Apparatus for separating components of a fluid stream

An apparatus for separating components of a fluid stream;

• the apparatus comprising:
• (a) or (b):
• (a) a first centrifugal separator and a further separator;
• the first centrifugal separator comprising a support structure and a centrifugal separator unit rotatably mounted on the support structure so as to be rotatable about a rotational axis extending through the centrifugal separator unit;
• or
• (b) two or more separators connected in-line;
• at least two of the separators being configured to provide different modes of separation of the components of the fluid stream;
• wherein at least one separator is a centrifugal separator which is other than a decanter centrifugal separator and comprises:
• a support structure and a centrifugal separator unit rotatably mounted on the support structure so as to be rotatable about a rotational axis extending through the centrifugal separator unit;
• and
• a drive element for driving rotation of the centrifugal separator unit, the centrifugal separator unit comprising a centrifugal separation chamber and a central shaft which passes through the centrifugal separator unit and is rotatably mounted on the support structure;
• the centrifugal separation chamber having an inlet which is connected or connectable to a source of fluid requiring separation, the inlet comprising a first set of lateral openings in the central shaft, a first outlet for collecting a higher density component of the fluid stream, and a second outlet for collecting a lower density component of the fluid stream in the form of a second set of lateral openings in the central shaft;
• the central shaft being tubular in construction and comprising a blocking member in the bore thereof between the first set of lateral openings and the second set of lateral openings to prevent passage of fluid along the entire length of the shaft;
• the first outlet being connected or connectable to a first collector for collecting the higher density component and the second outlet being connected or connectable to a second collector for collecting the lower density component.