SEPARATOR AND SEPARATOR INSERT

Abstract

INSERTION SEPARATOR AND SEPARATOR. The invention relates to an insertion separator for a separator, which is designed to separate a fluid suspension (S) into at least two fluid phases (LP, HP) of different densities in a centrifugal field, and which comprises the following: a housing (1) that is stationary during operation, and which is designed in the form of a container that is closed apart from multiple openings, wherein these openings are designed as follows: as a supply opening (8) for an incoming suspension in a first axial boundary wall (6) of the housing (1), as two outlets (10,11) for fluid phases of different densities (LP, HP) in an outer casing of the housing (1), and as a recirculation inlet (9) in a second axial boundary wall (7) of the housing (1);a rotor disposed within the housing (1) and capable of rotating about an axis of rotation (D), and having a drum (3), which also has multiple openings, in which a separation means is disposed in the drum (3), and at least two rotor units (4b, 5b) for magnetic limit units (4, 5), as two axially spaced points apart on the rotor (2) with the drum (3), with which the rotor (2) with the drum (3) can be held in a suspended state, can be rotatably mounted and can be made to rotate within the housing during operation.

Description

SEPARATOR AND SEPARATOR INSERT

[001] The invention relates to a separator insert for a separator, according to the preamble of claim 1, and to a separator comprising such separator insert.

[002] The separators as defined in this document are used to separate a fluid suspension as a starting product in the centrifugal field, into phases of different densities. Steam sterilization of the separators used is necessary for a wide variety of applications. A relatively small steam-sterilizable disc stack separator introduced to the market by the applicant is the CSC 6 separator with 6000 m2 of equivalent clarification area. However, in some situations, such as in the laboratory, this machine is still relatively large. Known disc stack separators available on the market are driven by means of a rotating screw, which in turn is driven by a motor directly, or through a gearbox. Furthermore, known machines are made of stainless steel. For these reasons, packing agents are currently used very frequently in laboratories instead of centrifugal separators.In the case of a separator with a stack of discs, and with disposable plastic components (single-use technology - single use of pre-qualified plastic parts), steam sterilization (SIP - Sterilization in Place) should not be necessary. It may be particularly appropriate for use in biotechnology.

[003] As per WO 2014 / 000829 A1, a separator for separating a fluid product into different phases is known, which has a rotating drum with a lower drum part and an upper drum part, and a means disposed in the drum for processing a suspension in the centrifugal field of solids, or for separating a phase such as a heavy solid from a lighter phase in the centrifugal field, wherein a, di Petition 870260029226, dated 03 / 27 / 2026, page 6 / 86 2 / 30 of the following elements consist of plastic or a plastic composite material: the bottom of the drum, the top of the drum, and the means for clarifying. In this way, it is possible to mold a part of the drum, or preferably even the entire drum – preferably together with the inlet and outlet systems or areas – for single use, which is of particular interest and advantage in relation to the processing of pharmaceutical products, such as fermentation broths or similar, since after the operation for processing a batch of corresponding products, preferably in continuous operation during the processing of the batch of products, no cleaning of the parts of the drum contacting the product has to be carried out, but the drum as a whole can be replaced. Especially from a hygienic point of view, this separator is therefore very advantageous.In order to achieve a physical separation between this disposable drum and the drive, a contact-free coupling between the drive and the drum is advantageous.

[004] Further development is shown in DE 10 2017 128 027, in which the support devices are designed as magnetic bearings and one of the magnetic bearing devices is preferably also used as a driving device to rotate the drum, which is kept in suspension during operation. This eliminates the need for mechanical components to rotate and support the drum, which favors the design as a separator with a single-use separator insert, since replacing this separator insert is very easy to handle. These advantages are also exploited by the present invention.

[005] Against this background, the objective of the invention is to design a generic separator insert, which can be used or designed as a one-way element, such that the separation process can be better controlled. Preferably, a possibility Petition 870260029226, dated 03 / 27 / 2026, page 7 / 86 3 / 30 The ability to regulate the concentration capacity of the separated heavy phase, or the light phase, is also to be provided in a simple way.

[006] The invention solves this objective through the subject matter of claim 1, that is, by a separator insert for a separator that is designed to separate a fluid suspension in a centrifugal field into at least two fluid phases of different densities and comprising the following: (a) a housing that is stationary during operation and that is designed in the form of a container that is closed except for openings, wherein these openings are designed as follows: as a supply opening for an influx suspension in a first axial boundary wall of the housing, as two outlets for fluid phases of different density in an outer casing of the housing, and as a recirculation inlet in a second axial boundary wall of the housing; (b) a rotor that is disposed within the housing and is rotatable about an axis of rotation, and having a drum that has openings, wherein one or more first and second drum openings serve as free radial outlets for the light and heavy phase into the housing, and wherein a feed tube extends into two additional drum openings, at each of the two axial ends of the drum, wherein the tube does not touch the drum; c) wherein a separation medium is disposed in the drum, and (d) wherein at least two rotor units for magnetic bearing devices are arranged at two points spaced apart, axially on the rotor with the drum, with which the rotor can be secured (attached) in a suspended state, can be rotationally mounted and can be made to rotate within the housing during operation. Petition 870260029226, dated 03 / 27 / 2026, p. 8 / 86 4 / 30

[007] The recirculation inlet, which is advantageously provided in the drum and housing, makes it possible to control the separation process particularly well.

[008] The drum openings are thus advantageously associated with the housing openings of a).

[009] It is preferably provided in this context that the separator insert forms a pre-assembled unit, interchangeable for insertion into the stator units in the separator structure. In interaction, the rotor and stator units form magnetic bearing devices. With these, the drum can be supported axially and radially and held in suspension.

[0010] In operation means during a centrifugal process, when the rotor is switched on.

[0011] It is preferred, due to its simplicity and practicality, that the rotor units be arranged at both axial ends of the drum, and that the two corresponding stator units be formed in the separator structure. In this way, magnetic bearing devices are formed at both axial ends of the drum.

[0012] At least one of the two magnetic bearing devices preferably also represents the rotary drive for the drum, wherein this drive is also suitable for driving the drum at freely adjustable speeds, or in a freely selectable direction of rotation. It may preferably be provided, in this context, that one or both magnetic bearing devices can act as radial and axial bearings, and keep the rotor suspended in the container at a distance from it during operation.

