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Centrifugation
Centrifugation
Theory of centrifugation
Types of centrifuges
Applications
Centrifugal separations
Sedimentation operation accelerated
by centrifugal force
Pre-requisite for the separation is a
difference in density between the
phases
This applies to both
solidliquid separation
liquidliquid separation
Sedimentation by
Gravity
Fg mg m 980cm.s
Buoyancy force
Fb mM g V p M g
Fg net
4 3
4 3
r P M g r P M 980cm.s 2
3
3
M = the density of the medium
(g.cm-3)
P = the particle density (g.cm-3)
r = the particle radius (cm).
Frictional force
The movement of a particle through a
fluid medium is hindered by the viscosity
of the medium, as described for a
spherical particle by Stokes equation
dx
Ff 6 r
dt
= viscosity of the medium in poise, P (g cm1 -1
s );
r = the radius of the particle (cm);
(dx/dt) = the velocity of the moving particle
(cm.s-1).
Frictional force
At low velocities and pressures, the frictional
force is negligible in a gas.
At higher velocities, even in gases, this force
becomes substantial, combining with the
buoyancy force eventually to exactly oppose
the gravitational force, resulting in no further
acceleration of the particle (the limiting or
terminal
velocity)
Mathematically,
the
conditions for attaining
Fg Fb Ff
terminal velocity are met
when:
Effect of Diffusion
Ficks law:
Random Brownian
motion results in the net
dP
dP
DA
movement of solute or
dt
dx
suspended particles
D = the diffusion coefficient
which varies for each solute
from regions of higher
concentration to regions and particle
of lower concentration
A = the cross sectional area
through which the particle
Diffusion works in
diffuses
opposition to centrifugal
dP/dx = the particle
sedimentation, which
concentration gradient
tends to concentrate
particles
Sedimentation in a
Centrifugal Field
Fc ma m x
2
Fc
RCF
Fg
2
m
mg
RCF 1.119 10
rpm
Fc Fb Ff
dx
m x VP M x 6 r
dt
2
Fb = buoyancy
force
Ff = frictional
force
Fc = centrifugal
force
4 3
4 3
dx
2
2
r P x r M x 6 r
3
3
dt
Solving for (dx/dt)
dx
dt
2r 2 P M 2 x
9
18
x1
18
ln
t
2
2
d P M
x0
The viscosity
Particle size
Particle density
Density of the medium
dx
2r 2
dt
P
M
Sr 2
9
x
Measure of the
sedimentation velocity per
unit of centrifugal force
Sedimentation Coefficient
The sedimentation coefficient
has the dimensions of seconds
expressed in Svedberg units equal
to 10-13 s
Sedimentation coefficient is
dependent on
Useful to compare
sedimentation coefficients
obtained
under differing conditions
sedimentation media by reference
ST , MT ,M P M
20,W P T , M
k-factor
calculated at the maximum rated rotor speed, is a
function of rotor design and is a constant for a given
rotor.
k TS
pelleting
S = the sedimentation coefficient
in Svedberg units
kadj
rpmmax
k
rpmact
(a)
2
2
d
P M x
18
v 0.022cm.s 1
du
Re
1
okes law is applicable if the condition is satisfied that
0.03
(0.011g / cm.sec)
2
V d l
Hence the use of Stokes equation is justified
4
2
50
10
cm
4 1.5
l 52.3cm
d3
dv
Fg Fb FD
P M Fb FD
6
dt
dvg
dt
3 dv
d3
P M
6
18v
g 2
d P M
dvg
3 dv
18v
Subject to initial condition t=0
g 2
d P M and v=0
d3
P M
6
Integrating the above equation we can find that
dt
gd 2 ( p M )
vg
18
1 exp 18 t
2
d
(
p
M
18
18
(0.015cm) 2 (0.02 g / cm3 )
d2
v
( s ) 2 r
18
dr
d2
v
( s ) 2 r
r
18
We are interested in the yeast cell which takes longest to settle, which is that
starting near the liquid surface, t = 0; r = 3 cm.
