GB872499A - Improvements in and relating to centrifugal liquid-liquid contact apparatus - Google Patents

Abstract

872,499. Centrifugal liquid/liquid contactor. PODBIELNIAK, W. J. May 13, 1959 [Oct. 21, 1958], No. 16492/59. Class 81 (1). A centrifugal liquid/liquid contactor comprising a rotatable hollow casing and means for admitting and removing the liquid phases is characterized by the provision within the casing of a series of concentrically placed partition walls wherein there are a multiplicity of small size perforations and, additionally, a lesser number of layer openings arranged in a plurality of radially aligned groups so that each group provides an uninterrupted passage through the partition walls from the periphery to the centre of the rotor. There is also provided means for partly or wholly closing the groups of larger holes, e.g. plugs which may be inserted through access parts in the periphery of the rotor. The plugs may be cylindrical or tapered (see Figs. 2 and 3) and may wholly or partly close the openings. Fig. 1 depicts an embodiment of the invention wherein six groups of large openings 32 and the corresponding access ports 34, 35, 36 are shown. In ports 34 are inserted cylindrical plugs 37 which wholly fill the openings; in ports 36 are inserted plugs 38 which partly fill the openings and ports 35 are closed off and the corresponding groups of openings are unobstructed. The provision of the plugs and associated openings provide a means whereby the mixing energy of the system may be varied independently of or in conjunction with variation of the speed of rotation of the extractor. The basic principals of centrifugal liquid/ liquid contactors are briefly discussed in the Specification.