Industrial decanter centrifuge manufacturer
Industrial Decanter Centrifuge
Industrial decanter centrifuges, bowls 250–800 mm. Compare LW, LWY, LWS and LWF models. Send feed DS% or t/h for sizing.
What is an industrial decanter centrifuge?
ZK SEPARATION builds the industrial decanter centrifuge as a continuous solid-bowl machine. Feed, centrate and cake run without a batch cycle. Standard bowls 250–800 mm. Selected custom bowls to 1000 mm.
Municipal sludge dewatering and thickening, drilling-mud solids control, starch and mineral slurries run on the LW series. Oily sludge, palm-oil mill press liquor and olive paste run on the LWS series. Open the series cards above for the duty that matches the feed.
Duty
- Continuous bowl: Feed, centrate and cake run without a batch cycle. Operator checks and planned maintenance stay on the duty roster.
- Setpoints: Bowl speed, differential speed, pond depth and polymer are set against the agreed cake %DS and centrate TSS.
- Enclosed bowl: Containment for odor, aerosol and splash on sludge and oily feeds.
- VFD / PLC: Torque monitoring and differential-speed control on dual-drive machines as feed solids change.
Build
- Wetted parts: Duplex 2205 or 2304 on corrosive or high-torque duty. 304/316L where the chemistry allows.
- Wear protection: Tungsten carbide tiles on scroll flights; ceramic or carbide bushings on solids ports for abrasive slurries.
- Pond depth: Dam plates (weirs) set clarification area against beach length.
- Baffle disc: Optional on selected municipal WAS and digestate, used with matching pond depth, differential speed and polymer.
Industrial Applications
Municipal sludge, oily sludge, palm oil, olive oil, drilling mud and food lines.
Series and Specifications
Standard industrial, sanitary, three-outlet and hazardous-area builds. Size from feed %DS, kg DS/h and the required cake or phase split. On the LW series, hydraulic figures are for typical municipal sludge and can fall on viscous or high-dryness duty.
LW Series
Standard industrial. Municipal and industrial sludge, chemicals and mining slurries.
LW series →
LWY Series
Sanitary. Polished 316L or duplex wetted parts, optional CIP and food-grade seals.
Food & sanitary →
LWS Series
Oil, water and solids. Oily sludge, food-waste oil, palm-oil mill press liquor and olive paste.
LWS series →
LWF Series
Hazardous-area builds with explosion-protected electrics and optional nitrogen inerting.
Request this build →ZK Decanter Centrifuge Technical Specifications
Select a model tab for speed, power, dimensions and typical hydraulic range.
Swipe the table sideways to compare models.
Standard Industrial Decanter Centrifuge Specifications (LW Series)
| Model | Bowl Speed (RPM) | G-force (× g) | Main Motor (kW) | Back Drive Motor (kW) | Typical capacity (m³/h) | Weight (kg) | Dimensions (L × W × H mm) |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| LW250×1025 | 4500 | 2835 | 11 | 4 | 2 – 5 | 1400 | 2600 × 800 × 1200 |
| LW350×1435 | 3500 | 2435 | 15 – 22 | 5.5 | 4 – 15 | 2760 | 3750 × 1040 × 1350 |
| LW450×1845 | 3200 | 2580 | 30 – 37 | 7.5 – 11 | 10 – 40 | 4000 | 4200 × 1140 × 1450 |
| LW520×2150 | 3000 | 2620 | 55 – 75 | 11 – 15 | 15 – 70 | 6300 | 5050 × 1285 × 1550 |
| LW580×2400 | 2800 | 2546 | 75 – 90 | 15 – 18.5 | 25 – 80 | 7550 | 5600 × 1400 × 1655 |
| LW650×2600 | 2600 | 2460 | 90 – 110 | 22 – 30 | 30 – 90 | 11000 | 6000 × 1550 × 1800 |
