Separation device for separating suspension

Abstract

The invention relates to a separation device (200) for separating a suspension, comprising a centrifugal separator (100) for reducing cross-contamination during the treatment of a product, the invention relates to a centrifugal separator (100) having a frame (I) or a housing (68) and having separator inserts (II, III) as preassembled exchangeable units, which are rotatably mounted relative to the frame (I) or housing (68), said separator inserts (II, III) having at least the following components: i. A rotor (2, 65), which is rotatable about an axis of rotation (D) and has a cylinder (3, 106 6) and a cylinder wall; ii. Separating means preferably arranged in the cartridge (3, 66); iii. At least one product inlet line (8) and at least one product outlet line (10, 34); iv. The region of the separator insert (II, III) that contacts the product is partially or completely made of plastic; the separating device (200) has at least one container (105, 109), which is connected to at least one product outlet line (10, 34), and the separating device (200) has a filling level measuring device (104, 108) for determining a filling level of the suspension within the container (105, 109) and / or at least one limit switch (400) for detecting an reached filling level within the container (105, 109).

Description

Technical Field

[0001] The invention relates to a separation device for separating suspensions according to the preamble of claim 1, the separation device having a disc separator. Background Art

[0002] Disc separators are used within the meaning of this document to separate a flowable suspension as a starting product in a centrifugal field into phases of different densities. In very different applications, sterility of the product-contacting part of the separator used is required.

[0003] The main application of the invention is in the field of disc separators with so-called replaceable separator inserts, such as are provided in the disposable field. Here, in particularly sensitive applications, such as biotechnological applications but also in pharmaceutical or medical applications, all product-contacting elements should be cleaned after their single use in order to avoid cross contamination.

[0004] The object of the invention is to keep the filling level in a container, such as a plastic bag or plastic container, in the discharge of the light and / or heavy phase at a defined filling level in a separation device so that the container is neither empty nor overflowing.

[0005] For this purpose, suitable measuring and dispensing systems are selected such that the dispensing of the individual product phases is controlled, possibly by means of a control device, in such a way that a constant fill level in the container is maintained even with fluctuating feeds into the container.

[0006] A device and a method for separating a suspension into a plurality of product flows are disclosed in EP 3885050 A. The mass is determined in a manner known per se in mechanical separation technology by means of a balance of the product flow discharged from the separation device into a container, see also mainly WO 2012 / 125480 A1 and DE 3430264 A1.

[0007] Exact constant maintenance of the fill level in the container is only possible based on mass determination using a balance if the density of the separated phase is known.

[0008] Of course, the density of the separated phase can fluctuate. This phase can, for example, have small bubbles or air pockets and even form a foam phase. With variable density, the calculation of the filling level in such a container also fluctuates. The applicability of weighing systems for level control is therefore limited. Summary of the invention

[0009] Against this background, the object of the present invention is to provide a separation device having a container in which the liquid level can be kept at a defined value independently of the medium, i.e. also in media with fluctuating density, so that, for example, the container is not filled to the brim. In this case, the filling level is determined directly and not indirectly, for example by weight measurement.

[0010] The invention achieves this object by a separation device having the features of claim 1 .

[0011] A separation device according to the invention for separating a suspension has a centrifugal separator as part of the above-described separation device.

[0012] The centrifugal separator has a frame and / or a housing.

[0013] Furthermore, the centrifugal separator has a separator insert which is mounted rotatably relative to the frame or the housing as a preassembled exchangeable unit.

[0014] The separator insert has at least the following components:

[0015] i. A rotor having a cylinder and a cylinder wall capable of rotating about an axis of rotation;

[0016] Within the cartridge, the suspension is separated into a light and heavy phase in a centrifugal field and these phases are discharged separately. It is also possible to keep one phase, in particular the heavy phase, in the cartridge and only discharge the light phase.

[0017] ii. A separation device preferably provided in the cartridge

[0018] Such a separating means can be, for example, a disk stack having preferably conical separating disks.

[0019] iii. at least one product input pipeline and at least one product output pipeline;

[0020] Advantageously, the separator can also have a plurality of product feed lines and a plurality of product discharge lines. Thus, the solid phase can be discharged via a separate product discharge line as part of the separator insert. In this case, all product feed lines from the cartridge are part of the feed system and all product discharge lines from the cartridge are part of the discharge system.

[0021] The entire separator insert with its inlet and outlet systems is advantageously designed in a sealed construction relative to the frame or housing. This is particularly preferred for replaceable disposable applications. In this case, the inlet system can have a plurality of product inlet lines and the outlet system can have a plurality of product outlet lines. A separate product inlet line can be used, for example, to convey a flocculant or the like into the suspension. Other substances, for example agents for durability during the treatment process, such as ascorbic acid as a diluted solution, can also be introduced via a separate product inlet line.

[0022] iv. The product-contacting area of ​​the separator insert is partially or completely made of plastic.

[0023] For reasons of better recycling, it is recommended or preferred that all product-contacting components of the separator insert are made of plastic. On the other hand, it is difficult to dispose of composite materials, such as metal-plastic composites.

[0024] Furthermore, the separation device has at least one container which is connected to at least one product discharge line. The above-mentioned containers preferably each have an inlet and outlet opening which are spatially separated from one another.

[0025] Finally, the separation device has a fill level measuring device for determining the liquid level of the suspension in the container and / or at least one or more limit switches for detecting the liquid level reached in the container. In addition, the separation device can have a control device which receives and evaluates the fill level measuring signal and generates the necessary signals for controlling one or more output pumps and / or valves if necessary.

[0026] In this way, at least one certain filling level can be maintained and, in the case of a measuring device, continuously or, if necessary, also precisely determined. This is much more complex to construct and involves more measurement errors and / or measurement errors when determining the mass of the outflowing liquid, for example, by means of a balance, primarily because a conversion of the determined mass into a volume or fill level must first be carried out.

[0027] Further advantageous embodiments of the invention are described in the dependent claims.

[0028] Advantageously, the fill level measuring device and / or the limit switch are arranged non-invasively on the outside of the container so that no direct contact with the product is established. Surface reactions on the measuring or contact surfaces of sensor elements and the like can thereby be avoided. Non-invasive sensors can also be reused in single-use systems, since here usually only the parts that come into contact with the product are used once. Examples of possible principles for such non-invasive measurements are: capacitive measurement, optical measurement, vibration-damping measurement, pressure measurement, measurement of shape changes or runtime measurement of ultrasonic or radar signals.

[0029] The container can have an outlet, for example an outlet nozzle, for continuously discharging the liquid.

[0030] Preferably, the fill level measuring device and / or the limit switch has a sensor element for transmitting and / or for receiving electromagnetic signals, preferably ultrasonic signals, microwave signals and / or optical signals. These variants have proven to be suitable as non-invasive measuring methods in other fields of application.

[0031] Furthermore, the centrifugal separator can have a heavy phase discharge line and a light phase discharge line, preferably each as part of the above-mentioned discharge system, in at least one of which a pump is arranged.

[0032] Advantageously, the separation device can have a device for setting the fill level in the container. The pump can be part of this device. The same applies to the fill level measuring device and / or the at least one limit switch. In this case, the pump can be designed to be set based on the measurement signals of the fill level measuring device and / or the limit switch. This also includes the signal connection between the elements, optionally via cables or via wireless transmission to an evaluation unit and / or to a control device.

