EP3229970A1

EP3229970A1 - Separator

Info

Publication number: EP3229970A1
Application number: EP15804094.9A
Authority: EP
Inventors: Wilfried Mackel; Thomas Bathelt; Kathrin Quiter; Frank Taetz
Original assignee: GEA Mechanical Equipment GmbH
Current assignee: GEA Mechanical Equipment GmbH
Priority date: 2014-12-10
Filing date: 2015-11-27
Publication date: 2017-10-18
Anticipated expiration: 2035-11-27
Also published as: CN106999956B; US10780445B2; US20170333915A1; JP2017537790A; DE102014118289A1; WO2016091617A1; EP3229970B1; CN106999956A; TR201905262T4; JP6726202B2

Abstract

The invention relates to a separator for centrifugally processing a flowable product, comprising at least the following features: a rotatable drum (2), which bounds a centrifuging chamber (15), wherein the drum (2) has a feeding and removal system (27), which has at least one feeding device and one or more removal devices, which are composed of plastic or a plastic composite material. Said separator is characterized in that the drum has an outer supporting device and an inner drum (12) arranged in the outer supporting device, the inner drum is composed of plastic or a plastic composite material, and a means for clarifying the product to be processed in the centrifugal field is arranged in the inner drum (12), wherein the feeding device and the one or more removal devices extend into the inner drum (12) and are designed in such a way that the feeding device and the one or more removal devices do not rotate with the inner drum during operation and are glued and/or welded to each other at one or more points in such a way that the feeding device and the one or more removal devices are connected in a sealed manner, wherein the feeding and removal system (27) has one or two or more grippers (29, 30) as the removal device, each of which one or two or more grippers has a disk segment (29a, 30a) and a shaft segment (29b, 30b).

Description

separator

The invention relates to a separator according to the preamble of claim 1. Centrifugal separators for the realization of a continuous operation have long been known, so in an embodiment as nozzle separators from JP 62 - 1 17649 A. In addition to nozzle separators are those known with solids discharge, to which a hydraulically actuated piston valve is assigned, with which the Feststoffaustragsöffnungen closed and can be released. A separator without solids discharge in a training as a separator shows the US

2,017,734. US Pat. No. 2,286,354 also shows a separator with solid drum base and drum shell parts screwed together.

From WO 2014/000829 A1 a generic separator for separating a flowable product into different phases or for clarifying a product is also known, which has a rotatable drum with a drum base and a drum top and an arranged in the drum means for clarifying, wherein one, several or all of the following elements made of plastic or a plastic composite material: the drum base, the drum shell, the means for clarifying. Thus, it is possible to design a part of the drum or preferably even the entire drum - preferably in addition to the inflow and outflow systems or areas - for a single use, which is particularly of interest for the processing of pharmaceutical products such as fermentation broths or the like The advantage is that after the operation for processing a corresponding product batch in the continuous operation during the processing of the product batch, no cleaning of the drum has to be carried out but the drum can be exchanged overall. Especially from a hygienic point of view, this separator is very advantageous. It is therefore desirable - and this is the object of the invention - a further improvement of the running properties and also the handling 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 provided that the inlet device and the drainage device (s) are designed such that they erstcken corner in the drum, do not rotate with the drum during operation and that they are sealed together at one or more locations , in particular glued and / or welded. The inlet and outlet system formed in this way is easy to manufacture and, since it does not rotate during operation, is relatively light and can be sealed at only one or very few places relative to the rotating drum. It is particularly advantageous for a separator in which the drum consists of plastic or a plastic composite material.

In this case, the drum also has an outer support device and a drum disposed within the support device - called inner drum - on. In this way, the running behavior of the rotating system, in particular the drum, is significantly improved in a simple manner, since the outer support device stabilizes the system. Since this support device lies radially outward relative to the drum wall which delimits the drum interior, the actual drum bounding the centrifugal space is hereinafter called "inner drum." Then a means for clarifying the product to be processed in the centrifugal field is expediently arranged in the inner drum, for example a It is also structurally advantageous and simple if the inlet and outlet system as the inlet device has a feed pipe whose central axis is aligned with the axis of rotation of the drum in the assembled state and / or that the inlet and outlet system as the drainage device has one or two or more grippers, the / each have / has a disc portion and a shaft portion. Preferably, the inlet and outlet system has a single inlet device and two drainage devices, in particular in order to concentrate a product to be processed in that a light phase is separated from it. It is structurally advantageous and simple if the grippers are constructed of gripper components, each consisting of a pipe section and an annular disc section. This can in turn be realized simply by the fact that the gripper components each consist of plastic or plastic composite material and that they are preferably each formed in one piece. During assembly, the drum parts and the individual elements of the inlet and outlet system are preferably successively placed in succession from bottom to top axially superimposed while drum parts on the one hand and elements of the inlet and outlet system for the drum on the other hand at suitable locations welded together and / or bonded. Thus, for example, the divider plate can be mounted only when the disc pack and the support body are mounted and the inlet tube with the lower gripper. Then the gripper components of the second gripper are mounted and only then put the inner drum shell. Then the seal is set. Then finally the cover is mounted. Exemplary suitable welds are indicated by bold points in FIG. 1 b. The term "gripper" is synonymous with the term "paring disc" and the term "centripetal pump device".

