2.3. Filtration.

This unit provides references and tools for understanding the principles and criteria
for the selection of a filtration team.

It is necessary for the student to research through the internet and specialized magazines the
different filtration teams. Also, it should investigate and analyze different processes
biotechnological areas where filtration is applied. Each analysis should focus on identification.
and analysis of parameters and variables that influence this OU. Problem solving is a
important practice in unit operation aesthetics. After analyzing other operations
Units related to solid-liquid separation should be clearly defined.
criteria to determine how to select the appropriate operation for each case, within
the possible options. This unit because it presents several options to solve a
same problem, teamwork is fundamental.

Filtration uses a porous filtering medium to separate solids from the liquid.
It is common to find processes where sedimentation is applied and subsequently
filtration, are complementary OUs. All those particles that have low
sedimentation speed or those that do not sediment can be separated by filtration.

2.3.1. Importance and classification of filters.

There is a wide variety of filters, all of them with specific and general applications.
Specifics on how to filter hazardous substances, those that are filtered in batches, usually
using a press filter. Generally, filtering a juice can be done with a continuous filter or one
in batches.

In biochemical processes or natural products, filtration has applications, for example:

Filtering honey with meshes.

Filtering alcoholic beverages such as beer, wine.
Filtering of juices such as sugarcane, pineapple, peach, etc.
Food industry: organic acids, starch and derivatives, vegetable oils and
fats, yeasts, and extracts.
Pharmaceutical industry: antibiotics, plant extracts, fibrous materials,
penicillin derivatives, vitamins, laxatives, etc.
Industrial waste and environmental technology.

[Link] Sieve or mesh filters.

Sieve filtration, use a sieve, which can be a steel or plastic mesh. It is used
for particle sizes greater than 150 microns. The separated particles can be removed.
manually, shaking the filter, with a brush or backwashing. In continuous filtration, the
Vibration can help discharge solids. Figure 2.3.1 shows a sieve filter or
Malla. The following page shows different types of filters ht[Link]
 Figure 2.3.1. Sieve filters. [Link]

[Link]. Bag and cartridge filter.

The bag filters are similar to the sieve filters, but the filtering medium is a synthetic bag.
Filter step can remove particles in a range of 1 to 1000 microns. Figure 2.3.2,
It shows a bag filter. Also, there is the cartridge filter which is more efficient than the
of the bag. Neither of the two previous filters is designed for solutions with
concentrations greater than 50 mg/l, higher concentrations require extensive cleaning
frequency the filters, making the OU unfeasible. If this is the case, it is advisable to seek another
alternatva. Cartridge filters can operate in the presence of aerosols and substances.
dangerous. These filters are used for low-scale jobs.

Figure [Link]. Bag [Link]

[Link]. Sand filter.

Deep bed filtration, the filtering medium provides a specific depth of

filter and the particles are retained within the filtering medium, rather than on the surface.
retention of particles, can be more by adsorption than by filtration, and can also,
separate particles smaller than the opening of the filtering medium. The most important filter
From the deep bed, the gravel or sand filter is widely used in treatment.
of water and wastewater. In filter stage, the filtered material is removed by backwashing.
leaving the filter clean for a new use. Sand filters are limited to low
solid concentrations lower than 70 mg/l. A higher concentration causes a low
performance in the filter. However, if a continuous backwash is adapted to the filter, it can
operate with loads of up to 500 mg/l in the feed. Figure [Link] shows a filter of
arena, and figure [Link] shows different packaging types for this filter stage.
Figure [Link] shows the operation of a filter, for this figure, the one on the left
it represents the normal functioning of the filter, the figure on the right shows the flow of
retro washing of the filter. Figure [Link] is an industrial filter. The figure shows two
containers, one of them is waiting to be cleaned while the other is in operation, this
allows you to always have a filter available.

Figure [Link]. Sand [Link]

Figure [Link]. Beach sand, pool filter sand, black quartz, aquarium gravel, quartz
black and white. [Link]

Figure [Link] Operating principle of a sand [Link]

Figure [Link]. Sand filters for industrial water treatment.
[Link].

[Link]. Filter press.

