Chinese Centrifuge Powers Municipal Wastewater Treatment in Europe

A New Milestone for GN Separation

GN Separation has successfully delivered three decanter centrifuges to a leading environmental company in Europe. The shipment includes two GNLW364 models and one GNLW454 model, all of which are designed to meet the complex demands of municipal wastewater treatment. This delivery marks a major milestone for GN Separation, representing a growing recognition of Chinese engineering capabilities in one of the most regulated regions of the world.

Flexible Design Meets Urban Treatment Needs

The delivered centrifuges are not only efficient in operation but also uniquely designed for flexible deployment. They are compact enough to be integrated into containerized units, enabling the development of mobile sludge dewatering systems. These containerized systems are ideal for small and mid-sized wastewater treatment plants that require mobility, limited footprint, and easy relocation. This adaptability makes the GN decanter centrifuges a strong fit for municipalities and contractors seeking plug-and-play solutions with minimal civil works.

Proven Environmental and Operational Benefits

GN centrifuges provide multiple benefits for the wastewater sector. They are engineered to efficiently separate solids from liquids, significantly reducing sludge volume. By recovering reusable process water, they contribute to more sustainable water management. In addition, the equipment supports lower operational costs through reduced energy consumption and maintenance needs. This helps operators meet strict environmental targets while optimizing cost-efficiency.

Global Trust in Chinese Equipment

This project demonstrates the growing acceptance of Chinese-made equipment in mature and regulated markets. European industries are known for their high standards in performance, environmental compliance, and equipment reliability. The fact that GN centrifuges were selected for municipal wastewater treatment in Europe proves that Chinese industrial technology is now trusted beyond developing markets. It is capable of competing with global brands in quality, innovation, and service.

GN Separation continues to expand its footprint globally, providing effective, reliable, and sustainable separation solutions to industries ranging from oil and gas to environmental protection. This successful delivery reinforces the company’s mission to become a respected global brand in the field of industrial separation technology.

How to Increase the Dewatering Efficiency of a Decanter Centrifuge

During the operation of a decanter centrifuge, many users encounter the issue of reduced dewatering efficiency. A common symptom is the prolonged dewatering time, with the resulting solids remaining too wet. This often occurs as solids accumulate inside the centrifuge bowl, affecting the separation performance and increasing cycle duration. Fortunately, there are several ways to optimize and enhance the dewatering capacity of the decanter centrifuge.

1. Increase Rotational Speed and Optimize Drum Design

One of the most effective methods is to increase the rotational speed of the centrifuge drum—within the safe operational limits and provided the materials are non-corrosive or only mildly corrosive. Higher centrifugal force promotes more efficient separation of solids from the liquid phase. Additionally, expanding the filtration surface inside the bowl can significantly enhance water discharge. For example, installing a fine mesh lining or a V-shaped filter baffle increases the permeability and accelerates the dewatering process.

2. Reduce Material Load per Cycle

Another approach is to minimize the amount of feed material per cycle. By reducing the volume of sludge processed at one time and using a more frequent discharge cycle (i.e., “less per run, more runs”), the centrifuge can maintain optimal working conditions and improve overall performance.

3. Modify the Material Characteristics

For viscous or fine-particle sludge, washing the feed (as allowed by the process) and increasing the particle size of the solids can help. The use of flocculants is especially critical—selecting the right type, concentration, and dosage can drastically improve the separation rate. Adjusting the flocculant’s mixing intensity and direction also contributes to a better result.

4. Fine-Tune Operating Parameters

To further boost dewatering performance, it is essential to adjust several key operating parameters:

Bowl speed

Scroll speed and differential (torque curve)

Thickness of the liquid ring layer

Flocculant properties and dosage

Solid loading rate

Field experience has shown that the liquid ring thickness and the scroll speed differential are among the most influential parameters in improving sludge dryness and reducing moisture in the cake.

Maintenance Tips for Long-Term Performance

Regular maintenance is vital to keep your decanter centrifuge running at peak efficiency:

After operation, clean the decanter centrifuge chamber and wipe away any condensed water.

Keep the machine door open after use to allow the internal temperature to return to normal.

