Baghouse / Fabric Filters KnowledgeBase

About Baghouse/Fabric Filter Operations

As with electrostatic precipitators (ESPs), baghouses (abbreviated B/H or referred to as fabric
filter/FF operations) are particulate air pollution control devices, but the process and operation is
different. Since the late 1970's, with the introduction of high-temperature fabrics (> 350 degrees
Fahrenheit), the baghouse has become increasingly popular, especially in the utility market. In
contrast to ESPs, the baghouse is a highly efficient particulate collection device regardless of the
incoming dust loading or particle size. Also, with new, stricter EPA regulations forthcoming for the
removal of gases and heavy metals, the baghouse offers adaptability as a dry collection device
using absorbents.
Baghouse Principles of Operation
Dust enters the baghouse compartment through hoppers. Larger particles drop out while smaller
dust particles collect on filter bags. When the dust layer thickness reaches a level where flow
through the system is restricted (called pressure drop or delta P), the bag cleaning process is
initiated. Cleaning can be done while the baghouse is still online (filtering) or in isolation (offline).
Once cleaned, the compartment is placed back in service and the filtering process starts over.
Types of Baghouses
There are three prominent types of baghouses: Reverse Air (Gas Cleaning), Pulse Air
(Compressed Air Cleaning) and Shaker (Mechanical Cleaning). Baghouses are classified by their
cleaning method:
Reverse Air (Gas Cleaning)
Pulse Jet (Compressed Air Cleaning)
Shaker Baghouse (Mechanical Cleaning) or Combination-Style Plenum Pulse or
Shaker/Reverse Air

Cleaning sequences can be:

• Intermittent (Single compartment, generally Shaker-type in which the fan/process must
be stopped while the bags are cleaned)
• Continous Offline (Multiple compartments for a reverse air or pulse jet; each one is taken
offline to clean but the overall process is not shut down)
• Continuous Online (Full automated, usually for a pulse jet baghouse; the process flow
continues during cleaning)
Misconceptions About Baghouses

• Fabric filter bags do not filter (except for PTFE bags)

• The dust layer (dust cake) filters fine particles
• The primary function in bag life reduction is the cleaning frequency and energy
• Overcleaning bags is worse than undercleaning because bags wear out from cleaning
(not filtering)