CENTRIFUGATION

Dr. Leonardo C. Medina Jr.

Perrys Chemical
Engineers Handbook
8th Edition

7th Edition

Section 18

Section 18

Pages 114 to 151

Pages 106 to 133

Centrifugation is a mechanical

process of separating multi-phase

mixture (usually fluid-solid system) via
the use of centrifugal force.
Centrifugal Sedimentation
Centrifugal Filtration
Centrifugal Decantation

CENTRIFUGAL
FORCE

,
,

Acceleration due to
ae r
centrifugal force,
where: r = radius,
2
mv
= angular velocity,
2

F
ma
mr
c
e
rad/s
r
Centrifugal Force,
60 60
2N
where v = linear

velocity
60
2
2r
In terms of the
2
2
2
rotation, N in
Fc mr v r 2N
rev/min, and

Fg mg rg g 60
Force ratio:
2

CLARIFYING CENTRIFUGE
Settling process (sedimentation) due to the
difference in densities of the solid and fluid
media. The most common type of equipment
used is a Sharples centrifuge.
Assuming STOKES LAW applies: Centrifugal force
balance on solid in the fluid media gives

r
2

ut
ut

2
p

18
2

18

D 2p

dr

dt

Tubular Centrifuge

Nozzle-Discharge Centrifuge

Disk Centrifuge

Particle Trajectory in
Centrifugal Sedimentation

integrating the above equation for a Sharples

centrifuge will give the capacity, qc given by

qc

18

2
pc

r2 r2
1
2
ln 2 r2
r1 r2

where qc is the capacity or the flow rate of

slurry such that particles larger than the
cut size D pc can be separated

If the thickness of the fluid in the

centrifuge is small, Ut is constant,
and the capacity becomes

qc

2b p
2

2 2
D pc r2

CENTRIFUGAL FILTRATION
For Filtration: P v mc a R

m
gc A

but

and

( r r )
2

2
2

2 gc

q
A

2
1

Top Suspended Basket

Centrifuge

Automatic Batch Centrifuge

Reciprocating Conveyor
Continuous Centrifuge

Centrifugal Filter

Therefore, the capacity of a centrifugal

filter becomes,

2
r2

m c
2
2
A

r1
Rm

A
2

If change in area with radius is large,

Where:

2
r2

r1

mc
Rm
2

A2
AL Aa
A a ri r2 b

AL 2b r2 ri / ln r2 / ri

A 2 2 r2 b