During the plate and frame press filtering process, what occurs as the cake builds up between the plates?

As the cake builds up between the plates in a plate and frame press filter, the resistance to flow through the filter increases due to the accumulation of solid particles. This resistance results in a decrease in the amount of filtrate produced over time, leading to a reduction in the flow of liquid passing through the filter.

When the cake becomes thicker, the filtration process becomes less efficient, causing the volume of filtrate to diminish as the solid layer impedes the passage of liquid. This phenomenon occurs because the increased thickness of the cake limits the available pathways for the liquid to flow through, effectively resulting in less filtrate being collected.

Understanding this dynamic is crucial for operators, as they need to keep an eye on the filtering efficiency and adjust their processes accordingly to maintain optimal operational performance.