In modern industry, solid-liquid separation is a crucial process, especially in the fields of sewage treatment, food processing, chemical pharmaceuticals, mining and metallurgy. The performance of centrifugal separation equipment directly affects the operating efficiency and product quality of the production line. As the most widely used type of continuous separation equipment in the current industry, the Decanter Centrifuge has become the first choice for enterprises due to its advantages of high efficiency, stability, high degree of automation and wide adaptability to materials.
Decanter Centrifuge Overview: Continuous and Automatic Separation Tool
Decanter Centrifuge is a mechanical device that uses the principle of centrifugal sedimentation to separate solid-liquid (or solid-liquid-liquid) mixtures. Its core feature is that it can achieve continuous feeding, continuous separation and continuous discharge of solids/liquids, and is particularly suitable for processing high-concentration, high-viscosity, and high-solid content materials.
Typical application scenarios include:
Mud and water separation in industrial and domestic sewage
Pomace/lees separation in juice and wine in the food industry
Catalyst recovery and emulsion treatment in the petroleum and chemical industries
Separation of Chinese medicine residues, cell fluids, bacteria, etc. in the pharmaceutical industry
The name of Decanter Centrifuge comes from its internal structure: “horizontal layout + spiral propulsion slag discharge”, which is the core of its efficient dehydration and separation.
Core structure composition: every component is indispensable
To fully understand the working process of the horizontal screw centrifuge, we must start with its structure. It mainly includes the following parts:
1. Drum
This is the main space for centrifugal separation, and the outer shell is a high-speed rotating cylindrical structure. The material is subjected to strong centrifugal force here to achieve solid-liquid stratification.
2. Screw conveyor
Installed inside the drum, coaxial with the drum but rotating at a differential speed, it plays the role of slowly pushing the deposited solids to the slag outlet.
3. Differential gear
Achieve the speed difference between the drum and the screw (generally a few to dozens of revolutions), and its stability directly affects the slag discharge efficiency.
4. Feeding system
Including feeding pipes, distributors and other components, introduce the mixed material into the drum and distribute it evenly to avoid deviation and vibration.
5. Liquid Discharge System
Usually in the form of free overflow or adjustable weir, ensuring the smooth discharge of the separated clarified liquid.
6. Solids Discharge System
Located at the small end of the drum, the solids are discharged to the designated collection container or conveyor belt through the action of spiral conveying.
Detailed explanation of the complete workflow of Decanter Centrifuge
Step 1: Material feeding
The original material is transported to the feed port through the feed pump and enters the drum. At this time, the drum is rotating at high speed (common speed can reach 2000-4000rpm), forming a strong centrifugal field.
Step 2: Material acceleration and uniform distribution
The material first enters the distribution area through the feed pipe, and quickly obtains the corresponding centrifugal speed under high-speed rotation, thereby forming synchronization with the rotating drum. Subsequently, the distributor evenly spreads the material on the inner wall of the drum.
Step 3: Centrifugal sedimentation and stratification
Under the action of centrifugal force, the solid particles in the material are thrown to the inner wall of the drum because their density is greater than that of the liquid, and are deposited to form a layer of “mud cake”; while the clarified liquid is concentrated in the inner layer of the drum and gradually flows to the liquid outlet.
Step 4: Screw propulsion slag removal
The screw propeller rotates at a slightly lower or higher speed relative to the drum (i.e., differential speed), slowly pushing the deposited solids to move along the axial direction of the drum, and finally discharged from the small end of the drum.
The control of differential speed is very critical, and is usually adjusted dynamically according to the material concentration and output to ensure that the solids can be completely dehydrated without clogging the equipment.
Step 5: Discharge of clarified liquid
The clarified liquid is discharged through the weir or liquid outlet at the large end of the drum and enters the next process or discharge system.
Note: When two-phase separation is performed, one type of liquid is discharged, and when three-phase separation is performed, two types of liquid outlets (light liquid and heavy liquid) must be set up.
A decanter centrifuge contains engineering design wisdom and strict parameter control in every link from feeding to slag discharge. It is not just a simple “rotating separator”, but also the core power of the efficient operation of the enterprise production line. As a professional decanter centrifuge manufacturer, we are well aware of customers’ multiple demands for equipment performance, energy consumption, maintenance cycle, and stability. We insist on providing customers with truly adaptable working conditions and long-term reliable separation solutions based on high-quality materials, high-precision processing, scientific design and intelligent control.
Whether you are selecting a model for the first time or planning to upgrade your equipment, please feel free to contact us for technical support or on-site trial service. Making separation more efficient and production more worry-free is our unchanging commitment.
