Simulation of the build-up of a filter cake

Abstract

The aim of this work was to develop a computer prigram describing the build-up of a filter cake. The program is based on a model presented by Wakeman in 1981, but which has been modified slightly. The program developed here can be used to compute the cake height, the pressure profile and the local specific filtration resistance. The calculated result from this program was compared with experimental data (local pressure, cake height and semi-local specific filtration resistance). It was found that there was exvellent agreement between the calculated and measured local pressures. Furthermore, the cake height can be estimated with a high level of confidence. The calculated specific filtration resistance was in the same order of magnitude as the measured data. However, the model underestimates the resistance in the region closest to the filter cloth, and overestimates the resistance in the region closest to the surface of the filter cake.