[0013] It is particularly advantageous and practical for the separator insert to be designed as a pre-assembled unit. In particular, it can also be established that all the elements of this insert Petition 870260029226, dated 03 / 27 / 2026, page 9 / 86 5 / 30 of the parts that come into contact with the product are made of plastic or other non-magnetic material, in which case it can be replaced as a whole and can be completely disposed of after use. Cleaning and, optionally, steam sterilization of the separator insert are thus no longer necessary.

[0014] Each of the feed tubes can advantageously pass axially through one of the magnetic bearing devices, although it is also possible for the feed tubes to encircle each other coaxially, and together pass axially through only one of the magnetic bearing devices.

[0015] The respective bearing device, which in addition to the radial bearing arrangement also provides an axial bearing arrangement for the drum and / or a rotary drive, may operate permanently magnetically and / or electromagnetically.

[0016] According to a preferred design, it is provided that the two outlets for fluid phases of different densities are associated with one or more trap ring chambers of the housing, in order to be able to separately trap the phases in the housing before they are discharged from there.

[0017] It may still be simply provided by the design that the supply opening is formed by a non-rotating feed tube, which projects with one end from the housing to a first side, in particular with vertical alignment of the axis of rotation upwards, and to the side and which extends through the first axial boundary wall, and through a magnetic bearing in the drum, but does not touch the latter in the process. On the outer circumference, the feed tube is preferably inserted into the housing in a sealed manner, or is integrally formed with it.

[0018] It may also be provided that the feed tube Petition 870260029226, dated 03 / 27 / 2026, p. 10 / 86 6 / 30 The ration passes through the housing concentrically to the rotor's axis of rotation, then extends axially, still within the housing, into the rotating drum, and terminates there with its other end a free outlet end – in front of or in a rotating distributor with the drum. The suspension is fed into the centrifugal chamber through this feed tube.

[0019] So, according to an additional embodiment that is easy to implement, it can be established that the drum has at least two sections of different diameter and that, in order to discharge from the drum the respective phases of different density, in each case at least one or more outlets are provided in the outer casing of the drum in the sections of different diameter, which in each case have one or more openings, in particular nozzle-type openings in the outer casing of the drum, and thus form the free outlets in the respective trap ring chambers.

[0020] The drum may be single-conical or double-conical for this purpose. It may also have one or more cylindrical sections. Furthermore, it may be composed of several parts, in particular an upper part and a lower part, with these parts preferably being joined together (e.g., by gluing or welding) after the installation of internal components and their assembly. Similarly, the housing may be composed of several parts, in particular an upper part and a lower part, with these parts preferably being connected to each other (e.g., by gluing or welding) after the installation of internal components – in particular the rotor – and their assembly.

[0021] Typically, one of the outlets will be located in a section with a larger inner diameter, and the other outlet will be located in a section with a relatively smaller drum diameter.

[0022] According to an additional practical project, this could be Petition 870260029226, dated 03 / 27 / 2026, p. 11 / 86 7 / 30 It is established that the respective outlet for the respective lighter or heavier phase is formed at the lowest point of the respective trap ring chamber. The outlets may have nozzles on the outside of the housing, which are sealed on the outer circumference of the housing, so that hoses or similar can be easily connected in this way. The hoses may also be pre-assembled onto the nozzles so that they are completely and, if required, germ-free sealed. The nozzles may extend, for example, radially, tangentially or obliquely in the radial direction.

[0023] Then, according to the preferred design, it may be further provided that the light phase or the heavy phase emerging from one of the outlets may be transported from the housing by a discharge line with a pump in each case, and that a branch line is provided which opens at the recirculation inlet, so that the recirculation line is formed to return at least part of the light or heavy phase to the drum. Returning the light or heavy phase back into the feed tube may also be useful for certain applications. In this way, the controllability or regulability of the separation process is significantly improved. Preferably, the heavy phase is recirculated, as this leads to particularly advantageous results.

[0024] According to one variant, which is easy to implement in terms of design, the lighter or more resistant phase to be recirculated can be pumped into the drum by means of a pump.

[0025] According to a further embodiment, it is then provided in a structurally advantageous and compact manner that the recirculation inlet has a second feed tube, which passes through the second axial boundary wall of the housing and opens into a second distributor in the drum, which does not rotate with the drum during operation and through which the recirculated phase is transferred. Petition 870260029226, dated 03 / 27 / 2026, page 12 / 86 8 / 30 into the rotating drum. The feed tube and distributor can also be manufactured as a unit. The distributor effects the diversion in the radial or circumferential direction.

[0026] On the outer circumference, this feed tube can also be inserted into the housing, in a sealed manner, or it can be integrally formed with it.

[0027] It can then be expeditiously and advantageously provided that a controllable regulating valve is supplied, with which the recirculation inlet can be switched off, or fully or partially opened. By controlling the regulating valve, a precisely measured portion of the heavier HP solids phase can be returned to the drum. This results in an optimization of the separation process.

[0028] In addition, optionally at least one measuring device may be provided, with which a parameter of the first and / or second phase may be determined, and / or a control device may also be provided with which the recirculation is controlled or regulated, in particular using one or more measurement results with the measuring device. Optionally, the control of the regulating valve may be carried out within the framework of a regulation for which a parameter is measured.

[0029] The measured value of the second HP phase recorded by the measuring device, for example its density, turbidity, flow rate, is fed to the control device, where the control valve can then be adjusted to a specific opening diameter using a regulating algorithm. It may also be preferable that a separation medium, in particular a stack of discs, be arranged in the drum.

[0030] This separator is appropriate for operating on variables, Petition 870260029226, dated 03 / 27 / 2026, page 13 / 86 9 / 30 even at relatively high speeds. Furthermore, it can also be used well for single processing – for example, for centrifugal separation of a batch of product from a fluid fermentation broth as a suspension – from, for example, 100 L to several million, for example 4000 L – in different stages and then disposed of. Here, a particular advantage is that all components contacting the separator product can be installed, operated and subsequently disposed of as a prefabricated and already aseptic unit. This prefabricated unit consists at least of the rotor with the drum, the separating discs, the feed distributor and the rotor magnets or rotor units, as well as the housing with the inlets and outlets.Furthermore, the unit may also contain inlet and outlet lines (e.g., hoses) as well as measuring equipment or other components that come into contact with the product, which are intended for single use and are disposed of along with the separator unit after use.

