Apparatus for the separation of solid-liquid mixtures

An apparatus for filtering a solid-liquid mixture, comprising:

• a filter trough having an inlet for receiving said solid-liquid mixture;
• a pressure filter means for filtering said solid-liquid mixture and separating solids from said mixture;
• a liquid discharge means coupled to said trough;
• a solid discharge means connected to said filter means;
• means for defining a first pressure space enclosing said filter means and trough;
• a dome coupled to said trough for completely enclosing said filter means and solid-liquid mixture and defining a second pressure space within said first pressure space and in fluid communication with said first pressure space;
• a pressure medium source in fluid communication with said first pressure space for maintaining said first and second pressure spaces at an elevated pressure;
• a pressure operated valve coupled to said dome providing said fluid communication between said first and second pressure spaces;
• and
• means for supplying a heated fluid to said second pressure space.