Centrifugal Separators Go From The Big Screen To The Gulf of Mexico
Posted by William Vander Plaats on Thu, Aug 05, 2010 @ 04:29 PM
The idea of using centrifugal force to separate two elements of different densities has been around for many years. Despite the scientific explanation for centrifugal force and its real world applications in our lives, to some people it often sounds too good to be true. It is hard for some to believe that gravity and centrifugal action can be exploited in such ingenious devices that can work so efficiently and effectively. Such has been the case with the most recent application to appear in the headlines recently -- a centrifugal separator which might be able to help clean up the Deepwater Horizon gulf oil spill.
Not Just Movie Special Effects
A company co-owned by actor Kevin Costner has developed a centrifugal separator designed to remove crude oil from sea water, and centrifugal action is at the heart of the machine. The technology for the portable liquid separators was originally developed by national laboratories for defense purposes, but Costner and his business partners purchased the patent in 1990. Costner began working on ways to remove oil from water while working on his 1995 science fiction movie "Waterworld". British Petroleum has placed an order for some of the devices, in the hopes it can succeed where other techniques and products have failed.
Two Other Uses Of Centrifugal Separation 
In addition to Costner's Waterworld-inspired oil-from-water separator, centrifugal separators are used to solve a number of less-theatrical problems as well, including:
- Medical uses - centrifuges are devices used in laboratories to separate liquids from other liquids (such as blood) for testing.
- Solids-from-liquids centrifugal separators, used to remove sand, dirt, and other solids from water (as well as other liquids like cooking oil). LAKOS Separators are the leaders in this field, and are used in a variety of residential, water well, industrial, and heating/cooling applications.
LAKOS Centrifugal Separators
LAKOS centrifugal separators utilize the same fundamental forces of centrifugal action as Kevin Costner's device and medical centrifuges. Nearly forty years since gaining its first patent, LAKOS has been continuously innovating and improving upon this technology and the unique solutions it can provide. Liquid enters the LAKOS Separator at an angle, and internal slots accelerate the flow so that solids heavier than water are moved (through centrifugal force) to the outer wall of a separation chamber and drop to the bottom of the separator, while clean fluid exits the separator. This can be better explained by watching an animation or video of the solids being separated from the liquid.
Free Download - Independent Testing Proves Efficiency
Just how efficient is a LAKOS Centrifugal Separator at removing solids from liquids? Up to 98% percent efficient, according to independent 3rd party testing. Get the free results of this testing today !