Alfa Laval BRPX 213 Stainless Steel Centrifuge Explosion Proof

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Centrifuge Design & Engineering | Dolphin

Custom centrifuge system design by Dolphin Centrifuge. Turnkey skid-mounted systems with PLC controls, pumps, heaters, and piping. 40+ years experience.

Dolphin Centrifuge designs and manufactures custom turnkey industrial centrifuge systems — integrating disc stack or decanter centrifuges with pumps, heaters, PLC controls, and piping on skid-mounted frames. Based in Warren, Michigan, with over 40 years of centrifuge engineering expertise.

Centrifuge System Design & Engineering

Dolphin Centrifuge is primarily an engineering company specializing in Alfa Laval industrial centrifuge system design & manufacture. We engineer each system to customer specifications to ensure robust design and functionality.

The Centrifuge Design Process

Our process typically starts with a lab-scale test on a customer sample. We evaluate the results, and based on the separation efficiency, we suggest a suitable centrifuge (with recommended options) to the customer.

If the customer decides to move ahead with our proposed system, Dolphin Centrifuge designs a preliminary process flow diagram which is sent to the customer for review and changes, if desired.

We finalize the system scope at this point. Electrical & mechanical drawings are also generated and sent to the relevant functions to execute.

In the final stage, all subsystems are checked and assembled to original drawings.

The completed system is wired and tested per Dolphin Centrifuge's established procedures. We invite the customer to witness the final system testing at our facility.

Alfa Laval NX-314 Decanter Module - 3D Cad Model

Centrifuge System Design and Engineering include:

  • GA, Layout, P&ID, Flow, and related drawings
  • 3D models of complete systems
  • Electrical control system design and build
  • PLC & HIM (Touchscreen) Programming
  • Plant layout and piping design assistance
  • Auxiliary system design and specification (Pumps, Heaters, etc.)

Site visit and consultancy

We conduct site visits to review your current processing setup and evaluate the possibility of an industrial centrifuge to enhance your ongoing process. Based on a site visit, our engineers can

  • Evaluate your product on-site to determine centrifuge applicability
  • Discuss any operational efficiency that an industrial centrifuge may gain
  • Identify the type and size of centrifuge needed
  • Locate the point in your current process best suited to utilize a centrifuge
  • Recommend any related process modifications to improve the existing process setup
  • Provide a 'post-visit' recommendations summary, as needed

We highly recommend any prospective centrifuge buyer consult a reputed centrifuge company with the experience and know-how to provide sound centrifuge-related advice before buying a capital-intensive centrifuge system.

More Than Just a Centrifuge

A centrifuge alone does not make a separation system. Effective industrial centrifuge installations require properly sized feed pumps, pre-heating systems, control panels, instrumentation, interconnecting piping, and a control strategy that ties everything together. Dolphin Centrifuge designs and fabricates these complete systems in-house at our Warren, Michigan facility.

With over 40 years of application experience across industries from oil purification and wastewater treatment to food-grade processing, we engineer systems that solve real separation problems—not just sell centrifuges.

Need a Custom Centrifuge System?

Tell us about your application and our engineers will design a turnkey solution matched to your process requirements.

Turnkey System Design

Our turnkey centrifuge systems are designed, built, tested, and delivered ready to connect to your utilities and start processing. A typical turnkey system includes:

  • Centrifuge: Disc stack separator (DMPX or DMB series) or decanter centrifuge
  • Feed System: Positive-displacement or centrifugal feed pump with VFD
  • Pre-Heating: Electric or steam heat exchanger
  • PLC/HMI Control Panel: Programmable logic controller with touchscreen
  • Instrumentation: Temperature sensors, pressure transmitters, flow meters
  • Piping & Valves: All interconnecting piping and valves
  • Structural Frame: Welded steel skid or platform
Centrifugal Filter - Alfa Laval Decanter

PLC & HMI Control Systems

Automation is critical for consistent separation performance and minimal operator involvement. Our in-house controls engineers design PLC-based control systems using industry-standard hardware (Allen-Bradley, Siemens, or equivalent). Control features include:

  • Automated startup and shutdown sequences
  • Bowl discharge timing control (time-based and solids-sensing)
  • Feed flow rate and temperature regulation
  • Operating water control for self-cleaning separators
  • Alarm management with visual and audible alerts
  • Data logging and trend display on the HMI touchscreen
  • Remote monitoring capability via Ethernet or cellular connection
  • Integration with plant-level DCS or SCADA systems

Containerized Systems

For applications requiring portability, weather protection, or rapid deployment, we design complete centrifuge systems inside standard 20-foot or 40-foot ISO shipping containers. Containerized systems are ideal for:

  • Remote or outdoor installations without an available building
  • Oil field and wellsite deployments
  • Rental and mobile service operations
  • Disaster and emergency response
  • International projects requiring easy shipping and customs clearance

Each containerized system includes climate control (heating and ventilation), interior lighting, electrical distribution, and all process equipment pre-installed and piped. Simply connect utilities and start processing.

Engineering Deliverables

Depending on your project scope, our engineering packages include:

  • P&ID Drawings: Piping and instrumentation diagrams showing every component, connection, and instrument
  • GA Drawings: General arrangement and layout drawings with dimensions and clearance requirements
  • Electrical Schematics: Complete wiring diagrams for the control panel and field devices
  • Equipment Datasheets: Specifications for every component in the system
  • O&M Manual: Operations and maintenance manual specific to your system configuration
  • Installation Guidelines: Foundation requirements, utility connections, and installation instructions

Our Design Process

  1. Application Review: We analyze your process requirements including fluid properties, flow rates, separation targets, and site conditions
  2. Sample Testing: If needed, we run your material through our sample testing program to verify separation performance
  3. System Proposal: You receive a detailed proposal with scope of supply, system description, performance guarantees, timeline, and pricing
  4. Engineering & Fabrication: Upon order, our team completes detailed engineering, procures components, and fabricates the system
  5. Factory Testing: Every system undergoes functional testing in our facility before shipment
  6. Installation Support: We provide on-site commissioning, startup, and operator training

Industries We Serve

Our engineered centrifuge systems operate in facilities worldwide across a range of industries:

  • Oil & gas production
  • Petroleum refining
  • Waste oil re-refining
  • Marine and shipboard
  • Power generation
  • Wastewater treatment
  • Food & beverage processing
  • Chemical manufacturing
  • Metalworking & machining
  • Pharmaceutical and biotech

Please contact Dolphin Centrifuge or call us at (248) 522-2573 to discuss your centrifuge system design requirements with our engineers.

Frequently Asked Questions

What does a turnkey centrifuge system from Dolphin Centrifuge include?
A Dolphin Centrifuge turnkey system includes the centrifuge (DMPX or decanter), feed pump, pre-filter, pre-heater (if required for viscous fluids), sludge tank, interconnecting piping, electrical panel with PLC controls, and startup commissioning. We design, build, test, and ship as a complete skid-mounted unit ready for site installation.
Can Dolphin Centrifuge design a system for a hazardous area?
Yes. Dolphin Centrifuge designs explosion-proof centrifuge systems for Class I Division 1 and Division 2 hazardous locations, including refinery tank farms, offshore platforms, fuel handling facilities, and chemical plants. Components are rated for the specific NEC hazardous area classification required.
How long does it take to design and build a custom centrifuge system?
Lead times vary by complexity. A standard DMPX skid with controls typically ships in 8–12 weeks from order. A custom multi-stage system with specialty materials or explosion-proof components may require 12–20 weeks. Contact Dolphin Centrifuge early in your project timeline to discuss scheduling.
Does Dolphin Centrifuge conduct site visits for new installations?
Yes. Dolphin Centrifuge engineers conduct site visits to review your current process setup, evaluate centrifuge applicability on-site, identify the best integration point in your existing workflow, and provide post-visit recommendations. Site visits are especially valuable for complex installations or when multiple separation steps are being considered.
What engineering drawings and documentation are provided with a custom system?
Dolphin Centrifuge provides a comprehensive engineering package with every custom system, including P&ID drawings, general arrangement (GA) drawings with dimensions, complete electrical schematics for the control panel and field devices, equipment datasheets for every component, an operations and maintenance manual specific to your configuration, and installation guidelines for utilities and foundation requirements.

Ready to discuss your application?

Our engineers will help you select and size the right centrifuge system.

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