Abstract
A new type of filter press which is capable of dewatering slurry by filtration, squeezing and drying in a single chamber is developed. In the drying process, a filter cake is heated by steam via thin diaphragms while vacuuming the chamber. The basic performance of filter press is investigated using the slurry of magnesium carbonate which forms an incompressible filter cake. As a result, it is found that a thinner diaphragm is effective for significantly reducing the drying time, altering the temperature evolution of the cake as well as the time-change in the water content. Since new filter press utilizes a single chamber for filtration, squeezing and drying, there is no need for cake discharge into a dryer, which prevents the dust generation as well as the cake contamination.
