Are you looking for a new filter cloth or replacement filter belt for a tower press?
Filtnor supplies filter cloths for tower presses used in demanding solid–liquid separation applications. These long, continuous filter cloths are often referred to as tower press filter belts, as the cloth moves through the filter plate pack during cake discharge and cloth washing.
The correct filter belt is essential for reliable filtration, effective cake discharge and stable operation of the tower press. Filtnor can help identify and supply a suitable replacement based on the filter model, existing cloth specification, measurements and process conditions.
What Is a Tower Press Filter Cloth?
A tower press normally uses one long filter cloth that passes between a series of horizontal filter plates.
During filtration, the plate pack closes and the slurry is pumped into the filter chambers. Liquid passes through the filter cloth, while solids are retained and form a filter cake.
After the filtration and possible membrane squeezing or cake washing stages are completed, the plate pack opens. The filter cloth then moves through the press and transports the filter cake out of the chambers.
Because the cloth operates as a moving component, it is also commonly called:
- Tower press filter belt
- Filter belt for tower press
- Continuous filter cloth
- Horizontal pressure filter cloth
- Replacement tower press cloth
- Endless filter cloth
A tower press filter belt should not be confused with the belts used on a belt filter press. The machines use different filtration principles and require completely different cloth designs.
Replacement Filter Belts for Tower Presses
Filtnor can supply new filter cloths for many types of tower presses and horizontal pressure filters.
Replacement cloths can be manufactured for:
- Existing tower press installations
- Older filter models
- Complete filter cloth changes
- Planned maintenance shutdowns
- Emergency replacement
- Process optimisation and filtration trials
The new filter cloth can be supplied according to an existing cloth specification or selected based on the filtration process and operating requirements.
When the original filter cloth reference is unavailable, it may still be possible to identify the correct replacement from measurements, photographs, drawings, machine information or an existing cloth sample.
Why the Correct Tower Press Filter Belt Is Important
The filter cloth is one of the most important operating components in a tower press.
It must provide the required particle retention while allowing the filtrate to pass through the fabric efficiently. At the same time, it must withstand repeated movement, tensioning, washing and mechanical contact with the filter plates and cloth guidance system.
A correctly selected tower press filter cloth can contribute to:
- Cleaner filtrate
- Stable filtration capacity
- Shorter filtration cycles
- Consistent filter cake formation
- Lower residual cake moisture
- Effective filter cake discharge
- Improved cloth tracking
- Reduced cloth blinding
- Longer filter cloth lifetime
- Less unplanned downtime
An unsuitable filter cloth can cause slow filtration, poor filtrate quality, difficult cake release, tracking problems or premature mechanical damage.
When Should a Tower Press Filter Cloth Be Replaced?
The lifetime of a tower press filter belt depends on the process, operating conditions and mechanical condition of the filter.
Common signs that the cloth may require replacement include:
- Tears, holes or damaged fabric
- Worn or frayed cloth edges
- Damage around the cloth joint or seam
- Increasing filtration cycle time
- Reduced filtrate flow
- Cloudy filtrate
- Poor filter cake discharge
- Filter cake sticking to the cloth
- Repeated cloth tracking problems
- Permanent folds or deformation
- Excessive stretching
- Cloth blinding that cannot be removed by washing
A damaged filter belt should be investigated promptly. Continued operation can increase the risk of filtrate contamination, damage to other components or an unexpected production stop.
However, cloth problems are not always caused by the filter fabric itself. Misaligned rollers, damaged scrapers, incorrect tension, blocked washing nozzles or worn cloth-guiding components can also reduce cloth lifetime.
Filtnor can assist with evaluating both the filter cloth and the surrounding mechanical components.
Information Needed for a New Tower Press Filter Belt
To provide the correct replacement cloth, we normally require information about both the tower press and the filtration process.
Tower press manufacturer and model
Provide the manufacturer, filter model and serial number when available.
The filter model can help identify the required cloth dimensions, construction and installation method.
Existing filter cloth reference
If the current filter belt has a product number, fabric designation or supplier reference, include this with your inquiry.
Old order confirmations, drawings and spare-parts lists can also be useful.
Filter cloth dimensions
Important dimensions can include:
- Total cloth length
- Filter cloth width
- Fabric thickness
- Edge construction
- Position and dimensions of any openings
- Joint or seam dimensions
The required dimensions must be accurate. Even relatively small dimensional differences can affect cloth tracking, sealing and installation.
Joining method
Many tower press cloths are installed as a continuous belt using a mechanical or textile joint.
Information about the existing joining method should therefore be provided, including photographs of the joint when possible.
The joint must be suitable for the cloth guidance system and able to pass through the filter without interfering with rollers, scrapers, washing equipment or filter plates.
Photographs and drawings
Photographs of the filter cloth, cloth joint, edges and installation can help identify the correct design.
A general photograph of the tower press and its nameplate is also useful.
Process conditions
To select the correct filter fabric, we may require information about:
- Slurry composition
- Particle size
- Solids concentration
- Operating pressure
- Process temperature
- pH
- Chemical composition
- Required filtrate clarity
- Desired cake moisture
- Washing chemicals
- Existing cloth lifetime
- Current filtration problems
This information helps determine the most suitable material and fabric construction.
Selecting the Correct Filter Cloth Material
Polypropylene is commonly used for tower press filter cloths because it offers good chemical resistance and is suitable for many mineral, chemical and industrial filtration processes.
Other materials may be required where the process involves higher temperatures, specific chemicals or demanding mechanical conditions.
