Pressure filter apparatus

A pressure filter apparatus for separating a slurry into slurry liquid and slurry solids and for forming a substantially dry slurry solid cake from said slurry comprising:

• at least one chamber within said apparatus, said chamber having an interior portion and an exterior portion, said chamber comprising a lower plate portion having an upper cavity and an upper plate portion having a lower cavity, said upper cavity and lower cavity being closeable against each other to form said chamber and to produce said interior portion and said exterior portion,
• support means for said upper plate portion and lower plate portion forming said chamber,
• means for pressing said plate portions toward each other to form said chamber, means for separating said plate portions to open said chamber, said separating means being external to said plate portions,
• filter medium means aligned so as to be positionable within said chamber,
• filter medium means aligned so as to be positionable within said chamber,
• filter medium transporting means for moving said filter medium with respect to said chamber,
• input port means for introducing slurry into said chamber when said plates are pressed together,
• exit port means for withdrawing fluids from said chamber,
• said support means, means for pressing, means for separating, said input port means, said exit port means, said filter medium means, and said filter medium transporting means being formed with respect to said chamber so as to drain liquids and transported solids away from said apparatus,
• whereby said pressure filter apparatus may be cleaned in place with cleaning materials and all surfaces of said apparatus will drain cleaning materials away from said apparatus.