Application of semi-continuous rotary separator in food industry fluids - a case study of pulp separation from fluid containing pectin

Considering the importance and extent of industries related to food processing in human life and the key role of a raw material such as pectin in this industry, the use of innovative, more optimal and less expensive methods of extracting this material can be important. A semi-continuous rotary separator system for separating pulp from fluid containing pectin has been investigated in the present study. In this research, to evaluate the separation process with the help of semi-continuous separator by considering the rotational speed, fluid input flow rate and time in the separation process, on the efficiency and energy consumption at flow rates of 60, 90 and 120 ml/min and five levels of rotational speed 2000, 3000, 4000, 5000, 6000, rpm and time intervals 0-50, 51-100, 101-150, 151-200 and 201-250 seconds, according to the optimal energy consumption. The solution contains acid as a solvent for pectin and some solid fiber suspended in the fluid, in order to produce pectin, its solid particles must be separated first and a semi-continuous separator is used in this step. According to the obtained results, the input flow rate of 60 ml/min due to the longer retention time for better separation, the rotational speed of 6000 rpm due to the creation of the greatest rcf force, and finally the time interval of 0-50 seconds had the best separation quality. By considering the time and energy consumption and using the RSM, the optimal point with an efficiency of 99.12% in the conditions of a rotational speed of 3400 rpm, an input flow rate of 120 ml/min and a time of 50 seconds with a consumption of 6.48 W hours of energy consumption, by computer it was validated by testing the first 5 optimal points and with an error of 6% of the introduced optimal point.