2019-11-09
As air emission standards have become more and more stringent over the last twenty years, the trend toward powder coating—which typically eliminates the VOC’s and hazardous waste generated by more traditional painting methods—continues to grow as we enter the 21st century. Contributing greatly to this growth was the advent of the cartridge filter recovery system in the early 1980’s, which enabled metal finishers to utilize as much as 99% of the powder paint purchased. This advancement in powder recovery technology dramatically enhanced powder coating productivity and allowed finishers to realize significant cost savings by switching from liquid to powder.
Today, the cartridge filter collector is the most popular type of powder separation and recovery system in the marketplace. The focus of this article will be on the most critical aspect of this system, the cartridge filter. We will discuss the range of products available, the effect different conditions and circumstances can have on filter performance, and what types of cartridges should be selected for these various situations. In doing so, we hope to show why cartridge filters used in powder coating equipment should be viewed as something more than just a commodity.
Cartridge filter replacement can be one of the larger operating expenses in a powder booth system. So to adopt an “I’ll buy what came with the system” mentality, or to choose a filter solely based on price can be a costly mistake. Buying the lowest priced option can actually be more expensive in the long run since there are usually some undesirable reasons why it is the cheapest item. While the service life and price of the filter determine the cartridge replacement cost, improved filter performance (i.e., higher efficiency, lower pressure drop, reduced downtime for maintenance, better quality reclaim, etc.) can have an even larger impact on the total cost of operating a powder system. Consistent airflow for instance, is a critical factor necessary for efficient booth operation. Air velocity through the application booth should be between 100-120 fpm to ensure good transfer efficiency, and to contain the powder overspray from drifting outside the booth. Selecting the wrong cartridge filter is one way to compromise consistent air flow through a system.
There are a wide range of powder cartridge filter products available today—different media, various treatments, as well as customized manufacturing technologies (i.e., special gasketing, variation in pleat count, design, depth and spacing, etc.). To ensure optimum performance and value, one must consider the design capabilities and limitations of the filter, in addition to the application factors that may have an impact on a filter’s performance.
There are three media styles typically used in powder cartridges: cellulose, spun bond polyester and expanded polytetraflouroethylene (PTFE) membrane. 100% cellulose and 80/20 blend (80% cellulose – 20% polyester) are “depth-loading” media constructed with tightly packed pleats and an outer wire mesh screen for support. This is the least expensive media style available, offers only moderate efficiency and is best suited for low to mid-volume, spray to waste powder operations. Pulse cleaning cellulose cartridges can be difficult at times because the powder has a tendency to become trapped between the pleats resulting in very high powder retention within the filter (20-45 lbs.) and more rapid pressure drop. Cellulose style cartridges would not be appropriate for high moisture conditions or high volume reclaim operations, as they tend to plug up much quicker.
100% spun bond polyester is a continuous strand, “surface-loading” media that is tougher and slicker than cellulose and does not require outer screen support to maintain pleat rigidity and strength. Spun bond polyester cartridges also require 50-70% less surface area than cellulose filters to handle a given air volume. This allows for a wider pleat spacing and fuller utilization of filter media, and together with the higher efficiency that polyester provides, results in the following benefits in relation to cellulose:
Spunbond polyester media also offers several specialty treatments and membrane selections to enhance filter performance in more challenging conditions:
Spunbond polyester (anti-static) coats the face of the media with a thin layer of aluminium which dissipates the electrical charge of the filtered powder. This makes it an ideal filter for effective pulse cleaning when static electricity buildup is a concern.
Hydro-oleophobic polyester (moisture-resistant) is treated with a flourocarbon or teflon bath that provides an oil and water repellant to both sides of the media to ensure effective pulse cleaning ability in both humid and oily conditions.
PTFE laminated polyester (membrane) consists of a thin membrane of expended PTFE laminated over a polyester substrate that results in a slick and microporous surface providing 100% efficiency at 1 micron and above. The best membrane cartridge available for powder is the Gore-Tex ® Perma-Clean® which laminates a “conductive” PTFE over a spunbond polyester substrate that gives it the lowest surface resistance (anti-static), highest efficiency and best release properties in the powder cartridge market. It is the ideal choice for ultra-fines or high moisture conditions, and is a filter that does not require seasoning.
Once product options are reviewed, consideration must be given to the conditions or circumstances that make a given operation unique, since they too, can affect the performance of cartridge filters. Possibly the biggest factor in cartridge filter selection is whether an operation is reclaiming its powder or spraying to waste. One of the biggest advantages of switching from liquid to powder is the ability to reclaim and reuse the powder once it is sprayed. This benefit is lost however, when using cellulose cartridges since they typically retain between 20-45 lbs. of powder that cannot be extracted or reused. Polyester cartridges only retain 4-8 lbs. over the life of the filter, and PTFE membrane only 1-2 lbs! So by simply multiplying the dollar cost per pound of powder by the weight gain in each cartridge, one can estimate the potential cost savings to be realized by using polyester or membrane cartridges.
Another primary concern for powder reclaim systems is reclaim powder contamination and “linting”, which is the breaking off of fibers from cellulose style cartridges during pulse cleaning. Lint and other sources of dirt that enter the booth air stream can not only contaminate the reclaim powder, but can also bounce back onto the parts being sprayed, causing rejects. Companies do not hesitate to upgrade to spunbond polyester or membrane style cartridges to eliminate contamination or linting issues.
Some of the other key factors that should influence decision-makers to select polyester and membrane filters over cellulose style include:
Choosing the most suitable cartridge filter for your powder coating system need not be a confusing or time-consuming task. We have tried to show why this process should not be a simple search for the lowest price or quickest delivery, but rather as an opportunity to reduce operational costs and substantially improve the efficiency of the powder application system. By analyzing the facts, it is clear that choosing the better quality filter will guarantee increased productivity and your peace of mind.
For more information on the new “dual dimple” polyester or Gore-Tex® Perma-Clean® powder cartridges, feel free to contact Chemco at (800)323-0431