THE FLOTTWEG TRICANTER®

A HIGH-QUALITY AND VERSATILE DECANTER CENTRIFUGE

Three-Phase Separation at its Best
 THE TRICANTER® AND THE VARIABLE IMPELLER
Versatile and Efficient Three-Phase Separation

For more than 40 years, Flottweg has been manufacturing the Trican- The Flottweg Tricanter®
ter® for three-phase separation. This experience, combined with nu- and its benefits
merous and well-known reference companies all over the world, makes
us one of the best possible addresses for mechanical separation tech- • Greatest possible purity of the
nology. Even other manufacturers of separation technology use the liquids to be separated by using the
term “Tricanter” when it comes to three-phase separation. These facts adjustable impeller
symbolize the pioneering spirit and role of Flottweg Separation Tech- • More than 40 years of experience
nology. ensure maximum continuity, versatility
and performance
As already explained, the Tricanter® enables a simultaneous separation • Other processing steps/separating
of three phases. So, a three-phase separation makes it possible to sep- stages can be dispensed with, or are
arate two liquid phases from one solid phase at the same time. no longer required, thereby offering
cost savings for the plant owner
But how is that even possible? The different densities of the (immisci- • Adaptation to changing conditions
ble) liquids and the solid mean that all three phases can be discharged (product in the feed) possible at any
®
simultaneously using the Tricanter . This is the reason for the name time
®
Tricanter (tri for three). To ensure that the separation process can take • Automation is possible
place, the solid phase must be the specifically heaviest phase and the • Developed and manufactured in
liquid phases must have different densities. Otherwise, the scroll of the Germany for the highest possible
Tricanter® will not be able to transport the solid at all, or only inade- production quality
quately, and this has an effect on the separation result.

The structure and function of the Tricanter® are similar to those of a de- heavy liquid without difficulty during ongoing op-
canter (two-phase separation). The decisive difference between these eration. An adjustment mechanism causes the
two machines has to do with the way that the liquid is discharged. There position of the impeller to change, thus changing
®
are two liquid phases in a Tricanter . There is a "heavy" liquid phase the separation zone of the liquids (see page 3).
(higher density and discharged under pressure) as well as a "light" liq- The process engineering results can thus be in-
uid phase (lower density and discharged without pressure). fluenced so as to achieve the required separation
result.
An impeller discharges the "heavy" liquid phase. Furthermore, the op-
erator can use the adjustable impeller to adjust the pond depth of the

TRICANTER® -
TYPICAL APPLICATIONS FOR
THREE-PHASE SEPARATION
• Processing tar as well as sludges containing
oil from refineries, oil ponds etc.
® = registered trademark in various countries

• Processing sallow thorn (sea buckthorn)

berries
• Separating wheat starch and gluten during
starch production
• Extracting animal/vegetable fats and oils
• And far more…

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OPERATING PRINCIPLE 3-PHASE
The Flottweg Tricanter®

The Flottweg Tricanter® performs a three-phase separation, i.e. the phase. The main difference from a decanter is
simultaneous separation of two immiscible liquids with different densi- the separate discharge of the two liquid phases.
ties and one solid phase, provided that the solid phase is the heaviest

water
TECHNICAL INFO

feed liquid solids

Flow of liquids and solids in a Flottweg Tricanter®

Customer benefits of the

variable impeller

• Immediate adjustment of the pond depth and liquid-liquid separation zone during ongoing operation
►optimum results
• Savings in costs due to the needlessness of a separate chamber pump
• Easy reading of the variable impeller scale ►ease of adjustment
• Automation is possible

NO MATTER IF FEED CONCENTRATION VARIES

The Flottweg Tricanter® discharges the heavy liquid through an of the liquids and may eliminate downstream
adjustable impeller under pressure and the light phase by gravity. equipment. For detailed information regarding
The variable impeller allows for precise on-the-fly adjustment of the the variable impeller, please visit our website
pond depth and liquid-liquid separation zone. This optimizes the purity www.flottweg.com.

Separation Zone 1
TECHNICAL INFO

Separation Zone 2

Feed and discharge devices with control lever for the adjustable impeller of No matter if feed concentration varies: Best separation
the Flottweg Tricanter® results with the Flottweg Tricanter® System

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 FLOTTWEG SEPARATION TECHNOLOGY
– ENGINEERED FOR YOUR SUCCESS

Flottweg has been developing and producing cen- unique experience as well as an outstanding expertise, especially when
trifuges for more than 60 years including more it comes to applying and using separation technology for the purpose of
than 40 years of successfully providing high-end three-phase separation. Even more, by using Flottweg Systems and
machinery for three-phase separation. Flottweg Equipment, customers receive significant and unique benefits in compar-
convinces customers all over the world with an ison to other providers of mechanical separation equipment or systems:

Why should a customer consider to buy Flottweg Machinery,

Equipment and Systems especially the Tricanter®?
The answer to that question is clear.

