Solid-Liquid

Separation
Basant Ahmed
Richard Rodriguez
Jennifer Gilmer
David Quiroz
Steven Hering

China high speed decanter centrifuge. 2010. Photograph. GN Solid ControlsWeb. 24 Nov
2013. <http://oilfield.gnsolidscontrol.com/china-high-speed-decanter-centrifuge/>.
1

Introduction

Solid-liquid separation is
a necessary step in
obtaining the desired
product from a
precipitation or
crystallization reaction
Centrifugation is the way
to achieve the required
solid-liquid separation Crystallization. 2013. Photograph. WikipediaWeb. 24 Nov 2013.
There are two types of <http://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/d/d3/Snow_crystalliz
ation_in_Akureyri_2005-02-26_19-03-37.jpeg>.
centrifugation

Sedimenting
Filtering
Most popular in chemical

and pharmaceutical
applications and the main
focus of this selection
process

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m/photo/1x6037988/precipit
ation_reaction_giving_iron
_ii_hydroxide_a500337.jpg

Steps to Centrifuge
Selection

The best process for choosing the proper

centrifuge is the following detailed three step
process
1. Process and Application

Determine sedimenting or filtering

Based on reaction type and process specifications

2.Product Properties

Determine required centrifuge properties based on the

product properties
Filterability for filtering centrifuges based product
properties

i.e. crystallization vs. precipitation Temperature, pH,

flow rate, batch size

i.e. particle size, shape , rigidity

3. Centrifuge Design

Chose specific centrifuge based on prior selection

criteria that is process and product requirements
Choose vertical, horizontal, or inverted for filter
Decanter is on option for sedimenting centrifuge
selection
Patnaik, Tom.Solid-liquid
Separation: A guide to
Centrifuge Selection. 2012.
Graphic.
www.aiche.org/cepPrint.

Selection by Process &

Application

First step is to choose filtering or sedimenting centrifugation

Filtering a batch-operated machine that uses a filter media to capture and

collect a filter cake inside a rotating basket.

This will be chosen based particle size, washing required, concentration of solid in slurry,
and throughput

Suitable for slurries with large particles due ease of filtration of large particles
Dry solid products require filtering due to extending spinning helping dry the product which
is not possible in continuous sedimentation
Preferable when the solid(the cake) is the required product and it allows for a long wash
liquid residence time inside the solid cake

Sedeminting a machine that is continuous and uses high rotational velocities to

create high magnitude g-forces inside a solid bowl to separate the liquid from the
solid

Preferable for when solid particle size and concentration are small and the volume of the
liquid is low because the filter needed increases with liquid volume
Usually preferred when the liquid the valuable and desired product of the specific reaction
and products being purified

Patnaik, Tom.Solid-liquid Separation: A guide to Centrifuge Selection.

2012. Graphic. www.aiche.org/cepPrint.

Clarke, Peter.Theory of sedimentation and centrifugation. 2009.

Infographic. n.p. Web. 24 Nov 2013.
4
<http://www.bbka.org.uk/local/iceni/bm~doc/pollensuspension-2.pd

Selection by Product
Properties

An analysis of the particle size, shape and

distribution is the main determinant of filterability
which is an important factor when dealing with
filtering centrifuges.
Particle shape is the main factor that influences
filterability

Spherical particles are the ideal for filtration and are

easiest to filter followed by rounded
Fibrous particles are the most difficult to filter due to
formation of dense cakes
The shape factor determined to compare actual shape
to ideal sphere

Normalized from 0 to 1

Particle size is the factor affecting cake porosity,

residual cake moisture and throughput rates

Bigger particles form cakes with large capillaries and

thus have a higher porosity and higher thought rate
System pressure also effects filterability. At high
pressure cake compact causing filterability to
decrease

Slurry filterability is expressed in flux fate

gpm/ft^2

Function of particle size, shape and structure

To filter slurry flux rate can be between 1gpm/ft^2 to
6gpm/ft^2 to filter well

Patnaik, Tom.Solid-liquid Separation: A

guide to Centrifuge Selection. 2012.
Graphic. www.aiche.org/cepPrint.

