Providing Effective Emissions Control When Loading and Unloading Catalyst Hoppers

Porvair Filtration Group has published a technical article that details how its Pulsejet blowdown filter technology has provided effective emission control for the loading and unloading of catalyst hoppers in a process environment.

Porvair design and manufacture pulsed jet blowback filter elements and systems for recovering and containing valuable powders for a wide range of applications. Pulsejet blowdown filter technology uses a controlled pulse of compressed gas directed into filter element(s) via a control venturi throat built into the open end adapter to permit the cleaning of the filter media in situ and therefore the ability to continue operating without shutdown.

This article describes the emission control system developed for an application where catalyst hoppers were filled from tankers or when catalyst was returned to the hopper post operation/recovery. Traditionally the catalyst hoppers were equipped with cyclone units fitted at the upper level of the hopper containment through which the air would flow as it was filled. However this created difficulties due to the fundamental principle of cyclone operation. A bespoke Pulsejet system and filter unit was developed to be incorporated into existing plant so as to minimize the impact upon the equipment and to economically justify the change to plant management.

As well as providing consistent, high quality emission control - the Pulsejet system ensured that as the hoppers were pulsed clean the catalyst material that is removed was returned directly to the main catalyst bed and did not have to be transported separately.