US3795361A - Centrifuge apparatus - Google Patents

Abstract

A decanter centrifuge having a screw conveyor within an imperforate bowl is provided with an annular baffle carried by the screw conveyor. Light phase material and heavy phase material is separated from a mixture thereof fed to the centrifuge bowl. The heavy phase discharge port, usually in a tapered portion of the bowl, is preferably at a greater radial distance from the rotational axis than the inner surface of the light phase material. The periphery of the baffle is closely spaced from the bowl in order to form a restricted passageway for the underflow of heavy phase material from a separating zone within the cylindrical portion of the bowl to a heavy phase discharge zone within the tapered portion of the bowl. Pressure from the materials within the separating zone, or from an independent source, is transmitted through the restricted passageway and applied to the heavy phase material undergoing discharge, thus facilitating its discharge with minimum content of light phase material. With a conical baffle, incoming feed is directed onto the inwardly facing surface of the baffle and accelerated in order to minimize turbulence in the separating zone. Efficient separation is accomplished, even with materials heretofore considered unsuited for separation by a decanter centrifuge.

Description

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lLee

tes atent [1 1 [73] Assignee: Pennwalt Corporation, Philadelphia,

[22] Filed: Sept. 6 1972 [21] Appl. No.: 284,371

[75] Inventor:

[52] 10.8. C1. 233/7 [51] llnt. Cl B04b 1/20 [58] Field of Search 233/2, 7-, 27, 28, 46, 47 R [56] References Cited UNITED STATES PATENTS 3,447,742 6/1969 Eriksson et a1. 233/7 3,228,594 1/1966 Amero 233/7 3,092,582 6/1963 Lacker 233/7 X 2,734,681 2/1956 Schmiedel 233/7 3,285,507 11/1966 Shapiro 233/7 2,614,748 10/1952 Ritsch 233/7 Primary Examiner-George H. Krizmanich Attorney, Agent, or FirmEdward A. Sager 57 ABSTRACT A decanter centrifuge having a screw conveyor within an imperforate bowl is provided with an annular baffle carried by the screw conveyor. Light phase material and heavy phase material is separated from a mixture thereof fed to the centrifuge bowl. The heavy phase discharge port, usually in a tapered portion of the bowl, is preferably at a greater radial distance from the rotational axis than the inner surface of the light phase material. The periphery of the baffle is closely spaced from the bowl in order to form a restricted passageway for the underflow of heavy phase material from a separating zone within the cylindrical portion of the bowl to a heavy phase discharge zone within the tapered portion of the bowl. Pressure from the materials within the separating zone, or from an independent source, is transmitted through the restricted passageway and applied to the heavy phase material underg0 ing discharge, thus facilitating its discharge with minimum content-of light phase material. With a conical baffle, incoming feed is directed onto the inwardly facing surface of the baffle and accelerated in order to minimize turbulence in the separating zone. Efficient separation is accomplished, even with materials heretofore considered unsuited for separation by a decanter centrifuge.

12 Claims, 5 Drawing Figures PATENTE MR 5 I974 SHEU 1 [IF 3 PATENTED 5 74 SHEU 2 0f 3 CENTRIIFUGE APPARATUS BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION Decanter centrifuges usually include a rotating centrifuge bowl in which a screw conveyor revolves at a slightly different speed.

Such centrifuges are capable of continuously receiving feed in the bowl and of rapidly separating the feed into layers of light and heavy phase materials which are discharged separately from the bowl. It isthe function of the screw conveyor to move the outer layer of heavy phase material to a discharge port therefor, usually located in a tapered or conical end portion of the bowl.

Effective and efficient centrifugal separation requires that the light phase material, usually liquid, be discharged containing little or no heavy phase material. In addition, the heavy phase material should contain only a small amount of light phase material. For example, if the light phase material is water and the heavy phase material comprises soft solids, it is preferred that fairly dry solids and clear water be separately discharged.

In addition to being capable of performing continuous separation, decanter centrifuges have the advantage of being less susceptible to pluggage by solids than other kinds of centrifuges. Furthermore, decanter centriguges may be shut down for long or short periods and then restarted with minimum difficulty, whereas most other centrifuges require cleaning to remove dried solids.

Despite these advantages, decanter centrifuges have seen limited application for separating a mixture of materials having nearly the same specific gravity, or wherein the heavier phase material is slippery or very fine. When the materials of the light and heavy phases have nearly the same specific gravity they separate slowly, and they tend to re-mix when disturbed by turbulence. Turbulence may be caused by axial flow within the bowl, by the splashing introduction of feed, or byagitation of the revolving screw conveyor. In conventional decanter centrifuges remixture is further promoted by contact of the phases as the heavier phase material passes through the inner layer of lighter phase material while advancing along the tapered end of the bowl. It is therefore difficult to keep such materials separated after they have been separated. In addition, even if the separated materials could be kept separated, conveying of slippery or very fine solid materials by a screw conveyor is very difficult, just as it has been virtually impossible to scroll separated liquids of low viscosity by means of the slowly revolving screw conveyor.

