PLATE AND FRAME FILTER PRESS CPB 20103

1.0 OBJECTIVES

1. To be able to identify the basic parts and function of a plate and frame filter press.
2. To determine the optimum filtration time and optimum cake thickness
3. To develop the operation and maintenance of a plate and frame filter press
4. To identify the variation in time of filtrate quantity and solid concentration in filtrate
5. To study the mass of filter cake dependent on filtrate quantity

1|Page
 PLATE AND FRAME FILTER PRESS CPB 20103

2.0 SUMMARY

The purpose of Plate and Frame Filter Press experiments is to study the operation of
filter press for filtration of calcium carbonate slurry and to determine filter medium resistance
and specific cake resistance from filtration data obtained. The experiment was started by
weighing 5kg of calcium carbonate powder, then it being dissolved in 100 L of water in a
container and transfers it to the slurry tank. Once the pump being switch on, the RUN light
will light green, this indicates that the process of feeding the slurry into the filter press has
started. Time taken for every 5 L of collected filtrate volume, V were recorded until there
were no filtrate comes out. The weight of wet cake and dry cake has been weight and
recorded. The result are, time/Volume, t/V for the volume of filtrate reach the 5L is18.6s/V
and 10L of filtrate, is 15.12 s/L. The t/V different between them is the 3.84 s/V. The time
taken increase and t/V decrease when the collected filtrate volume increase. Theoretically, the
filter plates are grooved and covered over with filter cloths. The filtrate passes through the
filter cloth and flows via the grooves in the plates into a collecting pipe. The filtrate exits the
plate and frame filter press through the collecting pipe and is collected in the filtrate tank.
The solid material is separated off at the filter cloth, where it forms a growing filter cake. As
the filter cake becomes thicker, its flow resistance also increases. The weight of wet cake for
Tray 1 is 1.66kg, for Tray 2 is 1.02 kg and Tray 3 is 0.86 kg and the weight of dry cake for
Tray 1 is 1.98kg, for Tray 2 is 1.34kg and for Tray 3 is 1.18kg. From the data, the weight
ratio of wet cake to dry cake (mF/ mc) is 0.787, the density of calcium carbonate () is 2.93
g/cm3 and the total active filter area is 2. 209m2. Graphs of t/V versus V were plotted. The
values of filter medium resistance (Rm) and cake resistance (). From the calculation, the
Filter medium resistance, Rm for Tray 1 is 7.3583x1010 m-1, Tray 2 is 4.7093x1010 m-1, and
for Tray 3 is 4.7093x1010 m-1. For cake resistance, the value for Tray 1 is 10356214.76
m4/kg, for Tray 2 is 6627977.45 m4/kg and for Tray 3 is 6627977.45 m4/kg.

2|Page
 PLATE AND FRAME FILTER PRESS CPB 20103

3.0 RESULTS

Weight fraction of calcium carbonate in slurry = 5 wt%

Weight of wet cake,

Tray 1 = 1.66 kg

Tray 2 = 1.02 kg

Tray 3 = 0.86 kg

Weight of dry cake,

Tray 1 = 1.98 kg

Tray 2 = 1.34 kg

Tray 3 = 1.18 kg

Weight ratio of wet cake to dry cake (mF/ mc) = 0.787

Density of calcium carbonate () = 2.93 g/cm3

Total active filter area = 0.47 m x 4.7 m

= 2.209 m2

Pressure drop = 50 Psi

1 atm 101.325 kPa

50 Psi x x
14.696 Psi 1 atm

= 344.74 kPa

Total filtration time = 1084.2 s

Total volume of filtrate = 105 L

3|Page
 PLATE AND FRAME FILTER PRESS CPB 20103

Filtrate volume, V (L) Time, t (s) Time /Volume, t/V (s/ L)

0 0 undefined
5 93 18.6000
10 151.2 15.1200
15 206.4 13.7600
20 261 13.0500
25 318 12.7200
30 371.4 12.3800
35 426.6 12.1886
40 483 12.0750
45 511.8 11.3733
50 567.6 11.3520
55 621.6 11.3018
60 676.2 11.2700
65 730.8 11.2431
70 782.4 11.1771
75 795.6 10.6080
80 807.6 10.0950
85 859.2 10.1082
90 913.8 10.1533
95 968.4 10.1937
100 1023.6 10.2360
105 1084.2 10.3257

Table 1: Table of data of experimental results obtained.

