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An explosion-proof stainless steel centrifuge is an Alfa Laval disc-stack type separator designed for the continuous separation of solids from liquids. This centrifuge can separate immiscible liquids for the cannabinoid and pharmaceutical industries that require explosion-proof centrifuges.
The combination of stainless steel construction and explosion-proof execution is unique for centrifuges. The stainless steel contact makes these centrifuges suitable for corrosive and food-grade applications.
Making these centrifuges explosion-proof allows their use for flammable fluids and other hazardous conditions. These conditions could include the presence of flammable gases or other explosive chemicals.
Explosion-proof centrifuges with stainless steel construction find uses in special industries and locations. Some of these applications and locations are listed below.
Petroleum refineries are one such location where flammable gases and liquids are often present. Crude oil processing produces a range of flammable fluids such as gasoline, distillate, solvents, etc. Besides, natural gas is quite often present in and around refineries.
Therefore, refineries, in general, need the highest classification of explosion-proof centrifuge equipment.
Offshore oil and gas platforms are locations where the presence of explosive fluids and gases is pervasive. The use is explosion-proof centrifuges in such locations is mandatory.
Also, offshore platforms are corrosive environments due to the presence of saltwater. The use of corrosion-resistant is also necessary. Stainless steel centrifuges offer a high level of corrosion resistance and are, therefore, desirable under such conditions.
Hemp CBD oil or Cannabis THC production uses solvents or alcohol as the primary extraction fluid. Petroleum-based solvents are highly flammable and require the use of explosion-proof centrifuges. Ethanol alcohol is also flammable though not in the same category as solvents.
Either case requires using hazardous-area suitable (C1 D2) or explosion-proof centrifuges.
CBD oil and cannabis THC extract are primarily for human consumption, which means stainless-steel food-grade centrifuges are a requirement.
Thus the processing of hemp or cannabis for extraction requires stainless-steel explosion-proof centrifuges.
Chemical processing often uses solvents for hydrocarbon-based extraction. These applications could be precipitate extraction or solvent extraction through distillation. Since hydrocarbon solvents are present in such processing, using explosion-proof extraction centrifuges is essential.
Additionally, chemical extraction can be highly corrosive depending on the type of chemical process. The corrosive environment mandates the use of corrosion-resistant material, which is often stainless steel. Therefore, stainless-steel explosion-proof centrifuges find various applications in the chemical industry.
An explosion-proof centrifuge separates liquids from solids safely in hazardous areas with explosion-prone liquids and gases. The stainless steel centrifuge separates edible fluids under corrosive conditions. The high centrifugal force (7,000 Gs) removes sediment as small as 1 micron from flammable fluids.
Alfa Laval centrifuges, like most centrifuges, have a friction clutch to reduce the torque during the initial startup. This clutch has friction liners that wear during daily use.
These liners can wear out to the point where the base metal plate can contact the steel drum and cause sparks. Such sparking is highly undesirable in the presence of flammable fluids or vapors.
The clutch is removed, and the drive motor is directly coupled to the centrifuge transmission in explosion-proof centrifuges. This design change eliminates the possibility of sparking and is known as a direct drive.
The direct-drive centrifuge requires high startup torque to ramp up the speed of the heavy bowl assembly. Therefore, an inverter or VFD (variable frequency drive) powers the centrifuge motor for direct-driven centrifuges.
In addition to a direct-drive transmission, some centrifuges feature a nitrogen purge or the centrifuge’s nitrogen blanketing. In this adaptation, we modify the centrifuge to introduce an inert (non-explosive) gas, such as nitrogen, into the centrifuge.
This inert gas purges out ambient air (containing oxygen) from within the centrifuge. The blanketing of the centrifuge with inert nitrogen eliminates the possibility of an explosion.
An explosion-proof centrifuge requires sensors and components such as electrically operated valves rated for areas classified as hazardous locations. These devices are available for different types of explosion-proof environments depending on the location’s type and severity.
Other disc-centrifuge articles of interest......
Disc Centrifuge Backpressure - Comprehensive Guide
9 Steps to Selecting & Buying the Right Industrial Centrifuge
Centrifuge RCF and RPM | Difference & RCF Calculation
Disadvantages of a Disc-Stack Centrifuge | Illustrated Guide
Difference Between Decanter & Disc Centrifuge | Technical Comparison
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Explosion-proof centrifuges with stainless steel as construction material offer multiple advantages over conventional centrifuges. Some of the advantages are listed below.
The most significant advantage of explosion-proof centrifuges is their applicability to hazardous areas. Conventional centrifuges do not have any of the safety features of explosion-proof centrifuges and are, therefore, a safety hazard in hazardous areas.
Conventional centrifuges have non-ferrous and regular steel components that contact the process fluid. In cases where the centrifuge processes edible fluids and solids (food-grade), these metals can contaminate the process fluid.
A stainless steel centrifuge has all product contact parts made of stainless steel that eliminate product contamination.
As mentioned above, standard centrifuges have internal components that are not corrosion-resistant. This construction is a disadvantage in the case of processing corrosive fluids.
A stainless steel centrifuge has all liquid contact parts made of stainless steel, which is corrosion-resistant. Therefore, the processing of corrosive products requires these types of centrifuges.
The following table highlights the specifications of explosion-proof stainless steel centrifuges.
| Centrifuge Model | Alfa Laval Stainless Steel CBPX-213-XP |
| Type | Self-Cleaning; Disc-Stack |
| Material of Bowl Construction | 316 L Stainless Steel (Duplex) |
| Frame Material | Nodular Cast Iron |
| Bowl Speed | 4,400 RPM |
| RCF (Relative Centrifugal Force) | 6,800 Gs |
| Explosion Proof Classification | UL Class 1 Div 2 Groups C&D IEC Zone 2 IIB T4 |
| Rated Capacity | 100 Gallons-Per-Minute |
by Sanjay Prabhu MSME
Engineering Manager, Dolphin Centrifuge