IMPROVED FILTER PRESS

Description

DESCRIPTION of the industrial invention entitled: "Filter press perfected" of: DEWATER FILTER PRESS Srl, of Italian nationality, with headquarters in Bo- log Designated Inventor: Antonio Emanuele IERO filed on: May 17, 2024 * * * Field of invention The present invention relates to an improved filter press. The invention was developed with particular regard to a filter- press which is used for example but not limited to the sector of treatment of water, wastewater or process sludge, in the chemical sector and pharmaceutical and mining sectors. Technological background The filter press is an industrial equipment for the filtration of- discontinuous, in particular for solid-liquid separation, for example for dewatering waste sludge in various sectors, including the mining sector of particular relevance for the large quantities of sludge to be treated and con- subsequently for the size of the machinery used. The known filter presses generally have an array of plates filters supported by a load-bearing structure. The filter plates, which present- no filter cloths on both sides, they can be placed next to each other and be tightened together by a hydraulic jack. In this way between a plate and the other forms a filtration chamber delimited by the te- the filters. The sludge is pumped at high pressures inside these PROVVISIONATO & CO filtration chambers, so that the solid phase is retained in the filtration chambers while the liquid phase, which can pass through the filter cloths tranti, exits the filter press through drainage channels made in the plates. The solid parts of the suspension form dehydrating mud panels. tato, called “cakes”, which are removed by opening the filter press with the release hydraulic jacks, so as to move the filter plates apart from each other. In- the open configuration, normally the plates are shaken to help the detachment and fall of the dehydrated mud cakes due to gravity. In conclusion filtering cycle, the plates are usually washed before be re-tightened to repeat a new filtration cycle. In the operation of known filter presses, it happens that it is necessary to replace every now and then a cloth or a filter plate that breaks and therefore does not performs its filtering action on the mud more correctly. The process Replacing a filter cloth or plate is long, complex and te- godly, especially in larger machines used for example for the dewatering of sludge in the mining sector. In fact, it is necessary you have specialized workers climb to the top of the filter press to dismantle the cloth or filter plate. The new cloth or filter plate must then be po- correctly positioned and secured. These maintenance operations include they carry out manual operations, with prolonged machine downtime that increases costs and reduces productivity. It also puts the safety of workers at risk. workers. The Applicant has already identified and described in the patent application vetto WO 2023 / 139430 A1 a solution to the replacement problem of the cloths or filter plates. This solution involves creating a PROVVISIONATO & CO equipped mobile group that is mounted on the support structure of the filter press so that it can move in a longitudinal direction. This equipped mobile group includes a lifting device that if necessary it can lift a damaged plate or filter cloth and extract it from the array of filter plates aligned in the filter press. The te- the filter plate can be replaced, always thanks to the sol- removal of the equipped mobile group mounted on the filter press, taking give a new filter cloth or plate from a warehouse that can be posi- attached to one longitudinal end of the filter support structure press, so that it can be reached by the equipped mobile group. filter press described in WO 2023 / 139430 A1 also features a system of checking the functionality of the filter plates, each of which is equipped of a control nozzle for the on-demand extraction of liquid samples filtered by the respective filter plate. An operator, or a system of automated vision, can thus detect anomalous colorations of the samples of liquid and identify the position of one or more filter plates if necessary. defective or damaged minds. Let us remember that the productivity of a discontinuous process filter press continuous as the one briefly described above depends on the volume of sludge that can be dehydrated in a given period of time. In some sectors re, such as the mining one, the production of sludge to be dehydrated is considerable and continues, so every machine downtime represents a significant cost in the disposal process. Another problem encountered in well-known filter presses is slowness. of the discontinuous filtration process especially at the moment of opening PROVVISIONATO & CO ra, that is, the separation of the filter plates from each other to discharge king the dehydrated mud cakes and then to wash the canvases and plates filters. Some well-known filter presses have a handling device, shaking and washing of the plates that acts on groups of a few plates filters at a time, typically about ten filter plates. These filters- presses are therefore very slow and not very productive, especially when com- take several dozen filter plates. In other known filter presses, the placing and distancing of the plates filtering is carried out via a motorised trolley installed behind a movable end head, in a position where it is subject to getting dirty with the processed water and mud. Furthermore, in this case the removal of