Based on the results obtained, a graph of t/ V against V is plotted. From the graph, the
equation of the line is y = 0.0197x + 12.368. The slope of the line and y-intercept obtained
are as follows,

Slope of the line = - 0.0197x

y- intercept = 12.368

4|Page
 PLATE AND FRAME FILTER PRESS CPB 20103

t/V (s/L) vs V (L)

20
18
16
y = -0.0197x + 12.368
14
12
t/V (s/L)

10
8
6
4
2
0
0 20 40 60 80 100 120
V (L)

Figure 1: Graph of t/ V (s/ L) against V (L).

Kc
The slope of the line represents the value of in seconds per litre (s/ L) while the y-
2
1
intercept represents the value of .
qo

Tray 10 L 50 L 70 L
Viscosity, (Pa.s) 0.0128 0.02 0.02
Density, (g/cm3) 0.995 0.997 1.001

Table 2: Table of data for viscosity and density for each tray

Tray 1 2 3
Filter medium
- 7.3583x1010 - 4.7093x1010 - 4.7093x1010
resistance, Rm (m-1)
Cake resistance,
10356214.76 6627977.45 6627977.45
(m4/kg)

Table 3: Values of filter medium resistance (Rm) and cake resistance ()

5|Page
 PLATE AND FRAME FILTER PRESS CPB 20103

4.0 DISCUSSION

Filtration defines as a process of separation of solids from a fluid by passing the same
through a porous medium that retains the solids but allows the fluid to pass through (Rita
Kudarha, 2014). Generally, filtration is the process of separating suspended solid matter from
a liquid, by causing the latter to pass through the pores of some substance called a filter. The
liquid which has passed through the filter is called the filtrate. The filter may be paper, cloth,
cotton-wool, asbestos, slag- or glass-wool, unglazed earthenware, sand, or other porous
material. Plate and frame filter presses are used in the beverage industry, for example, to
clarify intermediate products. For industrial filtration, it can be range from the simple
straining to highly complex separation and the solid content of the feed ranges from a trace to
a very high percentage. Many industrial filters are pressure filters, vacuum filters or
centrifugal separators. A discontinuous Pressure Filters such as Plate and Frame Filter Press
apply large differential pressure across septum to give economically rapid filtration with
viscous liquids or fine solids (Sjykmuch, 2013). A part from that, filters are divided into three
types which are cakes filters, clarifying filters and cross flow filters. Next, a cake filters
separate relatively large amounts of solids as a cake of crystal or sludge.

The purpose of Plate and Frame Filter Press experiments is to study the operation of
filter press for filtration of calcium carbonate slurry and to determine filter medium resistance
and specific cake resistance from filtration data obtained. This experiment is started by
weighing 5kg of calcium carbonate powder (commercial grade) and dissolved it with the 100
L of water in a container and transfers it to the slurry tank. After open the air regular outlet
valve and check the pressure gauge setting, the hydraulic pump air valve need to be release.
Then, pack the filter press by pushing it toward the stationary platen and move the moving
platen towards the filter plate pack. Next, the hydraulic ram needs to be pump until it reaches
the required working pressure. Once the ON button at the control panel is pressed and the
RUN light will light, this indicates that the process of feeding the slurry into the filter press
has started.

During the experiment, the time taken for every 5 L of collected filtrate volume, V
need to recorded until there are no filtrate comes out from the equipment. After that, the
weight of wet cake and dry cake has been weighing and record. In theoretically, the filter

6|Page
 PLATE AND FRAME FILTER PRESS CPB 20103

plates are grooved and covered over with filter cloths. The filtrate passes through the filter
cloth and flows via the grooves in the plates into a collecting pipe. The filtrate exits the plate
and frame filter press through the collecting pipe and is collected in the filtrate tank. The
solid material is separated off at the filter cloth, where it forms a growing filter cake. As the
filter cake becomes thicker, its flow resistance also increases (Juphil Lamanilao, 2010).

From the recorded data in Table 1, the time taken, t to volume of filtrate reach the 5L
is 93s and the time/Volume, t/V is 18.6s/V. For 10L of filtrate, the time taken is 151.2 s and
the t/V is 15.12 s/L. The t/V different between them is the 3.84 s/V. From that, it can be
concluded that the time taken increase and t/V decrease when the collected filtrate volume
increase. The t/V for filtrate volume starts to decrease slowly not likely the beginning the
experiment. The t/V is decrease until the calcium carbonate slurry, CaCO3 is fully used.
When the filtrate that come out from the equipment is getting slow, it indicate the volume of
filtrate is getting low. Lastly, the total volume of filtrate is 105L and total filtration time is
1084.2 s and the t/V value is 10.3257 s/V.

