Filtration
Filtration is a process used to separate solids from liquids or gases using a filter medium that
allows the fluid to pass through but not the solid. The term "filtration" applies whether the filter
is mechanical, biological, or physical. The fluid that passes through the filter is called the filtrate.
The filter medium may be a surface filter, which is a solid that traps solid particles, or a depth
filter, which is a bed of material that traps the solid………..
[https://www.thoughtco.com/filtration-definition-4144961]
Types of filter:
There are many types of filter. Some of them are ….
Gravity Nutsche
Deplark industrial filter
Plate and frame press
Horizontal plate
Vacu-flow suction leaf filter
Nutsche filter:
There are two types of Nutsche filters: gravity Nutsche filters and pressure-type Nutsche filters.
Gravity Nutsche
Gravity Nutsche filters works under vacuum conditions. By their design gravity Nutsche filters is
a rectangular or cylindrical device equipped with a filter membrane located above the bottom.
The filter can be made of a fabric or porous ceramic tiles laid on the lattice. After filling the filter
with the suspension and activation of vacuum, the filtered medium passes through the
membrane. The cake is left on the membrane. When the process is complete, the cake is
removed manually. The device can be equipped with a folding bottom which makes the
discharge process even more simple. Advantages of gravity Nutsche filters usually include: the
ability to thoroughly wash the cake, simple corrosion protection, easy and reliable design.
Principle:
A gravity Nutsche filter operating under vacuum is a tank with a porous substrate inside which
is called a false bottom. The porous substrate supports the filter membrane. The suspension is
supplied into the filter from the top, and the space under the substrate is rarefied using a
vacuum pump. This results in a pressure drop on the opposite sides of the filter membrane
whereby the liquid phase passes through the membrane and gets into the lower part of the
filter as a filtrate and then is removed through a fitting. The dispersed phase is retained at the
filter membrane and the cake is formed. A gravity Nutsche filter can be filled with a washing
liquid which is used to clean the cake. After the end of the filtration process, the gravity
Nutsche filter for some time remains under vacuum conditions to reduce humidity of the cake.
Then the cake can be removed manually from the top of the filter….. [https://intech-
gmbh.com/nutsche_filters/]
Merits:
Little risk of environmental contamination
Can combine multiple unit operations into a single vessel
Smoothing the cake prevents cracking
The main advantage of a Nutsche filter is that most of liquid can be extracted from the
cake. So the liquid is only a little mixed with washing water at further washings.
Nutsche filters are used to simplify and speed up cake discharging .
Demerits:
Long process
Cake can stick to filter medium
Plate and frame press fi lter
These are some of the oldest and most common filters used for liquid-solid separation.
General Information:
Filter presses consist of several filter plates in series. These plates are metal frames
containing large sheets of filter cloth, usually polypropylene. These plates are
squeezed together and the slurry is filtered through the press.
Principle:
Filter presses are operated by compressing the plates together to make a water-
tight seal, then pumping the feed through a tube down the center of the plates. The
slurry deposits solids on the filter cloth as the filtrate leaves the press via discharge
ports. The solids continue to deposit and eventually form a cake in the spaces
between the filter plates.
For maximum filtrate recovery, air can be blown at high pressures through the filter
press to dry out the cake almost completely.
Filter presses can be operated as batch or continuous processes. When operated as
a batch process, filtering is paused to remove the filter cake when it has reached a
maximum thickness. For continuous processes, the filter press can be modified to
deposit the filter cake in drums or barrels, as shown below.
Merits:
Low operating cost.
Simple design.
Can operate efficiently as a batch or continuous process.
Demerits:
High maintenance required due to short filter cloth life.
Frequent leaking or dripping can occur.
Imperfect washing can occur due to inconsistent cake densities
….. [https://encyclopedia.che.engin.umich.edu /Pages/SeparationsMechanical/Filters/Filters.html]
Horizontal plate filter
The Horizontal Plate Filter (HPF) is one the most universally accepted industrial liquid
filtration solutions. With the Horizontal Plate Filter (HPF), created a filter that provides
uniform flow, no moving parts and simplicity of design. Gravity is the key principle at
work. The plates in this model function horizontally and through the topside only, they
offer unparalleled stability, versatility, granularity, sanitation, fault tolerance, and
efficiency.
Principle:
The operation of a horizontal plates filter is labor intensive and requires a complex
manipulation of valves so present day installations are in most cases fully automated.
The operational steps are as follows:
Step 1. Precoating - The precoating stage is done only in the following cases: (a) When
the contaminants are gelatinous and sticky it forms a barrier that avoids cloth blinding.
Likewise the interface between the precoat and the cloth departs readily so the cake
discharges leaving a clean cloth; (b) When a clear filtrate is required immediately after
the filtration cycle commences otherwise recirculation must be employed until a clear
filtrate is obtained.
Step 2. Filtration - Once the precoating stage is completed the process slurry is pumped
into the filter, the forming cake is retained on the plates and the filtrate flows to further
processing. When the solids are fine and slow to filter a body-aid is added to the feed
slurry in order to enhance cake permeability. However, it should be kept in mind that the
addition of body-aid increases the solids concentration in the feed so it occupies
additional volume between the plates and increases the amount of cake for disposal.
Likewise, for all those applications when the cake is the product, precoat and filter-aid
may not be used since they mix and discharge together with the cake.