the plates from each other is not directly controllable because the carriage mo- Torized acts only on the movable end head, which drags behind gradually all the plates are chained to each other. This limits the number of filter plates that can be used in a single filter press, because as the number of plates increases of the filter plates it becomes increasingly difficult to open correctly and com- completely the pack of filter plates for the cake detachment phase dehydrated mud. The known filter presses have a plate washing system filter strips and their filter cloths to remove the mud residues that are there adhere and thus restore the initial filtering capacity before reactivating start the filtering cycle again. Some well-known washing systems are of the type rain, which irrigates the entire array of plates. These washing systems However, well-known filter presses also spray the entire structure of the filter press, including yes its mechanisms, which in the long run causes their deterioration PROVVISIONATO & CO since the wash water is often industrial water rich in corrosive salts. In filter presses, the detachment of the dehydrated sludge cakes from the the filter plates' screens being spaced apart from each other is favoured by the shaking of the plates or filter cloths. However, it has been noted that the systems shaking is not very effective when the type of solid residue is particularly adheres to the plates themselves, for example when treating clayey muds. The consequence is that in such conditions it is necessary to increase the shaking time to obtain a correct detachment of all the cakes dewatered sludge, resulting in a reduction in overall productivity of the filter press. The known filter presses are also limited in their maximum dimensions reachable, being able to accommodate a maximum - in the larger machines dimensions - approximately 200 filter plates (with a maximum of 210 filter plates) tranti in filter presses known to the Applicant). Mainly, the limitation to a maximum of approximately 200 filter plates of the filter presses no- it is due to the above mentioned limitations in terms of time required for opening, unloading and washing the filter plates / cloths, as well as limitations in terms of force required to move the plates and hold them stacked together under pressure during the filtering phase. Another limitation is given by the excessive length of the filter press which would be necessary to allow space for the simultaneous opening of so many filter plates tranti. To increase the size of the filter presses, a double flat feeding of the sludge to be dehydrated. That is, the sludge is fed in entrance to both end heads, the fixed one and the mobile one, of the PROVVISIONATO & CO pack of filter plates placed side by side in the closed filter configuration press. The greater the number of filter plates, the greater the difference in length between the first and last filter plate with the machine closed, when the plates are in pack, and with the machine open, when the plates are apart separated from each other for the removal of dehydrated sludge and for washing filter cloths. To provide power to the end of the head mobile, the known filter presses use flexible sludge feed pipes. bile or articulated, which however encounter length limits which contribute to impose the maximum limit number of filter plates that can be opened in simultaneous way mentioned above. The limitation of the size of the known filter presses and the number of filter plates that can be used simultaneously for a co-filtering cycle constitutes a significant limitation especially in applications, for example mining, where large volumes of sludge need to be treated. Filter presses are known for processing large volumes of sludge. which use large filter plates, for example plates with your dimensions of 3700 x 3700 mm in width and height, or even 5000 x 5000 mm, having a weight of approximately 1000-1200 kg. The breakage of one of these filter plates or their canvas involves complex operations and costly removal and replacement of such large plates, in addition to a cost high due to the large amount of material that must be discarded. The need therefore arises to find an alternative and improved solution efficient compared to the existing one, in order to increase the productivity of the filters presses. Exposition of the invention PROVVISIONATO & CO An object of the invention is to overcome one or more of the con- coming from known filter presses, providing a filter press that increases consi- hourly productivity and operational availability compared to the fil- well-known presses, also reducing downtime to a minimum and maintenance. Another purpose is to provide a filter press that ab- has low costs for its production, management and, above all, maintenance. Another aim is to provide a filter press that is simple to use. to be installed and which does not require risky maintenance operations by the staff. In order to achieve one or more of the above-mentioned purposes, the inven- The object of the action is a filter press having the characteristics indicated in the claims that follow. An advantage of the present invention is that it provides a filter- press with double the capacity of known filter presses, using the same in- clearness in the plan. This is particularly advantageous where, as ne- mining plants, the overall dimensions on the ground must be reduced ta, while the height restrictions are much fewer. Another advantage of the invention is the fact that the