Batch-Automatic Centrifuges Horizontal Peeler & Vertical Bottom-Discharge Platforms for High-Throughput Batch Separation
Rousselet Robatel designs and manufactures automatic-discharge centrifuges — horizontal peeler centrifuges with scraper/knife discharge and vertical bottom-discharge centrifuges — for batch processes where high throughput, mono/limited-product runs, and minimal operator handling of the product matter more than multi-product flexibility.
- Manual discharge (dig-out, bag, cage-hoist, etc.) keeps capital cost low for frequent product changeover, but it caps throughput and puts an operator in contact with the product every cycle. When a process runs the same (or a few) products at volume, automating the discharge step – scraper, peeler knife, or bottom-discharge chute – removes that bottleneck and enables full PLC cycle control, closed/inerted operation, and C1D1/cGMP builds.
- G-forces to ~1,978 G (EHBL), useful loads to 1,500 kg per cycle (EHBF), up to 2,600 rpm (EHBL503).
- Over 100 years of horizontal- and vertical-axis centrifuge design, in-house fabrication, FAT, global service network.
Horizontal Peeler Centrifuges
EHBL — Horizontal Axis Peeler Centrifuges (semi-automatic to full automation)
- Full-opening casing (one or two rotations) for instant visual inspection and cleaning
- Ground-level installation, reduced height requirements; option for cleanroom “through-the-wall” installation (process/technical zone separation)
- Fully retractable tank; scraper discharges into an inclined chute or optional horizontal extraction screw (DRV variant)
- Suspension feed across full basket depth for uniform cake thickness; “soaking” option (low-speed rotation with partial casing fill for cleaning)
- Low residual moisture from high centrifugal force (up to 2,600 rpm on the smallest size, EHBL503)
- Control range: manual through full automation, operator terminal, supervisor communication
- Sizes: EHBL503 (500mm) up to EHBL1663 (1,660mm); useful volumes 24 L–890 L; useful load 30 kg–1,110 kg
- Best fit: processes needing frequent visual/manual inspection access alongside automated cycles, or cleanroom-separated installations
Vertical Bottom-Discharge Centrifuges
DEC — Industrial Vertical Axis Centrifuge with Bottom Discharge
- Suitable for large-scale production; closed-system operation under controlled atmosphere (operator/product/environment protection)
- Wide diameter/volume range; scraper-knife discharge (single or double motion, axial + radial)
- Confined cake discharge through basket-plate/tank-bottom openings to a chute (simple or extended for downstream connection)
- Two mounting families: RC (inertia slab) and SC (suspension) — same distinction as the batch-manual RC/SC logic: RC keeps site prep simple, SC gives a smaller footprint but needs a reinforced mounting surface
- Semi-automatic or automatic cycle, manual resumption available, supervisor communication option
- Residual-layer removal: internal basket cleaning (rotation + translation), external “blow-back” (nitrogen counter-current), and CIP (rotating + fixed nozzle ramps)
- Sizes: RC63 (630mm) up to RC160 (1,600mm); SC100–SC150; useful volumes 50 L–990 L; up to 1,500 rpm
- Best fit: large-scale, closed/inerted production runs needing full cake-discharge automation without switching to a horizontal platform
- [Brochure download link — C6]
DRC-Vx BO — Vertical Decanter Centrifuge with Automatic Bottom Discharge
- Compact, fully automatic operating principle — no filter media, decanting by density under 1,500–2,200 x G
- Patented sludge-mass detection: feed shuts off automatically at a pre-set sludge mass, then baffle/bowl reversal scrapes solids out through the bowl bottom via a pneumatically actuated anti-drip chute
- Rotating-disc feed matched to bowl speed minimizes turbulence; four-baffle rotor divides the bowl into “calm” zones for faster, more efficient separation
- Aluminum bowl, open bottom, separating deflector; AC variable-frequency drive; independent PLC control enclosure
- Sizes: DRC30 Vx BO (300mm, 15 L) and DRC45 Vx BO (450mm, 48–67 L); throughput to 220 L/min
- Application niche — distinct from the process-scale EHBL/EHBF/DEC lines: industrial sludges/baths (vibratory finishing, rectifying, phosphating, washing, pickling), wash waters, cutting fluids, cooling liquids
- Best fit: compact, continuous-cycle automatic purification of industrial process fluids rather than pharma/fine-chemical batch product recovery
How These Centrifuges Work
Horizontal-axis units (EHBL/EHBF) favor ground-level installation and high-speed scraper/knife discharge into a chute or screw; vertical-axis units (DEC) discharge downward through the basket/bowl bottom, well suited to closed-system/inerted operation.
Feeding → rinsing/washing → spinning (multiple speed/duration steps in one cycle) → scraping/knife discharge or bottom discharge — each step PLC-sequenced, contrasted with the manual dig-out/bag/cage-hoist steps on the batch-manual page.
Internal basket cleaning, external blow-back, and CIP — same three-method framework across EHBL, EHBF, and DEC.
Manual vs. Automatic — Which Do You Need?
Batch-Automatic
- Mono/limited-product
- High-volume runs
- Minimal operator contact with product
Batch-Manual
- Frequent multi-product changeover
- Lower capex
- Time for setup between batches
Horizontal (EHBL/EHBF)
- Ground-level footprint and chute/screw discharge
- High throughput – no need to slow down for discharge
Vertical (DEC)
- Gravity bottom-discharge from mezzanine level
- Handles sticky/difficult solids well
Technical Features That Support Automatic Operation
- C1D1 (Class 1, Division 1, Groups C&D) and other explosion-proof electrical equipment options
- cGMP-ready construction; various construction materials (316L stainless, alloys) and coatings ECTFE, ebonite)
- Gas-tight/inerting capability (pressure control, oxygen analysis, hydraulic siphon/guard)
- PLC control with frequency converter; up to full automation with supervisor communication
- CIP piping with rotating/fixed nozzle ramps; blow-back and internal-basket residual-layer removal
- Safety systems: imbalance/vibration sensors, speed sensors, pressure controls
- Finish/polishing options
Why Choose Rousselet Robatel
Filtration and decantation mechanisms under one platform family, not a single-technology vendor forcing one solution on every process
The same design logic scales from RC20 lab units to RC150/SC200-class production equipment
Materials of construction, C1D1/explosion-proof builds, seal options, CIP systems, and finish grades tailored to application
In-house fabrication, factory acceptance testing
Validate a process on rental equipment or in our wet lab before capital investment
Spare parts, field service, commissioning, preventative maintenance, training