Unit OperatiOn
CENTRIFUGAL SEPARATIONS
The separation by sedimentation of two immiscible liquids, or of
a liquid and a solid, depends on the effects of gravity on the
components . Sometimes this separation may be very slow
because the specific gravities of the components may not be
very different, or because of forces holding the components in
association. Also, under circumstances when sedimentation does
occur there may not be a clear demarcation between the
components but rather a merging of the layers . Centrifuges are
classified according to the mechanism used for solids
separation:
(a) Sedimentation centrifuges: in which the separation is
dependent on a difference in density between the solid and
liquid phases (solid heavier) .
(b) Filtration centrifuges: which separate the phases by
filtration. The walls of the centrifuge basket are porous , and the
liquid filters through the deposited cake of solids and is
removed . The choice between a sedimentation or filtration
centrifuge for a particular application will depend on ;
• the nature of the feed
• the product requirements .
THEORY OF CENTRIFUGAL
The centrifugal forces imposed are so much greater than gravity,
the effects of gravity force can usually be neglected in the
analysis of the separation . The centrifugal force depends upon;
1. A radius of rotation
2. speed of rotation
3. the mass of the particle.
The centrifugal force Fc on a particle that is constrained to rotate
in a circular path is given by
Fc = m r ω2 and ω = v/r
Fc = (mv2)/r (1)
Lecturer . Shymaa Ali Hameed 2013-2014
Unit OperatiOn
where :
r : is the radius of the path (radius of cyclone) ,
m : is the mass of the particle ,
ω (Omega) : is the angular velocity of the particle (rad/s).
v : is the tangential velocity of the particle
Rotational speeds (N) are normally expressed in revolutions per
minute, as it has to be in second , divide by 60)
ω = 2πN/60
= (2 ⁄60) = 0.011 (2)
If this is compared with the force of gravity (Fg= mg) on the
particle, it can be seen that the centrifugal acceleration, equal to
g = 0.011 rN2
The steady-state velocity of particles moving in a streamline
flow under the action of an accelerating force is , from Stokes'
Law
=
If g streamline flow occurs in a centrifuge we can write ,
( ⁄ )
=
= (3)
For example, if two liquids, one of which is twice as dense as
the other, are placed in a bowl and the bowl is rotated about a
vertical axis at high speed , the centrifugal force per unit volume
will be twice as great for the heavier liquid as for the lighter.
The heavy liquid will therefore move to occupy the annulus at
the periphery of the bowl and it will displace the lighter liquid
towards the centre .
Lecturer . Shymaa Ali Hameed 2013-2014
Unit OperatiOn
Fig. Liquid separation in a centrifuge
EX :
A dispersion of oil in water is to be separated using a centrifuge.
Assume that the oil is dispersed in the form of spherical
globules 51 μ m diameter and that its density is 894 kg/m3. If the
centrifuge rotates at 1500 rev/min and the effective radius at
which the separation occurs is 3.8 cm ,
(a) calculate the velocity of the oil through the water .
(b) the centrifugal acceleration . Take the density of water
to be 1000 kg/m3 and its viscosity to be
0.7 x 10-3 N s/m2 .
Solution
(a) the rate of settling under gravity
=
Vm = (5.1x10 ) x15002 x 0.038(1000-894)/(1640x0.7x10-3)
-5 2
Vm = 0.02 m/s
Checking that it is reasonable to assume Stokes' Law
Re = (Dvρ/μ)= (5.1 x10-5 x 0.02 x 1000)/(7.0 x 10-4) = 1.5
so that the flow is streamline and it should obey Stokes' Law.
(b)
g = 0.011 rN2= 0.011 x 0.038 x 15002
Lecturer . Shymaa Ali Hameed 2013-2014
Unit OperatiOn
g = 940.6 m2/s
Lecturer . Shymaa Ali Hameed 2013-2014
