APPARATUS AND METHOD FOR FILTERING SYRUP PRODUCED FROM TREE SAP

Apparatus and methods for filtering syrup obtained by boiling down tree sap are disclosed. In one example, a filter press assembly includes hollow and solid filter plates assembled in alternating relation with each other between end plates. Each hollow plate includes an inlet conduit for conveying unfiltered syrup to an associated upstream filter chamber, and each solid plate includes an outlet conduit for conveying filtered syrup from an associated downstream filter chamber. Each hollow plate also includes a bypass conduit for conveying unfiltered syrup from the associated upstream filter chamber to a bypass valve, the bypass conduit extends through a peripheral frame of the hollow plate and includes at least one interior bypass port in fluid communication with the associated unstream filter chamber.