Surface temperature reduction studies and analysis for centrifugal separator

Objective: In this thesis, the main objective is determining the primary factors that generate heat during the operation of centrifugal separators and reducing the surface temperatures by decreasing the air friction of bowl group. Material And Methods: It was calculated that air friction causes approximately 16 kW of energy consumption in a separator with a bowl diameter of 830 mm. An experimental test setup was prepared and a new generation high-capacity centrifugal separator was subjected to a 7-hour test while being cooled by water cooling method. Power consumption data and surface temperature values were recorded throughout the test. Then, the same separator was subjected to the same test without using the water-cooling feature, and the power consumption and temperature values were recorded. Finally, the same tests were carried out day by day by reducing the air pressure to 0.9 atm, 0.8 atm and 0.7 atm by using a vacuum pump. Results: When the results of the study are examined, it has been determined that the separator operating under 30% vacuum (0.7 atm) consumes 9% less energy and operates at temperatures close to the case where cooling water is supplied, although no cooling feature is used. This vacuum solution resulted in 9% energy savings per machine. This saving corresponds to approximately 4 kW/h power consumption. In addition, 170 liters/hour of cooling water per machine or in other words 391 tons of cooling water per machine per year were saved. Conclusion: In centrifugal separators, the generally targeted maximum surface temperature value is 60°C, and it has been noted that the targeted values are achieved without using any other cooling method in a separator operating under 0.7 atm pressure.