US3535158A - Automatic control of a centrifuge - Google Patents

Automatic control of a centrifuge Download PDF

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Publication number
US3535158A
US3535158A US673671A US3535158DA US3535158A US 3535158 A US3535158 A US 3535158A US 673671 A US673671 A US 673671A US 3535158D A US3535158D A US 3535158DA US 3535158 A US3535158 A US 3535158A
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United States
Prior art keywords
centrifuge
valve
light
fat
interface
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Expired - Lifetime
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US673671A
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English (en)
Inventor
Thomas G Mcbride
Jerome L Frankel
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Unilever Bestfoods North America
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Unilever Bestfoods North America
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    • B—PERFORMING OPERATIONS; TRANSPORTING
    • B04—CENTRIFUGAL APPARATUS OR MACHINES FOR CARRYING-OUT PHYSICAL OR CHEMICAL PROCESSES
    • B04B—CENTRIFUGES
    • B04B11/00—Feeding, charging, or discharging bowls
    • B04B11/02—Continuous feeding or discharging; Control arrangements therefor
    • B—PERFORMING OPERATIONS; TRANSPORTING
    • B04—CENTRIFUGAL APPARATUS OR MACHINES FOR CARRYING-OUT PHYSICAL OR CHEMICAL PROCESSES
    • B04B—CENTRIFUGES
    • B04B13/00—Control arrangements specially designed for centrifuges; Programme control of centrifuges
    • B04B2013/006—Interface detection or monitoring of separated components
    • Y—GENERAL TAGGING OF NEW TECHNOLOGICAL DEVELOPMENTS; GENERAL TAGGING OF CROSS-SECTIONAL TECHNOLOGIES SPANNING OVER SEVERAL SECTIONS OF THE IPC; TECHNICAL SUBJECTS COVERED BY FORMER USPC CROSS-REFERENCE ART COLLECTIONS [XRACs] AND DIGESTS
    • Y10—TECHNICAL SUBJECTS COVERED BY FORMER USPC
    • Y10S—TECHNICAL SUBJECTS COVERED BY FORMER USPC CROSS-REFERENCE ART COLLECTIONS [XRACs] AND DIGESTS
    • Y10S494/00—Imperforate bowl: centrifugal separators
    • Y10S494/901—Imperforate bowl: centrifugal separators involving mixture containing oil

