KR102363881B1 - Sealing structure of centrifuge for thermal sterilization and steam sterilization method of centrifuge using the same - Google Patents

Abstract

The present invention relates to a centrifuge sealing structure for thermal sterilization to prevent propagation of bacteria inside a centrifuge, and a steam centrifuge sterilization method using the same. According to the present invention, a centrifuge comprises: a cylindrical casing which is located in the center of a main body; a rotary vessel which is installed inside the casing and into which an undiluted solution for solid-liquid separation or liquid-liquid separation is injected; a spindle which is coupled to the upper part of the rotary vessel for rotation of the rotary vessel; and an undiluted solution inlet which is connected to the lower end of the rotary vessel through the lower end of the casing. Steam is supplied through the undiluted solution inlet to sterilize the inside of the casing and rotary vessel, the undiluted solution inlet is connected to an external steam generator, and a sealing packing for sealing the inside of the centrifuge is provided in pipes around the spindle. The rotary vessel is spaced apart from the inner wall of the casing to provide a space of a predetermined size to the outside of the rotary vessel and the sealing packing is configured to expand or contract with respect to the spindle by pneumatic and vacuum at a distance from the circumference of the surface of the spindle.

Description

Sealing structure of centrifuge for thermal sterilization and steam sterilization method of centrifuge using the same

The present invention relates to a centrifugal separator, and more particularly, to a closed structure for thermal sterilization of the centrifuge and a steam sterilization method of the centrifugal separator therethrough.

A centrifuge is a device that uses centrifugal force generated when an object rotates to separate substances, such as solid particles in a liquid or gas, and small particles of a liquid. It is mainly used for separation operations such as filtration, dehydration, concentration, dust collection, analysis, quantification, and purification in various fields such as , biotechnology, etc.

In general, centrifugal separators include a bowl, a screw conveyor, a gear box, a casing that protects the rotating part, a drive device that rotates the rotary barrel, a differential device that controls the rotation speed of the screw conveyor, and an electric control panel. The rotary cylinder rotates at high speed, and the rotation speed of the screw conveyor in the rotary cylinder can be adjusted by a fixed operation or a differential device by a gearbox reduction ratio.

For example, in the field of biotechnology, centrifuges are mainly used for the purpose of separating cells mixed with liquids or substances having higher specific gravity and adhesion than liquids by specific gravity, and such centrifuges are used for centrifuging samples. According to the amount, rotation speed, type of rotor, etc., it may be divided into various forms.

As a representative model of a device that separates two types of liquid mixtures (undiluted solutions) with different specific gravity by centrifugal force, a Scharples type centrifuge, a De Laval type centrifuge, and a decanter type centrifuge (Decanter type centrifuge).

Sharpless type centrifuge is a small diameter, hollow cylindrical centrifuge used to separate solid-liquid systems and liquid-liquid systems. It is separated by strong centrifugal force. It is mainly used for lubricating oil refining (removal of wax or sludge), animal oil, vegetable oil, mineral oil refining, diesel oil refining, varnish refining, solids removal from rubber, fine particles in paints or paints, plasma separation, etc. The solid is deposited in the barrel and the separated liquid is discharged out through the upper outlet. If the solids in the rotary tube are filled to some extent and the separation efficiency deteriorates, the operation can be stopped and the operation can be continued by cleaning the cylinder and reassembling it.

DeLaval centrifuge is widely used for separation of milk cream, separation and purification of water and impurities contained in lubricating oil and gasoline, classification of starch, purification of juice, separation of kaolin, production of fruit juice or cell separation in yeast culture systems. It is also called a separator-type centrifugal separator.

The decanter-type centrifugal separator is applied to solid-liquid separation of physical properties in which sedimentation occurs due to the specific gravity difference between liquid and solid, and is mainly used for classification of polyvinyl chloride particles and purification of grape juice.

Sharpless type centrifuges, DeLaval type centrifuges, and decanter type centrifuges as described above have various problems in use. It is suitable for treating liquids and separates two liquid mixtures with different specific gravity efficiently and precisely using a large sedimentation area and centrifugal force. A centrifugal separator for liquid-liquid separation capable of obtaining a liquid has been proposed.

