According to Darcy’s Law,
Where
v = volume of filtrate
K= permeability coefficient & is dependent on filter medium & filter cake.
A = Area of filter bed.
∆P=Pressure drop across filter medium & filter cake.
L = Thickness of filter cake
µ = Viscosity of filtrate
i. Pressure difference: The rate of filtration of liquid is directly proportional to the pressure difference between the filter medium and filter cake. Thus, the rate of filtration can be increased by applying pressure on the liquid being filtered or by decreasing the pressure beneath the filter.
ii. Viscosity: The rate of filtration is inversely proportional to the viscosity of the liquid undergoing filtration. Liquids which are very viscous get filtered slowly. Reduction of viscosity of a liquid by raising the temperature is frequently done in order to accelerate filtration.
iii. Surface area of filter media: The rate of filtration is directly proportional to the surface area of filter media. Filter press works on this principle.
iv. Thickness of cake: The rate of filtration is inversely proportional to the thickness of the filter cake formed during filtration. As the filtration process proceeds, thickness of cake increases which decreases the rate of filtration.