Causes of Centrifuge Failure

Catherine Zeng

If you wanna change it, lead it.

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October 15, 2019
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As an important production equipment in coal separation plant, centrifuge often fails

in use, which results in high maintenance cost. In order to determine the cause of
centrifuge failure, it is necessary to understand the structure and working principle of
centrifuge, and then take solutions according to the actual situation. Here`re parts of
reasons for centrifuge failure.

1 Motor Overheating
When the centrifuge works for a long time, the larger internal current and friction will
cause the motor to heat up. When the tripod centrifuge starts less than 1 minute, the
oil pollution of internal friction plate and the unqualified motor will cause the
prolongation of the centrifuge start-up. Therefore, it is necessary to check the
centrifuge regularly and replace the damaged parts.

2 Damage to Bearings and Seals

As the most important part of the centrifuge, the rotating device will cause the
temperature rise, abnormal noise or non operation of the centrifuge when the
bearing transmission mechanism and seal are damaged.

3 Centrifuge Vibration
When the centrifuge speed increases close to the critical value, the centrifuge will
appear vibration, which often occurs in daily production. When the centrifuge adds
material unevenly, it will also produce vibration, which can be eliminated by
redistributing the added material evenly. When the bearing is damaged, the
centrifuge will also vibrate. At this time, the centrifuge needs to be inspected in all
directions. The centrifuge can be started only after troubleshooting.

4 Damage of Oil Pump and Explosion-proof System

The hydraulic system of centrifuge is composed of oil pump, valve group and
pipeline. When the hydraulic system breaks down, it is necessary to check the
hydraulic system comprehensively first, replace the damaged parts in time after
finding out, and start the machine after troubleshooting. In addition, the supply
pressure is lower than the system setting range, which will affect the normal use of
pressure gauges. In view of such faults, maintenance personnel should timely adjust
the pressure gauge setting values. Because of long-term use, the material wear of
centrifuge bearings is serious, and the service life of centrifuge bearings will be
shortened quickly. 2.5 Faults of Transmission and Sealing Device

1) In the long-term working condition of centrifuge, the bearing will produce a lot of
heat, which will cause the bearing temperature to be higher than the rated
temperature, the bearing will expand and deform, and eventually lead to the failure
of the centrifuge.

2) if the manufacturer fails to meet the relevant process requirements when

producing the bearing, it will also cause serious damage to the bearing.

3) The constructors failed to install the bearings according to the installation

standards, which resulted in the bearing damage during the later use period.

4) When centrifuge runs for a long time, the rubber ring will be deformed and
corroded, which will also cause the bearing clearance to become larger, and the
deformation of the sealing device skeleton will also cause the damage of the sealing
device.

Hope it can be helpful. However, problems cannot be solved with those causes so I`m
ganna share some measures of the failure.