Applications of Centrifugation: Industrial Everyday Applications

Centrifugation is the process of separating dissolved particles from its solution on the basis of its shape, size, density or viscosity of the medium with the usage of centrifugal force. The centrifugal force i.e., the outward force is applied when the solution is spun at a high speed in the rotor which makes the lighter substance stay on the surface while the heavier substance settles down in the bottom of the tube. Centrifugation proves to be efficient in separating substances when ordinary filtration processes fail to give the desired results. 

What is Centrifugation?

Centrifugation is a process in which the centrifugal force is applied to separate particles from a solution on the basis of their density, size, shape and viscosity of the medium. Centrifugation is an important separation technique that is based on the concept of centrifugal force and finds application in various branches of science.

Centrifugation

Applications of Centrifugation in Industry

• Miscible liquids can be separated from each other with the help of centrifugation.
• RBCs, WBCs, and plasma of the blood can be separated from each other.
• Centrifugation is employed to separate blood cells and mineral crystals present in urine.
• In the production of bulk drugs, crystalline drugs can be separated from the liquor.
• Mammalian cells can be purified.
• Hydrodynamic properties of macromolecules can be examined with the help of centrifugation.
• This process is also used to separate drugs present in blood, urine and tissue fluids.
•  Centrifugation is employed in the fractionalization of many subcellular organelles.
• Purification of wine and beer is made economical with the centrifugation technique.
• Pure form of insulin can be obtained with the usage of a special type of centrifugation called ultracentrifugation.
• Ultracentrifugation is also used in the separation of virus particles that are utilized in industrial applications.
• Isotopes of uranium (U-235 and U-238) can be separated from each other with the use of a uranium centrifuge.

Industrial Centrifuge

Applications of Centrifugation in Daily Life

Centrifugation not only has its applications in the industries and laboratories but also in everyday life. Some examples for the same are listed down below:

• When a ball is kept on a surface with a closed container on top of it that is spun at a high speed, the ball moves at the rim of that container.
• In a washing machine, the clothes are spun which results in the water being squeezed out of the clothes.
• When curd is churned, butter goes to the sides of the container.
• When vehicles take a sudden turn, the passengers move towards the outer edge of the vehicle because of centrifugation.
• Salad spinner uses centrifugation to remove excess water from the salad.
• Chalk powder and water can be segregated with the use of centrifugation.
• In a merry-go-round, people experience an outward force because of centrifugation.
• A stunt person circles around in the well of death without falling off because of centrifugation.

Things to Remember

• Centrifugation is one of the most frequently applied techniques in the medical as well as research sectors since it helps professionals achieve fast results while also cutting down the cost of conducting otherwise-expensive experiments, making it an integral part of a diverse range of experiments.
• Centrifugation was first introduced by Antonin Prandtl in 1864 when the technique was used in the dairy industry for bulk separation of milk and cream. Later on, Friedrich Miescher, a Swiss physician and biologist, first applied the technique in the lab.
• The application of centrifugation is not just limited to labs and industries. Human centrifuges are used for multiple training purposes wherein astronauts and pilots are made to experience high amounts of forces. Their reactions and tolerance levels are tested and made better with this technique.