Pulse-Jet Baghouse Optimization in WTE: Meeting the Challenges of the Future

Like many coal-fired power plants today, the waste-to-energy (WTE) industry is faced with a number of challenges including the need to maximize plant output, lower outlet emissions and increase plant efficiencies. Within WTE, there’s also been a move from reverse-air baghouses to pulse-jet collectors due to lower initial capital costs and the ability to operate pulse-jet collectors at higher air-to-cloth ratios (3–4:1), allowing for a smaller housing footprint. However, the majority of today’s pulse-jet collectors utilize an off-line cleaning mode where modules are taken out of service and pulsed to lower the differential pressure. There are inherent advantages in switching from an off-line cleaning mode to an on-line cleaning mode. This paper discusses the idea of using the fabric filter as a damper and stabilizing draft through the baghouse and boiler. It also outlines the use of pleated filter element (PFE) technology to address increased production concerns, and the need for lower outlet emissions.