Centrifugal Filtration

A highly accelerated form of sedimentation, centrifugation is a process used to separate or

concentrate materials suspended in a liquid medium. Centrifugation uses gravity and centrifugal
force to separate particles heavier than the liquid medium. Centrifuges spin the material at high
rotation speeds and separate the particulate from the liquid. Centrifugal force can reach many
thousand times that of gravity, quickly separating the liquid/solid material, sometimes even to the
nano-particle level.
Centrifuges are also used in centrifugal filtration where a centrifugal force is used instead of a pressure
difference to cause the flow of slurry in a filter where a cake of solids builds up on a screen. The cake of
granular solids from the slurry is deposited on a filter medium held in a rotating basket, washed, and then
spun “dry”. Centrifuges and ordinary filters are competitive in most solid-liquid separation problems.
Theoretical prediction of filtration rates in centrifugal filters have not been too successful. This type
of filtration is more complicated than ordinary filtration that uses pressure differences, since the area for
flow and driving force increase with the distance from the axis and the specific cake resistance may change
markedly. Centrifuges for filtering are generally selected by scale-up from tests on a similar-type laboratory
centrifuge using the slurry to be processed.
The inside radius of the basket is 𝑟2 , 𝑟𝑖 is the inner radius of the face of the cake, and 𝑟1 is the inner
radius of the liquid surface. Also, the flow is laminar. If we assume a thin cake in a large-diameter
centrifuge, then the area A for flow is approximately constant. The velocity of the liquid is:
𝑞 𝑑𝑉
𝑣= = (1)
𝐴 𝐴 𝑑𝑡
3
Where q is the filtrate flowrate in 𝑚 ⁄𝑠 and the v is the velocity. Substituting equation 1 from the
equation from filtration which is:
𝑑𝑉 −∆𝑝
= 𝛼𝑐𝑠 𝑉 (2)
𝐴 𝑑𝑡 𝜇( +𝑅𝑚 )
𝐴

We will get:
𝑚𝑐 𝛼 𝑅𝑚
−∆𝑝 = 𝑞𝜇 ( 𝐴2
+ 𝐴
) (3)

Wherein 𝑚𝑐 = 𝑐𝑠 𝑉, the mass of the cake in kg deposited of the filter. For a hydraulic head 𝑑𝑧 𝑚,
the pressure drop is 𝑑𝑝 = 𝜌𝑔𝑑𝑧. In a centrifugal field, 𝑔 is replaced by 𝑟𝜔2 from 𝑎𝑒 = 𝑟𝜔2 and 𝑑𝑧 by 𝑑𝑟.
Then, integrating between 𝑟1 and 𝑟2 ,
𝜌𝜔2 (𝑟22 −𝑟12 )
−∆𝑝 = (4)
2

Combining equations 3 and 4 and solving for q,

𝜌𝜔2 (𝑟22 −𝑟12 )
𝑞= 𝑚 𝛼 𝑅 (5)
2𝜇( 𝑐2 + 𝑚 )
𝐴 𝐴

For the cases where the flow area A varies considerably with the radius, the following has been
derived:
 𝜌𝜔2 (𝑟22 −𝑟12 )
𝑞= 𝑚𝑐 𝛼 𝑅𝑚 (6)
2𝜇( + )
𝐴𝐿 𝐴𝑜 𝐴2

Wherein:

𝐴2 = 2𝜋𝑟2 𝑏 (area of the filter medium)

2𝜋𝑏(𝑟2 −𝑟𝑖 )
̅̅̅
𝐴𝐿 = 𝑟2 (logarithmic cake area)
ln( )
𝑟𝑖

̅̅̅̅
𝐴𝑎 = (𝑟𝑖 + 𝑟2 )𝜋𝑏 (arithmetic mean cake area)

