Maintenance Tip of the Month: Focus on Filter Plate Maintenance

This month’s Monthly Maintenance Tip of the Month focuses on Filter Plate Maintenance, a key ingredient to an efficient Filter Press operation.

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Filter Plates come in various sizes, configurations, materials of construction, and chamber thicknesses, and are designed for use in a wide variety of liquid-solid separation applications and across numerous industries.

To achieve optimal separation of your solids and liquids, you can trust the Micronics Engineered Filtration Group…a proven expert in filter press cloth, filter plates, complete filter press system solutions, parts, industry-leading field service, and training.

Did You Know…Micronics supplies virtually all sizes and styles of replacement filter press plates? Learn more about properly maintaining your filter press plates to get top performance from your filter press in the technical blog content below.

In this blog, we will be providing key maintenance tips for Filter Plates, particularly in conjunction with Filter Press Cloth Changeouts. But before we dive into the recommended maintenance details, first we will review the overall layout of a typical Filter Plate.

Micronics recommends being vigilant about filter press cloth changeouts and Filter Plate maintenance to ensure the efficiency and effectiveness of your Filter Press operation. We say it again and again but it is worth repeating: Routine inspections, cleaning, and filter press maintenance will prolong filter cloth life, filter plate life, and also provide you with the best filter press performance, whatever your industry.

Filter Plate Layout

In general, a filter plate consists of a sealing edge and the plate web. This layout is independent of the filter plate type, e.g. recessed chamber filter plate or membrane filter plate.

Small “pips” are present on the surface of the plate web, forming an area where the clear liquid (filtrate) can discharge once it passes through the filter cloth. The solids are captured on the filter press cloth and form the filter cake whereas the filtrate passes through the cloth, is collected between the pips, and then flows to the filtrate discharge holes. The high filtration pressures used with recessed and membrane filter plates work very well with the pipped design, providing excellent support for the filter press cloth, allowing filtrate to discharge along the base of the plate with the least resistance.

The filtrate is discharged via the filtrate discharge holes and filtrate discharge channels to the corner ports. These corner ports form a collection channel across all filter plates, collecting the filtrate and guiding it out of the filter press. Stay Bosses on the plate web provide mechanical stability and control flexing of the filter plate during delivery of the feed slurry.

Regardless of the size or style of the filter plates that your press uses, proper maintenance of your filter plates is a very important ingredient to your filter press operation!

If you want to learn more, please visit our website Filter Plate Manufacturer.

Filter Plate Maintenance Tips

We are pleased to share some tried and true tips for proper Filter Plate Maintenance.

1. Inspect the sealing surfaces for solids buildup and remove solids from the filter cloths daily using non-metal cake scrapers. Micronics offers a full array of filter cloth accessories, including non-metallic cake scrapers in our product line-up to ensure the efficacy of your filter press operation, extending the efficacy of our filter press cloth. Remember that plastic spatulas/cake scrapers work best!
2. Micronics recommends that all filter plates should be fully pressure-washed at each Filter Cloth change-out. We suggest using a 2,500 – 3,000 psi pressure washer to thoroughly clean the sealing surfaces, web area, filtrate ports, and filtrate discharge ports. During cloth change-out, a medium bristle brush can be used in all filtrate porting areas. Use a non-metallic cake scraper to remove any filter cake build up on the plate’s sealing surfaces.  Clean sealing surfaces will minimize the slurry spraying from between the filter plates and will ensure that the filter plate stack and filter press frame remain square.
3. Remember that the plate’s sealing surfaces must be kept clean and free of debris! Keeping the plate’s drainage pips clean and free of debris will ensure maximum flow across the face of the filter plate web. Additionally, the plate’s filtrate discharge holes and filtrate discharge channels must be kept clean to maintain flow and help create evenly-formed filter cakes. Keeping the corner ports clean will help to maintain proper filtrate discharge from the entire filter plate stack. As noted above, Micronics recommends the use of a medium bristle brush to remove any excessive solids build-up on the plates.
4. Stay Bosses should be inspected for damage and any solid build-up removed. Excess solids can be removed with a pressure washer and medium bristle brush. In addition to removing excess solids, take proper care to also inspect the base of each stay boss for cracks which can result in plate failure. It is important to replace any filter plate with damage to the Stay Bosses!
5. Plates may become cracked, warped, or broken and do need to be replaced from time to time.  While it is difficult to prescribe the precise number of plates to keep as spares, we are pleased to work with you on an optimal spare parts program for your filter press operation. Things do happen with regard to filter plates and filter press cloth – even with the most stringent maintenance schedule – and we want to ensure that you have the spares on-hand to avoid press downtime. Contact us to discuss a proper spare parts program. At Micronics, we don’t give you a one size fits all answer.
6. Membrane Filter Plates should be cleaned in the same manner as Recessed Chamber and Companion Filter Plates in a mixed pack. With Fixed Membrane Plates, the hinge point of the plate should be inspected for cracking. If the Fixed Membrane Plate is cracked or damaged, it must be replaced. Replaceable Membranes must be fully seated in the plate groove to avoid leaking during the membrane squeeze step. Micronics recommends that you carefully inspect the membrane for damage, cracking, and/or dry rot.
7. Before simply removing a damaged plate or plates, please ensure that the hydraulic cylinder has enough throw to properly clamp the plate stack. Removing filter plates without replacing them will shorten the overall length of the plate stack. The hydraulic cylinder will only extend to a certain dimension (each press may be different). If the plate stack is too short, the cylinder will dead head, reach its limit, before applying the proper pressure to the plate stack. Leaking between the filter plates will happen during the feed cycle.  Remember to pay attention to proper sequencing of filter plates – 1-3-1-3 sequencing. Plates must be removed in pairs to perform proper post-filtration steps such as proper air blow and or cake wash.

