A novel approach for determining the flow patterns in centrifuges by means of Laser-Doppler-Anemometry

Abstract

The flow pattern in process machinery has a significant impact on the product quality, because it influences the residence time, the mixing of components and the stability of chemical reactions. Hence the determination of the residence time and the measurement of the flow patterns have been the emphasis of many studies. The work presented shows a novel approach for the determination of the tangential and axial velocity profiles in a tubular bowl centrifuge. For the first time, flow velocities inside a fast rotating centrifuge have been measured using Laser-Doppler-Anemometry. The rotor of the centrifuge is made of carbon fibre reinforced plastic with an inner diameter of 100 mm and a length of 200 mm. The maximum rotational speed is 20,000 rpm, creating the multiple of 22,400 times the earth gravitational force. No failure of the material was detected at any process parameters. The centrifuge is operated with two different setups. One setup employs an assembly of two coaxial cylinders, in which the void between them is entirely filled with water. In the second arrangement, only the outer rotor is assembled and the centrifuge is operated like an overflow centrifuge. The Laser-Doppler measurements of the axial fluid velocity are confirmed by determining the residence time distribution at various parameters. The results obtained show an effective tangential acceleration; the liquid exhibits a rigid body rotation for rotational speeds up to 8000 rpm for throughputs between 0.5 and 1.8 l/min. The axial flow pattern depend on the volume flux and the rotational speed. The cross-section through which the liquid flows was in most cases between 60% and 100% of the overall area. The influence of the inlet subsides towards the outlet with an inlet zone of 15% of the length of the rotor. No boundary layer flow was detected in the overflow setup, which is due to the plunged inlet and the effective tangential acceleration of the incoming liquid.