LectureNo.

5I
PlateandFrameSludgeDewatering

1.DiscussionofPrinciples
A.Operation

Plate and frame dewatering is a batch process using a continuous makeup system for
supply. Sludge is withdrawn continuously from clarifiers, thickeners, digesters or
holding tanks, conditioned as required and supplied to the filter under pressure by
pump or pneumatic pressure.
The sludge is dewatered by filtration of the solids bearing slurry through a media
which may or may not be pre-coated.
The high pressures allow thick cakes to build up inside the filter chamber.

Reference: Carl E. Adams and W. Wesley Eckenfelder Jr. Process Design Techniques for
Industrial Waste Treatment, Associated Water & Air Resources Engineers, Inc. (AWARE, Inc.)
Enviro Press, Nashville, Tennessee, 1974, Library of Congress Catalog Card No. 74-84604.

Lecture No. 5I, Plate and Frame Sludge Dewatering, Page No. 2

The filtrate flows from behind the filter media through flow passages formed in the
plate surface or in open mesh underdrainage member to outlets on the filter plate.

Reference: Carl E. Adams and W. Wesley Eckenfelder Jr. Process Design Techniques for
Industrial Waste Treatment, Associated Water & Air Resources Engineers, Inc. (AWARE, Inc.)
Enviro Press, Nashville, Tennessee, 1974, Library of Congress Catalog Card No. 74-84604.

After the cake is completely formed at the final filtration pressure, the flow of material
into the filter decreases significantly indicating the end of the cycle.
The filter is then opened allowing the filter cakes to discharge.

Reference: Carl E. Adams and W. Wesley Eckenfelder Jr. Process Design Techniques for
Industrial Waste Treatment, Associated Water & Air Resources Engineers, Inc. (AWARE, Inc.)
Enviro Press, Nashville, Tennessee, 1974, Library of Congress Catalog Card No. 74-84604.

Lecture No. 5I, Plate and Frame Sludge Dewatering, Page No. 3
B.PressureandResults

50-225 psi
Pressure dryness of the cake
Most municipal sludges yield 40-50% solids with 225 psi; 30-40% solids with 100 psi
systems.
A 50% cake is typically 80-100 lb/ft3.

C.Conditioners

lime
ferric chloride
polymers
physical admix mixtures such as flyash
cement kiln dust

D.VariableAffectingDewatering

Sludge feed solids concentration.

Sludge and filtrate viscosity
Sludge compressibility
Chemical and physical composition

E.OperatingVariableAffectingDewatering

pressure
filter cake thickness
filtration time
sludge and type of conditioning
precoat
type and porosity of filter media

2.DesignEquations
Filter cake total solids, dry weight (lbs/day) = sludge solids (lbs/day) + conditioning solids
(lbs/day)
Total filter cake including water, lbs/day =
Cake volume ( ft3) =
Number of filter chambers(chamber/day) =

Lecture No. 5I, Plate and Frame Sludge Dewatering, Page No. 4
Filter cycles =
Filter chambers per cycle =

3.DevelopmentofDesignParameters
A.FilterPlateSize

Square, round or rectangular

Plate characteristics
Area
in2
25-30
40-45
75-80

Approximate
exterior
dimensions
inches
48 to 52
60-64
72-96

Volume
ft3

Cake
thickness
inches

1-1.5
1.5-2.5
2.5-4.0

1-1.5
1-1.5
1-1.5

B.PreCoat

3-15 lbs/100ft2 of filter area per cycle

pre-coats include diatomaceous earth and ash

C.Conditioning

Thicker sludges require less conditioning.

Typical doses:

4.RequiredDesignInformation

Total sludge feed solids in suspension.

Concentration of the slurry entering the system.
Type and amount of conditioning chemical
Cake thickness at pressure
Length of filter cycle
Total time available

Lecture No. 5I, Plate and Frame Sludge Dewatering, Page No. 5

5.DesignProcedure

Calculate the total sludge to be dewatered daily.

Calculate the amount of conditioning solids
Calculate the total solids in the cake.
Calculate the total volume of solids at the % of solids from the pilot tests.
Calculate the volume of cake per day, based on density.
Determine the number of filter chambers required.
Calculate the number of filter cycles allowing for downtime, dumping, pre-coating.
Calculate the total number of chambers per cycles

6.Example
Given: Qsludge = 86,600 gal/day
2.5% solids nominally 18,000 lb/day of sludge solids
conditioning solids = 20% of sludge solids
cake solids = 45%
cake density = 75 lb/ft3
cake thickness = 1.2"
filter chamber volume = 1.88 ft3
cycle time = 105 minutes filter time + 15 minutes turnaround = 2hrs
filter pressure = 225 psi
Bases on pilot testing, design for a moisture content of 55%(45% solids) and operate 16hr/day, 7
days/wk, utilizing chemical conditioning.
Find: Design the plate and frame dewatering system
1.) Filter cake total solids, dry weight
Filter cake total solids, dry weight (lbs/day) = sludge solids (lbs/day) + conditioning solids
(lbs/day)
86,600 gal/day x 8.34 lb/gal x .025 = 18,000 lbs/day
Filter cake total solids, dry weight (lbs/day) = 18,000 lbs/day + .20 x 18,000 lbs/day
Filter cake total solids, dry weight = 21,600 lbs/day

2.) Total Quantity of Cake

Total filter cake including water, lbs/day =
Total filter cake including water, lbs/day =
Total filter cake including water = 48,000 lb/day of cake at 45% solids
3.) Cake Volume
Cake volume ( ft3) =
Cake volume ( ft3) =
Cake volume = 640 ft3 /day

Lecture No. 5I, Plate and Frame Sludge Dewatering, Page No. 6
4. ) Number of chambers
Number of filter chambers (chamber/day) =
Number of filter chambers (chamber/day) =
Number of filter chambers = 340 chambers/day
5.) Number of Filter Cycles
Filter cycles =
Filter cycles = = 8
6. ) Filter Chambers per cycle
Filter chambers per cycle =
Filter chambers per cycle =
Filter chambers per cycle = 42.5 chambers use 43 chambers
7.) Summary
Use 1 filter unit, 60-64" plates with 43 chambers. Allow 100% expansion for future growth.
Alternate: Use 1 filter unit with 40-52" plates, chamber volume = 1.2ft 3 yielding 66 chambers.

HOMEWORK-434I-5
5I-1. Given: Research the literature concerning conditioning chemicals prior to sludge disposal.
Find: Make a table listing:
1.) type of dewatering
2.) quantities of chemicals
3.) cost of chemicals
4.) efficiency of process
5.) typical chemical for typical industrials wastes.
5I-2. Given: 8 tons per day(wet) of a 4% sludge. The cake solids is 38%. The conditioning
3
sludges are 5% of the total solids. The cake density is 81.7lb/ft .
3
2
Use a 2ft chamber with an area of 42ft having a 2 hour total cycle time. The facility and the
filter press operate 8hrs/day, 4 days/week.
Find:
1.).Design the plate and frame sludge dewatering system.
2.) Laboratory tests indicate that a pre-coat is in order; how much diatomaceous earth will be
used in an average month?