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China Shandong Weifang No. 777, Changzhan Road, High-Tech Zone
The TCA Rotary Drum Type Sludge Filter (Oil Filter) is a high‑efficiency primary oil purification equipment specially designed for continuous frying lines, widely used for in‑line oil filtration in the production of potato chips, french fries, puffed snacks, coated prepared foods and other fried products. The equipment adopts a rotating drum screen structure to separate and automatically discharge large‑size solid impurities (frying debris, breading fragments, carbonized residues, etc.) from the frying oil under the combined action of gravity and filtration, effectively reducing the accumulation of coarse particles in the oil and providing a cleaner oil base for subsequent precision filtration or direct reuse.
All oil‑contact parts are made of food‑grade SUS304 stainless steel. The drum screen mesh size can be customized according to customer requirements to suit the particle sizes of different materials. The equipment features an automatic sludge dislodging system supplemented by an air knife, enabling continuous automatic slag discharge during operation without manual intervention, significantly reducing labor intensity. The TCA Rotary Drum Type Sludge Filter is compact in structure, easy to maintain and low in operating cost, making it an ideal primary filtration unit for in‑line oil purification in continuous frying lines. It can be installed as a bypass unit of the fryer or integrated into an in‑line filtration system.
Working Principle
The TCA Rotary Drum Type Sludge Filter operates on the rotating drum sieving principle. The main body consists of a slowly rotating cylindrical drum screen. Sludge dislodging plates or claws are installed along the inner wall of the screen in the direction of the generatrix. An air knife is arranged above the drum parallel to the drum axis, and a sludge receiving tray is provided axially inside the drum cavity.
The equipment is installed in the oil circulation loop of the fryer. Frying oil enters the filter chamber of the tank through the oil inlet pipe. The oil passes through the screen under gravity and flows out via the oil outlet or natural overflow, while oil sludge and solid matter are trapped on the inner surface of the screen. As the drum rotates continuously driven by the motor, the sludge attached to the inner wall moves upward with the drum. When the sludge reaches a certain height, it naturally falls off under gravity. For sludge that adheres more tightly, the built‑in air knife generates high‑pressure airflow to blow it off the screen surface. The dislodged oil sludge falls into the receiving tray and is automatically discharged from the machine through a sludge discharge channel, achieving continuous separation and automatic cleaning of oil sludge.
The entire filtration process takes place while the fryer is operating normally, requiring no shutdown for cleaning. For models equipped with pressure sensors and an automatic discharge program, when sludge accumulation on the inner screen wall reaches a certain thickness and the filtration pressure rises to a preset value, the control system can automatically trigger back‑washing or vibration‑assisted discharge operations. Through this continuous sludge filtration process, real‑time purification of frying oil during circulation is achieved, effectively reducing the accumulation of fine particles and keeping the frying oil relatively clear.
