What is a centrifuge? In its shortest definition, it is a device used to separate substances according to their density with the help of rotational motion. Centrifuges are a product needed in many industrial production areas with their separator function. However, it is also frequently used in laboratories.
What is a centrifuge? This question is wondered by many people from many fields due to the wide range of uses of the device. Essentially a device that separates a substance by spinning it, a centrifuge uses the difference in component densities to achieve this function. This device, which is preferred for both simple and complex separation processes, is highly effective in density-based separation processes.
Since these devices have a wide range of uses, they are manufactured in many different types to meet different needs and applications. It is especially among the basic equipment of the laboratory environment. Some common devices are as follows;
As the name suggests, these are compact centrifuges that can be placed on a table. They are usually used for routine laboratory operations.
Specifically designed for the processing of thermally sensitive samples. The device ensures that the samples are kept at a certain temperature.
Used for large-scale separation processes. They are used in places such as biotechnology, pharmaceutical industry and blood banks.
This type of centrifuge can process a continuous flow of samples. They are suitable for industrial applications, wastewater treatment and large-scale biotechnological processes.
Widely used in solid-liquid separation. They are especially used in food processing, wastewater treatment and chemical industries.
What does Centrifuge Mean?
Centrifuge, derived from the Latin word “centrifugus”, is the general name of a centrifuge device that rotates a substance or mixture and separates its components according to their density. According to the working principle of centrifugation, as the speed increases, the density of the substance differs, which allows the substances to separate from each other.
A centrifuge is usually used to separate samples in special tubes. These tubes are carefully placed in the centrifuge. When the device is started, the spinning motion separates the substances according to their density. Heavy particles or living cells travel towards the center of the circular motion, while lighter substances are collected at the top of the tube.
Centrifuge models can vary depending on the intended use and location. Desktop centrifuge models are commonly used in small-scale laboratories. They are lightweight, portable and usually have a lower speed, making them suitable for basic separation.
However, centrifuges can also be found in a much wider range of applications. For example, industrial centrifuges are used for large-scale separation processes. In medical laboratories, specialized centrifuges are used to separate blood samples and other body fluids into their components.
Centrifuges also have a special place in biotechnology, molecular biology and chemistry laboratories. Centrifugation is indispensable for the purification and concentration of molecules such as DNA, RNA and proteins.
As a result, the centrifuge is an indispensable tool of modern science. It has a wide range of uses in both industry and scientific research. Since this device has the ability to effectively separate substances of different densities, it has a valuable place in many different sectors.
