7 replies to this topic

[louisstann]

Hi, I'm new to this forum, so please excuse me if i posted in the wrong section.

How much would a typical Alfa Laval Decanter Centrifuge cost?

Reference would be good Thanks.

[breizh]

Hi ,
Why don't you ask directly Alfa laval ? Only you can define the scope and the size of the equipment .
Everything else will be guess.
Breizh

[kkala]

Agreeing with breizh, you could go to http://www.alfalaval.com/solution-finder/products/pages/default.aspx?type=ProductCategory&firstItemID=c9324733-f1aa-40ac-9323-f824e1427ae2 to select a suitable type; then ask Alpha Laval for a budget price, mentioning also total capacity in. Alternatively you can state your requirements (including total capacity) hoping that Alpha Laval will recommend you a suitable type.
In the Process Economics section, Table of "typical exponents for equipment cost versus capacity", Perry reports "centrifuge, automatic batch, horizontal, CS, FOB" with size unit the filter area (?), which is not clear to me.
Capacity as above (briefly said so) is not limited to flow, density of liquid and of suspended solids, as well their granulometry have to be stated.

Edited by kkala, 26 November 2012 - 08:55 AM.

[louisstann]

Thanks for your help guys. I actually emailed alfa laval before posting it into this forum. However, its been a while since i emailed them and they haven't gotten back to me. So I figured I get some help else where.

I'm basically looking for a estimated cost for this link http://www.alfalaval.../Foodec_100.pdf
if you scroll down you can see the dimensions and size of the equipment.

However, I'm still quite new to costing equipment and have not much experience with it.Could someone explain it to me in more detailed? or perhaps recommend a useful book i could use to estimate the cost of the decanter centrifuge?

Thanks

Edit: It seems that I need to calculate the size of my equipment before getting the cost.

I'm still in the progress of getting the mass flowrate through the centrifuge. But does anyone know the methology to calculating the size of the centrifuge using the mass flowrates and dimensions?

Edited by louisstann, 27 November 2012 - 07:52 AM.

[kkala]

To my knowledge design of centrifuges is proprietary, so you cannot "size" the centrifuge. What you can do is specify streams and process requirements, then let supplier propose the proper model (guaranteeing its performance in actual projects). But you would have to size e.g. a tank or a pipe or a flash drum by yourself.
Probably you do not know Foodec 100 capacity for the specific application, since "capacity depends on application" is the info available. Clarify what capacity you need (per post No 3), then try to know how many pieces of Foodec 100 centrifuge you need. Alpha Laval could advise on this, as well as on price, any spares, etc.
Assuming you are student, your instructor could arrange a meeting with local Alpha Laval Office for all needed information. This was successfully applied here for student projects on feasibility studies / plant design (1971). You have to be well prepared for such a meeting, thinking of all useful data that you would need. Weight and dimensions could be also useful for the installation cost. Transportation cost has to be considered too. I do not know whether operating cost data (mainly electricity) will be useful.
Concerning books, "Plant Design and Economics for Chemical Engineers" by Peters and Timmerhaus (McGraw Hill) is judged useful, though not specific on Capital Cost Estimation. Book by Aries and Newton on "Chemical Engineering Cost Estimation" (McGrawHill, 1955) is too old. I believe data on capital cost of centrifuges could be found in magazines (e.g. Chemical Engineering), or in data bases specifying in capital cost estimation. Organized companies have such software, search for something similar in the University too.
PS Mentioned book of Peters and Timmerhaus (3rd edition, 1980) has only Fig 13-73 on purchase cost of centrifuges (versus HP of the driver).

Edited by kkala, 27 November 2012 - 04:54 PM.

[louisstann]

Thanks for your reply kklala.

what do you mean by total capacity? Do you mean how much product the centrifuge can hold? I'm basically given this task(by my group members) where the mass flow rates are given and I am required to get the sizes and cost. I've emailed alfa laval twice now. Hopefully they get back to me by tomorrow as the due date for this task is on thursday(29/11).

I've found a way to find the costing in the Coulson And Richardson(vol6) book for the centrifuge. But still need to get the capacity.

Do you know a simple way to get the capacity just based on flowrates ?

cheers.

[kkala]

Capacity = flowrate in, usually volumetric. This can be concluded from mass flowrates given (but see note of post No 3).
I would try to ring up Alpha Laval's local office, explaining why it is urgent.
Hoping the task shall be accomplished on time

[Michael_K]

Dear louisstann, just for Your orientation - AlfaLaval centrifuge model Aldec 10 for capacity <0.5 m3/h costs about 22000€. Price will differ depending on capacity, model, materials etc.