A centrifuge is a device that employs a high rotational speed to separate components of

different densities. This becomes relevant in the majority of industrial jobs where solids, liquids and
gases are merged into a single mixture and the separation of these different phases is necessary.
A decanter centrifuge (also known as solid bowl centrifuge) separates continuously solid materials
from liquids in the slurry, and therefore plays an important role in the wastewater treatment,
chemical, oil, and food processing industries. There are several factors that affect the performance
of a decanter centrifuge, and some design heuristics are to be followed which are dependent upon
given applications.

Operating principle[edit]
The operating principle of a decanter centrifuge is based on separation via buoyancy. Naturally, a
component with a higher density would fall to the bottom of a mixture, while the less dense
component would be suspended above it. A decanter centrifuge increases the rate of settling
through the use of continuous rotation, producing a G-force equivalent to between 1000 and
4000 G's. This reduces the settling time of the components by a large magnitude, whereby mixtures
previously having to take hours to settle can be settled in a matter of seconds using a decanter
centrifuge. This form of separation enables more rapid and controllable results.

How does it work[edit]

The feed product is pumped into the decanter centrifuge through the inlet. Feed goes into a
horizontal bowl, which rotates. The bowl is composed of a cylindrical part and a conical part. The
separation takes place in the cylindrical part of the bowl. The fast rotation generates centrifugal
forces up to 4000 x g. Under these forces, the solid particles with higher density are collected and
compacted on the wall of the bowl. A scroll (also screw or screw conveyor) rotates inside the bowl at
a slightly different speed. This speed difference is called the differential speed. This way the scroll is
transporting the settled particles along the cylindrical part of the bowl and up to the end conical part
of the bowl. At the smallest end of the conical part of the bowl, the dewatered solids leave the bowl
via discharge opening. The clarified liquid leaves through a paring disc (internal centripetal pump).[1]

3-phase separation with a decanter[edit]

With a 3 phase decanter centrifuge, it is possible to separate 3 phases from each other in one
process step only. For example, two liquids which cannot be mixed because of different densities
(e.g. oil and water) are separated from a solids phase. The heavy liquid (water) collects in the middle
between the oil and the solids layer. Thus the two liquids separated from each other can be drawn
off from the decanter. The solids are transported via the scroll to the discharge openings as it
happens also in 2-phase separation.[2]
Typical applications of 3-phase separation are the production of edible oils such as olive oil, oil
sludge processing, the production of biodiesel etc.

Parameters and influencing factors of the separation[edit]

Feed, throughput and residence time[edit]
Through the feed, the separation medium to be processed can be input into the centre of the infeed
chamber of the scroll, where it is accelerated. The throughput will have an influence on
the residence time.[3]

Acceleration[edit]
The separation medium reaches its maximum speed in the decanter bowl, causing the solids to
settle on the bowl inner diameter. A characteristic feature of the bowl is its cylindrical/conical shape.
Differential speed[edit]
There is a differential speed between the decanter bowl and the scroll, which is created by a gear
unit on the industrial decanter centrifuges. The differential speed determines the solid content in the
outfeed.

Filling volume / weir discs or overflow weir[edit]

Pond depth / weir discs
The clarified liquid flows to the cylindrical end of the bowl in the decanter centrifuge, from where it
runs out through openings in the bowl cover. These openings contain precisely adjustable weir
discs/weir plates by means of which the pond depth in the bowl can be set. The weir discs determine
the filling volume of the bowl.