Structure and Design:
Membrane Filter Press: It incorporates a membrane (usually made of polypropylene or elastomer) on one side of the filter plates. Once the initial filtration is done, the membrane can be inflated using either air or liquid to exert extra pressure on the sludge, squeezing out additional moisture.
Recessed Chamber Filter Press: It employs a fixed-volume filtration chamber. The plates have recesses that, when pressed together, form the closed filtration space.
Dewatering Efficiency:
Membrane Filter Press: Offers better dewatering efficiency because of the secondary squeezing process. This can produce a cake with lower moisture content than a chamber filter press.
Chamber Filter Press: Though efficient in dewatering, it might not achieve as low a moisture content as the membrane filter press.
Operational Complexity:
Membrane Filter Press: Due to the secondary squeezing process, the operations can be slightly more complex than with the chamber press.
Chamber Filter Press: Generally simpler in operation since it doesn’t have the squeezing phase.
Reasons for choosing a membrane filter press
High Efficiency: By utilizing a secondary squeezing process, membrane filter presses can achieve a higher separation efficiency, thus reducing the volume of wet sludge and producing a drier filter cake.
Water Reuse: The clear filtrate produced can be recycled back into the stone processing line, leading to considerable water savings — a critical factor in industries where large volumes of water are used.
Environmental Compliance: As environmental regulations become stricter, the need for effective wastewater treatment grows. Using a membrane filter press aids stone processing plants in meeting these standards by effectively removing pollutants from wastewater.
Chemical Consumption: The efficient separation process might also reduce the need for chemical coagulants or flocculants, which are sometimes used to aid in the sedimentation of stone particles.
