Which equipment is used to separate liquids from solids in the context discussed?

• A. Centrifuges
• B. Filters
• C. Decanters
• D. Grinders

Answer: (B)

Separating liquids from solids is commonly done by filtration. A filter acts as a porous barrier that lets the liquid pass through while trapping solid particles on its surface or within the filter medium. This creates a clear liquid (filtrate) and a solid residue (the filter cake). Filtration is versatile for suspensions you want to clarify or solids you want to recover, and it scales from simple lab setups to industrial systems using vacuum or gravity to pull the liquid through.

Other equipment serve different separation principles. A centrifuge uses rapid spinning to push denser solids away from the liquid by inertia, which is helpful for tough suspensions or when filtration is slow. A decanter relies on gravity and settling to separate phases, often in two-liquid or slurry systems, rather than capture solids with a barrier. Grinders are for size reduction, not for separating solids from liquids.