1.

How do I know when the filter press is full?

The diaphragm pump will get to 30 second to one minute intervals between thrusts,
indicating that pressure has increased due to solids building up inside the press
cavities. This is your signal that the press is full.
2.

What is involved in routine filter press maintenance?

Cloth cleaning, dumping, check hoses and connections.

3. How often should I change the hydraulic filter?
Whenever you change your oil, you should change your filter.
4.

When do the cloths need to be cleaned or replaced?

The filter cake will begin to become wet, slimy and not as dry. This is your indicator
that the cloths need to be cleaned. (See number 5 for cleaning info). If you have
already cleaned your cloths and your process has not changed but you are still
getting slimy filter cake, it may be time to replace your cloths. Cloth life varies from
installation to installation and depends on such variables as frequency of cycles,
proper cleaning and maintenance and the type of sludge that is generated.
Generally speaking for most installations cloths can last up to 6 months at the most.
5.

Will I need to replace the plates?

Plates generally last years unless they become cracked, broken or warped. It is
good practice to examine the plates during press cleaning and dumping.
6.

Can I expand my press for larger loading capacity?

Expansion depends on a couple of factors. First, if your press is already

expandable, meaning youre your press has a distance piece for expansion to a
larger capacity, all you need to do is unbolt the distance piece and add additional
plates in the 1-3 button sequence taking care that you add plates in even numbers.
However, if you have a Met-Chem press or your press has notched and bolted
sidebars, then it can also be expanded by removing the sidebars and replacing them
with longer sidebars and installing additional plates. Please note that when adding
plates, you must be sure to add them in the 1-3 button sequence in order to provide
proper drainage.
7.

Can I add more plates to my current press?

You may be able to add a couple of plates without expanding your sidebars if your
press is not already expandable but care must be taken to ensure that you have
adequate cleaning room when dumping the press and cleaning the cloths.
8.

How long is the cycle time?

Cycle time is dependent on solids loading and can take anywhere from 2-4 hours on
average. (Closer to four hours for typical metal hydroxide waste.)
9.

What can I do to ensure the driest possible filter cake?

Be sure cloths are cleaned as needed and the air blow-down system is run for a full
cycle. You may also wish to add a sludge dryer to your system. A dryer accepts
filter press cake and dries it further to provide up to a 4:1 sludge reduction. (for more
information on sludge dryers click the following
link: www.metchem.com/sludge_dryer.htm
10. Why are there solids in my filtrate?
There are several possible causes. You might not have the proper cloths for you
application or if you have been using the same cloths for an extended amount of
time, you may have holes in the filter cloths. The gasketed cloth may have slipped
out of the grooves. Or, perhaps, the cloth on the head plate may not be properly
secured.
11. How do I adjust the hydraulic closing pressure on my filter press?
It depends on the age and model of your hydraulic system. Contact a Met-Chem
professional to discuss.
12. Is it ok to feed my press at 125 psi?
NO!!!! If you have a 100 psi press, it is designed for 100 psi only. Overpressurization could cause leakage or catastrophic damage to filter plates and the
hydraulic system. Higher pressure skeletons are available if needed.
13. How do I precoat my filter press?
Precoat and bodyfeed are two related applications. Both of these special
applications use diatomaceous earth (commonly known as D.E.), cellulose, perlite or
fly ash, as a filtering aid when the solids in a slurry are extremely fine and freefiltering. The filter aid helps to trap the fine solids that otherwise might flow through
the filter cloths. The processes of precoat and bodyfeed increase the clarity of the
filtrate, provide for higher flow rates, more consistent runs, shorter cycles, dryer
cakes, better cake release, and also help to protect and increase the life of the filter
cloths.
The precoat process is performed before the slurry is pumped into the press. A
precoat system consists of a tank, mixer and pump. The filter aid is mixed with water
in the precoat tank. It is then pumped into the press where it coats the filter cloths.
The filter aid rather than the filter cloths becomes your initial filter media.
During a body feed the filter aid mixes with the slurry in the holding tank prior to
being fed into the filter press. The filter aid becomes part of the slurry thereby
providing a better filter cake.

