Filter Operation

Slurry enters vessel distributing across vertical filter leaves coated with filter media or precoat material. Liquid passes through media leaving solids deposited on leaf surfaces. Clean filtrate exits vessel. After cake buildup, filter cycles for cleaning removing accumulated solids.

Leaf Assembly

Vertical plates or frames hold filter cloth, metal mesh, or other media. Multiple leaves arranged in vessel provide filtration area. Leaf spacing allows cake accumulation. Manifold collects filtrate from all leaves. Vertical orientation enables gravity-assisted cake discharge.

Vessel Design

Vertical pressure vessel housing leaf assembly. Slurry inlet with distribution system ensuring uniform flow. Filtrate outlet collecting clean liquid. Solids discharge at bottom after cleaning. Top access for leaf maintenance and inspection.

Operating Pressure

Design pressure 50-300 psig for pressurized filtration. Pressure differential across filter media drives liquid through cake. Higher pressure increases flow rate but may compact cake reducing permeability. Optimization balances throughput versus cake properties.

Filter Media

Woven cloth for fine filtration. Metal mesh for coarser separation. Precoat materials like diatomaceous earth enhance fine particle removal. Media selection depends on particle size, chemical compatibility, and cake discharge requirements.

Filtration Cycle

Filtering phase builds cake on leaves until pressure drop reaches limit or time expires. Cleaning phase removes cake by sluicing, vibration, or backwash. Some designs use rotating leaves with continuous cake discharge. Cycle optimization maximizes throughput.

Applications

Catalyst recovery in chemical plants, wastewater solids removal, edible oil clarification, pharmaceutical filtration, mining slurry dewatering, and any process requiring solid-liquid separation with high filtration area in compact vessel.

Cake Discharge

Solids drop to vessel bottom after cleaning. Discharge valve removes accumulated cake. Some designs use scraper mechanisms. Dry cake easier to handle than wet sludge. Washing option reduces product losses in cake.

Material Selection

Carbon steel for mild service. Stainless steel for food, pharmaceutical, and corrosive applications. Filter media materials compatible with process chemistry. Internal coatings protect against corrosion where required.

Performance Benefits

High filtration area per vessel volume. Vertical design suits space constraints. Enclosed operation handles hazardous materials safely. Batch or continuous operation flexibility. Proven technology across diverse industries.

Construction Standards

Design per ASME Section VIII for pressure vessels. Filter elements per manufacturer standards. Materials suitable for slurry chemistry. Complete documentation with filtration specifications and cycle design.

ERGIL vertical leaf filters provide efficient solid-liquid separation in compact pressure vessels serving chemical processing and industrial filtration applications.