A drum centrifuge separator is only as good as the system around it. Here is what we check on every project.
1. Direct cleaning vs bypass cleaning (kidney loop)
- Direct (continuous, full-flow): all dirty fluid from the machine goes through the separator before it reaches the clean tank. Every litre is cleaned before it is used again, so you get the cleanest and most stable fluid. The separator must handle the full return flow and its peaks.
- Bypass / kidney loop: the separator takes fluid from the tank and returns it to the same tank, independent of the machine. It is easy to add to existing systems, and the machine keeps running while sludge is removed. Size the loop so the whole tank passes the separator several times per hour.
2. Semi-manual or automatic?
- NZ-50: compact, for single machines. 1.5 kW, up to 70 l/min, 950 x g, 6 kg sludge.
- U-15: 4 kW, up to 120 l/min, 1,960 x g, down to about 3 µm. Clean fluid returns with a 5 m head.
- S-15: 5.5 kW, up to 160 l/min, 1,960 x g, down to about 1 µm. Self-priming with only 16 cm inlet height, for tanks up to about 15 m³.
- A15 / A-25 fully automatic: the sludge is scraped out automatically, so there is no manual stop. The A-25 handles up to 40 kg of sludge per hour at 170 l/min. This is the right choice for high solids loads and for direct cleaning in 24/7 production.
Flow rates are maximum values. The actual flow of every model varies slightly with the viscosity of the liquid.
3. Low flow = finer cleaning
The slower the fluid passes through the drum, the longer the particles stay in the centrifugal field, and the finer the particles that are separated. Maximum flow tells you the capacity, not the best cleaning. In a kidney loop, you can run a lower flow on purpose to reach the finest result.
4. Control the temperature with a cooling tower
A stable temperature keeps the fluid’s viscosity stable, so separation stays consistent. It also improves dimensional accuracy, reduces bacteria and odour, and makes the fluid last longer. For large volumes of process water, a cooling tower is a low-cost way to remove heat. For coolant emulsions, use a closed circuit with a heat exchanger.
5. Redundant supply pumps with pressure switches
A duty pump and a standby pump, monitored by a pressure switch. If the pressure drops, the standby pump starts automatically and an alarm is raised. Pressure fluctuations are an early warning of a clogged strainer, air in the line or a worn pump. The result: no unplanned machine stops, and a steady feed to the separator.
STA separators from E&W in Thailand
STA separators are made in Germany: no filter consumables, dry sludge, longer fluid life.
Try before you buy: test and rental units are available in Thailand. If you buy within 1 year, the test fee is returned as a credit note.
Contact us to discuss your system, call +66 62 757 7252, chat on LINE, or see all STA centrifugal separators.
