EP4196282A1

EP4196282A1 - Separator insert and separator

Info

Publication number: EP4196282A1
Application number: EP21758090.1A
Authority: EP
Inventors: Rüdiger GÖHMANN; Kai HELMRICH; Kathrin Quiter; Andreas Schulz
Original assignee: GEA Westfalia Separator Group GmbH
Current assignee: GEA Westfalia Separator Group GmbH
Priority date: 2020-08-14
Filing date: 2021-08-05
Publication date: 2023-06-21
Also published as: IL300317A; BR112022026863A2; CA3184135A1; CN116096501A; DE102020121420A1; JP2023538817A; US20230294110A1; WO2022033952A1; AU2021324022A1; KR20230048518A

Abstract

The invention relates to a separator insert for a separator, which is designed for separating a flowable suspension (S) into at least two flowable phases (LP, HP) of differing densities in a centrifugal field, and which comprises the following: a housing (1) which is stationary during operation and which is designed in the form of a container that is closed apart from multiple openings, wherein these openings are designed as follows: as a supply opening (8) for an in-flowing suspension in a first axial boundary wall (6) of the housing (1), as two outlets (10, 11) for flowable phases of differing densities (LP, HP) in an outer casing of the housing (1), and as a recirculation inlet (9) in a second axial boundary wall (7) of the housing (1); a rotor arranged within the housing (1) and which can rotate about an axis of rotation (D) and having a drum (3), which also has multiple openings, wherein a separation means is arranged in the drum (3); and at least two rotor units (4b, 5b) for magnetic bearing units (4, 5) at two axially spaced-apart points on the rotor (2) with the drum (3), with which the rotor (2) with the drum (3) can be held in a suspended state, can be rotationally mounted and can be made to rotate within the housing during operation.

Description

SEPARATOR INSERT AND SEPARATOR

The invention relates to a separator insert for a separator according to the preamble of claim 1 and a separator with such a separator insert.

Separators within the meaning of this document are used to separate a free-flowing suspension as the starting product in a centrifugal field into phases of different densities. A wide range of applications require steam sterilization of the separators used. A relatively “small” separator that can be steam-sterilized and has a disk stack and that has been introduced to the market by the applicant is the “CSC 6” separator with an equivalent clarification area of 6000 m ² . In some situations, such as in the laboratory, this machine is still relatively large. The known disk pack separators available on the market are driven by means of a spindle, which in turn is driven by a motor directly or via a gearbox. In addition, the known machines are made of stainless steel. For these reasons, filters are currently very often used in laboratories instead of centrifugal separators. Steam sterilization (SIP - Sterilization In Place) would not be necessary for a separator with a disk pack and with disposable components made of plastic (single-use technology - one-time use of pre-qualified plastic parts). It could be particularly suitable for use in biotechnology.

WO 2014/000829 A1 discloses a separator for separating a free-flowing product into different phases, which has a rotatable drum with a lower drum part and an upper drum part and means arranged in the drum for processing a suspension in a centrifugal field of solids or for separating a heavy solid-like phase from a lighter phase in the centrifugal field, wherein one, more or all of the following are made of plastic or a plastics composite: the bowl base, the bowl top, the means for clarification. In this way it is possible to design a 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 particular interest with regard to 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 preferably continuous operation during the processing of the product batch, no cleaning of the parts of the drum that come into contact with the product has to be carried out, but the entire drum can be replaced. Especially from a hygienic point of view this separator is therefore very advantageous. In order to achieve a physical separation between this one-way drum and the drive, a non-contact coupling between the drive and the drum is advantageous.

The generic DE 10 2017 128 027 shows a further development. Here, the bearing devices are designed as magnetic bearings and one of the magnetic bearing devices is preferably also used as a drive device for rotating the drum, which is held in suspension during operation. This eliminates the need for mechanical components for rotating and supporting the drum, which favors the design as a separator with a separator insert for single use, since this separator insert can be exchanged very easily. The present invention also uses these advantages.

Against this background, it is the object of the invention, in the case of a generic separator insert—which can be used or designed as a disposable element—to be designed in such a way that the separating process can be better controlled. Preferably, it should also be possible in a simple manner to regulate the concentration of the separated heavy phase or the clarity of the light phase.

The invention solves this problem by the subject matter of claim 1, i.e. by a separator insert for a separator which is designed to separate a free-flowing suspension in a centrifugal field into at least two free-flowing phases of different densities and which has the following: a) a stationary during operation Housing designed in the manner of a container, which is designed to be closed except for openings, these openings being designed as follows: as an inlet for an incoming suspension on a first axial boundary wall of the housing, as two outlets for flowable phases of different densities an outer jacket of the housing and as a recirculation inlet on a second axial boundary wall of the housing, b) a rotor arranged within the housing and rotatable about an axis of rotation with a drum having openings, one or more first and second openings of the drum being free radial Leave for the easy te and the heavy phase are used in the housing, and wherein an inlet pipe which does not touch the drum extends into two further openings of the drum at the two axial ends of the drum, c) wherein a separating means is arranged in the drum, and d) wherein at least two rotor units for magnetic bearing devices are arranged at two axially spaced locations of the rotor with the drum, with which the rotor with the drum can be held suspended within the housing during operation, can be rotated and rotated.

Thanks to the recirculation inlet, which is advantageous in terms of design on the drum and on the housing, it is possible to control the separation process particularly well.

The openings of the drum are thus advantageously associated with the openings of the housing from a).