Selection By Centrifuge Design

Selection of the specific centrifuge base on the preceding factors

Filtering centrifuge specifics

Three types of Filter centrifuges

Use a perforate bowl lined with a filter cloth to retain the desired solid
cake and the liquid passes through and is discarded
Usually operated as batch
Vertical Basket
Horizontal Peeler
Inverting Filter

Decanters

A type of sedimenting centrifuge which is used in bio-pharmaceutical

process that need high g forces
Separate solid and liquid by the basic process of sedimentation
filtration lined out in previous and proceeding slides

Patnaik, Tom.Solid-liquid Separation: A

guide to Centrifuge Selection. 2012.
Graphic. www.aiche.org/cepPrint.

Types of Filtrating Centrifuges

Vertical Basket

Used for slow/medium filtering

slurries. Even distribution of cake
across vertical face is ideal and is
the result in slow and medium
filtering
Prone to high process vibration
Three types

Horizontal Peeler

Vertical basket manual discharge

cake discharge is manual
Vertical basket peeler automatic plow
used to discharge cake to avoid safety
risks for toxic cakes
Vertical basket cGPM designed for
sanitary operation and have a clean in
place system

Have a high volume capacity

Process components can be
separated from mechanical
components
Limitation could be formation of heel

Inverting Filter

Useable on a vide range of filtering

systems from easy to poor
Do not form a heel which is suitable
for a thin-cake operation

Patnaik, Tom.Solid-liquid Separation: A guide to Centrifuge

Selection. 2012. Graphic. www.aiche.org/cepPrint.

Centrifuge Examples
Vertical Centrifuge

Horizontal Centrifuge

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cts/rental-SLAB-540lg.jpg
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tindustry.com/im
ages_di/photo-g/
inverting-filter
-centrifuges-213
73-2367189.jpg

Inverting Filter

http://www.flottweg.de/cms/upload/bilderga
Centrifuge
lerie/Komponenten/Decanter/unter_Druck_eng
8
l.jpg

Centrifuge Theory
The separation of solids from liquids via
settling and filtration rely on many factors:
1. Flow rates
2. Particle size
3. Particle geometry

http://techalive.mtu.edu/meec/module06/images/soil_00
0.JPG

http://homepage.usask.ca/~mjr347/prog/geoe118/images
/shape1.gif
9

Centrifuge Theory

The driving forces for

settling and filtration is
gravity and pressure
gradients. These forces
are usually not enough on
there own to create rapid http://i01.i.aliimg.c
separation.
om/img/pb/387/707/567
/567707387_658.jpg
Rate = Driving Force /
Resistance
This relationship shows that
in order to increase the rate
of separation via settling
and filtration is to either:
1.
2.

Decrease resistance
Increase driving force

http://www.thenakedsc
ientists.com/HTML/upl
oads/RTEmagicC_Centri
fuge-wheel-cff.png.pn
g

Centrifuges perform #2
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Centrifuge Theory

Centrifuges are able to speed up

separation by dramatically increasing the
force of gravity by several thousand
times.
Centrifuges do this by spinning at very
high angular velocities creating very
strong centripetal and centrifugal forces
which are the same in magnitude by differ
in directio

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Centrifuge Theory

Centrifugal force
varies from
gravitational forces
in terms of
magnitude only

http://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/9/97
/Centripetal_force.PNG

RCF

: relative centrifugal
force (g-force)
: angular velocity
g: gravitational force

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/main/content/img/oxford/O
xford_Sports/0199210896.ce
ntrifugal-force.1.jpg
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Centrifugal Settling

When the density of particles suspended in a

solution is greater than the density of the
liquid then settling will occur.
This does not always happen in a practical
length of time, making centrifuges necessary.
Several forces are important when settling
occurs:
1.
2.
3.
4.

