Filtration defines as a process of separation of solids from a fluid by passing the same

through a porous medium that retains the solids but allows the fluid to pass through. The liquid
which has passed through the filter is called the filtrate. One of common filtration used in
industry is plate and frame filtration. Plate and frame filtration is a well-known solid liquid
separation equipment within industries which include chemical producers, pharmaceutical and
also as well as food and beverages industry. This is mainly due to the easy operability and
efficiency of this equipment. It consists of two end filter plates to which the filter medium is
attached. Between the two end plates are frame plates and wash plates. Feed slurry is pumped
into the frame plates and filtered solids collect there. For this experiment, the main purposes
are to examine the efficiency of the process and to show the relationship between viscosity and
density of filtrate with volume.
This experiment is started by weighing 3kg of calcium carbonate powder and dissolved it
with the 5 L of water in a container. After open the air regular valve, the pressure gauge setting
was checked where the hydraulic pump air valve was released. Next, the filter press was packed
by pushing it toward the stationary platen and moved the moving platen towards the filter plate
pack. Then, the hydraulic ram needs to be pump until it reaches the required working pressure.
As the pump was started, the volume of filtrate was collected into a container with fixed volume
which is 5 L. Time to fill in the container was taken where the total filtration time was 22
minutes and 12 seconds. The weight of frame is 2.03 kg. The final weight of calcium carbonate
and loss of calcium carbonate were 0.55 kg and 2.45 kg respectively. While the percentage of
weight loss was 81.67 % and the total volume of filtrate was 100 L.

In theoretically, the filter plates are grooved and covered over with filter cloths. The
filtrate passes through the filter cloth and flows via the grooves in the plates into a collecting
pipe. The filtrate exits the plate and frame filter press through the collecting pipe and is
collected in the filtrate tank. The solid material is separated off at the filter cloth, where it forms
a growing filter cake. Viscosity and density of filtrate was checked and recorded for both 20 L
and 50 L. The viscosity of filtrate for 20 L and 50 L were 4.5 x 8mPa.s and 2.5 x 8 mPa.s
respectively. While, the density of filtrate for both 20 L and 50 L were the same which is 1.000
g/cm3. Through the data, it shows an increase of viscosity of the filtrate with increasing of
volume. However, the density was constant. Observation was done towards the raw material
(cake) produced on the tray. The cake produced was highly fine and smooth.

The efficiency of the process was observed through the filtration time and the quality of cake
produced by the equipment. The decreasing of number of plate/frame would decrease its
efficiency as more slurry will produce as filtrate instead of water liquid. Furthermore, as
concentration is increased, more and more solids within the filtrate failed to be filtered out
because the plate and frame has reached its maximum capacity which leads to the decreased in
the percentage reduction of solid in mixture which is also the efficiency. Error might happen
during the experiment where it will affect the result obtained. One of them is the reading taken
for density and viscosity. The condition of machine will affect the entire experiment where
operating a bad condition of machine such as leakage might bring high risks. Finally, in order
to improve the result of this experiment, the precaution step should be taken.