Abstract: A filtration device can be configured to form filter cakes and filtrate by filtering solid particulates from a slurry. Some embodiments of the filtration device can utilize a mechanism that is configured to separate the formed filter cake from a disc sector for subsequent processing of the solid particulates of the filter cake and/or the formed filtrate. Embodiments of the filter device and/or mechanisms of the filter device as well as methods of making and using the same can help provide improvements in operational efficiency for processing operations in which solids are to be filtered from a slurry.

Abstract: Filtration media includes a polymeric based impregnation material that is impregnated within a fabric material such as felt, non-woven fabric or woven fabric material. The impregnation material may be coated on a first surface of the fabric material and subsequently heated air may be passed through the coating and fabric material. The heated air may be passed through the fabric material via a pressure differential that is defined in a volume that fully encloses the fabric material for a predetermined period of time to ensure that the hot air pushes the coating through a substantial thickness of the fabric material to be impregnated within the fabric material throughout the substantial thickness of the fabric material. A heat cure step may subsequently be applied to ensure that the coating is diffused in to the fabric material and cured.

Abstract: A pressure-filter is disclosed along with its peripheral equipment that permit the automatic controlled operation of the filter for extracting liquids from a fluid liquid/solid slurry and for the formation of a substantially dry filter cake. The efficiency of the filter apparatus is increased by the use of hot gas as a material for treating the cake within the filter for extracting the liquids as filtrate. The hot gas may be hot air, hot inert gas, steam, or combinations thereof in controlled sequences. The filter is adapted to be able to operate under vacuum or elevated pressure and at elevated temperatures.

Abstract: A method and apparatus is disclosed for separating a slurry into liquids and solids in a pressure filter apparatus and for forming a substantially dry and often loosely packet filter solids cake wherein a high temperature and high pressure steam is introduced into an initially formed filter cake in the pressurized filter apparatus to force the steam into the interstices of the formed filter cake and then pressure within the filter apparatus is reduced to permit the steam to flash and to expand within the interstices to absorb any remaining fluids within the formed filter cake and to cause the filter cake to become substantially dry and loosely packed. The filtered solids cake is then discharged from the filter apparatus.

Abstract: A slurry filtration system and apparatus with peripheral elements for conditioning a slurry prior to entry into a pressure filter (32) and the control of fluid and liquid introductions into the filter (32) to produce a desired filter cake or filtrate. The system includes a controller (16) for controlling the operation of the peripheral treatment for the introduction of coagulants, flocculants and polymers to treat or condition a slurry introduced into the filter (32) and the control of additional peripheral equipment for treatment of the slurry with liquid clearing or cake forming gas, steam, or drying or conditioning gas within the filter chamber (40) for the production of both filtrate and filter cake from the filter (32) to a form desired.

Abstract: A pressure filter apparatus is shown and disclosed with a construction that permits the filter to be operated to produce food grade or pharmaceutical grade products where there are requirements for periodic cleaning, sterilizing or sanitizing of the apparatus. The structures of the filter apparatus are sloped or clad to drain any fluids away from the apparatus. The exterior can be washed in place and the interior can be washed with the exterior washing or can be operated with internal washing cycles.

Abstract: A pressure-filter apparatus includes at least one filtration chamber coupled with a source of slurry. The filtration chamber is also coupled with a source of fluid at an elevated pressure, which may be arranged in series or in parallel with a source of wash fluid. The pressure-filter apparatus may also include a source of fluid at a conventional pressure. The source of fluid at elevated pressure has a limited volume for initially treating the slurry within the chamber. The source of fluid at conventional pressure has a substantially unlimited volume for completing the treating of slurry within the chamber. The relative volume capacity of the two fluid sources provides an improved efficiency in the treatment of the slurry and the overall efficiency of the apparatus by limiting the time and capacity of accumulation of elevated pressure fluid while using the conventional pressure for extended treatment of the slurry within the chamber.

Abstract: A pressure-filter apparatus includes at least one filtration chamber coupled with a source of slurry. The filtration chamber is also coupled with a source of fluid at an elevated pressure, which may be arranged in series or in parallel with a source of wash fluid. The pressure-filter apparatus may also include a source of fluid at a conventional pressure.

Abstract: A pressure-filter apparatus includes at least one filtration chamber coupled with a source of slurry. The filtration chamber is also coupled with a source of fluid at an elevated pressure, which may be arranged in series or in parallel with a source of wash fluid. The pressure-filter apparatus may also include a source of fluid at a conventional pressure.