Balance all samples before starting centrifugation to avoid mechanical stress.

Disinfect and sterilize the unit as needed, especially when handling biologically active or hazardous materials.

By optimizing both mechanical settings and material preparation, users can greatly improve the dewatering efficiency of decanter centrifuges, reduce maintenance costs, and ensure more reliable operation in demanding industrial environments.

Efficient Resource Recovery from Olive Oil Wastewater with Three-Phase Decanter Centrifuge

Olive oil production is a cornerstone of agriculture in many Mediterranean and Middle Eastern countries. However, this process generates significant amounts of oily wastewater, which can pose serious environmental challenges if not properly treated. Traditional treatment methods are often inefficient and unable to separate the different components of olive oil mill effluent effectively. A three-phase decanter centrifuge presents an advanced solution that not only treats this wastewater but also recovers valuable resources.

Recovering Valuable Olive Oil for Further Refining

Olive oil wastewater still contains a considerable amount of residual oil. With the use of a three-phase decanter centrifuge, this oil can be efficiently separated from the water and solid fractions. The recovered oil, although not suitable for direct consumption, can be sent to refining units to produce usable industrial-grade or cosmetic-grade oil. This significantly increases the overall oil yield for the mill, maximizing profitability and reducing raw material waste.

Purified Water for Reuse or Discharge

The water phase extracted by the decanter centrifuge is much cleaner compared to the raw effluent. While further treatment may be needed to meet strict discharge regulations, the load on biological treatment systems is greatly reduced. In some cases, the clarified water can be reused for cleaning or irrigation, contributing to water conservation in regions where water is a scarce resource.

Organic Solids Reused as Agricultural Fertilizer

The solid fraction separated during the process contains organic residues, pulp, and fine solids. These can be collected and further processed into compost or used directly as soil conditioner. Rich in organic matter and nutrients, these solids support sustainable agriculture and close the loop of circular economy within the olive oil production cycle.

A Sustainable and Cost-Effective Solution for Olive Mills

The three-phase decanter centrifuge operates continuously and requires minimal manual intervention, making it ideal for modern olive oil mills looking to reduce labor and operational costs. Its compact design, high separation efficiency, and ability to handle large volumes of wastewater make it a valuable investment for both small and large-scale producers. Most importantly, it helps producers align with increasingly strict environmental regulations while turning waste into new revenue streams.

Improving Dewatering Efficiency & Enhancing Adaptability of Decanter Centrifuges

During operation, decanter centrifuges may experience prolonged dewatering time and incomplete solid dryness, particularly as solids accumulate in the drum. This issue is common in high-solids or high-viscosity applications. So the common Issue is how to reduce the Dewatering Efficiency of decanter centrifuge.

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Soy Protein Extraction Centrifuge Solution

 

Soybeans are recognized as a complete protein source, containing all essential amino acids required by the human body—amino acids which cannot be synthesized internally. This makes soy protein a valuable alternative to animal-based proteins, both for human consumption and livestock feed. Among the various forms, Soy Protein Isolate (SPI) is the most concentrated, boasting a protein content of up to 90% (dry basis). Continue reading

How Centrifuge Plays a Key Role in Wastewater Treatment

Effective wastewater treatment involves a series of physical, chemical, and biological processes to separate impurities from water. Among the many technologies available, centrifuge stands out as a powerful tool in the sludge dewatering and solid-liquid separation stage.

The Role of Centrifuge in Wastewater Treatment

A centrifuge utilizes high-speed rotational force to separate components of different densities. During the process, suspended solids, sediments, and sludge particles move toward the wall of the spinning bowl, while clarified water exits from the center.

This makes a centrifuge a key piece of equipment for dewatering sludge after the main treatment process. It converts thick, water-rich sludge into a drier, more manageable form — reducing disposal costs and simplifying subsequent handling.

Comparison with Other Equipment (Belt Filter, Plate Filter, MBR)

Compared to belt filter press and plate-and-frame filter, the centrifuge has a smaller footprint and faster processing. It operates in a closed, automated, and continuous manner, reducing human intervention and odor emissions.

