Method of Regenerating Filter Fabric and Regenerated Filter Fabric

Abstract

A method of regenerating a filter fabric, comprising at least fibrillating a spent filter fabric and converting the fibers resulting from the fibrillation operation into a nonwoven fabric. In this method, a dust removing operation of removing any dust adhering to the fibers resulting from the fibrillation operation may be performed prior to the above mentioned formation of the nonwoven fabric. Further, it is preferred from the viewpoint of efficient regeneration that the fibrillation operation be performed by passage through an auto fibrillation machine.

1 . A regeneration method of regenerating a filter fabric comprising at least the steps of:
 fibrillating a used filter fabric; and   producing a nonwoven fabric from fibers obtained by the fibrillating.   
   
   
       2 . The regeneration method according to  claim 1  further comprising the step of separating powder dust adhering to the fibers obtained by the fibrillating prior to the producing of the nonwoven fabric. 
   
   
       3 . The regeneration method according to  claim 1  or  2 , wherein the fibrillating is effected by an automatic fibrillating apparatus. 
   
   
       4 . The regeneration method according to  claim 1  or  2 , wherein the used filter fabric is a filter fabric carrying a chemical agent for decomposing both dioxin and substances from which dioxin may be produced so as to prevent dioxin from adhering to the filter fabric while the filter fabric is being used. 
   
   
       5 . The regeneration method according to  claim 1  or  2 , wherein the used filter fabric is mainly comprised of PTFE fibers. 
   
   
       6 . The regeneration method according to  claim 1  or  2 , wherein the used filter fabric is comprised of at least PTFE fibers and inorganic fibers. 
   
   
       7 . A regenerated filter fabric comprising at least a dust collection layer which is mainly comprised of fibrillated fibers obtained by fibrillating a used filter fabric. 
   
   
       8 . The regenerated filter fabric according to  claim 7  further comprising a base cloth to which the dust collection layer is fixed. 
   
   
       9 . The regenerated filter fabric according to  claim 7  or  8 , wherein the dust collection layer is comprised of the fibrillated fibers mixed with auxiliary fibers. 
   
   
       10 . The regenerated filter fabric according to  claim 7  or  8 , wherein the dust collection layer comprises a nonwoven fabric comprised of the fibrillated fibers. 
   
   
       11 . The regenerated filter fabric according to  claim 7  or  8 , wherein the used filter fabric is mainly comprised of PTFE fibers. 
   
   
       12 . The regenerated filter fabric according to  claim 7  or  8 , wherein the used filter fabric is comprised of at least PTFE fibers and inorganic fibers.