Design of an Industrial Vacuum Filter Station

However, where there is a coarser particle size distribution, this more often goes hand-in-hand with a higher concentration of solids in the slurry to be filtered. In this case, one can assume that continuous vacuum filtration will be successful. The particle size distribution curve of the solids to be separated is thus a suitable indicator for the selection of filter type [8]. 

Vacuum filtration plants consist not merely of the respective vacuum filter, but much more of a series of complementary units which only make up the effective 

The pressure difference required for vacuum filtration is generated for this purpose (as in most industrial apphcations) economically by the use of a liquid ring vacuum pump. The amount of vacuum applied depends on many parameters, not least on the porosity of the filter cake. As a rule of thumb as vacuum requirement one normally assumes about 0.5 m min per square metre filter area at about 200-400 mbar absolute at the vacuum pump suction connection. 

The filtrate recovered is separated by one filtrate receiver each from the hquid-gas mixture. The filtrate can either be discharged by a suitable pump or via a barometric leg. If vapour pressure, temperature and chemical properties of the slurry are such that the occurrence of undesirable vapours is likely, the use of a condenser is to be recommended. This is installed between separator and vacuum generator. 

For discharge of the filter cake from the drum by a scraper, a pulsating compressed air feed is provided. The amounts and the pressure required for this in most cases allow for a feed to be taken from the factory supply. 

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