Abstract: An apparatus for separating filter cake from an endless filter web, and method for using the same, for use in conjunction with a stacked plate filter system and filter web extractor. The filter cake and filter web separator apparatus includes a downwardly sloping support tray and a wedge-shaped plow blade having a resilient scrapper and suspended above, and generally parallel with, the support tray. As contaminated filter web exits a plate filter and is pulled through the separator apparatus by the filter web extractor, the resilient scrapper dislodges the filter cake from the filter web as the contaminated portion of filter web passes between the plow blade and the support plate and displaces the cake off the filter web where it falls into a suitable collection container. The filter web exits the apparatus from between the plow blade and support tray having substantially all of the filter cake removed from the filter web.

Abstract: An automated computer protocol is disclosed for the dispensing rate of a filter aid slurry into a pressure or vacuum filter in order to efficiently use filter aid and disposable filter septum. The control system accepts three input variables; these variables are total time of filter use, differential pressure across the filter media and the volume (level) in the (slurry or filter aid) bodyfeed tank for augmenting the filter performance. In the disclosed protocol, these variables are processed in turn to vary the rate in which bodyfeed will be introduced into the filter. Specifically, and on an adjustable incremental basis, the pressure differential is monitored across the filter. This differential is compared to that differential which would exist if the filter had reached the end of service life "set point"--which requires septum replacement and cleaning. The total quantity of bodyfeed available and the rate at which bodyfeed is being added to the filter are monitored.

Abstract: An improved filter plate of the type used with a vertical stack of other such plates to form an industrial filter of the type known as a horizontal plate filter. The improved filter plate has a generally upright side wall, and a divider plate or transverse planar plate portion secured to the side wall below the upper margin thereof. An open top trough is formed in the divider plate to receive the filtrate passing through a filter medium above the filter plate when the latter forms a part of a horizontal plate filter. A hole in the side wall permits the filtrate to be removed from the trough. The filter plate further includes a fluid inlet conduit and an air vent/blowdown conduit extending through the side wall into the space below the divider plate. The trough and removable conduits eliminate the need for fixed baffles for use as the fluid inlet, outlet, and blowdown means as found in a conventional filter plate.