Separator

Abstract

The present invention relates to a separator, in particular a self-draining separator, for centrifuging a flowable product (P) into at least one liquid phase (L) and at least one solid phase (S), comprising a rotatable centrifugal drum (1) with a vertical axis of rotation (D) and having a separation chamber (6), in which a disc stack (7) is arranged, the separation chamber having a solids discharge opening (11) and a discharge mechanism with one piston valve (10), which is adapted to open and close the solids discharge opening (11) discontinuously. a control assembly (12) is provided for the discharge mechanism, the centrifuge drum (1) has a first set of solids discharge openings (11a) and a second set of solids discharge openings (11b) on its periphery, the first set of solids discharge openings (11a) and the second set of solids discharge openings (11b) being arranged at two different axial heights on the periphery of the centrifuge drum (1) and thus vertically spaced from each other, the two sets of solids discharge openings being openable and closable by the single piston valve (10).

Description

[Technical field]

[0001] The present invention relates to a self-draining separator according to the preamble of claim 1 . [Background technology]

[0002] In addition to one or more drains for the liquid phase or phases, a self-draining separator as defined herein has a drainage mechanism with a piston valve which can be moved alternately into an open and closed position by an actuator, preferably a fluid-operated actuator, in particular with a liquid as the fluid, so that the piston valve discontinuously opens (open position) and closes (closed position) a solids discharge opening in the drum wall for a certain period of time. In the open position, the solids phase is drained from the centrifuge drum. This is not the case in the closed position.

[0003] In such discharge mechanisms with a piston valve, the closing liquid used is injected into a closing chamber, usually below the piston valve. The geometry of this closing chamber is selected in such a way that the liquid pressure created by the rotation of the closing liquid acting on the piston valve is greater than the liquid pressure of the product being clarified in the separation chamber above the piston valve. Due to this pressure difference, during operation the piston valve rises and closes the discharge opening in the drum or closes the discharge opening again after the solids have been discharged.

[0004] A corresponding valve assembly, such as one or more piston valves in fluid communication with the closing chamber, allows the closing liquid to be drained from the closing chamber during solids discharge, such that liquid escapes from the closing chamber, typically below the piston valve, which reduces the pressure acting on the piston valve in the closing chamber, such that the liquid pressure exerted by the product on the piston valve typically above it causes the piston valve to move downwards, thereby relieving or opening the previously vacant opening in the drum. An adjustable, variable amount of solids discharged from the separator per unit time is desirable.

[0005] German Patent 22 14 487 discloses a separator in which some of the discharge openings are configured as permanently open nozzles, while another part of the set of discharge openings is provided as openings / nozzles that can be intermittently opened.

[0006] A separator in which the drum is provided with two sets of discharge openings is known from US 2020 / 029935. A piston valve is required to open each set of openings. US 3 403 849 describes a solenoid-operated valve for the controlled discharge of a closing fluid. However, prior art discharge devices require a relatively high design effort and / or offer only unsatisfactory solutions with regard to the adjustability of the time during which the solids discharge opening is open as well as the adjustability of the cross-section of the solids discharge opening and thus the variability and adjustability of the amount of solids discharged from the separator per unit time. Summary of the Invention [Problem to be solved by the invention]

[0007] The problem to be solved is to create a separator with a highly optimized drainage mechanism. [Means for solving the problem]

[0008] The invention achieves this object by means of the subject matter of claim 1. According to claim 1 there is provided a separator, in particular a self-draining separator, for centrifuging a flowable product P into at least one liquid phase L and at least one solid phase S, comprising a rotatable centrifuge drum with a vertical axis of rotation D and a separation chamber, in which a disc stack is preferably arranged, the separation chamber having solids discharge openings and a discharge mechanism with one piston valve, the discharge mechanism being configured for discontinuously opening and closing the solids discharge openings, the discharge mechanism being provided with a control assembly, the centrifuge drum having on its periphery a first set of solids discharge openings and a second set of solids discharge openings, the first set of solids discharge openings and the second set of solids discharge openings being arranged at two different axial heights on the periphery of the centrifuge drum and thus vertically spaced apart from each other, the two sets of solids discharge openings being openable or respectively opened and closed by the one piston valve.

