ALFA vertical top discharge centrifuge is designed for efficient separation of fine chemicals and pharmaceutical substances, as well as for products, that require large filtration area.
The simplicity of operation and cleaning makes this centrifuge model perfectly suitable for very frequent change of production. C.I.P. (Clean In Place) possibility at every change of production guarantees the absence of “cross contamination”, and fully openable casing and, accordingly, the possibility of complete inspection of process area make these centrifuges perfectly suited for GMP needs.
Optional cake detector may be provided for cake thickness monitoring.
Cake removal is carried out manually (by means of shovel) or via extraction of filter bag using special bag lifting tool, that can also be supplied by Comi Condor.
Capacity up to 2 - 3 t/h.
Pilot model
ALFA pilot centrifuge may be used for many applications:
- Research and development
- Small productions or working with high added value products
- Scale-up
ALFA pilot centrifuges have the following features:
- They are mobile, skid-mounted
- cGMP design
- Fully inspectable process area
- For the small ALFA centrifuge sizes, a “glove box” installation can be provided.
- This type of centrifuges has relatively small foot print.
- Fully automated by the control system sequence of all phases of the process, with the exception of unloading, by means of PLC or DCS.
- Imbalance monitoring system alarm, triggered when vibrations exceed maximum set values.
Loading
The solid-liquid suspension is fed from the loading pipe into the centrifuge and under the action of centrifugal force it moves towards the filter cloth, placed on a perforated drum. The solid part of the suspension is retained by the filter cloth forming a cake, while the liquid filters through the cake and the cloth and is discharged through the holes of the basket. The growth of the cake thickness is controlled by a mechanical or laser detector, which can automatically stop the loading phase when the desired cake thickness is reached.
Cake washing
The washing of the product is used to remove any impurities present in the cake. The washing liquid is distributed on the product, along the entire length of the basket, through nozzles suitably distributed on the washing pipe. The liquid passes through the product, purifying it, and then passes from the filter cloth and the holes of the basket.
Centrifugation
Once completed the washing phase, the centrifuge is accelerated to the maximum speed and maintained for a given time to achieve the level of residual humidity of the product in processing. At the end of the centrifugation, the centrifuge decelerates to the discharge speed.
Discharge
The solids discharge can be achieved manually by means of: shovel (Alfa/B), lifting bag system (Alfa/SB) or automatically via knife/vacuum (Alfa/B-CA).
Centrifuge cleaning (CIP)
The centrifuge should be cleaned at every change of product to avoid "cross-contamination" between the processed products. The centrifuge cleaning system, fully automated, is composed by 2 main stages: Washing Machine Effect and cleaning with spray balls, which can be alternated to achieve maximum cleaning and to optimize the consumption of the cleaning liquid.
Washing Machine Effect (WME)
The centrifuge is filled with the washing liquid up to a predetermined height and is put in rotation. During the sequence of the automatic washing the basket rotates clockwise and counterclockwise, so that the washing liquid reaches all the points of the process area.
Cleaning with spray balls
The washing liquid is sprayed through spray balls on all the surfaces of the process area to completely remove the residues of product still present.
|
Centrifuge Model: |
Basket diameter |
Basket length |
Filtering surface |
Cake volume |
Max load |
Max speed |
G factor |
Centrifuge weight |
|
Unit |
mm |
mm |
m² |
dm³ |
kg |
RPM |
xg |
kg |
|
350/260 |
350 |
260 |
0,28 |
15 |
20 |
2800 |
1532 |
900 |
|
550/350 |
550 |
350 |
0,6 |
40 |
50 |
2550 |
2000 |
1200 |
|
630/400 |
630 |
400 |
0,8 |
63 |
80 |
1900 |
1250 |
1500 |
|
800/400 |
800 |
400 |
1,00 |
100 |
125 |
1500 |
1000 |
2900 |
|
1000/500 |
1000 |
500 |
1,57 |
200 |
250 |
1200 |
800 |
4000 |
|
1250/500 |
1250 |
500 |
1,96 |
315 |
400 |
1000 |
700 |
5300 |
|
1250/630 |
1250 |
630 |
2,47 |
400 |
500 |
1000 |
700 |
6000 |
|
1250/800 |
1250 |
800 |
3,14 |
500 |
625 |
1000 |
700 |
6500 |
|
1600/800 |
1600 |
800 |
4,02 |
800 |
1000 |
850 |
646 |
8000 |
Drive: with frequency converter (adjustable speed)
Filtration: polypropylene fabric or PTFE fabric
Gas tightness: according to DIN 24400, 400 mm Hg
Cleaning in place: CIP cleaning system with nozzles
Suspension: There are two possible solutions:
- Three columns of suspension
- Suspensions on an inert platform with viscous dampers to avoid the use of heavy concrete foundations
Surface polishing: Multiple levels of polishing - up to mirror and / or electrochemical polishing. Construction materials: all kinds of stainless steel and special alloys are available, such as AISI 904 L, AISI 316 L (DIN 1.4404), HASTELLOY, MONEL, ALLOY 59, 254 SMO, NICKEL, TITANIUM, SAF 2205.
Internal lining from HALAR (ECTFE), TEFLON ETFE, EBONITE.
Surface polishing: Multiple levels of polishing are available - up to mirror and / or electrochemical polishing. Construction materials: all kinds of stainless steel and special alloys are available, such as AISI 904 L, AISI 316 L (DIN 1.4404), HASTELLOY, MONEL, ALLOY 59, 254 SMO, NICKEL, TITANIUM, SAF 2205.
Internal lining from HALAR (ECTFE), TEFLON ETFE, EBONITE.
|
Centrifuge Model: |
Basket diameter |
Basket length |
Filtering surface |
Cake volume |
Max load |
Max speed |
G factor |
Centrifuge weight |
|
Unit |
mm |
mm |
m² |
dm³ |
kg |
RPM |
xg |
kg |
|
350/260 |
350 |
260 |
0,28 |
15 |
20 |
2800 |
1532 |
900 |
|
550/350 |
550 |
350 |
0,6 |
40 |
50 |
2550 |
2000 |
1200 |
Models:
ALFA / B
The machine with the simplest execution. Solids are extracted manually. This type of construction is mostly used for small centrifuges. Both filter bag and filter cloth can be used.
ALFA / SB
In this model of centrifuges, the extraction of the product is simplified and its phase of the cycle is shortened. The upper ring of the rotor, to which the filter bag is attached, can be removed through the top.
ALFA / SB / ... CA
In these centrifuges, the product is removed by means of a suction knife. When the operator needs to avoid contact with the product (toxic or allergenic) or when solids need to be removed without polluting the environment, the product can be pneumatically transferred to the dryer or regeneration unit through a closed loop, inerted with nitrogen (if flammable solvents are present).
Options:
Version in accordance with GMP, with inspection area and flat bottom of the rotor (up to Ø 1250 mm)
A special system for rapid extraction of the filter bag
Sludge thickness detector for automatic loading without operator
a scraping knife for crushing the product before it is unloaded in order to minimize the force required to remove the filter bag
