Filter assembly having a filter element and a sealing device

A filter assembly for filtering high temperature gases, the filter assembly comprising:

• a tank;
• a tube sheet disposed within the tank and dividing the tank between an inlet portion and an outlet portion, the tube sheet including a sealing device having first and second surfaces disposed about an aperture in the tube sheet;
• a ceramic candle filter element having first and second annular surfaces respectively disposed about the first surface of the sealing device and adjacent to the second surface of the sealing device wherein the ceramic candle filter element has a coefficient of thermal expansion that differs from a coefficient of thermal expansion of the sealing device;
• a compressible material respectively disposed between the first and second surfaces of the filter element and the first and second surfaces of the sealing device wherein the sealing device, the ceramic candle filter, and the compressible material comprise sealing means responsive to the differing coefficients of thermal expansion and the positioning of the sealing device, the ceramic filter, and the compressible material, the sealing means for compressing the compressible material between the first and second surfaces at a first temperature, the compression between the first surfaces increasing responsive to an increase in temperature above the first temperature.

A filter assembly for filtering high temperature gases, the filter assembly comprising:

• a porous ceramic tubular filter element having a center axis and an annular flange disposed about the center axis, the annular flange including an annular groove, the annular groove having an inner periphery sidewall facing away from the center axis and an outer periphery sidewall facing the center axis;
• an annular metal sealing device removably disposed within the annular groove;
• and
• a compressible material disposed between the annular metal sealing device and the annular groove wherein a compression of the compressible material increases with increasing temperatures, the porous ceramic tubular filter element having a coefficient of thermal expansion differing from a coefficient of thermal expansion of the annular metal sealing device, wherein the annular metal sealing device, the compressible material, and the porous ceramic tubular filter element comprise sealing means for forming a compressive seal between the annular metal sealing device and the porous ceramic tubular filter element responsive to differing coefficients of thermal expansion in combination with an increase in temperature of the filter assembly.