A rigid support is disposed in a filtration media element. A first gas-permeable filtration media layer is disposed in an overlapping orientation with a second gas-permeable filtration media layer. The first and second layers define a void in which the support is disposed. The first layer is attached to the second layer near opposing edges of the first and second layers and at an attachment termination point substantially centrally located on the filtration media element. The filtration media element has a first media end and an opposite, second media end. The support has a first support portion that extends from the first media end toward the attachment termination point. The support has second and third support portions that extend from the first support portion toward the second media end with a gap between the second and third support portions in which the attachment termination point is disposed.

In order to provide a filter system for separating off contaminants from a stream of untreated gas that contains contaminants that is of simple construction and is operable efficiently, it is proposed that the filter system should include the following: a base construction through which the stream of untreated gas is guidable and which includes at least one filter module receptacle for receiving at least one filter module, and at least one filter module which is selectively arrangeable on and/or in the at least one filter module receptacle and/or removable therefrom, wherein the at least one filter module includes a plurality of filter element receptacles for receiving a plurality of mutually independent filter elements.

A filter bank includes a filter enclosure. A first filter panel and a second filter panel are flexibly joined along respective proximal ends of the first filter panel and the second filter panel by a living hinge. A first sealing gasket extends along a distal end of the first filter panel and forms a first air seal within the filter enclosure. A second sealing gasket extends along a distal end of the second filter panel and forms a second air seal within the filter enclosure. A third sealing gasket extends along the living hinge. A pivoting sealing rail pivots within the filter enclosure to form a third air seal against said third sealing gasket extending along the living hinge

In order to provide a filter system for separating off contaminants from a stream of untreated gas that contains contaminants that is of simple construction and is operable efficiently, it is proposed that the filter system should include the following: a base construction through which the stream of untreated gas is guidable and which includes at least one filter module receptacle for receiving at least one filter module, and at least one filter module which is selectively arrangeable on and/or in the at least one filter module receptacle and/or removable therefrom, wherein the at least one filter module includes a plurality of filter element receptacles for receiving a plurality of mutually independent filter elements.