Centrifugal Separation

Introduction to Centrifugal Separation

Before the 19th century, the task of separation of

syrup from crystal sugar was only done by gravity

generally in a conical container giving rise to sugar
loaf (a conical moulded mass of sugar).

Westons Invention
Westons Invention in 1876 (A Scottish engineer) :The main advancement in the design of centrifugal is
flexible suspension which allowed the centrifugal
basket to rotate about its centre of gravity rather than
its geometrical centre. This enables the high speed of
centrifugal as the load remains always balanced.

Size advancements
Since 1920, the size of the machine increased

substantially from 30 in. to 36 in. and then upto 42

in. and 48 in.
The most recent is 54 in. basket dia.

Construction
The centrifugal basically consist a cylindrical basket to

receive massecuite .
The basket is pierced with numerous holes that allows
the molasses to escape .
Also the wall of the basket is lined with a screen of
perforated sheet metal. These fine perforations retains
the sugar crystals and allows the molasses to pass
through the piercings.
From the piercings the molasses goes to backing screen
and is allowed to freely flow between the inner screen
and wall of the basket.

Construction

Construction
The basket is mounted with the shaft through the

spider. Also the top of the basket is open except the

width which holds the required amount of
massecuite.

Construction
The other end of the shaft rotates in a ball bearing

(which provides the flexible mounting) leading to its

flexible rotation around the centre of gravity rather
than its geometrical centre. The rotation of the shaft
is done either by pulley and belt drive or by electric
motor.

Construction
The basket is surrounded by a monitor casing which

catches the molasses and delivers it to the suitable

outlet.
The bottom opening of the basket remains closed
during operation through a conical metal sheet
cover.

Construction(Feeding)
The massecuite is fed into a machine by small slide

from a holding vessel while rotating at a low speed.

This massecuite suddenly takes its place in the
basket against the wall.
Once the massecuite is charged or reaches the
desired thickness, the machine is accelerated to the
operating speed.

Capacity
Capacity depends on
Contents of the basket
Time of cycle
The capacity of the basket is the volume of the cylinder of the
massecuite which the basket will hold within the area.
Hugot gives an equation.
V=0.000197(D^2)H
V= max. practical contents of the massecuite in basket in
cu.ft
D= dia of basket (in.)
H= height of basket (in.)