How does a centrifuge separate materials with different densities?

A centrifuge separates materials by applying a sustained centrifugal force, which acts as a powerful substitute for gravity. When a mixture is rotated at high speeds, this force causes components to migrate based on their density relative to the suspending medium.1

The separation process works through the following principles:

• Migration: Particles that are denser than the surrounding liquid are pulled outward toward the periphery of the spinning vessel. Conversely, particles less dense than the liquid move toward the center (the axis of rotation).1
• Net Force: The movement is determined by the net force acting on a particle, which is the difference between the centrifugal field and the opposing buoyancy of the liquid.1
• Efficiency: The rate of separation depends on factors such as the intensity of the centrifugal field, the viscosity of the liquid, and the size, shape, and density difference of the particles.1

By continuing the process, materials can be fully separated into sediment and fluid, or partially separated by size, allowing for the concentration and purification of substances.1