Metallurgical processes such as thermal spraying, metal cutting and arc welding emit high concentrations of metallic nanoparticles. These particles pose a real threat to workers in work places and to the environment due to their toxicity. Dust collectors, namely fibrous media, used for the filtration of such particles are currently challenged with a rapid increase of the pressure drop and an inefficient cleaning. Because of their size, the metallic ultrafine particles tend to form a filter cake that is extremely adherent and difficult to detach. This means that filters need to be replaced more frequently, inducing higher operational costs. Industrial feedbacks have also reported that aged deposits can sometimes be more problematic, as the filter cake undergoes some transformation that impedes its removal. Facing all these problems, it is of outmost importance to optimize the industrial filtration systems subjected to metallic nanoparticles.

This study aims to identify the parameters that affect the cleaning efficiency of a filter cake composed of metallic nanoparticles, in order to improve the regeneration of filters...