Chapter 1

INTRODUCTION

Filtration is one of the mechanical separation processes. In this process, suspended particles

in a fluid or gas are removed either mechanically or physically using a porous medium. As a

feed solution pass through this medium, two separate entities were formed. One is the particle

that will retain as a separate phase and the clear filtrate.

The feed solution can carry heavy load of solid particles or very small amount of it. Types

of filters were developed because of problems in the filtration process (Geankoplis, 1993) .

With pressure difference across a certain medium, fluid can flow through a filter medium.

Pressures above atmospheric may be developed by either a centrifugal force or by gravitational

force. Filters used in industries can be pressure filters, vacuum filters, or centrifugal separators.

They can be also further classified either continuous or discontinuous (batch operation).

(McCabe, Smith, & Harriott, 1993)

Filters are divided into three main groups: (1) cake filters in which it separates large

amounts of solids as a cake of crystals or sludge. (2) Clarifying filters in which it removes

particulates to produce a clean gas or clear liquid. (3) Crossflow filters, in this type of filter the

feed suspension flows across a medium under pressure and fairly high velocity. There can be

a formation of thin layer of solids but due to the high velocity it keeps it from building up.

Many process operations produce slurry of solid particles suspended in a liquid which must

be separated into the solid and liquid phases. The simplest method is to filter the slurry through

a filter cloth so that the filter cake is deposited pm the cloth while the clear liquid flows through.

The cake or the filtrate might be useful products of this operation. As the cake builds up on the

cloth the resistance to flow increases, requiring a greater pressure to force the liquid through

1
the cake. High pressure filtration is faster and produces denser cakes than vacuum filtration. It

is necessary to contain the system with a press for stability. This method is only suitable for

batch operations.

Figure 1: Three Main Groups of Filter: (a) Cake Filter, (b) Clarifying Filter, (c)

Crossflow Filter

2
 Chapter 2

DESIGN AND METHODOLOGY

1 • Pulverize chalk into fine mesh and screen using 20-25 mesh.

• Weigh the computed amount of chalk needed to prepare 5 gallons of given %wt
2 slurry (5% - 1st batch; 3% - 2nd batch).
• Pour first the distilled water into the agitation tank then gradually add the chalk
3 and mix thoroughly.

• FILTRATION USING PLATE & FRAME FILTER PRESS (SINGLE FILTRATION)

• Prepare the plate and frame set-up by covering the plates with filter sheet and
4 arranging them in the filter press.

5 • Weigh the filter plates with the corresponding filter sheets.

6 • Insert the filter plates in correct order and placement.

• Insert one filter sheet between the individual filter plates and then push the
7 movable cober against the pack of filter plates by turning the tightening spindle.
• NOTE: When the filter sheets are soaked with liquid, they become softer and the
filter must again be tightened.
• Connect the agitation tank to the filter press. Check if the valves are closed and all
8 necessary connections have been made.
• Pour the measured amount of water in the agitation tank and switch on the
9 agitator.

10 • Pour the pulverized chalk gradually to attain homogenous mixture.

11 • Open the valves where the slurry will pass and switch off the agitator.

12 • Collect the filtrate and record the time for every 200 ml of filtrate collected.
• After filtration, remove and examine the filter sheets and plates. Weigh them
13 again and record the heights.

14 • Wash the filter sheets and plates using running water.

3
 Chapter 3

RESULTS AND DISCUSSION

Table 3.1 Filtration

Filtrate Time, sec Rate of Time/Filtrate volume, sec/L

volume, ml To To filtration, t/v t/v
reach reach L/sec (to reach 200 ml) (to
200 ml additive reach additive
volume
volume)

