Separator insert, separator and method for exchanging a separator insert

A method for exchanging a first separator insert of a separator for a second separator insert, wherein the separator comprises a frame, wherein the first and second separator inserts are configured to separate a flowable suspension into at least two flowable phases of different density in a centrifugal field and forms a pre-assembled, exchangeable unit configured for insertion into stator units on the frame of the separator, wherein the first and second separator inserts each comprise i. a housing that is stationary in operation and is a container that is closed except for one or more openings, ii. a rotor arranged inside the housing and rotatable about an axis of rotation, wherein the rotor has a drum with one or more openings, iii. separating means arranged in the drum, iv. at least two rotor units for magnetic bearing devices at two axially spaced locations of the rotor with the drum, wherein the at least two rotor units are configured to hold the rotor with the drum in suspension, to rotatably support the drum, and to rotate the drum within the housing during operation of the separator, wherein the frame includes mutually spaced apart holders having the stator units of the magnetic bearing devices, wherein the housing of the separator insert is non-rotatably retained between the mutually spaced apart holders such that the rotor remains rotatable with the drum, wherein a relative position of the mutually spaced apart holders is changeable such that the first separator insert is exchangeable for the second separator insert, and wherein the housing and at least one of the mutually spaced apart holders have corresponding interlocking elements in order to non-rotatably retain the housing on the at least one of the mutually spaced apart holders, the method comprising:

• a) providing the separator with the first separator insert mounted on the frame of the separator;
• b) changing a relative position of the mutually spaced apart holders, releasing an interlock between the frame and the first separator insert, and removing the first separator insert from the mutually spaced apart holders;
• c) providing the second separator insert;
• d) inserting the second separator insert into the one of the mutually spaced apart holders so that corresponding interlocking elements at one end of the housing and at one of the mutually spaced apart holders engage with each other;
• and
• e) changing the relative position of the mutually spaced apart holders until the corresponding interlocking element of the housing non-rotatably engages into the corresponding interlocking element of the at least a respective one of the mutually spaced apart holders.