The plate and frame filter press is a device used for solid-liquid separation. It pressurizes the liquid to pass through the filter cloth, and the solid remains in the filter frame to form a filter cake. It is usually used in the chemical, mining, environmental protection and other industries to treat suspensions. The role of the plate and frame filter press runs through multiple links, as follows:

1. Pretreatment stage: slurry concentration and impurity removal

Dehydration and thickening: The original antimony slurry is preliminarily dehydrated to increase the solid content and reduce unnecessary volume and energy consumption in the electrolytic cell.

Removal of impurities: Filter out large particles or non-target minerals (such as silicates, sulfides, etc.) in the ore to ensure the purity of the electrolyte and avoid impurities interfering with the electrode reaction.

2. Electrolyte purification: Separation of leached residue

If acid leaching/alkaline leaching pretreatment is used, the filter press can separate the residue after leaching to obtain a pure solution containing antimony ions, which can be directly used for electrolysis to improve current efficiency and metal deposition quality.

3. Post-electrolysis treatment: product recovery and waste liquid management

Metal product separation: During the electrolysis process, metallic antimony may be precipitated at the cathode or antimony-containing precipitates (such as antimony oxide) may be formed. The filter press can efficiently separate these solid products for subsequent smelting or refining.

Waste liquid purification: Treat electrolytic waste liquid and remove residual solid particles (such as unreacted minerals and by-products) so that the liquid can be recycled or discharged in compliance with standards, reducing the environmental burden.

4. Process optimization support

Control slurry fluidity: By adjusting the water content of the filter cake, ensure that the slurry has appropriate fluidity in the electrolytic cell to avoid siltation or blockage.

Corrosion-resistant design: The filter plate made of acid/alkali resistant materials such as polypropylene is suitable for the corrosive environment commonly seen in antimony ore slurry electrolysis.

The plate and frame filter press optimizes the raw material purity, electrolysis efficiency and resource recovery rate of antimony ore slurry electrolysis through efficient solid-liquid separation, while reducing the cost of waste liquid treatment. It is an indispensable part of the hydrometallurgical process.