Horizontal Vacuum Filter

K-S Horizontal Vacuum Filter

The K-S CIX Horizontal Vacuum Filter is a top fed filter that can perform filtration, extraction, and drying in one machine.

Slurry is fed continuously and forms a filter cake, which can then be washed as it is progressively indexed through discrete zones. It is ideal for applications requiring counter current washing and precise separations. Features of the CIX include:

Continuous Indexing Filter
Excellent Cake Washing
Filter Dense Materials
Superior Process Flexibility

For rotary drum vacuum filtration, please see our Rotary Drum Vacuum Filter

For information on our filtration media please visit Fabrics

Applications

The Komline-Sanderson CIX Horizontal Vacuum Filter is typically used for the filtration of crystalline slurries and washing of the filter cake. Some end uses are:

Pharmaceuticals
Fine Chemicals
Gypsum
Zeolytes
Mineral Concentrates
Pigments/Dyestuffs
Pulp and Vegetable Matter

How does it work?

Horizontal Vacuum Filter Cake Washing Diagram

The process of the HVF is continuous. The filter cloth moves forward through cake formation, cake washing, dewatering or drying, and cake discharge.

Feed slurry is deposited continuously onto the cloth.
Vacuum draws liquid through the filter medium (cloth) which retains the solids.
The vacuum pulls air (or gas) through the cake and continues to remove moisture as the cloth moves forward.
The filter cake can be washed in multiple stages to remove impurities or to extract more product. Additional drying of the cake follows washing.
Finally, the cake is discharged from the drum to a conveyor or chute to the next process step.
The filtrate and air are pulled through the medium flow through filtrate pipes and pass through a control valve and into the filtrate receiver.
The liquid stream is separated from the vapor stream in each receiver.
Liquid filtrate is then pumped to the next step in the process.
Vacuum is applied using a liquid ring vacuum pump or other means.

How do I know if a Komline-Sanderson HVF is right for my process?

Does your process involve:

Continuous separation of solid and liquid
Solid or Liquid Product recovery
Cake washing for cake purity or liquid product extraction

Are you interested in:

Minimal operator attention
Low maintenance time and expense
A well-built machine offering long equipment life

If you can relate to these objectives, then follow these steps:

Establish process inlet and outlet conditions as accurately as possible
Complete the K-S Applications Questionnaire
Contact us to assist in making a preliminary selection
Perform lab and/or pilot scale testing if necessary
Make final selection

Other considerations:

What is immediately upstream and downstream of the filter?
What is most important: cake solids, filtrate clarity, capital or operating cost, etc.?
What have you tried before? Why did/didn’t it work?
What materials of construction are acceptable? What are not?
Do you need auxiliary equipment?
Do you need any instrumentation or controls?
Do you have any standard specifications?

There are many factors affecting the operation of a filtration process. Among these are power, water, air, or other utilities; operator attention; cleaning requirements; and maintenance needs. All of these should be considered when selecting a filter.

Benefits

K-S Horizontal Vacuum Filter offers

Continuous operation
Application versatility
Ease of operation, requiring minimal attention
Simple, durable design for low maintenance and long life
Wide Range of Sizes

The benefit of the CIX filter is what happens between the continuous feed and continuous discharge.

The filter tray can be divided into zones to suit your flow sheet. The filtrate from one process zone can be isolated from that of the adjacent zone making the filter an excellent choice for counter-current washing.

The filtrate pipes from each zone or group of zones terminate at a control valve. The control valves can be programmed to actuate at any point in the cycle providing the operator with extraordinary ability to control cake cracking.

Wash liquor can be given some residence time before vacuum is applied to a particular zone.

The stationary filter tray of the CIX filter, with its high sides, ensures there are no spills and the overall cleanliness of operation is exceptional.

How can we help you?

Komline-Sanderson has been a leader in liquid/solid separation equipment design and manufacturing for over 60 years, meeting the needs of both industrial and municipal clients. Our filters operate worldwide in an ever-growing range of process and wastewater applications. Expert process insight, outstanding customer service and high quality equipment make K-S a valuable partner throughout the project cycle.

