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The conventional rubber belt filter incorporates a number of features that are recognized as a major source of operating and maintenance problems. These problems have been overcome in the new Pannevis RB-SV filter from Larox which has evolved from the previous RB-CDV design. The most dramatic change is the repositioning of the vacuum box from the center of the under-side of the belt to the outside of the belt. This eliminates the center holes in the belt and the need for access under the belt. The side mounted vacuum boxes provide easy access for cleaning, process changes or maintenance. This leads to a more compact design that does not require access platforms.

The location of the vacuum boxes on the sides of the belt results in the following major improvements over conventional technology:

• Rubber belt is constructed with a single reinforced carcass across the full width resulting in a flat belt with better straight running performance.

• Rubber belt thickness can be reduced, as the grooves can be shallower.

• Conventional belt filters require the gas/liquid flow from the grooves to make two 90° changes in direction and then pass through flexible hoses and a manifold before exiting the filter. In the RB-SV filter the liquid makes one 90°change and then gas/liquid separation occurs in the vacuum box at the end of the groove eliminating the hoses and manifold and direction changes.

• Filtrate separators can also be eliminated as efficient gas/ liquid separation is carried out in the vacuum box.

The RB-SV rubber belt is stronger as it is no longer weakened by holes drilled in the grooves and it does not have to bridge the opening of a vacuum chamber. It can therefore be made more durable while actually being significantly thinner and lighter than conventional belts. This results in the following advantages:

• Problems of belt tracking are virtually eliminated, as the belt does not have to align over the center vacuum box opening.

• Lubrication of the belt at the vacuum box seal is made much simpler.

• Access to vacuum box for cleaning or maintenance is simple. Removable access panels on the outer side of the box provide complete access inside the box without any disturbance of the vacuum box or its seals. Seal replacement does not require the box to be relocated in any way.

• Vacuum box is solid piped to the process with only short flexible connections required to accommodate temperature fluctuations.

• Gas/liquid separation in the vacuum box eliminates the need for filtrate receivers, except when doing counter-current washing, when small receivers are required only to maintain level control.

• Belts are available in NR, SBR, butyl rubber and EPDM.

• Option of either one or two vacuum boxes increases significantly the hydraulic capacity of the filter.