Rotary annular crossflow filter, degasser, and sludge thickener

Apparatus for microbial inactivation by cavitation, comprising:

• at least one rotatable centrifugal impeller, the impeller having an axis of rotation at its center and comprising a rugose portion and an annular high shear crossflow filter, said filter disposed distal to said rugose portion with respect to the axis of rotation;
• means connected to the impeller for causing rotation of the impeller about the axis of rotation and thereby causing flow of a fluid radially outward away from said axis of rotation and over said rugose portion to said filter;
• a surface disposed approximately parallel to said impeller, the surface comprising a rugose portion opposing at least part of said rugose portion of the impeller and the surface and the impeller defining between them a radial passage, the radial passage having a radial impedance;
• an axial exhaust conduit communicating with the radial passage at the axis of rotation;
• and
• an axial feed conduit communicating with the radial passage at the axis of rotation.

An apparatus for continuous three way phase separation of a fluid mixture, comprising:

• a centrifugal impeller, the impeller having an axis of rotation at its center, and the impeller comprising an annular high shear crossflow filter distal to the axis of rotation;
• a static casing disposed opposite to said impeller and its filter such that the impeller and the casing define between them a radial passage, the radial passage having a radial impedance for increasing residence time of fluid within the radial passage and over the annular filter;
• means connected to the impeller for causing rotation of the impeller and its annular filter about the axis of rotation and thereby causing flow of a fluid radially outward away from said axis of rotation and over the annular filter to the radial impedance;
• an axial exhaust conduit communicating with the radial passage at the axis of rotation;
• and
• an axial feed conduit communicating with the radial passage at the axis of rotation.