The four main reasons why baghouse filters fail prematurely are abrasion, exceeding the maximum operating temperature, chemical attack and fire. All of these can dramatically shorten the the life of a baghouse filter as well as cause serious damage to the baghouse system*. However there are other lesser known causes that can cause premature dust collector filter failure. Let’s review them.
“If the filter system is undersized, then the filters will suffer increased wear…”
Undersized Dust Collector for CFM
It is essential that an industrial baghouse system be carefully engineered and sized to handle the right amount of air flow (CFM) for the application. If the filter system is undersized, then the filters will suffer increased wear. Additionally, an undersized system will eventually lead to inadequate air flow, poor venting that can damage equipment, higher emissions, loss of reclaimed product and a hazardous work environment.
A dust collector can be undersized in two main ways: (1) by not having enough filters for the airflow, and (2) by having too much airflow through too small of a unit, thus creating high internal can/interstitial velocity.
Sadly, many less reputable sales reps and even some dust collector OEMs often undersize systems in order to undercut their competition on price. Other times, plants have tried to increase system capacity without consulting with an experienced dust collector manufacturer and even up overloading their units.
Wrong Filter Media or Style of Filter
The choice of baghouse filter media depends on a number of factors, such as temperature, resistance to chemicals, target dust size, physical characteristics, collection efficiency and price. If the choice of fabric is unsuitable for the application required, this can have a dramatic reduction in the lifespan of the filter.
For example, trying to use a low temperature filter fabric such as polyester (max temp 250F – 275F) in a high temperature (300F – 500F) baghouse system will quickly result in filter failure.
Often, operators must consider more than just the maximum temperature as the mix of temperature, humidity and chemical makeup in the gas stream can cause failures if not accounted for when selecting the media. For example, in many gypsum applications the temperature is not normally very high (under 200F) so polyester media might seem to be a good choice. However, the combination of elevated temperatures and high humidity can cause the gypsum to react with the polyester and cause hydrolysis, which leads to the bag becoming hard and brittle. For this reason many gypsum applications used aramid filters even though the temperature normally would allow for cheaper polyester bags.
Finally, many suffer problems due to using cartridge filters where a bag filter is more appropriate. Man applications can make good use of cartridge collectors to improve operation and reduce the overall cost of a system. However, we often see people try to use cartridges in applications ill-suited for them such those with irregular-shaped material, sticky materials, or high temps.
Picking the right fabric for the right temperature isn’t everything. This is the effect of hydrolysis on an improperly selected baghouse filter.
Need your baghouse filter replaced?
Bent and Damaged Cages
During regular maintenance or when stored improperly, cages can be bent, damaged, warped and or even corroded. Using baghouse filter cages in this condition will lead to the filters failing prematurely. When a cage is bent or damaged, sharp points can form from broken wires and cracked welds that can physically damage the filter creating tears and holes. If rust or corrosion is present on the cage, this creates abrasion and leads to tears and holes in the filter. Additionally, bent cages will cause the bags to hit each other or the sides of the housing when they are pulsed creating localized wear spots.
Have you reused rusted or bent baghouse filter cages and then seen holes in your filters like these?
Poor Installation
Improper installation of filter bags can also result in early bag failure and loss of cleaning effectiveness. For top load pulse jets, the most common install errors involve not seating the snap band properly. For a bottom load unit the bag not being folded over the top of the cage properly, poor clamp placement and tightening the clamp too much or too little are all common.
Additionally, duct design, turning vanes and deflection plates all contribute to uniform gas distribution to all filters. However poor installation of these elements can result in high airflow regions that will abrade the filter bags. Rough handling such as bending or stepping on the bags during installation or improper tensioning can also cause holes or tears in the bag filters reducing their strength and durability.
Moisture
Please tell us that you check your baghouse filters enough before letting moisture build up this badly.
Common sources of condensation and moisture in a baghouse are leaking gaskets around the doors and airlocks or upset conditions in the process. Moisture can weaken the filter media, causing filter leaks or failures, and allow dust to bypass the filters. It can also alter the adhesion characteristics of the dust creating hard-to-clean mud and blinding of the filter. Moisture can also create chemical issues within the baghouse. For example, acid gases mixed with high moisture can cause an acid flash. This is where the acids condense out of the gas stream and damage the filters and housing.
