Dewatering: Pressure Filters & Vacuum Filters

We manufacture a wide range of AS 1210 and Non-AS 1210 laboratory pressure filters (also incorrectly referred to as a filter press) for sample dewatering in bench mount or floor standing configurations, in both mild steel and stainless steel options and with options of wash water introduction systems. MARC arguably has the world’s largest range of laboratory pressure filters to choose from. 

 

Quick Links:

AS 1210 Pressure Filters – RAPID Type            AS 1210 Pressure Filters – BENCH MOUNT Type     

 

AS 1210 Pressure Filters – Large Volume         Pressure Filter Consumables

 

Standard Floor Mount Type Pressure Filters              Standard Bench Mount Type Pressure Filters

 

 

We also design & manufacture infrared drying lamp systems for rapid filter cake drying as well as supply cost effective high wet-strength Kraft filter papers in packs of 1000. See our consumables table at the bottom of this page for more information.  

 

 

 

AS 1210 Requirements and What it Means for Sample Dewatering

Although the term “filter press” is commonly used for this equipment this is actually misleading – the correct term is “Pressure Filter” and it should not be forgotten that these are pressurized vessels and that they need to comply with the Australian pressure vessel standard which is AS 1210. The average pressure filter cannot be cost effectively modified to comply with AS 1210 as there are a few key structural changes required and the pressure filters commonly used in mineral sample processing applications have not in any way been designed to comply with AS 1210. 

 

Please Read: *In September 2015 the Government of Western Australia’s Department of Mining and Petroleum (DMP) issued a reminder that Laboratory Pressure Filters are to be designed and treated as Pressure Vessels (Click Here to Read).*

 

In summary, the requirement for pressure filters on mine-sites in Western Australia to have AS 1210 compliance has simply emphasized the commonly known need for any equipment to be proven as fit-for-purpose for its task. Without AS 1210 compliance it may be that your pressure filter is actually not able to remain intact or sealed when pressurized due to either a lack of verified structural strength, unsuitable materials and/or unsuitable weld quality.  While there aren’t many cases (that we know of) where someone has experienced major injury due to a failed pressure filter it must still be acknowledged that there are many potentially significant safety risks due to the immense and potentially destructive energy stored in a pressure filter at full pressure with no record of engineering or inspection behind it. 

 

Some see vacuum filtration as a means of getting around this standard – but vacuum filtration is only recommended for coarse samples and higher-capacity vacuum systems generally have receivers and those are technically pressure vessels that are subject to AS 1210 requirements as well –  so you may as well just make use of your compressed air system you most likely have in your lab anyway and benefit from the faster dewatering compressed air systems may provide.

 

 

MARC Pressure Filter Range Summary Diagram

 

 

Our AS 1210 Pressure Filter Range is only available in stainless steel. This is to ensure the structural integrity of the filter remains intact through many years of use in corrosive, wet environments.

 

The Rapid Handling, Bench Mounted and the Floor Mounted 24L filters are in AS 4343 Hazard Level E and the Floor Mounted 39L filter is in AS 4343 Hazard Level D. 

 

AS 4343 Level E pressure filters do not need to have their Design Registered with DMIRS, but Level D filters do. Since AS 4343 Level D filters (the unit installed & used on your site) need to be registered with DMIRS it is often preferred to use smaller filters if possible. 

 

If you find this all too confusing – just give us a call and we can discuss what’s best for you. 

 

We have 2 design options (RAPID and BENCH MOUNT) up to the 13L sample size limit, and separate designs for larger sizes.