Used Centrifuges

Every centrifuge works on the same principle, and the differences come down to how the machine handles the solids. A disc centrifuge stacks conical discs inside a fast-spinning bowl to shorten the settling distance, which suits clarifying and separating two liquid phases. A decanter centrifuge uses a horizontal solid bowl with an internal scroll conveyor that moves settled solids to the discharge end while clarified liquid overflows the opposite end. A basket centrifuge spins a perforated or solid basket in batches, so the cake stays in the machine until it is unloaded. Super centrifuges, also called tubular centrifuges, spin a narrow bowl very fast. That pulls out fine solids a disc or decanter machine would pass.

Specialty machines cover the discharge methods the batch and continuous designs do not. Peeler centrifuges cut the cake out with a knife while the basket turns. Pusher centrifuges move the cake along the basket in stages with a reciprocating plate, which produces a continuous solids stream. Inverting filter centrifuges turn the filter cloth inside out to release the cake, which suits sticky pharmaceutical solids and cuts down on residual heel.

The brands we see regularly reflect that split. Sharples accounts for the largest share of our historical records, mostly P-series and DS-series decanters plus AS-series super centrifuges. Alfa Laval and GEA Westfalia supply most of the disc-stack clarifiers and separators, in the Alfa Laval MAPX, BTPX, and CRPX families and the Westfalia CSA, CSC, and CA families. Basket machines come from Tolhurst, DELAVAL, Rousselet Robatel, Western States Machine, and Sanborn. Specialty units come from Heinkel in the HF inverting filter series, KraussMaffei in the SZ pusher and HZ peeler series, and CARR in the Powerfuge line. Dorr-Oliver and Bird appear across both nozzle-bowl disc machines and large solid-bowl decanters.

Every machine is listed with its model, bowl or basket size, drive rating, and materials of construction, and photographs are taken in our warehouse. Inspection at our Cleveland, OH facility can be arranged before purchase, and refurbishment and testing can be arranged upon request. Process validation remains the buyer's responsibility.

Applications & Industries

• Pharmaceutical processing: isolating and washing crystallized active ingredients. Peeler, pusher, and inverting filter centrifuges are the common choices where cake washing and low residual heel matter.
• Biotechnology: harvesting cells and clarifying fermentation broth. Our records include single-use centrifugation systems and disc-stack clarifiers built to a biotech specification.
• Chemical processing: dewatering slurries and recovering solids from corrosive streams, which is where the Hastelloy and Duplex baskets in our inventory come in.
• Food and beverage: clarifying juices, oils, and other liquids, and splitting two liquid phases on disc-stack separators.
• Extraction and growing technologies: separating solids from solvent after extraction, on jacketed basket platforms and small vertical centrifuges.
• Utilities and wastewater: dewatering sludge on horizontal decanter centrifuges ahead of disposal or further treatment.

Specifications & Configurations

Bowl speed and G-force each vary by more than an order of magnitude across this category. The number that matters is the one for the machine type being evaluated, since a 48" basket centrifuge and a tubular super centrifuge are not comparable on speed alone.

Why Buy Used

Used centrifuges typically sell for a fraction of comparable new equipment. The gap is widest on alloy construction, because a Hastelloy or titanium bowl carries much of the price of a new machine and holds its condition well.

Lead time is often what decides the purchase. A new production centrifuge is a build-to-order item, with lead times measured in months. A machine already on the floor can ship in days or weeks once inspection is complete.

Centrifuges hold their value in the used market because the wear points are few and easy to check. On a basket machine those are the basket itself, the suspension, and the drive. On a decanter they are the conveyor flights, the wear protection tiles, and the gearbox. On a disc-stack machine they are the disc stack itself and the solids discharge ports. Inspection reports covering those points are available, and refurbishment and testing can be arranged upon request.

Related Equipment

• Used Filter Presses
• Used Rotary Vacuum Filters
• Used Pressure Filters
• Used Laboratory Centrifuges
• Used Evaporators