A baghouse or fabric filter is a particulate pollution control device that removes dust from the air. Power generation facilities, flour mills, pharmaceutical and chemical plants and other industries use baghouses to control emission of air pollutants. Homeowners use baghouses for their hobby woodshops, barns or anti-allergen filtration.
Baghouses typically are 99% (or better) effective at removing dust from the air, even when dust particles are very small.
These are the basic parts to any baghouse dust collector. Their appearance depends on design, but all fabric filters contain these components.
Filter Medium
These are the fabric bags and their support system. The bags can be made of felted or woven materials. The bags are typically long, cylindrical tubes. They can be supported at the top and bottom or have a frame inside. Dust is collected inside or outside the baghouse filter depending on the airflow design.
Fan
Dirty air is either pushed or pulled through the baghouse filter bag by a fan.
Bag Cleaner
Collected dust cakes onto the bag. It is removed from the fabric by shaking, reverse air, pulse jet, or sonic means. See more about this below.
Collection Hopper
Caked dust removed from the bag is temporarily stored for more convenient removal. There may be a vibration plate or similar to move the caked dust towards the discharge unit.
Discharge Unit
Large filters in an industrial setting have automatic discharge. Dust is automatically removed from the hopper and discarded using double dump devices, rotary airlock valves or similar. Smaller units for home use might have a drawer to empty.