[0033] The fill-level measuring device can be designed to continuously determine the fill level. This can be detected in particular by signal reflections and / or abrupt signal changes at the phase interface.

[0034] Particularly preferably, the filling level measuring device and / or the at least one limit switch can be arranged replaceably on the container. Thus, the measuring device can also be used again when clearing the area in contact with the product and is therefore not a disposable component of the separation device according to the invention.

[0035] The fill level measuring device can be arranged in particular on the container, preferably on the bottom of the container, so that the signal can be introduced perpendicularly to the liquid surface. If this signal is reflected at the liquid surface, only one sensor element is required that can be switched between transmitting and receiving operation, which simplifies the device design.

[0036] Alternatively, the separation device can have at least two limit switches for detecting the lower filling level and the upper filling level, so as to adjust the filling position in the defined filling area in the container. These limit switches can, for example, point to the container from the outside laterally or contact the container. When the upper filling level is exceeded, this is detected by the control device and a corresponding signal is sent, for example, to a delivery pump. Then this delivery pump is turned on for a long time until it is lower than the lower filling level again. In this way, the filling level can be kept between the lower filling level and the upper filling level. If additional other measuring positions are set up between the lower filling level and the upper filling level, the control device can, for example, additionally determine: at what speed the bag is filled or emptied.

[0037] Optionally, the device for setting the output volume can have a pressure sensor for determining the position pressure of the liquid in the container, which is preferably arranged on the bottom of the container and / or on the output of the container. The pressure sensor also enables the filling level to be determined, since there is a correlation between the height of the liquid column in the container and the pressure generated thereby.

[0038] Advantageously, the fill level measuring device and / or one or more limit switches can have an ultrasonic sensor element and an evaluation unit which is designed to monitor the suspension composition while compensating the determined sound velocity with a medium-specific theoretical value of the sound velocity. It is known that the signal velocity is correlated with the composition in the medium. In known measurement media with fluctuating components of the individual components or in the case of foaming or cavitation, the determination can be made by compensating and, if necessary, interpolating a plurality of ultrasonic values ​​when the composition is different. Thus, a pronounced signal change indicates a phase interface, while an accurate evaluation of the signal velocity enables at least monitoring whether the corresponding derived light and / or heavy phase has or does not have a constant composition. If necessary, the composition can be not only monitored but also determined in the case of a simple mixture.

[0039] The above-mentioned evaluation unit is designed in particular to continuously determine the fill level by means of a run-time method. To this end, the evaluation unit can have a data memory on which a corresponding computer program product is stored.

[0040] Alternatively, the capacitance change can also be detected by the measuring device. For this purpose, a sensor for measuring the capacitance change is mounted externally at a distance of a few millimeters from the container or is brought into contact with the container. When the container contents cover the measuring point, the value of the capacitive coupling changes, which is determined by the evaluation unit and, if necessary, transmitted as a measurement signal to the control device. Analogously to the embodiment variant already described above, a plurality of capacitive sensors can be used in order to keep the fill level in the container within a defined level.

[0041] By compensating for the empty state of the container, it is firstly possible to determine how the container properties of the capacitor are designed in the unfilled state.

[0042] If the capacitive characteristic changes with filling, a signal is output. Modern capacitive sensors can suppress drops adhering to the container wall, which can disturb the display of the filling level as it empties. This suppression of drops can be achieved by full compensation. Corresponding electronic operating solutions are also provided by the company IFM or other manufacturers. BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0043] The invention is described in detail below with the aid of embodiments and with reference to the accompanying drawings. Other advantageous variants and designs are also discussed. It should be emphasized that the embodiments discussed below should not be considered exhaustive descriptions of the invention, and that variants and equivalents not shown can also be implemented and fall within the scope of the claims. In the accompanying drawings:

[0044] Figure 1 A schematic sectional view showing a first replaceable separator insert of a separator together with a schematic diagram of the input and output system and the control unit of the separator;

[0045] Figure 2 A schematic sectional view showing a replaceable second separator insert of a separator together with a schematic diagram of the input and output system and the control unit of the separator;

[0046] Figure 3 A schematic diagram of a centrifugal separator with a reusable frame and a replaceable separator insert with a hose section arranged thereon, the latter being here arranged according to Figure 1 Type;

[0047] Figure 4 Show Figure 1 and Figure 3 A perspective view of a replaceable separator insert with a hose section arranged thereon;

[0048] Figures 5 to 7 Shown in Figure 4 The replaceable separator insert is inserted into Figure 3 Three consecutive steps when in the rack;

[0049] Figure 8 As another embodiment, Figures 1 to 7 A perspective view of a variation of a separator and a separator insert;

[0050] Fig. 9 A schematic diagram showing a separation device for carrying out a preferred separation method according to the present invention;

[0051] Fig.10 Shown in Figures 1 to 8 A perspective view of a separator insert in a variant of a variant of , the separator insert having an integrated drain outlet line; and

[0052] Fig.11 A further embodiment variant is shown with a rotor as a separator insert and a housing as a fixed, non-exchangeable component of the separator;

[0053] Fig.12 A further embodiment variant of a separator insert is shown, which has at least one connection piece on its housing for supplying or discharging gas. DETAILED DESCRIPTION

[0054] Figures 1 to 12 A plurality of centrifugal separators 100 for centrifugal separation are shown, which have a reusable frame I and a replaceable separator insert II. The separation method can be carried out in particular by Figures 10 to 12 The separation device 200 according to the invention is realized in a variant embodiment in which a discharge output line 120 is provided. Fig. 9 Shown in.

[0055] In principle, the separator insert can also be Figure 1 or Figure 2 and, if necessary, can also be supplemented with a discharge outlet line (not shown).

[0056] The separator insert II is preferably configured as a prefabricated unit. In particular, the separator insert II is configured as a disposable separator insert that can be replaced or exchanged as a whole and is designed as a preassembled unit, which is completely or mostly composed of plastic or plastic composite materials.

[0057] The separator insert (elements 4a and 5a do not belong to this separator insert) is Figure 1 and Figure 2 The separator insert can be removed after processing a product batch and can be replaced by a new separator insert II.

[0058] according to Figure 1 and Figure 2, the separator insert II of the separator has a housing 1 and a rotor 2 inserted into the housing 1 and rotatable relative to the housing 1 during operation. The rotor 2 has an axis of rotation D. The axis of rotation can be oriented vertically, which corresponds to the structure of the frame I. However, if the frame is also designed accordingly, the axis of rotation can also be oriented differently in space.

[0059] The rotor 2 of the separator insert II has a rotatable drum 3. The rotor 2 is rotatably supported at two positions axially spaced apart from each other in the direction of the axis of rotation by means of corresponding magnetic bearing devices 4, 5. Preferably, the rotor 2 or therefore the drum 3 is also rotatably supported at both axial ends. In this case, the separator insert II has rotor units 4b, 5b of magnetic bearing devices 4, 5. Conversely, the stator units 4a, 5a of the magnetic bearing devices 4, 5 are arranged on the frame I-1.

[0060] The magnetic bearing devices 4 , 5 preferably act radially and axially and hold the rotatably mounted rotor 2 in the housing 1 , preferably at a distance therefrom, in a suspended state.

[0061] Such a separator with a separator insert that can be easily replaced can be meaningful and advantageous when processing products, in which the introduction of contaminants into the product (flowable suspension or its phase) during the centrifugal treatment should be excluded with a very high degree of reliability, or in which cleaning and disinfection of the separator would be very complex or even impossible.