The present invention is directed to overcoming the aforementioned problems, thereby increasing the versatility and separating efficiency of decanter centrifuges so that they will be operable with commercially acceptable separating efficiency and effectiveness on feed mixtures which heretofore have been difficult or impossible for them to separate.

The disclosure of U. S. Pat. No. 3,172,851 teaches a method and apparatus for centrifugal separation which improves the ability of the conveyor to'move light solids in the tapered part of the bowl toward the solids dis charge port. This is accomplished when the solids discharge port is placed at a greater radial distance from the bowl axis than is the liquid discharge port. However, with this construction the solids in the tapered end of the bowl are totally immersed in liquid until the moment before discharge, and therefore the discharged solids will be quite wet. The present invention is a substantial improvement over this prior disclosure because solids may be discharged with an appreciably lower moisture content.

As further background, it is proposed in U. S. Patent Application Ser. No. 15,238, assigned to the assignee of the present invention, that a decanter centrifuge of the type normally used for liquid-solids separation be used in triglyceride refining for the separation of refined oil and viscous soapstock. The present invention may be employed to facilitate liquid-liquid separation in triglyceride refining, since the heavy phase soapstock will be discharged more readily from the tapered end of the bowl together with any solids present as impurities in the soapstock. Accordingly, the present invention is further directed to the problem of enabling a decanter centrifuge to separate two liquids, whether or not solids are contained in the heavier liquid phase, yielding a clarified liquid light phase and a liquid heavy phase with suspended solids. Moreover, the improvements afforded by the present invention are applicable to the separation of low viscosity liquids.

BRlEF SUMMARY OF THE INVENTlON The invention is applied to a decanter centrifuge of the type set forth, and preferably to the kind having the weir surface of its heavy phase discharge port at a greater radial distance from the bowl axis than the inner surface of the light phase layer. The centrifuge is provided with an annular baffle carried coaxially by the screw conveyor, preferably for movement therewith. The baffle may be flat and normal to the bowl axis, but preferably it is frusto-conical in shape and formed about the axis. In either case the baffle is positioned to divide the interior of the bowl into: a first or separation zone, and also a second zone surrounded by the ta pered end portionof the bowl. The baffle has a generally circular peripheral edge in closely spaced relation to the inner surface of the bowl, thereby defining a re stricted annular passageway for the underflow of heavy phase material from the first zone to the second zone. The flow area of this annular passageway should be large enough to prevent an accumulation of heavy phase material in the separation zone of the bowl, and not appreciably larger than the flow area of the solids discharge port.

The baffle extends outwardly, beyond the annular interface between the separated phases, a sufficient radial distance from the bowl axis to prevent the flow of any portion of the light phase layer from the first zone to the second zone. in this regard it is to be distinguished from prior art baffles in decanter centrifuges. For example, in U. S. Pat. No. 3,447,742 the baffles merely extend to just beneath the surface of the light phase layer in order to block the flow in axial direction of light solid particles floating on the inner surface of the light phase layer.

The present invention is also distinguishable from many other prior art constructions, e.g., U. S. Pat. No. 3,228,594, in that the flat or conical baffle of the present invention is positioned between the heavy phase discharge port and the entering path of feed to the bowl. It is preferred that incoming feed be directed onto the inwardly facing surface of a conical baffle so that, with the aid of acceleration vanes on such surface. as the feed flows outwardly therealong it will be given an angular velocity approaching that of the separated phases in the separating zone; and the feed will therefore enter the separating zone without creating excessive turbulence.

The baffle is imperforate, at least for that portion thereof coming into contact with the materials in the separating zone, in order to prevent flow therethrough from one zone to the other zone. This is to be distinguished from the perforated construction of some parts shown in U. S. Pat. No. 2,593,278. Furthermore, with an imperforate baffle extending almost to the inner surface of the bowl, it is possible to establish favorable pressure relationships between the heavy phase material in the second zone and the layers of light and heavy phase materials in the separating zone.

According to the invention, the heavy phase material in the separating zone is pressurized well beyond the usual pressure applied, in a conventional centrifuge, by the centrifugal force of an inner layer oflight phase material having conventional depth. This is accomplished by setting the dam, discharge port, or other discharge means for light phase material so that the inner surface of the light phase material is maintained radially inward of the heavy phase discharge port, instead of being conventionally maintained radially outward of the heavy phase discharge port. The deeper layer of light phase material, under centrifugal force, subjects the underlying layer of heavy phase material to increased pressure. The increased pressure on the heavy phase material in the separating zone is transmitted therethrough via the restricted passageway to the heavy phase material in the discharging zone, thus helping to advance it to the discharge port.