Preferably, on the gripper components further constructively set in a simple manner, a cover which is designed as a multi-stepped, circumferentially closed tube with a cylindrical diameter, the stages each axially delimit pipe sections of different diameters and wherein the cover delimiting discharge chambers.

It is also advantageous if an annular disk section extends radially outwardly from the cover, which flange abuts the housing and is preferably releasably securable thereto. Preferably, at least one (preferably only a single) axially acting annular sealing device is further provided between the annular disc portion of the drum shell, in particular an inner drum shell, and the annular disc portion of the cover. The seal between the inlet and outlet system and the drum can therefore be reduced to only a single area, which is inexpensive. In addition, any heat development in the region of sliding parts in the region of the preferably single seal between these parts is minimized. It is also advantageous if above the Trenntellerpaktes a divider plate is arranged or formed, which is preferably provided on the upper side with ribs, so that between the underside of the inner drum shell and the top of the divider plate at least one channel-like gap is formed as a drainage channel.

According to a variant, the outer support device is designed as an outer ring, which axially surrounds the inner drum in sections. Such a "bandage" type ring stabilizes the structure on the outer circumference.The at least one stabilizing ring (or rings) is preferably made of metal, but may also be made of a plastic or a plastic composite material. A contour, for example an annular pocket open axially in one direction, is provided on the outer circumference of the inner drum into which the stabilizing ring is inserted It is also conceivable, however, that the outer support device is designed as a grid-like outer ring which surrounds the inner drum on a specific axial section.

According to another variant, the outer support device is formed as an outer drum, which surrounds the inner drum in whole or in sections. Especially in this way, the running behavior of the rotating system, in particular the drum is significantly improved, as the outer drum dynamically and mechanically stabilizes the system. Both deflections of the rotating system in the radial direction to the axis of rotation D and the tendency to unbalance can be significantly reduced. Both the inner drum and the support structure can - but need not - be designed relatively thin-walled. In particular, preferably to be changed after processing a product batch internal drum can be made very material-saving.

Nevertheless, it remains possible to take advantage of the material "plastic" or "plastic composite", because it is also possible, a part of the drum - the inner drum and preferably its components - in particular together with the inlet and outlet systems or areas - be designed for a single use, so that after the operation for processing a corresponding product batch during the processing of the product batch preferably continuous and sanitary operation no cleaning of the drum is carried out but the drum is replaced altogether. This replacement is particularly easy because the outer drum, which is preferably reused, does not require much cleaning since it preferably does not come into contact with the product being processed at all. It therefore does not have to be cleaned and / or disinfected each time the inner drum is changed or only for a relatively short time.

Also, the change of the inner drum and its assembly, disassembly and other handling can be carried out in a simple manner, since there is a stable outer drum construction in which the inner drum only has to be used, it is possible the drive connection to an electric motor only on the outer drum provide, so that the internal drum removed in a change only from the outer drum and another internal drum must be reinserted into this, without the need for many complicated assembly steps such as the preparation of a drive connection to the drive shaft are necessary.

The outer drum can completely surround the inner drum. But there is also already a good stabilization of the rotating system when the outer drum axially surrounds the inner drum only 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 out of 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 made of different materials, since in each case the optimal materials can be selected for both elements outer drum and inner drum. Preferably, the inner drum of a turn preferably relatively thin-walled plastic or a plastic composite, so that they can be easily disposed of and the reusable outer drum made of metal, especially steel, so that their running properties are particularly easy to optimize. It is also advantageous that when using a metallic outer drum and an inner drum made of plastic, 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. Preferably, the weight of the rotating parts of the metallic outer drum is more than twice as large, in particular more than four times as large as the weight of the rotating parts made of plastic or as the weight of the empty inner drum. By the outer drum, it is also possible to design the inner drum particularly thin-walled, since it is stabilized by the outer drum. In order to use the inner drum in the outer drum well and easy, it is advantageous if the outer drum has an outer drum base and a detachable outer drum upper part. On the other hand, it is advantageous for reasons of production, for example, if the inner drum has an inner drum lower part and an inner drum upper part which can be preassembled or preassembled therewith. For it is necessary to place in the inner drum in the manufacture of various elements such as the means for clarifying, a supply pipe and the like., Which is simplified by the separation in the upper part and lower part. Particularly easy is the assembly of the inner drum in the outer drum when the outer drum shell is formed in the manner of a ring which is bolted to the outer drum base and which is axially formed open at the top, so that the inner drum shell protrudes axially out of it. The outer drum base and the outer drum top can also be connected in other ways. An advantageous variant is a connection with bolts. Also conceivable is a bayonet 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, preferably a lower edge of the outer drum shell is inserted into the outer drum base, where it can rest on a collar. Then, a ring with external thread is screwed from above into an internal thread of the outer drum base, which fixes the outer drum shell on the outer drum base. In order to realize a safe rotation 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 with each other rotatably.

For reasons of hygiene, it is also advantageous if the inlet and outlet system of the drum are arranged exclusively on the inner drum and on the housing, so that the outer drum does not come into contact with the product to be processed during operation.