Compared to MBR (Membrane Bioreactor), which focuses on liquid-side polishing, the centrifuge performs solid-liquid separation at the back-end, removing excess sludge efficiently. The two technologies are often used in combination: MBR first produces high-purity water, then a centrifuge dewaters the waste sludge afterwards.

How to Select the Right Equipment for Your Application

Choosing the appropriate dewatering equipment depends on numerous factors, including sludge characteristics, flow rate, space, automation requirements, and disposal goals.
For large, continuous operations where space is limited and low maintenance is desirable, a decanter centrifuge is often preferred.
For small scale or batch processing, a belt press or plate filter might be more cost-effective.

Furthermore, the nature of the sludge — whether it’s oily, rich in organics, or heavy sediments — also guides equipment selection.
A centrifuge performs well across a range of viscosities and can handle fluctuations in flow and solid content more robustly than many other methods.

Conclusion

The centrifuge plays a crucial role in modern wastewater treatment, offering efficient, automated, and flexible dewatering of sludge. By understanding its unique benefits and comparing it to alternative equipment, plant designers and operators can select the most appropriate solution to maximize performance and minimize operational cost.

Whether you are designing a new treatment plant or optimizing an existing one, choosing the right dewatering technology is key — and a centrifuge might be exactly what you need.

Enhancing Sugar Mill Efficiency with Industrial Centrifuges

As global sugar demand continues to grow, sugar mills are under increasing pressure to improve processing efficiency, reduce waste, and minimize environmental impact. One of the key technologies that support these goals is the industrial centrifuge, which plays a crucial role in the solid-liquid separation stages of sugar production.

1. Optimizing Sugar Crystallization and Separation

In sugar production—especially from sugarcane and sugar beet—the separation of sugar crystals from molasses is a vital step. Centrifuges provide fast, efficient, and continuous separation by spinning the massecuite at high speed, allowing sugar crystals to be extracted while the remaining molasses is discharged. Compared to traditional batch systems, modern continuous centrifuges improve recovery rates and reduce processing time, enabling mills to increase output without compromising quality.

2. Reducing Waste and Improving Sustainability

Beyond crystal separation, centrifuges are also valuable for handling sugar processing by-products such as filter mud, vinasse, and wastewater sludge. By dewatering these residuals, centrifuges help reduce the volume of waste, lower transportation and disposal costs, and support downstream applications such as bio-composting or energy recovery. This contributes directly to more sustainable and eco-friendly sugar production practices.

3. Reliable Performance in Harsh Mill Environments

Sugar mills often operate in hot, humid, and high-load conditions. Industrial decanter centrifuges and basket centrifuges are engineered to withstand such environments, with features like wear-resistant components, automated controls, and easy maintenance access. Choosing the right centrifuge tailored to your mill’s capacity and process requirements can significantly improve operational reliability and reduce downtime.

Conclusion

As sugar mills modernize to stay competitive, industrial centrifuges have become indispensable equipment in both production and waste management. Whether improving crystal recovery or reducing environmental impact, a high-performance centrifuge system is a smart investment for any forward-thinking sugar producer.

Waste Oil Recycling with Decanter Centrifuge Systems

Waste oil is generated during various stages of oil production and processing, including oilfield extraction, pipeline transportation, oil and gas gathering stations, refining operations, and oily wastewater treatment. Efficient recycling and resource recovery from waste oil is essential for both environmental protection and energy conservation.

The treatment of waste oil involves a comprehensive production process based on the principles of centrifugal separation and demulsification. A standard waste oil recycling system consists of the following subsystems: Batching System, Feeding System, Separation System, Conveying System, Control System.

After collection, waste oil is preheated using steam. Additives such as demulsifiers and surfactants are then introduced to break down emulsions and convert oily wastewater into a treatable liquid form.

Three-phase decanter centrifuge for continuous separation

The core of the system is a high-efficiency three-phase decanter centrifuge, which enables continuous separation of oil, water, and solids (sludge) from the waste oil.

The oil phase is collected for further purification.

The water phase and oil-water mixture are transferred to a sewage treatment system.

The solid phase is partially dehydrated and may contain recoverable crude oil.