| LW750×2800 | 2200 | 2033 | 110 – 160 | 30 – 45 | 40 – 100 | 16000 | 6600 × 1800 × 2000 |
Food & Beverage Industry Decanter Centrifuge (LWY Series)
| Model | Bowl Speed (RPM) | G-force (× g) | Main Motor (kW) | Back Drive Motor (kW) | Typical capacity (m³/h) | Weight (kg) | Dimensions (L × W × H mm) |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| LWY250×1025 | 5000 | 3500 | 11 | 4 | 1 – 3 | 1400 | 2600 × 800 × 1200 |
| LWY350×1435 | 4000 | 3136 | 22 | 5.5 | 3 – 5 | 2760 | 3750 × 1040 × 1350 |
| LWY450×1845 | 3500 | 3087 | 30 | 7.5 | 5 – 10 | 4000 | 4200 × 1140 × 1450 |
| LWY520×2150 | 3200 | 2982 | 45 | 15 | 10 – 15 | 6300 | 5050 × 1285 × 1550 |
| LWY580×2400 | 3000 | 2948 | 55 / 75 | 18.5 | 15 – 20 | 7550 | 5600 × 1400 × 1655 |
| LWY650×2600 | 2800 | 2854 | 75 / 90 | 22 | 20 – 30 | 11000 | 6000 × 1550 × 1800 |
LWS Series — Food-Waste Oil Recovery
| Model | Bowl Speed (RPM) | G-force (× g) | Main Motor (kW) | Back Drive Motor (kW) | Typical capacity (m³/h) | Weight (kg) | Dimensions (L × W × H mm) |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| LWS250×1025C(X) | 5000 | 3500 | 11 | 4 | 1 – 3 | 1400 | 2600 × 800 × 1150 |
| LWS350×1435C(X) | 4000 | 3136 | 22 | 5.5 | 3 – 5 | 2750 | 3500 × 1280 × 1058 |
| LWS450×1845C(X) | 3500 | 3087 | 30 | 11 | 6 – 12 | 4000 | 4000 × 1350 × 1100 |
| LWS520×2150C(X) | 3200 | 2982 | 45 | 15 | 10 – 15 | 6300 | 4800 × 1540 × 1250 |
| LWS580×2400C(X) | 3000 | 2948 | 55 – 75 | 18.5 | 15 – 20 | 7550 | 4900 × 1705 × 1250 |
| LWS650×2600C(X) | 2800 | 2854 | 75 – 90 | 22 | 20 – 30 | 11000 | 5900 × 1865 × 1300 |
Fly Ash & Mineral Slurry Decanter Centrifuge (LWB Series)
| Model | Bowl Speed (RPM) | Bowl Diameter (mm) | Main Motor (kW) | Back Drive Motor (kW) | Typical capacity (m³/h) | Weight (kg) | Dimensions (L × W × H mm) |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| LW450×1845B | 3200 | 450 | 37 | 15 | 10 – 15 | 4000 | 4000 × 1350 × 1100 |
| LW520×2150B | 2800 | 520 | 55 | 18.5 | 25 – 30 | 6300 | 4800 × 1540 × 1250 |
| LW580×2400B | 2600 | 580 | 75 | 22 | 30 – 35 | 7550 | 4900 × 1705 × 1250 |
| LW650×2650B | 2400 | 650 | 90 | 30 | 40 – 50 | 11000 | 5900 × 1865 × 1300 |
Explosion-Proof Decanter Centrifuge Specifications (LWF Series)
| Model | Bowl Speed (RPM) | G-force (× g) | Main Motor (kW) | Back Drive Motor (kW) | Typical capacity (m³/h) | Weight (kg) | Dimensions (L × W × H mm) |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| LWF250×1025C | 5000 | 3500 | 11 | 4 | 1 – 3 | 1250 | 2800 × 800 × 1150 |
| LWF350×1435C | 4000 | 3136 | 22 | 5.5 | 4 – 8 | 3200 | 3800 × 1050 × 1200 |
| LWF450×1845C | 3400 | 2913 | 37 | 11 | 8 – 12 | 3900 | 4800 × 1150 × 1450 |
| LWF520×2150C | 3200 | 2982 | 55 | 15 | 15 – 18 | 6000 | 5400 × 1250 × 1600 |
| LWF580×2400C | 3000 | 2923 | 75 | 22 | 20 – 25 | 7800 | 5900 × 1400 × 1700 |
| LWF650×2650C | 2800 | 2854 | 110 | 30 | 25 – 35 | 11500 | 6500 × 1650 × 1800 |
| LWF750×3200C | 2200 | 2033 | 132 | 45 | 45 – 55 | 15200 | 7500 × 1600 × 1800 |
| LWF800×3200C | 2000 | 1792 | 132 | 55 | 50 – 60 | 14500 | 4900 × 3000 × 1600 |
Materials, wear protection and drive
- Bowl Materials & Fabrication: Duplex 2205/2304 and 316L options are selected by duty; material certificates, weld procedures, heat treatment, and dynamic-balancing records can be supplied according to the agreed inspection plan.
