Centrifugal Contactor Including Central Dynamic Examination Device
AssigneeSavannah River Nuclear Solutions, LLC
InventorsMICHAEL L. RESTIVO, MICHAEL R. POIRIER, FERNANDO F. FONDEUR, SAMUEL D. FINK
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Abstract
Centrifugal contactors that can be used for mixing or separating materials are described. The contactors include a sensing system including a communications fiber within the shaft of the contactors and access ports providing access from the communications fiber to the mixing/separating zone of the contactor. The sensing system can be utilized during operation of the contactor and can provide for detailed and accurate on-line characterization of a protocol, as well as process control and system modification as necessary during operation.
Claims20
A centrifugal contactor comprising:
- a housing;
- a shaft within the housing, the shaft comprising a cylindrical wall surrounding a hollow core with a longitudinal central axis and an access port within the cylindrical wall;
- a plurality of rotor blades configured to revolve about the longitudinal central axis, the plurality of rotor blades defining a zone within the housing;
- a communications fiber comprising a first end and a second end, the first end being locatable within the hollow core in communications with the access port;
- and
- a signal generator or signal receiver in communication with the second end of the communications fiber.
A method for separating a first material from a second materials comprising:
- feeding a first material to a separating zone of a centrifugal contactor;
- feeding a second material to the separating zone of the centrifugal contactor;
- spinning the first and second materials about a shaft within the centrifugal contactor by use of a plurality of rotor blades that revolve about an axis of the shaft, wherein upon the spinning, the first and second materials separate within the separating zone according to a density gradient across a span in a radial direction, the radial direction being defined by a radius of the shaft;
- during the spinning, transmitting a signal from the separating zone to a first end of a communications fiber retained within a hollow core of the shaft;
- and
- analyzing the signal to obtain information about the separation.
A method for combining a first material with a second materials comprising:
- feeding a first material to a mixing tank of an impeller mixed tank;
- feeding a second material to the mixing tank of the impeller mixed tank;
- spinning the first and second materials about a shaft within the impeller mixed tank by use of a plurality of rotor blades that revolve about an axis of the shaft, wherein upon the spinning, the first and second materials mix within the mixing tank;
- during the spinning, transmitting a signal from the mixing tank to a first end of a communications fiber retained within a hollow core of the shaft;
- and
- analyzing the signal to obtain information about the mixing.
Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.