Centrifuges & Separation Equipment
Self-Cleaning Clarifiers
Self-Cleaning Clarifiers
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High-Performance Clarification with Automatic Solids Discharge
SPX FLOW Seital Separation provides a comprehensive range of self-cleaning clarifiers engineered for efficient liquid/solid separation. Designed to recover fine particles (0.5–500 μm) and perform high-clarity purification, these clarifiers operate under high peripheral centrifugal force (G-force), making them ideal for a variety of food and beverage applications.
Clarification Principle
The clarification process begins as the product enters the rotating bowl via a feed pipe (1), where it is guided into the distributor (2) and accelerated to bowl speed. The product then reaches the disc stack (3), where solid-liquid separation takes place. The clarified liquid rises through the disc stack into the upper chamber, from which a fixed centripetal pump (4) transfers it under pressure to the outlet (6). A hydraulic sealing device (5) prevents oxygen ingress, ensuring product integrity.
Solids Discharge Mechanism
Solids are collected at the bowl’s outer edge (7) and periodically ejected via discharge ports (8). These solids are directed to an external annular chamber and drained by gravity into a sludge tank.
A hydraulic ram (9), kept closed by water pressure in chamber (10), is activated by flushing water through pipeline (12), allowing the bowl valve (11) to release chamber pressure. This triggers the ram to open and eject solids through ports (8). Refilling the chamber with closing water through line (13) resets the ram to its sealed state.
Application Insights
Milk Clarification
Milk clarification is essential at intake to remove impurities and somatic cells such as leukocytes, which may carry pathogens like Listeria. Clarifiers outperform standard skimming centrifuges in removing such contaminants. They work with cold or warm milk, though efficiency increases at higher temperatures.
Milk Bacteria Clarification
Bacterial clarifiers help enhance milk and cheese quality by reducing aerobic/anaerobic spores and listeria. This improves shelf life and organoleptic properties. Two processing options exist:
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Continuous bacteria extraction with pre-sterilization
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Concentrate recycling with partial discharges for efficiency
Beer & Wort Clarification
Hermetic clarifiers eliminate yeast and non-soluble particles from beer and wort without altering taste or aroma. Optimized for the brewing industry, these systems combine compact designs with robust quality assurance.