Abstract: A pressure filter includes two continuous mating surfaces movable relative each other and a filter medium capable of being disposed therebetween. A surface, provided for supporting the filter medium, is bounded by and is substantially coplanar with one of the continuous mating surfaces. The filter further includes a shallow inlet cavity, bounded by the other of the continuous mating surfaces, and an inlet distributor in communication with the inlet cavity. The inlet distributor includes at least one opening and may be of internal or external type. When the mating surfaces are pressed together, a shallow filtration chamber is defined by the inlet cavity and the filter medium. The filter apparatus may include a plurality of shallow filtration chambers, stacked one above the other, and constructed as described above.

Abstract: A modular filter apparatus is formed from stacked filter modules. Slurry to be filtered flows into the apparatus through a flowmeter and check valve into a header. The flow of slurry then branches off through feeders to each of the filter modules. Connected to the header is a slurry supply source, a cakewash supply source and a header drain. The modules are coupled to a hydraulic jack mechanism and an upper strongback.

Abstract: The method of weaving a dimensionally stable fabric filter medium having particular use in a pressure filter apparatus. The fabric is woven with tension on the warp and weft yarns and the woven fabric is heat set outside the weaving loom to create a desired crimp in the warp and weft yarns and thus to produce a dimensionally stable filter medium. The fabric is woven in a pattern and of materials that provide the desired permeability while being capable of capture of the solids in a slurry and permitting the fluids of the slurry to flow through the medium.

Abstract: A belt filter medium with detecting means for a filter apparatus and method is disclosed for separating solid materials from liquid materials in a slurry fluid. The apparatus includes separable plate members (12,14) that are pressed against each other to form a filter chamber (10). The plates have mating surfaces (34,54) and hollow interior portions that create the chamber. A filter medium (28) is placed between the mating surfaces before the plates are closed. The apparatus includes means for forcing wash fluids, liquids or gasses through the slurry to force the fluids from the slurry and to produce a dry filter cake of the solids. After the filtration has been completed, the plates are separated leaving the filter cake on the filter medium and the filter medium is advanced out of the filter chamber moving a clean filter medium between the open filter plates. Another filter operation them proceeds. The filter medium is cleaned outside of the filter apparatus and can be prepared for reuse.

Abstract: A filter apparatus and method is disclosed for separating solid materials from liquid materials in a slurry fluid. The apparatus includes separable plate members (12, 14) that are pressed against each other to form a filter chamber (10) . The plates have mating surfaces (34, 54) and hollow interior portions that create the chamber. A filter medium (28) is placed between the mating surfaces before the plates are closed. The apparatus includes means for forcing wash fluids, liquids or gasses through the slurry to force the fluids from the slurry and to produce a dry filter cake of the solids. After the filtration has been completed, the plates are separated leaving the filter cake on the filter medium and the filter medium is advanced out of the filter chamber moving a clean filter medium between the open filter plates. Another filter operation them proceeds. The filter medium is cleaned outside of the filter apparatus and can be prepared for reuse.

Abstract: A woven fabric filter medium having particular use in a pressure filter apparatus. The fabric is useful in separating liquids from solids in a slurry fed into the pressure filter apparatus. The fabric is woven in a pattern and of materials that provide desired permeability while being capable of capture of the solids in the slurry and permitting the fluids to flow through. The materials used in the fabric are selected for their ability to resist deterioration from the chemical, heat or abrasive characteristics of the slurry while being capable of being cleaned for reuse in a filter apparatus.

Abstract: A filter belt movement control and belt treatment means for a pressure filter apparatus. The movement control includes a marking means in or on the filter belt medium and a sensing means on the filter apparatus. The sensing means detecting the position of the marking means in or on the belt filter medium and adapted to signal a controller for control of the position of the belt filter medium within the apparatus. The treatment means including cleaning, bathing and coating means for treating the belt filter medium and vibratory means for operation with the treating means.

Abstract: A filter apparatus and method is disclosed for separating solid materials from liquid materials in a slurry fluid. The apparatus includes separable plate members that are pressed against each other to form a filter chamber. The plates have mating surfaces and hollow interior portions that create the chamber. A filter medium is placed between the mating surfaces before the plates are closed. The apparatus includes means for forcing wash fluids, liquids or gasses through the slurry to force the fluids from the slurry and to produce a dry filter cake of the solids. After the filtration has been completed, the plates are separated leaving the filter cake on the filter medium and the filter medium is advanced out of the filter chamber moving a clean filter medium between the open filter plates. Another filter operation them proceeds. The filter medium is cleaned outside of the filter apparatus and can be prepared for reuse.

Abstract: In a filtering device used for filtering slurries, or the like, and employing pressed together plate members separated by a filter media, there has been a problem in sealing the mating surfaces of the pressed together plates. In accord with the present invention a groove is provided on each of the plate members at their mating surfaces with the grooves at least partially aligned with each other. A fluid connection is provided to each of the grooves and a fluid at a desired pressure is separately applied to each of the grooves. The fluid pressures in each of the two grooves is different and selected to prevent leakage of slurry or slurry filtrate between the pressed together plates.