Solid Liquid Separators
Vibro-Energy® wet screening machines that separate solids from liquids, slurries and wash water – fast, clean and built to last Get In ContactNeed to take solids out of a liquid quickly and reliably? William Boulton solid liquid separators screen slurries, process liquids and wash water so you can recover valuable product, protect downstream equipment and send less to waste.
Our Vibro-Energy® separators are used on wet and dry duties in food and drink, pharmaceutical, chemical, ceramic, paint, fuel and recycling plants. Each machine is specified around your liquid, your solids and your flow rate, so you get the right mesh, deck layout and materials of construction from day one.
Not sure which machine you need? Call our team on 01782 816158 for straightforward advice.
What is solid liquid separation?
Solid liquid separation is the removal of suspended solid particles from a liquid. On a production line that could mean taking oversize lumps and contamination out of a coating before it is packed, screening fibres and pips from a juice, reclaiming re-usable material from wash water, or de-watering a waste stream so it is cheaper to handle.
Mechanical screening is one of the simplest and most cost-effective ways to do it. The slurry is fed onto a mesh screen: the liquid, and any particles smaller than the mesh aperture, pass through while the larger solids are held back and discharged separately. There are no filter bags or cartridges to replace, so a vibratory separator suits continuous production as well as batch work.
How does a vibratory solid liquid separator work?
- Feed – the liquid or slurry enters the top of the separator by gravity or through a pressure or vacuum transfer line.
- Screen – the Vibro-Energy® three-dimensional vibratory/gyratory action spreads the feed across the whole mesh, so liquid drains through quickly and evenly instead of pooling.
- Discharge the solids – the same motion moves retained solids in a spiral path to the edge of the mesh, where they are ejected automatically through a discharge spout.
- Collect the liquid – the clarified liquid falls through the mesh to the outlet below. On our through-flow models a conical outlet sits directly beneath the screen to carry high-volume, high-velocity liquids away fast.
- Grade further if needed – add extra decks to split the solids into several size fractions in a single pass.
Our machines run on resonant steel springs with a high rebound rate. Compared with rubber-mounted systems they transmit the vibratory force more efficiently, giving faster mesh coverage, higher throughput per mesh area and lower power consumption. Find out more about Vibro-Energy®.
Have a question? Call us on 01782 816158 or:
Our solid liquid separation equipment
Three ranges, all suitable for wet screening and liquid duties. Contact parts are 304 or 316L stainless steel as standard.
Vibro-Energy® Separators
Our core range for wet screening, de-watering, scalping and grading. Fully adjustable vibration amplitude lets you tune the machine to your product.
- 25 µm to 25 mm quick-change mesh frames
- Automatic ejection of oversize solids
- Deep anti-splash top rims for liquid feeds
- Single or multi-deck configurations
- Stainless steel as standard, carbon steel available
Compact & Low Profile Through-Flow Separators
Built for high-volume liquids where headroom is tight, such as on top of a vessel or in-line on a transfer pipe.
- Unobstructed vertical flow straight through the machine
- Conical outlet directly below the mesh for high-velocity liquids
- Works with gravity flow or vacuum/pressure lines
- Mesh apertures from 0.025 mm to 50 mm
- Diameters up to 1524 mm, with multi-deck options
- Can be mounted on mobile platforms; single-phase units available
Super-Clean “SC” Range
Hygienic separators for food, drink and pharmaceutical liquids such as juices, oils, fats, liquid chocolate and cocoa mass.
- Inboard oversize discharge – no side-spout crevices and complete material discharge
- Polished 304/316L stainless steel contact parts
- Crevice-free, easy-clean design
- 25 µm to 25 mm quick-change mesh frames
- Quiet running on polyurethane spring mounts
Benefits of a William Boulton solid liquid separator
- Recover valuable product – reclaim solids or liquid that would otherwise go down the drain.
- Protect downstream equipment – stop oversize particles reaching pumps, valves, spray nozzles and filling heads.
- Reduce waste handling costs – separate liquid from waste solids so there is less to treat and dispose of.
- Run continuously – no filter bags or cartridges to change, and solids discharge automatically.
- Low running costs – an efficient steel-spring drive keeps power consumption down.
- Quick cleaning and changeovers – the mesh assembly comes out without tools, and quick-release clamps keep downtime to a minimum.
- Fits where space is tight – low-profile models suit minimum-headroom and vessel-top installations.
- Built to last – heavy-duty construction designed for years of reliable service.
Solid liquid separation applications
From thin process water to viscous coatings, our separators handle a wide range of liquids. Typical duties include:
- Food & drink – screening juices, vegetable oils, fats, liquid honey, liquid chocolate and cocoa mass.
- Brewing & distilling – raw water treatment and clarification.
- Paint & coatings – removing oversize and contamination from liquid paints, inks and dyes.
- Ceramics – screening slips and glazes before use.
- Waste & recycling – separating solids from wash water, waste oils, paper pulp and food waste streams.
- Fuel & petroleum – screening oils and fuels to remove particulate contamination.
- Pharmaceutical – hygienic wet screening with the Super-Clean “SC” range.
- Chemical & latex – screening latex, chemical slurries and suspensions.
Don’t see your process listed? Tell us what you’re separating and we’ll recommend the right machine.
Why choose William Boulton?
William Boulton has been building process machinery since 1852. Our separators have a reputation for being robust, high-performing and virtually maintenance-free, and we still have machines over 50 years old in operation.
- Practical advice on mesh size, deck layout and materials for your liquid
- Bespoke machines built to your specification
- Replacement meshes and spare parts, including spares compatible with many other manufacturers’ separators
- Ongoing aftercare to keep your equipment running for years
Our Clients
Solid liquid separator FAQs
What is the difference between a solid liquid separator and a filter?
A filter traps solids in a medium such as a bag or cartridge that gradually blocks and has to be replaced. A vibratory solid liquid separator uses a re-usable mesh, and the vibration keeps the screen clear while solids are discharged automatically. That means less downtime and lower consumable costs, particularly on continuous processes.
What mesh size do I need?
It depends on the smallest particle you need to remove and the viscosity of your liquid. Our separators take meshes from 25 µm up to 50 mm depending on the model. Tell us about your product and we’ll recommend the right aperture.
Can a vibratory separator handle viscous liquids?
Yes. Our separators are used on viscous products including oils, fats, liquid chocolate and paints. The vibration amplitude is fully adjustable, so the machine can be set up to suit how your product flows.
Can I separate solids into more than one size in a single pass?
Yes. Multi-deck separators stack screens of different apertures, so you can remove oversize, collect a mid-size fraction and clarify the liquid in one machine.
What materials are the separators made from?
Contact parts are 304 or 316L stainless steel as standard, with a polished finish on our Super-Clean “SC” range. Carbon steel and other materials are available on request.
Can you supply parts for my existing separator?
Yes. We supply replacement meshes and spare parts for our own machines, plus spares compatible with equipment from a wide range of other manufacturers. See our aftercare & spare parts page.