WO2018058025A1

WO2018058025A1 - System and method for extracting sediment from a conical-bottomed vessel with a restrictor tee conduit and centrifuge

Info

Publication number: WO2018058025A1
Application number: PCT/US2017/053222
Authority: WO
Inventors: Karl POPPENBERG
Original assignee: Andritz Separation Inc.
Priority date: 2016-09-26
Filing date: 2017-09-25
Publication date: 2018-03-29

Abstract

This application discloses a method and system to extract the maximum amount of fluid product from a conical-bottomed vessel, wherein sediment settles to the bottom of the conical-bottomed vessel. The application further discloses a system using a restrictor tee conduit configured to use the Venturi Effect to create a vacuum to draw sediment and other solids from the conical-bottomed vessel section into fluid product coming from the side outlet of the conical-bottomed vessel. The extracted mixture of fluid product and solids is then sent to a centrifuge for separation.

Description

SYSTEM AND METHOD FOR EXTRACTING SEDIMENT FROM A CONICAL- BOTTOMED VESSEL WITH A RESTRICTOR TEE CONDUIT AND CENTRIFUGE

CROSS-RELATED APPLICATION

[0001] This application claims the benefit of U. S. Provisional Patent Application Number 62/399,927 filed on September 26, 2016, the entirety of which is incorporated herein by reference.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

1. TECHNICAL FIELD

[0002] The present disclosure relates generally to extracting sediment from a conical section of a conical-bottomed vessel; and more particularly, this disclosure relates to conical-bottomed vessels used in chemical manufacturing, chemical recovery, and in the food and beverage industries.

2. RELATED ART

[0003] Several industries, including the chemical manufacturing industry, chemical recovery industry, and several food and beverage industries, can use conical-bottomed vessels to store or process ingredients and products. A conical-bottomed vessel typically has a cylindrical body and a funnel-shaped conical frustum at the bottom of the vessel. Various ports communicate with the interior of the conical-bottomed vessel to permit the transfer of products or ingredients to or from the conical-bottomed vessel. Typically, conical-bottomed vessels include an inlet near the top of the vessel, a bottom outlet at the narrow end of the conical frustum, and a side outlet above the bottom outlet.

[0004] In particular, operators may use a conical-bottomed vessel to store mixtures comprising a fluid component and one or more solid components. Over time, the denser solid component or components settle and accumulate in the conical frustum. [0005] To separate the mixture, operators generally "rack off (i.e. remove) the liquid from the side outlet for further processing or packaging. Because the side outlet is disposed above the bottom outlet, a portion of the liquid remains in the conical frustum with the accumulated solids after the liquid level falls below the height of the side outlet. After operators remove a majority of the liquid through the side outlet, operators generally open the bottom outlet to remove the undesirable solids together with the portion of the liquid remaining in the conical frustum. The remaining liquid facilitates the removal of the solids from the conical frustum; but the operators typically discard both the solids and the remaining liquid. This practice contributes to product loss.

[0006] To illustrate this problem further with an example, craft beer brewers tend to favor conical-bottomed vessels for fermentation and conditioning. A craft brewer may use separate fermentation and conditioning vessels (especially when brewing a lager), or the craft brewer may use a single "uni-vessel" for both fermentation and conditioning. Craft brewers also generally brew beers from a concentrated brew. This practice generally results in beers having a higher alcohol level and a maltier taste compared to the lighter, lower alcohol beers of traditional industrial brewers. Craft brewers also generally add extra hops to the fermentation vessel. The higher alcohol level, the other flavoring ingredients, and malt tend to balance the hops' bitter taste.

[0007] Brewers may add hops in the form of pellet hops. Once exposed to beer, the pellet hops can swell up to eight times the pellets' original volume. After the brewers extract some yeast for re-use, the brewers allow the beer to age. During this conditioning period, the remaining yeast and hops accumulate into a dense mass at the bottom of the conical-bottomed vessel. The conditioning period may range from several days to two or more weeks.

[0008] The yeast and hops sediment can be difficult to filter. Therefore, craft brewers tend to drain young beer from the side outlet to avoid passing the young beer through the accumulated sediment at the bottom of the conical-bottomed vessel. The beer above the side outlet (i.e. "racking port") generally contains fewer solids than the beer below the side outlet. Racking off from the side outlet allows the craft brewers to clarify the extracted beer before packaging if desired. However, this method also results in leaving behind the second portion of the beer in the conical frustum. This second portion of beer remains suspended in the sediment below the side outlet. Brewers generally discard this residual second portion of beer contained in the sediment. [0009] Some craft brewers favor draining the sediment and beer from the bottom of the conical-bottomed vessel. When a racking port is unavailable or when using the racking port is undesired, the craft brewers drain the beer from the conical -bottomed vessel's bottom outlet onto the brewery floor until the beer runs clear enough to indicate that the sediment has been sufficiently flushed from the conical frustum. The craft brewers may then stop the beer flow, add an outlet pipe, and empty the remaining beer through the bottom outlet for further processing or packaging. This practice also wastes a significant amount of beer.

[0010] The usable beer extracted from the conical-bottomed vessel tends to be cloudy (e.g. the beer extracted from the side outlet still contains suspended yeast and other particles too light to settle into the bottom conical frustum), and some brewers choose to filter the beer before distribution. Some brewers replace the filter with a centrifuge configured to handle more solids than a traditional filter. However, the centrifuge can only separate the solids from the beer when the solids comprise no more than 15% of the beer-solids slurry by volume. Even with a centrifuge, sediment remains trapped in the conical-bottomed vessels after centrifuging. The remaining sediment, which retains very little entrapped beer, is still discarded.

[0011] Sediment accumulation in conical-bottomed vessels and wasted product is also a problem in chemical manufacturing, chemical recovery, and other food and beverage industries. For example, the industries that produce wine, cider, kombucha, yoghurt, jellies, preserves, purees, fruit juices, and other fermented or non-fermented fluid products whose production involves the settling of solid particles out of a liquid solution in a conical-bottomed vessel, can all experience product loss due to entrapment of fluid product in the conical section of the conical-bottomed vessel.