Overall, even with the concept of the inner drum, a part of and preferably all of the product-contacting areas of the rotating system consist of a plastic or a plastic composite material, in particular the inner drum lower part and the inner drum upper part and the disk package. Further preferably, the inlet and outlet system made of plastic or a plastic composite material.

It is particularly advantageous if all parts of the inner drum which rotate during operation and the parts of their inlet and outlet systems which do not rotate during operation - if they come into contact with the product - are made of plastic - and if a total of - except possibly to be provided seals - number of only a few parts, such as plastic injection molded parts, are provided. Preferably, these are the inner drum base, the inner drum shell, the manifold, the separation means (preferably the plate insert for separating solids), a separator plate and the inlet and outlet system with the grippers and the feed tube, which do not rotate.

In addition, there may be one or more sealing rings. In this way, a functional centrifuge drum made of plastic is created, which consists of only a very few components, which makes their production and assembly very easy.

It is also particularly advantageous if the inner drum base and the inner drum shell are permanently connected to each other during initial assembly, to prevent attempts to disassemble them and reuse if necessary after inadequate cleaning. Instead, the inner drum is completely disposed of or recycled. This is also advantageous that the sterility is guaranteed. The design is preferably such that no air can penetrate from the outside into the inner drum before installation and after removal.

With the concept of the inner drum, it is furthermore possible, as in WO 2014/000829 A1, to design a part of the drum or preferably even the entire drum-preferably in addition to the inlet and outlet systems or areas-for a single use, which is particularly advantageous for the processing of pharmaceutical products such as fermentation broths or the like. Of interest and advantage, since after operation for processing a corresponding product batch during the processing of the product batch preferably continuous operation no cleaning of the drum is carried out but the drum is replaced altogether. Hygienic problems associated with cleaning are thereby easily eliminated. The product-contacting parts can be disposed of completely or recycled. Disposal is of particular interest for hazardous substances. In turn, it is also conceivable, in the case of a clarification process of a product, to concentrate primarily on a concentration of a product. To perform the end product and melt the inner drum after processing a batch or, for example, in an acid or the like. Dissolve to recover the heavy material as a residue of this process. By using preferably thin-walled plastic parts, the production costs can also be kept relatively low.

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

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

The parts made of plastic could be produced by injection molding and optionally post-processed, e.g. be provided with holes and the like, where necessary.

Screws and the like. Can also be made of plastic, but they can, especially if they are not touched by the product during processing, also be made of a different material. Further advantageous embodiments can be found in the other dependent claims, which describe advantageous structural configurations.

The invention will be described in more detail by means of embodiments with reference to the figures. It shows:

1 shows in a) a view of a separator according to the invention with a direct drive, in b) a more detailed and enlarged detail representation of an accessory and the outlet area of the separator drum from a) and in c) a more detailed and enlarged view of an alternatively configured outer peripheral area of a separator drum of the type shown in FIG. 1 a). 1 a shows a section through the region of a housing 1 and a drum 2 of a separator according to the invention, with which a liquid product in the centrifugal field can be separated into two phases. The drum 2 has a vertical axis of rotation D. Terms used hereafter, such as "up" or "down", "radial", etc., refer to the orientation of elements of the separator with respect to this vertical axis of rotation.

The housing 1 has a lower bottom 3, a housing shell 4 and an upper cover 5. The bottom 3 in turn has a passage 6, which is penetrated by a rotatable drive spindle 7. Preferably, a drive motor 8 is arranged directly below the bottom 3. This drive motor 8 serves to drive the drive spindle 7. Alternative embodiments are conceivable, e.g. such, in which the drive spindle 7 is driven by a drive belt or the like., In which case the drive motor is arranged elsewhere. However, preference is given to a direct drive, in particular in the manner of FIG. 1 a, in which the drive shaft of the motor is arranged directly in the vertical extension of the drive spindle 7. It is preferably dispensed with a separate storage of the spindle design, which makes the construction simple and relatively inexpensive feasible. This construction is simple and robust and very suitable for the lightweight drum construction. The function of the storage of the drum takes over in a simple manner, the electric motor or its rotor bearing

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

The drive spindle 7 could be rotatably mounted in the housing 1, here in the bottom 3, with one or more bearings. But it can also be dispensed with such storage. Here is therefore a gap 9 between the outer circumference of the drive spindle and the inner circumference of the passage 6 of the bottom 3 is formed. Such a storage 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 a different way, in a simple manner for the storage of the entire rotating system consisting of the drum 2 and the drive spindle. 7 exists to be used. Thus, it is 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 pivot bearing - for example, no neck bearing and no Fußlager - on its outer circumference. Preferably, no spring system for resilient support in the region of the drive spindle is provided.

The structure of the drum 2 which is preferably used will now be explained in more detail below. The drum 2 has an outer drum 1 1, which may also be formed as an outer drum section - and an inner drum 12. The inner drum 12 is replaceable in the outer drum 1 1 used.

