What is Membrane Filter Press?

The membrane filter press is a high-pressure filtration system used to separate solids from liquids. This advanced filtration technology features a series of chambers filled with filtrate cakes and filter cloths that are compressed to allow liquid to be extracted from the solid materials. The resulting cake can then be removed and disposed of as required, while the filtered liquid can be used or recycled as necessary. In this blog, we’ll take a closer look at membrane filter presses, including how they work, their key features and benefits, and some of the industries that commonly use them.

1. Introduction to Membrane Filter Press

The membrane filter press is a specialized form of filter press used in industrial solid-liquid separation processes. In comparison to a standard filter press, a membrane press has chambers with polypropylene or rubber membranes. These membranes squeeze out excess water from the slurry and achieve the lowest residual moisture in the filter cake. A chamber is created between the plates and membranes into which the slurry is pumped and the filter cake accumulates. A Swedish company, NovaTek A.B, designed the membrane filter press, and our principal has experience with introducing this cutting-edge filtration technology. With the use of DP transmitters and universal transmitters, it’s possible to measure pressure difference across the membrane filter press, ensuring the highest system efficiency. The membrane filter press plate is a high-end professional product for the production of membranes used in food, chemical, and industrial industries. The blog section offers an overview of the introduction, operation, and applications of the membrane filter press. The next section offers a comparison to a standard filter press.

2. Membrane Press vs Standard Filter Press

The membrane filter press, when compared to the standard filter press, offers several advantages in terms of filtering efficiency and cake dryness. Traditional filter presses typically use fixed-volume cake recesses and hydraulic pressure dewatering, resulting in higher residual moisture levels in the filter cake. The membrane filter press, on the other hand, uses an elastic membrane between the filter plate and cloth, resulting in higher pressure and better solid-liquid separation. This results in a more effective filtration process and a lower residual moisture content in the cake. The membrane plate filter design offers several benefits such as lower cycle times, higher throughput rates, and lower operating costs, making it a cost-effective option for industrial filtration solutions.

3. Operation of Membrane Filter Press

The operation of the membrane filter press is similar to that of a standard filter press, except for the use of membranes to squeeze out the excess water. The pressure unit incorporated in the traverse acts on the loose cover, pressing the filter package together. Unlike the classic filter press, the membrane applies an even pressure over the entire cake surface, resulting in better dry solids content. Air pressure is commonly used to expand the chamber under the effluent surface, reducing the moisture content of the filter cakes. The blowing procedure before and after the squeezing process is also essential for further reducing the moisture content. The sealing mechanism of the membrane filter press ensures a tight seal, improving the efficiency of the filtration process. The membrane filter press achieves the lowest residual moisture in the filter cake compared to conventional industrial separation methods, making it an essential tool in industrial filtration solutions.

4. Membrane Plate Construction

The construction of membrane plates is similar to that of recessed chamber plates, with a flexible drainage surface. These plates are designed to withstand high filtration pressures and are suitable for filtering at high temperatures. The elimination of a center-feed eye allows the construction of a stronger plate. Membrane filter presses are equipped with a double-sided press membrane, and there is a surrounding edge on both the membrane filter plate and sludge plates for better sealing. Membrane filter press plates are used for extra moisture reduction in the cake. This section on membrane plate construction is essential to understand how these plates are different from other filter press plates and how they contribute to the efficiency of the filtration process. By focusing on the technical aspects of the membrane filter press, one can develop a better understanding of why it is such an important tool in industrial filtration solutions.

5. Membrane Filter Press Plate Applications

As previously discussed, membrane filter presses have an advantage in achieving the lowest residual moisture in filter cakes compared to conventional filtration methods. One of the key components of a membrane filter press is the membrane plates that are used in the chambers. These plates can be coated with polypropylene or rubber, depending on the application. Membrane filter press plates have a wide range of applications in various fields, such as food processing, chemical processing, and industrial separation processes. In the food industry, membrane filter press plates are used for the separation of solids from liquids in the production of edible oils, juice, wine, and beer. Membrane filter press plates are also popular in the chemical industry for solid-liquid separation in the production of fertilizers, pigments, and paint. The industrial separation processes, such as mining and wastewater treatment, also require the use of membrane filter presses for solid-liquid separation. The versatile application of membrane filter press plates highlights the importance of this technology in various industries.