[0012] In the commercial orange juice industry, for example, plant operators tend to extract all pulp from the juice during production. Depending on the intended product, the operators may reintroduce a desired portion of the pulp into the juice before packaging. Orange juice can also be stored in conical-bottomed vessels. Over time, the pulp settles to the bottom of the vessel. Operators may extract the pulp-free juice from the side of the conical-bottomed vessel. The pulp suspended in the conical frustum and the portion of the juice present with the pulp still contain sugar that can be reintroduced into the pulp-free juice to adjust flavor. However, operators waste much of this pulp and sugar using conventional extraction systems and methods. SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

[0013] It is problematic when fluid product is entrapped in sediment disposed at the bottom of a conical-bottomed vessel. This problem is mitigated by a system comprising a conical- bottomed vessel having a side outlet and a bottom outlet, the bottom outlet being disposed at the narrow end of the conical frustum, the side outlet being disposed above the bottom outlet, a restrictor tee conduit disposed downstream of both the side outlet the bottom outlet, and a centrifuge disposed downstream of the restrictor tee conduit, the centrifuge being in fluid communication with the restrictor tee conduit. The restrictor tee conduit comprises a restrictor and a first conduit orthogonally disposed to and fluidly communicating with a second conduit at an intersection. The restrictor tee conduit's first conduit is in fluid communication with the bottom outlet. In certain exemplary embodiments, the first conduit directly aligns with the bottom outlet, such that the first conduit is directly below the bottom outlet. The restrictor tee conduit's second conduit is in fluid communication with the side outlet. The restrictor can be disposed in the second conduit upstream of the intersection. The restrictor has a first inner circumference and a narrow inner circumference disposed downstream from the first inner circumference. The narrow inner circumference has a smaller diameter than the first inner circumference. A second inner circumference is disposed downstream of the narrow inner circumference. The second inner circumference has a greater diameter than the narrow inner circumference.

[0014] In operation, a first portion of the fluid product and solids mixture may flow through the side outlet before encountering the restrictor of the restrictor tee conduit. "Solids" comprise sediment accumulated in the conical frustum and suspended solids still in the liquid product. For example, yeast particles and other solid particles still suspended in beer racked off through the side outlet are considered suspended solids for the purposes of this disclosure. The first portion of the mixture has a smaller concentration of suspended solids by volume than the second portion of the mixture removed through the bottom outlet.

[0015] The first portion of the fluid product and solids mixture may flow through the restrictor before entering the intersection. The first portion may enter the intersection at a lower pressure than the pressure at which the first portion of the mixture entered the restrictor tee conduit. A second portion of the fluid product and solids mixture contains a higher concentration of sediment than the first portion. The second portion may flow through the bottom outlet before encountering the negative pressure in the restrictor tee conduit's intersection. Without being bounded by theory, it is believed that the negative pressure in the intersection may increase the rate of solids extraction (particularly sediment extraction) from the bottom outlet of the conical frustum. The first portion and the second portion of the mixture then recombine in the intersection and downstream of the intersection. The recombined first portion and second portion then exit the restrictor tee conduit before flowing to a centrifuge configured to remove solids from the recombined mixture.

[0016] In an exemplary embodiment, the system may further comprise a pump disposed downstream of the restrictor tee conduit, but upstream of the centrifuge, wherein the pump is in fluid communication with the restrictor tee conduit and the centrifuge.

[0017] An exemplary method for maximizing the yield of fluid product from a conical- bottomed vessel may comprise: extracting a first portion of a mixture of fluid product and solids from a side outlet of a conical-bottomed vessel, feeding the first portion of the mixture to a restrictor tee conduit, wherein the restrictor tee conduit comprises: a first conduit orthogonally disposed to and fluidly communicating with a second conduit at an intersection, and a restrictor disposed within the second conduit upstream of the intersection, the restrictor comprising a first inner circumference, a narrow inner circumference disposed downstream from the first inner circumference, the narrow inner circumference having a smaller diameter than the first inner circumference, and a second inner circumference disposed downstream of the narrow inner circumference, the second inner circumference having a greater diameter than the narrow inner circumference, and opening the bottom outlet to direct a second portion of the mixture into the first conduit of the restrictor tee conduit, wherein the second portion of the mixture comprises fluid product and sediment initially disposed in the conical frustum. The exemplary method further comprises recombining the first portion of the mixture and the second portion of the mixture in the intersection to create a recombined mixture, sending the recombined mixture downstream to a centrifuge, and separating an amount of solids from the mixture in the centrifuge.

[0018] An exemplary method may further comprise closing the bottom outlet when the concentration of solids in the recombined mixture leaving the restrictor tee conduit approaches a first pre-determined threshold. The method may further comprise re-opening the bottom outlet of the conical-bottomed vessel when the concentration of solids in the recombined mixture leaving the restrictor tee conduit falls below a second pre-determined threshold, and repeating the opening and closing steps until the conical-bottomed vessel is substantially empty. In certain exemplary embodiments, the first pre-determined threshold and the second pre-determined threshold may be the same threshold. In this manner, an operator may thereby "dose," "throttle," or "meter" the second portion of the mixture into the intersection of the restrictor tee conduit to create a recombined mixture having a desirable solids concentration.

[0019] Without being bounded by theory, after the first portion of the mixture passes through the restrictor, the first portion enters the restrictor tee conduit's "intersection" under a slight vacuum, thereby drawing the second portion of the mixture from the bottom outlet of the conical-bottomed vessel. This vacuum, in combination with dosing the second portion of the mixture into the restrictor tee conduit, may allow the operators to extract substantially the entire second portion of the mixture from the conical frustum. When the restrictor tee conduit is used in conjunction with a centrifuge, operators can increase their yield of fluid product over traditional extraction and filtration methods.

[0020] If the exemplary systems and methods described herein are used in a craft brewery, the fluid product may be beer and the solids component of the mixture may be hops, yeast, and residual flavoring ingredients, for example. The second portion of the mixture may therefore comprise hops, yeast, residual flavoring ingredients, and beer from the conical frustum. In certain exemplary embodiments, the concentration of solids comprising the second portion of the beer mixture may be greater than 20%. Operators may control the flow of beer from the bottom of the conical-bottomed vessel via a dosing valve or a throttling valve. A system comprising the restrictor tee conduit may allow substantially all solids to be removed from the fermentation vessel and thereby allow for the recovery of an additional 5% or more of beer or another liquid after centrifuging compared to systems that lack a restrictor tee conduit and centrifuge. As the beer enters the centrifuge, the concentration of solids in the beer by volume may vary by about +/- 2% without having to reduce the flow rate into the centrifuge. In other exemplary methods, the concentration of solids in the beer by volume may exceed 2%, but the rate at which the beer enters the centrifuge may be reduced desirably. In certain exemplary embodiments, the solids concentration in the beer may reach or exceed 10%, but the flow rate into the centrifuge will be reduced desirably.