productivity of the filter press is doubled, without however having to resort to the use of Non-standard plates and canvases. In fact, it is possible to use common plates and canvases. fully available for standard filter presses, for example having dimensions of 2000 x 2000 mm, therefore decidedly smaller and easier to handle, all things being equal of filtering surface, of the monolithic plates of the filter presses for large volumes note. Please note that in the event of breakage of a filter plate or its filter cloth, the material to be disposed of is much lower than that of a plate PROVVISIONATO & CO monolithic with a side of 3700 or 5000 mm of the large known filter presses. The cop- plate of the filter press which is the subject of the present invention is also much lighter, about 400 kg using two 2000 mm side plates, compared to the 1000-1200 kg of the 3700-5000 mm side plates of the large known filter presses. For this reason, with the present invention it is also possible to obtain that the not indifferent advantage of greater handling of the plates filtering strips, resulting in greater ease of use and lower costs, in addition to the undeniable environmental advantage due to the reduced quantity of material plastic to be used first, and then disposed of. Consider that for the same surface area filter surface, the monolithic plates of the large known filter presses employ much more than double the plastic material of a pair of filter plates of the present invention. For large monolithic plates it is in fact necessary to use races a proportionally much higher quantity of plastic material to ensure the same mechanical resistance and the same rigidity of two plates smaller ones. According to a first aspect, a perfected filter press is described. born with high treatment capabilities for example, but not limited to water, wastewater or process sludge, in the chemical and pharmaceutical sector chemical and mining sectors. The filter press comprises a structure of support, which develops in a longitudinal direction, and an array of groups of filter plates equipped with filter cloths. The filter plates of each each of these groups of filter plates are connected to each other in a configuration that can be substantially planar. The planar groups filter strips are mounted movably on the support structure in the direction longitudinal so that it can switch from an open configuration, PROVVISIONATO & CO in which some or all of the filter plate groups are spaced apart, to a closed configuration, in which the filter plate groups are all packed together, and vice versa. Such a filter press guarantees high filter treatment capacities. with a flexible and much cheaper configuration, with the same filtered volumes, compared to filter presses equipped with large monolithic filter plates. with filter surfaces / sheets of overall comparable area. that the management and maintenance of such an improved filter press is easier and more economical, for the same volumes treated, compared to filter presses if known, with significant operating savings. According to a particular aspect, each group of filter plates is composed of two filter plates. According to another particular aspect, the filter plates of each group are superimposed in vertical alignment one with respect to the other. In this way it is possible to double the productivity- size of the filter press and exploit the heights available at the installation site of the filter press, without negative impacts on surface area occupation. According to another particular aspect, the filter plates of each group of filter plates are rigidly connected to each other in a selective manner fully separable. In other words, during the use of the filter press the plates filtering systems of each group operate in a uniform manner overall ria and can therefore be moved closer and further away from the group plates adjacent in a similar manner to the single plates of traditional filter presses note. However, the management of individual plates of each group can be done finish flexibly and easily by disconnecting the filter plates from each other of each group, for example to replace them – or replace their filter cloths – PROVVISIONATO & CO in case of damage, or to refuel at the installation site filter press a certain number of plates, with reduced transport costs compared to to the monolithic plates of well-known filter presses with the same treatment capacity filtering. According to another aspect, a mobile equipped group is mounted mo- bile in the longitudinal direction on the filter press support structure knows. The equipped mobile group includes at least one lifting device ment to selectively lift one of said groups of filter plates and extract it from the array of filter plate groups. The arrangement such equipped mobile group allows for easy and automatic replacement of a group of filter plates, for example in case it is necessary to replace a damaged filter plate or filter cloth. According to a further aspect, the filter plate groups comprise- no respective supporting organs which are separable, in a vertical direction the, from the movement organs of the filter plate groups, which are instead mobile in the longitudinal direction. Such a support system and movement of the filter plate groups allows to maintain a col- continuous connection between the various moving parts without prevent the easy removal and replacement of a set of plates. According to another particular aspect, the filter press comprises a warehouse, preferably