The press filter, also known as the plate and frame filter, can be manual or
completely automated. They are made of different materials: carbon steel, stainless steel,
polypropylene, etc., depending on the needs of the material to be filtered, and the characteristics
of the product we desire. Videos 1, 2, 3 show aspects about the use and
operation of a filter press.

One of the most common uses of filter presses is in the separation of solids - liquids, and the
clarification of numerous liquids in industries such as: Treated waters, Textile, Sugar.
Drinks, Wines, Ceramics, Oil jug, among others.

Within the industry related to biochemical engineering, we have several examples of

industrial application

In the sugar industry, in the cane sugar production industry, they use
various types of filters. The press filters are used for being very variable in their
construction and that have special provisions with mechanisms designed for
to do a warming up and facilitate the filtering. Generally, all of these provide excellent
results, allowing for abundant, good, and fast filtering, furthermore,
the filtering of those materials such as the dregs and residues is achieved
In general, they are very rich in impurities and it would not be possible to obtain their filtration.

conveniently in the common filters. The juice, after having passed through the
filter press, goes directly to the evaporators. In order to obtain the best
result, and especially when it comes to filtering the chalazae or coarse impurities is
It is advisable to produce a warm-up in them, but being careful to
that maintains a slight marked alkaline reaction, otherwise there would be loss
 of sugar and the filtration would not be done well, due to the pasty consistency that it would acquire
Product. If for any reason the alkaline reaction is insufficient, before
To produce the heating, a lime slurry must be added. If the sediments or
they have such consistency that they do not allow for a good filtration to be done with them.
It is advisable to add a little hot water and then filter. During the filtering, it must
take care to do the best that is possible, for the better it is
filtered, the obtained juice will have the appropriate concentration, for later,
to be able to crystallize it

In the wine industry. Nowadays, pneumatic presses are used.

hermetically sealed in which the delicacy of the pressing allows for a lesser
extraction of unwanted substances and maximum respect for intrinsic qualities
from the grape. It is more common in the musts. Thus obtaining 60% or 70% of must
from drop (better quality), 20% of second quality and 10% of press must.
Stainless steel is used for the construction of these presses and a shape is given.
closed to prevent oxidations, provided on the inside with a membrane of
neoprene, which expands due to the injection of air through a compressor, the
which allows a gentle pressing especially in the first stage.
In the brewing industry. The solution that results after mixing grains,
Malta, water, when subjected to heating, must be filtered to eliminate
suspended particles, this filtration, some call it, first filtration. The
The product of this filtration is known as must. The solid materials that
they remain after this filtration, they are free of must, but they are found
saturated with still valuable soluble substances; for this reason, it is poured into the pot of
water filtration at a temperature of about 75° C, starting the second filtration.
This second must is combined with the must from the first filtration;

The filter has some advantages:

Great filtration area with little space occupied thanks to the layout in
parallel of the elements and high filtration cadences.
Filters that tolerate high pressures (up to 25 bars). It is true that this advantage is
theoretical in the case of agri-food industries as they are necessarily applied
moderate filtration pressures in order to reduce the specific resistance of the
cake.
The filter produces cakes with low moisture content.
Excellent washing of the cakes. The filter presses are what allow for the best.
washed, and therefore the best yields (in the strict sense of the term, it is
to say, relationship between the amount of extract recovered at the output and the amount of
product at the entrance) this explains the presence of filter-presses in all industries
in which the exhaustion of the cakes is essential: breweries, cider houses,
distilleries, sugar mills, and oil mills. In addition, low moisture cakes are obtained.
residual what facilitates its subsequent use (intended for feeding the
cattle)
Quality of filtration. The cleanest filtrates are obtained with press filters.
 Versatility of use. They tolerate significant variations in the quality of the liquid to be treated.
Low investment cost compared to other filtration systems.

Some disadvantages of the press filter:

Discontinuous operation: discontinuous work is inconvenient in itself,

but in the case of the filtration, it involves progressive variations in expenses. In the
large facilities, it is possible to mitigate such operation by making work
some filters in parallel. In smaller industries, containers can be used
lung.
Choice between high labor costs or complicated automation that
limits some of the advantages mentioned above: low investment cost,
robustness and simplicity. In any case, the presence of a supervisor is necessary.
even if only to control the cleanliness, or obtain the cake. It is not advisable
when there are toxic gases, or some dangerous substance.
Difficulty in filling the frames in case of a solution with difficulty to
filter it.

