Vertical Filter Press Grid-Vat Topography for Smoother Filtrate Flow
Find Innovative SolutionsGenerate Solutions
Solution Overview
Problem
In vertical filter presses, non-uniform filtrate flow leads to turbulent vortices and reduced flow rates, and the grid is prone to misalignment due to insufficient securing, limiting the advancement speed of the filter medium and increasing the risk of damage.
Innovation Solution
A grid and vat assembly with topographical patterns on the grid and vat surfaces that guide filtrate flow and secure the grid in place, reducing turbulence and allowing faster advancement of the filter medium.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Productivity
If slurry is introduced into the filter chamber at one or more distinct points, then filtration can be performed, but non-uniform filtrate flow forms vortices and turbulent flow, decreasing the flow rate
Solution Approach 1:
The grid surface is equipped with locally distributed protrusions that create localized flow guidance zones. These protrusions are strategically positioned to redirect filtrate flow in different regions, transforming the uniform but turbulent flow into directed, laminar flow paths that reduce vortex formation and improve overall flow uniformity.
Solution Approach 2:
The protrusions on the grid surface have curved, rounded shapes rather than sharp edges. This curvature design helps to smoothly redirect filtrate flow, reducing flow separation and vortex formation. The rounded geometry promotes laminar flow transition and minimizes turbulent eddies, thereby improving flow uniformity and maintaining high flow rates.
2Reliability
If the grid is secured firmly to withstand filter medium weight and dragging forces, then grid stability is improved, but the filter medium advancement speed must be restricted to prevent damage
Solution Approach 1:
The protrusions are pre-positioned on the grid surface before filtration begins. These protrusions create preliminary flow guidance channels that direct filtrate flow away from the filter medium-g grid interface. This preliminary flow organization reduces the hydrodynamic forces acting on the grid during filtration, allowing the grid to remain stable even at higher filter medium advancement speeds without requiring excessive securing strength.
Solution Approach 2:
The protrusions act as intermediary elements between the filtrate flow and the grid structure. They mediate the interaction by redirecting flow patterns, reducing the direct force transmission from turbulent filtrate to the grid. This intermediary function allows the grid to maintain stability while permitting faster filter medium advancement, as the protrusions absorb and redistribute the hydraulic loads.
3Area of stationary object
If the grid is positioned close to the vat bottom to maximize filtrate collection area, then collection efficiency is improved, but turbulent flow and vortex formation increase, decreasing flow rate
Solution Approach 1:
The grid surface is segmented into multiple zones by the distributed protrusions. These protrusions divide the continuous filtrate flow into multiple smaller, directed flow streams. By segmenting the flow path, the system maintains a large effective collection area while preventing the formation of large-scale vortices. The segmented flow approach allows turbulent kinetic energy to be dissipated in smaller, controlled eddies rather than large destructive vortices, thereby maintaining high flow rates.
Solution Approach 2:
The protrusions introduce a vertical dimension element to the otherwise planar grid surface. By adding this third-dimensional feature, the system creates flow guidance in the vertical direction that complements the horizontal collection area. The protrusions redirect flow vertically and diagonally, breaking up horizontal vortex patterns and creating three-dimensional flow paths that maintain collection efficiency while reducing turbulent flow rates.
Data Source
Figure 1
Figure 2
Figure 3
AI summary
A grid (1) and a vat (4) for a vat assembly of a vertical filter press such as a tower press is disclosed. The grid (1) is provided with a topographical pattern (3) engaging with a corresponding, inverse topographical pattern (8) on the filtrate vat (4). The topographical patterns (3, 8) guide the filtrate flow towards a filtrate outlet (7) and reduces the formation of vortices and turbulent flow of the filtrate, hence increasing the filtrate flow rate through the vat. Simultaneous, the topographical patterns (3, 8) improve secure attachment of the grid (1) onto the vat (4), thereby allowing increased travel speed of the filter medium during advancement thereof. As a result, the cycle time of a filtration process may be reduced, and consequently, the overall capacity of the associated filter press is increased. A filtrate vat assembly and a vertical filter are also disclosed.