As discussed in this and the previous article, there are a number of reasons why industrial baghouse filters fail prematurely. Baghouse.com has experience helping many with these and other problems find solutions to get their systems back to peak performance. For more information and to arrange a quote for all your baghouse requirements, please contact us at Baghouse.com
Whether you know exactly what you want or could use some help getting the right dust collection filter, we’ll put together a free quote with the perfect filter for you.
This guide is going to help you to avoid some of the more common pitfalls we see with sizing a dust collection system. For example, many dust collector OEM’s and sales rep organizations will frequently undersize their systems in order to beat the lowest price in any bidding competition. But then later on, once installed, they don’t perform adequately.
Our guide’s going to help you to calculate the approximate size and determine an adequate system configuration that will meet your application and process needs, which you can then use when comparing quotes from various manufacturers. Our guide’s also going to provide information that will be helpful for general baghouse maintenance, operation, as well as safety procedures.
If you have any questions, please, feel free to contact us for more information.
https://www.baghouse.com/wp-content/uploads/2020/01/sizing-your-baghouse-video-tutorial.png7431323adminhttps://www.baghouse.com/wp-content/uploads/2018/03/BH-Logo-Alt-01.pngadmin2020-01-02 09:00:002020-01-29 18:32:35Video: Intro Guide to Sizing and Designing Your Baghouse
British Columbia’s workplace regulatory body, WorkSafeBC, fined West Fraser Mills, a wood product firm that operates in both the United States and in Canada, $115,000 for having combustible dust present at several of their locations. Inspectors noticed the potentially combustible wood dust around several electrical fixtures, appliances, motors, and moving machinery parts. The flammable dust is supposed to be collected and cleaned up in the locations in which it’s produced. Places with heat and electricity become safety hazards quickly when the dust is not taken care of properly.
Key Takeaways:
West Fraser Mills was issued a hefty fine for letting wood dust accumulate in their warehouses.
Fine wood dust comes from milling different wood products and can build up in several places.
Fine would dust is susceptible to catching on fire and would not need much to get it started.
“British Columbia’s occupational safety regulator, WorkSafeBC, issued a CAD$150,000 (about $114,000) fine to wood products firm West Fraser Mills this November for accumulations of combustible dust in several buildings at its Quesnel, BC manufacturing site.”
The deterioration of filter bags through abrasion can be a result of a number of causes. It can be caused by bags physically rubbing against each other, from the type of cleaning mechanism used or from where the dust enters the bag and impacts the fabric. The most common is caused by excessive particulate loads in the gas stream. Poor inlet design may lead to particulate laden air striking the filters in certain spots more than others such as near the bottom cuff, or strike the filters closest to the dirty-air inlet. In shaker baghouses, bags can deteriorate prematurely due to vigorous shaking particularly at points where the bags are attached. In pulse jet baghouses the repeated rubbing of the bags against the support cages (especially if the cages are bent or rusty) can considerably shorten the working life of the baghouse filter. This is usually the case when the filters are not sized properly to the cage (otherwise known as the correct amount of “pinch”).
“A properly designed, installed and maintained system can go a long way in preventing premature baghouse filter failure…”
Need your baghouse filters replaced?
2. Exceeding Maximum Operating Temperature
Is your baghouse building up dust?
Baghouse filters are manufactured using various materials depending on the application they are being used for. These materials have different thermal durability, that is the upper temperature limit of the fabric. Thermal durability may also be a potential cause of early failure. When operating temperatures rise above the designed limits of the fabric, whether for short spikes or longer overages, filters will begin to degrade and eventually fail. This may be a sudden failure such as the filters melting or catching fire or it could result in less obvious damage that causes the bags to become brittle. Changes in the plant process, fuel source, maintenance shutdowns of other systems, etc., may result in temperature spikes that will irreparably damage the filters.
3. Chemical Attack
Baghouse filter failure can also occur from a chemical attack. In its simplest form, this can be caused by using the wrong fabric for the chemical makeup of the gas stream. If gas stream characteristics are not taken into consideration when selecting the filter fabric and/or treatments/finishes, chemical attack can cause considerable damage to the baghouse filter. Other times unexpected changes occur in the gas stream that can cause changes in the composition of the gas. For example, operating temperatures may drop below the dew point allowing chemicals in the gas stream to condense on the filters. This can have a dramatic effect on the life span of a baghouse filter, therefore proper fabric selection and maintain tight control over the process operating conditions and procedures can help eliminate bag deterioration caused by chemical attack.
