Method, filter press and control device for reducing the water content of solid materials and/or sludges

A method for reducing the capillary-bound water content in fiber cells of carbon-containing, finely comminuted solid materials and/or sludges comprising:

• a) preheating a pressure chamber to above 100.degree. Celsius;
• b) vapor blasting a starting material in a pressure chamber,
• wherein the pressure chamber is sealed in an essentially steam-tight manner;
• c) using the action of thermal energy and pressure on the starting material
• wherein the thermal energy comprises superheated steam and the pressure is supplied by a mechanical energy being supplied to and exerted on the starting material in the pressure chamber,
• wherein the superheated steam has been superheated to above 150.degree. Celsius, and
• wherein the compacting pressure on the starting material is greater than or equal to the pressure prevailing in the starting material as a result of the bulk density, which is at most approximately 5 bar to 8 bar;
• d) after reaching a temperature of about.gtoreq.125.degree. Celsius in the starting material, stopping the injection of steam and increasing the pressure on the starting material to a maximum pressure that is determined in accordance with grain size of the starting material
• e) expanding an exhaust steam, which is formed after a filter press is opened, in a chamber;
• f) opening the chamber,
• wherein the exhaust steam flows off therefrom into a vapor condenser at a controlled expansion rate.