A dust collector is a system used to enhance the quality of air released from industrial and commercial processes by collecting dust and other impurities from air or gas. Designed to handle high-volume dust loads, a dust collector system consists of a blower, a dust filter, a filter-cleaning system, and a dust receptacle or dust removal system. It is distinguished from air purifiers, which use disposable filters to remove dust.

Types of Dust Collectors

Five main types of industrial dust collectors are:

  • Inertial separators
  • Fabric filters
  • Wet scrubbers
  • Unit collectors
  • Electrostatic precipitators
Inertial Separators

Inertial separators separate dust from gas streams using a combination of forces, such as centrifugal, gravitational, and inertial. These forces move the dust to an area where the forces exerted by the gas stream are minimal. The separated dust is moved by gravity into a hopper, where it is temporarily stored.

The three primary types of inertial separators are:

  • Settling chambers
  • Baffle chambers
  • Centrifugal collectors

Neither settling chambers nor baffle chambers are commonly used in the minerals processing industry. However, their principles of operation are often incorporated into the design of more efficient dust collectors.

Fabric Filters

Commonly known as baghouses, fabric collectors use filtration to separate dust particulates from dusty gases. They are one of the most efficient and cost-effective types of dust collectors available and can achieve a collection efficiency of more than 99% for very fine particulates.

Dust-laden gases enter the baghouse and pass through fabric bags that act as filters. The bags can be of woven or felted cotton, synthetic, or glass-fiber material in either a tube or envelope shape.

Wet Scrubbers

Dust collectors that use liquid are known as wet scrubbers. In these systems, the scrubbing liquid (usually water) comes into contact with a gas stream containing dust particles. Greater contact of the gas and liquid streams yields higher dust removal efficiency.

Baghouses (Fabric Dust Collectors)

Baghouses, also known as fabric dust collectors or fabric filters, are filtration devices used to capture or separate dust particles and other contaminants found floating in the air. As gas streams are directed through these bags, they provide multiple fabric layers the gas must pass through which is responsible for a majority of the filtration process. Bags can be intermittently or continually cleaned by shaking them, reversing the airflow in the dust collector, or pulsing air through the filer.

In comparison to other types of air pollution control equipment, baghouses are an incredibly efficient and versatile option for dust collection. If you’re looking for baghouses or bag filters for your dust collection system, browse our large selection of filters online today!

Industrial Vacuums

Industrial vacuums are dust collection systems that utilize a vacuum suction to pull outside air in for filtering. During their operation, a powerful air stream with dust and other contaminants is forced through the media filter and pushed out through a discharge outlet. Industrial vacuums can incorporate the use of fabric bags, envelopes, or cartridges as filters, depending on the pollutants you wish to collect.