What is a sedimentation bowl that rotates at high speeds to separate sludge from water by centrifugal force called?

• A. Separator
• B. Centrifuge
• C. Flocculator
• D. Clarifier

Answer: (B)

The correct answer is that a sedimentation bowl that rotates at high speeds to separate sludge from water by centrifugal force is called a centrifuge. A centrifuge operates by applying centripetal force, which causes denser materials, like sludge, to move outward due to the rapid spinning. As the heavier particles are forced down or outward, they separate from the lighter liquid, allowing for efficient removal of solids from wastewater or other liquid mixtures.

The specific design and operation of a centrifuge allow it to effectively separate materials that may be more challenging to separate using gravity alone, which is the case with other types of treatment equipment. This makes centrifuges particularly effective in processes where time and space efficiency are critical, such as in industrial water treatment applications.

In contrast, while devices like separators, flocculators, and clarifiers also deal with separation processes, they do not utilize the high-speed rotation and centrifugal force that a centrifuge employs. Separators might refer to a broader category of equipment that separates different substances but are not defined by rotational movement. Flocculators facilitate the process of agglomerating fine particles through chemical addition and mixing rather than quick separation. Clarifiers utilize sedimentation based on gravity, allowing solids to settle slowly without the aid