[0021] Exemplary methods and systems disclosed herein may allow for an increased yield of fluid product recovered from a conical-bottomed vessel where sediment accumulates in the conical frustum of the conical-bottomed vessel.

[0022] For example, in applications wherein the fluid product is a food or beverage stored in a conical-bottomed vessel, the exemplary methods and systems disclosed herein may increase the amount of food or beverage recovered from settling or storage processes. [0023] In applications wherein the fluid product is a fluid chemical produced in a chemical manufacturing or chemical recovery process, the exemplary methods and systems described herein may increase the amount of produced or recoverable fluid chemical.

[0024] Furthermore, the exemplary methods and systems disclosed herein may reduce the amount of ingredients or reactants required to produce the same volume of fluid product.

[0025] Additionally, the exemplary methods and systems disclosed herein may reduce the amount of ingredients or reactants needed to achieve a desired physical or chemical characteristic of the fluid product.

[0026] For example, in applications wherein the fluid product is a fluid food or beverage, the exemplary methods and systems disclosed herein may allow operators to regulate effectively the taste of the fluid product while reducing the amount of ingredients needed to achieve the desired taste.

[0027] As a further example, in applications wherein the fluid product is beer, exemplary methods and systems disclosed herein may further increase the hops flavor profile and thereby reduce the amount of hops or other flavoring dosages needed to create a finished fluid product when the fluid product is beer. Furthermore, when the fluid product is beer, the flavor profile may be enhanced when hop fibers are collected in the centrifuge rotating bowl, thereby releasing more aroma components under centrifugal force. As a result, the brewer may be able to reduce the amount of hops added per batch.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0028] The foregoing will be apparent from the following more particular description of exemplary embodiments of the disclosure, as illustrated in the accompanying drawings in which like reference characters refer to the same parts throughout the different views. The drawings are not necessarily to scale, with emphasis instead being placed upon illustrating the disclosed embodiments.

[0029] FIG. 1A is a schematic representation of an exemplary fluid product and solids extraction and filtration system depicting a cross-sectional view of a conical-bottomed vessel and the restrictor tee conduit. FIG. 1A further depicts a schematic representation of a centrifuge, pump, and connecting conduits.

[0030] FIG. IB is a detailed cross-sectional side view of the restrictor tee conduit depicted in FIG. 1A DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

[0031] The following detailed description of the preferred embodiments is presented only for illustrative and descriptive purposes and is not intended to be exhaustive or to limit the scope and spirit of the invention. The embodiments were selected and described to best explain the principles of the invention and its practical application. One of ordinary skill in the art will recognize that many variations can be made to the invention disclosed in this specification without departing from the scope and spirit of the invention.

[0032] Corresponding reference characters indicate corresponding parts throughout the several views. Although the drawings represent embodiments of various features and components according to the present disclosure, the drawings are not necessarily to scale and certain features may be exaggerated in order to better illustrate embodiments of the present disclosure, and such exemplifications are not to be construed as limiting the scope of the present disclosure in any manner.

[0033] References in the specification to "one embodiment," "an embodiment," "an exemplary embodiment," etc. , indicate that the embodiment described may include a particular feature, structure, or characteristic, but every embodiment may not necessarily include the particular feature, structure, or characteristic. Moreover, such phrases are not necessarily referring to the same embodiment. Further, when a particular feature, structure, or characteristic is described in connection with an embodiment, it is submitted that it is within the knowledge of one skilled in the art to affect such feature, structure, or characteristic in connection with other embodiments whether or not explicitly described.

[0034] To the extent necessary to provide descriptive support, the subject matter and/or text of the appended claims is incorporated herein by reference in their entirety.

[0035] Although specific terms are used in the following description for the sake of clarity, these terms are intended to refer only to the particular structure of the embodiment selected for illustration in the drawings, and are not intended to define or limit the scope of the disclosure.

[0036] The singular forms "a," "an," and "the" include plural referents unless the context clearly dictates otherwise. Numerical values should be understood to include numerical values that are the same when reduced to the same number of significant figures and numerical values that differ from the states value by less than the experimental error of conventional measurement technique of the type described in the present application to determine the value. [0037] All ranges disclosed herein are inclusive of the recited endpoint and are independently combinable (for example, the range "from 2 grams to 10 grams" is inclusive of the endpoints, 2 grams and 10 grams, and all intermediate values.

[0038] As used herein, approximating language may be applied to modify any quantitative representation that may vary without resulting in a change in the basic function to which it is related. Accordingly, a value modified by a term or terms, such as "about" and "substantially," may not be limited to the precise values specified. The modifier "about" should also be considered as disclosing the range defined by the absolute values of the two endpoints. For example, the expression "from about 2 to about 4" also discloses the range "from 2 to 4." The terms, "or" and "any" are not exclusive and "include" and "including" are not limiting. Further, the terms, "comprising," "having," "including," and "containing" are to be construed as open- ended terms (i.e. , meaning "including but not limited to").

[0039] It should be noted that many of the terms used herein are relative terms. The terms "inlet' and "outlet" are relative to a fluid flowing through them with respect to a given structure, e.g. a fluid flows through the inlet into the structure and flows through the outlet out of the structure. The terms "upstream" and "downstream" are relative to the direction in which a fluid flows through various components, i.e. the flow of fluids through an upstream component prior to flowing through the downstream component.

[0040] The terms "horizontal" and "vertical" are used to indicate direction relative to an absolute reference, i.e. ground level. However, these terms should not be construed to require structure to be absolutely parallel or absolutely perpendicular to each other. For example, a first vertical structure and a second vertical structure are not necessarily parallel to each other. The terms "top" and "bottom" or "base" are used to refer to locations/surfaces where the top is higher than the bottom/base as depicted in FIGs. 1A and IB. The terms "upwards" and "downwards" are also relative to an absolute reference; an upwards flow is always against the gravity of the Earth.

[0041] The term "directly," wherein used to refer to two system components, such as valves or pumps, or other control devices, or sensors (e.g. temperature or pressure), may be located in the path between the two named components.

[0042] FIG. 1A is a schematic representation of an exemplary fluid product and solids extraction and filtration system 100. The fluid product and solids extraction and filtration system 100 comprises a conical-bottomed vessel 105. The conical-bottomed vessel 105 may be a fermentation vessel, a conditioning vessel, a storage vessel, a uni-vessel, or other conical- bottomed vessel used in the chemical manufacturing, chemical recovery, or food and beverage industries. A conical-bottomed vessel 105 may be freestanding or supported by adjacent equipment or support structures. A typical conical-bottomed vessel 105 comprises a cylindrical body 102 engaged to a conical frustum 108 at a bottom 101 of the cylindrical body 102. The cylindrical body 102 and conical frustum 108 together define an interior 103 configured to hold a mixture 110, 115 of fluid product 110 and solids 115.

