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INDUSTRIAL

DIVISION

CENTRIFUGAL SEPARATORS
for industrial use

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Pagina 4

INDUSTRIAL
THE

DIVISION

PRINCIPLES

SEDIMENTATION
Sedimentation is one of the
most versatile separation
processes. Pieralisi Vertical
Separators (Disc-Stack
Separators) are ideally suited to
separation processes where
the physical characteristics of
sedimentation can be applied
thanks to density difference.
Centrifugal sedimentation is often
a very good and economical
alternative to other separation
processes such as:
Filtration: based on particle size,
Micro-Filtration: based on
particle size in the sub-micron
range,
Flotation: based on physicalchemical behaviour, i.e. surface
tension.
In many cases centrifugal
sedimentation and another
complementary technology are
combined to achieve the required
process results.

OF

S E PA R AT I O N

The basic principle of separation

by sedimentation allows for the
simultaneous separation of three
different, immiscible substances.
PIERALISI Vertical Separators
make use of this three-phase
separation regime. None of the
alternative principles mentioned
above can achieve this result.
Sedimentation is the physical
process whereby suspensions and
emulsions (or a combination of
both) are exposed to gravitational
force, either the earths gravity or
by using a centrifuge. By applying
g-force, the droplets and/or
particles acquire settling
velocity (vg) and are sent to the
bottom/wall of the
container/centrifuge bowl.

Separator S300
technical drawing

Settling velocity (vg) increases with:

bigger particle diameter,
higher density difference,
lower dynamic viscosity of the fluid
environment.

INCREASING CAPACITY

Settling velocity can be estimated via

a well-known equation known as
Stokes Law:

But what can we do if we do not have

enough time or if we want to
increase capacity? Going back to
Stokes Law, to obtain an higher
settling velocity and consequently to
accelerate the sedimentation
process, we can replace gravitational
acceleration g by centrifugal
acceleration 2 r.
The centrifugal
acceleration 2 r
produced in a Pieralisi
Vertical Separator is up
to ten thousand times
higher than the ordinary
force of gravity g. As a
consequence, settling
velocity is up to ten
thousand times faster,
and separation can be
achieved in a very short
time and/or using very
small volumes.

ADVANTAGES
The most common advantages of
centrifugal sedimentation, more
appropriately termed Centrifugal
Separation are:
compact size of equipment,
low capital investments,
versatility,
ease of use,
low operating costs,
high performance.

Separator FPC18
technical drawing

Sedimentation is used in many

industrial processes where it is
necessary to separate substances
that are mixed together (dispersion).
With a suitable recipient and the time
needed to complete the
sedimentation process, the two or
more substances with different
densities will be separated (stratified)
within the recipient, the lightest going
to the surface, the heaviest to the
bottom. (See illustration above)

Modified Stokes Law

N.B. Stokes Law can of course only be used
when the settling process takes place under
conditions when the Reynolds-No. is below
0,25. For higher Reynolds-No., the
Grassmann system has to be used, which
takes advantage of two dimension-less
parameters: the Archimedes number and
the Omega number.

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Pagina 5

P I E R A L I S I
V E R T I C A L

S E P A R A T O R S

Pieralisi Vertical Separators combine very high rotational speed, a unique design and special materials. They generate a very high
centrifugal force which, when used for sedimentation purposes, ensures extremely efficient equipment. The mixture to be separated
is forced through a conical disc stack, where multi-layer sedimentation takes place. The separation happens very quickly as the mixture
passes through the parallel thin channels of the disc stack. A medium-sized Disc-Stack Separator, when using high centrifugal force,
can be compared to the efficiency of a sedimentation tank with a surface area of 60,000 m2, the same size as a football field.
In technical terms, this separator hosts an equivalent settling area of 60,000 m2 .

HOW DOES IT WORK?

Thousands of gs are produced in the bowl of the
Disc Stack Separator, the centrifugal force being the
product of the high rotational speed and the large
size of the bowl. The rotation is generated by an
electric motor connected to the horizontal shaft by
means of an elastic coupling or clutch. Thanks to the
gear ratio produced by specially-designed gears, the
movement is transferred to the vertical shaft. The
bowl is assembled on the conical top-end of the
vertical shaft.