Gravitational forces
Buoyancy
Centrifugal force
Particle drag
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Centrifugal Settling

All of these forces are important when determining

the velocity at which the particle will settle:

viscosity of liquid
Dp: particle diameter
V: settling velocity
p: particle density
: liquid density
ac: centrifugal acceleration

function [ v ] = settlingv( ac,Dp,pp,p,u )

% function settlingv calculates settling
velocity of particle in centrifuge
%
% input:
% ac = centrifugal acceleration (m/s2)
% Dp = particle diameter (m)
% pp = particle density (kg/m3)
% p = liquid density (kg/m3)
% u = liquid viscosity (Pa s)
%
% output:
% v = settling velocity (m/s)
v = Dp.^2*(pp-p)/18/u*ac;
end

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Centrifugal Settling

>>
>>
>>
>>
>>
>>
>>
>>
>>
>>

ac = 250;
pp = 1250;
p = 1000;
u = 0.001002;
Dp = linspace(0.00001,0.00010);
v = settlingv(ac,Dp,pp,p,u);
plot(Dp,v);
xlabel('particle diameter (m)');
ylabel('settling velocity (m/s)');
title('v vs. Dp');

>> Dp = 0.00004;
>> pp = 1250;
>> p = 1000;
>> u = 0.001002;
>> ac = linspace(100,500);
>> v = settlingv(ac,Dp,pp,p,u);
>> plot(ac,v);
>> xlabel('centrifugal acceleration (m/s2)');
>> ylabel('settling velocity (m/s)');
>> title('v vs. ac');

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Centrifugal Settling

For a continuous centrifuge, the flow rate that the solution

is moving through the bowl will determine whether a
particle will be filtered or if it will flow out.

Qc:

volumetric flow rate through bowl

: viscosity of liquid
Dp: particle diameter
p: particle density
: liquid density
ac: centrifugal acceleration
V: volume of liquid held in the bowl
s: thickness of a thin liquid layer

function [ Qc ] = VflowBowl( ac,u,Dp,pp,p,V,s )

% function VflowBowl calculates the volumetric flow
through bowl in centrifuge
%
% input:
% ac = centrifugal acceleration (m/s2)
% u = liquid viscosity (Pa s)
% Dp = particle diameter (m)
% pp = particle density (kg/m3)
% p = liquid density (kg/m3)
% V = volume of liquid in bowl (m3), default = 0.001
% s = thickness of thin layer liquid (m), default =
0.001
%
% output:
% Qc = Volumetric flow through bowl (m3/s)
if nargin<7||isempty(s), s = 0.001; end
if nargin<6||isempty(V), V = 0.001; end
Qc = Dp.^2*(pp-p)*V/9/u/s*ac;
end

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Centrifugal Setting
>> u = 0.001002;
>> Dp = 0.00004;
>> pp = 1250;
>> p = 1000;
>> ac = linspace(100,500);
>> Qc = VflowBowl(ac,u,Dp,pp,p);
>> plot(ac,Qc);
>> xlabel('centrifugal acceleration (m/s2)');
>> ylabel('volumetric flow (m3/s)');
>> title('Qc vs. ac');

>> u = 0.001002;
>> pp = 1250;
>> p = 1000;
>> ac = 250;
>> Dp = linspace(0.00001,0.00010);
>> Qc = VflowBowl(ac,u,Dp,pp,p);
>> plot(Dp,Qc);
>> xlabel('particle diameter (m)');
>> ylabel('volumetric flow (m3/s)');
>> title('Qc vs. Dp');

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Centrifugal Filtration

Filtration is achieved by creating a pressure difference

across a filter cloth.
The pressure difference forces the liquid through the
cloth while leaving behind a cake (the solid) behind.
This force is usually done using gravity or a vacuum
on the other side of the cloth but centrifugal force can
be used as an alternative to creating a pressure
difference across the cloth.

