As a core piece of equipment in the field of solid-liquid separation, the vacuum drum filter is widely used in industries such as chemical engineering, mining, food processing, and environmental protection. Scientific maintenance not only extends the service life of the equipment and reduces failure rates, but also maintains stable filtration efficiency and separation performance.

Operation and Maintenance of Vacuum Drum Filters

Before startup, conduct a comprehensive inspection: transmission components should rotate flexibly, all fastening bolts must not be loose, all pipes should be unobstructed, and valves should be adjusted properly.

The vacuum system is a critical part of the filter. The vacuum degree must meet process requirements, and there shall be no leakage whatsoever.

The sector chambers inside the drum must not be interconnected. Commissioning inspection of their sealing performance is required prior to operation, and all other seals should fit tightly.

The depth to which the drum is immersed in the filter slurry is determined by filtration characteristics. For slurries prone to filter cake formation, the submersion rate can be lower—typically 20% to 40%.

The rotating disk and fixed disk of the distributor head feature a sliding fit. Due to the significant pressure difference caused by their connection to both the vacuum source and compressed air source, the mating surface must be smooth and flat. Pay attention to adjusting the spring pressure and providing proper lubrication.

After prolonged operation, the filter cloth’s capillary pores may become clogged with solid particles, hindering normal filtration. Therefore, regular cleaning is necessary.

The drum’s rotational speed depends on the slurry properties: a higher speed can be used for high-concentration slurries, and a lower speed for low-concentration ones.

The filter cake thickness should generally be controlled below 20mm. For difficult-to-filter colloidal slurries, the thickness should be less than 10mm.

An excessive distance between the scraper and filter cloth will affect slag discharge efficiency, while an overly small distance may damage the filter cloth. The optimal distance is typically 2 to 5mm.

After operation, clean the filter cloth, filter slurry tank, and other components for subsequent use.

Daily Maintenance of drum vacuum filters

1. Appearance and Operation Status Inspection:

Monitor the equipment's stable operation; check for abnormal noise, vibration, or bearing overheating of the drum. Shut down immediately if abnormalities are detected.

Inspect flanges, pipelines, and other connection points for filtrate/vacuum leakage. Tighten fasteners or replace seals promptly.

Clean dust and residues from the equipment surface and surrounding areas to prevent debris from entering the transmission/filtration zone.

2. Filter Cloth Maintenance:

Check the filter cloth for flatness, and signs of damage, clogging, or deviation.

Repair or replace damaged cloths; backwash or high-pressure rinse clogged cloths with clean water or specialized cleaning agents; adjust the deviation correction device for misaligned cloths.

Regulate the filter cloth tension via tension rollers to avoid slipping (from insufficient tension) or wear (from excessive tension).

3. Vacuum System Inspection:

Monitor the vacuum degree (0.04–0.08 MPa). If the pressure drops, inspect for pipeline blockages or air leaks, remove accumulated liquid and impurities, and tighten connections.

Check the vacuum pump for abnormal noise and overheating (temperature ≤ 80°C). For oil-type pumps, verify normal oil level and unaltered oil color; replace oil promptly if degraded.

4. Filtrate and Slag Discharge System:

Check the liquid level in the filtrate tank to ensure the drain pump operates normally. Regularly clean sediment at the tank bottom to prevent pipeline blockages.

Monitor the operation of the scraper and screw conveyor. Maintain a 0.5–1 mm gap between the scraper and the drum, and adjust as needed.

Manually clear clogged slag discharge outlets to ensure smooth slag removal.

Periodic Maintenance of Vacuum Drum Filters

Periodic maintenance involves in-depth inspection of the equipment’s internal components, as well as testing, maintenance, and replacement of key parts. It is recommended to establish a maintenance schedule based on the equipment’s operating intensity and material properties.

Safety Precautions for rotary vacuum drum filters

1. Before performing any maintenance work, always cut off the main power supply, close the vacuum pipeline valves, relieve pressure, and hang a "No Switching On" sign at the power switch to prevent accidental startup.

2. When working at height, wear a safety belt and set up an operation platform to avoid falling; when touching high-temperature components, wait for the equipment to cool down before operating to prevent scalding.

3. When using chemical cleaning agents, wear protective gloves, masks, and goggles to prevent the cleaning agents from coming into contact with the skin and respiratory tract; the waste liquid after cleaning must be disposed of in accordance with environmental protection requirements, and random discharge is prohibited.

4. During maintenance, it is strictly forbidden to modify the equipment structure or parameters without authorization. If maintenance or modification is required, contact professional technicians.

5. Establish a maintenance record sheet, and record details such as maintenance date, items, model of replaced parts, and operators in detail, so as to facilitate tracing the equipment status and formulating subsequent maintenance plans.

Summary

Through the systematic maintenance plan outlined above, the operating costs of the vacuum drum filter can be effectively reduced, and the long-term stable and efficient operation of the equipment can be ensured. It is recommended to flexibly adjust the maintenance cycle and details based on the equipment operation manual and actual working conditions. When necessary, contact the manufacturer for professional technical support.