14. Why are my filter press plates leaking during the feed process?
If you have not made any recent changes to the plate stack (which is the number
one reason this might occur), there are several possibilities.
You could have a build-up of solids on the sealing surfaces which will then need to
be cleaned.
Check to see if the hydraulic pressure is set to the recommended specifications. If
not, make the appropriate adjustment.
Another possibility is that there could be a wrinkle or hole in the filter cloth or the
gaskets may be loose.
If you continue to have problems, contact your Met-Chem representative.
15. When should I replace my gaskets?
Its a good idea to change your gaskets whenever you change your filter cloths.
Also, if you are getting excessive leakage out of the press while maintaining correct
hydraulic closure pressure, this may be a sign that it is time to change your gaskets.
Gasket life will depend on many factors, such as length of filtration cycle,
temperature, and excessive closing force. Gasket replacement should take place if
the gasket appears to be delaminating or shredding. Also, if excessive temperatures
exist and cycles are very long, the standard gasketing material may go into
additional cure, causing it to harden slightly. If you continue to have a problem,
contact your Met-Chem representative for an alternative.
16. How do I change my gaskets?
1.

Insert the gasket starting at the bottom center of the filter plate using a wood
or plastic mallet. Push the gasket into the groove around the outer edge of the
plate until it mates at the center of the plate. Many installers will incorrectly
stretch the gasket material. This reduces the cross section, making it easier to
insert. However, by stretching the gasket material for easier installation, it has
a tendency to creep and open the butted joint of the gasket, causing a leak.

2.

Cut the gasket approximately 1/2" (12mm) to 1" (25mm) longer than required,
cutting the end squarely.

3.

Apply one or two drops of Eastman 910 (or

equivalent "super glue") to one end of the
gasket and quickly join it to the other end. Hold
it under hand pressure for approximately 30
seconds. Then crowd the excess gasket into
the groove to ensure fullness of gasket
material. Install the discharge eye gaskets in the
same manner.

17. How do I change the center feed assembly?

If the press is leaking (around the locknut on the 470mm size or from the bottom leg
drain holes on 630mm and larger size presses) during the start-up of the feed
process, the problem is usually leakage past the center feed quad ring seal. The
quad ring may not seal for several reasons.
First check for the cause:Did the locknut on the outside of the press head loosen
during shipment? If so, tighten the locknut using a spanner wrench, pliers, or pipe
wrench.
18. How often should I change the oil in my hydraulic system?
Under normal conditions, you should usually change your hydraulic oil once a year,
or every 2,000 operating hours. Under severe conditions, the oil will need to be
changed more frequently. The following chart is a guideline for maintenance of your
hydraulic power unit:

Item

Frequency

Procedure

Clamp Pressure

Daily

Check for correct clamp pressure.

Relief Valve

Quarterly

Check for proper setting.

Oil Level

Weekly

Check for proper level.

Oil Filter

Monthly

Inspect and/or clean.

Oil Filter

Yearly

Replace.

Hydraulic Oil

Yearly

Replace.

FILTER CLOTH REPLACEMENT

There are three (3) different kinds of cloths on a filter press: the head cloth, which is
for the first plate and is a single cloth with a hole in the center; the tail cloth, which is
for the last plate and is also a single cloth but with NO HOLE in the center; and the
intermediate cloths, which are all the cloths on the plates between the head and
the tail. These cloths are double cloths, with one cloth on each side of each plate,
and the hole in the center of each side is connected by a short cloth tube.
HEAD CLOTH REPLACEMENT
1. All of the plates can be removed from the filter press with the exception of
head plate; therefore, remove plates as necessary to provide sufficient access
to the head plate.
2. Using a spanner wrench, remove the center cloth nut from the cloth side of
the head plate, while leaving the center feed mounting nut, located behind the
cloth, in place.

