CHAPTER 9

CENTRIFUGAL SEPARATIONS

MATERI
9.1. Introduction.
9.2. Shape of the Free Surface of the Liquid
9.3. Centrifugal Pressure
9.4. Separation of Immiscible Liquids of Different
Densities
9.5. Sedimentation in A Centrifugal Field
9.6. Filtration in A Centrifuge
9.7. Mechanical Design
9.8. Centrifugal Equipment

9.1. INTRODUCTION
Accelerations is several thousand times to gravity
Benefits:

Greater rates of separation;

the possibility of achieving separations which are either
not practically feasible, or actually impossible, in the
gravitational field; and
a substantial reduction of the size of the equipment

Two distinctly different ways:

By introducing a fluid with a high tangential velocity into a
cylindrical or conical vessel, as in the hydrocyclone and
in the cyclone separator (Ch. 1)
By the use of the centrifuge. In this case the fluid is
introduced into some form of rotating bowl and is rapidly
accelerated

USE CENTRIFUGE
Separating particles on the basis of their size or
density
Separating immiscible liquids of different densities
(dispersions or emulsions)
Filtration of a suspension
Drying of solids and, in particular, crystals
Breaking down of emulsions and colloidal
suspensions
Separation of gases (in the nuclear industry)
Mass transfer processes (desorption of oxygen
from sea water)

9.8. CENTRIFUGAL EQUIPMENT

9.8.1. Classification of centrifuges
9.8.2. Simple bowl centrifuges
9.8.3. Disc centrifugesgeneral
9.8.4. Disc centrifugesvarious types
9.8.5. Decanting centrifuges
9.8.6. Pusher-type centrifuges
9.8.7. Tubular-bowl centrifuge
9.8.8. The ultra-centrifuge
9.8.9. Multistage centrifuges
9.8.10. The gas centrifuge

SIMPLE BOWL CENTRIFUGES

DISC CENTRIFUGES
GENERAL

9.8.6. PUSHER-TYPE CENTRIFUGES

9.2. SHAPE OF THE FREE SURFACE OF

THE LIQUID

9.5. SEDIMENTATION IN A
CENTRIFUGAL FIELD

Centrifuges are extensively used for separating fine

solids from suspension in a liquid.

EXAMPLE 9.1

9.6. FILTRATION IN A CENTRIFUGE

EXAMPLE 9.3

9.8. CENTRIFUGAL EQUIPMENT

9.8.1. Classification of centrifuges
9.8.2. Simple bowl centrifuges
9.8.3. Disc centrifugesgeneral
9.8.4. Disc centrifugesvarious types
9.8.5. Decanting centrifuges
9.8.6. Pusher-type centrifuges
9.8.7. Tubular-bowl centrifuge
9.8.8. The ultra-centrifuge
9.8.9. Multistage centrifuges
9.8.10. The gas centrifuge