Centrifuges are widely used in multiple industries for a range of different applications. From manufacturing to scientific research, centrifuges are a valuable tool primarily used to separate solids and liquids. There are a large number of different centrifuges out there, and there’s a lot to consider when choosing the right one for your needs. Certain centrifuges are specialised to perform particular types of work, so you need an understanding of how they work and what they do, or you risk investing in equipment that’s not suitable for its desired purpose.
Interfil provides a range of centrifuges for industrial applications, and we also have years of expertise in the design and installation of filtration equipment. To help you understand the different uses for centrifuges in an industrial setting, here are some of the different types you can choose and their ideal applications.
Decanter Centrifuges
Due to their unique design, decanter centrifuges are also known as horizontal bowl centrifuges. They are used in industrial settings predominantly due to their ability to handle high work volumes. They can operate continuously, meaning less human intervention is required in the process.
Common uses for decanter centrifuges include wastewater management, sludge dewatering, managing waste oil and more.
How Do they Work?
The solid/liquid mix (sludge) is fed into the centrifuge through an inlet pipe. High-speed rotation inside the centrifuge helps to separate the solids and liquids. During the process, a helical screw that moves at a different speed than the rotating bowl pushes the solid matter towards one end, where it is discharged. The remaining liquids are discharged through a separate outlet.
Basket Centrifuges
Also known as a centrifugal filter, basket centrifuged are often used for sugar refining, pharmaceuticals and some chemical separations. This is one of the simplest types of centrifuges and uses a very simple process to separate liquids from solids. Depending on the model, a basket centrifuge can include manual, semi-automatic or automatic solids discharge, giving you greater control over the process.
How Do they Work?
The basket centrifuge uses an extremely simple process. The centrifuge is a large drum with a perforated basket in the middle. The outer walls of this basket often include fine mesh screens. As the basket spins, centrifugal force causes solid matter to gather on the inner wall of the basket while the liquid is released through the perforations.
Oil Centrifuges
Using an industrial oil centrifuge, you can remove contaminants from oil, coolant or other lubricants in many industrial settings. The operation is reasonably simple, but it’s often considered more effective than other forms of filtration. In industrial settings, it’s not uncommon for your oil or lubricant to become contaminated with particles, often metal.
If this oil is reused in another process, the metal particles (or indeed any contaminants) can damage machinery. This is why it’s essential to filter your oil, coolant or lubricant before reuse.
How Do they Work?
Oil centrifuges work similarly to the basket centrifuge but without the basket. This simple yet effective type of centrifuge is one rotating drum that spins at extremely fast speeds. As the drum spins, particles and contaminants are pushed to the wall, forming a dense cake-type substance. The purified liquid (in this case, oil) flows to the centre of the bowl thanks to gravity and is released separately. Manual waste removal is sometimes needed, but you can also buy self-cleaning systems.
How to Choose the Right Centrifuge
When deciding which centrifuge is right for you, you should consider a number of factors.
Application
Naturally, the most important consideration is what you intend to use the centrifuge for. Are you primarily concerned with oil and water separation? You may need a centrifuge mainly for sludge dewatering. Alternatively, do you need wastewater filtration?
Centrifuges have a range of applications, even outside of an industrial environment. So, understand exactly what you aim to use the centrifuge for and purchase accordingly.
Workload Size
Regardless of the type of centrifuge you use, you can choose between automatic or manual operation. This is important when assessing your workload because many centrifugal operations need to be continuous. For this sort of application, you’ll need an automatic centrifuge that runs on electricity, and the benefit is that most of them are self-cleaning, meaning they remove liquids or solids without human intervention.
For smaller applications, you may be able to use manual centrifuges, although these are less common in today’s industrial environments.
Always Seek Expert Advice
The reality is that there are many choices out in the centrifuge market. Different brands, different modes of operation, different power sources – the differences are considerable. For this reason, it’s often better to speak to industrial filtration experts. At Interfil, our experts are more than happy to help with advice. You just need to tell us what application you require a centrifuge for, and we’ll recommend the perfect fit for your needs. With the right advice, getting the right industrial oil centrifuges is easy.
Need Industrial Centrifuge Solutions?
Interfil is one of Australia’s leading providers of filtration media, centrifuges, sludge dewatering systems, wastewater filtration and more. We have an expansive range of centrifuges suitable for industrial applications. We’ve also got the expertise to ensure you get maximum value, quality and productivity from your industrial systems. If you’d like to find out more about centrifuges for manufacturing, food production, laboratories, waste management and more, we’d be happy to help. Contact the experts at Interfil today to find out more.
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