Normally, Decanter centrifuge supplier will give a max. hydraulic capacity to show the centrifuge capacity, like 30 m3/h or 40 m3/h. For professional centrifuge user, they what that this parameter really means. But for some new users of centrifuge, it may cause some confusion.

To understand well this question, we should know what is max. with hydraulic test means.

Definition of centrifuge max. capacity:

It is the test figure from hydraulic test. It means the max. hydraulic input volume of the centrifuge can allow. All the input water can be pushed out by centrifuge and there will not be water came out from solids end.

Test method of centrifuge max. hydraulic capacity:

Close the bypass if there is. For fixed speed centrifuge, start centrifuge directly. For VFD centrifuge, Let it runs at the max. bowl speed and conveyer speed. And increase the water input step by step and make sure there is no liquid discharged from the solids end. If there is water out from solids end, it means it is overload. So small reduce it. The max. figure that water will not discharged from solids end is the max. capacity or max. hydraulic capacity of decanter centrifuge.

Many new centrifuge users are wondering: why our solids control centrifuge can treat mud 20m3/h, while the drilling waste management decanter centrifuge can only treat 10m3/h? And the drilling waste management centrifuge is high standard than solids control centrifuge? To understanding this question, we should know the definition of max. solids discharge rate first.

Besides max. hydraulic capacity, there is another figure beeb used together to definite centrifuge performance, it is called the max. solids discharge rate.

Definition of max. solids discharge rate

It means the max. solids a centrifuge can discharged per hour. It is from mud test.

Let’s say, if a centrifuge can treat max. 30m3/h mud with 10% solids content. It means the max. solids discharge rate is 3m3/h.

It means in any cases, the centrifuge can discharge solids no more than 3m3 mud per hour.

So the higher of the solids content, the smaller of the mud input (mud capacity).

If the solids content is 15%, the max. mud input should be less than 20cbm per hour. And for VFD centrifuge, in order to get better separation result, the bowl speed and conveyor speed should be adjust accordingly. For the same mud input with the same decanter centrifuge, the better of the separation, the smaller of mud capacity.