A FILTER PLATE FOR A HORIZONTAL PLATE AND FRAME-TYPE FILTER, SUCH AS A TOWER PRESS
A filter plate for a horizontal plate and frame-type filter, such as a tower press. A filtrate vat formed on, and integral with a filter plate is provided along with an outlet opening as a gap on a border delimiting the vat for providing drainage route, and a recessed portion provided at the outlet opening. A rigid structure of the filtrate vat that is capable of resisting deformation may be achieved, and contamination from slurry between the filter plate and a possible vat liner or coating is avoided.
1 - 15 . (canceled)
16 . A filter plate for a horizontal plate and frame-type filter, such as a tower press, the filter plate having a rigid plate-like body with a frame side and a vat side,
wherein the filter plate comprises, on the vat side, a border having at least an inner lateral wall and an upper surface, the border being elevated for a distance at least from a portion of the filter plate delimited within the border, and
wherein the border is an integral part of the filter plate,
wherein a filtrate vat is formed by the filter plate, such that the inner lateral wall of the border forms a lateral wall of the filtrate vat, and a portion of the filter plate delimited by the border forms a bottom of the filtrate vat,
wherein a gap is provided on the border, such that an outlet opening extending laterally through the border is formed, thereby providing a fluid drainage route from the filtrate vat, and wherein the filter plate comprises, on the vat side of the filter plate, a recessed portion of the filter plate situated at the outlet opening, the recessed portion being recessed with respect to the bottom of the filtrate vat.
17 . The filter plate according to claim 16 , wherein the border is elevated for a distance of between 10 mm-40 mm from the portion of the filter plate delimited within the border.
18 . The filter plate according to claim 16 , wherein the width of the border is between 15 mm-200 mm.
19 . The filter plate according to claim 16 , wherein the border has an outer lateral wall, wherein the border is elevated for a distance at least from a portion of the filter plate delimiting the border.
20 . The filter plate according to claim 16 , wherein the border is solid.
21 . The filter plate according to claim 16 , wherein the length of the gap is between 150 mm-300 mm.
22 . The filter plate according to claim 16 , wherein the filter plate is of a generally rectangular shape having a first flank side and a second flank side parallel to the first flank side, and a first end side and a second end side parallel to the first end side,
wherein the first and second end sides extend in a direction transverse to a direction in which the first and second flank sides extend,
wherein the first and second flank sides have a length greater than that of the first and second end sides, and
wherein one or more gaps of the border are formed on either or both of the first flank side and the second flank side.
23 . The filter plate according to claim 22 , wherein the length of the first and second flank side is 1.5 to 3 times that of the first and second end side.
24 . The filter plate according to claim 22 , wherein a gap of the border is formed in a corner region between a flank side and an end side.
25 . The filter plate according to claim 22 , wherein the filter plate comprises one or more lateral indentation portion provided on either or both of the first flank side and the second flank side,
wherein the lateral indentation portion is arranged to circumvent suspension elements and/or support elements of a filter plate frame on which the filter plate is to be supported.
26 . The filter plate according to claim 25 , wherein the filter plate comprises one or more lateral widening portions provided on either or both of the first flank side and the second flank side,
wherein the lateral widening portions are arranged between lateral indentation portions adjacent to the widening portion,
wherein the lateral widening portions are arranged to laterally overhang a filter plate frame intended to support the filter plate.
27 . The filter plate according to claim 16 , wherein the filter plate comprises a plurality of attachment holes running along the periphery of the filter plate and extending therethrough,
wherein the attachment holes are situated on an outer side of the border with respect to the filtrate vat, such that the attachment holes are not in contact with filtrate within the filtrate vat, when in use
28 . The filter plate according to claim 16 , wherein the filter plate is of creeping-resistant material, chosen from a group comprising metals, such as steel, FRP (fibre-reinforce plastics) materials, such as reinforced composite materials with a thermoset or thermoplastic matrix, and thermoset materials.
29 . The filter plate according to claim 16 , wherein at least the filtrate vat is coated or lined with a vat liner the coating or vat liner being of a wear-resistant material chosen from a group comprising wear resistant polymers, such as thermoplastics including thermoplastic vulcanizates and thermoplastic elastomers, PUR and rubber.
30 . The filter plate according to claim 29 , wherein the coating or vat liner additionally covers either or both of the upper surface and the outer lateral wall of the border.