FAQ: When it comes to choosing dust collectors, what are the advantages of a vertical filter versus a horizontal style filter?

The position in which a filter cartridge is installed or mounted in the dust collector – vertical or horizontal – has a major impact on both safety and performance. Horizontal cartridges have a tendency to build up dust on the cartridge surface, reducing the amount of usable filter area. This can decrease filter life and can also be the cause of fires in applications that produce sparks or ignition sources. The spark lands on the cartridges, causing both the cartridge and the dust that has settled out on the cartridge surface to catch fire. A vertical cartridge sheds sparks more readily and greatly reduces the chance of filters catching on fire.

The dust in a horizontal collector first enters the top of the collector and must be pulse-cleaned off each row of cartridges until it reaches the hopper. A vertical cartridge has a cross-flow air pattern with an inlet that pre-cleans the air before it reaches the cartridges. This lowers the dust loading on the cartridges and helps to increase cartridge life. See more information on horizontal versus vertical cartridges.

Understanding MFHAP Regulations

Many companies have always just exhausted their weld fume outside. This has been an option for companies especially in temperate climates where heating or cooling the manufacturing plant was not necessary. Plants in colder climates have been able to justify the expense of a cartridge collector, which saved energy costs by filtering the air and returning the conditioned air back into the workspace. Most of these systems could see a payback within 2-3 years just on the energy savings alone, not to mention a cleaner and healthier environment for the workers.

There is a new EPA regulation that will change all of that. No longer will plants be able to just exhaust the contaminated air outside. The new standard is the National emission standards for hazardous air pollutants area source standards for nine metal fabrication and finishing source categories.

The new EPA standard was established on July 23, 2008. Any new facility built after this date had to meet the new standard. All other facilities must comply by July 25, 2011. Notification of compliance must be submitted before November 22, 2011 if it is an existing facility or if it is a new facility 120 days after start up or by November 20, 2008, whichever is later.

For more information and to download a PDF detailing the test methods in the regulation, go to Understanding MFHAP Regulations. MFHAP = Metal Fabrication Hazardous Air Pollutants