About filter foam washing and drying

For environments where popcorn grease and such can contaminate the filter foam, Barco advises the client to purchase one extra set of filter foam to cover drying time, as well as taking following extra precautions and instructions pertaining to filter foam cleaning and drying.

Cleansing agent

To clean sticky, greasy dust filter foam we suggest usage of Sodium carbonate crystals (Na₂CO₃). Sodium carbonate (Often called washing soda, soda crystals, or sal soda in the detergent section of stores) is widely used to effectively remove oil, grease, alcohol stains … The product itself is relatively safe, sodium carbonate is used in toothpastes and as a food additive (E500). Potential Hazards are described in the section “Safety”.

Prerequisites

This procedure assumes that the dust filter foam is removed from the dust filter holder. See procedure “Replacing the dust filter”.

Required tools

• Bucket with hot water
• Sodium carbonate, 30 gram (handful) per liter hot water

How to wash and dry the dust filter foam

1. Make a solution with a ratio of 30 gram (a handful) sodium carbonate to 1 liter hot water.
2. Soak the dust filter foam in the solution for 30 to 60 minutes. The grease should be dissolved after 1 hour.
3. If the dust filter is still clogged repeat this procedure from step 1.
4. Rinse the dust filters with clean water to flush all grease residue away.
5. Shake out all excess liquid by repeatedly swinging the filter to-and-fro in a centrifugal action.

6. Then allow the filters to dry thoroughly.

   

   Note: Drying time of the dust filter foam can be up to 24h or more. Drying time can be shorter when being done in a well-ventilated area.
   

   Tip: To speed-up drying, allow the filter foam to dry at 50°C max in a well ventilated room.