WHAT IS THE QUICKCHANGE™ SYSTEM?
The QUICKCHANGE™ system is a patents-pending rapid filter cloth changeout system that is transforming filter press maintenance. This innovative technology streamlines filter cloth replacement and filter plate inspection, allowing you to maximize efficiency and reduce downtime on your site.
Ideal for use in all types of tailings, including mining applications, quarries and construction and demolition (C&D) recycling, as well as the dewatering of sludge in water treatment and chemical facilities, the QUICKCHANGE™ system solves the problem of cloth replacement, one of the leading sources of downtime in filter press operations.
Change filter cloths in less than one minute with QUICKCHANGE™
HOW THE QUICKCHANGE™ SYSTEM WORKS
On the filter press, a series of filter plates hang below a beam that extends along the top of the filter press. This style of filter press, known as an Overhead Beam Filter Press, does not have any beams or pipes that run along the sides, so there are no obstructions to the area needed to perform plate maintenance when using the QUICKCHANGE™ system. Filter cloths are changed at ground level without personnel needing to climb inside or on top of the filter press and without the use of any special lifting equipment.
With the QUICKCHANGE™ system, the filter cloths easily glide in and out of the top of the filter plate. Both sides of the cloth feature heavy-duty VELCRO® that hold the cloth in place. When a cloth is ready to be swapped, the operator simply detaches the VELCRO® on each side of the cloth, folds the cloth in half from the bottom and slides the cloth out from the top of the plate. Traditional systems typically require extensive manual labor or specialized lifting equipment to replace cloths; however, the QUICKCHANGE™ system makes maintenance simple and quick. Each cloth can be swapped out in just 1-2 minutes, drastically reducing the time it takes to perform maintenance.
WHY QUICKCHANGE™ SYSTEM?
The QUICKCHANGE™ system is engineered to reduce maintenance time and mitigate many of the safety risks associated with traditional cloth maintenance, which leads to significant cost savings for your operation. On a traditional filter press, both sides of the filter cloth must be replaced when one fails; but with the QUICKCHANGE™ system, only the damaged side needs replaced. This reduces material waste and long-term maintenance costs, resulting in estimated savings of 30-50% for filter cloth replacement.
The QUICKCHANGE™ system also features a specially designed feed shoe that protects high-wear areas of the cloth. The feed shoe allows for a controlled slowdown of the incoming slurry, protecting the highest velocity feed inlets and extending the wear life of the cloth. Traditional systems using cloth barrel necks often see a much shorter wear life, but with the QUICKCHANGE™ design, operators can extend the lifespan of your cloths to ensure consistent, high-performance filtration.
McLanahan, in collaboration with its sister company Diefenbach, brings decades of experience in tailings management, with Diefenbach building filter presses since 1907. The design of the QUICKCHANGE™ system combines the experience of McLanahan and Diefenbach with innovative technology to solve of the industry’s biggest challenges of filter press maintenance.
FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS
The QUICKCHANGE™ system significantly reduces labor time. Traditional methods typically require 10-20 minutes per cloth, whereas the QUICKCHANGE™ reduces that time to less than one minute in most cases. This can lead to greater than 10x savings in labor costs as well as 60-80 hours saved every three months in maintenance time.
The QUICKCHANGE™ system is available on Overhead Beam Filter Presses with plates up to 2.5m x 2.5m (8' 2" x 8' 2").
Unlike traditional filter presses that require cranes or special lifting equipment, the QUICKCHANGE™ system allows the operator to perform maintenance from the ground level without having to climb inside or on top of the press. As a result, the height of filter press buildings can be reduced by two stories or more. This can lead to significant savings in the structure of the building, as well as much easier permitting in areas with height restrictions.
The QUICKCHANGE™ system allows the operator to change the filter cloth without climbing inside the filter press. This reduces risks compared to traditional filter cloths that require you to enter a confined space inside the filter press while changing the filter cloth. By changing the filter cloth from the side of the filter press, you are also able to eliminate the need to climb on top of the filter press.
In many cases, an upgrade to the QUICKCHANGE™ system is possible. The system is available through McLanahan, Diefenbach and Eagle Iron Works. Please contact us at sales@mclanahan.com to discuss options for new installations or upgrades to existing filter presses.