Separation unit
Cleaning system for fuel and lube oils
Fig. 1. Separation unit.
The new Alfa Laval Separation Unit is a fully integrated,
modularised oil cleaning system that has the lowest installa-
tion costs and operating costs. It is a small and very compact
system and has the highest separation efficiency on
the market.
Application
The Alfa Laval Separation Unit is specifically designed for
cleaning a wide range of fuel oils and lubricating oils for all
types of diesel engines found in the marine and power
industries.
Heavy Fuel Oils with high densities up to 1010 kg/m3
and viscosity up to 700 cSt/50C. (Higher viscosities on
request.)
Lubricating oils for all slow, medium and high speed diesel
engines.
Distillate and light diesel oils (MDO).
The Separation Unit is suitable for shipbuilders and ship
operators in newbuilding applications; power plant builders
and operators; diesel engine builders and in retrofit
applications to replace or supplement existing cleaning
systems.
The Separation Unit range has seven sizes to suit all capacity
requirements.
Concept
The Separation Unit is a totally new approach to cleaning
fuels and lubes. It combines a new separator and its ancillary
components, together with control system and starter box, in
a fully integrated modular design on its own base plate.
In laboratory tests, it has been measured as having the
highest separating efficiency on the market. It can be further
combined with a unit for heating and pumping to form a
System Module.
More combinations of system modules are also available,
together with several more options to suit the installation or
operators requirements:
 Single System Module Fig. 2. Separator bowl. Untreated oil
Comprising a heater (steam, electric, Clean oil outlet
hot water or thermal oil) and a three Water outlet
screw pump connected to the
Separation Unit.

Paring tube
Double System Module CentriLock
Two complete separation systems,
with their own heaters and pumps
and interconnecting pipework, on a
module base. Seal ring

Sludge Removal Kit Discharge ports

A unique sludge handling system,
which takes care of the discharged Discharge slide
sludge and water with its own small
tank and pump set.

Remote Control
The Separation Unit can be operated
remotely from a control room using
REMIND software.

Operating principle
Untreated oil, heated to the correct
temperature, is fed continuously to the
separator for cleaning of impurities.
After centrifugal separation, cleaned oil
is continuously pumped away and sepa-
rated sludge and water accumulate at
the bowl periphery.
The system operates on the ALCAP
principle, therefore a water transducer
in the clean oil outlet measures the
capacitive resistance, and signals
changes to the control unit EPC 50.
Water is then removed either by open-
ing of the drain valve or through the
discharge ports in the bowl during a
sludge discharge. The EPC 50 auto-
matically controls the method of water
removal depending on the water
content. The total losses of sludge, oil
and water during the discharge process
is considerably less than any previous
separator model due to bowl size,
longer discharge interval and accurate
controls. The CentriShoot discharge
process incorporates a patented flexible
discharge slide.
The separator is driven by an electric
motor via a friction clutch and belt. The
separator bowl is fixed at the top of a
spindle, which is supported by bearings
and special composite springs. The
separator design incorporates a sludge
evacuation which is absorbed by the
casing and allows the sludge volume to
be discharged to a sludge tank. As an
option a small intermediate sludge tank is
available. This means that the conven-
tional sludge tank under the separator
can be avoided, and the associated
vent pipe and heating coil are not needed.
The Sludge Removal Kit takes care of the
sludge by pumping automatically to the
main sludge holding tank.
No adjustments are necessary in
the bowl. No gravity discs are fitted.
A patented paring tube adapts itself
to remove the water from the bowl
and a paring disc pumps away the
cleaned oil.
The EPC 50 control system master-
minds the entire operation of the
Separation Unit, with monitoring of
control and alarm functions. Special
text messages indicate process
parameters and alarms on the LED

Fig. 3. System layout. 1. Feed pump

2. Heater
3. Temperature transmitter
EPC-50 6 4. Pressure transmitter, oil
5. Pneumatically controlled
1 2 3 4 5 7 8 9 10
change-over valve
Inlet for Clean oil
untreated oil TT PT PT MT outlet 6. Control unit
7. Pressure transmitter, oil
Oil 14
return 8. Water transducer
Conditioning water
PT 9. Regulating valve
Opening water 10. Pneumatically controlled
Water inlet
Closing water shut-off valve
13 Water outlet
Optional
11. Solenoid valve block,
11 12 water
12. Separator
Sludge outlet 13. Pressure transmitter,
water
14. Drain valve
display, which is available in several Separation Unit and System Modules
languages. The EPC 50 and the starter The Separation Unit can be manu-
box combine to form the Control factured with heaters and pumps to
Cabinet, which is type approved by form system modules in different
many classification societies. combinations to suit machine room
layouts.
Features & Benefits
Small footprint and compactness
gives flexibility in positioning in the
engine room and saves space.
Single system module (Separation Unit with
Installation ease as all components Heating and pumping system).
and hardware are pre-installed. This
saves significant costs, installation
manhours, design and materials
compared with loose components.

