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J » European Patent O f f i c e Publication number: 0 205 246

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45) Date of publication of the patent specification: IntCI : B 0 4 B 11/04

15.11.89
|j) Application number: 86303150.6
22) Date of filling: 25.04.86

Centrifugal separator.

Priority: 07.06.85 SE 8502830 © Proprietor: ALFA- LAVAL SEPARATION AB, Box

500, S-147 00 Tumba (SE)
Date of publication of application:
17.12.86 Bulletin 86/51 Inventor: NordstrSm, Torbjorn, Ragangen 37, S-145
80 Norsborg2 (SE)
Publication of the grant of the patent:
15.11.89 Bulletin 89/46 Representative: Lerwill, John, A.A. Thornton & Co.
Northumberland House 303- 306 High Holborn,
London, WC1 V 7LE (GB)
@ Designated Contracting States:
DEFRGBITNLSE

References cited:
SE-B-440487
US-A-4525155

Note: Within nine months from the publication of the mention of the grant of the European patent, any person may give notice to
Q, the European Patent Office of opposition to the European patent granted. Notice of opposition shall be filed in a written reasoned
111 statement. It shall not be deemed to have been filed until the opposition fee has been paid (Art. 99(1) European patent convension).
LIBER, STOCKHOLM1969
 EP 0205 246 B1
Description
This invention relates to centrifugal separators.
More particularly the invention is concerned with
a centrifugal separator comprising:
a rotor including a separation chamber having
an inlet, a first outlet located at the centre of the
separation chamber, a second outlet located at
the periphery of the separation chamber, and a
third outlet positioned radially between the first
outlet and the second outlet;
opening means for opening said second outlet
intermittently during operation of the separator;
stationary outlet means for accomplishing flow
of liquid from the separation chamber through
the third outlet to and through a stationary
conduit;
throttle means for limiting the flow through the
stationary conduit;
sensing means for sensing when an interface
layer between separated light and heavy liquid
components within the separation chamber has
moved radially inwardly to a predetermined level;
and
means arranged to co-operate with said sen-
sing means and opening means to actuate the
opening means when said interface layer has
reached the predetermined level.
A centrifugal separator of the above form,
which may be used for instance in connection
with cleaning of mineral oil from water and
solids, is described in SE-A-348 121 (US-A-3 752
389). The known centrifugal separator comprises
a circulation conduit which communicates with
the stationary outlet means and returns to the
centrifugal separator inlet liquid leaving the
separation chamber of the rotor through the third
outlet. In the circulation conduit there is a throttle
for limiting the liquid flow through this conduit.
From the circulation conduit, between the sta-
tionary outlet means and the throttle, a branch
conduit including a shut-off valve extends. The
shut-off valve is connected to special sensing
means and is arranged to be opened in response
to a signal from the sensing means. The sensing
means also can emit a signal to the opening
means for the second outlet for effecting the
intermittent opening of the so-called sludge
outlets at the periphery of the separation cham-
ber.
During operation of the known centrifugal
separator, separated light liquid component, for
instance oil, at first leaves the separation cham-
ber through both the central first outlet and the
third outlet. Liquid leaving through the third
outlet is recirculated to the inlet of the centrifugal
separator, and operation in this way continues
either for a certain predetermined time or until a
certain amount of separated heavy liquid com-
ponent, for instance water, has collected within
the separation chamber. When the predetermi-
ned time has lapsed, the sludge outlets are
opened so that all or a part of the collected water
together with separated solids will be thrown out
of the separation chamber. If, before that, the
said certain amount of water has collected within
the separation chamber, the valve in the afo-
rementioned branch conduit is opened, so that
separated water then passing out through'the
5 third outlet will leave the recirculation conduit
through the branch conduit instead of being
returned to the inlet of the centrifugal separator.