[0062] The frame I has a control console I-1. The control console can (but does not necessarily) be supported on a vehicle I-2 having rollers I-3. Receivers I-4 and I-5 can be configured on the control console I-1, which are also used to receive and hold the separator insert II during operation. Preferably, the first axial end of the separator insert II extends from below into or onto the upper receiver I-4, and the lower end of the separator insert II extends from above into or onto the other receiver I-5, and the separator insert II is held in a rotationally fixed manner on the control console I-1 and thus on the frame I.

[0063] One or both of the receiving parts I-4 and / or I-5 can be arranged laterally on the frame I, in particular on the control console I-1. Here, according to a variant, it can be further provided that, for example, the lower receiving part I-5 is configured to be fixed in position on the control console I-1. Therefore, it is advantageous that the other upper receiving part I-4 is configured to be height-adjustable on the control console I-1.

[0064] In this case, it is advantageous if the control console I-1 has such a vertical extension / length that the separator insert is held fixedly in the first position of the height-adjustable receptacle I-4 by the two height-adjustable receptacles I-4, I-5 and is replaceable in the other upper position.

[0065] Advantageously, provision is made that the receptacles I-4 and I-5 with the stator units 4a, 5a can be moved axially away from each other and toward each other again on the frame I in order to replace the separator insert II, i.e. in order to be able to remove the old separator insert II from the frame I and replace it with a new one. This can be achieved, for example, by means of rails on the control console and a movable slide (not shown in detail) on the height-adjustable receptacle that can be locked in a sliding position.

[0066] It is therefore provided that the relative spacing of the receptacles I- 4 and I- 5 of the stator units 4 a , 4 b with the support devices 4 , 5 can be adjusted in order to be able to replace the separator insert II.

[0067] In the corresponding receptacles I-4 and I-5, two drive and magnetic bearing devices 4 and 5 of the corresponding stator units 4a, 5a can be arranged. For this purpose, the control and power electronics can be arranged in or on the frame I, for example, in, at or on the control console I-1.

[0068] Corresponding form-fitting means can be formed on the receptacles I-4 and I-5 and on the housing 1 of the separator insert II which does not rotate during operation, so that the separator insert II can be inserted into the stator unit 4a, 5a in a rotationally fixed manner. The upper stator unit and the lower stator unit 4a, 5a can each have axes that are aligned with each other.

[0069] According to a particularly simple variant, the housing 1 and the receptacle I-4 or I-5 with the stator unit 4a, 5a can have projections (e.g. pins or tabs) and recesses (e.g. holes) as corresponding form-fitting means for this purpose, in order to hold the housing 1 rotationally fixed on the stator unit and thus on the frame II. The corresponding form-fitting means can also be formed directly on the frame II.

[0070] The position of the corresponding form-fitting means also defines the functionally required position of the stator units 4a, 5a and the rotor units 4b, 5b relative to each other. This relates in particular to the exact centering of the corresponding coaxially nested units 4a, 5a and 4b, 5b. In this case, a holding force (from above and below) can be exerted on the housing via the receptacle, if necessary, also in the axial direction, in order to hold the housing, if necessary, also in a force-locking manner.

[0071] according to Figures 3 to 7 , the above-mentioned measures are implemented exemplarily as follows.

[0072] The receptacles I-4 and I-5 of the frame I with the stator units 4a, 5a each have a plurality of pins 41a protruding in the axial direction, and the corresponding separator insert II can have corresponding blind holes on the housing 1, for example extending in the axial direction, as recesses 42 or 41b.

[0073] Here, the receptacle I-4 with the stator unit 4a has a pin 41 (not visible here) protruding axially or vertically downward here, and the separator insert II has a corresponding blind hole-like recess 42 (visible here) vertically above, and the lower receptacle I-5 with the lower stator unit 5a has a pin 41a (visible here) protruding axially or vertically upward here, and the separator insert II has a corresponding blind hole-like recess (not visible here) axially below. Purely by way of example, here four pins 41a and recesses 41b are respectively arranged distributed at the corners of an imaginary polygon, in particular a square, and are more precisely constructed on the upper and lower sides of the receptacles I-4, I-5 and the housing 1 of the separator insert II.

[0074] exist Figures 1 to 7 In the embodiment shown in FIG. 1 , corresponding form-fitting means 41a, 41b and 42 are arranged distributed in the circumferential direction around the separator insert II. However, it is also possible to provide only one form-fitting means instead of a plurality of form-fitting means.

[0075] However, the corresponding form-fitting means can also be arranged asymmetrically in order to ensure that the separator insert can only be inserted in a single orientation.

[0076] Furthermore, the stator units 4 a , 5 a can each have an opening, in particular a through-opening 43 , in order to accommodate lines, for example hoses 44 , 45 , which are connected to the separator insert II upward and / or downward.

[0077] One or both of the receptacles I-4 and I-5 are designed to be vertically adjustable. In this regard, one of the two receptacles I-4 or I-5 can also be fixedly configured on the frame I. It is therefore also conceivable that one of the two receptacles I-4 or I-5 (for example the lower receptacle) is configured on the wall of the frame I and cannot be adjusted. It is then sufficient to configure the frame I in such a way that the corresponding other receptacle I-4 or I-5 is adjustable, in particular arranged and / or configured on the frame I in a height-adjustable manner in the vertical direction.

[0078] This is due to Figures 3 to 7 The mutual coordination is clearly visible.

[0079] Figure 5 The frame I is shown before the separator insert II is inserted.

[0080] The two stator units 4a, 5a are moved relative to one another away from one another to such an extent that the respective separator insert can be lifted axially between the two receptacles having the stator units 4a, 5a ( Figure 5 , Figure 6 ), then place the separator insert II into / onto the lower receiving portion I-5 ( Figure 6 and Figure 7 ), so that the corresponding form-fitting means (here 41, 42) engage with each other. In addition, the hose 45 is passed downwardly through the through-opening 43 ( 44 ) of the lower (and therefore axially assigned) stator unit 5a at the lower end of the housing 1. Figure 6 ). The upper receiving portion I-4 is now lowered until the corresponding form-fitting means (here 41, 42) of the upper receiving portion I-4 and the housing 1 of the separator insert I are also securely engaged with each other ( Figure 7 ). Here, the upper hose 44 on the housing 1 is guided through the through-opening 43 of the upper receptacle I-4. The separator insert II is now securely held in a rotationally fixed manner on the frame I. Thus, the centrifugation and separation process for processing a product batch in the centrifuge can begin. After processing the specified batch, the upper separator unit is lifted upward again until the separator unit can be removed from the frame I and replaced with a new separator unit.

[0081] Reference below Figure 1 and Figure 2 The further structures of the exemplary preferred separator insert II are described in detail together with the drive and support system of the separator, the control device of the separator and the structure of the input and output system of the separator. The invention is not limited to this. In particular, the input and output can also be realized differently on the separator insert II.

[0082] Firstly, the rotor units 4b, 5b can be constructed essentially in the form of an inner ring consisting of magnets, in particular permanent magnets, and the reusable stator units 4a, 5a can be constructed essentially in the form of an outer ring, which is used for axial and radial support of the rotor 2 (for example at the top) or alternatively also for a rotational drive (for example at the bottom).

[0083] Therefore, the rotor unit 4b and / or 5b as part of the separator drive is also part of the rotation system or rotor. In other words, the rotor of the drive is therefore part of the drum of the centrifugal separator.

