Separation apparatus including relatively movable presser module and filtration belts

In an apparatus for the separation of the liquid phase of a solid-liquid suspension, said apparatus comprising:

• a pair of endless filtration bands mounted for movement to define therebetween a space;
• means for feeding the suspension into said space;
• a presser module having a plurality of juxtaposed enclosures arranged parallel to each other, each said enclosure being defined by confronting faces of respective opposite plates, a first said face having mounted thereon an inflatable membrane and being aligned with a second said face;
• said pair of endless filtration bands and said space therebetween containing the suspension passing sequentially through said enclosures;
• means for simultaneously moving all of said plates together between a closed position, whereat said filtration bands and the suspension therebetween are clamped between said first and second faces of each said enclosure, and an open position, whereat said enclosures are open;
• means for pressing each said membrane into the respective said enclosure when said plates are in said closed position and thereby for pressing the liquid from the suspension therein, thus forming a filter cake;
• and
• means for reciprocating said presser module between starting and finishing positions and thereby for achieving displacements of said presser module with respect to said pair of filtration bands, said reciprocating means comprising fluid operated means for moving said presser module to said finishing position when said plates are in said closed position, thereby simultaneously moving said filtration bands, and for moving said pressure module to said starting position when said plates are in said open position.