Purifiers and Clarifiers Operational Information

Separation Separation as a means of removing impurities from a fuel can be undertaken by means of gravity in a settling tank or by means of centrifuging the fuel. Both methods work on the same principles that by subjecting the fuel to a constant force, the denser components of the fuel i.e water and dirt will be separated from the lighter components i.e. the fuel itself. Gravity acting on the fuel as it passes slowly through the tank will separate the denser components from the fuel where they will accumulate at the bottom of the tank. The contaminants can then be remove by sludging the tank.
Centrifuging Centrifuging is the process by which the effects of gravity can be amplified by the use of centrifugal force to the extent that the separation process becomes rapid and continuous. Centrifuges work by rapidly spinning a bowl containing the liquid, thus producing the required centrifugal force to produce separation The principle of operation of the centrifuge is simple. When a bowl containing impure fuel is rotated, centrifugal forces will throw any item with density greater than the fuel oil density (solids and free water) to the periphery of the bowl Centrifugal separators used for the separation of two liquids of different densities (fuel and water) are known as purifiers and those used for separating solid impurities are known as clarifiers. Purifiers will also remove some solids and clarifiers will also remove small quantities of water.

Clarifier

The addition of an inlet and an outlet connection forms a simple clarifier. Rotational speeds vary according to designs and are of the order of 7,000 to 9,000 rpm. Efficiency is increased by the inclusion of a number of discs (up to 150) that increase the surface area and thus help separation. Discs are separated at a distance of 0.5-0.6 mm. After passing down the central passage, the untreated oil is carried by centrifugal forces towards the periphery of the bowl and then passes up through the disc stack. Here is where the actual separation takes place, in the channel formed between two discs. Two forces act on each solid or liquid particle. The particle is pushed upwards with the oil stream towards the centre while the centrifugal force directs it to the periphery. The residual force on denser particles (impurities) will drive them towards the periphery, while the less dense particles (oil) will be directed towards the centre of the bowl and raise to the outlet connection.

Purifier

When a centrifuge is set up as a purifier, a second outlet pipe is used for discharging water as shown. In the fuel oil purifier, the untreated fuel contains a mixture of oil, solids and water, which the centrifuge separates into three layers. While in operation, a quantity of oil remains in the bowl to form a complete seal around the underside of the top disc and, because of the density difference, confines the oil within the outside diameter of the top disc. As marine fuel oil normally contains a small quantity of water, it is necessary to prime the bowl each time that it is run, otherwise all the oil will pass over the water outlet side to waste. The water outlet is at greater radius than that of the fuel. Within the water outlet there is a gravity disc, which controls the radial position of the fuel water interface
A set of gravity discs is supplied with each machine and the optimum size to be fitted depends on the density of the untreated oil. When the fuel centrifuge is operating, particulate matter will accumulate on the walls of the bowl. If the centrifuge is set as a clarifier, the particulate matter will be a combination of water and solid material. If it is set as a purifier, the free water is continuously discharged, therefore, the particulate matter will consist of solid material. In older machines it is necessary to stop the centrifuge to manually clean the bowl and disc stack, however, the majority of machines today can discharge the bowl contents while the centrifuge is running.

http://www.marinediesels.info/2_stroke_engine_parts/Other_info/purifiers.htm

Marine Engine-Question & AnswerPurifier

a. Describe an automatic self sludging centrifuge suitable for dealing with fuel of density up to 1010kg/m3 at 15C. b. Explain how the centrifuge described in is able to remove water from a fuel which has a density that is higher than that of water and state any factors that may assist the operation. c. As Chief Engineer, write out the start up procedure for the centrifuge described in for the benefit of your staff. d. State how the problem of catalytic fines in fuel oil may be dealt with. A response

As the density of the oil approaches that of water (above 991kg/m3 ) the hydraulic equilibrium in the bowl becomes unstable, and a gravity disc will no longer maintain a water seal. To overcome this problem, Alpha Laval has developed the Alcap separator, the principle of which is illustrated. Oil is fed into the high speed rotating bowl which basically operates as a clarifier, but water and solids are separated and are thrown to the outside of the bowl by centrifugal force. At regular intervals a sludge cycle will take place. Water is admitted into the bowl to soften the sludge and displace the oil in the bowl. When a transducer in the oil discharge line detects water the bowl is opened and the sludge and water discharged. The bowl opens and closes very rapidly and oil loss is minimal.

If the fuel contains water it will build up in the bowl and start to be discharged with the clean oil. The transducer in the discharge line will detect this and if this occurs after the minimum sludge cycle time, a sludge cycle will be initiated; if the water is detected before the minimum sludge cycle time, then water discharge valve will open.

B response
Density of fuel is quoted at 15C. This density will fall as the fuel is heated up. The density of water, although it does change a very small amount, stays fairly constant at 1000kg/m3 . By heating the oil to as high a temperature as possible (90 - 98C) the relative density is reduced to below that of water, allowing the water to be thrown to the outside of the bowl. Other factors that assist separation are: Viscosity of the oil: The lower the viscosity the lower the drag force on sludge particles. Viscosity of a fuel is reduced by heating. Throughput: Should be as slow as possible to maintain fuel demand. Interface: If the oil/water interface is within the disc stack separator efficiency is reduced as oil cannot flow along the full surface of the disc.

C response
Ensure purifier has been fully assembled, that the bowl cover locking dogs are in position, and the brake is off. The purifier pump suction should be closed, the pump discharge valve open to the heaters, and the recirculating valve open back to the purifier suction. The discharge from the purifier should be open to the settling tank. The feed regulating valve to the purifier should be set to zero. Start the purifier watching the ammeter which should fallback as the purifier speed increases. Ensure the purifier does not vibrate. In case of vibration or excessive current shut down immediately and investigate. Open the fuel suction from the settling tank to the purifier pump. Warm through and open heating steam to and from heaters. Ensure heater control set to 95C.

Continue to recirc fuel until purification temperature is reached.

Open operating water and set bowl operating water to close. Open feed regulator to purifier and shut recirc valve. Set purifier oil feed to minimum.

Ensure sludge cycle is set to x hours. Change discharge from settling to service tank, and adjust feed rate to match engine consumption.

d response
Catalytic fines comprise of small particles of silicon and aluminium carried over from the refining process. They cause abrasive wear in fuel pumps, injectors, liners and piston rings.

They are difficult to remove because they are often hollow which gives them a relative density close to that of the fuel. Experience has shown that by keeping the total contamination below 80mg/kg, efficient centrifuging could keep the fines down below a level when abrasive wear takes place. This means keeping the purification temp as high as possible and the throughput as low as possible.

http://marineenginesimulation.blogspot.com/2010/04/marine-engine-question-answer-purifier.html http://www.marineengineering.org.uk/