Centrifugal separator and method for determining suitable moment for removal of heavy phase content

Abstract

A centrifugal separator (1) for separating a fluid mixture into components, comprising a non-rotating part (2, 3), a rotor (5) which is attached to a shaft (6) which is rotatably supported in the non-rotating part (2, 3) around a rotational axis (x), which rotor forms within itself a separation space (8) delimited by a rotor wall (7). The separator comprises an inlet (8) extending into the rotor (5) for supply of a fluid mixture to be separated in the separation space (8), at least one sensor measuring unbalance conditions in the frame; a level determining arrangement comprising two or more space defining elements (16, 17) of arbitrary form arranged on the interior surface of, or close to, the rotor wall (7), where each space defining element (16, 17) defines a space which communicates with the separation space (8) or another of said space defining elements through at least one inlet opening (20) arranged at a certain radius (a, b) from the rotational axis (x) and not outside that radius and where that certain radii (a, b) of the space defining elements (16, 17) are different. Methods for determining when a predetermined amount of heavy phase fluid (purification) or sludge (clarification) has been separated. The aim of the invention is to provide separator and methods with which it is possible to determine when the level of separated heavy phase fluid or sludge is high enough for emptying or discharge of the separator.

Description

technical field [0001] The present invention relates to centrifuges and methods for centrifuges, and more particularly to centrifuges comprising centrifuges including means for determining when to remove separated heavy phase fluid from the centrifuge (in Purification) or sludge (in clarification) are suitable devices, and methods used to achieve this. Background technique [0002] Today, the separated heavy phase is removed by: [0003] a) the heavy phase is discharged through nozzles in the rotor wall; [0004] b) discharge the heavy phase through open and closed valves during operation; [0005] c) Stopping the operation of the separator and removing the heavy phase by turning on the separator or draining the heavy phase. [0006] Independent of the method used, there are always common problems in removing heavy phase fluids or sludges. From experience, it might be possible to guess, but can be difficult to determine, especially if the content of the heavy phase chang...

AI Technical Summary

Problems solved by technology

However, changes in imbalance can often be difficult to detect and interpret due to different operating conditions as it will vary with the fluid mixture to be separated

In addition, it is rather difficult to detect a change in the vibration of the separator since the effect depends on operating conditions such as temperature, aging or relative movement of components of the separator, the properties of which vary accordingly

The devices disclosed in the prior art only provide a change from one unbalanced state to another, thus making it easy to miss or misinterpret events

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