Plate filter press

Abstract

A plate filter press for the mechanical separation of solids from a liquid forming a suspension. The plate filter press is made of a plurality of vertical membrane plates and filter plates, the membrane plates and filter plates alternating. The space between the membrane plates and filter plates defines a filter chamber, which can be opened by moving the plates apart. An impermeable and flexible membrane is positioned in the filter chamber and is sealed to the periphery of the membrane plate. The space between the membrane and the membrane plate defines a pressure medium chamber for receiving pressure medium. The space between the membrane and the filter plate defines a suspension chamber for receiving the suspension. Finally, a woven metal fabric filter is positioned on each side of the filter plate. Both the filter plates and the woven metal fabric filters are planar. Liquid from the suspension is discharged through the woven metal fabric filter toward the interior of the filter plates. The membranes are round and smooth and preshaped so that in accordance with the configuration of the membrane plates particularly in the clamping region stress peaks on the membranes are avoided. In addition to filtering the membranes are used for heat transfer, to effect temperature adjustment of the suspension and also to effect thermal cleaning of the filter after each emptying of the press. For this, pressure circulation of the temperature-adjusted pressure medium is used.