The chamber filter press offers the possibility to filter and dewater sludge and various materials with ease. It can be used with great efficiency in a wide range of applications, such as mining, sludge treatment, certain parts of the chemical industry, agriculture, and the food industry. We have gathered all information that you need to know about chamber filter presses.
What can a chamber filter press be used for?
The function of a chamber filter press is to separate the liquid and solid phases. A stack of filter sheets coated with a filter cloth is called a filter sheet bundle, which, depending on its permeability, allows the passage of clay of the right particle size and smaller, which is then discharged as filtrate. Larger grain particles cannot pass through the filter and remain in the chamber, forming the so-called sludge.
What types of chamber filter press exist?
There are several types filter presses in existence, defined according to various parameters. Examples include the type and number of filter plates, chamber volume, filter surface area, filling pump pressure and volume, hydraulic cylinder pressure and size.
Let's see which are the most common types!
Side-plate filtering
It is advisable to use a side-plate filter press when the solid particle volume is fairly low in the sludge. These systems are available in both automated and manual versions and can be integrated into any water treatment system. Features such as hydro-electric and manual pump pad closing, membrane sludge dewatering, automatic pad agitation and filter cloth washing system can be added to the basic filter press.
Top-plate filtering
There are top-sheet systems that operate efficiently under explicitly heavy loads. A major advantage of these versions is the easy access to the moving blades, which makes cleaning and changing the filter cloths easy. The latter also means that when it is time for replacement, there is no need to remove the entire press plate and there is no need to worry about a spare one. Overall, these systems require less manpower and maintenance time is significantly reduced.
What sectors are they used in?
Filter presses have a wide range of applications. They play an important role in the mining industry, sand factories, the ceramics industry, the treatment of industrial wastewater and sludge, in wastewater treatment plants, and the handling of solid waste and biomass.
They are also widely used in agriculture, the pharmaceutical and cosmetics industries, animal processing and the beverage industry.
How does a chamber filter press function?
A filter press is a complex machine consisting of several components. The material to be filtered is fed through the sludge inlets into the press plates, which are typically located on the plate support bars. The plates are used to form the ribbed surface chambers that support the filter cloths. The edges of the sheets are smooth, thus ensuring the creation of a sealing surface between them.
The filtration itself is carried out by using filter cloths. The residual water can be easily removed through a piping system.
The filter cloth must be cleaned regularly, as dirt decreases the overall efficiency.
Advantages of modern filter presses
21st-century filter presses rely on modern technology and fit in with the needs of digitalisation and the IIoT (industrial internet of things). Thanks to precise solutions, the capacity of the equipment is very high and various process parameters, such as the filling level of the press, can be easily optimised. Faults are detected immediately, such as sudden fluctuations in pressure or changes in the quality of the filtrate can be detected at the same time.
Overall, modern technology makes the process much more predictable and reliable, with fewer errors and ceased operations. The filter presses can be controlled remotely and less manpower is required than before.
The Makrofilt product range includes both chamber and membrane filter presses suitable for filtration processes, either by post-pressing or flake washing. In addition, Makrofilt also provides the necessary parts and components for system maintenance, such as filter sheets and filter cloths.
