Filter press for reducing the water content of solid materials and/or sludges

A filter press for reducing capillary-bound water content in fiber cells of a starting material comprising carbon-containing, finely comminuted solid materials and/or sludges, in particular raw brown coal, using the action of thermal energy and mechanical energy on the starting material to be dewatered, the thermal energy comprising superheated steam, and the mechanical energy being supplied to the starting material as surface pressure in pressure chambers, the filter press comprising:

• a rectangular pressure chamber releasably sealable in a gastight manner, the pressure chamber having an entrance and an exit, the pressure chamber including:
• a substantially stationary lower press plate having a press and filter surface, the lower press plate including structure for distributing heat;
• and
• a plurality of hydraulically mobile chamber walls including:
• first and second blocking slide gates for releasably blocking the entrance and exit of the rectangular pressure chamber;
• two bulkheads disposed vertically at outer longitudinal edges of the lower press plate, the bulkheads being pressed with variable hydraulic forces against longitudinal edges of the upper press plate;
• an upper press plate, disposed between the exit and entrance and disposed between the two bulkheads, for applying pressure to the starting material;
• hydraulic actuators for moving first and second blocking slide gates to block and open the entrance and exit;
• and
• pressing cylinders for controlling the movement of the upper press plate.