If you have already read our previous articles like “What Happens Inside a Filter Press?” or “Why Pressure Matters in Filter Press Performance”, you may still be asking a very practical question:

Should I choose a chamber filter press or a membrane filter press for my application?

This is one of the most common questions factory owners, plant engineers, and environmental managers ask before investing in filtration equipment. The answer is not always about “which is better,” but rather which is more suitable for your material, process, and budget.

Let’s break it down in a simple, real-world way.

1. What Is a Chamber Filter Press?

A chamber filter press uses recessed filter plates to form enclosed chambers. Slurry is pumped into these chambers, and solid-liquid separation occurs under pressure. Once filtration is complete, the press opens and solid filter cakes are discharged.

Key Characteristics:

• Simple structure and operation

• Lower equipment cost

• Stable and reliable performance

• Widely used across industries

At Tianfu Long, chamber filter presses are commonly applied in:

• Municipal and industrial wastewater treatment

• Ceramics and non-metallic mineral processing

• Chemical raw material filtration

• Mining tailings dewatering

For many factories, a chamber filter press is the first and most cost-effective solution.

2. What Is a Membrane Filter Press?

A membrane filter press looks similar at first glance, but it adds an important step: secondary squeezing.

After initial filtration, compressed air or water inflates the membrane plates, applying extra pressure directly to the filter cake. This step significantly reduces residual moisture.

Key Characteristics:

• Secondary high-pressure squeezing

• Lower cake moisture content

• Shorter overall filtration cycle

• Higher efficiency for difficult materials

Membrane filter presses are especially valuable when:

• Dryness of filter cake is critical

• Drying costs need to be reduced

• Disposal or transportation costs depend on moisture content

3. The Core Differences at a Glance

So basically, if your material dewaters easily, a chamber filter press works just fine. If not, membrane technology becomes very attractive.

4. Which One Saves More Money in the Long Run?

This is where many users change their minds.

A membrane filter press costs more upfront, yes. But if it:

• Reduces drying energy

• Lowers disposal weight

• Speeds up cycle time

Then the total operating cost may actually be lower over time.

For example, in chemical or mineral processing plants, even a 5–10% reduction in moisture content can mean significant savings every single day.

5. How Tianfu Long Helps You Decide

With over 20 years of experience in solid-liquid separation, Tianfu Long does not push one solution for every customer.

Instead, we help clients:

• Analyze slurry properties

• Compare moisture targets

• Evaluate energy and operating costs

• Select the most suitable filter press type

Our chamber and membrane filter presses are widely used in ceramics, chemicals, metallurgy, food processing, pharmaceuticals, and environmental protection projects worldwide.

6. A Simple Rule of Thumb

If you want a quick guideline, here it is:

• Choose a Chamber Filter Press if:

  • Budget is limited

  • Material is easy to dewater

  • Process requirements are standard

• Choose a Membrane Filter Press if:

  • Low moisture content is critical

  • Energy and drying costs matter

  • Slurry is fine or difficult to filter

Still not sure? That’s totally normal — filtration is more complex than it looks.

Final Thoughts

Both chamber and membrane filter presses play important roles in modern industry. The key is understanding your material, your process, and your long-term costs.

In our next articles, we will continue breaking down filter press technology into clear, practical knowledge — so you can make decisions with confidence.