Filtration Rate Calculator

Calculate filtration time, average flow rate, and cake thickness for constant-pressure filtration operations.

Slurry Volume to Filter

cu yd

Filter Area

sq ft

Specific Cake Resistance (α·c)

1/m²

Filter Medium Resistance

1/m

Pressure Drop

Filtrate Viscosity

Pa·s

Tab to move between fields

Filtration Time

13 s

Filtrate Volume

0.95 m³

≈ 6 bathtubs

Average Flow Rate0.08 m³/s

Estimated Cake Thickness0.03 m

How to Use This Calculator

Enter the Slurry Volume to filter in m³ and the Filter Area in m².
Enter the Specific Cake Resistance (α·c) in 1/m² — obtain from filtration lab tests or literature. Typical values range from 10⁸ to 10¹² 1/m² depending on particle size and slurry concentration.
Enter the Filter Medium Resistance in 1/m — typically 10⁶ to 10¹⁰ 1/m for filter cloths and membranes.
Enter the Applied Pressure Drop in Pa across the filter.
Enter the Filtrate Viscosity in Pa·s — water at 20°C = 0.001 Pa·s.
Read the Filtration Time in seconds, Average Flow Rate in m³/s, and Cake Thickness in m to plan filter cycle time and equipment sizing.

How the result changes with Filter Area

Slurry Volume to Filter: Total volume of slurry to be filtered.
Filter Area: Total effective area of the filter medium.
Specific Cake Resistance (α·c): Combined specific cake resistance and solids concentration term. Typical values: 10⁸ to 10¹² 1/m².
Filter Medium Resistance: Resistance of the clean filter medium to flow. Typical values: 10⁶ to 10¹⁰ 1/m.
Pressure Drop: Applied pressure difference across the filter.
Filtrate Viscosity: Dynamic viscosity of the filtrate liquid. Water at 20°C is 0.001 Pa·s.

Identify Input Parameters
4 parameters
Slurry Volume to Filter = 1, Filter Area = 2, Specific Cake Resistance (α·c) = 10000000000, Filter Medium Resistance = 100000000 = 6 input(s) provided
Calculate Filtration Time
Filtration Time
13 = 13
Calculate Filtrate Volume
Filtrate Volume
0.95 = 0.95
Calculate Average Flow Rate
Average Flow Rate
0.0769 = 0.0769
Calculate Estimated Cake Thickness
Estimated Cake Thickness
0.025 = 0.025