ABSTRACT

A vacuum filter is a device used to separate solid material from liquid.

Sludge is chemically treated and placed in a vat or tank. The vacuum filter has a round drum which rotates partially submerged in the sludge.

A vacuum is applied to the inside of the drum to draw the sludge onto the outside of the drum cover. This porous outside cover or filter medium allows the filtrate of liquid to pass through into the drum and the filter cake to stay on the medium.

The filtrate water is returned to the plant for treatment and the filter cake solids pulled to the outside of the medium are removed by a fixed scraper blade and are discharged onto a conveyor belt.