EP3148701B1 - Separator - Google Patents

Description

The invention relates to a separator according to the preamble of claim 1.

Centrifugal separators for realizing continuous operation have been known for a long time, for example in an embodiment as nozzle separators from FIG JP 62-117649 A . In addition to nozzle separators, those with solids discharge openings are known to which a hydraulically actuated piston valve is assigned, with which the solids discharge openings can be closed and released. A separator without solids discharge in a design as a separator shows U.S. 2,017,734 . A separator with solid drum lower and drum upper parts screwed together also shows U.S. 2,286,354 .

From the U.S. 3,012,710 a separator with a double-conical drum with a conical upper part and a conical lower drum part is known, the upper drum part and the upper drum part being screwed together.

From the U.S. 5,637,217 a separator with a drum with an upper part and a lower drum part is known, the drum having an exchangeable insert with separating plates.

the FR 971 978 A discloses a drum with an internal liner.

From the WO 2014/000829 A1 In addition, a generic separator for separating a flowable product into different phases or for clarifying a product is known, which has a rotatable drum with a lower drum part and an upper drum part and a means arranged in the drum for clarifying, with one, several or all of the following elements Plastic or a plastic composite material consist of: the lower part of the drum, the upper part of the drum, the clarifying agent. In this way it is possible to design part of the drum or preferably even the entire drum - preferably in addition to the inlet and outlet systems or areas - for single use, which is particularly important with regard to the processing of pharmaceutical products such as fermentation broths or the like. Is of interest and advantage because after the operation for processing a corresponding product batch in continuous operation during the processing of the product batch, no cleaning of the drum has to be carried out, but the drum as a whole can be replaced. This separator is therefore very advantageous, especially from a hygienic point of view.

It is therefore desirable - and this is the object of the invention - a further improvement in the running properties and also the manageability of the generic construction.

The invention solves these problems by the subject matter of claim 1.

According to the characterizing part of claim 1, it is initially provided that the drum has an external support device and a drum - called the internal drum - arranged inside the support device. A means for clarifying (or optimizing the clarifying effect) the product to be processed in the centrifugal field is also arranged in the inner drum.

In this way, the running behavior of the rotating system, in particular the drum, is significantly improved in a simple manner, since the external support device stabilizes the system. Since this support device lies radially on the outside relative to the drum wall which delimits the drum interior, the actual drum delimiting the centrifugal chamber is hereinafter referred to as the "inner drum".

According to a variant, the outer support device is designed as an outer ring which axially surrounds the inner drum in sections. Such a ring in the form of a "bandage" stabilizes the construction on the outer circumference. The at least one stabilizing ring (or the plurality of rings) is preferably made of metal, but can also be made of a plastic or a plastic composite material. It is also conceivable to provide a contour, for example a ring-like pocket open axially in one direction, on the outer circumference of the inner drum, into which the stabilizing ring is inserted.

According to a preferred embodiment, it is also advantageous if the outer support device is designed as a circumferentially closed outer ring which axially surrounds the inner drum in sections.

According to another variant, the outer support device is designed as an outer drum which surrounds the inner drum completely or in sections. In this way in particular, the running behavior of the rotating system, in particular the drum, is significantly improved in a simple manner, since the outer drum stabilizes the system dynamically and mechanically. Both deflections of the rotating system in the radial direction to the axis of rotation D and the tendency to form unbalance can be significantly reduced. Both the inner drum and the support structure can - but do not have to - be designed with relatively thin walls. In particular, the inner drum, which is preferably to be changed after processing a product batch, can thereby be manufactured in a very material-saving manner.

Nevertheless, it remains possible to use the advantages of the material "plastic" or "plastic composite material", because it is still possible to use part of the drum - the inner drum and preferably its components - especially including the inlet and outlet systems or areas - for to design a single use, so that after the operation for processing a corresponding product batch in the preferably continuous and sanitary operation during the processing of the product batch, no cleaning of the drum has to be carried out but the drum as a whole is replaced. This exchange turns out to be particularly simple because the outer drum, which is preferably reused, does not require any major cleaning, since it preferably does not come into contact at all with the product to be processed. It therefore does not have to be cleaned and / or disinfected every time the inner drum is changed or only for a relatively short time.

The change of the inner drum and its assembly, disassembly and other handling can also be carried out in a simple manner, because since there is a stable outer drum construction into which the inner drum only has to be inserted, it is possible to only connect the drive to an electric motor the outer drum so that the inner drum only has to be removed from the outer drum when it is changed and another inner drum has to be reinserted into it, without the need for many complicated assembly steps such as establishing a drive connection to the drive shaft.

The outer drum can completely surround the inner drum. However, there is also good stabilization of the rotating system if the outer drum only surrounds the inner drum axially in sections, preferably over at least 50% of the axial length of the inner drum or more.

In the latter case, it is advantageous if the inner drum protrudes axially from the outer drum, which makes it easier to clearly separate and space the inlet and outlet areas of the inner drum from the outer drum.

It is particularly advantageous if the inner drum and the outer drum are made of different materials, since in this way the optimal materials can be selected for both elements, the outer drum and the inner drum. The inner drum preferably consists of a relatively thin-walled plastic or a plastic composite material so that it can be easily disposed of and the reusable outer drum of metal, in particular steel, so that its running properties can be optimized particularly well.

It is also advantageous that when a metallic outer drum and an inner drum made of plastic are used, the weight of the outer drum can significantly exceed that of the inner drum, so that the rotational behavior is essentially determined by the outer drum. For this purpose, the weight of the rotating parts of the metallic outer drum is preferably more than twice as great, in particular more than four times as great as the weight of the rotating parts made of plastic or the weight of the empty inner drum. The outer drum also makes it possible to design the inner drum with particularly thin walls, since it is stabilized by the outer drum.

In order to be able to easily and easily insert the inner drum into the outer drum, it is advantageous if the outer drum has an outer drum base and one of it Has detachable outer drum upper part. On the other hand, it is essentially advantageous for manufacturing reasons if the inner drum has an inner drum lower part and an inner drum upper part that can be preassembled or preassembled with it. This is because it is necessary to place various elements such as the clarifying agent, a feed pipe and the like in the inner drum during manufacture, which is simplified by the separation into the upper part and the lower part.

The assembly of the inner drum in the outer drum is particularly easy if the outer drum upper part is designed in the manner of a ring which is screwed to the outer drum lower part and which is designed to be axially open at the top so that the inner drum upper part protrudes axially out of it. The lower outer drum part and the upper outer drum part can also be connected in other ways. An advantageous variant is a connection with screw bolts. A bayonet is also conceivable as a connecting means. Finally, it is advantageous to connect the outer drum upper part and the outer drum lower part to one another with a locking ring or to fix them relative to one another. For this purpose, a lower edge of the outer drum upper part is preferably inserted into the outer drum lower part, where it can rest on a collar. Then a ring with an external thread is screwed from above into an internal thread of the lower outer drum part, which fixes the upper outer drum part to the lower outer drum part.

