The vibrating disc filter has its filter elements ranged horizontally in a vertical cylindrical pressure vessel. This vessel has a large-angled conical base around a large diameter discharge port (Figure 3.68). This filter is a batch unit suited for generally poorly filterable suspensions with a relatively low content of solid matter, and for clarifying filtration.
In operation, filtration, and with it cake formation, are done under pressure on the upper side of slightly cone-shaped plates. Two out-of-balance motors cause the plates to gyrate (rotate in a horizontal plane and oscillate vertically). The cake is shaken and pushed outwards, and then falls down into the conical part of the containment vessel for discharge. Typical applications for this filter include adsorption on activated carbon and bleaching earths, separation of catalysts, and upgrading of coal.