Centrifuge puriefer / separator

balder

balder

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Hi everybody,

I have placed an order this morning to fit a centrifuge separator to make my diesel better. I tried to find infos about these products, not many on the internet.
For a small boat, under 65', Alfa Laval MIB 303 and Westfalia OTC 2 look to be a reliable and "affordable" product. The french division of Alfa Laval was not ok to give serious discount, Westfalia more fair and "locally" made, with a compact machine and footprint, I have made this choice.
The machine can clean max 1000 Liters/ hour, run with 230 or 400 V three phases.
I plan to integrate the centrifuge in my fuel polishing system ( Gulf coast filter F1 ) using the pump fitted with the F1. (I have also two F1 as primary filters). I know these products are well known in US. I am happy with it but I expect to have an "ultimate" filtration with centrifugal action ( last year in the Netherlands, we had a serious bug with diesel!)
I will appreciate any advice or recommandation about these centrifuge separator or puriefer!
 
A centrifuge is a serious bit of kit for a pleasure boat, even a superyacht, and they do require a lot of cleaning.

A decent pre-filter e.g. Racor uses a simpler centrifugal action, but not at the massive speeds of a power centrifuge, but will be very effective for most contamination on a polishing system.
 
Hi
There is no doubt that an alpha laval centrifugal purifier is a great piece of kit. I haven't heard of these on small privately owned boats, but seen plenty on ships and crewed boats. Do you think it's necessary for your application ? They are a serious piece of kit and also lethal if not serviced properly.
I'm thinking that as long as you keep your diesel intake fairly clean and have decent filters, you might not need one. Most purifiers like this are used in a constant 24/7 re-circ system from a settling tank to service tank on large ships. Or occasionally as lube oil cleaners for large gen set sumps.
All that said, I've always been amazed at the dirt and sludge they can remove from seemingly the cleanest of fuel and oil.
 
QBhoy said:
Hi
There is no doubt that an alpha laval centrifugal purifier is a great piece of kit. I haven't heard of these on small privately owned boats, but seen plenty on ships and crewed boats. Do you think it's necessary for your application ? They are a serious piece of kit and also lethal if not serviced properly.
I'm thinking that as long as you keep your diesel intake fairly clean and have decent filters, you might not need one. Most purifiers like this are used in a constant 24/7 re-circ system from a settling tank to service tank on large ships. Or occasionally as lube oil cleaners for large gen set sumps.
All that said, I've always been amazed at the dirt and sludge they can remove from seemingly the cleanest of fuel and oil.
Click to expand...

Yes it is true. With displacment yachts, one heavy duty engine and planning motoring offshore for several days and nights, I prefer 100% security. In french , we say "ceinture et bretelles!". I know that fishermen use it a lot 24h/ day with heavy fuel heated before coming to the centrifuge and the day tank. Modern engines on our leisure yachts do not let chances to hazardous treatments.( I have had a very bad experience in the Netherlands...)
I have not seen these "small" machines in real: weight is more or less 60 kg, footprint quite small for a leisure yacht engine room. Voltage is 230V or 400 V of course with three phases. My boat is " a copy" of Nordhavn design with manifolds design to transfer fuel from one tank to another ( 3) and recirculate through a fuel polishing system, in fact a fuel filter with a 120 US gal pump. I will integrate this centrifuge after the pump to have choice ( centrifuge puriefer/ separator or big filter).
Two small models are filling the "niche market" : Alfa Laval MIB 803 and Westfalia OTC 2.
I have also aboard an lube oil polisher connected directly to the engine, very efficient.
About centrifugal separator for leisure boats, there is a very instructive chronicle written by Steve d'Antonio ( Passage maker magazine) but I cannot manage the link!
 
balder said:
Hi everybody,

I have placed an order this morning to fit a centrifuge separator to make my diesel better. I tried to find infos about these products, not many on the internet.
For a small boat, under 65', Alfa Laval MIB 303 and Westfalia OTC 2 look to be a reliable and "affordable" product. The french division of Alfa Laval was not ok to give serious discount, Westfalia more fair and "locally" made, with a compact machine and footprint, I have made this choice.
The machine can clean max 1000 Liters/ hour, run with 230 or 400 V three phases.
I plan to integrate the centrifuge in my fuel polishing system ( Gulf coast filter F1 ) using the pump fitted with the F1. (I have also two F1 as primary filters). I know these products are well known in US. I am happy with it but I expect to have an "ultimate" filtration with centrifugal action ( last year in the Netherlands, we had a serious bug with diesel!)
I will appreciate any advice or recommandation about these centrifuge separator or puriefer!
Click to expand...

Hi balder. A centrifugal filtration system would be the bees' knees. Wow. But in any polishing systems, the method of piping and pumping is absolutely crucial and something which is often overlooked by the sellers of polishing systems.

Remember that your engines are probably the best polishing systems and are already on board. What you need to do is polish the rubbish that's settled on the bottom of the tanks, and that takes knowledgeable pipe installation and powerful pumping to stir all the muck up. Once in, the centrifuge would be great.
 
Piers said:
Hi balder. A centrifugal filtration system would be the bees' knees. Wow. But in any polishing systems, the method of piping and pumping is absolutely crucial and something which is often overlooked by the sellers of polishing systems.

Remember that your engines are probably the best polishing systems and are already on board. What you need to do is polish the rubbish that's settled on the bottom of the tanks, and that takes knowledgeable pipe installation and powerful pumping to stir all the muck up. Once in, the centrifuge would be great.
Click to expand...

You are aboslutely right Piers. I was reading comments on Trawlerblogs.com from owner of MV DIRONA explaing why he modified the fuel manifolds system initaly fitted on his Nordhavn 52. Sometimes with many thanks aboard, It can be a mess and source of problems.
 
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