EA046050B1 - FILTER PRESS WITH MULTIFUNCTIONAL ROBOT FOR MAINTENANCE, MONITORING AND WEAR CONTROL OF FILTER BARS - Google Patents

Description

Field of technology to which the invention relates

The present invention relates to filter presses which are typically used for filtering liquid substances containing suspended solids (known as slurries), typically sludge-like masses, which may result from both civil and industrial wastewater treatment processes, or in the result of numerous other manufacturing processes, typically, but not exclusively, chemical/pharmaceutical or mining.

State of the art

As is well known, a filter press generally contains a group of retaining plates that are arranged in series along a predetermined horizontal direction.

Between each pair of retaining plates there are two facing each other filter baffles, typically two sections of filter fabric, each of which is configured to cover one of the main surfaces of the retaining plate adjacent to it.

Each pair of retaining plates is configured to move between a closed and open configuration.

In a closed configuration, the retaining plates are stacked to the filter baffles located between them, thereby limiting the filtration chamber.

In an open configuration, the retaining plates are spaced apart, separating the respective filter baffles and opening the filtration chamber laterally.

Through a suitable inlet hydraulic circuit, the sludge mass to be filtered is supplied to the filtration chambers when all retaining plates are in a closed configuration.

In this approach, the solid fraction of the sludge mass remains confined within the filtration chambers, where it forms a compact residue, and the liquid fraction passes through filter baffles into a hydraulic outlet circuit through which it can be discharged or collected.

At the end of this filtration cycle, the pairs of retaining plates are brought, either simultaneously or one at a time, into an open configuration so that the solid precipitate can fall outside the filtration chambers.

Since some solid materials can contaminate the filter baffles that define the filtration chamber, said filter baffles may be periodically subjected to a washing step using high pressure water jets.

This washing phase can be performed automatically by a robot, which typically includes a cart configured to move along the alignment direction of the holding plates, and a beam moving transversely on board the cart, which is configured to insert and slide between each pair of holding plates in an open configuration. , and therefore between the corresponding filter partitions.

Mounted on this beam are dispensing nozzles which, when connected to a suitable water supply circuit, are capable of delivering high pressure water jets to both filter baffles, clearing them of solid residues.

In addition to these regular cleaning operations, filter baffles are subject to progressive wear and tear and must therefore be replaced regularly.

Currently, this replacement can be accomplished according to two different approaches.

The first approach follows the logic of so-called predictive maintenance and consists of proactively replacing all filter baffles after a certain number of filtration cycles.

However, for this approach to be effective, the number of filtration cycles resulting in filter baffle replacement must be low enough that none of them break before replacement, which obviously means that some filter baffles may be replaced prematurely, at obvious waste. resources and increased costs.

Moreover, determining this number of filtration cycles can only be done based on the average wear pattern in the filter baffles and cannot account for random events that can cause unexpected damage.

In fact, the filter membrane can be damaged not only by wear and tear, but also by other factors such as the presence of large particles (several millimeters) that strongly impact the filter membrane due to the high volume flow/velocity at which the sludge is fed, causing it will break prematurely.

To try to overcome these shortcomings, a second approach that has been proposed is one that follows the logic of so-called incidental or event-based maintenance.

It consists of replacing one or more filter baffles only when a fault in the filter press has been detected.

In particular, a turbidity meter is typically used to measure the turbidity of the filtered liquid exiting the filter press through the hydraulic outlet circuit.

- 1 046050

If the measured turbidity is above a predetermined threshold value, then this means that part of the solid phase contained in the sludge-like mass has passed through a gap that has formed in at least one filter membrane.

When this occurs, the operator manually checks all filter baffles installed on the filter press to identify the one(s) that actually broke, which will therefore be replaced.

However, it is clear that this second approach can result in long production downtimes and a lot of work for operators who must inspect the filter baffles.

In addition to being labor intensive, such an activity can also be difficult to perform because, in some types of filter presses, the space available between the two retaining plates in an open configuration can be quite narrow, making it very difficult, and sometimes even impossible, to thoroughly inspect the filter baffles.

Disclosure of the Invention

In light of the above, it is an object of the present invention to solve or at least significantly reduce the mentioned disadvantages of the prior art.

Another object of the present invention is to achieve the above object within a simple, rational and relatively inexpensive solution.

These and other objectives are achieved thanks to the characteristics of the invention set forth in the independent claims. The dependent claims set out preferred and/or particularly advantageous aspects of the invention, which, however, are not strictly necessary for its implementation.

In particular, an embodiment of the present invention makes available a filter press comprising a plurality of filtration chambers aligned along a predetermined longitudinal direction, each of which is delimited by two mutually facing filter baffles located between a pair of retaining plates, a moving device configured to move each a pair of retaining plates along said longitudinal direction between a closed configuration in which the retaining plates are stacked on respective filter baffles covering the filtration chamber, and an open configuration in which the retaining plates are spaced apart so as to separate respective filter baffles laterally opening the chamber filtration, an inlet hydraulic circuit configured to supply fluid to be filtered into the interior of each filtration chamber when all pairs of retaining plates are in a closed configuration, an outlet hydraulic circuit configured to discharge filtered fluid leaving each filtration chamber through respective filter baffles, when all pairs of holding plates are in a closed configuration, and a washing robot configured to wash filter baffles that define each filtration chamber when a corresponding pair of holding plates is in an open configuration, wherein said washing robot comprises a cart configured to move along said longitudinal direction relative to the holding plates, a beam mounted on the carriage and configured to move relative thereto in a transverse direction relative to the longitudinal direction to slide between filter baffles disposed between a pair of holding plates in an open configuration, a plurality of nozzles mounted on said beam for dispensing jets of washing liquid towards said filter baffles, and wherein the filter press also contains a plurality of (unique) identification codes, each of which is attached to at least one corresponding filter baffle, a device for detecting said identification codes mounted on the washing robot cart, at least one image acquisition device mounted on the beam of the washing robot for obtaining images of said filter partitions; and an electronic processing unit connected to the identification code detection device and to the image acquisition device.

Thanks to this solution, using the same mechanical infrastructure already available on the filter press, i.e. washing robot, it is advantageously possible to identify the filter baffles that have been installed on the filter press and, if necessary, to store for each of them the position, the number of filtration cycles performed and many other performance data,

- 2 046050 wherein the latest data can be efficiently presented and/or evaluated by means of images obtained by an acquisition device which, thanks to the movement of the beam, can effectively scan the filter baffles.

Thus, it is advantageous to be able to check the use status of the filter baffles without the need for an operator to physically step between the filter press retaining plates in a simpler and faster manner relative to the known technology and in a generally more efficient manner since the movement of the beam can allow the acquisition device to obtain images of each zone filter partition.

It is because of this simplicity and scanning speed that filter baffles can also be checked more frequently, for example during or after each washing operation, rather than just when a fault is detected.

In particular, it is possible to monitor the progressive wear of each filter partition until it breaks.

