Where does the sludge cake form in a plate and frame filter press?

The sludge cake forms on the surface of the cloth in a plate and frame filter press due to the mechanism of how these devices operate. In a plate and frame filter press, wastewater is pumped into the press, where it encounters the filter medium, typically a cloth. As the water passes through the cloth, solids are retained on its surface, resulting in the accumulation of sludge. This process effectively separates solids from liquids, allowing clear water to pass through while the solids build up on the cloth surface, forming the sludge cake.

This design ensures that the filter can effectively separate the solids from the liquid phase by maximizing the area available for filtration and concentrating the solids on the surface, facilitating easier cleaning and disposal once the pressing cycle is complete.