[0031] An additional advantage is that, in addition to a lower axial bearing, the first vertical alignment of the axis of rotation is provided with an additional axial bearing – for example at an opposite end of the drum or possibly also on the drum –. This is because it makes it possible for the axis of rotation of the drum to be arranged vertically, but alternatively also advantageously inclined from the vertical. Any arrangement of the axis of rotation is possible. The axis of rotation can thus, for example, be inclined from the vertical at an angle of 30-60°, for example 45°, or it can also be extended in a horizontally aligned manner, i.e., be aligned inclined by 90° to the vertical. Furthermore, it is also possible to rotate the entire arrangement by 180°, so that the feed opening is arranged at the bottom, and the conical separation discs open upwards without causing storage problems for the drum. Petition 870260029226, dated 03 / 27 / 2026, page 14 / 86 10 / 30

[0032] Insofar as a first vertical orientation of the axis of rotation is considered here or below, this means that the position of the centrifuge elements in a vertical orientation of the axis of rotation as described can be achieved or is achieved. In practice, however, the axis of rotation can then also be aligned at an angle to the vertical alignment. In this case, the outlet for the LP, HP phases is preferably placed at a vertically lower point of the respective trap ring chambers.

[0033] It is also advantageous if one of the bearing and / or drive units is designated to radially support and rotate the drum, in a first vertical orientation at its lower end.

[0034] Finally, it may be advantageously established that the housing has only openings for the feed and outlet tubes, and is otherwise hermetically sealed. For this purpose, it may be established that the feed and outlet tubes project outward from the housing in the manner of nozzles, with these nozzles being connected to the housing in a sealed manner, or being integrally formed with it.

[0035] The invention also provides a separator, having a structure and an interchangeable separator insert, according to one of the reported claims for that purpose.

[0036] This facilitates the creation of a separator that has a disposable module with disposable drum and housing components, where at least the structure and parts of the bearing and drive assembly can be reusable.

[0037] The invention makes it possible to manufacture a separator in which a disposable separator insert can be used, which is preferably designed in such a way that all components in contact with the product are made of plastic or other non-magnetic materials, which can be discarded after a single use. Lim Petition 870260029226, dated 03 / 27 / 2026, page 15 / 86 11 / 30 after use in this mode is not necessary. The machine and its operation can therefore be made significantly less expensive. Magnets can be recycled if necessary.

[0038] After its manufacture, the entire separator insert is supplied as a sealed unit, into which impurities cannot enter. For this purpose, the nozzles can be sealed and separately closed. In this way, hose sections can be arranged over the nozzles which have connectors that can be opened and closed, with which the separator module or, in this case, the separator insert can be connected to additional elements of the feeding and discharge system such as bags or tanks or hose or pipe lines.

[0039] It is simple and safe if the bearing devices are mounted on the structure at a distance from each other, between which the separator insert can be inserted in a rotatably fixed manner.

[0040] For this purpose, it may further be established that the relative distance of the receptacles on the console is adjustable, in order to be able to change the separator insert.

[0041] It may further be established that the spacer insert may be attached to the frame, in a custom-made form and / or force-acquired manner in a rotationally fixed manner. According to a particularly simple variant, for this purpose the housing and at least one or all of the receptacles mentioned above have a corresponding suitable form for retaining the housing in a rotationally fixed manner in the frame or in the stator unit or units. For this purpose, the stator units of the frame, for example, each have a plurality of pins projecting in the axial direction, and the respective spacer insert may have corresponding blind holes in the housing, for example. Petition 870260029226, dated 27 / 03 / 2026, page 16 / 86 12 / 30 tending in the axial direction, like recesses (not shown here).

[0042] The position of these corresponding form adjustment means also defines a functionally necessary position of the stator units 4a, 5a and the rotor units 4b, 5b relative to each other. This refers in particular to the precise centering of units 4a, 5a and 4b, 5b, which are coaxially positioned one inside the other. Optionally, a holding force (from above and below) may also be exerted on the housing in the axial direction by the receptacles in order to frictionally hold it, if necessary.

[0043] The corresponding form adjustment means can be arranged symmetrically, but also asymmetrically, to ensure that the separator insert can only be used in a single orientation.

[0044] It may also be provided, if at least one control device is provided, with which the amount of recirculation of the light or heavy phase – in particular using one or more measurement results with the measuring device – can be controlled or regulated.

[0045] Advantageous designs of the invention are to be derived from the subclaims.

[0046] The invention is described in more detail below by means of exemplary embodiments with reference to the drawing, in which, moreover, advantageous variants and designs are also discussed. It should be emphasized that the exemplary embodiments discussed below are not intended to describe the invention conclusively, but that variants and equivalents not shown are also feasible and are covered by the claims, wherein: Fig. 1: shows a schematic, sectional view of a separator insert of an interchangeable separator, along with a schematic view of a feeding and discharging system and a unit. Petition 870260029226, dated 03 / 27 / 2026, page 17 / 86 13 / 30 separator control or separator insert; Fig. 2: shows a schematic representation of a separator with a reusable structure, and an interchangeable separator insert as shown in Fig. 1; Fig. 3: shows a perspective view of the replaceable separator insert of Figs. 1 and 2, with hose sections arranged on it; Fig. 4: shows a perspective view of the separator from Fig. 2 with the separator insert removed;

[0047] Fig. 2 shows a separator with a reusable structure I and with an interchangeable separator insert II for the centrifugal separation of a product - a suspension S - into different dense phases HP, LP.

[0048] The separator insert II is preferably designed as a prefabricated unit. In particular, the separator insert II is designed as a disposable separator insert, which can be exchanged or repositioned as a whole, and is designed as a pre-assembled unit, which is made entirely or predominantly of plastic or plastic composite materials.

[0049] The separator insert is shown separately as an example in Figs. 1 and 3. It can be discarded after processing a batch of product and replaced with a new separator insert II.