In order to achieve a reliable rotation as possible without slippage between the inner drum and the outer drum, it is advantageous if the inner drum and the outer drum are non-rotatably and / or positively connected to one another in a non-rotatable manner.

For reasons of hygiene, it is also advantageous if an inlet system and an outlet system for the drum are formed exclusively on the inner drum, so that the outer drum does not come into contact with the product to be processed during operation. According to the invention, the inlet system and the outlet system are designed in a sealed design on the inner drum.

In a further refinement, it is advantageous if the inlet system and the outlet system have a cover ring body which, when in operation, does not interfere with the Drum rotating part is formed and if the feed system has a feed pipe which is designed as a rotating element with the drum. For this purpose, the cover ring body is preferably connected non-rotatably to an abutment of the separator outside the drum.

As a result, the transition of the product into the rotating system is already implemented at the inlet of the feed pipe, which simplifies the structure of the inner drum. The discharge system is preferably designed without centripetal pumps. The phases to be diverted flow from rotating channels between pipe ends // - sections into annular spaces in the non-rotating cover ring body and from there into non-rotating discharge lines and downstream tanks or the like.

However, it is also conceivable, according to a less preferred variant, which is structurally more complex, to implement the drainage system with the help of one or more grippers made of plastic that guide the one or more phases separated in the centrifugal field out of the drum in the manner of centripetal pumps.

According to a further development, at least one or more of the tubular elements of the drum are axially displaceable in the annular body and a device for releasably fixing the tubular element in an axial position in the annular body is provided. The construction is thus stabilized in a simple manner for transport and cannot come loose. This safety device is only released at the installation site so that these elements can rotate relative to one another. This construction is useful with an inner drum but also with a drum without an inner drum, for example on the type of WO 2014/000829 A1 .

It is also advantageous if the transport lock is used when removing the drum. For this purpose, the transport lock is reactivated after / when removing the inner drum so that it can be removed and disposed of more easily. Line ends can be closed again (eg sticking or clamping or locking).

Overall, for reasons of handling, it is particularly advantageous if the inner drum, in particular the entire inner drum, together with the inlet and outlet system, is designed as an exchangeable, preassembled module. This module preferably consists wholly or in any case predominantly (i.e. in particular more than 70%, in particular more than 80% of the weight of the module) of plastic or a plastic composite material. It is also conceivable to provide limited local reinforcements, e.g. made of metal or plastic or another suitable material, in the area of the inner drum.

The actual inner drum is designed as a circumferentially closed drum which extends around the axis of rotation of the drum and which preferably forms a self-supporting unit. This self-supporting unit is so dimensionally stable that it retains its shape after it has been placed on the lower outer drum part without the upper outer drum part attached (at a standstill, i.e. not rotated). In this embodiment, it is therefore not a type of non-dimensionally stable bag or the like. The inner drum is also preferably not connected to the outer drum in a materially bonded manner, i.e. it is not a coating of the outer drum or the like.

The outer drum upper part should preferably have such a large central opening that it can be plugged in from above over the cover ring body with its inlet and outlet stubs and possibly attached hoses, which only have to be connected after assembly. In this way, the assembly of the inner drum can be implemented particularly easily and quickly after the outer drum upper part has been removed.

The means for clarifying a product to be processed from a phase containing more solids per volume than the other phase is preferably and advantageously in turn a separating plate package made of conical separating plates made of plastic, but can also be, for example, a one-piece clarifying / separating insert made of plastic according to the type DE 10 2008 052 630 A1 his or another means for clarifying a product of solid particles such as a ribbed body with radial ribs or the like. The separator drum is preferably used to further concentrate a product, that is, a phase containing more solids per unit volume, but preferably still flowable, is separated from a phase containing less solids with the means for clarifying. The term "means of clarification" is to be interpreted relatively. It also relates to this application, the clarifying agent being used here to further concentrate the product or to obtain a more concentrated phase.

Overall, with the concept of the inner drum, some and preferably even all of the product-contacting areas of the rotating system are made of a plastic or a plastic composite material, in particular the inner drum lower part and the inner drum upper part and the plate assembly. Preferably and advantageously with regard to a single use, the inlet system and the outlet system also consist entirely or predominantly of plastic or a plastic composite material.

It is advantageous if all or at least most of the parts of the inner drum that rotate during operation and the parts of its inlet and outlet system that does not rotate during operation - insofar as they come into contact with the product - are made of plastic - and if all of them - except where applicable. Seals to be provided - only a few parts, for example plastic injection-molded parts, are provided in terms of number. In addition, pipe sections can be designed as sleeves made of metal or parts of the inner drum or in / on the inner drum, in particular pipe sections, can be reinforced with one or more sleeves made of metal.

These are preferably the lower part of the inner drum, the upper part of the inner drum, the distributor, the separating means (preferably the plate insert for separating out solids), a separating plate and the diverter. There may also be sealing rings. In this way, a functional plastic centrifuge drum is created which consists of only a few components, which makes its manufacture and assembly particularly easy. The elements of the separating plate and the upper part of the inner drum could also be designed in one piece. In this case, the upper drum part would be provided directly with one or more channels through which one or more phases from one as on a separating plate or similarly Area of larger diameter in the drum to the tip of which can flow up to a discharge from the rotating system.

It is also particularly advantageous if the lower inner drum part and the upper inner drum part are permanently connected to one another during initial assembly in order to prevent attempts to be made to dismantle them and, if necessary, to reuse them after insufficient cleaning. Instead, the inner drum is completely disposed of or recycled. This is also advantageous in that sterility is guaranteed. The design is preferably such that no air can penetrate into the inner drum from the outside before installation and after removal.

The concept of the inner drum is like the one WO 2014/000829 A1 It is also possible to design part of the drum or preferably even the entire drum - preferably together with the inlet and outlet systems or areas - for single use, which is of interest and advantage in particular with regard to the processing of pharmaceutical products such as fermentation broths or the like , since after the operation for processing a corresponding product batch in continuous operation during the processing of the product batch, no cleaning of the drum has to be carried out but the drum as a whole is replaced. Hygienic problems associated with cleaning are hereby excluded in a simple manner. The parts that come into contact with the product can be disposed of entirely or recycled. Disposal is of particular interest in the case of hazardous substances. In turn, it is also conceivable to primarily concentrate a product to be processed during a product clarification process and to melt the inner drum after processing a batch or, for example, to dissolve it in an acid or the like in order to recover the heavy substance as a residue from this process . By using preferably thin-walled plastic parts, the manufacturing costs can also be kept relatively low.

