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Home / Blog / Spark Arrestor Baghouse: Purpose, Operating Principle, and Advantages

Spark Arrestor Baghouse: Purpose, Operating Principle, and Advantages

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Author: Michael Klepik, Chief Executive Officer

What is a Spark Arrestor Baghouse?

A spark arrestor is a device used to capture and neutralize hot particles generated in ductwork or air transport systems. Its purpose is to prevent hot particles from entering the filtration system, where they could ignite dust or other combustible materials.

A baghouse is a device, typically using fabric filters (bags), designed to remove fine particulate dust from the air stream. In the context of spark mitigation, these filters require additional protection against thermal damage.

Installing a spark arrestor for baghouse systems is essential to prevent fire hazards and protect the filtration equipment.

This is a two-stage air filtration system. A baghouse with a spark arrestor operates in two steps: first, sparks and large particles are removed, and then fine dust particles are captured by the filtering elements (bags). Let’s take a closer look at the process.
Spark Arrestor
Spark Arrestor

Purpose

The primary purpose of a spark arrestor baghouse is to ensure the safety and longevity of equipment. Ignited particles generated during industrial processes can cause:
  • Fires within filtration systems.
  • Dust explosions (especially in systems with high concentrations of combustible dust, such as wood, coal, or metal dust).
The spark arrestor acts as the first line of defense, cooling or deflecting ignited particles before they reach the filters, while the baghouse completes the air cleaning process.

Operating Principle

The spark arrestor is the first stage of the system, designed to capture and neutralize sparks that could damage the filter material or cause a fire. The airflow is directed into the spark arrestor chamber. In some designs, heavy contaminant particles settle in a special compartment, preventing them from entering the filtration part. As ignited particles pass through the spark arrestor, they are cooled to a safe temperature. After this, the spark-free airflow is directed into the baghouse, where final filtration occurs — capturing fine particulate dust. The air passes through the filter bags, and particles settle on their surface, while clean air exits the system through the exhaust system.

Automatic Cleaning
The dust that accumulates on the surface of the filters is regularly removed using a pulse of compressed air (pneumatic cleaning) or mechanical vibration.

Dust Collection
The settled dust is collected in bunkers beneath the equipment and is periodically removed.

Advantages

Increased safety
Hot particles are eliminated before entering the filters, reducing the risk of fires.

Extended bag life
The spark arrestor prevents damage to filter elements from hot particles.

Effective filtration
Bag filters provide air cleaning from fine particulate dust with an efficiency of up to 99.9%.

Compliance with environmental standards
The emissions of cleaned air meet strict regulatory standards.

Areas of Application

Such systems are commonly used in industries with a high risk of hot particles and dust, such as:
  • Woodworking.
  • Metallurgy.
  • Cement production.
Power plants operating on coal or biomass.
A baghouse spark arrestor is a reliable and versatile solution for protecting equipment, employees, and the environment.

Suitable Materials

The filter bags must be heat-resistant, so we recommend considering the following options:

Materials for Casings

  • Carbon Steel — a cost-effective option for standard conditions, can be coated with anti-corrosion materials.
  • Stainless Steel — resistant to corrosion and chemicals, suitable for humid and aggressive environments.
  • Aluminum — lightweight and corrosion-resistant, used in moderate temperature conditions.
  • Composite Materials — suitable for specific conditions, such as aggressive chemical environments.

Operating Features

The optimal airflow speed should be 1–3 m/s. Excessively high speeds can damage the filter bags or reduce filtration efficiency. Consider the volume of air supplied by the system (m³/h) when selecting the appropriate equipment.

Consider temperature limits: for standard materials, up to 120–150°C, and high-temperature materials (aramid, fiberglass, PTFE) can withstand up to 250–260°C. Ensure that both the filters and casing are suitable for extreme temperatures, if applicable.

Use hydrophobic materials (e.g., polypropylene) in high humidity environments. When dealing with condensation, ensure corrosion protection in the casing and include additional drainage systems. Avoid moisture buildup in the system to prevent the formation of deposits on the equipment.
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