Lecture notes on 2.

Centrifugal Separation by Sudip K Pattanayek

Content
2.1 Introduction
2.1.1 Characteristics of centrifugal field
2.2.Pressure in the centrifugal field
2.3 Motion of a particle suspended medium
2.4 Sedimentation in centrifugal field
2.5 Design of sedimentation Centrifuge
2.6 Comparison of Separation of immiscible liquids of different densities in gravity settling and in
centrifuge
2.7 Filtration in centrifuge
2.8 Equipments
2.9 Assignment

2.1 Introduction
(see chapter-9 of ref 1).
In many a cases, the external body force, gravity is inadequate to separate very fine particles, but
the centrifugal force field can do the separation due to the possibility of its large magnitude. The
centrifugal force field can be used for separation of suspended particles.

The centrifugal field can be created by following two ways: (a)by using a centrifuge, and (b)by
passing fluid tangentially into a cylindrical or conical vessel. In a centrifuge, a fluid is introduced
into a bowl and and is rapidly accelerated. Because the frictional drag within the fluid ensures
that there is very little rotational slip or relative motion between fluid layers within the bowl, all
the fluid tends to rotate at a constant angular velocity, .
The rotational field created in the above cases are distintly different in terms of the
angular motion of the fluid elements. In the case of centrifuge, the fluid rotates as a solid body
(see figure-1). This is called rotational flow. The tangential velocity component, v is given by
v=r. But for the later case, the fluid element rotates such a way that it suffers no net rotation
from one instant to the next, with respect to the given frame of reference (see figure-2). The
irrotational flow can be utilized in cyclone separator, which will be discussed later.

v r v =c/r



Figure-1 : Forced (rotational) vortex vs irrotational vortex

Three broad categories of centrifuge separation units are (i) sedimentation centrifuge (ii) Liquid–
liquid separation centrifuges (iii) Filtration centrifuges. A wide varieties of equipments in each
category are available in literature. The basic principles of above three type of separation units
will be discussed.

2.1.1 Use centrifugal field other than separation

Some of the areas where it is extensively used are as follows:

(a) For separating particles on the basis of their size or density. This is effectively using a
centrifugal field to achieve a higher rate of sedimentation than could be achieved under gravity.

(b) For separating immiscible liquids of different densities, which may be in the form of
dispersions or even emulsions in the feed stream. This is the equivalent of a gravitational
decantation process.

(c) For filtration of a suspension. In this case centrifugal force replaces the force of gravity or the
force attributable to an applied pressure difference across the filter. (d) For the drying of solids
and, in particular, crystals. Liquid may be adhering to the surface of solid particles and may be
trapped between groups of particles. Drainage may be slow in the gravitational field, especially if
the liquid has a high viscosity. Furthermore, liquid is held in place by surface tension forces
which must be exceeded before liquid can be freed. This is particularly important with fine
particles. Thus, processes which are not possible in the gravitational field can be carried out in
the centrifuge.
(e) For breaking down of emulsions and colloidal suspensions. A colloid or emulsion may be
quite stable in the gravitational field where the dispersive forces, such as those due to Brownian
motion, are large compared with the gravitational forces acting on the fine particles or droplets.
In a centrifugal field which may be several thousand times more powerful, however, the
dispersive forces are no longer sufficient to maintain the particles in suspension and separation is
effected.
(f) For the separation of gases. In the nuclear industry isotopes are separated in the gas
centrifuge in which the accelerating forces are sufficiently great to overcome the dispersive
effects of molecular motion. Because of the very small difference in density between isotopes
and between compounds of different isotopes, fields of very high intensity are needed.
(g) For mass transfer processes. Because far greater efficiencies and higher throughputs can be
obtained before flooding occurs, centrifugal packed bed contactors are finding favour and are
replacing ordinary packed columns in situations where compactness is important, or where it is
desirable to reduce the holdup of materials undergoing processing because of their hazardous
properties. An important application is the use of inert gases in the desorption of oxygen from
sea water in order to reduce its corrosiveness; in North Sea oil rigs the sea water is used as a
coolant in heat exchangers. In addition, centrifugal contactors for liquid–liquid extraction
processes now have important applications.
2.2. Pressure in the centrifuge

A liquid of constant density,  and viscosity is in a vertically placed cylinder of radius R as

shown in figure. The container is caused to rotate about its own axis at an angular velocity .
Find the pressure exerted by the liquid on the wall.
v2 dp
  ; v   r
r dr

dp
 2 r
dr
p R  pr 0 
1 2 2
2

 R  r02 
The pressure depends on rotational speed and radius of the container.

2.3 Motion of a particle suspended medium

See lecture slides & Coulson and Richardson vol-2.

2.4 Sedimentation in centrifugal field

See lecture slides & Coulson and Richardson vol-2.

2.5 Design of sedimentation Centrifuge

See lecture slides & Coulson and Richardson vol-2.

2.6 Comparison of Separation of immiscible liquids of different densities in gravity settling and in
centrifuge
See lecture slides

2.7 Filtration in centrifuge

See lecture slides & Coulson and Richardson vol-2.