In this plate and filter press experiment, the weight fraction of calcium carbonate in
slurry is 5 wt%. From the results obtained, the weight of wet cake for Tray 1 is 1.66kg, for
Tray 2 is 1.02 kg and Tray 3 is 0.86 kg. The wet cake as a residue has been collected from the
wall of filter cloth by using a plastic scrapper. The plates and frames of the plate and frame
filter press are pulled apart. The filter cake can be removed. Unpacked the rest of filter plate
one by one. In this action, avoid use a sharp object to clean the filter cloth because it will
damage the filter cloths. Next, the weight of dry cake for Tray 1 is 1.98kg, for Tray 2 is
1.34kg and for Tray 3 is 1.18kg. After weighing the wet cake, it has been dry until it
completely dry. So, the weight of dry cake can be obtained after the wet cake dry.

From the data, the weight ratio of wet cake to dry cake (mF/ mc) is 0.787, the density
of calcium carbonate () is 2.93 g/cm3 and the total active filter area is 2. 209m2. For pressure
drop, the value is 50psi which is 344.74 kPa. From the experimental results obtained, graphs
of t/V versus V are plotted in Figure 1. The equation of the line is y = -0.0197x + 12.368. The
slope of line is -0.0197x and y-intercept is 12.368. The graph start to decrease started from
t=93s. To check the viscosity and density value from Table 2, the collected filtrate at V= 10L,
50L and 70L was keep separately. The viscosity and density value at V=10L is 0.0128Pa.s
and 0.995 g/cm3, at V=50L is 0.02Pa.s and 0.997 g/cm3, and at V=70L is also 0.02Pa.s and
1.001 g/cm3.

7|Page
 PLATE AND FRAME FILTER PRESS CPB 20103

Table 3 shows the values of filter medium resistance (Rm) and cake resistance ().
From the calculation, the Filter medium resistance, Rm for Tray 1 is 7.3583x1010 m-1, Tray 2
is 4.7093x1010 m-1, and for Tray 3 is 4.7093x1010 m-1. For cake resistance, the value for
Tray 1 is 10356214.76 m4/kg, for Tray 2 is 6627977.45 m4/kg and for Tray 3 is 6627977.45
m4/kg. there are some factor that influencing the filtration which is properties of solid and
liquid in term of density, viscosity, corrosiveness and properties of slid in slurry in term of
rate of formation filter cake especially in early stage of filtration (Rita Kudarha,2014).

Filter medium resistance can be affect the pressure in filtration process because rate of
filtration is proportional to the overall pressure drop across both the filter medium and filter
cake according to the K-C equation. A pressure difference could be obtained by maintaining
a head of slurry above the filter medium. The pressure develop will depend on the density of
the slurry. The pressure below the filter medium may be reduced below atmospheric pressure
by connecting the filtrate receiver to a vacuum pump and creating a pressure difference
across the filter (Rita Kudarha,2014).

The advantages of filter press are the construction of it is very simple and variety of
material can be used. It also provides large filtration area in relatively small floor space. The
capacity being variable according to thickness of frames number used. Next, operation and
maintenance is easy. It also produces dry cake in form of slab and efficient washing of cake is
possible. The disadvantages is time for consuming is higher, it is an expensive filter, the
operation is critical as the frames should be full otherwise the washing is inefficient and the
cake is difficult to remove and it is used for the slurries containing less than 5% solids
(Saraswathi.B, 2015). Finally, in order to improve the result of this experiment, the
precaution step should be taken.

8|Page
 PLATE AND FRAME FILTER PRESS CPB 20103

5.0 CONCLUSION

The purpose of Plate and Frame Filter Press experiments is to study the
operation of filter press for filtration of calcium carbonate slurry and to determine filter
medium resistance and specific cake resistance from filtration data obtained. From the
recorded data in Table 1, it can be concluded that the time taken increase and t/V decrease
when the collected filtrate volume increase. The t/V for filtrate volume starts to decrease
slowly not likely the beginning the experiment. The t/V is decrease until the calcium
carbonate slurry, CaCO3 is fully used. When the filtrate that come out from the equipment is
getting slow, it indicate the volume of filtrate is getting low. From the data, the weight ratio
of wet cake to dry cake (mF/ mc) is 0.787, the density of calcium carbonate () is 2.93 g/cm3
and the total active filter area is 2. 209m2. For pressure drop, the value is 50psi which is
344.74 kPa. . The viscosity and density value at V=10L is 0.0128Pa.s and 0.995 g/cm 3, at
V=50L is 0.02Pa.s and 0.997 g/cm3, and at V=70L is also 0.02Pa.s and 1.001 g/cm3. A graph
was plotted from the result obtained. The graphs of t/V versus V are plotted in Figure 1. The
graph start to decrease started from t=93s. Filter medium resistance can be affect the pressure
in filtration process because rate of filtration is proportional to the overall pressure drop
across both the filter medium and filter cake according to the K-C equation. A pressure
difference could be obtained by maintaining a head of slurry above the filter medium. The
pressure develop will depend on the density of the slurry. The pressure below the filter
medium may be reduced below atmospheric pressure by connecting the filtrate receiver to a
vacuum pump and creating a pressure difference across the filter.