6. Sealing Mechanism of Membrane Filter Press

The sealing mechanism is a critical component of the membrane filter press. As described earlier, the press cloth between the plate and frame acts as a sealing gasket. The purpose of this mechanism is to ensure proper filtration and minimize the amount of residual moisture in the filter cake. The elastic membrane on the filter plate helps to squeeze out excess water, while the outer peripheral surface of the membrane adjacent to the plate seal surface ensures a tight seal to prevent leaks. With its advanced sealing mechanism, the membrane filter press achieves a low residual moisture level in the filter cake, which is essential for efficient solid-liquid separation. This feature makes the membrane filter press a popular choice in various industrial applications where the dryness of the filtered product is critical.

7. Advantages of Membrane Filter Presses

One of the advantages of membrane filter presses is that they offer a high degree of dewatering, which can help to reduce filtration cycle times by more than 50%. This is due to the presence of an elastic membrane that is installed between the filter plate and the filter cloth. Membrane filter plates provide numerous benefits, including faster cycle times, improved cake washing capabilities, and increased solids, resulting in drier filter cakes. Membrane filters are designed to dewater the most difficult sludge and protect the plates from any potential cakeless chambers. Additionally, membrane squeeze or diaphragm squeeze filter plates provide time savings and can increase the lifespan of the membrane. Proper sealing of the membrane is crucial to prevent leaks and reduce the risk of contamination in industrial applications. Overall, membrane filter presses are an excellent choice for industries that require highly efficient solid filtration solutions.

8. Industrial Applications of Membrane Filter Presses

The industrial applications of membrane filter presses include municipal waste sludge dewatering, ready mix concrete water recovery and metal concentrate, making it an ideal solution for various industries. The membrane filter press is highly effective in producing the driest cakes among various industrial separation methods, which promotes easy disposal or reuse of solids. The sealing mechanism is highly efficient, preventing leaks and ensuring that the filtrate is clean. Membrane filter presses have improved cake washing capabilities, which ensure maximum recovery of valuable solids. Industries that prioritize dryness in solid filtration require the membrane filter press. In conclusion, the membrane filter press is an important industrial filtration solution and a game-changer for businesses that require quality solid-liquid separation.

9. Importance of Dryness in Solid Filtration

The dryness of solid filtration is an important factor to consider when using a membrane filter press. In fact, membrane filter presses are specifically designed to achieve maximum dry solids content by using an inflatable membrane in the filter plates to compress remaining liquid. Achieving high dryness is crucial in many industrial applications, such as in the production of pharmaceuticals, chemicals, and food products. A high level of dryness allows for easier handling and transportation of the solid material. It also reduces disposal costs, as it results in less liquid waste. A standard filter press might achieve 40% dry solids, whereas a membrane filter press can achieve up to 50%. Therefore, choosing the right filtration technology is essential in achieving higher dryness levels and optimizing industrial processes. Membrane filter presses are becoming popular in many industries because of their ability to efficiently achieve high dryness levels.

10. Membrane Filter Presses in Industrial Filtration Solutions

Membrane filter presses have been increasingly used in various industrial filtration solutions due to its efficiency and ability to achieve lower residual moisture in filter cake. The filtration process results in dry solids that can then be easily disposed of or further processed. These presses are commonly utilized in the food, chemical, and mining industries. Their ability to reduce cycle times, increase volume, and improve product quality has led to an increasing demand for this technology. Additionally, automatic membrane filter presses have helped to streamline the filtration process, allowing for greater productivity and efficiency in a range of industrial applications. Membrane filter presses are an essential tool for industrial filtration solutions, and their versatility and effectiveness will continue to drive their widespread use in various industries.