Centrifuges for Industrial Fluids Processing

Clarifier Centrifuges

The term "clarification" is used to describe a separation of solids from a liquid. A clarifier is a centrifuge designed to discharge suspended solids from a liquid by using centrifugal force.

In the early stages of settling tank production, screens and coarse filters generally serve the purpose of clarifying large suspended solids in raw biodiesel oil. In the latter part of the clarification process, settling tanks are used to finish the clarification. This process is slow and costly.

A clarification centrifuge serves as a "miniature settling tank", and accelerates the settling process by subjecting fluids to several thousand G forces. Essentially any suspended solids spin out from suspension, accumulate, and may be manually cleaned from the centrifuge or discharged through an automated ejection feature built into the machine. This is a liquid-solid clarificationprocess.

Figure 1: A Self-Cleaning Clarifier Centrifuge - Fluid stock is pumped into the bottom of the centrifuge. As the fluid rises and fills the machine, the fluid passes through a series of discs. These discs cause particles suspended within the fluid to be subjected to a repetition of high G force environments which ensure multiple opportunities for complete solids clarification. The clarified fluid exits from the top of the machine. Solids are spun out to the sides of the centrifuge bowl. One added benefit of using a clarifier centrifuge is that it typically spins out any suspended water content along with the solids.

FEATURE: When selecting a clarifier centrifuge, take into consideration that cheaper alternatives force you to stop production and manually clean the machine. Centrifuge technology supports uninterrupted production by incorporating the automatic ejection of solids on-the-fly as a programmable feature.

Separator Centrifuges

The term "separation" is used to describe the result of centrifugal force acting upon one liquid which separates into two or more liquids. Fluid stock is first clarified in a clarifier centrifuge as described above. Then the stock is sent to a separator centrifuge.

While subjected to high G forces, the fluid typically separates into a heavy phase and a light phase. After the raw stock has been heated, its constituent components may separate within a few seconds. After sufficient separation, the two phases of liquid exit the centrifuge through separate ports. This is a liquid-liquid separationprocess.

Figure 2: A Manually Cleaned Separator Centrifuge - Raw fluid stock is pumped into the bottom of the centrifuge. As the fluid rises and fills the machine, the fluid passes through a series of discs. These discs force the fluid to be subjected to a repetition of high G force environments which ensure that the solids in the fluid has had multiple opportunities for complete separation. Upon arriving at the top of the centrifuge, the distinctive heavy and light phases of the fluid exit through separate ports.

FEATURE: Centrifuge technology allows adjustment of the separation of heavy and light phases through the use of unique exit valves. When selecting a separator centrifuge, take into consideration that cheaper alternatives do not allow for the adjustment of separation.

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ABOUT THE AUTHOR: CBI Chief Editor John Melendez reports on technology, the environment, sustainability, alternative energies and "green" issues. To email John Melendez, go to http://www.emailmeform.com/fid.php?formid=19595

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