Abstract: A filter plate and diaphragm assembly (10) is disclosed for use in a filter press comprising a horizontal stack of such assemblies interleaved with recess plates (12). Each assembly (10) comprises a plate (11) and a diaphragm (19). Plate (11) has a thicker peripheral portion (13) and staybosses (20). Adjacent portion (13) and staybosses (20) the diaphragm does not overlie the plate (11) but has lips (23, 24) accommodated in recesses (25, 26) in the plate (10). This ensures that the clamping loads applied to the stack are not borne by the diaphragms. The diaphragm 19 can have a drainage channel (28) formed in a rib (29) to receive liquid passing along drainage grooves (27) or the like after passing through a filter cloth (17). Air can be introduced via bores (22) to urge the diaphragm (19) away from the plate (11) to compress a filter cake being formed in the space between the assembly 10 and an adjacent recess plate (12).

Abstract: A method and apparatus for the removal of cakes from an open filter press is proposed which involves directing one or more jets of a pressure fluid towards the chamber to impinge on an edge of the cake and/or on the filter cloth adjacent such edge. If desired, the jet or jets are oscillatable so as to sweep across the said edge or the filter cloth adjacent such edge.

Abstract: A filter press is proposed wherein the number of chambers and the depth of each chamber are each significantly less than the corresponding parameters of conventional structures, yet the throughput of a press having a press volume which is only a small fraction of that of the conventional press bears favorable comparison with the throughput of that conventional press.