Filtration centrifuges, types

The scale-up of filtration centrifuges is usually done on an area basis, based on small-scale tests. Buchner funnel-type tests are not of much value here because the driving force for filtration is not only due to the static head but also due to the centrifugal forces on the Hquid in the cake. A test procedure has been described with a specially designed filter beaker to measure the intrinsic permeabiHty of the cake (7). The best test is, of course, with a small-scale model, using the actual suspension. Many manufacturers offer small laboratory models for such tests. The scale-up is most reHable if the basket diameter does not increase by a factor of more than 2.5 from the small scale. 

Test method Chem. reaction Type of drying, granulation, etc. operation distillation milling, micronizing filtration, centrifugation, etc... 

Isolation can be performed by liquid-liquid extraction (LLE) at a pH at which the analyte is nonionized or by solid-phase extraction (SPE) preceded or followed by cleanup steps. Sample pretreatment for SPE depends on the sample type whole blood and tissue (homogenates) need deproteinization and filtration/ centrifugation steps before application to the SPE columns, whereas for urine usually a simple dilution step and/or centrifugation is satisfactory. Whatever SPE column is used, the analyst should keep in mind that there are large differences from batch to batch, and that the same sorbents from different manufacturers also... 

In a suspension polymerisation monomer is suspended in water as 0.1—5-mm droplets, stabilised by protective coUoids or suspending agents. Polymerisation is initiated by a monomer-soluble initiator and takes place within the monomer droplets. The water serves as both the dispersion medium and a heat-transfer agent. Particle sise is controlled primarily by the rate of agitation and the concentration and type of suspending aids. The polymer is obtained as small beads about 0.1—5 mm in diameter, which are isolated by filtration or centrifugation. 

Aqueous media, such as emulsion, suspension, and dispersion polymerization, are by far the most widely used in the acryUc fiber industry. Water acts as a convenient heat-transfer and cooling medium and the polymer is easily recovered by filtration or centrifugation. Fiber producers that use aqueous solutions of thiocyanate or zinc chloride as the solvent for the polymer have an additional benefit. In such cases the reaction medium can be converted directiy to dope to save the costs of polymer recovery. Aqueous emulsions are less common. This type of process is used primarily for modacryUc compositions, such as Dynel. Even in such processes the emulsifier is used at very low levels, giving a polymerization medium with characteristics of both a suspension and a tme emulsion. 

Equipment. Centrifugation equipment that separates by density difference is available in a variety of sizes and types and can be categorized by capacity range and the theoretical settling velocities of the particles normally handled. Centrifuges that separate by filtration produce drained soflds and can be categorized by final moisture, drainage time, G, and physical characteristics of the system, such as particle size and Hquid viscosity. 

Flow rate and pressure behavior for the three types of filtration are shown in Fig. 18-106. Depending on the characteristics of the centrifugal pump, widely differing cuiwes may be encountered, as suggested by the figure. 

Rotary-Siphon Peeler Centrifuges In this type of centrifuge, a partial vacuum is drawn on the outer diameter or tne filter such that the filtrate flows through the cake under both centrifugal force as well as a positive pressure difference of about I atm or less. Thus, a higher rate of filtration takes place due to the increased driving force. 

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