In cases where the separated oil-water mixture and undemulsified water are still complex, a two-phase decanter centrifuge is used for further dewatering.

Downstream Processing and Resource Recovery

Solid Residue: The crude oil content in the separated sludge can be recovered via thermal desorption or used directly as a low-grade fuel for combustion.

Purification: Separated crude oil undergoes secondary purification using a three-phase disc stack separator, producing refined oil suitable for reuse.

Alternative Application: Treatment of Crude Oil Oily Wastewater

The decanter centrifuge system is also effective in processing oily wastewater generated during crude oil handling.

Traditional methods involved direct incineration post-dehydration, leading to significant loss of recoverable oil.

Now, with pretreatment techniques (adding demulsifiers and surfactants), the emulsified oily wastewater is broken down more efficiently.

Once demulsified, the wastewater is transferred to oil traps for gravity separation.

In this setup:

The floating oil is collected.

The sludge layer is further processed.

The middle layer mixture is sent to the wastewater treatment system for final disposal.

Drilling Waste (OBM) Treatment with Decanter Centrifuges

Decanter centrifuges are also used in the treatment of oil-based muds (OBM) from drilling operations. OBMs typically consist of: Base oil, Water, Organoclay, Oil-soluble treatment agents

OBMs offer advantages such as high-temperature resistance, calcium tolerance, wellbore stabilization, and reduced damage to oil and gas formations. However, the waste solids generated from equipment such as shale shakers, centrifuges, and dryers pose serious environmental risks.

Treatment Method:

High-Speed Agitation: Collected OBM wastewater is blended with demulsifiers and surfactants.

Screening: Vibrating screens remove large debris (soil, sand, plastic, gauze, etc.).

Two-Phase Centrifuge: An efficient two-phase decanter centrifuge performs continuous separation of oil, water, and solids.

Thermal Desorption: Remaining oil in the sludge is recovered through thermal desorption.

Oil Recovery: Purified oil is collected and reused.

Final residues typically contain less than 1% oil, meeting environmental safety requirements.

The integration of decanter centrifuge technology into waste oil recycling processes greatly enhances the efficiency of oil recovery, wastewater treatment, and solid waste minimization. Whether applied in crude oil processing, refinery operations, or drilling waste management, these systems offer reliable, scalable, and environmentally friendly solutions that align with modern sustainability goals.

The Role of Centrifuges in Sugar Beet Washing: Improving Efficiency and Cleanliness

1. Importance of Thorough Sugar Beet Cleaning

In sugar production, the quality of raw material preparation directly impacts the efficiency of the entire process. For sugar beet processing plants, one of the most critical early steps is the cleaning of harvested beets. Sugar beets are typically delivered from the field covered in soil, stones, and other debris. If not properly removed, these impurities can damage downstream equipment, reduce sugar extraction efficiency, and increase maintenance costs.

Traditionally, sugar beets are cleaned using water-based systems like flumes and drum washers. However, these systems generate large volumes of wastewater mixed with fine solids. The separation of these solids from the washing water is essential for reusing the water and maintaining plant hygiene and process stability. This is where centrifuge technology becomes highly valuable.

2. Centrifuges for Solids Removal and Water Recycling

Modern beet washing systems increasingly rely on decanter centrifuges to handle the wastewater generated during the cleaning process. A decanter centrifuge is designed to continuously separate suspended solids from liquids using high-speed rotational force. In sugar beet washing, it efficiently removes soil, sand, and organic particles from the wash water.

The benefits are twofold:

First, the clarified water can be reused in the washing loop, significantly reducing the consumption of fresh water and lowering utility costs.

Second, the dewatered solids (beet soil and debris) are discharged as a dry cake, which is easier and more cost-effective to handle, transport, or dispose of.

This not only enhances the environmental sustainability of the operation but also increases process uptime, as clean water reduces the wear on pumps, nozzles, and washing machinery.

3. Key Benefits of Using Centrifuges in Beet Processing

The integration of a centrifuge into the sugar beet cleaning process provides multiple operational advantages:

Water Savings: Recycled water reduces dependency on fresh water sources.