Preferably, the outer drum section or the outer drum 11 and the inner drum 12 are made of different materials. Particularly preferably, the outer drum 1 1 made of metal, in particular steel, and the inner drum 12 is preferably entirely or at least partially made of a plastic or a plastic composite material. The outer drum 1 1 serves as a kind of holder, in which the inner drum 12 is inserted and which surrounds the inner drum 12 in the vertical or axial direction at least partially fully or surrounds. Particularly preferably, the outer drum 1 1 and the inner drum 12 are rotatably connected to each other. This can be realized in particular by a positive and / or frictional connection between the outer drum 1 1 and the inner drum 12.

The outer drum 1 1 has an outer drum lower part 13, which essentially like the lower drum part of known separators without an inner drum ausgebil- can be or is here. The outer drum base 13 is rotatably mounted on the drive spindle 7 and preferably has on the inside a simple or here particularly preferably double conical inner shape. The outer drum 11 further preferably has an outer drum upper part 14. Preferably, the outer drum base 13 and the outer drum upper part 14 have corresponding threads, in the region of which they are screwed directly to one another. Here, the thread of the outer drum base portion is formed as an internal thread of the drum base and the thread of the outer drum shell 14 as a corresponding external thread.

The outer drum shell 14 is also conical. It is further formed as a ring which is rotatably connected below with the outer drum base 13 and which is open at the top, so that the inner drum 12 vertically or axially upwardly out of the outer drum, here from the outer drum shell 14 protrudes.

Since the outer drum base 13 and the outer drum shell 14 are preferably made of metal, in particular steel, and preferably at least the drum base is designed as a separator drum without inner drum 12, they can provide largely the smoothness and stability and safety of a known modern separator drum made of metal. Since the outer drum 1 1 surrounds the inner drum 12 partially or completely outside, stabilizes the outer drum, 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 chosen much thinner than that of a separator drum made entirely of plastic without an outer drum 11, as proposed in WO 2014/000829 A1. It should be noted that an inlet and outlet system to be described, but also in constructions

The inner drum 12, however, limited to the outside the actual Separierbzw. Centrifugal space 15 for the centrifugal processing of a flowable product. The inner drum 12 is designed with regard to its shape in such a way that it provides preferably substantially positively abuts directly on the inner circumference of the outer drum.

The inner drum 12 has an inner drum lower part 16 and an inner drum upper part 17. Preferably, the inner drum base 1 6 and the inner drum shell 17 are each formed conically, so that a doppelkonischer body is formed. The parts 1 6 and 17 are made of plastic or a plastic composite material and are liquid-tightly connected to each other, in particular in the upper (inner drum base 1 6) and lower (inner drum shell 17) Flanschbe- rich 18, 19 (see Fig. 1 c).

Preferably, a cohesive connection between the inner drum base 1 6 and the inner drum shell 17 and possibly other elements of the inner drum 12 is provided, which can be achieved in the sense of this document, for example by a fusion but also by gluing. This can be seen in particular in Fig. 1 c well. There are also other types of connection conceivable, such a bayonet or screw or snap or snap lock between the elements to be connected lower inner drum part 1 6 and inner drum shell 17 (not shown here). These can also complement the material connection in each case.

On the inner drum base is above - as a separate part or integrally connected to the inner drum base - a rotary axis D coaxially surrounding distributor 21 formed or arranged, the complete distributor for introducing the centrifuged into the inner drum interior or centrifugal space 15 and Acceleration of the centrifuged material in the circumferential direction during rotations of the drum 2 forms.

The distributor 21 has a lower conical section 22 and an upper tube section 23, which is aligned concentrically with the axis of rotation D and is open towards the top (FIGS. 1 a and 1 b). This tube section 23 opens at the lower end into the one or more of the distribution channels 24, the obliquely to the axis of rotation ausgebil- det and open on a radius preferably outside a plate package 25 in the actual centrifugal chamber 15.

In the centrifugal chamber 15 separating means or means for clarification, in particular the aforementioned one-piece or preferably multi-part plate package 25 are arranged, which is formed as a stack of axially spaced separating plates 26 which have a conical basic shape and which are preferably placed against rotation on the distributor lug 21. The separation means for clarification could also be formed in other form, such as ribbed bodies with radial or arcuate ribs. The separation plates 26 have the same or different radii.

The manifold approach or manifold 21 may also be integrally formed with the means for clarification, if this is designed as a clear plastic insert with clarification chambers according to the type of DE 10 2008 052 630 A1. An introduced into the inner drum interior or centrifugal space 15 product is separated in the drum 2 in different, preferably two, product phases of different density.

For the supply and discharge of the various product phases from the drum 2 is an inlet and outlet system 27 with at least one inlet device and at least two drainage devices (see in particular Fig. 1 b).

As inlet device, the inlet and outlet system has a circumferentially closed inlet pipe 28 with preferably cylindrical cross-section, the center axis of which is aligned in the mounted state with the axis of rotation D of the drum.

