Abstract: Described is a filter apparatus (10) which is designed for filtering solid, liquid or gaseous, electrically uncharged or electrically charged particles out of a gaseous flow medium as it flows through the filter apparatus (10). The filter apparatus (10) has filter elements (18) which are spaced from each other in the direction of flow of the gaseous medium to the apparatus. Each filter element (18) has a plate-like carrier element (20, 46, 48; 64) and a substrate (22) which are provided with spaced-apart openings (26). The substrate (22) serves for the storage of a filter medium. Each opening (26) in the filter element (18) has a sleeve-like guide element (24) for the flow medium, wherein the guide element (24) extends around the edge of the corresponding opening (26). The guide elements (26) which project at least at the upstream side prevent filter medium at the individual substrates (22) from being unintentionally entrained through the openings (26), even at high flow rates in respect of the flow medium.

Abstract: Described as a filter device for filtering particles out of a gaseous fluid, having a substrate (22) and a filter layer provided on the substrate (22). The filter layer is a filter liquid (36) which wets the substrate (22). At least one such filter device (20) is arranged in a housing (12) to provide a filter apparatus (10). The housing (12) has an inlet opening (14) and an outlet opening (16) for the fluid to be filtered. In order for the gas-pervious substrate (22) of the at least one filter device (20) of the filter apparatus (10) to be well wetted with the filter liquid (36), provided in the housing (12) is a watering means (44) which is in fluid communication with the filter devices (20) and which is also in fluid communication with a collecting chamber (38) for the filter liquid (36). A pump (47) serves for circulating the filter liquid (36) between the collecting chamber (38) and the watering means (44) (FIG. 1).