4. Fire
A dust collection filter damaged from fire.
Premature baghouse filter failure can also be caused by fire. This could range from a relatively mild occurrence to a far more serious event. A minor event could be caused by an ember or a spark entering the baghouse system. The ignition source can then be drawn through baghouse system and make make its way to the surface of the filter causing a hole to be burnt in the bag or for it to catch fire.
Additionally, if the dust collection system is not working properly dust accumulations may form that can then provide fuel for a potential fire or explosion. If then a spark or ember enters the system this built up dust can ignite causing a fire, which can then be dragged through the entire system causing a serious or even catastrophic conflagration. This often happens when a system is choked off with high pressure drop (differential pressure) across the filters or when the dust discharge system (baghouse airlock and any connected screw/pneumatic conveyors downstream) do not remove the dust from the baghouse quickly enough.
Prevention
A properly designed, installed and maintained system can go a long way in preventing premature baghouse filter failure. Following a regular preventative maintenance provided by a reputable dust collector OEM like Baghouse.com can keep your system in good working order. At times a dye leak test among other things can help technicians identify the exact cause of early filter failure.
Whether you know exactly what you want or could use some help getting the right dust collection filter, we’ll put together a free quote with the perfect filter for you.
According to local media, a dust collector at the Innotec LED factory briefly caught fire at 11:30 in the morning on 7 May. Five fire trucks were dispatched to the Zeeland, Michigan manufacturing facility. All ten of the Innotec workers present at the time were able to evacuate safely, and the blaze was suppressed in under ten minutes. Innotec, a company founded in the early nineties in Hudsonville, Michigan, is a producer of LED lighting used for heavy machinery, automotive uses and other applications.
Key Takeaways:
The Innotec Plant experienced a fire, fortunately without loss of life, on Tuesday, the 7th of May.
The Zeeland Plant fire in MI, on West Washington, was reported on by the Holland Sentinel.
The blaze ignited around 11:30 AM, followed by the safe evacuation of about ten workers on site.
“During that incident, flames were contained to the building where the dust collector was located and no one was hurt.”
https://www.baghouse.com/wp-content/uploads/2019/05/industrial-dust-collector-fire.png551900BHhttps://www.baghouse.com/wp-content/uploads/2018/03/BH-Logo-Alt-01.pngBH2019-05-21 13:00:002020-01-29 18:49:57Dust Collector Fire Doused at LED Lighting Plant
Changes to Texas’ clean air plan has now been approved by the EPA. The clean air plan serves to improve the regulation of storage tanks and also give reasonable control for technology that serves to guide the regulation of emissions that go to the ozone layer. This move would help the Houston-Galveston-Brazoria area to enhance the quality of its air and to better attain the 2008 ozone standard that was set. The state of Texas is committed to improving the ozone layer and makings its air cleaner, a spokesperson for the state says, because this would help communities that are living in the state. In the 2008 ozone standard, the area under consideration was analyzed as a moderate non-attainable classification from a marginal non-attainable classification. Therefore, the EPA has now shown that is it approving Texas’ plans to regulate the emission of volatile organic compounds from storage tanks. It was determined by the EPA that this new move will work with the state’s already existing regulations on volatile organic compounds and nitrogen oxide. This is important because these two compounds, volatile organic compounds and nitrogen oxide, react in the presence of sunlight to produce ozone pollution at the ground level that harms the quality of the air. Next, some background on ozone pollution and air quality is analyzed.
Key Takeaways:
The State of Texas’ clean air plan has now been approved by the EPA and this encompasses improving the regulation of storage tanks.
Texas, according to the spokesperson, is showing a commitment to improving the air quality of its area for its citizens by reducing ozone emissions.
When there is ozone in the air that we breathe, our health is compromised and this is more dangerous for children and the elderly.
