Filtration

Introduction
Te plate-and-frame flter press is one example of a variety of industrial fltering equipment. It is
used particularly when the quantity of solid to be fltered is not large enough to justify the use of a con-
tinuous automatic flter or if the solids to be separated have a high value. Although the plate-and-frame
flter is lower in capital cost per unit of fltering surface than its competitors and requires the least foor
space, the operating costs fur such a press are high and this flter is therefore not always the most eco-
nomical choice.
Shown here is a Simpson Polypropylene Plate and
Frame Filter Press (Model Number: 3112-15). It utilizes 26
32 " x 32 " Plates and has a 12 f
3
Cake Capacity. In this situa-
tion, the press acts as a pre-treatment washer to remove im-
purities that may damage equipment later in the process or
lower product quality. Similar presses are used on a larger
scale, such as solids removal in wastewater treatment.
Te mechanism of cake fltration can be demon-
strated clearly with the plate-and-frame flter press. In this
experiment it will be shown that the fltering characteristics
of a solid can be determined by a straightforward laboratory
procedure.
Objectives

To study the fltration processes and determine which are the major contributing factors to its opera-
tion.

To determine the fow rates through the flters and into the tank

To determine the specifc cake resistance () and the flter medium resistance (R
m
) for a number of
constant-pressure runs.
Theory
Filter presses operate under pressure using the process of cake fltration. Tis involves sending a slurry
through the press, which is equipped with flter cloths. Te cloths pick up the particles in the slurry and
allow the solvent (water) to pass through. As more slurry moves through the press, the cake builds up
and assists the fltration process. Te 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.
To determine the fow rate at any time through the press, a simple diferential equation is used:
Industrial plate & frame filter press.

A
h
t
= F
in
(1)
where F
in
= fow into the tank, A = cross-sectional area of tank, and h = height of liquid in tank at time t.
However, taking a closer look, the fow rate of the fltrate can be approximated by expressing it in terms
physical properties of the slurry:

ot
oV
=

A(AP)
oCV
A
+R
m

_
,

(2)
where: t = time (sec), V = volume fltered (m
3
), = viscosity of water (Pa
.
s), A=total area of all fltration
cakes in system (m
2
), P = Pressure diferential across flter (Pa), C = slurry concentration of solids per
volume (kg / m
3
), = Specifc cake resistance (m/kg), and R
m
= Filter medium resistance(m
-1
).
Equation 2 may be rewritten with symbolic values to represent the larger terms:

t
V
= K
1
V+K
2
(3)
where:

K
1
=
C
A
2
(P)
and

K
2
=
R
m
A(P)
A plot of t/V vs. V should give a straight line with a slope of K1, which will allow the calculation of
the specific cake resistance, . Also, the intercept will be K2, which will allow the calculation of Rm.
Apparatus:
Te apparatus consists of the following components:
Slurry Supply

slurry preparation tank with mechanical and air agitators

slurry pump

piping and valves

Filtration

Shriver closed delivery plate-and-frame flter

Filtrate Collection

fltrate tank

temperature and volume indicators

piping and valves

Te principles of operation of the plate and frame flter are discussed in chapter 22 of Foust (1980). Te
details of the piping in the apparatus are as follows:
Hardware:

Lightning Mixer

Model #ND1

Serial 861446

HP - 1/3

RPM 1725

Volts 115 / 230

Amps 5.6 / 2.8

Type C - 1901 A

Motor Model MXT - M56 VBX - AM - CZ

Code - 6805

Filter Press (T. Shriver & Co. Inc., Harrison NJ USA)

Size 12 Filter Press

Serial No. 25066

Filter Pressure: 150 lbs.

Control Valve

Spring range 25 - 75

Inlet Relief Pressure 300 psig

Serial No. CN478066

References
Coulson, J. M., J.F. Richardson. Chemical Engineering (2nd edition). Pergamon Press. 1968.
Dougherty, R. L., J.B. Franzini. Fluid Mechanics with Engineering Applications (7th edition). McGraw-
Hill. 1977.
A.L. Foust et al., Principles of Unit Operations (2nd Edition) J. Wiley. 1980.