A disadvantage with the known centrifugal
separator is that the stationary outlet means
10 causes an undesired temperature rise of the
separated light liquid component leaving the
separation chamber through the third outlet. This
is due to the fact that the outlet means, usually a
so-called paring disc, will be relatively deeply
15 immersed in separated light liquid component
rotating with the same speed as the rotor in a so-
called paring chamber at the centre of the rotor.
The depth of immersion has to be sufficiently
large to allow the outlet means to reach radially
20 out to the separated heavy liquid component
which, in a later stage of the separating
operation, takes the place of the lighter liquid
component in the paring chamber. In this later
stage the free liquid surface in the paring
25 chamber is situated more remote from the rotor
axis than when the paring chamber contains
separated light liquid component.
The stationary outlet means, during the
operation of the rotor, having a relatively large
30 surface in contact with rotating light liquid
component also means that much energy is lost
to no use.
Another drawback with the described known
separator is that special modifications have to be
35 made as soon as changes occur in the densities
of the separated liquid components. Thus a new
so-called gravity disc (corresponding to the
annular member forming an overflow outlet 24 in
the centrifugal separator according to SE-A-348
40 121) has to be inserted if for instance oil with a
changed density is to be cleaned. Consequently
the known separator is unsuitable where a
change of the densities of the separated liquid
components will occur during the operation of
45 the centrifugal separator.
The aim of the present invention is to avoid by
simple and inexpensive means the above-men-
tioned drawbacks, and in accordance with the
invention there is provided a centrifugal separa-
50 tor as initially described, characterised in that
said throttle means is formed in the rotor
between the third outlet and the stationary outlet
means, and the throttle means has a throughflow
capacity less than that of the stationary conduit.
55 By so arranging the throttle means, the stationary
outlet means may be allowed to extend radially
outwardly to a desired level in the rotor without
having to be immersed in separated light liquid
component to a depth corresponding to the level
60 of the free liquid surface in the separation
chamber of the rotor.
In a preferred embodiment of the invention the
throttle means is arranged in a partition formed in
the rotor between a chamber, into which the
65 stationary outlet means extends, and a space
 EP 0205 246 B1
within the rotor communicating with the third
outlet, said space extending radially inwardly in
the rotor to such a level that during the operation
of the rotor a free liquid surface is formed
therein.
An embodiment of the invention will now be
described more closely with reference to the
accompanying drawing, in which:
Figure 1 is an axial section through a centrifuge
rotor; and
Figure 2 shows part of Figure 1 on an enlarged
scale.
The centrifugal separator illustrated in Figure 1
comprises a rotor composed of two parts 1 and 2,
which are held together axially by means of a
locking ring 3. Within the rotor there is confined a
separation chamber 4, in which there is arranged
a set of conical separation discs 5.
The separation discs rest upon a so-called
distributor 6, which in turn rests on a bottom
plate 7 supported by the lower rotor part 2. A
central space 8 in the distributor 6 communicates
with the separation chamber 4 through passages
9 between the lower part of the distributor and
the bottom plate 7.
Into the central space 8 there extends a
stationary inlet pipe 10 for a mixture to be
centrifugally treated in the rotor. Outside the
rotor the inlet pipe 10 is connected to an inlet
conduit 11 provided with a closing or shut-off
valve 11a.
The rotor has a plurality of peripheral outlets in
the form of ports 12 extending through the lower
rotor part 2. These ports 12 are normally closed
from connection with the separation chamber 4
but can be connected therewith intermittently
during the operation of the rotor by axial dis-
placement of an annular slide member 13. The
slide member 13 is arranged to abut around its
periphery against an annular gasket 14 arranged
in a groove in the upper rotor part 1.
Between the slide member 13 and the lower
rotor part 2 there is confined a closing chamber
15 for operating liquid. The closing chamber 15
has a central inlet 16 and a peripheral outlet 17
for operating liquid. The outlet 17 is strongly
throttled and has, therefore, substantially less
throughflow capacity than the inlet 16. The inlet
16 communicates with a central chamber 18, in
which during the operation of the rotor there is
maintained a certain level of liquid by means of a
stationary inlet member 19. The inlet member is
connected to a conduit 20, in which there is
arranged a closing or shut-off valve 21 .