[0050] Such a separator can be useful and advantageous in the processing of products where it can be excluded, with a very high degree of certainty, that impurities will be introduced into the product - a fluid suspension or its phases - during centrifugal processing, or where cleaning and disinfection of the separator would be very expensive or not possible at all.

[0051] Structure I has a console I-1. This can - but does not Petition 870260029226, dated 03 / 27 / 2026, page 18 / 86 14 / 30 that - to be mounted on an I-2 vehicle with I-3 bearings. Receptacles I-4 and I-5 may be arranged on console I-1, which serves to receive and hold separator insert II also during operation. Preferably, a first axial end of separator insert II projects from below into the upper receptacle I-4, and a lower end of separator insert II projects from above into another receptacle I-5.

[0052] In the respective receptacles I-4 and I-5, the respective stator units 4a, 5a of two bearing devices 4 and 5 for drive and magnetic purposes may be arranged. The control and power electronics for this may be arranged in structure I, for example in console I-1.

[0053] Here, these receptacles I-4 and I-5 project laterally from console I-1 of structure I. They can be arranged on console I-1 in a height-adjustable manner.

[0054] Corresponding to the form adjustment means 41a, 41b can be formed in receptacles I-4 and I-5 and in a housing 1 of the separator insert II, which does not rotate during operation, in order to be able to insert the separator insert II into the stator units 4a, 5a in a rotationally fixed manner. The upper and lower stator units 4a, 5a can each have shafts aligned with each other.

[0055] To replace the separator insert II, it can be established that the two receptacles I-4 and I-5 with the stator units 4a, 5a, are arranged in the console I-1 in such a way that they can be moved axially - and here also vertically by way of example - in relation to each other, in particular offset.

[0056] In this case, for example, it can be advantageously established that the receptacles I-4 and I-5 with the stator units 4a, 5a in structure I, can be moved axially apart and in the direction one Petition 870260029226, dated 03 / 27 / 2026, p. 19 / 86 15 / 30 of the other again in order to change the separator insert II, that is, in order to be able to remove the old separator insert II from structure I and replace it with a new one. For this purpose, it can be further established that the relative distance of receptacles I-4 and I-5 with stator units 4a, 5a of bearing devices 4, 5 can be adjusted in order to be able to change the separator insert II.

[0057] It can be further established that the separator insert II can be coupled to the structure I, in a form-adjusted and / or force-adjusted manner in a rotationally fixed manner. According to a particularly simple variant, the housing 1 and the stator units 4a, 5a can have corresponding form-adjusting means such as projections (e.g., pins) and recesses (e.g., perforations) for this purpose, in order to hold the housing 1 in a rotationally fixed manner in the stator units and thus in the structure II. The corresponding adjustment means can also be formed directly in the structure II.

[0058] In the following, with reference to Fig. 1, the structure of a preferred separator insert is described in more detail, along with the structure of the separator drive and support system, the separator control system, and the separator feeding and discharge system.

[0059] According to Fig 1, the separator insert II of the separator has a housing 1, and a rotor 2 inserted in the housing 1 and rotating relative to the housing 1 during operation.

[0060] Rotor 2 has a rotation axis D. This can be aligned vertically.

[0061] The rotor 2 of separator insert II also has a rotating drum 3. The rotor 2 is rotationally mounted in two locations axially spaced apart from each other in the direction of the axis of rotation, by means of the respective magnetic bearing devices 4, 5. Preferably, Petition 870260029226, dated 03 / 27 / 2026, page 20 / 86 16 / 30 it is thus mounted at its two axial ends. In this case, the separator insert has rotor units 4b, 5b of magnetic bearing devices 4, 5. In contrast, stator units 4a, 5a of magnetic bearing devices 4, 5 are arranged in structure I-1.

[0062] The magnetic bearing devices 4, 5 preferably act radially and axially, and preferably hold the rotor 2 in suspension in the housing 1 at a distance from the latter.

[0063] In this context, rotor units 4b, 5b can essentially be formed in the manner of inner rings of magnets, in particular permanent magnets, and reusable stator units 4a, 5a can essentially be formed in the manner of outer rings for axial and radial bearings of rotor 2 (e.g., at the top), or alternatively for rotary drive (e.g., at the bottom).

[0064] Thus, rotor units 4b and / or 5b, as part of the separator drive, also constitute part of the rotating system or rotor. In other words, the drive rotor is, therefore, a part of the centrifugal separator drum.

[0065] One or both of the magnetic bearing devices 4, 5 is / are thus preferably also used in addition as a drive device to rotate the rotor 2 with the drum 3 in the housing 1. In this case, the respective magnetic bearing device forms a combined magnetic bearing and a drive device. The magnetic bearing devices 4, 5 can be designed as axial and / or radial bearings, which support the drum 3 at its ends during operation in a fully cooperating axial and radial manner, and keep it suspended and rotate it as a whole during operation.

[0066] Magnetic bearing devices 4 and 5 may have the Petition 870260029226, dated 03 / 27 / 2026, page 21 / 86 17 / 30 same or largely the same basic design. In particular, only one or two magnetic bearing devices 4, 5 may also be used as a drive device in a supplementary manner. Corresponding components of the magnetic bearings 4, 5 are thus formed in each case in the separator insert II - in its rotor 2 - and other corresponding parts in the structure I. One or both stator units 4a, 5a may be electrically connected to control and power electronics to drive the electromagnetic components of the magnetic bearing devices.

[0067] The respective magnetic bearing device 4, 5 can, for example, operate according to a combined electromagnetic and permanent magnet principle.

[0068] Preferably, at least the lower axially acting magnetic bearing device 5 serves to keep the rotor 2 axially suspended within the housing 1 by levitation. It may have one or more first permanent magnets, for example on the underside of the rotor, and also have electromagnets in a receptacle in the structure, which coaxially surrounds the permanent magnet or magnets. The rotor drive may be carried out electromagnetically. However, a drive via rotating permanent magnets may also be carried out.

