Exploit the high G-force and short cycle times of a horizontal axis peeler centrifuge to most efficiently separate solid particles anywhere from 10 mm to as small as 2 microns away from liquid slurries. Once the liquid is spun off, a scraper, or "peeler," strips the solids away from the basket to be sent through a chute for further processing.

The process works in batches, rather than continuously (unlike a straight filtration or gravity-induced decanter process). But, with the right computer set up, you can automate the multi-step process. Plus, you get the advantage of operating one peeler centrifuge for different applications rather than dedicating several centrifuges each to their own slurry/solid. Buy a peeler centrifuge for one of these three applications:

1. Separate fine acids, vitamins or proteins for pharmaceuticals or biotechnology with a peeler centrifuge;

2. Split out fine chemicals or heavy metals;

3. Clean up exhaust gases.

Action Steps
The best contacts and resources to help you get it done

Contact peeler centrifuge manufacturers for pharmaceutical applications

Set up properly, the peeler can slice away the spun solids cleanly without breaking any crystal formation important to the set-up of pharmaceuticals and food ingredients like amino acids, antioxidants, insulin, penicillin or vitamins.

I recommend: KMPT's horizontal peeler centrifuges offer high capacity peeler centrifuges with rotary siphons. Ferrum offers horizontal peeler centrifuges for small-batch pharmaceutical applications.

Get in touch with peeler centrifuge distributors for new or used equipment for chemical work

The constant spin speed and peeler blade effectively carves solids out of mother liquors for fine chemicals industries such as chlorides, citric acid, fertilizer, starch, sweeteners, metallic pigments or other high-value metals such as those used in the semi-conductor industry.

I recommend: Established in 1938, Machinery & Equipment asserts to hold the largest inventory in the western United States of used processing machinery. The Western States Machine Company offers a line of peeler centrifuges from 0.8 cubic feet for laboratories to 32.5 cubic feet for industrial-level batch processing.

Search out peeler centrifuge suppliers specializing in the vertical peeler centrifuge

If your floor layout or process flow does not permit a horizontal orientation, use a vertical peeler centrifuge. You can even use a vertical centrifuge as part of your emissions control, by solidifying and slicing toxins or carcinogens from exhaust gas, peeling away the cake and discharging it through the bottom of the basket.

I recommend: Heinkel has made a name for itself among waste incinerators and power stations with its vertical peeler centrifuges. Rotofilt Engineers has dedicated itself to finding solid-liquid separation solutions with its peeler centrifuges since 1996.

Tips & Tactics

Helpful advice for making the most of this Guide

• •  Look for peeler centrifuge sellers with products that minimize 'heel cake,' where the solids form at the back of the basket. Look for either specially-shaped blades from a peeler centrifuge distributor to minimize this, or for built-in features that ease cleaning by minimizing contact with delicate parts or reduce contamination risk of the solid-liquid separation process, particularly if you run multiple batches.