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HORIZONTAL PEELER CENTRIFUGE

The horizontal peeler centrifuge is one of the oldest type of peeler centrifuge
designs. It was first manufactured in 1905 by Buffaud et Robatel whereas it was first
used in synthetic ammonia production plants. Horizontal peeler is a batch type of
centrifuge.

Figure 1. Schematic diagram of how a horizontal peeler centrifuge operates.


Source: www.rousselet-robatel.com

Operating Principle

Figure 2. Parts of Horizontal Peeler Centrifuge


Source: www.rousselet-robatel.com

The horizontal peeler operates with the following key stages:

a. Feeding. The slurry is introduced to the rotating basket having a filter cloth.
The filter cloth captures the solids. Centrifugal force drives the liquid through
the caked solids and the mother liquor is discharged through perforations in
the basket circumference.

b. Washing. A wash liquid is introduced and is driven through the caked solids.
The plug flow action of the wash liquid purifies the solids and removes
residual mother liquor.

c. Spinning.

Residual liquors are driven from the caked solids and are
discharged through the basket perforations to achieve maximum cake
dryness.

d. Scraping. A scraper knife advances into the rotating basket to discharge the
solids to downstream equipment.

e. Residual

Heel Removal. After scraping, a 6-10 mm (1/4 3/8) layer


remains inside the rotating basket. With the scraper in an advanced position,
high pressure nitrogen or air a backwash liquid used to dislodge this residual
heel. This step can be performed after several centrifuge cycles, or after each
cycle.

Advantages
The horizontal peeler centrifuge is known for its many advantages from its
horizontal rotation arrangement of the main drum. By arranging the axis
horizontally, advantages in washing capability, uniform solid size distribution for
better solid output quality. The feeding action within centrifuge is effective over
large inner surface of drum as the feeds are fed perpendicularly to gravity and
centrifugal force spreads out the solids evenly. This type of centrifuge can be used
for both thickening and dewatering.
Also the door of centrifuge system that can be fully opened which allows easy
access to inside of rotating drum. This also means the operator can get access to
internal components including filter cloth which required replacement.
And its high discharge speed reduces time taken to accelerate and braking
for rotation for high capacity, so does power consumption, wear and tear. This short
cycle time is particularly beneficial for short cycle, fast-filtering requirements for
certain processes. This means horizontal peeler centrifuge provides higher
centrifugal forces than vertical peeler, and increases performances and flexibility.
Due to continuous discharge of filtered liquid through perforated inner
surface of rotating basket, the pressure drop, main driving force of filtration is
increased across the solid cake and filter medium, as a result, the filtration rate can
be boosted.

Moreover, high rotational speed results high rotational force which allows
lowering residual cake moisture effectively, so does the washing liquid and washing
results. Because of effective washing, drying processes that yield high purity of
output, it is widely used in ultra-clean material processes.

Disadvantages
Despite many advantages of the horizontal peeler centrifuge, there are many
operational limitations associated with the characteristics of peeler centrifuge,
which may need to be developed, and/or other competitive processes can replace
for the peeler centrifuge with its limitations.
In operation, the peeler is kept away from the innermost surface of
separation drum as sharp peeler may damage the surface of filter medium or
damaged by abrasion, which may cost for replacement. This means the solid cake
on wall cannot be completely removed by peelers as it is recommended to leave
thin layer of solid cakes. Also despite of this layer of solid acting as sub filtration
layer provides extra separation step, however this also could mean the filtration
time may be lengthen as there is another layer for liquid has to pass.
Cost wise, the peeler centrifuge is not cost efficient compared to comparable
size of vertical centrifuge due to high capital cost. In comparison over other
competitive separation processes

Applications
Basically, peeler centrifuges are used to separate solids, usually fine particles
from a suspension of liquid feed mixtures. This type of centrifuge is the widely used
design in separation processes in:

Petrochemical Intermediates
Fertilizers
Chlorides
Sulfates
Calcium
Aluminum fluoride
Amino acids

Bleaching agents
Surfactants
Pesticides
Pharmaceuticals
Plastics
Food
(artificial
sweeteners,
caffeine, starches, etc.)

SIPHON PEELER CENTRIFUGE

Siphon peeler centrifuge was developed in the 1970s by Krauss-Maffei.


Its structure is similar to the horizontal peeler centrifuge, except instead of
having perforated drum walls, it has solid inner drum wall where the liquid
filtered through the solid cake and filter medium will flow along the wall
axially and through siphon pipe into separate chamber.

Operating Principle

As in the perforated basket design, the liquid filters through the cake
and filter media, but instead of discharging through perforations in the basket
shell, the basket wall is solid and the liquid flows axially to the basket rear
and into a separate chamber. At this point, the filtrate is skimmed out with a
radially adjustable skimmer.

Figure 3. Parts of Siphon peeler centrifuge.


Source: Perrys Handbook of Chemical Engineering

In perforated baskets, the driving force for filtration is approximately


the hydrostatic pressure established by the liquid column. The driving force
diminishes as the liquid column height decreases, often causing a wet layer
near the base of the cake due to capillary pressure balancing the centrifugal
pressure. In siphon baskets, in addition to the centrifugal pressure, by
skimming at a radius greater than the filter cloth, a rotational siphon is
established. Due to the gravitational field in which it is working, a height

difference h of only 20 to 30 mm is sufficient to lower the pressure behind


the cloth to the vapor pressure of the liquid. This additional vacuum remains
in place until all the interstitial liquid is drawn through the cake, and will
overcome the cake capillary pressure, thus preventing this wet layer. Once
the supernatant and interstitial liquid drains from the cake, the siphon
chamber behind the cloth drains and filtration characteristics are like those of
a perforated basket.

Figure 4. Schematic representation of (a) perforated peeler and (b) siphon


peeler centrifuge
Source: Perrys Handbook of Chemical Engineering

To reestablish the siphon for the next cycle, a priming step precedes
feeding where the siphon skimmer is pivoted inward near the rim of the
siphon chamber, and liquid is introduced into the siphon chamber that
backflows up through the heel cake, displacing gas from the chamber.
Feeding then begins with the heel submerged. After a time delay, the siphon
swivels downward to the working position (h of +20 to 30 mm) where it
remains for the remainder of the cycle.

Advantage

Its design allows a higher pressure gradient which is the driving force
for filtration, thus having a more efficient filtration.
Accuracy of control of the filtration rate.

Backwashing the residual heel between each cycle renews the heel to
maintain good permeability. Heel life is often extended.

Separate discharge of filtrate from splash/overflow provides better


product yield.

Deep siphon chambers with cake backwashing capability have been


successfully utilized to completely submerge the cake and indefinitely
increase wash contact time.

Disadvantages

Careful peeler action control to prevent possible filtration media


damage from abrasion.

High capital costs.

Large space requirement due to horizontal arrangement.

Overpressure may occur in process housing.

More complex installation procedure.

Applications

Similar to horizontal peeler centrifuge. Mainly used for starch,


herbicides and other fine chemicals.

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