[0069] Such bearing and drive devices are used, for example, by the Levitronix company to drive centrifugal pumps (EP2 273 124 B1). They can also be used within the scope of this descriptive report. For example, a first Levitronix Bottom motor can be used as a drive, which simultaneously magnetically supports the drum radially and axially. In addition, a second Levitronix motor – for example identical in construction except for the operating control – can be supplied, which Petition 870260029226, dated 03 / 27 / 2026, page 22 / 86 18 / 30 as the magnetic bearing 4 can radially and axially support the rotor 2 in the head.

[0070] The rotor speed can be variably adjusted with the help of a control device 37, or a separate control device for the magnetic bearings 4, 5. In the same way, the direction of rotation of the rotor 2 can be specified and changed with the control device.

[0071] During operation, rotor 2 rotates, thus being kept axially suspended and radially centered. Preferably, rotor 2 is operated with drum 3 at a speed of between 1,000, preferably 5,000 to 10,000, and possibly also up to 20,000 revolutions per minute. The centrifugal forces generated as a result of the rotation lead to the separation of a suspension to be processed into different fluid phases LP, HP of different densities, as described above, and to their discharge, as described in more detail below. The batch of product is processed in continuous operation, which means that the separated phases of the suspension are completely discharged from the drum again during operation.

[0072] This makes it very possible to create a separator insert and housing for a separator, which can be designed for single use, which in turn is of particular interest and advantage for the processing of pharmaceutical products such as fermentation broth or similar, since after the operation to process a corresponding product broth, preferably in continuous operation, during the processing of the product broth, no cleaning of the drum needs to be carried out, as the entire separator insert can be replaced (reset). Optionally, individual elements such as magnets can be appropriately recycled (see also DE 10 2017 128 027 A1). Petition 870260029226, dated 03 / 27 / 2026, page 23 / 86 19 / 30

[0073] Housing 1 is preferably made of a plastic or plastic composite material. Housing 1 may be cylindrical and have an outer cylindrical liner, at the ends of which two radially extending boundary walls 6, 7 (lid and base) are formed.

[0074] Drum 3 is used for centrifugal separation of a fluid suspension S in a centrifugal field, into at least two phases LP, HP of different density, which may be, for example, a lighter liquid phase and a heavy solid phase or heavy liquid phase.

[0075] In a preferred design, rotor 2 and its drum 3 have a vertical axis of rotation D. However, housing 1 and rotor 2 may also be oriented differently in space. The following description refers to the vertical orientation shown. In the case of a different orientation in space, the alignments change along with the new orientation. In addition, one or both outlets – still to be discussed – may optionally be arranged differently.

[0076] The separator rotor 2 with the drum is also preferably made of a plastic or plastic composite material.

[0077] The drum 3 is preferably cylindrical and / or conical, at least in sections. The same applies to other elements in the rotor 2 and housing 1 (except for elements of the magnetic bearing device 4, 5).

[0078] Housing 1 is designed in the manner of a container, which is advantageously hermetically sealed except for a few openings / opening areas (to be discussed). These openings are a supply opening 8 in the first – here upper – axial boundary wall 6, a recirculation inlet 9 in the second – here lower – axial boundary wall 7, and two outlets 10, 11 in a circumferential outer casing and a circumferential outer wall. Petition 870260029226, dated 03 / 27 / 2026, page 24 / 86 20 / 30 differential of accommodation 1, respectively.

[0079] Drum 3 also has openings that are functionally associated with the housing openings.

[0080] The first and second openings of drum 3 (which may be provided in drum 3 in a circumferentially distributed manner, thus several first and second openings may be provided in drum 3 in each case) serve as radial outlets 21, 22. The feed tubes 12, 32 extend into two additional openings 12a, 32a, at the two axial ends of drum 3, each case in a manner to be explained.

[0081] The supply opening 8 is advantageously formed by a non-rotating feed tube 12, which projects outward from the housing 1 at the top, with one end extending through an upper boundary wall 6 in the drum 3, but does not touch the drum 3. On the outer circumference, the feed tube 12 is inserted into the housing 1 in a sealed manner – for example by welding or bonding – or, optionally, is made of one piece with the housing as a plastic injection molded piece. It is also preferably made of plastic.

[0082] The feed tube 12 passes concentrically to the rotor's rotation axis 2 through the housing 1 and a magnetic bearing 4, then extends axially still within the housing 1 into the opening 12a of the rotating drum 3, and terminates there on the drum 3 with its other end - a free outlet end.

[0083] Thus, opening 12 - the feed tube - of the housing is functionally associated with opening 12a of the drum.

[0084] The feed tube 12 opens onto the drum 3 in a distributor 13, which can rotate with the drum 3. The distributor 13 has a tubular distributor rod 14 and a distributor foot 15. One or more ca Petition 870260029226, dated 03 / 27 / 2026, page 25 / 86 21 / 30 distributor discs 16 are formed on the distributor foot 15. A stack of separator discs, consisting here of conical separator discs 17, can be placed on the distributor 13. The distributor 13 and the separator discs 17 are preferably also made of plastic.

[0085] Drum 3 has sections of different diameters, so that the discharge of the different dense phases can take place at different diameters.

[0086] In a preferred – but not mandatory – design, drum 3 here has at least two cylindrical sections 18, 19 of different diameters. Adjacent to these, one or more conical transition areas may be formed in drum 3. Drum 3 may also have a single or double total conical design in its central axial region on the inside (not shown here). The discharge of the heavier HP phase then takes place, in particular, on the larger inner diameter.

[0087] As shown, drum 3 may have a lower cylindrical section 20 of smaller diameter, on / in which the rotor unit 5b of the lower magnetic bearing is also formed, which merges into a conical section 20a, then here, for example, a cylindrical section 19 of larger diameter, then again a conical section 18a and then an upper cylindrical section 18 of smaller diameter, in which the rotor unit 4b of the upper magnetic bearing 4 is formed.

[0088] Two or more outlets 21, 22 are established in the outer casing of the drum 3 in sections 18, 19 of different diameters, to discharge phases of different densities from the drum 3. These outlets 21, 22 may preferably also be formed as one or more openings, in particular nozzle-type openings, in the outer casing of the drum 3. They are thus designed as so-called free outlets.

