Systems, methods, and apparatus for mechanically removing liquid from material

A method for dewatering material comprising the steps of:

• a. delivering a material to a first storage;
• b. transferring the material from the first storage to a slitter, wherein the slitter separates the material into a plurality of clumps;
• c. depositing the plurality of clumps of material from the slitter to a conveyor belt, wherein the conveyor belt is porous to allow water to pass through without allowing solids to pass through;
• d. transporting the plurality of clumps of material on the conveyor belt from the slitter to at least one compression zone, the at least one compression zone comprising at least one high pressure press, the at least one high pressure press comprising at least one hydraulic actuator operably connected to at least one compression plate, wherein the at least one compression plate has a top surface, a bottom surface, and a plurality of side surfaces;
• e. compressing the material by at least one hydraulic compressor to articulate the at least one compression plate toward the material on the conveyor belt and applying a force to compress the material and holding the compression plates against the material and conveyor belt for at least 45 seconds;
• f. retracting the compression plates away from the conveyor belt;
• g. moving the conveyor belt to convey the compressed material away from the at least one compression zone;
• h. applying at least one knife to remove the compressed material from the at least one compression plate after a compression cycle;
• and
• i. directing water removed from the material away from the conveyor belt using at least one drain.