Dolphin Centrifuge supplies disc stack centrifuge systems for diesel fuel purification — removing sludge, rust, and free water from contaminated diesel in a single continuous pass. Separation efficiency reaches solid particles down to 0.5 microns and free water down to 2 microns. Systems range from 4 to 72 GPM and are available with Class 1 Division 2 explosion-proof certification for fuel tank farms and marine engine rooms. Based in Warren, Michigan, Dolphin Centrifuge has over 40 years of diesel fuel purification experience.
Diesel Fuel Centrifuge
Rust sediment and sludge from storage tanks contaminate diesel fuel. Condensation in tanks causes water contamination. Alfa Laval diesel centrifuges separate all the solid particles & moisture from diesel fuel. Clean diesel fuel is essential for the trouble-free operation of engines.
Contaminant-free fuel is essential for reliable engine performance. Alfa Laval diesel fuel centrifuges are designed to protect your engine room equipment by maintaining a clean diesel supply.
They have proven their efficiency and reliability and have been used worldwide for decades. These Alfa Laval diesel oil centrifuge modules keep the diesel fuel clean when installed between the storage tank and the day tank.
Dolphin Centrifuge supplies a wide range of self-cleaning fuel purifiers for heavy fuel and crude oils. These are available as separate modules and include pre-heaters, starters, and PLC control panels.
A recent application using a diesel fuel purifier for large-scale diesel recovery was supplied by Dolphin using an Alfa Laval disc stack centrifuge (self-cleaning type).
How Does a Diesel Centrifuge Work?
Under extremely high centrifugal force inside the rotating bowl, water and sludge are spun outward toward the bowl periphery. Clean diesel moves inward and is continuously discharged through a light-phase outlet.
The separated water is collected and discharged through a separate passage from the bowl periphery. The accumulated sludge is periodically ejected by the self-cleaning mechanism built into the bowl.
Alfa Laval Diesel Centrifuges - Class 1 Div 2 Explosion Proof
What is a Black Diesel Centrifuge?
Can a centrifuge separate diesel from engine oil?
No. Disc centrifuges use centrifugal force to separate immiscible liquids (liquids that don't dissolve in each other). Engine oil and diesel are miscible — they dissolve in each other — so centrifugal force cannot separate them.
Specifications
| Specification | DMPX-014 | DMPX-028 | DMPX-042 |
|---|---|---|---|
| Type | 3-Phase; Self-Cleaning | 3-Phase; Self-Cleaning | 3-Phase; Self-Cleaning |
| Diesel Capacity | 13–16 GPM | 20–26 GPM | 32–47 GPM |
| Separation Efficiency | Solids > 0.5μ; Free water > 2μ | Solids > 0.5μ; Free water > 2μ | Solids > 0.5μ; Free water > 2μ |
| Bowl Speed | 8,500 RPM | 7,200 RPM | 5,100 RPM |
| Centrifugal Force | 8,000 Gs | 7,200 Gs | 6,800 Gs |
| Drive Motor | 4 HP | 7.5 HP | 15 HP |
| Power | 460V; 20A | 460V; 30A | 460V; 60A |
Alfa Laval Diesel Centrifuge Skid for Diesel Dewatering
For manual-clean models (lower sludge applications):
| Specification | DMB-004 | DMB-007 | DMB-028 |
|---|---|---|---|
| Type | 2-Phase; Manual-Clean | 2-Phase; Manual-Clean | 2-Phase; Manual-Clean |
| Diesel Capacity | 4 GPM | 7 GPM | 28 GPM |
| Separation | Solids > 0.5μ; Free water > 2μ | Solids > 0.5μ; Free water > 2μ | Solids > 0.5μ; Free water > 2μ |
| Drive Motor | 1.5 HP | 2 HP | 5 HP |
Legacy Alfa Laval model reference (self-cleaning series):
| Specification | MOPX 205 | MOPX 207 | MOPX 213 |
|---|---|---|---|
| Centrifuge Type | Alfa Laval Self-Cleaning, Disc Stack | ||
| Centrifuge Efficiency | Solid Particles > 1μ; Free Water > 2μ | ||
| Bowl Speed | 7,600 RPM | 6,300 RPM | 4,140 RPM |
| Rated Capacity | 20 GPM | 32 GPM | 90 GPM |
| Diesel Capacity | 14 GPM | 21 GPM | 61 GPM |
| Sludge Space | 0.38 Gal | 1.03 Gal | 3.61 Gal |
| Motor Power | 5 HP | 7.5 HP | 15 HP |
| Dimensions | 4' x 4' | 4' x 5' | 5' x 6' |
| Weight | 1,500 Lbs | 2,500 Lbs | 4,000 Lbs |
Benefits
There are several advantages to diesel centrifuges over conventional filters. Some of the key advantages are listed below.
