text: There are at least three stages involve in the operation of a vacuum disc filter:
  Stage 1: Cake formation
  The discs rotate in a slurry trough, compartmentalized to reduce the volume held in it at any one time, and therefore to reduce the residence time of slurry in the trough. The time available for this stage depends on two factors, the rotation speed of the disc and the height of the slurry level in the basin. A vacuum is applied inside the discs to promote cake filtration.
  Stage 2: Cake dewatering
  Washing is largely restricted to the upper portions where the cake surface is nearly horizontal in orientation, which occurs at the temperature of the feed. The ceramic filter uses a sintered alumina disc to dewater slurry under low vacuum. The dewatering occurs by drawing water from the slurry by capillary action. This ensures that no air or particles are drawn into the filter medium to cause blockage. However, if too much wash water is applied then it can cascade down the cake and into the feed trough, where it merely dilutes the slurry.
  Stage 3: Cake drying
  The final water (moisture) content in the cake is regulated by passing dry (cold or hot) air or gas through the cake. Drying time is dependent on the distribution valve timing, slurry level on the basin, rotation speed, and scraper position.
  Stage 4: Cake discharge
  These are the typical conditions for the overall operation of the vacuum ceramic filter:
  * Slurry level: must be higher than the top of the sectors as they pass through the trough (otherwise air would simply pass through the cloth during cake formation).
  * Solids throughput: up to 4,000 kg/mh 
  * Typical filtration capacity: 200-5,000 L/mh
  * Typical air consumption/ flow rate: 50–80 m/h·m at 500 Torr vacuum
  * Pressure difference: Typically, the pressure difference with ceramic disc is between 0.90 and 0.95 bar. However, pressure differences across the filter are usually limited to less than 85 kPa making it possible to process a wide range of feed materials in a continuous manner.
  * Rotating speed: Higher rotating speeds enable greater solid production rates by formation of thinner cakes. However, this may not be wholly desirable as washing efficiency is likely to be compromised. Moreover, an increased rotating speed requires more electrical power.
  * Minimum cake thickness: 3/8-1/2 in or 10–13 mm (for effective discharge)
  * Submergence required for cake discharge: 25% of cycle
  * Effective maximum submergence of the disk: 28% of cycle.