Efficient Solids Removal: Reduces buildup in the system and minimizes downtime.

Lower Maintenance Costs: Clean water means less abrasion and damage to equipment.

Sustainable Operations: Supports environmental goals by reducing water waste and solid disposal volumes.

Improved Plant Performance: Consistent cleaning leads to better sugar extraction rates.

Many modern sugar factories around the world have already incorporated high-performance centrifuge systems into their cleaning stations as part of their effort to boost production efficiency while meeting environmental regulations.

Key Factors Affecting the Separation Performance of Decanter Centrifuge

The decanter centrifuge is a widely recognized and essential piece of equipment in various industries for continuous solid-liquid separation. Whether you’re an equipment user or managing a website related to centrifuges, it’s crucial to understand how these machines work and what factors influence their performance. This knowledge ensures correct usage, optimal efficiency, and better alignment with market and manufacturer expectations.

  1. Role and Working Principle of the Differential in decanter centrifuges

The differential is a critical component of the decanter centrifuge, responsible for creating a constant differential speed between the rotating bowl and the internal screw conveyor. This speed difference enables the screw to continuously transport separated solids (or sludge) toward the small-end discharge port, while clarified liquid exits from the large-end overflow weir.

In simple terms, the differential ensures that solid particles, after being separated by centrifugal force, are moved toward the solids discharge zone, while the clarified liquid flows out separately—resulting in effective solid-liquid separation.

  1. Key Factors Influencing Separation Efficiency

Several factors impact the separation effect of a decanter centrifuge. Among these, material characteristics play the most significant role:

Particle size, shape, and density: Coarse and denser particles settle faster and are easier to separate than fine or light particles.

Liquid phase properties: The viscosity, density, and surface tension of the liquid affect how easily solids can settle.

Sludge consistency and concentration: High solid content or thixotropic sludge may require specific adjustments or additives.

In addition to feed properties, other factors include:

Bowl speed and differential speed

Pond depth (weir plate settings)

Feed flow rate and temperature

Centrifuge design (beach angle, screw pitch, etc.)

The appropriate type of decanter centrifuge must be selected based on the nature of the feed material to ensure optimal performance.

  1. Decanter Centrifuge vs. Disc Stack Centrifuge: Are They Comparable?

While both are centrifuges, decanter centrifuges and disc stack centrifuges serve different purposes and operate under different principles:

Decanter centrifuge: Operates at lower centrifugal force (typically 2,500–3,500 G), ideal for high-solids slurries, continuous sludge dewatering, and industrial-scale wastewater or byproduct treatment.

Disc stack centrifuge: Operates at higher G-forces (7,000–8,000 G), better suited for clarifying liquids with very fine solids (e.g., dairy, juice, or pharmaceutical applications).

Because of these fundamental differences, the two types are not directly comparable, and each should be used in its specific application context.

  1. How to Improve the Efficiency of a Decanter Centrifuge

To enhance the working efficiency of a decanter centrifuge, consider the following strategies:

Optimize operating parameters:

Adjust bowl speed and differential speed to match the characteristics of the feed. A higher bowl speed increases separation force but must be balanced to avoid excessive wear or energy use.

Adjust pond depth and feed rate:

Proper weir plate settings control the pond depth inside the bowl, influencing sedimentation time and clarity. Ensure the feed rate aligns with the centrifuge’s capacity to avoid overloading.

Use chemical additives (flocculants or coagulants):

Additives can improve solid particle aggregation, making them easier to separate. This is particularly useful when dealing with fine or colloidal solids.

Install a BD (beach design) board or adjustable cone angle:

These help improve solids drying and discharge performance by optimizing the sediment discharge process.

Maintain equipment regularly:

Ensure the screw, bowl, bearings, and seals are in good condition. Consistent lubrication (preferably automated) and wear protection (e.g., tungsten carbide plating) reduce downtime and extend service life.

Conclusion

Understanding the operating principles and performance factors of decanter centrifuges is essential for effective use and maintenance. By paying attention to feed characteristics, optimizing equipment settings, and implementing smart operational strategies, users can significantly enhance separation efficiency and reduce operating costs.