Figure [Link]. Medium-sized filter [Link]

[Link] Rotary filters.

Rotary filters can be either drum or disc types, and are mainly used in the
primary treatments, or where it is necessary to remove large or coarse solids, in a way
quickly and at a low operating cost. These filters use a vacuum system to be able to
carry out the filtration. These filters are very useful in different industries such as:
 Figure [Link]. Frames, plates, and filtering [Link]

Figure [Link]. Large-sized filter [Link]

Separation of solids such as bagasse from mixed juice and clear juice from sugar cane, in
sugar mills and panela mills. Separation of solids from grape juice in the
wine production process. Separation of solids from the sacrifice effluent in the
bird processing and slaughterhouses. Wastewater treatment plants. Plants
food processors. citrus processing plants. process plants
organic acids, starch and derivatives, vegetable oils and fats, yeasts and extracts. In the
pharmaceutical industry are useful for the filtration of antibiotics, plant extracts,
fibrous materials, derived from penicillin, vitamins, laxatives, etc. In environmental technology
for industrial waste separation.
A typical application of a continuous drum filter is beer filtration. The drum is
Immerse in beer and rotate at low speed, the liquid is sucked through the medium.
filter, the solids are retained forming the cake. The drum, when it rotates, transports the cake to the
washing and detachment area.

Figure [Link] outlines the operation of a rotary drum filter. The figures
[Link] and 2.3.12 represent an industrial rotary filter and a disc filter, respectively.
rotary. Videos 4, 5, 6 show the operation of this type of filters.

Figure [Link]. Operation of a rotary [Link]

[Link]. Industrial rotary [Link]

 Figure [Link]. Rotary disc [Link],
[Link]

[Link]. Band filter.

Band filters are frequently used to dewater sludge by compression of the

band-pass filters between two bands. Figures [Link] and [Link] represent a band filter. The
Videos 9 and 10 show the operation of this type of filters.

Figure [Link]. Band filter. [Link]

 Figure [Link]. Band filter. [Link]

There are other types of filters, of which images of some of them are presented.
The student must investigate its functioning and application.

Horizontal plate filters (video 8), vertical sheets (video 9), can work with
presence of aerosols and hazardous substances. These filters are used for low-risk work.
scale.

2.3.2. Filtration Theory.

Filtering is an OU, where a flow of a solution with a certain content of insoluble solids
it passes through a filtering support surface, which may or may not be coated with a
filter medium. The filter medium can be a mesh, cotton fabric, polyester, nylon,
arena, gravel, membrane. We have a momentum transport phenomenon, where the
solution is forced through pressure, overcoming a resistance formed by the medium
filter cake and the cake that is being formed. This cake (solids retained in the filtering medium)
it can be incompressible or compressible. In the first case, the porosity is greater, in the
In the second case, the porosity is lower due to the compaction exerted by the pressure.
about the cake, causing the filtering medium to become saturated more easily. In this case it
it may require higher filtration pressure, without being so great that it breaks the medium
Filter. The smaller the porosity, the greater the pressure drop. In filters, such as sand filters, there is no
resistance through the filtering medium. The pressure drop is caused by the change in direction
of the fluid passing through the pores of the sand and gravel, and by the accumulation of solids in
the filtering medium.

Three important variables of the filtering solution are particle size, concentration.
of solid and viscosity. The particle size is considered large if it exceeds 50 microns and
small if it is less than 10 microns. (Peters). For high concentrations it is advisable
use cake-forming filters, if the concentration is low, it is better to use those filters
that do not form a cake. The viscosity is inversely proportional to the filtration speed.
Viscosity is affected by temperature, liquid purity, and dissolved solids.
The filtration mechanism can be classified into four types:

Sieve filtration, explained in point [Link].

