Apparatus for filtering gas streams

Claim 1

Apparatus for separating particles from a gas stream, comprising: (a) a common manifold for carrying a gas stream containing particles to be separated, said common manifold extending along a longitudinal axis of said apparatus; (b) sole conveyor means operatively connected to said common manifold for conveying away particles separated from said gas stream; (c) baffle particle separator means in communication with said common manifold means for separating particles from said gas stream; (d) further particle separator means for separating particles from said gas stream issuing from said common manifold, said further particle separator means being in communication with said baffle particle separator means via a duct means for transporting said gas stream between said baffle particle separator means and said further particle separator means, said further particle separator means including a filter bed support and a filter bed of particulate material supported on said support; and (e) backwashing means operatively connected to said further particle separator means for removing particles from said further particle separator means to give backwashed particles, by passing backwashing gas through said further particle separator means in a direction opposite to the direction of the flow of said gas stream through said further particle separator means for separating particles from said gas stream; said baffle particle separator means defining sidewalls of said common manifold, said common manifold being in direct communication with said duct means, whereby re-entrainment in said duct means and said further particle separator means of particles separated from said gas stream is substantially prevented.