INDUSTRIAL

DIVISION

CENTRIFUGAL SEPARATORS
for industrial use

INDUSTRIAL
THE

DIVISION
OF S E PA R AT I O N

PRINCIPLES

SEDIMENTATION
Sedimentation is one of the most versatile separation processes. Pieralisi Vertical Separators (Disc-Stack Separators) are ideally suited to separation processes where the physical characteristics of sedimentation can be applied thanks to density difference. Centrifugal sedimentation is often a very good and economical alternative to other separation processes such as: Filtration: based on particle size, Micro-Filtration : based on particle size in the sub-micron range, Flotation : based on physicalchemical behaviour, i.e. surface tension. In many cases centrifugal sedimentation and another complementary technology are combined to achieve the required process results.

The basic principle of separation by sedimentation allows for the simultaneous separation of three different, immiscible substances. PIERALISI Vertical Separators make use of this three-phase separation regime. None of the alternative principles mentioned above can achieve this result. Sedimentation is the physical process whereby suspensions and emulsions (or a combination of both) are exposed to gravitational force, either the earths gravity or by using a centrifuge. By applying g-force, the droplets and/or particles acquire settling velocity (vg) and are sent to the bottom/wall of the container/centrifuge bowl. Settling velocity (vg) increases with: bigger particle diameter, higher density difference, lower dynamic viscosity of the fluid environment. Settling velocity can be estimated via a well-known equation known as Stokes Law:

Separator S300 technical drawing

INCREASING CAPACITY
But what can we do if we do not have enough time or if we want to increase capacity? Going back to Stokes Law, to obtain an higher settling velocity and consequently to accelerate the sedimentation process, we can replace gravitational acceleration g by centrifugal acceleration 2 r. The centrifugal acceleration 2 r produced in a Pieralisi Vertical Separator is up to ten thousand times higher than the ordinary force of gravity g. As a consequence, settling velocity is up to ten thousand times faster, and separation can be achieved in a very short time and/or using very small volumes.

ADVANTAGES
The most common advantages of centrifugal sedimentation, more appropriately termed Centrifugal Separation are: compact size of equipment, low capital investments, versatility, ease of use, low operating costs, high performance.

Separator FPC18 technical drawing

Sedimentation is used in many industrial processes where it is necessary to separate substances that are mixed together (dispersion). With a suitable recipient and the time needed to complete the sedimentation process, the two or more substances with different densities will be separated (stratified) within the recipient, the lightest going to the surface, the heaviest to the bottom. (See illustration above)

Modified Stokes Law N.B. Stokes Law can of course only be used when the settling process takes place under conditions when the Reynolds-No. is below 0,25. For higher Reynolds-No., the Grassmann system has to be used, which takes advantage of two dimension-less parameters: the Archimedes number and the Omega number.

P I E R A L I S I V E R T I C A L S E P A R A T O R S

Pieralisi Vertical Separators combine very high rotational speed, a unique design and special materials. They generate a very high centrifugal force which, when used for sedimentation purposes, ensures extremely efficient equipment. The mixture to be separated is forced through a conical disc stack, where multi-layer sedimentation takes place. The separation happens very quickly as the mixture passes through the parallel thin channels of the disc stack. A medium-sized Disc-Stack Separator, when using high centrifugal force, can be compared to the efficiency of a sedimentation tank with a surface area of 60,000 m2, the same size as a football field. In technical terms, this separator hosts an equivalent settling area of 60,000 m2 .

HOW DOES IT WORK?

Thousands of gs are produced in the bowl of the Disc Stack Separator, the centrifugal force being the product of the high rotational speed and the large size of the bowl. The rotation is generated by an electric motor connected to the horizontal shaft by means of an elastic coupling or clutch. Thanks to the gear ratio produced by specially-designed gears, the movement is transferred to the vertical shaft. The bowl is assembled on the conical top-end of the vertical shaft. The processing liquid is fed into the centre of the bowl through the stationary feed pipe. Subsequently the inflow is accelerated by means of specially-designed accelerators, forced in the first instance to the perimeter of the bowl, and then through the discs where multi-layer separation takes place. The separated liquid(s) flow to the top of the bowl where they are discharged by overflow or by centripetal pumps.