200 9.595 9.595 0.0208 47.975 47.975

400 8.67 18.265 0.0461 21.675 45.6625
600 9.695 28.005 0.0619 16.1583 46.675
800 9.74 36.725 0.0821 12.175 45.90625
1000 8.72 46.3 0.1147 8.72 46.3
1200 9.575 56.74 0.1253 7.9792 47.28333
1400 10.44 66.525 0.1341 7.4571 47.51786
1600 9.785 79.63 0.1635 6.1556 49.76875
1800 13.105 87.655 0.1374 7.2806 48.69722
2000 8.025 98.525 0.2492 4.0125 49.2625
2200 10.87 109.045 0.2024 4.9409 49.56591
2400 10.52 119.035 0.2281 4.3833 49.59792
2600 9.99 129.415 0.2603 3.8423 49.775
2800 10.38 139.795 0.2698 3.7071 49.92679
3000 7.095 146.89 0.4228 2.365 48.96333
3200 4 150.89 0.8000 1.25 47.15313
3400 5.65 156.54 0.6018 1.6618 46.04118
3600 7.135 163.675 0.5046 1.989 45.46528
3800 13.805 177.48 0.2753 6.6329 46.70526
4000 11.13 188.61 0.3594 2.7825 47.1525
4200 13.065 201.675 0.3215 3.1107 48.01786
4400 13.065 214.74 0.3368 2.9693 48.80455
4600 13.775 228.515 0.3394 2.9946 49.67717
4800 14.155 242.67 0.3391 2.9490 50.55625
5000 15.81 258.48 0.3163 3.162 51.696
5200 15.175 273.655 0.3427 2.9283 52.62596
5400 15.13 288.785 0.3569 2.8019 53.4787
5600 19.55 308.335 0.2864 3.4911 55.05982
5800 22.685 331.02 0.2557 3.9112 57.07241
6000 14.225 345.245 0.4218 2.3708 57.54083
6200 14.555 359.8 0.4260 2.3476 58.03226
6400 15.565 375.365 0.4112 2.4320 58.65078
6600 14.035 389.4 0.4703 2.1265 59

4
 6800 20.475 409.875 0.3321 3.0111 60.27574
7000 17.955 427.83 0.3899 2.565 61.11857
7200 19.925 447.755 0.3614 2.7674 62.18819
7400 23.98 471.735 0.3086 3.2405 63.74797
7600 26.75 498.485 0.2841 3.5197 65.59013
7800 27.79 526.275 0.2807 3.5628 67.47115
8000 37.27 563.545 0.2147 4.6588 70.44313
8200 35.84 599.385 0.2288 4.3707 73.09573
8400 46.74 646.125 0.1798 5.5643 76.91964
8600 43.955 690.08 0.1957 5.1110 80.24186
8800 57.055 747.135 0.1542 6.4835 84.9017
9000 62.565 809.7 0.1439 6.9517 89.96667
9200 81.42 891.12 0.1130 8.8500 96.86087
9400 69.2 960.32 0.1358 7.3617 102.1617
9600 10.675 970.995 0.8993 1.1120 101.1453
9800 17.43 988.425 0.5622 1.7786 100.8597
10000 12.885 1001.31 0.7761 1.2885 100.131
10200 13.275 1014.585 0.7684 1.3014 99.46912
10400 11.81 1026.395 0.8806 1.1356 98.69183
10600 10.145 1036.54 1.0449 0.9571 97.78679
10800 11.31 1047.85 0.9549 1.0472 97.02315
11000 17.795 1065.645 0.6182 1.6177 96.87682
11200 15.81 1081.455 0.7084 1.4116 96.55848
11400 14.93 1096.385 0.7636 1.3096 96.17412
11600 19.815 1116.2 0.5854 1.7082 96.22414
11800 22.11 1138.31 0.5337 1.8737 96.46695
12000 16.51 1154.82 0.7268 1.3758 96.235
12200 19.005 1173.825 0.6419 1.5578 96.21516
12400 17.97 1191.795 0.6900 1.4492 96.1125
12600 17.205 1209 0.7323 1.3655 95.95238
12800 19.11 1228.11 0.6698 1.4930 95.94609
13000 17.17 1245.28 0.7571 1.3208 95.79077
13200 19.99 1265.27 0.6603 1.5144 95.85379
13400 21.24 1286.51 0.6309 1.5851 96.00821
13600 16.325 1302.835 0.8331 1.2004 95.79669

