Wet cake should be evaluated through sludge characteristics, conditioning, feeding, filter cloth, cycle time, and machine configuration.
Start with feed data
Check sludge type, solids concentration, upstream process changes, temperature, and chemical conditioning. Visually similar feeds can behave differently during filtration.
Review pressure and flow development
Pressure that fails to develop, abnormal flow trends, leaks, or uneven feed distribution can affect chamber filling. Compare observations with machine procedures and baseline data.
Evaluate cloth and filtrate paths
Cloth that is blinded, damaged, incorrectly installed, or unsuitable for the feed can alter filtration. Filtrate passages should also be checked for blockage and flow pattern.
Adjust parameters in a controlled manner
Do not change many parameters at once. Record one adjustment, observe pressure, time, filtrate, cake, and operating safety, then compare results before making another change.
