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The smallest decanter centrifuge is the Sharples P-660 which has a bowl diameter of approximately 6” and a bowl RPM of 6,000. The operating g-force is 3,070 Gs at full speed. The P-660 has a cyclo gearbox and uses a 7.5 HP motor.
The Sharples P-660 decanter is an ideal lab-scale centrifuge to test the application of larger decanters on a smaller scale. The Sharples company originally manufactured this decanter which Alfa Laval later took over.
| Decanter Model | Sharples P-660 |
| Motor Power | 5~10 HP |
| Weight | 450 Lbs |
| Bowl Speed | 6,000 RPM |
| G-Force | 3,050 Gs |
| Dimensions | 15" H x 40" L x 30" D |
| Manufacturer | Sharples (Alfa Laval) |
The small decanter is applicable for low flow rates in the one to 5 GPM range with minimal solids load. Some of the typical applications are listed below.
These decanters facilitate the evaluation of sludge dewatering and other liquid de-sludging applications on a smaller scale before the procurement of production-scale centrifuges. Separation efficiency and sludge dryness levels are consistent between small and large-scale decanters.
For small volume grease recovery companies, the desludging of grease trap waste is a common application for these small-scale decanters. Grease trap waste with low sludge levels is easily separated from the sludge for downstream oil & water separation with small decanter centrifuges.
The separation of pulp for small volume production of exotic fruit is another application for which these decanters are well suited. The low volumes related to such juice production require small capacity decanters. The Sharples P-660 is well suited for such applications.
Small-scale cannabis (THC) producers need to separate the biomass from the ethanol solvent. A small decanter efficiently separates the biomass from the ethanol with dry biomass output. The ethanol clarity is also controllable by adjusting the decanter settings.
The small decanter offers the following advantages over larger-scale decanters.
Decanters, in general, are cost-intensive centrifuges. The Sharples P-660 decanter offers the lowest-cost option for an industrial decanter centrifuge.
The overall dimensions of the smallest decanter are small enough to allow its installation in space-constrained locations. Therefore, this decanter fits in laboratory settings for testing or pilot-scale evaluation purposes.
These small sizes and weight decanters mean the user can modularize on portable mobile skids. This mobility allows the decanter for various applications in different locations.
The Sharples P-660 decanter uses a 5-Hp motor that is available for operating on 110-volt single-phase power and 460-volt three-phase power. This versatility makes these decanters suitable for a wider variety of applications.
Being small in size, the components of this decanter are easy to handle by a single technician without the need for lifting assistance which makes the servicing of these decanters easier than bigger decanter centrifuges.
The small decanter centrifuge has one specific disadvantage, which is as follows.
The smallest decanter has a lower torque gearbox for conveyor transmission. This lower torque limits the decanter to low solids applications that will not over-torque the gearbox.
The Alfa Laval MAB-102 is the smallest disc-stack centrifuge. This centrifuge has a bowl speed of 9,300 RPM that exerts a g-force of over 8,000 Gs. It is a three-phase, manual clean type centrifuge that can separate oil, water, and small amounts of solid sludge.
This centrifuge is perfect for small boats and generators to polish the diesel fuel to ensure reliable engine operation.
Alfa Laval AB (Sweden) is the manufacturer of the MAB-102 disc stack centrifuge.
| Centrifuge Model | Alfa Laval MAB-102 |
| Motor Power | 0.5 HP |
| Weight | 100 Lbs |
| Bowl Speed | 9,375 RPM |
| G-Force | 8,500 Gs |
| Dimensions | 18" x 25" x 12" |
| Capacity | 2 GPM on Diesel Fuel |
The following are a few applications for which these small disc stack centrifuges are suitable.
The small disc centrifuge is the primary method to determine the feasibility of a production-scale centrifuge for large-scale fluid processing. The Alfa Laval MAB-102 can demonstrate the separability and efficiency of disc stack centrifuges before acquiring the production equipment.
Small marine vessels use diesel fuel from storage tanks to power engines. Fuel contamination is common in storage tanks. The Alfa Laval MAB-102 centrifuge can separate diesel fuel from water and solid contaminants, and the clean fuel ensures the reliability of engines.
Chemical industries process catalysts and other ingredients in relatively small batches. A small disc stack centrifuge is ideal for recovering these trace chemicals in small batch volumes.
A small-scale disc centrifuge offers a few advantages over conventional filtration and larger centrifuges.
The smallest disc stack centrifuge (MAB-102) generates over 9,000 Gs of centrifugal force. This gravitational force is high enough to separate particles as small as 1 micron.
There is no filter or other replaceable media in disc stack centrifugal separators. This is a considerable advantage since it eliminates the recurring cost of replaceable media and associated labor costs.
The design of conventional disc stack centrifuges allows them to separate three phases, i.e., it can separate two immiscible liquids and any solids simultaneously. This ability of liquid-liquid separation is unique and offers significant advantages over other separation technologies.
Despite all the advantages listed above, the smallest disc stack centrifuge has the following disadvantages.
Though the smallest disc centrifuge has high efficiency, the processing capacity of the centrifuge is relatively small, while the initial cost is not in proportion to the capacity reduction compared to the larger centrifuges.
These small centrifuges are mechanical devices that require maintenance like all machines. The need for a trained operator and spare parts is sometimes considered a disadvantage.
The initial capital expenditure on a small disc stack separator is higher than on filters or coalescers. Though the savings on filter-related expenses quickly pay back the initial investment, the original cost prevents the easy acquisition of these centrifuges.
The centrifuge operates on electric power and may need additional utilities such as water, compressed air, etc. This requirement is a disadvantage compared to conventional filters that do not need these additional utilities.