[0084] Therefore, one or both of the magnetic bearing devices 4, 5 are preferably also used in addition as a drive device for rotating the rotor 2 with the drum 3 in the housing 1. In this case, the corresponding magnetic bearing device is designed as a combined magnetic bearing and drive device. The magnetic bearing devices 4, 5 can be designed as axial and / or radial bearings, which, during operation, cooperate overall at the ends of the drum axially and radially and overall keep the drum 3 suspended and rotate during operation.

[0085] The magnetic bearing devices 4 and 5 can be designed identically or largely identically from a basic structural point of view. In this case, in particular, only one of the two magnetic bearing devices 4, 5 can also be used as a drive device in addition. Therefore, the corresponding components of the magnetic bearings 4, 5 are constructed on the separator insert II (on its rotor 2) and the other corresponding components are constructed on the frame I. In this case, one or both stator units 4a, 5a can also be electrically connected to the control and power electronics for actuating the electromagnetic components of the magnetic bearing device.

[0086] The respective magnetic bearing devices 4 , 5 can operate, for example, according to a combined electromagnetic and permanent magnetic principle of action.

[0087] Preferably, at least the lower axially acting magnetic bearing device 5 is used to hold the rotor 2 axially in a suspended state by floating within the housing 1. The magnetic bearing device can have, for example, one or more first permanent magnets on the underside of the rotor and, in addition, an electromagnet coaxially surrounding the one or more permanent magnets on a receptacle on the frame. The rotor can be driven electromagnetically. However, it is also possible to drive the rotor by rotating permanent magnets.

[0088] Such support and drive devices are used, for example, by the company Levitronix for driving centrifugal pumps (EP2273124B1). They can also be used within the scope of this document. As a drive device, for example, a first Levitronix motor can be used "underneath", which magnetically supports the cylinder both radially and axially. In addition, a second Levitronix motor (e.g., identical in structure except for the control device in operation) can be provided, which as a magnetic support 4 can support the rotor 2 radially and axially on the head.

[0089] The rotor speed can be controlled by means of a control device 37 (see Figure 1 or Figure 2 ) or a control device separate from the control device of the magnetic support 4, 5 can be variably adjusted. Similarly, the rotation direction of the rotor 2 can be predetermined and changed in this way.

[0090] During operation, the rotor 2 rotates. The rotor is thus held in suspension in the axial direction and centered in the radial direction. Preferably, the rotor 2 with the drum 3 is operated at a speed of between 1000 revolutions per minute (preferably 5000 revolutions per minute) and 10000 revolutions per minute, and optionally also up to 20000 revolutions per minute. The centrifugal force generated by the rotation causes the suspension to be treated to separate into different flowable phases LP, HP of different densities (already described above in detail) and causes these phases to be discharged (as described in detail below in detail). The processing of the product batches takes place in a continuous operation, which means that the phases separated from the suspension are completely discharged from the drum again during operation.

[0091] Thus, it is very convenient to provide a separator with a separator insert together with a housing, which can be designed overall for single use, which in turn is particularly interesting and advantageous in the treatment of pharmaceutical products such as fermentation broths or the like, since after a run for the treatment of a corresponding product batch, during the treatment of the product batch, preferably in a continuous run, the cartridge does not have to be cleaned, since the entire separator insert is replaceable. If necessary, individual elements, such as magnets, can be suitably recycled (see also DE 10 2017 128 027 A1).

[0092] The housing 1 is preferably made of plastic or a plastic composite material. The housing 1 can be designed to be cylindrical and have a cylindrical outer peripheral wall, at the ends of which two radially extending delimiting walls 6 , 7 (cover and bottom) are formed.

[0093] The cylinder 3 is used to centrifugally separate the flowable suspension S in a centrifugal field into at least two phases LP, HP of different densities, which phases may be, for example, a lighter liquid phase and a heavy solid phase or a heavy liquid phase.

[0094] In a preferred embodiment, the rotor 2 and its barrel 3 have a vertical axis of rotation D. However, the housing 1 and the rotor 2 can also be oriented differently in space. The following description relates to the vertical orientation shown ( Figure 3 ). For other orientations in space, the orientation changes together according to the new orientation. In addition, if necessary, one or both outlets (to be discussed) are set in a different way.

[0095] The rotor 2 of the separator with the cartridge 3 is preferably made completely or predominantly from plastic or from a plastic composite material.

[0096] The drum 3 is preferably designed in any case in regions to be cylindrical and / or conical. A similar situation applies to the other elements in the rotor 2 and on the housing 1 (except for the elements of the magnetic bearing devices 4 , 5 ).

[0097] The housing 1 is designed in the manner of a container which is advantageously designed to be hermetically closed except for some openings / opening regions (which will be discussed further).

[0098] according to Figure 1 and Figure 2 In each of the two axial delimiting walls 6 , 7 of the container 1 , which are located here by way of example at the top and at the bottom, one of the openings is formed.

[0099] according to Figure 1 and Figure 2 One of the openings (here in the upper axial first limiting wall 6) can be realized or used as an input part 8, which is used to introduce a suspension to be separated into at least two phases (LP and HP) of different densities in the centrifugal field through the housing 1 until it reaches the cylinder 3.

[0100] Here, the first phase is a lighter phase LP, and the second phase is a denser, heavier phase HP than the first phase.

[0101] One of the openings (here in the lower second axial delimiting wall 7 ) can be realized or used as an output for passing the heavier second phase HP directly from the cartridge 3 through the housing 1 .

[0102] The cartridge 3 also has openings which match the openings of the housing.

[0103] The inlet pipe 12 for the suspension to be treated extends into the upper opening 12a at the axial end of the cartridge 3. The inlet pipe penetrates the housing 1, in particular through its (here upper) axial delimiting wall 6. Figure 1 On the outer circumference, the inlet pipe 12 is inserted into the housing 1 in a sealed manner (for example welded or adhesively bonded) or is optionally implemented as a plastic injection molded part integrally with the housing. The inlet pipe is preferably also made of plastic. The inlet pipe 12 protrudes out of the housing 1 at the top and extends through the upper boundary wall 6 into the cartridge 3 without the inlet pipe contacting the cartridge 3.

[0104] according to Figure 1 (But also according to Figure 2 ), the inlet pipe 12 passes through the housing 1 and the magnetic support 4 in a manner concentric to the rotation axis of the rotor 2, and then extends further axially within the housing 1 into the rotatable cylinder 3 and terminates there with its other end (free outlet end).

[0105] according to Figure 1 and Figure 2, the inlet pipe 12 opens into a distributor 13 that can rotate with the cartridge 3 in the cartridge. The distributor 13 has a tubular distributor shaft 14 and a distributor bottom 15. One or more distributor channels 16 are formed in the distributor bottom 15. A separation disk stack consisting of conical separation disks 17 can be placed on the distributor 13. The distributor 13 and the separation disks 17 are preferably also made of plastic.

[0106] In addition, not only according to Figure 1 And according to Figure 2 , a first stripping disc 33 is used to guide the heavier phase HP of the two phases HP and LP out of the cylinder 3. Here, the stripping disc shaft or the central outlet pipe 34 passes through the axial second boundary wall 7 (see Figure 1 and Figure 2 ).