On the set of separation discs 5 there rests a
conical partition 22. At its central part this
partition forms by means of annular flanges 23
and 24 a radially inwards open central outlet
chamber 25. The radially inner edge 23a of the
lower flange 23 constitutes, during the operation
of the rotor, an overflow outlet for liquid in the
separation chamber 4.
A stationary paring member 26 extends into the
outlet chamber 25 to a level radially somewhat
outwardly of the level of the said flange edge
23a. The paring member 26 is supported by the
inlet pipe 10 and forms therearound an annular
5 channel 27 which connects the outlet chamber 25
with an outlet conduit 28.
Axially outside, i.e. above, the conical partition
22, the rotor part 1 has an internal annular flange
29 and an end wall 29a. Between the flange 29
10 and the end wall 29a the rotor part 1 forms a
radially inwardly open further chamber 30. Into
this chamber 30 there extends a stationary paring
member 31 which, through the paring member
26, is supported by the inlet pipe 10 and which
15 forms an annular channel 32 connecting the
chamber 30 with a conduit 33.
The chamber 30 communicates with the
separation chamber 4 in the following way.
Between the rotor part 1 and the conical
20 partition 22 there are formed a plurality of radially
extending channels 34. The radially outer ope-
nings thereof form an outlet 35 from the separa-
tion chamber 4. Radially inwardly the channels 34
open into a chamber 36, which is open radially
25 inwardly and is situated between the flange 24
and the flange 29. Through one or a few axial
holes 37 (Figure 2) in the flange 29 the chamber
36 communicates with the chamber 30. The hole
or holes 37 have a total throughflow capacity
30 which is substantially less than the flow capacity
at which the paring member 31 can remove liquid
from the chamber 30.
To the conduit 33 there is connected a flow
sensing means 38, which also is connected to a
35 control unit 39. The previously mentioned closing
valve 21 in the supply conduit 20 for operating
liquid is connected to the control unit 39. Dotted
lines 40 and 41 in Figure 1 illustrate electric
connection lines from the control unit 39 to the
40 flow sensing means 38 and the valve 21, respec-
tively.
The conduit 33 opens into a container 42, which
constitutes a collection container for mixture to
be treated in the centrifugal separator. As can be
45 seen from Figure 1 the previously mentioned inlet
conduit 11 is connected to the container 42. The
arrow 43 illustrates flow of mixture flowing into
the container 42.
The centrifugal separator shown in the drawing
50 operates in the following way in the separation of
a mixture of oil, water and relatively heavy solids.
Upon starting the centrifugal separator the
valve 21 is open and operating liquid is supplied
to the closing chamber 15. Means, not shown, is
55 used for adjusting the liquid surface in the
chamber 18 at a desired level, operating liquid
being supplied to the closing chamber 15 through
its inlet 16 in an amount equal to that leaving the
same through the outlet 17. Hereby, it is accom-
60 plished that the slide member 13 is caused to
take the position shown in the drawing, in which
the separation chamber 4 is closed at its peri-
phery.
The mixture to be centrifugally treated is
65 supplied through the conduit 11 and the inlet
 EP 0205 246 B1
pipe 10 to the central space 8. From there the
mixture flows through the passages 9 into the
separation chamber 4.
Separated oil leaves the separation chamber 4
through the overflow outlet 23a and is pumped
out of the outlet chamber 25 by the paring
member 26 to the outlet conduit 28.
Separated water and separated solids are
collected in the radially outermost part of the
separation chamber 4. As long as only insignifi-
cant amounts of water and solids have been
separated in the separation chamber 4, separated
oil leaves the separation chamber 4 also through
the outlet 35 and the channels 34. This oil flows to
the chamber 36 and from there through the hole
37 to the chamber 30. The paring member 31
pumps the oil out through the channel 32 and the
conduit 33 into the container 42, from which it is
returned together with new mixture to the
separation chamber 4.
