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▲ Unlike traditional decanter centrifuges that separate two phases – typically solids and a liquid – the Tricanter ® can handle three simultaneously: oil, water, and solids
Adaptive features improve treatment quality and process control
Modern separation systems incorporate engineering features that increase both the precision and flexibility of the process.
The position of the heavy-liquid discharge can be altered in real time through an adjustable impeller. Operators can fine-tune the separation interface without interrupting operation, allowing the system to respond immediately to feed variations.
This capability is particularly valuable in oil and gas facilities where compositions shift due to:
■ Tank-bottom disturbance
■ Wash-water fluctuations
■ Emulsion severity changes
■ Addition of surfactants or treatment chemicals
Decanter-style centrifuges designed for oil recycling often reach 3,000- 4,000 G, providing robust solids removal even with fine particulates and stable emulsions. Wear protection- applied to flights, nozzles, and bowl components- helps extend component life when processing abrasive solids.
PLC-based monitoring and control systems support:
■ Automatic torque management
■ Continuous load balancing
■ Temperature and vibration monitoring
■ CIP functionality in gas-purged or enclosed systems
These features reduce operator intervention, improve consistency, and enable around-the-clock processing even in demanding environments.
Managing hazardous or flammable components
Energy-sector waste streams frequently contain volatile hydrocarbons, solvents, or process chemicals. In these environments,
safe operation requires careful control of oxygen levels to mitigate the risk of explosions.
In one example in which krill oil was extracted, a three-phase centrifuge was installed with a gas-purged system that displaced oxygen inside the machine with inert gas, thereby minimizing flammability concerns in solvent-heavy operations.
While this example involved a non-petroleum application, the engineering principle directly applies to upstream and downstream petroleum processing facilities handling:
■ Light hydrocarbons
■ Tank-bottom residues
■ Condensates
■ Diluent mixtures
■ Solvent-based extraction fluids
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