risks of a serious explosion, carefully consider OSHA and NFPA guidelines and be sure to review your state and local regulations for proper identification and management of combustible dust.
OSHA Standards
Implement and maintain OSHA's set of standards regarding combustible dust. When you adhere to OSHA's set of standards, you are creating a safe work environment, avoiding property and economic loss from an explosion, and avoiding regulatory fines.
NFPA Guidelines
Make sure you are meeting codes outlined by the NFPA (National Fire Protection Agency) . The NFPA publishes a list of guidelines that will help you minimize injury or death from combustible dust. The following regulatory codes are related to the most combustible types of dust (e.g., sugar, wood , fine aluminum):
- 664, Standard for the Prevention of Fires and Explosions in Wood Processing and Woodworking Facilities
- 484, Standard for Combustible Metals
- 61, Standard for the Prevention of Fires and Dust Explosions in Agricultural and Food Processing Facilities
Dust Testing
Dust testing may also be performed to assess the properties of your particulate and ensure proper filter selection and performance. This option may be ideal for new facilities and large applications . If you have an existing plant and many of your filter bags have failed prematurely with no consistent pattern, and there are no signs of workmanship error, it may be necessary to perform laboratory testing to find out if changes in the airstream could be compromising the bags.
Common Filter Media
Polyester
Polyester media is an economical option with excellent filtration properties and is widely available. This makes polyester the most common filter media used across many industry applications. Polyester has an operating temperature limit of 275°F and comes in both needled felt and woven medias. Both needled felt and woven polyester can be treated with several finishes and membranes to increase the efficiency and filter bag performance in varying operating conditions.
Aramid
Aramid, also known as Nomex, is used in applications with high temperatures and has excellent filtration and abrasion properties. The operating temperature limit for aramid is 400F which makes it a great choice for applications such as asphalt batch plants, furnaces, and dryers. Both needled felt and woven aramid can be treated with several finishes and membranes to increase the efficiency and filter bag performance in varying operating conditions.
Fiberglass
Fiberglass is often used in baghouses with temperatures ranging up to 500°F. Since fiberglass media is typically woven, the efficiency of a plain fiberglass media is lower than most felts. However there are several different membranes and finishes that can be added to fiberglass to increase filter efficiency and performance in harsh baghouse conditions. These finishes and membranes make fiberglass a versatile media for applications with high temperatures. You'll see Fiberglass media used in industries such as energy, cement/ concrete/aggregates, and agriculture. Different membranes, coatings and finishes can be added to fiberglass media to increase performance in certain applications. This makes fiberglass a versatile media for applications with high temperatures.
P84
P84 media has a high temperature rating of up to 500°F. This filter media handles acids better than fiberglass and also results in less abrasion to the filters due to filter media flex.
Teflon (PTFE)
Teflon (PTFE) is one of the highest performing filter medias available for a wide range of applications and is also the most expensive. It bears well against chemical and acid resistance, high temperatures, and moist heat. Teflon membrane can also be applied as a treatment on other filter medias to further extend filter life and reduce system wear.
For more information on other media types in the dust collector industry (e.g. PPS, Acrylic, and Polypropylene) access our Fabric Characteristics Chart below.
Filter Bag Finishes
Benefits of Filter Bag Finishes
- Lengthen the life of your filter bag
- Better dust cake release (reduced valve pulsing = reduced compressed air consumption)
- Achieve more consistent airflow
- Reduces downtime and maintenance
Filter media fabrics can be made from both natural and synthetic fibers, although synthetic fibers are more common today. As we have seen in the previous section, different fibers provide each media with different performance characteristics. Most medias today are pre-shrunk and include some type of finish to improve media performance. Finishes for felt and woven bags can be different as we will see below.
Napping
This process is the scraping of the filter surface across metal points or burrs on a revolving cylinder. Napping raises the surface fibers, creating a "fuzz", that provides a large number of sites for particle collection by interception and diffusion. Fabrics used for collecting sticky or oily dusts are sometimes napped so they can provide better collection and an easier cleaning process.
Coating
Coatings , or resin treating , involves immersing the filter material in a resin which can add certain characteristics to the filter media. For example, fiberglass threads can be coated with Teflon to prevent abrasion during bag cleaning and silicon graphite to aid in acid resistance.
Filter Bag Construction
The construction of your filter bags is dependent on your baghouse style, application, and other requirements specific to your facility. Below is a brief summary of how each type of baghouse works.
The three main baghouse styles available include:
- Pulse jet
- Reverse air
- Shaker
In each baghouse style there are a variety of filter top and bottom configurations that can be used. Some top and bottom configurations are meant for a specific baghouse style, and other configurations can be used across multiple baghouse styles.
Pulse Jet
Pulse jet baghouses collect dust on the outside of the filter and clean filters from the inside out with a jet or pulse of clean air. Dirty air enters the baghouse and is forced to pass through the filter bags to exit the baghouse. As air pass through the bags, dust is filtered out and collects on the outside surface of the filter bags. This buildup of dust on the outside of the filters is known as a "filter cake." The filter cake aids in filtration by trapping smaller particles as the dirty air passes through the filter cake and bag. Pulse jet baghouses offer a wide range of filter media, making it an excellent fit for most applications.
Reverse-Air or Shaker
In a baghouse using reverse air or shaker cleaning systems, the particulate is collected on the inside surface of the bag. The dust-laden gas enters the dirty side (inlet) of the collector and flows up through the bag. The particulate is filtered by the dustcake and the fabric, and clean air exits through the outside of the bag. Shaker and reverse air bag top and bottom designs vary by cleaning system and original equipment manufacturer.
