Used Decanter Centrifuges
Decanter centrifuges continuously separate solids from liquids using a horizontal rotating bowl and internal scroll conveyor. Feed slurry enters the spinning bowl, where centrifugal force separates the phases. The scroll conveyor rotates at a slightly different speed than the bowl, continuously moving settled solids toward the discharge end while clarified liquid overflows at the opposite end.
Federal Equipment Company stocks used decanter centrifuges from manufacturers including Sharples, Alfa Laval, GEA Westfalia, Westfalia, Dorr-Oliver, and Flottweg. Our inventory includes cylindrical and contour bowl designs with bowl diameters from 18" to 30" and bowl speeds from 2,600 to 5,500 RPM. Configurations range from standard dewatering units to dry solids and CIP-capable designs.
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Decanter centrifuges operate continuously rather than in batch cycles. The horizontal bowl spins at high speed while an internal scroll conveyor rotates at a slightly different speed, creating a differential that moves solids along the bowl wall toward the conical discharge end. This design allows for uninterrupted feed and simultaneous discharge of both clarified liquid and dewatered solids.
Key components include the rotating bowl assembly, the scroll conveyor with wear-protected flights, the gearbox that controls differential speed, and the drive system. Bowl designs range from cylindrical to contour (conical-cylindrical) configurations. Solids discharge occurs through ports at the conical end, often fitted with replaceable wear tiles or tungsten carbide inserts. Liquid discharge uses adjustable weir plates or dams to control pool depth and separation efficiency.
Federal Equipment Company stocks decanter centrifuges from manufacturers including Sharples, Alfa Laval, GEA Westfalia, Westfalia, Dorr-Oliver, and Flottweg. Our inventory spans pilot-scale units through high-capacity production machines rated up to 140 GPM. We offer inspection, refurbishment, and testing services to verify equipment condition before delivery.
Applications & Industries
- Polymer dewatering and plastic pellet drying in plastics manufacturing
- Chemical intermediate recovery and catalyst separation in chemical processing
- Fermentation broth clarification in biotechnology operations
- Starch and protein separation in food and beverage production
- API recovery and crystallization in pharmaceutical manufacturing
- Wastewater treatment and sludge dewatering
- Oil and fat separation in rendering and refining operations
- Mining slurry dewatering and tailings processing
Specifications & Configurations
Bowl Designs:
- Cylindrical bowls for maximum clarification and liquid residence time
- Contour (conical-cylindrical) bowls for improved solids conveyance
- Tapered bowl designs for specific material characteristics
Bowl Dimensions:
- Bowl diameters from 220mm (9") to 630mm (24")
- Bowl lengths from 38" to 98"
- Length-to-diameter ratios optimized for application requirements
Operating Parameters:
- Bowl speeds from 2,600 RPM to 7,750 RPM
- G-forces from 2,550 to 3,180 G’s
- Throughput capacities from 25 GPM to 140 GPM
- Solids densities up to 3.0 kg/cu dm
Materials of Construction:
- 304 stainless steel for general applications
- 316 and 316L stainless steel for corrosive environments
- 317 stainless steel for enhanced corrosion resistance
- Tungsten carbide and STC wear tiles on conveyor flights and discharge ports
Drive and Control Systems:
- Main drive motors from 10 HP to 300 HP
- Planetary gearboxes with ratios from 75:1 to 125:1
- Hydraulic, electric, and VFD-controlled back drives
- PLC controls with HMI operator interfaces
- CIP-capable designs for sanitary applications
Conveyor Configurations:
- Single-lead and double-lead conveyor designs
- Hard-faced and tile-protected flights
- Replaceable wear liners at discharge ports
- Adjustable liquid plate dams and weirs
Why Buy Used Decanter Centrifuges
Used decanter centrifuges offer significant cost advantages compared to new equipment. Savings typically range from 40% to 70% off new equipment pricing, depending on age, condition, and configuration. Lead times for used equipment are measured in days or weeks rather than the months often required for new decanter orders.
Federal Equipment Company inspects all decanter centrifuges for bowl condition, conveyor wear, gearbox function, and drive system operation. We can provide refurbishment services, including conveyor flight rebuilding, wear tile replacement, bearing and seal overhaul, and control system upgrades. Testing services verify throughput and separation performance before shipment.
