Over time, performance of tubular backpulse pressure filters in kraft mills deteriorates, even with regular acid washing. Unscheduled filter replacement due to filter plugging results in significant costs and may result in mill downtime. We identified acid-insoluble filter-plugging materials by scanning electron microscope/energy-dispersion X-ray spectroscopy (SEM/EDS) and X-ray diffraction (XRD) analysis in both polypropylene and Gore-Tex™ membrane filter socks. The major filter-plugging components were calcium sulfate (gypsum), calcium phosphate (hydroxylapatite), aluminosilicate clays, metal sulfides, and carbon. We carried out detailed sample analysis of both the standard acid-washing procedure and a modified procedure. Filter plugging by gypsum and metal sulfides appeared to occur because of the acid-washing procedure. Gypsum formation on the filter resulted from significant hydrolysis of sulfamic acid solution at temperatures greater than 130°F. Modification of the acid-washing procedure greatly reduced the amount of gypsum and addition of a surfactant to the acid reduced wash time and mobilized some of the carbon from the filter. With surfactant, acid washing was 95% complete after 40 min.