[0043] The solids 115 comprise suspended solids and sediment. "Sediment" describes heavier solids that tend to accumulate in the conical frustum 108 over time as the mixture 110, 115 sits in the conical-bottomed vessel 105. "Suspended solids" are generally too light to accumulate in the conical frustum 108 completely during the allotted settlement time. For example, when the fluid product 110 is beer, the suspended solids tend to be yeast, some light residual flavoring ingredients, and other particles that are too light to settle to the bottom 112 of the conical-bottomed vessel 105. Likewise, typical sediment may include hops fibers, accumulated yeast particles, heavier flavoring ingredients, and other heavier particles. When the fluid product 110 is fruit juice for example, the sediment may include pulp.

[0044] In operation, a mixture 110, 115 of fluid product 110 and solids 115 (or, in other exemplary operations, ingredients or reactants that will later become the fluid product 110 and solids 115) may enter the interior 103 through one or more inlets 106 engaged to the side 104 or top 137 of the conical-bottomed vessel 105. The inlets 106 are frequently disposed above the side outlets 107. However, it will be understood that depending upon the operation or the particular configuration of the conical-bottomed vessel 105, the inlet 106 and the side outlet 107 may be the same structure (e.g. the same port). The sediment portion of the solids 115 is denser than the fluid product 110 and therefore settles to the bottom 112 of the conical-bottomed vessel 105 over time. A non-exhaustive list of fluid products 110 may include for example: beer, wine, puree, cider, sake, kombucha, yoghurt, fruit juice, chemical mixtures, or other fluid product 110 housed in a conical-bottomed vessel 105 and used in the chemical manufacturing, chemical recovery, or food and beverage industries.

[0045] The side outlet 107 may be colloquially known as a "side port" or a "racking port." In an exemplary embodiment, the side outlet 107 may be disposed on the side 104 of the conical-bottomed vessel 105 at about 10% to about 15% of the height H of the conical-bottomed vessel 105 as measured from the bottom 112 of the conical frustum 108. Extracting beer or other fluid product 110 from the side outlet 107 may be referred to as "racking off the fluid product 110. The side outlet 107 fluidly communicates with the interior 103 of the conical- bottomed vessel 105 such that fluid product 110 and possibly some solids 115 (depending upon the type of mixture 110, 115) flow from the interior 103 through the side outlet 107 into a side conduit 117. This first portion 153 of the mixture 110, 115 comprises substantially more fluid product 110 than solids 115. However, the first portion 153 may still comprise some suspended solids and possibly a miniscule amount of sediment.

[0046] For example, the solids concentration in the first portion 153 of the mixture 110, 115 may initially exceed 1% when operators first open the side outlet 107. However, after the initial influx, the total solids concentration in the first portion 153 will rapidly fall to between 0.1% to about 0.2%. In other exemplary embodiments, the amount of suspended solids may be less than 0.1%. In other exemplary embodiments, the solids concentration in the first portion 153 of the mixture 110, 115 may be substantially zero; that is, the first portion 153 may be comprised entirely of fluid product 110. The low solids concentration in part permits operators to dose the second portion 154 of the mixture 110, 115 through the restrictor tee conduit 120 as described herein.

[0047] In the depicted embodiment, connective conduits (e.g. side conduit 117, bottom conduit 155, and downstream conduit 182) permit the restrictor tee conduit 120 to communicate fluidly with the interior 103 of the conical-bottomed vessel 105, the centrifuge 180, pump 185, bottom outlet 109, side outlet 107, and valves 119, 113. However, it will be understood that any device configured to transfer the mixture 110, 115 downstream through the restrictor tee conduit 120 and into the centrifuge 180 is considered to be within the scope of this disclosure.

[0048] FIG. 1A depicts the side conduit's first end 116 engaging and fluidly communicating with the side outlet 107. A valve 119 may be disposed in the side conduit 117. Operators may use the valve 119 to control the flow of the first portion 153 of the mixture 110, 115 through the side conduit 117. In other exemplary embodiments, the valve 119 may be a part of the side outlet 107. The side conduit's second end 118 engages and fluidly communicates with the restrictor end 121 of the restrictor tee conduit 120.

[0049] The conical-bottomed vessel 105 further comprises a bottom outlet 109 disposed at a narrow end 157 of the conical frustum 108. The bottom outlet 109 fluidly communicates with the interior 103 of the conical-bottomed vessel 105. The bottom conduit's first end 111 engages the bottom outlet 109 and fluidly communicates with the bottom outlet 109. A dosing valve 113 may be disposed within the bottom conduit 155. In other exemplary embodiments, the dosing valve 113 may be a part of the bottom outlet 109. The dosing valve 113 is preferably a type of throttling valve configured to control the rate at which solids 115 and fluid product 110 exit the conical frustum 108. The solids 115 and fluid product 110 exiting through the bottom outlet 109 comprise a second portion 154 of the mixture 110, 115. The second portion 154 of the mixture 110, 115 contains a higher sediment concentration compared to the first portion 153 of the mixture 110, 115. In certain exemplary embodiments, the amount of solids 115 in the second portion 154 of the mixture 110, 115 may exceed 20% by volume. In still other exemplary embodiments, the amount of solids 115 in the second portion 154 of the mixture 110, 115 may be less than 20% by volume but still exceed the solids concentration in the first portion 153 of the mixture 110, 115 by volume.

[0050] The restrictor tee conduit 120 is disposed downstream of both the side outlet 107 and the bottom outlet 109. Referring to FIG. IB, which is a close-up of box B in FIG. 1A, the restrictor tee conduit 120 comprises a first conduit 130 and a second conduit 140 orthogonally disposed to the first conduit 130 at an intersection 175. The second conduit 140 fluidly communicates with the first conduit 130 at the intersection 175. A restrictor 160 is disposed within the second conduit 140 upstream of the intersection 175. In an exemplary embodiment, the first conduit 130 directly aligns with the bottom outlet 109.

[0051] Referring back to FIG. 1A, the bottom conduit's second end 152 engages the first conduit's first end 134. The downstream end 122 of the second conduit 140 of the restrictor tee conduit 120 fluidly communicates with a downstream conduit's first end 181. The downstream conduit 182 may in turn fluidly communicate with a pump 185 disposed within the downstream conduit 182. In other exemplary embodiments, the pump 185 may be upstream of the restrictor tee conduit 120. In still other exemplary embodiments, the pump 185 may be absent, or the centrifuge 180 may function as a pump 185 in addition to functioning as a centrifuge 180. In still other exemplary embodiments, the pump 185 may be engaged to the centrifuge 180. The downstream conduit's second end 183 fluidly communicates with a centrifuge 180. In yet other exemplary embodiments, the pump 185 may fluidly communicate with the bottom conduit 155. The centrifuge 180 separates solids 115 suspended in the fluid product 110.