It is preferably provided that the separator insert forms a preassembled, exchangeable unit for insertion into stator units on the frame of the separator. In interaction, the rotor and stator units form magnetic bearing devices. With these, the drum can be mounted axially and radially and kept in suspension.

"In operation" means during or during centrifugal processing when the rotor is spinning.

Because it is simple and practical, it is preferred that the rotor units are arranged at the two axial ends of the drum and that two corresponding stator units are formed on the frame of the separator. Thus, magnetic bearing devices are formed at both axial ends of the drum.

In this case, at least one of the two magnetic bearing devices preferably also represents the rotary drive for the drum, this drive also being suitable for driving the drum at freely adjustable speeds or a freely selectable direction of rotation. It can preferably be provided that one or both magnetic bearing devices have a radial and axial bearing effect and hold the rotor in suspension during operation in the container at a distance from it.

It is particularly advantageous and practical that the separator insert is designed as a preassembled unit. In particular, it can also be provided that all elements of this insert that come into contact with the product are made of plastic or another non-magnetic material, whereby it can be replaced as a whole and can be completely disposed of after use. Cleaning and, if necessary, steam sterilization of the separator insert are no longer necessary.

Each of the feed pipes can advantageously in each case pass through one of the magnetic bearing devices axially, it also being possible for the feed pipes to enclose one another coaxially and together only to pass through one of the magnetic bearing devices axially.

The respective bearing device, which in addition to a radial bearing also causes an axial bearing of the drum and/or a rotary drive, can act permanently and/or electromagnetically.

According to a preferred embodiment, one or more annular catch chambers of the housing are assigned to the two outlets for flowable phases of different densities, in order to be able to collect the phases separately in the housing before they are discharged when they emerge from the drum.

It can also be provided in a structurally simple manner that the inlet is formed by a non-rotatable inlet pipe, one end of which projects out of the housing to a first side, especially when the axis of rotation is vertical, upwards and outwards and which extends through the first axial boundary wall and through which a magnetic bearing extends into the drum, but does not touch it. On the outer circumference, the inlet pipe is inserted into the housing, preferably in a sealed manner, or is formed in one piece with it.

It can also be provided that the inlet pipe passes through the housing concentrically to the axis of rotation of the rotor, then extends further axially within the housing into the rotatable drum and there with its other end - a free outlet end - in front of or in one with the drum rotating distributor ends. The suspension is fed into the centrifugal chamber through this feed pipe.

Then, according to another embodiment that is easy to implement, it can be provided that the drum has at least two sections of different diameters and that, in order to derive the respective phases of different densities from the drum in the sections of different diameters in the outer jacket of the Drum each at least one or more outlets are provided, each having one or more openings, in particular nozzle-like openings in the drum outer shell and thus form the free outlets in the respective catch ring chambers.

For this purpose, the drum can be designed as a single cone or double cone. It can also have one or more cylindrical sections. It can also be composed of several parts, in particular an upper part and a lower part, these parts preferably being connected to one another (e.g. by gluing or welding) after the installation of inner components and their assembly. Analogously, the housing can be composed of several parts, in particular an upper part and a lower part, these parts preferably being connected to one another (e.g. by gluing or welding) after the installation of inner components - in particular the rotor - and their assembly.

Typically, one of the outlets will be located on a portion of the drum with a largest internal diameter and another outlet on a portion of the drum with a relatively smaller diameter.

According to a further expedient embodiment, it can be provided that the respective outlet for the respective light or heavier phase is formed at the lowest point of the respective catch ring chamber. The outlets can have sockets on the outside of the housing, which are sealed on the outer circumference of the housing, so that hoses or the like can be connected in a simple manner. The hoses can also be pre-assembled on the nozzles so that they are completely closed and, if necessary, sterile. The sockets can, for example, extend radially, tangentially or obliquely to the radial direction.

Then, according to a preferred embodiment, it can also be provided that the light phase emerging from one of the outlets or the heavy phase can be conveyed away from the housing through a discharge line, each with a pump, and that a branch line is provided which opens into the recirculation inlet, see above that a recirculation line is formed for returning at least part of the light or heavy phase to the drum. The light or heavy phase can also be returned to the feed pipe for certain applications make sense. In this way, the ability to control or regulate the separation process is significantly improved. The heavy phase is preferably recirculated since this leads to particularly advantageous results.

According to a variant that is simple to implement in terms of design, it can be provided that the light or heavier phase to be recirculated can be pumped into the drum with a pump.

According to a further embodiment, it is then structurally advantageous and compact that the recirculation inlet has a second inlet pipe, which penetrates the second axial boundary wall of the housing and opens into a second distributor in the drum, which does not rotate with the drum during operation, with which the recirculated Phase is passed into the rotating drum. Inlet pipe and distributor can also be manufactured as one part. The distributor causes the deflection in the radial direction or circumferential direction.

On the outer circumference, this inlet pipe can also be inserted into the housing in a sealed manner or be designed in one piece with it.

It can then be expediently and advantageously provided that a controllable control valve is provided, with which the recirculation inlet can be shut off or fully or partially opened. By activating the control valve, a precisely metered portion of the heavier solid phase HP can be fed back into the drum in this way. This results in an optimization of the separation process.

In addition, at least one measuring device can optionally be provided with which a parameter of the first phase and/or the second phase can be determined and/or a control device can also be provided with which the recirculation can be carried out, in particular using one or more results of measurements controls or regulates with the measuring device. Optionally, the control valve can be actuated in this way as part of a regulation, for which purpose a parameter is measured.

The measured value of the second phase HP recorded by the measuring device, eg its density, turbidity, flow rate, is sent to the control device forwarded, in which case the control valve can be controlled to a specific opening diameter with the control device using a control algorithm.