This allows the collection of a huge amount of data and information, which can be combined with information about the filtration process, such as the degree of abrasiveness of the liquid (sludge-like mass) to be filtered, or filtration pressures, which can enable the construction of a model (for example, mathematical, statistical or empirical) , which effectively describes the wear trend of filter baffles relative to time of use or number of filtration cycles performed.

An assessment logic can then be developed from this model that can recognize the progressive degradation of the filter membrane based on the images obtained from each filter membrane and predictively diagnose how long or how many filtration cycles the filter membrane can still be used before it becomes damaged or ineffective.

This model and/or this evaluation logic can be obtained, for example, by an artificial intelligence system that independently studies the development of wear, by analyzing and/or processing images of each filter wall acquired by the acquisition device over time, i.e. after gradually increasing the number of filtration cycles performed.

Thus, it may advantageously be possible to implement predictive logic that allows each filter baffle to be replaced before a fault occurs in the filter press, but only when it is actually needed, thereby reducing machine downtime, maximizing the life of the filter baffles and minimizing cost Maintenance.

In this regard, one aspect of the invention provides that the electronic processing unit may be configured to:

identify at least one filter partition by detecting a corresponding identification code by a detection device, obtain, using the acquisition device, at least one image of said filter partition, determine, based on said at least one image, the remaining life of said filter partition.

With this solution, the electronic processing unit will be able to automatically provide operators with the estimated remaining life of each filter baffle, for example via an appropriate interface system (typically a monitor), allowing them to plan its replacement accordingly.

In particular, said electronic processing unit may be configured to determine the remaining life of the filter partition by running an evaluation logic (such as the one set forth above) that takes as input the at least one image and provides the remaining life as output.

According to another aspect of the invention, the electronic processing unit may also be configured to acquire multiple images of a plurality of said filter baffles at successive periods of time using the acquisition device, and change the evaluation logic based on said images, for example, using an artificial intelligence system.

In this way, the electronic processing unit can implement a self-learning function that allows it to provide safer and more reliable predictive estimates, also taking into account the operating conditions of each filter press.

Another aspect of the invention (alternative or additional to the previous one) provides that the electronic processing unit can be configured to identify at least one filter membrane by detecting the corresponding identification code by the detection device,

- 3 046050 to obtain, using a receiving device, at least one image of said filter partition, to determine, on the basis of said at least one image, the presence of any damage to said filter partition; said damage can be determined when present at an early stage (eg, abrasion or microdamage) and/or when it is present at a late stage (eg, macrodamage).

Thanks to this solution, the electronic processing unit will be able to automatically detect any damage to the filter partition that leads to its failure and/or can lead to its failure in a short time, for example informing operators of this and allowing them to intervene immediately.

According to another aspect of the invention, the filter press may further comprise a second plurality of (unique) identification codes, each of which is attached to a corresponding retaining plate and configured to be detected by an identification code detection device, for example the same one that also detects filter identification codes. partitions or perhaps another dedicated detection device.

With this solution it is advantageous to monitor each holding plate, for example to identify/monitor its position inside the filter press or to count its usage time, typically expressed in the number of filtration cycles performed, which can be useful to allow any maintenance planning and/or replacement of retaining plates, among others.

In more detail, one aspect of the invention provides that each identification code may be embedded in a tag and that the detection device may include at least one receiving antenna capable of detecting a radio signal emitted by the tag.

This aspect provides a particularly simple and reliable solution for equipping each filter baffle with an identification code that can be read by automatic systems.

However, it is possible that in other embodiments, the identification code may be encoded in a graphical form, such as a bar code or QR code, and that the detection device may be an optical device capable of reading said graphical form.

Another aspect of the invention is that the RFID tag may be of a writable type.

Thus, the RFID tag is capable of storing some relevant information of the corresponding filter barrier (eg, make and model, position within the retaining plate stack, and number of filtering cycles performed), which can also be periodically updated according to the application.

According to one aspect of the invention, the detection device may also include a reader connected to the receiving antenna, for example via a PROFINET interface, and configured to decode the radio signal emitted by the RFID tag.

This reader can also be placed on the cart of the washing robot, but preferably in a different position relative to the receiving antenna, for example at a higher level, in order to be better protected.

Another aspect of the invention is that the imaging device may be a camera or video camera.

In this way, the imaging device can acquire not only static images, but also actual films of the filter baffles.

In particular, the filter press may comprise at least two of said imaging devices mounted on a beam of the washing robot, the first imaging device facing one of said filter baffles and the second imaging device facing the other filter baffle.

Thanks to this solution, it is possible to effectively image both filter baffles in just one stroke of the washing robot beam.

Of course, if the size of the filter baffles is particularly large and/or the distance between the holding plates in an open configuration is particularly small, the filter press may include a larger number of imaging devices mounted on the wash robot beam, for example, two or more imaging devices facing one filter partition, and two or more additional imaging devices facing another filter partition.

Another embodiment of the present invention also provides a method of operating the above-described filter press, which comprises the steps of stopping a washing robot cart at a pair of holding plates in an open configuration, detecting, by means of a detection device, an identification code of at least one

- 4 046050 one of said filter baffles located between said pair of holding plates, moving the washing robot beam between the filter baffles located between said pair of holding plates, obtaining at least one image of said at least one filter baffle by means of an image acquisition device installed on the beam of the washing robot.

This method achieves essentially the same advantages mentioned above, in particular that it allows the wear and/or integrity status of each filter wall to be easily and accurately assessed.

In accordance with the above, the method may further comprise the step of determining the presence of any damage and/or remaining life of the at least one filter partition based on the acquired images.

The determination of the remaining validity period may be performed in accordance with an evaluation logic that takes as input the at least one image and provides the remaining validity period as an output.

The method may also include additional steps:

obtaining, at successive periods of time, using the acquisition apparatus, multiple images of a plurality of said filter partitions, and changing the evaluation logic based on said images.

Brief description of drawings

Additional features and advantages of the invention will become more apparent upon reading the following description, given by way of non-limiting example, with the aid of the accompanying drawings.

Fig. 1 is a perspective view of a filter press in accordance with an embodiment of the present invention.

Fig. 1A is a schematic cross-section of a portion of the filter press retaining plate stack of FIG. 1, made in the vertical section plane and containing a longitudinal axis A.

Fig. 2 is a perspective exploded view of a holding plate belonging to the filter press of FIG. 1, and corresponding filter baffles.

Fig. 3 is a perspective view of a washing robot belonging to the filter press of FIG. 1, shown with a pair of serial retaining plates and in an open configuration.

Fig. 4 is a view of FIG. 3, in which one of the retaining plates has been hidden to better illustrate certain details of the invention.

Fig. 5 is a perspective view of a filter press according to a further embodiment of the present invention.

Fig. 6 is a perspective exploded view of a holding plate belonging to the filter press of FIG. 5, and corresponding filter baffles.

Fig. 7 is a perspective view of a washing robot belonging to the filter press of FIG. 5, shown with a pair of serial retaining plates and in an open configuration.

Fig. 8 is a view of FIG. 7, in which one of the retaining plates has been hidden to better illustrate certain details of the invention.

Fig. 9 is an enlarged view of the detail from FIG. 5 on the washing robot.