[0052] As more clearly depicted in FIG. IB, the restrictor tee conduit 120 comprises a first conduit 130 defined by a first conduit wall 132. The first conduit wall 132 has an interior surface 131 oppositely disposed from an exterior surface 133. The first conduit 130 further comprises a first end 134 distally disposed from a second end 136. The first conduit's first end 134 fluidly communicates with the bottom conduit's second end 152. The first conduit's second end 136 engages and fluidly communicates with the second conduit 140 between the downstream end 122 and the restrictor end 121 of the second conduit 140. In the depicted embodiment, the first conduit 130 is disposed perpendicularly to the second conduit 140. The second conduit wall 142 defines the second conduit 140. The second conduit wall 142 has an interior surface 141 oppositely disposed to an exterior surface 143.

[0053] A restrictor 160 is disposed within the second conduit 140, preferably between the intersection 175 and the restrictor end 121 of the second conduit 140. The restrictor 160 comprises a first restrictor surface end 162, a second restrictor surface end 166 distally disposed from the first restrictor surface end 162 and an intermediate restrictor surface 164 disposed between the first restrictor surface end 162 and the second restrictor surface end 166.

[0054] The restrictor tee conduit 120 further comprises an inner circumference 170 defined by the interior surface 141 of the second conduit wall 142. The inner circumference 170 further comprises a first inner circumference 170_a, converging inner circumferences 170_d, a narrow inner circumference 170_c, diverging inner circumferences 170_e and second inner circumference 170_b in the second conduit 140. The first inner circumference 170_a, converging inner circumferences 170_d, a narrow inner circumference 170_c, diverging inner circumferences 170_e and second inner circumference 170_b together define the restrictor 160. The restrictor 160 is disposed in the second conduit 140 upstream of the intersection 175 and downstream of the restrictor end 121.

[0055] The narrow inner circumference 170_c is smaller than the first inner circumference 170_a. The converging inner circumferences 170_d are disposed between the first restrictor surface end 162 and the intermediate restrictor surface 164. The diverging inner circumferences 170_e are disposed between the intermediate restrictor surface 164 and the second restrictor surface end 166. The first restrictor surface end 162 is disposed at the first inner circumference 170_a. The intermediate restrictor surface 164 is disposed at the narrow inner circumference 170_c. The second restrictor surface end 166 is disposed at a second inner circumference 170_b. The narrow inner circumference 170_c is smaller than both the first inner circumference 170_a and the second inner circumference 170_b (}■£■ the first inner circumference 170_a and the second inner circumference 170_b have respective diameters (see 170_a, 170_b) that are greater than the diameter of the narrow inner circumference (see 170_c)). In certain exemplary embodiments, the second inner circumference 170_b may be substantially equal to the first inner circumference 170_a. In other exemplary embodiments, the second inner circumference 170_b may be greater than or less than the first inner circumference 170_a provided that the second inner circumference 170_b remains greater than the narrow inner circumference 170_c.

[0056] In the depicted embodiments, the second conduit 140 further comprises a restrictor conduit 163. The restrictor conduit 163 as part of the second conduit 140 houses the restrictor 160. The restrictor conduit 163 comprises the restrictor end 121 and a first intermediate end 123. The first intermediate end 123 is contiguous with and engages a second intermediate end 124 of the second conduit 140. The second intermediate end 124 is downstream of the first intermediate end 123, but both the first intermediate end 123 and the second intermediate end 124 are upstream of the intersection 175. It is contemplated that in embodiments wherein the second conduit 140 further comprises a restrictor conduit 163, the restrictor conduit 163 can be added quickly and inexpensively to a conventional tee conduit.

[0057] In other exemplary embodiments, the restrictor conduit 163, first intermediate end 123, and second intermediate end 124 may be absent and the restrictor 160 and the second conduit 140 may be a continuous conduit comprising a restrictor end 121, restrictor 160, and downstream end 122, wherein the restrictor 160 is disposed between the intersection 175 and the restrictor end 121.

[0058] Referring again to FIG. 1A, when the side outlet 107 is open, the first portion 153 of the mixture 110, 115 flows from the interior 103 of the conical-bottomed vessel 105 through the side outlet 107 and into the side conduit 117. From the side conduit 117, the first portion 153 flows through the restrictor 160 of the restrictor tee conduit 120. The restrictor 160 compresses the fluid product 110 in the first portion 153 and then allows the fluid product 110 to expand to the volume defined by the second inner circumference 170_b of the second conduit wall 142. Without being bounded by theory, it is believed that the restrictor 160 utilizes the Venturi effect. That is, as the particles comprising the fluid product 110 in the first potion 153 of the mixture expand to fill the comparatively larger volume of the second conduit 140 immediately downstream of the restrictor 160. The expanding fluid product 110 creates an area of low pressure or a slight vacuum, desirably in the intersection 175. The second portion 154 of the mixture 110, 115 comprising a higher sediment concentration than the first portion 153, rushes to fill the area of low pressure in the intersection 175. The second portion 154 of the mixture 110, 115 thereby enters the intersection 175 at a higher velocity than the second portion 154 would otherwise enter the intersection 175 without a restrictor 160 disposed upstream of the intersection 175 in the second conduit 140, all other factors being equal. The first portion 153 and second portion 154 of the mixture 110, 115 combine in the intersection 175 and downstream of the intersection 175 to create a recombined mixture 156.

[0059] Without being bounded by theory, it is believed that the second portion 154 of the mixture 110, 115 remaining in the conical frustum 108 diffuses into the lower pressure areas upstream of the intersection 175 in the first conduit 130 at a faster rate than in tee conduits lacking a restrictor 160 because fluids moving at higher velocities have lower pressure than the same fluids moving at lower velocities (or stagnant fluids). As a result, the restrictor tee conduit 120 pulls more of the second portion 154 of the mixture 110, 115 from the conical frustum 108 at a comparatively high rate of speed whenever the dosing valve 113 is open. By opening and closing the dosing valve 113, operators may meter in the concentrated solids 115 (primarily sediment) from the conical frustum 108 with the first portion 153 of the mixture 110, 115 from the side outlet 107. In an exemplary embodiment, the concentration of solids 115 in the recombined mixture 156 fed through a pump 185 and into a centrifuge 180 does not exceed a combined +/- 2% sediment concentration by volume. In other exemplary embodiments, the recombined mixture 156 may enter the centrifuge 180 at a sediment concentration of greater than 2% by volume, but it contemplated that the rate at which the recombined mixture 156 enters the centrifuge 180 may be reduced, thereby permitting an accumulation of recombined mixture 156 in the downstream conduit 182.

