The unit that separates the initial product into fractions is commonly called a separator, while the chemical composition of liquids does not change. Such an apparatus is used in the food, chemical, automotive fields. The principle of operation of the separator is the same, but its design may vary.
According to the scope, several types should be distinguished:
- industrial;
- household.
General description of the device
The separator device and its principle of operation are almost the same in any models. Everywhere there are containers for entry, exit and drum. There is a control panel to select the operating mode. Modern machines are capable of producing cream with a fat content of 5-20%.
When working with a mechanical unit, it is necessary to catch the optimal number of revolutions per unit of time. Most often it is 60 rpm.
Today, manufacturers can offer a wide range of models, all of which, with proper care, storage and operation conditions, havehigh service life. Metal separators are more durable than plastic ones, but they are much heavier and more expensive.
Dairy units
Industrial machines are used in the food industry. They are able to process huge volumes of milk, separating it into various components. These are sophisticated separator devices with a principle of operation that differs in production volume, they occupy entire workshops.
Household separators are in demand by private farmers. They allow you to process a small amount of product without unnecessary labor.
Depending on the type of processing, the principle of operation of the milk separator can be of several types:
- Cream separator. Separates whole milk into cream and skimmed liquid.
- Normalizer. Produces milk of a given fat content.
- Cleaner. Separates various foreign particles, dust, dirt from milk, while not dividing the product into components.
- Universal. Able to simultaneously perform both cleansing functions and separate the original product into cream and skim milk.
- Curd. The results of his work are cottage cheese and whey.
- Clarifier. Clarifies and homogenizes milk.
- Separators for whey. Lighten and degrease it.
For industrial purposes, all types are used, while for household purposes, they use the classic ones - for extracting cream from whole milk, and universal ones - forseparation of foreign matter.
Design separators can be divided into 3 types:
- Open. The resulting products are in contact with air. Such devices can be both stationary and portable. They have a significant drawback - when milk interacts with air, it foams, which makes it difficult for the separator to work.
- Half closed. In the technology, the original whole milk comes from open sources, in contact with air, at the exit, the processed products are separated into sealed containers.
- Closed. Complicated separators that are part of the overall design line and cannot be an independent device. At the entrance and at the exit, products come from closed containers.
Household units always have an open view and are divided into 2 types:
- Manual - powered.
- Electronic - powered by electricity.
In today's world, you can most often find separator devices based on the principle of electrical operation. That is, with an electronic drive. They take up little space. To operate the device, a working outlet and a small free space for placement are enough. But do not lose their relevance and manual units. They do not depend on the presence of the power grid and have a budget cost, however, they require quite high power costs, but sometimes this is the only option for milk processing.
Fuel separator
It happens that in diesel fuelwater accumulates, which can cause irreparable damage to car parts and disable them, getting into the tank of the car. Installing a fuel separator today is the only way out of an unpleasant situation. However, the choice is up to the buyers.
The principle of operation of the fuel separator is to separate and retain foreign liquid and other mechanical impurities. Getting into the apparatus, the source material is twisted in a centrifuge (drum). Under the influence of centrifugal force, all excess compounds are thrown onto the walls of the sump, and the purified fuel enters the diesel system.
Further, the partially purified substance rises through special blades, small foreign particles settle on the walls of the flask, and the rest rolls down to its bottom.
The final stage of purification is the passage of fuel through the filter, only after that it enters the diesel pump, which supplies it to the entire fuel system.
This small machine can significantly improve the quality of diesel fuel.
Gas unit
The apparatus is used to separate liquid phases and mechanical particles from compressed gas. In addition to cleaning, the separator maintains optimal pressure in the system.
It can be either an absolutely autonomous device that purifies gaseous mixtures from foreign particles, or a complex unit that is part of the overall design of a station or plant.
The operating principle of the gas separator is based on the removal of mechanicalelements and condensate in volatile compounds using various types:
- Gravity. Capable of filtering foreign particles with a mass different from the original gas.
- Inertial. It is based on a sharp change in the direction of the gas flow, as a result of which foreign particles fall on the walls of the trapping nozzles.
- Mesh. It is used at the final stage of purification before gas is supplied to special storage facilities.
Fields of application of devices
Summarizing, there are several main applications of separators:
- In the extraction of gas mixtures. Included in the tooling design of compression, distribution and transport stations.
- In the food industry. For the production of cream, sour cream, cottage cheese, cheeses, skimmed milk, whey and other processing components.
- In the automotive industry. To clean the fuel consumed by diesel engines.
Conclusion
In modern life, every person one way or another came across separators and the principles of operation of units. It is difficult to imagine their absence at work and at home, especially for a farmer or a car enthusiast. This useful unit is designed to improve the quality of life of the population in any industry.
