Horizontal belt filters operate in a continuous mode. These machines are best

applied where washing of solids is required. Dewatering is accomplished at each

wash stage with vacuum applied to the cake through the filter media from below.

Both Thermo Black Clawson and Baker Hughes make horizontal belt filters.

While construction details of these machines differ significantly, both use similar

principles of operation. Feed is introduced to a filter belt ("wire" ­ see note

below). Liquid is extracted through the filter belt, while solids are retained on

the belt. Shower water is applied to solids to remove sugar and/or acetic acid

utilizing multiple -stage countercurrent washing. Solids are discharged onto a

conveyor. These machines can provide high washing efficiency with a relatively

low wash-water-to-solids ratio. Liquid-to-solids wash ratios vary significantly,

depending on the characteristics of the solids.

Note : Wire is a term used in the pulp and paper industry for the fabric media

used to support and dewater incoming slurries. Fabric composition is typically

synthetic fiber such as polypropylene that is suitable for the chemistry and

temperature of the application.