In modern industrial production, Decanter Centrifuge is widely used in sewage treatment, chemical industry, food, medicine, environmental protection and other industries due to its high efficiency, continuous and highly automated separation advantages. However, the startup and feeding of the equipment are often ignored by users, and even in some working conditions, improper operation leads to reduced equipment efficiency, frequent failures, shortened service life and other problems. So, do you really understand the startup and feeding of the decanter centrifuge?
Why are the startup and feeding links so important?
In the entire operation cycle of the horizontal screw centrifuge, “starting” and “feeding” are the prelude to the equipment entering the working state. If this stage is not properly controlled, it will directly affect the following aspects:
Poor separation effect: unstable feeding or wrong startup sequence will cause uneven distribution of materials in the drum, affecting the efficiency and accuracy of solid-liquid separation.
Increased equipment wear: If the material contains sand and uneven concentration, it is easy to cause abnormal wear of the spiral blades and the inner wall of the drum.
Motor overload and tripping: If the startup is not carried out in sequence, it is easy to cause serious problems such as motor overload and bearing jamming.
Energy waste: unreasonable startup, discontinuous or uneven feeding will lead to increased energy consumption and reduced efficiency.
Impact on the stability of the automatic control system: Especially when used in conjunction with the PLC or DCS system, incorrect operation will trigger an alarm or shutdown.
Therefore, the startup and feeding links of the horizontal screw centrifuge are not only the prerequisites for the operation of the equipment, but also the core links to ensure safe, efficient and stable production.
Preparation before starting
Before starting the horizontal screw centrifuge, a systematic inspection and preparation must be carried out. The following are the key steps:
1. Electrical inspection
Check whether the power supply voltage and current are normal;
Ensure that the cable is not damaged and the wiring is correct;
Check whether the control panel PLC system is in standby mode;
Whether the emergency stop device is sensitive and effective.
2. Lubrication system inspection
Ensure that the main bearing, differential, and screw propulsion system are well lubricated;
The oil level is within the normal range and there is no oil leakage;
The gearbox and bearing seat temperature sensors are well connected.
3. Equipment status confirmation
Check that there is no obstruction or abnormal sound between the spiral and the drum;
Turn the drum by hand to confirm that there is no resistance;
Confirm that the cleaning water system, dosing system, delivery pump and other supporting equipment are intact and available;
Check that the slag discharge port and liquid discharge port are unobstructed.
Standard startup process of Decanter Centrifuge
The startup of the horizontal screw centrifuge is usually carried out according to the following standard process:
1. Idle start (dry run)
Start the main motor of the centrifuge to accelerate the rotation of the drum and the screw. After reaching the set speed (such as 3000rpm or customized speed), run for a period of time (1~3 minutes) to confirm that the system is stable.
Note: Feeding is strictly prohibited during idle start!
2. Check the operation status of the differential
Confirm that the differential is operating normally, the differential is stable, and the relative speed between the screw and the drum meets the design requirements (such as between 20~40rpm).
3. Start the supporting system
Start the cleaning water pump (if any), dosing device, drainage system, and slag discharge system to ensure smooth discharge and avoid blockage during feeding.
How to feed correctly?
The feeding process plays a decisive role in the separation effect and equipment life. The following are standard feeding operation suggestions:
1. Initial low-speed feeding
At the beginning, use low-concentration and low-flow feeding to gradually establish a stable separation layer inside the equipment and observe the liquid discharge and slag discharge status.
2. Slowly increase the feeding rate
After the equipment runs stably, the differential speed and slag discharge frequency are normal, gradually increase the feed concentration and flow until the set rated processing capacity is reached.
Recommendation: Complete the adjustment process from low load to rated load within 5 to 10 minutes.
3. Maintain continuous and uniform feeding
Avoid intermittent feeding or drastic fluctuations in concentration;
For materials containing sand and fiber, they should be stirred or pre-treated in advance;
If a variable frequency feeding pump is used, the feeding rate can be controlled in a closed loop through the PLC system.
Common startup and feeding faults and troubleshooting methods
Fault 1: Motor trips during startup
Reason: Overload or drum stuck
Troubleshooting: Check if there is foreign matter stuck in the drum, check if the bearing is lacking oil
Fault 2: Slag discharge is not smooth after feeding
Reason: Low speed, screw differential failure
Troubleshooting: Check if the inverter and differential are faulty, and if the slag discharge port is blocked
Fault 3: Poor separation effect
Reason: Feed too fast or concentration fluctuates greatly
Troubleshooting: Appropriately reduce the feed rate and adjust the differential ratio
Fault 4: Large equipment vibration
Reason: Uneven feeding or internal accumulation
Troubleshooting: Check if the material is evenly mixed and check if the screw is worn or unbalanced
As a key separation equipment, the stable performance of the horizontal screw centrifuge depends not only on the mechanical structure and control system, but also on the standardization of the operating process. Especially in the startup and feeding stages, the slightest carelessness may lead to reduced efficiency or even equipment damage.
As a professional horizontal screw centrifuge manufacturer in China, we recommend that users strictly follow the equipment manual and the guidance of the technical support team to operate, pay attention to pre-startup inspections, staged feeding control, and monitoring and maintenance of the entire process. At the same time, we also welcome customers to communicate with our technical team to customize a startup feeding strategy that is more suitable for their own process to achieve efficient, economical and sustainable separation production.