Filtration with cake formation. These filters handle high concentrations, of such
way that forms the cake on the filtering medium. Once the cake has been
formed, it helps to retain particles smaller than the pore of the
filter medium, the tortatene with smaller pores, which allow for separation of
particles, which otherwise would not be retained. This causes the resistance to flow
more sea. As the thickness of the cake increases, the resistance increases, and it can
to provoke a greater drop in pressure, or a decrease in the flow passing through
the cake. The driving force in the filters that form cake can be gravity,
empty, pressure, mechanical pressure, and centrifugal force. The gravity filters used
only for quick filtrations where the permeability of the cake is greater than 10-
m and particle sizes greater than 1 mm.
9 2

Filters with a void work better handling slurries with particles larger than 30.
micras, and flow easily. Aesthetic filters require permeability
average of the cake of 10-9and 10-11m2Most continuous filters operate without
interruptions, and they can handle large flows. The most popular filters of this
They are rotary drum, disc, belt with vacuum. The leaf filters and the screw connections.
they are an example of batch filters.
Pressure filtration is obtained from pumps or with compressed gas. Values are reached.
from up to 750 kPa. Filter step is used for fine particles (1 to 70 microns) and
low permeability of the cake (slow drainage of the cake) of 10-11a 10-15m2. The majority
These filters are batch filters, but there are some continuous ones. The filters with tank of
Pressure includes vertical sheets and horizontal sheets. The filtering elements of those
units are located inside the pressure vessel. The pressure filters
they contain a series of dishes that are pressed against each other with an external pressure
to form a chamber with the required filtration area for the application
established.
Mechanical compression. Various types of mechanical compression filters are
available. This includes equipment with high pressures, such as the diaphragm press and the
tubular press. There are also low-pressure equipment that operate in a way
continue, like the band filters and screw.

The capacity of most pressure filters is limited due to their batch operation.
or semi-continuous. A general idea in pressure filtration is that, with greater pressure,
greater filtration and drying speed of the cake will be achieved. This is not the case for solids.
highly compressible. In cases like these, filtration must be done by compression
mechanics, more than, by pumping pressure.

Other cake filters work with centrifugal force. Various types of centrifugal filters can
batch or continuous operation. The vertical basket and the peeling centrifuge are examples of
units that work in batches. Depending on the fabric used in the filter bag, those two
Centrifuges can filter particles up to 3 microns.
Continuous centrifuge filters, on the other hand, can process large volumes of slurry.
but they are limited to separating particles of up to 50 microns, using wire mesh as
filter medium. Filter centrifuges screw type, pushers, and mesh basket are
examples of continuous equipment.

Traditional filtering media such as cloth, wire mesh, and sintered metal
(thermal treatment) are used to eliminate particles between 1 and 10 microns. The
very fine filtrations require membranes. The next page shows some post of
fibers used in filtration. [Link]

[Link]. Help filter or filter help.

The use of filters coated with some filtering medium is the first point where filtration
biological is different from conventional filtration. The filter aid is a coating that
applies over the filtering medium, usually cloth, it can be a layer of diatomaceous earth or
some other material that contains micro pores. This layer is usually thick. For example,
the beer filtration deposits a thin layer of biomass on the coating,
facilitating the clarification of the beer. The filter aid causes more solids to be generated in
filtration. Add filter aid to broths or biological solutions before filtration,
Helps facilitate the filtration of the solution. Colloids are adsorbed on the filter.
reducing the compressibility of the cake. A cake with greater compressibility reduces the
filtration capacity and increases maintenance in the detachment of the cake.
Also, the help filter increases the retention capacity of small particles such as
fragmented mycelium. The two most effective filter aids, and for that reason, used with
The most common are diatomaceous earth and perlite (volcanic stones). The use of filter
Help can be limited if the desired product is adsorbed on the filter help in such a way
that it is difficult to separate them (This case occurs with the aminoglycoside antibiotic).

Other examples of filter aid applications are in the filtration of: Beer, oil, pectins,
azúcar, vino, vinagre, ácido cítrico, gelatna, manteca de cerdo, sebo, grasas, ácido fosfórico,
antibiotics, fruit juices, algae, alginates, casein, corn gluten.

The pre-coated rotary filters with the help of a filter are the filtration equipment used with
higher frequency in biological separations.

[Link]. Pre-treatments.