Fig. 10 shows a cross-section of the assembly of FIG. 7.

Fig. 11 is a perspective view of a filter press according to a third embodiment of the present invention.

Fig. 12 is a perspective exploded view of a holding plate belonging to the filter press of FIG. 11, and corresponding filter baffles.

Fig. 13 is a perspective view of a pair of serial retaining plates in an open configuration.

Fig. 14 is a view of FIG. 13, in which one of the retaining plates has been hidden to better illustrate certain details of the invention.

Fig. 15 is a perspective view of a washing robot belonging to the filter press of FIG. 11, shown with a pair of serial retaining plates and in an open configuration.

Detailed description

The attached figures show filter presses 100 that are generally suitable for filtering liquid substances in which suspended solids, known as slurries, are dispersed.

For example, filter presses 100 may be used to filter sludge resulting from both civil and industrial wastewater treatment processes, or

- 5 046050 as a result of other technological processes, usually, but not exclusively, chemical/pharmaceutical or mining.

Each filter press 100 includes a plurality of retaining plates 105 mutually aligned along a predetermined longitudinal direction A, preferably horizontal.

Each of these retaining plates 105 is generally shaped like a thin body having two major surfaces of larger size, mutually opposed and substantially parallel, and of (much) less thickness than the size of the major surfaces.

The retaining plates 105 are oriented perpendicular to the longitudinal direction A, which is therefore substantially parallel to their thickness, and are arranged sequentially along said longitudinal direction A so that they are adjacent to each other.

In particular, each retaining plate 105 may have a substantially rectangular or square shape, comprising a bottom side, a top side, and two lateral sides that define the perimeter of its major surfaces.

Regardless of their specific shape, the holding plates 105 of each filter press 100 may be identical to each other and may be arranged to reflect two at a time.

The holding plates 105 are slidably coupled to the support structure 300, relative to which they can slide in a direction parallel to the longitudinal direction A.

In the embodiment of FIG. 1 and 2, the support structure 300 includes two guide rails 305 parallel to the longitudinal direction A and preferably lying in a horizontal plane (only one of which is visible in FIG. 1).

The bracket 110 extends cantilevered from the lateral sides of each retaining plate 105, which is slidably supported on a corresponding guide rail 305 of the support structure 300.

In the embodiment of FIG. 5 and 6, the support structure 300 includes a longitudinal member 310 extending parallel to the longitudinal direction A, lying above the retaining plates 105.

Hooks (not illustrated) may be attached to the top side of each retaining plate 105, which are slidably suspended from an equal number of guide beams (also not illustrated) attached to the support structure 300 and extending parallel to the longitudinal member 310.

In the embodiment of FIG. 11 and 12, the support structure 300 includes a pair of longitudinal members 315 parallel to the sliding direction A, between which retaining plates 105 are located.

Attached to the top side of each retaining plate 105 is a support beam 115, the ends of which are slidably supported by a guide rail 320 attached to a corresponding longitudinal member 315 (see also FIG. 15).

When located in the corresponding support structure 300, the retaining plates 105 of any embodiment are preferably located in the direction of the longitudinal direction A, between the awkward 325 and the movable head 330.

Thus, each retaining plate 105 includes a front main surface 120 facing the stationary head 325 and a rear main surface 125 facing the movable head 330.

Both the front surface 120 and the rear surface 125 may include a recess 130 and a side frame 135 that circumferentially defines the recess 130.

The movable head 330 can be moved toward and away from the fixed head 325 while sliding in the longitudinal direction A.

This movement of the movable head 330 can be achieved by suitable movement systems, which may include, for example, one or more hydraulic jacks 335.

By moving toward the stationary head 325, the movable head 330 is capable of sealing all of the retaining plates 105 of the filter press 100 into a stack with each other and with the stationary head 325 itself.

Conversely, by moving away from the fixed head 325, the movable head 330 can leave sufficient space for each pair of successive retaining plates 105 to move from a closed configuration (in which they are stacked) to an open configuration in which said pair of retaining plates 105 are mutually spaced apart. from friend.

In the embodiment of FIG. 11, the transition from a closed configuration to an open configuration can be achieved by a plurality of circuits (not illustrated), one of which connects the movable head 330 to the first retaining plate 105 nearest it, while each of the other circuits connects a corresponding pair of mutually successive retaining plates 105 .

Thus, moving from the fixed head 325, the movable head 330 is first separated from the first holding plate 105 until it tensions the first chain, after which the first holding plate 105 is forced to follow the movement of the movable head 330,

- 6 046050 moving from the second retaining plate until it tensions the next chain, and so on until all pairs of retaining plates 105 reach an open configuration.

In the embodiments of FIGS. 1 and 5, movement from a closed configuration to an open configuration can be achieved by a detachment device (not illustrated) sliding in the longitudinal direction A, which is capable of engaging one retaining plate 105 at a time, starting from the one closest to the movable head 330, and moving it to a given value from the next holding plate 105.

Regardless of all these discussions, two filter baffles are associated with each retaining plate 105, of which a first filter baffle 140 is configured to line its front surface 120 and a second filter baffle 145 is configured to line its rear surface 125.

In particular, each of these filter baffles 140 and 145 may be configured to adhere to the perimeter frame 135 of the corresponding main surface and completely cover its recess 130, for example, taking its shape and adhering to its bottom.

In the illustrated example, each of the filter baffles 140 and 145 consists of a section of filter fabric.

However, it is possible that in other embodiments, each of the filter baffles 140 and 145 may consist of a grid, mesh, or perforated sheet, for example, made of a metallic material.

These first and second filter baffles 140 and 145 may be attached to the respective retaining plates 105 in many different ways without departing from the scope of the present discussion.

For example, in the embodiment of FIG. 2 and 6, filter baffles 140 and 145 are partially wrapped around and attached to the lateral sides of the retaining plate 105.

In the embodiment of FIG. 12, the filter baffles 140 and 145 are substantially suspended from a connecting beam 150 that is attached to the upper lateral side of the retaining plate 105 where it is substantially coplanar with the latter, for example, in a position superimposed on the support beam 115.

In the illustrated embodiments, first and second separate and distinct filter baffles 140 and 145 are associated with each retaining plate 105.

However, it is possible that in other embodiments, the first and second filter baffles 140 and 145 may be joined together to form a single body.

In any case, the end result of this design is that between each pair of successive retaining plates 105 there remain always two facing filter baffles 140 and 145, the first of which is associated with the retaining plate 105 closest to the movable head 330, while the second connected to the retaining plate 105 closest to the stationary head 325.

When these retaining plates 105 are in a closed configuration, the first and second filter baffles 140 and 145 disposed therebetween are substantially in contact with each other on the perimeter frames 135, while they may be at least slightly spaced apart from each other. friend in the recesses 130.

Accordingly, a narrow, substantially closed filtration chamber 155 remains defined between these first and second filter baffles 140 and 145, as illustrated in the simplified diagram of Figure 16, which is suitable for receiving liquid to be filtered.

The liquid to be filtered may be introduced into the filtration chambers 155 through one or more inlet ports, each of which is made from a series of through holes that are formed directly into the retaining plates 105.