Alternatively the heavy phase material in the separating zone may be pressurized, without increasing the depth of the light phase layer, by pressurizing the separating zone with gas introduced by a suitable delivery means.

With the aforesaid pressurizing means, the flow of heavy phase material is promoted from the outer layer of the separating zone through the restricted passageway and then axially and inwardly along the inner surface of the tapered portion of the bowl. Such promotion of heavy phase flow augments the action of the screw conveyor as it conveys heavy phase material to the discharge port in the tapered portion of the bowl. Even if the heavy phase is mostly liquid, it will readily flow together with sedimented solids to the heavy phase discharge port according to this invention.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS FIG. 1 is an elevational view, partly in section, of a centrifuge embodying one form of the invention;

FIG. 2 is an elevational view, partly in section, of a centrifuge embodying another form of the invention;

FIG. 3 is an enlarged elevational view, partly in section, of a portion of the centrifuge shown in FIG. 1;

FIG. 4 is a fragmentary bottom view of the centrifuge portion of FIG. 3, with screw flights omitted for clarity; and

FIG. 5 is a schematic illustration of a centrifuge embodying the invention in further modified form.

DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS Shown in FIG. 1 is a centrifuge comprising aframe 12 havingmain bearings 14 in which are journaled the ends of a hollow,elongated centrifuge bowl 16 of circular cross section. Thebowl 16 is adapted for rotation about its longitudinal axis within ahousing 18. A plurality of discharge ports oropenings 20 are formed in oneend wall 22 of thebowl 16 and annularly disposed about the rotational axis for the discharge of liquid or light phase material. A plurality of similarly disposed solids or heavy phase discharge ports oropenings 24 are provided adjacent theother end wall 26.

In other respects the peripheral wall of thebowl 16 is of imperforate tubular construction, amajor portion 28 thereof being cylindrical.

Theend portion 30 of thebowl 16 adjacent theend wall 26 is tapered or convergent, its inner surface gradually decreasing in diameter towards and beyond thesolid discharge openings 24. Theliquid discharge openings 20 and the heavy phase discharge ports oropenings 24 are at selectively adjustable radial distances from the rotational axis, preferably so that during proper operation the inner surface of the light phase material will be disposed radially inward of the weir surfaces of the heavyphase discharge ports 24.

Mounted coaxially of thebowl 16 in suitable bearings 31, adjacent the ends of thebowl 16, is ascrew conveyor 32. Thebowl 16 is rotated by connection through apulley 34 to suitable drive means, such as a motor (not shown). In order to rotate the bowl l6 and theconveyor 32 at slightly different speeds the rotation of the bowl I6 is transmitted to agear box 36 having torque control means 38 and thence through aspline shaft 40 within the bowl shaft to theconveyor 32.

The process feed stream, or mixture to be separated, is delivered to the interior of the centrifuge through astationary feed tube 42. The latter projects in axial direction and terminates concentrically of afeed chamber 44 partly defined by the interior of ahub 46 having aninternal lining 48.

Thehub 46, which is part of theconveyor 32, carries outwardly projecting, cylindrically coiledscrew flights 50, and also outwardly projecting, conically coiledscrew flights 52. Theflights 50 and 52 are mounted with small clearance from thebowl 16 for rotation with thehub 46 relative to thebowl 16, preferably at a speed suitably different from the speed of the bowl to move settled solids toward thedischarge openings 24 for discharge therethrough. Thehub 46 is further provided with one ormore feed passages 54 which also extend through the lining 48 in order to discharge the feed outwardly from thefeed chamber 44 for separation within thebowl 16.

Thefeed chamber 44 within thehub 46 extends in axial direction from apartition 56 to anaccelerator 58. The latter comprises a cup-shaped plate secured in sealing relationship with the inner surface of thehub 56 and having avane assembly 60 secured thereto for imparting radial and tangential velocity to the feed mixture delivered thereto by thefeed pipe 42. As shown, thefeed pipe 42 lies concentrically within thefeed chamber 44.

An annular seal (not shown) may be secured to thepartition 56 to close the space between the outer surface of thefeed pipe 42 and theportion 56.

A broken line a designates the maximum and desired level of materials within thecylindrical portion 28 of thebowl 16 which is maintained by thedischarge ports 20. The outermost portion of the surface defining eachport 20 acts as a weir over which light phase material flows when discharged from thebowl 16.

As shown in FIG. 1, thecoiled flights 52 are welded on the outer surface of a baffle 6 2of frusto-conical shape. Thebaffle 62 tapers in the same direction as the tapered end portion 30of thebowl 16. Thesmaller end 64 of thebaffle 62 is securely attached to thehub 46; and thecoiled flights 52 are structurally connected between the outer surface of the larger end of thebaffle 62 and thehub 46. Reference is made to FIG. 3 for an illustration of the latter.

