Pressure leaf filter control and the prediction of performance

The widespread reliance on heuristics for the design and specification of particle/fluid separation devices has prompted a new approach to pressure filtration which incorporates the principles of mechatronics. By combining accurate experimentation with classical filtration models it is shown how the performance of a deadend pressure leaf filter can be predicted over a range of process conditions. An experimental apparatus is described along with data which illustrate its versatility and accuracy. Experimental data obtained from the apparatus with aqueous mineral suspensions are shown to compare favourably with theoretical predictions of important design parameters such as cake height and cumulative volume of filtrate. Preliminary results from unique constant flow filtration experiments are also presented where the air pressure within the filter was controlled through a combination of flow & pressure transducers and an electronically adjusted pressure regulator. Their combination allowed filtrations performed under different pressure/flow regimes to be compared as identical suspension characteristics could be maintained.