Fumed Silica

Application

Fumed Silica (Main Unit Filter).

Optimization Potential

Fumed Silica is used for a variety of applications from paints, plastics, pharmaceuticals to microchip production. Burning chlorosilane with hydrogen creates fumed silica, which is then collected in a bag filter. The off gas is fed back without any dust to become the feedstock for making the chlorosilane gas stream in the first instance. There are two Main Unit Filters on site acting as two separate streams. Each stream has three compartments with 54 m2 of filtration cloth per stream. Generally A/C Ratio is less then 1 – 1.5 FPM. Application is a pulse jet collector that operates with an aggressive gas stream containing up to 15% HCI.

Conventional PTFE felt filter bags were used in the application but required a secondary filter due to the level of dust carry over. Bag life was only around 12 – 18 months.

Solution

The conventional filter bags were replaced with a 100% ePTFE GORE™ membrane felt.

Results

Use of GORE filter bags allowed the plant to convert the secondary filter into a primary one which increased production by one third. Bag life was increased to between 3 and 5 years as compared to the previous bag life of 12 – 18 months for conventional filters.

Fumed Silica (264 KB  )