“The agency said the changes will help the Houston-Galveston-Brazoria area move toward better air quality and attainment of the 2008 ozone standard.”
https://www.baghouse.com/wp-content/uploads/2019/05/air-pollution.png500900BHhttps://www.baghouse.com/wp-content/uploads/2018/03/BH-Logo-Alt-01.pngBH2019-05-16 13:00:002020-01-29 18:50:22Texas to reduce ozone-creating emissions for Greater Houston Area
There are several methods of joining metals today but the most common is welding. During welding, two metals are joined together or fused using heat, pressure, or even both techniques. This produces a final joint that could be as strong as or even stronger than the two metals from which it was produced. Some of the potential hazards in welding that the author states are harmful dust, heat, smoke, fumes, and light radiation that is injurious. The smoke produced by welding can be toxic in itself since they are gases. The heat that is generated by the welding activity can result in burns when it comes in contact with the skin some of which are eye injuries when pieces of chips that are hot come in contact with the eye. Even the light that is emitted during welding can cause damage if the eye is not protected. Added to this is the danger of one getting electrocuted during the welding activity. The NIOSH has established a hierarchy of hazard controls which has become the widely accepted industry standard for determining the feasibility and potential causes of injuries and hazards during a welding operation. The five levels of the hierarchy are next discussed in the blog.
Key Takeaways:
Welders are at a high risk of eye injures from the hot slag and metal chips.
Wearing a welding helmet with filter plates will help protect you from rays and weld sparks.
Adequate ventilation is crucial to keep welders from inhaling too many airborne contaminants.
“Impact, penetration, harmful dust, smoke, fumes, heat and injurious light radiation are all potential hazards associated with welding. Welding “smoke” is a mixture of very fine particles (fumes) and gases.”
A pallet maker based in Wisconsin has had another citation from the OSHA after some investigation reveals that it has continuously been exposing its workers to wood dust. The penalties that Avid Pallet Services LLC will face are to the tune of $188,302 for serious violations that are repeated related to safety and health of its workers. When inspectors checked the company’s premises, they determined that the company did not implement or failed totally to implement engineering controls that would reduce the exposure of its employees to wood dust, and was failing in its ability to train its employees on the health hazard of wood dust. But this citation is not the first for Avid Pallet Services. It has been cited before by the OSHA in 2016. It was reported that the company was not transparent in its treatment of its employments when it comes to workplace hazards. The OSHA director states that it regularly informs employers that they have to make employees aware of the health hazards related to their work and to manage it well. On a contrasting note, the author notes that Avid Pallet states that transparency and integrity is one of its guiding principles. This was also stated on their website.
Key Takeaways:
OSHA carries out several inspections on factories and it has found out that a pallet maker exposes its workers to wood dust.
The fault of the Wisconsin pallet manufacturer is that they failed to implement sufficient engineering controls that would be able to limit workers’ exposure to dust.
Employers of all categories, according to the OSHA, should make sure that employees are not exposed to dust of any kind and should protect employees from hazards.
“Avid Pallet Services LLC faces penalties of $188,302 for repeated, serious, and other-than-serious safety and health violations.”
On November 5-8, 2019, there will be an A+A International conference that will be held in Dusseldorf, Germany, on Safety, Security, and Health. Mess Dusseldorf has been responsible for the A+A Conference and the man in charge of affairs is Wolfram Diener who has been the Managing director of the agency since October 2018. From the interview held with him, one can see that Diener is super excited and enthusiastic about his new job. He considers this conference a challenge after successful fairs in other places and even in Asia. His company, Messe Dusseldorf, is seen as a robust and successful company in hosting trade fairs in Germany. When asked about the response to the fair from companies so far, Diener states that the response has been great. There has been considerable interest shown in the fair both from companies that have participated before and from new companies. To accommodate all companies, the space for the fair has been expanded. Additional capacities in the areas of health at Work, Operational Safety, and Corporate Fashion have been added. Diener goes on during the interview to demonstrate the arrangements that have been put in place for the fair.
Key Takeaways:
Diener has been planning the hall for the A+A 2019 event for a long time and he says that the planning has been great.
The response from companies about the A+A event has been great and many that were there before want to come again.
The space at the event has been expanded due to the overwhelming response and three areas have been added such as Health at Work and Operational Safety.
“Since October 1, 2018, Wolfram Diener has been the new Managing Director of Messe Düsseldorf and responsible for A+A. Diener is enthusiastic about his new job: “After many exciting and successful years with various trade fair companies, and quite some time in Asia, I am now facing the next challenge – and this challenge will be more than the bandwidth of my trade fair portfolio in Düsseldorf.”
https://www.baghouse.com/wp-content/uploads/2019/05/A-A-women-looking.jpg550900BHhttps://www.baghouse.com/wp-content/uploads/2018/03/BH-Logo-Alt-01.pngBH2019-04-17 13:00:002020-01-29 18:49:14Course is set for A+A 2019 Occupational Health and Safety Trade Fair
Depending on one’s place of employment, the particles that can be found in dust often contain harmful materials that can result in dangerous situations, some of these situations being fatal. Since these hazardous conditions can be hard to detect with the human eye, many companies are now employing real-time monitors that have the ability to detect any harmful particles so that they are addressed before it develops into a bigger issue where someone is potentially put in harm’s way.
