Filter plate assembly for filter

Abstract

A filter (20) configured to separate the solid components and the liquid components from a slurry. The filter (20) includes a plurality of filter plate assemblies (46) that cooperate to define a plurality of filter chambers (70), each defining a perimeter (96) having an open section (98) when the filter plates (68) are in a closed position relative to one another. Each filter plate assembly (46) includes a closure (104) configured to close the open section (98). Preferably, the closures (104) are movable to an open position to permit a particulate cake to be removed from the filter chambers (70) without separating the filter plates (68).

What is claimed is: 
     
         1 . A filter plate assembly, comprising:
 a first filter plate having a first surface;   a second filter plate having a second surface facing said first surface, said first and second filter plates movable between an open position and a closed position relative one another, wherein in said closed position an interior portion of said first surface is spaced from an interior portion of said second surface to define therebetween a filter chamber having a perimeter;   wherein said filter plate assembly is capable of creating a seal between said first filter plate and said second filter plate, thereby defining a sealed section of said perimeter, said sealed section extending a length less than an entire length of said perimeter such that said filter plate assembly also defines an open section of said perimeter, said open section being sized and shaped to permit particulate cake to be removed from said filter chamber; and   a closure configured to be movable between a first position closing said open section and a second position not closing said open section, said closure further being capable of sealing said open section of said perimeter in said first position.   
     
     
         2 . The filter plate assembly of  claim 1 , additionally comprising a frame between said first filter plate and said second filter plate, said frame defining at least a portion of said open section of said perimeter. 
     
     
         3 . The filter plate assembly of  claim 2 , wherein said perimeter has four sides, said frame bounding three sides of said perimeter. 
     
     
         4 . The filter plate assembly of  claim 2 , wherein said frame is keyed to at least one of said first filter plate and said second filter plate to inhibit expansion of said frame in response to pressure within said filter chamber. 
     
     
         5 . The filter plate assembly of  claim 1 , wherein said closure carries a scraper, said scraper having a scraper surface extending between said first surface and said second surface and configured to urge particulate cake within said filter chamber toward said open section when said closure is moved toward said second position. 
     
     
         6 . The filter plate assembly of  claim 5 , wherein said scraper surface extends substantially completely across said filter chamber from said first surface to said second surface. 
     
     
         7 . The filter plate assembly of  claim 5 , wherein said scraper comprises multiple scraper surfaces spaced from one another which segment particulate cake within said filter chamber. 
     
     
         8 . The filter plate assembly of  claim 5 , wherein said scraper comprises an internal fluid passage configured to bring a fluid into thermal communication with particulate cake within said filter chamber. 
     
     
         9 . The filter plate assembly of  claim 5 , wherein said closure carries at least one spray nozzle, said spray nozzle connected to a wash fluid source and being configured to direct a spray of wash fluid toward at least one of said first surface and said second surface. 
     
     
         10 . The filter plate assembly of  claim 1 , wherein said closure comprises a portion extending into said filter chamber, said portion supporting at least one stay boss extending substantially across said filter chamber from said first surface to said second surface. 
     
     
         11 . The filter plate assembly of  claim 1 , wherein said perimeter includes an outer perimeter and a length of said outer perimeter equals a length of said sealed section plus a length of said open section. 
     
     
         12 . A method of filtering, comprising:
 forming a sealed filter chamber with a filter plate assembly comprising a first filter plate, a second filter plate, and a closure, said first filter plate and said second filter plate being movable from an open position to a closed position relative to one another to partially close said filter chamber, thereby defining an open section of said filter chamber, said closure being configured to close said open section of said sealed filter chamber;   introducing a slurry into said filter chamber;   forcing a liquid component of said slurry through a filter media lining a least a portion of said filter chamber until a particulate cake is formed within said filter chamber, said particulate cake occupying a substantial portion of said filter chamber;   maintaining said first filter plate and said second filter plate in said closed position;   removing said closure; and   discharging said particulate cake through said open section of said filter chamber.   
     
     
         13 . The method of  claim 12 , additionally comprising positioning a frame between said first filter plate and said second filter plate, said frame at least partially defining said open section. 
     
     
         14 . The method of  claim 13 , additionally comprising keying said frame to at least one of said first filter plate and said second filter plate to inhibit expansion of said frame in response to pressure within said filter chamber. 
     
     
         15 . The method of  claim 12 , wherein said discharging of said particulate cake is facilitated by a scraper, which is movable through said filter chamber along with movement of said closure away from said open section. 
     
