Residual water removal from paste, sludge and bulk solids

摘要

The removal of residual water from paste, sludge and bulk solids comprises the combined use of a hydraulic press and saturated steam. Moisture is expelled from a mass of paste, sludge or suspension, or a bulk moist organic mass, in a filter assembly by the application of thermal energy and pressure. The assembly has a filter press (1) within a gas-tight pressure chamber (12) within which one or two hydraulically driven pistons (5) apply the pressure and effect the opening and closing of the pressure chamber. The moist mass (6) is compressed within the pressure chamber in the presence of saturated steam entering through a valve (16). The pressure chamber lid (4) and piston incorporate a waste water filter. The filter plates (9) have openings (10) on the cap (4) and/or piston directed towards the chamber, and a rear-facing collection and outlet chamber (20). The chamber is charged with a moist mass via an inlet with a flooding valve (14) located either in the cap or the base plate (28). Steam is released from the chamber via an outlet valve (15) in the cap. Following the action by the hydraulically advanced piston, residual hot water is released via a valve (17) in the cap.