[0089] Here, the first outlet 21 in the smaller diameter section 18 serves to discharge the lighter LP phase and the second outlet 22 in Petition 870260029226, dated 03 / 27 / 2026, page 26 / 86 22 / 30 section 19 of the larger - here larger - diameter serves to discharge the heavier HP phase.

[0090] The phases emerging from drum 3 are collected in housing 1 in axially displaced retaining ring chambers 23, 24 from housing 1. These retaining ring chambers 23, 24 are designed in such a way that the phase intercepted in them is guided to one of the outlets 10, 11 of the respective retaining ring chamber 23, 24. This can be achieved by the fact that the respective outlet 10, 11 is located at the lowest point of the respective retaining ring chamber 23, 24. The retaining ring chambers 23, 24 are radially open inwards, and are designed in such a way that the liquid spraying out of the respective outlet 21 or 22 is essentially sprayed only in the associated retaining ring chamber 23, 24 – which is at the same axial level – during centrifugal separation.

[0091] A third additional chamber 25, which does not serve to discharge a phase, may optionally be formed below the second retaining ring chamber 24. Chamber 25 may optionally have a spill drain (not shown here).

[0092] The first and second retaining ring chambers 23, 24 can be separated from each other by a first wall 26, which is conical in this case and extends conically inward, as well as from the outer lining of the housing 1, and terminates radially in front of the drum 3 at a distance from there.

[0093] The second retaining ring chamber 24 may also be limited downwards by a conical wall 27, which extends inwards as well as upwards in a conical manner, from the outer casing of the housing 1 and terminates inwards at a radial distance from the drum 3.

[0094] Preferably, at the lowest point of the respective chamber. Petition 870260029226, dated 03 / 27 / 2026, p. 27 / 86 23 / 30 of retaining ring, the respective product phase LP and HP is discharged from housing 1 through the respective outlet 10, 11. Nozzles may be provided on the outside of housing 1, in the area of ​​the respective outlet 10, 11 in order to be able to connect lines and the like easily. These may in turn be formed directly with the housing, or be adhesively coupled to it. The nozzles are preferably also made of plastic. Housing 1 may be composed of several plastic parts which are, for example, connected to each other in an adhesive or welded sealed manner.

[0095] It is further established that one of the two phases of the product LP, HP, preferably, the heavier HP product phase derived from the two LP, HP product phases, can be partially recirculated in drum 3.

[0096] In particular, it can be established that this heavy phase HP is pumped out of outlet 11 by a pump 28 through line 29. This line 29 can be designed as a hose.

[0097] This line can be in the form of a hose, which may optionally also have a tank or buffer bag on the suction side of the pump.

[0098] It is established that a branch line 30 branches off from line 29.

[0099] This branch line 30 can also be designed as a hose. Both branch line 30 and / or the downstream line 29 (in the flow direction) from the branch to branch line 30 can have a controllable, in particular electrically controllable, regulating valve 31. A regulating valve can have an open position and a closed position, as well as intermediate positions (half open, etc.).

[00100] Branch line 30 opens at recirculation inlet 9, which can be formed at the second - in this case lower - end. Petition 870260029226, dated 03 / 27 / 2026, p. 28 / 86 24 / 30 of drum 3, and housing 1 facing the inlet side. In this way, a recirculation line is formed through which the heavy HP phase can be returned to drum 3.

[00101] The recirculation inlet 9 comprises the second feed tube 32, which extends analogously to the first feed tube 12 – but from below – through the second – here lower – radially extending the boundary wall 7 in the drum 3 and terminates there in a second distributor 33 and / or is connected to this, the distributor channel 34 from which it extends radially. The second feed tube is also of non-rotating design, and is connected to the housing 1 in a sealed manner.

[00102] Thus, two distributors 13, 33 are established. It is preferred that the first distributor 13 rotates with the drum 3 during operation, and that the second distributor 33 does not rotate with the drum during operation. The phase to be recirculated - in this case HP - is pumped back to the drum through this distributor.

[00103] The second distributor 33 can be designed as a type of non-rotating distributor disc, which can be aligned perpendicularly to the axis of rotation, and can also have one or more radially superordinate distributor channels 34, with which the recycled HP phase is pumped radially outwards into the drum 3 when it enters the drum, and is preferably in the circumferential and rotational direction of the drum. It can be conveniently established that the distributor channels 34 in the distributor 33 extend spirally with the direction of rotation in operation.

[00104] The distributor 33, which in this case is like a disc, projects radially into the drum to such an extent that it can be used to transfer the liquid in the drum 3 by rotating, in such a way that no liquid escapes axially through the lower opening 32a of the drum. Instead, the liquid flowing out of the distributor is accelerated in the drum. Petition 870260029226, dated 03 / 27 / 2026, page 29 / 86 25 / 30 by the last one - for example, with striations / channels not shown - for peripheral speed.

[00105] The lighter phase LP leaves drum 3 at a radius ro. From there, it flows through the upper outlet 10 in housing 1, circulating in the catch clamp 23 due to its momentum.

[00106] The operation of separator 21 is briefly described below.

[00107] First, the separator is supplied with its reusable components. These include the I-frame and the drive and stator units 4a, 5a of the magnetic bearing device. This also includes a control unit 37.

[00108] Then a separator insert II is set up and mounted on rack I.

[00109] This separator insert may preferably also have at least hoses and nozzles that can be connected to additional lines (not shown here), as well as containers such as bags, tanks, pumps and the like.

[00110] Then, after connecting tubes and hoses and the like, a suspension is fed into the rotating drum (supply opening 8), and separated there centrifugally into the light phase LP and the heavy phase HP.

[00111] The heavier, denser HP phase flows radially outward into drum 3 in the separation chamber. There, the HP phase leaves the drum at a radius ru. The lighter LP phase flows radially into drum 3 in the separation chamber and ascends upward through a channel 38 on a distributor shaft. There, the LP phase leaves the drum at a radius ro. The radius of the separation zone between the two phases within the disc stack can be adjusted by the ratio of ro ​​to ru, and the number and size of the openings, and the rates and flow of the individual phases can thus be coordinated. Petition 870260029226, dated 03 / 27 / 2026, p. 30 / 86 26 / 30

[00112] Both the light phase LP and the heavy phase HP are discharged freely from drum 3, through openings such as outlets 21,22 during continuous operation.

