Vertical Leaf Filter Plate Segmentation for Compact Filtration
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing pressure filters with vertical plates face challenges in maintaining continuous filtrate extraction and compactness due to the need for sufficient space between plates to prevent blockages during deconstruction, limiting the number of plates that can be accommodated in a given tank diameter.
Innovation Solution
The filter design includes plates connected to separate external collectors, allowing for alternating deconstruction of non-adjacent plates, reducing fabric swelling, and using a double star configuration with single and double plates to optimize space and facilitate continuous filtrate extraction, while connecting single and double plates to reduce the number of external collector connections.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If sufficient space is provided between plates to prevent blockages during deconstruction, then the filter can operate reliably, but the number of plates that can be accommodated in a given tank diameter is limited
Solution Approach 1:
The filter plates are divided into two independent groups (odd and even numbered plates) that can be deconstructed separately. This segmentation allows one group to be deconstructed while the other remains in filtration mode, enabling continuous operation and allowing plates to be positioned closer together without risk of blockage from simultaneous cake collapse.
Solution Approach 2:
The deconstruction process alternates between odd and even numbered plates in periodic cycles. During each cycle, one group of plates undergoes deconstruction while the other group maintains filtration, creating a periodic alternation that ensures continuous filtrate extraction and prevents blockages.
2Productivity
If blowing is applied simultaneously to all plates, then deconstruction is efficient, but filtrate extraction must be temporarily stopped which disrupts continuity
Solution Approach 1:
The plate population is segmented into two independently controllable groups (odd and even plates) with separate vacuum sources. This allows selective deconstruction of one group while the other group continues filtration, maintaining continuous filtrate extraction without requiring complete shutdown.
Solution Approach 2:
The system dynamically switches between filtration and deconstruction modes for different plate groups. The vacuum sources can be independently activated and deactivated, allowing the system to adapt its operation mode (filtration or deconstruction) for each plate group based on process requirements.
3Productivity
If plates are arranged in a compact configuration to increase plate density, then space utilization improves, but cakes may block each other during deconstruction
Solution Approach 1:
By segmenting plates into alternating odd and even groups that are deconstructed at different times, the system allows compact plate spacing while preventing cake blockage. When one group is deconstructed, the other group's cakes remain intact and do not interfere, enabling higher plate density without the harmful blocking effect.
Solution Approach 2:
The system performs preliminary separation of deconstruction timing for adjacent plates. Before deconstruction begins, the system selects which group (odd or even) will be deconstructed first, ensuring that cakes on adjacent plates are not in a vulnerable state simultaneously, thus preventing blockage even in compact configurations.
Applied Scientific Principles
This section explains which scientific principles are used to turn an abstract innovation direction into a practical engineering solution.
Function Achieved in This Case
This design enables a more compact filter with continuous filtrate extraction, increased plate density, and reduced risk of blockages, allowing for a higher number of plates and improved filtration capacity without flattening deconstructed cakes.
Implementation Method 1
these trays allow, by their construction, to have a low swelling of the fabric during the disassembly and therefore a limited movement of the cake
Implementation Method 2
the plates, via their tubing, are successively placed under vacuum to filter the suspension (filtration phase)
Implementation Method 3
the plates, via their tubing, are successively placed under vacuum to filter the suspension
Implementation Method 4
then under overpressure to detach the 'cake', i.e. the solid fraction of the suspension which has accumulated on the fabric during filtration
Data Source
Figure 1
Figure 2
Figure 3
AI summary
The filter (1) with vertical plates (2), according to the invention, comprises plates (2) each comprising a tube (200) connected to an external manifold (5, 50, 51, 52), said filter (1) being characterised in that it comprises at least two external manifolds (5, 50, 51, 52), in that, for all the plates (2), two adjacent plates (2) are connected to two different external manifolds (5, 50, 51, 52) and in that each plate (2) comprises at least one filtering element (22), each filtering element (22) being constituted by at least two drains (220) and a cloth (221), the cloth (221) having compartments (222) into each of which a drain (220) is inserted. By not opening two adjacent plates (2) at the same time, only one of the two cakes (6) facing each other is detached, instead of the two. The construction of these plates (2) allows a slight swelling of the cloth (221) during plate opening and therefore limited movement of the cake (6). This allows the space provided between the plates (2) to be reduced without a risk of clogging that will prevent the filter (1) from functioning when the cakes (6) fall and without a risk of the removed cakes (6) being pressed against the plates (2) that are filtering. This makes it possible to increase the number of plates (2) in the filter (1).