Formation of Mineral Deposits in Kamur Digesters
DOI:
https://doi.org/10.37482/0536-1036-2026-4-181-192Keywords:
mineral deposits, digesters, Kamur digesters, sulphate pulp, water hardness, white liquor, calcium carbonateAbstract
Mineral deposits are one of the main causes of unplanned shutdowns of Kamyr digesters. Currently, the use of inhibitors is one of the most effective and expensive methods for dealing with salt deposits. Therefore, the correct selection of an inhibitor and its dosage is essential for ensuring the smooth and cost-effective operation of the equipment. This requires determining the nature of mineral deposits and the concentration of the substances that cause their formation. We analyzed the mineral deposit samples from the continuously working Kamur digesters selected at two different production lines of an operating pulp and paper mill in the Russian Federation during forced shutdowns. The analysis results confirmed that calcium carbonate is the main component of the deposits. The predominant process leading to the formation of calcium carbonate deposits during the pulp cooking process is the interaction of calcium ions and carbonate ions. White liquor is an unavoidable source of carbonate ions. Calcium cations are introduced in large quantities with wood (up to 1.6 kg/t of dry matter), in smaller quantities with white liquor (due to the prolonged causticization), and in even smaller quantities with weak black liquor, which is used to maintain the digester’s water level. The paper presents the variation in sodium carbonate and calcium cation content in the raw materials used, their hourly intake considering the actual performance of digesters, and a consolidated calcium balance for the examined continuously working Kamur digesters at the production of hardwood and softwood sulfate pulp.
Funding: The research was financially supported by the Ministry of Science and Higher Education of the Russian Federation, project No. FSRU-2026-0003.
Acknowledgments: The Core Facility Center “Arktika” and the Innovation and Technology Centre “Modern Technologies for Processing Northern Bioresources” at the Northern (Arctic) Federal University named after M.V. Lomonosov provided the scientific equipment for the research.
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Copyright (c) 2026 Medvedev V.V., Sevastyanova Yu.V., Guryev A.V., Potashev A.V., Lyzhina A.S., Skornyakova A.V.
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