Key Takeaways:
The new Trolex dust monitor beats conventional dust monitors, which are designed to measure a single size particulate at a time.
With its new, cutting-edge laser technology, the Trolex dust monitor can monitor multiple sizes at once.
The new Trolex Air XD is also cost-effective, as it requires less routine maintenance, which brings down the overall cost of ownership.
“The real-time application also allows companies to use live data to identify specific trends and peak levels of risk.”
Other Causes of Baghouse Filter Failure
Dust Collection Blog, Dust Collector Maintenance, Operation & Optimization, Dust Collector TroubleshootingThe four main reasons why baghouse filters fail prematurely are abrasion, exceeding the maximum operating temperature, chemical attack and fire. All of these can dramatically shorten the the life of a baghouse filter as well as cause serious damage to the baghouse system*. However there are other lesser known causes that can cause premature dust collector filter failure. Let’s review them.
Undersized Dust Collector for CFM
It is essential that an industrial baghouse system be carefully engineered and sized to handle the right amount of air flow (CFM) for the application. If the filter system is undersized, then the filters will suffer increased wear. Additionally, an undersized system will eventually lead to inadequate air flow, poor venting that can damage equipment, higher emissions, loss of reclaimed product and a hazardous work environment.
A dust collector can be undersized in two main ways: (1) by not having enough filters for the airflow, and (2) by having too much airflow through too small of a unit, thus creating high internal can/interstitial velocity.
Sadly, many less reputable sales reps and even some dust collector OEMs often undersize systems in order to undercut their competition on price. Other times, plants have tried to increase system capacity without consulting with an experienced dust collector manufacturer and even up overloading their units.
Wrong Filter Media or Style of Filter
The choice of baghouse filter media depends on a number of factors, such as temperature, resistance to chemicals, target dust size, physical characteristics, collection efficiency and price. If the choice of fabric is unsuitable for the application required, this can have a dramatic reduction in the lifespan of the filter.
For example, trying to use a low temperature filter fabric such as polyester (max temp 250F – 275F) in a high temperature (300F – 500F) baghouse system will quickly result in filter failure.
Often, operators must consider more than just the maximum temperature as the mix of temperature, humidity and chemical makeup in the gas stream can cause failures if not accounted for when selecting the media. For example, in many gypsum applications the temperature is not normally very high (under 200F) so polyester media might seem to be a good choice. However, the combination of elevated temperatures and high humidity can cause the gypsum to react with the polyester and cause hydrolysis, which leads to the bag becoming hard and brittle. For this reason many gypsum applications used aramid filters even though the temperature normally would allow for cheaper polyester bags.
Finally, many suffer problems due to using cartridge filters where a bag filter is more appropriate. Man applications can make good use of cartridge collectors to improve operation and reduce the overall cost of a system. However, we often see people try to use cartridges in applications ill-suited for them such those with irregular-shaped material, sticky materials, or high temps.
Need your baghouse filter replaced?
Bent and Damaged Cages
During regular maintenance or when stored improperly, cages can be bent, damaged, warped and or even corroded. Using baghouse filter cages in this condition will lead to the filters failing prematurely. When a cage is bent or damaged, sharp points can form from broken wires and cracked welds that can physically damage the filter creating tears and holes. If rust or corrosion is present on the cage, this creates abrasion and leads to tears and holes in the filter. Additionally, bent cages will cause the bags to hit each other or the sides of the housing when they are pulsed creating localized wear spots.
Poor Installation
Improper installation of filter bags can also result in early bag failure and loss of cleaning effectiveness. For top load pulse jets, the most common install errors involve not seating the snap band properly. For a bottom load unit the bag not being folded over the top of the cage properly, poor clamp placement and tightening the clamp too much or too little are all common.
Additionally, duct design, turning vanes and deflection plates all contribute to uniform gas distribution to all filters. However poor installation of these elements can result in high airflow regions that will abrade the filter bags. Rough handling such as bending or stepping on the bags during installation or improper tensioning can also cause holes or tears in the bag filters reducing their strength and durability.