[00113] Part of the heavy phase is returned to drum 3, through the recirculation inlet 9 and the distributor 33. In this way, the concentration of the heavy phase can be easily influenced and the separation process optimized. In particular, by appropriately controlling the regulating valve 31, part of the heavier HP phase can be returned to drum 3 in this way. This results in an optimization of the separation process. A control device 37 is used to control.

[00114] Optionally, the control of the regulating valve 31 may take place within the scope of a regulation, for which purpose a parameter - here of the heavy phase HP - is measured with the measuring device 35. This is indicated here by a type of connection 36 to the control device 37. With the measuring device 35, a parameter here of the second phase HP, for example its density, can be determined, whereby the regulating valve can then be opened and closed completely or partially in a controlled manner, with the control device 37 at the base and a regulation algorithm (dotted lines - connection 36).

[00115] In order to regulate, for example, the density of the separated heavy phase, a measurement, for example a density measurement (measuring device 35) of the heavy phase, can be made at the centrifuge outlet. This measured value is sent to the control device 37 (dotted line), and compared with a setpoint value. If a predetermined setpoint, for example a density setpoint, has not yet been reached, part of the separated HP heavy phase can be returned to the drum separation chamber 3 through a regulating valve. With this process, it is Petition 870260029226, dated 03 / 27 / 2026, page 31 / 86 27 / 30 It is possible to set the current density value of the separated HP heavy phase to be greater than or equal to a pre-determined setting. This adjustment can be made, for example, with a PID controller.

[00116] Depending on the product, the adjustment may alternatively be based on other measured values, such as turbidity, conductivity, flow volume, pH value. It would also be possible to make an adjustment based on a volume or mass balance and thus establish a desired solids concentration. Additional adjustments may be based on the flow rate or feed quantity or drum speed, and / or combinations of these parameters.

[00117] In other applications, it may also be useful to use the measured values ​​mentioned to influence the drum speed or the volume of food. If, for example, the measurement shows insufficient concentration of the heavy phase, the food volume can be changed, or the drum speed varied in an appropriate manner.

[00118] The measurements proposed for the heavy phase HP can, alternatively or additionally, also be carried out at the discharge for the light phase LP. If, for example, turbidity is detected in the light phase, this can be used as a control variable for adjusting the feed rate, or an appropriate adjustment of the drum speed can be used.

[00119] In principle, the position of the rotation axis D is freely selectable in this mode, since the magnetic bearing arrangement consisting of two magnetic bearing devices 4 and 5 allows this. The position of the rotation axis D can be vertical or horizontal, or it can have any inclination. The free discharge of the light phase LP can be adjusted by design, depending on the position of the rotation axis D. If pumping one of the phases HP, LP has Petition 870260029226, dated 03 / 27 / 2026, p. 32 / 86 28th / 30th place, that's not absolutely necessary.

[00120] Cell separations in the pharmaceutical industry form a possible application of the separator, according to the invention. The performance range is intended for processing fermenter broths, in the range of 100 l-4000 l as well as for laboratory applications.

[00121] Other areas of industry in which separators are used should also be conceivable: Chemicals, pharmaceuticals, dairy technology, renewable raw materials, oil and gas, beverage technology, mineral oil, etc....

[00122] In a variation of a spacer insert II of Fig. 134 in a variant of the second embodiment, the custom-made form means 41a, 41b of the spacer insert and the corresponding custom-made form means provided in frame I, can be set on one side only between frame I and spacer insert II, thus also enabling axial and torsional locking of spacer insert II in relation to frame I. This reduces the complexity of the structure, among other things. List of reference signs Structure I ConsoleI-1 Transportation I-2 RolosI-3 Receptacles I-4, I-5 Separator insert II Accommodation 1 Rotor2 Drum3 Magnetic bearing device4, 5 Stator units 4a, 5a Petition 870260029226, dated 03 / 27 / 2026, page 33 / 86 29 / 30 Rotor unit 4b, 5b Radial boundary wall 6, 7 Supply opening 8 Recirculation inlet 9 Outlets 10, 11 Feed pipe 12 Opening 12a Distributor 13 Distributor rod 14 Distributor foot 15 Distributor channel 16 Separator disc 17 Cylindrical sections 18, 19, 20 Conical sections 18a, 20a Outlets 21, 22 Trap ring chambers 23, 24 Chamber 25 Conical walls 26, 27 Pump 28 Line 29 Branch line 30 Regulating valve 31 Feed pipe 32 Opening 32a Distributor 33 Distributor channels 34 Measuring device 35 Connection 36 Control device 37 Channel 38 Petition 870260029226, dated 03 / 27 / 2026, page 34 / 86 30 / 30 Tailor-made form means Axis of rotation Suspension Phases Lightning 41a, 41b, 42 D S LP, HP ro, ru

Claims

1. Separator insert for a separator, characterized in that it is designed to separate a fluid suspension (S) into at least two fluid phases (LP, HP) of different densities in a centrifugal field, comprising: a) a housing (1) that is stationary during operation and that is designed in the form of a container, which is closed except for a part with multiple openings, wherein these openings are designed as follows: as a supply opening (8) for an inlet suspension in a first axial boundary wall (6) of the housing (1), as two outlets (10, 11) for fluid phases of different density (LP, HP) in an outer casing of the housing (1), and as a recirculation inlet (9) in a second axial boundary wall (7) of the housing (1), b) a rotor (2) disposed within the housing (1) and that can rotate around a rotation axis (D) and having a drum (3), which also has multiple openings,wherein one or more first and one or more second openings (12a, 32a, 21, 22) of the drum (3) serve as free radial outlets (21, 22) for the light and heavy phase (LP, HP) in the housing (1), and wherein in two further of the drum openings (12a, 32a) at two axial ends of the drum (3) a feed tube (12, 32) extends in each case, which does not touch the drum (3), c) wherein a separation means is disposed in the drum (3), d) at least two rotor units (4b, 5b) for magnetic bearing devices (4, 5) at two axially spaced points apart in the rotor (2) with the drum (3), whereby the rotor (2) with the drum (3) can be held in a suspended state, can be rotationally mounted and can be made to rotate within the housing. Petition 870260029226, from 03 / 27 / 2026, p. 36 / 86 2 / 6 during the operation.