As mentioned previously the hole 37 has a
substantially smaller throughflow capacity than
the paring member 31 and the conduit 33. This
means that the free liquid level in the chamber 30
will be situated radially relatively far from the
rotor axis, and the outside of paring member 31
will thus be covered by liquid only to a minimum
extent (as is best seen from Figure 2). The heat
generated, as a consequence of the relative
movement between the oil in the chamber 30 and
the paring member 31, can thus be kept at a
minimum.
When oil flows through the conduit 33, the oil
flow is sensed by means of the means 38. The
value of the sensed flow is compared with a
predetermined value stored within the control
unit 39. As long as the flow in the conduit 33 is
larger than the predetermined value the control
unit 39 remains passive and the operation conti-
nues as so far described.
When so much water and solids have collected
in the separation chamber 4 that the water
reaches the outlet 35, the supply of liquid to the
channels 34 and, thereby, to the chamber 36 will
be reduced. The free liquid surface in the
chamber 36, which has been situated substantial-
ly at the same level as the overflow outlet 23a of
the separation chamber 4 (Figure 2), will then
begin to sink, i.e. it moves radially outwards.
Consequently, the liquid flow through the holes
37 to the chamber 30 will decrease, and conse-
quently the liquid flow through the conduit 33 will
also decrease.
When the flow in the conduit 33 has decreased
to a value smaller than the predetermined value
stored in the control unit 39, the control unit for a
very short, predetermined period of time closes
the valve 21 in the supply conduit 20 for operating
liquid. As a result the pressure in the closing
chamber is decreased, and the slide member 13,
under the pressure in the separation chamber 4 is
moved downwards to uncover the outlet ports 12.
When the valve 21 is opened again and newly
supplied operating liquid together with that
remaining in the closing chamber will effect
return of the slide member 13 to its closed
position. The time for which the ports 12 are
uncovered is such that only a part of the contents
in the separation chamber 4 is discharged
5 through the ports 12. Preferably only the separa-
ted solids and the separated water are di-
scharged.
When the flow in the conduit 33 has again
increased to a value larger than the predetermi-
10 ned value, the above operation is repeated.
In the above described centrifugal separator all
of the water separated from the oil should be
removed from the separation chamber through
the same peripheral outlets as those which are
15 used for the removal of separated solids. Fur-
thermore, all liquid leaving the centrifuge rotor
through the conduit 33 should sooner or later, be
returned to the separation chamber 4.
As to the choice of the radial level for the hole
20 37 in the flange 29 (Figure 2), this is of importance
for determining the magnitude of the change of
oil flow through the hole produced as a conse-
quence of the interface layer in the separation
chamber 4 between oil and water moving radially
25 inwards past the outlet 35. If the hole 37 is
situated relatively close to the rotor axis, the oil
flow will relatively soon cease altogether when
the said interface layer reaches the outlet 35,
particularly if the difference in density between
30 the oil and the water is relatively large. If,
instead, the hole 37 is situated relatively far from
the rotor axis, the oil flow through the hole 37 will
only be reduced to a larger or smaller extent. If
the hole 37 is situated sufficiently far from the
35 rotor axis, it is possible even for water to leave
the rotor through the hole 37 and the paring
member 31. This may be an advantage, if the
mixture supplied to the separation chamber 4
occasionally contains extremely large amounts of
40 water. In such a case the peripheral outlets have
to be opened at a relatively high frequency.
However, there is a limit to the maximum opening
frequency, and return of a certain amount of
water to the container 42, in which the whole
45 mixture does not have the same high water
content as the mixture which is occasionally
supplied to the separation chamber 4, may be
sufficient to avoid water filling up a large part of
the separation chamber and accompanying the
50 separated oil out of the rotor.
For this reason it may be suitable for the hole
37 to be situated sufficiently far from the rotor
axis to prevent an interface layer formed in the
separation chamber 4 during the operation of the
55 rotor between oil and water from reaching
radially into the separation discs 5, as long as the
throughflow capacity of the hole 37 normally
exceeds the supply of water accompanying new
liquid mixture into the separation chamber.
