Optimization of Structural Parameters of Pleated Filter Cartridges Based on Response Surface Methodology

Pleated filter cartridges, known for their large filtration area, low pressure drop, wear resistance, and long lifespan, are extensively used in gas turbine intake systems and industrial dust collection systems. The geometric parameters of filter cartridges, including the number of pleats, pleat height, and pleat tip angle, significantly impact the filter air flow rate, filtration pressure drop, and dust holding capacity. This study employs the Response Surface Methodology, targeting the optimization of filtration pressure drop, and utilizes the CFD technique to optimize the structural parameters of filter cartridges. The findings indicate that within the range of pleat number N=200~320 and pleat height $H_{\mathrm{P}}=30\sim 60\text{mm}$, an increase in the number of pleats does not invariably lead to better performance, suggesting the existence of an optimal value for N. Moreover, with a fixed number of pleats (N), the filtration pressure drop exhibits a trend of initially decreasing and then increasing as the pleat height $(H_{\mathrm{P}})$ increases. The optimal structural parameters were identified as N=230 for the number of pleats and $K_{\mathrm{P}}=40\text{mm}$ for pleat height, resulting in a minimum filtration pressure drop of 198 Pa. The reliability of the simulation results was validated through experiments with customized filter cartridges, providing theoretical support for the practical engineering applications of these cartridges.