5
Table 3.2 Filter Cake
Plate Area Mass of Mass of Mass Mass of Filter Mass of Cake, g
and Plate & Plate & of Sheets + Cake, g
Frame Frame Frame, Filter wet dry wet dry
+ cake, g Sheets,
g g
1 (9&10) 10 1759.45 1590.39 109.93 351.67 154.93 241.74 45
2 (1&2) (7in x 372.94 328.95 108.36 430.19 193.13 321.83 84.77
4 (3&4) 7in) 372.23 328.75 108.3 410.72 182.23 302.42 73.93
2
6 (5&6) 490 in 375.99 329.82 108.22 443.25 204.54 335.03 96.32
8 (7&8) 368.02 329.37 108.26 458.67 216.93 350.41 108.67
TOTAL: 1551.43 408.69

mass of chalk used = 972.2511g

mass of solid per unit volume = 50.66723kg/m3
filter area: 490 in2 = 0.3161 m2
specific filter cake resistance = 9.4326 x 10^6 ft/lb
filter medium resistance = 1.1702x10^9/ft

6
Figure 3.1 Time Against Filtrate Volume

16

14
Filtrate Volume, L

12

10

0
0 200 400 600 800 1000 1200 1400
Time, sec

Figure 3.2 Filtrate Volume Against Time/Filtrate Volume

60

50
Time/Filtrate Volume, sec/L

40

30

20

10

0
0 2 4 6 8 10 12 14 16
Filtrate Volume, L

7
Figure 3.3 Time Against Rate of Filtration

1.2
Rate of Filtration, L/sec

0.8

0.6

0.4

0.2

0
0 200 400 600 800 1000 1200 1400
Time, sec

8
 Chapter 4

Results and Discussion

The data shows that there is a direct relationship between the time and the volume of

filtrate. The volume of filtrate increases as time increases, although there is a spike in the graph

around the 1000 seconds, the mean characteristic of the line shows that the volume increases.

The time of filtration per filtrate increases as the filtrate volume increases but a spike was also

seen around the filtrate volume if 10000. This may be due to inaccurate data gathering of the

group. The rate of filtration decreases as the time increases, this implies that the filter paper if

being occupied by the chalk as time for filtration increases.

The use of the established formula for constant pressure filtration at 14.7 psi can be

used given the assumptions that the cake is incompressible and the filter medium is negligible.

To be able to obtain better results in the filtration, it is recommended that the data

gathering should be done more accurate and the use of different slurry concentrations to have

wider view on how the filtration can be observed on the given parameters.

9
 References

Geankoplis, C. J. (1993). Transport Processes and Unit Operations, 3rd Edition. New
Jersey: Prentice-Hall International.
McCabe, W. L., Smith, J. C., & Harriott, P. (1993). Unit Operations of Chemical
Engineering, 5th Edition. Singapore: McGraw-Hill Book Co. - Singapore.
Wakeman, R.J., & Tarleton, E.S. (1999). Filtration Equipment Selection, Modelling and
Process Simulation, Elsevier Advanced Technology. Oxford, UK ; New York :
Elsevier Advanced Technology.

10
 Appendix A

LIST AND USES OF APPARATUS

1. A plate and frame filter press is the most fundamental design, and many now refer
it as a "membrane filter plate". This type of filter press consists of many plates and
frames assembled alternately with the supports of a pair of rails. The presence of a
centrifuge pump ensures the remaining suspended solids do not settle in the system,
and its main function is to deliver the suspension into each of the separating chambers
in the plate and frame filter. For each of the individual separating chambers, there is
one hollow filter frame separated from two filter plates by filter cloths.
2. Filter press is a tool used in separation processes, specifically to separate solids and
liquids. The process uses the principle of pressure drive] as provided by a slurry
pump.
3. Industrial agitators are machines used in industries that process products in the
chemical, food, pharmaceutical and cosmetic industries, in mixing liquids together,
promote the reactions of chemical substances, keeping homogeneous liquid, bulk
during storage, and increase heat transfer (heating or cooling). They are devices used
to stir or mix fluids, liquids specifically.
4. Stopwatch is a handheld device that records the amount of time that has elapsed
from an initial time.
5. Beaker is a cylindrical container used to store, mix and heat liquids in laboratories.
6. Laboratory balances from a general standpoint measure the mass of an object, in the
laboratory they are used to measure solids, liquids, tissue, they have a wide range of
uses in virtually any laboratory including clinical, research and environmental
settings.

