Centrifugal separation technology is one of the most widely applied technologies in various industries, including pharmaceuticals, chemicals, metallurgy, textiles, environmental protection, and food processing. It utilizes centrifugal force to achieve phase separation in mixtures such as liquid-solid, liquid-liquid, or liquid-liquid-solid suspensions and emulsions. Based on the physical properties of the material and the specific separation requirements, decanter centrifuges can be selected to achieve efficient and reliable separation. These systems are favored for their simple structure, high efficiency, and purely physical separation process, which ensures the integrity and quality of the separated materials.

Selecting the Appropriate Type of Separation Equipment

In heavy oil treatment applications, separation equipment can be categorized based on:

Slag Discharge Mechanism:

Full-discharge type

Partial-discharge type

Separation Objective:

Impurity-focused (solid separation)

Water-focused (dewatering/separation of water from oil)

The choice of equipment depends primarily on the characteristics of the material and the desired outcome. For example:

If the heavy oil contains a high level of mechanical impurities and less than 3% water, the primary goal is to remove solids. In this case, equipment with strong slag discharge capability should be prioritized. The removal of water is less critical.

If the water content exceeds 3%, then water separation becomes equally important. In such scenarios, the separation equipment must be capable of both effective slag discharge and efficient water removal. Failing to remove excess water may lead to downstream issues, such as incomplete combustion or engine performance failure in diesel systems (e.g., load loss or power interruption).

Processing Capacity Considerations

When selecting separation equipment such as decanter centrifuge for use with heavy fuel oil, it is important to note that:

Burning heavy oil generally results in exhaust temperatures that are 15–20°C higher than those from light diesel.

Fuel consumption rates are typically 5%–8% higher.

Therefore, it is essential to match the separation equipment’s processing capacity with the engine’s fuel consumption rate, ensuring it can handle the required volume of treated oil without becoming a bottleneck.

Additional Selection Tips

Before finalizing the equipment model, users should:

Confirm the specific characteristics and specifications of the oil to be processed (e.g., viscosity, impurity content, water content).

Assess the corrosiveness of the material and communicate this clearly to the equipment supplier.

Specify any special conditions or requirements in advance to avoid miscommunication or future disputes.