9|Page
 PLATE AND FRAME FILTER PRESS CPB 20103

6.0 RECOMMENDATIONS

There are some error occur while doing the experiment such as a mis-
calibrated balance will cause all the measured masses to be wrong and Bias of the
experimenter. The experimenter might consistently read an instrument incorrectly, or
might let knowledge of the expected value of a result influence the measurements.
Here are suggestion that can do to overcome the problems. A mis- calibrated balance
always give result too high or low. We can eliminate it by calibrated it properly. The
goal of a good experiment is to reduce the systematic errors to a value smaller than
the random errors. For example a meter stick should have been manufactured such
that the millimeter markings are positioned much more accurately than one
millimeter.

10 | P a g e
 PLATE AND FRAME FILTER PRESS CPB 20103

7.0 REFERENCES
1. C.v.s subrahmanyam et al., Pharmaceutical Engineering Principles and Practices-
Filtration, 2001, pg260-266

2. Filtration, 1998-2009, Lentech Water treatment & purification Holding B.V, [Online].
[Accessed 29th March 2016]. Available from World Wide Web:
http://lenntech.com/chemistry/filtration.htm

3. Cebu Institute of Technology, Chemical Engineering Department, Juphil A.

Lamanilao, 2010, p239

4. Filtration, 2014, Ritu R. Kudarha and M. Pharm, [Online]. [Accessed 30th March
2016]. Available from World Wide Web: http://slideshare.net/ritukudarha/filtration-
39038033

5. Plate and Filter Press , 2016, G.U.N.T Gertebau GmbH, Hanskampring [Online].
[Accessed 30th March 2016]. Available from World Wide Web:
http://gunt.de/networks/gunt/sites/s1/mmcontent/produktbilder/08328700/Datenblatt/0
8328700%202.pdf

6. Plate and Filter Press, 2015, Saraswathi.B, St. John College of Pharmacy, [Online].
[Accessed 31th March 2016]. Available from World Wide Web:
http://pharmainfo.net/book/pharmaceutical-machines/plate-and-filter-press

11 | P a g e
 PLATE AND FRAME FILTER PRESS CPB 20103

APPENDICES

SAMPLE CALCULATION

From graph of t/ V against V plotted in figure 1, the equation of the line obtained is y = -
0.0197x + 12.368.

Kc
Slope, = - 0.0197 s/L
2

Kc = - 0.0394 s/L

1
y-intercept, = 12.368
qo

Equations provided to calculate filter medium resistance (Rm) and cake resistance () are as
follows,

1
= Kc =
() 2

To calculate filter medium resistance (Rm),

i. For Tray at 10 L,

1 ()
Rm = x

(12368 s/m3) (2.209 m2) (34474 Pa)

Rm =
0.0128 .

= - 7.3583x1010 m-1

ii. For Tray at 50 L,

1 ()
Rm = x

(12368 s/m3) (2.209 m2) (34474 Pa)

Rm =
0.02 .

= - 4.7093x1010 m-1

iii. For Tray at 70 L,

1 ()
Rm = x

12 | P a g e
 PLATE AND FRAME FILTER PRESS CPB 20103

(12368 s/m3) (2.209 m2) (34474 Pa)

Rm =
0.02 .

= - 4.7093x1010 m-1

To calculate cake resistance (),

i. For Tray at 10 L,

Kc 2
=

( 0.0394 s/L) (4.8797 m4) (34474 Pa)

=
(0.0128 .)(0.05 )

= 10356214.76 (m4/kg)

ii. For Tray at 50 L,

Kc 2
=

( 0.0394 s/L) (4.8797 m4) (34474 Pa)

=
(0.02 .)(0.05 )

= 6627977.45 (m4/kg)

iii. For Tray at 70 L,

Kc 2
=

( 0.0394 s/L) (4.8797 m4) (34474 Pa)

=
(0.02 .)(0.05 )

= 6627977.45 (m4/kg)

13 | P a g e