1.

0 Introduction
Centrifugation is a process where the centripetal force is applied for sedimentation of
heterogeneous mixtures with centrifuges. Centrifugation is used to separate two miscible
substances. The process also uses the action of centrifugal force to promote accelerated settling
of particles in solid-liquid mixtures. The hydrodynamic properties of macromolecules also being
analyzes where more-dense components of the mixture are migrating away from the axis of
centrifuges while less-dense components migrate towards the axis.
The size and the density of the particles and also the rate of particle separated from
heterogeneous mixture are correlated where the only force applied is that of gravity. The larger
the size and the density of the particles, the faster the rate of particles separation from the
mixture. The separation can be accelerated by applying a larger effective gravitational force to
the mixture.
The angular velocity specifies the rate of centrifugation that usually expresses as revolutions
per minutes (RPM) or acceleration that expressed by g. The conversion factor between RPM
and g depends

on the radius of the

centrifuge rotor. The particles' settling velocity in

centrifugation is a function of their size and shape, centrifugal acceleration, the volume fraction
of solids present, the density difference between the particle and the liquid, and the viscosity.
The most common application is the separation of solid from highly concentrated suspensions,
which is used in the treatment of sewage sludge for dewatering where less consistent sediment is
produced.
Two distinct major phases are formed in the vessel during centrifugation which are sediment and
centrifuges. The sediment usually does not have uniform structure while the centrifuges is the
supernatant liquid.

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1.1 Basic Theory of Centrifugal Separation

In centrifugal separation processes, centrifugal force is used to induce separation.

Figure 1: Stages During Centrifugal Separation

The figure 1 above demonstrate the stages of centrifugal separation. First, the solid [articles
experience a force directed towards the wall. Then, if there is solid-liquid slurry, the solid
particles are pushed towards the wall and get collected. Last diagram shows if it is the case of
liquid-liquid system, where heavier liquid having higher density are pushed towards the wall and
be collected.

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1.2 Principle of Centrifugal Sedimentation

Centrifugal force acting on particle of mass (m) at a radical location (r) is denoted as:
Fc =m 2 r

(equation 1)

The angular velocity

=

) is related to the linear velocity:

v
r

(equation 2)
If the rotating speed (N) rev/min, then:
=

2 N
60

(equation 3)
Fc =m

2
4 2 N 2
r=0.01097 mrN
3600

(equation 4)
On the other hand, it is interesting to estimate the gravitational force on a
particle of mass m:

F g=mg

(equation 5)

The ratio of centrifugal to gravitational force can be computed as,

Fc r 2 r 2 N 2
=
=
=0.001118 r N 2
Fg
g
g 60

( )

(equation 6)

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1.3 Process Equipment

1.3.1

Hydro Cyclone
The equipment use in the industry is hydro cyclone as shown in figure 2 below. The

equipment produces centrifugal separation by the motion of the slurry, induced by the tangential
introduction of the feed material. The principle of operation is based on the concept of terminal
settling velocity of a solid particle in a centrifugal field. These equipment is able to classify,
separate, or sort particles in a liquid suspension based on the densities of the particles. A hydro
cyclone may be used to separate solids from liquids or to separate liquids of different density.
A hydro cyclone normally has a cylindrical section at the top where liquid is being fed
tangentially, and a conical base. The angle, and hence length of the conical section, plays a role
in determining operating characteristics.
The feed enters tangentially into the cylindrical section and follows a circulating path
with a net inward flow of fluid from the outside to the vortex finder on the axis. The centrifugal
field generate creates an air core on the axis. In order for this to occur the centrifugal force field
must be several times larger than the gravitational one. Particles that experience this centrifugal
field will tend to move outwards relative to the carrier fluid because of their relatively greater
density. The larger, heavier particles will migrate rapidly to the outside walls of the cylindrical
section and will then be forced to move downward to the inside of the conical wall. Small
particles will, on the other hand, be dragged inward by the fluid as it moves towards the vortex
finder. The solid separation occurs in the passage of the suspension along the barrel of the hydro
cyclone, to form thickened slurry at the outer wall, which than leaves the hydro cyclone as a
continuous stream from its discharge nozzle.