Provision can further preferably be made for a separating means, in particular a disk pack, to be arranged in the drum.

This separator is suitable for operation at variable, even relatively high, speeds. In addition, it can also be used for one-off processing - for example for centrifugal separation of a product batch of a free-flowing fermentation broth as a suspension - from e.g. 100 l to a few thousand, e.g. 4000 l - into different phases - and then disposed of. A particular advantage is that all the components of the separator that come into contact with the product can be installed, operated and then disposed of as a prefabricated and already germ-free unit. This prefabricated unit consists at least of the rotor with the drum, the separating discs, the inlet distributor and the rotor magnets or rotor units, as well as the housing with the inlets and outlets. Furthermore, the unit can also contain inlet and outlet lines (e.g. hoses) as well as measuring equipment or other components that come into contact with the product, which are intended for single use and are disposed of together with the separator unit after use.

A further advantage is that in addition to a lower axial bearing in the first vertical orientation of the axis of rotation, another axial bearing is provided, e.g. at an opposite end of the drum or possibly also in the drum. Because this makes it possible for the axis of rotation of the drum to be arranged vertically, but alternatively also advantageously inclined from the vertical. Any arrangement of the axis of rotation is possible. The axis of rotation can, for example, be inclined at an angle of 30 - 60°, for example 45°, from the vertical or also run horizontally - i.e. be aligned inclined by 90° to the vertical. Furthermore, it is also possible to rotate the entire arrangement by 180°, so that the inlet opening is located at the bottom and the conical separating discs open upwards - without causing storage problems for the drum.

If “a first vertical orientation of the axis of rotation” is considered here or below, this means that the position of the elements of the centrifuge can be implemented or has been implemented in a vertical orientation of the axis of rotation as described. the In practice, the axis of rotation can then also be aligned at an angle to the vertical orientation. The sequence for the phases LP, HP is then preferably placed at a vertically lowest point of the respective capture ring chambers.

It is also advantageous if one of the bearing and/or drive units is designed to radially support the drum at its lower end in a first vertical alignment and to rotate it.

And finally, it can also advantageously be provided that the housing only has the openings for inlet pipes and for outlets and is otherwise designed to be hermetically closed. For this purpose, it can be provided that the inlet pipes and the outlets protrude outwards from the housing in the manner of sockets, with these sockets being connected to the housing in a sealed manner or being formed in one piece with it.

The invention also creates a separator with a frame and an exchangeable separator insert according to one of the claims related thereto.

This makes it easier to create a separator that has a one-way module with one-way components “drum” and “housing”, whereas at least the frame and parts of the bearing and drive device can be reusable.

The invention makes it possible to produce a separator in which a disposable separator insert can be used, which is preferably designed in such a way that all components that come into contact with the product are made of plastic or other non-magnetic materials, which can be disposed of after a single use. Cleaning after use is therefore no longer necessary. The machine and its operation can thus become significantly cheaper. Magnets can be recycled if necessary.

After its manufacture, the entire separator insert is provided as a sealed unit, into which no contamination can enter. For this purpose, the nozzles can be releasably sealed. Thus, hose sections can be arranged on the sockets, which have openable and closable connectors with which the separator module or here the separator insert can be connected to other elements of the inlet and outlet system such as bags or tanks or hoses or pipelines. It is simple and safe if spaced-apart receptacles of the bearing devices are formed on the frame, between which the separator insert can be used in a rotationally fixed, exchangeable manner.

It can also be provided that the relative distance between the receptacles on the console can be adjusted in order to be able to change the separator insert.

Provision can also be made for the separator insert to be fastened to the frame in a form-fitting and/or force-fitting manner in a rotationally fixed manner. According to a particularly simple variant, the housing and at least one or all of the aforementioned receptacles have corresponding form-fitting means in order to hold the housing in a rotationally fixed manner on the frame or the stator unit or units. For this purpose, the ones with the stator units of the frame each have several pins projecting in the axial direction, and the respective separator insert can have corresponding blind holes as recesses on the housing, for example extending in the axial direction (not shown here).

The position of these corresponding positive-locking means also defines the functionally required position of the stator units 4a, 5a and the rotor units 4b, 5b relative to one another. This applies in particular to the precise centering of the units 4a, 5a and 4b, 5b which are located coaxially within one another. In this case, a holding force (from above and below) can be exerted on the housing through the receptacles, if necessary also in the axial direction, in order to hold this if necessary also in a non-positive manner.

The corresponding form-fitting means can be arranged symmetrically but also asymmetrically in order to ensure that the separator insert can only be used in a single orientation.

It can also be provided if at least one control device is provided with which the amount of recirculation of the light or heavy phase can be controlled or regulated—in particular using one or more results of measurements with the measuring device.

Advantageous configurations of the invention can be found in the dependent claims. The invention is described in more detail below using exemplary embodiments with reference to the drawing, with further advantageous variants and configurations also being discussed. It should be emphasized that the exemplary embodiments discussed below are not intended to describe the invention conclusively, but that variants and equivalents that are not shown can also be implemented and are covered by the claims. It shows:

FIG. 1: a schematic, sectional representation of an exchangeable separator insert of a separator together with a schematic representation of an inlet and outlet system and a control unit of the separator or of the separator insert;

FIG. 2: a schematic representation of a separator with a reusable frame and an exchangeable separator insert according to the type of FIG. 1;

FIG. 3: a perspective view of the replaceable separator insert

1 and 2 with hose sections arranged thereon;

FIG. 4: a perspective view of the separator of FIG. 2 with the separator insert removed;

FIG. 2 shows a separator with a frame I that can be used several times and with an exchangeable separator insert II for the centrifugal separation of a product—a suspension S—into various dense phases HP, LP.