On the other hand, in the case of conventional centrifugal separators including sharpless centrifuges, after the liquid-liquid or solid-liquid separation by centrifugation is completed, the centrifuge is washed with acid, alkali, or water. In this way, the centrifuge is washed Even so, there is still a risk that bacteria may grow inside the rotary tube or casing due to fine solid residues or residues.

Accordingly, the present invention has been developed to solve the above problems, and specifically, it is an object of the present invention to provide a configuration and method for thermally sterilizing and sterilizing a centrifuge.

According to one aspect of the present invention for achieving the above object, a cylindrical casing located in the center of the main body, a rotary tube installed inside the casing and into which a stock solution for solid-liquid separation or liquid-liquid separation is injected, the rotary tube As a centrifuge comprising a spindle coupled to the upper portion of the rotary tube for rotation, and an undiluted solution inlet connected to the lower end of the rotary tube through the lower end of the casing, to sterilize the inside of the casing and the rotary tube Steam is supplied through the undiluted solution inlet, the undiluted solution inlet is connected to an external steam generator, and a sealing packing for sealing the inside of the centrifuge is provided in a pipe line around the spindle, the rotary cylinder A space of a certain size is provided to the outside of the rotary tube by being spaced apart from the inner wall of the casing, and the sealing packing is configured to expand or contract with respect to the spindle by pneumatic and vacuum at a predetermined distance from the circumference of the spindle's surface. A separator is provided.

According to the present invention, the sealing packing is connected to a pneumatic pipe line controlled by an air cylinder provided in the centrifugal separator body, and an air chamber of a certain size is provided around the spindle for installation of the sealing packing, and the sealing The packing is a structure having a concave space in which a rear side corresponding to the pneumatic pipe line is opened and a front side corresponding to the spindle is closed for air injection and vacuum generation from the pneumatic pipe line, and the rear opening of the sealing packing is connected to the pneumatic pipe, and the front wall is preferably flat so as to be in close contact with the circumference of the spindle.

According to the present invention, steam from the steam generator is filled in the rotary tube through the undiluted solution inlet, and the steam is filled in the inner space of the casing outside the rotary tube through the liquid outlet between the rotary tube and the casing cover to sterilize the rotary tube and the casing. As a steam sterilization method of a centrifugal separator that The wall surface swells up and closely adheres to the peripheral surface of the spindle, and the inner space of the sealing packing is contracted by suctioning air through the pneumatic pipe to form a vacuum, and the front wall surface retreats and is spaced apart from the peripheral surface of the spindle. this is provided

From the above features, the present invention can prevent bacterial growth in the rotating passage of the centrifuge, the flow passage of light/heavy liquid, and the inner space of the casing by thermally sterilizing and sterilizing the inside of the high-speed centrifuge.

In addition, the present invention can completely seal the inside of the centrifuge during sterilization using steam, so that it is possible to more reliably sterilize and sterilize the rotating passage of the centrifuge, the flow passage of light/heavy liquid, and the inner space of the casing.

1 is a schematic diagram showing the configuration for thermal sterilization of the centrifuge of the present invention;
Figure 2 is a partially enlarged cross-sectional view showing the structure and installation state of the sealing packing of Figure 1;
3 is a view showing a change in the state of the sealing packing of FIG. 2, FIG. 3a is a state of the sealing packing when air is injected, and FIG. 3b is a view showing the state of the sealing packing when taking out air, respectively;
Figure 4 is a view schematically showing a commercialized form of the centrifuge according to Figure 1;

The present invention is a method for thermally sterilizing and sterilizing a rotary tube, a flow passage of light/heavy liquid, and a casing surrounding the rotary tube, which are parts that have a high probability of bacterial propagation and can have serious consequences due to bacterial propagation. We would like to propose a sterilization method by steam.

In this sterilization method using steam, hot steam under a constant pressure condition is supplied to the inside of the centrifuge, that is, via the rotary tube 3 to the inside of the casing 2 around the rotary tube. In this case, the temperature of the water vapor is at least 100 ℃ or higher, preferably about 120 ℃ water vapor may be used.

Hereinafter, the present invention will be described in more detail with reference to the accompanying drawings and examples.

In the following embodiments, the illustration and description are omitted except for essential parts in describing the invention, and the same reference numerals are given to the same and similar elements throughout the specification, and detailed descriptions thereof are omitted without repeating them. do.