Theconical baffle 62 of FIG. 1 is preferred to the modified construction of FIG. -2 in which a flatannular baffle 66 is employed.

Thebaffle 62 is positioned within thebowl 16 to divide the elongated chamberbetween the outer surface of thehub 46 and the inner surface of thebowl 16 into two axially adjacent zones: a first or separatingzone 68, and a second or dischargingzone 70. Thesecond zone 70 lies radially outwardly of thebaffle 62 and inwardly of thebowl 16, being surrounded by the taperedportion 30 of thebowl 16. Thesecond zone 70 extends in axial direction from aperipheral edge 72 of thebaffle 62 to theend wall 26, although for all practical purposes thesecond zone 70 terminates with thedischarge ports 24 for heavy phase material. Theports 24 communicate with thesecond zone 70. The first or separatingzone 68 lies outwardly of thehub 46 and extends outwardly thereof to the inner surface of thebaffle 62 on one side of theperipheral edge 72 and to the inner surface of thebowl 16 on the other side of theperipheral edge 72. The axial extent of the first or separatingzone 68 is from thesmall end 64 of thebaffle 62 to theend wall 22, terminating in thedischarge ports 20 for light phase material. Thecylindrical portion 28 of the bowl 116 surrounds'thefirst zone 68. Theports 20 communicate with thefirst zone 68.

Preparatory to further description of thebaffle 62, it is to be understood that feed entering the separatingzone 68 within the rapidly rotatingbowl 16 is subjected to high centrifugal forces which are usually 2,000 to 4,000 times gravitational force. This separates the mixture of light and heavy phase materials inzone 68 into an inner, annular layer of light phase material and an outer annular layer of heavy phase material. The annular interface between the two layers inzone 68 is shown by a broken line designated e. The layer of heavy phase material lies outwardly of the e line; and the layer of light phase material lies inwardly of the e line. The inner surface of the light phase layer is approximately in axial alignment with the outermost or weir surface portion of the structure surrounding eachport 20, with some allowance for cresting of the liquid discharging from theports 20.

The e line is adjustable by adjusting the level of theports 20. This is commonly done by providing anend wall 22 having theports 20 in the desired location. This adjustment is usually suited to the specific gravities of the materials comprising the feed mixture, the percentage of each in the feed, the inflow rate of the feed, and various other factors. In any event, the e line may be established by known procedures.

lt is important that theperipheral edge 72 of thebaffle 62 be carefully positioned relative to the inner surface of the bowl l6 and the e line.

Firstly, thebaffle 62 must extend outwardly beyond the inner layer of light phase material, i.e., the e line,

in order to prevent the flow of light phase material from thefirst zone 68 to thesecond zone 78. It is better practice to have theperipheral edge 72 disposed outwardly of the 2 line a substantial distance in order to ensure that some light phase material will not be entrained by heavy phase material flowing from thefirst zone 68 to thesecond zone 70. It can also be seen that thebaffle 62 must be imperforate at least for the radial distance it contacts the light phase layer, again to prevent flow of light phase material into thesecond zone 70.

Secondly, theperipheral edge 72 is positioned inwardly of thebowl 16 to define a restrictedannular passageway 74 between them for the underflow of heacy phase material therethrough from thefirst zone 68 to thesecond zone 70. The spacing between theperipheral edge 72 and thebowl 16 determines the flow area of thepassageway 74; and it should be large enough to prevent an excessive accumulation of heavy phase material in the separatingzone 68, that is, at least large enough to permit passage of the heavy phase in the feed at the rate the heavy phase material is separated in the separating zone. Theperipheral edge 72 must always extend in radial direction, relative to the axis, at least to the weir surface of thedischarge port 24 for heavy phase material.

The centrifugal force applied to the light and heavy phase materials in the separatingzone 68 produces a centrifugal pressure head which is transmitted to the heavy phase material in the dischargingzone 70. This pressure head, when combined with the pressure applied by thescrew conveyor 32, overcomes the oppositely directed centrifugal head of the heavy phase material inzone 70. The level of the heavy phase material in zone is shown by a broken line identified by the letter x. The level designated x is slightly inwardly of the weir surfaces of thedischarge ports 24, whereby heavy phase material is discharged fromports 24.

The light phase material has a lower specific gravity than the heavy phase material; and therefore a layer of light phase material which is thicker than a layer of heavy phase material is required to provide an equivalent centrifugal pressure head. Consequently, level x is more distant from the rotational axis, in radial direction, than is level a. An advantage of a so-called deep pond of all materials in the separatingzone 68, which thebaffle 62 permits, is that larger volumes of feed are accommodated therein, and therefore greater throughput capacities are obtainable. Furthermore, with a deep pond in the separatingzone 68 greater centrifugal forces are imposed upon sedimented solids therein, resulting in better solids compaction. The more compact the solids are in the separatingzone 68, the clearer will be the separated light phase material. Compact solids also lend themselves to more effective conveying by thescrew conveyor 32.

