A Horizontal Pressure Leaf Filter is an enclosed industrial filtration system designed for high-capacity liquid-solid separation applications where large filtration area, high filtrate clarity, and efficient cake discharge are required.

Unlike open filtration equipment, the horizontal pressure leaf filter operates inside a closed pressure vessel containing multiple stainless steel filter leaves.

The horizontal vessel arrangement allows a large number of filter leaves to be installed, providing a large filtration area suitable for demanding industrial processes.

SEPARATECH designs and manufactures Horizontal Pressure Leaf Filter systems for applications including edible oil refining, chemical processing, petrochemical filtration, molten sulfur filtration, mining, food processing, and other industrial solid-liquid separation processes.

Precoating Stage

For applications requiring high filtrate clarity, filter aids may be used to create a precoat layer on the filter leaves.

Common filter aids include:

• Diatomaceous earth;
• Perlite;
• Activated carbon;
• Bleaching earth;
• Cellulose.

The precoat layer improves filtration performance by providing a controlled filtration surface.

Filtration Stage

During normal operation:

• Unfiltered liquid enters the vessel;
• Pressure drives liquid through the filter leaves;
• Solids accumulate on the outer surface;
• Clear filtrate exits through the internal drainage system.

As solids accumulate, the filter cake becomes an additional filtration medium.

Cake Formation

The thickness of the filter cake gradually increases during filtration.

The filtration cycle normally ends when:

• Differential pressure reaches the preset value;
• Filtrate flow decreases;
• Required batch capacity is achieved.

Cake Discharge

After filtration:

• Remaining liquid is removed;
• Filter cake can be dried if required;
• Filter leaves are cleaned;
• The filter is prepared for the next cycle.

Horizontal pressure leaf filters can be configured for:

• Dry cake discharge;
• Wet cake discharge.

Retractable Shell Design

The filter shell can be hydraulically moved away from the filter leaf assembly.

Advantages:

• Easy inspection;
• Fast cleaning;
• Convenient maintenance.

Retractable Bundle Design

The complete filter leaf bundle can be withdrawn from the vessel.

Advantages:

• Quick filter leaf access;
• Reduced maintenance time;
• Easier replacement of filter elements.

Hydraulic Opening System

The hydraulic system provides:

• Safe vessel opening;
• Controlled operation;
• Reduced manual handling.

Pneumatic Cake Discharge System

A pneumatic vibrator helps remove dry filter cake from the filter leaves.

This improves:

• Cake discharge efficiency;
• Filter regeneration;
• Operating cycle time.

Large Filtration Area

One of the main advantages of a Horizontal Pressure Leaf Filter is its ability to provide a large filtration area within a single filtration unit.

Large horizontal vessels can accommodate many filter leaves, making them suitable for high-volume industrial processes.

SEPARATECH horizontal pressure leaf filters can be designed with filtration areas up to approximately 200 m² depending on configuration and application requirements.

High Filtrate Clarity

The combination of:

• Stainless steel filter leaves;
• Filter aid;
• Controlled cake formation;

allows the system to achieve excellent filtrate quality.

Applications requiring high clarity liquid often benefit from this filtration technology.

Fully Enclosed Filtration

The closed pressure vessel design provides advantages including:

• Reduced product exposure;
• Cleaner operation;
• Improved operator safety;
• Reduced environmental contamination.

This is especially important for:

• Chemicals;
• Petrochemicals;
• Food products;
• Hazardous liquids.

Dry Cake Discharge

Suitable when:

• Solid recovery is valuable;
• Minimum liquid retention is required;
• Cake disposal cost is important.

Typical methods include:

• Compressed air drying;
• Steam drying;
• Inert gas drying;
• Pneumatic vibration discharge.

Wet Cake Discharge

Suitable when:

• Cake drying is unnecessary;
• Cake is discharged as slurry;
• Continuous washing is required.

Dry and Wet Cake Discharge Options

Different industries require different cake handling methods.

Typical filter leaf construction includes:

• Multi-layer stainless steel mesh;
• Support layers;
• Drainage structure;
• Reinforced frame.

Filter leaf performance directly affects:

• Filtration accuracy;
• Service life;
• Pressure drop;
• Filtrate quality.

Available materials include:

• Stainless steel 304/304L;
• Stainless steel 316/316L;
• Duplex stainless steel;
• Other corrosion-resistant alloys.

Process Liquid

Consider:

• Chemical properties;
• Temperature;
• Viscosity;
• Corrosion characteristics.

Solid Loading

Important factors:

• Solid concentration;
• Particle size;
• Cake characteristics.

Filtration Capacity

Required:

• Flow rate;
• Batch size;
• Filtration cycle time.

Cake Capacity

Determine:

• Dry discharge;
• Wet discharge;
• Cake recovery requirements.

Horizontal Pressure Leaf Filter Maintenance

Regular maintenance improves equipment reliability.

Important items include:

• Filter leaf inspection;
• Filter leaf cleaning;
• Seal inspection;
• Hydraulic system checking;
• Vibrator maintenance;
• Valve inspection.

Common signs requiring inspection:

• Increased filtration pressure;
• Reduced flow rate;
• Poor filtrate quality;
• Longer filtration cycle.

Replacement Horizontal Pressure Leaf Filter Leaves

SEPARATECH supplies replacement filter leaf elements for existing pressure leaf filter systems.

Replacement filter leaves can be manufactured according to:

• Original samples;
• Drawings;
• Dimensions;
• Application requirements.

Services include:

• New filter leaf manufacturing;
• Filter leaf replacement;
• Filter leaf rescreening;
• Customized filter elements.