Centrifuge System
Centrifuge System
A centrifuge is a mechanical separation machine that uses centrifugal force to separate mixtures by density, clarifying liquids, recovering solids, and splitting immiscible phases far faster than gravity settling. Within an extraction or process line it typically sits downstream of extraction or reaction to clarify crude extract, remove biomass and fine particulates, or concentrate a slurry ahead of filtration, evaporation or drying. It is chosen for high throughput, sharp separation, and reliable recovery of valuable product from difficult suspensions. Mechotech designs and manufactures turnkey centrifuge systems, delivering complete engineered machinery for pharmaceutical, nutraceutical, food and botanical extraction industries.
A centrifuge works by rotating the feed at high speed so that the resulting centrifugal force drives denser solids or heavier liquid phases outward while the lighter clarified liquid is displaced inward and discharged. Depending on the duty, Mechotech configures decanter, disc-stack, basket or tubular-bowl formats to deliver clarity in the liquid stream, high product purity, strong recovery of solids or valuables, and effective slurry concentration. Product-contact parts are built in SS 304 or SS 316L with hygienic, GMP-oriented design featuring smooth crevice-free surfaces and cleanability. Systems are supplied with PLC-based automation for speed, feed and discharge control, and the bowl geometry, g-force and capacity are configured to the client's separation requirement rather than a fixed model.
Technical Specifications
| Technology | Centrifugal density separation |
|---|---|
| Working Principle | Centrifugal force separates components by density into clarified liquid and concentrated solids or heavy phase |
| Separation Type | Solid-liquid, liquid-liquid and liquid-liquid-solid separation |
| Centrifugal Force | Bowl speed and g-force configured to requirement |
| Machine Formats | Decanter, disc-stack, basket and tubular-bowl (application-selected) |
| Product-contact Material | SS 304 / SS 316L |
| Automation | PLC/SCADA (configurable) |
| Capacity | Configured to requirement |
| Utilities | Electrical power, cooling and CIP media as applicable |
| Compliance | GMP hygienic design |
| Output | Clarified liquid plus concentrated solids or separated heavy phase |
Manufacturing Process
Feed Introduction
The process slurry or two-phase liquid is fed into the rotating bowl at a controlled rate to ensure stable, consistent separation.
Centrifugal Separation
High-speed rotation generates centrifugal force that drives denser solids or the heavier liquid phase toward the bowl wall while lighter liquid moves inward.
Phase Layering
Components stratify by density into distinct zones, forming a clarified liquid layer and a concentrated solids or heavy-phase layer.
Clarified Liquid Discharge
The purified, particulate-free liquid overflows or is skimmed from the inner zone and directed to downstream processing.
Solids or Heavy-Phase Removal
Accumulated solids are discharged continuously by scroll conveyor, intermittently by nozzle or self-cleaning bowl, or recovered as a cake depending on machine type.
Clean-in-Place
CIP cycles flush the bowl and product-contact surfaces between batches to maintain hygiene and prevent cross-contamination.
Applications
- Clarification of crude botanical and herbal extracts
- Solid-liquid separation and biomass removal after extraction
- Concentration of slurries ahead of filtration or drying
- Liquid-liquid separation of immiscible extract phases
- Recovery of fine solids and valuable actives from suspensions
- Polishing and clarification of fermentation broths in nutraceutical processing
- Dewatering of precipitates in pharmaceutical intermediates
- Oil, protein and food ingredient phase separation
Key Features
High-Force Separation
Configurable bowl geometry and rotational speed deliver the centrifugal g-force needed for sharp, reliable separation of difficult suspensions.
Hygienic GMP Design
Smooth, crevice-free product-contact surfaces in SS 304 or SS 316L support cleanability, CIP operation and GMP-oriented manufacturing.
Versatile Configurations
Decanter, disc-stack, basket and tubular-bowl formats are selected to match the clarification, concentration or phase-separation duty.
Automated Control
PLC-based automation manages speed, feed rate, discharge and CIP for repeatable, operator-independent performance.
Strong Product Recovery
Efficient phase separation maximises recovery of clarified liquid, concentrated solids and valuable actives with minimal loss.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is a centrifuge?
How does a centrifuge work?
Where does a centrifuge fit in an extraction or purification line?
What are the key benefits of a centrifuge?
What capacity of centrifuge can Mechotech supply?
What materials and compliance standards apply?
Does Mechotech supply the centrifuge as a turnkey system?
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