Thebaffle 62 is disposed between thedischarge ports 24 for heavy phase material and the path traveled by feed entering the separatingzone 68. This keeps the feed out of the dischargingzone 70. Preferably, with a conical-baffle 62 thefeed passages 54 are disposed radially inward of thebaffle 62, for directing feed onto the inner surface of thebaffle 62 intermediate the ends thereof. Feed travels outwardly and axially along the tend to re-mix separated materials of similar specific gravity.

It is preferred that the inner surface of thebaffle 62 be provided with annularly spacedaccelerator vanes 76 which extend in generally axial direction. It is the function of thevanes 76 to accelerate incoming feed and thereby bring it up toward the angular velocity of the separated layers already in thezone 68. This also minimizes turbulence in the separating zone and improves clarification.

Thescrew conveyor 32 andconical baffle 62 of FIG. 3 showS that aportion 78 of thebaffle 62 adjacent theperipheral edge 72 is cylindrical to provide an additional structural support for the large end of thebaffle 62. With this arrangement, suchperipheral portion 78 is welded to thescrew flights 50, thereby improving the structural integrity of theconveyor 32 and baffle 62 combination.

As shown in FIG. 4, theperipheral portion 78 has anaxially facing edge 80 which generally follows the trailing edge of the associatedhelical screw flight 50, except that upon completion of one full turn of such screw flight a short length of theedge 80 extends in axial direction. The significanceof thisprovision is that feed leaving the inner surface of thebaffle 62 will join the materials in the separatingzone 68 on the trailing side of theclosest screw flight 50, the side where the least amount of heavy phase material is present. Since thescrew flights 50 and 52 push heavy phase material with the leading side thereof toward thetapered end 30 of thebowl 16 there will be a build-up of heavy phase material on the leading side and very little heavy phase material on the trailing side. Introduction of feed to the separatingzone 68 where there is little heavy phase material present minimizes the chance of disturbing settled heavy phase material and thereby improves clarification of light phase material.

MODIFICATION The modification of the invention shown in FIG. 2 employs anannular baffle 66 which is a flat annular plate carried coaxially by thehub 46.

Where parts in FIG. 2 are similar to parts in FIG. 1, like reference numerals are employed, and descriptions thereof will not be repeated, for the sake of brevity.

The baffle 60' operates similar to thebaffle 62 for creating a restrictedpassageway 74 for the underflow of heavy phase material. Therefore, the same considerations apply when selecting the radial distance between the peripheral edge 72' of the baffle 66' and the bowl l6, and when establishing pressure equilibrium between the phases in separatingzone 68 and the heavy phase material in dischargingzone 70.

It is to be noted that thefeed passages 54 in thehub 46 are disposed immediately adjacent the side of thebaffle 66 facing the separatingzone 68. This is also in keeping with the broad concept of arranging the baffle between the dischargingzone 70 and the entering path of the feed entering the separatingzone 68.

Operation In the decanter centrifuge of FIG. 1 feed is introduced via thefeed tube 42, thefeed chamber 44, and thefeed passages 54. Feed travels radially outwardly into contact with the inner surface of theconical baffle 62, and it is accelerated by thevanes 76 while flowing outwardly and axially along such inner surface. The

feed now has an angular velocity approaching that of the contents of the separatingzone 68 as it comingles with the phases therein.

Separation of the feed into an inner layer of light phase material and an outer layer of heavy phase material takes place by centrifugal action. The e lines between the phases is at a level with a baffle surface, with the result that no light phase material can flow to the dischargingzone 70. Light phase material exits thebowl 16 from thedischarge ports 20; and a level along line a is maintained in the separatingzone 68.

Heavy phase material in the separatingzone 68 is moved by the screw conveyor toward thetapered end 30 of the bowl, there being a small accumulation at the entrance to the restrictedpassageway 74. Under pressure from the rapidly rotating materials in the separatingzone 68, the heavy phase material flows through thepassageway 74 and establishes its own level x in the dischargingzone 70. Level x is such that heavy phase material flows out of thedischarge ports 24. Heavy phase particles such as coarse solids which offer resistance to flow, frictional or otherwise, are readily conveyed by thescrew conveyor 32 to thedischarge port 24.

The invention is ideally suited for the separation of secondary sewage, sludge, and other materials wherein the light and heavy phase materials are of similar specific gravity, and wherein the solids may be fine and very slippery when wet. These materials have heretofore defied separation by a decanter centrifuge without polyelectrolytes or additives.

