A filtering apparatus for separating particulate matter from a gas stream. The filtering apparatus has a pressure vessel defining an interior chamber having a dirty gas inlet opening and a clean gas exit opening. A tubesheet is coupled within the pressure vessel thereby dividing said pressure vessel into a dirty gas side and a clean gas side. A support pipe for supporting a plenum chamber within the pressure vessel dirty gas side is securely coupled with the tubesheet. The plenum chamber for supporting a plurality of filter elements is coupled to the support pipe. The plenum chamber has a side wall having at least one dirty gas port and clean gas exit formed therein. The side wall further defines a clean gas chamber. A plurality of filter element guides are securely coupled within the clean gas chamber for supporting at least one filter element and preventing filter elements from moving laterally. A removable dirty gas port coupler for providing a particulate barrier seal between the dirty gas port and the plenum clean gas chamber is provided. A filter element support plate for supporting a filter element within the clean gas chamber is securely coupled adjacent the dirty gas port. The filter element support plate has at least one slot which is aligned coaxially with at least one of the plenum chamber dirty gas ports.

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