Fabric filters (also called baghouses or fabric collectors) are dust collectors that separate particulate pollutants from dusty gases. The fabric filters can achieve a filtering efficiency of 99%, even for very fine particles. In addition, the fabric filters costs are lesser as compare to other types of industrial filters.

The fabric provides a surface for dust particles when the polluted air or gases pass through the fabric filters. Basic mechanisms of the dust collection for the fabric filter are inertial collection, interception, Brownian movement and electrostatic forces. Fabric filters come in different types such as a mechanical shaker filter, a reverse air filter, a reverse jet filter and a cartridge collector.

Some important parameters you must consider before buying fabric filters are:

1. Type of pollutants you want to remove using the fabric filters
2. Particle size of the pollutants
3. Expected useful life of the fabric filters
4. Operating temperature for the fabric filters

Action Steps
The best contacts and resources to help you get it done

Buy fabric filters from reputable fabric filter manufacturers

Once you identify your filtration requirements, check out products by reputable industrial fabric filter manufacturers.

I recommend: Industrial Filtration supplies fabric filter bags such as pulsejet bags, envelope bags, shaker bags, reverse-air bags, and liquid filter bags. Great Lakes Filters, a reputable industrial filter manufacturer, supplies fabric filters made of woven filter fabric as well as nonwoven filter fabric. Jelliff offers fabric filters for various industries such as the pharmaceuticals, chemicals, automotive, food processing and HVAC (heating, ventilation and air conditioning) industry.

Buy fabric filters from a reputable distributor or retailer

You can compare products from different fabric filter makers based on their features and prices at distributors or retailers' websites. You can ask for a discount on fabric filter costs if you are buying in bulk.

I recommend: Dayton Reliable Air Filter is a distributor of air filters made of different industrial filter fabrics such as polyester filter fabric and fiberglass. You can buy a fabric filter for required application from Grainger, another industrial distributor. Other industrial retailers that offers fabric filters are J H Process Equipment and MSC Industrial Direct. You can also refer to the list of fabric filter makers and distributors at ThomasNet.

Buy specialty or customized fabric filters

If standard fabric filters do not meet you requirements, opt for specialty or customized fabric filters. Moreover, some manufacturers of filter fabrics can also design and manufacture a fabric filter system as per your requirements.

I recommend: BACT Process Systems, a manufacturer of air pollution control devices, designs and manufactures fabric filters. McGill AirClean supplies fabric filters that can withstand high temperatures and corrosive environment. Menardi supplies fabric filters as per customers’ requirements.

Tips & Tactics

Helpful advice for making the most of this Guide

• •  Use fabric filters that work on combined mechanisms, as these fabric filters provide better filtering efficiency.
• •  Replace fabric filters after their expected life specified by the fabric filter makers.
• •  If your fabric filters exhaust or wear off too frequently, consult fabric filter makers to provide an efficient and durable alternative.