Description
This is a benchtop unit designed to introduce students to the fundamentals of solid/liquid filtration. The apparatus consists of an acrylic feed tank connecting to a progressing cavity pump which feeds a slurry to the acrylic plate and frame filter press.
A pressure sensor on the output of the pump measures the filtration pressure. The filter press consists of two end plates, two frame plates and a wash plate. The filtrate passes through an optical sensor which determines the efficiency of the filtration process.
Filtrate temperature is also measured. The second inlet to the filter is for mains water for filter cake washing. A second pressure sensor and a needle valve control the water pressure during the washing cycle. A three-way valve allows filtrate to be returned to the feed tank or to a filtrate vessel/drain.
Demonstration Capabilities
- Batch Filtration with the Plate and Frame Filter Unit
- Demonstrating filtration through membrane technology
- Understanding the principles of batch filtration using both constant pressure and constant flow operating modes
- Mass balancing
- Precoat and body aid filtration
- Determining important criteria for scale-up
- Commercial aspects of filtration
- Continuous Filtration with the Tangential Flow Hollow Fibre Filter Cartridge
- Demonstrating filtration through membrane technology
- Understanding the principles of continuous microfiltration
- Examination of flux and transmission of a protein marker
- Measurement of fouling and the effect on filtration performance
Specification
- A benchtop unit comprising a vacuum formed ABS plastic plinth with integral electrical console on to which is mounted the filtration system
- A plate and frame batch filter (separation area 230cm²) is supplied as standard. Both constant flow rate and constant pressure operation are possible
- An optional tangential flow hollow fibre microfiltration cartridge (plus prefilter and shell and tube heat exchanger) can be fitted. The hollow fibre cartridge has a separation area of 110cm² and a cut-off of 0.2 µm
Feed flow rate can be varied between 0-130 l/hr - All electrical circuits are protected by appropriate protection devices
- The console contains a pump motor control and display panel
- A separate controller displays the filter inlet pressure and is used to control the pump speed. Another digital meter displays, via a selector switch, either outlet pressure, permeate pressure, temperature or optical absorbence. Sensor signals are also routed to an I/O port for connection to a PC
- An optional interface device and educational software package is available
- A comprehensive instruction manual is included with a range of fully detailed laboratory teaching exercises