1 is a schematic diagram showing a configuration for thermal sterilization of a centrifugal separator according to the present invention, FIG. 2 is an enlarged cross-sectional view showing the structure and installation state of the sealing packing of FIG. 1, and FIG. 3 is a state change of the sealing packing As shown, FIG. 3A is a view showing the state of the sealing packing when air is injected, and FIG. 3B is a view showing the state of the sealing packing when air is drawn out.

In the centrifugal separator of the present invention, a casing 2 having a substantially cylindrical shape is located in the center of the main body 1, and a undiluted solution is injected into the casing 2 to perform solid-liquid separation or liquid-liquid separation (3) It is positioned and engaged with the upper spindle (shaft) 5 for rotation.

In addition, the rotary tube (3) is spaced apart from the inner wall of the casing (2) for smooth rotation, a space of a certain size is provided outside the rotary tube (3), and the upper end of the rotary tube (3) is the casing cover (4) ) and is connected to the spindle 5 extending downward from the upper part of the centrifuge body 1 and the lower end of the rotary tube 3 is connected to the stock solution inlet 6 through the lower end of the casing 2 .

In the present invention, the supply of steam for sterilizing the centrifuge may be made through the undiluted solution inlet 6, and for this, the undiluted solution 6 may be connected to an external steam generator (not shown).

In such a configuration, the centrifugal separator in which the solid-liquid separation or liquid-liquid separation process is completed by high-speed rotation of the rotary tube 3 is stopped and washed clean with acid, alkali or water, and then, using the steam sterilization method of the present invention, the bacteria inside breeding can be prevented.

In the sterilization method of a centrifugal separator using steam, steam supplied from a steam generator (not shown) through the undiluted solution inlet 6 fills the inside of the rotary tube 3 and is formed between the casing cover 4 and the The space inside the casing (2) is filled again through the liquid outlet (not shown; see the upper arrow), and in this process, the steam sterilizes the bacteria propagating in the rotary tube (3) and the casing (2). to maintain sterility.

At this time, it is preferable that the inside of the rotary tube 3 and the casing 2 be maintained in a completely sealed state, but a part of the steam delivered to the inside of the casing 2 through the rotary tube 3 is transferred to the spindle 5 ) along the conduit surrounding the circumference of the centrifuge body (1) may cause a problem of outflow. Accordingly, the temperature and pressure of the steam filled in the rotary tube 3 and the casing 2 is gradually lowered, and as a result, when a certain time elapses, the rotary tube 3 and the casing 2 are Sterilizing the interior can actually be difficult.

In order to solve this problem, the present embodiment proposes an additional configuration for completely sealing the inside of the centrifuge during sterilization using steam.

This is to install a predetermined airtight means in some of the conduits around the spindle 5 to prevent steam from flowing out through the conduit around the spindle, and the airtight means used here is constant from the circumference of the surface of the spindle 5. A sealing packing 9 can be provided which can expand and contract with respect to the spindle 5 by pneumatic and vacuum at a distance.

This sealing packing (9) can be connected to a pneumatic pipe line (8) controlled by an air cylinder (not shown) provided in the centrifuge body (1), and around the spindle (5) for installation of the sealing packing (9). Some are provided with an air chamber 7 of a certain size.

The sealing packing 9 is a concave space in which the rear side corresponding to the pneumatic pipe line 8 is opened and the front side corresponding to the spindle 5 is closed to allow air injection and vacuum operation from the pneumatic pipe line 8 . As a structure having (9a), the rear opening (9b) of the sealing packing (9) is connected to the pneumatic pipe (8), and the front wall surface (9c) is provided in a form capable of close contact with the circumference of the spindle (5).

When air is injected from the pneumatic pipe line 8 from this configuration, the inner space 9a of the sealing packing 9 expands as shown in FIG. 3a , and the front wall surface 9c swells up and is in close contact with the peripheral surface of the spindle 5 And, through this, it is possible to completely seal the centrifuge and prevent the steam from flowing out through the pipe line around the spindle (5). At this time, the steam supplied through the undiluted solution inlet 6 can sterilize the inside through the rotary tube 3 and the casing 2 without flowing out through the conduit around the spindle 5 .

