Centrifugal filter working principle

A centrifugal filter, or centrifuge, separates contaminants from a fluid based on the principle of centrifugal force. Here’s a breakdown of its working principle:

1. Rotation and Centrifugal Force: When the centrifuge spins at high speed, it generates a strong outward force that pushes heavier particles (such as sludge, dirt, or metal contaminants) away from the axis of rotation and toward the outer edges of the rotor or bowl.

2. Separation by Density: The denser particles, such as dirt or metal in waste oil, are forced to the periphery, while the lighter clean fluid stays closer to the center. In a multi-phase separation (like oil-water-solid separation), this process can also separate water from oil, as they have different densities.

3. Collection and Continuous Flow: Many centrifuges have channels or disks that direct the separated materials into collection chambers. In some self-cleaning models, the solid particles are automatically discharged after they accumulate, which allows continuous filtration without interruption.

4. Filtration Efficiency and Speed: The efficiency of a centrifugal filter depends on the speed (revolutions per minute, RPM) and the radius of the rotor. Higher speeds create stronger centrifugal forces, which enable the centrifuge to separate even fine particles and contaminants from the fluid.

Centrifugal filters are widely used in applications requiring fine separation, such as waste oil purification, pharmaceutical production, and water treatment, due to their ability to operate continuously and handle high particle loads.