60 It has been assumed above that liquid leaving
the rotor through the conduit 33 should be
returned to the rotor through the container 42
from which new mixture is supplied to the rotor.
This is a preferred embodiment of the invention.
65 It is also possible within the scope of the present
 EP 0205 246 B1
invention, however, to have the conduit 33
connected directly to the inlet conduit 11. Fur-
thermore, it is also possible to use a different
kind of sensing means than the flow sensing
means 38 to initiate opening of the peripheral
outlets 12. For instance a pressure sensing means
can be used, or a means for sensing a change of
the dielectric constant of the liquid flowing
through the conduit 33.
In the same way as when separated water
reaches the outlet 35 of the separation chamber
4, the sensing means 38 will react and the
peripheral outlet ports 12 will be uncovered, if
the supplied mixture contains only oil and solids
and the interface layer between separated oil and
separated solids reaches the outlet 35.
Claims
1. A centrifugal separator comprising a rotor
including a separation chamber (4) having an
inlet (9), a first outlet (23a) located at the centre
of the separation chamber, a second outlet (12)
located at the periphery of the separation cham-
ber, and a third outlet (35) positioned radially
between the first and second outlets, opening
means (13 - 21) for opening said second outlet
(12) intermittently during the operation of the
separator, stationary outlet means (31) for ac-
complishing flow of liquid from the separation
chamber (4) through the third outlet (35) to and
through a stationary conduit (33), throttle means
for limiting the flow through the stationary
conduit (33), sensing means (38) for sensing
when an interface layer between separated light
and heavy liquid components in the separation
chamber has moved radially inwardly to a prede-
termined level, and means (39) arranged to co-
operate with said sensing means (38) and said
opening means (13 - 21) for actuating the opening
means when said interface layer has reached
said predetermined level, characterized in that
the throttle means (37) is formed in the rotor
between the third outlet (35) and the stationary
outlet means (31), and the throttle means has a
throughflow capacity less than that of the sta-
tionary conduit (33).
2. A centrifugal separator according to claim 1,
wherein the throttle means (37) is arranged in a
partition (29) formed in the rotor between a
chamber (30), into which the stationary outlet
means (31 ) extends, and a space (36) in the rotor
communicating with the third outlet (35), said
space (36) extending radially inwardly in the rotor
to such a level that during operation of the rotor a
free liquid surface is formed therein.
3. A centrifugal separator according to claim 1
or 2, wherein the stationary conduit (33) is
arranged for liquid leaving the rotor therethrough
to be returned to the separation chamber (4) of
the rotor.
4. A centrifugal separator according to claim 3,
wherein a container (42) is provided for the
supply of mixture to the separation chamber (4)
of the rotor, and the stationary conduit (33)
delivers liquid into the container (42).
5. A centrifugal separator according to any of
5 the preceding claims, wherein a set of conical
separation discs (5) is arranged centrally in the
separation chamber (4), the throttle means (37) is
located sufficiently far from the rotor axis to
prevent the interface layer formed between light
10 and heavy liquid components from moving radial-
ly inwardly to the separation discs (5) as long as
the throughflow capacity of the throttle means
(37) exceeds the supply of heavy liquid compo-
nent to the separation chamber (4).
15 6. A centrifugal separator according to any one
of the preceding claims, wherein said sensing
means (38) is arranged to sense changes of flow
in the stationary conduit (33).
7. A centrifugal separator according to any one
20 of the preceding claims, wherein the first outlet
(23a) constitutes the outlet from the separator for
separated light liquid component and the peri-
pheral outlet (12) constitutes the only outlet from
the separator for separated solids and separated
25 heavy liquid components.