2. Separator insert according to claim 1, characterized in that the separator insert (II) forms a pre-assembled interchangeable unit for insertion into a separator structure (I).

3. Separator insert according to claim 1 or 2, characterized in that the housing (1) and the drum (3) are made entirely or predominantly of plastic, or of a plastic composite material.

4. Separator insert according to claim 1, 2 or 3, characterized in that the rotor units (4b, 5b) for the magnetic bearing devices (4, 5) are arranged at two axial ends of the drum (3), and in that each of the feed tubes (12, 32) passes axially through one of the rotor units (4b, 5b).

5. Separator insert according to claim 4, characterized in that one or both of the magnetic bearing devices (4, 5) can also be used to rotate and adjust the speed of the drum, and in that one or both of the magnetic bearing devices (4, 5) act in a radial and axial manner supporting and maintaining the rotor (2) suspended on the drum (1), at a distance from the latter during operation.

6. Separator insert according to any of the preceding claims, characterized in that each of the two outlets (10, 11) for fluid phases of different densities (LP, HP) is associated with a respective retaining ring chamber (23, 24) of the housing (1).

7. Separator insert according to any of the preceding claims, characterized in that the two outlets (10, 11) for fluid phases of different densities (LP, HP), are formed radially or tangentially in the housing (1).

8. Separator insert according to any of the preceding claims, characterized in that the inlet (8) is formed by the first, non-rotating feed tube (12), which projects with one end out of the housing (1) to a first side, in particular with vertical alignment of the axis of rotation (D) upwards and outwards, and which extends through the first axial boundary wall (6), and through a magnetic bearing (4) axially in the drum (3), but does not touch the latter in the process.

9. Separator insert according to any of the preceding claims, characterized in that the first feed tube (12) passes through the housing (1), concentrically to the axis of rotation of the rotor (2), then extends axially still within the housing (1) into the rotating drum (3), and terminates there with its other end – a free outlet end – in front of or on a distributor (13), which is disposed on the drum (3) and rotates with the latter, and by means of which the suspension can be conducted into the centrifugal chamber.

10. Separator insert according to any of the preceding claims, characterized in that the drum (3) has at least two sections (18, 19) of different diameter and in that, to discharge the dense phases differently (LP, HP) from the drum (3), in the sections of different diameter, at least one or more outlets (21, 22) are provided in each case in the outer housing of the drum (3), wherein the outlets have one or more openings, in particular nozzle-type openings, in the outer housing of the drum (3) and thus form the free outlets (21, 22) in the respective retaining ring chambers (23, 24).

11. Separator insert according to any of the preceding claims, characterized in that the respective Petition 870260029226, dated 03 / 27 / 2026, page 38 / 86 4 / 6 outlet (10, 11) for the respective light or heavy phase (LP or HP) is formed at the lower end of the respective retaining ring chamber (24, 25).

12. Separator insert according to any of the preceding claims, characterized in that the light or heavy phase (LP, HP) emerging from one of the two outlets (10 or 11) can be transported out of the housing (1) by a discharge line (29) with a pump (28), and in which a branch line (30) is provided, which opens at the recirculation inlet (9), so that a recirculation line is formed to return the light or heavy phase (LP, HP) to the drum.

13. Separator insert according to any of the preceding claims, characterized in that the light or heavier phase (HP) to be recirculated can be pumped into the drum (3) by the pump (28).

14. Separator insert according to any of the preceding claims, characterized in that the recirculation inlet (9) comprises the second feed tube (32) passing through a second axial boundary wall (7) of the housing (1), and opening into a second distributor (33) in the drum (3) not rotating with the drum (3).

15. Separator insert according to any of the preceding claims, characterized in that a controllable regulating valve (31) is provided, with which the recirculation inlet (9) can be closed or completely or partially opened.

16. Separator insert according to any of the preceding claims, characterized in that at least one measuring device is provided, with which a parameter of the light phase (LP) and / or the heavy phase (HP) can be determined. Petition 870260029226, dated 03 / 27 / 2026, page 39 / 86 5 / 6 17. Separator insert according to any of the preceding claims, characterized in that a stack of separator discs (17) is inserted into the drum (3) as the separating means.

18. Separator insert according to any of the preceding claims, characterized in that all its components are mounted in the pre-assembled unit, wherein all the elements contacting the products are made of plastic, or other non-magnetic material.

19. Separator insert according to any of the preceding claims, characterized in that its feed tubes (12, 32) and its outlets (10, 11) project out of the housing (1) in a nozzle manner, wherein these nozzles are connected to the housing (1) in a sealed manner, or are integrally formed therefrom.

20. Separator insert according to any of the preceding claims, characterized in that the housing is hermetically sealed except for the openings with the feed tubes (12, 32) and the outlets (10, 11).

21. Separator having a structure (I) and a separator insert (II) as defined in any of the preceding claims, characterized in that it is interchangeably arranged in the structure.

22. Separator according to claim 21, characterized in that on it are formed receptacles (I-4, I-5) spaced apart with stator units (4a, 5a) of the bearing devices (4, 5), between which the separator insert (II) can be inserted in a rotatably fixed and interchangeable manner.

23. Separator according to claim 22, characterized in that the relative distance of the receptacles (I-4 and I-5) with the stator units (4a, 5a) of the bearing means (4, 5) is adjustable, in order to change the separator insert (II).

24. Separator according to claim 22 or 23, characterized in that the housing (1) of the separator insert (II) can be attached to the structure (I), in a fixed and / or rotatably adjusted form and / or force fixed in a fixed manner.

25. Separator according to claim 23, characterized in that the housing (1) and at least one receptacle (I-4 or I-5), preferably the receptacles (I-4 and I-5), and at least one stator unit, preferably the stator units (4a, 5a), comprise suitably corresponding means (41a, 41b) for retaining the housing (1) in a rotatably fixed manner in the receptacle or receptacles (I-4 and / or I-5).

26. Separator according to any one of claims 21 to 25, characterized in that at least one control device is provided, with which the amount of recirculation of the light or heavy phase (LP, HP) is controlled or regulated, in particular using one or more measurement results with the measuring device.

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