As the at least two drainage devices, the inlet and outlet system further comprises at least one or preferably two grippers 29, 30 - also called peeling disks. Neither the feed pipe 28 nor the two grippers 29, 30 rotate with the drum during operation. Instead, they are still in operation. The inner drum upper part 17 rotates around the supply and discharge system 27 during operation. The two grippers each have a disc portion 29a, 30a and a shaft portion 29b, 30b. The shank portions 29b, 30b are concentric with the feed pipe 28 and formed with each other. To form the grippers 29, 30 serve several gripper components, each consisting of a pipe section and an annular disc portion, wherein the annular disc portion extends radially to the pipe section in each case. The gripper components preferably each consist of plastic or plastic composite material. They are also preferably each formed in one piece.

The innermost and first of the gripper components is formed from the inlet pipe 28 and a radially extending to the inlet pipe 28 - here in an approximately axially central region of the inlet pipe 28 - extending annular disc lug 31. A second, third and fourth of these gripper components - 32, 33, 34 - are likewise formed in each case from a pipe section 35, 36, 37 and an annular disk shoulder 38, 39, 40 extending radially at this end of the pipe section. In this case, the tube sections 35, 36, 37 preferably and advantageously each have different inner diameters, so that the tube sections 35, 36, 37 are axially slidable into one another.

The pipe section 35 of the second gripper component 32 is larger than the outer diameter of the feed pipe 28, over which it is pushed concentrically, such that between the outer diameter of the feed pipe 28 and the inner diameter of the pipe section 35 of the second gripper component 32, a drain passage 41 is formed. In addition, the annular disk shoulder 38 of the second gripper component 32 is axially spaced from the first annular disk shoulder 31 on the feed pipe 28 (which also corresponds to the first gripper component), that these two annular disk projections 31, 38 together form the disk portion 29a of the first gripper 29. In the disc section 29a of the first gripper 29, at least one radial outlet channel 42 is likewise formed in this way, which opens into the axial outlet channel 41. Webs on the annular disc lugs 31, 38 can limit the channel 41. The third and the fourth gripper components 33, 34 jointly form the second gripper.

For this purpose, preferably and advantageously, the tube section 36 of the third gripper component 33 is larger than the outer diameter of the tube section 35 of the second gripper element 32, over which it is pushed concentrically, such that it bears directly against the outer diameter of the tube section 35 of the second gripper component. Preferably, the second gripper component 32 and the third gripper component 33 are connected to one another, in particular welded or glued. This connection is preferably at least at the ends of the pipe sections 35, 36, so that a gap between the pipe sections 35, 36 sealed sealed. The annular disk shoulder 39 of the third gripper component 33 is arranged offset axially relative to the annular disk shoulder 38 of the second gripper component 32.

In order to form the second gripper 30, the pipe section 37 of the fourth gripper component 34 is larger than the outer diameter of the pipe section 36 of the third gripper component 33, over which it is pushed concentrically, such that between the outer diameter of the pipe section 36 of the third Greiferbauele- element 36 and The inner diameter of the pipe section 37 of the fourth gripper component 34, an axial flow channel 43 is formed. In addition, the annular disc extension 40 of the fourth gripper component 34 is formed axially spaced from the annular disc extension 39 on the third gripper component 33 such that these two annular disc attachments 39, 40 together form the disc portion 30a of the second gripper 30. In the disc section 30a of the second gripper 30, at least one radial outlet channel 44 is likewise formed, which opens into the axial outlet channel 43. Webs on the annular disc sections (in the axial direction) can limit the at least one radial outflow channel 43. About the four gripper components a cover 45 is set. This is designed as a multi-stepped, circumferentially closed tube with a cylindrical diameter, wherein the steps 46, 47, 48 respectively axially delimit pipe sections 49, 50, 51, 52 of different diameters. The first pipe section 46 advantageously and simply forms a connecting piece (for a hose or the like). He lies vertically or axially above the inlet pipe 28 and aligned with this. The first stage 49 abuts axially on the end of the inlet pipe. The second pipe section 50 engages over the outside of the inlet pipe 28. Here, the second pipe section 50 and the inlet pipe 28 are connected to each other (connecting portion 53), in particular welded or glued, so that a gap between the inlet pipe 28 and the cover 45 is sealed sealed. Below the connecting region 53, the second step 47 is formed, which is followed by the third pipe section 51 downwardly bounding the outside of a discharge chamber 54 for the first gripper 29, the inner circumference of the outer circumference of the supply pipe 28 is formed. On the outer circumference of this discharge chamber 54, a connection piece 55 is formed. At this a hose or the like. Be set for discharge (not shown here)

The third pipe section 51 of the cover 45 engages over the outside the pipe section 36 of the third gripper component or the first gripper 29. In this case, the third pipe section 51 of the cover 45 and the first gripper 29 are connected to each other (connecting region 56), in particular welded or glued, so that a gap between these elements sealed sealed.

Below the connecting region 56, the third step 48 is formed, which is followed by the fourth pipe section 52 downwardly bounding the outside of a discharge chamber 57 for the second gripper 30, the inner circumference of which is formed by the section 35. On the outer circumference of this discharge chamber 57, in turn, a connecting piece 58 is formed. The fourth pipe section 52 of the cover 45 engages outside the pipe section 37 of the fourth gripper component or the second gripper 30. In this case, the fourth pipe section 52 of the cover 45 and the second grippers 30 are connected to one another. the (connecting portion 59), in particular welded or glued, so that a gap between these sections is sealed sealed.

