A Turnkey Solution for a Unique Situation

The old filter press was removed from the building and placed out of the way by two large cranes.

Duke Energy contacted us with a request to analyze their current water filtration issues. There setup consisted of a 140 cu.ft. Sperry filter press suspended 16 feet over a trailer inside a closed building. This set up allowed them to collect water from the Muskingum River, process it and filter it through the filter press for easy “sludge elimination”. When the trailer was full a truck could easily drive off with it and a new trailer installed to take its place.  The system had to be enclosed to ensure the sludge did not freeze solid in the trailer.

Although the setup was a great design, the filter press was not working properly. Upon inspection we determined it had severe deflection when pressure was added to the press. This caused visible bending and arching of the Filter Press side bars. It was also noted that every time the pumps engaged to fill the Filter Press the entire building moved.

Read More about this amazing filter press solution >>

Filter Presses

MetChem filter presses have been used in a variety of industries from plating and metal finishing to chemical and food processing to name a few. Their Filter Presses feature heavy duty steel construction with polypro gasketed plates. These filter presses can be manufactured with manual or automatic closures, but always with a hydraulic cylinder for sure, high pressure closing. Met-Chem’s filter presses can be expanded for larger future capacity by building it in a larger skeleton with a distance piece. Once you are ready to expand, you can remove the distance piece and add the extra plates.

For More Filter Press information visit Met Chem >>

Filter Press Pumps that can handle the slurry

Filter Press Diaphragm Pumps

Diaphragm pump mounted to filter press manifold and catwalk.

Air operated diaphragm pumps are used with filter presses to pump sludge from the bottom of the sludge holding tank into the filter press.  These pumps are ideal because they can handle the slurry which is generally about the consistency of a milkshake. 

The diaphragm pump usually starts out slowly and gradually ramps up.  Once the pump starts to slow back down, (30-60 seconds between thrusts), it is usually an indicator that the filter press is full.  At this point the feed pump should be turned off and the valves on the filter press closed as the operator prepares to operate the air-blow-down process.

The diaphragm pump can be manually turned up or an Automatic Pump Control system may be added.  This starts the pump at 25 psi, then moves up to 50, 75 and finally 100 psi which is standard operating pressure for the pump.

Met-Chem provides diaphragm pumps in the following sizes:  1”, 1.5”, 2” and 3”.  Material of construction ranges from cast iron, aluminum, polypro or stainless steel.

With the purchase of a new Met-Chem filter press Met-Chem can mount your air operated diaphragm pump to the legs of your filter press.  This option also includes a flex hose that connects the outlet of the diaphragm pump to the center feed pipe, an air filter, a regulator, and an oiler.   We can also provide a mounted diaphragm pump for your existing press. 

for more information on Filter Press Pumps visit Met Chem

Met Chem Inc.

Met-Chem was established in 1956 as a manufacturer’s representative for liquid filtration equipment with an in-house sewing department to manufacture replacement filter bags, cloths and media. 

Over the years, Met-Chem has acquired complimentary companies to add to our group of process equipment and replacement parts suppliers.  Met-Chem’s equipment manufacturing began with filter presses and clarifiers and gradually grew to include sludge dryers and complete waste treatment systems and component parts.

Their equipment has been used in a variety of industries from plating and metal finishing to chemical, food and beverage processing to name a few.  Met-Chem features heavy duty steel construction.  Using modern manufacturing processes, the equipment and systems can be tailored to your specific space and system needs. 

Call a Met-Chem representative for any of your filtration or wastewater treatment needs; Phone: 216-881-7900 or e-mail: info@metchem.com

And check out Met-Chem's NEW Website! >>

Filter Presses

Filter Presses have been the focus of Met-Chem manufacturing for many years. They have built a solid reputation for building quality Filter Presses and Complete Waste Treatment Systems. Their filter presses have been used in many different industries; from plating and metal finishing to chemical and food processing. Met-Chem Filter Presses feature heavy duty steel construction with polypro gasketed plates. One great feature about Met-Chem's filter presses is that they are always expandable for larger future capacity by adding longer sidebars and additional plates.

Filter Press FAQs

1.         How do I know when the filter press is full?  The diaphragm pump will get to 30 second to one minute intervals between thrusts, indicating that pressure has increased due to solids building up inside the press cavities.  This is your signal that the press is full.

 

3.         What is involved in routine filter press maintenance?  Cloth cleaning, dumping, check hoses and connections.

 

4.         When do the cloths need to be cleaned or replaced?  The filter cake will begin to become wet, slimy and not as dry.  This is your indicator that the cloths need to be cleaned.  (see number 5 for cleaning info).  If you have already cleaned your cloths and your process has not changed but you are still getting slimy filter cake, it may be time to replace your cloths.  Cloth life varies from installation to installation and depends on such variables as frequency of cycles, proper cleaning and maintenance and the type of sludge that is generated.  Generally speaking for most installations cloths can last up to 6 months at the most.

 

5.          Will I need to replace the plates?  Plates generally last years unless they become cracked, broken or warped.  It is good practice to examine the plates during press cleaning and dumping.

 

6.         Can I expand my press for larger loading capacity?  Expansion depends on a couple of factors.  First, if your press is already expandable, meaning you’re your press has a distance piece for expansion to a larger capacity, all you need to do is unbolt the distance piece and add additional plates in the 1-3 button sequence taking care that you add plates in even numbers.  However, if you have a Met-Chem press or your press has notched and bolted sidebars, then  it can also be expanded by removing the sidebars and replacing them with longer sidebars and installing additional plates.  Please note that when adding plates, you must be sure to add them in the 1-3 button sequence in order to provide proper drainage.

