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 in this case
centrifugal separation cab be used.
For example, if two liquids with different densities are rotated quickly
in a bowl, the heavier liquid moves to the edge, while the lighter liquid
moves to the center. The walls of the centrifuge basket are porous, and
the liquid filters through the deposited cake of solids and is removed.
Centrifuges used for solids separation are classified into:
(a) Sedimentation centrifuges: in which the separation is
dependent on a difference in density between the solid and liquid phases.
(b) Filtration centrifuges: in which separate by filtration.
The choice between a sedimentation or filtration centrifuge for a
particular application will depend on nature of the feed and Product.
THEORY OF CENTRIFUGAL
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
ω = v/r
Fc = (m v2)/r
r : radius of the path (radius of cyclone)
m: mass of the particle.
ω: angular velocity of the particle (rad/s).
v: 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 = 2 π N/60
Fc = m r ( 2 π N/60)2 = 0.011 m r N2
If this is compared with the force of gravity (Fg= m g) on the particle,
it can be seen that the centrifugal acceleration, equal to:
g = 0.011 r N2
Steady-state velocity of particles moving in a streamline flow under
the action of an accelerating force is, from Stokes' Law:
Vm =Dp2 g (ρp −ρc)/ 18µ
If g streamline flow occurs in a centrifuge we can write:
Vm = Dp2 r (2π N/60)2 (ρp −ρc)/ 18µ
Vm = Dp2 N2 r (ρp −ρc)/1640 µ
Example:
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 µm
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) Rate of settling under gravity
Vm = Dp2 N2 r (ρp −ρc)/1640 µ
= (5.1x10-5)2x15002x0.038(1000-894)/(1640x0.7x10-3)
Vm = 0.02 m/s
Checking that it is reasonable to assume Stokes' Law Re
= (Dvρ/µ)= (5.1x10-5x0.02x1000)/(7.0x10-4)
= 1.5 so that the flow is obey Stokes' Law.
(b) g = 0.011 r N2
=0.011 x0.038 x 15002 =940.6 m2/s
LIQUID SEPARATION BY CENTRIFUGAL
This separation happens when two immiscible liquids are mixed as
an emulsion, like milk. In industry, a centrifuge separates milk into
cream and skim milk. Milk enters a fast-rotating bowl, and cream and
skim milk leave through separate outlets.
Consider a thin differential cylinder, of thickness dr the differential
centrifugal force across the thickness dr is given by; dFc =
(dm) rω2 = (ρdV) rω2 dFc = (2πρrbdr) rω2
where
dFc : Differential force across the cylinder wall
dm: Mass of the differential cylinder ρ : Density of
liquid b is the height of the cylinder.
The area over which the force dFc acts is 2πrb, so that, the
differential pressure dP across the wall of the differential cylinder is;
dP =dFc/A=dFc/2πrb =ρω2rdr
P2 - P1 = ρω2 (r22 - r12)/2
r1 be the radius at the discharge pipe for the heavier liquid
r2 that for the lighter liquid.
rn (neutral zone) radius of interface between the two liquids.
For the system to be in hydrostatic balance, the pressures of each
component at radius rn must be equal, so :
PA=PB
ρAω2 (rn2 - r12)/2 = ρBω2(rn2– r22)/2
rn2 = (ρAr12 - ρBr22) /(ρA - ρB)
ρA : Density of the heavier liquid
ρB : Density of the lighter liquid.
Example
If a cream separator has discharge radii of 5 cm and 7.5 cm and if
the density of skim milk is 1032 kg/m3 and that of cream is 915 kg/m3,
calculate the radius of the neutral zone so that the feed inlet can be
designed.
Solution
For skim milk, r1 = 0.075 m, ρA=1032 kg/m3.
cream r2 = 0.05 m, ρΒ= 915 kg/m3
rn2 = [1032 x (0.075)2 - 915 x (0.05)2] / (1032 -915)
= 0.03 m2
rn = 0.17 m
CYCLONES
Cyclones can separate particles from liquids and gases. They can also
remove liquid droplets from gases. A cyclone is a vertical cylindrical
chamber where the dirty air spins in a spiral. This spinning creates
centrifugal force that pushes particles to the outer wall. Gravity also
helps, so particles settle faster. For the same air speed, the force on
particles becomes stronger when the radius is smaller. That is why
smaller-diameter cyclones are better at removing very small particles.
LIQUID-SOLID CYCLONES (HYDROCYCLONES)
Liquid–solid cyclones (hydrocyclones) are used to classify solid
particles in liquids, usually in the size range of 5–100 μm. They are
sold in many sizes and materials, from very small units (about 10 mm)
up to very large ones (about 30 m in diameter). Their separation
efficiency mainly depends on particle size and density, and on the
density and viscosity of the liquid. Zanker’s method uses an empirical
equation :
d50 : the particle diameter for which the cyclone is 50% efficient,
Dc = diameter of the cyclone
µ = liquid viscosity
L = feed flow rate per minute
ρ = density of the liquid g/cm3
ρs = density of the solid, g/cm3.
The separating efficiency is related to the d50 diameter by Fig.
which is based on a formula by Bennett (1936).
η= the efficiency of the cyclone d =
the selected particle diameter, µm.
Determination of d50 from the desired particle separation
Example:
Estimate the size of hydrocyclone needed to separate 90% of
particles with a diameter greater than 20 µm, from 10 m3/h of a dilute
slurry. Physical properties: solid density 2000 kg/m3, liquid density
1000 kg/m3, viscosity 1 mNs/m2.
Solution
From Figure µm d50 =14 µm
Dc = 16 cm
ENTRIFUGE EQUIPMENT
Pusher centrifuges
This centrifuge separates solid–liquid suspensions using a rotating
bowl (perforated or solid). The feed enters through a conical funnel, and
a filter cake forms inside the bowl. A reciprocating pusher moves the
solids forward in short steps, then returns and waits until more solids
collect. A perforated pusher cone speeds up the feed gently and removes
some liquid early. It also spreads the solids evenly on the bowl wall,
which helps prevent them from being washed out.
Disc centrifuges
Disc centrifuges separate mixtures in a rotating bowl. For a fixed feed rate, the
separation depends on how thick the liquid layer is at the bowl wall and
how deep the bowl is, because these affect how long the mixture stays
inside. A long, small-diameter bowl can give good separation, but it
needs very high speed. Adding conical discs inside the bowl solves this
problem. The discs split the flow into many very thin layers, so good
separation is achieved even with a larger bowl. Heavier dirt and water
collect under the discs and move outward, while the lighter oil flows
inward along the top of the discs.