Abstract: A method of replacing an existing threaded coupler on an existing tubular fixture secured to a baghouse is provided to couple a pulse jet device to a blowpipe of the baghouse via the existing tubular fixture. The method includes the steps of disconnecting the blowpipe from the existing tubular fixture by removing the threaded coupler therefrom. The method further includes the steps of providing a spacer sleeve arranged co-axially within the existing tubular fixture, and providing a transfer tube arranged co-axially within the spacer sleeve. The method further includes the steps of coupling the transfer tube to the spacer sleeve, coupling the spacer sleeve to the existing tubular fixture, arranging the blowpipe within the spacer sleeve, providing a supply tube coupled to the pulse jet device, and coupling the supply tube to the transfer tube. In one example, the supply tube is flexible.

Abstract: A baghouse and filter assembly are provided for at least partially removing particulate matter from a gas stream. The filter assembly includes first and second filter portions to be coupled together by a coupler for establishing fluid communication between the first and second filter portions when connected. The coupler includes a first coupling portion including a side wall defining an interior passage through which the gas stream can pass in an axial direction between the first and second filter portions, and one or more flanges projecting from said side wall, the one or more flanges supporting a plurality of male studs. The coupler further includes a second coupling portion including a plurality of female keyhole-shaped receivers spaced apart for receiving at least a portion of the male studs and coupling the first coupling portion to the second coupling portion.

Abstract: An inlet air filtration system for a gas turbine includes, in an exemplary embodiment, an air plenum, and a plurality of filter elements mounted inside the air plenum, with each filter element including a support structure. The inlet air filtration system also includes a plurality of electrodes positioned proximate the plurality of filter elements, where the electrodes are coupled to a power source which supplies a voltage to the electrodes. The voltage is sufficient to establish an electrostatic field between the electrodes and the filter elements, and at the same time, the voltage is sufficient to produce a corona discharge from the electrodes.

Abstract: A waterproof, insulated multi-layer fabric structure is described, including a first and second layer to bound an interior volume. A baffle layer is located in the bounded volume and undulates between the first layer and second layer. The baffle layer is directly attached to the first layer. Adhesive tape portions are attached to the second layer to eliminate the need of stitching through the second layer, improving the structure's waterproof qualities. The baffle layer is attached to the adhesive tape portions which extend from the second layer. A method for manufacturing the multi-layer structure is also described.

Abstract: A baghouse and filter assembly are provided for at least partially removing particulate matter from a gas stream. The filter assembly includes a first filter portion to be supported within the baghouse adjacent to an opening defined by a tube sheet, a first generally-tubular frame, and a first pleated filter media adjacent to the first generally-tubular frame. A second filter portion includes a second generally-tubular frame and a second pleated filter media disposed adjacent to the second generally-tubular frame. A coupler is provided for connecting the first filter portion to the second filter portion and establishing fluid communication between the first and second filter portions when connected. The coupling includes a first coupling portion including a side wall defining a receiver, as well as a lug clip disposed adjacent to the receiver. The lug clip us substantially-elastically displaced in a radial direction from an unbiased position during connection of the first and second filter portions.

Abstract: A candle filter includes an end portion, elongate interior structure extending from the end portions and defining a space for a fluid, and a membrane fabric for filtering a substance from the fluid as the fluid passes through the membrane fabric and into the space defined by the interior structure. The membrane fabric extends around the interior structure and to the first end portion. The membrane fabric includes at least one extending tab segment for manipulating to move the membrane fabric relative to the elongate interior structure. An associated method provides an operational candle filter.

Abstract: A composite article, in an exemplary embodiment, includes a porous membrane formed from a first material, a coating formed from a second material applied to at least a portion of the porous membrane, and a third material covering at least a portion of the porous membrane. The third material is substantially incompatible with the first material. The second material of the coating is compatible with the first material and the third material. The coating is positioned between the first material and the third material The third material is connected to the first material by the coating on the porous membrane.

