Pleated filter bags have received a considerable amount of attention due to their higher filtration area compared to that of cylindrical filter bags. They can be used to increase both the filtration efficiency and dust holding capacity, as it is possible to decrease the filtration velocity when using the same amount of exhaust gas. However, the effective filtration area of pleated filter bags remains uncertain, despite the fact that it is an important design parameter in pulse-jet bag house systems. The effective filtration area of a pleated filter bag is determined in this study by assuming the effective filtration' area (50%, 60%, 70% and 100% of the theoretical filtration area) and comparing its filter cleaning characteristics with those of a cylindrical filter bag. The filtration characteristics of a pleated filter bag with optimal geometry were investigated under the conditions of a filtration velocity of 1.2 m/min and a dust concentration of 10 g/m(3). As a result, we found that the pleated filter bag assessed here had an effective filtration area of approximately 50 to 60%, in contrast to the theoretical filtration area, due to the dead space caused by filter pleating. In addition, particle clogging in the outer pleating section of the pleated filter bag significantly affected the decrease in the effective filtration area. (C) 2017 Elsevier B.V. All rights reserved.