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Installing pulse-jet style filters with PTFE membrane

Remember to Use an Install Sleeve

When installing pulse-jet style filters that utilize a PTFE membrane, it is crucial to incorporate an installation sleeve in the process. The use of bag installation sleeves serves to prevent potential damage to pulse jet bags equipped with ePTFE membrane. Although an ePTFE membrane is relatively durable, it remains susceptible to damage if it come into contact with steel tube sheet and experience scraping or rubbing.

At Menardi, a proactive approach is taken to address this concern. As part of their comprehensive solution, bag installation sleeves are provided for all pulse jet bags featuring ePTFE membrane. The installation procedure involves the insertion of the installation sleeve into the vacant tube sheet hole.

The subsequent steps in the installation process are as follows:

  1. The new bag is carefully threaded through the installation sleeve.
  2. The bag is passed through the installation sleeve until it is loaded into the tube sheet hole, ensuring that it reaches up to the bag’s top.
  3. Once the bag is positioned in the tube sheet hole up to the bag’s top, the bag top is securely snapped into place within the tube sheet hole.

By utilizing these bag installation sleeves, the risk of damaging the ePTFE membrane during the installation of pulse jet bags is effectively mitigated. This approach not only helps preserve the integrity of the filtration system but also contributes to the longevity and optimal performance of the ePTFE membrane-equipped pulse jet bags.

Do you know the benefits of a filter with ePTFE membrane?
There are several benefits associated with using a filter equipped with an ePTFE (expanded polytetrafluoroethylene) membrane, such as Menardi’s LD- and Mikrotex filter media.

These benefits add substantial value to your filtration operation. Here’s a breakdown of the advantages:

Superior Performance

1. Thorough Cake Release

Filters with ePTFE membranes exhibit excellent cake release characteristics during cleaning cycles. This ensures that captured particles are effectively released from the filter surface, maintaining filtration efficiency and preventing clogging.

2. Consistent Delta-P
The membrane’s properties contribute to a consistent pressure drop (Delta-P) after each cleaning cycle. This stability in pressure drop helps maintain efficient filtration over extended operating periods.
Lower Operating Costs
1. Higher Throughput
Filters featuring ePTFE membrane enable higher throughput due to their efficient cake release and consistent performance. This can lead to increased productivity and reduced or extended filtration cycle times.
2. Flattened Operating Delta-P
While the initial differential pressure drop (Delta-P) may start slightly higher, it stabilizes over time. This characteristic can lead to more predictable and manageable operating costs.
Lower Maintenance Costs
1. Less Frequent Changeout
The durability and efficient performance of ePTFE membrane contributes to longer filter lifecycles, reducing the frequency of filter changeouts.
2. More Up-Time Between Cleaning Cycles
The membrane’s resistance to clogging and ability to release particles effectively lead to longer intervals between required cleaning cycles, minimizing downtime and maintenance efforts.
Longer Overall Life
1. Cost-Effective
Menardi’s LD and Mikrotex ePTFE membrane filter media offer a longer service life compared to some other membrane options, providing value for your investment.
2. Fewer Bag Changes
The extended lifecycles of filters with ePTFE membrane result in fewer bag changeouts, reducing both material and labor costs.

In summary, choosing a filter equipped with an ePTFE membrane like Menardi’s LD and Mikrotex provides numerous advantages for your filtration operation. These benefits include superior cake release, consistent pressure drop, higher throughput, reduced operating and maintenance costs, and extended overall filter life. This technology offers a cost-effective and efficient solution that contributes to improved filtration performance and operational efficiency.

Case Study: PTFE Felt w/ ePTFE Membrane Conversion

Challenge

Chemical plant specializing in manufacturing chemical additives for the industrial detergent industry experience short life‐cycle on filter bags. Dust collector downstream of a high pH, chemically aggressive gas stream at moderate temperatures (180‐200ºF). Dust collector is a pulse jet collector currently using Polypropylene Felt with an ePTFE Membrane. Filter bags are getting 3‐4 months of life and failing due to loss of strength in the media, resulting in tears and holes in the filters. This lifecycle puts the plant at 3 rotations per year. Filter bags and downtime costs associated with these changeouts, pushed the maintenance and production department at the plant to research a potential better solution.

Solution

Menardi worked with the customer to analyze their current filter use including filter bag media, treatments, construction, dust collector gas stream chemistry, and application. Menardi also worked to analyze the filters in our in‐house lab to determine the failure mode before considering alternatives. Menardi determined that due to the aggressive chemistry and temperature of the baghouse, Polypropylene felt was not the most suitable polymer for the application. Our recommendation was to change the media from Polypropylene felt to PTFE felt. PTFE felt has a much higher resistance to chemically aggressive gas streams and has an operating temperature limit that far exceeds the customer’s current level.

Results

After a successful trial run of a small quantity of filter bags, the customer changed the entire dust collector over from the Polypropylene felt filter bags to PTFE felt. Although the cost for the new filters was higher than the previous style, the filters operated in excess of two years. The cost of increased production run times coupled with the costs associated with the downtime of changing out the filters more than offset the purchase costs of the PTFE filters. As a result, the collector ran more efficiently and the customer saw a significant ROI.
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