Moisture
Common sources of condensation and moisture in a baghouse are leaking gaskets around the doors and airlocks or upset conditions in the process. Moisture can weaken the filter media, causing filter leaks or failures, and allow dust to bypass the filters. It can also alter the adhesion characteristics of the dust creating hard-to-clean mud and blinding of the filter. Moisture can also create chemical issues within the baghouse. For example, acid gases mixed with high moisture can cause an acid flash. This is where the acids condense out of the gas stream and damage the filters and housing.
As discussed in this and the previous article, there are a number of reasons why industrial baghouse filters fail prematurely. Baghouse.com has experience helping many with these and other problems find solutions to get their systems back to peak performance. For more information and to arrange a quote for all your baghouse requirements, please contact us at Baghouse.com
* See article “Top 4 reasons why baghouse filters fail”
Need Help Ordering Baghouse Filters?
Whether you know exactly what you want or could use some help getting the right dust collection filter, we’ll put together a free quote with the perfect filter for you.
Video: Intro Guide to Sizing and Designing Your Baghouse
Baghouse Design, Dust Collection Blog, Dust Collector Maintenance, Operation & OptimizationHi, and welcome to our guide for how to properly size and design your dust collection system.
This guide is going to help you to avoid some of the more common pitfalls we see with sizing a dust collection system. For example, many dust collector OEM’s and sales rep organizations will frequently undersize their systems in order to beat the lowest price in any bidding competition. But then later on, once installed, they don’t perform adequately.
Our guide’s going to help you to calculate the approximate size and determine an adequate system configuration that will meet your application and process needs, which you can then use when comparing quotes from various manufacturers. Our guide’s also going to provide information that will be helpful for general baghouse maintenance, operation, as well as safety procedures.
If you have any questions, please, feel free to contact us for more information.
Wood Products Firm Fined $114K for Combustible Dust
Dust Collection Blog, Industrial Health and Safety, News, Pollution/Emission Regulation, SafetyBritish Columbia’s workplace regulatory body, WorkSafeBC, fined West Fraser Mills, a wood product firm that operates in both the United States and in Canada, $115,000 for having combustible dust present at several of their locations. Inspectors noticed the potentially combustible wood dust around several electrical fixtures, appliances, motors, and moving machinery parts. The flammable dust is supposed to be collected and cleaned up in the locations in which it’s produced. Places with heat and electricity become safety hazards quickly when the dust is not taken care of properly.
Key Takeaways:
“British Columbia’s occupational safety regulator, WorkSafeBC, issued a CAD$150,000 (about $114,000) fine to wood products firm West Fraser Mills this November for accumulations of combustible dust in several buildings at its Quesnel, BC manufacturing site.”
Read more: https://www.powderbulksolids.com/news/Wood-Products-Firm-Fined-114K-for-Combustible-Dust-12-17-2019
Top 4 Reasons Why Baghouse Filters Fail
Dust Collection Blog, Dust Collector Maintenance, Operation & Optimization, Dust Collector TroubleshootingThe regular operational life of a baghouse filter can be shortened by a number of factors. In this article we will discuss the top 4 reasons:
1. Abrasion
The deterioration of filter bags through abrasion can be a result of a number of causes. It can be caused by bags physically rubbing against each other, from the type of cleaning mechanism used or from where the dust enters the bag and impacts the fabric. The most common is caused by excessive particulate loads in the gas stream. Poor inlet design may lead to particulate laden air striking the filters in certain spots more than others such as near the bottom cuff, or strike the filters closest to the dirty-air inlet. In shaker baghouses, bags can deteriorate prematurely due to vigorous shaking particularly at points where the bags are attached. In pulse jet baghouses the repeated rubbing of the bags against the support cages (especially if the cages are bent or rusty) can considerably shorten the working life of the baghouse filter. This is usually the case when the filters are not sized properly to the cage (otherwise known as the correct amount of “pinch”).
Need your baghouse filters replaced?
2. Exceeding Maximum Operating Temperature
Baghouse filters are manufactured using various materials depending on the application they are being used for. These materials have different thermal durability, that is the upper temperature limit of the fabric. Thermal durability may also be a potential cause of early failure. When operating temperatures rise above the designed limits of the fabric, whether for short spikes or longer overages, filters will begin to degrade and eventually fail. This may be a sudden failure such as the filters melting or catching fire or it could result in less obvious damage that causes the bags to become brittle. Changes in the plant process, fuel source, maintenance shutdowns of other systems, etc., may result in temperature spikes that will irreparably damage the filters.
