STANDARD OPERATING PROCEDURE

Filter, Drum, Rotary, Vacuum

Manufacturer: Filtration Engineers, American Machine and Metals, Inc.
Location: Wet Processing Pilot Plant, 1097 Food Sciences Building
Publication Date: 03/26/2014

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Description and Uses
The rotary vacuum drum filter is used to dewater a slurry, such as a starch or protein suspension.
It mainly consists of a rotating drum, which is covered with filter cloth, a vacuum pump and other
accessories. The drum is submerged in a tank of the slurry. As the drum rotates, the slurry is sucked
through the cloth. As the drum rotates out of the slurry bath, the cake is dewatered. This drying is
caused by the vacuum continuously being drawn through the cake in the exposed section of the drum.
At the end of the rotation cycle, dewatered cake is discharged and the process repeats itself. This
machine is suitable to dewater the slurry of chalky solids, which do not clog the filter cloth (selection of
the filter cloth is key to good performance).

Power Specifications

Filter Drum
Motor: Reeves, Model P56E3052M-KM
Horsepower: 1 HP
Voltage/Amperage: 208-220V/440V; 1.3A/2.6A
Speed/Frequency: 1425-1725 rpm @ 60 Hz.
Size: 20" diameter x 12" face filter, 33% submergence.

Agitator
Motor: Electra Motors, Model A-28877-QH
Horsepower: 1/8 HP
Voltage/Amperage: 208-220V/1.3A
Speed/Frequency: 1200 rpm @ 60 Hz

Filtrate Pump
Motor: Louis Allis, Model 10882-0 3397872003, Type COGX
Horsepower: 1 HP
Voltage/Amperage: 208-220V/440V; 3.8A
Speed/Frequency: 1735 rpm @ 60 Hz

Vacuum Pump
Motor: Continental Electric, Model N225X
Horsepower: 3 HP
Voltage/Amperage: 208-220V/8.4A (3-Phase)
Speed/Frequency: 1750 rpm @ 60 Hz

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Required Personal Protective Equipment
Lab Coat
Hair Net
Safety Glasses or Goggles
Tie Back Long Hair
Waterproof Boots
No Open-toed or Open-heeled Shoes
Long Pants and Shirt Sleeves
No Loose Fitting Clothing

Training

Required Training
*Denotes courses offered online
Machine & Site-Specific Training
Fire Safety & Extinguisher Training*
Laboratory Safety: Core Concepts*

Recommended Training for Frequent Users

Electrical Safety & Lock-out/Tag-out
Laboratory Safety: Spill Procedures
Safeguarding Mechanical Hazards

Potential Hazards and Safety Precautions

Electric Shock/High Voltage (208-220V/440V)

Make certain to use the correct outlet that is specifically designed to fit the electrical cord plug.
Make sure the area around the outlet, floor and your hands are completely dry when plugging or
unplugging the electrical cord to/from the outlet.

Mechanical Pinch Points/Possible Jamming of Materials

Under the supervision of the pilot plant manager, wash out the gears, chains and sway arms of the
agitator and filter drum before and after each use to ensure freedom of movement of these parts.

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Chain-driven Pinch Points/Possible Entanglement of Extremities, Hair, Jewelry or Clothing
Make certain all mechanical safeguards are in place before operating the machine.
Make sure to secure long hair and any loose clothing or jewelry before operating the machine.
Never place fingers or hands into the machine without the machine being shut off and locked out.
Nothing, except the substrate for which the machine is intended to filter, should ever be placed into
the agitator or drum while the machine is running.

Flying Debris/Potential Eye Damage

Wear safety goggles while mill is in operation.

Operation
1. Be sure to acquire all required training before operating
the rotary vacuum drum filter. Operation requires site-
specific training on this machine.
2. For a detailed operational procedure, please read
operators manual before operating the rotary vacuum
drum filter. The operators manual is located in the pilot
plant office, 1955 Food Sciences Building.
3. Be sure to wear all required personal protective
equipment.
4. During operation, report any problems to the pilot plant
manager.
5. Safely plug the machine into the appropriate designated Figure 1
outlet.
6. Operation of the rotary vacuum drum filter should be done under the direction of the pilot plant
manager. To begin, close all the filter-valve outlets.
7. On the control panel, locate the Agitator Start button and press Start (see Figure 1). This will
begin the agitator in the slurry tank.
8. Fill the slurry tank to the operational level (33% submergence).
9. Turn on the vacuum seal water.
10. On the control panel, locate the Vacuum Pump Start button and press Start (see Figure 1). This
will begin the vacuum filtration.
11. On the control panel, locate the Filtrate Pump Start button and press Start (see Figure 1).
12. Open the lower (cake-forming) parts of filter valves.
13. On the control panel, locate the Filter Drum Start button and press Start (see Figure 1). Note:
Under the direction of the pilot plant manager, begin the drum rotation at the lowest possible rpm
setting.

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14. Open the upper (cake-dewatering) parts of the filter valves.
15. Adjust the drum rotation speed for desired production conditions (see pilot plant manager for
instructions on how to adjust the drum rotation speed).

Operation: Shutdown
1. Once filtration is complete, prepare to shut down the machine. To begin shut down procedures,
close the lower (cake-forming) parts of the filter valves.
2. Run the remaining cake off the drum filter.
3. On the control panel, locate the Vacuum Pump Stop button and press Stop (see Figure 1).
4. On the control panel, locate the Filtrate Pump Stop button and press Stop (see Figure 1).
5. After the slurry tank is drained, wash the filter cloth with a hose.
6. Reduce the drum rotation to the lowest possible rpm (see pilot plant manager for directions).
7. On the control panel, locate the Filter Drum Stop button and press Stop (see Figure 1).
8. On the control panel, locate the Agitator Stop button and press Stop (see Figure 1).

Clean-up Procedures
1. Be sure to safely unplug the machine from the electrical prior to cleaning.
2. Be sure to completely wash the filter cloth and all machine parts (except the electrical control panel)
with water. If soap or detergent is used to wash the metal surfaces, be sure to adequately rinse all
washed surfaces with water. Note: Be sure to keep the motors and all electrical parts dry and free
from water at all times.
3. Undergo a check-out inspection with the pilot plant manager.

Machine Care and Maintenance

The rotary vacuum drum filter must be properly cleaned and inspected after each use.
All inspections are performed by the plant manager.
Motors and moving parts should be properly lubricated on a regular basis by the pilot plant manager
or a trained service technician.