It is again advantageous and particularly hygienic if the entire drum, in particular also its inlet system and its outlet system, is / are designed in a sealed design.

A recyclable plastic is preferably used as the plastic, in particular PE (polyethylene), PP (polypropylene) or TK-PEEK (in particular partially crystalline) polyether ether ketone. The materials PC (polycarbonate), MABS (methyl methacrylate-acrylonitrile-butadiene-styrene), ABS (acrylonitrile-butadiene-styrene) and PSU (polysulfone) are also conceivable (and this is not an exhaustive list).

The parts made of plastic could be manufactured in an injection molding process and, if necessary, reworked, e.g. provided with bores and the like, where necessary.

Screws and the like can also be made of plastic, but they can also be made of a different material, especially if they are not touched by the product during processing.

It is precisely the inner drum of the invention that runs particularly smoothly and is therefore well suited as an inner drum for an outer drum. The integrated means for clarifying in the inner drum as well as the advantageous form-locking means provided according to a further development for the surprisingly safe and good torque transmission between the inner drum and the outer drum are to be emphasized. Because taking the inner drum with you purely by jamming has proven to be less than optimal due to effects such as slippage and the like. The inner drum is so well suited for single use - in particular treated beforehand by radiation such as gamma radiation.

Further advantageous refinements can be found in the remaining subclaims.

Fig. 1

in a) eine Ansicht eines erfindungsgemäßen Separators mit einem Direktantrieb und mit geschnitten dargestelltem Gehäuse und Trommel, in b) eine detailliertere und ausschnittsvergrößerte Darstellung eines Außenumfangsbereiches einer Separatortrommel, in c) und d) alternative Ausgestaltungen des Bereiches aus a), in e) eine detailliertere und ausschnittsvergrößerte Darstellung eines Zu- und Ablaufbereiches des Separatortrommel aus Fig. 1a; und in f) eine ausschnittsvergrößerte Darstellung eines Außenumfangsbereichs einer weiteren Separatortrommel.

Fig. 2

einen Schnitt durch einen Zulaufbereich einer Separatortrommel;

Fig. 3

in a) einen Schnitt durch einen weiteren Zulaufbereich einer Separatortrommel und in b) und c) Schnitte senkrecht zur Ansicht a) einmal in einer Transportund einmal in einer Nichttransportstellung;

Fig. 4

einen Schnitt durch einen Zulaufbereich einer Separatortrommel; und

Fig. 5, 6 und 7

Schnittansichten eines Teilbereichs aus Fig. 1a in alternativen Ausgestaltungen.

The invention is described in more detail below on the basis of exemplary embodiments with reference to the figures. It shows:

Fig. 1

in a) a view of a separator according to the invention with a direct drive and with the housing and drum shown in section, in b) a more detailed view and enlarged section of an outer peripheral area of a separator drum, in c) and d) alternative configurations of the area from a), in e) a more detailed and enlarged section of an inlet and outlet area of the separator drum Fig. 1a ; and in f) an enlarged detail view of an outer circumferential area of a further separator drum.

Fig. 2

a section through an inlet area of a separator drum;

Fig. 3

in a) a section through a further inlet area of a separator drum and in b) and c) sections perpendicular to the view a) once in a transport and once in a non-transport position;

Fig. 4

a section through an inlet area of a separator drum; and

Figures 5, 6 and 7

Section views of a partial area Fig. 1a in alternative configurations.

Fig. 1 shows a section through the area of a housing 1 and a drum 2 of a separator according to the invention, with which a liquid product can be separated into two phases in a centrifugal field. The drum 2 has a vertical axis of rotation D. Terms used below such as “above” or “below” relate to the orientation of elements of the separator in relation to this vertical axis of rotation.

The housing 1 has a lower base 3, a housing jacket 4 and an upper cover 5. The base 3 in turn has a passage 6 through which a rotatable drive spindle 7 passes. A drive motor 8 is preferably arranged directly below the base 3. This drive motor 8 is used to drive the drive spindle 7. Alternative configurations are conceivable, for example one in which the drive spindle 7 is driven with a drive belt or the like, the drive motor then being arranged elsewhere. However, a direct drive is preferred, in particular on the type of Fig. 1 , in which the drive shaft of the motor is arranged directly in a vertical extension of the drive spindle 7 is. In this case, the spindle construction does not have its own mounting, which makes the construction simple and relatively inexpensive to implement. This construction is simple and robust and very well suited for the lightweight drum construction. The function of mounting the drum is carried out in a simple manner by the electric motor or its rotor mounting

On the vertically upper end of the drive spindle 7, the drum 2 is in turn placed non-rotatably relative to the drive spindle 7, so that it can be set in rotation by the drive spindle 7 and the drive motor 8.

The drive spindle 7 could be rotatably mounted in the housing 1, here in the base 3, with one or more bearings. However, such a storage can also be dispensed with. Rather, a gap 9 is formed between the outer circumference of the drive spindle and the inner circumference of the passage 6 of the base 3. In this way, a mounting of a drive shaft 10 in the motor housing of the drive motor 8, on which the drive spindle 7 is fixed or on which it is formed in another way, can also be used in a simple manner for mounting the entire rotating system, which consists of the drum 2 and the drive spindle 7 exists, can be used. It is therefore also preferred that the drive spindle 7 is coupled directly to the output shaft of the motor and that the drive spindle 7 has no additional rotary bearing - for example no neck bearing and no foot bearing - on its outer circumference. Preferably, there is also no spring system for resilient support in the area of the drive spindle. A seal 72 ensures that the gap 9 is sealed. The seal 72 can, for example, be a mechanical seal or another suitable seal in the annular gap 9 between the parts 3, 7 rotating relative to one another.

The structure of the drum 2 will now be explained in more detail below, which differs considerably from the structure of known structures.

This is because the drum 2 has an outer drum 11, which can also be designed as an outer drum section - and an inner drum 12.

The outer drum section or the outer drum 11 and the inner drum 12 are preferably made of different materials. The outer drum 11 is preferably made of metal, in particular steel, and the inner drum 12 is preferably wholly or at least partially, in particular predominantly, made of a plastic or a plastic composite material.

The outer drum 11 serves as a type of holder in which the inner drum 12 is inserted. This holder completely surrounds the inner drum 12 in the vertical or axial direction, at least in sections, or encloses it. The outer drum 11 and the inner drum 12 are preferably connected to one another in a rotationally fixed manner. This can be achieved in particular by a form fit and / or force fit between the outer drum 11 and the inner drum 12.

