7—INVESTIGATIONS INTO THE CENTRIFUGING OF WOOL-SCOURING LIQUORS FOR WOOL-GREASE RECOVERY PART I: THE PRIMARY CENTRIFUGE

Abstract

An Alfa–Laval sludge-discharge centrifuge, type FVK4, has been used to determine the effects of different variables on the recovery of grease from woolscouring liquors. The percentage recovery was independent of temperature in the range 57–82°C and of feed-rate in the range 1000–1400 gal/hr but was inversely proportional to the gravity-disk diameter. In general, the machine was inefficient at settings that gave very low or very high concentrations of grease in the product, the optimum concentration being 15 ± 5%. A procedure for adjusting the centrifuge for optimum production is given.