Efficient Oil Clarification with Hygienic Design and Flexible Process Control

GN Separation is pleased to introduce its Canola Oil Clarification Decanter Centrifuge solution for an Australian customer. Designed for continuous clarification of vegetable oil, this decanter centrifuge combines efficient solid-liquid separation, hygienic construction, and flexible operating adjustments to support the requirements of modern edible oil processing.

Canola oil production involves the removal of residual fine solids and suspended impurities from the oil stream. Efficient clarification is essential for improving oil cleanliness, supporting downstream processing, and maintaining consistent product quality.

GN Clarifying Decanter Centrifuge, part of the C Series, is specifically designed for applications requiring continuous separation of fine solids from liquid. Its extended clarification section, hygienic design options, and adjustable liquid discharge configuration make it suitable for a wide range of edible oil processing applications.

1. Continuous Clarification for Canola Oil Processing

The GN Clarifying Decanter Centrifuge operates on the principle of centrifugal separation.

The incoming suspension is accelerated inside the rotating bowl, where centrifugal force separates suspended solids from the liquid phase according to their density differences.

The clarified oil is discharged continuously, while separated solids are transported toward the conical section of the bowl by the internal screw conveyor.

Unlike batch separation equipment, the decanter centrifuge allows continuous feeding and discharge, helping reduce interruptions in the production process.

For canola oil clarification, the equipment offers several advantages:

• Continuous operation for industrial processing.

• Efficient removal of suspended solids and fine impurities.

• Reduced dependence on manual separation processes.

• Compact equipment layout.

• Flexible process adjustment to accommodate changing feed conditions.

Actual clarification performance depends on feed composition, solids concentration, particle size distribution, temperature, and operating parameters.

2. Hygienic Internal Screw Conveyor Design

One of the key considerations in edible oil processing is preventing material accumulation inside the equipment.

Residual oil and solids left inside the centrifuge may deteriorate over time, potentially affecting subsequent production batches, product quality, and hygiene.

To address this concern, GN can provide a polished internal screw conveyor surface designed to minimise material adhesion and facilitate cleaning.

Polished screw conveyor surfaces

The internal screw conveyor is subjected to polishing treatment to improve surface smoothness.

This design helps:

• Reduce the likelihood of residual material accumulating on the screw surface.

• Minimise material retention during operation and cleaning.

• Reduce the risk of accumulated oil and solids deteriorating.

• Facilitate cleaning and maintenance.

• Support hygienic requirements in food processing applications.

For edible oil applications, surface finish and accessibility are important considerations when designing equipment for routine cleaning and maintenance.

The polishing treatment is intended to improve cleanability and reduce material retention. Final hygienic requirements, surface roughness specifications, and cleaning procedures should be confirmed according to the customer's process and applicable standards.

3. Centripetal Pump Design for Flexible Liquid Pool Adjustment

Another important feature of the GN Clarifying Decanter Centrifuge is its liquid discharge configuration.

The equipment can incorporate a centripetal pump, also known as an impeller-type liquid discharge system, to discharge the clarified liquid.

This arrangement allows the liquid pool depth inside the rotating bowl to be adjusted during operation.

Why is liquid pool depth important?

Liquid pool depth directly influences the clarification zone inside the centrifuge.

A deeper liquid pool generally provides a longer effective clarification zone, allowing fine suspended particles more time to settle under centrifugal force.

However, the optimum liquid pool depth depends on the feed characteristics and desired separation results.

The ability to adjust liquid pool depth enables operators to optimise the process according to actual operating conditions.

Key advantages

• Adjust liquid pool depth without stopping the centrifuge.

• Respond to changes in feed composition and solids concentration.

• Optimise clarification performance during operation.

• Improve operational flexibility.

• Reduce unnecessary production interruptions during process adjustments.

This feature is particularly valuable for vegetable oil processing, where feed characteristics and clarification requirements may vary.

4. GN C Series Clarifying Decanter Centrifuge

GN Clarifying Decanter Centrifuge belongs to the C Series, featuring a 20-degree beach angle.

Compared with conventional decanter configurations designed primarily for solids dewatering, the C Series is optimised for clarification applications.

The relatively short conical section and extended cylindrical bowl section provide a longer clarification zone, supporting the separation of fine suspended solids from liquids.

Main technical characteristics

Extended clarification section

The bowl geometry is designed to provide a longer clarification zone, supporting effective liquid clarification.

Duplex stainless steel construction

The bowl and major rotating components can be manufactured using duplex stainless steel, including SUS2205 or SUS2304, depending on the configuration.

Duplex stainless steel offers favourable mechanical strength and corrosion resistance for demanding process applications.

Precision screw conveyor

The screw conveyor uses CNC-formed spiral flights to support efficient solids transportation.

Depending on the material characteristics, screw pitch and blade configuration can be optimised to improve solids conveying performance.

Wear-resistant discharge components

Wear-resistant materials, including tungsten carbide components, can be incorporated into selected discharge areas to improve service life under abrasive operating conditions.

Flexible liquid pool adjustment

The liquid discharge configuration allows operators to adjust the liquid pool depth to accommodate different process requirements.

Intelligent control system

The decanter can be equipped with a VFD, PLC, and HMI control system to support operating parameter adjustment and equipment monitoring.

Monitoring functions may include bowl speed, differential speed, bearing temperature, vibration, motor current, and other operating parameters, depending on the final configuration.

5. Available Models and Technical Specifications

GN C Series Clarifying Decanter Centrifuges are available in several bowl diameters to accommodate different production capacities.

Model	Bowl Diameter	Maximum G-Force
GNLW-224GC	220 mm	3,200 G
GNLW-364GC	360 mm	3,200 G
GNLW-454GC	450 mm	3,000 G
GNLW-554GC	550 mm	3,000 G
GNLW-654GC	650 mm	3,000 G
GNLW-764GC	760 mm	2,900 G

The above specifications are indicative reference values. Actual operating speed, processing capacity, motor configuration, and separation performance depend on the specific application and final equipment configuration.

GN's engineering team can evaluate the appropriate model based on the customer's required throughput, feed characteristics, and clarification objectives.

6. Applications Beyond Canola Oil

GN Clarifying Decanter Centrifuges are designed for a broad range of industrial clarification applications.

Typical applications include:

• Canola and other vegetable oils.

• Palm oil clarification.

• Olive oil processing.

• Sesame oil processing.

• Fish oil clarification.

• Plant protein extraction.

• Starch processing.

• Fruit juice clarification.

• Food and beverage processing.

• Biofuel and fermentation industries.

The equipment can be configured according to the specific separation requirements of each application.

7. GN Separation – Your Partner in Industrial Separation Solutions

GN Separation provides industrial decanter centrifuges and separation equipment for customers across Australia and international markets.

With different decanter configurations available, GN can develop separation solutions tailored to individual process requirements, including edible oil clarification, solids removal, and liquid recovery.

For the Australian canola oil processing industry, GN Clarifying Decanter Centrifuge offers a combination of continuous operation, hygienic design considerations, and flexible process adjustment.

Our engineering team works closely with customers to evaluate feed characteristics, determine suitable equipment configurations, and develop practical separation solutions.

Looking for a reliable decanter centrifuge for canola oil clarification?

Contact GN Separation to discuss your application, processing capacity, and separation requirements.

Learn more about GN Clarifying Decanter Centrifuge:

https://www.gnseparation.com/clarifying-decanter-centrifuge

Contact GN Separation for further technical information and a customised solution.