The outer drum 11 has an outer drum lower part 13 which, essentially like the drum lower part of known separators, can be designed or is here without an inner drum. The outer drum lower part 13 is placed non-rotatably on the drive spindle 7 and preferably has a single or, here, preferably double-conical inner shape, which leads to good rotating and separating behavior on the separator drum. The outer drum 11 also preferably has an outer drum upper part 14. The lower outer drum part 13 and the upper outer drum part 14 preferably have corresponding threads 71, in the area of which they are screwed directly to one another. Here the thread of the outer drum lower part section is designed as an inner thread of the drum lower part and the thread of the outer drum upper part 14 is designed as a corresponding outer thread.

The outer drum upper part 14 is also conical. It is also designed as a ring that is non-rotatably connected at the bottom to the lower outer drum part 13 and is designed to be open at the top so that the inner drum 12 protrudes vertically or axially upward from the outer drum, here from the upper outer drum part 14. The outer drum upper part 14 preferably extends only into the conical section of the inner drum upper part 17, so that the latter still protrudes vertically upwards from the outer drum upper part 14 with part of its conical area (preferably more than 20% of the vertical length of this area). It it has been shown that this already leads to very good turning behavior. The upper part of the outer drum can be reduced to a conical ring in this way.

Since the lower outer drum part 13 and the upper outer drum part 14 are preferably made of metal, in particular steel, and preferably at least the lower drum part is designed like that of a separator drum without an inner drum 12, they can largely offer the smoothness, stability and safety of a known modern metal separator drum. Since the outer drum 11 surrounds the inner drum 12 in sections or entirely on the outside, the outer drum stabilizes the inner drum. In particular, the outer drum 11 advantageously contributes to optimizing the running properties of the entire drum 2 during operation at high speed. In addition, the wall thickness of the inner drum 12 can also be selected to be much thinner than that of a separator drum consisting solely of plastic without an outer drum 11, as in FIG WO 2014/000829 A1 suggested.

The inner drum 12, on the other hand, delimits the actual separating or centrifugal chamber 15 to the outside for the centrifugal processing of a flowable product.

With regard to its shape, the inner drum 12 is designed in such a way that it preferably rests directly against the inner circumference of the outer drum in a largely form-fitting manner.

The inner drum 11 has an inner drum lower part 16 and an inner drum upper part 17. The inner drum lower part 16 and the inner drum upper part 17 are preferably each conical, so that a double-conical body is formed. The parts 16 and 17 consist of plastic or a plastic composite material and are connected to one another in a liquid-tight manner, in particular in the upper (inner drum lower part 16) and lower (inner drum upper part 17) flange areas 18, 19 (see FIG Figure 1b ).

There is preferably an integral connection between the inner drum lower part 16 and the inner drum upper part 17 and possibly other elements of the inner drum 12 is provided, which in the sense of this document can be achieved, for example, by fusing but also by gluing.

Other types of connection are also conceivable, such as a bayonet lock between the elements to be connected, inner drum lower part 16 and inner drum upper part 17. The Figure 1c and 1d each illustrate different connection variants between the elements to be connected inner drum lower part 16 and inner drum upper part 17, in which these are connected to one another via a latching connection.

For this purpose, there is / are either on the upper part of the inner drum 17 ( Figure 1c ) or on the inner drum base 16 ( Fig. 1d ) one or more first and second latching means 60, 63 are provided, which are intended to interact with a corresponding latching edge or contour on the other inner drum part. The first latching means 60 can be designed as one or more webs 61 axially formed on the outer circumference of the inner drum upper part 17, axially in the direction of the inner drum lower part, with a radially inwardly projecting latching contour 62, which the inner drum lower part 16 on the outer circumferential edge - the thus the counter-locking means forms - reaches under. Alternatively, the webs 61 can be formed with a radially inwardly projecting locking contour 62 on the inner drum lower part 16 and overlap the inner drum upper part 17 on the outer circumferential edge - which thus forms the counter-locking means 63.

Other connection variants between the inner drum lower part 16 and the inner drum upper part 17 can also be advantageously implemented, for example screw connections with plastic screws and nuts or the like (not shown here). It is also an expedient connection if the inner drum lower part and the inner drum upper part are clamped together on their outer circumference with one or more clamps (not shown here). These types of connections between the inner drum parts 16, 17 are easy to handle, can be implemented inexpensively and are nevertheless very functionally reliable.

Between the flange areas 18, 19 between the lower inner drum part 16 and the upper inner drum part 17, at least one preferably circumferential sealing ring 64 can be arranged axially in order to ensure the tightness of the (plastic) inner drum ( Figure 1c and 1f ).

This sealing ring 64 can be a separately inserted sealing ring or it can be designed as a sealing ring strip which is injection molded onto one or both of the flange areas.

To Fig. 1f the inner drum lower part 16 and the inner drum upper part 17 each have in the region of their largest outer circumference upwards (inner drum lower part 16) and downwards (inner drum upper part 17) channels 82, 83 which are open and have a U-shaped cross-section, which mesh with one another when the inner drum 12 is in the assembled state Form a circumferentially closed annular space 84 in cross section. The sealing ring 64 is arranged in the annular space 84. When it rotates, it lies radially outwards and widens so that the annular space or the interior of the inner drum 12 is well sealed. In addition, a lock such as a latching can be formed between the inner drum lower part 16 and the inner drum upper part 17. The outer drum lower part 13 extends in Fig. 1f advantageously vertically so far upwards that it stabilizes the inner drum in the area of the grooves 82, 83 radially on the outside.

In Fig. 1f Incidentally, the inner drum upper part 17 is screwed to the inner drum lower part with a stepped locking ring 85, with corresponding threads 86 being formed between the locking ring 85 and the inner drum lower part 17, and the locking ring 85 pressing the inner drum upper part 17 against the inner drum lower part 16. A very good sealing effect is also supported in this way.

A here lower section 20 of the inner drum lower part 16 closes axially upwards as a separate part or as a one-piece with the inner drum lower part, coaxially surrounding the axis of rotation D distributor, in particular distributor attachment 21 (see again Fig. 1a ), which has a complete distributor for introducing the material to be centrifuged into the inner drum interior or centrifugal chamber 15 and to accelerate the material to be centrifuged in the circumferential direction when the drum 2 rotates.

In the upper region of the distributor attachment 21, for example, a blind hole-like bore is formed, into which an inlet pipe 23 opens. The inlet pipe 23 can also be molded directly onto the distributor attachment or formed directly in one piece with it in some other way. The inlet pipe 23 and the distributor attachment 21 form an inlet system which is preferably advantageously designed to be sealed off from the environment. The inlet pipe 23 preferably projects axially upward from the inner drum upper part 17 and rotates with the drum 2 during operation.