From the fourth tube section 52, an annular disc section 60 extends radially outward. This annular disc portion of the cover 45 is located below the housing 1 flange on this. The housing 1 and the cover 45 are preferably detachably connected to each other in this area, for example by means of one or more bolts 61. In this case, the cover 45 protrudes vertically upward through a central opening of a cover 5 of the housing 2.

In the following, the interaction between the inlet and outlet system 27, which does not rotate during operation and discusses the rotatable (inner) drum, will now be described in greater detail. Above the Trenntellerpaktes 25 is a divider plate 62 (see also Fig. 1 b) arranged so that between the bottom of the inner drum shell 17 and the top of the divider plate 62, a gap 63 is formed as a drainage channel. Above the divider plate 62 is also a support body 20, here a support ring to ensure the stabilization of the construction above the Tellerpaktes and to ensure a defined fit of the Tellerpaktes.

A heavier liquid phase (or a solid phase which is still just able to be discharged, in particular just a little flowable) is discharged from the centrifugal space from the region of the largest inner circumference of the drum interior through the gap 63 or a channel in the gap between the inner drum upper part 17 and the separator plate 62.

The divider plate 62 and the inner drum upper part 17 merge into cylindrical sections 64, 65 at their axially upper ends. At the vertically upper ends of these cylindrical sections 64, 65 each radial annular disc sections 66, 67 extend radially inwardly. The annular disc portion 66 of the cylindrical portion of the divider plate 62 extends radially between the disc portions 29a, 30a of the two grippers 29, 30. The annular disc portion 67 of the zy- The cylindrical portion 65 of the inner drum top 17 extends radially inwardly above the disc portion 30a of the second gripper 30.

Below the first gripper 29, an annular disk contour 68 likewise extends radially inwardly in the manner of an annular disk. This may be formed as a radial projection of the distributor 21 or otherwise, e.g. as an approach of the Scheidetellers. In this way, gripper chambers 69, 70 are formed in the interaction of the cylindrical sections 64, 65 and the annular disk sections and contours 66, 67, 68. From the gap 63, the heavier phase flows through the gap between the two cylindrical sections up to the upper gripper chamber 70, where the second gripper 30 derives this phase.

Inside the separator plate package 25, a channel 71 further directs the easier phase flowing radially inward from the separator plate package 25 into the first lower gripper chamber, from which the first gripper 29 derives the lighter phase.

Ribs 77, 78 on the annular disc section 66 and preferably ribs 79 on the annular disc section 67 and preferably ribs 80 and ribs 81 on the distributor 21 and on the support body 20 ensure that the corresponding product phases are entrained during operation of the centrifuge.

The inlet and outlet system is advantageous and structurally simple designed as not in operation with the inner drum rotating system, ie, the inner drum 12 rotates during operation relative to this or about this supply and drainage system 27. Between the annular disc portion 67 of the inner drum shell 17 and the annular disc portion 60 of the cover 45 is therefore preferably and advantageously provided an axially acting ring sealing device 72. This may be formed spring-biased and / or Gleitringdichtungsähnlich. Advantageously, a sliding sealed installation of relatively rotating elements "cover 45 of the inlet and outlet system 27" and (lnnen) "drum shell 17" to the area between the inlet and outlet system 27, which stands still in operation, and the To seal rotating drum 2 sanitary. To the inner drum and the outer drum 12, 1 1 in a simple manner rotatably but releasably connected to each other at a standstill, it can be provided that the inner drum 12 is positively and / or non-positively connected to the outer drum 1 1. In a simple way, a non-positive connection can be realized by extending the flange areas 18 and 19 and optionally also the outer edge of the divider plate 62 into the threaded connection area between the outer drum base and the outer drum top, where they respectively follow steps of this Abut parts and screwed while screwing the drum shell in the drum base between them screwing (Fig. 1 c).

In addition, interlocking means such as ribs on the outer circumference of the inner drum and corresponding grooves on the inner circumference of the outer drum 1 1 may be provided, which interlock and thus the two elements inner drum 12 and outer drum 1 1 rotatably connect (not shown here). In operation, moreover, the inner drum 12 will expand radially against the inner circumference of the outer drum 11, which improves the torque transmission and rotating entrainment of the inner drum 12 by the driven outer drum 11. Alternatively, it would also be conceivable to connect the parts of the outer drum with each other in a detachable manner, such as with bolts or the like or by means of a bayonet.

In this way, a part of or even preferably all of the product-contacting areas of the rotating system are made of plastic or plastic composite material, in particular the inner drum lower part 16 and the inner drum upper part 17. Further preferably, the separating plates 26 consist of synthetic material as well as all of the product-contacting parts Areas of the inlet and outlet system, even if they do not rotate during operation.