Centrifugal Filtration equipments

Basket Centrifuges
are the simplest and inexpensive centrifuges available. They are primarily used for solid/liquid
separation but some liquid/liquid separation is possible with some units.
Two types of basket centrifuges:
1) Perforated Basket Centrifuges require the use of a filter media or filter bag in the rotating
basket. Feed material is dumped into the rotating basket and liquid flows through the filter media
and perforated basket. Solids are collected in the basket. Solids may also be washed in in the
basket and dried to a very low moisture content. Removal of solids must be done for each batch
either manually or with an automated discharge scraper system.
2) Solid Basket Centrifuges operate as a simple decanter system. Feed material is dumped into
the rotating basket where solids are collected in the rotating basket by accelerated sedimentation
from the rotating G force. Lighter liquid overflows the basket into the out chamber where it drains
the centrifuge by gravity. These centrifuges have the ability to separate and capture some heavy
liquid in the basket along with solids. Removal of solids must be done for each batch either
manually or with an automated discharge system.
Advantages:
 It is very compact, occupying very little floor space
 It is capable of handling slurries with high proportions of solids .
 The final product has generally, a very low moisture content if compared to a filter cake of
a similar material.
Disadvantages:
 Batch process
 It involves a considerable labor cost, making the process expensive.
Horizontal Basket Filtration Centrifuge
Operating principle: The peeler of the centrifuge is actuated by hydraulic cylinder.
Feeding: The slurry is introduced to the rotating basket having a filter cloth. The filter cloth
captures the solids. Centrifugal force drives the liquid through the caked solids and the mother
liquor is discharged through perforations in the basket circumference.
Washing: A wash liquid is introduced and is driven through the caked solids. The plug flow action
of the wash liquid purifies the solids and removes residual mother liquor.
Spinning: Residual liquors are driven from the caked solids and are discharged through the basket
perforations to achieve maximum cake dryness.
Scraping: A scraper knife advances into the rotating basket to discharge the solids to downstream
equipment.
Residual heel removal: After scraping, a 6-10 mm layer remains inside the rotating basket. With
the scraper in an advanced position, high pressure nitrogen or air is used to dislodge this residual
heel. This step can be performed after several centrifuge cycles, or after each cycle.

Advantages:
 This type of centrifuge can be used for both thickening and dewatering.
 It is not affected by grit.
 Full automation is possible.
 Flexibility in producing different cake solids concentrations because of skimming ability.
 Machine is clean looking and has little to no odor problems.

Disadvantages:
 The Unit is not continuous feed and discharge.
 It requires special structural support, much more substantial than for a solid bowl
centrifuge.
 They have high ratio of capital cost to capacity.
 High noise production during operation.
 Requires washing once per shift.
 Inability to discharge the entire solid from the basket. It is not possible to scrape, peel or
plough solids close to the filter media without the risk of causing damage.
Bottom Discharge Vertical Basket Centrifuge
Operating principle Feeding: The slurry is introduced to the rotating basket having a filter cloth.
The filter cloth captures the solids. Centrifugal force drives the liquid through the caked solids and
the mother liquor is discharged through perforations in the basket circumference.
Washing: A wash liquid is introduced and is driven through the caked solids. The plug flow action
of the wash liquid purifies the solids and removes residual mother liquor.
Spinning: Residual liquors are driven from the caked solids and are discharged through the basket
perforations to achieve maximum cake dryness.
Scraping: A scraper knife advances into the rotating basket to discharge the solids to downstream
equipment. The solids are discharged through openings in the basket bottom.
Residual heel removal: After scraping, a 6-10 mm (¼" - ⅜") layer remains inside the rotating
basket. With the scraper in an advanced position, high pressure nitrogen or air is used to dislodge
this residual heel. This step can be performed after several centrifuge cycles, or after each cycle.

Advantages:
 Easy scrapping of cake through scrapper with quick cake discharge and without manual
contact.
 Less manual labor and cake handling .
 The centrifuge can be operational under totally vapor tight conditions during scrapping
 Solid discharged from bottom of the centrifuge and its handling can be done easily to
subsequent equipment or processing (ex. Transferred by conveyor)
Top Discharge Vertical Basket Centrifuge
Operating principle Feeding: The slurry is introduced to the rotating basket having a filter bag.
The filter bag captures the solids. Centrifugal force drives the liquid through the caked solids and
the mother liquor is discharged through perforations in the basket circumference.

Washing: A wash liquid is introduced and is driven through the caked solids. The plug flow action
of the wash liquid purifies the solids and removes residual mother liquor.

Spinning: Residual liquors are driven from the caked solids and are discharged through the basket
perforations to achieve maximum cake dryness.
Solids Discharge: The filter bag containing the solids is removed from the basket and the filter bag
inverts to discharge the solids into a receiver, or the solids are removed by manually scooping
them from the filter bag.

Advantages:
 Level of vibration is much lower & operates very smoothly.
 Can be mounted on upper floor and can be easily relocated.
 Almost negligible maintenance cost. Working area is free from abstracts and a clean area
can be maintained.
 Easy and fast unloading Complete discharge of solids without residual heal Original
crystalline structure intact since scrapping/ attrition does not take place.
 Reduction in batch time and hence increased production Easy inspection and cleaning of
basket and fully opening cover for monitor cage Reduced human contact.
Disadvantages:
 Loss of productivity in time loss to stop the machine, remove the basket, empting, cleaning
and replacing the basket.