[0107] According to a possible, but not mandatory, design, the barrel 3 has at least two cylindrical sections 18, 19 of different diameters. Adjacent to the cylindrical sections, one or more conical transition regions can be formed on the barrel 3. The barrel 3 can also be designed as a single cone or double cone in its central axial region (not shown here) on the inside.

[0108] As shown, the barrel 3 can have a lower cylindrical section 20 of smaller diameter (on / in which the lower magnetically supported rotor unit 5b is also constructed), which transitions into a conical region 20a, then transitions here to, for example, a cylindrical region 19 of larger diameter, then transitions again to a conical region 18a, and then transitions into an upper cylindrical section 18 of smaller diameter, on which the rotor unit 4b of the upper magnetic support 4 is constructed.

[0109] In terms of the derivation of the lighter phase, Figure 1 and Figure 2 The separator inserts are different.

[0110] according to Figure 1 The openings (which can be arranged on the cylinder 3 in a circumferentially distributed manner, and therefore a plurality of openings can be arranged on the cylinder 3) serve as radial or tangential outlets 21 for the light phase LP to exit from the cylinder 3. Figure 1 In the embodiment of the present invention, the opening in the outer peripheral wall of the housing can then realize an outlet or serve as an outlet 10 for the lighter product phase LP formed during the centrifugation, which is discharged from the cartridge 3.

[0111] The first outlet 21 on the radius ro of the barrel 3 is in particular designed as a "nozzle-like" opening in the outer peripheral wall of the barrel 3. In addition, they are designed as so-called "free" outputs from the barrel 3. Here, the first outlet 21 is used to discharge the lighter phase LP. Here, the outlet can be designed so that the light phase flows out radially, but or alternatively can also be formed so that the light phase flows out tangentially in the opposite direction of the rotation direction of the barrel and thus helps drive the rotor and helps reduce the driving energy. This phase flowing out of the barrel 3 is captured in the housing 1 in the upper capture annular chamber 23 of the housing 1. This capture annular chamber 23 is designed so that the phase captured in the capture annular chamber is guided to the output 10 of the capture annular chamber 23. This can be achieved by locating the output 10 at the corresponding lowest position of the capture annular chamber 23. The collecting annular chambers 23 are open radially inwardly toward the rotating drum 3 and are spaced apart in such a way that the liquid ejected from the respective outlet 21 is ejected during centrifugation essentially only into the associated collecting annular chamber 23 (located at the same axial level).

[0112] A chamber 25 which is not used for the phase extraction can be selectively configured below the capture annular chamber 23. The chamber 25 can selectively have a leakage outlet (not shown here). The leakage can be freely discharged. However, if the chamber 25 has a negative pressure connection for connecting a device for generating negative pressure, the leakage can also be sucked out by negative pressure.

[0113] The first collecting annular chamber 23 and the chamber 25 can be separated from one another by a first conical wall 26 , which extends conically inwardly and upwardly from the outer peripheral wall of the housing 1 and ends radially upstream of the cartridge 3 at a distance therefrom.

[0114] Preferably, at the lowest point of the collecting annular chamber, the product phase LP is discharged from the housing 1 via an outlet 10. In the region of the outlet 10, a connection piece can be provided externally on the housing 1 in order to enable simple connection of lines, hoses and the like.

[0115] They can be directly constructed together on the housing 1 or be glued to the housing. The pipe is preferably also made of plastic. The housing 1 can be composed of a plurality of plastic parts, which are sealed to each other, for example, glued or welded.

[0116] according to Figure 1 and Figure 2, a first stripping disc 33 is provided as a (here second) outlet for the heavier phase HP out of the drum (through the housing 1), which first stripping disc extends essentially radially and merges into an axially extending outlet pipe 34 as a stripping disc axis, which passes through the lower axial boundary wall 7 of the housing 1. The stripping disc 33 has an outer diameter ru. Here, ru>ro. Therefore, compared with the outlet 21 for the light phase LP on the radius ro, the inlet opening 33a of the stripping disc 33 is located at a larger diameter or radius ru. Therefore, the stripping disc 33 can be used to discharge the heavier phase HP from the drum 3 compared to the lighter phase LP. The stripping disc 33 is stationary during separator operation and is immersed with its outer edge into the heavier phase HP rotating in the drum 3.

[0117] The phase HP is conducted inwardly via channels in the stripping disc 33. The stripping disc 33 thus serves to conduct the phase HP in the manner of a centripetal pump.

[0118] The stripping disk 33 can be arranged in a simple and compact manner in the cartridge 3 below the distributor 14 and below the disk package 17 . The radius ru corresponds to the immersion depth of the stripping disk 33 .

[0119] The outlet pipe 34 is led out of the housing 1 downward from the cartridge and through the lower boundary wall 7 with one end, but the outlet pipe does not contact the cartridge 3. The outlet pipe 34 can be constructed as a single piece with the housing 1 or inserted into the housing in a sealed manner. A hose or the like can be connected to the outlet pipe as a discharge line 35.

[0120] The discharge tube passes through the housing 1 and the lower magnetic support 5 concentrically with the rotation axis D of the rotor 2 and then continues axially within the housing 1 into the stripping disk 33 .

[0121] It can be provided that a controllable, in particular electrically controllable, regulating valve 36 is used in the outflow for the heavy phase HP, in particular in the discharge line 35 for the heavier phase HP. The volume flow of the heavy phase HP can be throttled in the discharge line 35 and the immersion depth of the associated stripping disc can be increased by the regulating valve 36. Preferably, a control device 37 is provided. The regulating valve 36 is preferably connected to the control device 37 wirelessly or by wire.

[0122] The control device 37 can also be designed and provided for controlling the magnetic supports 4 , 5 and the drive.

[0123] according to Figure 2 , and the light phase LP is also discharged through the stripping disk.

[0124] For this purpose, a stripping disk 22 is provided in the upper region of the cartridge 3 , whose inlet opening 22 a can in turn be located at a smaller radius ro than the radius ru of the inlet opening of the (lower) first stripping disk 33 for the heavier phase.

[0125] The shaft of the stripping disk 22 can surround the inlet pipe 8 in the form of an annular channel like the outer outlet pipe 24 and can be connected to the housing 1 in a sealing manner instead of the inlet pipe 8 or be formed integrally with the housing. Figure 2 , the outlet pipes 24, 34 of the two stripping discs 22, 33 are led out of the barrel 3 at the opposite ends of the barrel. They are also led out of the housing 1 at the opposite ends. They can be inserted into the housing 1 in a sealed manner. However, they can also be made of plastic integrally with the housing. The inlet pipe 12 can be connected to the stripping disc shaft 24 at the upper end. A radial or tangential connecting pipe 24a can be led out from the stripping disc shaft 24. A discharge line 40 for discharging the light phase can be connected to the connecting pipe, which can be connected to a bag or box in a product collection container, for example. Correspondingly, the ends of the pipes 12 and 34 can also be constructed as pipes for connecting hoses or the like ( Figure 2 , but also Figure 1 ).

[0126] It may be provided that a controllable, in particular electrically controllable, regulating valve 39 is also used in the discharge line 40 for the light phase LP.

[0127] The volume flow of the light phase LP and thus the immersion depth of the second stripping disk 22 can be varied, in particular more or less throttled, by the regulating valve 39. The regulating valve 39 is also connected wirelessly or wired to the control device 37 so that it can be actuated by the control device 37.

