Precoat filtration with body-feed and variable pressure. Part I: Mathematical modelling

In order to set up a subsequent optimization of the precoat filtration with body-feed cycles by supplying the slurry with a centrifugal pump, a fluid-dynamic analysis of the filter-pump system with variable supply pressure was performed. Consequently an ordinary differential equation was formulated. Then a closed-form solution was found to obtain an equation useful for both the optimization of the filtration and the filter design. The application of the new mathematical modelling was compared with the application of Carman equation, classically used in filtration, which assumes a constant pressure filtration. The simulation showed that, due to different permeability of the filter, some conditions of filtration can make unrealistic the results of the classic Carman equation. Therefore, in filtration practice it is confirmed the opportunity to have a more accurate equation for both the design and the optimization