Pulse-jet cleaning system for bag and cartridge filters (header, pulse valves, blowpipes and timer)
Filter cleaning subsystem · Header tank, diaphragm pulse valves, blowpipes and timer: pulse pressure, on-time, valve flow and air use
A pulse-jet cleaning system is the part of a dust collector that keeps the filters open: a compressed-air header tank, a diaphragm pulse valve for each row, a blowpipe with a nozzle over each bag or cartridge, solenoid pilots and a sequential timer that fires the valves in turn. Ask three things first: what pulse pressure and air supply the system needs, how long and how often each valve fires, and which valve size and diaphragm material suit the filter row and gas temperature.
Pulse-jet (reverse-pulse) cleaning systems for bag, cartridge and envelope filters: header tanks, diaphragm pulse valves with integral or remote pilots, solenoid pilot boxes, blowpipes and nozzles, and sequential pulse timers, supplied new or as a retrofit. Complete dust collectors, with collector type selection, air-to-cloth ratio and combustible dust measures, are covered on the Dust collector page. Shaker and reverse-air cleaning, filter bags and cages themselves, and compressors are outside this page.
CNFX editorial research · Sources checked October 12, 2026 · 3 sources
The US EPA Air Pollution Control Cost Manual describes pulse-jet cleaning as compressed air forced down through the bag in a burst that expands it violently, so the fabric reaches its extension limit and the dust separates. Bags are cleaned one row at a time when a timer opens a quick-opening valve; a pipe across each row carries the air and has a nozzle above each bag, and the pulse interrupts forward gas flow for only a few tenths of a second. [1]
For costing, EPA states that pulse-jet filters use compressed air at about 60 to 100 psig, with consumption of about 2 scfm per 1,000 cfm of gas filtered; its example is a unit filtering 20,000 cfm that uses about 40 scfm of compressed air for each minute of operation. For cartridge filters with nonwoven media in one manufacturer's design, each pulse uses 10 scfm per 1,000 ft² at 60 psig or 14 scfm per 1,000 ft² at 90 psig, falling to 1.7 and 2.2 scfm per 1,000 ft² with paper media. EPA gives the pulse interval as about 5 to 15 minutes. [1]
Editorial calculation: 60–100 psig is about 4.1–6.9 bar gauge (× 0.0689), and 2 scfm per 1,000 cfm means compressed air of about 0.2% of the gas flow by volume, ignoring the difference between standard and actual volumes. [1] EPA also notes that the quick return of forward flow redeposits dust on the cleaned bag or neighbouring bags, which reforms the dust cake but holds dust back from the hopper. [1]
Give the supplier the collector type and number of filter rows, bags or cartridges per row and their size, the gas flow and temperature, the available compressed-air pressure and its dryness, the header tank volume if fixed, the valve size and connection, pilot type (integral or remote), solenoid voltage and enclosure, the timer type (fixed interval or on-demand by differential pressure), and any hazardous-area marking needed.
02
Size the diaphragm pulse valves and set their on-time
Goyen's T series threaded diaphragm valves, with outlet at 90° to inlet and integral or remote pilots, are listed for reverse pulse jet cleaning of bag, cartridge, envelope, ceramic and sintered metal fibre filters. Goyen recommends an on-time of 50 to 500 ms and at least 1 minute between pulses, a pressure range of 30–860 kPa (5–125 psi), and seal temperature ranges of –40 °C to 82 °C for nitrile and –29 °C to 232 °C for Viton. [2]
Goyen's flow table runs from Kv 2.5 (Cv 2.9) for the 1/4 in size with one diaphragm to Kv 35 (Cv 42) for 1.5 in with one diaphragm, Kv 44 (Cv 51) for 1.5 in with two, Kv 76 (Cv 88) for 2 in, Kv 91 (Cv 106) for 2.5 in and Kv 144 (Cv 167) for 3 in. The body is die-cast aluminium with nitrile or Viton seals and stainless steel armature, spring and ferrule, and Goyen advises inspecting diaphragms and pilots annually and not installing valves underneath the tank. [2]
Ningbo Airkert lists its Goyen-type right-angle pulse valve for 0.5 to 7.5 bar of dry, oil-free compressed air, with an opening time of 0.023 to 0.027 s, a diaphragm life of 1,000,000 pulses without leakage, coils for 24, 110 or 220 V AC or 24 V DC at ±10%, standard diaphragms for –20 °C to +80 °C and high-temperature diaphragms for –30 °C to +200 °C; 3/4 to 1 in valves use one diaphragm and 1 1/2 to 4 in valves use two. [3] Editorial calculation: a 23–27 ms opening time is about half the 50 ms bottom of Goyen's recommended on-time range, so set the timer's on-time from the valve maker's recommendation rather than its opening time. [3][2]
03
Compare published pulse valve figures
The two valve makers state their ranges differently. Figures are as listed.
Editorial calculation: 860 kPa is 8.6 bar, so the Goyen range reaches 1.1 bar higher than Airkert's 7.5 bar; both cover EPA's 4.1–6.9 bar pulse pressure. [2][3][1]
Diaphragm and seal limits set the hot-gas limit. [2]
Media and gas temperature.
IP Rating
Solenoid enclosure.
Rating; ATEX if needed.
Weight (kg)
Goyen lists valve weights from 0.06 kg (1/4 in, remote pilot) to 4.77 kg (3 in). [2]
Total system mass.
06
Send the filter, air and control data together
Paste it into your enquiry below or into an email to a maker, then replace every bracket.
Filters: [bags or cartridges; rows; units per row; length and diameter]
Gas: [flow; temperature; dust]
Air: [pressure; dryness; header tank volume]
Valves: [size; Kv; diaphragm material; pilot integral or remote; coil voltage]
Timing: [on-time; interval; on-demand by differential pressure]
Area: [enclosure rating; ATEX zone]
1 company lists this product among what they make. Company figures are quoted from each
company's own website; every card states where the relationship came from.
Peakvac
Manufacturing site to be confirmed for the order
Lists an automatic pulse-jet cleaning system for the filter cartridges of its welding fume extractors, alongside a manual pulse option.
Explore company information and manufacturing capabilities, then discuss the scope of your project with a relevant supplier.
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Compiled and source-reviewed by the CNFX editorial team.
Each manufacturer above links to the page on that company's own website where the product is listed, with the date we checked it. How we source and review
· Page last updated 13 October 2026
Buyer questions
What pressure does pulse-jet cleaning use?
EPA's cost manual gives about 60–100 psig (about 4.1–6.9 bar); Goyen rates its T-series valves for 30–860 kPa. [1][2]
How long should each pulse last?
Goyen recommends a valve on-time of 50–500 ms with at least 1 minute between pulses. [2]
How much compressed air does pulse-jet cleaning use?
EPA gives about 2 scfm per 1,000 cfm of gas filtered, for example about 40 scfm for a 20,000 cfm unit. [1]
Sources and what still needs a direct check
Sources checked 2026-10-12. The EPA cost manual is a US government reference; Goyen (Pentair) and Ningbo Airkert describe their own pulse valves.
