Selection of feed pumps for filter press

Sai Durga Prasad V.S., Sasikumar D., Sriram Subramanian, & Sangeetha
Subramanian
Introduction
Pump can be defined as a device used for transferring fluid or as feeders for unit
processes. When using pumps as feeders for equipments such as filters that
develop head loss, positive displacement pumps are a better choice compared to
centrifugal pumps. Fluid control equipments are leading manufacturers of
filtration systems for more than 3 decades and share their experience in pump
selection for filter presses in this article.
Filter press is a pressure filtration device that has found a niche place in various
industries. Commonly used applications include liquid solid phase separation in
chemical and pharma industries, powdered activated carbon filtration from sugar
syrup, ceramic industry, Surface treatment and phosphating industry, Water,
effluent and sewage sludge dewatering etc. Depending on the application some
customers require filtrate, while others require the separated cake as their end
product.
For customers who need the filtrate as their product, throughput filtrate flow rate
from the filter press is dependent on three basic factors
1. Filtration area provided
2. Feed pump flow rate and
3. Maximum Operating pressure possible by feed pump.
For those who need the dewatered cake as their end product, cake compression
is an important performance feature of filter press which will depend on the total
pressure head capacity of the feed pump.
Whatever be the size of the filter press, the throughput of filtrate obtained
depends on the feed pump. Batch frequency and operation and maintenance
constraints decide to choose the size of the filter press. This article focuses on
the selection of appropriate feed pumps for pressure filtration in filter press.
Typical filter press operation
Filters are batch operations by nature. They accumulate unwanted particles on
one side of the membrane, allowing remaining fluid to pass through. As this
process happens over a period of time, head loss (back pressure registered on
pressure gage) develops across the filter, resulting in decreasing flow rate. When
the flow rate falls below required or permissible range, the filter is shut down and
the accumulated solids are removed from the filter and the process is restarted.
The below graph shows typical filtrate flow rate versus head loss in a filter press.
The data was collected during filtration of anaerobic digested sludge.

Figure 1: Throughput and head loss progression over time in filter press
Typical head loss permitted for filter press is about 3.5 to 4.0 kg/ sq cm. Feed
pump should be capable of developing at least 1 kg/sq cm higher pressure than
the maximum permissible head loss. Only then, the filter press will be able to
function at optimal throughput rates.
Pump selection for filter press
Pump selection is based on a number of criteria and is critical to ensure optimal
functioning of the machine. For a given pressure of filtration, filtrate through put
rate will vary depending on sludge properties such as solids concentration,
viscosity, temperature as well as pump capacity and filtration area being
provided by the filtration equipment.
The factors to be considered while choosing a pump are
Flow rate
The pump flow rate selected has to take into consideration the filtrate
throughput rate required, bypass or return flow if any, and optimal filtration rate
for available filtration area. Table below lists typical thumb rules for selecting
pump flow rates for some industries.
S.No
.
1.
2.
3.
4.

Industry
Sugar syrup filtration

Pump capacity. (x
expected flowrate)
1.25 to 1.5 x

Activated carbon
filtration
ETP/ STP

1.25 to 1.5 x

Online filtration in
electroplating and

2.0 to 2.5 x

2.0 to 2.5 x

5.

phosphating
Textiles and dyestuf

2.0 to 2.5 x

6.

Pulp and paper industries

2.0 to 2.5 x

7.

Oil, resins, plasticisers

2.5 to 3.0 x

8.

Biotech and pharma

2.0 to 2.5 x

Machinery filters (CNC

cutting machines, EDM
etc)
10. Other industries

1.5 to 2.0 x

9.

1.25 to 3.0 x

It should be noted that the hydraulic flux rate through the filter should not be
exceeded. Pump flow rate should be selected proportional to the Filtration area
also. If filtration rate has to increase, size of the filter press will also increase
after a given range. Flux rates for filtration using filter press range between 150
lph/ m2 to 600 lph/ m2 depending on sludge viscosity, solids percentage,
temperature of filtration, filter medium being used, level of clarity required and
pumping rates. For better estimation of filtration and pumping rates for a
particular slurry, pilot trials can be conducted.

