Depends on who you ask!  The years a filer bag is in service in the dust collector does not necessarily determine the longevity of the filter bag.  The life of  the filter bag really depends on how many hours in service PLUS the dust load PLUS have there been any upset conditions and how those conditions were handled.

Here are a few possible upset conditions and what you can do to help maintain your system and assist in increasing the life of the filter bags:

If a large amount of water/moisture was present in the dust collector, find the source of the water/moisture and eliminate it.  Then the dust collector should be ran for an extended period of time to dry out the filter bags.

Are the pulse valves working correctly? Are they continuously pulsing or not pulsing at all?  Either condition can cause premature failure of the filter bags.

Did the screw conveyor stop running and it was off a few days before you found it?  Dust build-up in the hopper can cause dust re-entrainment and pre-mature bag failure.

The above mentioned scenarios are only a few causes for bag failure.  Proper preventative maintenance of the dust collection system will allow the filters to last a long time.  While each application is unique, the vast majority of applications ETA experiences filter bag life in excess of 4 years and in most cases the filter life exceeds 6 years!

If you are not getting the life out of the dust collector filter bags you think you should, pull a few bags and send them to ETA to be tested.  Filter bag testing will determine the condition and remaining life of the filter bag.

Call ETA Engineering 800.988.2656 to discuss filter bag life and testing.  This can prove to be a great cost saving measure for your facility.

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