- Helical Scroll Flight Protection: Replaceable sintered tungsten carbide tiles, PTA hardfacing, or ceramic inserts selected to feed grit level.
- Bearings and lubrication: SKF/NSK heavy-duty bearings with automatic grease or circulating-oil lubrication, as specified for the machine.
- Dual VFD Drive Systems: Independent bowl and back-drive inverters allow differential speed to be adjusted during operation on dual-drive machines.
Need a custom bowl size up to 1000 mm or specialized skid packaging? Availability depends on the application, materials, and design conditions. Contact our technical team or review ZK's OEM Manufacturing Capabilities.
How we quote
Bowl diameter, materials, wear package and drive follow the duty. Send feed DS% or t/h, flow, and the cake or phase-split target. Engineering returns a sized configuration and the quotation.
Bowl schematic
Feed enters the rotating cylindrical–conical bowl through a stationary feed tube. Solids go to the wall; the scroll takes cake up the beach. Centrate leaves over the dam plate. An LWS bowl adds a second liquid outlet for the light phase.
- Feed and acceleration Slurry is distributed in the feed zone. Bowl speed sets G-force; compact bowls can reach about 3,500 × g.
- Pond and settling Dam plates set pond depth. A deeper pond increases residence time for fines; a shallower pond lengthens the dry beach for cake %DS.
- Scroll differential The helical scroll turns at a small speed difference — typically about 1–30 RPM — set by the back drive. Dual-VFD machines raise differential speed under high torque.
- Discharge Cake leaves the solids ports. Centrate overflows the weir. On LWS bowls the light phase leaves through a second outlet. Carbide port protection is fitted on abrasive duties.
Bowl geometry and differential speed: decanter working principle. LWS discharge: LWS series.
What we size from
Bowl diameter follows hydraulic flow (m³/h) and dry-solids load (kg DS/h). Send the duty sheet so gearbox torque and wear package can be checked.
| Parameter | Duty data to confirm | Effect on selection |
|---|---|---|
| Bowl Diameter (D) | Required volumetric throughput, solids loading (kg DS/h), floor space | Influences settling volume, solids-handling capacity, torque requirements, and installed power. Achievable separation factor depends on both bowl radius and operating speed. |
| Length-to-Diameter Ratio (L/D) | Target centrate quality, cake %DS, residence time | Ratios of about 3.0:1 to 4.2:1 are typical on ZK industrial bowls, balancing liquid residence time against beach dewatering length. |
| G-force (separation factor) | Particle size distribution, density difference, liquid viscosity | Higher G-force can improve settling of fine or flocculated solids, but results also depend on particle size, density difference, viscosity and residence time. See separation factor. |
| Solids Loading (kg DS/h) | Feed DS% / TSS concentration, peak solids surge, daily operating hours | Sets gearbox torque demand (N·m) and back-drive motor size. High-solids feeds need enough conveyor torque; ZK commonly uses dual-VFD control so differential speed can be raised under high torque. |
| Wetted Materials | Feed pH, chloride concentration, corrosion profile, sanitary standards | Options include 304/316L for suitable general or sanitary duties, duplex 2205/2304 for improved strength and chloride resistance, and super-duplex or titanium for selected aggressive chemistries after corrosion review. |
| Wear Protection | Sand/grit content, quartz/mineral hardness (Mohs), slurry abrasiveness | Scroll flights can be protected with PTA or HVOF hardfacing, sintered tungsten carbide tiles, or ceramic liners to extend maintenance intervals. |
| Drive & Control | Main motor load, back drive torque, PLC system, remote SCADA integration | Independent bowl and back-drive VFDs with a project-specified PLC (commonly Siemens or ABB) allow differential speed to be raised under high torque, reducing the risk of scroll overload during feed spikes. |
| Hazardous-area design | ATEX / IECEx zone classification, volatile solvents, hydrocarbon vapors | Hazardous-area packages are engineered to the specified zone, gas group, temperature class, and local standard. Explosion-protected motors, monitoring, nitrogen inerting, or purge systems are supplied where required by the project hazard assessment. |
Decanter vs Filter Press and Disc-Stack Separator
Continuous bowl against a chamber press, or a disc-stack on low-solids polish.
