A Filter Press is most commonly used to dewater sludge generated from industrial wastewater treatment plants.
The Hydroflux chamber filter press is a batch system and is ideally suited to small to medium volumes of sludge. One of the key benefits to the filter press is the dry solids concentration that is unmatched by other dewatering technologies.
The first stage of dewatering in a filter press is chemical conditioning. This is usually achieved by dosing a polymer into a mixed sludge storage tank upstream of the filter press. The flocculant will bind the sludge particles into larger flocs which are thicker and easier to dewater in the press.
The slurry is then introduced through the center of the press where it fills the chambers between the plates. The pressure forces the liquid through the filter cloths, whilst solids are retained between the plates. The filtrate flows between ridges in the plates to the corners where it discharges.
The stages are as follows (please see diagram below):
- The chamber is empty, but has been sealed closed by the hydraulic ram. The press is ready to receive wet solids.
- The wet solids are fed into the chamber. The solids begin to fill the chamber void.
- The chamber void is full. Pressure builds and water is filtered through the filter cloths.
- The cycle time is ending. The feed has stopped, allowing the hydraulic ram to be retracted – solid cake falls from between the plates
The resulting sludge cake is then removed from the plates prior to being discharged into a storage bin or conveying system.
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The diagram below shows the internal process of the filter press
The nature of the pressurised dewatering processes lend the filter press to non-greasy applications such as the metal industry where dry solids concentrations in excess of 60% are possible
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