[0060] Centrifuges 180 such as the one schematically depicted in FIG. 1A, tend to have a solids holding space configured to retain solids 115 collected from the downstream conduit 182. If the recombined mixture 156 does not exceed 2% solids concentration by volume, the solids holding space tends to inject solids into the centrifuge bowl for separation about once every two minutes. At every interval, the injection of solids 115 into the centrifuge bowl creates turbulence, which can temporarily disrupt the separation effectiveness of the centrifuge 180. If the solids concentration exceeds 2% by volume, the intervals at which the solids holding space injects solids 115 into the centrifuge bowl increases. For example, the solids 115 may be injected to the centrifuge bowl once every five minutes, or once every 10 minutes, thereby slowing the rate of separation and permitting an accumulation of recombined mixture 156 in the downstream conduit 182.

[0061] An exemplary method may further comprise closing the bottom outlet 109 when the concentration of solids 115 in the recombined mixture 156 leaving the restrictor tee conduit 120 approaches a first pre-defined threshold. The method may further comprise re-opening the bottom outlet 109 of the conical-bottomed vessel 105 when the concentration of solids 115 in the recombined mixture 156 leaving the restrictor tee conduit 120 falls below a second predetermined threshold, and repeating the opening and closing steps until the conical-bottomed vessel 105 is substantially empty. In certain exemplary embodiments, the first threshold may be the same as the second threshold.

[0062] An exemplary system may further comprise one or more sensors 172 disposed downstream of the restrictor tee conduit 120, wherein the sensors 172 are configured to measure the solids concentration in the recombined mixture 156. The sensors 172 may further send a signal to a computer to open or close the dosing valve 113 automatically depending upon the measurement of the sediment concentration in the recombined mixture 156.

[0063] Using the exemplary methods and systems disclosed herein, an operator may recover an additional 5% of fluid product or more when compared with systems using a filter and a conventional tee conduit. After exiting the centrifuge 180, the fluid product 110 may flow downstream for further processing or packaging. Further processing may include adding a stone diffuser, into a conduit downstream of the centrifuge 180 to introduce carbon dioxide as bubbles.

[0064] This exemplary system may be applied in the craft brewing industry. In situations where the conical-bottomed vessel 105 is a fermentation vessel, conditioning vessel, or uni- vessel, the fluid product 110 may be beer or a beer precursor such as wort. The exemplary restrictor tee conduit 120 may be disposed at the bottom 112 of the conical-bottomed vessel 105. This exemplary fluid product and solids extraction and filtration system 100 may further be applied in other areas of the craft brewing industry. For example, brewers may add flavoring ingredients upstream of the fermentation process. The flavoring ingredients may take the form of purees stored in conical -bottomed vessels 105. Solids 115 from the puree may accumulate in the conical frustum 108 of the conical-bottomed vessel 105. Sediment accumulation in conical- bottomed vessels 105 and wasted product is also a problem in winemaking fermentation vessels and in the production of other alcoholic beverages (e.g. hard cider, sake, mead, kefir, kombucha, other fermented beverages, and fermented and distilled beverages). This problem also occurs in non-alcoholic feed and beverage industries (for example, in the fruit juice, yoghurt, and cider industries) and the exemplary system and methods disclosed herein can similarly mitigate these problems. An exemplary fluid product and solids extraction and filtration system may comprise: a conical-bottomed vessel having: a cylindrical body, the cylindrical body engaging a conical frustum at a bottom of the cylindrical body, the conical frustum having a narrow end disposed at a bottom of the conical-bottomed vessel, wherein the cylindrical body and conical frustum define an interior of the conical-bottomed vessel, a side outlet fluidly communicating with a side of the conical-bottomed vessel, and a bottom outlet disposed at the narrow end of the conical frustum; a restrictor tee conduit disposed downstream of the side outlet and the bottom outlet, the restrictor tee conduit being configured to fluidly communicate with the bottom outlet through a first conduit and the restrictor tee conduit being configured to fluidly communicate with the side outlet through a second conduit, the restrictor tee conduit comprising: the first conduit, the second conduit orthogonally disposed to the first conduit at an intersection, the second conduit fluidly communicating with the first conduit at the intersection, and a restrictor disposed within the second conduit upstream of the intersection, the restrictor comprising: a first inner circumference, a narrow inner circumference disposed downstream from the first inner circumference, the narrow inner circumference having a smaller diameter than the first inner circumference, and a second inner circumference disposed downstream of the narrow inner circumference, the second inner circumference having a greater diameter than the narrow inner circumference; and a centrifuge disposed downstream of the restrictor tee conduit, the centrifuge configured to be in fluid communication with a downstream end of the restrictor tee conduit.

[0065] An exemplary method may comprise: extracting a first portion of a mixture of fluid product and solids from a side outlet of a conical-bottomed vessel, wherein the first portion of the mixture is disposed above a second portion of the mixture in an interior of the conical- bottomed vessel, and wherein the second portion of the mixture has a greater concentration of solids by volume than the first portion of the mixture; directing the first portion of the mixture from the side outlet through a side conduit to a restrictor end of a restrictor tee conduit, wherein the restrictor tee conduit comprises a first conduit engaging a second conduit orthogonally at an intersection, wherein a restrictor is disposed in the second conduit upstream of the intersection, and wherein the side conduit engages the restrictor end of the second conduit of the restrictor tee conduit; opening a dosing valve disposed upstream of the first conduit of the restrictor tee conduit to extract the second portion of the mixture of fluid product and solids disposed in the conical-bottomed vessel through a bottom outlet of the conical-bottomed vessel, wherein the second portion flows into the intersection of the restrictor tee conduit; combining the first portion of the mixture and the second portion of the mixture in the intersection to define a recombined mixture; sending the recombined mixture to a centrifuge; and separating the solids from the fluid product in the centrifuge.

[0066] An exemplary method may further comprise: closing the dosing valve when the solids concentration in the recombined mixture solids exiting the restrictor tee conduit reaches a first pre-determined threshold; re-opening the dosing valve when the solid concentration of the recombined mixture exiting the restrictor tee conduit falls below a second pre-determined threshold; and repeating steps g. and h. until substantially the entire second portion of the mixture exits the bottom of the conical-bottomed vessel.

