Mechanical Separation Processes

Abstract

Processes which depend primarily on physical forces to accomplish the desired separation of components are used quite commonly in most phases of the food industry. These processes are normally referred to as mechanical separations and include filtration, sedimentation, and centrifugation. Each of these processes involves the application of a force to the fluid of concern, resulting in separation of the product components due to the different reaction of the components to the force applied. In the case of filtration, the force involved is that required to move the fluid through a filter medium. In the case of sedimentation, the forces are those of gravity and the influence of gravitational forces on the different components of the product. In the case of centrifugation, an induced force is applied resulting in separation of the product components due to centrifugal force.