Filter device, and filtration and cleaning method

A device for the continuous filtration of fluids by means of a pressure differential between the inlet and outlet, as well as the removal of residual amounts of the slurry by means of a pneumatic pressure medium before opening the device, said device comprising:

• a plurality of filter plates having a slot on both sides for seating a planar filter medium and equipped with drainage channels for the filtrate;
• a plurality of membrane plates having connections, bores and recesses for the admission of the pressure medium, which membrane plates are covered on both sides with an elastic membrane such that a slurry chamber or a filter cake chamber is formed between the filter medium and the membrane, whereby the membranes, which when pressurized expand elastically to completely contact the filter plates or sheet filter material, have a smooth surface on both sides and make complete contact with the membrane plate when depressurized;
• frames between the membrane plates and the filter plates which delimit the slurry chamber,
• corresponding recesses in the filter plates and membrane plates which when installed form at least one admission channel for the slurry and one drainage channel for the filtrate, and
• end plates, retaining fixtures and clamping fixtures to connect the filter plates and membrane plates to form a filter pack that can later be disassembled, wherein the filter medium comprises sections of a sheet filter material mounted in the slots, and that sections of sheet filter material can be pressed together edge-to-edge between the filter plates and the frames to form a seal.