For example, in the embodiment of FIG. 1 and 2 and in the embodiment of FIG. 5 and 6, the filter press 100 includes a single inlet conduit, which is formed by a series of through holes 160 separately provided in a corresponding retaining plate 105.

In practice, each retaining plate 105 includes a through hole 160 having an axis parallel to the longitudinal axis A and substantially coaxial with the corresponding through holes 160 of all other retaining plates 105 of the filter press 100.

This through hole 160 may be provided in the center of the retaining plate 105, for example, on the bottom surface of the recesses 130.

In coaxial position with this through hole 160, the first and second filter baffles 140 and 145 associated with the same retaining plate 105 also have corresponding through holes 165.

Each retaining plate 105 is further provided with two distribution rings positioned coaxially with the through hole 160, of which the first distribution ring 170 is attached to the front surface 120 of the retaining plate 105, for example, to the bottom surface of its recess 130, and the second distribution ring 175 is attached to the rear surface

- 7 046050 sti 125 of the same retaining plate 105, for example, to the bottom surface of its recess 130.

In this context, the through holes 165 of the first and second filter baffles 140 and 145 preferably have a smaller diameter than the outer diameter of the distribution rings 170 and 175 such that the first distribution ring 170 is also configured to attach the first filter baffle 140 to the front surface 120 of the retaining plate 105 while the second distribution ring 175 is also configured to attach the second filter baffle 145 to the rear surface 125 of the retaining plate 105.

When all pairs of retaining plates 105 are in a closed configuration, i.e., when all retaining plates 105 are stacked together, the first distribution ring 170 of each retaining plate 105 may be in frontal contact with the second distribution ring 175 of the adjacent retaining plate 105, forming with it a section of pipe that passes through the filtration chamber 155.

However, in the region of mutual contact, these first and second distribution rings 170 and 175 may be shaped to define lateral openings that place the pipe section in fluid communication with the filtration chamber 155.

Through the through holes 160 formed in the retaining plates 105, this section of pipe is then in fluid communication with similar sections of pipe defined between all other pairs of retaining plates 105, thereby forming the resultant aforementioned inlet passage.

In the embodiment illustrated in FIG. 11 and 12, the filter press 100 includes two inlet ports, each of which is formed by a series of through holes 180 individually formed in a corresponding retaining plate 105.

In other words, each retaining plate 105 includes two through holes 180, each of which has an axis parallel to the longitudinal direction A and coaxial with the corresponding through hole 180 of all other retaining plates 105.

Through holes 180 may be provided on the perimeter frames 135 of the retaining plate 105, outside the recesses 130, for example, near the top side of the retaining plate 105 itself.

In a coaxial position with each of these through holes 180, the first and second filter baffles 140 and 145 associated with the retaining plate 105 have a corresponding through hole 185.

For each through hole 180, the retaining plate 105 is further provided with two distribution rings positioned coaxially with the corresponding through hole 180, the first distribution ring 190 is attached to the front surface 120 of the retaining plate 105, for example, embedded in a corresponding socket formed on its perimeter frame 135, and the second distribution ring 195, being attached to the rear surface 125 of the same retaining plate 105, for example, is embedded in a suitable socket formed on its perimeter frame 135.

Also in this case, the through holes 185 of the first and second filter baffles 140 and 145 preferably have a smaller diameter than the outer diameter of the distribution rings 190 and 195, so that the first distribution rings 190 are also configured to attach the first filter baffle 140 to the front surface 120 of the retaining plate 105, while the second distribution rings 195 are also configured to attach the second filter baffle 145 to the rear surface 125 of the retaining plate 105.

When all pairs of retaining plates 105 are in a closed configuration, i.e., when all retaining plates 105 are stacked together, the first distribution rings 190 of each retaining plate 105 may be in frontal contact with the corresponding second distribution ring 195 of the immediately adjacent retaining plate 105 , forming a pipe section with it.

At the mutual contact region, each of the first and second distribution rings 190 and 195 may be shaped to define lateral openings that place the section of pipe defined by them in fluid communication with the filtration chamber 155.

Each section of pipe defined by the first and second distribution rings 190 and 195 is then in fluid communication with all similar sections of pipe defined by the other pairs of retaining plates 105, forming the resulting aforementioned inlet passages.

Regardless of the embodiment adopted, each inlet port is then connected to an inlet hydraulic circuit configured to supply fluid to be filtered.

In the embodiment illustrated in FIG. 1, this inlet hydraulic circuit may include a first supply path 340 engaging a through hole 160 of a first retaining plate 105 proximal to the stationary head 325, possibly a second supply path 345 engaging (on the other side) a through hole 160 of a last retaining plate

- 8 046050

105 proximal to the movable head 330, and a pump (not illustrated) that pumps the liquid to be filtered into the first supply channel 340 and optionally the second supply channel 345.

In the embodiment of FIG. 5, the inlet hydraulic circuit may include a single supply passage 350 that engages a through hole 160 of the first retaining plate 105 proximal to the stationary head 325, and a pump (not shown) that pumps fluid to be filtered into said supply passage 350.

In the embodiment of FIG. 11, the inlet hydraulic circuit may include a supply passage 355 that, by way of a branch, engages the first distribution rings 190 of the retaining plate 105 proximal to the stationary head 325, and a pump (not shown) that pumps fluid to be filtered into that supply passage 355 .

In all cases, the liquid to be filtered that reaches the filtration chambers 155 tends to cross the first and second filter baffles 140 and 145 that define each of them, while the solid portion remains inside, forming a relatively compact sediment.

After passing through the filter baffles 140 and 145, the filtered liquid flows into one or more collection channels, each of which may be formed from a series of through holes 200 that are formed directly into the retaining plates 105, similar to the previously described inlet channels.

In practice, each retaining plate 105 includes one or more through holes 200, each of which has an axis parallel to the longitudinal direction A and coaxial with the corresponding through hole 200 of all other retaining plates 105.

Each of these through holes 200 may be provided in the perimeter frames 135 of the corresponding retaining plate 105 outside the recesses 130.

In the embodiments of FIGS. 2 and 6, each retaining plate 105 includes, for example, four through holes 200 located at the edges of the retaining plate 105 itself.

In a coaxial position with each through hole 200, the first and second filter baffles 140 and 145 associated with the retaining plate 105 also have a corresponding through hole 205.

In the embodiment of FIG. 12, each holding plate 105 includes six through holes 200, of which a first pair of through holes 200 is located on an upper side of the holding plate 105, a second pair of through holes 200 is provided in a fixture of the holding plate 105 that protrudes from the right lateral side, and a third pair of through holes 200 is obtained in a fixture that protrudes from the left lateral side.

In a coaxial position with each through hole 200 of the first pair, the first and second filter baffles 140 and 145 have a corresponding through hole 205, while the through holes 200 of the second and third pairs remain completely uncovered.

Regardless of the particular embodiment, when all pairs of retaining plates 105 are in a closed configuration, i.e., when all retaining plates 105 are stacked together, each through hole 200 of the retaining plate 105 is in fluid communication with a sequence of corresponding through holes 200 of all other retaining plates 105, forming a resultant one of the aforementioned collection channels.

