posted on 2009-09-21, 10:01authored byE.S. Tarleton, Richard J. Wakeman
This paper details Filter Design Software® (FDS), new Windows® software for the selection and
simulation of solid/liquid separation equipment as well as the analysis of test data. FDS has been
developed in collaboration with multi-national companies spanning a wide range of industrial sectors
to provide a comprehensive calculation, education and training tool that maintains a balance between
ease of use, level of knowledge conveyed and comprehensibility.
The selection module of the FDS compares up to 7 user-defined selection criteria with information
contained in databases to produce a numerically ranked list of potentially suitable equipment. The
FDS allows access to text and pictorial descriptions of more than 70 equipment types and hyperlinks
provide more specific equipment manufacturer details via the internet.
The data analysis module facilitates interactive analysis of leaf filtration, jar sedimentation and piston
press test data. Calculations are performed in a hierarchical manner using the available information, if
some data are not measured then the FDS performs the best possible analysis using approximations.
The results of an analysis can be used to refine (shorten) a list of selected equipment or provide scaleup
information for equipment simulation.
The two equipment simulation modules provide calculation sequences for more than 20 types of
vacuum and pressure filters, potentially involving combinations of cake formation, compression, gas
deliquoring and washing. The user is able to input filter cycle data in their preferred units and
guidance is given as to suitable numeric ranges for the type of filter being simulated. Results are
presented on-screen in graphical and tabular forms and a mass balance is given for the solid, liquid
and dissolved solute components present. The results are also made available in data sheet form
which can subsequently be imported into a spreadsheet.
History
School
Aeronautical, Automotive, Chemical and Materials Engineering
Department
Chemical Engineering
Citation
TARLETON, E.S. and WAKEMAN, R.J., 2006. Filter design software (FDS) for filter process simulation. Filtration, 6 (2), pp. 103-107.