Definitions

  • An automatic control device for a continuous centrifuge comprises valve means on the light-phase discharge line of the centrifuge which open in response to a preset timer and close in response to an interface detection, e. g., a pressure change in the discharge line.
  • the present invention relates to the automatic control of a centrifuge.
  • it concerns means for regulating, on an intermittent flow basis, the discharge from a continuous centrifuge.
  • a continuous centrifuge In the operation of a continuous centrifuge, supply material is passed in a steady stream through a part of the centrifugal apparatus where it is subjected to cen trifugal force and continuously discharged from the ap paratus in the form of a light-phase discharge and a heavy-phase discharge.
  • a centrifugal clarifier In such a clarifier, a stream of liquid is subjected to a centrifugal force to remove the solid or liquid contaminants.
  • Such clarifier-s are used in a number of different applications.
  • a De Laval Centrifugal Separator (Model GRPX-2l3) has been employed as a clarifier to remove the small (e.g., 0.5l.5%) amount of fat (and other light insolubles) from the neutralized supply liquor (feed) in a corn syrup refining process.
  • the clarifier is operated so as to remove all the fat, thereby producing a clarified liquor.
  • the light-phase discharge contains the fat (and light insolubles) and, usually, a small amount of the clarified liquor.
  • the heavy-phase discharge is the product stream which comprises clarified liquor and no fat.
  • Optimum performance minimizes the amount of clarified liquor loss in the light-phase discharge.
  • problems result in controlling the clarifier so as to insure such optimum performance.
  • Another object of the present invention is to provide automatic control means for regulating, on an intermittent fiow basis, the light-phase discharge from a continuous centrifuge.
  • a further and more specific object of the present invention is to provide a means for minimizing the clarified liquor losses in the light-phase discharge from a continuous clarifier.
  • a still further object is to provide means for effectively controlling the separation of relatively small amounts of contaminants from liquid materials.
  • this device comprises interface sensing means, valve means, and a timer combined as described hereinafter.
  • the drawing is a schematic illustration of a device of the present invention controlling a continuous clarifier in a corn syrup refining process.
  • Interface sensing means are means which are capable of detecting the presence of an interface between two different liquids; for example, clarified liquor and fat-containing light-phase discharge.
  • This interface occurs in the light-phase discharge line of a continuous centrifuge when product, i.e., heavy-phase discharge, e.g., clarified liquor, starts to pass through this line.
  • product i.e., heavy-phase discharge, e.g., clarified liquor
  • the interface sensing means is selected for sensing by the interface sensing means.
  • Suitable interface sensing means are known in the art and include pressure sensing means, viscosity sensing means, and thermal conductivity sensing means.
  • Preferred interface sensing means are pressure sensing means.
  • Suitable pressure sensing means are known in the art and, per se, form no part of the present invention. Such means are positioned in the light-phase discharge line of the centrifuge to be controlled. The pressure sensing means should be capable of detecting pressure differences in the range of about 0 p.s.i.g. to 10 p.s.i.g. within the lightphase discharge line.
  • valve means employed in the apparatus of the present invention may be any conventional means for starting and stopping the flow of liquid through the lightphase discharge line.
  • An electrically actuated valve is particularly suitable for use.
  • the timer employed in the apparatus of this invention is adapted to open the valve means in response to a preset time interval.
  • One such suitable timer is Syracuse Electronics Corporation Model TER 30321.
  • the light-phase discharge from a De Laval GRPX-213 Centrifugal Separator was automatically controlled according to the present invention.
  • This centrifuge was in operation as a clarifier in a corn syrup refining process.
  • the supply liquor to the centrifuge was an acid converted, neutralized hydrolyzate of about 22 Baum (Comm), and 42 DE. It contained about 1.3% fat (and other light insolubles).
  • the desired operation was to remove all fat from the product, i.e., clarified liquor, stream; and to minimize the loss of clarified liquor in the light-phase discharge.
  • the light-phase discharge line was provided with an electrically actuated on-oiT valve. The valve opened in response to an electric timer.
  • the discharge line was further provided with pressure sensing means comprising a liquid filled volumetric pressure sensing system consisting of a Mansfield and Green Type SM diaphragm seal connected to a Foxboro pressure transmitter Model 15Al by means of /8" tubing.
  • the pneumatic output signal from the transmitter actuates a pressure switch, e.g., Barksdale Model D2T-Hl8.
  • the timer setting was arbitrarily selected to open the valve about 2 minutes after a previous closing of the valve. The valve stayed open until an interface was detected, as indicated by a pressure decrease in the line. In general, the valve remained open for about 20 seconds. Samples of the product stream and light-phase discharge stream were analyzed and/or observed. The analysis showed essentially no fat in the product stream. In addition, the liquor loss in the light-phase discharge was minimized.
  • the automatic control device of the present invention is eminently suitable for controlling the light-phase discharge of a continuous centrifuge on an intermittent basis. It should be understood, however, that the above example is for illustrative purposes only and not intended to limit the present invention in any respect.
  • centrifuge 1 which is a hermetically sealed, disc-type apparatus.
  • a separation of the supply liquor into a product (clarified liquor) stream and a contaminant (fat) stream is effected.
  • the product stream continuously discharges from centrifuge 1 through continuous discharge means 2.
  • Light-phase discharge line 3 and accumulating means (not shown) within centrifuge 1 accumulate the separated contaminant, i.e., fat.
  • Valve 4 regulates the flow of the fat stream.
  • Valve 4 opens periodically in response to a preset timer 5. Valve 4 closes in response to a signal from interface sensing means 6. When valve 4 is closed, fat accumulates in a portion of centrifuge 1 and line 3. When valve 4 is open the accumulated fat discharges through line 7. Valve 4 remains open until sensing means 6 detects the presence of an interface between the fat and the clarified liquor, at which time valve 4 closes.
  • the automatic control device is also preferably provided with a time delay. This time delay prevents, for a few seconds, the valve from closing, in order to give the light-phase discharge line between the valve and the interface sensing means time to fill.
  • the continuous centrifuges with which the automatic discharge control device of the present invention will have special utility are hermetically sealed, disc-type apparatus.
  • a preferred centrifuge is the De Laval Centrifugal Clarifier Model GRPX213.
  • an automatic discharge control device for regulating on an intermittent flow basis, the flow from a discharge line of said centrifuge comprising valve means positioned in said discharge line, interface sensing means operatively connected to said valve means and adapted to close said valve means in response to an interface detection in said discharge line and a timer adapted to open said valve in response to preset time interval.
  • valve means are electrically actuated.
  • a process of automatically controlling, on an intermittent flow basis, the light-phase discharge from a continuous centrifuge which comprises sensing the lightphase discharge to detect an interface, stopping the lightphase discharge when said interface is detected, and periodically permitting the light-phase to discharge.

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  • Centrifugal Separators (AREA)
US673671A 1967-10-09 1967-10-09 Automatic control of a centrifuge Expired - Lifetime US3535158A (en)

Applications Claiming Priority (1)

Application Number Priority Date Filing Date Title
US67367167A 1967-10-09 1967-10-09

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US3535158A true US3535158A (en) 1970-10-20

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BE (1) BE721900A (zh)

Cited By (10)