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Figure 2: Hydro Cyclone

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1.4 Method and installation description

A hydro cyclone is often divided into 4 components.
1. Inlet section: consists of a cylindrical supply chamber into which the incoming supply
flow enters. This supply flow is converted into a cyclone using a pump;
2. Overflow section: light parts leave through the top of the hydro cyclone in this section;
3. Conical section: this section consists of a cone-shaped surface where the liquid
accelerates. This acceleration is caused by the angle and the geometrics of the conical
surface and helps higher centrifugal forces to be developed.
4. Tail section: This section is found at the bottom of the hydro cyclone and is aimed at
extending the retention period for separation.
In summary, the particles are being separated by hydro cyclone using centrifugal force
generated. When the liquid enters the cyclone tangentially at high speed and accelerate by
conical middle section, the centrifugal force is generating. This helps to create a liquid vortex in
the cyclone. The smaller the diameter of the cyclone, the greater the centrifugal force that will be
generated because the liquid is forced to take a sharp turn. Light components leave the hydro
cyclone through the top, while heavier components are collected at the bottom.
A hydro cyclone and centrifuge has been confusing due to the presence of centrifugal forces. In
hydro cyclone, there is no moving parts and the centrifugal force is around 1000 times greater
than gravity. A centrifuge is a dynamic device with moving parts whereby the generated
centrifugal force is greater than that generated in a hydro cyclone. Therefore, there are a few
things should be considered which equipment is suitable for a process based on this
characteristics:

If the solid parts sink within 2 minutes when gravitational sedimentation is used,
then a hydro cyclone is likely to be selected.

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If gravitational sedimentation takes longer than 2 minutes, then a centrifuge is

likely to be selected.

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2.0 Waste Water Treatment Industry

2.1 Process Flow Diagram

Figure 3: Process Flow Diagram of Water Treatment Process (mcilvainecompany.com)

Sludge is the residue that accumulates in sewage treatment plants. The treatment and
disposal of the sludge are major factors in the design and operation of all water-pollution control
plants. The reason to treat the sludge before disposal are to reduce its volume and to stabilize the
organic materials. The stabilized sludge does not have an offensive odor and will not causing a
nuisance and health hazard. Other than that, small volume of sludge will reduce the costs of
pumping and storage. After the sewage facilities purify wastewater from homes, business and
industries, sludge is the only remaining solid material.
Treatment of sewage sludge may include a combination of thickening, digestion,
dewatering, and disposal processes. Thickening is the first step in sludge treatment. This step will
have accomplished in a gravity thickener tank. Other than that, the volume of the sludge will be
reduce to less than half the original volume. Dissolved-air flotation is an alternative to gravity
thickening. In this method air bubbles carry the solids to the surface, where a layer of thickened
sludge forms.
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Organic solids are decomposed into stable substances through biological process also
known as sludge digestion. Digestion reduces the total mass of solids, destroys pathogens, and
makes it easier to dewater or dry the sludge. Digested sludge is inoffensive, having the
appearance and characteristics of a rich potting soil. In the first stage, the sludge is heated and
mixed in a closed tank for about 15 days, while digestion takes place. The sludge then flows into
a second tank, which serves primarily for storage and settling. As the organic solids are broken
down by anaerobic bacteria, carbon dioxide gas and methane gas are formed. Methane is
combustible and is used as a fuel to heat the first digestion tank as well as to generate electricity
for the plant. Anaerobic digestion is very sensitive to temperature, acidity, and other factors.
Sludge digestion may also take place aerobically with the presence of oxygen. The sludge is
vigorously aerated in an open tank for about 20 days. Although aerobic systems are easier to
operate than anaerobic systems, they usually cost more to operate because of the power needed
for aeration. Aerobic digestion is often combined with small extended aeration or contact
stabilization systems. Both aerobic and anaerobic digestion convert about half of the organic
sludge solids to liquids and gases.
Digested sewage sludge is usually dewatered before disposal. Dewatered sludge still
contains a significant amount of water often as much as 70% but, even with that moisture
content, sludge no longer behaves as a liquid and can be handled as a solid material. Sludgedrying beds provide the simplest method of dewatering. A digested sludge slurry is spread on an
open bed of sand and allowed to remain until dry. Drying takes place by a combination of
evaporation and gravity drainage through the sand. A piping network built under the sand
collects the water, which is pumped back to the head of the plant. After about six weeks of
drying, the sludge cake, as it is called, may have a solids content of about 40%. It can then be
removed from the sand with a pitchfork or a front-end loader. In order to reduce drying time in
wet or cold weather, a glass enclosure may be built over the sand beds.
Dewatering is commonly used in rural or suburban towns rather than in densely
populated cities. Alternatives to sludge-drying beds include the rotary drum vacuum filter, the
centrifuge, and the belt filter press. These mechanical systems require less space than do sludgedrying beds, and they offer a greater degree of operational control. However, they usually have to

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be preceded by a step called sludge conditioning, in which chemicals are added to the liquid
sludge to coagulate solids and improve drain ability.
3.0 Material Balance
Calculating the material balance of the centrifugal dewatering. The inlet and outlet of the basket
as stated in the figure below (al, 2007).
Dewatered sludge

