Procedures:

General Start-up Preparation

1. The main switch was switch on to checked that the power supply is available to all

equipment. The control power indicating lights for the incoming current supplies was lighted.

2. The pump was checked for the correct rotation and it must not be run dry (without any liquid

delivered).
3. The sealing of the pump was checked for any leakage.
4. All filter plates were checked and are installed in the correct plate sequence and were packed
together with other plate handles resting neatly on the side bars.
5. Filter cloths were checked properly arranged and tied. The cloth were to be free of creases
on the sealing face areas. Only pre-shrunk was used, barrel neck clothes and was ensured
that it covers congruently the eyes of the plate hang over the plate.
6. The filtrate outlet valves was checked or spigots were fully opened.
7. The inlet feed pump maximum discharged pressure was checked for filtering does not
exceed the maximum feed pressure stated in the specification. Recommended feed pressure
is 5 kg/cm2 for most of the applications.
8. The electrical wiring was checked for the motorized hydraulic pump if any.
9. Press button to stop the process in case of emergency.
10. The slurry tanks was checked where had enough slurry before operating the pump. Never
run the pump in a dry condition even for a few revolutions or the stator will be damage.
11. The hydraulic pump pressure was released after operating the squeeze process. Also,
the feed process was completed. Do not inflate the rubber membrane when there is no solids
in the filter pack.



12. Do not release the hydraulic pump pressure until the compress air outlet valve is fully
opened.
13. Both the compressor and dryer was checked and was ON mode and the manual isolation
valve was OPENED to allow the compressed air supply to the filter press system.

After General Procedures, then:

1. The air regulator outlet valve was opened
2. The pressure gauge setting was checked
3. The hydraulic pump air valve was release and operation valve (knob) was anti-clockwise to
release the hydraulic pressure.
4. The filter press was packed by pushing it towards the stationary platen. At the same time,
the filter cloths was dress up with creases.
5. The moving platen was moved towards the filter plate pack.
6. The trust bar was lower down and was alignment it in-line with the hydraulic piston.
7. The hydraulic piston was moved towards the trust bar by pumping the hydraulic pump using
the lever.
8. The filter pack alignment was checked and the cloths was ensure no crease is formed. In
order to have a proper good sealed compression.
9. The PVC drip tray was pulled towards the stationary platen at the bottom of the filter pack.
To contain any dripping during filtration process if occur.
10. The hydraulic ram was start pumped until it reach to the require working pressure. Then,
it was locked by turning the operation valve (knob) clockwise.
The slurry tanks was checked to ensure had enough slurry before operating the pump, never
run the pump in a dry condition even for a few revolutions or the stator will be damaged.

11. On the control panel, the feed pump start button was pressed and the RUN light will light.
This indicates that the process of feeding the slurry into the filter press has started.
12. When feeding of the slurry into the filter press had reached the preset timing or pressure by
the consolidation timer and feeding pressure gauge. Which ever come first the pump was
stopped and RUN light was off.
13. The air regulator valve was closed and the inlet valve was opened slowly. This will let the
compressed air in so as to inflate the rubber membrane SLOWLY. These processes were
squeezed the water out of the filtrate or cake.
14. Upon completion, the air regulator inlet valve was closed and the outlet valve was opened
slowly to deflate the rubber membrane slowly.
15. The hydraulic pump pressure was released when the compress air outlet valve was fully
opened.
16. The drip tray was shifted away from the bottom of the filter pack.
17. The hydraulic pump pressure was released by turning the operation valve (knob)
anti-clockwise. The hydraulic piston was retracted back to the body.
18. The trust bar was swing back to the stopper and was hold.
19. The moving platen was pushed back towards the hydraulic piston.
20. The end filter plate was moved the one next to moving platen towards the hydraulic
piston.
21. The solid cakes drop let gone onto a receptable at the bottom of the filter press.
Subsequently the rest of the filter plate was unpacked one by one.
22. The residue was cleaned from the filter cloth by mean of a plastic scrapper. Do not use any
sharp object to clean the filter cloth, it can damage the filter cloth.
23. That all the sealing edges were ensure clear of residues especially the bottom area. It is to
prevent any improper sealing during the next filtration compression process.
24. Upon completion, for the next filtration process subsequently was repeated the operating
process.




















References:

1) Gaur, R.C. 2008, Basic Environmental Engineering, New Age International (P) Limited,
Publishers, New Delhi.

2) Richardson, J. F., Harker,J. H. 2002, Coulson and Richardsons Chemical Engineering
Volume 2: Particle Technology and Separation Processes, Fifth Edition, Butterworth
Heinemann, Oxford.

3) Tarleton, S., Wakeman, R. 2003, Solid/Liquid Separation: Equipment Selection and
Process Design, First Edition, Butterworth Heinemann, Oxford.

4) McCabe, W. L. et al. 2005, Unit Operations of Chemical Engineering, Seventh Edition,
McGraw-Hill, New York.

5) Perry, R. H. 1999, Perrys Chemical Engineers Handbook, Seventh Edition, McGraw-
Hill, New York.













Conclusion:

In conclusion, increased in concentration of mixture will lead to a decrease in volumetric flow.
In addition, increased in concentration of mixture will also lead to the increase in pressure of the
filter pump. Lastly, the percentage reduction of solids in mixture and efficiency decreases as
concentration increases.