Filter Press

Filter press is an industrial solid-liquid separation system used to separate solid materials from liquids, perform filtration and dewater the resulting solid fraction.

Filter presses can be manufactured with different plate sizes, numbers of plates and automation levels depending on the characteristics of the product to be filtered and the production capacity of the facility. They are used in wastewater treatment, marble, mining, chemical, paint, ceramic and metal processing industries, as well as vegetable oil, food and various industrial production processes.

Selecting the right filter press does not depend solely on machine size. The solids content of the product, particle structure, daily production volume, required filtration result and automation requirements should all be evaluated together.

How Does a Filter Press Work?

A filter press operates by feeding the product to be filtered into chambers formed between the filter press plates and separating the liquid and solid phases with the help of filter cloths.

During feeding, the liquid passes through the filter cloths and exits the machine, while solid particles begin to accumulate on the cloth surface and inside the plate chambers. As filtration continues, these solids are compressed and form a filter cake.

When the chambers inside the plates are filled, the feeding process is stopped. The plates are then opened and the resulting filter cake is discharged. After the cake is removed, the plates are closed again and the filter press becomes ready for a new filtration cycle.

Filter Press Structure

The mechanical structure of a filter press consists of the main frame, closing system, filter plates, filter cloths, feed line and, depending on the model, plate shifting or automation systems.

In standard production, the machine frame is manufactured from ST37 steel, while the feed section is manufactured from AISI 304 stainless steel. PP Chamber filter plates are used in the filtration section. Different material options may be considered for certain parts of the machine depending on process conditions or special requirements.

The filter press size and number of plates are determined according to the production capacity of the facility and the characteristics of the product to be filtered.

How to Select the Right Filter Press?

Although plate size and number of plates are important when selecting a filter press, these factors alone are not sufficient. Even two facilities processing the same quantity of product may require different machine specifications because the solids content, particle structure and filtration behavior of their products can differ.

The following criteria are mainly evaluated when determining the appropriate filter press:

• Type of product to be filtered
• Solids content
• Particle structure
• Daily or shift production capacity
• Required filter cake quantity
• Expected filtrate quality
• Filtration time
• Required automation level
• Materials that will come into contact with the product

Based on this information, the appropriate filter press size, number of plates, filter cloth and automation level can be determined.

Types of Filter Presses

Filter presses can be manufactured as manual, semi-automatic or fully automatic systems depending on the facility capacity, operating method and required automation level.

Manual Hand-Jack Filter Press

A simple and economical model in which the filter plates are compressed using a hand-operated jack. It can be preferred for low-capacity facilities, laboratory applications and small-scale filtration processes.

Joystick-Controlled Filter Press

A filter press model in which the hydraulic closing system is controlled by a joystick. It operates under operator control and provides a simple and easy-to-use system.

Control Panel Filter Press

A model in which hydraulic cylinder movements are controlled through an electrical control panel. After filtration is completed, plate opening and filter cake discharge operations are carried out by the operator.

Chain Plate Shifting Filter Press

A system in which the filter plates are moved using a chain mechanism. Particularly on machines with a large number of plates, it simplifies the plate opening process and reduces the operator's workload.

Chain Plate Shifting and Shaking Filter Press

A model equipped with a shaking mechanism in addition to the chain plate shifting system. In processes where the filter cake has suitable characteristics, it helps the cake separate more easily from the filter cloth and plate surfaces.

Fully Automatic Carriage Filter Press

An automatic system in which filter plates are opened sequentially using a moving plate-shifting carriage. It reduces operator intervention during the plate opening process and provides ease of operation, especially on machines with a high number of plates.

Fully Automatic Carriage and Shaking Filter Press

A model combining an automatic plate shifting system with a shaking mechanism. It facilitates sequential plate opening and filter cake discharge, helping improve operating efficiency in high-capacity facilities.

Filter Press Sizes and Capacity Selection

The main factors determining filter press capacity include plate size, number of plates, total filtration area and the volume in which the filter cake is formed.

Increasing the number of plates can increase the total cake volume and filtration area. However, correct filter press selection does not mean choosing the largest possible machine; it means determining a system suitable for the facility's actual production capacity.

When determining filter press size, the daily amount of product to be processed, the amount of solids in the product, filtration time and the expected amount of filter cake generated in one operating cycle should be evaluated together.

Filter Press Plates

Filter plates are fundamental machine components that form the chambers containing the product during filtration and support the filter cloths.

PP Chamber filter plates and PP plate-and-frame filter plates are used in filter press machines. The plate size and number of plates are determined according to machine capacity and process requirements.

Changes in plate size and number directly affect the total filtration area and filter cake capacity of the machine.

Filter Cloth Selection

Correct filter cloth selection is one of the most important factors directly affecting filtration results. When different products are filtered on the same filter press, the same filter cloth may not provide the same results.

The structure of the filter cloth should be determined by considering the particle size of the product to be filtered, solids content, required filtrate clarity and filtration behavior.

For this reason, whenever possible, filter cloth selection is preferably made according to the results of a filtration test performed on the product.

Product Testing and Sample Analysis

Every product has different filtration characteristics. Solids content, particle size, product density and the characteristics of the substances contained in the product can affect filtration time and the final result.

For this reason, performing a filtration test on a product sample provides an important advantage when determining the appropriate filter press system.

During testing, the filtration behavior of the product, the structure of the resulting filter cake and the condition of the filtrate are evaluated. Based on the results, the appropriate filter cloth, plate size, number of plates and machine specifications can be determined.

You can contact us for information about sample analysis and product testing.

Filter Press Applications

Filter press machines can be used in many industrial production and treatment processes where solids need to be separated from liquids.

• Industrial wastewater and sludge dewatering
• Marble and natural stone processing plants
• Mining and mineral processing plants
• Chemical industry
• Paint and coating industry
• Ceramic and clay applications
• Metal processing and surface treatment plants
• Paper and recycling industry
• Vegetable oil filtration
• Food and beverage production
• Liquid fertilizer applications
• Other industrial processes requiring solid-liquid separation

The machine size, filter plates and filter cloth should be selected according to the characteristics of the application.

Filter Press Prices

Filter press prices vary depending on plate size, number of plates, machine dimensions, automation level and additional equipment required for the project.

Since the mechanical structure and equipment requirements of a low-capacity manual system and a fully automatic filter press with a high number of plates are different, it is not appropriate to determine a single standard price for filter presses.

During pricing, the production capacity and process requirements of the facility are evaluated to determine the appropriate machine specifications. This approach aims to prevent investment in an unnecessarily large machine or the selection of a system with insufficient capacity.

If information about the product to be filtered, daily production capacity and required automation level is provided, an appropriate filter press model can be determined and a project-specific quotation can be prepared.

You can contact us to receive a filter press quotation.

Why Akfen Engineering?

At Akfen Engineering, we manufacture filter press machines for different requirements by evaluating the characteristics of the product to be filtered, the production capacity of the facility and operating conditions together.

We manufacture filter presses with different capacities and automation levels, ranging from manual systems to fully automatic filter presses. When necessary, we also perform filtration tests on product samples to provide technical evaluation for machine and filter cloth selection.

• Filter press production for different capacities
• Manual, semi-automatic and fully automatic system options
• Standard ST37 steel machine frame
• Standard AISI 304 stainless steel feed section
• PP Chamber filter plates
• Filtration testing with product samples
• Filter cloth selection suitable for the process
• Spare parts support
• Remote technical support
• On-site service support when required

You can contact us to determine the appropriate filter press machine for your facility, arrange product testing or request a quotation.