[0009] This creates a separator with a device for discharging the solid phase, which is simple in construction and allows easy adjustment of the cross section of the solids discharge openings open for solids discharge. Since one or both sets of solids openings can be opened by the piston valve, the cross section of the solids discharge openings that open for solids discharge is variable for the two sets of solids discharge openings. This makes the amount of solids discharged from the separator per unit time variable and adjustable.

[0010] In a particularly preferred embodiment variant of the invention, the control assembly for the ejection mechanism comprises a valve assembly having a closed chamber for a fluid and at least one closed chamber valve communicating with the closed chamber, and actuates the single piston valve by ejecting the closing fluid in the switching position.

[0011] In a further particularly preferred embodiment variant of the invention, it is provided that the control assembly for the discharge mechanism acts on a valve assembly having at least one electrically switchable closed-chamber valve, which in particular creates a simple possibility for variably adjusting the amount of solids to be discharged. This is because the piston valve is permitted to move to any intermediate position in order to make the discharge of the solids quantity particularly variable.

[0012] This means that a closed chamber valve for discharging the closed chamber fluid can be opened and closed in a controlled manner. This allows the solids discharge process to be controlled independently from the rest of the centrifuge separation or clarification process, and in particular, to be decoupled in time.

[0013] In a further particularly preferred embodiment of the invention, the piston valve is in the closed position with the closing chamber fully filled and closes the first set of solids discharge openings and the second set of solids discharge openings.

[0014] Furthermore, in another particularly preferred embodiment variant of the invention, it may be provided that the piston valve is in the open position with the closing chamber completely emptied, releasing and opening the first set of solids discharge openings and the second set of solids discharge openings. In this way, the open position of the piston valve is easily achieved by the demonstrated means, which allows the largest possible amount of solids to be discharged per unit time.

[0015] Likewise, in a further preferred embodiment variant of the invention, it may be provided that the piston valve is in a central position with the closed chamber partially emptied, opening only the first set of solids discharge openings located at the top. In this way, the discharge of the smallest possible amount of solids per unit time is simply achieved by the arrangement.

[0016] Furthermore, in another particularly preferred embodiment variant of the invention, the piston valve can be lowered to an intermediate position and raised to an intermediate position, so that the intermediate position of the piston valve can be easily and quickly approached to discharge the solids quantity.

[0017] Furthermore, according to a further embodiment variant of the invention, the piston valves are located in respective intermediate positions, in which the cross sections of the solids discharge openings of the first set of solids discharge openings or the cross sections of the solids discharge openings of the second set of solids discharge openings are only partially axially open or partially axially closed. This allows particularly variable adjustment of the amount of solids that can be discharged during partial discharge.

[0018] In a further particularly preferred embodiment variant of the invention, it is provided that the solids discharge openings of the first set of solids discharge openings and the solids discharge openings of the second set of solids discharge openings are arranged at offset angles relative to one another on the circumference of the centrifuge drum, which results in a structurally simple and strength-optimized arrangement of the two sets of solids discharge openings in the centrifuge drum.

[0019] A further particularly preferred embodiment variant of the invention provides that the number of solids discharge openings in the first set of solids discharge openings is different from the number of solids discharge openings in the second set of solids discharge openings, which simply results in a non-linear correlation between the degree of opening of the piston valve and the amount of solids discharged per unit time.

[0020] Furthermore, in a further particularly preferred embodiment variant of the invention, it is provided that the first set of solids discharge openings and the second set of solids discharge openings are each rotationally symmetric. In this way, an unbalanced centrifuge drum is simply achieved by the configuration. Rotational symmetry is understood here to mean rotational symmetry around the angular offset of the individual solids discharge openings relative to one another.

[0021] Alternatively, in a variant of a further preferred embodiment of the invention, it may be provided that the combination of the first set of solids discharge openings with the second set of solids discharge openings results in rotational symmetry, which also makes it easier to achieve a centrifugal drum that is free of imbalance.