Feed

SECTION OF A BOWL

Outlet light phase Outlet heavy phase Paring disc heavy phase

Paring disc light phase

Distributor

Disc stack

Sludge space

Sludge ports Ring valve

Distributor disc Operating liquid

The solids captured via the described settling process are collected at the perimeter of the bowl, and then discharged intermittently. This discharge is activated by a hydraulic system located underneath the separation area. In essence, the solids are discharged via openings at the perimeter of the bowl which are opened and closed by the down- and upwards movement of either a sliding piston or bowl bottom.

DESIGN FEATURES
Construction materials
The structural parts of the bowl are made of special stainless steel, the inside parts in contact with the product are made of suitable materials for the processing environment: stainless steel, brass or bronze. The housing of the Vertical Separator is in stainless steel, aluminium, or cast iron. The gear box is made of cast iron or cast iron coated with stainless steel. The gasket material is always selected according to the process.

SPECIAL VERSIONS
Sanitary version
Specially-designed all-stainless-steel Separators, designed to be used with a CIP cycle for cleaning purposes. This version incorporates a so-called gap-optimised design to allow for easy flushig of all critical sections.

Transmission
The movement is always generated by an electric motor and is transmitted by means of: clutch and worm gear flexible coupling worm gear set of pulleys and flat belt rigid coupling and frequency drive. A special transmission version makes use of a high-speed motor coupled directly to the vertical shaft.

ATEX version
Specially-designed and certified Vertical Separators, designed to be installed in hazardous areas and for the treatment of potentially inflammable products, i.e. Separators complying with II2G EEx cp IIB T4. These separators can be purged with nitrogen to minimise the risk of ignition and to fulfil ATEX requirements.

Feeding and discharge of process liquids

The mixture generally is fed in through a stationary feed pipe in the centre of the bowl. The separated liquid may be discharged from the Vertical Separator by an overflow or by a built-in centripetal pump.

Hermetic version
Hydro-hermetic device installed inside the bowl, designed to ensure that contact with the surrounding environment is avoided, and to prevent oxidation and gas leaks.

M A I N O F

T Y P E S

S E P A R A T I O N

Vertical Disc-Stack Separators are normally designed for one type of separation only, but in some cases, more versatile versions are available that can carry out two different types of separation. Below is a list of the range of disc stacks and bowl designs used for different types of separation.

CLARIFICATION

PURIFICATION (SEPARATION)

CONCENTRATION (SKIMMING)

Separation of suspended particles from a liquid (e.g. fruit juices, cell biomass).

Separation of a heavy liquid from a main light liquid (e.g. separation of water from lubricating oil). Simultaneous separation of solids is also possible.

Concentration of a light liquid dispersed throughout a heavy liquid (e.g. skimming of cream from milk). Simultaneous separation of solids is also possible.

BIODIESEL PROCESS
Pieralisi offers a wide range of Vertical Disc-Stack Centrifuges and Decanters perfectly suitable to be used within the production process of biodiesel: separation within the esterification stages, washing of crude biodiesel, polishing of end-product and treatment of the side-streams, i.e. potassium-sulphate separation from acidified glycerine and free fatty acids. Pieralisi centrifuges used in the biodiesel process comply with the ATEX Directive and are the ideal equipment for medium- and largecapacity plants.

A P P L I C A T I O N S T E C H N I C A L

A N D

F E A T U R E S

Disc-Stack Separators are able to simultaneously process dispersions of two liquids and one solid. The Pieralisi product range offers two main equipment solutions: one with solids retention (requiring manual cleaning) known as the S-Type, and the other with automatic, intermittent solids discharge, known as the FPC-Type. Three different sizes are available for both types of equipment. The tables below show types and sizes, with some general indications of dimensions.