Filtration sometimes requires conditions for it to take place, the liquids of

fermentation and biological solutions, having the behavior of Newtonian fluids,
Furthermore, they form compressible cakes. For this reason, some pretreatment is carried out to
facilitate filtration. These treatments are also used in centrifugation and the
sedimentation.
 Heating. This method influences the viscosity and can reach pasteurization. Its
the limiting factor is that the stability of the product is not affected. The heating is
easy and complicated at the same time. A solution of ovalbumin, if we heat it,
denatures the protein and is much easier to filter because the egg is
cooked egg. This cooked egg is easier to filter, but the ovalbumin is modified in
its chemical structure irreversibly.
Coagulation and flocculation. The modification of pH by the addition of electrolytes
(acids, bases, and synthetic polyelectrolytes) facilitate coagulation and flocculation of the
original solution. These electrolytes reduce the repulsion forces that exist between
the colloids, generating conditions for attractive forces that form clots,
which in turn increases the size of the particle facilitating filtration. The change of
pH for these electrolytes increases the volume of filtrate for the same time, without
that there has been a modification to the pH. (Bioseparation. Belter, Cussler, Hu. Wiley & Son,
1988). Electropolymers can be polyacrylamides, polyethylene amines, and derivatives of
polyamides. Ferric chloride and alumina are two poly electrolytes used in
water treatment.

[Link]. Equations for the design of a filter. TIME.

The cake that forms in the filtering medium, commonly a fabric, due to the porosity that
It presents the flow through it, this is laminar. The equation is: Peters.

dV / dt = A ΔP (2.3.1.)

µ (Rm + Rt)

V = filtered volume t=time A = filtration area

ΔP = pressure drop µ = viscosity

Rm = medium resistance Rt = cake resistance.

Rt varies directly proportional to the thickness (l) of the cake.

Rt = C l, C = is a constant of proportionality, m-1.

Rm = C lm, lm is a fictitious cake thickness equivalent to that of the medium with equal resistance.
filter.

Both l and lm should be measured indirectly through an easily quantifiable variable.

In this case, it is the volume. To establish this relationship, we use ρ.tcake density
kg of dry solids in the cake / volume of the wet cake. Vf is the volume of fictitious filtrate.
per unit of filtering area, which will deposit a cake with a thickness equivalent to that of the medium
filtering.

Another important concept is α, defined as the specific resistance of the cake.

α = C / ρt, clearing C = α ρt
l = thickness of the cake = V cake / Area cake = w V (2.3.2.)

A rhot

Lfthickness the fictitious cake = w A Vf (2.3.3.)

A rhot

Rm = Cl = α ρtw A Vf = α w A Vf (2.3.4.)

A rhot A

while Rt = α w V (2.3.5.)

dV / dt = A2DP (2.3.6.)

α w ( V + A Vf ) µ

α, specific resistance of the cake, m/kg. = C/ρt

ρt = density of the cake, kg of dry solids in the cake / volume of the wet cake.

C = constant of proportionality.

w = dry solid weight / filtrate volume, kg / m3

Integrating the equation with limits between initial conditions of (to, Vo) and final conditions
of (t and V), and rearranging the equation:

V2+ 2 A VfV = 2 A2(ΔP) t (2.3.7.)

αwµ

The previous equation assumes a constant specific resistance of the cake, valid for a
incompressible cake. For compressible cakes, the specific resistance depends on the pressure.
the expression is α=α ’ (ΔP)s, where s is a constant known as the exponent of
compressibility. When it is 0, the cake is completely incompressible; if the value is 1, it is
totally understandable. The typical values of s are between 0.1 and 0.8 (Peters). Most of
The cakes formed by biological materials are compressible. The pressure drop
generally increases as the resistance of the cake increases. α' is a constant that
It depends on the properties of the solid material.
Substituting α with α' (ΔP)sin the filtration equation, we will have for compressible cakes the
equation:

V2+ 2 A Vf V = 2A2(ΔP)1-s t (2.3.8.)

α’ w µ

Equations (2.3.7.) and (2.3.8.) are applicable to batch systems. Vf, α’, s, are constants
of the team and the grout to be filtered, which are evaluated based on experimental data. These
Data is obtained in the laboratory using a filter press. The slurry is filtered under pressure.
constant, determined the filtered volume at different times. It is advisable to carry out the
experiment at different pressures to assess whether the cake that forms is compressible or not
It is. Through a graph, the experimental data allows us to determine the value of the
constants.