At the lower end, the distributor attachment 21 opens into one or more distributor channels 24, which are designed at an angle to the axis of rotation and here likewise open at an angle into the actual centrifugal chamber 15.

In the centrifugal chamber 15, separating means or means for clarification, such as in particular a one-part or preferably multi-part plate pack 25, are arranged that is designed as a stack of axially spaced separating plates 26, which have a conical basic shape and which are preferably placed on the distributor attachment 21 so that they cannot rotate. The separating means for clarification could also be designed in a different form, for example as a rib body with radial or arcuate ribs. The separation plates 26 have the same or different radii.

The distributor attachment or distributor 21 can also be designed in one piece with the means for clarifying, if this is a clarifying insert made of plastic with clarifying chambers of the type DE 10 2008 052 630 A1 is trained. A product introduced into the inner drum interior or centrifugal chamber 15 is separated in the drum 2 into different, preferably two, product phases of different densities.

A drainage system with two or more drainage areas is used to derive the various product phases from the drum 2.

So a lighter liquid phase flows radially inwards and is there (see Figures 1a and e ) in a channel 27 on the outside of the distributor attachment 21 axially upwards into an annular channel 28, which is formed between the outer circumference of the inlet pipe 23 and a pipe section 29 of larger diameter, which also protrudes from above into the inner drum upper part 17.

At the bottom of this pipe section 29, a conical plate is attached, in particular glued or molded, which is arranged like an upper separating plate 30 above the separating plate package, being spaced from the upper drum part so that a gap is formed between the upper drum part and the separating plate. At the lower end there is a flange-like peripheral edge 31 (see Figure 1b ) placed between the flange areas 18, and 19 of the inner drum lower part 16 and the inner drum upper part 17 and there preferably firmly glued to them, which stabilizes the arrangement of the separating plate 30 and also gives the entire construction additional strength.

A heavier liquid phase (or a still just drainable, in particular just slightly flowable solid phase) is drawn from the area of the largest inner circumference of the drum interior through one or more bores 32 in the radially outer area of the separating plate into the gap 33, which functions as a channel, between the inner drum upper part 17 and the Separating plate 30, preferably up to a second annular channel 34 - or into one or more channels, which are preferably spaced apart by ribs, - between the pipe section 29 surrounding the inlet pipe and an axial pipe extension 45 of the inner drum upper part 17.

The heavier and the lighter liquid phase flow upwards out of the annular channels 28, 34 into annular spaces 35, 36 arranged axially one above the other in a cover ring body 37, which is attached to the housing 1 in a non-rotatable manner (in a manner to be explained in more detail below). It is advantageous that nozzles or the like leading radially out of the drum for discharging solids are dispensed with, so that there is no contact between the interior of the drum and the drum environment in the container.

The cover ring body 37 is preferably of stepped design and, in its vertically uppermost area, has a connection stub 38 as a connection option for an inlet line 75 (but which is shown in FIG Fig. 2 to be recognized and explained in more detail below). Starting from the connecting piece 38, the cover ring body 37 expands in stages. The internally hollow connecting piece 38 opens into an axially uppermost annular space 39 on the inner circumference of the cover ring body 37, in which the upper end of the inlet pipe 23 extends axially from below, which rotates with the drum during operation of the centrifuge and which opens into the annular space 39 , but at each point of the annular space 39 to the cover ring body 37 is spaced. In this way, the incoming and processed material to be centrifuged is transferred into the rotating system in a simple manner. At the bottom, each of the annular spaces 39, 35, 36 is preferably delimited by a sealing arrangement 40, 41, 42 on one or more (here two) sealing rings, which are arranged between the outer circumference of the inlet pipe 23 and the inner wall of the annular space. As sealing arrangements 40, 41, 42, two sealing rings axially spaced from one another, in particular in the manner of mechanical seals, are preferably provided.

Below the uppermost sealing arrangement 40, the cover ring body 37 widens further at a next step. Between the inlet pipe 23 and the inner circumference of the cover ring body 37, the middle annular space 36 between the outer circumference of the inlet pipe 23 and the inner circumference of the cover ring body 37 is formed below the uppermost seal arrangement 40 and above the middle seal arrangement 41. This serves to drain off the light liquid phase. For this purpose, a further connection piece 43 can be formed on the cover ring body 37, which preferably extends radially or at an angle away from the rest of the cover ring body 37. The pipe end, which adjoins the dividing plate 30, opens into this annular space 36 from below. The middle sealing arrangement 41 is arranged between the outer circumference of the pipe section 29 and the inner circumference of the cover ring body 37.

Below the central sealing arrangement 41, the cover ring body 37 widens again at a next step. Between the outer circumference of the pipe section 29 and the inner circumference of the cover ring body 37, the annular space 35 between the outer circumference of the pipe section 29 and the inner circumference of the cover ring body 37 is formed below the middle seal arrangement 41 and above the lower seal arrangement 42. This lower annular space 35 serves to divert a liquid phase that is relatively lighter and heavier from the rotating system.

For this purpose, a further connection piece 44 can be formed on the cover ring body 37, which extends (here at an angle) preferably radially away from the rest of the cover ring body 37. The lower sealing arrangement 42 is arranged between the outer circumference of the pipe extension 45 of the inner drum upper part 17 and the inner circumference of the cover ring body 37.

Leakage chambers 80 can be formed on the sealing arrangements 40, 41, 42, from which leakage fluid can flow out of the rotating system through connection pieces 81, lines and / or leakage containers being connected to the connection pieces 81 in turn).

The ring body 37 widens further below the sealing arrangement 42. It is fixed by means of fastening means on its lower peripheral edge to an upper opening of the housing, which the ring body and the pipe socket 45 and the elements penetrating this inside the pipe socket penetrate. This fixing can be done, for example, by means of circumferentially distributed screws 22 which are screwed tightly to the housing 1 (preferably to the cover 5). The ring body 37 can have corresponding threaded screw receptacles 73 for this purpose.

In order to connect the inner drum and the outer drum 12, 11 to one another in a simple manner in a rotationally fixed but detachable manner at a standstill, it can be provided that the inner drum 12 is connected to the outer drum 11 in a form-fitting and / or force-fitting manner.

A non-positive connection can be implemented in a simple manner in that the flange areas 18 and 19 as well as the outer edge 31 of the separating plate 30 extend into the screwing area between the lower outer drum part and the upper outer drum part, where they each rest against the steps of these parts and when the upper drum part is screwed together be clamped screwed between these in the lower part of the drum ( Figure 1b ).