PRODUCTS AND APPLICATIONS TABLES

CHEMICAL - PHARMACEUTICAL Type/Application BT CH
S200 S250 S300 FPC 6 FPC 12 FPC 18
BT= Biotechnology; CH= Chemical Processing; FB= Fermentation Broths; YC= Yeasts, Cell Biomass

FB

YC

FOOD PROCESSING Type/Application AF

S200 S250 S300 FPC 6 FPC 12 FPC 18

AG

FJ

VO

WN

AF= Animal Fats; AG= Essences, Citrus; FJ= Fruit Juice; VO= Vegetable Oil; WN= Wine

FUEL AND LUBE OILS Type/Application BD CF

S200 S250 S300 FPC 6 FPC 12 FPC 18

HF

LO

MO

ST

ENVIRONMENT - INDUSTRY Type/Application BW EN

S200 S250 S300 FPC 6 FPC 12 FPC 18

SO

WL

BD= Biodiesel; CF= Refrigerant Emulsions; HF= Heavy Fuel Oils; LO= Lubrication Oils; MO= Lube and Fuel Oils; ST= Fuel Oils for Gas Turbines

BW= Bilge Water; EN= Waste Water; SO= Slop Oils; WL= Washing Liquids

SEPARATORS WITH SOLIDS RETAINING BOWL

SEPARATORS WITH AUTOMATIC DISCHARGE

Type
Bowl Volume (L) Sludge Space Volume (L) Bowl Speed (rpm), max. Hydraulic Capacity (L/h)

S200
4,4 2 7600 5000

S250
11 6 6400 12000

S300
22 8 6400 30000

FPC 6
8 4 7200 5000

FPC 12
14 7 6500 12000

FPC 18
26 15 6400 30000

AREAS OF APPLICATIONS FOR VERTICAL SEPARATORS

Pieralisi Vertical Separators are designed to be used in four main areas of applications:

CHEMICAL - PHARMACEUTICAL
cell biomass antibiotics, vaccines enzymes, yeasts special paints additives catalysts glycerine inks insecticides latex

FOOD PROCESSING
fruit juices wine vegetable oils animal fats chicken/fish stock seaweed animal blood avocado oil milk, whey butter oil essential oils after-dinner liqueurs (herb/plant-based) fish oil

FUEL AND LUBE OILS

biodiesel lubricating engine oils steam turbine lubricating oils machine tool lubricants lubricants for rolling mills, reduction gears fuel oils for diesel engines and gas turbines insulating oils refrigerant fluids hardening oils

ENVIROMENT - INDUSTRY
washing liquids slop oils vegetable oil recovery radioactive liquids solvents recovery bilge water alkaline baths

INDUSTRIAL

DIVISION

SOME INSTALLATIONS

PIERALISI GROUP
ITALY
NUOVA M.A.I.P. MACCHINE AGRICOLE INDUSTRIALI PIERALISI S.p.A. Via Don Battistoni, 1 - 60035 JESI (AN) - Tel. 0731 231.1 Fax 0731 231239 - www.pieralisi.com - info@pieralisi.com VERACI I.M.I. S.p.A. - Via Cellini, 53 - 50020 SAMBUCA VAL DI PESA (FI) Tel. 055 8071657/8 - Fax 055 8071748 VERACI I.M.I. S.p.A. - Via S. Pietro, 12 - 60036 MONTECAROTTO (AN) Tel. 0731 899027 - Fax 0731 89259 PIERALISI SUD S.p.A. - S.S. 96, Km. 117,900 70026 MODUGNO (BA) - Tel. 080 5352054 - Fax 080 5352033 ICM S.r.l. CARRELLI ELEVATORI - Via Brodolini, 8 - Zona Industriale Zipa 60035 JESI (AN) - Tel. 0731 200350 - Fax 0731 200328
Commercial Structure
The company reserves the right to modify the features of its products without notice. Registered trademarks. Advertising material copyright. All rights reserved. 3183.1.2077 - 06/06

COMAGRI S.p.A. - Via Don Battistoni, 1 - 60035 JESI (AN) - Tel. 0731 231.1 Fax 0731 231239 - www.pieralisi.com - info@pieralisi.com
Branches