Influent

Centrifugal Dewatering

Drained

Figure 4: The Process Flow in The Centrifugal Settling for Sludge Treatment
SS capture efficiencies
Dewatering: 0.90
Mass inlet = mass outlet
Based on Andreoli the mass of inlet and outlet of the basket of centrifugal dewatering are
calculated below.
Mass flow of inlet component
Mass flow of influent = 2235 kg/d (al, 2007)
Mass flow of outlet component
The calculated value based on the Andreoli are:
Mass flow of drained = 224kg/d (al, 2007)
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Mass flow of Dewatered sludge = 2012 kg/d (al, 2007)

4.0 Design Calculation
Types of Hydro cyclone
1. FX-GX series hydro cyclone: Low carbon steel case, rubber lining.
2. FX-GT series hydro cyclone: Low carbon steel case, ceramic lining.
3. FX-PU series hydro cyclone: Polyurethane Hydrocodone.
4. FX-GJ series hydro cyclone: Low carbon steel case, polyurethane lining.
5. FX-GK series hydro cyclone: Low carbon steel case, KM anti-wear ceramic lining.
Technical Parameter
Specification

Diameter (mm)

Inlet Pressure (MPa)

Capacity (m3/h)

Cut Size (m)

FX840

840

0.04-0.15

500-900

74-350

FX710

710

0.04-0.15

400-550

74-250

FX660

660

0.04-0.15

260-450

74-220

FX610

610

0.04-0.15

200-300

74-200

FX500

500

0.04-0.2

140-240

74-200

FX400

400

0.06-0.2

100-170

74-150

FX350

350

0.06-0.2

70-160

50-150

FX300

300

0.06-0.2

45-90

50-150

FX250

250

0.06-0.3

40-80

40-100

FX200

200

0.06-0.3

25-40

40-100

FX150

150

0.08-0.3

14-35

20-74

FX125

125

0.1-0.3

8-20

25-50

FX100

100

0.1-0.3

8-20

20-50

FX75

75

0.1-0.4

4-10

10-40

FX50

50

0.1-0.4

2-5

7-40

FX25

25

0.1-0.6

0.3-1

5-20

FX10

10

0.1-0.6

0.05-0.1

1-5

Table 1: Technical Parameter of Hydro Cyclone (haiwangtec.com)

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The settling velocity can be calculating by equation below:

2

V =[g .( sl ). d ]/(1800. )

CITATION And07 \l 17417

(al, 2007)

Where,
V= settling velocity of the solid particle in liquid (m/s)
g= gravitational constant (m/s2)
= liquid velocity (kg/m.s)
s = particle density (kg/m3)

l = liquid density (kg/m3)

d = average particle diameter (m)
The centrifugal acceleration can be calculated by the equation below
G= 2 . R=

2 N
.R
60

( )

CITATION And07 \l 17417

Where,
G= centrifugal acceleration of the particle (m/s2)
= angular velocity (rad/s)
R= radius (m)
N= rotation speed (revolutions/min)
Input for settling velocity calculation
g= 9.81 m/s2
= 0.8937e-3 kg/m.s
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(al, 2007)

s = 1020 kg/m3
l = 1000 kg/m3

d = 0.84 m
V =[9.81.(1020100). 0.84 2]/(1800.0 .8937 e3)
V = 86.0584 m/s

Input for centrifugal acceleration calculation

G= centrifugal acceleration of the particle (m/s2)
R= 0.42 m
N= 10 revolutions/min =0.1667 rev/s
G=

2 10 2
.0 .42
60

G=0.4606 m/ s 2

Parameter
Velocity
Diameter
Acceleratio

Details
86.0584 m2
0.84 m
0.4606 m/s2

n
Table 2 : Summary of Centrifugal settling (al, 2007)

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5.0 Safety Issue in Water Treatment Plant

Table 3: OSHA Investigation Summaries of Deaths and Injuries at Wastewater Treatment Plants,
Sewers or Sewage Treatment Facilities: 2010

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3.0 References
1. An., Development of Hydrocyclones for Use in Plastics Recycling, APC Hydrocyclone
Separations Report, 1998
2. Bradley, D., The hydrocyclone. Pergamon Press, New York, 1965
3. EIPPCB, Reference Document on BAT in Common Waste Water and Waste Gas
Treatment / Management Systems in the Chemical Sector, draft February 2009 (revision
upon release)
4. Mohanty M.K. et al., Minerals Engineering, 15 (2002), 727 736
5. Pupraert C. et al., Chemical Engineering and Processing, 43 (2004), 67 83
6. Wongsarivej P.et al., Separation and Purification Technology, 63 (2008), 452 459
7. VITO-SCT, revision of technical files WASS, 2009
8. al, A. e. (2007). Sludge treatment and disposal. New delhi: IWA publishing.
9.

1] Geankoplis C. J., Transport Processes and Unit Operations, 4th Edition, Prentice Hall,
2003.

10. [2] Perry, R.H. and Green, D. Perrys Chemical Engineers Handbook, 6th ed. New York,
McGraw-Hill Book Company, 1984.

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