Method for preparing a material for high pressure deliquification

A method of deliquifying a material in a belt filter press having an upper belt and a lower belt which converge towards one another in a wedge zone, the angle of convergence between the upper and lower belts defining a wedge angle which corresponds to the degree of pressure exerted on the material in the wedge zone said method comprising:

• a. providing upper and lower belt supports in the area of the wedge zone, said upper and lower belt supports having upper and lower belt support members;
• b. arranging said upper and lower belt support members alternately and oppositely throughout at least a portion of the wedge zone;
• c. introducing material between said upper and lower belts prior to the wedge zone;
• d. moving said upper and lower belts and the material therebetween through the wedge zone, as supported by the upper and lower belt supports, such that the upper and lower belts and material therebetween move through the wedge zone in a shear-inducing serpentine manner, whereby the material between the upper and lower belts is massaged in addition to being compressed in the wedge zone;
• and
• e. adjusting, in response to material thickness and consistency in or after the wedge zone, the wedge angle during movement of the upper and lower belts by moving at least one of said upper or lower belt supports to narrow or widen the wedge angle the adjustment being made while the upper and lower belts and the material therebetween is being moved through the wedge zone so that such adjustment is made without stopping the movement of the material in the wedge zone.