| Component | Material | Function Description |
|---|---|---|
| Tank / Housing | SUS304 stainless steel | Features filter chamber, oil inlet and oil outlet; collects filtered oil; enclosed design prevents oil vapor leakage |
| Drum screen | SUS304 stainless steel | Cylindrical rotating filtration element; mesh size customizable; allows oil to pass while retaining solid particles |
| Sludge dislodging plates / claws | SUS304 stainless steel | Welded or attached to the inner wall of the drum; as the drum rotates, they lift attached sludge upward to a high point for dislodging |
| Air knife system | SUS304 stainless steel air knife | Arranged above the drum parallel to the drum axis; high‑pressure airflow assists in blowing off sludge that adheres tightly |
| Sludge receiving tray | SUS304 stainless steel | Installed axially inside the drum cavity; receives sludge that falls off at the high point or is blown off by the air knife and guides it out |
| Drive system | Geared motor + chain drive | Drives the drum to rotate at a uniform speed; adjustable frequency to suit oil with different sludge contents |
| Control system | Manual control / PLC + touch screen (optional) | Controls drum start/stop, speed adjustment, discharge cycle, etc.; PLC models allow multiple process recipes to be stored |
| Oil pump (optional) | SUS304 stainless steel high‑temperature pump | Extracts frying oil from the fryer to the filter and provides the circulation power required for filtration |
| Frame | SUS304 stainless steel | All‑stainless steel frame structure for stability, corrosion resistance and easy workshop cleaning |
Technical Parameters
| Parameter | Range / Description |
|---|---|
| Model | TCA‑RDF Series (customizable by capacity) |
| Drum diameter | 300‑1200 mm (by model) |
| Drum length | 600‑3000 mm (by model) |
| Filtration rating | Removal rate of solid particles ≥30μm ≥90% (mesh size configurable) |
| Processing capacity | 1000‑30000 L/h (by model) |
| Working temperature | ≤180℃ |
| Working pressure | Atmospheric or slight positive pressure (0‑0.1 MPa) |
| Drum speed | 1‑12 r/min (frequency adjustable) |
| Total power | 1.1‑7.5 kW (by model, including drive motor and air knife fan) |
| Equipment material | SUS304 stainless steel (oil‑contact parts) |
| Dimensions | Customizable by model; typical 1200×800×1500‑3000×1500×2000 mm |
| Power supply | 380V / 50Hz three‑phase |
| Sealing type | Mechanical seal or packing seal, high‑temperature resistant |
Continuous automatic sludge discharge: During operation, the filter drum rotates continuously, and sludge rises with the drum to a high point where it falls off naturally under gravity or is blown off by the air knife. The entire process requires no manual shutdown for cleaning, significantly reducing labor intensity.
No consumables such as filter paper: Unlike paper belt filters or cloth filters, the drum type sludge filter uses stainless steel metal screen as the filtration medium. It has a long service life and requires only periodic cleaning, with no need for frequent replacement of filter paper / filter cloth.
High filtration efficiency: Effectively removes solid particle suspensions ≥30μm, intercepting coarse impurities such as frying debris, breading fragments and carbonized residues generated during frying, providing a cleaner oil base for subsequent precision filtration or direct reuse.
Food‑grade stainless steel construction: All oil‑contact parts are made of SUS304 stainless steel, offering high temperature and corrosion resistance with no metal ion migration, meeting food safety production requirements.
Frequency control speed regulation: The drum speed is infinitely adjustable via frequency converter, allowing flexible adjustment of filtration speed according to variations in fryer oil sludge content, adapting to different products and processes.
Enclosed design, safe and eco‑friendly: The tank is of enclosed design, preventing oil vapor leakage during operation and keeping the workshop clean. Optional PLC fully automatic control system is available on some models.
Compact structure, easy maintenance: The equipment has a small footprint and can be flexibly installed near the fryer. The screen is easy to remove, routine cleaning requires little effort, and consumables costs are extremely low.
Integrable for continuous in‑line filtration: The equipment can operate continuously in‑line, allowing sludge filtration without interrupting normal fryer operation, achieving online filtration and automatic sludge removal without shutdown.
Frequently Asked Questions
This machine is designed for processing a wide range of food raw materials. Depending on the specific model, it can handle fresh, chilled, or frozen materials within a defined size and moisture range. For optimal performance, we recommend confirming the raw material specifications before ordering.
The equipment is designed to handle potatoes of varying sizes. For certain processes such as cutting or peeling, adjustable settings or size grading solutions can be provided to ensure consistent output quality.
We provide customized solutions based on your factory layout, processing capacity, and production requirements. Our engineering team can assist with line design and technical planning.
Our solution service typically includes process analysis, equipment configuration, line layout drawings, operation guidance, and technical support. Upon request, we can also assist with installation guidance, commissioning, and operator training through online support.
We provide long-term after-sales support for complete processing lines, including technical consultation, troubleshooting assistance, spare parts supply, and system upgrade advice. Detailed operation manuals and maintenance guidelines are provided to ensure smooth daily operation.
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