 

7.         Can I add more plates to my current press?  You may be able to add a couple of plates without expanding your sidebars if your press is not already expandable but care must be taken to ensure that you have adequate cleaning room when dumping the press and cleaning the cloths.

 

8.         How long is the cycle time?  Cycle time is dependent on solids loading and can take anywhere from 2-4 hours on average.  (Closer to four hours for typical metal hydroxide waste.)

 

9.         What can I do to ensure the driest possible filter cake?  Be sure cloths are cleaned as needed and the air blow-down system is run for a full cycle.  You may also wish to add a sludge dryer to your system.  A dryer accepts filter press cake and dries it further to provide up to a 4:1 sludge reduction.  (for more information on sludge dryers click the following link:  www.metchem.com/sludge_dryer.htm

 

Filter Resources Page

Below are some links to common filters:

Absolute Micro-Glass

Activated Alumina

Activated Charcoal & Process Water Clarifier

Aqua-Pro

Auxiliary Equipment

Belt Filters

Bentoniete Clay

Bleaching Clays

Bulk Columns:

Centrifuge Bags/Liners

Clarifiers

Condenser

Control Panels

Custom Filters

Diatomaceous Earth

Dust Bags

Evaporative Tank

Excelsior

Filter Leaf Bags

Filter Media

Filter Paper & Discs

Filter Press Cloths

Filter Presses

Filter Tester

Filtration

Fullers Earth

Fullers Earth Amount Estimation Table

Heated Tank Systems

Industrial Water

Ion Exchange

Liquid Filters

Liquid Filtration

Molecular Sieve

Nominal Microns

Parker Finite Filters

Pleated Paper

Portable Filter Systems

R/O Membrane

Replacement Filter Bags

Reverse Osmosis Systems

RVM Clay

Selexsorb Acid

Selexsorb Filter Cartridges and Systems

Semi-Conductor

Simplex Sampler

Sludge Bags

Sludge Dryers

Spin on Filters

Steam Filters

Sterile Air Filters

Sterile Gas Filters

Sulfur Guard Filters

Tank Vent Filters

Trans Dri

Treatment Systems

Turn-key Systems

Vapor Phase 4x8 Pellets

Water Condensate Polishing Systems

Water Dealkalizer Systems

Water Demineralizer Systems

Water Filtration Systems

Water Softener Systems

 

Sludge Bags Save Money and Space

Compared to (5) 55 gallon drums, the sludge disposal bag holds 27 cu. ft. of dried sludge! This makes it more cost effective to purchase, store (since it folds up when not in use) and ship as compared to conventional barrels.

Sludge bags receive sludge from filter presses, they are normally mounted under a filter press and sit on a skid with the top loops attached to the filter press chute. They are made of 6.5 oz. heavy woven polypro outer bag with a moisture resistant coating on the inside.  If necessary a separate inner polyethylene liner bag can be used to ensure a total leak-free bag.

 

Sludge Dryers - making sludge removal easy

Sludge Dryers can be designed to handle small to large quantity sludge generators. These dryers usually fit under the filter press for direct loading. The sludge is dried by the heated liner of the unit while it is circulated by a spiral blade system breaking it up. The dryer liner can use indirect heat sources from steam, electric strips or gas fire. The preheated airflow system draws the moisture off the top of the internal dryer and out through the wet scrubber system. After drying the reduced sludge is removed by opening the discharge panel for gravity discharge into a container.

Sludge Dryer Features and Benefits       

• Low cost steam, hot water or gas fire for indirect heat source or may be available with electric heat
• 1-100 cubic feet capacities are available
• Internal parts should be made of grade 304 stainless steel
• Easy operation and maintenance
• Sludge reduction savings offers an easy pay back on equipment purchase and operating costs
• Unit dimensions may be altered to fit individual installations
• Up to 4 to 1 reduction of sludge volume can be expected

Lamports - Filter Cloth Replacement

When you decide to replace your filter press cloths you need to know there are three different kinds of cloths on a filter press:

• the head cloth, which is the first plate and is a single cloth with a hole in the center;
• the tail cloth, which is the last plate and is also a single cloth but with NO HOLE in the center;
• the intermediate cloths, which are all the cloths on the plates between the head and the tail. These are double cloths, with one on each side of each plate,

The hole in the center of each side is connected by a short cloth tube.

Be careful when putting the plates back into the filter press. There are two different types of plates. They are designated one button plates or three button plates. The plates can be identified by a drill hole that is about 1/4” deep, in the handle of the plate.

The one button will have one hole and the three button will have three holes. The head plate is usually a one button plate. The next plate MUST be a three button plate then a one button and so on. The filter press plate sequence is 1-3-1-3, and so on. If this order is not correct, the filter cake will not dry properly during the Blowdown process.

Contact Lamports Filter Media for additional information:

Phone: (216) 881-2050 
eMail: info@lamports.com

Looking for a used filter press? Look no further!

Here is a great resource for all things filter press. Met Chem is a Cleveland Ohio based company with a huge supply of used filtration equipment including filter presses, clarifiers, sludge driers, pumps, scrubbers and much more!

Met Chem's used equipment division has a wide selection of machines online so you can see exactly what you are looking for. They have pictures and descriptions that go with each product. Looking for a do-it yourself project or do you want "new-to-you" refurbished equipment? Met Chem can provide either, and has pricing for both online.

Not sure what you are looking for? The sales and service department are excellent at figuring out your needs and finding exactly what you are looking for  Phone: 216-881-7900 or e-mail:  info@metchem.com .

They can also refurbish, fix, add onto, or modify your existing equipment to give you exactly what you are looking for.



   As-is equipment

 refurbished equipment