ANDRITZ vertical centrifuge VZ

The vertical basket centrifuge VZ has been specifically designed for filtration of intermediate products in pharmaceuticals, chemicals, food and related, and mining and minerals industries, with minimum product loss, optimum cleanability, small footprint, and perfect inspection capability.

The requirement in most industries for highest efficiency is completely fulfilled in this development, by combining a small footprint with highest rotational speed in order to generate high throughputs and dewatering effects.

Vertical centrifuge with large opening area for inspection

VZ vertical centrifuge for pharmaceutical, chemicals, mining, and food

Efficient filtration with vertical centrifuge

The ANDRITZ Vertical Centrifuge is a batch-operated peeler centrifuge, those operating benefits are lowest residual moistures, high product quality due to extensive washing possibilities and reliable product discharge through the bottom of the unit. In addition, a maintenance friendly machine concept that can be equipped with several upgrades guarantee a reliable operation.

Applications

Chemicals

Pharmaceutical intermediates, amino acids, antibiotics, fine chemicals, crop protection chemicals, vitamins, mineral oil, base chemicals, speciality chemicals, agro-chemicals, Mono Ethylene Glycol (MEG).

Food

Fatty acids, apple acid, citric acid, lactose, vitamins, glutamate, fish oil.

Mining & Minerals

Tar sand, lithium carbonate, technical salts

Processing parameters

Average particle size	5-500 µm
Feed solids concentration	> 3 % by wt.
Solids throughput	up to 7 t/h
Basket diameter	1,000-1,600 mm
Basket volume	250-1,300 l
Filter area	2.0-6.3 m²
G-force	up to 1,000 G

Process advantages

Simple assembly and maintenance

Machines delivered full assembled, quick-action closure rings, hydraulically operated cover hinge, housing cover opens fully.

Efficient product discharge

Due to optimized discharge geometry and pneumatic residual heel removal.

Minimum product loss

Design contains a minimum of installed parts. Nitrogen supply for residual heel removal is integrated into the scraper arm. Open design for solids discharge.

Homogeneous product distribution

Product distribution, independent of the slurry concentration and flow rate, using the dynamic feed system.

Result-oriented machine control

With continuous measurement of:

Filtration resistance
Feed level
Filtration performance
Submersion point of the liquid

Reduced space requirement

The improved machine geometry on the one hand and the vertical filtrate discharge on the other hand, allow a simpler and more space-saving arrangement of the filtrate discharge pipes.

Maximum dewatering

Due to the G-force (up to 1,000 G)

Optimized maintenance downtime

With improved filtration assembly group

Vertical centrifuge for efficient filtration and dewatering

Vertical centrifuge cross section

Special machine characteristics

The entire process area boasts generous radii. Parts are installed from the inside and sealed with an exposed O-ring. The solids discharge chute beneath the basket extends in a kidney-shaped design over the entire cross-section, thus avoiding dead zones and making it difficult for product deposits to form. For inspection purposes, the hinged cover of the centrifuge opens in an upward direction.

This allows inspection of the entire process area and also exposes the solids discharge chute. As an option, CIP nozzles are arranged in such a way that the cleaning agent can reach all areas effectively. The housing can be completely flooded, providing efficient cleaning. Operation of the machine is automatic and fully enclosed. There is no contact between the product and the operating personnel, nor the environment.

Cleaning-in-place (CIP)

When changing the product, the equipment has to be cleaned to such an extent that there can be no contamination between the product batches. Users require fully automatic cleaning with verifiable cleaning effect. ANDRITZ KMPT developed an effective CIP program in cooperation with the operators and users. This program generally comprises:

Pre-cleaning:

In a first step, the solvent is fed in through the cleaning nozzles at reduced speed.

Main cleaning:

All discharge pipes leading from the centrifuge are closed. The centrifuge is filled with solvent. The speed and the direction of rotation vary according to a defined program. As a result of this washing machine effect, the machine is cleaned efficiently.