BTPX

Alfa Laval BTPX is an automatic centrifugal separator for precipitated proteins, microbial broths, hormones and other biopharma applications. It embodies more than 100 years of technical know-how and product development and delivers the performance of production machines in pilot or medium scale set-ups. Designed and manufactured to deliver excellence, this solid-liquid separator can be used as a clarifier or a purifier and concentrator.

Sterilizable and contained to ensure the integrity of your valuable products

Low product loss and drier solids thanks to rapid and distinct discharge action
Highest levels of hygiene – flushing nozzles spray the outside of the centrifuge bowl and the inside of frame hood
No risk of product /environmental contamination – design of seal system ensures efficient containment
Highest level of safety – complies with ATEX requirements for zone 1/2 and can be designed for inert gas purging
Efficient operation – temperature control and low noise from cooling jackets around centrifuge bowl

Suitable for feed rates up to 2000 l/h, the BTPX can be adapted to a range of applications and also designed for steam sterilization and contained operation to meet NIH guidelines for BLS 2. Solids content in the feed is normally in the range of 0.1 – 10% by volume but can vary between different duties. The fixed partial solids discharge can be initiated by timer, turbidity and/or total flow-rate.

The BTPX is delivered as a fully automatic, plug-in, separation system and can deliver the performance of production machines from pilot to medium scale production.

The BTPX separation system is steam sterilizable and has cleaning-in-place capability. A specially designed seal system provides efficient containment and eliminates the risk of product or environmental contamination.

Cooling jackets surrounding the BTPX centrifuge bowl give efficient temperature control and also contribute to a low noise level. The “dosing ring” solids-ejecting system with fast and distinct discharge action ensures low product losses and drier solids. Flushing nozzles spray the outside of the centrifuge bowl and the inside of the frame hood for maximum hygiene.

How it works

Cutaway of a BTPX centrifuge bowl The feed is introduced to the rotating centrifuge bowl (fig 1) from the top via a stationary inlet pipe (1), and is accelerated in a distributor (2) before entering the disc stack (3). It is between the discs that the separation of the liquid phase and the solids phase takes place. The liquid phase moves towards the centre of the bowl from where it is pumped out under pressure by means of a built-in paring disc (4).

The heavier solids phase is collected at the bowl periphery, from where it is discharged intermittently via the centrifuge cyclone. The solids discharge is achieved by a hydraulic system below the separation space in the bowl, which at preset intervals forces the sliding bowl bottom (5) to drop down, thus opening the solids ports (6) at the bowl periphery. The bowl is mounted on a vertical spindle (7) driven by a horizontally mounted motor, via a worm gear.