A Brief Analysis of Centrifuge Selection Technology in Shanghai

The first one: low-speed centrifuge

In addition to their traditional applications in industries such as textiles, chemical processing, and environmental protection, low-speed centrifuges are now extensively used in pharmaceutical companies for the separation of mother liquors. Due to the stringent regulations governing the pharmaceutical industry, pharmaceutical centrifuges generally adopt a flat, sealed design. To minimize potential contamination or damage and enhance hygiene, parts that come into contact with materials are made of stainless steel or entirely constructed from stainless steel. The entire machine features no sanitary dead spots, ensuring cleanliness and ease of use. This type of centrifuge has now become widespread throughout the pharmaceutical industry. Coupled with small centrifuges—typically operating at around 3,000 rpm—used for blood separation, these low-speed industrial centrifuges form a comprehensive system. Moreover, they have also found applications in other industries closely related to biopharmaceuticals. Such centrifuges must comply with national GMP standards before they can be used.

The second one: high-speed medical centrifuge

Currently, the production of high-speed medical centrifuges is mainly concentrated in Beijing, Shanghai, and Hunan. The technology used in these centrifuges is relatively simple; generally, zonal centrifuges are employed. Zonal centrifuges separate and collect cells, viruses, and DNA molecules based on the density and gradient of the sample solution. Both sample loading and unloading are carried out continuously. In addition to their widespread use in industrial production processes, these centrifuges are now also extensively applied as laboratory equipment. Thanks to the use of DC variable-frequency motors or brushless DC motors, the rotational speed is typically adjustable and can reach relatively high levels. To reduce the weight of the machine body and rotor drum, the outer casing is usually made of plastic or other non-reactive alloy materials, while the interior components are often fabricated from light alloys or other inert materials.

High-speed medical centrifuges have achieved significant advancements in recent years, driven by the rapid development of biomedicine. They have now established a distinct market segment separate from low-speed centrifuges. It is expected that this growth momentum will continue in the future, attracting more research institutions to enter the market. Meanwhile, high-speed medical centrifuges represent the fastest-growing product category within the centrifuge industry in terms of technological advancement.

Centrifuges are widely used in the medical industry, playing a crucial role in various applications such as blood separation, virus research, DNA analysis, and drug purification. At the microscopic level, both cells and DNA molecules require high-speed medical centrifuges for separation and study. These high-speed centrifuges typically operate at speeds ranging from over 5,000 rpm to below 60,000 rpm, generating centrifugal forces that can be tens of thousands of times greater than Earth's gravitational acceleration, enabling the precise separation of tiny molecular components. For blood separation, a centrifuge operating at around 3,000 rpm is usually sufficient; currently, most Shanghai-based centrifuge manufacturers are capable of producing such equipment, and they have proven highly effective in practical applications. In contrast, centrifuges used in drug purification and other refining processes are generally low-speed models, with rotational speeds below 3,000 rpm. These centrifuges feature large processing capacities and, to meet GMP standards and requirements in pharmaceutical production, are typically constructed from flat, stainless steel materials.