[0128] The respective stripping discs 22, 33 are cylindrical and substantially radially oriented discs provided with a plurality of, for example, one to six, channels, which are stationary during operation and have channels, thereby forming a centripetal pump. The respective stripping discs 22 or 33 are immersed with their outer edges into the phase LP or HP rotating in the separator. The respective phase LP, HP is led inwards through the channels in the stripping discs and the rotational speed of the respective phase LP, HP is converted into pressure. Thus, the respective stripping discs 22, 33 replace the discharge pumps for the respective phase LP, HP. Thus, the stripping discs each work as centripetal pumps. They can be made of plastic.

[0129] In principle, a third stripping disk could also be provided, which could be used to discharge a further phase.

[0130] According to the following Figure 1 And then according to Figure 2Briefly describe the operation of the separator.

[0131] First, a corresponding separator with its reusable or recyclable components is provided. The components include the frame I and the drive and stator units 4a, 5a of the magnetic bearing device. In addition, the control unit 37 belongs to the components. Then, a separator insert II is provided and mounted on the frame I. To this end, it is only necessary to move the stator units 4a and 5a away from each other. The separator insert is then inserted in a form-fitting manner and the stator units are moved towards each other. The housing is thus securely held in a rotationally fixed manner. If necessary, a hose is now also connected to the connecting pipe, which leads into the container or bag. Thus, Figure 1 and Figure 2 The respective separator insert can preferably also have at least hoses and connecting pieces, which can be connectable to further lines (not shown here) and containers such as bags, tanks, pumps and the like.

[0132] After connecting lines, hoses and the like, the suspension is then conducted into a rotating drum (inlet 8 ) and separated there centrifugally into a light phase LP and a heavy phase HP.

[0133] The heavier phase HP of greater density flows radially outward in the separation chamber in the drum 3. There, the phase HP leaves the drum through the passage of the stationary stripping disk 33 on the radius ru.

[0134] The lighter phase LP flows radially inwards in the separation chamber in the cartridge 3 and rises upwards through the channel 38 on the shaft of the distributor. There, the phase LP is Figure 1 and Figure 2 Accordingly, it leaves the cylinder on a radius ro.

[0135] The separation process can be influenced in a simple manner here by means of one or more control valves 36 , 39 . This leads to an optimization of the separation process.

[0136] The main application for the method for operating a separator is cell separation in the pharmaceutical industry. The performance range is intended for processing fermentation broths in fermenters of the order of 100 liters to 4000 liters and for laboratory applications.

[0137] Also conceivable are other industrial sectors in which separators are used: chemistry, pharmacy, dairy technology, renewable raw materials, oil and gas, beverage technology, mineral oils etc.

[0138] The separator shown enables the production of a separator insert, wherein preferably all product-contacting parts can be produced from plastic or other non-magnetic materials, which can be disposed of after a single use or supplied to a recycling process. Thus, cleaning after use is omitted. Thus, the separator and its operation can be realized cost-effectively.

[0139] Figure 8 A second embodiment variant is shown Figures 1 to 7 A variant of a separator insert II of the present invention is provided, with similar reference numerals being provided for identical features. This second embodiment variant is characterized in that one or more form-fitting means 41a and corresponding form-fitting means 41b arranged on the frame I are arranged only on one side between the frame I and the separator insert II and thereby also enables axial and rotational fixing of the separator insert II relative to the frame I. This significantly reduces the complexity of the construction.

[0140] exist Figures 1 to 8 The use of a modular centrifuge with replaceable separator inserts as shown in ensures a sterile interior, ie a sterile flow path within the centrifuge.

[0141] Advantageously, other replaceable components can also be used in the separator with product input and output system (including separator insert, input system and output system) to provide a sterile flow path for the input suspension and the separated light phase and heavy phase. The optional drainage system as part of the product output system is also configured accordingly.

[0142] Purely as an example, a pump for feeding the suspension, a hose line for feeding, hose lines for the light phase and the heavy phase and a container for the heavy phase can be replaceable sterile components which are suitable for separating a single product batch or a limited number of product batches. The hose line for draining the liquid and the container for draining the liquid can also be replaceable sterile components. All of these components are connected to one another with sterile connectors in order to enable simple and at the same time sterile replacement of the components. The product feed system, the product discharge system and the discharge discharge system of the separator are described below with reference to Fig. 9 Elaboration:

[0143] In the input, for example, a disposable centrifugal pump 101, preferably in the form of a rotary pump, can be used. This centrifugal pump has the advantage that it is smaller than a similar hose pump with the same throughput capacity. The pump delivers a specific volume depending on its rotational speed and the current back pressure.

[0144] The flow meter 102, which is also arranged in the feed line between the pump 101 and the separator insert II, preferably works with a contactless measuring principle, such as the ultrasound-travel time difference method. Thus, it can be simply pushed onto the feed line without coming into contact with the product.

[0145] Thus, when the inlet hose is a disposable product, the flow meter can be reused continuously. The measurement signal of the flow meter is used to adjust the rotation speed of the inlet pump. In this way, the regulator can set the rotation speed of the inlet pump so that the preselected nominal value for the inlet volume is consistent with the measured actual value. The pump and the flow meter are arranged in the rising inlet line so that the line is always filled with liquid, thereby obtaining more stable measurement values ​​of the flow meter 102.

[0146] In the discharge line for the heavy phase, a pump 110 and a flow meter 111 are arranged. The pump and the flow meter are arranged in the rising discharge line so that the line is always filled with liquid, which results in more stable measured values ​​for the flow meter 111. A flow meter 115 is also arranged in the discharge of the light phase, for example downstream of the hose pump 107 in the flow direction.

[0147] The dispensing pump 110 is preferably designed as a hose pump. The advantage of a hose pump is that it is only in contact with the outside of the dispensing hose and not in direct contact with the product.

[0148] The delivery pump can therefore be reused continuously, while the delivery hose is a disposable product. Another advantage of a hose pump is that it delivers a specific volume in a rotational speed-dependent manner. Unlike a centrifugal pump, the hose pump can be used as a throttle valve, i.e. it can generate a pressure in the delivery of the heavy phase, the level of which can be adjusted by a control device. Accordingly, for this purpose, the required pressure sensors (not shown in the figure) can be provided in individual or preferably all hose lines.

[0149] In the outlet line of the light phase, a container 105 is arranged, which serves as a buffer container. The fill level of the light phase temporarily located in the buffer container is determined by means of the fill level measuring device 104 and forwarded to the control device. Alternatively, the fill level monitoring can also be realized only by limit switches, in which case the possibilities of pump control are reduced.

[0150] The introduction of the light phase from the separator insert II into the container 105 can take place in the upper part of the container 105 (above the liquid level that occurs) or in the lower part of the container (below the liquid level that occurs). For products that tend to foam, the upper introduction has proven to be suitable. The outlet of the container 105 is connected to a descending outlet hose, which is guided through the optical sensor 106 and the hose pump 107.

[0151] By means of the measurement signal of the filling level measuring device 104, the rotation speed of the pump is optimally adjusted so that the container 105 is never completely full and never completely empty. This can also be achieved, for example, by arranging two limit switches for monitoring the lowest and highest levels. In this way, the output hose is always filled, thereby obtaining a stable signal of the optical sensor 106. The signal of the optical sensor 106 is used to evaluate the quality of the light phase. Here, for example, the remaining sediment and the proportion of suspended matter can be evaluated. The pump 107 can be implemented as a centrifugal pump and can be implemented as a hose pump. The volume of the container 105 can be selected so that the residence time of the light phase in the container is long enough, so that small bubbles can be separated from the liquid. By means of the measured value or measurement signal from the filling level measuring device 104, the delivery volume of the pump 107 can be adjusted so that the filling level is roughly maintained in the middle of the container 105. This can also be alternatively achieved by one or more limit switches.

