Centrifuges

About Centrifuges and Centrifuge Including: Basket Centrifuge, Continuous Centrifuges, High Speed Centrifuge, Industrial Centrifuge & Laboratory Centrifuge.

A centrifuge is most often used for the separation of particles from solutions according to their size, shape, density, viscosity of the medium and rotor speed. These centrifuges machines utilize the natural separation realities present in a high speed circular G-force environment. Like a high powered clothes dryer, these exceedingly fast machines spin in order to separate materials from one another. The denser materials separate from the less dense during the centrifugation process. This is helpful for the cleaning and separating of slurries which are present in many industries. The dairy industry uses centrifuges to separate milk from whey, and the food and beverage industry uses them for the washing of edible oils and the clarification of wine and juices.

Centrifuges vary in size and power depending on the substances involved in the process. Some centrifuges are able to run continuously, feeding in slurry to be separated and sending the divided substances through to outside chambers to be removed. Sometimes centrifuges are used as a step in a larger filtering process or system. Basket centrifuges work by a process in which the liquid/solid slurry is fed into the rotating basket with a filtering cloth on the slotted jacket. The liquid passes the cloth and solid is left on the basket walls. When the basket is then full of material, the machine speed is decreased and the solid is scraped from the walls of the machine. The washing and cleaning of metal parts can also take place inside of what are considered industrial centrifuges, as washers are put in a bath of cleaning solvent and then run at g-force speeds, both cleaning and separating the excess grime and sludge from the metal. The dairy, wine, beverage, and edible oil and fat industries also use industrial centrifuges for the degumming and purification of their respective products. Power and wastewater plants use centrifuges for the separation and cleansing of fuels and lubricants.

The industrial sectors of society, such as wastewater treatment plants, use centrifuges extensively for the clarification of wastewater. Power plants use them for the purification of fuel and lubricants as well as for the cleansing of metal parts, using the centrifuges like a washing machine of sorts. The primary use of a centrifuge is done by the chemical, biotechnical and pharmaceutical sectors of society. They use small laboratory centrifuges for the analyzing of proteins and drugs, and they use larger centrifuges for the purification of solvents and the concentration of other biomasses.

Many of the manufacturers of centrifuges specialize in one type, e.g. laboratory or industrial, yet others do design a wider range of types. Custom work with the manufacturer is possible in order to achieve best results. The manufacturer will work with the customer to build proper centrifuges for his or her needs, based on the materials, the volume and feed rates necessary and any cost limits. Many shops also deal in the distribution and maintenance of used centrifuges units. These may be a more cost effective way of purchasing a new or old centrifuge beyond repair capabilities.

Types of Centrifuges

• Basket centrifuges are the basic type of filtering centrifuge, and consist of a basket rotating around the vertical axis.
  
• Continuous centrifuges operate non-stop during a separation process, and generally contain intake and output channels to prevent buildup and ensure proper separation. Continuous centrifuges are often used in water treatment plants.
  
• Disk centrifuges are used primarily for separating two liquid phases, but are also suitable for clarifying if the solid material content in liquids is small.
  
• High speed centrifuges accelerate quickly and can be used for fast extraction, washing, and separation purposes.
  
• Industrial centrifuges are wide ranging in styles and are used for the separation of larger volumes of liquid/solid from one another.
  
• Laboratory centrifuges are an apparatus used in the laboratory for separating substances of different density or particle size, when suspended in a fluid, by spinning them about an axis in a suitable container. Used in biotechnology and other chemical industry labs.
  
• Mini centrifuges are used for the separation of small samples in a laboratory setting, which includes the separation of DNA, RNA and proteins that need isolation. Mini centrifuges are sometimes referred to as a bench top centrifuge.
  
• Pharmaceutical centrifuges are used for the sterile processing of drugs and the separation of other fine chemicals in the pharmaceutical industry. A type of lab centrifuge which deals with drugs only.
  
• Ultracentrifuges are a high speed centrifuge used to determine the relative molecular masses of large molecules in high polymers and proteins. These can be very dangerous if maintenance is not performed regularly because of the high speeds it reaches.