Dust Property Data for Filter Bag Selection: Risk Worksheet
Dust Properties Change the Selection
Filter bag selection should include both gas conditions and dust behavior. Moisture response, adhesion, abrasion and combustible-dust hazards can change media, surface treatment, cleaning and system design requirements.
1. Moisture and Hygroscopic Behavior
Record inlet moisture, dew-point margin, startup and shutdown conditions, and whether the dust absorbs water. Hygroscopic or sticky dust may form a dense cake when condensation occurs, so moisture control and operating procedure are as important as surface treatment.
2. Adhesion and Dust Release
Describe whether the dust is oily, tacky or difficult to release. Singeing, calendaring, membrane or other finishes may be considered, but the decision should also account for particle size, cleaning method and chemical compatibility.
3. Abrasiveness
Identify hard or angular particles, inlet velocity and areas of localized impact. Review bag construction, reinforcement, cage fit and airflow distribution instead of assuming one media will resist every abrasive service.
4. Combustibility and Electrostatic Risk
Coal, carbon, metal and other fine powders may present combustible-dust or electrostatic hazards. Obtain the applicable dust-hazard data and involve qualified safety engineering. Antistatic or flame-resistant media alone does not make the complete system safe.
5. Particle Distribution and Loading
Document particle-size distribution, dust concentration and expected variation. These values influence filtration velocity, cleaning frequency, pressure drop and hopper loading.
6. Chemical Composition
List acids, alkalis, oxidizers, solvents and trace components, including upset conditions. Compatibility should be checked at the actual temperature and concentration.
7. Data to Attach to an RFQ
Provide a dust analysis, safety data, process description, operating range, current media, observed failure mode, cleaning method and required documentation. Unsupported fixed relationships between velocity, abrasion and service life should not be used as design guarantees.
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