The filter press machine is a mechanical solid-liquid separation unit which is used in the field of pressure filtration of suspensions (heterogeneous mixture of a liquid and finely divided solids). Its origin lies in southwestern China. As early as 1600 BC, camellia oil was extracted from the camellia plant using a wooden filter press architecture. By using the Johnson filter press in 1853, mechanical filter presses were also used in the United Kingdom to extract seed oil using pressure plates.
Features of a MSE filter press
WHAT IS A FILTER PRESS MACHINE?
DECISIVE FACTORS IN THE SELECTION OF THE RIGHT FILTRATION METHOD
Factors like high filtration quality, a high degree of drainage and a high dry matter content (DM content) play a decisive role in choosing the right filtration method. The filter press is one of the oldest process filters and still remains a pioneer in industrial separation processes today, however, ahead of centrifuges, decanters and belt filters.
Depending on the application area, the filter press machine has different functions:
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- Purification of raw materials and products as well as separation of by-products
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- Recycling of solvents and unreacted reactants
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- Removal of impurities from waste water
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- Extraction of recyclable materials and raw materials
The solid construction of a filter press, innovation in design, increased energy efficiency and expansion possibilities of automation modules lead to a steadily increasing demand for filter press machines catapulting it to a basis unsurpassed by conventional dewatering processes for solids.
STRUCTURE OF A FILTER PRESS MACHINE
MSE filter presses are designed in modular design. The basis for this is the solid and heavy-duty steel filter press frame, which consists of the following main components: Feeding stands with filtrate outlet (head piece), hydraulic stand with locking cylinder (pressure piece), cross beam and side rails on which the individual filter plates including filter cloths are arranged accordingly. MSE filter presses such as the chamber filter press or the membrane filter press can be configured as required depending on the series. Depending on the respective series, the design of a filter press machine also offers for instance the following automation and expansion options: Automatic plate shifting, vibrating devices for rapid cake discharge, automatic filter cloth cleaning or membrane technology.
MSE filter presses are designed to work with a single hydraulic cylinder. Regardless of the filter press size (including 2000x2000mm), this design results in solid, reliable, and insensitive automation features with lower performance, fewer control valves, and lower complexity than multi-cylinder designs. The sidebar filter press line from MSE is also lighter, cheaper, and handier than an overhead filter press because of its design.
Compared to our domestic and foreign competitors, our systems stand out above all through their longevity and reliability. Our filter presses and features are low-maintenance and highly efficient thanks to the perfect interaction of all components. Upon request, our project-specific filter presses are designed for an operating pressure of up to 30 bar in order to be able to filter even the finest particles. In special cases, a higher design is possible. A structured project management and a professional service is what you can expect from us in any case.
SELECTION OF THE RIGHT FILTER PRESS FOR OPTIMUM SOLID-LIQUID SEPARATION
The number, type and size of the movable plate package is determined by the medium to be filtered and thus determines the format of the filter press machine. MSE filter presses can be used for a variety of applications due to their design specific variability. The size of the solid particles to be separated using special filter cloths extends from the µm range (e.g. enzymes) to the mm range (e.g. sewage sludge). MSE Filterpressen supplies filter plate sizes from 400×400 mm for small (mostly) functional laboratory filter presses for pilot projects up to 2000×2000 mm for large filter presses (e.g. for use in the chemical industry as well as mining).
OPTIONAL MACHINE EQUIPMENT
The automatic plate shifter has the task of moving the individual filter plates or the filter plates connected to form a package for discharging the filter press. Experience has shown that this is done manually for smaller filter presses. With larger plate sizes, however, plate shifting is more difficult and requires a plate shifting system. This system makes handling much easier.
The swivel plate / drip plate for filter presses is used in automatic or manual design primarily to catch the filtrate escaping from the filter plates during filtration and thereby ensure controlled drainage of the dripping water into the filtrate discharge chute. These prevent drops from reaching conveyor belts or cake waste containers. The respective drip plates are mounted below the plate pack. Furthermore, the closed drip plates specifically drain off the cleaning water when cleaning the filter plates and filter cloths in the press. To empty the filter press, the drip plates must be swung open (automatically) / removed (manually) to expose the discharge chute for the filter cake.
MSE Filter Presses‘ industry-leading Filter Cloth Washing System is a device that uses PLC to ensure fully automatic cleaning of filter cloths without operator intervention. Cleaning is accomplished with water sprayed at high pressure onto the surface of the filter cloths. The automatically operating high pressure filter cloth cleaning system for periodic cleaning of soiled filter cloths offers the following advantages:
- The filter press works more efficiently while maintaining the good condition of the filter cloths and requiring less operator effort
- The service life of the filter cloths can be significantly extended under certain circumstances
- The cloths are cleaned automatically without supervision, e.g. even at weekends or at night, during downtimes
Filter cake funnels are installed between the filter press, the platform, and the desired transfer point. This serves, for example, in combination with a conveyor for the targeted discharge of the filter cake for gravimetric filling in so-called Big Bag Filling Stations. If desired, filter cake hoppers can be provided with a maintenance opening on the front side.
