Companies that produce wine or dairy goods rely on separation equipment to purify and filter dust or other debris from the ambient air. And industrial separation equipment is a must for companies that produce natural gas products for consumer use. The natural gas used in homes and elsewhere is quite different than what is initially pulled from underground. Hydrocarbons and fluids must be cleaned -- a process done with separation equipment -- from natural gas before it is pumped through pipelines.

Industrial separation equipment typically uses one of two types of processes. The first is a sieve-type filter process that traps solid particles. The alternative works much like a centrifuge where gas is accelerated to specific volumes through centrifugal force and water or other materials are separated from gas.

Find the right type of separation equipment for your business with the following resources:

1. Material separation equipment vendor listings

2. Manufacturers of separation equipment that separates solids from liquids

3. Companies that sell separation equipment specific to natural gas

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

Check vendor listing sites for a wide variety of material separation equipment

If you're looking for mechanical separation equipment, chances are you're looking for something to handle a very specific process. Vendor listings of separation equipment suppliers and manufacturers are a great place to find company profiles as well as contact information you can use to ask questions or get quotes.

I recommend: EnvironmentalExpert.com posts profiles of more than 35 suppliers of mechanical separation equipment. Compare up to 18 company profiles and find company contact information with ThomasNet.

Decide between centrifugal and filter-type separating equipment before you buy

For solid separation equipment of both filter and centrifugal types, find companies that manufacture separating equipment that suspends solids into small and easily removable 'cakes' or other solid forms. It makes for a cleaner end product as well as less filter or basket changes.

I recommend: Contact US Centrifuge for top-notch centrifugal separation equipment. Lyco Manufacturing, Inc. sells patented solid separation equipment for a wide variety of industries including food, dairy and waste water.

Find natural gas separation equipment through gas-specific vendors

Natural gas separation equipment tends to be pricier and more complex than liquid solid separation equipment. It also involves dealing with safety and pressurization issues since the product is a gas and typically comes straight from underground.

I recommend: CCI Thermal Technologies Inc. offers patented, depressurized filtration vessels. P.C. McKenzie Company, with over 60 years of industry experience, also offers filter separators as well as other products that will help you prepare natural gas for sales.

Tips & Tactics

Helpful advice for making the most of this Guide

• •  If you're on a budget, consider purchasing used or refurbished separation equipment. You can find used food and wine separation equipment more easily than used natural gas separation equipment, and buying used can save you up to 50% when compared to new equipment prices.