The separator insert II is preferably designed as a prefabricated unit. In particular, the separator insert II is designed as a one-way separator insert that can be exchanged or exchanged as a whole and is designed as a preassembled unit, which is constructed entirely or predominantly from plastic or plastic composite materials.

The separator insert is shown separately as an example in FIGS. It can be disposed of after a product batch has been processed and replaced with a new separator insert II.

Such a separator can be useful and advantageous in the processing of products where it can be ruled out with a very high degree of certainty that impurities will get into the product - a free-flowing product - during centrifugal processing Suspension or its phases - are entered or where cleaning and disinfection of the separator would be very expensive or not possible at all.

The frame I has a console 1-1. This can - but does not have to - be stored on a carriage I-2 with rollers I-3. Receptacles I-4 and I-5 can be arranged on the console 1-1, which also serve to receive and hold the separator insert II during operation. A first axial end of the separator insert II preferably protrudes from below into the upper receptacle I-4 and a lower end of the separator insert II protrudes from above into the other receptacle I-5.

The respective stator units 4a, 5a of two drive and magnetic bearing devices 4 and 5 can be arranged in the respective receptacles I-4 and I-5. The control and power electronics for this can be arranged in the frame I, e.g. in the console 1-1.

Here are these recordings I-4 and I-5 laterally from the console 1-1 of the frame I. They can be arranged in a height-adjustable manner on the console 1-1.

Corresponding form-fitting means 41a, 41b can be formed on the receptacles I-4 and I-5 and on a housing 1 of the separator insert II that does not rotate during operation, in order to be able to insert the separator insert II in a rotationally fixed manner into the stator units 4a, 5a. The upper and lower stator units 4a, 5a can each have axes that are aligned with one another.

To change the separator insert II, it can be provided that the two receptacles I-4 and I-5 with the stator units 4a, 5a are arranged on the frame 1-1 axially—and here, for example, also vertically—relative to one another, in particular displaceably.

In this case, for example, it can advantageously be provided that the receptacles I-4 and I-5 with the stator units 4a, 5a on the frame I can be moved axially apart and back together in order to change the separator insert II, ie around the old separator insert II can be removed from the frame I and exchanged for a new one. It can also be provided that the relative distance between the receptacles I-4 and I-5 with the stator units 4a, 5a of the Storage facilities 4, 5 is adjustable in order to be able to change the separator insert II.

Provision can also be made for the separator insert II to be fastened to the frame I in a form-fitting and/or force-fitting manner in a rotationally fixed manner. According to a particularly simple variant, the housing 1 and the stator units 4a, 5a can have corresponding form-fitting means such as projections (e.g. pins) and recesses (e.g. bores) in order to hold the housing 1 in a rotationally fixed manner on the stator units and thus on the frame II. The corresponding form-fitting means can also be formed directly on the frame II.

The structure of a preferred separator insert II together with the structure of the drive and bearing system of the separator, the control of the separator and the inlet and outlet system of the separator are described in more detail below with reference to FIG.

According to FIG. 1, the separator insert II of the separator has a housing 1 and a rotor 2 inserted into the housing 1 and rotatable relative to the housing 1 during operation.

The rotor 2 has an axis of rotation D. This can be aligned vertically.

The rotor 2 of the separator insert II also has a rotatable drum 3 . The rotor 2 is rotatably mounted with respective magnetic bearing devices 4, 5 at two locations which are axially spaced apart from one another in the direction of the axis of rotation. It is preferably mounted in this way at its two axial ends. The separator insert has rotor units 4b, 5b of the magnetic bearing devices 4, 5. On the other hand, stator units 4a, 5a of the magnetic bearing devices 4, 5 are arranged on the frame 1-1.

The magnetic bearing devices 4, 5 preferably act radially and axially and preferably hold the rotor 2 in suspension in the housing 1 at a distance from it.

The rotor units 4b, 5b can be designed essentially in the manner of inner rings made of magnets, in particular permanent magnets, and the reusable stator units 4a, 5a can essentially be in the manner of Outer rings for the axial and radial bearing of the rotor 2 (eg above) or alternatively for rotary drive (eg below) are used.

Thus, as part of the separator drive, the rotor units 4b and/or 5b also represent a part of the rotating system or rotor. In other words, the rotor of the drive is therefore part of the drum of the centrifugal separator.

One or both of the magnetic bearing devices 4, 5 is/are thus preferably also used as a drive device for rotating the rotor 2 with the drum 3 in the housing 1. In this case, the respective magnetic bearing device forms a combined magnetic bearing and drive device. The magnetic bearing devices 4, 5 can be embodied as axial and/or radial bearings which support the drum 3 at its ends in an overall cooperating manner axially and radially during operation and keep it floating and rotating overall during operation.

The basic structure of the magnetic bearing devices 4 and 5 can be the same or largely the same. In this case, in particular, only one of the two magnetic bearing devices 4, 5 can also be used as a drive device. There are thus in each case corresponding components of the magnetic bearing 4, 5 on the separator insert II - on its rotor 2 - and other corresponding parts on the frame I are formed. One or both stator units 4a, 5a can also be electrically connected to control and power electronics for controlling the electromagnetic components of the magnetic bearing devices.

The respective magnetic bearing device 4, 5 can, for example, work according to a combined electromagnetic and permanent magnetic operating principle.

