Centrifugal separation system and method

A method of controlling a centrifugal separation system, the centrifugal separation system comprising a centrifugal separator, a liquid feed mixture conduit, a light phase conduit, a heavy phase conduit, and a flow control system,

• wherein the centrifugal separator comprises a rotor configured to rotate about an axis of rotation and being provided with a separation space, a stack of separation discs arranged inside the separation space, a first stationary portion arranged at a first axial end of the rotor, and optionally a second stationary portion arranged at a second axial end of the rotor,
• wherein an inlet passage extends into the separation space via the first or second stationary portion, a light phase outlet passage extends from the separation space via the first or second stationary portion, a heavy phase outlet passage extends from the separation space via the first or second stationary portion,
• wherein the heavy phase outlet passage comprises at least one channel extending within the rotor from a radially outer portion of the separation space towards a central portion of the rotor,
• wherein each of the inlet passage, the light phase outlet passage, and the heavy phase outlet passage is mechanically hermetically sealed between the rotor and the first stationary portion or the second stationary portion,
• wherein the inlet passage enters the rotor centrally on the axis of rotation at R0, the heavy phase outlet passage exits the rotor at a first radius R1, and the light phase outlet passage exits the rotor at a second radius R2, wherein R1≥R2≥R0 and R1>R0,
• wherein the flow control system comprises a counterpressure generating arrangement connected to the heavy phase conduit, a liquid feed mixture measuring device, and a light phase measuring device and/or a heavy phase measuring device,
• wherein the counterpressure generating arrangement comprises a heavy phase receiving vessel and a heavy phase pressure control arrangement connected to the heavy phase receiving vessel, and
• wherein the method comprises steps of:
• rotating the rotor,
• conducting a flow of liquid feed mixture into the separation space via the liquid feed mixture conduit and the inlet passage,
• separating the liquid feed mixture into a heavy phase and a light phase in the separation space,
• measuring the flow of liquid feed mixture,
• measuring a flow of light phase and/or a flow of heavy phase, and
• controlling the heavy phase pressure control arrangement based on measurements acquired in the step of measuring the flow of liquid feed mixture and on measurements acquired in the step of measuring the flow of light phase and/or the flow of heavy phase in order to control a heavy phase counterpressure in the heavy phase outlet passage.