Thus, the inner drum 12 can be disposed of after processing a sufficiently large product batch. The preferably metallic outer drum 1 1, however, is used again. Since they can not come into contact with the product during operation, their cleaning is very simple or less important. Through the outer drum 1 1, the inner drum 12 can be made quite thin. With a complete disposal falls accordingly very little plastic waste. 1 shows an embodiment as a two-phase separation machine (separation of a product in the phases: "liquid / liquid"), three-phase machines (for separation into three phases) are also feasible (not shown here) .The product is preferred, but not mandatory a fermentation broth to be concentrated

In this way, preferably the entire inner drum together with the inlet and outlet system is preferably designed as a replaceable preassembled module made of plastic or a plastic composite material. In this case, the outer drum section 1 1 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 outer drum shell as a ring is optimized in the trial. In this case, it can be determined up to which conical region the annular outer drum cover or the outer drum upper part must surround the inner drum upper part.

Hereinafter, the structure of the housing 1 will be considered in more detail. The housing 1 has the bottom 3, a conical housing jacket 4 here and the cover 5. Only in the area of the cover 45 of the inlet and outlet system 27, the housing 1 comes into contact with the disposable after an operation plastic area. The cover is suitable - preferably with bolts 75 - attached to the housing shell 4 (Fig. 1 b). The housing shell 4 is also suitable to the bottom 3 - preferably with bolts 76 - attached. (Fig. 1 b). These bolts 75, 76 (or other suitable connection means) are detachably arranged to allow easy replacement of the inner drum 12.

To change the inner drum 12, the housing 1 is opened (bolts 75, 76) and the bolts 61 are released to the cover 45 of the inlet and outlet system 27. Then the inner drum 12 is replaced and possibly disposed of. In this case, the cover 5 should preferably have such a large central opening that it can be covered from above via the cover 45 of the supply and discharge system with its inlet and outlet plugs and possibly attached hoses is pluggable, which must be connected after assembly only to external connections. In this way, the assembly of the inner drum after removal of the outer drum shell is particularly easy and fast to implement. The hoses can be closed at the ends, for example, welded and are cut off during commissioning and closed again after commissioning. This can also be realized with brackets.

Preferably, the entire inner drum 12 is designed sanitary.

The housing 1 can be used to rest on a foundation or a frame 74 or a kind of table or cabinet.

It is advantageous that the housing 1 has a drain opening 73, preferably in its bottom 3, through which possibly liquid can flow - which occurs in the housing, for example due to an unforeseen leakage or which would otherwise collect there. At a connection of the opening 59, a drain such as a drain hose for discharging this liquid can be arranged in a container.

A particularly compact design is achieved in that - as already mentioned - the drive motor is preferably an electric motor, which is arranged directly in the axial extension of the drive spindle 7, preferably on the side facing away from the drum side. Preferably, the drive spindle 7 is connected directly to a bolt axially with the output shaft 10. It is also connected to a torque transmission means, preferably a key, in the circumferential direction with the output shaft of the electric motor rotatably connected (not shown here). The torque transmission means may also be formed in another form - for example as a torque transmission contour - (not shown here in each case). At the motor 8, a terminal box 75 is arranged.

The rotatable drum 2 can be connected to the drive spindle construction with a press fit (eg in a conical section) or by means of another Torque transmitting means (not shown here). The motor 8 is here attached to its spindle 7 side facing further with a flange at the bottom of the housing 1, for example screwed with bolts. On the motor 8, a terminal box is also arranged.

reference numeral

Housing 1

Drum 2

Floor 3

Housing jacket 4

Cover 5

Implementation 6

Drive spindle 7

Drive motor 8

Gap 9

Drive shaft 10

External drum 1 1

Inner drum 12

External drum base 13

Outer drum shell 14

Centrifugal space 15

Inner drum base 1 6

Inner drum shell 17

Flange areas 18, 19

Support body 20

Distributor 21

Conical section 22

Pipe section 23

Distribution channels 24

Plate package 25

Separating plate 26

Inlet and outlet unit 27

Inlet pipe 28

Gripper 29, 30

Disk section 29a, 30a

Shank portion 29b, 30 b first annular disc shoulder 31st

Gripper components 32, 33, 34

Pipe section 35, 36, 37

Ring disc attachment 38, 39, 40

Drain channels 41, 42, 43, 44

Cover 45

Steps 46, 47, 48

Pipe sections 49, 50, 51, 52

Connection area 53

Discharge chamber 54

Connecting piece 55

Connection area 56

Discharge chamber 57

Connecting piece 58

Connection area 59

Ring disk section 60 Bolt 61

Divider plate 62

Gap 63

cylindrical sections 64, 65

Ring disk sections 66, 67

Ring disk contour 68

Gripper chambers 69, 70

Channel 71

Ring seal device 72

Drain opening 73

Frame 74

Bolts 75, 76

Ribs 77, 78, 79, 80, 81 vertical axis of rotation D

Claims

claims

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

a. a rotatable drum (2) delimiting a centrifugal space (15), b. wherein the drum (2) has an inlet and outlet system (27) with at least one inlet device and one or more drainage devices that consist of plastic or a plastic composite material,

characterized in that

c. the drum has an outer support device and an inner drum (12) arranged in the outer support device,

d. the inner drum is made of plastic or a plastic composite material,

e. a means for clarifying the product to be processed in the centrifugal field is arranged in the inner drum (12),

f. the inlet device and the one or more drainage devices i. extend into the inner drum (12), and

ii. are designed such that they do not rotate with the inner drum during operation and

iii. adhesively bonded and / or welded together at one or more locations,

G. wherein the inlet and outlet system (27) as the drainage means one or two or more grippers (29, 30) each having a disc portion (29a, 30a) and a shaft portion (29b, 30 b) / have.