Feed
Outlet light phase

SECTION
OF A BOWL

Outlet heavy phase

Paring disc heavy phase

Paring disc light phase

Distributor

Disc stack

Sludge space

Sludge ports

The processing liquid is fed into the centre of the bowl

through the stationary feed pipe. Subsequently the
inflow is accelerated by means of specially-designed
accelerators, forced in the first instance to the
perimeter of the bowl, and then through the discs
where multi-layer separation takes place. The separated
liquid(s) flow to the top of the bowl where they are
discharged by overflow or by centripetal pumps.

Ring valve

Distributor disc
Operating liquid

The solids captured via the described settling process are collected at the perimeter of the bowl, and then discharged intermittently.
This discharge is activated by a hydraulic system located underneath the separation area. In essence, the solids are discharged via
openings at the perimeter of the bowl which are opened and closed by the down- and upwards movement of either a sliding piston
or bowl bottom.

DESIGN FEATURES
Construction materials
The structural parts of the bowl are made of special stainless
steel, the inside parts in contact with the product are made of
suitable materials for the processing environment: stainless
steel, brass or bronze. The housing of the Vertical Separator is
in stainless steel, aluminium, or cast iron. The gear box is
made of cast iron or cast iron coated with stainless steel. The
gasket material is always selected according to the process.

Transmission
The movement is always generated by an electric motor and is
transmitted by means of:
clutch and worm gear
flexible coupling worm gear
set of pulleys and flat belt
rigid coupling and frequency drive.

SPECIAL VERSIONS
Sanitary version
Specially-designed all-stainless-steel Separators, designed to
be used with a CIP cycle for cleaning purposes. This version
incorporates a so-called gap-optimised design to allow for
easy flushig of all critical sections.

ATEX version
Specially-designed and certified Vertical Separators,
designed to be installed in hazardous areas and for the
treatment of potentially inflammable products, i.e.
Separators complying with II2G EEx cp IIB T4.
These separators can be purged with nitrogen to minimise
the risk of ignition and to fulfil ATEX requirements.

A special transmission version makes use of a high-speed

motor coupled directly to the vertical shaft.

Feeding and discharge of process liquids

Hermetic version

The mixture generally is fed in through a stationary feed pipe in

the centre of the bowl. The separated liquid may be discharged
from the Vertical Separator by an overflow or by a built-in
centripetal pump.

Hydro-hermetic device installed inside the bowl, designed to

ensure that contact with the surrounding environment is
avoided, and to prevent oxidation and gas leaks.

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M A I N
O F

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Pagina 6

T Y P E S

S E P A R A T I O N

Vertical Disc-Stack Separators are normally designed for one type of separation only, but in some cases, more versatile versions are
available that can carry out two different types of separation. Below is a list of the range of disc stacks and bowl designs used for
different types of separation.

CLARIFICATION

PURIFICATION (SEPARATION)

CONCENTRATION (SKIMMING)

Separation of suspended particles from a

liquid (e.g. fruit juices, cell biomass).

Separation of a heavy liquid from a main light

liquid (e.g. separation of water from
lubricating oil).
Simultaneous separation of solids is also possible.

Concentration of a light liquid dispersed

throughout a heavy liquid (e.g. skimming of
cream from milk).
Simultaneous separation of solids is also possible.

BIODIESEL PROCESS
Pieralisi offers a wide range of Vertical Disc-Stack Centrifuges and Decanters perfectly suitable to be used within the production
process of biodiesel: separation within the esterification stages, washing of crude biodiesel, polishing of end-product and treatment
of the side-streams, i.e. potassium-sulphate separation from acidified glycerine and free fatty acids.
Pieralisi centrifuges used in the biodiesel process comply with the ATEX Directive and are the ideal equipment for medium- and largecapacity plants.

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Pagina 1

A P P L I C A T I O N S
T E C H N I C A L

A N D

F E A T U R E S

Disc-Stack Separators are able to simultaneously process dispersions of two liquids and one solid.
The Pieralisi product range offers two main equipment solutions: one with solids retention (requiring manual cleaning) known as the
S-Type, and the other with automatic, intermittent solids discharge, known as the FPC-Type. Three different sizes are available for
both types of equipment. The tables below show types and sizes, with some general indications of dimensions.