The vibrating device is used for fully automatic emptying of filter presses and is a consistent further development of the MSE Filterpressen® plate shifting system, which is known as robust. This system consists of:
- Filter cake discharge aid by vibrating device, integrated in knife gate valve.
- Tried-and-tested modular basic system for plate shifting
- Individual emptying of the chambers
- Hydraulic lifting device that transmits lifting pulses to the filter plate with adhering filter cake
- A preconfigured active anti-sway device
Advantages:
- The operator himself can optimally adapt the mode of operation of the shaking device to the respective application with just a few parameters
- This always ensures the shortest possible emptying time
- Advantages of a fully automatic filter press at comparatively low investment costs
Filter presses greatly influence the degree of dryness of the solids through the use of membrane technology in the filter plates. In this process, a flexible, impermeable membrane attached to the carrier body compresses the cake in the chamber after the feeding process is completed. Depending on the degree of dewatering, different dry substance contents (dry substance content – percentage by weight of dry substance in the filter cake) can be achieved in the filter cake by re-pressing with membrane plates.
Filter cake washing, especially in combination with membrane technology, is an optional process step in filter cake post-treatment. This involves chemical/physical treatment of the filter cake or replacement of the filtrate still contained in the filter cake by a washing medium. The dewatering properties of the suspension determine the required filtration or washing pressure. In addition, the maximum permissible pressure depends on the following factors:
- On the permissible operating pressure of the press frame.
- From the permissible pressure and temperature stress on the membrane filter elements
In a wide variety of filtration applications, filter cake may not be able to form completely in the turbidity channel (in the inlet area of the filter plates). Whereas in other applications, e.g. fully automatic filter presses, a solid filter cake in the turbidity channel is not desired. If a liquid slurry remains in the turbidity channel after filtration without core blowing, it escapes when the plate pack is opened, which can cause correspondingly serious problems. Soiled filter cloths or deposits on the lower edge of the filter plates are just a few of the undesirable effects. Poor filtration results and high mechanical loads for the fiter press are the consequences.
Residual liquid in the finished filter cake and between the filter cake and filter cloth can never be completely excluded. This results in high and unnecessary disposal and transport costs. The filter cake is dried by compressed air. The compressed air from the pressure plate shoots through the filter cake to the washing plates. The residual water runs off via filtrate drains provided for this purpose. The compressed air forces part of the capillary water out of the filter cake. In this connection, the capillary water adhering between the filter cloth and the filter cake is reduced. This consequently leads to an improvement in the dissolving behavior and the dry substance content (DS content) in the filter cake.
The MSE 2FAST unloading technology significantly reduces the cycle times of the filter press. The unmanned high-speed unloading process results in a faster restart of filtration and thus increases the productivity of the machine.
FAST OPENING/CLOSING OF THE FILTER PRESS
- Special design of the hydraulic unit of the filter press, which ensures the following:
- Automatic electro-hydraulically controlled fast opening/closing of the filter press.
- Minimization of unproductive dead time during unloading of the filter press -> low delay.
- The fast opening/closing principle results in shorter cycle times as well as lower operating costs
- Optimized control philosophy for simultaneous operation of the individual functions
- Low maintenance requirements
With the versatile applications of a chamber filter press as well as membrane filter press, breakthroughs of the slurry can occur from time to time. To keep contamination of the environment as minimal as possible as a result, there are various options. In addition to a splash guard, a preliminary leakage test is used to check the filter plate package for leaks and preventively minimize damage. How does this work? Contact us!
MSE Filterpressen® offers the possibility to increase the height of your filter presses by means of individually adapted rack devices (platforms). Depending on the requirements of the location, various modifications to the height of a filter press are possible. The option of placing the filter press on a platform enables the filter cake discharge to be transported either directly into a skip trailer/container or via conveyor belts to more distant locations. Other conveying technologies such as spiral screw conveyors or trough chain conveyors are also part of the conveying systems used.
The removable spacer is the ideal solution if you want to secure the possibility of expanding the capacity of your filter press in the future. In doing so, you are spared the need for another new purchase. Each new filter press is optionally and upon request expandable with a spacer for future plate expansions. If a larger capacity intake is required, the cylindrical spacer, which is attached to the hydraulic cylinder and the moving pressure plate, can be removed quickly and easily. The filter press can thus be supplemented by the additional filter plates. However, the maximum capacity expansion depends on the filter press architecture. We will be happy to advise you on this.
