Used Disc Centrifuges

Disc centrifuges use a stack of conical discs to increase separation surface area within a compact bowl. Feed material enters the bowl and flows between the rotating discs, where centrifugal force separates phases based on density differences. The disc stack dramatically increases the settling area compared to solid-bowl designs, enabling high-speed clarification and separation of liquids containing fine suspended solids.

Federal Equipment Company stocks used disc centrifuges from manufacturers including Alfa Laval, GEA, GEA Westfalia, Westfalia, and Dorr-Oliver. Our inventory includes clarifiers, separators, desludgers, and nozzle bowl designs with bowl speeds from 3,300 to 12,000 RPM and throughput capacities from 50 liters per hour to 31,000 liters per hour.

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Disc centrifuges achieve separation by directing feed material through narrow channels between stacked conical discs. The disc stack multiplies the effective settling area, allowing particles or liquid droplets to travel only a short distance before reaching a disc surface. Heavy phase material migrates outward along the disc underside while light phase moves inward along the disc upper surface. This design enables efficient separation of fine particles and emulsions at high throughput rates.

Different disc centrifuge configurations optimize performance for specific separation tasks. Clarifiers remove solid particles from liquids and discharge clean liquid through a centripetal pump or gravity overflow. Separators handle liquid-liquid-solid mixtures and discharge both light and heavy liquid phases along with accumulated solids. Desludgers feature self-cleaning bowls that periodically eject accumulated solids. Nozzle bowl designs continuously discharge concentrated solids through peripheral nozzles.

Federal Equipment Company stocks disc centrifuges from manufacturers including Alfa Laval, GEA, GEA Westfalia, Westfalia, and Dorr-Oliver. Our inventory spans benchtop units for pilot-scale work through high-capacity production machines. We offer inspection, refurbishment, and testing services to verify equipment condition before delivery.

Applications & Industries

  • Cell harvesting and broth clarification in biotechnology operations
  • Fermentation and cell culture processing in pharmaceutical manufacturing
  • Edible oil refining and fat separation in food and beverage production
  • Starch and protein concentration in food processing
  • Fuel and lubricating oil purification
  • Chemical intermediate clarification in chemical processing
  • Yeast and bacteria separation in fermentation industries
  • Emulsion breaking and oil-water separation

Specifications & Configurations

Disc Centrifuge Types:

  • Clarifiers for liquid-solid separation with single liquid discharge
  • Separators for liquid-liquid-solid separation with dual liquid discharge
  • Desludgers with self-cleaning, intermittent solids discharge
  • Nozzle bowl designs for continuous concentrated solids discharge
  • Hermetic designs with sealed feed and discharge for volatile or sensitive materials
  • Solid bowl disc centrifuges for three-phase separation

Operating Parameters:

  • Bowl speeds from 3,300 RPM to 12,000 RPM
  • G-forces from 3,800 G’s to 12,800 G’s
  • Throughput capacities from 50 liters per hour to 31,000 liters per hour
  • Bowl volumes from 1.1 to 60 liters
  • Solids holding capacities from 1.2 to 19 liters

Materials of Construction:

  • 316 stainless steel for standard process applications
  • Stainless steel product contact surfaces with specialized coatings where required
  • Sanitary designs for pharmaceutical and food applications

Discharge and Control Systems:

  • Centripetal pump discharge for pressurized liquid delivery
  • Gravity overflow discharge
  • Self-cleaning bowl with timed solids ejection
  • Continuous nozzle discharge for high-solids applications
  • PLC controls with HMI operator interfaces
  • Steam sterilizable and CIP-capable designs for sanitary applications

Drive Configurations:

  • Direct-coupled motor drives
  • Belt-driven configurations
  • Motor power from 1.5 kW to 125 HP
  • VFD speed control for process optimization

Why Buy Used Disc Centrifuges

Used disc centrifuges offer significant cost advantages compared to new equipment. Savings typically range from 40% to 70% off new equipment pricing, depending on age, condition, and configuration. Lead times for used equipment are measured in days or weeks rather than the months often required for new disc centrifuge orders.

Federal Equipment Company inspects all disc centrifuges for bowl condition, disc stack integrity, bearing wear, and control system function. We can provide refurbishment services, including bowl rebuilding, disc replacement, seal and bearing overhaul, and control system upgrades. Testing services verify separation performance and throughput capacity before shipment.

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