mobile, capable of receiving at least one of the said groups more than filter plates, extracted from said array of filter plate groups, and to accommodate at least one set of spare filter plates to be replaced at said group of filter plates extracted from the array of groups of filter plates tranti. Preferably, the warehouse is positioned at one longitudinal end PROVVISIONATO & CO end of the support structure. The warehouse can be reached from a mobile group equipped for the storage and / or collection of at least one group of filter plates. This configuration makes it particularly easy, co- fashion and quick replacement of damaged filter plates and / or filter cloths jate. According to a further advantageous aspect, each filter plate each group of filter plates is equipped with a control nozzle for the on-demand extraction of samples of filtered liquid from the filter plate. A vision system is set up to detect abnormal colorations of the liquid samples and locate the position of one or more filter plates defective or damaged. The control nozzle provides an economical system co, fast and reliable to recognize the defects of the filter plates in in such a way as to manage maintenance and timely restoration of functions filtration performance of the filter press. According to a further advantageous aspect, the filter plates are of standard type, for example with nominal dimensions of 2000 x 2000 mm for side. These plates are easily available on the market, unlike the known monolithic plates of large dimensions or having special confor- mations. The standard dimensions of the filter plates that can be used with the fil- The described presses allow you to transport packs of plates using normal containers instead of special transport vehicles. Of course, the principle of the invention is not limited to the super- vertical position of two filter plates, but can be further elaborated borated and extended to the vertical overlap of three or more plates. Brief description of the drawings PROVVISIONATO & CO Further features and benefits will be detailed in the description. cut that follows a preferred form of embodiment, with reference to the di- attached sign, given as a non-limiting example, in which the only figure 1 is a perspective view of an example of a filter press incorporating charac- features of the present invention, in a washing and / or so- replacement of filter plates. Detailed description For the purposes of this description, all of the following are considered incorporated herein: the characteristics of the filter press described in WO 2023 / 139430 A1 of the same applicant. Referring now to figure 1, an example of fil- press 10 incorporating one or more features of the present invention. The filter press 10 comprises a support structure 12 which has at least a pair of side members 14 supported by uprights 16. The side members 14 have a linear development along a longitudinal direction XX. The structure support 12 supports an array 13 of pairs of lower filter plates 17 and upper filter plates 18, superimposed on each other. More precisely, each lower filter plate 17 is coupled to a corresponding upper plate 18 through coupling members mutual ment which can be, as in the non-limiting example of the figure 1, two side connecting bars 15, fixed to the sides of both lower plates 17 and upper 18. The lower plates 17 and upper 18 are- not rigidly connected to each other in use, but can be separated, for example example manually or, preferably, by setting up an automatic system disconnection and subsequent reconnection. In this regard, the two PROVVISIONATO & CO plates can be connected to each other through a hooking system automatic, such as slide, bayonet, or interlock type, with or without the use of snap-action, spring-action, screw-action, cam-action latches or engaging devices but or other systems generally known in the field of dissolvable connections with the aid of automatic or semi-automatic tools. The ability to connect and disconnect filter plates 17, 18 It is particularly advantageous because in the event of a single plate breaking stra or of just one of their filter cloths, which for example measure 2000x2000 mm per side, much more economical maintenance can be carried out optimized compared to the large filter presses known that use large monolithic filter plates, for example having dimensions of 3700x3700 mm or even 5000x5000 mm per side. Each filter plate 17 or 18 has a generally flat structure quadrangular in shape with two opposite faces 19 on which two are laid out flaps, joined or separated, of a filter cloth. From each filter plate 17, 18 extend support members 20, for example a pair of support rods 22 fixed to the two sides of the upper filter plate 18. The pairs of plates filters 17, 18 are mounted on the support structure 12 with the faces 19 orthogonal to the main longitudinal direction. The pairs of plates filter strips 17, 18 are mounted movably along the longitudinal direction X- X via handling trolleys (not visible in the figure) so as to to be able to be detached and distanced from each other in a configuration open filter press 10. This is a configuration in which the sludge di- dehydrated can be discharged and the filter press can be cleaned. sa 10. Being mounted movably on the support structure 12, the pairs of PROVVISIONATO & CO filter plates 17, 18 can be placed next to each other and be tightened in a pack, so that between each plate, lower 17 and upper re 18, of pairs of adjacent plates a re- is formed in a known manner