11
 Appendix B

COMPUTATIONS

Filtrate volume, ml Time/Filtrate volume,

sec/L
200/9.595 47.975

400/18.265 21.675
16.1583
600/27.96
12.175
800/37.7
8.72
1000/46.42
7.9792
1200/55.995
7.4571
1400/66.435
6.1556
1600/76.22
7.2806
1800/89.325
4.0125
2000/97.35
4.9409
2200/108.22
4.3833
2400/118.74
3.8423
2600/128.73
3.7071
2800/139.11
2.365
3000/146.205
1.25
3200/150.205
1.6618
3400/155.855
1.989
3600/162.99
6.6329
3800/176.795
2.7825
4000/187.925
3.1107

12
4200/200.99
2.9693
4400/214.055

4600/227.83 2.9946
4800/241.985 2.949

5000/257.795 3.162

5200/272.97 2.9283

5400/288.1 2.8019

5600/307.65 3.4911

5800/330.335 3.9112

6000/344.56 2.3708

6200/359.115 2.3476

6400/374.68 2.432

6600/388.715 2.1265

6800/409.19 3.0111

7000/427.145 2.565

7200/447.07 2.7674

7400/471.05 3.2405

7600/497.8 3.5197

7800/525.59 3.5628

8000/562.86 4.6588

8200/598.7 4.3707

8400/645.44 5.5643

8600/689.395 5.111

8800/746.45 6.4835

13
9000/809.015 6.9517

9200/890.435 8.85

9400/959.635 7.3617
1.112
9600/970.31
1.7786
9800/987.74
1.2885
10000/1000.625
1.3014
10200/1013.9
1.1356
10400/1025.71
0.9571
10600/1035.855
1.0472
10800/1047.165
1.6177
11000/1064.96
1.4116
11200/1080.77
1.3096
11400/1095.7
1.7082
11600/1115.515
1.8737
11800/1137.625
1.651
10000/1154.135
1.5578
12200/1173.14
1.4492
12400/1191.11
1.3655
12600/1208.315
1.493
12800/1227.425
1.3208
13000/1244.595
1.5144
13200/1264.585

14
 1.5851
13400/1285.825

13600/1302.15 1.2004

Computations

Mass of the Chalk for the 5gallons 5% slurry, weight chalk:

Let m = mass of the chalk

𝑚
5= 3.7853𝐿 1000𝑚𝐿 1𝑚𝐿 𝑚𝑙
𝑚+[(5𝑔𝑎𝑙𝑙𝑜𝑛𝑠𝑥 𝑥 )−(𝑚𝑥 𝑥1 )
1𝑔𝑎𝑙𝑙𝑜𝑛 1𝐿 2.14286𝑔 𝑔

Mass of the chalk = 972.2511g

Volume of the Water Needed for the slurry:

3.7853𝐿 1000𝑚𝐿 1𝑚𝐿
Volume =( 5gallons x1𝑔𝑎𝑙𝑙𝑜𝑛 𝑥 ) − (972.2511𝑔𝑥 2.14286𝑔)
1𝐿

= 18472.7834 mL

Mass of the Cake: (Mass of frame and plate + cake) – mass of frame and plate

1-2: 793.31g – 424.03 g =369.28 g

3-4: 810.01 g – 433.7 g = 376.31g

5-6: 801.29 g – 434.06 g = 372.41g

7-8: 805.56 g – 428.88 g = 376.68g

9-10: 2085.44 g – 356.80 g = 1728.64g

Assuming ΔP=14.7 psi, determine the following:

15
 𝑚𝑎𝑠𝑠 𝑜𝑓 𝑑𝑟𝑦 𝑐𝑎𝑘𝑒 408.69
a. Mass of solid per unit volume = = 1551.43 = 0.2634
𝑚𝑎𝑠𝑠 𝑜𝑓 𝑤𝑒𝑡 𝑐𝑎𝑘𝑒

b. Filter area

c. Specific cake resistance

d. Filter medium resistance

For the determination of Kc and 1/q0

𝑡 𝐾𝑐 1
= 𝑉+
𝑉 2 𝑞𝑜

Using Linear Regression:

1/qo= 33.931 s/L

Kc= 2.955 s/L2

Where m = mass of the wet cake/mass of the dry cake: 3223.32/1065.14 = 3.0262 g wet cake/
g dry cake 1551.43/ 408.69=3.7962 ; 408.69/1551.43=0.2634
𝑘𝑔
𝑥𝜌 0.05(1000 3 )
a. Mass of solid per unit volume = 1−𝑚𝑥 = 1−0.2634(0.05)
𝑚
= 50.6673𝒌𝒈/𝒎3

b. Filter area = 7 in * 7 in = 49 in2

c. Specific cake resistance

2 1
𝐴2 ∆𝑃𝑔𝑐 𝐾𝑐 (49𝑖𝑛2 ) (14.7𝑝𝑠𝑖)((32.174)( )(2.955)
144
= (6.72𝑥10−4 )(3.6763)
=9.4326 x 10^6 ft/lb
𝜇𝑐

d. Filter medium resistance

𝐴∆𝑃𝑔𝑐 (1/𝑞𝑜) (49)(14.7)(32.174)(33.931)

= = 1.1702𝒙10^9/𝒇𝒕
𝜇 6.72𝑥10−4

16
 Appendix C

DOCUMENTATION

Pulvurizing chalk weighing the chalk mixing in Agitator

Weighing filter papers arranging in filter press collecting the filtrate

17
 Appendix D

ANSWERS TO QUESTIONS AND PROBLEMS

1. What is the relationship of filtration time and volume of filtrate collected?

The filtration time and volume of filtrate collected has a directly proportional

relationship. As time passes by, the volume of the collected filtrate increases.

2. What is the significance of calculating the cake resistance and filter medium

resistance?

In filtration, the flow resistances increase with time as the filter medium

becomes clogged (filter medium resistance) or as filter cake builds up (cake

resistance). Resulting from the increase of these resistances would either be flow rate

diminishing or pressure drop rising across the unit. By calculating the resistances, the

flow parameters can be properly adjusted to offset the increase in pressure drop.

Pumps and pipes connected to the filtering apparatus can be properly designed.

3. Briefly describe the characteristics of a plate and frame filter press.

The plate and frame filter press consists of a series of chambers containing

square or rectangular filter plates supported in a frame. Each plate is covered by a

material or membrane that acts as the initial filter when the press is in operation. As

the solid filter cake builds up, the cake adds to the removal of fine particles. The

solution coming through the filter, called the filtrate, can be very pure. At the end of

the compression, the solid filter cake can be removed.

4. What are the factors that affect the filtration process in a PFFP?

Some of the factors that would affect the filtration process are (1) filter

medium, (2) cake compressibility, and (3) filter aids. The filter medium must have

18
 pores smaller than the size of solid suspension in liquid flow. The filtration process is

affected by whether the cake is compressible or incompressible. Filter aids are

applied when the filtration rate is slow, filtrate clarity is unsatisfactory or medium

blinding is rapid.

5. How does filtration differ from the other mechanical separations?

Filtration differs from other mechanical separations in terms of the purpose of

separation and the procedure of separation. Filtration intends to remove solid particles

from a fluid by passing the fluid through a filtering medium on which the solids are

entrained upon. The solids, the filtrate, or both may be the valuable product from the

process.

6. Enumerate and define the main groups of filters. Classify PFFP under these groups

and explain.

Filters are classified into generally classified into three – cake filters,

clarifying filters, and crossflow filters. Cake filters separate relatively large amounts

of solids as a cake of crystal or sludge. Plate and frame filter press classifies under the

cake filter group because the solids entrained on the cloth-covered faces of the plates

is the cake. Clarifying filters remove small amounts of solids to produce a clean gas

or sparkling clear beverages. Screens used in clarifying filters have larger pore

diameter than that of the particles to be removed. The feed suspension to a crossflow

filter flows under pressure at a fairly high velocity across the filter medium.

7. What are the requirements of a good filter media?

A good filter media must retain the solids to be filtered, giving a reasonably

clear filtrate. It must not plug or blind. It is required to be chemically resistant and

19
 physically strong to withstand process conditions. Also, it must permit clean and

complete discharge of cake formed. It must not be prohibitively inexpensive.

8. What is a filter aid and what is the significance of its use?

A filter aids, such as diatomaceous earth, perlite, and purified wood cellulose,

are used to prevent blinding of filter medium. They are very porous and their

presence in the cake improves permeability and often makes cake filtration of dilute

and generally difficult slurries possible. When the porosity of the cake is increased,

passage of the liquor will proceed at a reasonable rate.

20