Experiment 05

PLATE AND FRAME FILTER PRESS

I.

OBJECTIVE
1. To determine how concentration is related to the weight and volume of the
cake obtained.
2. To determine how concentration affects the length of time a certain volume
of filtrate is obtained.
3. To plot the volume of filtrate versus time per volume of filtrate and to
determine the resistance constant Rm (m-1) of the filter medium to the
filtrate flow and the specific cake resistance, .

II.

THEORY
The plate and frame filter press is one of the most commonly used filter
design. It has two end filter plates. Between the two end plates are frame
plates and wash plates. Slurry is pumped into the frame plates from the inlet
and filtered solids collect there. Wash plates have a filter medium on both
faces and have a particular port arrangement to enable slurry washing
procedures. The number of frame plates and wash plates can be changed
depending on the separation area and solids capacity required. All of the
plates are held pressed together to form a seal which enables the filter unit to
be operated at pressure, providing a drive force to push the slurry through the
filter cloths.
The rate at which the slurry moves through the press depends on the
viscosity of the liquid, the thickness and resistance of the cake, and the
pressure drop across each plate. As filtration proceeds, layers of solids build
up in the frame while the filtrate passes through the press. However, as more
and more solid builds up in the frame, filtration becomes slower and slower.
The resistance of the cake increases with time as the cake builds up in the
frame (i.e. it becomes harder to force the filtrate through the cake, as the cake
becomes thicker). At any time, this resistance to the flow of filtrate is
proportional to the volume of filtrate that has passed through the cake.
Basic equation for filtration rate in batch process,
c s
dt

= 2
V+
R
dV A ( p f )
A ( p f ) m

III.

EQUIPMENTS AND MATERIALS

Plate and Frame Filter Press
Timer
Graduated Cylinder

IV.

PROCEDURE

(Eq. 4.1)

1. Weigh the filter sheets and note the weights.

2. Assemble the plate and frame filter press. Mount the filter frames and filter
plates properly one after the other in an alternate order.
3. Prepare 9 liters of slurry containing 10% by weight of CaCO3 and 90% by
weight water.
4. Fill the feed tank with the predetermined quantity of slurry and stir
thoroughly.
5. Tighten the screw (movable head) to assure leak proof operation.
6. Open the necessary valves (pressure and control valves).
7. Switch on the pump while continuously stirring the slurry.
8. As the filtration progresses, tighten again the screw (movable head).
(Once the filter plate is soaked, it softens and loosens resulting for possible
leakage.)
9. Monitor the volume of the filtrate every 10 seconds or at any convenient
time interval. Record the constant pressure drop.
10. Turn off the switch of the pump when the slurry from the feed tank is
already consumed. This signifies that the filtration in complete.
11. Allow the filter cake in the filter press to dry. If the filter cake is dry enough,
remove the filter sheets (with the filter cake). Dry the filter sheets (with the
filter cake) and note the weight of the dried cake.
12. Repeat procedure 4-11 using 20% by weight CaCO3.
Equation:
Wdry cake = WDried Filter Sheets + Filter Cake WFilter Sheets
V.

SKETCH

VI.

TABULATED DATA AND RESULTS

Table 1. 10% by weight CaCO2 in 9 L of slurry
Filtrate Volume (L)

Time (sec)

Time/Filtrate Volume (s/m3)

p f =

Mass of Cake:________
Table 2. 20% by weight CaCO2 in 9 L of slurry
Filtrate Volume (L)

p f =

Mass of Cake:________

Time (sec)

Vfiltrate/Time (L/s)

VII.

GUIDE QUESTIONS FOR ANALYSIS

1. Describe the factors affecting the filtration using the plate and frame
press.
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2. Comment on the results of the filtrate as a function of time at
different concentrations.
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3. Comment on the probable sources of errors in your experiment
results.
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VIII.

CONCLUSION
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IX.

RECOMMENDATION
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