respective filtration chamber delimited by the filter cloths of the filter plates beams placed side by side along the longitudinal direction XX. The support structure 12 is modular. Multiple units can be assembled. support structures 12 in the longitudinal direction XX to obtain black filter presses of various lengths, with a number of filter plates also very high. In any case, even in the case of a single support structure 12, the combination of the two filter plates 17, 18 in each pair con- feels like doubling the productivity of the 10 filter press compared to the filter- press notes. The illustrated configuration is particularly advantageous because filter plates 17, 18 are standardized in the industry filter presses, for example 2000 mm side plates, which significantly reduces mind the costs of setting up, managing and maintaining the filter press, especially when it is necessary to replace the filter plates. Furthermore, the possibility to have separable filter plates which are rigidly fixed when necessary coupled to make the pairs of filter plates 17, 18, offers the advantage the ability to package and transport to the destination, on the installation site, a package of plates in a standard container, unlike what happens with large monolithic filter plates, which require special packaging and transport and therefore high costs. With the operational coupling solution of two (or, in some so- solutions not illustrated, more than two) filter plates, a configuration is obtained highly modular and flexible filter press solution, at a relatively low cost. PROVVISIONATO & CO mind plant contents and subsequent operation of the filter press. Taking as an example the support structure 12 of figure 1 which It supports sixty pairs of filter plates 17, 18, it is possible to join them in line four of the same type to obtain a filter press with 240 pairs of plates filter presses, with higher productivity than any other filter press available currently on the market. Other features will be described below. which allow you to scale up the size and filtering capacity of the filter press by combining several modular support structures lari. A mobile equipment group is arranged on the support structure 12. zato 24, for example a robotic group, generally known from the previous tooth patent application WO 2023 / 139430 A1 of the Applicant and illu- layer schematically with dash and dot line in figure 1. This group mobile is equipped with a grip system that allows you to attach it to co- I send the pairs of filter plates 17, 18 to extract them upwards, as illustrated layer in figure 1. The equipped mobile group therefore allows the extraction automatically a pair of filter plates 17, 18 from the plate array filters 13 mounted on the filter press 10. This is particularly advantageous joyful in case it is necessary to replace one or both filter plates 17, 18 of the pair of filter plates, for example because it is defective and for which it is necessary to replace the filter cloth. The pair of filter plates 17, 18 com- taking the plate(s) or canvas(s) to be replaced is hooked by a di- gripping device mounted on the equipped mobile group and is lifted by a lifting member whose vertical stroke is designed to lift the lower edge of the lower filter plate 17 above the upper edge PROVVISIONATO & CO upper of the other upper filter plates 18 mounted on the filter press 10. With the pair of filter plates 17, 18 thus raised, the mobile group at- The vehicle can be commanded to move to a storage area, in particular cast a warehouse 40, preferably mobile, installed or positioned at the end of the filter press 10, where the pair of filter plates 17, 18 from replace can be deposited. With reverse operation, the mobile group at- trezzato can take a pair of filter plates or cloths from warehouse 40 replacement which is transported lifted into the free position in the row 13 pairs of filter plates, to then be lowered and locked in the po- desired position. The plates or filter cloths to be replaced with the defective ones extracted from the filter press 10 are stored in a warehouse 40, preferably a mobile warehouse, provided at one end 42 of the filter press 10, from side opposite to the one against which the pairs of plates are placed filters 17, 18 in the filtering configuration, where a head is provided fixed. The warehouse 40 preferably comprises a mobile frame 44, for example mounted on wheels. As the pairs of filter plates spare parts are taken out of warehouse 40 to be used in the filter press, warehouse 40 is filled with pairs of filter plates or cloths defective filters removed from the filter press. When was the last one used? pair of replacement filter plates or filter cloths, the mobile frame 44 can be removed from the filter press and replaced with a new one movable frame carrying additional pairs of filter plates or filter cloths change. The equipped mobile group can reach and overlook the warehouse PROVVISIONATO & CO no 40 pairs of filter plates or filter cloths, so that you can position them a defective pair of filter plates or filter cloths, or remove a pair of replacement filter plates or filter cloths. For this purpose, preferably the 14 side members extend in a cantilevered manner so as to also extend the tracks or linear guides 29 on which the carriages for moving the pairs of plates. The defective pair of filter plates or filter cloths 17, 18 taken from the filter plate array 13 of the filter press it can then be tra- easily transported and stored in warehouse 40 by the