Abstract
New data are reported on the formation of filter cakes under pressure, where the particles are largely finer than about 10pm and can be subject to the influence of inter-particle forces. The data are analysed through two consecutive mechanisms, filtration and consolidation. Process design parameters for each mechanism are obtained from the models, which will allow calculations to be made from small scale experiments. The magnitude and dependence of the constitutive parameters on pressure, concentration of solids in the feed suspension, pH (and surface charge), particle size and shape, and the nature of the particle-particle interactions are shown through the experimental results. Some data have also been obtained for the filtration of mixtures of particles.