In addition, positive locking means such as ribs 87 (and / or grooves) on the outer circumference of the inner drum and corresponding grooves 88 (and (or ribs) on the inner circumference of the outer drum 11 can be provided, which interlock and thus connect the two elements of the inner drum 12 and the outer drum 11 in a rotationally fixed manner ( Fig. 1a ).

It has proven to be particularly advantageous if one or more of the ribs 87 are distributed on the outside (on the outer surface or the outer casing of the outer drum), preferably circumferentially distributed on the inner drum lower part 16 and correspondingly one or more of the grooves 88 are circumferentially distributed on the outside (on the inner surface facing the inner drum) are formed on the outer drum lower part 13. The outer drum lower part 13 is here advantageously double-conical and has an inner conical area 13a and an oppositely oriented outer conical area 13b. The inner drum lower part 16 has a corresponding double-conical shape with an inner conical area 16a and an outer conical area 16b. The form-fit means (s), in particular ribs 87, is / are preferably formed on the outside of the inner conical region 16a of the inner drum lower part 16 or protrude from it and the corresponding form-fit means (s), in particular grooves / recesses 88, is / are correspondingly on the inner conical area Area 13a of the inner drum upper part 13 is formed on its inner surface. It is precisely the arrangement in this area close to the drive spindle 7 that enables a very good torque transmission from the outer drum to the inner drum that guarantees very smooth running. A torque transmission in other areas on the outside of the inner and outer drums is also conceivable.

In operation, the inner drum 12 will also lie, widening radially, on the inner circumference of the outer drum 11, which improves the torque transmission and the rotating entrainment of the inner drum 12 by the driven outer drum 11. Alternatively, it would also be conceivable to releasably connect the parts of the outer drum to one another in some other way, for example with screw bolts or the like, or by means of a bayonet.

In this way, some or all of the areas of the rotating system in contact with the product are preferably made of plastic or plastic composite material, in particular the lower inner drum part 16 and the upper inner drum part 17 of the feed system and the drainage system, even if they do not rotate during operation. In this way, the inner drum 12 can be disposed of after a sufficiently large batch of product has been processed. The preferably metallic outer drum 11, on the other hand, is used again. Since it cannot come into contact with the product during operation, cleaning it is very easy or less important. Due to the outer drum 11, the inner drum 12 can be made quite thin-walled. With complete disposal, there is accordingly very little plastic waste.

Fig. 1 shows an embodiment as a two-phase separating machine (separation of a product into the phases: "liquid / liquid"), three-phase machines (for separation into three phases) can also be implemented (not shown here). The product is preferably, but not necessarily, a fermentation broth to be concentrated

In this way, according to the invention, the entire inner drum, together with the inlet and outlet system, is designed as an exchangeable, preassembled module made of plastic or a plastic composite material.

The outer drum section 11 essentially serves as a holder for the inner drum 12, which in particular improves the running properties of the inner drum 12.

The design of the upper part of the outer drum as a ring is optimized in the experiment. It can thereby be determined up to which conical area the ring-like outer drum cover or the outer drum upper part must surround the inner drum upper part upwards.

The structure of the housing 1 will be considered in more detail below. The housing 1 has the base 3, a preferably cylindrical housing jacket 4 and the cover 5. Only in the area of the cover ring body 37 does the housing come into contact with the plastic area that can be disposed of after operation.

The base 3 is designed here as a separate base plate 46. Preferably, but not necessarily, the base plate 46 is round. The housing jacket 4 is arranged on the floor. Here, an edge area of the base serves as a flange-like support surface 47 for a lower flange section 48 of the housing jacket 4, which is cylindrical in this preferred embodiment. The housing jacket 4 also has an upper flange section 49 on which the cover 5 is screwed.

The base plate 36 can be used to rest on an abutment, not shown here, such as a foundation or a machine frame. For this purpose, bores 74 are also formed in the flange section 48, to which the flange section can be fixed to the abutment (for example with screws not shown here).

It is advantageous that the housing 1 has a drain opening 59, preferably in its bottom 3, through which any liquid - which occurs in the housing, for example due to an unforeseen leakage or which would collect there for other reasons - can flow off. For this purpose, a discharge line such as a drain hose for discharging this liquid into a container can be arranged at a connection of the opening 59.

A particularly compact design is achieved in that - as already mentioned at the beginning - the drive motor is preferably an electric motor which is directly is arranged in the axial extension of the drive spindle 7, preferably on the side facing away from the drum. The drive spindle 7 is preferably axially connected directly to the output shaft 10 by means of a bolt. It is also connected to the output shaft of the electric motor in a rotationally fixed manner in the circumferential direction by means of a torque transmission means, preferably a feather key (not shown here). The torque transmission means can also be designed in a different form, for example as a torque transmission contour (not shown here in each case). A terminal box 75 is arranged on the motor 8.

The rotatable drum 2 can be connected to the drive spindle construction with a press fit (e.g. in a conical section) or by means of some other torque transmission means (not shown here). The motor 8 is also fastened here on its side facing the spindle 7 with a flange section 50 on the bottom of the housing 1, for example screwed on with screw bolts. A terminal box 51 is also arranged on the motor 8.

Advantageous possibilities of securing the rotating system made of plastic during transport are described in more detail. As explained above, it is possible to replace the plastic rotating system from time to time. For this purpose, the invention also provides a device for at least axially securing the cover ring body 37 to an element of the rotating system of the separator of the inner drum, in any case in the transport state, i.e. in the state not mounted in the outer drum and in the housing 1.

Since the ring body, as a part that does not rotate during operation, is connected to the parts that rotate during operation with which it forms annular chambers, only via the sealing arrangements 40, 41, 42, there would be the risk that the at least axial transport security would not be Cover ring body 37 could loosen axially. In operation, however, this does not exist, since both the inner drum 12 via the outer drum base on the motor and via this on the housing 1 and the cover ring body 37 are supported directly on the housing 1 and are therefore axially sufficiently fixed in position relative to one another.

In Fig. 2 an upper section of the cover ring body 37 with the connecting piece 38 as a connection option for a hose-like inlet line 75 and an upper section of the inlet pipe and the upper sealing arrangement 40 are shown. are preferably pre-assembled with adhesive. The hoses can be glued shut at the ends facing away from the connecting pieces. Before commissioning, the glued ends are cut off and welded to a piece of tubing that comes from the fermenter, for example. Other variants for connecting the hoses and nozzles and for closing any open line ends are also conceivable. For example, coupling elements are conceivable for connecting, which are designed to be latching, for example, or closing the ends with cable ties or similar elements is conceivable.

the Figs. 2 to 4 also show the inlet pipe 23 in an axially further (here upwards in the direction of the upper connection stub 38) pushed into the body 37 (dashed line) and in a slightly further axially downwardly moved state (solid line). The dashed state or the further pushed-in state of the inlet pipe 23 indicates the transport state and the non-dashed state indicates the installation state in the outer drum 11 for operation.

