Open Silicon Metal Furnace – Norway

Application

Open silicon metal furnace - Norway. An eight-compartment reverse-air collector with 1,152 bags (30.5' long).

Optimization Potential

A second open silicon metal furnace had to be environmentally cleaned to comply with government regulations. There was no filter on the second furnace, while the first furnace baghouse ran at 9" w.g. pressure drop at an air-to-cloth ratio of 1.64/1.00 with fiberglass filter bags.

Solution

1. The fiberglass bags were replaced with 1,152 GORE® membrane/acid-resistant fiberglass fabric filter bags; 2. the second furnace was ducted into the one baghouse, and 3. fan capacity was added.

Results

The baghouse has been running at 6" w.g. since late 1984 with no failure. The air-to-cloth ratio is 3.28/1.00, with test runs up to 5.48/1.00. The pressure drop was decreased one-third while doubling the air-to-cloth ratio, eliminating the need for the capital investment and time delay of installing a second baghouse.