Abstract: A method of making a composite membrane with ion exchange properties includes, in an exemplary embodiment, forming a porous membrane from a first material, dissolving a coating material in a fluid at supercritical conditions, and exposing the porous membrane to the coating material dissolved in the supercritical fluid. The method also includes precipitating a uniform coating of the coating material onto an exterior surface of the porous membrane by changing the supercritical conditions of the fluid to a non-supercritical condition, and applying an ion exchange material to the coated porous membrane so that the ion exchange material is in intimate contact with substantially all of the coated surfaces of the porous membrane.

Abstract: The present invention is a method for modifying at least one property of a porous membrane. The method comprises the steps of providing a porous membrane. The method also includes exposing the membrane to a fluid at supercritical conditions. At least one property of the membrane is modified while the membrane is exposed to the fluid at supercritical conditions. The condition of the fluid is changed in such a manner that the porous membrane retains the modified property. The present invention is also sheet material that is water-resistant, moisture vapor transmissive and air permeable. The sheet material comprises a membrane having an open pore structure including surfaces defining a plurality of interconnecting pores extending through the membrane and between major sides of said membrane in which the pores have an average pore size. The membrane is made from a material tending to absorb oils and contaminating agents.

Abstract: An inlet air treatment system for a gas turbine includes, in an exemplary embodiment, an air plenum, and a moisture removal system, and an air filtration system located downstream from the moisture removal system. The moisture removal system includes a plurality of S-shaped vanes, and a mesh structure downstream from the plurality of S-shaped vanes. The air filtration system includes a plurality of filter elements, with each filter element including a support structure. The inlet air filtration system also includes a plurality of electrodes positioned proximate the plurality of filter elements, where the electrodes are coupled to a power source which supplies a voltage to the electrodes. The voltage is sufficient to establish an electrostatic field between the electrodes and the filter elements, and at the same time, the voltage is sufficient to produce a corona discharge from the electrodes.

Abstract: An air permeable composite article that in one embodiment includes a porous base membrane that includes a plurality of nodes and fibrils defining a plurality of interconnecting pores extending through the porous base membrane with each node and fibril having a surface. The composite article also includes a precipitated coating material deposited on the surfaces of the plurality of nodes and fibrils. The coating material includes a copolymer formed from a fluorinated acrylate or methacrylate, an n-alkyl acrylate or methacrylate, and an isocyanate crosslinker. The precipitated coating material provides oil and contaminating agent resistance of at least a number six measured in accordance with AATCC 118 test method.

Abstract: A filter medium for use in particulate filtering applications is disclosed. The filter medium is formed from a substrate capable of retaining the desired physical structure of the filter medium under the conditions of the filtering application, including temperature. A polyimide based stiffening agent adapted for treating the substrate is also provided.

Abstract: A filter mounting system for use in a baghouse having a tubesheet with a plurality of openings. The filter mounting system includes filter media and a tubular mounting collar attached to the filter media to mount the filter media relative to the tubesheet. The filter mounting system also includes a gasket made of a flexible material. The gasket has a tubesheet receiving portion and a filter receiving portion extending from the tubesheet receiving portion. The mounting collar of the filter mounting system is adapted to be positioned within the filter receiving portion of the gasket and engaging the filter receiving portion to effect sealing engagement of the tubesheet receiving portion of the gasket against a portion of the tubesheet adjacent the opening. The filter receiving portion extends from the tubesheet receiving portion to force one portion of the gasket into sealing engagement with a surface of the tubesheet upon engagement with the mounting collar.

Abstract: A dry testing method for a glove (10) made with an air permeable, waterproof material (16). The stem (22) of a tee fitting (24) is connected to an air pump (20) source. A mouth (30) of the glove is tightly attached to one end (32) of the fitting so no air can escape through the mouth. An airflow meter (26) or air pressure gauge connects to another end (28) of the fitting. When the air pump is running, the glove inflates with air and a backpressure is created. The flow meter is read to determine the backpressure level in the inflated glove, the glove being accepted if the meter registers at least a predetermined value indicating the glove does not leak water, but the glove being rejected if the meter reading is less than the predetermined value.

