Understanding Industrial Centrifuges: Best Options for Oil-Water Separation

Types of industrial centrifuges: essential tools for oil-water separation and solid-liquid separation

Industrial centrifuges are widely used for separating oil, water, and solid impurities. Based on structure and separation principles, the most common types include disc centrifuges, horizontal screw centrifuges (decanters), and tubular separators. Among them, disc and decanter centrifuges are the primary choices for oil-water processing.

1. Disc Centrifuge (Disc Stack Separator)

A high-efficiency centrifuge for oil-water and liquid-liquid separation.

Structure & Principle

A drum packed with conical discs increases settling area.

Mixture enters the rotating bowl.

Centrifugal force separates phases by density.

Heavy phase (water, solids) moves outward.

Light phase (oil) moves inward.

Gravity rings adjust the oil-water interface.

Applications

Oil purification (diesel, lube oil, crude oil).

Food oils and dairy separation.

Marine fuel & lube oil treatment.

Chemical and pharmaceutical liquid clarification.

2. Horizontal Screw Centrifuge (Decanter Centrifuge)

Ideal for solid-liquid separation and sludge treatment.

How It Works

A horizontal bowl with a screw conveyor rotates at different speeds.

Solids settle on bowl walls.

Screw pushes solids to discharge.

Clarified liquid exits through overflow ports.

Applications

Oil sludge dewatering.

Municipal & industrial wastewater.

Starch separation, protein recovery.

Chemical crystals and polymers.

3. Tubular Separator (Tubular Bowl Centrifuge)

For difficult separations with fine particles or low density differences.

Features

Long, narrow drum achieves extremely high G-force.

Light and heavy liquids discharge separately.

Solids stick to drum walls and need manual cleaning.

Applications

Emulsified metalworking fluids.

Biopharmaceutical cell and bacterial separation.

High-value fine chemical products.

Other Centrifuge Types

Tripod centrifuge: Simple batch solid-liquid separation; crystal dehydration.

Scraper centrifuge: Automated batch discharge; for free-flowing crystals.

How to Choose the Right Centrifuge

Key Factors

Separation goal: oil-water or solid-liquid?

Material properties: density difference, viscosity, solid content.

Process needs: purity requirements, continuous vs. batch.

Capacity: small-batch lab use or industrial production.

Best Configurations

Disc centrifuge → highest efficiency for oil-water separation.

Decanter centrifuge → best for high-solid mixtures.

Combined system: Disc separator + Decanter for simultaneous oil-water separation and sludge removal.