Based on the decisive properties of the flexible material, rubber coated filter presses are used primarily for the filtration of particularly aggressive slurrys, such as solvents or acids. In this context, conventional painting of the steel parts is no longer sufficient. In a complex process, the supporting filter press components are accordingly coated with a layer of 3mm thick rubber. In the case of the rubber-coated filter press, the hydraulic column, charging column, pressure plate and support bars are hard rubber-coated for this purpose, and smaller components are made of polypropylene. It is also possible to rubberize only the components that come into contact with the product, such as the charging column and pressure plate. The composition of the rubber coating depends on the special surface requirements of our customers.
According to the „Test Laws for Chamber Filter Presses“, a filter press must be secured or made inaccessible not only on the operating side (by means of a safety light grid), but also on the rear side (safety technology for filter presses). Exceptions are non-automated filter presses of simple design, which, for example, do not have a plate transport for automatic filter plate displacement. These filter presses are designed with a 2-hand control, which precludes intervention while the hydraulics are working. In addition, MSE filter presses are equipped with an intervention protection at danger points (above and below the uprights).
For the protection there are 5 different basic variants:
- Safety light grid short incl. rear tread protection
- Safety light curtain long without rear guard
- Monitored sliding door
- Monitored automatic rolling door
- Monitored safety door
Drip-proof filter plates (CGR) are used in particular when the filter chambers must have a particularly high degree of tightness during the filtration cycle. For this purpose, the filter plates are available with a variety of sealing materials such as EPDM, silicone, NBR, and FKM, depending on the resistance requirements and individual customer needs.
For filter cake transport, driven conveyor systems such as belt conveyors, screw conveyors or trough chain conveyors with hoppers can be used, which are adapted and connected directly under the filter press (erected on a platform). The discharged filter cake is thus transported directly to the corresponding storage. A distance of more than 60 meters in length and 10 meters in height can easily be realized. Depending on the customer’s requirements and the conveying task, it is possible to convey the filter cake horizontally, uphill or vertically. In addition, refinements or special designs, e.g. according to ATEX directives, are possible.
MSE’s filter press and plant controls are as individual as their filtration tasks. In addition to our standards, we offer electrical equipment and control systems tailored to your requirements. In all aspects, from the storage of your spare parts to the control technology and the level of knowledge of your personnel in maintenance, we adapt our technology to yours for this purpose.
Control systems:
- ABB
- Allen-Bradley
- Rockwell
- Schneider
- Siemens SIMATIC-S7
Feed pumps have the task of filling the chambers of the closed plate pack with a slurry and thus „feeding“ the filter press for filtration. MSE Filterpressen® relies on an intensive partnership with well-known pump manufacturers. The close cooperation results in innovative solutions with which MSE distinguishes itself from the pure spare parts market through excellent quality – and this for 40 years now.
Filter cake funnels are installed between the filter press, the platform, and the desired transfer point. This serves, for example, in combination with a conveyor for the targeted discharge of the filter cake for gravimetric filling in so-called Big Bag Filling Stations. If desired, filter cake hoppers can be provided with a maintenance opening on the front side.
FILTER PRESS PRE-LAYOUT
Calculate the size of your chamber filter press with our online calculator. This service will assist you in planning and sizing your filter press machine. Please note that this result is an estimated value based on solid-liquid separation. We will be pleased to support you with your detailed calculation of your dewatering plant. Please contact us for more.
THE RIGHT PARTNER IS DECISIVE - MSE FILTERPRESSEN® FOR YOUR SUCCESS
- 40 years experience in planning, development and construction of filter presses
- Competent service (from consultation to processing to maintenance)
- High performance range with full vertical integration and high value retention (Made in Germany)
- Successively optimized processes to provide the best possible customer benefit
- Technically trained and experienced staff as guarantor for the consistently high quality
- Close cooperation with well-known suppliers in the selection of filter plates and filter cloths
- Economical and efficient design of your filter press through upstream implementation of laboratory tests and test series
- High filtration quality, high filtration rate, high degree of dewatering and maximum washing performance
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AUTOMATION MODULES
With the automation & expansion modules, we offer our customers advanced solutions to increase the productivity and flexibility of your filter press. From this, MSE generates custom-fit and tailor-made solutions – from the single machine to the fully automated turnkey filtration system.
MSE SERVICES
MSE Services offers you a comprehensive range of transparent and clearly structured services for your filter press system. As a reliable service partner, we accompany you throughout the entire life cycle of your system and ensure its productivity and availability.
PROCESS TECHNOLOGY
Cake filtration is a mechanical process for the separation of solid-containing liquids. It pertains to surface filtration like cross-flow filtration. In contrast to depth filters, the actual separation effect takes place through the filter cake, which settles on the filter cloth.