Cartridge dust collector filters are responsible for trapping particulates so that dust – and sometimes hazardous material – does not enter the airstream of your facility.
There is a wide variety of cartridge industrial dust collector filters on the market, and at A.C.T. Dust Collectors, we’ve seen them all. Today, we’ll be sharing some of the most common types of cartridge dust collection filters, their specific applications, and our expert recommendations for which filter is best for your organization.
Although we do sell this filter, it is not what we supply as a “standard” in our systems (we’ll tell you why in just a minute). This is the most common and economic cartridge industrial dust collection filter media on the market. Comprised of 80% polyester and 20% cellulose, and available in standard and flame-retardant versions, 80/20 filters are cost-effective but generally less effective in performance.
These are different from flame-proof filters. Selecting a flame-retardant version of the 80/20 means you are working in applications that use hot embers and produce sparks, like grinding, laser cutting or welding.
Typically, a standard 80/20 filter can be used in a variety of applications – but here’s why we use the following cartridge industrial dust collector filter instead.
Nanofiber cartridge filters are the most efficient version of a standard industrial dust collector filter. These can be used for most applications and also come in a standard or flame-retardant form. The actual nanofiber webbing laid on top of the filter media is what prevents particulates from getting embedded, allowing it to have a better release property, and therefore making it easier for the pulse cleaning system to clean. These filters are the standard filters for our A.C.T. cartridge units because they run smoothly across many applications.
With an 80/20 filter, there is a higher chance of bypass without the additional webbing. Nanofiber filters also carry a MERV 15 efficiency rating, which is the best in the industry, and account for up to 254 square feet of particulate per filter. In fact, the finer the particulate, the more efficient a nanofiber cartridge filter will be. Nanofiber filters are also versatile in that they fit into other non-A.C.T. Dust Collector systems.
After nanofiber filters, spunbond polyester filters are the next most commonly used cartridge filter. These filters are made by bonding together extruded spun filaments of polyester to create a durable, thick and heavy web of material.
Because of their structure, spunbond polyester cartridge filters deal with heavy loading applications better than other filters, but only have up to 100-120 square feet of filter media per filter. At a MERV 10 rating, they also do not perform as efficiently as nanofiber filters. However, these filters have great release properties and can capture larger particulates typically created by food processing applications.
There are going to be exceptions for some industries that may not benefit as much from the three filters listed above. Some of the rarer cartridge industrial dust collection filters are:
As you can see, there are plenty of cartridge industrial dust collection filters to choose from. Our selection of proven, high-value machines and filters can handle nearly any application that generates dust. It’s important to invest in equipment that will keep your employees safe, as well as provide cost and operating efficiencies.
At A.C.T., we have high-efficiency cartridge filters for many applications. If you’re unsure about which filter is right for your business, visit our dust collection systems page to browse collections and specifications. Our experts are always happy to assist and guide you in the right direction. Reach out and request a quote for your next industrial dust collection and filtration system today.