[0067] A further exemplary system may comprise: a conical-bottomed vessel having a cylindrical body engaging a conical frustum at a bottom of the cylindrical body, the conical frustum having a narrow end disposed at a bottom of the conical-bottomed vessel, wherein the cylindrical body and conical frustum define an interior of the conical-bottomed vessel; a mixture of fluid product and solids disposed in the interior of the conical-bottomed vessel, the mixture comprising a first portion and a second portion, wherein the first portion is disposed above the second portion in the interior, and wherein the second portion has a higher solids concentration by volume than the first portion; a side outlet disposed on the side of the conical-bottomed vessel; a side conduit, the side conduit having a side conduit first end fluidly communicating with the side outlet and a side conduit second end distally disposed from the side conduit first end, wherein the side conduit second end fluidly communicates with a restrictor end of a restrictor tee conduit; a bottom outlet disposed at the bottom of the conical-bottomed vessel; a bottom conduit, the bottom conduit having a bottom conduit first end fluidly communicating with the bottom outlet and a bottom conduit second end distally disposed from the bottom conduit first end, wherein the bottom conduit second end fluidly communicates with a first end of a first conduit of the restrictor tee conduit; the restrictor tee conduit comprising: the first conduit defined by a first conduit wall, the first conduit having the first end and a second end oppositely disposed from the first end; a second conduit defined by a second conduit wall, the second conduit having a downstream end distally disposed from a restrictor end, wherein the second end of the first conduit orthogonally and fluidly engages the second conduit between the downstream end and the restrictor end of the second conduit at an intersection; a restrictor disposed within the second conduit between the intersection and the restrictor end, wherein the restrictor comprises: a first restrictor surface end, a second restrictor surface end distally disposed from the first restrictor surface end, an intermediate restrictor surface disposed between the first restrictor surface end and the second restrictor surface end, an inner circumference defined by an interior surface of the second conduit wall, wherein the inner circumference further comprises: a first inner circumference disposed at the first restrictor surface end, a narrow inner circumference disposed at the intermediate restrictor surface, wherein the narrow inner circumference is smaller than the first inner circumference, converging inner circumferences disposed between the first inner circumference and the intermediate restrictor surface, a second inner circumference disposed at the second restrictor surface end, wherein the second inner circumference is greater than the narrow inner circumference, and diverging inner circumferences disposed between the intermediate restrictor surface t and the second restrictor surface end; a downstream conduit, the downstream conduit having a downstream conduit first end and a downstream conduit second end distally disposed from the downstream conduit first end, wherein the downstream conduit first end is in fluid communication with the downstream end of the second conduit of the restrictor tee conduit; and a centrifuge disposed downstream of the downstream conduit, wherein the downstream conduit second end fluidly communicates with the centrifuge.

[0068] While this invention has been particularly shown and described with references to exemplary embodiments thereof, it will be understood by those skilled in the art that various changes in form and details may be made therein without departing from the scope of the invention encompassed by the appended claims.

Claims

CLAIMS What is claimed is:

1. A fluid product and solids extraction and filtration system comprising:

a conical-bottomed vessel having:

a cylindrical body, the cylindrical body engaging a conical frustum at a bottom of the cylindrical body, the conical frustum having a narrow end disposed at a bottom of the conical-bottomed vessel, wherein the cylindrical body and conical frustum define an interior of the conical-bottomed vessel, a side outlet fluidly communicating with a side of the conical-bottomed vessel, and

a bottom outlet disposed at the narrow end of the conical frustum;

a restrictor tee conduit disposed downstream of the side outlet and the bottom outlet, the restrictor tee conduit being configured to fluidly communicate with the bottom outlet through a first conduit and the restrictor tee conduit being configured to fluidly communicate with the side outlet through a second conduit,

the restrictor tee conduit comprising:

the first conduit,

the second conduit orthogonally disposed to the first conduit at an intersection, the second conduit fluidly communicating with the first conduit at the intersection, and a restrictor disposed within the second conduit upstream of the intersection,

the restrictor comprising:

a first inner circumference,

a narrow inner circumference disposed downstream from the first inner circumference, the narrow inner circumference having a smaller diameter than the first inner circumference, and

a second inner circumference disposed downstream of the narrow inner circumference, the second inner circumference having a greater diameter than the narrow inner circumference; and a centrifuge disposed downstream of the restrictor tee conduit, the centrifuge configured to be in fluid communication with a downstream end of the restrictor tee conduit.

2. The system of claim 1 further comprising a mixture of fluid product and solids initially disposed in the interior of the conical-bottomed vessel, the solids comprising suspended solids and sediment, the mixture comprising a first portion and a second portion, the second portion being disposed in the conical frustum, the first portion being disposed above the second portion, wherein the second portion has a higher solids concentration by volume than the first portion.

3. The system of claim 2, wherein the solids concentration of the second portion of the mixture exceeds 20 percent.

4. The system of claim 1 further comprising a side conduit fluidly communicating with the side outlet, the side conduit having: a side conduit first end fluidly communicating with the side outlet and a side conduit second end fluidly communicating with a restrictor end of the restrictor tee conduit, and a valve configured to control a flow of a first portion of a mixture of fluid product and solids from the interior of the conical-bottomed vessel into the side conduit.

5. The system of claim 1 further comprising a bottom conduit having: a bottom conduit first end fluidly communicating with the bottom outlet and a bottom conduit second end fluidly communicating with a first end of the first conduit of the restrictor tee conduit, and a dosing valve configured to control a flow of a second portion of a mixture of fluid product and solids from the interior of the conical-bottomed vessel into the bottom conduit.

6. The system of claim 1 further comprising a downstream conduit having: a downstream conduit first end fluidly communicating with the downstream end of the restrictor tee conduit and a downstream conduit second end fluidly communicating with the centrifuge, wherein the downstream conduit is configured to convey a recombined mixture of fluid product and solids from the restrictor tee conduit to the centrifuge.

7. The system of claim 6 further comprising a pump disposed downstream of the restrictor tee conduit and upstream of the centrifuge, wherein the pump engages the downstream conduit and fluidly communicates with the downstream conduit, and wherein the pump is configured to direct the recombined mixture of fluid product and solids from the restrictor tee conduit to the centrifuge.

8. The system of claim 1 further comprising a sensor disposed downstream of the restrictor tee conduit, wherein the sensor is configured to measure the solids concentration of a recombined mixture of fluid product and solids exiting the restrictor tee conduit.