Preferably, at least the lower axially acting magnetic bearing device 5 is used to keep the rotor 2 floating inside the housing 1 axially by levitation. It can have one or more first permanent magnets, for example on the underside of the rotor, and can also have electromagnets on a receptacle on the frame, which coaxially surround the permanent magnet or magnets. The drive of the rotor can be achieved electromagnetically. However, a drive via rotating permanent magnets can also be implemented. Such bearing and drive devices are used, for example, by Levitronix, for example for driving centrifugal pumps (EP2 273 124 B1). They can also be used in the context of this document. For example, a first Levitronix motor "below" can be used as a drive, which also magnetically supports the drum radially and axially. In addition, a second Levitronix motor--for example identical in construction except for the controller during operation--can be provided, which as the magnetic bearing 4 can support the rotor 2 radially and axially on the head.

The rotor speed can be set variably with the aid of a control device 37 or a separate control device for the magnetic bearings 4, 5. Likewise, the direction of rotation of the rotor 2 can be specified and changed with the control device.

During operation, the rotor 2 rotates. It is thus held in suspension axially and centered radially. The rotor 2 with the drum 3 is preferably operated at a speed of between 1,000, preferably 5,000 to 10,000, possibly also up to 20,000 revolutions per minute. The centrifugal forces arising as a result of the rotation lead to the above-described separation of a suspension to be processed into various flowable phases LP, HP of different densities and to their derivation, as described in more detail below. The product batch is processed in continuous operation, which means that the phases separated from the suspension are completely drained from the drum during operation.

This makes it very well possible to create a separator insert together with a housing for a separator, which can be designed overall for single use, which in turn 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 during the processing of the product batch, preferably continuous operation, no cleaning of the drum has to be carried out, since the entire separator insert is replaceable. If necessary, individual elements such as magnets can be suitably recycled (see also DE 10 2017 128 027 A1). The housing 1 is preferably made of a plastic or a plastic composite material. The housing 1 can be cylindrical and have a cylindrical outer shell, at the ends of which two radially extending boundary walls 6, 7 (top and bottom) are formed.

The drum 3 is used for the centrifugal separation of a free-flowing suspension S in a centrifugal field into at least two phases LP, HP of different densities, which can be, for example, a light liquid phase and a heavy solid phase or a heavy liquid phase.

The rotor 2 and its drum 3 have a vertical axis of rotation D in a preferred embodiment. However, the housing 1 and the rotor 2 could also be oriented differently in space. The following description refers to the vertical orientation shown. With a different orientation in space, the alignments change according to the new alignment. In addition, if necessary, one or both outlets - to be discussed later - are arranged differently.

The rotor 2 of the separator with the drum also preferably consists of a plastic material or a plastic composite material.

The drum 3 is preferably designed to be cylindrical and/or conical, at least in sections. The same applies to the other elements in the rotor 2 and on the housing 1 (except for elements of the magnetic bearing devices 4, 5).

The housing 1 is designed in the manner of a container, which is advantageously hermetically sealed except for a few openings/opening areas (still to be discussed). These openings are an inlet 8 in the first - here upper - axial boundary wall 6, a recirculation inlet 9 in the second - here lower - axial boundary wall 7 and two outlets 10, 1 1 in a peripheral outer jacket or a peripheral outer wall of the housing 1.

The drum 3 also has openings that are functionally associated with the openings of the housing.

First and second openings of the drum 3 (which can be distributed circumferentially on the drum 3, with a plurality of first and second openings can be provided) serve as radial outlets 21, 22. Feed pipes 12, 32 each extend into two further openings 12a, 32a at the two axial ends of the drum 3 in a manner to be explained.

The inlet 8 is advantageously formed by a non-rotatable inlet pipe 12, one end of which protrudes outwards from the housing 1 at the top and which extends through the upper boundary wall 6 into the drum 3, but does not touch the drum 3 in the process. On the outer circumference, the inlet pipe 12 is inserted into the housing 1 in a sealed manner, e.g. by welding or gluing, or, if necessary, is designed in one piece with the housing as a plastic injection-molded part. It is preferably also made of plastic.

The inlet pipe 12 passes through the housing 1 and one magnetic bearing 4 concentrically to the axis of rotation of the rotor 2, then extends further axially inside the housing 1 into the opening 12a of the rotatable drum 3 and ends there in the drum 3 with its other end - a free one outlet end.

Thus, the opening 12 - the inlet pipe - of the housing is functionally associated with the opening 12a of the drum.

The feed pipe 12 ends in the drum 3 in a distributor 13 which can be rotated with the drum 3. The distributor 13 has a tubular distributor shaft 14 and a distributor foot 15. In the distributor foot 15 one or more distributor channels 16 are formed. A stack of separating disks consisting of separating disks 17 that are conical here can be placed on the distributor 13 . The distributor 13 and the separating plates 17 are preferably also made of plastic.

The drum 3 has sections of different diameters so that the different dense phases can be discharged on different diameters.

Here, in a preferred—but not mandatory—configuration, the drum 3 has at least two cylindrical sections 18, 19 of different diameters. One or more conical transition regions can be formed on the drum 3 adjacent to this. The drum 3 can also have a single or double conical design overall in its central axial area (not here shown). The heavier phase HP is then derived in particular on the largest inner diameter.

As shown, the drum 3 can have a lower cylindrical portion 20 of smaller diameter on/in which the rotor assembly 5b of the lower magnetic bearing is also formed, which merges into a conical portion 20a, then here a cylindrical portion 19 of larger diameter, for example, then again a tapered portion 18a and then an upper smaller-diameter cylindrical portion 18 on which the rotor unit 4b of the upper magnetic bearing 4 is formed.

