GB711313A - Apparatus for the centrifugal countercurrent contacting of fluids - Google Patents

Abstract

711,313. Centrifugal machines. PODBIELNIAK, W. J., and PODBIELNIAK, W. G. May 20, 1952 [June 7, 1951], No. 12700/52. Class 23 [Also in Groups XII and XXVI] In a centrifugal machine for countercurrent contacting of two fluids for solvent extraction or chemical reaction comprising a rotor 11 having an operating chamber 18 extending from the axis of rotation, restricted laterally to extend through only a minor proportion of the circular path of the rotor and divided into inter-connected compartments by partitions 25 each having at least one aperture therein the heavier fluid is supplied to the inner compartment and withdrawn from the outer compartment, and the lighter fluid is supplied to the outer compartment and withdrawn from the inner compartment. The chamber is formed in an arm 12 extending radially from the rotor which carries a further arm 13 having an adjustable weight 103 for balancing. The cross-sections of the arm 12 and the apertures in the partitions are circular, rectangular or elliptical. The partitions may be evenly spaced, or the spacing between partitions may increase or decrease with the distance of the partitions from the axis of rotation. The rotor has stub-shafts 15, 16 carried by ball bearings in frame-standards 10, the shaft 15 having drive-pulleys 72. The shafts have internal passages connecting the chamber to pipes 66, 55, 97, 93 for the supply and withdrawal of the fluids. Water (the heavy fluid) from the pipe 93 passes through a nozzle 19 to flow outwardly through the chamber against inwardly flowing n-butylamine - containing kerosene. Water-containing n-butylamine leaves the chamber through a port 29 communicating by means of a bore in the arm with a passage in the shaft 15, and is finally discharged by the pipe 55. N-butylamine-containing kerosene from a pipe 66 passing through a passage in the shaft 15 and a bore in the arm enters the chamber by a port 30, and passes inwardly to be removed from the chamber by a duct 23 communicating by .means of a bore in the shaft 16 with the discharge pipe 97. The machine may have more than one chamber disposed in arms extending from a rotor, or chambers may be formed by radial passages in a rotor-disc. The chambers may be radial, or inclined to or curved away from a radius. In modifications Figs. 9, 10 (not shown) the compartments have a flattened elliptical shape in radial section. Dimensions and performance figures are included in the Specification.