Sludge and Water Removal
In addition to sludge or solid particles, disc centrifuges also remove water from diesel continuously. Simultaneous water removal is an advantage over filters that only remove solid particles.
High Separation Efficiency
Disc stack centrifuges separate solid particles as small as 0.5 microns from diesel. The centrifuge also separates free water particles down to 2 microns. Fine mesh filters (1-micron level) plug up fast and need constant replacement.
Continuous Performance without Degradation
Centrifuges use high centrifugal force to mechanically separate water and sludge from diesel fuel. Therefore, there is no performance degradation over time, irrespective of the amount of sludge in the diesel.
Filter performance degrades over time as the separated sludge particles block the filter pores.
Automatic Operation without Manual Labor
Self-cleaning diesel centrifuges automatically discharge the separated sludge intermittently. There is no manual labor involved in operating a centrifuge.
Filters require manual replacement periodically, which adds to operating costs and downtime.
Need a Diesel Fuel Centrifuge?
Our engineers will evaluate your fuel volume and application to recommend the right centrifuge system.
Explosion Proof Diesel Centrifuges (Class 1 Div 2)
Certain diesel purification applications require the use of specially configured centrifuges due to the location of the application. Offshore O&G platforms, refineries, etc. need diesel centrifuges classified for Class 1 Div 2 or Class 1 Div 1 areas.
These specific diesel oil centrifuges have special design features that allow their use in hazardous areas. The electrical controls and other electrical components must also be certified for such zones.
DMPX-028 Class 1 Div 2 Duplex Diesel Centrifuge Module
Diesel Purification on Workboats
Small-footprint Alfa Laval diesel centrifuges are designed for fuel & engine oil purification on vessels such as tugs, barges, yachts, etc.
Typically installed on day tanks, these centrifugal diesel purifiers remove the water and sediment contamination supplying clean fuel while keeping the lubricating oil clean.
At the bottom are diesel centrifuge packages of different capacities featuring Alfa Laval centrifuges.
Available Diesel Centrifuge Systems
| System | Type | Diesel Capacity | Best For |
|---|---|---|---|
| DMB-004 | Manual-Clean | 4 GPM | Small marine / workboat |
| DMB-007 | Manual-Clean | 7 GPM | Medium marine / generator |
| DMB-028 | Manual-Clean | 28 GPM | Large marine / industrial |
| DMPX-014 | Self-Cleaning | 13–16 GPM | Industrial fuel polishing |
| DMPX-028 | Self-Cleaning | 20–26 GPM | Tank farm / fuel depot |
| DMPX-042 | Self-Cleaning | 32–47 GPM | Large-scale fuel recovery |
| DMPX-070 | Self-Cleaning | 59–72 GPM | High-volume fuel processing |
All systems are available in standard and explosion-proof configurations. Contact us for a recommendation based on your fuel volume, contamination level, and installation environment.
Centrifuge Modules by Dolphin Centrifuge
Alfa Laval MAPX-210 Diesel Centrifuge
Alfa Laval MOPX 210 Specifications
| Flow-Rate | 30 GPM on Diesel |
| Motor | 10 HP |
| Voltage | 230 / 460 V 3-Ph |
| Size | 5' x 6' x 8' (H) |
| Weight | 4,000 Lbs |
3-Phase High-Speed Disc Centrifuge
Alfa Laval MOPX 213 Specifications
| Flow-Rate | 60 GPM on Diesel |
| Motor | 15 HP |
| Voltage | 230 / 460 V 3-Ph |
| Size | 6' x 6' x 8' (H) |
| Weight | 5,000 Lbs |
Alfa Laval MAB-206 Diesel Centrifuge
Alfa Laval MAB 206 Specifications
| Flow-Rate | 26 GPM on MDO |
| Motor | 7.5 HP |
| Voltage | 230 / 460 V 3-Ph |
| Size | 5' x 6' x 5' (H) |
| Weight | 2,000 Lbs |
Related resources: Centrifuge Selection Guide | Black Diesel Applications | Explosion Proof Centrifuges | Disc Stack Centrifuge Overview | Sample Testing Program | Decanter vs. Disc Stack Centrifuge