Lab and pilot testing service is available to assist in equipment selection and sizing. Testing is also used to determine cake washing needs or other operating aspects.

Design

Komline CIX filters are usually modified to meet the special requirements of the customer’s process.

The filter tray can be divided into zones to suit your flow sheet. The filtrate from one process zone can be isolated from that of the adjacent zone.

Some common material options include:

SS trays with SS frame
SS trays with painted steel frame
Polypropylene trays with painted steel frame
Polypropylene trays with FRP frame

CIX filters can be supplied with vapor retaining or vapor tight enclosures.

System

K-S process and project engineers provide assistance at all phases of the project. Depending on your specific requirements, K-S can provide you with a Horizontal Vacuum Filter or a complete system.

A successful plant depends on the integration of the key process units with properly selected ancillary equipment and the right facility design. Reliability, ease of operation, rugged construction, performance, and the superior customer service we offer are all trademarks of a K-S installation.

A typical system includes a vacuum pump, filtrate pump, and vacuum/filtrate receiver. Also required in some cases are feed or cake wash pumps. Often these items are mounted, wired and piped on a common base for ease of installation. Depending on customer needs, cake-handling equipment can also be provided. Controls and instrumentation are available to complete the system.

When necessary, our vapor tight design allows for the processing of material containing organic solvents and hazardous materials in an enclosed safe manner. Inerting of the process with nitrogen can also be accomplished with a minimal purge rate.

FAQs

Why use a Komline-Sanderson CIX HVF?
The K-S CIX horizontal vacuum filter is a very versatile liquid/solid separation device. It is used where a continuous separation of a solid from a liquid stream is desired. It can be used in process applications where the solid is the product or where the liquid is the product (and sometimes when both phases are the product).

Is there an easy test to tell if a HVF is right for an application?

Horizontal Vacuum Filter Lab Test Leaf Diagram

A simple buchner funnel test will generally determine if the use of a HVF is feasible. Further testing using a test leaf can be done to simulate the operation of the HVF under specific operating conditions.

Can a HVF be used in a batch process?
Yes, although the filter operates as a continuous separation device, it can be used in batch processes. In these cases, the filter would be operated intermittently as needed to filter a batch of feed slurry.

When is cake washing used?
Cake washing is used when a given cake purity is required. It is also used to improve extraction of liquid products or dissolved materials from the filter cake. Lab or pilot testing can be used to determine the effectiveness and efficiency of cake washing on the CIX HVF. Multiple stages of cake wash can be done on the CIX Filter.

What designs are available?
The design of the K-S HVF can be changed to suit specific needs for a given application. The filter can be constructed of a variety of materials including carbon steel, stainless steel, plastic, Hastelloy, or titanium. Special material finishes for food or pharmaceutical applications can also be specified

What if my process produces hazardous vapors?

Designs are available for applications requiring vapor containment. For partial vapor retention, we offer vapor-retaining hoods which operate much like the hood in a lab. For complete vapor retention, completely sealed, vapor-tight designs which allow absolutely no leakage are available.

What other auxiliary equipment is needed?
Generally items required are: vacuum pump(s), filtrate pump(s), and vacuum/filtrate receiver. Also required in some cases are feed or cake wash pumps. Depending on customer needs, cake handling equipment can also be provided. Auxiliary equipment can be provided by K-S for a complete system including controls and instrumentation.

What utilities are required?
The cloth on the CIX is advanced using air cylinders. Electric power is required to run the vacuum pump and the filtrate pump. Water is needed as seal liquid for the vacuum pump and also for cloth wash and sometimes cake wash depending on the application.

How much operator attention and maintenance are required?
The K-S HVF is essentially a hands-off machine that requires very little operator attention beyond (customary) supervision. Maintenance usually involves lubrication of drives and bearings and occasional changing of filter cloth and replacement

What technical service is available?
Technical service is available for installation and start-up of new equipment. Existing units can also benefit from a service visit to assist in optimizing performance. Contact us for a service proposal.