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Class 4 (4th Engineer) MEKG 📅 Sep 2024

Exam Question

Explain how each of the following conditions contribute to the satisfactory performance of oil centrifuges:

(a) Correct bowl speed (4)

(b) Cleanliness of the bowl (4)

(c) Low rate of feed to bowl (4)

(d) Contaminated oil allowed to stand for an appreciable time prior to centrfuging (4)

Reference Answer

### Introduction to Centrifugal Separation
The satisfactory performance of a marine oil centrifuge (purifier/clarifier) depends on maximizing the separation of immiscible liquids of different densities and solid impurities from the oil. The principle is based on Stokes' Law, which describes the rate of separation under gravity. A centrifuge accelerates this process by replacing the force of gravity (1G) with a much stronger centrifugal force (typically 5,000 to 15,000 G), dramatically increasing the separation rate. The efficiency is governed by several critical operational parameters.
### (a) Correct Bowl Speed
Correct rotational speed is the single most important factor for achieving effective separation, as it directly generates the centrifugal force required.

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