Filter plate frame assembly, a horizontal filter press, such as a tower press, having such a plate frame assembly, and a method of replacing worn components of horizontal filter press

1 . A filter plate frame assembly for a horizontal filter press, comprising:

a rigid filter plate frame having a first frame flank and an opposing second frame flank parallel to the first frame flank, and a first frame end and an opposing second frame end parallel with the first frame end, wherein the frame flanks and frame ends of the filter frame define a closed periphery; and

a subframe nested within and laterally delimited by the filter plate frame, wherein the subframe has a central opening having a closed area that is configured to define a lateral boundary of an associated filter chamber, when in use,

wherein either or both of the first frame end and the second frame end is an openable frame end, and

wherein the subframe is receivable into, and respectively, removable out from the filter plate frame via the openable frame end,

wherein the subframe is secured within the filter plate frame when the openable frame end is closed,

wherein the filter plate frame comprises a first bearing surface opening towards a plate side of the filter plate frame assembly and running at least along both the first frame flank and the second frame flank,

wherein the subframe comprises a second bearing surface opening towards the chamber side of the filter plate frame assembly, and

the filter plate subframe is supported on and slidable along the first bearing surface at the second bearing surface.

2 . The filter plate frame assembly according to claim 1 , wherein the openable frame end is provided as a releasably fixed section of the periphery formed by the filter plate frame.

3 . The filter plate frame assembly according to claim 1 , wherein the periphery formed by the filter plate frame comprises an opening at an end of the frame, wherein the openable frame end covers the opening, when fixed to the filter plate frame.

4 . The filter plate frame assembly according to claim 1 , wherein the first bearing surface comprises a groove and a ridge extending longitudinally along either or both of the first flank or the second flank,

the second bearing surface comprises a groove and ridge extending longitudinally on a side or sides corresponding to either or both of the first flank or the second flank,

wherein the groove of the first bearing surface is configured to form fittingly receive the ridge of the second bearing surface and the groove of the second bearing surface is configured to from-fittingly receive the ridge of the first bearing surface.

5 . The filter plate frame assembly according to claim 1 , wherein the filter plate frame is of a generally rectangular shape.

6 . The filter plate frame assembly according to claim 1 , further comprising a filter plate attached onto the filter plate frame on the plate side of the filter plate frame assembly, and covering at least an area delimited by the filter plate frame.

7 . The filter plate frame assembly according to claim 6 , wherein the subframe is secured in a direction perpendicular to a plane defined by the filter plate frame assembly between the filter plate frame and the filter plate, such that a free play of the filter plate subframe is allowed in said direction.

8 . The filter plate frame assembly according to claim 7 , further comprising a diaphragm covering an area delimited by the subframe, wherein the diaphragm is attached to the subframe and resides between the subframe and the filter plate.

9 . The filter plate frame assembly according to claim 8 , wherein the diaphragm comprises a continuous seal bead for sealing the diaphragm against the filter plate, wherein the free play allowed between the subframe and the filter plate allow the seal to be detached from the plate when the subframe is not pressed towards the filter plate, and the seal to abut the filter plate when the subframe is pressed towards the filter plate.

10 . The filter plate frame assembly according to claim 8 , wherein the diaphragm comprises a continuous seal bead for sealing the diaphragm against the filter plate, wherein the free play allowed between the subframe and the filter plate allow the seal bead to

when the subframe is not pressed towards the filter plate, engage therewith so as to provide sealing against a first pressure differential, and to leak under a second, higher pressure differential, and

when the subframe is pressed towards the filter plate, engage therewith so as to provide sealing against the second pressure differential.

11 . The filter plate frame according to claim 1 , wherein the filter plate frame assembly further comprises a sealing strip configured for sealing the filter chamber formed on the central opening of the subframe against a filter plate of an adjacent filter plate frame assembly below the subframe, wherein the sealing strip is attached to the subframe, on the frame side thereof.

12 . A horizontal filter press, wherein the filter press comprises:

a plurality of filter plate frame assemblies according to claim 1 , wherein the filter plate frame assemblies are configured movable towards each other into a closed position in which a filter chamber is formed between adjacent filter plate frame assemblies, and away from each to an open position in which adjacent filter plate frame assemblies are spaced apart from each other.

13 . A method of replacing worn components on the filter press according to claim 11 , comprising the steps of:

opening a filter chamber by moving an associated upper filter plate frame assembly away from an associated lower filter plate frame assembly with the translation arrangement;

opening an openable end of the associated lower plate frame assembly;

removing a subframe having worn components from the frame of the lower plate frame assembly via the openable end;

inserting a subframe having unworn or refurbished components into the frame of the lower plate frame assembly via the openable end; and

closing the openable end of the lower plate frame assembly.