Engineering · Auxiliary — Separators
The difference between operating a centrifugal oil separator as a purifier versus a clarifier is that a purifier:
- ARemoves only solids; a clarifier removes water
- BSeparates water and solids from the oil using a water seal (gravity disc); a clarifier removes only fine solids✓ Correct
- CRuns at a lower speed
- DHeats the oil while a clarifier cools it
Explanation
A purifier separates both water and solids, requiring a correctly sized gravity (dam) disc to set the oil/water interface. A clarifier, with no water seal, is used when the oil contains little water and only fine solids.
Authority: Auxiliary Machinery (USCG engineering topic)
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