The invention also finds meaningful application to the separation of two liquids where solid impurities in the heavy phase liquid would plug other kinds of centrifuges which continuously separate and discharge two liquids. Accordingly, the terms heavy phase" and light phase" have been employed to describe the materials which are separable by the centrifuge of the present invention, since the light phase material will usually be a liquid and the heavy phase material will usuallybe a mixture of solids or a mixture of solids and liquid.

A feature of the present invention is the provision of a discharging zone within thebowl 16, in which the heavy phase material is segregated from the light phase material during the discharging operation. A drier heavy phase discharge results. Furthermore, whereas previous decanter centrifuges required the screw conveyor to move the heavy phase material through and out of the layer of light phase material, tending to cause remixture of the phases, the present invention moves the heavy phase material alone through the discharging zone. This yields a well clarified light phase material, and a separated heavy material which contains a commercially acceptable amount of light phase material.

A further modification of the invention is shown schematically in FIG. 5. There, thecentrifuge bowl 16 also has a heavyphase discharge port 24 in the taperedportion 30. At the opposite end of thebowl 16, lightphase discharge ports 20 are provided to maintain level a within the bowl. In addition, acircular baffle 86 is carried by thehub 46 of thescrew conveyor 32 to seal the separatingchamber 68 from the atmosphere viaports 20. A still further addition is anauxiliary baffle 88 of annular shape, carried by thebowl 16. Theauxiliary baffle 88 extends radially inwardly a sufficient distance beyond the e line to prevent the flow of heavy phase material towardports 20.

As in the embodiment of FIG. 2, a flatannular baffle 66 is provided the FIG. embodiment.Baffle 66 is carried by thehub 46 and it extends radially outwardly toward closely spaced relationship with thebowl 16, in order to provide a restrictedpassageway 74 therebetween.Baffle 66 serves the same function described with reference to the embodiment of FIG. 2 and it also sealschamber 68 from theports 24 leading to the atmosphere.

A major distinction between the embodiments of FIG. 2 and FIG. 5 is that the embodiment of FIG. 5 effects pressurization of the heavy phase material in the dischargingzone 70 by means of an external pressure source. Such pressure source is preferably aconduit 90, extending from. outside thecentrifuge bowl 16 through thefeed tube 42 to the feed chamber 454. Pressurized gas is delivered through theconduit 90, the chamber 4-4 and thefeed passages 54 to the separating zone orchamber 68, where pressure is applied to the inner surface of the light phase layer and transmitted through the heavy phase material inchamber 68, thence throughpassageway 74, to the heavy phase material inzone 70.

The pressurized gas is delivered to the separatingzone 68 at pressures above the pressure which would be centrifugally developed by any portion of a light phase layer disposed radially outwardly of theheavy phase port 24. With this arrangement, the inner surface of the light phase material inrthe separating zone disposed between thebaffles 66 and 86 is maintained at alevel 12 which is radially outward of the levels a and x. The pressure from the gas, together with the compressive force applied to the heavy phase material by thescrew conveyor 32, plus the centrifugal pressure head of the light phase layer, all combine to overcome the centrifugal pressure head of the heavy phase material having level in the dischargingzone 70.

I claim:

1. In a decanter centrifuge for separating light and heavy phase materials into respective inner and outer layers from a mixture thereof and for separately discharging said materials, having an elongated imperforate bowl with a tapered portion, said bowl being adapted for rotation about its longitudinal axis, feed means for delivering the mxiture to be separated into said bowl, a screw conveyor coaxially arranged within the bowl to revolve relative to the bowl for advancing heavy phase material in the direction of the tapered portion of the bowl, a discharge passageway for light phase material, and means including a discharge port for discharging heavy phase material from the tapered portion of the bowl, said discharge port having a weir surface, that improvement comprising:

an annular baffle carried by the screw conveyor positioned to divide the interior of the bowl into a separating zone communicating with said discharge passageway, and

a discharging zone for heavy phase material, said discharging zone being disposed within the tapered portion of the bowl and communicating with said discharge port,

said baffle extending outwardly beyond the interface between the separated layers of light and heavy phase materials in the separating zone, said baffle having its outer peripheral edge in closely spaced relationship with the bowl to define therewith a restricted passageway for the underflow of heavy phase material from the separating zone to the discharging zone,

and means cooperating with said baffle to maintain the inner surface of the layer of separted eight phase material at a level disposed inwardly of said weir surface and to discharge light phase material from said separating zone to said discharge passageway, the centrifugal pressure head of the layer of separated light phase material being applied to the heavy phase material in the separating zone and being transmitted through the restricted passageway to the heavy phase material in said discharging zone,

whereby the centrifugal pressure head transmitted to the heavy phase material in said discharging zone combines with the force applied by said screw conveyor to the heavy phase material in said discharging zone to overcome the centrifugal pressure head of the heavy phase material in said discharging zone, and thereby advance the heavy phase material in said discharging zone to said discharge port for discharge therefrom.