PRODUCTS AND APPLICATIONS TABLES

CHEMICAL - PHARMACEUTICAL
Type/Application
BT
CH

S200
S250
S300
FPC 6
FPC 12
FPC 18

FB

FOOD PROCESSING
Type/Application
AF

YC

S200
S250
S300
FPC 6
FPC 12
FPC 18

BT= Biotechnology; CH= Chemical Processing; FB= Fermentation Broths;

YC= Yeasts, Cell Biomass

FUEL AND LUBE OILS

Type/Application
BD
CF
S200
S250
S300
FPC 6
FPC 12
FPC 18

HF

LO

MO

ST

SO

S200
S250
S300
FPC 6
FPC 12
FPC 18

WN

WL

BW= Bilge Water; EN= Waste Water; SO= Slop Oils; WL= Washing Liquids

SEPARATORS WITH
SOLIDS RETAINING BOWL

SEPARATORS WITH
AUTOMATIC DISCHARGE

S200

S250

S300

FPC 6

FPC 12

FPC 18

4,4

11

22

14

26

Sludge Space Volume (L)

15

Bowl Speed (rpm), max.

7600

6400

6400

7200

6500

6400

Hydraulic Capacity (L/h)

5000

12000

30000

5000

12000

30000

Bowl Volume (L)

VO

ENVIRONMENT - INDUSTRY
Type/Application
BW
EN

BD= Biodiesel; CF= Refrigerant Emulsions; HF= Heavy Fuel Oils;

LO= Lubrication Oils; MO= Lube and Fuel Oils; ST= Fuel Oils for Gas Turbines

Type

FJ

AF= Animal Fats; AG= Essences, Citrus; FJ= Fruit Juice;

VO= Vegetable Oil; WN= Wine

AG

AREAS OF APPLICATIONS FOR VERTICAL SEPARATORS

Pieralisi Vertical Separators are designed to be used in four main areas of applications:

CHEMICAL - PHARMACEUTICAL
cell biomass antibiotics, vaccines enzymes, yeasts special paints additives catalysts glycerine
inks insecticides latex

FOOD PROCESSING
fruit juices wine vegetable oils animal fats chicken/fish stock seaweed animal blood avocado oil
milk, whey butter oil essential oils after-dinner liqueurs (herb/plant-based) fish oil

FUEL AND LUBE OILS

biodiesel lubricating engine oils steam turbine lubricating oils machine tool lubricants lubricants for rolling mills,
reduction gears fuel oils for diesel engines and gas turbines insulating oils refrigerant fluids hardening oils

ENVIROMENT - INDUSTRY
washing liquids slop oils vegetable oil recovery radioactive liquids solvents recovery bilge water alkaline baths

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Pagina 2

INDUSTRIAL

SOME INSTALLATIONS

DIVISION

PIERALISI GROUP
ITALY
NUOVA M.A.I.P. MACCHINE AGRICOLE INDUSTRIALI PIERALISI S.p.A.
Via Don Battistoni, 1 - 60035 JESI (AN) - Tel. 0731 231.1
Fax 0731 231239 - www.pieralisi.com - info@pieralisi.com
VERACI I.M.I. S.p.A. - Via Cellini, 53 - 50020 SAMBUCA VAL DI PESA (FI)
Tel. 055 8071657/8 - Fax 055 8071748
VERACI I.M.I. S.p.A. - Via S. Pietro, 12 - 60036 MONTECAROTTO (AN)
Tel. 0731 899027 - Fax 0731 89259
PIERALISI SUD S.p.A. - S.S. 96, Km. 117,900
70026 MODUGNO (BA) - Tel. 080 5352054 - Fax 080 5352033
ICM S.r.l. CARRELLI ELEVATORI - Via Brodolini, 8 - Zona Industriale Zipa
60035 JESI (AN) - Tel. 0731 200350 - Fax 0731 200328
Commercial Structure

COMAGRI S.p.A. - Via Don Battistoni, 1 - 60035 JESI (AN) - Tel. 0731 231.1
Fax 0731 231239 - www.pieralisi.com - info@pieralisi.com
Branches

