Why Oil Centrifuges are So Important

Centrifugal filters are used to separate solids and liquids. They can be applied in multiple situations, such as cleaning wastewater and used oil products. Some centrifuges – like the IC-45 can be used to clean both water-based and oil-based liquids, while others are primarily used for oil products. For the latter, water is the primary contaminant, so apart from removing solids, the centrifuge also separates the two liquids.

Oil is denser than water, so it will generally float to the top of the separation tank while water droplets will sink to the bottom. There are different types of oil centrifuges. Basic fuel purifiers use cyclone separation. The cylinder spins, creating separate layers of oil and water. The oil exits the top of the tank while water is let out of the bottom. Aluminium hydroxide in the form of activated alumina, and surface tension are key parts of this process.

Other types of oil centrifuges – like the Dieselcraft OC25 and OC50 – incorporate a heater to make separation easier. They also have a water sensor that sets off flashing lights and alarms when water is detected. The water is then released from the bottom of the separator. The centrifuge continues to toss solid particles like mould and fungi to the sides of the centrifugal drum, letting clean fuel out of the top.

Cleaning vegetable oil

Seeds are crushed and pressed to extract their oil, which can then be used to cook, as a component of other products like cosmetics, paint, wood treatments, candles, beauty products, pet food, or even fuel. Bits of the seed and other contaminants have to be completely removed, otherwise they will affect the overall quality of the product.

For example, food particles in cooking oil or fuel could decompose, introducing mould, bacteria, or disease-bearing pathogens. In a car, that could damage the entire engine causing it to knock. In food, it could cause upset stomachs or dangerous illnesses. In beauty products, it can cause allergic reactions and potentially permanent scarring.

Repurposing washing water

In industrial set-ups, washing water is used for all sorts of functions. It may be as simple as cleaning a car, tractor, or the exterior section of mechanical equipment. It could also be used to clean a greasy industrial space such as a garage. Washing water might also be used to clean the inside of a machine between manufacturing cycles.

If this greasy water enters the sewer system unfiltered, it could become part of a fatberg that can clog the entire sewer system. The oil can also suffocate helpful bacteria and micro-organisms that are part of the sewage treatment process. Some of this oil may even make it back into rivers, lakes, and soil, where the can harm fish, plants, and small animals.

Purifying biofuel

Biofuel is derived from ethanol, which is released from corn, sorghum, or sugarcane. Biogas – in the form of methane - can also be extracted from biodegrading animal waste. Both are renewable resources, because as long as we grow these plants or feed animals with the right kind of food, they will excrete waste products that we can repurpose into clean, green, affordable fuel. The most common contaminant in biofuel is water, and it’s disastrous because a single drop of water could ruin a whole batch of fuel.

If the water gets into the engine, it can cause rust and corrosion. Water bubbles can expand when heated and cause explosive reactions inside the engine. The water also leads to the growth of mould, fungi, and bacteria inside the biofuel. This dilutes the burning of the fuel releasing toxic fumes and emissions. The bio-germs reproduce virulently, so they need to be extracted as early as possible in their life cycle.

Protecting machinery

Aside from vegetable oil and biofuel, lubricants regularly need cleaning. They pick up lots of dirt particles including dust, water, metal shards, fibres, bits of glass, and much more. These particles can be abrasive, so the will scratch and scrape machine parts, causing physical damage. This shortens the life cycle of the machine and leads to expensive repairs and replacement. In engines, only a small amount of lubricant gets filtered.

Usually, it’s just 10% of the total oil in the engine. However, just by filtering this tiny amount, the whole engine is protected and can keep functioning optimally for years. Coolant operates the same way. By cleaning it after a few passes in the machine it can be re-used to cool other pieces of machinery, reducing down time and minimising stalls in the production line.

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Created on Jun 24th 2018 22:34. Viewed 318 times.

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