Fluids Handling Measurement & Instrumentation

Flottweg Separator Offers Solutions For Any Separation Problem

Phil Black - PII Editor 29/02/2016

119 2 minutes read

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Separators* are high-speed centrifuges for the mechanical separation and clarifying of mixtures of solids and liquids. These machines are used in a wide variety of applications. From the beverage industry** to the starch industry to the processing of oil sludge, Flottweg offers solutions for any separation problem.

The AC Separators in Detail

The separator reaches far higher speeds than other centrifuges, such as the decanter centrifuge. The special design of the separator permits the centrifuge to achieve g forces of up to 10,000 g. Moreover, disk inserts also provide a larger clarifying surface. The combination of an expanded clarifying surface and the high g forces make it possible to separate the finest of solid particles or liquid mixtures efficiently.

The Revolutionary Soft Shot®*** Discharge System

A particular feature of the AC separators from Flottweg is the Soft Shot® discharge mechanism. In many discharge mechanisms, the solids discharge is acoustically perceptible, acting with a loud bang. Not the Soft Shot®. During discharge, part of the control water stays under the piston.

That means that during ejection, the piston cannot strike the bottom of the bowl. The solid is ejected in a gentle, quiet manner. To adapt the machines perfectly to the specific process and increase product yields, this hydraulic system also offers numerous adjustment options.

Functional Principle of the Clarifying Separator

Flottweg Clarifying Separators are used to separate solids from liquids to permit highly efficient clarification.

The functional principle of the “clarifier” is as follows: The product to be clarified runs through a stationary infeed pipe into the interior of the bowl and is gently accelerated by the distributor to the bowl speed.

The disk stack in the bowl divides the product flow into many thin layers, providing a large clarifying surface. Within the disk stack is where the solid is separated from the liquid. Due to the high centrifugal force, the settled solids migrate to the solids space in the bowl.

The hydraulic actuation of the piston periodically ejects the settled solid at full speed, where it is discharged through a solids cyclone. The clarified liquid flows out of the disk stack to a gripper and guided over it at pressure.

Overview of Applications and Uses

Beverage industry / brewery:

Fruit and vegetable juices; pectin; citrus and tropical fruits; essential oils; beer; win; tea and coffee; alcoholic beverages
Fats/ oils/ biofuels
Biodiesel; algae; fish oil; animal fats; olive oil; avocado oil; palm oil
Chemistry/ biotech
Process waste water; vitamin manufacture; colour pigments; solvents; algae; fermentation products
Industry/ mineral oil
Slop oil/ used oil processing downstream of a Tricanter®
Storage area drainage water