When the centrifuge is operated after sterilization, the inner space 9a of the sealing packing 9 is contracted as shown in FIG. 3b by suctioning air through the pneumatic pipe line 8 to form a vacuum, and the front wall surface 9c is retracted. It is spaced apart from the peripheral surface of the spindle 5 . Accordingly, when the spindle 5 is rotated to operate the centrifuge, friction caused by the sealing packing 9 is removed, so that the rotation of the rotary tube can be made smoothly.

On the other hand, the sealing packing 9 may be connected to one or more microtubules 8a extending from the pneumatic pipe line 8, as shown in FIG. 9) can be designed in a form that can expand and contract.

FIG. 4 schematically shows a commercialized form of the centrifuge according to FIG. 1 , and the inner space of the centrifuge body 1 may be sealed by an openable and openable door 20 located on the front side, and the stock solution inlet 6 ) at the left and right lower ends of the casing (2) as a center, the undiluted solution residual amount outlet 13 and the vapor drain outlet 14 may be provided. In addition, the door 20 of the centrifugal separator of the present invention is configured to be fastenable to each other by clamping devices 12 and 22 respectively formed between the body 1 and the body 1 , and the door 20 is closed in the center of one side. In order to check the inside of the body (1) in the see-through window 21 may be provided so as to look into the inside.

Meanwhile, reference numeral '11' not described in FIGS. 1 and 4 denotes a 'liquid outlet' for discharging the centrifuged liquid.

Although various embodiments of the present invention have been described above, the contents described so far are merely illustrative of some of the preferred embodiments of the present invention, and except as may appear in the claims appended below It is not limited by the above-mentioned content. Accordingly, the present invention understands that many changes, modifications and substitutions of equivalents can be made without departing from the spirit and spirit of the invention within the scope set forth in the claims below by those of ordinary skill in the art. will have to

1: Centrifuge body
2: casing
3: rotating barrel
4: casing cover
5: Spindle
6: undiluted solution inlet
7: air chamber
8: pneumatic pipe
8a: microtubules
9: sealing packing
9a: interior space
9b: rear opening
9c: front wall
11: liquid outlet
12,22: clamp device
13: undiluted solution remaining outlet
14: vapor drain outlet
20 : door
21: sight window

Claims (5)

A cylindrical casing located in the center of the body, a rotary tube installed inside the casing and into which a stock solution for solid-liquid separation or liquid-liquid separation is injected, a spindle coupled to the upper portion of the rotary tube for rotation of the rotary tube, and A centrifugal separator including an undiluted solution inlet connected to the lower end of the rotary tube through the lower end of the casing,
Steam is supplied through the undiluted solution inlet to sterilize the inside of the casing and the rotary tube, the undiluted solution inlet is connected to an external steam generator, and the pipe line around the spindle seals the inside of the centrifuge A centrifuge, characterized in that the sealing packing is provided with a sealing packing for the spindle, characterized in that the sealing packing is configured to expand and contract with respect to the spindle by pneumatic and vacuum at a predetermined distance from the circumference of the spindle. The method of claim 1,
The rotary tube is spaced apart from the inner wall of the casing, the centrifugal separator, characterized in that a space of a certain size is provided to the outside of the rotary tube. 3. The method of claim 1 or 2,
The sealing packing is connected to a pneumatic pipe controlled by an air cylinder provided in the centrifuge body, and an air chamber of a certain size is provided around the spindle for installation of the sealing packing. 4. The method of claim 3,
The sealing packing is a structure having a concave space in which a rear side corresponding to the pneumatic pipe line is opened and a front side corresponding to the spindle is closed for air injection and vacuum generation from the pneumatic pipe line, A centrifugal separator, characterized in that the rear opening is connected to the pneumatic pipe line and the front wall surface is flat to enable close contact with the circumference of the spindle. A method for steam sterilization of a centrifugal separator according to claim 4, comprising:
Steam from the steam generator is filled in the inner space of the rotary tube through the undiluted solution inlet, and the steam is filled in the inner space of the casing outside the rotary tube through the liquid outlet between the rotary tube and the casing cover to sterilize the rotary tube and the casing, but the pneumatic pipe When air is injected from Steam sterilization method of a centrifugal separator, characterized in that the front wall is retracted and spaced apart from the peripheral surface of the spindle.

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