Partitioned centrifuge
OwnerRobert E. Highinventor
Life of this patent
Estimating the term…
Abstract
A centrifuge for the separation of materials having different densities such as solids and liquids or liquids of different densities has partitions therein disposed generally perpendicularly to the material flow within the centrifuge which form a series of chambers within the centrifuge for respectively retaining floating layers of materials of particular densities, with each chamber being equipped to discharge the material retained therein. Retention and transfer of the materials of different densities is achieved by selective termination of the partitions within the centrifuge at respective heights and depths to accommodate a desired material layer height. An improved separation is attained thereby so that the discharged phases are in substantially pure form.
Claims21
A centrifuge for the continuous separation of solid-liquid mixtures and mixtures of liquid with different densities, said centrifuge having a drum with end walls, said drum being rotatable about a hollow stationary centrally disposed shaft, said centrifuge comprising:
- a first disc mounted on said shaft inside said drum and radially extending a first distance from said shaft and terminating in an outer edge beyond the boundary layer between the phases to be separated;
- a second disc mounted on said shaft inside said drum and radially extending a second distance from said shaft and terminating in an outer edge,
- said second distance being less than said first distance, and
- said first and second discs dividing the interior of said drum into a first chamber between one end wall of said drum and said first disc, a second chamber between said first and second discs, and a third chamber between said second disc and another end wall of said drum;
- a means for charging said first chamber with a mixture to be separated,
- whereby a lighter of said phases flows from said first chamber around said first disc upon rotation of said centrifuge and is collected in said second chamber, and a heavier of said phases is collected in said third chamber;
- and
- a discharge means for each of said second and third chambers for respectively discharging said lighter and said heavier phases therefrom to an exterior of said centrifuge.
A solid-sleeve worm centrifuge for the continuous separation of solids-liquids mixtures and mixtures of liquids of varying densities comprising:
- a generally cylindrical vessel having a vertical wall at one end thereof and a conical taper at an opposite end thereof;
- a means for rotating said vessel;
- a spiral carried on the interior surface of said vessel, said spiral extending along the entire length of said vessel in a direction of liquid flow therein;
- an inlet means for charging said vessel with a mixture to be separated;
- a first partition mounted in the interior of said vessel substantially parallel to said vertical wall of said vessel and extending a first distance into the mixture to be separated;
- a second partition mounted in the interior of said vessel downstream of said first partition and substantially parallel thereto, said second partition extending a second distance into the mixture to be separated,
- said second distance being less than said first distance;
- whereby said first and second partitions in combination with said vessel form a first chamber for the hydrostatic collection of a light phase and a second chamber for the hydrostatic collection of a heavy phase in substantially pure form,
- a discharge means extending into said first chamber for removal of said light phase therefrom;
- a discharge means extending into said second chamber for removal of said heavy phase therefrom;
- and
- a discharge means disposed near an apex of said conical taper for discharging sediment collected and carried by said spiral.
Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.