Each through hole 200 is also in communication, for example through a suitable channel system formed in the body of the retaining plate 105, with a narrow cavity that remains defined between the front surface 120 of the retaining plate 105 and the first filter baffle 140, for example between the latter and the bottom surface a recess 130 formed in said front surface 120, and/or with a narrow cavity that remains defined between the rear surface 125 of the retaining plate 105 and the second filter baffle 145, for example, between the latter and the bottom surface of the recess 130 formed in said rear surface 125.

Thus, the filtered liquid passing through the filter walls 140 and 145 first flows into these cavities, and then through the internal channels reaches the through holes 200, and then the collection channels.

These collection channels are in turn connected, preferably at a stationary head 325, to a hydraulic outlet circuit configured to release the filtered fluid, transporting it, for example, to a storage tank, disposal system, or other uses.

The hydraulic outlet circuit may include, for example, a plurality of transport channels 360 that separately engage a corresponding through hole 200 of the first retaining plate 105 proximal to the stationary head 325, and which can then converge into a single outlet pipe.

It is stated herein that the supply of fluid to be filtered into the filtration chambers 155 and subsequent removal of the filtered liquid does not occur continuously, but is interrupted after a period of time when the filtration chambers 155 are substantially full

- 9 046050 solid residue, which forms the above-mentioned compact sediment.

At this point in time, each pair of successive retaining plates 105 is brought into an open configuration as described above.

Thus, the first and second filter baffles 140 and 145, which are located between the said pair of retaining plates 105, are separated in the longitudinal direction A, laterally opening the filtration chamber 155 and thus allowing the compact sediment to fall downwards outside the filter press 100.

This compact sediment may then be collected, for example, into special compartments provided under the retaining plates 105 for disposal or further processing.

However, over extended periods of use, some of the solid materials separated from the filtered liquid may remain attached to the filter baffles 140 and 145, contaminating them and reducing their effectiveness.

For this reason, the filter press 100 typically includes a washing robot, generally designated 400, which is responsible for washing the filter baffles 140 and 145 located between each pair of successive retaining plates 105, for example, after each filtration cycle or after a number of filtration cycles.

This washing robot 400 may include a carriage 405 that is movable relative to the holding plates 105 along a longitudinal direction A.

In particular, the carriage 405 may be slidably coupled to the support structure 300 and may be shaped to move about the retaining plates 105 (which remain stationary) without interacting with them.

For example, in the embodiment illustrated in FIG. 1, the cart 405 may have a portal structure lying in a plane transverse to the longitudinal direction A and defining a passage facing and aligned with the series of retaining plates 105.

In particular, the cart 405 may include two uprights 410 located on opposite sides of the retaining plates 105, and an upper cross member 415 that, by connecting the two uprights 410, overlaps the retaining plates 105.

The base of each upright 410 may be slidably coupled to a corresponding guide rail 365 extending parallel to the longitudinal direction A.

The sliding of the carriage 405 on the support structure may be assigned to any known drive device, such as electromechanical or electrohydraulic.

In the embodiment illustrated in FIG. 5, the cart 405 of the washing robot 400, although having a different shape and structure, retains the same gantry structure set forth above.

However, in this case, the carriage 405 is slidably connected to the support structure 300 through an upper transverse member 415, which rests and slides along a longitudinal member 310 extending parallel to the longitudinal direction A, overlapping the retaining plates 105.

The sliding of the carriage 405 may be assigned to an electromechanical system comprising a straight rack 370 attached to a longitudinal member 310 and at least one drive gear (not visible) mounted on an upper cross member 415 which, driven by an electric motor, rotates in mesh with the straight rack. rack 370.

However, the sliding of the carriage 405 on the support structure 300 may be assigned to any other known drive device, such as electromechanical or electrohydraulic.

In the embodiment illustrated in FIG. 11, the cart 405 of the washing robot 400 no longer includes the portal structure set forth above, but may simply include an upper cross member 435 that, extending transversely with respect to the longitudinal direction A, is located above the holding plates 105 (see FIG. 15).

Opposite ends of this top cross member 435 may be slidably coupled to two guide rails 365 that extend parallel to the longitudinal direction A and which may be individually attached to a corresponding longitudinal member 315.

The sliding of the carriage 405 on the support structure 300 may be assigned to any known drive device, such as electromechanical or electrohydraulic.

Any type of washing robot 400 may further comprise a beam 445 that is mounted on the carriage 405 and is configured to move relative to the latter in a transverse direction (e.g., perpendicular) to the longitudinal direction A so as to be capable of moving in the space contained between any pair of successive retaining plates 105 when the latter are in an open configuration.

In particular, the beam 445 may be straight, preferably horizontal, and oriented perpendicular to the longitudinal direction A, and may be provided relative to the carriage 405, at

- 10 046050 in which it is installed, by translational movement in the vertical direction between the upper and lower end positions.

In the upper end position, the beam 445 may be placed at a higher level than the retaining plates 105, while in the lower end position it may be placed at substantially the same level as their underside or lower.

Associated with the beam 445 may be a plurality of nozzles 450, each of which is capable of delivering a stream of cleaning liquid, typically water, toward the first and/or second filter baffles 140 and 145, respectively covering the front surface 120 of one and the rear surface 125 of the other retaining plate. 105 pairs.

For example, the beam 445 may be provided with a first group of nozzles 450 arranged, for example, in a row along their longitudinal extension, which are directed towards the stationary head 325, and/or a second group of nozzles 450, arranged, for example, in a row along their longitudinal extension , which are directed towards the movable head 330.

To dispense jets of cleaning fluid, the nozzles 450 may be coupled to a suitable hydraulic cleaning fluid delivery system, which may typically comprise a pump, preferably a high pressure pump, that is configured to take the cleaning fluid from a reservoir or supply network and send it under pressure to the nozzles 450 from which it flows.

In particular, this hydraulic delivery system may include at least one manifold 455, which is attached to the beam 445 and/or forms an integral part thereof.

This manifold 455 is shaped like a hollow body, such as a tube, which preferably extends directly and is oriented parallel to the beam 445.

The nozzles 450 may be directly inserted into corresponding through holes in the side wall of the aforementioned manifold 455 or directly defined by the latter.

In the embodiment illustrated in FIG. 4, beam 445 includes two parallel manifolds 455, preferably lying in the same horizontal plane, one of which carries nozzles 450 facing the stationary head 325, while the other carries nozzles 450 facing the movable head 330.

The beam 445 has a similar shape to the frame that carries both of the above-mentioned manifolds 455.

The movement of the beam 445 on the cart 405 is driven by an articulated linkage mechanism 460 (e.g., a pantograph) that connects the beam 445 to the cross member 415 of the cart 405 and which may be controlled by an electric motor 465.

In the embodiment illustrated in FIG. 8, beam 445 contains and is substantially defined by a single manifold 455 to which both nozzles 450 facing the stationary head 325 and nozzles 450 facing the movable head 330 are associated.

