Mechanical operations centrifugal force.

Mechanical operations centrifugal force.

1. HYDROCYCLONES

2. Hydrocyclone are devices used for separation of solid-liquid mixtures, using centrifugal force generated by fluid motion. The slurry(liquid with suspended solids)enters tangentially into the cylindrical section. This creates a vortex inside. Heavier particles move outward and downward (discharged through underflow),while lighter liquid/particles move upward(overflow). The lighter or finer particles are carried upward through the inner vortex and the leave via the overflow(vortex finder).

3. Industrial Applications: Mining and Mineral Processing – for classification, desliming, and recovery of valuable minerals. Coal Industry – in coal washing and slurry desliming to improve coal quality. Oil and Gas – for produced water treatment and sand removal from production streams.

4. NOZZLE CENTRIFUGE

5. High-speed centrifuges with nozzles fitted at the periphery of the blow for continuous discharge of solids. Liquid-solid mixture enters the rotating bowl. Centrifugal force separates solids from liquids. Solids are continuously ejected through nozzles, while clarified liquid exits separately. It is continuous operation. Suitable for liquids with low solid concentration.

6. Industrial applications: Dairy Industry – clarification of milk, separation of cream, removal of bacteria and somatic cells. Edible Oil Industry – refining of vegetable oils (degumming, neutralization, dewaxing). Marine & Power Industry – purification of fuel oils and lubricating oils for engines and turbines. .

7. TUBULAR CENTRIFUGE

8. A tall ,narrow , tubular bowl centrifuge rotating at very high speeds(up to 50,000rpm) used for separating very fine solids from liquids. Feed enters the rotating bowl. Solids move outward to the wall and stick. Clarified liquids exits from the top. Solids are removed manually after stopping the centrifuge – Batch process. Suitable for fine solids and low concentration suspensions .

9. Industrial Applications: Pharmaceutical & Biotechnology – separation of microbial cells, yeast, vaccines, antibiotics, enzymes, and proteins from fermentation broths. Food & Beverage Industry – clarification of fruit juices, wine, beer, and recovery of valuable ingredients like enzymes and proteins. Edible Oil Industry – removal of waxes, gums, and fine impurities during oil refining.

10. DISC CENTRIFUGE

11. Centrifuges that use a stack of conical discs inside the bowl to increase separation area. Feed enters the disc stack. Centrifugal force pushes heavier particles outward. Discs guide separated phases into different outlets. Can be nozzle type(continuous)or solids-retaining type(intermittent). Can separate very fine particles. Each disc has numerous holes ,which form flow channels when the disks are stacked.

12. Industrial Applications: Pharmaceutical & Biotechnology – harvesting of cells, separation of proteins, enzymes, vaccines, and fermentation broths. Chemical Industry – purification of fine chemicals, recovery of catalysts, pigments, and polymers. Marine & Power Industry – purification of fuel oils and lubricating oils for ships and power plants.