Analysis of Hydrodynamic Behavior in Pusher Centrifuges: The Integrated Impact of Rotational Speed, Feed Flow Rate, and Mechanical Vibrations on Wedge Wire Screen Performance

Jafari Vardanjani, Mehdi

Analysis of Hydrodynamic Behavior in Pusher Centrifuges: The Integrated Impact of Rotational Speed, Feed Flow Rate, and Mechanical Vibrations on Wedge Wire Screen Performance

Articles in Press

Document Type : Original Article

Author

Mehdi Jafari Vardanjani

Department of Mechanical Engineering, Technical and Vocational University (TVU), Tehran, Iran

Abstract

Pusher centrifuges are critical for solid-liquid separation in chemical, pharmaceutical, and wastewater treatment industries, yet their hydrodynamic optimization remains challenging due to complex multiphysics interactions. This study employs integrated CFD simulations and experimental validation to quantify the effects of rotational speed (ω=1200-2000 RPM), feed flow rate (Q=8-9 m³/h), and mechanical vibrations (A=0-3 mm) on pressure/velocity distributions. Key findings reveal that ω dominates system behavior, generating a 178% pressure increase (103.4 to 287.3 kPa) and 65% velocity boost (25.06 to 41.40 m/s) from 1200 to 2000 RPM, following ω² scaling. Surprisingly, Q variations cause <0.1% pressure deviation across tested flow rates, while vibrations induce a linear 4.3% Vₘₐₓ reduction (25.06 to 23.97 m/s) at 3 mm amplitude. The numerical model achieves exceptional agreement with experiments (<3.6% error for pressure, <3.2% for velocity), identifying three operational regimes: (1) ω-controlled steady-state profiles, (2) Q-dependent transient flow stability (70s stabilization time), and (3) vibration thresholds (A>1.5mm) causing turbulence-induced efficiency losses. These quantitative insights enable precise balancing of separation performance (1800 RPM optimal), energy efficiency, and mechanical durability in industrial centrifuges.

Keywords

Pusher centrifuge

Computational Fluid Dynamics

Centrifugal separation

Hydrodynamic optimization

FEA

Subjects