Figure 11. Crown PressTM

ERDC TN-DOER-T7

October 2004

suspended solids, cake dryness or density, and polymer requirements. The bench press facilitates

the correlation between performance of the compression zones of the press and changes in one or

more of these variables. A gravity test drainage kit is also included to simulate drainage of the

sludge in the gravity zone of the belt press (Figure 12). The actual sludge sample volume

required for testing must be calculated, but typically ranges from 100 ml to 400 ml. More

complete information regarding the equipment and recommended testing procedures can be

found in the Crown PressTM Owners Manual (Neogen Corporation 1992), which is also available

on-line, and in Severin et al. (1998).

Figure 11. Crown PressTM

Figure 12. Crown PressTM gravity test kit

Chamber Filter Press. This bench-top unit models

the plate and frame press (Figure 13). Approximately

1 L of slurry is fed into the top of the unit and is

compressed to about the size of a hockey puck. The

properties of the compressed cake can be measured

and utilized in scaling up the process. Testing units

like this are made by a number of manufacturers. The

unit pictured is made by U.S. Filter.1

Plate and Frame Press. This unit is a lab-scale

version of the full-scale plate and frame press. The

unit may be equipped with single or multiple

chambers, with a filter volume ranging from

Figure 13. Chamber filter press

approximately 1.0 ft3 to 2.6 ft3, and maximum

Personal communication. March 24, 2004, Robert Hamm, Lab Director/Process Development Mgr. U.S.

Filter/JWI Inc., Holland, MI 49414.