The filter press is a filtration system that separates, regularly collects and achieves solid-liquid separation through the use of cloths in the wastewater generated from industrial processes such as press, selective, and industrial wastewater treatment plants. The filter press system applies a certain pressure and power to the wastewater, allowing solid materials to be retained.
With the filter press, the aim is to remove solid substances such as sludge and sand generated in wastewater treatment plants, ensuring the preservation of the system and water quality. Filter presses, also known as sludge dewatering machines, have a wide range of applications, both in environmental engineering and manufacturing.
The purpose of the filter press system is to reduce the water content in the solid matter. During this process, a chemical substance is added to the sludge, reducing the water content in the mud. As a result, the mud with an increased solid content occupies less volume.
Applications of Filter Press
The filter press equipment is used for sludge dewatering in wastewater treatment plants and finds widespread use in many factories. Filter presses can be employed for the separation of both industrial wastewater and industrial materials. The usage areas of filter presses can be listed as follows:
Biological wastewater treatment systems benefit from filter presses.
In mining operations, they are used for separating and refining extracted minerals.
In paint factories, filter presses are used to adjust paint ratios and achieve the correct mixture.
In the pharmaceutical industry, filter presses are preferred in places where chemical substances need to be separated and proportioned.
The paper and recycling sector is also a place where filter presses are preferred.
Filter Press Working Principle
The filter press has a compact system that can operate manually or automatically. It operates on the principle of filtering the solid-liquid mixture, fed by high-pressure pumps, through filter cloths, trapping solid particles between filter plates. The clarified water, separated from the mud during the pressure, flows into the filtrate tray through taps on the filter plates. The liquid phase is taken out of the equipment.
The cloths used in the filter press system are produced from materials such as polypropylene, cotton, cut fibers, or other raw materials, depending on the physical and chemical properties of the solid-liquid mixture to be filtered.
Depending on the plate compression feature, the filter press is divided into three categories:
Manual
Semi-automatic
Fully automatic
Plate characteristics are also grouped into three categories:
Chamber type plates
Full-empty type plates (frame-plate)
Chamber + Membrane plates
Full-Empty Plates: Generally preferred in oil filtration (olive oil, sunflower oil, industrial oils, etc.) and the petrochemical industry.
Chamber Type Plates: Used in filter press units of facilities such as mining, marble treatment systems, treatment systems, zinc phosphate coating, etc.