3. Chemical Attack
Baghouse filter failure can also occur from a chemical attack. In its simplest form, this can be caused by using the wrong fabric for the chemical makeup of the gas stream. If gas stream characteristics are not taken into consideration when selecting the filter fabric and/or treatments/finishes, chemical attack can cause considerable damage to the baghouse filter. Other times unexpected changes occur in the gas stream that can cause changes in the composition of the gas. For example, operating temperatures may drop below the dew point allowing chemicals in the gas stream to condense on the filters. This can have a dramatic effect on the life span of a baghouse filter, therefore proper fabric selection and maintain tight control over the process operating conditions and procedures can help eliminate bag deterioration caused by chemical attack.
4. Fire
Premature baghouse filter failure can also be caused by fire. This could range from a relatively mild occurrence to a far more serious event. A minor event could be caused by an ember or a spark entering the baghouse system. The ignition source can then be drawn through baghouse system and make make its way to the surface of the filter causing a hole to be burnt in the bag or for it to catch fire.
Additionally, if the dust collection system is not working properly dust accumulations may form that can then provide fuel for a potential fire or explosion. If then a spark or ember enters the system this built up dust can ignite causing a fire, which can then be dragged through the entire system causing a serious or even catastrophic conflagration. This often happens when a system is choked off with high pressure drop (differential pressure) across the filters or when the dust discharge system (baghouse airlock and any connected screw/pneumatic conveyors downstream) do not remove the dust from the baghouse quickly enough.
Prevention
A properly designed, installed and maintained system can go a long way in preventing premature baghouse filter failure. Following a regular preventative maintenance provided by a reputable dust collector OEM like Baghouse.com can keep your system in good working order. At times a dye leak test among other things can help technicians identify the exact cause of early filter failure.
Further Information
For further information on baghouse filter failures, please see additional article on lesser known reasons of baghouse filter failures.
Need Help Ordering Baghouse Filters?
Whether you know exactly what you want or could use some help getting the right dust collection filter, we’ll put together a free quote with the perfect filter for you.
Dust Collector Fire Doused at LED Lighting Plant
Dust Collection Blog, Industrial Health and Safety, NewsAccording to local media, a dust collector at the Innotec LED factory briefly caught fire at 11:30 in the morning on 7 May. Five fire trucks were dispatched to the Zeeland, Michigan manufacturing facility. All ten of the Innotec workers present at the time were able to evacuate safely, and the blaze was suppressed in under ten minutes. Innotec, a company founded in the early nineties in Hudsonville, Michigan, is a producer of LED lighting used for heavy machinery, automotive uses and other applications.
Key Takeaways:
“During that incident, flames were contained to the building where the dust collector was located and no one was hurt.”
Read more: https://www.powderbulksolids.com/news/Dust-Collector-Fire-Doused-at-LED-Lighting-Plant-05-08-2019
Texas to reduce ozone-creating emissions for Greater Houston Area
Dust Collection Blog, NewsChanges to Texas’ clean air plan has now been approved by the EPA. The clean air plan serves to improve the regulation of storage tanks and also give reasonable control for technology that serves to guide the regulation of emissions that go to the ozone layer. This move would help the Houston-Galveston-Brazoria area to enhance the quality of its air and to better attain the 2008 ozone standard that was set. The state of Texas is committed to improving the ozone layer and makings its air cleaner, a spokesperson for the state says, because this would help communities that are living in the state. In the 2008 ozone standard, the area under consideration was analyzed as a moderate non-attainable classification from a marginal non-attainable classification. Therefore, the EPA has now shown that is it approving Texas’ plans to regulate the emission of volatile organic compounds from storage tanks. It was determined by the EPA that this new move will work with the state’s already existing regulations on volatile organic compounds and nitrogen oxide. This is important because these two compounds, volatile organic compounds and nitrogen oxide, react in the presence of sunlight to produce ozone pollution at the ground level that harms the quality of the air. Next, some background on ozone pollution and air quality is analyzed.
Key Takeaways:
“The agency said the changes will help the Houston-Galveston-Brazoria area move toward better air quality and attainment of the 2008 ozone standard.”