The movement of the beam 445 on the cart 405 may be controlled by any drive system, such as electromechanical or electrohydraulic.

Also in the embodiment of FIG. 14, beam 445 contains and is substantially defined by a single manifold 455 to which both nozzles 450 facing the stationary head 325 and nozzles 450 facing the movable head 330 are associated.

In this case, the movement of the beam 445 on the cart 405 is driven by a pair of vertically oriented chains (or belts)

470, each of which has a lower end attached to a corresponding end of the beam 445, and an upper end attached to a collection reel 475 (see FIG. 15) rotatably mounted on a cart 405, in particular on a crossbar 415 located above the holding plates 105.

The collection reels 475 have horizontal axes of rotation and are driven simultaneously and in the same direction, for example by a single electric motor 480, so that the unwinding and rewinding of the respective belts 470 causes the beam 445 to lower and rise, respectively.

The operation of the washing robot 400 causes the cart 405 to slide on the support structure 300 along the longitudinal direction A and stop, one after the other, on all successive pairs of holding plates 105, which are in an open configuration.

As the carriage 405 slides, the beam 445 remains in its upper end position so as not to interact with the retaining plates 105.

When the cart 405 stops, the beam 445 is then vertically aligned with the space contained between a pair of successive retaining plates 105 and in an open configuration.

Therefore, the beam 445 can be operated to move relative to the carriage 405 (which remains stationary) in a vertical direction from an upper end position to a lower end position and back again.

During one or both of these strokes, the cleaning fluid of the hydraulic supply system may operate such that nozzles 450 mounted on beam 445 deliver jets of cleaning fluid (preferably at high pressure) to filter baffles 140 and 145 lining

- 11 046050 retaining plates 105, washing them and removing any solid deposits that may remain attached.

However, after repeated filtration cycles, the filter baffles 140 and 145, which are associated with the retaining plates 105, are in any case subject to progressive wear and/or may be damaged by accidental events, thus requiring replacement.

To monitor the integrity and wear of the filter walls 140 and 145, it is provided that the filter press 100 is equipped with an electronic processing unit (not illustrated) that directs and controls the system for recognizing the filter walls 140 and 145, as well as the system for capturing them.

The recognition system requires that each filter baffle 140 and 145 installed on the filter press 100 be provided with a unique identification code.

Specifically, this unique identification code may be embedded in the RFID tag 500.

Each RFID tag typically contains an antenna capable of emitting a radio signal encoded with its unique identification code.

Each RFID tag 500 may also contain a (small) local memory unit, preferably a read-write/reprogrammable type, which may store additional information about the corresponding filter barrier 140 or 145.

This information may include, for example, the brand and model of the filter fabric, its position within the sequence of retaining plates 105 (ie, its distance from the stationary head 325 and/or the movable head 330), and the number of filtration cycles performed.

This information may also be encoded in the radio signal emitted by the antenna of the corresponding RFID tag 500.

Therefore, the recognition system may include a detection device configured to read/detect a unique identification code that is attached to each filter baffle 140 and 145.

This detection device may be connected to the electronic processing unit by any known connection system, wired or wireless.

Preferably, the detection device is mounted on the cart 405 of the washing robot 400 so as to be configured to read the identification codes of the filter baffles 140 and 145 when the latter are subjected to a washing operation as set forth above.

The detection device may include, for example, an antenna 505 configured to detect a radio signal that is emitted by each tag 500 and encrypted with a unique identification code and possibly information stored in its local memory.

Optionally, antenna 505 may also be configured to transmit to each RF tag 500 a radio signal allowing it to write/overwrite its local memory block, for example, to periodically update the number of filtering cycles that have been performed by the corresponding filter wall 140 or 145.

In any case, it is preferable that the antenna 505 be configured to receive and/or communicate with each RFID tag 500 only when it is within a relatively short distance from the latter, such as less than the distance separating a pair of serial holding plates 105 in an open configuration. .

This effect can be achieved, for example, by correspondingly reducing the power of the antenna 505.

Thus, during the movement of the cart 405, the antenna 505 may preferably be capable of picking up signals from a small number of RFID tags 500 at one time, preferably only one RFID tag 500 at a time, thereby allowing the identification system to "isolate" the picked up signals and thereby assign appropriate filter partitions 140 or 145 are in their correct position.

In order to make the identification system compatible with both European and American standards, RFID tags 500 may be configured to emit and possibly receive radio signals with frequencies ranging from 860 MHz to 960 MHz.

Accordingly, the detection device antenna 505 may be configured to operate on frequencies contained between 865 MHz and 868 MHz in the European zone, or operate on frequencies contained between 902 MHz and 928 MHz in the American zone.

The detection device may further comprise a reader (not shown) that is coupled to the antenna 505 and is configured to decode radio signals from the tags 500, obtaining their unique identification codes and any additional information.

The reader may also be capable of preparing information to be transmitted and written to the local tag memories 500.

- 12 046050

This reader may be connected to the antenna 505 via any cabling system, and will then in turn be connected to the processing unit, either wired or wireless.

Alternatively, it will be possible to use integrated systems in which the antenna 505 and the reader are integrated into a single device.

Preferably, both the antenna 505 and the reader are mounted on the cart 405 of the cleaning robot 400.

However, it is possible that in other embodiments, only the antenna 505 is mounted on the cart 405 of the washing robot 400, the reader device is configured to be mounted in any other fixed position on the support structure 300 of the filter press 100.

In the embodiment illustrated in FIG. 3 and 4, the first and second filter baffles 140 and 145, which are associated with each retaining plate 105, may carry corresponding RF tags 500 on the lateral side of the retaining plate 105 itself, preferably in a position closer to the upper side than the lower side, for example, above bracket 110.

The detection device antenna 505 may be attached to a post 410 of the cart 405 that is proximal to said lateral side of the retaining plate 105, such as carried by a connecting bracket, at substantially the same level and so as to extend adjacent to (without touching) the RFID tags 500. .

The reader may be located on the cart 405 at a higher level than the antenna 505, such as, but not necessarily, on the crossbar 415.

In the embodiment illustrated in FIG. 7 and 8, the first and second filter baffles 140 and 145, which are associated with each retaining plate 105, may carry corresponding RF tags 500 on the lateral side of the retaining plate 105 itself, preferably in a position closer to the lateral side than the top side, for example , at the edge that separates said lateral side from the underside.

The detection device antenna 505 may be attached to the bottom of the cart 405 near a post 410 of the cart 405 facing the aforementioned lateral side of the retaining plate 105, for example attached to the top of a bracket formed from a beam 490 configured to connect two posts 410 while positioning under the retaining plates 105.

In particular, said support bracket brings the antenna 505 to substantially the same level as the RF tags 500, such that the antenna 505 passes close to the latter without touching them.

Again, the reader may be located on the cart 405 at a higher level than the antenna 505, such as, but not necessarily, on the crossbar 415.

In the embodiment illustrated in FIG. 15, the first and second filter baffles 140 and 145, which are associated with each retaining plate 105, may carry corresponding RF tags 500 on their top edge, which projects above the top side of the retaining plate 105 itself, for example, in a central position along said top edge.

