MARTIJA, NELYKAH RIANNE P.
Chavez
CH42FB2
CENTRIFUGATION, SEDIMENTATION AND RADIATION
USES AND APPLICATIONS
CENTRIFUGATION
Centrifugation is a process which involves the
application of the centripetal force for the sedimentation of
heterogeneous mixtures with a centrifuge, and is used in
industrial and laboratory settings. The medical uses include
the separation of blood cells from blood (plasma), and the
removal of fibrinogen (serum). They were also used to
determine the hematocrit and to separate urinary
components.
A centrifuge uses small samples of liquid in the
form of tube samples to process. The particles are
separated from a solution according to their size, shape,
density, viscosity of the medium and rotor speed. It is
capable of separating blood samples into upper plasma
layer, a thin interface layer consisting of white blood cells
and platelets as well as a lower layer consisting of red blood
cells.
It is the process where a mixture is separated
through spinning. Although centrifugation is primarily used
to separate mixtures, it is also used to test the effects of
gravity on people and objects. Centrifugation uses a
centrifuge, or a device that can rapidly spin, to speed up
this process.
The greater the difference in density, the faster
they move. If there is no difference in density (isopycnic
conditions), the particles stay steady. To take advantage of
even tiny differences in density to separate various particles
in a solution, gravity can be replaced with the much more
powerful “centrifugal force” provided by a centrifuge. The
centrifuge works using the sedimentation principle, where
the centripetal acceleration causes denser substances and
particles to move outward in the radial direction.
PROJECT IN UNIT OPERATIONS LABORATORY 1
Engr. Efren B.
May 6, 2019
At the same time, objects that are less dense are
displaced and move to the center. In a laboratory
centrifuge that uses sample tubes, the radial acceleration
causes denser particles to settle to the bottom of the tube,
while low- density substances rise to the top.
Applications of Centrifugation
The following are an example of materials or
components that can be separated using centrifugation:
 To separate two miscible substances
 To analyze the hydrodynamic properties of
macromolecules
 Purification of mammalian cells
 Fractionation of sub-cellular organelles (including
membranes / membrane fractions) Fractionation
of membrane vesicles
 Separating chalk powder from water
 Removing fat from milk to produce skimmed milk
 Separating particles from an air-flow using
cyclonic separation
 The clarification and stabilization of wine
 Separation of urine components and blood
components in forensic and research laboratories
 Aids in separation of proteins using purification
techniques such as salting out, e.g. ammonium
sulfate precipitation
Some of the application of centrifugation in the field of
medicine are blood sample separation and DNA or RNA
separation. This is a two-step process which involves
spinning the sample at top speed for a short while and later
carrying out the second step in the laboratory using
chemicals.
PRELIM – SUMMER 2019
MARTIJA, NELYKAH RIANNE P. Engr. Efren B. Chavez
CH42FB2 May 6, 2019
SEDIMENTATION Different factors control the sedimentation rate in
each.
Sedimentation is the process of allowing particles
in suspension in water to settle out of the suspension under
the effect of gravity. The particles that settle out from the
suspension become sediment, and in water treatment is
known as sludge. When a thick layer of sediment continues
to settle, this is known as consolidation. When
One of the applications is Potable water
consolidation of sediment, or sludge, is assisted by
treatment. Sedimentation in potable water treatment
mechanical means then this is known as thickening.
generally follows a step of chemical coagulation and
flocculation, which allows grouping particles together into
In water treatment, sedimentation might be used flocs of a bigger size. This increases the settling speed of
to reduce the concentration of particles in suspension suspended solids and allows settling colloids.
before the application of coagulation, to reduce the
amount of coagulating chemicals needed, or after
RADIATION
coagulation and, possibly, flocculation. When
sedimentation is applied after coagulation, its purpose is
Many uses of radiation help to ensure the high
usually to reduce the concentration of solids in suspension
quality and safety of our daily lives. Smoke detectors to
so that the subsequent filtration can function most
warn us of fire, x-ray machines to detect weapons or other
effectively.
devices in luggage and cargo, and certain types of imaging
to look for diseases are all application of radiation for the
Sedimentation is one of several methods for benefit of society.
application prior to filtration: other options include
dissolved air flotation and some methods of filtration. Naturally occurring radiation can be found all
Generically, such solids-liquid separation processes are around us. Radiation can be found in soils, in our air and
sometimes referred to as clarification processes. water, and in us. Because it occurs in our natural
environment, we encounter it every day through the food
There is a variety of methods for applying we eat, the water we drink, and the air we breathe. It is also
sedimentation and include: horizontal flow, radial flow, in building materials and items we commonly use.
inclined plate, ballasted floc and floc blanket
sedimentation. There are three groupings of naturally occurring
radiation, mostly based on where the radiation comes
from. First there is the radiation in the soils and rocks, called
Settling basins and clarifiers are designed to retain
primordial or terrestrial. Then there is radiation that comes
water so that suspended solids can settle. By sedimentation
from space, called cosmic or cosmogenic. The third is
principles, the suitable treatment technologies should be
human-made, something created by humans that wouldn’t
chosen depending on the specific gravity, size and shear
exist otherwise or something that contains more radiation
resistance of particles. Depending on the size and density
in it than normal (enhanced) because humans have done
of particles, and physical properties of the solids, there are
something to it.
four types of sedimentation processes:

The following are the application of radiation on

 Type 1 – Dilutes, non-flocculent, free-settling
various fields:
(every particle settles independently.)
 Type 2 – Dilute, flocculent (particles can flocculate
 Medical Uses
as they settle).
 Security Devices
 Type 3 – Concentrated suspensions, zone settling,
hindered settling (sludge thickening).  Household Products
 Type 4 – Concentrated suspensions, compression  Food Irradiation
 Industrial Uses
(sludge thickening).

PROJECT IN UNIT OPERATIONS LABORATORY 1 PRELIM – SUMMER 2019

MARTIJA, NELYKAH RIANNE P. Engr. Efren B. Chavez
CH42FB2 May 6, 2019
There are many uses of radiation in medicine. The
most well-known is using x rays to see whether bones are
broken. The broad area of x-ray use is called radiology.
Within radiology, we find more specialized areas like
mammography, computerized tomography (CT), and
nuclear medicine (the specialty where radioactive material
is usually injected into the patient). Another area of x-ray
use is called cardiology—where special x-ray pictures are
taken of the heart.

Some products you own and use regularly might

contain radioactivity or emit radiation. They are an example
of the many ways radiation use benefits our modern
society. When they are used according to their instructions
for use, you are not exposed to radiation.

Products in your home that contain radioactivity,

but are not hazardous to anyone’s health, include smoke
detectors, some foods, and fertilizers.

Smoke detectors sometimes contain a small

amount of a radioactive source (americium-241) within a
metal chamber. In a smoke detector, the radioactivity in the
source emits a constant stream of alpha particles that are
sensed by a small radiation detector, causing a small
current. If smoke comes between the source and the
detector, the current is decreased, leaving nothing for the
detector to sense, and the alarm goes off.

Some foods become radioactive by absorbing

naturally occurring radionuclides from surrounding soils as
they grow or some of the ingredients used to make them
may be naturally radioactive. Fertilizers that you use for
your gardens, lawns, etc., might contain radioactive
potassium or uranium in small amounts.

It is important not to assume that all types of a

certain item contain radioactivity or emit radiation; for
example, some smoke detectors and old watches contain
radioactivity, but not all do. And these radioactivity-
containing items don’t pose a radiation hazard to you
unless you were to eat them—and eat a lot of them.

PROJECT IN UNIT OPERATIONS LABORATORY 1 PRELIM – SUMMER 2019