A vacuum ceramic disk filter continuously separates solids from slurry using rotating porous ceramic sectors. Evaluate it for mineral concentrates, mine tailings, chemical precipitates, and industrial slurries that can form a stable filter cake and release it reliably from the sectors.
To assess a PORVOO configuration, start with the slurry source, required dry-solids throughput, and the intended destinations for the cake and filtrate. These inputs determine what to test and what the equipment needs to connect to.
How the ceramic disk filter works
As each sector rotates through the slurry, vacuum draws liquid through the ceramic surface and leaves solids on it. The cake continues to dewater above the slurry level, then discharges. Cleaning restores the sector surface for subsequent cycles. The filtration cycle guide explains these stages in more detail.
Water wets the fine pores in the ceramic sectors. Capillary action helps keep the pores liquid-filled while vacuum draws filtrate through them. The liquid-filled pores limit air passage through intact, wetted sectors, which can reduce air demand compared with a permeable cloth system. Check this benefit alongside cake release, pore blinding, and the energy and time required for regeneration on the actual feed.
When to evaluate ceramic disk filtration
Continuous vacuum filtration is worth evaluating when the feed forms a coherent cake, the cake releases consistently, and the filtrate meets the needs of the receiving process. Rapid pore blockage, weak cake release, or large swings in feed concentration can limit sustained output. Ask how the proposed media and cleaning arrangement will be evaluated against the difficult feed conditions as well as the normal ones. See the ceramic disk filter advantages and selection limits for more on these trade-offs.
For mine tailings, use representative thickener underflow where applicable and check both the filtrate return and the cake transfer route. If vacuum filtration struggles to meet the required cake condition, include a filtro prensa de membrana in the comparison. Use the same representative feed and compare dry-solids throughput, cake moisture and release, and filtrate quality. See the mine tailings project guide for the wider process and testwork. For feed and discharge requirements, see vacuum ceramic disk filters for mining tailings.
Ceramic disk filter specifications for preliminary selection
Use the market range below to compare equipment layouts. PORVOO selects the disk arrangement and auxiliary equipment for the feed, available space, and required operating schedule.
| Parâmetro | Market reference and selection basis |
|---|---|
| Active filtration area per unit | About 6–120 m² across selected Toncin TC and BOYUN BY industrial examples. Metso also lists test units below and industrial units above this range. Size from the tested dry-solids rate per square meter, the required operating load, and cleaning allowance. |
| Disk and ceramic sector arrangement | Disk diameter, number of disks and sectors, and media specification vary with the frame and slurry. Confirm installed active area, scraper clearance, and sector removal access. |
| Vacuum, slurry tank, and cleaning | Specify vacuum pump and filtrate receiver duty, tank agitation, and backwash utilities. Evaluate ultrasonic or compatible chemical regeneration if trials show it is needed. |
| Dry-solids rate and cake moisture | Use representative slurry tests to establish filtration rate, moisture, filtrate quality, and recovery after cleaning. Confirm the resulting operating duty with the final configuration. |
Published configuration references include the Toncin TC catalog table, BOYUN BY seriese Metso CC series.
What to compare in a configuration proposal
- Filtration area and sustained output. Ask what feed conditions and test results support the proposed area. Compare dry-solids output over the intended operating schedule, including time required for cleaning.
- Feed and filtrate connections. Confirm the expected flow and solids range at the feed tank. Identify the vacuum and filtrate equipment, the return point, and the water quality that point can accept.
- Material compatibility. Use the slurry chemistry and temperature to check the ceramic sectors, tank lining, seals, piping, and cleaning method. Review particle-size distribution alongside solids concentration when assessing cake formation and the risk of blocked pores.
- Cake discharge and access. Confirm discharge height and clearance for the receiving chute or conveyor. Check access for sector replacement, scraper inspection, and service on the drive, seals, vacuum lines, filtrate receiver, and cleaning equipment.
- Supply boundary. Ask the proposal to identify the filter, controls, vacuum and cleaning equipment, and connections included in the supply. Assign responsibility for upstream feed equipment, utilities, and downstream handling.
What operators need to monitor
Disk speed sets the time available for cake formation and dewatering. Vacuum stability affects filtrate flow, while scraper condition and cleaning effectiveness affect cake release and sustained output. During commissioning, record normal vacuum, filtrate appearance, and cake discharge so operators can distinguish a feed change from a mechanical or cleaning problem. See the ceramic disk filter operating guide for practical checks. For replacement requests, see ceramic filter plates and vacuum disk filter spare parts.
What to send for a filter selection review
Uso Inquiry Now below. For an initial review, include:
- Material and project. Give the slurry source and tell us whether this is a new installation or a retrofit.
- Required throughput. Give normal and peak dry tonnes per hour and expected operating hours. If you have slurry flow instead, include solids concentration by weight and slurry density if known.
- Output targets. Describe where the cake goes, where the filtrate will return, and any required cake moisture or filtrate-quality targets.
If available, add particle-size data, slurry chemistry and temperature, an existing flowsheet, or prior filtration results. A representative slurry test can help establish cake formation and release, filtrate quality, cleaning response, and operating stability before final sizing.