9. The system of claim 8, wherein the sensor is configured to send a signal to a computer and wherein the computer is configured to open and close a dosing valve depending upon the measurement of the solids concentration in the recombined mixture, wherein the dosing valve is engaged to a bottom conduit, the bottom conduit connecting the bottom outlet of the conical- bottomed vessel to the first conduit of the restrictor tee conduit, wherein the dosing valve is configured to control a flow of a second portion of a mixture of fluid product and solids from the interior of the conical-bottomed vessel into the restrictor tee conduit.

10. The system of claim 1 , wherein the second conduit of the restrictor tee conduit further comprises a restrictor conduit disposed upstream of the intersection, the restrictor conduit comprising a restrictor end upstream of a first intermediate end, wherein the first intermediate end engages and fluidly communicates with a second intermediate end of the second conduit, the second intermediate end being disposed upstream of the downstream end of the second conduit, and wherein the restrictor is disposed in the restrictor conduit.

11. The system of claim 1, wherein the conical-bottomed vessel is a fermentation vessel, a conditioning, a storage vessel, a uni-vessel, or other conical-bottomed vessel used in the chemical manufacturing, chemical recovery, or food and beverage industries.

12. The system of claim 1 , wherein the fluid product is beer, wine, cider, sake, mead, kefir, kombucha, or other fermented beverage, puree, fruit juice, yoghurt or other fluid product housed in a conical-bottomed vessel together with solids during production.

13. A method comprising:

a. extracting a first portion of a mixture of fluid product and solids from a side outlet of a conical-bottomed vessel, wherein the first portion of the mixture is disposed above a second portion of the mixture in an interior of the conical-bottomed vessel, and wherein the second portion of the mixture has a greater concentration of solids by volume than the first portion of the mixture;

b. directing the first portion of the mixture from the side outlet through a side conduit to a restrictor end of a restrictor tee conduit, wherein the restrictor tee conduit comprises a first conduit engaging a second conduit orthogonally at an intersection, wherein a restrictor is disposed in the second conduit upstream of the intersection, and wherein the side conduit engages the restrictor end of the second conduit of the restrictor tee conduit;

c. opening a dosing valve disposed upstream of the first conduit of the restrictor tee conduit to extract the second portion of the mixture of fluid product and solids disposed in the conical-bottomed vessel through a bottom outlet of the conical- bottomed vessel, wherein the second portion flows into the intersection of the restrictor tee conduit; d. combining the first portion of the mixture and the second portion of the mixture in the intersection to define a recombined mixture;

e. sending the recombined mixture to a centrifuge; and

f. separating the solids from the fluid product in the centrifuge.

14. The method of claim 13 further comprising:

g. closing the dosing valve when the solids concentration in the recombined mixture solids exiting the restrictor tee conduit reaches a first pre-determined threshold;

h. re-opening the dosing valve when the solid concentration of the recombined mixture exiting the restrictor tee conduit falls below a second predetermined threshold; and

i. repeating steps g. and h. until substantially the entire second portion of the mixture exits the bottom of the conical-bottomed vessel.

15. The method of claim 13, wherein the second portion of the mixture in the bottom conduit has a solids concentration of greater than 20 percent by volume.

16. The method of claim 13, wherein the second portion of the mixture in the bottom conduit has a solids concentration of less than 20 percent by volume.

17. The method of claim 13, wherein the concentration of solids in the recombined mixture entering the centrifuge does not exceed 2 percent by volume.

18. The method of claim 13, wherein the concentration of solids in the recombined mixture entering the centrifuge does not exceed 7 percent by volume.

19. The method of claim 13, wherein the concentration of solids in the recombined mixture entering the centrifuge exceeds 2% percent by volume, and wherein a rate at which the fluid product enters the centrifuge is reduced.

20. A system comprising:

a conical-bottomed vessel having a cylindrical body engaging a conical frustum at a bottom of the cylindrical body, the conical frustum having a narrow end disposed at a bottom of the conical-bottomed vessel, wherein the cylindrical body and conical frustum define an interior of the conical-bottomed vessel;

a mixture of fluid product and solids disposed in the interior of the conical- bottomed vessel, the mixture comprising a first portion and a second portion, wherein the first portion is disposed above the second portion in the interior, and wherein the second portion has a higher solids concentration by volume than the first portion; a side outlet disposed on the side of the conical-bottomed vessel;

a side conduit, the side conduit having a side conduit first end fluidly communicating with the side outlet and a side conduit second end distally disposed from the side conduit first end, wherein the side conduit second end fluidly communicates with a restrictor end of a restrictor tee conduit;

a bottom outlet disposed at the bottom of the conical-bottomed vessel;

a bottom conduit, the bottom conduit having a bottom conduit first end fluidly communicating with the bottom outlet and a bottom conduit second end distally disposed from the bottom conduit first end, wherein the bottom conduit second end fluidly communicates with a first end of a first conduit of the restrictor tee conduit;

the restrictor tee conduit comprising:

the first conduit defined by a first conduit wall, the first conduit having the first end and a second end oppositely disposed from the first end;

a second conduit defined by a second conduit wall, the second conduit having a downstream end distally disposed from a restrictor end, wherein the second end of the first conduit orthogonally and fluidly engages the second conduit between the downstream end and the restrictor end of the second conduit at an intersection;

a restrictor disposed within the second conduit between the intersection and the restrictor end, wherein the restrictor comprises:

a first restrictor surface end,

a second restrictor surface end distally disposed from the first restrictor surface end,

an intermediate restrictor surface disposed between the first restrictor surface end and the second restrictor surface end, an inner circumference defined by an interior surface of the second conduit wall, wherein the inner circumference further comprises:

a first inner circumference disposed at the first restrictor surface end,

a narrow inner circumference disposed at the intermediate restrictor surface, wherein the narrow inner circumference is smaller than the first inner circumference, converging inner circumferences disposed between the first inner circumference and the intermediate restrictor surface, a second inner circumference disposed at the second restrictor surface end, wherein the second inner circumference is greater than the narrow inner circumference, and

diverging inner circumferences disposed between the intermediate restrictor surface t and the second restrictor surface end;

a downstream conduit, the downstream conduit having a downstream conduit first end and a downstream conduit second end distally disposed from the downstream conduit first end, wherein the downstream conduit first end is in fluid communication with the downstream end of the second conduit of the restrictor tee conduit; and

a centrifuge disposed downstream of the downstream conduit, wherein the downstream conduit second end fluidly communicates with the centrifuge.