Material selection should consider:
- Chemical compatibility
- Operating temperature
- Tensile strength
- Elongation
- Dimensional stability
- Abrasion resistance
- Flexing resistance
- Moisture absorption
The polymer alone does not determine the performance of the filter cloth. Yarn type, weave construction, permeability, finishing and edge design are also important.
Air Permeability and Particle Retention
The permeability of the filter cloth influences both filtration capacity and filtrate quality.
A more open fabric may provide faster liquid flow but can allow more fine particles to pass through, particularly at the beginning of the filtration cycle.
A tighter fabric may improve particle retention but can also increase cycle time or become blinded more easily.
The correct balance depends on:
- Particle size distribution
- Cake-forming characteristics
- Feed concentration
- Required filtrate quality
- Operating pressure
- Cloth washing efficiency
For this reason, replacing an existing filter belt with a fabric that only appears similar is not always recommended.
Mechanical Strength and Cloth Tracking
A tower press filter cloth is exposed to repeated movement and mechanical loading throughout its service life.
The cloth must remain dimensionally stable and track correctly through:
- Filter plates
- Cloth rollers
- Drive systems
- Tensioning units
- Washing stations
- Scrapers
- Cake discharge areas
Uneven stretching or damaged edges can cause the belt to move sideways. This may lead to edge wear, folds or damage to the cloth and filter components.
When repeated tracking problems occur, the condition and alignment of the complete cloth transport system should be inspected.
Filter Cake Release
Good cake release is essential for reliable tower press operation.
The filter cake should separate from the filter cloth as it passes through the discharge section. If the cake remains attached, it can accumulate on rollers, scrapers and washing equipment.
Cake release is influenced by:
- Fabric weave
- Yarn construction
- Surface finish
- Slurry properties
- Cake moisture
- Cloth cleanliness
- Discharge geometry
- Scraper condition
Changing the filter cloth specification may improve cake release, but mechanical and process conditions should also be considered.
Filter Cloth Washing
Tower press filter belts are normally washed automatically during operation.
Effective washing helps remove particles from the fabric and maintain consistent permeability. The washing system should provide sufficient pressure and coverage across the complete cloth width.
Poor washing can result in:
- Cloth blinding
- Reduced filtrate flow
- Longer filtration cycles
- Uneven filtration
- Difficult cake release
- Reduced cloth lifetime
Blocked or incorrectly positioned washing nozzles should therefore be corrected before concluding that the filter cloth itself is unsuitable.
Can a New Filter Belt Improve Tower Press Performance?
A cloth change can provide an opportunity to improve the filtration process rather than simply copying the existing belt.
A different filter fabric may help address problems such as:
- Short filter cloth lifetime
- Insufficient filtrate clarity
- Slow filtration
- High cake moisture
- Poor cake discharge
- Frequent cloth blinding
- Mechanical edge damage
- Unstable cloth tracking
Any change should be evaluated carefully. Improving one property can affect another. For example, a tighter fabric may improve filtrate clarity but reduce capacity.
Where necessary, cloth samples or filtration testing can be used before changing the specification for a complete tower press belt.
Keep a Replacement Filter Belt Available
Tower press filter cloths are customised components and may require manufacturing time.
For critical production equipment, keeping a replacement filter belt in stock can significantly reduce downtime if the installed cloth is damaged unexpectedly.
The spare cloth should be:
- Stored clean and dry
- Protected from sunlight
- Kept away from chemicals
- Stored without sharp folds
- Clearly labelled with the filter model and cloth reference
The condition of the spare belt should also be checked before a planned shutdown.
Filter Cloths for New and Older Tower Presses
Filtnor supplies filter cloths for both modern and older tower press installations.
Even when the original manufacturer’s reference is no longer available, a replacement may often be produced based on:
- Existing filter cloth
- Machine drawings
- Cloth measurements
- Photographs
- Previous supply information
- Filter press model
- Process conditions
This is especially valuable for older filters where original spare parts or technical documentation may be difficult to obtain.
Request a Quote for a New Tower Press Filter Belt
Do you need a new filter cloth or replacement filter belt for your tower press?
Send us the tower press manufacturer, model, serial number and existing cloth reference. Please also include photographs, cloth dimensions and information about the filtration process.
If you are experiencing problems with the current cloth, describe the symptoms and expected cloth lifetime. This can help us determine whether the existing specification should be retained or whether another filter fabric may provide better performance.
Filtnor can supply individual replacement belts and filter cloths for planned maintenance, emergency requirements and complete tower press cloth changes.
Contact us for a quotation for a new filter cloth for your tower press.
Frequently Asked Questions
Is a tower press filter cloth the same as a filter belt?
The filter cloth used in a tower press is often called a filter belt because it is a long, continuous cloth that moves through the filter during cake discharge and washing.
Is a tower press filter belt the same as a belt filter press belt?
No. A tower press and a belt filter press use different filtration principles and require different filter cloth designs.
Can you supply a complete replacement belt?
Yes. Filtnor can supply complete replacement filter belts manufactured according to the required dimensions, fabric specification and joining method.
Can you identify a filter belt without a product number?
In many cases, yes. Measurements, photographs, drawings, machine information and a sample of the existing cloth can be used to identify a suitable replacement.
Which material is normally used?
Polypropylene is commonly used, but the correct material depends on the chemicals, temperature, mechanical requirements and filtration process.
Can another filter fabric improve performance?
Possibly. A different fabric construction may improve filtrate clarity, capacity, cake release or cloth lifetime. The full process should be evaluated before changing the specification.