CEPA High Speed Centrifuges for Laboratory

& Industrial Processing

The CEPA family of high-speed centrifuges is widely used in a variety of biological processes from cell harvesting and clarifying to separations of chemicals, foods, blood and pharmaceuticals. Consistently high performance is achieved without using costly disposables in continuous, semi-continuous or batch operations. Ruggedly built in a range of sizes, CEPA centrifuges provide an efficient, cost-effective technology in a myriad of applications extending from the research laboratory to the production plant. The CEPA High Speed Centrifuge family of instruments efficiently separates from one to several thousand liters of biological cultures and other mixtures containing up to approximately 20% solids by volume. For mixtures with extremely high solids concentrations, drum centrifuges can be supplied for high performance separations.

How They Work
CEPA centrifuges are characterized by their ability to process many times the volume of their tubular bowl. Fluid mixtures are fed into the bottom of the rapidly rotating separation chamber. Solids are retained, while liquid components are expelled from the top of the chamber through a collection tray. For liquid-liquid separations, two collection trays are used. The retained solids cake is dry and densely packed by the high G-forces of the CEPA centrifuge. Plastic bowl liners are available for models LE and Z41 to facilitate cell paste removal.The optimum size of a centrifuge for a given application depends on the properties of the process liquid. Typical process volumes specified for each centrifuge are approximate. Contact NBS for a no-obligation consultation regarding your specific application.

TYPICAL APPLICATIONS

Harvesting biomass
Clarifying process liquids
Separating liquid products
Fractionation of human blood
Animal blood processing
Bioremediation
Processing of granular, crystalline and fibrous suspensions
Separation of filterable and non-filterable sludges

 

FEATURES AND BENEFITS

Rapid separations
Consistent performance
Range of models facilitate scale-up
Simple to set up, easy to use and rapidly cleaned with minimal downtime. No fragile membranes to install
No replacement membranes, or costly disposables
Small footprint saves valuable space
Enclosed models available to help control aerosols and ambient gas and attain quieter operations
For mixtures with extremely high solids concentrations, drum centrifuges can be supplied
Powerful 3-phase electric motors (in models Z41 - Z101) provide rapid acceleration, and quieter operation
Permanently lubricated oversized head bearings maintain long service life

 

Model Z81, a large production centrifuge processes volumes from 50 to 1,500 liters, depending on solids content. Model GLE , a lab centrifuge that processes volumes from 1.5 to 30 liters. This enclosed model allows ambient gas control. Shown with accessory cooling coil. Model Z101E (below), shown with optional cooling coil is an enclosed model used for processing large volumes at high rates.

Variety of Models to Choose From

MODEL LE: This benchtop laboratory model features variable speed as a standard and a wide choice of optional bowls for research, scale-up experiments and small volume production. This model is typically used with 1.5 to 15 liter cultures. Maximum throughput is 30 liters/hours.
MODEL Z41: This small, dual-purpose, floor standing machine is employed in large or small pilot-scale application and typically used with 8 to 75 liter culture volumes. Maximum throughput is 500 liters/hours.
MODEL Z61: This popular size centrifuge allows convenient handling of workloads. With roughly three times the solids capacity of the Z41, Model Z61 is often used in multiples for large volumes production operations. This unit is typically used with 30 to 200 liter process volumes. Maximum throughput is 1,200 liters/hours.
MODEL Z81: This large and powerful production centrifuge is typically used with 50 to 500 liter process volumes. Maximum throughput is 1,500 liters/hours.
MODEL Z101: As powerful as the Z81, and with a 25% larger cylinder capacity, this model is typically used with 60 to 600 liter process volumes. Maximum throughput is 3,000 liters/hours.


 




Figure 1. Clarifying Bowl- The feed mixture enters at the bottom of the bowl (1). Biomass or other sediment collects on the walls of the bowl, forming a cake or paste (2). Clear supernatant (3) exits from the top of the bowl (3A).

 

Figure 2. Separating Bowl- The feed mixture enters at the bottom of the bowl and sediment collects on the walls of the bowl (2). Liquids separate radially by specific gravity, and separating ring (R) directs liquids into light and heavy streams (3) and (4) which exit bowl in separate trays at (3A) and (4A).


 

ADVANTAGES OF CENTRIFUGATION OVER FILTRATION


Of the two technologies commonly used to separate fluids, centrifugation and filtration, CEPA centrifuges offer these benefits:

* Except when equipped with optional silicone rubber bottom valve.

Specifications