Contact the team at Micronics to help you in optimizing filter press performance with the industry’s best filter press cloth, filter plate solutions, filter press service & parts expertise, and complete filter press systems…in short, Total Engineered Filtration Solutions. Whatever your press size, we can assist you with replacement filter plates in 470mm, 630mm, 800mm, mm, mm, mm, 2m x 2m, and additional custom-sized filter plates. We look forward to working with you on maintaining your spare parts inventory and helping you optimize your filter press operation.

Contact Our Experts

Micronics, now a part of Cleanova, is your trusted partner for engineered filtration solutions. We offer end-to-end solutions from filter media to industry-leading filtration equipment, to spare parts & accessories, to on-site field services and in-house laboratory services. Whether for your Filter Press, Belt Press, Leaf Filter, Vacuum Filter, or Baghouse, you can count on Micronics’ deep industry and applications knowledge for the right engineered filtration solution to meet your needs. We look forward to working with your team.

What To Ask When Choosing A Filter for a Liquid Filtration System

Knowing what parts to use for your industrial liquid filtration system can sometimes be tricky. A lot goes into an industrial filtration system and many different parts that can impact your system’s success. Selecting the right filter for your system without knowing what to ask can often feel like finding a needle in a haystack. But coming in prepared and knowing your system’s needs can make the choice a whole lot easier.

Why is Using the Right Filter for a Liquid Filtration System Important?

Achieving the best product results and ensuring your industrial application runs at peak efficiency depends on installing the right system parts. Liquid filtration is commonly utilized in industrial applications to remove unwanted particles and other contaminants from fluids. Filters for liquid filtration systems are available in various materials and sizes. These filters can be utilized to remove many solid particles, microorganisms, and other contaminants. Selecting the right filter for your application ensures that your system produces at the best quality and the most affordable cost.

What Happens When You Choose the Wrong Filter for a Liquid Filtration System?

Choosing the wrong filter for your system’s needs can harm your industrial filtration application. Filters that fit improperly or are otherwise incompatible with your production can cause a variety of different issues, from the introduction of contaminants into your products to time wasted due to breakdown or frequent need for replacement filters. Impacts like these cost your business money in the long run, so avoiding issues like selecting the wrong filter is imperative to your business’s success.

Questions to Ask When Choosing A Filter for a Liquid Filtration System

Here are a few questions to ask when deciding what type of filter is right for your liquid filtration system:

• What size particles do you need to filter out? The micron rating on your filter determines the size of the particles that your filter will catch. Your filter requirements will change depending on the size of the particles you need to be removed.
• What quality of end product does your system require? Nominal filters will remove larger-sized contaminants, while absolute filters capture 99.99% of particles within their micron rating. Absolute filters are more costly than their nominal counterparts and are typically utilized in high-quality applications.
• What is your system’s flow rate? The filter you choose will impact the flow rate of your system, so knowing the flow rate your system requires will clue you in on what type of filter to use. Filters should be slightly oversized to deal with surges, as well as to prevent limiting of production.
• What pressure is your system putting out? Knowing what pressure your filter needs to withstand will help determine the right filter. Filters should be sized approximately one-third higher than your system’s maximum pressure. This helps to ensure your filter can handle the pressure your system puts out, even with build-up.
• What temperature does your system filter at? The temperature of the filtered material can affect its viscosity and, as a result, its flow rate.
• What is the viscosity of the liquid being filtered through your system? More about viscosity: the higher the viscosity of the liquid being filtered, the more demand will be placed on your filter. Filers should be larger in systems with high viscosity to reduce effects on flow rate.
• What is the dirt load of the material being filtered through your system? If your system is filtering fluid with a high dirt load, consider utilizing multiple filtration steps with progressively lower micron ratings to reduce the demands on a single filter.
• What chemicals need to be able to pass through your system? If you’re processing liquids that include chemicals, make sure the filter you choose is compatible with those chemicals. Otherwise, they may cause fast degradation of your filter.
• Does your system process continuously or in batches? When processing in batches, your filter should be changed after each batch. Continuous processes can rely on the same filter for a longer period of time.
• What filter size is best for your system? The filter you pick needs to fit properly on its filter housing. Also, consider the amount of space you have for filter removal and replacement.
• Does your system have any regulatory requirements? The filters you use must meet regulatory requirements if you are involved in pharmaceutical or food and beverage production.

Why Choose ESA for Your Liquid Filtration System Needs?

Our experts at ESA are here to help you decide what type of filter will work best for your needs. Also, we’re equipped to install the filter within your system and can help with other industrial air compressor repairs and part replacements as needed. If you have any questions about what filter is right for your application, call ESA today for a consultation!

Arthur Pue

Arthur Pue is the President of Engineering Sales Associates. Connect with him on LinkedIn.

Contact us to discuss your requirements of filter press spare parts manufacturer. Our experienced sales team can help you identify the options that best suit your needs.