Sandpiper Pumps for Filter Press Applications by Kelair Pumps Australia

Case Study
Sales Engineer Cory Jessop (WA)

Sandpipers press on

A filter press is very basic, but very effective and important in a lot of process applications and Sandpiper pumps play a major role for many of Kelair's customers.

A filter press is used for separating solids from liquid slurries. This is known as compressed cake.

Sandpiper pumps can handle a vast range of products and product viscosities making them ideal for filter press application.

A filter press consists of a series of horizontally arranged vertical filter plates, each covered with paper, felt medium or synthetic woven material. A mechanical structure (skeleton) is used to support the filter plates and a closure mechanism provides the required force on the sealing faces of the plates to counteract the applied force of filtration(squeezing).

The presses work on what is known as feed pressure or squeeze pressure. This reduces the liquid content in waste slurries or the solid content in industry processes.

One of the main benefits of Sandpiper AODDPs is that the maximum pump pressure will never exceed air inlet pressure and a consistent pumping rate can be maintained even under fluctuating pressure head conditions.

Sandpiper AODDPs are also extremely versatile in handling the different flow and pressure which will differ continuously with this application, another reason they are so ideal.

Filter press systems often become blocked due to the viscosities of the liquid being pumped, causing the pump to run dry. Sandpipers have the capability to run dry indefinitely without causing any damage to the pump and they are also completely selfpriming from a dry-start on suction lifts.

Because of their simple design, Sandpiper pumps have no shaft seals or packing glands which can wear and require frequent maintenance. With no rotor, impellers, gears, vanes or pistons to wear out, the user can be confident that pumping efficiency will not deteriorate over time.

The customer has had the same Sandpiper pumps on their filter presses for the last five years and has only just requested a replacement for one of four at the plant. The pumps play a huge role at very little cost in the customer's business.