CERIALE (SV) - Via Nava 62 - Tel./Fax 0182 930200

DUEVILLE (VI) - Via Marosticana 236 - Tel. 0444 360533
Fax 0444 369884
SAMBUCA VAL DI PESA (FI) - Via B. Cellini 53 - Tel. 055 8071657/8
Fax 055 8071748
TREVI (PG) - S.S. Flaminia Km 146,500 - Loc. Torre Matigge
Tel. 0742 780579 - Fax 0742 386914
VITERBO - Via dell'Industria 56 - Loc.Poggino - Tel. 0761 352688
Fax 0761 391177
PESCARA - Via di Sotto 137 - Tel./Fax 085 4157160
ARIENZO (CE) - S.S. Appia N. 11 - Tel./Fax 0823 804754
SALERNO - Via Diaz 36 - Tel. 089 236326 - Fax 089 2754347
SAN GIOVANNI ROTONDO (FG) - Via Foggia 149 - Tel. 0882 452545
Fax 0882 455371
MODUGNO (BA) - S.S. 96 Km 117,900 - Tel. 080 5352054
Fax 080 5352033
ALTAMURA (BA) - Via del Tabacco 25 Z.I. - Tel./Fax 080 3101192
FRANCAVILLA FONTANA (BR) - Viale dell'artigianato Z.I.
Tel./Fax 0831 819877
LECCE - Viale Rossini angolo Torre del Parco - Tel./Fax 0832 343611
CASTROLIBERO (CS) - Via F. Gullo 60 - Tel./Fax 0984 852991
GIZZERIA (CZ) - C.da Mortilla - Tel. 0968 466933 - Fax 0968 466808
CROPANI MARINA (CZ) - S.S. 106 Km 205 - Tel./Fax 0961 960968
MONTAURO (CZ) - Corso Umberto I, 79 - Tel. 0967 486030
Fax 0967 578840 / 814574
GIOIA TAURO (RC) - Via Nazionale 18, N352 - Tel. 0966 51950
Fax 0966 506295
CAPO D'ORLANDO (ME) - Piazza Del Merendino 15 - Tel./Fax 0941 901381
VITTORIA (RG) - Via Como 154 - Tel. 0932 981938
PALERMO - Via A. Zancla 18 - Tel. 091 487498 - Fax 091 427143
DOLIANOVA (CA) - Via Emilio Lussu 66 - Tel. 070 740176
Fax 070 743924

ABROAD
PIERALISI ESPAA S.L. - Av. Alcalde Caballero, 69
50015 ZARAGOZA (Spain) - Tel. +34 976 466020
Fax +34 976 732816 - info@pieralisi.net

The company reserves the right to modify the features of its products without notice. Registered trademarks. Advertising material copyright. All rights reserved.

MINIMON_SEPATORE GB

Commercial Structure

Via Don Battistoni, 1 - 60035 JESI (AN) - Italy - Tel. +39-0731-231.1 - Fax +39-0731-231.239
www.pieralisi.com - info@pieralisi.com

3183.1.2077 - 06/06

PIERALISI ESPAA S.L. - Av. Alcalde Caballero, 69

50015 ZARAGOZA (Spain) - Tel. +34 976 515311
Fax +34 976 732816 - info@pieralisi.net
DELEGACION PIERALISI SUR - Ctra. Madrid, km 332,6
23009 JAEN (Spain) Tel. +34 953 284023-280866
Fax +34 953 281715 - jaen@pieralisi.net
MITEM PIERALISI HELLAS - 14 km National Road Athens - Lamia
145 64 KIFISIA (Greece) - Tel. +30 210 8002460
Fax +30 210 6851403 - administration@pieralisi.gr
PIERALISI BENELUX B.V. - Edisonlaan, 22 - 2665 JC BLEISWIJK
(Holland) - Tel. +31 10 5218788 - Fax +31 10 5218875 info@pieralisi.nl
PIERALISI DEUTSCHLAND GmbH - Ochsenfurter Str., 2
97246 EIBELSTADT (Germany) - Tel. +49 9303 9082-0
Fax +49 9303 9082-20 - pieralisi@pieralisi.de
PIERALISI DO BRASIL LTDA - Av. Imperatriz Leopoldina, 1735
SO PAULO - SP - CEP 05305-007 (Brazil)
Tel. +55 11 3645.3222 - Fax +55 11 3645. 2527 pieralisi@pieralisi.com.br
PIERALISI ARGENTINA S.A. - Oficina Comercial la Rioja
Mar del Plata 2668 - Parque Industrial - 5300 LA RIOJA (Argentina)
Tel./Fax +54 3822 430304
PIERALISI BEIJING LTD - Room 1508, Building 2, JIUTAI 2000 Garden,
No. 56 Anli Rd, Chao Yang District, BEIJING - 100012 (P.R. China)
Tel. +86 10-84801916/8 - Fax +86 10-84801911