GB1213259A - Improvements in or relating to multiple hydrocyclones - Google Patents

Abstract

1,213,259. Hydrocyclones. ALFA-LAVAL A.B. 13 Nov., 1969 [15 Nov., 1968], No. 55656/69. Heading B2P. A multiple hydrocyclone system comprises a centrifugal pump having a number of rotors 18, Fig. 2, arranged axially along a rotatable shaft 17, and a number of hydrocyclones 19, each having an outlet 24 at its narrow end and an inlet 20 at its broad end, arranged in discs 21 which are situated between the rotors, the hydro-cyclones of each ring lying radially with respect to the axis of rotation of the pump with their narrow outlet ends directed towards 'the axis of rotation of the pump, and the inlets 20 of the cyclones in one disc being connected to the high pressure side of one of said rotors and their outlets 24 opening at the suction side of another of said rotors. The hydro-cyclones are inserted in holes at the periphery of the discs 21, the holes being closed by plugs 22 in which hydrocyclone outlets are provided. Discs 25 are disposed between the discs 21. Radial vanes 26, 27 are arranged in recesses in the discs 21, 25 and define channels leading to the suction side of the rotors 18. The hydrocyclone outlets 24 open into the channels formed by the vanes 26. Channels 28, leading from the outlets 28, open into the channels denned by the vanes 27. Vanes 29 of the rotors 18 terminate at 30 to provide a vaneless region 31 before the inlet 20 of each hydrocyclone. Labyrinth seals 32 are provided between the rotors 18 and the inner edges of the discs 21. The pump shaft 17 is driven by an electric motor 33, Fig. 3. The discs 21 are held together between end walls 36, 37 by bolts 34, 35 and the assembly is supported by a frame 38. In operation, a starch suspension to be separated and washed in a counter current is fed into the pump rotor 18 farthest to the right and pumped via the space 31 into the adjacent hydrocyclone 19. The separated water is discharged through the outlet 23 and channel 28 while the starch concentrate leaves the outlet 24 and is fed by the next pump rotor 18 to the next hydrocyclone 19 and so on until the clear concentrate leaves the hydrocyclone farthest to the left. Pure washing water is led through 'the channel 28 farthest to the left and dilutes the starch concentrate which leaves the outlet 24 of the hydrocyclone 19 situated farthest but one to the left. This water is then separated off in the hydrocyclone situated farthest to the left and passes via the corresponding channel 28 and pump rotor 18 to the inlet of the next hydrocyclone on the right and so on until it is fed into the hydrocyclone farthest to the right.