In Figs. 2 to 4 Variants of the device for at least axially securing the cover ring body to an element of the rotating system of the separator of the inner drum are shown in any case in the transport state, ie in the state not mounted in the outer drum 11 and in the housing 1.

The axial transport lock is based on a force fit and / or form fit.

To Fig. 2 a combined force and form fit is realized. Here, a projection 53 arranged on a leaf spring 52, for example a pin, engages in an annular groove 54 on the outer circumference of the inlet pipe 23 when it is pushed further into the cover ring body 37. The force of the spring is chosen in such a way that a good transport security is realized, but that it is still possible after To release the transport lock during transport during installation by means of a targeted axial movement of the inlet pipe downwards.

To Fig. 3 Such a form fit is achieved in an annular groove 54 of the inlet pipe 23 in that a radially inwardly projecting web 55 on the cover ring body 37 engages on the inside in the annular groove 54 of the inlet pipe 23. By means of a taper / bevel 56 at the free upper end of the inlet pipe 23, it can be pushed into the transport securing position shown in dashed lines, in particular before the disposal of the rotating system or before the initial transport.

To release the cover ring body 37 must be rotated so that the web 55 is aligned with a radial groove 57 above the annular groove 54. In this position, the discharge pipe can be pulled into its operating position, not shown in dashed lines (see Fig. 3b, c ).

To Fig. 4 A releasable frictional connection is achieved by placing a type of tension ring 58 (similar to a tensionable hose clamp) around the outside of the cover ring body 37 and clamped it so that it presses the cover ring body 37 with a force fit onto the outer circumference of the feed pipe 23 that is pushed in further.

the Fig. 5 and 6th illustrate that reinforcement elements made of plastic, in particular the inner drum, can be provided locally. Here these reinforcing elements are designed as sleeves 76, 77, 78. These sleeves lie protectively radially between each one of the sealing arrangements 40, 41, 42 and the associated inner pipe / pipe section / pipe socket 23, 29, 45 and reinforce them. Alternatively, one or more of the sleeves can themselves also form a section of a pipe / pipe section / pipe extension 23, 29, 45. Such a configuration shows Fig. 7 . Here, a sleeve 23a forms an axial end of the inlet pipe 23. The sealing arrangement 40 is arranged radially on the outside of the sleeve 23a.

The sleeves 23a, 76, 77, 78 can be designed to be insulating or heat-conducting, depending on the requirements. They are preferably also made of plastic (preferably a high temperature resistant and preferably high strength Plastic). However, it is also conceivable and preferred to manufacture them in a different way, for example from other materials, including plastic composite materials or other composite materials. Reinforcement elements made in particular of glass, metal, plastic-to-metal compounds (e.g. plastic with metal fabric to dissipate heat) are conceivable. These are possibly separated during recycling or disposal.

It is particularly advantageous that the sleeves 23a, 76, 77, 78 heat up less than the rest of the pipe / pipe section / pipe socket 23, 29, 45 due to the choice of material made of metal. In this case, it is particularly advantageous if the sleeve virtually alone forms a pipe section of the pipe / pipe section / pipe extension 23, 29, 45.

If the sleeve - for example 23a - itself forms a section, in particular one end of a pipe, it is expedient to connect this firmly to the rest of the pipe / pipe section / pipe socket 23, 29, 45, preferably inseparably. In the latter case, it is advisable to glue the sleeve to the remaining pipe / pipe section / pipe socket 23, 29, 45 or to place it in the appropriate mold when the plastic pipe is injection-molded, so that an intimate connection, in particular between Metal and plastic is created. The sleeve 23a, 76, 77, 78 and the pipe / pipe section / pipe socket 23, 29, 45 can also overlap or engage in one another in sections ( Fig. 7 ).

In one embodiment of the sleeve made of metal, the sleeve has a relatively high heat absorption capacity, so that it does not heat up too much, in particular when the drum is started up to operating speed. This in turn protects temperature-sensitive elements, in particular the mechanical seals arranged in their area, which are preferably adjacent to them.

To Fig. 6 have one or more of the sleeves 76, 77, 78 - here on the inner peripheral edge - one or more grooves, in particular annular grooves 79, or one or more chambers, which is reduced by the formation of air chambers it contributes to heat conduction and therefore protects the adjacent elements, especially seals.

Reference number

casing 1 drum 2 floor 3 Housing jacket 4th cover 5 execution 6th Drive spindle 7th Drive motor 8th gap 9 drive shaft 10 Outer drum 11 Inner drum 12th Outer drum base 13th Conical areas 13a, b Outer drum shell 14th Centrifugal chamber 15th Inner drum base 16 Conical areas 16a, b Inner drum shell 17th Flange areas 18, 19 section 20th Distribution approach 21 Screws 22nd Inlet pipe 23 Distribution channels 24 Plate package 25th Separating plate 26th channel 27 Ring channel 28 Pipe section 29 Separating plate 30th Peripheral edge 31 Drilling 32 gap 33 Ring channel 34 Annulus 35, 36 Cover ring body 37 Connection piece 38 Annulus 39 Sealing arrangement 40, 41, 42 Connection piece 43 Connection piece 44 Pipe socket 45 Base plate 46 Support surface 47 Flange section 48 Drilling 49 Flange section 50 Terminal box 51 Leaf spring 52 head Start 53 Ring groove 54 web 55 Taper / bevel 56 Radial groove 57 Tension ring 58 Drain opening 59 Locking means 60 Bridges 61 Latching contour 62 Locking means 63 Sealing ring 64 thread 71 poetry 72 Screw mounts 73 Drilling 74 Inlet pipe 75 pods 76, 77, 78 Ring grooves 79 Leakage chambers 80 Leakage port 81 Gutters 82, 83 Annulus 84 Lock ring 85 thread 86 Ribs 87 Grooves 88 vertical axis of rotation D.

