What is a centrifuge?
TECHNICAL ARTICLE
What is a centrifuge?
Use rotation to separate a mixture. Explore the principles of centrifugal separation and two main separation methods.
The principle of centrifugal separation
Centrifugal separation uses differences in density. Rapid rotation helps denser components move towards the outside of a rotating vessel, while less-dense components remain closer to the centre.
Two main methods
Centrifugal sedimentation
Centrifugal force promotes settling. Here, solids denser than the liquid accumulate as particles along the vessel wall.
Centrifugal filtration
Liquid passes out through a filter medium under centrifugal force, while solids remain on its inner surface.
Guruyan’s tip: a dissolved substance and particles dispersed in a liquid are different. Understanding the actual state of the material is a first step in choosing the method.
Separate the fractions you need
Solid–liquid separation
Remove suspended solids to clarify a liquid, or recover the solids themselves.
Three-phase separation
Separate two immiscible liquids of different density and a solid fraction. Select equipment and conditions for the actual mixture.
Diagrams illustrate the principle. Colours and quantities do not represent a guaranteed process result. Feasibility depends on density difference, particle size, viscosity and other feed properties.
From research to manufacturing
Pharmaceuticals
Separation in research and manufacturing.
Foods
Separation and purification of ingredients and products.
Chemicals and recycling
Process quality, material recovery and potential reuse.