Compact ceramic tube filter array high-temperature gas filtration

A hot gas filter system comprising

• a pressure vessel including an internal wall dividing said pressure vessel into first and second vessel portions,
• a gas inlet for directing a hot gaseous stream having particulate matter entrained therein into said first portion and a gas outlet for exhausting a filtered gaseous stream from said second vessel portion,
• a plurality of gas filter units supported by said internal wall and extending into said first vessel portion, each filter unit including
• a central gas plenum having an outer wall with one end of said outer wall attached to said internal wall,
• a plurality of filter modules supported by said central gas plenum, each module including
• a ceramic tube having one closed end and one open end and a flange around said open end, and support means extending from said central gas plenum for supporting said ceramic tube and communicating gas between said ceramic tube and said central gas plenum, said support means including a seat for receiving said flange, and means for maintaining said flange in said seat,
• means for periodically applying a backflow of gas through said plurality of gas filter units to said ceramic tubes for dislodging particulate matter from the outer surface of said tubes, said means including a central pulse manifold pipe positioned within said central gas plenum, said central pulse manifold pipe including means extending into said seat for transmitting gas pulses to a ceramic tube mounted on said seat, and
• a sintered porous filter mounted in the wall of said central gas plenum and within said seat for passing air from a ceramic tube to said central gas plenum.