Centrifugal Separation

By:
Engr. Rizwan Nasir

Definition
™Centrifugal Separation is the most widely
used method for separating fluids with
different densities. It is also used in
separating solids from liquids or solids
from gasses.
™The separation of two immiscible liquids in
a centrifuge within a much shorter period
of time than could be accomplished by
gravity.

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 Basic Principal
Centrifugal fields can be generated in two
distinctly different ways:
1. By introducing a fluid with a high tangential
velocity into a cylindrical or conical vessel,
as in the hydro cyclone and in the cyclone
separator.
2. By the use of the centrifuge. In this case the
fluid is introduced into some form of rotating
bowl and is rapidly accelerated.

Application
A centrifuge is used to separate particles or
even macromolecules:
™ Cells
™ Cream separation and oil dehydration
™ Proteins
™ Nucleic acids
Basis of separation:
™ Size
™ Shape
™ Density
Methodology:
™ Utilizes density difference between the
particles/macromolecules and the medium in
which these are dispersed

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 Difference Between Gravity & Centrifuge

Gravity Centrifuge
1. In gravity there 1. In centrifuge
is a low there is high
acceleration. acceleration.
2. In gravity the 2. In centrifuge
separation rate separation rate
is low. is high.
3. In it usually 3. In it usually
large small
equipments are equipments are
used used.

Centrifuge
™In Centrifuges the centrifugal force is
mechanically generated by turning the
equipment containing the fluid in a circular
path causing the fluids to separate. This
method has been used in the laboratories
and primitive industries for over a
century.

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 Design Features
™ Operating features
1. Mode of operation—batch or continuous.
2. Orientation of the bowl/basket—horizontal or
vertical
3. Type of bowl — solid, perforated basket,
Disc bowl.
4. Method of solids cake removal.
5. Method of liquid removal.

MECHANICAL DESIGN
Features of the mechanical design of
centrifuges are:
1. The mechanical strength of the bowl, which will
be determined by the dimensions of the bowl,
the material of construction and the speed of
operation.
2. The significance of the critical speed of rotation,
which can cause large deflection of the shaft
and vibration.
3. The slow gyratory motion, known as precession,
which can occur when the bowl or basket is
tilted.

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 Classification of Centrifuges
™ Centrifuges may be grouped into two
distinct categories those that:

1. Utilize the principle of filtration

2. Utilize the principle of sedimentation,

a. Sedimentation centrifuges: in which the separation is

dependent on a difference in density between the solid and
liquid phases (solid heavier).
b. Filtration centrifuges: which separate the phases by
filtration. The walls of the centrifuge basket are porous, and
the liquid filters through the deposited cake of solids and is
removed

Classification of Centrifuges
™The choice between a sedimentation or
filtration centrifuge for a particular
application will depend on the nature of
the feed and the product requirements.
™Sedimentation centrifuges are used when
it is required to produce a clarified liquid,
and
™Filtration centrifuges to produce a pure,
dry, solid.

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 Cont...

Classification of Centrifuges
Filtration centrifuges
(a) Batch discharge, vertical axis, perforate basket.
(b) Knife discharge, pendulum suspension, vertical axis, perforate
basket.
(c) Peeler: horizontal axis, knife discharge at speed.
(d) Pusher.
(e) Scroll discharge.
™ Sedimentation centrifuges
(a) Bottle spinner.
(b) Tubular bowl.
(c) Decanter—scroll discharge.
(d) Imperforate bowl—skimmer pipe discharge, sometimes also a
knife.
(e) Disc machine.
(i) Batch.
(ii) Nozzle discharge.
(iii) Opening bowl (solids ejecting).
(iv) Valve discharge.

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 Tubular Bowl Centrifuge
™Tubular bowl High-speed, vertical axis,
tubular bowl centrifuges are used for the
separation of immiscible liquids, such as
water and oil, and for the separation of
fine solids.
™The bowl is driven at speeds of around
15,000 rpm (250 Hz) and
™The centrifugal force generated exceeds
130,000 N.
™100 mm diameter and 1 m long

Cont..
™the material fed to these machines
contains traces of denser solids in addition
to the two liquid phases.
™These solids are deposited on the inner
wall of the bowl, and the machine is
dismantled periodically to remove them.
™A common application is the removal of
water and suspended solids from
lubricating oil.

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Cont...

Cont...

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 Applications

™ Pharmaceutical Industries

™ Edible Oil Industries

™ Gum/Resin Plants

™ Printing Ink Industries

™ Blood Fractionation

™ Paint Industries

™ Fuel/Oil Purification

™ Effluents

Disc bowl
™ The conical discs in a disc bowl centrifuge split
the liquid flow into a number of very thin layers,
which greatly increases the separating efficiency.
™ Disc centrifuges vary considerably according to
the type of discharge.
™ The liquids can discharge freely or through
centrifugal pumps.
™ The solids may be allowed to accumulate within
the bowl and then be discharged manually
(“batch bowl”)
™ Disc bowl centrifuges are used for separating
liquids and fine solids, and for solids
classification.

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 Disc Bowl

Typical applications
9 Clarifying beverages
9 Clarifying biodiesel
9 Biodiesel and glycerin separation
9 Clarifying vegetable oils, eg. olive oil
9 Clarifying mineral oils recovered from
sludge
9 Clarifying recycled process water in the
food industry
9 Purifying pharmaceutical products

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 Decanting centrifuges
™The widely used decanting type
continuous centrifuge, is mounted on a
horizontal axis.
™The mixture of solids and liquids is fed to
the machine through a stationary pipe
which passes through one of the support
bearings.
™The feed pipe discharges the mixture near
the centre of the machine.
™The heavier solids settle on to the wall of
the imperforate or solid bowl under the
influence of the centrifugal

Decanting centrifuges
™ This separation effect occurs in just the same
way as it would in a settling tank but in the case
of the centrifuge the tank is in the form of a
stainless steel bowl that is spun at high speed.
™ The settled solids accumulate at the bowl wall
and are then discharged by means of a
helicoidally shaped screw known as a scroll,
which pushes the solids from the cylindrical
section of the bowl, up through the conical
section and towards the discharge ports.
™ The liquid phase, known as the centrate, finds its
way back down the centrifuge bowl where it flows
out over a “weir plate" and falling by gravity
down the discharge pipe.

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Decanting centrifuges

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