mobile group at- trezzato, which can subsequently be hooked up in the same warehouse 40 a pair of spare filter plates or filter cloths 17, 18 to be transported to replace the defective one in the row of 13 pairs of plates filter press filter strips 10. A device can also be mounted on the equipped mobile unit. filter plate washing system, for example of the type described in WO 2023 / 139430 A1 of the same Applicant. The washing device comprises a series of washing nozzles mounted on a washing tool vertically movable so as to penetrate the spaces between a pair of plates filtering strips and the other when the filter press is in the discharge configuration and washing. Along the sides of the filter press 10 there are longitudinal pipes 60 of washing, through which the pack of couples can be washed simultaneously of filter plates, especially in the case where it is completely open, or even in the case of opening in groups of plates, preferably in two groups. The washing pipes 60 therefore perform a ra- PROVVISIONATO & CO fast and simultaneous of both filter plates of the pairs of plates mon- tate on the filter press 10. This solution allows you to wash all the individual filter plates, both upper and lower, in a few seconds, ensuring a perfect closure of the plate pack at each cycle even when they are unloaded extremely friable dewatered sludges, such as mining sludges, which tend to to dirty the grooves between one filter plate and another. The washing pipes 60 are advantageously installed outside under the mechanical movement organs of the filter press, and in par- particular below the equipped mobile group 24 and the movement trolleys 120 filter plates 18, increasing reliability over time of the filter press because in this way the washing water, often aggressive go, it does not affect the moving parts. The sludge to be dehydrated is fed into a central area of ​​the pla- filtering strips 18, according to a known technique, through a supply duct station 62 which branches out so as to communicate on both sides with the back- ra 13 of filter plates 17, 18 placed side by side in a pack. The duct of power supply therefore communicates with both plates, upper 18 and lower 17, of the first pair of plates, which with both plates of the last pair of filter plates of the filter plate pack in the confi- filtering configuration. In this configuration, the pairs of filter plates are are tightened to each other by means of tie rods 66 connected to respective martin- hydraulic nets 68, so as to withstand the high pressures that occur they are inside the filtration chambers between one filter plate and another when the sludge to be dewatered is fed. The tie rods 66 extend lo- legally along the XX direction and are preferably in number of PROVVISIONATO & CO six, three on each side of the filter press 10. The ends of the tie rods 66 op- placed on the jacks 68 can be blocked by latches 70 mounted on the the mobile head 72 which closes the pack of pairs of filter plates 17, 18 in the filtering configuration of the filter press. Corresponding nozzles are provided in the filter plates 17, 18. control with a valve, by opening which it is possible to let out a small amount of water quantity of filtrate, that is, the liquid fraction extracted from the mud which, through by pouring the filter cloth, it is disposed of through the channels that form at the four corners of the filter plates when they join in long alignment gitudinale openings which are made for this purpose on the filter plates. From the color of the liquid coming out of the control nozzle it is possible to verify whether the corresponding lower 17 or upper 18 filter plate is working do efficiently, or if on the contrary I am unable to perform correctly or the filtering action is completely lost, for example due to the breaking of the canvas filtering. Where the liquid is darker, it is possible to assume that the pi- filter plate or cloth is damaged. Replacing a filter plate or cloth damaged trante can be done quickly and cheaply through the lifting organ of the equipped mobile group. The control of the liquid coming out of the control nozzles can be carried out visually by an employee, or a solution may be foreseen automated action using for example a video camera set up via software for the recognition of the color of the filtrate and the position of the plate. Preferably, the camera is activated only when it is re- an excessive presence of solid particles was detected in the liquid extracted from the sludge. For this purpose, a suspended solids sensor can be set up PROVVISIONATO & CO installed in the general filtered exhaust manifold. When not in use, the camera lens is automatically closed to protect it from dust. The camera software can perform a zone scan no, recognizing the specific control nozzle from which liquid comes out cloudy, therefore darker in color, thus identifying the specific plate or damaged filter cloth to be replaced. Before starting a sludge filtration cycle, the filter press is in the open configuration shown in figure 1. To start the cycle, the te- mobile state 72 is pushed against the pairs of filter plates 17, 18, to for example, through the equipped mobile group, so as to gradually bring them closer together one next to the other until they are placed side by side as a package. When the filter plates 18 are packed, the keys are closed. stelli 70 and tie rods 66 are put into force with the activation of the jacks hydraulics 68. At this point the filter press is in the closed configuration