Two or more outlets 21 , 22 are provided in the outer shell of the drum 3 in the sections 18 , 19 of different diameters for discharging the phases of different densities from the drum 3 . These outlets 21 , 22 can more preferably be configured as one or more openings, in particular nozzle-like openings, in the outer casing of the drum 3 . They are therefore designed as so-called "free" processes.

The first outlet 21 in section 18 with the smaller diameter is used to drain off the lighter phase LP, and the second outlet 22 in section 19 with the larger—here “largest”—diameter is used for draining off the heavier phase HP.

The phases emerging from the drum 3 are caught in the housing 1 in catch ring chambers 23, 24 of the housing 1 which are offset axially with respect to one another. These catch ring chambers 23, 24 are designed in such a way that the phase collected in them is routed to one of the outlets 10, 11 of the respective catch ring chamber 23, 24. This can be achieved in that the respective outlet 10, 11 is at the lowest point of the respective catch ring chamber 23, 24. The annular catching chambers 23, 24 are open radially inwards and are designed in such a way that liquid spurting out of the respective outlet 21 or 22 during the centrifugal separation essentially only flows into the associated annular catching chamber 23, 24 which is at the same axial level is injected.

A further, third chamber 25 that is not used for discharging a phase can optionally be formed below the second annular capture chamber 24 . This chamber 25 can optionally have a leakage drain (not shown here). The first and second catch ring chambers 23, 24 can be separated from one another by a first wall 26, which is conical here and which, starting from the outer surface of the housing 1, runs conically inwards and upwards and ends at a distance from the drum 3 radially in front of it.

The second annular catch chamber 24 can also be delimited at the bottom by a conical wall 27 which, starting from the outer jacket of the housing 1, runs conically inwards and upwards and ends radially on the inside with a distance from the drum 3.

The respective product phase LP and HP is discharged from the housing 1 through the respective outlet 10, 11, preferably at the lowest point of the respective catch ring chamber. Connection pieces can be provided on the outside of the housing 1 in the area of the respective outlet 10, 11 in order to be able to easily connect lines and the like. These can in turn be formed directly on the housing or be attached to it with adhesive. The sockets are preferably also made of plastic. The housing 1 can be composed of a plurality of plastic parts which are connected to one another in a sealed manner, for example by gluing or welding.

It is also provided that one of the two product phases LP, HP, preferably the heavier product phase HP of the two derived product phases LP, HP, can be partially circulated back into the drum 3.

In particular, it can be provided that this heavy phase HP is pumped away from the outlet 11 with a pump 28 through a line 29 . This line 29 can be designed as a hose.

This line can be designed as a hose, which can optionally also have a buffer container or bag on the suction side of the pump.

It is provided that a branch line 30 branches off from the line 29 .

This branch line 30 can also be designed as a hose. Both the branch line 30 and/or the line 29 behind (in the direction of flow) the branch to the branch line 30 can have a controllable, in particular electrically controllable, control valve 31 . A control valve can have an open position, a closed position, and intermediate positions (half open, etc.). The branch line 30 opens into the recirculation inlet 9, which is remote from the inlet at the second end of the drum 3 and the housing 1, which can be formed—in this case the lower end. A recirculation line is formed in this way, with which the heavy phase HP can be fed back into the drum 3.

The recirculation inlet 9 comprises the second inlet pipe 32, which extends analogously to the first inlet pipe 12 - but from below - through the second - here lower - radially extending boundary wall 7 into the drum 3 and ends there in a second distributor 33 and/or with this is connected, the distribution channels 34 extends radially. The second inlet pipe is also non-rotatable and connected to the housing 1 in a sealed manner.

Thus, two distributors 13, 33 are provided. It is preferred that the first distributor 13 rotates with the drum 3 during operation and that the second distributor 33 does not rotate with the drum during operation. The phase to be recirculated - here HP - is pumped back into the drum through this.

The second distributor 33 can be embodied as a type of non-rotatable distributor disk, which can be aligned perpendicular to the axis of rotation and can also have one or more distributor channels 34 running radially at a higher level, with which the returned phase HP, when it enters the drum 3, radially outwards and is preferably pumped into the drum in the circumferential direction and in the direction of rotation of the drum. It can expediently be provided that the distribution channels 34 in the distributor 33 run spirally with the direction of rotation during operation.

The disk-like distributor 33 here projects radially far enough into the drum that it can be used to transfer the liquid into the rotating drum 3 in such a way that no liquid escapes axially through the lower opening 32a of the drum. Rather, the liquid flowing out of the distributor is accelerated to circumferential speed in the drum by the latter - e.g. with ribs/channels not shown.

The lighter phase LP leaves the drum 3 on a radius ro. From there it flows—circling in the catch clamp 23 due to its momentum—through the upper outlet 10 into the housing 1 .

The operation of the separator 21 will be briefly described below. First, the separator is provided with its reusable components or reusable components. This includes the frame I and the drive and stator units 4a, 5a of the magnetic bearing devices. This also includes a control unit 37.

A separator insert II is then provided and mounted on the frame I.

This separator insert can preferably also have hoses and connectors that can be connected to other lines (not shown here) and containers such as bags, tanks, pumps and the like.

Then, after the lines and hoses and the like have been connected, a suspension is fed into the rotating drum (inlet 8) and separated there centrifugally into the light phase LP and the heavy phase HP.

