A filter diaphragm for a horizontal plate and frame-type filter, such as a tower press, including a sheet like body and at least on a filter plate-facing side thereof, a continuous seal bead. The seal bead includes an inner seal lip on a lateral inside of the seal bead and an outer seal lip surrounding the inner seal lip on a lateral outside of the seal bead. The outer seal lip is elevated from the inner seal lip in a vertical direction perpendicular to a general plane defined by the diaphragm.

A filter plate frame assembly with a filter plate frame and a subframe housed within the frame, such that the subframe can be removed from the frame without removing the frame from the filter press. In this way, consumable components can be provided in connection with the subframe, which can be easily removed from the filter press. This, in turn, makes replacement of worn components faster, as the whole frame does not need to be removed from the filter press. An associated horizontal filter press and a method of replacing worn components of such a filter press is also provided.

A filter diaphragm for a filter plate assembly of a recessed plate-type filter, such as a filter press or a tower press. The diaphragm includes a sheet-like body having a flexible structure, and, at least on a side of the body, a plurality of distinct attachment studs to be inserted into corresponding distinct attachment holes of a respective filter plate for attaching the diaphragm to the filter plate. The attachment studs are arranged along a sealing region extending along a periphery of the filter diaphragm and extend in a direction perpendicular to the diaphragm body. The attachment studs are equipped with an opening extending through the filter diaphragm, between the opposing sides thereof. A diaphragm filter plate and -assembly, and filter are also concerned.

A filter plate assembly for a filter press, comprising a filter frame and a filter plate supported on the filter frame. A diaphragm is provided between the filter frame and the filter plate, the diaphragm further comprising, on a side facing the filter frame, a seal bead for sealing the diaphragm against the filter plate. The seal bead comprises a first seal lip and a second seal lip, the former being elevated from the later. The filter frame has a limited vertical travel with respect to the filter plate, such that, in a lowermost position, only the first seal lip is in contact with the filter plate, and in an uppermost position, both the first seal lip and the second seal lip are in contact with the filter plate.

A process for the preparation of a concentrated filter cake from an admixture of partially-decomposed organic material and a polar liquid using a filter press without the input of thermal heat or superheated steam or other pressurized gas or liquid is provided by this invention. The admixture is mixed with an additional amount of the polar liquid to produce a feed slurry of the admixture having a moisture content of about 90-99% wt. The resulting slurry admixture is then introduced into the filter press having a plurality of filter plates with porous membranes secured along their outlet. The pressure condition introduced inside the filter plate chambers is increased by a pressurized gas or liquid to force the polar liquid from the admixture slurry though apertures contained in the membrane, thereby leaving a filter cake of the partially-decomposed organic material having a moisture content that is lower than the moisture content of the initial partially-decomposed organic material feed. The process and its equipment may be used to treat a variety of partially-decomposed organic material/polar liquid slurry admixtures, including high moisture peat containing water, and reduce the moisture content of the resulting peat filter cake to as low as 60% wt for peat or about 50% wt for a peat/Biochar admixture.

A diaphragm filter plate for a filter plate assembly of a recessed plate-type filter, such as a filter press or a tower press. The diaphragm filter plate is configured for use with a diaphragm including a sheet-like body having a flexible structure, and, at least on a side of the body, a plurality of distinct attachment studs to be inserted into corresponding distinct attachment holes of a respective filter plate for attaching the diaphragm to the filter plate. The attachment studs are arranged along a sealing region extending along a periphery of the filter diaphragm and extend in a direction perpendicular to the diaphragm body. The attachment studs are equipped with an opening extending through the filter diaphragm, between the opposing sides thereof.