Procedure and chamber filter press for dewatering slurries and similar substances

Chamber filter press for performing the method steps of feeding the slurry by a pump under pressure into a slurry chamber including at least one filter surface;

• generating a hydrostatic pressure in the slurry chamber by the driving of the pump to induce the dewatering process;
• attaining an adjustable pressure level in the slurry chamber;
• isolating the slurry chamber from the pump;
• reducing the volume of the slurry chamber;
• and producing a mechanical dewatering pressure which is greater than the hydrostatic pressure attained, said chamber filter press comprising:
• at least one completely enclosed slurry chamber having filter surfaces and having a slurry inlet which is connected by a pipe to a pump generating the filtration pressure, wherein the filter surfaces (5) in the slurry chamber (2) are located between stationary and movable pressure plates (8, 9) and can be repressurized mechanically once the pump (7) has been switched off.

A method for dewatering slurry and similar substances comprising the steps of:

• feeding the slurry, by means of a pump, into one of a plurality of slurry chambers having at least one filter surface;
• operating the plurality of slurry chambers parallel to each other and in alternate cycles;
• continuously driving the pump, the continuous driving step includes the step of switching the individual slurry chambers such that the slurry feed and the discharge of the filter cake substantially proceeds continuously from different slurry chambers;
• generating a hydrostatic pressure in the slurry chamber by the driving of the pump to induce dewatering process;
• attaining an adjustable pressure level in the slurry chamber;
• isolating the slurry chamber from the pump;
• reducing the volume of the slurry chamber;
• and
• producing a mechanical dewatering pressure which is greater than the hydrostatic pressure attained,
• wherein at any time simultaneously when at least one slurry chamber is being discharged, at least one slurry chamber is being connected to the pump and building up hydrostatic pressure, and at least one slurry chamber is isolated from the pump and is under mechanical dewatering pressure.

Chamber filter press for performing the method steps of feeding the slurry, by a pump, into one of a plurality of slurry chambers having at least one filter surface;

• operating the plurality of slurry chambers parallel to each other and in alternate cycles;
• continuously driving the pump, the continuous driving step includes the step of switching the individual slurry chambers such that the slurry feed and the discharge of the filter cake substantially proceeds continuously from different slurry chambers;
• generating a hydrostatic pressure in the slurry chamber by the driving of the pump to induce dewatering process;
• attaining an adjustable pressure level in the slurry chamber;
• isolating the slurry chamber from the pump;
• reducing the volume of the slurry chamber;
• and producing a mechanical dewatering pressure which is greater than the hydrostatic pressure attained, wherein at any time simultaneously at least one slurry chamber being discharged, at least one slurry chamber being connected to the pump and building up hydrostatic pressure and at least one slurry chamber is isolated from the pump and is being under mechanical dewatering pressure, said chamber filter press comprising:
• at least one completely enclosed slurry chamber having filter surfaces and having a slurry inlet which is connected by a pipe to a pump generating the filtration pressure, wherein the filter surfaces (5) in the slurry chamber (2) are located between stationary and movable pressure plates (8, 9) and can be repressurized mechanically once the pump (7) has been switched off.