2. Separator according to claim 1, characterized in that the inlet and outlet system (27) of the inlet device has a feed pipe (28) whose central axis is aligned in the mounted state with the axis of rotation D of the drum.

3. Separator according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the grippers (29, 30) are constructed of gripper components, the each consisting of a pipe section (28, 35, 36, 37) and an annular disc section (31, 38, 39, 40).

4. Separator according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the gripper components each consist of plastic or plastic composite material and that they are preferably each formed in one piece.

5. Separator according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that on the gripper components a cover (45) is set, which is designed as a multi-stepped, circumferentially closed tube with a cylindrical diameter, wherein the steps (46, 47, 48) each pipe sections ( 49, 50, 51, 52) of different diameters axially limit.

6. Separator according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the cover (45) of the inlet and outlet system (27) one or more discharge chambers (54, 57) bounded at least radially outside.

7. Separator according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that from the cover (45) an annular disc portion (60) extends radially outward, which abuts the housing (1) flange-like and is preferably releasably attachable to this.

8. Separator according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that above the Trenntellerpaktes (25) is a divider plate (62) is arranged or formed, so that between the underside of the inner drum shell (17) and the upper side of the divider plate (62) at least one Gap (63) is designed as a drainage channel.

9. Separator according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the separator plate (62) and the drum shell (17) go at their axial upper ends in cylindrical sections (64, 65) merge, wherein at the vertically upper ends of these cylindrical portions (64, 65) extend inwardly to limit gripper chambers (69, 70).

10. Separator according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that between the annular disc portion (67) of the drum shell, in particular an inner drum shell (17) and the annular disc portion (60) of the cover (45) at least one axially acting ring sealing device (72) is provided.

1 1. Separator according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the outer support device is designed as at least one outer ring, which surrounds the inner drum (12) axially in sections.

12. Separator according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the outer support device is formed as a circumferentially closed outer ring which surrounds the inner drum (12) axially in sections.

13. Separator according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the outer supporting device as an outer drum (1 1) is formed, in which the inner drum (12) is arranged.

14. Separator according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the outer drum (1 1), where it surrounds the inner drum (12), is circumferentially closed ..

15. Separator according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the outer drum (1 1) completely surrounds the inner drum (12) in the circumferential direction.

1 6. Separator according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the outer drum (1 1) surrounds the inner drum (12) axially completely.

17. Separator according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the outer drum (1 1) axially surrounds the inner drum (12) only partially.

18. Separator according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the inner drum (12) projects axially out of the outer drum (1 1).

19. Separator according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the inner drum and the outer drum (12, 1 1) consist of different materials

20. Separator according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the inner drum (12) consists of plastic or a plastic composite material.

21. Separator according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the outer drum (1 1) consists of metal, in particular of steel.

22. Separator according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the outer drum (1 1) has an outer drum base (13) and an outer ßentrommeloberteil (14).

23. Separator according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the outer drum base (13) and the outer drum shell (14) are fixed by screw means to each other.

24. Separator according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the screw means

a. Bolt or

b. a lock ring or

c. a thread between the outer drum shell (14) and the outer drum base (13)

include.

25. Separator according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the inner drum (12) has an inner drum lower part (1 6) and an inner drum upper part (17).

26. Separator according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the inner drum base (1 6) and the inner drum upper part (17) are not connected to each other disassembled.

27. Separator according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the inner drum base (1 6) and the inner drum upper part (17) are materially connected to each other, in particular glued or welded.

28. Separator according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the inner drum base (1 6) and the inner drum upper part (17) are mechanically connected to each other.

29. Separator according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the outer drum upper part (14) is designed in the manner of a ring and is designed to be open axially upwards, so that the inner drum upper part protrudes axially out of it.

30. Separator according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the inner drum (12) and the outer drum (1 1) non-positively and / or positively non-rotatably connected to each other.

31. Separator according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the outer drum (1 1) by a drive motor (8) is driven.

32. Separator according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the means for clarifying a plate package (25) from a stack of separating Plates (26), which is preferably made of plastic or a plastic composite material.

33. Separator according to one of the preceding claims, characterized marked, that the following parts are conical: the outer and the inner drum shell and the outer and the inner drum base.

34. Separator according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the outer drum base (13) with a drive spindle (7) is rotatably connected.

35. Separator according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the inlet and outlet system of the drum is formed exclusively on the inner drum (12).

36. separator according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that no radially out of the inner drum (12) leading out into the surrounding space of the inner drum Feststoffaustragsöffnungen are formed in the inner drum wall.

37. Separator according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that all in operation coming into contact with product areas of the drum (2) made of plastic or a plastic composite material.

38. Separator according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the entire inner drum (12) is designed together with the inlet and outlet system as a removable preassembled module made of plastic or a plastic composite material.

39. Separator according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the drum (2) in a housing (1) is arranged.

40. Separator according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that a drive motor (8) is provided, which is flanged directly to the housing (1).