Making the equation (2.3.7.) linear:

t (ΔP) = µ α w (ΔP) Vf + µ α w (ΔP) V (2.3.9.)

V/A 2 A

The slope is µ α w (ΔP) y, the cutoff point on the ordinate is µ α w (ΔP) Vf

Making the equation (2.3.8) linear we obtain:

t (ΔP) = µ α’ w (ΔP)sVf + µ α ’ w (ΔP)s V (2.4.0.)

V/A 2 A

Drum filter.

For continuous filters, the previous equations must be adjusted. In continuous filtration, a
difference between intermittent or batch, the filtration area is only a fraction of the area
total, and the resistance of the filtering medium is generally negligible. The filtration area
it depends on the submerged fraction of the drum. Equation 2.3.1. for the filtration stage.
it will be

dV / dt = Ac ψfΔP (2.4.1.)

µ (Rm + Rt)

The integrated equation will be:

V2R+ 2 Ac ψfVfVR= 2A2c ψf(ΔP)1-s (2.4.2.)

a wave NR
VRVolume of filtrate obtained per revolution.
ACFiltration area.
ψf, it is the fraction of the drum that is submerged in water.
Ac ψfEffective filtration area.
NRThese are the revolutions per minute at which the drum rotates (rpm).

The student will be able to investigate the development of the steps to arrive at this equation, in addition to the
equations that have been developed considering negligible resistance of the filtering medium
and incomprehensible cake.

2.3.3. Calculation of filtration capacity.

Tests were conducted on a 0.6 m2 filter press to filter apple juice with a
solid content of 15 Kg / m3, the viscosity is 1.1 cP. Two tests were conducted on
constant pressure, the data is presented in table 2.3.1.

V, filtered m3 ΔP, 68 KPa ΔP, 75 KPa

0.142 0.15 0.19
0.226 0.3 0.4
0.283 0.6 0.87
0.34 1.0 1.5
Table 2.3.1.

a). Determine the values of the filtration constants α’, Vf and s.

b). If we want to produce 8 m3Filtering in 6 hours. What area should the filter have? What
Will pressure give us a smaller filtration area?

Using Excel, with the equation 2.4.0., the table 2.3.2 is prepared:

ΔP = 68 kPa ΔP = 75 kPa
V/A t (ΔP) / (V/A) t (ΔP) / (V/A)
0.05 204 270
0.08 244.8 342
0.13 306 466.88
0.18 370.91 593.18
Table 2.3.2.

Using the data from table 2.3.2, graph 2.3.1 is created.

 650.00
600.00
550.00
500.00
450.00
400.00
350.00
300.00 68
250.00 75
200.00
150.00
100.00
50.00
0.00
0.04 0.06 0.08 0.10 0.12 0.14 0.16 0.18 0.20
V/A

Graphic 2.3.1. Graphic of equation 2.4.0.

From the previous graph, Table 2.3.3 is created. Based on the slope of equation 2.4.0 and
by applying logarithms we can obtain s.

ΔP Log ΔP Pending (m) Log m Y-axis intercept

68 1.8325 2438.6 3.0968 143.68
75 1.8750 1249.7 3.3871 140.83
Table 2.3.3.

µ α w (ΔP)s= m, applying logarithms

log m = log ( µ α w / 2) + s log ΔP 2.4.3.

Graphing the data from table 2.3.3., the slope obtained is s = 0.1466.
The Y-axis intercept, log (µ α w / 2) is equal to 1.3786. Its antilogarithm is 23.9111.
 1.88

1.87 f(x) = 0.146563039421539 x + 1.37863164658286

1.86

1.85

1.84

1.83

1.82

1.81
3.05 3.1 3.15 3.2 3.25 3.3 3.35 3.4 3.45
Log m

Graphic 2.3.2. Data table 2.3.3.

µ α’ w / 2 = 23.9111

α ' = 2 (23.9111) / (0.0396)(15) = 80.5087

VfWe obtain it from the cutoff point of equation 2.4.0.

µ α’ w (ΔP)s Vf = 143.68

Vf= 143.68 / ((68)0.1466(23.9111)) = 3.23

The area of the filter to produce 8 m3in 6 hours. Using equation 2.3.8.