The heavier phase HP of greater density flows radially outwards in the drum 3 in the separating space. There the phase HP leaves the drum on a radius ru.

The lighter phase LP flows radially inwards in the bowl 3 in the separation space and rises through a channel 38 on a stem of the distributor. There the phase LP leaves the drum on a radius ro. Through the ratio of ro to ru and the number and size of the openings, the radius of the separation zone between the two phases can be set within the plate pack and the flow rates of the individual phases can be coordinated in this way.

The light phase LP and the heavy phase HP are each discharged freely from the drum 3 via openings as outlets 21 , 22 during continuous operation.

A portion of the heavy phase here is fed back into the drum 3 via the recirculation inlet 9 and the distributor 33 . In this way, the concentration of the heavy phase can be influenced in a simple manner and the separation process can be optimized. Part of the heavier phase HP can be fed back into the drum 3 in this way, in particular by suitably controlling the control valve 31 . This results in an optimization of the separation process. A control device 37 is used for control. Optionally, the control valve 31 can be controlled as part of a regulation, for which purpose a parameter—here the heavy phase HP with the measuring device 35—is measured. This is indicated here by a type of connection 36 to the control device 37. The measuring device 35 can be used to determine a parameter of the second phase HP, e.g can be closed (dashed lines - connection 36).

In order to regulate, for example, the density of the separated heavy phase, a measurement, for example a density measurement (measuring device 35) of the heavy phase at the outflow of the centrifuge, can be carried out. This measured value is sent to the control device 37 (dashed line) and compared with a target value. If a specified target value, e.g. a density target value, has not yet been reached, part of the separated heavy phase HP can be fed back into the separating chamber of drum 3 via a control valve. With this process it is possible to set the actual value of the density of the separated heavy phase HP to be greater than or equal to a specified target value. This control can be done with a PID controller, for example.

Depending on the product, the control could alternatively be based on other measured values, such as turbidity, conductivity, volume flow, pH value. An adjustment via a quantity or mass balance and thus the adjustment of a desired solids concentration would also be conceivable. Further regulations can be based on the flow rate or the feed rate or the drum speed and/or combinations of these parameters.

For other applications, it can also make sense to use the measured values mentioned to influence the speed of the drum or the volume flow in the inlet. If the measurement shows, for example, that the concentration of the heavy phase is insufficient, the feed quantity can be changed or the drum speed varied in a suitable manner.

Alternatively or additionally, the measurements suggested for the heavy phase HP can also be carried out in the sequence for the light phase LP. If, for example, turbidity is detected in the light phase, this can be used as a control variable for a Adjustment of the feed quantity or a suitable adjustment of the drum speed can be used.

In principle, the position of the axis of rotation D can be freely selected in this embodiment, since the magnetic bearing arrangement made up of the two magnetic bearing devices 4 and 5 allows this. The position of the axis of rotation D can be vertical or horizontal or assume any inclination. The free flow of the light phase LP is to be adapted constructively depending on the position of the axis of rotation D. If one of the phases HP, LP is pumped down, this is not absolutely necessary.

Cell separations in the pharmaceutical industry are a possible application of the separator according to the invention. The performance range is intended for processing broths from fermenters in the range of 100 l - 4000 l as well as for laboratory applications.

Other areas of industry in which separators are used would also be conceivable: chemicals, pharmaceuticals, dairy technology, renewable raw materials, oil and gas, beverage technology, mineral oil, etc...

In a modification of a separator insert II of Fig. 134 in a second embodiment variant, the form-fitting means 41a, 41b of the separator insert and the corresponding form-fitting means provided on the frame I can only be provided on one side between the frame I and the separator insert II and as a result also an axial and anti-rotation of the separator insert II relative to the frame I is made possible. This reduces, among other things, the complexity of the structure.