The detection device antenna 505 may be attached to the cross member 435 of the cart 405, in a position where the antenna 505 and the RF tags 500 associated with the filter baffles 140 and 145 lie in substantially the same vertical plane parallel to the longitudinal direction A.

For example, the antenna 505 may be carried on the lower end of a support bracket attached to the crossbar 435 of the cart 405 and extending downward so that the antenna 505 can pass close to the RF tags 500 without touching them.

Again, the reader may be placed on the cart 405 at a higher level than the antenna 505, such as on the crossbar 435.

In some embodiments, it is contemplated that the filter press 100 may also include a retention plate 105 detection system.

This system is similar to the previous system and ensures that each retaining plate 105 has a corresponding unique identification code, which may, for example, be embedded in an RFID tag (not shown), which may have the same characteristics as set forth for the RFID tags 500 associated with filter baffles 140 and 145.

The RFID tag may store information such as the make and model of the retention plate 105, its position within the sequence of retention plates 105 (ie, its distance from the fixed head 325 and/or the moving head 330), and the number of filtering cycles performed.

The unique identification codes attached to the retaining plates 105 may be detected by a corresponding detection device, which is preferably mounted on the cart 405, and may have the same characteristics as illustrated for the identification code detection device of the filter baffles 140 and 145.

- 13 046050

In particular, the unique identification codes attached to the retaining plates 105 may be detected by a dedicated detection device, or possibly the same detection device used for codes associated with the filter baffles 140 and 145. Turning now to the acquisition system, it comprises at least at least one imaging device 600 that is mounted on a beam 445 of the cleaning robot 400, for example, at a higher level than the nozzles 450 that emit jets of cleaning liquid.

This acquisition device 600 may be connected to the central processing unit via any connection system, either wired or wireless.

Acquisition device 600 may be, for example, a camera, video camera, or any other device configured to receive still images and/or video of the filter baffles 140 and 145.

Thus, by moving the beam 445 between a pair of successive holding plates 105 and in an open configuration, the acquisition device 600 is capable of acquiring one or more images of the first and/or second filter baffle 140 and 145 that are located between said holding plates 105.

These images can optionally be processed and combined by an electronic processing unit so as to obtain a complete image of each filter baffle 140 and 145, in effect obtaining a true scanned image thereof.

To perform this scanning on both filter baffles 140 and 145, acquisition device 600 may be movably mounted on beam 445 so that it can change its orientation toward the fixed head 325 and, alternatively, toward the movable head 330.

More preferably, however, the acquisition system includes at least two acquisition devices 600, with the first acquisition device 600 facing the fixed head 325 and the second acquisition device 600 facing the movable head 330.

Thus, with a single movement of the beam 445, it is advantageously possible to scan both filter baffles 140 and 145 simultaneously.

This solution is used, for example, in the embodiment shown in FIG. 3 and 4.

The use of only one acquisition device 600, or only one acquisition device 600 per side, may, however, require its field of view to be wide enough to cover the entire swath of the filter baffles 140 and 145, i.e. a strip extending continuously from one lateral side of the retaining plate 105 to the opposite lateral side.

To make this possible, the distance between the acquisition device 600 and the filter partition 140 or 145 to be scanned must be sufficiently large.

However, the space available between each pair of successive holding plates 105 in an open configuration can sometimes be very narrow, such that the field of view of the acquisition device 600 mounted on the beam 445 extending therethrough may not be large enough to guarantee the intended condition.

Therefore, to overcome this disadvantage, the shooting system may comprise a group of receiving devices 600 arranged in a row and mutually spaced along the longitudinal extension of the beam 445 of the washing robot 400, all of which may be oriented towards the fixed head 325 or towards the movable head 330 .

More preferably, the acquisition system may include two of these groups of acquisition devices 600, with all acquisition devices 600 of one of these groups oriented toward the fixed head 325, while all acquisition devices 600 of the other group are oriented toward the movable head 330.

Thus, the images obtained by the acquisition devices 600 of each group can be combined to obtain an image of the entire strip of the filter baffle 140 and 145.

This solution is used, for example, in the embodiment illustrated in FIG. 8, and in the embodiment illustrated in FIG. 13 and 14, in which two receiving devices 600 facing the fixed head 325 and two additional receiving devices 600 facing the movable head 330 are mounted on a beam 445 of the washing robot 400.

Another possibility to increase the field of view of each receiving device 600 is to position the cart 405 of the washing robot 400 such that the beam 445 is not perfectly equidistant from the two holding plates 105.

For example, when scanning the first filter baffle 140, it is possible to position the cart 405 such that the beam 445, and therefore the acquisition devices 600, are closer to the second filter baffle 145.

Conversely, when scanning the second filter baffle 145, it is possible to position the cart 405 such that the beam 445, and therefore the acquisition devices 600, are closer to the first filter baffle 140.

- 14 046050

Another possibility to increase the field of view of each receiving device 600 would be to provide it with translational movement on a beam 445 in a horizontal direction and perpendicular to the longitudinal direction A.

To improve image acquisition, the imaging system of any embodiment may further comprise one or more lamps configured to illuminate filter baffles 140 and 145, which may also be mounted on the cart 405 and/or on the beam 445 of the cleaning robot 400.

For example, the embodiment illustrated in FIG. 10 includes a lamp 605 mounted in parallel on each post 410 of the cart 405, and optionally an additional lamp (not illustrated) mounted in parallel on a beam 445, such as below a manifold 455 carrying nozzles 450.

Based on the above, the operation of the sensing and capturing system ensures that the cart 405 slides on the support structure 300 along the longitudinal direction A and stops sequentially on all successive pairs of holding plates A, which are in an open configuration.

As the carriage 405 slides, the beam 445 remains in its upper end position so as not to interact with the retaining plates 105.

When the cart 405 stops or when it passes by, the recognition system antenna 505 picks up the radio signals emitted by the radio frequency tags 500 associated with the first and second filter baffles 140 and 145, which are located between the specified pair of retaining plates 105, obtaining their unique identification codes.

If necessary, the antenna 505 of the recognition device can also detect radio signals emitted by the radio frequency tags attached to the retaining plates 105, between which the filter baffles 140 and 145 are located, also in this case obtaining their unique identification codes.

These unique identification codes can be transmitted to an electronic processing unit, which can then identify the two filter baffles 140 and 145 and possibly the retaining plates 105.

Thus, the electronic processing unit may first monitor each filter baffle 140 and 145 and/or each retaining plate 105, for example, detect/monitor its position within the filter press 100 and/or the number of filtration cycles completed.

Simultaneously or subsequently, the beam 445 can be controlled to move relative to the carriage 405 (which remains stationary) in a vertical direction from an upper end position to a lower end position and back, repeating this movement one or more times as necessary.

During at least one of these strokes, acquisition device(s) 600 may scan the first and second filter baffles 140 and 145 and obtain images thereof.

These images may be transmitted to an electronic processing unit, which may associate them with corresponding unique identification codes or corresponding filter baffles 140 or 145.

It can be easily understood that these operations can preferably be carried out simultaneously with the washing operations.