| Evaluation Factor | Decanter Centrifuge | Filter Press | Disc-stack separator |
|---|---|---|---|
| Best Application Fit | Continuous solid-liquid separation and sludge dewatering with moderate-to-high solids feed | Batch cake dewatering where higher cake-solids concentration is prioritized over continuous operation | High-clarity liquid-liquid-solid separation with low feed solids content (<3%) |
| Feed Solids Tolerance | Wide range (typically about 0.5% to 15% feed DS; higher-solids duties require confirmation of slurry rheology and torque loading) | Moderate (1% to 15%), subject to filter cloth blinding | Low (typically below 1% to 3%, depending on separator design and discharge cycle) |
| Operation Mode | Continuous automated operation with operator supervision and planned maintenance | Batch cycle operation (filling, pressing, cake release, cloth washing) | Continuous liquid flow with automated partial/full solids ejection |
| Footprint & Installation | Compact footprint, skid-mounted options with pre-wired controls | Large footprint, requires plate shifters and drip tray space | Extremely compact vertical footprint |
| Maintenance Requirements | Planned bearing lubrication and wear tile replacement | Filter cloth cleaning, high-pressure washing, and hydraulic seal service | Complex bowl disc stack cleaning and precision seal replacement |
For detailed engineering comparison articles, read Decanter Centrifuge vs Filter Press and Decanter Centrifuge vs Disc Stack Separator.
Design Features for Continuous Duty
Operating speed, drive power, wear protection and maintenance provisions are selected for the application.
Automated PLC & VFD Control
Siemens or ABB PLC with HMI, as specified for the project, can monitor scroll torque, vibration, bearing temperature, and bowl speed. Differential-speed control is used to limit scroll overload during feed surges.
Scroll and discharge geometry
Flight pitch and feed-zone geometry are chosen to limit pond turbulence, so flocs are less likely to break on conditioned feeds.
Baffle disc
On municipal WAS and digestate, an optional baffle disc can improve beach dewatering when pond depth, differential speed and polymer match the feed.
Tungsten carbide wear protection
On abrasive duties, scroll flights, feed-zone liners, and solids-discharge bushings can be fitted with tungsten carbide tiles and ceramic components. The package is selected from mineral hardness, particle size, and solids loading.
Why ZK SEPARATION
From feed samples and model selection through skid design, factory tests, commissioning and spare-parts planning. Configuration and performance targets follow the customer's process data.
- LW, LWS, LWY and LWF lines: Standard bowls 250–800 mm; selected custom designs to 1000 mm.
- In-house machining and balancing: Inspection and balance records against the agreed manufacturing standard.
- Skid packages: Pre-wired, pre-piped skids or container units.
- Spares: Wear-part and critical-spare lists for the selected model and duty.
- Patents: Documents available for project review on request.
Power, polymer and wear parts
Dual-VFD control, polymer dose and tile life sit on the operating cost of the selected bowl.
Power and polymer
- Dual-VFD Process Control: Independent bowl and back-drive control enables differential-speed adjustment and torque limiting. Regenerative-capable drive topologies are available where specified.
- Baffle disc and pond depth: Can improve cake solids and polymer use on some sludges; confirm on the actual feed. See polymer selection for sludge dewatering.