[0152] The descending discharge hose line connected to the outlet of the heavy phase of the separator insert II leads to another container 109, which is provided with a filling level measuring device 108. Here, one or more limit switches can also be used as an alternative. Both variants are preferably non-intrusive embodiments. In this regard, the filling level of the heavy phase in the container 109 can be determined and adjusted in the same way as in the light phase.

[0153] Furthermore, the separator insert II has an optional drain outlet system DS, the drain liquid being collected in a drain container 114. The drain liquid occurs essentially when the cartridge is shut down at the end of a batch process and is emptied via this outlet.

[0154] Fig. 9 All hose lines for introduction into the separation device and for discharge from the separation device then lead into the sterile coupling 112 respectively. Fig. 9 The frame and the drive device for holding the separator insert are not shown.

[0155] exist Fig. 9 The product feed system PZS shown in FIG. , the product discharge system PAS including the product discharge for the heavy phase and the light phase, and the optional drainage system DS assigned to the PAS are separated from one another outside the separator insert and are therefore sealed.

[0156] The fill level measuring device 108 or 104 is used as an example in Figure 9a . In this case, an ultrasonic sensor element 300 is arranged below the bottom area of ​​a container 105 / 109, such as a box, bottle or bag. The ultrasonic sensor element emits a signal, which is reflected at the liquid boundary and received again by the ultrasonic sensor element 300. The fill level height can be determined directly from the propagation time of the signal.

[0157] The arrangement of two limit switches 400 placed laterally on the container serves as Figure 9a An alternative variant of Figure 9b . The limit switch detects the upper and lower filling levels. Exceeding the upper filling level is evaluated by the evaluation unit 500 and the corresponding pump 107 / 110 is started. When the lower filling level is fallen below, the corresponding pump is stopped again. In this way, the filling level of the container is kept between the lower and upper filling levels.

[0158] Alternatively, a single filling level can be detected and the corresponding pump switched on when it is exceeded and switched off when it is below. It may be suitable to provide a certain minimum operating time for the pump or to impose a hysteresis on the setpoint value for the pump.

[0159] However, in another embodiment variant, three or more limit switches 400 can also be used, which detect at least one lower filling level S1, an intermediate filling level S2 and an upper filling level S3 in the container. In order to adjust the filling level for the container, three such filling level signals are combined with the measured value M1 of the flow meter 102 in the input part and the M2 of the flow meter 115 in the output part of the light phase. If the level S1 in the container is exceeded, the pump 107 in the output part of the light phase is started. The theoretical value for the pump is calculated as follows:

[0160] a) Theoretical value = M1 - M2 - Corrected value

[0161] If the level S2 in the container is exceeded, the theoretical value for the pump is calculated:

[0162] b) Theoretical value = M1 - M2

[0163] If the level rises further and reaches S3, the setpoint value for the pump must be calculated again according to formula a) and the correction value must be increased for a period of time in order to then reduce it again. After a period of time, such a self-learning system reaches a stable state, so that the filling level in the container also stabilizes to a constant value.

[0164] Figure 9a and 9b The evaluation in the process is performed by an evaluation unit 500, which evaluates the measurement signal and determines the filling level therefrom or monitors the reaching of a limit state. The pump can also be started by this evaluation unit.

[0165] The measuring principle of the limit switch 400 can be based on a capacitance measurement, for example, in which the change in the capacitance measured value is decisive in the evaluation.

[0166] also, Figure 9a and Figure 9b A pressure sensor 113 is provided for determining the position pressure, with which the filling level can also be determined, since it indicates the relationship between the height of the liquid column in the container and the pressure generated thereby. Likewise, this pressure measurement value is evaluated by an evaluation unit, which, for example, controls the corresponding pump 107 / 110.

[0167] Fig.10 Show Figures 1 to 8 A modification of the first variant of the separator insert II for connection to Fig. 9 Here, the separator insert II also has a discharge outlet line 120 in addition to the common product inlet line 124 and product outlet line 125. This discharge outlet line is arranged in the bottom area 121 of the separator insert and has liquid outlets 122 and 123 from the cartridge and from the housing. The remaining parts can be constructed in the same manner as the previous embodiment variant.

[0168] Fig.11 A second variant of a separator insert III is shown, which can be operated within the scope of the separation method. This separator insert III has an inlet on the bottom side into the disk package 67 via an inlet line 61 and a distributor 70. The product inlet line 61 comprises an inlet connection 73, which extends from the bottom of the housing 68 into the interior of the rotor 65 and opens into a distributor space 78 of a holding device 77 of the disk package 67. The holding device 77 can have a longitudinal axis that is configured parallel to the axis of rotation of the rotor 65. One or more distributor channels 70 leave the distributor space 78, which allow the supplied initial product to be guided radially further into the separation zone of the rotor 65.

[0169] The light phase product output 62 is similar to Figures 1 to 10 The product outlet 63 of the heavy phase is realized by being discharged through a channel in a separation disk 69 (here as a separation disk closed by a wall at the end of the disk package) and finally discharged by a grabber 64 through a product line of the product outlet 63 into the outlet. The separation between the heavy phase and the light phase takes place on the separation disk, wherein the heavy phase is guided outward around the disk and the light phase is guided on the inside of the disk and discharged. However, this is only one of many possible variants of the product outlet of the heavy phase.

[0170] The separator insert III can be designed in such a way that the rotor 65, in particular the cartridge 66 and the disk package 67 can be removed from the housing 68. Within the scope of the method, it is also suitable in this variant to drain the rotor, in particular the cartridge, of residual liquid before removing the rotor. This can be achieved via the supply line 61 in this case.

[0171] Then, when replacing the separator insert III, it is expedient to also replace the feed line 61 so that subsequent batches are not subject to cross contamination. Accordingly, the feed line can be fixed to the housing in a replaceable and media-tight manner by a seal (not shown), such as a sealing sleeve.

[0172] Fig.11 Various modifications are possible, but it is shown in particular that the method can also be used for separators in which only the rotor with its product feed line and product discharge line is designed as an exchangeable separator unit III.

[0173] Here, the housing 68 can be opened (not shown), for example, by configuring a part of the housing as a cover. For this purpose, preferably at least the upper receptacle is removed from the cover.

[0174] exist Fig.11 In the embodiment of the present invention, the residual liquid is discharged into a collecting container 74 via a drain outlet line 120 via a line element 71 connected thereto, in particular a discharge element in the form of a plug-in or plugged-on hose. The inlet line 61, in particular an inlet connection 73, is connected to an inlet element 72, which is connected to a container 75 with a suspension of the initial product. Here, a switching valve (not shown) can be arranged in this line element, which switches between the two containers 75, for example, in order to convey a demulsifier for improving the suspension. Alternatively, the valve can be closed and the line element together with the container can be replaced.

[0175] Furthermore, the introduction element can have a pump, for example a hose displacement pump, wherein only the introduction element comes into contact with the starting product.

