A High-Speed Solution for Liquid Separation: Tubular Centrifuge

A tubular centrifuge is an advanced separation machine designed to handle the continuous separation of two immiscible liquids with a density difference, while also effectively removing impurities. This high-speed centrifuge is widely used in industries like pharmaceuticals, chemicals, food processing, and many more due to its efficiency and adaptability. The machine plays a crucial role in both liquid-liquid separation and liquid-liquid-solid separation processes, making it indispensable in modern industrial operations. In this article, we will explore the working principles, applications, and technical specifications of the tubular bowl centrifuge from Reyes Machinery in detail.

How It Works

The basic operation of a tubular centrifuge involves feeding a suspension (a mixture of liquids and possibly solid impurities) into the machine, which is housed in a tubular bowl. The bowl rotates at an extremely high speed around its axis, generating a powerful centrifugal force. This force acts on the suspension and separates it based on density. The heavier liquid, being denser, is pushed outward toward the bowl wall, while the lighter liquid stays closer to the center. Solid particles, if present, are deposited on the bowl’s wall due to their greater density and are manually cleaned out when the centrifuge is shut down.

The suspension is typically fed from the bottom into a hollow cylindrical rotor. The separated liquids are discharged from two outlets at the top, one for the lighter liquid and another for the heavier liquid. This separation process is continuous and efficient, allowing industries to handle large volumes of liquid mixtures with varying levels of impurities.

Applications

Given its versatility, the tubular bowl centrifuge finds application in a wide range of industries. Some of the most common sectors include:

1. Pharmaceutical Industry: These centrifuges are used for separating bacteria cells, clarifying antibiotics, and purifying various biochemical products. Their high-speed operation ensures precise separation of sensitive compounds.
2. Chemical Industry: In chemical processes, tubular centrifuges help in separating immiscible liquids and removing solid impurities, ensuring the purity of chemical products.
3. Food Industry: These centrifuges are commonly used in food processing for clarifying fruit juices, edible oils, and other liquid products. This helps enhance the quality and shelf life of the final products.
4. Edible Oil Industry: The machine is used to separate different fractions of edible oil, such as in palm oil production, and to remove solid impurities that may affect the oil’s purity.
5. Printing Ink and Gum Clarification: The tubular bowl centrifuge is also used in the production of high-quality printing inks and for the clarification of gum products by removing solid impurities.
6. Biodiesel Production: In biodiesel plants, centrifuge separates glycerin from biodiesel which is the critical step in the production process.
7. Beverage Industry: In the beverage industry, tubular centrifuges have highly proved their effectiveness as it helps in wine and beer clarification and absolute purity to occur in the case of non-alcoholic beverages.
8. Biomass Separation: Centrifuges which can classify between small amounts of solids and liquids are ideal for biomass separation particularly in the production of biofuels.

Key Features

The most popular model in the centrifuge market is the GF tubular centrifuge from Reyes Machinery, very potent in separating several types of suspensions. The GF series is particularly suitable for challenging separation tasks, including liquid-liquid and liquid-liquid-solid separations. Below are some key features of the GF model:

1. High Speed Operation: GF tubular centrifuges run at speeds that range between 14,000 and 19,200 revolutions per minute (RPM) depending on the product range. This speed will give significant and powerful centrifugal force so as to ensure proper and efficient separation.
2. Capacity: This machine has the capacity to run as little as 10 litres/hour, while can go up to 3000 litres/hour; it is viable for small to large establishments.
3. Stainless Steel Construction: Parts of the centrifuge that come into contact with materials are made of stainless steel, ensuring durability and resistance to corrosion. The body of the machine can be made from either stainless steel or iron, depending on the requirements of the customer.
4. Manual Cleaning: The solid particles that accumulate on the bowl’s wall are manually removed when the machine is shut down. Although this requires periodic maintenance, it ensures that the machine continues to operate at maximum efficiency.

Conclusion

The tubular centrifuge is a vital piece of equipment across various industries, offering a reliable and efficient solution for the separation of immiscible liquids and solid impurities. Its high-speed operation, robust construction, and versatility make it an indispensable tool in sectors such as pharmaceuticals, chemicals, food processing, and biodiesel production. With models like the GF series from Reyes Machinery, which offer high throughput and excellent separation capabilities, the tubular bowl centrifuge continues to be a preferred choice for businesses aiming to optimize their separation processes.