JKL-16 Bench-Top Laboratory Pressure Filter

1. General Description

The JKL – 16 L Bench-Top Pressure Filter is a batch-operated laboratory unit designed for the efficient dewatering of mineral slurries, particularly those exhibiting abrasive and/or corrosive characteristics, within metallurgical sample preparation workflows and process control applications.

The unit features an Extra Heavy-Duty mechanical design, fully fabricated in AISI 316 stainless steel, ensuring high resistance to abrasion, chemical corrosion, and severe operating environments commonly encountered in mineral processing laboratories.

Its configuration enables the production of filter cakes with significantly lower residual moisture content compared to conventional gravity or vacuum filtration systems.

The model has the following main features:

• Filtration capacity: 16 liters
• Nominal filter diameter: 10 inches
• Construction material: AISI 316 stainless steel
• Approximate gross weight: 110 kg

2. Operating Principle

The filter operates by applying compressed air pressure over the slurry contained within the pressure cylinder, generating positive pressure that forces the liquid phase through the filter media while retaining the solid particles.

The system incorporates:

• Lever arm with counterweight to assist in cylinder lifting and rotational movement
• Mechanical locking yoke ensuring proper compression of the filter media and airtight sealing
• Safety quick-disconnect coupling, which must be disengaged prior to opening the unit
• Calibrated pressure relief valve
• Inlet pressure gauge for operational monitoring

Operating Sequence:

1. During filling, the lid remains controlled by the counterweight mechanism.
2. During the filtration stage, the mechanical yoke securely clamps the filter assembly, ensuring sealing integrity.
3. Upon completion of the filtration cycle, the cylinder can be laterally rotated to fully expose the filter cake for manual discharge and recovery.

3. Main Components

The equipment consists of:

1. Pressure cylinder
2. Upper cover assembly
3. Structural base frame
4. Mechanical locking yoke
5. Manual operating handle
6. Counterweight system
7. Cylinder stop mechanism
8. Pressure gauge
9. Pressure relief valve
10. Drain ball valve
11. Hose adapters
12. Air inlet elbow fitting
13. Sealing gasket
14. ISO 20 mesh screen (filter medium support)

4. Key Technical Features

• Heavy-duty structural design for intensive laboratory operation
• Controlled mechanical locking system with safe pressure release
• High filtrate evacuation rate, reducing cycle time
• Ergonomic handling and simplified operation
• Full cake exposure for rapid discharge and cleaning
• Suitable construction materials for abrasive mineral slurries and corrosive process environments

The 16 L model belongs to the JKL bench-top laboratory equipment range, developed for metallurgical process testing and quality control.

5. Applications

• Metallurgical sample preparation
• Laboratory-scale filterability testing
• Final moisture determination in concentrates and tailings
• Concentrator plant laboratories
• Thickening and filtration optimization studies
• Parameter determination for industrial filter design

This equipment is particularly advantageous when moisture removal by conventional gravity or vacuum methods is slow or inefficient.

6. Operational Safety

The system incorporates:

• Calibrated pressure relief valve
• Continuous pressure monitoring via gauge
• Mandatory quick-disconnect coupling prior to opening
• Mechanical interlocking design preventing opening under pressure

The unit complies with fundamental safety principles applicable to laboratory pressure equipment.

7. Technical Advantages

• Increased dewatering efficiency
• Reduced laboratory testing time
• High structural durability with low maintenance requirements
• Adaptable to different filter media configurations
• Repeatable operation with reproducible results