GB974942A - Improved disc columns for centrifugal countercurrent exchange devices - Google Patents

Abstract

<PICT:0974942/C1/1> <PICT:0974942/C1/2> <PICT:0974942/C1/3> The centrifugal counter-current exchanger device 10 comprises the shaft 12 suitably journalled for rotation in a supporting structure 14. A drum or rotor 16 is rigidly connected to the shaft 12 for rotation therewith, and the entire device is enclosed by a removable protective cover such as 17. Suitable passageways such as 18 and 20 are provided in the shaft 12 for respectively supplying the heavier liquid to the central area of the rotor 16 and removing the lighter liquid therefrom. Similarly, suitable passageways such as 22 and 24 are provided for respectively supplying the lighter liquid under pressure to the peripheral area of the rotor 16 and removing the heavier liquid therefrom. Communicating with the passageway 24 for removing the heavier liquid are passageways 26 provided between the spill-over discs 28 and end plates 30 of the rotor 16. A plurality of concentric cylindrical separator bands 32 is mounted in the spill-over discs 28 which are completely imperforate over their entire areas save for a plurality of holes arranged and aligned to afford series of disc column cavities such as 34, 36, 38 and 40. The spacing between the separator bands 32 preferably should increase with increasing radius, or at least be uniform, although the spacing may also be made to decrease with increasing radius if desired. Removably positioned within each of the cavities 34, 36, 38 and 40, is a novel disc column of the general type indicated by the numeral 42. The disc column 42 comprises a tie rod 44 having a threaded extension 43 at the inner end thereof, said threaded extension being received in threaded openings suitably drilled and positioned in the drive shaft 12 of the device 10. Removably mounted on the tie rod 44 is a plurality of disc assemblies indicated generally by the numeral 45. The discs 46 and 48 of each disc assembly 45 may be indexed to provide any perforation area or pattern of perforations desired. In this regard, the discs 46 and 48 are formed either with identical perforations 49 as illustrated, or with perforations of differing size, configuration and arrangement. It may thus be appreciated that the possible perforation patterns and areas obtainable for a disc assembly 45 are virtually limitless. Similarly, the perforations 49 and the shape of the tie rod are arranged so that the discs 46 and 48 may be indexed to a position wherein the disc assembly 45 is entirely imperforate. For purposes of operationally retaining the disc columns 42 and permitting the insertion into or removal from the rotor 16 of said columns, the cylindrical outer wall of the rotor is provided with a plurality of circular portholes 58, one in alignment with each of the cavities 34, 36, 38 and 40. A plug 60, which is screw-threaded as indicated, is removably positioned within each of the portholes 58, and the same bears against the top of the tie rod 44 to operationally retain the associated disc column 42 within the rotor. Of course, the threaded extension 43 at the inner end of the tie rod 44 likewise aids in this function. Specifications 958,130 and 963,166 are referred to.