Reference sign

Rack I

Console 1-1

Car I-2

Rolls I-3

Shots I-4, I-5

Separator insert II

housing 1

rotor 2

drum 3

Magnetic bearing devices 4, 5 stator units 4a, 5a

Rotor unit 4b, 5b radial boundary wall 6, 7 inlet 8

recirculation inlet 9

Procedures 10, 11

inlet pipe 12

opening 12a

distributor 13

Manifold 14

distributor base 15

distribution channel 16

separator plate 17 cyl. Sections 18, 19, 20 con. Sections 18a, 20a

Outlets 21, 22

Catch ring chambers 23, 24

chamber 25

Conical walls 26, 27

pump 28

line 29

branch line 30

Control valve 31

inlet pipe 32

opening 32a

Distributor 33

distribution channels 34

measuring device 35

compound 36

Control device 37

channel 38 Form-fitting means 41 a, 41 b, 42

Axis of rotation D

Suspension S phases LP, HP

Radii ro, ru

Claims

25

Claims Separator insert for a separator which is designed to separate a free-flowing suspension (S) in a centrifugal field into at least two free-flowing phases (LP, HP) of different densities and which has the following: a) a housing (1) which is stationary during operation and which according to Type of a container is designed, which is designed to be closed except for openings, these openings being designed as follows: as an inlet (8) for an incoming suspension on a first axial boundary wall (6) of the housing (1), as two outlets ( 10, 11) for flowable phases of different densities (LP, HP) on an outer shell of the housing (1) and as a recirculation inlet (9) on a second axial boundary wall (7) of the housing (1), b) inside the housing (1) arranged and rotatable about an axis of rotation (D) rotor (2) with a drum (3), which has openings, wherein one or more first and one or more first second openings (12a, 32a, 21, 22) of the drum (3) as free radial outlets (21, 22) for the light and heavy phase (LP, HP) in the housing (1) serve, and in two more of the openings (12a, 22a) of drum at each of the two axial ends of the drum (3) there is a supply pipe (12, 32) which does not touch the drum (3), c) a separating means being arranged in the drum (3), d) at least two rotor units ( 4b, 5b) for magnetic bearing devices (4, 5) at two axially spaced points of the rotor (2) with the drum (3), with which the rotor (2) with the drum (3) can be held in suspension during operation within the housing , rotatably storable and can be rotated. Separator insert according to Claim 1, characterized in that the separator insert (II) forms a preassembled, exchangeable unit for insertion into a frame (I) of the separator. Separator insert according to Claim 1 or 2, characterized in that the housing (1) and the drum (3) consist entirely or predominantly of plastic or a plastic composite material. Separator insert according to Claim 1, 2 or 3, characterized in that the rotor units (4b, 5b) for the magnetic bearing devices (4, 5) are arranged at the two axial ends of the drum (3) and that each of the feed pipes (12, 32) one of the rotor units (4b, 5b) penetrates axially. Separator insert according to Claim 4, characterized in that one or both of the magnetic bearing devices (4, 5) can also be used to rotate and adjust the speed of the drum and that one or both of the magnetic bearing devices (4, 5) have a radial and axial bearing effect and Keep the rotor (2) floating in the container (1) at a distance from it during operation. Separator insert according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that each of the two processes (10, 1 1) for flowable phases of different densities (LP, HP) is assigned a respective catch ring chamber (23, 24) of the housing (1). Separator insert according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the two outlets (10, 11) for flowable phases of different densities (LP, HP) are formed radially or tangentially on the housing (1). Separator insert according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that that the inlet (8) is formed by the first, non-rotatable inlet pipe (12), one end of which projects out of the housing (1) to a first side, in particular upwards and outwards when the axis of rotation (D) is in a vertical orientation and which extends axially through the first axial boundary wall (6) and through the one magnetic bearing (4) into the drum (3), but does not touch it. Separator insert according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the first inlet pipe (12) passes through the housing (1) concentrically to the axis of rotation of the rotor (2), then inside the housing (1) extends axially further into the rotatable drum (3) and there with its other end - a free outlet end - in front of or in a drum (3) arranged, with this rotating distributor (13) ends, with which the Suspension can be passed into the centrifugal chamber. Separator insert according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the drum (3) has at least two sections (18, 19) of different diameters and that for deriving the phases (LP, HP) of different densities from the drum (3) in the sections are different Diameter in the outer shell of the drum (3) at least one or more outlets (21, 22) are provided, each having one or more of the openings, in particular nozzle-like openings, in the drum outer shell (3) and in this way the free outlets (21, 22) form in the respective catch ring chambers (23, 24). Separator insert according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the respective outlet (10, 11) for the respective light or heavier phase (LP or HP) is formed at the lowest point of the respective catch ring chamber (24, 25). Separator insert according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the one of the two outlets (10 or 11) exiting light or heavy phase (LP, HP) through a discharge line (29) with a pump (28) from the housing (1) away and that a branch line (30) is provided, which opens into the recirculation inlet (9), so that a recirculation line for returning the light or heavy phase (LP, HP) to the drum is formed. Separator insert according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the light or heavier phase (HP) to be recirculated can be pumped into the drum (3) with the pump (28). Separator insert according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the recirculation inlet (9) has the second inlet pipe (32) which has a second axial boundary wall (7) of the housing (1) 28 and ends in a second distributor (33) in the drum (3) that does not rotate with the drum (3). Separator insert according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that a controllable control valve (31) is provided, with which the recirculation inlet (9) can be shut off or fully or partially opened. Separator insert according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that at least one measuring device is provided with which a parameter of the light phase (LP) and/or the heavy phase (HP) can be determined. Separator insert according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that a set of separating discs (17) is inserted into the drum (3) as the separating means. Separator insert according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that all of its components are combined to form the preassembled unit, with all product-contacting elements being made of plastic or another non-magnetic material. Separator insert according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that its inlet pipes (12, 32) and its outlets (10, 11) project outwards in the manner of sockets from the housing (1), these sockets being sealed with the housing (1). are connected or formed integrally with this. Separator insert according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the housing is hermetically closed except for the openings with the inlet pipes (12, 32) and the outlets (10, 1 1). Separator with a frame (I) and a separator insert (II) according to one of the preceding claims which is exchangeably arranged on the frame. Separator according to claim 21, characterized in that on it spaced shots (I-4, I-5) with stator units (4a, 5a) of 29

Bearing devices (4, 5) are formed, between which the separator insert (II) can be used in a rotationally exchangeable manner. Separator according to Claim 22, characterized in that the relative spacing of the receptacles (I-4 and I-5) with the stator units (4a, 5a) of the bearing devices (4, 5) can be adjusted in order to change the separator insert (II). Separator according to Claim 22 or 23, characterized in that the housing (1) of the separator insert (II) can be fastened to the frame (I) in a form-fitting and/or force-fitting manner. Separator according to claim 23, characterized in that the housing (1) and at least one receptacle (I-4 or I-5), preferably the receptacles (I-4 and I-5), and at least one stator unit, preferably the stator units ( 4a, 5a), have corresponding form-fitting means (41a, 41b) in order to keep the housing (1) rotationally test on the receptacle(s) (I-4 and/or I-5). Separator according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that at least one control device is provided with which the amount of recirculation of the light or heavy phase (LP, HP) - in particular using one or more results of measurements with the measuring device - controls or regulates