V2+ 2 A Vf V = 2A2(ΔP)1-s t

α’ w µ

27.1 m2the area is large, so it is advisable to use two filtration cycles per day, to
16-hour workday. The other option is to use two filters, if the economy allows.
the student will be able to verify that pressure is not a significant variable for determining the
difference in filtration area, at least, for this case.

It is recommended that the student research the texts by Walas, Peters, and Belter for
exercise in solving filtration problems. The first two books show the
traditional analysis of filtration, while Belter presents specific cases and data from
biological area.
2.3.4. Equipment selection.

Typical filtration is used to separate well-defined stable solids. In biological processes, the
Microorganisms are deformable, affecting the efficiency of industrial filtration.
The filtration of microorganisms is very slow for this type of filter. However, filtering beer.
to clarify it, to free it from turbidity, it requires the use of conventional filters, the same happens
with juices and wines, amorphous precipitates and biomass. In bioseparations, it is common to add
help filters, diatomaceous earth, cellulose, which give body to the cake,
facilitating filtration and its detachment. Filtration is associated with the formation of cake.
where its thickness can be easily appreciated. If not, then another one will have to be sought.
Separation alternative, which could be the use of some type of membrane. Table 2.3.4
presents criteria for filter selection.

Filter type Area, m2Fall Flow % Advantages Limitations

pressure /s
3
solid
kPa in
cake
SIEVE
Screens, vibrating 1-7.5 L1 -Low capital cost, -Maintenance
high power consumption, limitation
low, easy download. particle size

High capacity
Bags <3x105 0.5-2 G1 easy to dry cake, -It takes up a lot
easy download. space no
washable, high cost
Cartridges <50 10-100 L2, G1 Good capital clarity.
of the filter y
dried cake, low
cost of capital. Washing poor
high cost of
labor, low
capacity.
TRAINING
CAKE 0.5-15 10-100 L1 60-80 High capacity elevated
Empty rotary good washing, low capital and hand
labor cost. work high
consumption
0.5-15 50-300 L1 50-70 High capacity
Rotary press low cost filtered clarity handle.
work
toxic substances. capital and hand
work, high
10-600 10-100 L1 40-60 High capacity
Rotary disc low cost labor, filtering
work, low quality cakes.
thick.
Poor clarity
0.1-300 L1 50-70 Good clarity of the filtering, poor
Leaves and shell filtering, low-cost cake drying
 capital, high limited washing.
cake compression.

1-1000 10-1000 L1 60-80 -Low capital cost, -High labor cost

Plates and frames good drying cake, of work, loss
compressibility elevated of
raised cake. filtered poor
depth
L1 80-90 Low capital cost, cake formation.
Screw high drying
cake high - low capacity
compressibility high cost
cake. labor

L1 80-95 Low capital cost

Rollers good drying cake,
compressibility Elevated cost
elevated cake. capital poor
clarity of
0.2-100 <100 L1 50-70 Average capacity, filtration.
Band low-cost labor
work, cake thickness
thick.

High cost
capital
clarity filtering.

Cost high
capital low
cake compression,
poor clarity
filtering, requires
lots of space.
Arena πD /4
2
<5 L2, G2 10-20 High capacity, -Poor drying
low-cost capital, cake, poor
high clarity download cake
filtering. cake thickness
thick
Ultrafiltration <80 <1000 L1 Excellent clarity - High capacity
filtering, high filter cost
particles very maintenance and
small. labor
requires a lot
space.
Table 2.3.4. Criteria for filter selection. L1 (Flow with less than 1% solid weight) =
7x10-6A a 10-3L1 (> 5% solid weight) = 10-4A a 3 x 10-3A; for fibers or pulps L1=0.001A to
0.015A. L2=0.001A. G1 (gas flow)=0.005ª at 0.5A. G2 (gas flow)=0.01A. Where A, area in m2
(Peters and Timmerhaus).
In the design and selection of filters, as in other OU equipment, it has been established
heuristic rules (Walas), which represent the experience of engineers. These rules are a
reliable guide:

Filtration as OU is classified by the speed at which a cake forms on a filter.