2.,A centrifuge according to claim 1 wherein the baf fle is a flat plate arranged coaxially within said bowl.

3. A centrifuge according to claim 2 wherein the plate is disposed normal to said longitudinal axis.

4. A centrifuge according to claim I wherein the baffle is of frusto-conical configuration and is formed about said longitudinal axis.

5. A centrifuge according to claim 4 wherein the baffle tapers in the same direction as the tapered portion of said bowl.

6. A centrifuge according to claim 1 wherein the feed means includes an outlet which is open to the separating zone and is disposed adjacent to the baffle on the side of said baffle facing the separating zone.

7. A centrifuge according to claim 6 wherein the baf fle is of frusto-conical configuration and is formed about said longitudinal axis, the outlet of said feed means being disposed inwardly of said baffle in position to direct the mixture to be separated onto the inner surface of said baffle.

8. A centrifuge according to claim 7 further including axially extending, accelerating vanes on the inner surface of said baffle for increasing the angular velocity of said mixture as it flows outwardly along the inner surface of said baffle.

9. A centrifuge according to claim 11 wherein said baffle is imperforate at least for the radial distance of said light phase layer.

10. A centrifuge according to claim 1 wherein said discharge passageway for light phase material is a port formed in said bowl, and the last-introduced means of said claim 1 is a weir surface on said port disposed closer in radial direction to the longitudinal axis of said bowl than the weir surface of the discharge port in cluded in the means for discharging heavy phase material.

11. A centrifuge according to claim 10 wherein the respective ports of said discharge passageway for light phase material and said means for discharging heavy phase material are disposed at opposite end portions of said bowl.

12. In a decanter centrifuge for separating light and heavy phase materials into respective inner and outer layers from a mixture thereof and for separately discharging said materials, having an elongated imperforate bowl with a tapered portion, said bowl being adapted for rotation about its longitudinal axis, feed means for delivering the mixture tobe separated into said bowl, a screw conveyor coaxially arranged within the bowl to revolve relative to the bowl for advancing heavy phase material in the direction of the tapered portion of the bowl, means for discharging light phase material from the bowl, and means for discharging heavy phase material from the bowl including a discharge port in the tapered portion of said bowl, said discharge port having a weir surface, that improvement comprising:

an annular baffle carried by the screw conveyor positioned to divide the interior of the bowl into a separating zone which communicates with said means for discharging light phase material, and a discharging zone for heavy phase material which is disposed within the tapered portion of the bowl and communicates with said means for discharging heavy phase material, said baffle extending outwardly beyond the inner layer of separated light phase material in the separating zone and having its peripheral edge closely spaced from the bowl to define therewith a restricted passageway for the underflow of heavy phase material from the separating zone to the discharging zone,

and means for pressurizing the heavy phase material in the separating zone with a deep layer of light phase material in said separating zone whereby the pressure provided by said pressurizing means is transmitted to the heavy phase material in said separating zone and through said restricted passageway to the heavy phase material in the discharging zone for promoting the advance of the heavy phase material through the discharging zone to said port for discharge therefrom, wherein the pressurizing means comprises means for maintaining the inner surface of the light phase material in said separating zone at a level inward of the level of said weir surface of said port, whereby the centrifugal pressure head of that portion of the light phase material disposed iwnard of the level of said weir surface provides pressure in addition to the centrifugal pressure head of that portion of the light phase material disposed outward of the level of said weir surface.

4 UNITED STATES PATENT OFFICE CERTIFICATE OF CORRECTION Patent NO- March 5 Inveucofln) Chie-Ying Lee 'It is certified that error appears in the above-identified patent and that said Letters Patent are hereby corrected as shown below:

Column 6, line l4 "heaoy" should read heavy Column 7; line-l2, showS" should read shows Column 7, line 41, 96 6" should read 66' Column 7', line 4 'so'" should read 66' Column 7,line 56, "66" should read 66' Column 8, line 53, after "heavy"insert phase Column 10, line. l, "'separted eight" should read separatedlight Column 12, line jlQji "iwnard" should read inward Signed and sealed this 15th day of August 197 (SEAL) Attestz' MCCOY M. GIBSON, JR. 0. MARSHALL DANN Attesting Officer Commissioner of Patents

Claims (12)