* Cited by examiner, † Cited by third party
Publication number Priority date Publication date Assignee Title
US3970470A (en) * 1974-10-18 1976-07-20 Hein, Lehmann A.G. Centrifuge
US4347971A (en) * 1977-03-03 1982-09-07 Joy Manufacturing Company Centrifuge apparatus
US4392846A (en) * 1981-05-18 1983-07-12 Joy Manufacturing Company Centrifuge apparatus
US4432748A (en) * 1976-09-03 1984-02-21 Joy Manufacturing Company Centrifuge apparatus and method of operating a centrifuge
FR2544740A1 (fr) * 1983-04-23 1984-10-26 Westfalia Separator Ag Procede et appareil d'epuration centrifuge d'huiles minerales usees
US6346069B1 (en) 1999-08-06 2002-02-12 Separation Process Technology, Inc. Centrifugal pressurized separators and methods of controlling same
US6607473B2 (en) 1999-08-06 2003-08-19 Econova Inc. Methods for centrifugally separating mixed components of a fluid stream under a pressure differential
US6719681B2 (en) 1999-08-06 2004-04-13 Econova, Inc. Methods for centrifugally separating mixed components of a fluid stream
US20160271626A1 (en) * 2013-10-29 2016-09-22 Alfa Laval Corporate Ab Method for citrus fruit processing
EP1699562B2 (de) † 2003-12-23 2019-09-25 GEA Mechanical Equipment GmbH Verfahren zur vermeidung von verstopfungen der durchflusswege eines separators

Citations (7)

* Cited by examiner, † Cited by third party
Publication number Priority date Publication date Assignee Title
US2113809A (en) * 1936-02-21 1938-04-12 Continental Oil Co Apparatus for dewaxing hydrocarbon oils
US2628023A (en) * 1948-04-05 1953-02-10 Separator Ab Regulation of the fat content of milk products
CA536334A (en) * 1957-01-29 V. Haglund Folke Method and apparatus for regulating the fat content of centrifugally separated cream
US3114655A (en) * 1961-11-16 1963-12-17 Buckau Wolf Maschf R Centrifugal separator
US3347455A (en) * 1965-03-16 1967-10-17 Alec J Borden Liquid extractor system
US3408000A (en) * 1965-08-23 1968-10-29 Alfa Laval Ab Determination of sludge level in sludge centrifuge
US3437267A (en) * 1966-03-24 1969-04-08 Alfa Laval Ab Centrifuge

Patent Citations (7)

* Cited by examiner, † Cited by third party
Publication number Priority date Publication date Assignee Title
CA536334A (en) * 1957-01-29 V. Haglund Folke Method and apparatus for regulating the fat content of centrifugally separated cream
US2113809A (en) * 1936-02-21 1938-04-12 Continental Oil Co Apparatus for dewaxing hydrocarbon oils
US2628023A (en) * 1948-04-05 1953-02-10 Separator Ab Regulation of the fat content of milk products
US3114655A (en) * 1961-11-16 1963-12-17 Buckau Wolf Maschf R Centrifugal separator
US3347455A (en) * 1965-03-16 1967-10-17 Alec J Borden Liquid extractor system
US3408000A (en) * 1965-08-23 1968-10-29 Alfa Laval Ab Determination of sludge level in sludge centrifuge
US3437267A (en) * 1966-03-24 1969-04-08 Alfa Laval Ab Centrifuge

Cited By (15)

* Cited by examiner, † Cited by third party
Publication number Priority date Publication date Assignee Title
US3970470A (en) * 1974-10-18 1976-07-20 Hein, Lehmann A.G. Centrifuge
US4432748A (en) * 1976-09-03 1984-02-21 Joy Manufacturing Company Centrifuge apparatus and method of operating a centrifuge
US4347971A (en) * 1977-03-03 1982-09-07 Joy Manufacturing Company Centrifuge apparatus
US4392846A (en) * 1981-05-18 1983-07-12 Joy Manufacturing Company Centrifuge apparatus
FR2544740A1 (fr) * 1983-04-23 1984-10-26 Westfalia Separator Ag Procede et appareil d'epuration centrifuge d'huiles minerales usees
US6607473B2 (en) 1999-08-06 2003-08-19 Econova Inc. Methods for centrifugally separating mixed components of a fluid stream under a pressure differential
US6346069B1 (en) 1999-08-06 2002-02-12 Separation Process Technology, Inc. Centrifugal pressurized separators and methods of controlling same
US6719681B2 (en) 1999-08-06 2004-04-13 Econova, Inc. Methods for centrifugally separating mixed components of a fluid stream
US20040192533A1 (en) * 1999-08-06 2004-09-30 Econova, Inc. Centrifugal separators
US7060017B2 (en) 1999-08-06 2006-06-13 Econova, Inc. Centrifugal separators
US20060217255A1 (en) * 1999-08-06 2006-09-28 Econova, Inc. Method for separating particulate matter from a fluid stream
US7314441B2 (en) 1999-08-06 2008-01-01 Econova, Inc. Method for separating particulate matter from a fluid stream
EP1699562B2 (de) † 2003-12-23 2019-09-25 GEA Mechanical Equipment GmbH Verfahren zur vermeidung von verstopfungen der durchflusswege eines separators
US20160271626A1 (en) * 2013-10-29 2016-09-22 Alfa Laval Corporate Ab Method for citrus fruit processing
US10786820B2 (en) * 2013-10-29 2020-09-29 Alfa Laval Corporate Ab Method for citrus fruit processing

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Publication number Publication date
BE721900A (zh) 1969-04-08

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