CERIALE (SV) - Via Nava 62 - Tel./Fax 0182 930200 DUEVILLE (VI) - Via Marosticana 236 - Tel. 0444 360533 Fax 0444 369884 SAMBUCA VAL DI PESA (FI) - Via B. Cellini 53 - Tel. 055 8071657/8 Fax 055 8071748 TREVI (PG) - S.S. Flaminia Km 146,500 - Loc. Torre Matigge Tel. 0742 780579 - Fax 0742 386914 VITERBO - Via dell'Industria 56 - Loc.Poggino - Tel. 0761 352688 Fax 0761 391177 PESCARA - Via di Sotto 137 - Tel./Fax 085 4157160 ARIENZO (CE) - S.S. Appia N. 11 - Tel./Fax 0823 804754 SALERNO - Via Diaz 36 - Tel. 089 236326 - Fax 089 2754347 SAN GIOVANNI ROTONDO (FG) - Via Foggia 149 - Tel. 0882 452545 Fax 0882 455371 MODUGNO (BA) - S.S. 96 Km 117,900 - Tel. 080 5352054 Fax 080 5352033 ALTAMURA (BA) - Via del Tabacco 25 Z.I. - Tel./Fax 080 3101192 FRANCAVILLA FONTANA (BR) - Viale dell'artigianato Z.I. Tel./Fax 0831 819877 LECCE - Viale Rossini angolo Torre del Parco - Tel./Fax 0832 343611 CASTROLIBERO (CS) - Via F. Gullo 60 - Tel./Fax 0984 852991 GIZZERIA (CZ) - C.da Mortilla - Tel. 0968 466933 - Fax 0968 466808 CROPANI MARINA (CZ) - S.S. 106 Km 205 - Tel./Fax 0961 960968 MONTAURO (CZ) - Corso Umberto I, 79 - Tel. 0967 486030 Fax 0967 578840 / 814574 GIOIA TAURO (RC) - Via Nazionale 18, N352 - Tel. 0966 51950 Fax 0966 506295 CAPO D'ORLANDO (ME) - Piazza Del Merendino 15 - Tel./Fax 0941 901381 VITTORIA (RG) - Via Como 154 - Tel. 0932 981938 PALERMO - Via A. Zancla 18 - Tel. 091 487498 - Fax 091 427143 DOLIANOVA (CA) - Via Emilio Lussu 66 - Tel. 070 740176 Fax 070 743924

ABROAD
PIERALISI ESPAA S.L. - Av. Alcalde Caballero, 69 50015 ZARAGOZA (Spain) - Tel. +34 976 466020 Fax +34 976 732816 - info@pieralisi.net
Commercial Structure

PIERALISI ESPAA S.L. - Av. Alcalde Caballero, 69 50015 ZARAGOZA (Spain) - Tel. +34 976 515311 Fax +34 976 732816 - info@pieralisi.net DELEGACION PIERALISI SUR - Ctra. Madrid, km 332,6 23009 JAEN (Spain) Tel. +34 953 284023-280866 Fax +34 953 281715 - jaen@pieralisi.net MITEM PIERALISI HELLAS - 14 km National Road Athens - Lamia 145 64 KIFISIA (Greece) - Tel. +30 210 8002460 Fax +30 210 6851403 - administration@pieralisi.gr PIERALISI BENELUX B.V. - Edisonlaan, 22 - 2665 JC BLEISWIJK (Holland) - Tel. +31 10 5218788 - Fax +31 10 5218875 info@pieralisi.nl PIERALISI DEUTSCHLAND GmbH - Ochsenfurter Str., 2 97246 EIBELSTADT (Germany) - Tel. +49 9303 9082-0 Fax +49 9303 9082-20 - pieralisi@pieralisi.de PIERALISI DO BRASIL LTDA - Av. Imperatriz Leopoldina, 1735 SO PAULO - SP - CEP 05305-007 (Brazil) Tel. +55 11 3645.3222 - Fax +55 11 3645. 2527 pieralisi@pieralisi.com.br PIERALISI ARGENTINA S.A. - Oficina Comercial la Rioja Mar del Plata 2668 - Parque Industrial - 5300 LA RIOJA (Argentina) Tel./Fax +54 3822 430304 PIERALISI BEIJING LTD - Room 1508, Building 2, JIUTAI 2000 Garden, No. 56 Anli Rd, Chao Yang District, BEIJING - 100012 (P.R. China) Tel. +86 10-84801916/8 - Fax +86 10-84801911

Via Don Battistoni, 1 - 60035 JESI (AN) - Italy - Tel. +39-0731-231.1 - Fax +39-0731-231.239 www.pieralisi.com - info@pieralisi.com