- Solids capture: When polymer and setpoints match the feed, higher capture reduces recycle of fines to plant headworks.
Preventive Maintenance & Spare Parts
- Key Inspection Areas: Periodic inspection of scroll tiles, discharge bushings, the feed zone, and main SKF/NSK bearings.
- Vibration and temperature monitoring: Where fitted, sensors support planned inspection when vibration or bearing temperature rises.
- Wear parts: Tile kits, discharge bushings and seals are supplied for the selected model and duty. See the decanter maintenance guide.
Technical Notes
Working principle, sizing and equipment comparison.
Selected Installations
Wastewater, oily sludge, food-waste oil and olive-oil mill projects.
Industrial Wastewater Treatment
Continuous solids removal and sludge dewatering for an industrial manufacturing park.
Refinery Oil Sludge Recovery
3-phase decanter recovering oil from refinery lagoon sludge.
Food Waste Oil Recovery
Continuous 3-phase separation recovering waste lipids for biodiesel feedstock.
Olive Oil Extraction Plant
LWS350 and LWS450 3-phase decanters delivered to an Italian olive-oil mill.
Request a quotation
Send feed DS% or t/h with the contact details. Engineering sizes the bowl from that duty sheet.
Frequently Asked Questions
Quotation, bowl size, materials and series.
How much does an industrial decanter centrifuge cost?
Price follows bowl size, installed power, wetted materials, wear protection, hazardous-area build, automation and skid. We quote from feed DS% or t/h, flow, and the cake or phase-split target. Use the form on this page.
What should I send for a quotation?
Feed, flow (m³/h or t/h), feed solids (DS% or TSS), and the cake or phase-split target. Add ATEX or CIP if the site needs them. The inquiry form takes the same data.
What is the difference between a 2-phase and a 3-phase decanter centrifuge?
LW 2-phase discharges cake and one liquid (centrate). LWS 3-phase discharges light phase, heavy phase and cake. See the 2-phase and 3-phase series pages.
How is decanter centrifuge capacity (m³/h vs kg DS/h) determined?
ZK sizes on volumetric flow (m³/h) and dry-solids load (kg DS/h). A bowl sized only for 10 m³/h of 1% slurry can overload the scroll and gearbox if feed solids rise to 5%.
What operating factors control cake %DS and solids recovery?
Feed properties, polymer, bowl speed, differential speed, pond depth and scroll torque. Commissioning sets those against the cake %DS and centrate TSS agreed for the project.
What wetted materials are available for corrosive or abrasive slurries?
304/316L where the chemistry allows. Duplex 2205/2304 for chloride and higher torque. Super-duplex or titanium on selected aggressive feeds after corrosion review. Wear zones take tungsten carbide or ceramic.
What routine maintenance is required for decanter centrifuges?
Bearing temperature, vibration, scroll torque, lubrication and separation performance. Gearbox oil and wear parts follow the O&M manual for that model. See the decanter maintenance guide.
What is the expected operating service life of a ZK decanter centrifuge?
Service life follows operating hours, abrasiveness, corrosivity, loading and wear-part replacement. The service plan is written for the selected model and duty.
Can ZK decanter centrifuges handle highly abrasive grit or mining tailings?
Yes. Abrasive packages use replaceable tungsten carbide tiles on scroll flights, ceramic or carbide feed-zone liners, and carbide solids ports. The package follows mineral hardness, particle size and solids loading.
What site utilities are required prior to decanter installation?
Foundation or steel skid for operating dynamic loads; the specified three-phase supply (commonly 380–480 V, 50/60 Hz); feed-pump and polymer connections; cake hopper or conveyor clearance; wash or flush water, plus CIP on hygienic builds; control cabling to the VFD/PLC cabinet.
What is the difference between a decanter centrifuge and a disc stack centrifuge?
A decanter uses a horizontal bowl and scroll on feeds typically about 0.5% to 15% solids, subject to rheology and torque. A disc-stack separator uses vertical conical discs for fine clarification or liquid-liquid polish, usually below 1% to 3% feed solids. See decanter vs disc stack.