of filtering, and is ready to be fed with the sludge to be dehydrated in known way. The mud is fed by pumping it at high pressure inside the filtration chambers that are formed between a plate filter 17, 18 and the adjacent ones, so that the solid phase is retained in the filtration chambers while the liquid phase, which passes through the filter cloths, is extracted from the filter press 10 through drainage channels obtained in filter plates 17, 18. When the desired degree of dehydration has been reached, calculated based on the specific characteristics of the mud, the size of the filter press, and other technical parameters as known to industry experts, the filter press is brought into the open discharge and washing configuration PROVVISIONATO & CO illustrated in figure 1. It can be operated by dragging the movable head 72 by means of the equipped mobile group which also drags all the pairs of filter plates tranti 17, 18 thanks to the concatenation of all the handling trolleys on which the pairs of filter plates are mounted, sliding on linear guides- re 19. If necessary, especially when the filter press 10 includes a high number of pairs of filter plates 17, 18 installed in a re- duct that does not allow the simultaneous opening of all pairs of plates filtering, the mud cake discharge phase can be split into two or more groups of pairs of filter plates, which can be separated from each other from the others by hooking up the first handling trolley of each individual group of pairs of filter plates 17, 18 with a hooking system of which has the equipped mobile group. To facilitate the detachment of the dis- hydrated by the filter plates 17, 18, these can be shaken and made oscillate by activating known shaking devices, which can cause preferably also a counterphase oscillation of the plate pairs adjacent filters, so as to determine the rapid detachment of the disinfested sludge hydrated by the faces of the filter plates. Next, the filter plates 17, 18 are washed through water fed through the longitudinal pipes 60, typically even if not limited to a pressure of, or approximately, 5 bar. For this purpose the tu- 60 bazioni are equipped with nozzles that are located between a filter plate and the other when the plate pack is open. Using a pump (not shown) water is fed into the pipes 60 which are connected externally, on the la- of the filter press in which the hydraulic jacks 68 are mounted, by means of a PROVVISIONATO & CO common connection manifold. This type of flushing is very quick for- which allows you to wash in a few seconds, for example about 30 seconds, the whole pack of filter plates 17, 18, both upper and lower. This type of la- travel as described above can be done advantageously when the opening of the plate pack occurs in a single step and the cop- stacks of filter plates are all spaced apart from each other, or even that when the discharge is divided into two groups of pairs of filter plates tranti. Cyclically, usually every 70-100 cycles, filter plates 17, 18 can be washed one by one at high pressure, typically but not exclusively at, or approximately at 50 bar. thanks to the washing tool mounted on the equipped mobile group, which is moved step by step in the direction longitudinal XX in such a way as to first lower and then raise the rods washing in each of the spaces between the filter plates 17, 18, feeding water coming out of the washing nozzles to clean the filter cloth placed on the faces 19 of the filter plates 17, 18. When the plate pack is opened, it is possible to replace a filter plate. damaged filter plate or cloth. To this end, the pair of filter plates / cloths 17, 18 to be replaced is hooked by the gripping device mounted on the Equipped mobile unit. The lifting device of the equipped mobile unit then proceeds to lift the pair of plates containing the filter plate or damaged canvas 17, 18. The lifting device 36 lifts the pair of plates filters 17, 18 to be replaced until the lower edge of the plate is in- lower 17 above the carriages for handling the pairs of plates. At this point the pair of filter plates 17, 18 to be replaced is hung PROVVISIONATO & CO the lifting device can be transported by the equipped mobile group at the end of the filter press 10 where the magazine 40 is located. The pair of filter plates 17, 18 to be replaced is lowered into a free space of warehouse 40. To support the filter plates, in warehouse 40 I can- no special spaces should be provided in which the transverse appendages 134 of the pairs of filter plates can be housed in completely separate housings similar to those provided on the filter press handling trolleys 10. In alternatively, more simply, warehouse 40 can be equipped with bars longitudinal support for the transverse appendages 134 of the pairs of filter plates 18. After having placed the pair of plates / filter cloths in warehouse 40 to be replaced, the gripping device of the equipped mobile group is released to release the pair of filter plates / cloths. The mobile group at- trezzato is then moved in correspondence with a pair of plates / canvases spare filters present in warehouse 40. The pair of plates / filter cloths reserve tranti is hooked by the gripping device, lifted by the orga- no lift and transported by the equipped mobile group along the direction longitudinal XX until reaching the position from which it was taken the pair of filter plates / cloths to be replaced. In this position, the organ sol- lifter lowers the spare pair of filter plates 17, 18 so as to in- insert the transverse