[0022] Furthermore, in another particularly preferred embodiment variant of the invention it is provided that the opening cross-sections of the first set of solids discharge openings or the opening cross-sections of the second set of solids discharge openings are identical.

[0023] This results in a simple linear correlation between the piston valve opening and the amount of solids discharged per unit time.

[0024] Alternatively, in a further preferred embodiment variant of the invention it may be provided that the opening cross-sections of the solids discharge openings of the first set of solids discharge openings and the opening cross-sections of the solids discharge openings of the second set of solids discharge openings are of different dimensions, thereby creating by simple constructional means a non-linear relationship between the position of the piston valve and the amount of solids that can be discharged per unit time.

[0025] Also, alternatively, in further preferred embodiment variants of the invention it can be provided that the opening cross-sections of the solids discharge openings of the first set of solids discharge openings are of different dimensions and the opening cross-sections of the solids discharge openings of the second set of solids discharge openings are of different dimensions. In further particularly preferred embodiment variants of the invention it is provided that the cross-sections of the solids discharge openings of the second set of solids discharge openings are smaller than the cross-sections of the solids discharge openings of the first set of solids discharge openings. In each case a non-linear relationship between the position of the piston valve and the amount of solids that can be discharged per unit time is produced by simple constructional means.

[0026] Furthermore, in a further particularly preferred embodiment variant of the invention, it is provided that each solids discharge opening is adjacent to a respective circumferentially closed nozzle-like channel, which respectively extends through the wall of the centrifuge drum, through which channel the solid phase S is discharged radially outwardly from the centrifuge drum.

[0027] The object is also solved by a method for controlling the solids discharge of a separator, wherein one piston valve can be controlled to open a first set of solids discharge openings and / or a second set of solids discharge openings fully axially or partially axially.

[0028] In order to increase the accuracy of this discharge system, it is conceivable to determine the axial position of the piston valve by measurement, transmit said position to a control unit, evaluate it there and control the closing fluid valve or the closing chamber valve on the basis of said evaluation, in this way the exact positioning of the piston valve is not only controlled but also regulated. Further advantageous configurations of the invention can be found in the other dependent claims. [Brief description of the drawings]

[0029] In the following, the invention will be explained in more detail by means of an exemplary embodiment and with reference to the drawings, to which the invention is not limited but which can also be realized in other ways according to the text or in other equivalent ways. [Figure 1a] 1 is a schematic full cross-sectional view of a separator according to the present invention. [Figure 1b] FIG. 1b is an enlarged cross-sectional view of FIG. [Diagram 2] 1b is a schematic, enlarged cross-sectional view in full section of a variant of the embodiment of the separator according to the invention from FIG. 1a. [Diagram 3] FIG. 2 is a schematic full cross-sectional view through the hood of a separator according to the invention; [Figure 4] 5 is a schematic full cross-sectional view through the hood of a variant of an embodiment of a separator according to the invention; FIG. [Diagram 5] FIG. 1 is a schematic full cross-sectional view through the housing and through the machine housing of a clarification separator according to the prior art. [Figure 6] FIG. 1 is a schematic full cross-sectional view through a drum of a clarification separator according to the prior art. DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS

[0030] In the following description of the drawings, several exemplary embodiments of the separator are described, the individual features of which may also be combined with exemplary embodiments not shown, in each case as advantageous configurations of the objects described in the individual or some of the main and dependent claims.

[0031] The separator according to the prior art has a rotatable centrifuge drum 1, which, as shown in figures 5 and 6, has a vertical axis of rotation D. The centrifuge drum 1 is surrounded by a hood H, which does not rotate during the operation of the separator. The centrifuge drum 1 is rotated by a drive motor M, which according to the embodiment of figure 5 acts indirectly via a belt drive on the drive spindle SP of the centrifuge drum 1. The drive spindle SP is rotatably mounted on a mechanical frame G and carries the centrifuge drum 1, which is placed at the free end of the drive spindle SP. Alternatively, other drive variants can also be realised, for example a direct drive of the centrifuge drum 1, in which the drive motor acts directly on the drive spindle SP of the centrifuge drum 1.