Claims (27)

1. Separator for the processing of a flowable product by centrifugation, having at least the following features:

   a. a rotatable drum (2) which delimits a centrifuging chamber (15), and characterized in that

   b. the drum (2) has an outer support device and an inner drum (12) inserted into and arranged in the outer support device, and in that

   c. a means for the clarification of the product to be processed in the centrifugal area is arranged in the inner drum (12), wherein the means for clarification is a disk assembly (25) composed of a stack of partition disks (26),

   d. wherein the outer support device is designed in the form of circumferentially enclosed outer ring which surrounds the inner drum (12) axially in sections, and/or in that the outer support device is designed in the form of an outer drum (11) in which the inner drum (12) is arranged,

   e. wherein the outer drum (11) serves as a holder into which the inner drum (12) is inserted, and wherein the outer drum (11) surrounds the inner drum (12) axially only in sections so that the inner drum (12) protrudes axially out of the outer drum (11) or wherein the outer drum (11) surrounds the inner drum (12) axially completely,

   f. wherein the entire inner drum (12), in addition to an inflow and outflow system, is configured as an exchangeable, preassembled module,

   g. which is composed of plastic or of a composite plastic material, and

   h. wherein the inflow system and the outflow system are formed, in a sealed type of construction, on the inner drum (12).
2. Separator according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the inner drum and the outer drum (12, 11) are composed of different materials, wherein the inner drum (12) is composed of plastic or of a composite plastic material and wherein the outer drum (11) is composed of metal, in particular of steel.
3. Separator according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the outer drum (11) has an outer drum lower part (13) and an outer drum upper part (14), wherein the outer drum lower part (13) and the outer drum upper part (14) are fixed to one another by screw means, wherein the screw means comprise

   a. screw bolts or

   b. a fastener ring or

   c. a thread between the outer drum upper part (14) and the outer drum lower part (13).
4. Separator according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the inner drum (12) has an inner drum lower part (16) and an inner drum upper part, wherein the inner drum lower part (16) and the inner drum upper part (17) are connected to one another in non-disassemblable fashion, wherein preferably the inner drum lower part (16) and the inner drum upper part (17) are connected to each other in a materially bonded manner, in particular adhesively bonded or welded, and/or the inner drum lower part (16) and the inner drum upper part (17) are mechanically connected to one another, and/or at least one seal, in particular an encircling sealing ring (64), is arranged or formed between the inner drum lower part (16) and the inner drum upper part (17).
5. Separator according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the outer drum upper part (14) is formed in the manner of a ring and is formed so as to be open in an axially upward direction, such that the inner drum upper part protrudes axially out of said outer drum upper part.
6. Separator according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that one or both of the following parts is or are of conical design: the outer and the inner drum upper part (14, 17) and the outer and the inner drum lower part (13, 16), wherein preferably the outer drum lower part (13) is of doubly conical form and has an inner conical region (13a) and an outer conical region (13b), and in that the inner drum lower part (16) has a corresponding doubly conical shape with an inner conical region (16a) and an outer conical region (16b).
7. Separator according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the inner drum (12) and the outer drum (11) are connected in a rotationally fixed manner to one another in non-positively locking and/or positively locking fashion.
8. Separator according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the inner drum (12) and the outer drum (11) are connected in a rotationally fixed manner to one another by way of at least one or more corresponding positive-locking means, wherein the inner drum (12) has, as positive-locking means, at least one or more ribs (87) which engage(s) into one or more corresponding grooves (88) on the outer drum lower part (13), wherein preferably the one or more rib(s) (87) is/are formed on the inner conical region (16a) of the inner drum lower part (16) on the outer surface thereof, and in that the one or more grooves (88) is/are formed correspondingly on the inner conical region (13a) of the inner drum upper part (13) on the inner surface thereof.
9. Separator according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the outer drum (11) is driven by a drive motor (8).
10. Separator according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the stack of partition disks (26) is manufactured from plastic or from a composite plastic material.
11. Separator according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the outer drum upper part (14) extends as far as into the conical section of the inner drum upper part (17), in such a way that the latter still protrudes, by way of a part of its conical region, vertically upwardly out of the outer drum upper part (14).
12. Separator according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the outer drum lower part (13) is connected in a rotationally fixed manner to a drive spindle (7).
13. Separator according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that an inflow system and an outflow system of the drum are formed exclusively on the inner drum (12), and/or in that no solids discharge openings, which lead radially out of the inner drum (12) into the space surrounding the inner drum, are formed in the inner drum wall.
14. Separator according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the inflow system and the outflow system are formed, in a sealed type of construction, on the inner drum (12).
15. Separator according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the inner drum comprises the inflow system for feeding the flowable product and the outflow system for discharging different product phases from the drum (2), wherein the outflow system preferably comprises two or more outflow regions.
16. Separator according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the outflow system is formed free from a centripetal pump.
17. Separator according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the inflow system and the outflow system have a covering ring body (37) which does not rotate with the drum during operation, wherein the inflow system has an inflow pipe (23) which is formed as an element (2) which rotates with the drum, and wherein the inflow pipe (23) projects into the covering ring body (37).
18. Separator according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that one or more further pipe elements, which rotate with the drum (2) during operation, project into the ring body (37), wherein one or more seal arrangements (40, 41, 42) with in each case one or more sealing rings are arranged between the covering ring body (37) and rotating pipe elements or ends (23, 29, 45) of the drum.
19. Separator according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that at least one or more of the pipe elements that rotate with the drum during operation, in particular the inflow pipe (23), is/are guided in axially displaceable fashion in the covering ring body (37), and in that a device for the detachable fixing of the at least one pipe element in an axial position in the covering ring body (37) is provided, wherein preferably the device for the detachable fixing of the pipe element in an axial position in the covering ring body (37) realizes a detachable positive-locking and/or non-positive-locking action.
20. Separator according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the drum lower part is equipped with a distributor neck (21) which has distributed ducts for conducting the product to be processed from an inflow pipe into the centrifuging chamber or the drum interior chamber (15).
21. Separator according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that all regions of the drum (2) which come into contact with product during operation are composed of plastic or of a composite plastic material, and/or in that the drum (2) is arranged in a housing (1).
22. Separator according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the drive spindle (7) is driven by a drive belt, wherein in this case the drive motor (8) is arranged at a location other than directly beneath a floor (3) of the housing (1).
23. Separator according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that at least one outflow duct for a heavy product phase is integrated into the inner drum upper part (17), and/or in that the outflow regions of the outflow system are in the form of ring-shaped ducts which open axially into ring-shaped chambers of the covering ring body (37).
24. Separator according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that one or more reinforcement elements is or are provided within the inner drum, in particular for a pipe, pipe piece or pipe neck, wherein the one or more reinforcement elements is or are preferably in the form of sleeve(s) (76, 77, 78), wherein the sleeve is preferably composed of ceramic or metal.
25. Separator according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that all parts of the inner drum which rotate during operation and the parts of its inflow and outflow system which do not rotate in operation, insofar as said parts do not come into contact with the product, consist of plastic or of a plastic composite material.
26. Separator according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that all parts of the inner drum which rotate during operation and the parts of its inflow and outflow system which do not rotate in operation, insofar as said parts come into contact with the product, with the exception of seals to be provided optionally, consist of plastic or of a plastic composite material.
27. Separator according to claim 18, characterized in that the sealing arrangements are designed in the manner of mechanical seals.

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