appendages 134 into the housings of the movement trolleys ment left free from the pair of filter plates to be replaced which was been previously taken. When the transverse appendages 134 are app- rest and support the pair of spare filter plates 17, 18, the device The mobile group's gripping device can be released and lifted PROVVISIONATO & CO so as not to interfere with the operations of the filter press 10. Positioning of the pairs of filter plates / cloths to be replaced in warehouse 40 and the removal from it of the pairs of filter plates / cloths stock can be done manually, directed by an operator who moves the mobile group equipped up to the point of deposit or collection of the pair of filter plates, or it can be automated using known techniques that employ position sensors, vision devices, or other means of positioning automatic operation of the equipped mobile group in the operating position it must be desired. The preparation of the equipped mobile group, and in particular of the trolley that can run longitudinally along the entire upper part of the- the filter press is a practical, economical and effective solution for carry out ordinary and extraordinary operations of the filter press. The group equipped cabinet in fact can move the filter press head to open or close the pack of filter plates. It can be done, using the device washing system mounted on board the trolley, for cleaning the filter cloths on the faces of the filter plates, when the filter press has completed a cycle of filtration and is in the open configuration. It can also provide, using the gripping device, to move a longitudinal direction single pair of filter plates, causing the opening or closing of a limited group of pairs of adjacent plates. Through the lifting device connected to the socket device, it is possible to perform the extraordinary operation maintenance area and replace a defective pair of filter plates / cloths or damaged with a spare pair of filter plates / cloths. Naturally, without prejudice to the principle of the invention, the forms of at- PROVVISIONATO & CO The situation and the construction details may vary widely. with respect to what is described and illustrated, without thereby departing from the scope of the present invention. PROVVISIONATO & CO

Claims

1. Improved filter press comprising: - a support structure (12) extending in a longitudinal direction (XX), - an array (13) of groups of filter plates (17, 18) provided with filter cloths, the filter plates of each group of filter plates being connected to each other in a substantially planar configuration, the groups of filter plates being movably mounted on the support structure (12) in the longitudinal direction (XX) to switch from an open configuration, in which some or all of the groups of filter plates (17, 18) are spaced apart from each other, to a closed configuration, in which the groups of filter plates (17, 18) are all packed together, and vice versa.

2. Improved filter press according to claim 1, wherein each group of filter plates is composed of two filter plates (17, 18).

3. Improved filter press according to claim 1 or claim 2, wherein the filter plates (17, 18) of each group are superimposed in vertical alignment with respect to each other.

4. Improved filter press according to any of the preceding claims, wherein the filter plates (17, 18) of each group of filter plates are rigidly connected to each other in a selectively separable manner.

5. Improved filter press according to any of the preceding claims PROVVISIONATO & CO - 26 PI2922, wherein an equipped mobile group (24) is movably mounted in the longitudinal direction (XX) on the support structure (12) of the filter press, the equipped mobile group (24) comprising at least one lifting device for selectively lifting one of said groups of filter plates (17, 18) and extracting it from the array (13) of groups of filter plates.

6. Improved filter press according to any of the preceding claims, wherein the groups of filter plates (17, 18) comprise respective support members (20, 22) separable in the vertical direction from movement members of the groups of filter plates, movable in the longitudinal direction (XX).

7. Improved filter press according to any of the preceding claims, comprising a magazine (40), preferably mobile, suitable for receiving at least one of said groups of filter plates (17, 18), extracted from said array (13) of groups of filter plates, and for housing at least one group of spare filter plates (17, 18) to replace said group of filter plates (17, 18) extracted from the array (13) of groups of filter plates.

8. Improved filter press according to claim 7, wherein the magazine (40) is positioned at a longitudinal end of the support structure (12), the magazine being reachable by a mobile group equipped (24) for the storage and / or removal of at least one group of filter plates (17, 18).

9. Improved filter press according to any of the preceding claims, wherein each filter plate (17, 18) of each group of filter plates is provided with a control nozzle for the on-demand extraction of samples of filtered liquid from said each filter plate (17, 18), a vision system being arranged to detect anomalous colorations of the liquid samples and to identify the position of one or more of said each filter plate which is defective or damaged.

10. Improved filter press according to any of the preceding claims, wherein the filter plates are of a standard type, for example with nominal dimensions of 2000 x 2000 mm per side.