[0032] The centrifuge drum 1 can have a single and / or double conical shape (bottom and / or top and especially the inside). It can have a lower drum part 2 and an upper drum part 3. These drum parts 2, 3 can be connected to each other in various ways, for example by means of a locking ring (not shown here). The centrifuge drum 1 also has a product feed pipe 4.

[0033] The separator is configured for continuous operation, not just batch operation. The centrifuge drum 1 is formed with a distributor 5 for feeding the product from a product feed pipe 4 to a separation chamber 6. The product P is transferred in the distributor 5 to a rotating system.

[0034] The actual centrifugation of the product P takes place in a separation chamber 6 which comprises a disc stack 7 of separating discs, which also comprises radially outwardly a solids collection chamber 8 in which the solid phase S separated from the suspension or flowable product P is collected during the separation and / or clarification process.

[0035] The centrifuge drum 1 has at least one liquid outlet for the liquid phase L. The centrifuge drum 1 can also have two or more liquid outlets, as shown in figure 5. According to figure 6 the liquid outlet is configured as a paring disc 9. The liquid outlet can also be realised in different ways.

[0036] An example of a so-called clarification separator is shown in Figure 6. The clarification separator is configured to clarify the product P to be treated in a centrifugal field or to separate the solid phase S from the liquid phase L. The separator can also be configured as a so-called purification separator, in which two liquid phases and a solid phase are separated from each other, as shown in Figure 5.

[0037] The discharge mechanism is used to discharge the solid phase S and has piston valves 10 for opening and closing solid discharge openings 11. The solid discharge openings 11, which are present here in a single set, can be distributed circumferentially in the area of ​​the maximum diameter of the centrifuge drum 1. It is expedient to arrange the solid discharge openings 11 on the circumference of the centrifuge drum 1 so that they do not lead to an imbalance of the centrifuge drum 1. The piston valves 10 are here vertically movable.

[0038] The ejection mechanism further comprises a control assembly 12 associated with the piston valve 10 for controlling the opening and closing operation of the piston valve 10 . The left half of the centrifuge in FIG. 6 shows the piston valve 10 in a lowered, open position, and the right half of the centrifuge shows the piston valve 10 in a raised, closed position.

[0039] The control assembly 12 may include or be connected to an electronic controller 13 (see FIG. 6), such as a computer, which may be a higher level controller for the centrifuge. The control assembly 12 also includes a closed chamber 14 for a fluid.

[0040] The closing chamber 14 is configured so that the closing action of the piston valve 10 can be initiated by the introduction of fluid through the closing fluid valve 15, and so that the piston valve 10 can be maintained in a closed position while rotating at the operating speed of the centrifugal process. The closing fluid valve 15 may be controlled by the electronic controller 13. The closing action of the piston valve 10 requires that the closing chamber valve 16 is closed.

[0041] A valve assembly including at least one closed chamber valve 16 in fluid communication with the closed chamber 14 allows fluid to be discharged from the closed chamber 14 and emptied into the solids collection chamber 8 through the solids discharge opening 11. The closed chamber valve 16 is often configured as a centrifugal valve that closes by centrifugal force at the operating speed of the centrifuge drum 1. The introduction of an opening fluid into the closed chamber valve 16 via the opening fluid valve 19 initiates the opening movement of the piston valve 10 and expels water from the closed chamber 14.

[0042] A non-optimal feature of the prior art is that it relies on the hydraulic pressure above and below the piston valve 10, making it impossible to accurately repeat the targeted discharge of only a partial amount of fluid from the closed chamber 14. The cross-sectional area of ​​the solids discharge opening 11 is also not variably adjustable. Therefore, the present invention takes a different approach.