[0176] Fig.12 Another variant of a separator insert II is shown, which can be operated within the scope of the above-mentioned separation method. This separator insert II has at least one connecting pipe 76 on its housing 1. Through this connecting pipe, the separator insert can be filled with an inert gas before the product to be separated reaches the separator insert. In this way, the product to be separated is prevented from coming into contact with air or oxygen. A second connecting pipe 76 can be provided on the housing 1, which is provided for conducting gas from the separator insert so that the separator insert can be flushed with an inert gas.

[0177] Through the connecting piece 76, gas can also be sucked out of the otherwise hermetically closed separator insert in this way, so that a negative pressure is generated in the separator insert, thereby reducing not only the contact with residual oxygen but also the friction power of the rotating drum 66, which now rotates in a less dense atmosphere.

[0178] Alternatively, in addition to the protective gas, a compressed gas, for example compressed air, can also be introduced via one or more of the gas connections 76 , which additionally facilitates the emptying of the housing via the drain line.

[0179] Reference numerals list

[0180] Rack I

[0181] Console 11

[0182] Car I-2

[0183] Roller I-3

[0184] Accommodation Department I-4, I-5

[0185] Separator Insert II

[0186] Shell 1

[0187] Rotor 2

[0188] Tube 3

[0189] Magnetic bearing device 4, 5

[0190] Stator units 4a, 5a

[0191] Rotor units 4b, 5b

[0192] Radially delimiting walls 6, 7

[0193] Product input pipeline 8

[0194] Product output pipeline (light phase) 10

[0195] Input pipe 12

[0196] Opening 12a

[0197] Distributor 13

[0198] Distributor shaft 14

[0199] Distributor bottom 15

[0200] Distributor channel 16

[0201] Separation plate 17

[0202] Column sections 18, 19, 20

[0203] Conical sections 18a, 20a

[0204] Exit 21

[0205] Stripping disc 22

[0206] Access opening 22a

[0207] Capture donut chamber 23

[0208] Discharge pipe 24

[0209] Connecting pipe 24a

[0210] Room 25

[0211] Conical wall 26

[0212] Stripping disc 33

[0213] Access opening 33a

[0214] Product output pipeline (heavy phase) 34

[0215] Export pipeline 35

[0216] Regulating valve 36

[0217] Control device 37

[0218] Channel 38

[0219] Regulating valve 39

[0220] Export pipeline 40

[0221] Pin 41a

[0222] Gap 41b

[0223] Gap 42

[0224] Through opening 43

[0225] Hose 44, 45

[0226] Centrifugal Separator 100

[0227] Pump 101

[0228] Flow meter 102

[0229] Fill level measuring device 104

[0230] Container 105

[0231] Optical sensor 106

[0232] Hose pump 107

[0233] Fill level measuring device 108

[0234] Container 109

[0235] Pump 110

[0236] Flow meter 111

[0237] Sterile coupler 112

[0238] Pressure sensor 113

[0239] Excrement container 114

[0240] Flow meter 115

[0241] Excretion output line 120

[0242] Bottom area 121

[0243] Liquid output unit 122

[0244] Liquid output part 123

[0245] Separation equipment 200

[0246] Sensor element 300

[0247] Limit switch 400

[0248] Analysis processing unit 500

[0249] Separator Insert III

[0250] Input line 61

[0251] Product output section (light phase) 62

[0252] Product output part (heavy phase) 63

[0253] Grabber 64

[0254] Rotor 65

[0255] Tube 66

[0256] Plate Group 67

[0257] Housing 68

[0258] Separation plate 69

[0259] Distributor 70

[0260] Catheter element 71

[0261] Import element 72

[0262] Input takeover 73

[0263] Collection container 74

[0264] Container 75

[0265] Connection pipe 76

[0266] Keep equipment 77

[0267] Allocator space 78

[0268] Rotation axis D

[0269] Suspension S

[0270] Phase LP, HP

[0271] Radius ro, ru PAS product output system PZS product input system DS discharge system.

Claims

1. A separation device (200) for separating a suspension, the separation device comprising a centrifugal separator (100) for reducing cross contamination when processing a product, the centrifugal separator (100) Having a frame (I) or a housing (68), and A separator insert (II, III) is provided as a preassembled replaceable unit which is rotatably mounted relative to the frame (I) or the housing (68), and which has at least the following components: i. A rotor (2, 65) having a cylinder (3, 66) and a cylinder wall capable of rotating about an axis of rotation (D); ii. A separation device preferably disposed in the cartridge (3, 66); iii. at least one product input pipeline (8) and at least one product output pipeline (10, 34); iv. The product contacting area of ​​the separator insert (II, III) is partially or completely made of plastic; It is characterized in that The separation device (200) has at least one container (105, 109) which is connected to at least one product outlet line (10, 34), and The separation device (200) has a fill level measuring device (104, 108) for determining the fill level of the suspension in the container (105, 109) and / or at least one limit switch (400) for detecting the reached fill level in the container (105, 109).

2. The separation device according to claim 1, characterized in that The fill level measuring device (104, 108) and / or the limit switch (400) are arranged non-invasively on the container (105, 109).

3. The separation device according to claim 1 or 2, characterized in that The container (105, 109) has an outlet for continuously discharging the liquid.

4. A separation device according to any one of the preceding claims, characterized in that The fill level measuring device (104, 108) and / or the limit switch (400) has a sensor element (300) for transmitting and / or for receiving electromagnetic signals, preferably ultrasonic signals, microwave signals and / or optical signals.

5. The separation device according to any one of claims 1 to 3, characterized in that The fill-level measuring device (104, 108) and / or the limit switch (400) has a sensor element (300), in particular a capacitive sensor, for detecting a change in capacitance.

6. A separation device according to any one of the preceding claims, characterized in that The centrifugal separator (100) has a discharge line for a heavy phase (HP) and a discharge line for a light phase (LP), a pump (107, 110) being arranged in at least one of the discharge lines.

7. A separation device according to any one of the preceding claims, characterized in that The separation device (200) has a device for adjusting the output volume in the container (105, 109), the pump (107, 110) and the fill level measuring device (104, 108) and / or the at least one limit switch (400) being parts of this device, so that the pump (105, 109) can be adjusted based on measurement signals of the fill level measuring device (104, 108) and / or the limit switch (400).

8. A separation device according to any one of the preceding claims, characterized in that The fill-level measuring device (104, 108) is designed to continuously determine the fill level.

9. A separation device according to any one of the preceding claims, characterized in that The fill level measuring device (104, 108) and / or the at least one limit switch (400) can be arranged replaceably on the container (105, 109).

10. The separation device according to any one of the preceding claims, characterized in that The fill level measuring device (104, 108) is arranged on the container (105, 109), preferably on the bottom of the container, so that the signal can be introduced perpendicularly to the liquid surface.

11. The separation device according to any one of the preceding claims, characterized in that The separation device (200) has at least two limit switches (400) for detecting a lower fill level and an upper fill level in the containers (105, 109).

12. The separation device according to any one of the preceding claims, characterized in that The device for adjusting the output volume has a pressure sensor (113) for determining the position pressure of the liquid in the container (105, 109), which is preferably arranged on the container (105, 109) and / or on the output of the container (105, 109).

13. A separation device according to any one of the preceding claims, characterized in that The evaluation unit (500) is designed to continuously determine the fill level by means of a run-time method.

14. A separation device according to any one of the preceding claims, characterised in that All product feed lines are part of an feed system (PZS) and all product discharge lines are part of an discharge system (PAS), and the entire separator insert (II, III) with its feed and discharge systems is designed in a sealed construction relative to the frame (I) or housing (68).

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