Dolphin Centrifuge publishes industrial centrifuge how-to guides covering setup, operation, optimization, and maintenance — including startup procedures, gravity disc selection, sludge ejection cycle optimization, feed rate adjustment, and lubrication schedules for Alfa Laval disc stack centrifuges.
Setup, Operation & Optimization Guides
From selecting the right centrifuge to optimizing separation performance — these step-by-step guides are built on 40+ years of hands-on industrial centrifuge experience. Whether you need help with installation, lubrication, or improving efficiency, start here.
9 Steps to Picking the Right Centrifuge
A systematic guide to selecting the right industrial centrifuge for your application — covering fluid properties, throughput, separation goals, and budget.
Centrifuge Selection Guide
Comprehensive guide to choosing between disc stack and decanter centrifuges based on your specific process requirements and fluid characteristics.
Containerized Industrial Centrifuge
Complete guide to containerized centrifuge systems — advantages, applications, configuration options, and deployment considerations.
Disc Stack Centrifuge Guides
In-depth technical guides for disc stack centrifuge operation, maintenance, and performance optimization. These cover everything from parts identification to sludge ejection timing.
Disc Centrifuge Parts Glossary (Illustrated)
Visual reference guide to every major component in a disc stack centrifuge — bowl, disc stack, paring disc, gravity disc, spindle, and more.
Installation Guide
Best practices for installing a disc stack centrifuge system — foundation requirements, piping connections, electrical hookup, and commissioning.
Lubrication Guide
Proper lubrication practices for disc stack centrifuges — oil types, change intervals, bearing greasing, and common lubrication mistakes to avoid.
Operating Water — 7 Key Factors
Everything you need to know about operating water for self-cleaning disc stack centrifuges — pressure, flow, quality, and timing requirements.
Sludge Ejection Cycle Timing
How to optimize sludge discharge timing for maximum separation efficiency and minimum product loss during bowl ejections.
Increase Centrifuge Efficiency
Practical strategies to improve disc stack centrifuge separation efficiency — temperature control, flow optimization, and maintenance best practices.
Performance Factors
The key variables that affect disc stack centrifuge performance — feed rate, temperature, viscosity, solids loading, and gravity disc selection.
Rated vs Actual Capacity
Understanding the difference between rated and actual centrifuge throughput capacity — and the factors that determine real-world performance.
Options & Alternatives
Overview of disc stack centrifuge configuration options — hermetic vs semi-open, solids-ejecting vs nozzle, and specialized bowl designs.
Decanter Centrifuge Guides
Specialized guides for decanter centrifuge optimization, covering differential speed, pond depth, and performance tuning for solids-heavy applications.
Decanter Centrifuge Optimization
Advanced techniques for optimizing decanter centrifuge performance — differential speed, pond depth, feed rate, and polymer dosing adjustments.
Differential Speed (Decanter)
How differential speed between the bowl and scroll affects decanter centrifuge separation, cake dryness, and clarification performance.
Pond Depth Effects (Decanter)
How pond depth settings affect decanter centrifuge performance — balancing clarification quality against cake dryness and throughput.
Have a specific centrifuge question?
Our engineers provide application guidance and sample testing. Contact us directly for sizing, troubleshooting, or centrifuge selection advice.
Explore Other Knowledge Categories
Continue learning with our other knowledge resources. From troubleshooting guides to centrifuge comparisons, we cover every aspect of industrial centrifuge ownership.
Frequently Asked Questions
+ What centrifuge setup and installation guides does Dolphin Centrifuge publish?
Dolphin Centrifuge publishes a complete installation guide covering foundation requirements, piping connections, electrical hookup, and commissioning procedures for disc stack centrifuges. Additional guides cover gravity disc selection, operating water settings, and first-run startup checklist items based on 40+ years of field experience.
+ How do I optimize sludge ejection cycle timing on a disc stack centrifuge?
Sludge ejection cycle timing depends on solids loading in the feed, the centrifuge bowl volume, and the desired separation quality. Ejecting too frequently wastes product; too infrequently causes bowl overflow and liquid contamination. Our sludge ejection cycle guide covers timing calculation, operating water requirements, and adjustment procedures for both timer-based and turbidity-triggered discharge systems.
+ What is the difference between rated and actual centrifuge capacity?
Rated capacity is measured under ideal conditions with low-viscosity, low-solids fluid. Actual capacity depends on feed viscosity, temperature, solids content, separation difficulty, and gravity disc selection. Real-world throughput is typically 50–80% of rated capacity for viscous or high-solids applications. Our capacity guide explains these factors and how to set realistic throughput expectations.
+ How do I select the correct gravity disc for my disc stack centrifuge?
Gravity disc selection determines the oil/water interface position inside the bowl. The correct gravity disc size depends on the density difference between the two liquid phases and the desired separation endpoint. Too large a gravity disc causes water carryover into the oil outlet; too small causes oil loss in the water discharge. Our selection guide covers the gravity disc calculation method and trial procedure.
+ Where can I find a complete illustrated guide to disc centrifuge parts?
Our Disc Centrifuge Parts Glossary provides an illustrated reference to every major component — bowl, disc stack, distributor, paring disc, gravity disc, spindle, operating slide, horizontal and vertical drive, and more. Each component includes its function, typical failure modes, and maintenance interval. Access it at /disc-centrifuge-parts-glossary/.
Put these guides to work — with expert backup
Dolphin Centrifuge engineers are available to support installation, startup, and optimization of every centrifuge system we supply. Call (248) 522-2573 or request a quote.