Engineered to adjust: How the new Impellizer is revolutionizing separator technology

With the Impellizer, Flottweg is introducing a technology that takes separation processes in separators to a whole new level. In this interview, Product Manager Tobias Tratner explains how the adjustable gripper works, why it maintains consistent separation quality even with significant product fluctuations, and what added value the technology offers customers in applications such as edible oil refining, biodiesel, or used cooking oil. A look behind the scenes at a solution that significantly improves flexibility, efficiency, and process reliability.

Who are you and what is your role at Flottweg?

My name is Tobias Tratner, and I am a product manager at Flottweg. In my role, I am responsible for the strategic development of our separator centrifuges and their use in various applications, such as edible oil refining. I work closely with our customers, sales, and R&D to ensure that our products are optimally tailored to market requirements. My goal is to create innovative solutions that help our customers make their processes more efficient and sustainable.

What exactly is the Impellizer and how does it work?

The Impellizer is an adjustable impeller in our separator centrifuge. It changes the diameter of the impeller for the heavy liquid phase and thus the position of the separation zone within the bowl. This adjustment takes place during the running process without stopping the machine. This allows the machine to respond flexibly to changes in the product—for consistently high separation quality.

What makes the Impellizer special compared to your previous solutions?

What makes it special is our technology: We have reimagined the proven principle of the adjustable impeller from our decanters and Tricanter® for separators. The Impellizer enables stepless adjustment of the separation zone during operation, combined with high performance and user-friendliness.

What specific advantages does the adjustable impeller offer Flottweg customers?

Our customers gain flexibility and process reliability. Product fluctuations can be compensated for without standstill, separation performance remains stable, and standstill times as well as service costs are reduced.

How does the Impellizer respond to product fluctuations and why is this important?

The raw materials from which edible oil, for example, is extracted are natural products and therefore not always consistent. Changes in the edible oil can cause the separation zone to shift. The Impellizer automatically corrects this by adjusting the impeller diameter. This keeps the quality of the end product constant—a critical factor for many processes.

In which applications is the Impellizer used?

Typical applications include edible oil refining, biodiesel production, and the processing of used cooking oil. The Impellizer offers a real advantage wherever product properties can vary significantly.

What different versions of the Impellizer are available?

The Impellizer is available in two versions. One variant features manual adjustment. Here, the diameter of the impeller is set directly on the machine. This is ideal for processes where adjustments are rarely needed or where operation takes place on-site.

Another variant features automatic remote adjustment via a servomotor. This allows the separation zone to be conveniently adjusted during the running process via the HMI, from the control room, or even fully automatically. This is particularly beneficial for systems with varying product parameters and a high degree of automation.

Why should customers choose Flottweg?

Flottweg stands for reliability, excellent service, and innovative solutions. With the Impellizer, we offer advanced technology backed by the quality and experience of a German manufacturer. From “Engineered for Your Success” to “Engineered to Adjust.”