Read more: https://www.ishn.com/articles/110713-texas-to-reduce-ozone-creating-emissions-for-greater-houston-area
Welding safety precautions
Dust Collection Blog, NewsThere are several methods of joining metals today but the most common is welding. During welding, two metals are joined together or fused using heat, pressure, or even both techniques. This produces a final joint that could be as strong as or even stronger than the two metals from which it was produced. Some of the potential hazards in welding that the author states are harmful dust, heat, smoke, fumes, and light radiation that is injurious. The smoke produced by welding can be toxic in itself since they are gases. The heat that is generated by the welding activity can result in burns when it comes in contact with the skin some of which are eye injuries when pieces of chips that are hot come in contact with the eye. Even the light that is emitted during welding can cause damage if the eye is not protected. Added to this is the danger of one getting electrocuted during the welding activity. The NIOSH has established a hierarchy of hazard controls which has become the widely accepted industry standard for determining the feasibility and potential causes of injuries and hazards during a welding operation. The five levels of the hierarchy are next discussed in the blog.
Key Takeaways:
“Impact, penetration, harmful dust, smoke, fumes, heat and injurious light radiation are all potential hazards associated with welding. Welding “smoke” is a mixture of very fine particles (fumes) and gases.”
Read more: https://www.ishn.com/articles/110590-welding-safety-precautions
Pallet maker continues to expose workers to wood dust
Dust Collection Blog, SummaryA pallet maker based in Wisconsin has had another citation from the OSHA after some investigation reveals that it has continuously been exposing its workers to wood dust. The penalties that Avid Pallet Services LLC will face are to the tune of $188,302 for serious violations that are repeated related to safety and health of its workers. When inspectors checked the company’s premises, they determined that the company did not implement or failed totally to implement engineering controls that would reduce the exposure of its employees to wood dust, and was failing in its ability to train its employees on the health hazard of wood dust. But this citation is not the first for Avid Pallet Services. It has been cited before by the OSHA in 2016. It was reported that the company was not transparent in its treatment of its employments when it comes to workplace hazards. The OSHA director states that it regularly informs employers that they have to make employees aware of the health hazards related to their work and to manage it well. On a contrasting note, the author notes that Avid Pallet states that transparency and integrity is one of its guiding principles. This was also stated on their website.
Key Takeaways:
“Avid Pallet Services LLC faces penalties of $188,302 for repeated, serious, and other-than-serious safety and health violations.”
Read more: https://www.ishn.com/articles/110522-pallet-maker-continues-to-expose-workers-to-wood-dust
Course is set for A+A 2019 Occupational Health and Safety Trade Fair
Dust Collection Blog, SummaryOn November 5-8, 2019, there will be an A+A International conference that will be held in Dusseldorf, Germany, on Safety, Security, and Health. Mess Dusseldorf has been responsible for the A+A Conference and the man in charge of affairs is Wolfram Diener who has been the Managing director of the agency since October 2018. From the interview held with him, one can see that Diener is super excited and enthusiastic about his new job. He considers this conference a challenge after successful fairs in other places and even in Asia. His company, Messe Dusseldorf, is seen as a robust and successful company in hosting trade fairs in Germany. When asked about the response to the fair from companies so far, Diener states that the response has been great. There has been considerable interest shown in the fair both from companies that have participated before and from new companies. To accommodate all companies, the space for the fair has been expanded. Additional capacities in the areas of health at Work, Operational Safety, and Corporate Fashion have been added. Diener goes on during the interview to demonstrate the arrangements that have been put in place for the fair.
Key Takeaways:
“Since October 1, 2018, Wolfram Diener has been the new Managing Director of Messe Düsseldorf and responsible for A+A. Diener is enthusiastic about his new job: “After many exciting and successful years with various trade fair companies, and quite some time in Asia, I am now facing the next challenge – and this challenge will be more than the bandwidth of my trade fair portfolio in Düsseldorf.”
Read more: https://www.ishn.com/articles/110640-course-is-set-for-aa-2019-occupational-health-and-safety-trade-fair
Real-time dust monitor launched
Dust Collection Blog, SummaryDepending on one’s place of employment, the particles that can be found in dust often contain harmful materials that can result in dangerous situations, some of these situations being fatal. Since these hazardous conditions can be hard to detect with the human eye, many companies are now employing real-time monitors that have the ability to detect any harmful particles so that they are addressed before it develops into a bigger issue where someone is potentially put in harm’s way.
Key Takeaways:
“The real-time application also allows companies to use live data to identify specific trends and peak levels of risk.”
Read more: https://www.shponline.co.uk/occupational-health/real-time-dust-monitor-launched/