Step 3. Heel Removal - Once the filtration cycle is completed it is necessary to remove
the slurry heel that surrounds the plates. This is done by blowing air into the tank which
displaces the slurry down to the lowest plate and further to the scavenger plate if one
exists. The remaining slurry at the very bottom is recirculated through a dip pipe back to
the feed tank until the entire slurry has been evacuated.
……………….[http://sparklerfilters.com/index.php/filtration/customization/horizontal-
plate-filters.html]
Merits:
The removal of the plate stack on bottom driven filters is simpler than on top
driven machine since on the later than the entire drive has to be removed to
allow the access.
Plates with the screen mounted on topside, as opposed to two sided plates,
provide good support for the forming cake and therefore are always used on
application on thick and heavy cakes.
Demerits:
High headroom is required for dismantling the entire plate stack
The bearing of top and bottom driven filters, that supports the rotating plate,
stack and it’s sealing, is complex since it has to withstand the internal pressure
and the side forces imposed by the mechanical drive. However side loads on
some machines are eliminated by the use of hydrolic motor.
The emptying of the vessel in between cake filtration, washing and drying
requires close monitoring of the pressure inside vessel to ensure the cake hold
into the candle.
Delpark industrial filter
Delpark Gravity Bed Filters are available in Carbon and Stainless Steel to meet most process
requirements. Stainless models are ideal for all food processing. They meet FDA guidelines,
handle corrosion resistant type applications and provide extra longevity for acidic
environments. Custom units are available in many alloys to meet the most demanding
applications.
Filtration system:
The Delpark gravity bed filter is a continuous self-cleaning gravity filter. Solids are removed as
liquid flows through the filter media and are then discharged in a relatively dry condition into
an outside container. The blanket type filter media is carried by an endless conveyor. The
conveyor’s sloping sides create a deep pool for the liquid, while an inclined discharge ramp
provides carry off for the waste. As unfiltered liquid flows onto the filter media, it passes
through the media and deposits solids on the media surface (thus forming an additional
filtering stage). When the rate of liquid flow through the filter media is appreciably slowed by
accumulating waste, the level of standing liquid rises and actuates the float control. The motor-
driven conveyor belt is advanced, dumping waste-laden filter media into a holding box and
bringing a section of fresh media into position under the liquid flow. The float control senses
when the liquid flow has resumed its proper rate, and controls media advance accordingly.
………[https://www.johnbrooks.ca/wp-content/uploads/2013/03/DelparkFilterBrochure.pdf]
Merits:
Effectively treat fluid
Meet local compliance issues
Minimize costs and maximize profits
Demerits:
Operation is critical
Expensive filter
Vertical Pressure Leaf Filters
It consist of a vertical tank with filter elements leaves inside. The leaves are
mounted vertically on a common manifold pipe, through which the filtered
liquid flows out. On the top the leaves are held by a vibrating shaft. A
mechanical vibrator driven by electric motor / pneumatic vibrator is provided
for vibrating the leaf shaft for cake discharge. Optionally spray nozzles can
also be provided for wet cake discharge. Jacket for hot filtration can be
offered if desired over flow, vent steam air charging pressure gauge and
safety valve are provided on the top. The top cover is provided with devit
arm mechanism for raising the lid for cleaning removing the leaves. I bolts
are provided for quick opening and closing of top lid. A mechanical jack is
provided to lift the top for cleaning removing the leaves. Lugs are provided
for mounting the PLF. Bottom opening is a simple and economical manual
swing type which gives 100% opening or optionally a pneumatically actuated
butterfly valve which opens about the center axis and divides the bottom in
2 halves is provided……….
[https://amarequipment.tradeindia.com/vertical-horizontal-pressure-leaf-filter-68261.html]
Merits:
High operational flexibility
Easy maintenance and low related costs
Automatic washing system
Continuously operation with operating and stand-by unit philosophy
Steam steam available
Construction in a wide range of sizes
Wide range of application and industrial
Demerits:
High labor cost
High equipment footprint
Vacuum Filters
There are two main types of vacuum filters: horizontal belt and rotary drum filters,
both of which operate continuously. Horizontal belt vacuum filter includes a
conveyor belt, while rotary drum filters rotate about an axis as a vacuum pulls the
filtrate through its walls. Shown below to the left is an example of a horizontal belt
vacuum filter and below to the right is an example of a rotary drum vacuum filter.
Equipment Design
Horizontal belt vacuum filters contain a conveyor belt to move filter media from a
roll through the machine. As the conveyor belt circulates, it pulls the filter media
through the filtration chamber, where a vacuum pulls the filtrate through the media
and a cake deposits on the other side. The belt then pulls that section of used filter
media out of the machine and deposits it in a discharge bin. The user need only
replace the roll of filter media to continue the process.
Rotary drum vacuum filters consist of a rotating drum lined with filter medium that
has approximately one third of its outer wall submersed in the slurry. The filtrate is
pulled through the wall of the drum by a vacuum, towards the center of the drum.
The drum rotates such that the cake is dumped to the discharge outlet. That
section of the drum wall is then washed before performing filtration again.
Merits:
Flexibility in choice of cake thickness, washing time and drying time
Can effectively handle heavy, dense solids
Allows thorough flooding of cake with wash
Demerits:
Expensive to build
Requires large amount of floor space
Difficult to enclose for hazardous applications