Reverse air and shaker style baghouse both collect dust on the inside of the filter bag. Reverse air baghouses reverse the flow of air through the baghouse in order to clean the filter bags while shaker style baghouses clean the filter bags by moving them back and forth in a shaking motion. The buildup of a filter cake is important with these style collectors as it greatly aids in filter efficiency.
Both pulse jet and reverse air/shaker style baghouse come in a number of different bag constructions and understanding the requirements of your specific baghouse is important to ensure proper filter bag fit.
Air-to-Cloth Ratio
Dust collector air-to-cloth ratio is a critical measure to ensure your collector is performing efficiently.
Air-to-cloth ratio, also known as air to media ratio, is a measurement of the number of cubic feet per minute of air passing through one square foot of filter media.
Generally, a lower air-to-cloth ratio, the more effective your system is at removing dust from the work environment. When determining an appropriate air-to-cloth ratio, there are several factors to consider, including application, type of dust, moisture levels, inlet loading, etc. If the air-to-cloth ratio is higher than recommended, some common issues can arise, including increased differential pressure, frequent filter changeouts, and varying or reduced suction at pickup points. These issues are a result of not having enough filter media to handle the air flow and dust load effectively. As the dust cake builds on the filters, the airflow is restricted and slows, resulting in a decrease in air velocity and suction. From there it becomes a domino effect: air quality decreases, filters clog quicker requiring more changeouts, pulse valves see increased wear, and facility production may be impacted.
Why is the right Air-to-Cloth ratio important?
- Ensures dust collector is running efficiently
- Minimizes operating costs
- Maximizes filter life
- To meet air quality goals and requirements
What are the negative effects of an improper Air-to-Cloth ratio?
- Increases maintenance which can impact production
- Reduced air velocity resulting in poor ventilation at pickup points
- Increased compressed air consumption
- High differential pressure and increased system wear
Download the chart below for a summary of recommended Air-to-Cloth ratio for a variety of industrial applications.
Dust Collector Filter Bags Additional Resources
Filter Bag Media Quiz
Finding the right filter bag can be overwhelming, confusing and time consuming. There are so many options and it's hard to know which will work best for your application. Or if there is a better option out there that will get you better performance.
Click here to get more.
To get you to the right solution, take this interactive filter media quiz. You'll immediately receive:
- Recommendations on the best filter media options for your unique application.
- Filter media characteristics chart with media specs and pricing.
- No obligation price quote for your filter media within 24 hours.
Selecting the right dust collector filter bags will keep your employees and your operation safe and at peak performance. We hope this information is a helpful resource for you. For tips and troubleshooting guides, check out our article on dust collector maintenance.
If you have specific questions about your application and filtration needs, call today at 888-221- or us at . One of our dust collection specialists can assist you with your dust control challenges. If you have an upcoming dust collection project and need assistance, read Dust Collector Purchasing Guide or contact one of our equipment specialists at the number above.
Choosing the correct water filter for your home’s water system is important to making sure you get the most out of your purchase. When it comes to a Rusco filter, there are a few things you’ll want to consider before implementing one into your system. Determining what size filter you’ll need based on the inlet and outlet, as well as factoring in the number of GPM running through your system is something that should be taken into consideration. You’ll also want to know whether or not the filter is needed for a hot water or cold water application. Depending on where the filter will be placed within your system, you may need to select one that doesn’t have a T-body and instead select an option with an L-body or a combo body. Figuring out what micron size you need for your filter screen is also something important to consider, and today we’ll focus on exactly what a micron is and how mesh size correlates.
Before discussing different micron sizes and how they correlate to mesh, let’s take a moment to understand exactly what a micron is. The word micron is actually short for micrometer, which means one millionth of a meter. It’s essentially a unit of measurement that describes the size of the particles that are allowed to pass through. As an example, a filter with a 150-micron rating will not allow anything that is larger than 150 microns to pass through it.
When it comes to microns, the larger the number, the more that will be able to pass through. For example, gravel is the size of microns. If you have a screen size in your filter that is equal to microns, anything smaller than the size of gravel would be able to pass through that screen. On the other hand, a dust mite is the size of 20 microns. A screen equal to 20 microns in a filter would only allow particles smaller than the size of a dust mite to pass through. As far as micron size is concerned, you want to remember that the larger the number the more that will pass through and the smaller the number the less.
You can see an example here of different particle types and their relative micron size.
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While it’s good to have an understanding of microns, if you purchase a water filter from Rusco you’ll discover that some of our filters utilize a different unit of measurement when it comes to screen size. In place of micron size, which is a standard unit of measurement throughout the industry, the mesh filters you purchase from Rusco are stamped with what is known as a mesh size. Mesh refers to the number of pores per square inch in a mesh material. A 24-mesh screen means that there are 24 pores in one square inch of mesh screen. A -mesh screen means that there are pores in one square inch of mesh screen.
When it comes to mesh, the larger the number, the less that will be able to pass through. For example, ragweed pollen is about the size of 370 mesh. If you were to have a screen size in your filter that is equal to 370 mesh, it would take something smaller than ragweed pollen to pass through that screen. On the other hand, a coffee ground is about the size of 50 mesh. A screen equal to 50 mesh would allow anything smaller than a coffee ground to pass through that screen. As far as mesh size is concerned, you want to remember that the smaller the number the more that will pass through and the larger the number the less.
At Rusco, we generally offer nine mesh sizes when it comes to polyester screens. To better understand how microns compare to mesh, below is a list of the conversions.
If you’d like to learn more about different mesh and micron sizes and which one is right for your application, give Rusco a call at 1-800-345-. A live customer service representative will be available to help answer your questions.
The company is the world’s best Polyester Filter Mesh supplier. We are your one-stop shop for all needs. Our staff are highly-specialized and will help you find the product you need.
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