2.8 Equipments
See Coulson and Richardson vol-2.

2.9 Tutorial problems

1. A viscous solution containing particles with density ρp=1461 Kg/m3 is clarified by

centrifugation. Solution density ρ=801 Kg/m3; Viscosity μ=100 cp. Centrifuge bowl
with r2=0.02225 m.; r1=0.00716 m.; height H=0.197 m.; Calculate critical particle
diameter of the largest particles in the exit stream if N=23000 rev/min, Vf =0.002832 m3/hr

2. In the above problem, we would like to scale up the centrifuge. We have to design a
centrifuge such that it can handle 1.5 times Vf in Question (2). r1 and r2 remains same, find
the length of the centrifuge. Both the centrifuges have same rotational speed?

3. When an aqueous slurry is filtered in a plate and frame press, fitted with two 50 mm thick
frames each 150 mm square at a pressure difference of 350 kN/m2, the frames are filled in 3600
s. The liquid in the slurry has the same density as water. How long will it take to produce the
same volume of filtrate as is obtained from a single cycle when using a centrifuge with a
perforated basket 300 mm in diameter and 200 mm deep? The radius of the inner surface of the
slurry is maintained constant at 75 mm and the speed of rotation is 65 Hz (3900 rpm). It may be
assumed that the filter cake is incompressible, that the resistance of the cloth is equivalent to 3
mm of cake in both cases, and that the liquid in the slurry has the same density as water.

4. A centrifuge is fitted with a conical disc stack (see figure below) with an included angle of 2,
and there are n flow passages between the discs. A suspension enters at radius r1 and leaves at
radius r2. Obtain an expression for the separating power Σ of the centrifuge. It may be assumed
that the resistance force acting on the particles is given by Stokes’ law.

5. Design a vertical decanter based on the following data.

Flow rate of continuous phase 440 kg/hr
Density of continuous phase 820Kg/m3
Flow rate of dispersed phase 200 kg/hr
Density of dispersed phase 1000 kg/m3
Viscosity of continuous phase 1 cP
Residence time of droplets of dispersed phase in dispersion band >20 seconds.
Diameter of droplet 150m.

6. Using the data given in problem 5 design a centrifugal decanter

2.10 Theoretical questions

What is relative centrifugation force/Separation factor?
What is capacity factor? What is its physical significance?
Two slurries of two different size particles are separated using centrifuge sedimentation units. Will
capacity factor be different in two different cases?
What is the advantage of centrifuge filtration ? As you move from centre of a centrifuge, the pressure
increases in the liquid. Will it help the filtration? How?
2.8 Equipments

The simplest form of centrifuge consists of a bowl spinning about a vertical axis, as shown in Fig. 10.4(a).
Liquids, or liquids and solids, are introduced into this and under centrifugal force the heavier liquid or
particles pass to the outermost regions of the bowl, whilst the lighter components move towards the
centre.

If the feed is all liquid, then suitable collection pipes can be arranged to allow separation of the heavier
and the lighter components. Various arrangements are used to accomplish this collection effectively and
with a minimum of disturbance to the flow pattern in the machine. To understand the function of these
collection arrangements, it is very often helpful to think of the centrifuge action as analogous to gravity
settling, with the various weirs and overflows acting in just the same way as in a settling tank even though
the centrifugal forces are very much greater than gravity.

In liquid/liquid separation centrifuges, conical plates are arranged as illustrated in Fig. 10.5(a) and these
give smoother flow and better separation.
 FIG. 10.5 Liquid centrifuges: (a) conical bowl, (b) nozzle

Whereas liquid phases can easily be removed from a centrifuge, solids present much more of a problem.

In liquid/solid separation, stationary ploughs cannot be used as these create too much disturbance of the
flow pattern on which the centrifuge depends for its separation. One method of handling solids is to
provide nozzles on the circumference of the centrifuge bowl as illustrated in Fig. 10.5(b). These nozzles
may be opened at intervals to discharge accumulated solids together with some of the heavy liquid.
Alternatively, the nozzles may be open continuously relying on their size and position to discharge the
solids with as little as possible of the heavier liquid. These machines thus separate the feed into three
streams, light liquid, heavy liquid and solids, the solids carrying with them some of the heavy liquid as
well. Another method of handling solids from continuous feed is to employ telescoping action in the bowl,
sections of the bowl moving over one another and conveying the solids that have accumulated towards
the outlet, as illustrated in Fig. 10.6(a).

FIG. 10.6 Liquid/solid centrifuges (a) telescoping bowl, (b) horizontal bowl, scroll discharge

The horizontal bowl with scroll discharge, centrifuge, as illustrated in Fig.10.6(b) can discharge
continuously. In this machine, the horizontal collection scroll (or screw) rotates inside the conical-ended
bowl of the machine and conveys the solids with it, whilst the liquid discharges over an overflow towards
the centre of the machine and at the opposite end to the solid discharge. The essential feature of these
machines is that the speed of the scroll, relative to the bowl, must not be great. For example, if the bowl
speed is 2000 rev/min, a suitable speed for the scroll might be 25 rev/min relative to the bowl which would
mean a scroll speed of 2025 or 1975 rev/min. The differential speeds are maintained by gearing between
the driving shafts for the bowl and the scroll. These machines can continuously handle feeds with solid
contents of up to 30%.

References:

1.
2. Foust, A.S. et al., Principles of Unit Operations (2nd Edition), John Wiley,
1980, pp. 620-629.
3. McCabe, W.L., J.C. Smith, and P. Harriott, Unit Operations of Chemical
Engineering (5th Edition), McGraw-Hill, 1993, pp. 31-32, 37-39, 1060-1072.
4. Probstein, R.F., Physicochemical Hydrodynamics: An Introduction (2nd
Edition), John Wiley, 1994, pp. 142-147.