Laboratory Centrifuges

Laboratory centrifuges are used for separating particles from solutions according to their size, shape, density, viscosity of the medium and rotor speed. The theoretical basis of this technique is the effect of gravity on particles (including macromolecules) in suspension. Two particles of different masses will settle in a tube at different rates in response to gravity. Centrifugal force (measured as xg, gravity) is used to increase this settling rate depending on the rotation to induce centrifugal force, which accelerates the separation of the liquid from the solids. Centrifugal force causes the solid phase to move through the liquid phase in a straight line and away from the center of rotation. Solid-phase characteristics such as particle density, size, shape, and consistency and the rotation speed for the laboratory centrifuges’ chamber (a basket or bowl, depending on the centrifuge type) of a given diameter also influence how fast the solid phase moves away from the center of rotation. The higher the rotation speed, the higher the G force exerted on the solid phase and the faster the solids accumulate.

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