Modeling the filtration process with a flat-type fabric filter

The fabric filtration process is divided into three stages, i.e. depth filtration, transition filtration and surface filtration. A new model is proposed to describe the three stages under both virgin and regeneration conditions. The concept of an interface dust layer is introduced to predict the transition from the depth filtration stage to the transition filtration stage. The transition filtration stage due to the non-uniform accumulation of residual dust on a filter is characterized by two parameters — the surface cleaning fraction, f, and the residual dust load on the uncleaned surface, Wu0. It is found that f decreases and Wu0 increases with the number of filtration cycles. This result suggests that both the fraction of uncleaned surface and the thickness of dust cake on the uncleaned surface increase with the number of filtration cycles. The present model successfully describes the change in pressure drop during the filtration cycles using the parameters.