Pulse filter for intake air with high dust content
Keep the intake air clean in situations where the dust load is too high for scheduled filter changes. Pulse filters clean themselves during operation: bursts of compressed air dislodge the dust cake, allowing the system to continue operating between maintenance intervals instead of becoming clogged. Whether you operate gas turbines, large compressors, or reciprocating engines in deserts, cement and steel regions, or in mining: A pulse filter keeps pressure drop stable even under high dust loads, ensuring reliable operation, protecting the machinery, and reducing total cost of ownership (TCO).
Benefits
Why "Hengst"?- Filter Elements manufactured in-house: The cartridges are developed and produced within the Hengst Group itself.
- Cartridges and systems from a single source, perfectly matched: end-to-end value creation from the Filter Elements to the complete system.
- Global service network: Cartridges and support wherever the system is in operation.
- Filtration expertise since 1958: across the entire Hengst Group.
An Overview of Pulse Filters
| Self-cleaning | Self-cleaning Compressed-air cleaning during operation, reliable even under the most demanding conditions |
| Cross-flow, tabletop filter | Horizontal or vertical arrangement of the cartridges |
| Up to EPA Class E11 | High filtration efficiency combined with self-cleaning |
High dust load, no anti-icing | For desert, cement, and steel applications, mining, and bulk material handling |
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Pulse Filter Designs and Cartridges
Pulse filters are available in two designs, selected based on installation space, height, and maintenance access:
- Cross-flow (horizontal cartridges): compact design for locations with limited space.
- Bench filters (vertical cartridges): vertical cartridge arrangement for very high dust loads, with good maintenance access from below, suitable for large reciprocating engines and large compressors.
Both utilize surface filtration and counter-flow pulse-jet cleaning, and neither requires an anti-icing system. The pulse cartridges achieve up to EPA Class E11, depending on the cartridge specification and requirements. Hengst filters are classified according to ISO 16890 (PM1 to Coarse), EN 779 (G4 to F9), and EN 1822 (E10 to E12) as reference standards.
How Pulse-Jet Cleaning Works
Dust accumulates as a layer on the surface of the cartridge, not deep within the Filter Elements. At regular intervals, a brief burst of compressed air fired against the direction of flow dislodges the dust layer, which falls into a hopper for discharge, while the cartridge continues to filter. This keeps the pressure drop within a narrow range over long periods, ensuring reliable operation under demanding conditions, while scheduled filter changes become less frequent.
- Cleaning Trigger: Pressure-loss-based cleaning (demand-driven) keeps compressed air consumption efficient. A time-controlled cycle is the simpler alternative for stable locations.
- Compressed air supply: Designed for the cleaning cycle and integrated into the system design.
Rule of thumb: Pressure-loss-controlled cleaning is generally the most efficient because it only activates when the system actually needs it.
Why Choose Hengst Pulse Filters
- Full availability even under high dust loads. The self-cleaning feature keeps pressure drop stable where a static filter would become saturated, allowing the machine to continue running between maintenance intervals and keeping total cost of ownership (TCO) predictable.
- Cartridges and system perfectly matched from the ground up. Because Hengst develops and manufactures the Filter Elements in-house, the pulse cartridges and the system are perfectly matched from the element to the system—not assembled from separately purchased parts.
- The right design for the system. Cross-flow for limited space, table filters for very high loads with good accessibility, designed to fit the installation space and on-site access requirements.
- Global service and long-term supply. The global service network ensures support and replacement cartridges are available wherever the system is in operation, provided long-term by the Hengst Group.
Applications and Industries
Pulse filters are used in situations where the dust load makes scheduled filter changes impractical:
- Deserts and arid regions: abrasive sand and high dust concentrations that would quickly saturate a static filter.
- Cement, steel, and minerals: heavy industrial dust that requires continuous self-cleaning.
- Mining and bulk material handling: Conveying, crushing, and bulk material handling operations that constantly generate coarse dust.
At all these locations, pulse filters keep the intake air clean for gas turbines, compressors, and reciprocating engines.
Design and Selection: Which Model Is Right for Your System?
Three factors determine the design; Hengst’s application engineering team will then handle the precise configuration for your specific application.
- Dust load: the decisive factor in choosing a pulse system over a static one (as a guideline, above approximately 0.2 mg/m³).
- Installation space and access: Cross-flow filters for tight spaces; tabletop filters for high loads with good accessibility.
- Compressed air availability: On-site capacity for the pulse-jet cleaning cycle.
Recommendation: Have the site assessed before finalizing the specifications, as retrofitting an unsuitable system later on is expensive.
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Compatible Filter Elements
The cartridges and elements responsible for filtration are part of Hengst’s product line for gas turbine and turbomachinery filters; they are developed and manufactured in-house, ensuring that the elements and the system are perfectly matched from the ground up and remain available long-term through the Hengst Group:
- Filter cartridges for gas turbines and turbomachinery, including pulse cartridges
- Pocket filters for gas turbines and turbomachinery
- Compact filters (V-Panel) for gas turbines and turbomachinery
- Filter mats for gas turbines and turbomachinery
View all Filter Elements for gas turbines and turbomachinery
Contact
Talk to a Hengst application engineer about your high-dust environment and receive a pulse filter design and a cartridge package tailored to your machine.
Frequently Asked Questions About Pulse Filters
How does a pulse filter clean itself?
Dust accumulates as a layer on the surface of the cartridge. At regular intervals, a brief burst of compressed air fired against the flow dislodges the dust, which falls into a hopper while the cartridge continues to filter. This keeps the pressure drop within a narrow range, ensuring reliable operation and making scheduled filter changes infrequent.
When should I choose a pulse filter instead of a static system?
Choose a pulse filter in locations where dust loads are high and a static system would become saturated too quickly to be practical, for example, in deserts, in cement and steel-producing regions, in mining, and in bulk material handling (as a guideline, above approximately 0.2 mg/m³ of dust). Where dust levels are low to moderate, a two-stage electrostatic system is usually the more economical choice.
What is the difference between cross-flow and tabletop filter designs?
Cross-Flow uses horizontal cartridges and a compact footprint for locations with limited space. The tabletop filter design uses vertical cartridges for very high dust loads, offers easy access for maintenance from below, and is suitable for large reciprocating engines and large compressors. The right choice depends on the installation space, available room, and accessibility; therefore, a site assessment is recommended.
What is the separation efficiency of a pulse filter?
Pulse cartridges manufactured by Hengst achieve up to EPA Class E11, depending on the cartridge specifications and requirements. The filters are classified as reference frames in accordance with ISO 16890, EN 779, and EN 1822. The target class and dust profile should be determined jointly.
Does a pulse filter require an anti-icing system?
No. Self-cleaning pulse filters operate without an additional anti-icing system, which is one of the reasons they are suitable for extreme environments. In situations where low temperatures combine with high humidity in a static system, an anti-icing stage would be a viable alternative.
Will a pulse filter lower my operating costs?
In dusty environments, yes. A stable pressure drop, infrequent filter cartridge replacements, and high availability generally outweigh the compressed air costs associated with cleaning. The proper comparison is the total cost of ownership over the system’s service life, not the purchase price alone.