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http://www.rousselet-robatel.com/images/products/HP-centri
18
y-filtration-centrifuges-84315-6088741.jpg
f-filtrationlg.jpg

Centrifugal Filtration

Volumetric Flow rate through the

filter

Q: volumetric flow rate through

filter
: density of filtrate
http://csmres.co.uk/cs.public.upd/article-images/Fig-9--belt_cake_discharge.JPG
: angular velocity
r1: distance from the center to the
cake surface
r2: distance from the center to the
centrifuge wall
: viscosity of the solution
mc: mass of cake deposited on filter
: specific cake resistance
A: area of cake
Rm: resistance of the filter medium
to filtrate flow

http://www.bokela.de/typo3temp/pics/27735eca79.jpg
19

Centrifugal Filtration
function [ Q ] = VflowFilter( w,p,r1,r2,u,mc,a,A,Rm )
% function VflowBowl calculates the volumetric flow through bowl in
% centrifuge
%
% input:
% w = angular velocity (m/s)
% p = filtrate density (kg/m3), default = 900
% r1 = distance from center to cake surface (m), default = 0.05
% r2 = distance from center to centrifuge wall (m), default = 0.1
% u = solution viscosity (Pa s), default = 0.001
% mc = mass of cake deposited on filter (kg), default = 0.01
% a = specific cake resistance (m/kg), default = 100
% A = area of cake (m2), default = 0.00001
% Rm = resistance of filter medium to filtrate flow (1/m), default =
0.000001
%
% output:
% Q = Volumetric flow through filter (m3/s)
if
if
if
if
if
if
if
if

>>
>>
>>
>>
>>
>>

w = linspace(100,500);
Q = VflowFilter(w);
plot(w,Q);
xlabel('angular velocity (m/s)');
ylabel('volumetric flow (m3/s)');
title('Q vs. w');

nargin<9||isempty(Rm), Rm = 0.000001; end

nargin<8||isempty(A), A = 0.00001; end
nargin<7||isempty(a), a = 100; end
nargin<6||isempty(mc), mc = 0.01; end
nargin<5||isempty(u), u = 0.001; end
nargin<4||isempty(r2), r2 = 0.1; end
nargin<3||isempty(r1), r1 = 0.05; end
nargin<2||isempty(p), p = 900; end

Q = w.^2*p*(r2^2-r1^2)/2/u/(mc*a/(A^2)+Rm/A);
end

20

Conclusion

Solid Liquid Separation by

centrifugation

Centrifuge Selection

Two types: Sedimenting and

Filtering

Three Steps: Process and

Application, Product
Properties, and Centrifuge
Design

http://cmbe.engr.uga.edu/engr4520/Other/Ch%20
5%20Disc%20Centrifuge%20schematic.jpg

Centrifuge Designs

Thee Types: Vertical Basket,

Horizontal Peeler, and
Inverting Filter
http://www.sswm.info/sites/default/files/toolbox/EPA
%202000%20Centrifuge%20Thickening%20and
%20Dewatering.jpg

21

Conclusion

Centrifuge Theory

Rate of Separation = Driving

Forces/Resitance
Centrifuges simply increase
the rate by increasing the
driving forces

MATlab Programs

Calculate the settling velocity

(m/s), and Volumetric flow
through bowl (m3/s) in settlinghttp://bgsctechclub.files.wordpress.com/2011/08/
centrifugal-force-diagram.jpg?w=682
Calculate the Volumetric flow
through filter (m3/s) in
filtering
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Future Work and Research

Further research on the shape and structure for

maximizing recovery
Increased Efficiency of Centrifuges

Particularly vital in the area of nuclear energy.

America's only domestic supplier of nuclear fuel, the United States Enrichment

Corporation (USEC), has created an advanced centrifuge that officials say is the
world's fastest and largest, able to produce enriched uranium using just 5 percent of
the electricity required by the company's previous design

http://www.popularmechanics.com/science/energy/nuclear/4257042

http://www.worldnuclear.org/uploadedImages/org/info/Nuclear_Fuel_Cycle/
Enrichment_and_Conversion/centrfge.jpg
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