Water Facts Blog
Water Facts
Dewatering Equipment & Filter Presses

How Does a Filter Press Work?

The evolutions of the filter press over the last decade is mostly due to the advances in automation. Matec filter presses were the first of their kind to fully automate a filter press. This led to upgrades in the process due to the automatic setting options.

Consequently, the operation of a press has become much less time consuming and easier of the years. Specifically, upgrades such as stronger pumps, better clarifying systems, and consistent sludge development provide a solid foundation for the filter press process. This ensures the press, while going through its sequence of events, operates as unattended as possible and maintains the functionality of the filtration and dewatering process.

Below are benefits of the filtration automation process:

  • learn how each sequence of events builds upon the next to result in efficient filtration
  • dewatering
  • 15% moisture cakes
What is a Filter Press?
Filter Press Process Diagram

Steps on How the Filter Press Works 

  1. The press has a control box that acts as a brain of the waste water plant. The operator selects Automatic mode to activate the press and begin the de-watering sequence.
  2. Secondly, the sludge is pumps from the bottom of the clarifier into a sludge homogenizing tank. This is done to ensure the sludge is uniform and easily pumps at high pressure.
  3. Then a high-pressure pump sends the uniform sludge into the plates of the filter press. The waste material stays inside the mesh on the plates and water goes out to a gutter system.
  4. After that, once full, the high-pressure pump stops, and the plates open. This opening allows for cake material to fall out and dispose of as solid waste.
  5. Last, once the plates have been emptied, they will begin to retract back and close. After the plates finish closing, the cycle begins once again.

Zinkan has been working diligently to integrate the benefits of the automatic filter press to its customers to ensure that they get the most out of their dewatering process. Read our article on the REAL cost of boiler treatment to see if you are ready to start your journey to a more stress free operation. Even if your operation is small, we prove that affording a filter press is more obtainable than you think!