Patentanspruche
30
1. Zentrifugal-Separator mit einem Rotor mit
einer Trennkammer (4) mit einem EinlaB (9),
einem mittig in der Trennkammer angeordneten
ersten AuslaS (23a), einem am AuSenumfang der
35 Trennkammer angeordneten zweiten AuslaS (12)
und einem radial zwischen dem ersten und dem
zweiten AuslaB angeordneten dritten AuslaE. (35),
einer Offnungseinrichtung (13 - 21) zum inter-
mittierenden Offnen des zweiten Auslasses (12)
40 wahrend des Separatorbetriebs, einer ortsfesten
AuslaSeinrichtung (31) zum Ermoglichen einer
Flussigkeitsstromung aus der Trennkammer (4)
durch den dritten AuslaS (35) in und durch eine
ortsfeste Leitung (33), einer Drosseleinrichtung
45 zum Begrenzen der Stromung in der ortsfesten
Leitung (33), einer Fuhleinrichtung (38) zum
Abfiihlen, wenn eine Grenzschicht zwischen den
abgetrennten leichten und schweren Flussig-
keitskomponenten sich in der Trennkammer ra-
50 dial einwarts bis zu einem vorbestimmten Niveau
bewegt hat, und einer Einrichtung (39), die im
Zusammenwirken mit der Fuhleinrichtung (38)
und der Offnungseinrichtung (13-21) angeordnet
ist zum Betatigen der Offnungseinrichtung, wenn
55 die Grenzschicht das vorbestimmte Niveau er-
reicht hat,
dadurch gekennzeichnet, daB die Drossel-
einrichtung (37) im Rotor zwischen dem dritten
AuslaE (35) und der ortsfesten AuslaBeinrichtung
60 (31) ausgebildet ist und die Drosseleinrichtung
eine Durchla&kapazitat hat, die geringer ist als
die der ortsfesten Leitung (33).
2. Zentrifugal-Separator nach Anspruch 1, bei
dem die Drosseleinrichtung (37) sich in einer
65 Trennwand (29) befindet, die im Rotor zwischen
5
 EP 0205 246 B1
der Kammer (30), in die hinein die ortsfeste
AuslaBeinrichtung (31) vorsteht, und einem mit
dem dritten AuslaB (35) in Stromungsverbindung
stehenden Raum (36) im Rotor ausgebildet ist,
wobei der Raum (36) im Rotor radial einwarts in
eine solche radiale Lage vorsteht, daB sich
wahrend des Rotorbetriebs in ihm ein freier
Flussigkeitsspiege! bildet.
3. Zentrifugal-Separator nach Anspruch 1 oder
2, bei dem die ortsfeste Leitung (33) so angeord-
net ist, daB die den Rotor durch sie verlassende
Flussigkeit zur Trennkammer (4) des Rotors
zuruckgefuhrt wird.
4. Zentrifugal-Separator nach Anspruch 3, bei
dem ein Behalter (42) fur die Zufuhr von Gemisch
zur Trennkammer (4) des Rotors vorgesehen ist
und die ortsfeste Leitung (33) Flussigkeit in den
Behalter (42) ausgibt.
5. Zentrifugal-Separator nach einem der vor-
gehenden Anspruche, bei dem ein Satz konischer
Trennteller (5) mittig in der Trennkammer (4)
angeordnet ist und die Drosseleinrichtung (37)
ausreichend weit von der Rotorachse entfernt
liegt, um zu verhindern, daB die zwischen den
leichten und schweren Flussigkeitskomponenten
gebildete Grenzschicht sich radial einwarts zu
den Trenntellern (5) hin verschiebt, solange die
DurchfluBkapazitat der Drosseleinrichtung (37)
die Zufuhr von schwerer Flussigkeitskomponente
zur Trennkammer (4) ubersteigt.
6. Zentrifugal-Separator nach einem der vor-
gehenden Anspruche, bei dem die Fiihlein-
richtung (38) so angeordnet ist, daB sie Anderun-
gen der Stromung in der ortsfesten Leitung (33)
erfaSt.
7. Zentrifugal-Separator nach einem der vor-
gehenden Anspruche, bei dem der erste AuslaB
(23a) den AuslaB fur die abgetrennte leichte
Flussigkeitskomponente aus dem Separator und
der AuslaB (12) am AuBenumfang den einzigen
AuslaB fur abgetrennte Feststoffe und die ab-
getrennten schweren Flussigkeitskomponenten
aus dem Separator darstellen.
