Dust collectors play an important role in any industrial activity that creates a substantial amount of dust. When you do not regularly replace your baghouse filter bags, you can expose your workforce to unnecessary risks, including breathing in hazardous dust. You also increase the risk of industrial fires and explosions.
In addition, as your filter becomes dirtier, you also decrease your equipment’s functionality. It takes more energy to run the system, stressing fans and increasing energy costs.
As a result, keeping a close eye on the status of your filters is absolutely necessary — you also do not want to waste maintenance and downtime replacing filters when it is not necessary either. Below are three situations where you should definitely take the time to replace your dust collector filter bags.
1. The Filter is Damaged.
A damaged filter is not much use to anyone. The dust completely bypasses the filter, clogging other areas of your equipment and increasing the hazards your filter would otherwise help you avoid. A baghouse filter bag is also supposed to help stabilize the pressure within your equipment, and when it is damaged, it cannot perform this vital function.
Damaged filters are not always easy to spot. Some equipment has a broken bag indicator, but not every system has this type of feature. Instead, you may need to monitor internal pressure closely. A rapid pressure drop is a clear indicator of a damaged filter. Moisture, high heat, and simple wear and tear can all result in a damaged filter. Damaged cages and over pulsing can also cause filter damage.
2. The Filter Has Reached the End of Its Life: Filter Blinding.
Filter blinding occurs when the filter has simply reached the end of its useful life. This is the most common reason that you will need to change out your baghouse filter bags. Eventually, a filter bag will become overloaded with dust, even if you keep up with the recommended periodic cleaning cycles. Once these cycles do not effectively clean the filter bag, it is time to replace the filter bag.
Every filter bag is different when it comes to usable life. The lifespan of the filter bag will also vary based on the material you are using, the moisture and chemical makeup of the gas stream from the equipment, operating conditions, and a lot more. It is always a good idea to consult with a specialist about how long you can expect your filter bag to last and change it out once it reaches the end of its useful life.
3. The Filter Is Not the Right Size, Fit, or the Filter Media is Incorrect.
You should replace your bag filters if you realize that you have used the incorrect filter or filter media for the specific type of material/dust that you are filtering. Many people make the mistake of using any filter that seems to work (and making filter decisions based on cost rather than purpose). As soon as you realize that the filter is not suitable for the project, it needs to be replaced.
Having an incorrect filter is sometimes just as bad as having no filter at all or a filter that is beyond its useful life. An incorrect filter is a hazard — it creates more dust and increases the risk of fires and explosions. In some cases, it might not have the right chemical rating for the application, making these hazards even more likely.
The Robinson’s Filter Solutions team can work with you to ensure that you have the right filter for the job. We can also clean and replace your filters so you don’t have to. Contact our team to learn more about how we can help you find and use the right baghouse filter bags.