3-Phase Decanter Centrifuge
3-Phase Decanter Centrifuge (Tricanter) Manufacturer
Shenzhou's 3-phase decanter centrifuges — also known as tricanters — separate solids, heavy liquid, and light liquid simultaneously in a single continuous process. Built on more than 40 years of centrifuge manufacturing experience, our tricanters are engineered for oil sludge treatment, edible oil clarification, and industrial wastewater recovery, with bowl sizes from 220mm to 550mm and full customization for OEM/ODM clients.
What Is a 3-Phase Decanter Centrifuge?
A 3-phase decanter centrifuge is a horizontal centrifuge that separates a mixture into three distinct output streams at once: solid particles, a heavy liquid phase (such as water), and a light liquid phase (such as oil). Unlike a standard 2-phase decanter, which only separates solids from a single liquid, a tricanter adds a second liquid discharge line, making it the equipment of choice whenever a process stream contains oil, water, and solids together — for example, oily sludge, palm oil mash, or slaughterhouse wastewater.
Because all three phases exit continuously and simultaneously, tricanters eliminate the need for a separate downstream oil-water separation step, reducing both equipment footprint and processing time.
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How a 3-Phase Decanter Centrifuge Works
Feed Introduction — The mixed feed enters through an axial feed tube into the rotating conveyor.
Acceleration — The feed strikes an accelerator and is distributed into the bowl, forming a rotating liquid pond.
Phase Separation by Density — Under centrifugal force (typically 2,000–4,000 G), the solids (highest density) settle against the bowl wall, the heavy liquid phase forms the middle layer, and the light liquid phase (lowest density) forms the innermost layer.
Solids Discharge — The screw conveyor pushes settled solids up the conical "beach" and out through the solids discharge ports.
Heavy Liquid Discharge — The heavy liquid phase is discharged under pressure through a centripetal pump.
Light Liquid Discharge — The light liquid phase overflows the adjustable impeller (weir disc) and discharges by gravity or low pressure.
The key component that makes 3-phase separation possible is the adjustable impeller (weir plate) — by changing its position, operators can shift the separation line between the heavy and light liquid phases while the machine is running, allowing fine control over separation purity without stopping production.
Key Features & Benefits
Simultaneous Three-Phase Recovery Recovers solids, oil, and water in one pass — no separate oil-water separator needed downstream.
Adjustable Separation Line The impeller can be repositioned during operation to fine-tune the oil/water cut point for different feed conditions.
High G-Force, High Purity Operating at up to 4,000 G, our tricanters achieve high oil recovery rates and low residual oil content in the discharged water phase.
Continuous, Automated Operation Minimal manual intervention is required once running, reducing labor costs for 24/7 industrial operation.
Corrosion & Wear Resistant Construction Bowl and conveyor available in SS304 or SS316L, with tungsten carbide or ceramic wear tiles on high-erosion surfaces.
Compact, Enclosed Design Fully enclosed rotating assembly prevents odor and vapor escape — suitable for indoor installation near production lines.
Technical Specifications
| Model | Bowl Diameter (mm) | Bowl Speed (rpm) | Separation Factor (G) | Capacity (m³/h) | Main Motor Power (kW) | Material |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| LW220 | 220 | 4000–6000 | up to 3,000G | 1–3 | 5.5–7.5 | SS304/SS316L |
| LW355 | 355 | 3000–4200 | up to 2,800G | 5–15 | 15–22 | SS304/SS316L |
| LW450 | 450 | 2500–3600 | up to 2,700G | 10–30 | 30–37 | SS304/SS316L |
| LW550 | 550 | 2000–3200 | up to 2,500G | 20–50 | 45–55 | SS304/SS316L |
Note: Actual capacity and power vary based on feed characteristics and process requirements. Contact our engineers for a custom sizing recommendation.
Applications by Industry
Oil Sludge & Waste Oil Treatment
Separates tank bottom sludge, oil refinery sludge, and waste engine oil into clean solids, recovered oil, and water — reducing hazardous waste disposal volume and recovering saleable oil.
Edible Oil Production (Palm Oil, Olive Oil, Fish Oil)
Extracts crude oil from press cake and water mixtures in palm oil mills, olive oil presses, and fish meal plants, improving oil yield versus traditional settling tanks.
Oilfield & Drilling Waste Management
Recovers base oil from oil-based drilling mud and cuttings, cutting disposal costs and enabling oil reuse on-site.
Restaurant & Kitchen Waste Oil Recycling
Separates used cooking oil, water, and food solids for biodiesel feedstock production.
Slaughterhouse & Food Processing Wastewater
Removes fat, grease, and solids from high-organic-load wastewater before further biological treatment.
DDGS (Distiller's Dried Grains with Solubles)
Separates solids, syrup, and water in ethanol/biofuel production — a proven application with multiple Shenzhou units delivered to grain-processing plants.
3-Phase vs 2-Phase Decanter Centrifuge — Which Do You Need?
| 2-Phase Decanter Centrifuge | 3-Phase Decanter Centrifuge (Tricanter) | |
|---|---|---|
| Separates | Solid + 1 liquid | Solid + 2 immiscible liquids |
| Typical feed | Sludge, slurry with single liquid phase | Mixtures containing oil, water, and solids |
| Liquid discharge | Single outlet | Two independent outlets (heavy & light phase) |
| Key component | Fixed dam plates | Adjustable impeller (weir disc) |
| Common use case | Municipal/chemical sludge dewatering | Oil sludge, edible oil, oily wastewater |
Rule of thumb: if your process stream contains only solids and one liquid, a 2-phase decanter is more cost-effective. If it contains solids plus two liquids of different density (e.g., oil and water), you need a 3-phase tricanter.
→ See our 2-Phase Decanter Centrifuge page for solid-liquid-only applications.
Core Components
Inlet Zone — Accelerates incoming feed to bowl speed with minimal shear, preserving separation efficiency.
Screw Conveyor — Custom flight pitch and lead angle designed per application to move solids without re-suspending separated liquids.
Adjustable Impeller (Weir Disc) — The defining component of a tricanter; allows real-time adjustment of the light/heavy liquid separation point.
Dual Liquid Discharge System — Independent piping and pump/gravity discharge for heavy and light phases, preventing cross-contamination.
Solids Discharge Section — Replaceable wear-resistant discharge ports for long service life under abrasive conditions.
Maintenance Guidelines
Flush the bowl and conveyor with clean water after each production run to prevent solids buildup and vibration from imbalance.
Check the adjustable impeller position periodically — incorrect settings are a common cause of poor separation purity.
Run the machine briefly each week during idle periods to keep bearings lubricated and prevent corrosion.
Inspect wear plates on the solids discharge ports every 3–6 months depending on feed abrasiveness.
Keep detailed logs of vibration levels and bearing temperature to catch early signs of imbalance or wear.
Delivery Records
Brazil — 4 units LW450 tricanters for DDGS (Distiller's Dried Grains with Solubles) dewatering at a grain processing facility.
Hebei, China — 9 units drilling mud recovery decanter centrifuges delivered to an oilfield customer for base oil recovery from drilling waste.
Russia — ongoing supply agreement with NPP Gidriks LLC, a regional distributor of Shenzhou sedimentation centrifuges.
Certifications
FAQ
Jinhua Shenzhou Centrifuge Co., Ltd. is one of the most professional 3-phase decanter centrifuge manufacturers and suppliers in China, featured by quality products and competitive price. Please rest assured to wholesale cheap 3-phase decanter centrifuge for sale here from our factory. Contact us for customized service.
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