This study investigated the pressure inside a pleated filter cartridge and the dust cleaning efficiency when normal and cylindrical cones were installed in a cartridge during a pulse-jet process. An experimental pulse-jet pleated filter dust collector was designed. The static pressures at three points along the length of the pleated filter cartridge were measured and compared before and after the cartridge was installed with cones. Various parameters, including tank pressure, nozzle diameter and jet distance, were investigated. The pressure drop of the filter cartridge and the dust emission concentration were also studied. This study has demonstrated that the increase in tank pressure improves pulse-jet intensity regardless of the presence of cones in the cartridge. Pulse-jet intensity is also enhanced when the cartridge is installed with either type of cone. Pulse-jet uniformity is reduced for normal cone but increased for cylindrical cone. The effect of cones on pulse-jet pressure is verified by operating performance during dust clogging and cleaning in clean-on-demand mode. The residual pressure drop is decreased, and the peak concentration of dust emission is increased when the normal or cylindrical cone is installed in the cartridge. A cylindrical cone extends the cleaning interval and reduces the dust emission, while the normal cone accomplishes the opposite. (C) 2015 Elsevier B.V. All rights reserved.