Horizontal Scroll Discharge Centrifuge

The horizontal scroll discharge centrifuge, commonly known as a decanter centrifuge, is the workhorse of continuous solid-liquid separation across heavy industries including mining, minerals processing, chemical manufacturing, petrochemical refining, wastewater treatment, and food processing. Unlike vertical disc stack centrifuges that rely on intermittent solids ejection, the horizontal decanter features a continuous screw conveyor (scroll) that transports settled solids to the conical discharge end without stopping the machine, enabling uninterrupted operation at very high solids loading (5-50% solids by volume). The horizontal design provides superior cake dryness (20-50% solids) compared to disc stack centrifuges (15-30% solids), significantly reducing downstream drying energy and disposal costs. Our Horizontal Scroll Discharge Centrifuge has been specifically engineered for the most demanding solid-liquid separation applications, combining high G-force (up to 4,000 x g), high torque capacity for viscous or sticky solids, and rugged construction for continuous 24/7 operation. The horizontal decanter design features a rotating bowl and an internal scroll conveyor rotating at a slightly different speed (differential speed of 5-30 rpm). As the feed enters the bowl, centrifugal forces drive solids to the bowl wall, where the scroll conveyor continuously transports them to the conical discharge end for discharge as a dry cake. The clarified liquid (centrate) flows to the opposite end and discharges over adjustable weir plates. The differential speed between the bowl and scroll is adjustable, allowing optimization of cake solids (lower differential speed) or throughput (higher differential speed). All product-contact surfaces are manufactured from wear-resistant materials including Duplex stainless steel, high-chrome iron, and tungsten carbide-lined scroll flights for abrasive applications. The system is fully enclosed with noise-dampening covers and available with inert gas purging and ATEX certification for hazardous areas. The horizontal scroll discharge centrifuge has been validated for a wide range of applications including mineral concentrate dewatering (copper, zinc, iron ore, coal), chemical catalyst recovery, PVC dewatering, biological sludge dewatering (municipal and industrial), starch gluten separation, food processing waste dewatering, petrochemical sludge treatment, and drilling mud solids control. For each application, the operating parameters including G-force, feed rate, differential speed, pool depth, and beach angle can be optimized to achieve maximum cake solids, liquid clarity, and throughput. The control system continuously monitors key parameters including feed rate, bowl speed, differential speed, torque, vibration, bearing temperature, cake solids, and centrate clarity, providing real-time feedback and automatic adjustment to maintain optimal performance. For abrasive applications, the centrifuge is available with wear tiles (tungsten carbide or ceramic) on scroll flights and bowl, providing 5,000-15,000 hours of service life. For high-temperature applications (up to 150°C), high-temperature seals and bearings are available.

The horizontal scroll discharge design provides several fundamental advantages for high-solids applications. The horizontal orientation allows the bowl to be longer (up to 4:1 length-to-diameter ratio) than vertical designs, providing longer residence time for solids to settle. The scroll conveyor is the key differentiating feature: a helical screw that rotates at a slightly different speed than the bowl (typically 10-50 rpm difference), continuously pushing settled solids toward the conical discharge end. The differential speed is controlled by a variable frequency drive on the back-drive motor or an eddy current brake. For sticky or pasty solids (e.g., biological sludge, food waste), higher torque capacity is provided through larger diameter shafts and hardened gearboxes. The beach angle (angle of the conical section) is optimized for each application; shallower beaches (15-25 degrees) provide drier cake but lower capacity, while steeper beaches (25-35 degrees) provide higher capacity but wetter cake. For most applications, a 15-20 degree beach provides optimal cake dryness. The pool depth is controlled by adjustable weir plates at the centrate discharge end; deeper pools provide drier cake but may reduce capacity. The horizontal scroll discharge centrifuge is available in both two-phase (solid-liquid) and three-phase (liquid-liquid-solid) configurations. For three-phase applications, the centrifuge includes separate discharge ports for light liquid and heavy liquid phases. For hygienic applications (food, pharmaceutical), the centrifuge is available with sanitary design (polished surfaces, CIP capability, FDA-compliant materials). The combination of continuous solids discharge, high cake solids, and rugged construction makes the horizontal scroll discharge centrifuge the preferred choice for heavy industrial solid-liquid separation worldwide. The decanter can process feed solids concentrations from 0.5% to 40% by weight, with cake solids ranging from 40-50% for mineral concentrates, 20-35% for chemical precipitates, and 15-25% for biological sludges.

Our Horizontal Scroll Discharge Centrifuge incorporates several advanced features specifically designed for high-solids applications. The feed system includes a low-shear inlet and variable-speed progressive cavity or hose pump. The control system provides comprehensive monitoring and automation, built around a Siemens S7-1500 or Allen-Bradley ControlLogix PLC with a 15-inch full-color touchscreen HMI. The user interface presents key parameters including bowl speed, differential speed, feed rate, torque, cake solids, and centrate clarity. The system supports full recipe management, remote monitoring, and data logging. The combination of horizontal scroll design and advanced process control makes our centrifuge the preferred choice for heavy industrial solid-liquid separation worldwide.