Q:WHICH BAGHOUSE HOPPER DISCHARGE METHOD IS BEST?A:Many problems arise over how to properly dispose of dust in the baghouse once it is collected. Improper dust disposal can directly impact the operation of your baghouse. Storing dust in your baghouse hopper is a terrible idea. Dust collector hoppers are designed for temporary storage only. If collected dust builds up in the hopper it can cause several problems,such as filter bag abrasion. However, this does not mean that all discharge methods work for all baghouses. As outlined above, serious problems arise when the baghouse hopper discharge system is not adequate to the dust loads passing through the unit. Additionally, the disposal methods may require more man power than available at the plant and lead to spillage and other issues.
The best method of hopper discharge varies from application to application and from unit to unit.
Q: What is “normal” differential pressure in a baghouse?
A:In most applications a baghouse dust collector should run between between 3″ to 6″ w.g. under normal use. Once levels rise above 6″ (roughly) and the cleaning system cannot return it any lower (even when turned to continuous cleaning or “Test” mode) it is a sign that the filters are beginning to be blinded and likely need to be changed. It is not advisable to run a baghouse with a DP higher than 6″ for any length of time as this will have an impact on the function of the entire system. Running at such a high DP will lead to a number of problems including vacuum loss at the pickup points of the system (loss of suction), lower air speeds in the ductwork, higher emissions, and higher energy usage.
If you are seeing levels below 3″ after having run the baghouse for sometime you liking are getting false DP readings. When brand new bags are installed in a dust collector they should provide approximately 1″ of resistance alone. Once they begin to load dust that number will rise to between 2″ – 3″ no matter how much you clean them.
A clean on demand baghouse controller (i.e. clean on pressure) is the best way to keep a dust collector running in the recommended DP range. (see article: 3 Cheap Ways to Increase Efficiency in Dust Collection Systems)
Q:How long will my bag-filters last?
A:Bag- filters have an average service life of 1-3 years in most applications. Some can go beyond that without major increases emissions, while others may last less than a year in more difficult applications. The main reason to replace baghouse filters is because when old they begin to leak and thus the system is no longer collecting particulates as its designed to do. Filters can also be damaged prematurely by sparks/embers that can cause fires or even explosions. Upset conditions in the process may cause a spike in temperature (beyond the maximum for the filter fabric) or may create an acid flash or similar chemical attack on the bags. Finally, bags may be damaged during maintenance or by other external forces.
The main signs that your filters need to be replaced are that they are can no longer be cleaned effectively by the baghouse and/or they start leaking.
Q:Can I Reuse My Baghouse Cages When I Change my Filters?
A:In many applications it is possible to reuse the cages once or possibly more. But in many other applications it may not be wise to reuse the cages.
Q:How pulsing valves work in a typical application for dust collector systems?
A:Pulse jet valves are used in filtering systems of dust collectors, gas turbines, and desulfurization equipment. They are commonly used to clean filters such as cartridge filters, envelope filters, ceramic filters, and sintered metal fiber filters.
Pulse jet valves are indirect operated solenoid valves especially designed for dust collector systems. When the solenoid is energized, trapped air above a diaphragm is quickly exhausted causing a high pressure difference across the diaphragm. Thereby the diaphragm is suddenly opened. When the solenoid is de-energized, air escapes through a hole to the chamber above the diaphragm which balances the pressure and instantly closes the valve.
Q:How to choose a correct pulsing valve ?
A:When we choose a correct pulsing valve, we normally need to check the main parameters that affect the selection.
Main parameters that affect the selection of pulse jet valves are as follows:
Tank volume: The amount of air volume stored in the supply tank which in turn depends on valve size.
Tank pressure: The air pressure in the tank which is also the inlet pressure of valve.
Max allowable pressure: Maximum line or system pressure for safe operation.
Electrical pulse length: The time during which the valve is energized.
Total pulse length: The time between when the valve opens and when it closes.
Peak pressure: The maximum pressure reached at the end of the blow pipe which creates the shock wave.
Pressure drop tank: The difference between the tank pressure before and after the shock wave. To maintain sonic flow in the blow pipes, it is necessary to limit pressure drop to a maximum of 50% of the absolute tank pressure. In an installation, it is the easiest way to reduce the electrical pulse time if the pressure drop is too high.
Performance ratio: The ratio between tank pressure and peak pressure in percentage. The amount of this parameter depends on the kV of the valve and the opening time.
Volume per pulse: The volume of air at atmospheric pressure passing through the valve per pulse. The greater this parameter, the better filter bags are cleaned, and more bags can be cleaned per valve.
These types of solenoid valves come with different choice of material of construction namely of body and of seal material. All materials of construction have specific properties that make them suitable for different applications. It is essential to choose the appropriate body and seal material for your media.