Separators can be divided into three types according to their structure: disc type, tube type and chamber type.
Disc separator
A stack of conical discs is installed in the drum, and the emulsion and low-concentration suspension components are separated by centrifugal sedimentation. When separating suspensions, the suspension enters the drum from the central feed pipe and flows from the outer edge of the disc bundle to the inner edge of the disc through the disc gap. Due to the centrifugal force, the solid particles settle to the inner surface of each disc while flowing with the liquid, then slide to the outer edge of the disc, and finally settle on the drum wall. The clarified liquid gathers toward the center of the drum and is discharged through the overflow port or centripetal pump.
When separating emulsions, the emulsion enters the gap between each disc through the feed hole on the disc bundle, and is divided into heavy liquid and light liquid according to different densities. The heavy liquid flows along the inner surface of the disc to the drum wall, and the light liquid flows to the center and is discharged through the overflow port and centripetal pump respectively (Figure 2). Disc separators can be divided into four types according to the slag discharge method: manual slag discharge, ring valve slag discharge, water flushing slag discharge and nozzle slag discharge. Manual slag discharge disc separators rely on manual removal of sediment in the drum. Nozzle slag discharge disc separators have nozzles on the periphery of the drum that spray out slurry sediment. The number and aperture of the nozzles are determined according to the properties of the suspension, the degree of concentration and the processing volume. Ring valve slag discharge disc separators have a ring valve slag discharge device in the drum to unload the sediment in the drum without stopping the machine.
Tubular separator
A widely used centrifugal sedimentation equipment. The tubular separator is a vertical structure, and the tubular drum is suspended on a slender flexible shaft. After the drum reaches the working speed, the center of gravity of the drum is much lower than the fulcrum of the shaft, so it can automatically center during operation and work smoothly. Tubular separators are divided into two types according to their use: clarification type and separation type. They are used for the separation of suspensions and emulsions respectively. The separation type is suitable for the separation of emulsions with small density difference between light liquid and heavy liquid, high viscosity, difficult to separate, and high dispersibility, and can remove trace particles at the same time; the clarification type is suitable for the clarification of low-concentration suspensions with solid content less than 1%, solid particles less than 5 microns, and difficult to separate, as well as suspensions with a small density difference between solids and liquids; it can be used to clarify suspensions containing a small amount of tiny particles. The tubular separator adopts a manual slag discharge method.
Chamber separator
High-speed separator, specially used to clarify suspensions containing a small amount of solid particles. A group of concentric separation cylinders divides the space inside the drum into 2 to 7 separation chambers (i.e. annular spaces) connected in series. The suspension to be clarified is added to the drum through the central feed pipe, and then flows through each separation chamber one by one from the center to the outside. The separation factor of each chamber is getting larger and larger. The largest solid particles are deposited on the inner wall of the first chamber located in the center, and the smaller solid particles settle in the outer chambers. The clarified liquid is discharged from the drum by a centripetal pump.