Longer service intervals mean that Separation unit.

planned maintenance is performed
less often and spare parts consump-
tion is reduced to give low operating
costs.

Separation efficiency of over 85% Consult Alfa Laval

for 5 micron particles tested in the for the best module Double system module. In-line configuration
laboratory ensures the best removal solution for you! (two Separation Units with heaters and pumps).
of harmful contaminants.
3
No water tank needed to supply Clean oil outlet
operating water, saving materials
and installtion costs. 4
2
5
9
Same design for fuels and lube oil!
Operators have one type of system Untreated oil inlet
6
for operation, maintenance and spare
parts. Oil recirculation
7

Pre-tested system means that all

functions are tested and approved at Displacement
water
the factory, giving quicker commis-
sioning. 8

Water out
CentriLock non-threaded lock ring
means quick opening of the bowl
and no heavy lock ring spanner and
hammer!

Sludge Removal Kit, optional for lube 1 Sludge outlet

and diesel oil, avoiding the need for a Fig. 4.
sludge tank under the separator Schematic system
layout diagram.
results in considerable savings in
material and installation costs. 1. Separator
2. Operating water solenoid block
Remote control is available in several 3. Service shelf
4. Operating air solenoid block
options. REMIND software is included 5. Water transducer
with every delivery. Network solutions
using REMIND and SATTBUS com- 6. Change-over valve
7. Pressure transmitter (oil outlet)
munication or PROFIBUS and own 10
8. Control cabinet
software allow remote operation from 9. Temperature transmitter
a control room. 10. Sludge Removal Kit (optional)
Operations
SU 800
Preventive maintenance procedures
SU 700
are much quicker and simpler and no
hydraulic compression tool is required. SU 600
The patented CentriLock lock ring, SU 500
needs only an Allen key, instead of the
SU 400
conventional lock ring spanner and
heavy hammer for removal. SU 300

SU 200
Maintenance intervals
Inspection Service every 0 2 000 4 000 6 000 8 000 10 000 12 000
4000 h or 6 months.
Overhaul Service every Fig. 5. Capacity Table.
12000 h or 18 months. . l/h 380 cSt/50C.
Based on 85% removal of 5 micron particles from laboratory tests.

Service spares kits contain all neces-

sary spare parts for each service and
tips for maintenance in Checkpoints Technical data
Inspection Kit with O-rings and
Separation Unit Size Volume Weight
seals for separator bowl.
SU 300 1360x1050x1245 mm 1.8 m3 630 kg
Overhaul Kit with parts for drive
SU 400 1380x1050x1245 mm 1.8 m3 700 kg
system, belt, bearings and pads.
SU 500 1643x1440x1407 mm 3.3 m3 1060 kg
Also contains the Inspection Kit.
SU 600 1674x1440x1407 mm 3.4 m3 1200 kg
Support Kit with strategic spares
SU 700 1761x1520x1585 mm 4.2 m3 1575 kg
to back-up the operation and
maintenance.
Main supply voltage 3-phase, 400/440/480 V up to 690 V
Control voltage 1-phase, 100/110/115/230 V
System Manual includes detailed
Frequency 50 or 60 Hz
information in electronic format or
Control air Min 5 bar, max 7 bar
paper copy
Operating water pressure Min 2 bar, max 6 bar
Operating Instructions.
Alarms & Fault Finding.
Installation Instructions.
Service & Spare Parts.

Commissioning & technical service is Conformity

available from all Alfa Laval offices to The mark of conformity confirms that the equipment com-
start-up the system and to advise plies with European Economics Area (EEA directives). The
about operation & maintenance. Separation Unit also complies with the Marine Equipment
directive.
Training in all aspects of oil treatment,
fresh water generation and cooling is
obtainable.

All services are incorporated in

specially tailored Alcare Customer
Care packages, details are available
from local Alfa Laval offices.

800-PD1en-0106

How to contact Alfa Laval

Contact details for all countries
are continually updated on our website.
Please visit www.alfalaval.com to
access the information direct.