Jul. 21, 2025
Micronics is the world-wide authority on filter presses and advanced liquid filtration technology. Here, we’ll explore the question – how does a filter press work? We will also examine the applications where they are most frequently utilized, and some of Micronics’ standard and custom filter press solutions.
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A filter press is a piece of equipment used in liquid/solid separation. Specifically, the filter press separates the liquids and solids using pressure filtration, wherein a slurry is pumped into the filter press and is dewatered under pressure. Basically, each filter press is designed based on the volume and type of slurry that needs to be dewatered. Micronics is a trusted expert in liquid/solid separation and offers a wide range of filter press types and capacities to suit specific application needs for trouble-free, economical dewatering. These include configurations such as sidebar automatic, manual overhead, automatic dual overhead beam, stainless steel clad, explosion-proof filter presses, vacuum filter presses, and hand filter presses.
The four main components of a filter press include the frame, filter plates, manifold (piping and valves), and filter cloth, a key ingredient for optimizing filter press operations.
The working principle of filter presses is that slurry is pumped into the machine such that solids are distributed evenly during the fill cycle. Solids build up on the filter cloth, forming the filter cake; the filtrate exits the filter plates through the corner ports into the manifold, yielding clean filtered water.
Filter presses are a pressure filtration method and as such, as the filter press feed pump builds pressure, solids build within the chambers until they are completely chock-full of solids, forming the cake. Once the chambers are full, the cycle is complete and the filter cakes are ready to be released. In many higher capacity filter presses, fast-action automatic plate shifters are employed, speeding cycle time. Some filter presses are specifically designed for fully automatic, 24-hour operation in a harsh environment such as mines or chemical manufacturing plants.
Filter presses can be built in a wide range of sizes, from small, lab-scale 150 mm presses, to those with much larger capacities, such as those with and mm filter plates. Filter presses are used for liquid/solid separation in an extensive range of industries and applications including:
The industry, application, and operational considerations will guide specifics such as the overall design, filtration capacity, number of chambers, filter plate size, materials of construction, as well as additional features/systems such as automatic plate shifters, cloth washing system, drip trays, cake shields, and safety light curtains. Design of a filter press depends on a host of factors such as filtration cycle time, cake dryness required, cloth life, whether manual or automated plate shifting is desired, and many other factors.
Filter Presses have been the focus of Met-Chem Manufacturing for many years. Filter presses (also known as Plate and Frame) have many benefits. One, in particular, is that for such a large piece of machinery it has few parts to it.
The simplicity of the Filter Press means there is little maintenance work that is needed to be done to the press.
The filter press skeleton and filter press plates need zero repairs and as long as the press is operated properly. They will last a lifetime.
The different parts to a filter press include
Filter Presses have been the focus of Met-Chem manufacturing for many years. We have built a solid reputation for building quality Filter Presses, Clarifiers, Sludge Dryers, Complete Waste Treatment Systems, Filter Press Cloths, and Filter Press Plates. Our filter presses have been used in a variety of industries from plating and metal finishing to chemical and food processing to name a few. Met-Chem Filter Presses feature heavy duty steel construction with polypro gasketed plates. These filter presses can be manufactured with manual or automatic closures, but always with a hydraulic cylinder for sure, high-pressure closing. Met-Chem’s filter presses can be expanded for larger future capacity by building it in a larger skeleton with a distance piece. Once you are ready to expand, you can remove the distance piece and add the extra plates.
The Met-Chem Distance Piece allows you to be able to expand the size of your filter press. By removing the distance piece, you are able to place additional filter plates in the press. This allows you to purchase a large filter press skeleton, without the need of purchasing all the plates at once. When you need to expand your filter press capacity, you can purchase the remaining plates at a later date. Thus, saving you money.
A Distance Piece is an excellent option on a new filter press, especially if you are expecting that you may need a larger filter press in the future.
Met-Chem Bomb Bay Doors will catch dripping water that may come out of the plates during operation. These are typically used with Non-Gasketed Filter Press Plates since they are more prone to leak, as our gasketed plates will not leak. The excess water that leaks from the non-gasketed plates will be collected in a gutter system or perhaps a floor drain.
This add-on option can be installed with a new Met-Chem Filter Press or retrofitted for your existing filter press.
When the filter press is ready to be emptied, open the Bomb Bay Doors, and the sludge can be collected using a Met-Chem Sludge Dumpster.
The Automatic Pump Control System automatically and gradually increases the feed pressure in four stages during the filling cycle. These stages are adjustable to suit your slurry and solids concentration. However, it is commonly set at increments of 25 psi. (25, 50, 75, 100). By monitoring the feed pump flow sensor, during the final pressure stage, the operator will be able to determine the cycle completion.
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The Automatic Pump Control System also incorporates a low hydraulic pressure safety shut down the device. If there is not enough hydraulic clamping pressure present, the system will completely shut down, eliminating any possible leaking from between the filter plates.
The pump control system allows your filter press to run at its optimum efficiency creating dryer filter cakes, reducing disposal costs, reducing operator time, and increasing the life of your filter cloths and feed pumps.
This system can be incorporated with a new filter press from Met-Chem, a used unit, or even your own existing press.
Met-Chem can provide Longer Legs and a Disposal Chute on a new Filter Press, or retrofit your existing filter press. This is especially useful if you are releasing the sludge from the press into a sludge bag or a drum. The chute will direct the sludge directly into your container. If you plan to use a sludge disposal bag, we can add hooks to the chute so that the sludge bag can be hung from the frame of the press.
For some larger presses, we can build a catwalk along with the disposal chute in order to accommodate a roll-off container.
Met-Chem’s Filter Press Feasibility Test is our most popular and common test conducted in our lab. This test is performed to ensure that a filter press is able to filter solids properly with your specific application. The test will allow us to determine cloth sizing and if any filter aid will be required for your slurry. With less than a gallon of your typical wastewater, we can see if a filter press will provide the desired result. We will then send you the filtrate (liquid) as well as the solids that we are able to separate from your waste stream. The filter press test will also provide information to estimate the percentage of solids in order to properly size a filter press unit.
In the diagram below, Met-Chem was able to take a sample slurry and filter the liquid from the solids.
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There are plenty of reasons why a filter press may not ever have a final destination. Probably the biggest reason for this is because a filter press is so versatile that it can easily adapt to many different jobs without much modification.
Some other reasons why some filter presses need to be mobile is because their jobs are always moving. If different tanks need to be filtered at different times a mobile filter press can be used. A job site also may move, and the mobile filter press needs to move with it. Finally, some job sites only need a filter press for a short period of time and the mobile press can also satisfy this need.
Learn more about our a Mobile Filter Press
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