Selecting type of pump and MOC

The most commonly encountered pump in the market is the centrifugal pump.
However, these are not the best suited pumps for coupling with the filter press.
The impeller of a centrifugal pump rotates to move liquid through the pump. The
impellers velocity imparts energy on the fluid. The resulting rise in pressure, or
head, is proportional to the velocity of the liquid. In contrast, a positive
displacement pump moves a set volume of liquid. The delivered capacity is
nearly constant throughout the discharge pressure range. Positive displacement
pumps are capable of pumping at the same rate against any obstruction or raise
in pressure in the system.
For selecting a feed pump for filter press, it is preferred to use a positive
displacement pump; it can be classified into two types,
i.
ii.

Rotary type pumps such as Screw Pumps, Gear Pumps, Vane Pumps and
Reciprocating type such as Air Operated Diaphragm Pump and Piston
Pumps

Figure 2: Filter press coupled with screw pump; mounted on trolley for multiple
location usage

Figure 3: Filter press coupled with Air Operated Double Diaphragm pump

Figure 4: Filter press coupled with centrifugal hygienic pump.

Depending on the type of industry, the pump is selected. Table below lists
common applications and the type of pump chosen.
S.No.
Industry/
Process parameters
Type of pump
application
taken into
consideration
1.
Oil and resins
Highly viscous high
Helical Gear pumps
temperature
2.
Sugar syrup
Low viscosity high
Centrifugal hygienic
temperature- low solids
pumps
content
3.
STP/ ETP
Low viscosity ambient
Screw pumps/ multi
temperature good
stage centrifugal pump
solids compacting
required
4.
Electroplating
High temperature, easily AODD pump
and phosphating precipitated, settling
slurry - high solids
content
5.
Textile and
High temperature, easily AODD pump/ centrifugal

dyestuf
6.

Pulp and Paper

7.

Biotech and
pharma

8.

Machinery filters

precipitated, settling
slurry
Ambient temperature,
high volume
Temperature, presence
of solvents, clean room
operation
Ambient temperature

slurry pump
Centrifugal slurry pump/
AODD pump
Sanitary pump/ AODD
pump
Screw pump/ multi stage
centrifugal pump

Centrifugal pumps are generally not coupled with filter presses due to the head
loss generated across the equipment. If the pump has to be selected such that a
reasonable flow is obtained till cake compression is achieved, the pump will be
very oversized in terms of power and initial throughput rate. So, in order to avoid
this, only P.D. pumps are suggested to be coupled with filter press.
In certain extreme or critical pH/ temperature applications like hot dip zinc
galvanizing, where acid baths are set up, it is easier to adopt existing pumping
practices instead of trying to introduce a new pump along with the filter press. If
centrifugal pump chosen is oversized in such situations, it is suggested to allow a
bigger bypass line, as compared to the inlet line. Using single inlet and multiple
outlet configurations along with suitable bypass will help to regulate flow without
damage to the filter media.
Conclusion
When using pumps as feeders for equipments that develop head loss, positive
displacement pumps can serve as efective solutions. Proper precautions in the
form of pressure relief valve/ pressure switches should be incorporated into the
line in order to prevent extreme build-up of pressure in the process line. 90% of
filter press operational difficulties arise only due to feed pump failure. Filter
presses can be operated to their maximum potential only when coupled with
suitable feed pump. A suitable trade of between power consumed, type of
pump, capital investment has to be made and pump selected accordingly.
References
1. Characteristics of Screw pumps R.K.Annis Ohio state engineer
2. Consider positive displacement pumps McCandless and Richard
Meighann, Chemical processing, July 2012.

Contact
Ms. Sangeetha Subramanian
Head - technology
Fluid control equipments
A-5, nathans complex,

69, ECR, Thiruvanmiyur,

Chennai 600041. INDIA
Tel: +91 44 2448 1130
E-mail: sangeetha@flu-con.com