laboratory sheets: fast filtration, 0.1 to 10 cm/s; average, 0.1 to 10 cm/min.
slow, 0.1 to 10 cm/h.
Rapid filtration uses band filters, drum filters, centrifugal filters;
Medium speed filtration is carried out with vacuum drum filters, discs, or filters.
centrifuge peeler; low speed filter press filter, centrifuge
sedimenter.
Continuous filtration is not suitable if the cake thickness does not reach maximum in 5 minutes.
it reaches a value of 0.3 cm.
The clarification with negligible cake formation is carried out with cartridges.
pre-coated drums, or sand filters.
Horizontal plate filters, vertical sheets, cartridge, can work with
presence of aerosols and hazardous substances. These filters are used for work
on a small scale.
Laboratory tests are essential when the filtering surface is
small, a few square meters, when the washing of the cake is critical,
when the drying of the cake is a problem or when a coated filter is required.

It's not easy to choose the right filter, there are so many possibilities on the market. The sellers of
The team can help us, but we must be clear about what we need to buy it.
better.

Learning activities.

The student can analyze the effect of adding ammonium sulfate salts (NH4)2SO4, to
Fumarasa precipitation. This precipitation occurs prior to centrifugation.
2. Investigate the effect of the help filter, (Separation and Purification Processes, for
Streptomyces griseus. (Quintero) and centrifugation (Belter).
3. The student must analyze fig. 2.2-1 from Belter's text, as well as tables 2.2-1 and
2.2-2., presenting an analysis of them.
Develop a summary of chapter 8 (clarification)
Barut presents a good analysis of sedimentation applied to water treatment.
5. Solve the resolved problems presented in Fellows' book and compare with the
results of the book.
6. Solve the solved problems presented in Belter's book and compare with the
results of the book.
7. Solve the proposed problems presented in Belter's book.
8. Solve the proposed problems presented in Shuler's book.
9. Investigate the importance of cake washing and how the quantity is determined.
washing water and its temperature.
 10. In table 2.5-2, explain why the filtration speeds with vacuum are different.
(Belter).
11. Investigate the filtration of activated sludge, washing, and drying using a filter press.
12. Analyze a plate and frame filter video and a drum filter video, explain the differences.

Bibliography:

1. Walas Stanley M. Chemical Process Equipment. Butterworth – Heinemann. 1990.

2. Perry Robert H., Green Don W. Chemical Engineer's Manual. Seventh edition.
3. McCabe Warren L., Smith Julian C., Harriot Peter. Unit Operations in Engineering
Chemistry.
McGraw Hill. Seventh edition. 2005.
4. Peters S. Max., Timmerhaus, Klaus D., West Ronald E. Plant Design and Economics for
Chemical Engineers. McGraw Hill, 2003. Fifth edition.
5. Barut, Edward E. (Technical editor). Water Treatment Plant Design. McGraw Hill. Fourth
edition. 2005.
6. Belter, Paul A., Cussler, E. L., Hu, Wei-Shou. Bioseparation. John Wiley & Sons. 1988.
Bioprocess Engineering. Basic Concepts
Biochemical Engineering
9. Fellows, P.J. Food Processing Technology. Principles and Practice. Woodhead Publishing.
Third edition. 2009.

Videos

1. htThe provided text is a URL and cannot be translated. filter press, animation.
2. htInvalid input. Please provide a text for translation. work of a filter press,
animation.
[Link] input. Please provide text for translation. operation of a filter
rotary
4. htInvalid input. Please provide text for translation. filter press operation
Invalid input for translation. Please provide a valid text. rotary filter for wines.
Invalid input: the provided text is not translatable. rotary drum filter
animation.
7. htThe provided text is a URL and does not contain translatable
rotarycontent.
filter cane juice.
Invalid input. Please provide a text for translation. filter discs, animation.
9. htInvalid input. Please provide text that needs translation. filter leaves, animation.
10. htInvalid input. No translatable text provided. band filter washing.
[Link] input: The provided text is a URL, not translatable
download
text. cake filter bands.
Invalid input, no translatable text provided. centrifugal filter animation.
Invalid URL format. filter applied to a bucket or
200-liter drum.
[Link] filtering media
15. htp://[Link]/products/[Link] media filters
16. ht[Link] basket or mesh filters
17. htThe provided text does not contain any translatable content.
Fundamentals and equipment of
filtration