What your failed filters can tell you
An unscheduled shutdown to replace failed bag or cartridge filters represents one of a dust collection system's largest operating expenses. One way to avoid frequent filter replacement and cut your operating costs is to take a close look at what's causing your filters to fail. This article explains how to evaluate filter condition and dust characteristics to find the failure's source. The final sections describe a case study and other filter failure examples that show how filter analysis can improve dust collection system performance.
Regular attention to your dust collection system's operation -- for instance, monitoring stack emissions and the pressure drop across the system -- and periodic inspections of the filters' condition can save your plant a lot of money. Not only can such monitoring prevent frequent filter replacement, it can help you avoid lost production from an unscheduled system shutdown. A critical part of this process is having your failed filters examined at an independent filter analysis lab or filter supplier lab.