     
         16 . The method of  claim 12 , additionally comprising providing a scraper within said filter chamber during a filter cycle, said scraper configured to segment said particulate cake. 
     
     
         17 . The method of  claim 12 , additionally comprising providing a scraper within said filter chamber during a filter cycle, drying said particulate cake within said filter chamber by circulating a heated fluid within an internal fluid passage of said scraper. 
     
     
         18 . The method of  claim 12 , additionally comprising directing a spray of wash fluid toward said filter media after said discharging of said particulate cake through said open section of said filter chamber and while maintaining said first filter plate and said second filter plate in said closed position. 
     
     
         19 . The method of  claim 12 , additionally comprising resisting deformation of said first filter plate and said second filter plate in response to pressure external of said filter chamber by positioning at least one stay boss within said filter chamber during a filter cycle, said stay boss being carried by said closure. 
     
     
         20 . A filter press, comprising:
 a frame including a support surface;   a stationary head;   a movable head;   a plurality of filter plates supported by said support surface between said stationary head and said movable head, said plurality of filter plates being movable relative to one another along said support surface between a separated position and a condensed position;   a force generator configured to apply a force to said movable head in a direction toward said stationary head to squeeze said plurality of filter plates between said movable head and said stationary head;   wherein adjacent pairs of said filter plates are configured to form a partially-sealed filter chamber when said force generator applies a sufficient force to create a seal between said plurality of filter plates, a perimeter of said filter chamber comprising an open section;   a closure configured to close said open section, said closure being removable from said open section to permit particulate to be removed from said filter chambers with said plurality of filter plates in said condensed position.   
     
     
         21 . The filter press of  claim 20 , additionally comprising a frame interposed between said each of said plurality of filter plates, each said frame defining at least a portion of said open section of said perimeter of a corresponding one of said filter chambers. 
     
     
         22 . The filter press of  claim 20 , wherein said plurality of filter plates define a longitudinal axis aligned with a direction of movement of said movable head, said open section of one said filter chamber being radially offset relative to said longitudinal axis from said open section of an adjacent said filter chamber. 
     
     
         23 . The filter press of  claim 20 , wherein each of said plurality of closures carry a scraper, said scraper having a scraper surface extending across said filter chamber and configured to urge particulate cake within said filter chamber toward said open section when said closure is moved to a position removed from said open section. 
     
     
         24 . The filter press of  claim 23 , additionally comprising a drive mechanism configured to move said plurality of closures from a position closing said open sections to a position removed from said open sections. 
     
     
         25 . The filter press of  claim 23 , wherein each of said scrapers comprise multiple scraper surfaces spaced from one another which segment particulate cake within said filter chamber. 
     
     
         26 . The filter press of  claim 23 , wherein said scrapers comprise an internal fluid passage configured to bring a fluid into thermal communication with particulate cake within said filter chamber. 
     
     
         27 . The filter press of  claim 20 , wherein each of said plurality of closures carries at least one spray nozzle, said spray nozzle connected to a wash fluid source and being positioned within said filter chamber when said closure is in a position closing said open section, said spray nozzle configured to direct a spray of wash fluid toward a filter media within said filter chamber. 
     
     
         28 . The filter press of  claim 20 , wherein each of said plurality of closures comprises a portion extending into said filter chamber, said portion supporting at least one stay boss extending substantially across said filter chamber to inhibit collapse of said filter chamber due to pressure external of said filter chamber. 
     
     
         29 . The filter plate assembly of  claim 20 , wherein said perimeter includes an outer perimeter and a length of said outer perimeter equals a length of said open section plus a length of said partially sealed section of said filter chamber. 
     
     
         30 . A filter plate assembly for a filter, comprising:
 a first filter plate;   a second filter plate, said first and second filter plates cooperating to create a filter chamber defining a width between said first and second filter plates when said filter plate assembly is in a closed position;   a stay boss extending substantially across an entirety of said width of said filter chamber and being removable from said filter chamber.   
     
     
         31 . A filter media assembly for a filter plate, the filter plate including a groove bounding a filter chamber portion of the filter plate, said filter media assembly comprising:
 a filter media portion configured to permit liquid to pass through the filter media portion and inhibit particulate matter from passing through the filter media portion;   a seal secured to a periphery of said filter media portion and configured to be received within the groove of the filter plate.   
     
     
         32 . The filter media assembly of  claim 31 , wherein said periphery is embedded within said seal. 
     
     
         33 . The filter media assembly of  claim 32 , wherein said seal is constructed from a moldable material.