Problems · Troubleshooting

Why Filter Plate Drainage Channels Block & Cake Stays Wet

Symptoms · Root Causes · Proven Solutions

Blocked plate drainage channels restrict filtrate after it has crossed the cloth, so pressure rises while outlet flow remains low and the cake stays wet. Separate internal groove blockage from cloth blinding by checking individual outlet flow and inspecting ribs and drainage paths during plate opening.

The Problem

What Is Happening?

Use the filtrate outlets as a diagnostic map. A plate or outlet with persistently weak flow while pressure rises indicates a restricted internal path; open the stack and inspect drainage ribs, grooves and the cloth-to-channel interface for compacted fine solids.

Common Symptoms

Filtrate outflow becomes extremely slow
Cake moisture remains far above specification
Pressure rises rapidly while drainage stays low
Long cycles fail to improve final dryness

Root Causes

4 Root Causes

Fine Particle Deposition

Solids accumulate inside plate drainage grooves.

Cloth & Channel Blockage

Cloth blinding compounds internal drainage restriction.

Insufficient Deep Cleaning

Plates have operated too long without flushing.

Excess Ultra-Fine Powder

Raw slurry particle grading is poorly controlled.

Proven Solutions

3 Recommended Actions

Solution 01

Flush Drainage Channels

Use scheduled high-pressure washing on internal plate grooves.

Solution 02

Optimize Cloth Aperture

Reduce fine-particle penetration into plate channels.

Solution 03

Improve Pretreatment

Measure and reduce the ultra-fine feed fraction that passes toward the grooves, then verify the retaining aperture under actual cycle pressure. Include internal channel flushing and outlet-flow comparison in preventive maintenance, not only surface cloth washing.