Studies in filter cake characterisation and modelling

Abstract

A new multifunction test cell modified from a universal tensile testing machine was developed. The unique feature of this test cell is that both the compression-permeability test and constant pressure filtration test can be performed in the same test cell to provide a direct one-to-one correlation between the data. Using this test cell, the effect of the relationship between solid compressive pressure and pore liquid pressure on filter cake analysis was investigated. Deviation of data from parabolic behaviour due to initial filtration period and effect of were investigated. Re-derivation of the conventional parabolic law for constant pressure filtration revealed that the filtration resistance and the ratio of wet cake mass to dry cake mass vary with filtration time for compressible cake filtration. A new method was introduced to interpret the constant pressure filtration data to determine cake properties over a range of solid compressive pressure from a single filtration experiment.