1

Experiment No.6 : Study of different filtration equipments.

Objective:
To study and understand the theory and working of various types of cake filtration
equipment and analyze their operating principles, pressure drop behavior, cake resistance,
advantages, disadvantages, and industrial applications.

Theory:
Cake filtration is a mechanical separation process where solid particles suspended in a
liquid are removed by passing the suspension through a porous medium. As the filtration
progresses, a layer of solids known as the filter cake accumulates on the filter medium,
increasing resistance to flow.

Key aspects of cake filtration include:

• Pressure drop (ΔP): The driving force across the filter medium, which increases as
the cake builds up.

• Darcy’s Law for filtration:

• Cake resistance: It depends on cake porosity, thickness, particle size, and

compressibility. A thicker or denser cake increases resistance and decreases flow
rate.
 2

Different types of equipment are used for cake filtration in batch and continuous
operations. Below are descriptions of key types:

1. Bag Filter

Working Principle:
Bag filters use fabric bags to capture solid particles from gas or liquid. As the fluid passes
through the bag, solids are retained inside or on the surface of the bag.

Figure:
A vertical housing containing cylindrical filter bags through which the flow occurs.

Operation:
The fluid enters the housing, flows through the bag, and exits clean. Solids accumulate
inside the bag, which must be periodically replaced or cleaned.

Advantages/Disadvantages:

• Simple design and low cost

• Suitable for high flow rates

− Limited solids loading
− Requires frequent bag replacement

Applications:
Used in air pollution control (dust collection), water treatment, and paint/chemical
industries.
 3

2. Plate and Frame Filter Press

Working Principle:
It uses alternating plates and frames to support filter media and form chambers where
cake collects during filtration under pressure.

Figure:
Stack of rectangular plates and frames held tightly by hydraulic or screw clamps.

Operation:
Slurry is pumped into the press; solids accumulate on the filter cloth forming cake. Clear
filtrate exits via drainage channels.

Advantages/Disadvantages:

• High filtration efficiency

• Cake can be washed easily

− Labor intensive and batch process
− Time-consuming disassembly and cleaning

Applications:
Used in pharmaceuticals, food processing, mining, and wastewater treatment.

3. Horizontal Plate Filter

 4

Working Principle:
The slurry passes through horizontally stacked plates covered with filter cloths. Solids
accumulate on the cloth to form a cake.

Figure:
A cylindrical housing with multiple horizontal filter plates.

Operation:
Slurry flows through filter plates; solids are retained, and clean filtrate exits. Plates are later
disassembled to remove cake.

Advantages/Disadvantages:

• High surface area

• Suitable for batch processing

− Time-consuming cleaning
− Not ideal for sticky or compressible cakes

Applications:
Common in chemical, pharmaceutical, and food industries.

4. Vertical Leaf Filter

 5

Working Principle:
Comprises multiple vertical metal leaves covered in filter media, submerged in slurry.
Solids accumulate on the leaves.

Figure:
Tank with multiple vertical filter elements (leaves).

Operation:
Vacuum or pressure forces liquid through the leaves. After filtration, cake is dried and
removed (mechanically or by backflushing).

Advantages/Disadvantages:

• High filtration area

• Easy cake discharge

− Requires large space
− May require pre-coating

Applications:
Used in edible oil refining, beer clarification, and chemical manufacturing.

5. Sweetland Filter

Working Principle:
It operates on the principle of pressure filtration using a rotating disc or belt covered with a
filter medium.
 6

Figure:
Rotating disc/belt partially submerged in slurry.

Operation:
Solids adhere to the rotating filter medium; filtrate is collected. The cake is removed
continuously or intermittently.

Advantages/Disadvantages:

• Continuous operation

• Compact design
− Complex mechanism
− Maintenance-intensive

Applications:
Applied in sugar mills, starch industries, and large-scale filtration systems.

6. Rotary Disk Vacuum Filter

Working Principle:
Consists of rotating discs partially submerged in slurry. Vacuum draws filtrate through the
filter medium while solids form a cake on the surface.

Figure:
Series of rotating, segmented discs connected to a vacuum system.
 7

Operation:
The vacuum creates suction. Cake forms on the discs and is removed mechanically as the
disc rotates past a scraper.

Advantages/Disadvantages:

• Continuous operation

• Easy cake discharge

− High maintenance
− Not suitable for fine particles

Applications:
Used in metallurgy, mining, pulp and paper, and wastewater treatment.

7. Rotary Drum Vacuum Filter

Working Principle:
A rotating drum is partially immersed in slurry. Vacuum inside the drum pulls liquid through
the filter cloth, and solids form a cake on the outside.

Figure:
Large horizontal drum with vacuum and scraper mechanism.
 8

Operation:
Drum rotates slowly in slurry; vacuum pulls filtrate in. Cake is dried and scraped off as the
drum rotates.

Advantages/Disadvantages:

• Suitable for continuous operation

• Handles large volumes

− Not suitable for compressible cakes
− Maintenance of vacuum seals is critical

Applications:
Used in mining, chemical, food processing, and pharmaceutical industries.

Conclusion:
Cake filtration is a critical solid-liquid separation method in many industries. Various
equipment designs offer flexibility in terms of flow rates, solid retention, cake washing, and
operational continuity. Understanding the working principle, operation, and design of each
filtration type helps in selecting the right equipment for specific industrial needs.

References:

1. McCabe, W.L., Smith, J.C., and Harriott, P. (2005). Unit Operations of Chemical
Engineering, 7th Edition, McGraw-Hill.

2. Coulson, J.M., and Richardson, J.F. (2002). Chemical Engineering, Volume 2: Particle
Technology and Separation Processes, Butterworth-Heinemann.
 9

3. Perry, R.H., and Green, D.W. (2008). Perry's Chemical Engineers' Handbook, 8th
Edition, McGraw-Hill.