Heavy phase liquid discharge element for a centrifugal separator, centrifugal separator and method for separating two liquid phases

A method of separating a light liquid phase and a heavy liquid phase from a slurry by centrifugal forces in a centrifugal separator comprising a heavy phase liquid discharge element, wherein the liquid phases have different densities, the method comprising

• bringing the slurry to a rotational movement in a cylindrical bowl and thereby separating the slurry into two liquid phases,
• separating the light liquid phase and heavy liquid phase from each other by
• bringing the light liquid phase in fluid contact with at least one first outlet passage comprised in a base plate of the centrifugal separator, the first outlet passage being connected to a weir plate adapted for keeping at least part of the heavy phase inside the rotating bowl, wherein the at least one first outlet passage provides a liquid pathway to the light phase to be discharged from the bowl
• bringing the heavy phase in contact with at least one second outlet passage on a second side of the heavy liquid discharge element through an at least one inlet opening on a first side of the heavy phase liquid discharge element, the at least one inlet opening facing an interior of the centrifugal separator and formed in the base plate of the centrifugal separator, the heavy phase liquid discharge element being adapted for keeping the light phase inside the rotating bowl and for providing a liquid pathway to the heavy phase to be discharged from the bowl, the liquid pathway being formed between the at least one inlet opening and the at least one second outlet passage, wherein the at least one second outlet passage is defined by at least two outlet channels through which liquid can pass,
• wherein the discharging the heavy phase uses the at least two separate outlet channels connected to a respective at least one second outlet passage, wherein at least a portion of each of the outlet channels overlaps with the at least one inlet opening, wherein the at least two outlet channels have an extension in the longitudinal direction of the heavy phase liquid discharge element which is longer than the extension of the at least one inlet opening in the longitudinal direction.