Continuous Oil, Water and Solids Separation
A 3-phase decanter is used when the feed contains solids plus two liquid phases with different densities, such as oil and water. ZK selects the liquid discharge structure, pond depth, light-phase adjustment method, scroll design, sealing method and wetted materials according to product value, emulsion stability, solids load, and the hygiene or explosion-proof requirements of each project.
Typical Range
Why It Fits Three-Phase Separation
Separate the light phase, heavy phase and solids in one continuous step, reducing the need for multiple tanks, settling stages or repeated transfers.
Adjustable light-phase and heavy-phase discharge settings help improve oil recovery, reduce water carryover and maintain stable solids discharge.
Food-grade, corrosion-resistant and explosion-proof configurations are available for edible oil, waste oil, oily sludge and chemical recovery projects.
Automated monitoring of speed, torque, vibration and process status supports continuous operation with less manual intervention.
How a 3-Phase Decanter Works
Conditioned Feed Enters the Bowl
The feed enters the rotating bowl through the feed pipe. Depending on the material, pretreatment may include heating, dilution, demulsification, pH adjustment or polymer dosing.
Density-Based Layering
Under high centrifugal force, solids move to the bowl wall, the heavy phase forms the outer liquid layer, and the light phase remains closer to the center.
Continuous Solids Conveying
The scroll conveyor moves settled solids toward the solids discharge ports while the two liquid phases flow toward their separate outlets.
Three Separate Discharges
The light phase, heavy phase and solids leave the centrifuge through separate discharge paths, helping recover valuable oil while reducing wastewater and residue volume.
Key Features of ZK 3-Phase Decanters
Higher Oil Recovery
The optimized liquid discharge structure helps recover valuable light phase while reducing oil loss in the water phase and solid residue.
Adjustable Phase Interface
Operators can tune the liquid interface according to feed changes, improving separation stability under different oil-water ratios.
Designed for Difficult Materials
Wear-resistant, corrosion-resistant, sealed, explosion-proof or sanitary configurations can be selected for oily sludge, waste oil and edible oil applications.
Integrated Process Support
ZK can support upstream pretreatment, dosing, heating, conveying and automation integration so the decanter operates as part of a complete separation line.
Where 3-Phase Decanters Create Value
Food Waste and Used Cooking Oil Recovery
Separate grease, water and organic solids from food waste slurry or fermentation liquid, helping recover usable oil and reduce downstream treatment pressure.
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Oily Sludge and Tank-Bottom Sludge
Recover oil, separate water and discharge solids from refinery sludge, tank-bottom sludge and industrial waste oil streams with continuous operation.
View Oil Sludge Centrifuge
Edible Oil and Plant Oil Processing
For palm oil, olive oil and avocado oil, the 3-phase decanter helps extract oil, separate vegetation water and remove pomace or fibrous solids.
View Palm Oil Decanter3-Phase Decanter Centrifuge Specifications
Three-phase model selection depends on feed flow, solids load, oil-water ratio, emulsion stability, temperature, viscosity and target oil/water quality. ZK can tailor the LWS series for food-grade, corrosion-resistant or explosion-proof operation.
| Model | Speed (rpm) | Max G Force | Main Motor (kW) | Back Motor (kW) | Capacity (m3/h) | Dimensions (mm) |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| LWS250x1025C(X) | 5000 | 3500 | 11 | 4 | ≥1 | 2600x800x1150 |
| LWS350x1435C(X) | 4000 | 3136 | 22 | 5.5 | ≥3~5 | 3500x1280x1058 |
| LWS450x1845C(X) | 3500 | 3087 | 30 | 11 | ≥6~12 | 4000x1350x1100 |
| LWS520x2150C(X) | 3200 | 2982 | 45 | 15 | ≥10~15 | 4800x1540x1250 |
| LWS580x2400C(X) | 3000 | 2948 | 55~75 | 18.5 | ≥15~20 | 4900x1705x1250 |
| LWS650x2600C(X) | 2800 | 2854 | 75~90 | 22 | ≥20~30 | 5900x1865x1300 |
Representative 3-Phase Decanter Applications
ZK three-phase decanters have been applied in oil recovery, food waste resource utilization, edible oil processing and environmental treatment projects. Our team supports process evaluation, equipment selection and commissioning based on real feed material.
Food Waste Oil Recovery with LWS Three-Phase Decanter
Food waste slurry contains grease, water and organic solids. ZK LWS three-phase decanters continuously recover the oil phase, discharge the water phase and reduce solid residue volume for downstream treatment or resource reuse.
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Tank-Bottom Oily Sludge Treatment
For tank-bottom sludge, a three-phase decanter separates recovered oil, aqueous phase and solid residue in one continuous process, reducing disposal pressure while improving resource recovery.
View Case3-Phase Decanter FAQs
These quick answers help clarify where a 3-phase decanter fits in oil-water-solid separation projects.
It separates a feed mixture into light phase, heavy phase and solids. In many applications this means oil, water and solid residue.
A 2-phase decanter separates solids and one liquid. A 3-phase decanter separates solids plus two liquid phases, making it suitable for oil-water-solid recovery.
It can handle many oil-water-solid mixtures, but stable emulsions may require heating, chemical conditioning, pH adjustment or other pretreatment. ZK engineers evaluate the feed before final model selection.