Integrating the initial equation, we find
r
d2
2
ln
18
3cm
500 2 2
(8 104 cm) 2
g
10cm
ln
0.05
1
1
3
3
cm
18(0.01
g
.
cm
.sec
cm
60sec
t 2500sec
Types of Centrifugal
Separation
According to the phase of the medium and
the phase of the material to be purified
Gas-gas
Liquid-liquid
Liquid-solid
Types of centrifuges
Tubular bowl centrifuges
Simple yet can provide very high G
Can be cooled
Disadvantage: Requirement for intermittent
dismantling for cleaning
Performance analysis of a
tubular centrifuge
Analysis depends on finding the
position of a particle as a
function of time
Assumptions
1. Particle located at a distance z from
the bottom of the centrifuge
2. It is also located at position r from
the axis of rotation
3. This position is between the liquid
surface R1 and bowl radius R0 w
4. Feed freely flows in the bottom and
out the top
5. Solids are thrown out by centrifugal
force and trapped against the wall,
located at R0
6. The centrifugal force is so high that
the liquid interface R is constant
R0
R1
z
r Liquid Interface
vement in the z direction comes from the convection of the feed pumped
bottom of the centrifuge
dz
Q
2
2 Q is the feed flow rate
dt ( R0 R1 )
dr d 2
s r r 2
dt 18
dr
r
r 2
dr dr / dt
0
1
vg
dz dz / dt
Q
g
l R0 R1 vg
g ln R0 / R1
R0 R1 R0 R1
( R0 R1 )
ln( R0 / R1 ) ln 1 R0 R1 / R1
R0 R1 R0 R1
R1 ( R0 R1 )
R0 R1 / R1 ....
2R2
2 lR 2 2
Q vg
v g [ ]
he Generalized Formula
The most-used quantity to characterize centrifuges,
the concept
2
2
Qtheor vg . Where,
Assumptions
2 lR
Se
theor
and symmetrical.
dc
.
2 2
p f V . .r
The liquid rotates at the same
. p f .g
its final settling velocity.
Problem:
A laboratory tubular-bowl centrifuge
has the following dimensions, with
respect to Figure 19.28, and operating
conditions: bowl speed 800 rps, R0 =
0.875 inch, R1= 0.65 in., and bowl
length = L = 4.5 inches. When used to
remove E. coli cells from the following
fermentation broth, a satisfactory
volumetric feed capacity of the
3
Broth:
f = 1.01
and is=
1.02 x 10-3 kg/m-s
centrifuge,
Q, ofg/cm
0.11 gpm
achieved.
E. coli: smallest diameter, dp,min = 0.7 mm and p = 1.04
g/cm3
Assuming the applicability of Stokes law, estimate the
l R0 2 R12 vg 2
g ln R0 / R1
Discharge is intermittent
Nozzle machines
allow for
continuous
discharge of solids
through throttled
nozzles
Feed
Discharge
pump
Discharg
e
Timing unit
Solid bowl
machines without
solid discharge
mechanisms
require manual Annular
cleaning from time
piston
to time depending
upon feedstock
Photoce
ll
Discs
Sediment holding
space
Solids ejection
ports
Closing
chamber
Opening
chamber
Drain hole
Operating water
dx
v0 v sin
dt
Average
Q
v0
f ( y)
n(2 rl )
x
R1
convective
velocity
R0
Characteristics of v0
Much larger than
vsin
Function of radius
1
Q
v0 dy
l0
n
(2
rl
)
1
f ( y )dy 1
l0
x
R1
dx
v0 v sin v0
dt
f ( y)
n(2 rl )
R0
dy
v cos
dt
dy dy / dt
y
dx dx / dt
2 nlvg 2 r
2
r
cos
Qgf ( y )
In terms of R0
x
R1
R0
nlv
r
dy
g
2
( R0 x sin ) cos
x
R1
2 n 2
3
3
Q vg
( R0 R1 ) cot vg []
3g
R0
Horizontal continuous-conveyer
centrifuge
Integrate an active mechanical solids discharge mechanism in an
imperforate bowl for the continuous processing of larger sample
volumes
The solids-discharge mechanism: A helical screw turning at a
slightly slower rate than the rotor
Capable of very high throughput, up to 300 000 L h-1
d (G )1/ 2
Higher drainage
numbers
correspond to more
Equivalent time
To assess the approximate properties of a
particle type to be separated, define a
dimensionless acceleration G
2R
G
g
(Gt ) 2
Equivalent time
(sec)
Eukaryotic cells
0.3 x 106
Protein
precipitates
Bacteria
9 x 106
Ribosomes
1100 x 106
18 x 106
6
0.5
54
10
s 9.81 2
Gtg
s
We know that
Rt
0.05m 2(3600) s
11,590rpm
s
2 rad min
Coagulants and
flocculants
Metal salts
especially of aluminium or ferric iron
Natural flocculants
Synthetic flocculants
Polyacrylamides, Polyamines/imines, Cellulose
derivatives (e.g. carboxymethyl cellulose),
Polydiallydimethyl ammonium chloride