Mitsubishi Kakoki Receives Order for "Mitsubishi Disc Separator" for Microalgae Recovery
Mitsubishi Kakoki has received an order from PhytoLipid Technologies Inc. for its "Mitsubishi Disc Separator," a plate-type centrifugal separator designed for efficient recovery of microalgae from culture solutions. This unit incorporates a newly developed "Variable Impeller" to address challenges in high-concentration microalgae recovery.
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- 📰 Published: April 27, 2026 at 22:01
- 🔍 Collected: April 27, 2026 at 13:31
- 🤖 AI Analyzed: April 28, 2026 at 03:04 (13h 32m after Collected)
Mitsubishi Kakoki Co., Ltd. (Representative Director: Toshiichi Tanaka, Location: Kawasaki City, hereinafter "the Company") has recently received an order from PhytoLipid Technologies Inc. (Representative: Hiroyuki Ota, Location: Yokohama City, Kanagawa Prefecture) for its plate-type centrifugal separator, the "Mitsubishi Disc Separator," for the recovery of microalgae from culture solutions.
The "Mitsubishi Disc Separator" ordered this time is based on the SJ-F series and is equipped with a newly developed "Variable Impeller" to efficiently extract microalgae concentrate from culture solutions.
The same model of centrifugal separator (SJ-F type) that was ordered this time.
Background of Development
Components extracted from microalgae are expected to be utilized in a wide range of fields, including pharmaceutical and cosmetic raw materials, biofuels, feed, and food, and are predicted to become an important resource supporting various industrial foundations in the future.
When utilizing microalgae, it is important to efficiently concentrate and recover microalgae from culture solutions, and centrifugal separators are generally used for this purpose. However, when the concentration was increased, there was a problem that the concentrate containing microalgae would adhere to the frame and cover inside the centrifugal separator, making recovery difficult. For this reason, there was a restriction that the concentration could not be increased beyond a certain level in actual operation. In addition, there was a problem that the concentration would decrease if washing water was used during the recovery of the concentrate, making it challenging to achieve both high-concentration recovery and workability.
Recovery of Algae Concentrate Using the "Variable Impeller"
To address these challenges, the Company has equipped its centrifugal separator with a "Variable Impeller."
In the conventional valve discharge method, the algae concentrate was discharged by centrifugal force from the discharge port of the rotating body into the frame, causing adhesion and stagnation of the concentrate. However, by discharging the concentrate using the variable impeller, it became possible to recover the algae concentrate directly and smoothly from the concentrate outlet.
This achieves (1) improved recovery even with high-concentration algae concentrate, (2) maintenance of concentration by suppressing the use of washing water, and (3) improved operability during operation and recovery, contributing to further efficiency in microalgae utilization processes.
About the "Mitsubishi Disc Separator"
The "Mitsubishi Disc Separator" is a best-selling plate-type centrifugal separator with a history of over 80 years and more than 120,000 units delivered, primarily as an oil purifier for marine fuel oil and lubricating oil. In addition to marine applications, its use is expanding to various land-based fields, including the classification of chemical and electronic materials and the purification of waste cooking oil, which is attracting attention as a raw material for SAF (Sustainable Aviation Fuel).
In the "Mitsubishi Kakoki Group 2050 Management Vision" formulated in 2021, the Company identified five social issues to be resolved and four strategic business domains to address them. To promote the growth of these business domains, the "GX Business" was launched in 2025. The utilization of "microalgae," applying the Company's unique core technology of "solid-liquid-gas separation," holds great potential for creating new energy and promoting a circular economy in the GX business domain. The Company will continue to actively explore new applications and expand sales of "centrifugal separators" and "solid-liquid separation" going forward.
Through the initiatives in this press release, the Company contributes to the following SDGs (Sustainable Development Goals):
・Goal 7: Affordable and Clean Energy
・Goal 9: Industry, Innovation, and Infrastructure
・Goal 13: Climate Action
The "Mitsubishi Disc Separator" ordered this time is based on the SJ-F series and is equipped with a newly developed "Variable Impeller" to efficiently extract microalgae concentrate from culture solutions.
The same model of centrifugal separator (SJ-F type) that was ordered this time.
Background of Development
Components extracted from microalgae are expected to be utilized in a wide range of fields, including pharmaceutical and cosmetic raw materials, biofuels, feed, and food, and are predicted to become an important resource supporting various industrial foundations in the future.
When utilizing microalgae, it is important to efficiently concentrate and recover microalgae from culture solutions, and centrifugal separators are generally used for this purpose. However, when the concentration was increased, there was a problem that the concentrate containing microalgae would adhere to the frame and cover inside the centrifugal separator, making recovery difficult. For this reason, there was a restriction that the concentration could not be increased beyond a certain level in actual operation. In addition, there was a problem that the concentration would decrease if washing water was used during the recovery of the concentrate, making it challenging to achieve both high-concentration recovery and workability.
Recovery of Algae Concentrate Using the "Variable Impeller"
To address these challenges, the Company has equipped its centrifugal separator with a "Variable Impeller."
In the conventional valve discharge method, the algae concentrate was discharged by centrifugal force from the discharge port of the rotating body into the frame, causing adhesion and stagnation of the concentrate. However, by discharging the concentrate using the variable impeller, it became possible to recover the algae concentrate directly and smoothly from the concentrate outlet.
This achieves (1) improved recovery even with high-concentration algae concentrate, (2) maintenance of concentration by suppressing the use of washing water, and (3) improved operability during operation and recovery, contributing to further efficiency in microalgae utilization processes.
About the "Mitsubishi Disc Separator"
The "Mitsubishi Disc Separator" is a best-selling plate-type centrifugal separator with a history of over 80 years and more than 120,000 units delivered, primarily as an oil purifier for marine fuel oil and lubricating oil. In addition to marine applications, its use is expanding to various land-based fields, including the classification of chemical and electronic materials and the purification of waste cooking oil, which is attracting attention as a raw material for SAF (Sustainable Aviation Fuel).
In the "Mitsubishi Kakoki Group 2050 Management Vision" formulated in 2021, the Company identified five social issues to be resolved and four strategic business domains to address them. To promote the growth of these business domains, the "GX Business" was launched in 2025. The utilization of "microalgae," applying the Company's unique core technology of "solid-liquid-gas separation," holds great potential for creating new energy and promoting a circular economy in the GX business domain. The Company will continue to actively explore new applications and expand sales of "centrifugal separators" and "solid-liquid separation" going forward.
Through the initiatives in this press release, the Company contributes to the following SDGs (Sustainable Development Goals):
・Goal 7: Affordable and Clean Energy
・Goal 9: Industry, Innovation, and Infrastructure
・Goal 13: Climate Action