[0043] Departing from the prior art, the centrifuge drum 1 of the separator according to the invention has on its circumference a first set of solids discharge openings 11a and a second set of solids discharge openings 11b, as shown in Figures 1a, 1b, 2, 3 and 4. Preferably, the first set of solids discharge openings 11a and the second set of solids discharge openings 11b are arranged on the maximum radius of the centrifuge drum 1. The first set of solids discharge openings 11a and the second set of solids discharge openings 11b are arranged at two different axial heights on the circumference of the centrifuge drum 1 and are therefore vertically spaced apart and can be opened and closed by one piston valve 10, as shown in Figures 1a, 1b, 2, 3 and 4.

[0044] Adjacent to each solids discharge opening 11a, 11b is a respective channel 18a, 18b which passes through the respective wall of the centrifuge drum 1 and discharges the solid phase S radially outwards from the centrifuge drum 1. When the piston valve 10 is in the closed position (FIG. 1a, right half of the figure) with the closing chamber 14 fully filled, the first set of solids discharge openings 11a and the second set of solids discharge openings 11b are closed by the piston valve 10.

[0045] When the piston valve 10 is in the open position (FIG. 1a, left half of the image) with the closing chamber 14 completely empty, the first set of solids discharge openings 11a and the second set of solids discharge openings 11b are released and open by the piston valve. However, when the closed chamber 14 is only partially emptied, the piston valve 10 is in an intermediate position and now opens only the first set of solids discharge openings 11a located at the top (see Figures 1b and 2). In order to be able to position the piston valve 10 in such a "center position", it is necessary to be able to open and close the closing chamber valve 20 (see Figure 1a) for a defined period of time in order to expel the closing fluid.

[0046] The control assembly 12 for the discharge mechanism therefore acts on a valve assembly having at least one closed-chamber valve 20 and one piston valve 10, which is electrically switchable, i.e. has an electromechanical or piezoelectric operating mechanism. With such a closed-chamber valve 20, it opens and closes independently of the hydraulic pressure in the centrifuge drum 1.

[0047] Thus, the at least one closed-chamber valve 20 preferably operates as an electric valve, such as a solenoid valve or a piezo valve, which can be opened or closed by an electric control pulse from the control device 13. This control pulse is, for example, sent by radio to the rotating system and to a receiver (not shown) on the valve. The electric energy required for this can be transferred to the rotating centrifuge drum 1, for example, by a system operating according to the induction principle. However, it is also possible to provide the centrifuge drum 1 with an energy storage device, such as a battery. The closed-chamber valve 20 can also operate according to another suitable operating principle.

[0048] This allows for the evacuating of some of the closure fluid from the closure chamber 14 if necessary. In combination with the product P located above the piston valve 10 exerting pressure on the piston valve 10, the pressures below and above the piston valve 10 are equalized, causing the piston valve 10 to move downwards until the desired intermediate position of the piston valve 10 is reached.

[0049] Although in Figures 1a, 1b and 2 the solids discharge openings 11a of the first set of solids discharge openings and the solids discharge openings 11b of the second set of solids discharge openings are shown directly overlapping each other in the axial direction, this is not necessary and is not advantageous for strength reasons. As shown in FIG. 3, the solids discharge opening 11a of the first set of solids discharge openings and the solids discharge opening 11b of the second set of solids discharge openings can also be positioned at offset angles relative to each other on the circumference of the centrifuge drum 1.

[0050] Similarly, as shown in FIG. 4, the number of solids discharge openings 11a in the first set of solids discharge openings and the number of solids discharge openings 11b in the second set of solids discharge openings may be different. The channels 18a, 18b of each solids discharge opening 11a, 11b (FIGS. 1a and 1b each show a horizontal path) can also be arranged vertically in a sector shape, so that the inlet of the channel 18a, 18b facing the piston valve 10 is in a shorter vertical distance than the outlet of the channel 18a, 18b away from the piston valve 10 (see FIG. 2). In either case, two channels 18a, 18b that are circumferentially one above the other can extend at an angle to each other.

[0051] It is advantageous if the first set of solids discharge openings 11a and the second set of solids discharge openings 11b are each rotationally symmetrical in order to avoid imbalances in the centrifuge drum 1. However, it is also conceivable that only the combination of the first set of solids discharge openings 11a and the second set of solids discharge openings 11b results in rotational symmetry.

