Industries that utilize solid/liquid separation processes but want to control costs may benefit from purchasing a used filter press or other previously owned equipment, rather than purchasing new. The equipment has a simple design of a skeleton and plates. It uses a pressure drive to process fixed volumes of liquid or slurry material in batches, and stops to discharge a "cake" before the next batch is started. When looking for a used filter press, you will find there are three main types: Plate and Frame This is the most basic design. It is also known as a "membrane filter plate" and includes plates, frames, and support rails. It also includes a centrifuge pump that keeps solids from settling into the system and provides support through the separating chambers in the equipment. Each chamber includes a hollow frame that is separated from two plates by cloth. A cake accumulates as the slurry passes through each frame. As the cake thickens, the resistance causes the mechanism to slow. It stops when the chamber has filled, and the desired pressure difference is reached. The plate and frame are pulled apart, and the cake is discharged. After each discharge, each cloth is cleaned with a special wash solution, and the equipment is prepared to start the next cycle. Automatic This type is made of the same basic components. However, as the name suggests, its operations are fully automated. It features larger plates and frames with mechanical plate shifters. The shifters rapidly move the plates so the cakes can be discharged quickly. This type usually incorporates safety shutdown mechanisms. If there is not enough clamping pressure, the system will shut down, preventing leaks between the plates. It also has a compressor in the filter plates that helps with drying the cakes. The automatic features allow the equipment to operate more efficiently, reducing disposal costs and operator time and increasing the life of the cloth and pumps. Recessed This type contains polypropylene squares with a concave depression and center hole. Two plates form a chamber to pressurize the slurry through a cloth lining into a chamber. It can hold up to 80 plates side by side, depending on how much capacity is needed. The main difference between this type and the plate and frame type is that, with the recessed model, the way in which the plates are joined allows the cake to form in the recess of each plate. This feature limits the cake size to be no more than 32mm unless extra frames are used for separation. With this method, however, cloth changing takes longer, resulting in longer processing times between cycles. It also cannot use filter papers, and could result in uneven cakes. Which type of equipment is used depends on the anticipated capacity going through the system, the operator experience, budget, and general facility preferences. When operated properly, a used filter press will last many years and require little maintenance. Industries that require this type of equipment but are concerned about costs may find purchasing pre-owned systems are the ideal solution. When considering a used filter press, residents visit M.W. Watermark. Learn more at http://www.mwwatermark.com/Products/Rental,-Surplus-And-Refurbished-Equipment/Filter-Press.aspx.
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