Centrifuges and centrifugation:
⮚Centrifuge is the device that is used for the
centrifugation process that is separation or sedimentation of the particles
based on the size, density, mass, viscosity. This device is mostly used in the
laboratories, research fields, medical fields etc., the sample is loaded in the
rotor in proper balance to avoid accidents.
⮚There are types of rotors you can see in centrifuges
commonly are fixed rotors angle rotors, swinging bucket rotors, vertical
rotors.
⮚There are different types of centrifuges are
available in the markets for different range of separations but all these works
on the basics of same principle of sedimentation of the particles. Parts of the
centrifuges are Lid, Chamber, Rotor, Sample, Control, Motor, Latch.
Types of centrifuges:
1.
Continuous
flow centrifuge
5.
Refrigerated
centrifuge
Centrifugation:
It is the process of separation of particle on
the basis size, shape, density, viscosity of medium and rotor speed. The
centrifugation process is mainly working on the principle of centrifugal force.
The device used to perform centrifugation process is called centrifuge.
Principle of centrifugation:
⮚The centrifugal force is used as a driving force
for separation and it replace the gravitational force for the sedimentation of
particles. This process is very useful when the ordinary filtration process is
not applicable for separation.
⮚The particle size above 5 µm sediment at the bottom
due to gravitational force separation is possible with simple separation but
the particles under the size of 5 µm undergo Brownian motion that do not
sediment under gravity thus the centrifugal force is required to separate them.
⮚The centrifugal force causes the high dense particle
to move outward in the radical direction whereas the lighter particle move to
the center.
1.
Analytical
centrifugation
2.
Density
gradient centrifugation
3.
Differential
centrifugation
4.
Isopycnic
centrifugation
5.
Rate
zonal density gradient centrifugation
6.
Differential
velocity centrifugation
7.
Equilibrium
gradient centrifugation
8.
Sucrose
gradient centrifugation
Application:
⮚Centrifugation process is widely used in the research
laboratories, medical laboratories and in industries.
⮚In dairy industry used to produce skimmed mild by
separating fat from the milk.
⮚In medical laboratories used to separate blood and
urine components for analysis.
⮚It is widely used in the forensic chemistry.
⮚Centrifugation is used for the isolation of macromolecules
such as DNA, RNA, proteins and lipids.
References
0 Comments