Separation Theory

Jazmin Iacovanelli
Business Manager, Process Technology
Mobile: +54 911 5476 2854
Mail. jazmin.iacovanelli@alfalaval.com

This material and information is property of Alfa Laval and is not to be released to third parties without the express permission of Alfa Laval.
 Separation

• General (both decanters and HSS)

The process of separating the components in a mixture of
solids and/or liquids
• Criteria
– The components must be immiscible (unable to be mixed)
with each other
– There has to be a density difference between the
components

• Decanter separation
Separation of solids from a liquid

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 Mechanical separation technologies
Separating solid particles from a liquid

Filtration Gravity

Liquid

Particles

Liquid
Particles

Liquid

Solid particle

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 Mechanical separation technologies
• Filtration technology
– Separating solid particles from a liquid, is
independent of the density difference
between the solid particles and the liquid
• Gravity technology
– Separating solid particles from a liquid, is
dependant of the density difference between
the solid particles and the liquid.

Particle density ρp > liquid density ρl → sedimentation

Particle density ρp < liquid density ρl → flotation

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 Stokes´ law

The settling velocity vg [m/s]

PARTICLE
Diameter, d [m]
can be calculated from:
Density, ρs
[kg / m3]

LIQUID Vg
d2 ( ρp – ρl )
density ρl vg = g
[kg / m3] 18 η
dynamic viscosity η
[kg /m·s]

Vg = the final settling velocity of a suspended

spherical solid particle in a given liquid, under
the influence of earth gravity g = 9.81 m/sec2

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 Separation by density difference
Stokes’ Law

d2 ( ρp – ρl )
vg = g
18 η
vg = gravitational settling velocity [m/s]
d = particle diameter [m]
ρp = particle density [kg/m3]
ρl = liquid phase density [kg/m3]
η = liquid phase viscosity [cP]
g = gravitational acceleration [m/s2]
18 = constant

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 Stokes’ Law and efficiency
Separation
efficiency
+ 100

50

0
Particle size Density difference Viscosity
+

+
d2 ( ρp – ρl )
vg = g
18 η
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 Continuous gravity separation
Q

Inlet
Outlet

vf
vr Separation efficiency [%]
100
vr
vg W
I 50

0
0 1 2 3 4
Liquid flow, Q

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 Continuous gravity separation
Q
Q = vg · A
Inlet Q = Throughput capacity [m3 /s]
Outlet vg = Gravitational settling velocity [m/s]
A = Settling area (l • w) [m2]
vf
Separation efficiency [%]
100
vr
vg W
I 50

0
0 1 2 3 4
Liquid flow, Q

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 Centrifugal separation

d 2 ·( ρp – ρl) d 2 ·( ρp – ρl)
vg = ·g vc = · rω2
18 · η 18 · η
ω

Separation by gravity Centrifugal separation

Driving force: 1g Driving force: rω2

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 Screw conveyor for solids discharge
From gravity settler to decanter centrifuge
Conventional raked settling tank – Basic principles

Feed system Cake removal

1 x ‘g’

Weirs
Cake compaction
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 Screw conveyor for solids discharge
From gravity settler to decanter

1 2

Cylindrical/conical,
Solids discharge by means rotating separation vessel
of screw conveyor with internal screw conveyor
3

The decanter
centrifuge, complete concept

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 Screw conveyor for solids discharge
From gravity settler to decanter centrifuge
Review of basic principles

2 – 3000 x ‘g’
The Decanter Concept

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