• High-quality:
We convince with high-quality machinery and systems. Due to our extensive and significant experience,
we offer the best solution for customers. And “best solution” means total satisfaction!
• Efficiency:
By using our equipment, the highest purity of particular substances can be reached, increasing value for
customers in turn.
• Durability:
Our Machines and Systems provide an outstanding durability. This can be confirmed by the fact that all
necessary spare parts are still available even decades later (30 years and more).
• The Tricanter® offers the following benefits:
- greatest possible purity of separated liquids by using the adjustable impeller
- adaptation to changing conditions (product in the feed) possible at any time
- more than 40 years of experience in three-phase applications

... in other words, the Tricanter® symbolizes the benchmark for three-phase separation

Flottweg Tricanter® System

® = registered trademark in various countries

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GLOBAL AFTERMARKET SUPPORT NETWORK
No Matter Where You Are in the World

CUSTOMER SERVICE IS OUR STRENGTH Flottweg Services include

Application-based project planning, high-quality manufactur-
ing and professional after-sales service are prerequisites for a trouble- • Experienced advice on separation
free operation. Experienced and reliable service engineers from our processes
customer service department are ready to respond quickly if needed. • Pilot tests on-site or at the Flottweg
The Flottweg Service Group is also available to perform preventive Laboratory and Test Center
maintenance in order to avoid interruptions in production. • Selection and sizing of appropriate
equipment
QUALITY “MADE IN GERMANY” • Customer-specific automation/control
Flottweg is ISO 9001 certified and manufactures its systems and process integration
products in compliance with the latest technical stan- • Design and construction of complete
dards. process systems
• Installation, commissioning,
maintenance, repair and spare parts
service worldwide

FLOTTWEG AFTER-SALES CUSTOMER SERVICE

Even the best machinery needs to be maintained and serviced. Our service engineers and technicians are qual-
Flottweg has established a worldwide service network consisting of its ified for any kind of installation, commissioning,
own subsidiaries, branch offices, and representatives to provide our repair and maintenance.
customers with localized service and spare parts.
Flottweg Service Technicians are always available for you

FLOTTWEG WORLDWIDE
Flottweg is headquartered in Vilsbiburg (near Munich), Germany, and Check out our website at www.flottweg.com
has branch offices in Cologne and Leipzig as well as subsidiaries in to find a competent contact person.
Australia, Brazil, China, France, Italy, Mexico, Poland, Russia and the
United States plus representatives in nearly all countries worldwide.

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 THE FLOTTWEG PRODUCT FEATURES

In terms of mechanical separation, there are vari- meshing these individual parameters according to the principle “The Ben-
ous influencing factors that play an important role eficial Combination For Your Efficient Solution”.
to achieve the highest possible outcome and ben-
efit for customers. As a result, Flottweg sets itself In other words: the more perfectly adjusted each parameter is on another,
apart from its competitors in terms of perfectly the better the result at the end of the whole process.

LUBRICATION WEAR PROTECTION

• Clever designs • High resistance to wear of the decanter centrifuge
• Always clean oil on the bearing • Longer service life of the decanter
• Minimal oil consumption • Reduced costs, because only wearing parts are renewed
• Maximum protection of process due to
consistent and precise lubrication
POND DEPTH
• The pond depth makes it possible for solids to be dewatered to a
SEALING SYSTEMS greater extent, which makes for an improved product result
• Individual adaptation of the decanter cen- • Improved clarifying performance, for improved total dry solids in
trifuge depending on the field of application the solid
• No risk of explosion due to the avoidance of • Possibility for directly influencing the separation performance by
giving off undesirable product emissions to changing the pond depth; optimisation of the separation process
the surrounding area • Optimum adaptation to customers‘ requirements in order to achieve
• Possibility of processing toxic,hazardous or the best possible result
acid products

DECANTER SCROLL
• Especially made decanter scroll for highest
performance
• A large „choice“ of variations due to decades
of experience
• Individual adaptation of the decanter scroll
for long-term customer satisfaction

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 ADJUSTABLE IMPELLER MATERIALS
• The variable impeller can be adjusted during ongoing operation • Depending on the application, Flottweg offers
• Optimum adaptation to changed conditions (product property in the appropriate materials for your centrifuge
the feed) • Increased durability of the decanter centrifuge,
• Perfect separating properties are achieved, for an optimum even when confronted by aggressive media
product result (acids, alkalis and cleaning agents)
• Exact and variable setting of the pond depth is possible by • Maximum product quality during the entire
changing the weir disc diameter process
• Automation is possible • Improved stability of the decanter centrifuge

DIFFERENTIAL SPEED DECANTER BOWL

• The differential speed makes it possible to keep the solid in the • The most varied applications demand differ-
bowl for the ideal length of time ent geometries from the decanter bowl. Flat
• Optimum dewatering with fluctuating feed conditions cone, steep cone, diameter, outfeed diameter,
• Optimum setting of the total dry solids that can be achieved extremely different length conditions:
• Protection against overload and blockage
• Variably adjustable differential speed in order to be able to react Due to modular design Flottweg can always
to an extremely wide range of requirements (product properties in offer the correct decanter bowl that is precisely
the feed) matched to customers‘ requirements.

SIMP DRIVE® SERVICE

• High efficiency due to consistently high dry substance value • Repairs by qualified specialists and technicians
(DS = the higher this value, the dryer the separated solid) • Longer machine service life
• High throughput performance due to high bowl speed and • Minimised risk of the system/machine failing
precisely adjusted differential speed • Improved process efficiency
• Simple display and regulation of the scroll torque including • Expert and experienced employees are at
overload protection your side
• The scroll speed and differential speed can be controlled easily, • All necessary spare parts are still available
because they are independent from one another even decades later (30 years and more)
® = registered trademark in various countries

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 Flottweg Separation Technology –
Engineered For Your Success

Flottweg SE
Industriestraße 6-8
84137 Vilsbiburg
Deutschland (Germany)
Tel.: + 49 8741 301-0
Fax: + 49 8741 301-300
[email protected]
www.flottweg.com
REPRESENTATIVE

PR-0004 ZR-10 02/2014