Revendications
1. Separateur centrifuge comprenant un rotor
comportant une chambre de separation (4) munie
d'une entree (9), d'une premiere sortie (23a)
situee au centre de la chambre de separation,
d'une deuxieme sortie (12) situee sur la periphe-
rie de la chambre de separation et d'une troi-
sieme sortie (35) positionnee radialement entre
les premiere et deuxieme sorties, des moyens
d'ouverture (13 - 21) destines a ouvrir cette
deuxieme sortie (12) par intermittence pendant le
fonctionnement du separateur, des moyens de
sortie stationnaires (31) pour permettre I'ecou-
lement du liquide depuis la chambre de separa-
tion (4) par la troisieme sortie (35) vers et par une
conduite stationnaire (33), des moyens d'etran-
glement destines a limiter I'ecoulement a travers
la conduite stationnaire (33), des moyens de
10
detection (38) destines a detecter le moment ou
une couche d'interface entre les constituants de
liquide lourd et leger separes dans la chambre de
separation s'est deplacee radialement vers I'in-
terieur jusqu'a un niveau predetermine, et des
moyens (39) agences pour cooperer avec ces
moyens de detection (38) et ces moyens d'ouver-
ture (13-21) pour actionner les moyens d'ouver-
ture lorsque la couche d'interface a atteint ce
10 niveau predetermine, caracterise en ce que le
moyen d'etranglement (37) est forme dans ie
rotor entre la troisieme sortie (35) et la sortie
stationnaire (31), et le moyen d'etranglement
autorise un debit inferieur a celui de la conduite
15 stationnaire (33).
2. Separateur centrifuge selon la revendication
1, dans lequel le moyen d'etranglement est
dispose dans une paroi (29) formee dans le rotor
entre un chambre (30) jusque dans laquelle
20 s'etend le moyen de sortie stationnaire (31), et un
espace (36) dans le rotor communiquant avec la
troisieme sortie (35), I'espace (36) s'etendant
radialement vers I'interieur dans le rotor jusqu'a
un niveau tel que, pendant le fonctionnement du
25 rotor, une surface liquide libre est formee dans
celui-ci.
3. Separateur centrifuge selon la revendication
1 ou 2, dans lequel est disposee la conduite
stationnaire (33) destinee au liquide quittant le
30 rotor a travers celle-ci et qui doit etre renvoye a
la chambre de separation (4) du rotor.
4. Separateur centrifuge selon la revendication
3, dans lequel un conteneur (42) est prevu pour
I'amenee du melange a la chambre de separation
35 (4) du rotor, la conduite stationnaire (33) amenant
le liquide dans le conteneur (42).
5. Separateur centrifuge selon I'une quel-
conque des revendications precedentes, dans
lequel un jeu de disques de separation coniques
40 (5) est dispose centralement dans la chambre de
separation (4), et le moyen d'etranglement (37)
est suffisamment eloigne de I'axe du rotor pour
empecher que la couche d'interface formee entre
les constituants de liquide leger et lourd ne se
45 deplace radialement vers I'interieur jusqu'aux
disques de separation (5) tant que le debit du
moyen d'etranglement (37) est superieur I'alimen-
tation en constituants de liquide lourd vers la
chambre de separation (4).
50 6. Separateur centrifuge selon I'une quel-
conque des revendications precedentes, dans
lequel le moyen de detection (38) est prevu pour
capter les modifications de debit dans la con-
duite stationnaire (33).
55 7. Separateur centrifuge selon I'une quel-
conque des revendications precedentes, dans
lequel la premiere sortie (23a) constitue la sortie
depuis le separateur pour le constituant de
liquide leger separe et la sortie peripherique (12)
60 constitue la seule sortie du separateur pour les
solides separes et pour les constituants de
liquide lourd separes.
65