[0052] Furthermore, the cross-section of the solids discharge openings 11a of the first set of solids discharge openings or the cross-section of the solids discharge openings 11b of the second set of solids discharge openings may be the same. However, it is also conceivable that the cross-section of the solids discharge openings 11a of the first set of solids discharge openings and the cross-section of the solids discharge openings 11b of the second set of solids discharge openings may be of different dimensions. For example, the cross-section of each solids discharge opening 11b of the second set of solids discharge openings may be larger than the cross-section of each solids discharge opening 11a of the first set of solids discharge openings.

[0053] In this way, when the piston valve 10 is in an intermediate position, a small amount of the solid phase S can be discharged from the centrifuge drum 1 per unit of time, whereas when the piston valve 10 is fully lowered, a significantly larger amount of the solid phase S can be discharged from the centrifuge drum 1 per unit of time. In this way, the amount discharged per unit of time is not linear with the stroke of the piston valve 10.

[0054] It is also conceivable that the sum of the opening cross sections of the solid discharge openings 11a of the first set of solid discharge openings and the sum of the opening cross sections of the solid discharge openings 11b of the second set of solid discharge openings have different dimensions. The cross-section of each solids discharge opening 11a, 11b may be circular, elongated or slot-shaped, oval or elliptical, triangular, rectangular or polygonal.

[0055] The open piston valve 10 will only rise to the closed position if the closing chamber 14 is again supplied with closing fluid via the closing fluid valve 15 . It is possible to raise the piston valve 10 to an intermediate position as well as lower it to an intermediate position, since the stroke of the piston valve 10 depends on the amount of closing fluid introduced, the density of the closing fluid, and the pressure in the closing chamber 14 caused by the centrifugal force.

[0056] Alternatively or additionally, the piston valve 10 can also be arranged in a respective intermediate position in which the respective cross-sections of the solids discharge openings 11a of the first set of solids discharge openings 11a or the respective cross-sections of the solids discharge openings 11b of the second set of solids discharge openings 11b are only partially open or closed. The term "partially" means that the piston valve 10 for example half-opens, i.e. does not fully open, the first set of solids discharge openings 11a or the second set of solids discharge openings 11b.

[0057] By means of the shut-off fluid valve 15 and the control device 13, precise dosing of the amount of shut-off fluid can be easily achieved. In order to increase the accuracy of this discharge system, it is conceivable to detect the axial position of the piston valve 10 by measurement, transmit said position to the control unit 13, evaluate said position therein and actuate the closing fluid valve 15 or the closing chamber valve 20 depending on said evaluation. In this way, the exact positioning of the piston valve is not only controlled but also regulated. Therefore, the described separator allows adjusting both the opening time and the opening cross-sectional area of ​​the solids discharge openings 11a, 11b (the sum of the cross-sectional areas of the solids discharge openings 11a, 11b opened by the piston valve 10). [Explanation of symbols]

[0058] Code list 1 Centrifugal drum 2 Lower drum part 3 Upper drum part 4 Product supply pipe 5 distributor 6 Separation room 7 Disk Stack 8 Solids Collection Chamber 9 Pairing Disk 10 Piston valve 11, 11a, 11b solids discharge opening 12 Control Assembly 13 Control device 14 Closed room 15. Closing Fluid Valve 16 Closed chamber valve 17 Drainage Channel Channels 18a and 18b 19 Open Fluid Valve 20 Closed chamber valve D Rotational Axis S solid phase L liquid phase P product M Drive motor SP Drive spindle G Mechanical Frame H Hood

Claims

1. A separator, in particular a self-draining separator, for centrifuging a flowable product (P) into at least one liquid phase (L) and at least one solid phase (S), comprising: A separator comprising a rotatable centrifugal drum (1) with a vertical axis of rotation (D) and a separation chamber (6), in which a disc stack (7) is preferably arranged, the separation chamber having a solids discharge opening (11) and a discharge mechanism with one piston valve (10), the discharge mechanism being configured to open and close the solids discharge opening (11) discontinuously, the discharge mechanism being provided with a control assembly (12), the centrifugal drum (1) has a first set of solids discharge openings (11 a) and a second set of solids discharge openings (11 b) on its periphery, the first set of solids discharge openings (11 a) and the second set of solids discharge openings (11 b) being arranged at two different axial heights on the periphery of the centrifugal drum (1) and therefore vertically spaced apart from each other, and the two sets of solids discharge openings can be opened and closed by the single piston valve (10).