Abstract: A filter cartridge for use in a baghouse having a tubesheet with a plurality of opening. A flexible snapband is biased towards engagement with a surface defining one of the openings in the tubesheet and is adapted to receive a portion of the filter cartridge. The snapband has a first surface and a second surface with a pair of protrusions separated by a groove adapted to receive a peripheral edge of one of the tubesheet opening. The pair of protrusions sealingly engage surfaces of the tubesheet. The filter cartridge includes filter media. Structure supports the filter media. A rigid non-metallic tubular collar is integrally formed with the filter media and the structure to secure this filter media and the structure to said collar. The collar includes a pair of longitudinally spaced continuous projections extending radially from the collar.

Abstract: A baghouse filter having a filter media and an end cap is provided. The filter media has a longitudinal axis, and the end cap has an outer peripheral side wall. The side wall has first and second edges. A first recessed channel extends between the first and second edges of the side wall, and a second recessed channel extends from the first channel. The first and second channels define a connection area at which the filter connects to the tubesheet at an opening in the tubesheet. Also, a method is provided for installing a filter on a tubesheet having first and second sides separating plenums of a baghouse. The method includes providing a filter having structure for attaching to a tubesheet opening from either side, selecting the side to install the filter and installing the filter on the selected side.

Abstract: A non-round unitary filter cartridge according to the present invention is provided having a unitary structure with pleated filter media formed securely about a perforated interior core. Opposite ends of the pleated filter media and perforated core are integrally formed with a bottom end cap and a flexible upper collar. The flexible upper collar is formed of a flexible molding compound which is deformable to pass through an opening in a tube sheet which retains the filter cartridge. The perforated core is oblong in configuration, having first and second parallel major side surfaces and first and second rounded outer ends. The flexible collar is elliptical in cross-section and has an outwardly facing groove located at the top of the barrel portion for sealably receiving a periphery of the tube sheet aperture.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for varying an electrically variable current limiting reactor (VICLR) ( 16) are provided in cooperation with an electrostatic precipitator automatic voltage control system. The inductance of VICLR (16) is varied by altering the DC current in control winding (66) of VICLR (16). A power source (10) connects serially to an inverse parallel SCR1 and SCR2, to VICLR (16), and to a TR set comprising a transformer (18) and rectifier (20) which supply power to precipitator (22). System electrical characteristics on both sides of the TR set are monitored. Computer (40) uses these monitored values to continuously calculate form factor and fractional conduction values. Step-down transformer (60) is connected to solid state relay (62) which is in turn connected to full wave bridge rectifier (64). Rectifier (64) is connected to control winding (66) of VICLR (16). Solid state relay (62) is also connected to computer (40).

Abstract: A collector plate (10) for an electrostatic precipitator is provided. Collector plate (10) has end portions (12) which are substantially symmetrical about the plane of the collector plate (10). Each end portion (12) is preferably polygonal and has a substantially unobstructed interior. Dimples (80) may be located in end portions (12) to improve rigidity of the plate. Collector plate (10) yields better precipitation results because of the minimal or nonexistent deflection of plate (10) into voltage discharge regions surrounding electrodes (36) within the precipitator. Precipitation results are further improved because power input to the precipitator is not limited by an instable electric field resulting from irregularities in the surface of plate (10).

Abstract: A method and apparatus for acoustically enhancing cooling of molten liquid. In one embodiment, a cement plant has a mill in which raw materials are mixed and ground into a powder, a kiln in which the powdered raw material undergoes a calcining process and is converted into a molten liquid known as clinker, a cooler for cooling and solidifying the clinker, and a finishing mill for grinding and mixing the clinker with gypsum and/or other raw materials. The clinker cooler has a transport mechanism for transporting clinker from an inlet end to an outlet end and a plurality of fans, located below the transport mechanism, for blowing air up through the transport mechanism and into the bottom surface of the clinker bed. The clinker cooler has one or more horns positioned on the roof of the cooler for emitting acoustic energy into the cooler. A controller controls activation of each horn independently, such that each horn may be operated continuously or intermittently.