Automatic tube bowl centrifuge for centrifugal separation of liquids and solids with solids discharge using a scraper or piston

A centrifugal separator, comprising:

• a cylindrical housing having a central region, an end region, and an internal surface surrounding an opening between the central and end regions, the central region having a rotatable centrifugal separator bowl mounted therein, the opening being operative to discharge accumulated solids from the separator bowl;
• and
• a solids valve mounted in the end region of the housing, the solids valve being rotatable about a diametrical axis of the housing between an open position and a closed position, the solids valve having an offset portion operative (i) when the solids valve is in the closed position, to sealingly contact the internal surface of the housing to prevent discharge of the accumulated solids through the opening thereof, and (ii) when the solids valve is in the open position, to be located at one side of the end region to permit discharge of the accumulated solids through the opening.

A centrifugal separator, comprising:

• a rotatable cylindrical separator bowl having an open end;
• and
• a scraper disposed within the separator bowl, the scraper being operative to rotate with the bowl in a feed mode of operation and to be rotationally stationary during a scraping mode of operation, the scraper having a body portion, scraper arms extending from the body portion to the inner surface of the separator bowl, and skirt portions extending from the arms in an axial direction into the open end of the separator bowl in the feed mode of operation, the skirt portions being pressed against edges of the separator bowl surrounding the open end by flexion due to centrifugal forces generated by rotation of the separator bowl and scraper.