Alfa Laval VO30 Centrifuge Boosts Qorteba Refinery Output by 1,200 Tonnes Annually

Alfa Laval VO30 Centrifuge Boosts Qorteba Refinery Output by 1,200 Tonnes Annually

(IN BRIEF) At Qorteba oil refinery in southern Spain, Alfa Laval’s VO30 centrifuge unit with an erosion-resistant liner has eliminated unplanned stoppages, increased processing capacity by 1,200 tonnes annually, and cut maintenance costs by 94 percent since its 2023 installation. The previous non-Alfa Laval centrifuge suffered clogging, severe wear, and vibrations. After Alfa Laval experts Belen Villalba and Favian Guevara showcased the VO30’s benefits—including a self-cleaning, clog-free system and rapid delivery—plant manager José Carlos Gómez hailed the upgrade as “unbeatable value.” Enhanced by the ConditionAlert™ monitoring service, which predicts mechanical issues before they arise, Alfa Laval has become the refinery’s chosen separation technology partner.

(PRESS RELEASE) LUND, 1-Aug-2025 — /EuropaWire/ — Alfa Laval has transformed operations at the Qorteba oil refinery in Alcolea, near Córdoba, southern Spain, by installing its advanced VO30 centrifuge unit equipped with an erosion-protective liner. Since the VO30’s commissioning in 2023, the plant—part of the DCOOP Group—now processes 300 tonnes of olives daily without any unplanned shutdowns, boosting annual output by 1,200 tonnes and sharply cutting maintenance expenses.

Previously, the refinery relied on an aging, non-Alfa Laval centrifuge for the washing stage, which suffered frequent bowl clogging, accelerated wear of the sliding bowl bottom, and high-vibration events that interrupted production and drove up costs. Recognizing these challenges, Alfa Laval’s Oils & Fats Business Developer Belen Villalba and Regional Sales Manager Favian Guevara visited the site to demonstrate how the VO30 unit’s liner technology could resolve erosion damage and streamline service intervals—ultimately slashing repair costs by 94 percent.

Qorteba’s team quickly embraced the solution. “Their issues perfectly matched the VO30’s capabilities,” explains Villalba. “Replacing a single centrifuge unlocked immediate benefits and laid the foundation for a strong partnership.” Guevara adds that existing relationships with other DCOOP facilities helped build trust in Alfa Laval’s performance.

Plant Manager José Carlos Gómez sums up the impact: “This unit delivers unbeatable value and gives us real peace of mind.” With its sliding bowl bottom liner shielding against erosion, the VO30 maintains smooth, clog-free operation and features a flexible discharge system that leaves no solids behind. Its self-cleaning design and rapid equipment delivery further minimize downtime.

Beyond hardware, Qorteba benefits from Alfa Laval’s ConditionAlert™ service, which continuously monitors separator mechanics to predict and prevent possible failures. “Our responsive support and 24/7 connectivity strengthen the plant’s confidence in us,” notes Villalba. In light of these results, Alfa Laval is now the refinery’s preferred separation partner.

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SOURCE: Alfa Laval