Removal of particulates from frying oils

A system for use with a hot oil fryer of the type which cooks food products in hot oil, in which particulates from the food are shed into the hot oil in the fryer during the cooking operation, the fryer having an inlet to receive hot oil, and an outlet for recirculation of hot oil;

• said system comprising:
• a centrifugal separator of the type having a separator inlet, a cylindrical wall along which hot oil from the fryer is discharged from the inlet for separation of particulates, a separator outlet for oil from which particulates have been separated, and a separator drain port for release of separated particulates;
• a conduit from said separator outlet to return said oil to said fryer;
• a pair of closed vessels, each having a vessel inlet port and a vessel drain port, a barrier across the inside of each vessel, an aperture in each said barrier, a filter in each of said apertures the vessel inlet port and vessel drain port being on opposite sides of said barrier;
• a selector valve having an inlet connected to the separator drain port and an outlet connected to each of said vessel inlet ports, said selector valve having settings respective flow to one of said vessels and not to the other, and no flow to said one of said vessels and flow to the other;
• said vessel drain ports being connected to a return conduit to return separated oil to the fryer;
• each said vessel having a cover adapted to sealingly close the vessel, releasable means to hold the cover closed, and a hinge which mounts the cover to the vessel, said cover being adapted to be lifted in a hinge movement to give access to said filter;
• a first isolation valve between each vessel inlet port and the respective outlet of said selector valve;
• a second isolation valve between each vessel drain port and said return line;
• a rotatable shaft operatively connected to a first and second of said isolation valves adapted to set both respective isolation valves simultaneously in an open to flow or closed to flow condition;
• a temperature sensor and a pressure sensor responsive to these condition in each vessel;
• a position sensor responsive to the condition of each said first isolation valve;
• a safety latch adapted selectively to prevent and to permit said cover to be opened;
• and
• a controller responsive to said sensor adapted to actuate said safety latch.