For example, after the cart 405 of the washing robot 400 is stopped on a pair of serial holding plates 105 and in an open configuration, the beam 445 may perform one or more strokes in which the nozzles 450 are operated, followed by one or more strokes in which the receiving devices 600 are operated.

However, it is possible that in another embodiment the shooting and washing could be carried out independently of each other.

In any case, shooting operations are preferably performed one after another for all successive pairs of filter press holding plates 105.

Images of each filter membrane 140 and 145 may be used by the computer processing unit to check whether said filter membrane is damaged, for example, whether it has early stage damage (abrasion or microdamage) and/or late stage damage (macrodamage), and/or performing a forecast assessment of its residual validity period.

For example, the electronic processing unit may be configured to determine, based on images of each of the filter baffles 140 and 145, the wear status of the filter baffle and/or predict how many filtration cycles the filter baffle can still perform before it becomes damaged or otherwise becomes ineffective.

In practice, the electronic processing unit will be able to detect any defects in the filter baffles 140 and 145 in advance, even before the defect may develop into permanent damage to the rear retaining plate 105.

The determination of the remaining validity period can be carried out by the electronic processing unit by executing suitable evaluation logic, for example based on a suitably trained artificial intelligence algorithm.

-

Claims (12)

electronic intelligence, which receives images of the filter partition 140 or 145 as input data and automatically provides its remaining life as output data. This evaluation logic may also take into account other aspects such as the degree of abrasiveness of the fluid to be filtered and/or filtration pressures. The remaining life may then be communicated to operators, for example, through an interface system, so that they can schedule replacement of the various filter baffles 140 and 145. As an example, the evaluation logic used by the electronic processing unit may be based on a model (eg, mathematical, statistical, or empirical) describing the wear pattern of the filter baffles 140 and 145 relative to time of use or number of filtration cycles performed. This model can be modified/updated by the electronic processing unit through a self-learning process which, by analyzing and/or processing (historical) images of each filter baffle 140 and 145 acquired by the imaging system at successive periods of time, i.e. after a gradually increasing number of filter cycles performed, is able understand the development of wear on filter baffles 140 and 145 over time. In other words, after receiving multiple images of a plurality of said filter baffles 140 and 145 at successive periods of time, the electronic processing unit will advantageously be able to use all of these images, for example through the aforementioned artificial intelligence-based self-learning process, to change the model on which the remaining life estimation logic is based. actions. In this way, the model will be constantly updated and may be more adequate to the actual behavior of the filter press 100. It will be appreciated that one skilled in the art can make several technologically applicable modifications to all of the above without departing from the scope of the invention as stated below. CLAIM 1. A filter press (100) comprising a plurality of filtration chambers (155) aligned along a predetermined longitudinal direction (A), each of which is delimited by two facing filter baffles (140, 145) located between a pair of retaining plates (105 ), a moving device configured to move each pair of retaining plates (105) along said longitudinal direction (A) between a closed configuration in which the retaining plates (105) are stacked on respective filter baffles (140, 145) covering the filtration chamber (155), and an open configuration in which the retaining plates (105) are spaced apart from each other so as to separate the corresponding filter baffles (140, 145) laterally opening the filtration chamber (155), an inlet hydraulic circuit configured to supply liquid, to be filtered, within each filtration chamber (155), when all pairs of retaining plates (105) are in a closed configuration, an outlet hydraulic circuit configured to discharge filtered fluid leaving each filtration chamber (155) through respective filter baffles (140, 145 ) when all pairs of retaining plates (105) are in a closed configuration, and a washing robot (400) configured to wash the filter baffles (140, 145) that define each filtration chamber (155) when the corresponding pair of retaining plates (105 ) is in an open configuration, and the specified washing robot (400) contains a cart (405) configured to move along the specified longitudinal direction (A) relative to the holding plates (105), a beam (445) mounted on the cart (405) and made movable relative thereto in a transverse direction relative to the longitudinal direction (A) to slide between filter baffles (140, 145) disposed between a pair of retaining plates (105) in an open configuration, and a plurality of nozzles (450) mounted on said beam ( 445), for issuing jets of washing liquid in the direction of said filter partitions (140, 145), characterized in that it additionally contains a plurality of identification codes, each of which is attached to at least one corresponding filter partition (140, 145), device for detecting said identification codes, installed on the cart (405) of the washing robot (400), at least one image acquisition device (600), mounted on the beam (445) of the washing robot (400), for obtaining images of the specified filter partitions (140, 145), and - 16 046050 electronic processing unit connected to an identification code detection device and an image acquisition device (600). 2. The filter press (100) according to claim 1, in which the specified electronic processing unit is configured to identify at least one filter partition (140, 145) by detecting the corresponding identification code by the detection device, obtained using the receiving device (600) by at least one image of said filter partition (140, 145), determine, based on said at least one image, the presence of any damage to said filter partition (140, 145). 3. The filter press (100) according to claim 1 or 2, in which the specified electronic processing unit is configured to identify at least one filter partition (140, 145) by detecting the corresponding identification code by the detection device, obtained using the receiving device (600 ) at least one image of said filter partition (140, 145), determine on the basis of said at least one image the remaining service life of said filter partition (140, 145). 4. The filter press (100) according to claim 3, wherein the electronic processing unit is configured to determine the remaining life of the filter partition (140, 145) by executing an evaluation logic that takes as input the at least one image and outputs as output the remaining validity period. 5. The filter press (100) according to claim 4, in which the processing unit is configured to receive, in successive periods of time, using the acquisition device (600), a plurality of images of a plurality of said filter baffles (140, 145), change the evaluation logic based on these images. 6. The filter press (100) according to any one of the previous claims, comprising a second plurality of identification codes, each of which is attached to a corresponding retaining plate (105) and is configured to be detected by an identification code detection device. 7. The filter press (100) as claimed in any one of the preceding claims, wherein each identification code is embedded in an RFID tag (500) and wherein said detection device comprises an antenna (505) configured to detect a radio signal emitted by said RFID tag (500 ). 8. The filter press (100) according to claim 6, wherein said RF tag (500) is of a recordable type. 9. The filter press (100) according to claim 6, wherein said detection device comprises a reader coupled to an antenna (505) and configured to decode a radio signal emitted by the RFID tag (500). 10. The filter press (100) according to any one of the previous claims, wherein said image acquisition device (600) is a video camera or camera. 11. A filter press (100) as claimed in any one of the preceding paragraphs, comprising at least a first imaging device (600) oriented towards one of said filter baffles (140) and a second imaging device (600), turned towards the other filter baffle (145). 12. The method for operating the filter press (100) according to claim 1, comprising the steps of stopping the cart (405) of the washing robot (400) at a pair of holding plates (105) in an open configuration, detecting, using a detection device, an identification code of at least one from said filter baffles (140, 145) located between said pair of holding plates (105), moving the beam (445) of the washing robot (400) between the filter baffles (140, 145) located between said pair of holding plates (105), obtaining at least one image of said filter partition (140, 145) by means of an image acquisition device (600) mounted on a beam (445) of the washing robot (400). -