Method and apparatus for removing solids from a liquid

A method for removing solids entrained in a solids-containing fluid, comprising:

• operating a centrifuge separator at a predetermined speed;
• temporarily storing the solids-containing fluid in a first container;
• placing said first container in fluid communication with a pump,
• pumping the solids-containing fluid into said centrifuge separator;
• controlling the volume of said solids-containing fluid pumped to said centrifuge separator in response to an angular moment of force in said centrifuge separator, said centrifuge separator separating the solids from the solids-containing fluid in said centrifuge separator to produce a fluid effluent:
• depositing the solids separated from the solids-containing fluid in a second container;
• and
• discharging the fluid effluent from said centrifuge separator to said first container.

A method for removing solids entrained in a solids-containing fluid, comprising:

• operating a centrifuge separator at a predetermined speed;
• pumping the solids-containing fluid into said centrifuge separator at a predetermined rate;
• controlling the volume of said solids-containing fluid pumped to said centrifuge separator in response to an angular moment of force in said centrifuge separator, said centrifuge separator separating the solids from the solids-containing fluid to produce a fluid effluent;
• driving said centrifuge separator with a motor;
• and
• adjusting the speed of said motor to drive said centrifuge separator at said predetermined speed.

A method for removing solids entrained in a solids-containing fluid, comprising:

• operating a centrifuge separator at a predetermined speed;
• pumping the solids-containing fluid into said centrifuge separator at a predetermined rate;
• controlling the volume of said solids-containing fluid pumped to said centrifuge separator in response to an angular moment of force in said centrifuge separator, said centrifuge separator separating the solids from the solids-containing fluid to produce a fluid effluent;
• selectively placing a pump in fluid communication with a source of the solids-containing fluid and said centrifuge separator;
• and
• driving said pump with a variable speed motor.

An apparatus for cleaning insolubles from a fluid mixture, comprising:

• a centrifuge separator;
• a pump coupled in fluid communication with said centrifuge separator for providing the fluid mixture thereto at an adjustable rate;
• a power source for driving said centrifuge separator and said pump;
• a control circuit operably coupled to said power source for adjusting the rate at which the fluid mixture is provided to said centrifuge separator in response to a measure of angular moment of force in said centrifuge separator produced by an influx of insolubles to said centrifuge separator;
• a tank for temporarily containing said fluid mixture and coupled in fluid communication with said pump and said centrifuge separator;
• a first conduit for introducing the fluid mixture into said tank;
• a second conduit having an inlet in said tank and in fluid communication with said pump for supplying the fluid mixture to said pump;
• a third conduit placing said pump in fluid communication with an inlet to said centrifuge separator for supplying the fluid mixture to said centrifuge separator;
• means for receiving a fluid effluent from said centrifuge separator generally free of insolubles;
• a fourth conduit in said tank for decanting fluid therefrom;
• and
• an agitator in said tank for suspending the insolubles in the fluid mixture contained therein.

An apparatus for cleaning insolubles from a fluid mixture, comprising:

• a centrifuge separator;
• a pump coupled in fluid communication with said centrifuge separator for providing the fluid mixture thereto at an adjustable rate;
• a power source for driving said centrifuge separator and said pump;
• a control circuit operably coupled to said power source for adjusting the rate at which the fluid mixture is provided to said centrifuge separator in response to a measure of angular moment of force in said centrifuge separator produced by an influx of insolubles to said centrifuge separator;
• a tank for temporarily containing said fluid mixture and coupled in fluid communication with said pump and said centrifuge separator, said tank including:
• a plurality of compartments defined in said container by at least one dividing wall, each of said compartments being in selective fluid communication with said pump and said centrifuge separator;
• and
• at least one gate in said at least one dividing wall to permit fluid communication between said plurality of compartments.

An apparatus for cleaning insolubles from a fluid mixture, comprising:

• a centrifuge separator, said centrifuge separator located above a container for receiving insolubles cleaned from said fluid mixture;
• a pump coupled in fluid communication with said centrifuge separator for proving the fluid mixture thereto at an adjustable rate;
• a power source for driving said centrifuge separator and said pump;
• a control circuit operably coupled to said power source for adjusting the rate at which the fluid mixture is provided to said centrifuge separator in response to a measure of an angular moment of force in said centrifuge separator produced by an influx of insolubles to said centrifuge separator;
• a conveyor partially disposed in said container for conveying the insolubles deposited therein;
• and
• a solidification machine for receiving the insolubles conveyed by said conveyor from said container, for mixing the insolubles with an additive for binding the insolubles.

An apparatus for cleaning insolubles from a fluid mixture, comprising:

• a centrifuge separator;
• a pump coupled in fluid communication with said centrifuge separator for providing the fluid mixture thereto at an adjustable rate;
• a power source for driving said centrifuge separator and said pump;
• a control circuit operably coupled to said power source for adjusting the rate at which the fluid mixture is provided to said centrifuge separator in response to a measure of angular moment of force in said centrifuge separator produced by an influx of insolubles to said centrifuge separator;
• said control circuit includes:
• a sensor for indirectly detecting said angular moment of force in said centrifuge separator and outputting a signal in response thereto;
• a logic circuit for receiving said output signal from said sensor and outputting a control signal in response to said output signal from said sensor;
• a controller receiving said control signal from said logic circuit;
• an amplifier operably coupled to said power source;
• and
• a circuit operably interconnecting said amplifier with said controller for enabling and disabling said controller to provide both manual and automatic adjustment of the rate at which the fluid mixture is supplied to said centrifuge separator in response to said angular moment of force in said centrifuge separator.