How does a centrifuge work?
The centrifuge consists of a cylindrical and conic container (called a drum) which contains a mechanism based on an endless screw (called a scroll) which removes the solids. The material is fed into the unit through the scroll’s axis. The centrifugal force generated by the drum’s rotation puts the compact solid matter on the internal container walls and the endless screw which rotates at a lower speed, sends the compact solid matter along the container length towards the conic section, from which the product exits.
A centrifuge works by spinning a vessel containing the material to be separated at high speed. It is very much like the rides at the fairground that rotate. You have to lean towards the center to overcome the force caused by the rotation. In fact, some rides are designed specifically to press your body against a back support. The centrifuge spins at very high speeds and pushes the ‘heavy phase’, usually the solids, to the outside of the vessel, just as you would see in the clear flask standing on the bench top.
