Have you ever worn shimmering silver jewelry or drenched your waffles in syrup? You’ve actually benefited from industrial centrifuges significantly more frequently than you may think. Many people are unaware of these interesting gadgets despite their vital role in our daily lives.
Centrifuges are essential to many industries, including mining, medicines, food processing, wastewater treatment, and even the production of biofuels. These technical wonders operate in the background, improving the efficiency, cleanliness, and health of our environment.
In this article, we will delve into the details of what does a centrifuge do and see how it gradually but significantly affects our daily existence.
What is a Centrifuge?
A centrifuge is a machine that spins to separate the substances of a sample based on their density using centrifugal force. Though separation eventually happens naturally with Earth’s gravity, the centrifuge machine delivers instant results for laboratory and other applications.
There are different types; each comes with a distinctive rotor design and the use of a centrifuge machine. Types of centrifuges include:
- Microcentrifuge
- Benchtop centrifuge
- Floor-standing
- STAT
- Large capacity
- High speed
- Refrigerated
- Ultracentrifuge
How Do Centrifuges Work?
Now that you know what centrifuges are, we will explain how a centrifuge works—have a look.
The centrifuge machine replicates and speeds up centrifuging to separate sample components. These tools are meticulously designed to function effectively while maintaining the operator’s safety due to the forces involved.
The Parts of a Centrifuge Machine
A powerful motor that generates spin is situated at the center of the centrifuge. The rotor of this motor is attached, and it is within it that the tubes holding the material to be centrifuged will rest. These containers can be centrifuged at a fixed angle of 45 degrees, a horizontal angle of 90 degrees, or at no angle at all (vertical centrifuge). The tubes can be inserted into a container that will automatically adjust to a different angle upon startup, or they can be loaded at the angle at which they will rotate, with fixed angles being a good example of this depending on the centrifuge. This second technology, commonly found in horizontal centrifuges, is called a swing bucket.
There might be a range of controls available, depending on the centrifuge chosen. One, two, or three processing settings can be preset on certain centrifuges. Some have digital displays that can be completely customized and programmed. The working centrifuge will run the motor according to the specified parameters when it is turned on, regardless of the type of control. The sample in the test tubes will split into individual components during the cycle, preparing them for analysis.
How to Use a Centrifuge Machine?
The centrifuge is a relatively simple machinery to operate, even though it operates on advanced principles. Here is the centrifuge working principle:
- Put the sample from the test tube into one of the portals.
- If the quantity of samples being tested requires it, place test tubes with water inside for balance.
- Close the cover and choose your preferred settings.
- Once the centrifuge has begun, wait for the cycle to finish.
- Remove the balances and samples once the centrifuge stops spinning.
- Now that each sample has been divided into its parts, it is ready for analysis.
Knowing the centrifuge’s purpose is key to using it properly.
Common Industrial Centrifuges Types
High-speed vertical centrifuges and low-speed horizontal decanter centrifuges are the two primary types of industrial centrifuges that we use.
1. High-Speed Vertical Centrifuges
Continuous, large-scale fluid separation in industrial settings is made possible by high-speed centrifuges. By attaining complete separation of a product, these centrifuges, operating at high RPMs (up to 26,000 RPM), can clarify milk. Although they can take solid loads of up to 0.5% for solid bowl centrifuges and up to 10% for discharge centrifuges, they are not designed to handle high solid loads.
2. Low-Speed Horizontal Decanter Centrifuges
Low-speed horizontal centrifuges, also called decanters, are utilized for applications with high solid loads (35–40% solids). Still, high-speed centrifuges lack the internal capacity to hold a significant amount of solids. These low-speed centrifuges can frequently reach 4,000 RPM and retain a dry-solids discharge; however, they are not designed to be utilized in the clarification process.
What Is the Role of a Centrifuge in Production?
Using the principles mentioned above, a centrifuge is designed to separate liquids from solids or lighter liquids from denser liquids. Essentially, it accelerates the natural gravitational pull significantly.
Imagine a bottle of orange juice that has just been squeezed. Due to its greater density than the juice, the pulp will naturally settle on the bottom.
If you’re impatient and don’t want to wait for gravity to act, a centrifuge, which exerts a force far stronger than gravity, can expedite the process.
Balancing and Maintaining a Centrifuge
You now understand how a centrifuge works; now, let’s examine the balancing and maintenance of this machine.
Balancing The Centrifuge Machine
It is essential to balance your samples when using a centrifuge. The centrifuge machine is balanced by:
- Ensuring that all of the tubes are filled uniformly with liquids of a similar density.
- Make sure the tube masses are within 0.1 grams of one another.
- The tubes are placed inside the machine so that gravity is in the middle.
It might not be able to reach equilibrium while testing an odd number of tubes. In these situations, water is added to another test tube and balanced using mass and density.
Care and Maintenance for Optimal Performance
Make sure your centrifuge gets the right care and maintenance so it operates safely, produces accurate results, and lasts a long time. Make sure to carry out these checks on a regular basis:
- Education: Ensure that every user of the centrifuge is proficient in its operation. All laboratory personnel should be trained on sample balancing, speed setting, and safety precautions.
- Inspection: An inspection will tell you if the centrifuge machine has any issues. Examine the parts for dings or signs of chemical exposure. All of them are wear indicators that need to be addressed right now.
- Awareness: Watch for any indications that something is off when using the centrifuge. Stop the centrifugation machine right away if it starts to shake, vibrate, or grind.
Cleaning and disinfection are essential to guarantee long-term centrifuge working. Wipe the following with a soft cloth and a neutral cleaning solution (such as an alcohol-based disinfectant):
- Rotors
- Accessories
- Rotor chamber
- Keypads
- Interior area
- Touch screens
Shop From NE LabSystems Today
Does your lab require reliable, top-notch testing equipment? NE LabSystems is the industry leader in centrifuge machine manufacturing and supply, and we’re here to keep your lab functional. Browse our accessories and products now, and don’t hesitate to get in touch with us with any inquiries.