3. Taking care not to damage the plastic plate, insert a thin bladed screw driver
into the groove at the outer edge of the filter cloth and pry a small section of
the cloth out of the groove, or if the cloths are not to be reused, cut a ~6 slit
into the cloth about 1 away from one of the corners.
4. Grab the exposed cloth from step 3 with vise grip pliers or equivalent, and pull
the remaining cloth out of the groove.
5. Inspect and remove any accumulated solids from the groove.
6. Aliening the new cloth into position by lining up the corners of the cloth to the
corners of the plate, and reinstall the spanner nut.
7. Using the cloth installation tool, pound the sewn-in bead or caulk of the filter
cloth into the groove of the filter press plate. Ensure that the caulk has been
fully seated to the bottom of the groove. Advance around the groove
pounding in about 2 to 3 at a time.
TAIL CLOTH REPLACEMENT
1. Taking care not to damage the plastic plate, insert a thin bladed screw driver
into the groove at the outer edge of the filter cloth and pry a small section of
the cloth out of the groove, or if the cloths are not to be reused, cut a ~6 slit
into the cloth about 1 away from one of the corners of the cloth.
2. Grab the exposed cloth from step 1 with vise grip pliers or equivalent, and pull
the remaining cloth out of the groove.
3. Inspect and remove any accumulated solids from the groove.
4. Aliening the new cloth into position by lining up the corners of the cloth to the
corners of the plate.
5. Using the cloth installation tool, pound the sewn-in bead or caulk of the filter
cloth, into the groove of the filter press plate. Ensure that the caulk has been
fully seated to the bottom of the groove. Advance around the groove by
pounding in about 2 to 3 at a time.
INTERMEDIATE CLOTH REPLACEMENT
1. Taking care not to damage the plastic plate, insert a thin bladed screw driver
into the one of the grooves at the outer edge of the filter cloth and pry a small
section of the cloth out of the groove, or if the cloths are not to be reused, cut
a ~6 slit into the cloth about 1 away from one of the corners of the cloth.
2. Repeat step 1 to the other groove on the other side of the filter plate.
3. Grab the exposed cloth from step 1 with vise grip pliers or equivalent, and pull
the remaining cloth out of the groove.
4. Repeat step 3 to the other side of the plate.

5. Fold the one side of the filter cloth in such a way that it can pass through the
hole in the center of the filter plate, and push the cloth through the plate and
discard appropriately.
6. Inspect and remove any accumulated solids from the groove on both sides of
the filter plate.
7. Fold one side of the new cloth in such a way that it can pass through the hole
in the center of the filter plate, and pass the cloth through the hole in the
center of the filter cloth.
8. Aliening the new cloth into position by lining up the corners of the cloth to the
corners of the plate.
9. Using the cloth installation tool, pound the sewn-in bead or caulk of the filter
cloth, into the groove of the filter press plate. Ensure that the caulk has been
fully seated to the bottom of the groove. Advance around the groove by
pounding in about 2 to 3 at a time.
10. Repeat step 9 to the other side of the filter press plate and cloth.
11. Repeat steps 1 through 10 for each intermediate plate of the filter press.
WARNING:
Take care in putting the plates back into the filter press. There are two
different kinds of plates. They are designated as a one button plate or a three
button plate. The plates can be identified by a drill hole that is about 1/4
deep, in the handle of the plate. The one button will have one hole and the
three button will have three holes.
The head plate is usually a one button plate. The next plate MUST be a three
button plate then a one button and so on. The filter press plate sequence is
1-3-1-3, and so on. If this order is not correct, the filter cake will not dry
properly during the Blowdown process.

Filter Materials
Filter cloths come in many different materials including polypropylene, polyester,
cotton, nylon, felt, and many other materials. The most common filter material:
Polypropylene: Polypropylene is the most common material. It has strong
resistance to acid and alkali alike. A satin finish added to the fiber can allow for easy
cake release. PP is a top choice for a wide range of applications, and is by far the
most popular material. Latex borders can be applied to a non-gasketed cloth to
provide a better seal under pressure.