Solids Handling · Dewatering Equipment
How Does a Centrifuge Dewater Sludge?
A centrifuge spins sludge in a closed bowl to separate heavier solids from liquid.
The rotating bowl and an internal screw move material toward separate exits. Polymer may help separation. The liquid stream is often called centrate. Vibration, bearing condition, torque, feed changes, and discharge quality matter. The bowl contains high energy and must not be opened or serviced until fully stopped and isolated.
A vibration alarm appears after a feed change. The operator follows the stop plan instead of repeatedly resetting the machine.
Know where cake and centrate leave. Check each stream because a thick cake can still come with poor solids capture.
A centrifuge can take time to coast to a complete stop. A zero-feed condition or silent motor does not prove the bowl is still. Follow its speed indication and isolation procedure. Unusual vibration should be reported with the feed condition and the time it began.
Key point: A centrifuge separates solids from liquid in a spinning bowl. The liquid stream is often called centrate.
Keep learning
Wastewater Solids Handling Fundamentals
This page comes from the course. It covers moving and storing sludge, thickening, digestion, dewatering, sampling and solids math, safety and final destinations, one step at a time, with short knowledge checks and a certificate of completion.
Take the course