1. In a decanter centrifuge for separating light and heavy phase materials into respective inner and outer layers from a mixture thereof and for separately discharging said materials, having an elongated imperforate bowl with a tapered portion, said bowl being adapted for rotation about its longitudinal axis, feed means for delivering the mxiture to be separated into said bowl, a screw conveyor coaxially arranged within the bowl to revolve relative to the bowl for advancing heavy phase Material in the direction of the tapered portion of the bowl, a discharge passageway for light phase material, and means including a discharge port for discharging heavy phase material from the tapered portion of the bowl, said discharge port having a weir surface, that improvement comprising: an annular baffle carried by the screw conveyor positioned to divide the interior of the bowl into a separating zone communicating with said discharge passageway, and a discharging zone for heavy phase material, said discharging zone being disposed within the tapered portion of the bowl and communicating with said discharge port, said baffle extending outwardly beyond the interface between the separated layers of light and heavy phase materials in the separating zone, said baffle having its outer peripheral edge in closely spaced relationship with the bowl to define therewith a restricted passageway for the underflow of heavy phase material from the separating zone to the discharging zone, and means cooperating with said baffle to maintain the inner surface of the layer of separted eight phase material at a level disposed inwardly of said weir surface and to discharge light phase material from said separating zone to said discharge passageway, the centrifugal pressure head of the layer of separated light phase material being applied to the heavy phase material in the separating zone and being transmitted through the restricted passageway to the heavy phase material in said discharging zone, whereby the centrifugal pressure head transmitted to the heavy phase material in said discharging zone combines with the force applied by said screw conveyor to the heavy phase material in said discharging zone to overcome the centrifugal pressure head of the heavy phase material in said discharging zone, and thereby advance the heavy phase material in said discharging zone to said discharge port for discharge therefrom.

2. A centrifuge according to claim 1 wherein the baffle is a flat plate arranged coaxially within said bowl.

3. A centrifuge according to claim 2 wherein the plate is disposed normal to said longitudinal axis.

4. A centrifuge according to claim 1 wherein the baffle is of frusto-conical configuration and is formed about said longitudinal axis.

5. A centrifuge according to claim 4 wherein the baffle tapers in the same direction as the tapered portion of said bowl.

6. A centrifuge according to claim 1 wherein the feed means includes an outlet which is open to the separating zone and is disposed adjacent to the baffle on the side of said baffle facing the separating zone.

7. A centrifuge according to claim 6 wherein the baffle is of frusto-conical configuration and is formed about said longitudinal axis, the outlet of said feed means being disposed inwardly of said baffle in position to direct the mixture to be separated onto the inner surface of said baffle.

8. A centrifuge according to claim 7 further including axially extending, accelerating vanes on the inner surface of said baffle for increasing the angular velocity of said mixture as it flows outwardly along the inner surface of said baffle.

9. A centrifuge according to claim 1 wherein said baffle is imperforate at least for the radial distance of said light phase layer.

10. A centrifuge according to claim 1 wherein said discharge passageway for light phase material is a port formed in said bowl, and the last-introduced means of said claim 1 is a weir surface on said port disposed closer in radial direction to the longitudinal axis of said bowl than the weir surface of the discharge port included in the means for discharging heavy phase material.

11. A centrifuge according to claim 10 wherein the respective ports of said discharge passageway for light phase material and said means for discharging heavy phase material are disposed at opposite end portions of said bowl.

12. In a decanter centrifuge for separating light and heavy phase materials into respective innEr and outer layers from a mixture thereof and for separately discharging said materials, having an elongated imperforate bowl with a tapered portion, said bowl being adapted for rotation about its longitudinal axis, feed means for delivering the mixture to be separated into said bowl, a screw conveyor coaxially arranged within the bowl to revolve relative to the bowl for advancing heavy phase material in the direction of the tapered portion of the bowl, means for discharging light phase material from the bowl, and means for discharging heavy phase material from the bowl including a discharge port in the tapered portion of said bowl, said discharge port having a weir surface, that improvement comprising: an annular baffle carried by the screw conveyor positioned to divide the interior of the bowl into a separating zone which communicates with said means for discharging light phase material, and a discharging zone for heavy phase material which is disposed within the tapered portion of the bowl and communicates with said means for discharging heavy phase material, said baffle extending outwardly beyond the inner layer of separated light phase material in the separating zone and having its peripheral edge closely spaced from the bowl to define therewith a restricted passageway for the underflow of heavy phase material from the separating zone to the discharging zone, and means for pressurizing the heavy phase material in the separating zone with a deep layer of light phase material in said separating zone whereby the pressure provided by said pressurizing means is transmitted to the heavy phase material in said separating zone and through said restricted passageway to the heavy phase material in the discharging zone for promoting the advance of the heavy phase material through the discharging zone to said port for discharge therefrom, wherein the pressurizing means comprises means for maintaining the inner surface of the light phase material in said separating zone at a level inward of the level of said weir surface of said port, whereby the centrifugal pressure head of that portion of the light phase material disposed iwnard of the level of said weir surface provides pressure in addition to the centrifugal pressure head of that portion of the light phase material disposed outward of the level of said weir surface.

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