2. 2. The separator of claim 1, wherein the control assembly (12) of the ejection mechanism comprises a valve assembly having a closed chamber (14) for fluid and one closed chamber valve (20) in communication with the closed chamber (14) for actuating the one piston valve (10) by ejecting a closing fluid.

3. 3. A separator according to claim 1 or 2, wherein the control assembly (12) of the ejection mechanism acts on a valve assembly comprising at least one closed-chamber valve (20), the closed-chamber valve (20) having an electromechanical or piezoelectric actuation mechanism.

4. 3. A separator according to claim 1 or 2, characterized in that the piston valve (10) is in a closed position with a fully filled closing chamber (14) and closes the first set of solids discharge openings (11a) and the second set of solids discharge openings (11b).

5. 3. The separator according to claim 1, wherein the piston valve (10) is in an open position with the closed chamber (14) completely emptied, thereby releasing and opening the first set of solids discharge openings (11 a) and the second set of solids discharge openings (11 b).

6. 3. A separator according to claim 1 or 2, wherein the piston valve (10) is moved to a central position to open only a first set of solids discharge openings (11a), preferably located at the top in the vertical direction.

7. 3. A separator according to claim 1 or 2, wherein the piston valves (10) are located in respective intermediate positions, in which a cross section of the solids discharge openings (11 a) of the first set of solids discharge openings or a cross section of the solids discharge openings (11 b) of the second set of solids discharge openings is only partially open in the axial direction.

8. 3. A separator according to claim 1 or 2, wherein the centrifugal drum (1) has a single and / or double conical configuration.

9. 9. The separator according to claim 8, wherein the first set of solids discharge openings (11 a) and the second set of solids discharge openings (11 b) are arranged on the largest radius of the single and / or double conical centrifuge drum (1).

10. 3. A separator according to claim 1 or 2, wherein the solids discharge openings (11a) of the first set of solids discharge openings and the solids discharge openings (11b) of the second set of solids discharge openings are arranged directly above and below each other in the axial direction.

11. 3. A separator according to claim 1, wherein the solids discharge openings (11 a) of the first set of solids discharge openings and the solids discharge openings (11 b) of the second set of solids discharge openings are arranged at angles offset from each other in the circumferential direction on the circumference of the centrifuge drum (1).

12. 3. The separator of claim 1, wherein the number of solids discharge openings (11a) in the first set of solids discharge openings is different from the number of solids discharge openings (11b) in the second set of solids discharge openings.

13. 3. A separator according to claim 1 or 2, wherein the first set of solids discharge openings (11a) and the second set of solids discharge openings (11b) are each configured rotationally symmetrically.

14. 3. A separator according to claim 1 or 2, wherein the opening cross-sections of the solid discharge openings (11a) of the first set of solid discharge openings or the solid discharge openings (11b) of the second set of solid discharge openings are of the same dimensions in each case.

15. 3. The separator according to claim 1, wherein the cross-sections of the solid discharge openings (11a) of the first set of solid discharge openings and the cross-sections of the solid discharge openings (11b) of the second set of solid discharge openings are different in size.

16. 3. The separator according to claim 1, wherein the sum of the cross sections of the solid discharge openings (11a) of the first set of solid discharge openings and the sum of the cross sections of the solid discharge openings (11b) of the second set of solid discharge openings have different dimensions.

17. 3. A separator according to claim 1 or 2, wherein the cross section of each solids discharge opening (11b) of the second set of solids discharge openings is smaller than the cross section of each solids discharge opening (11a) of the first set of solids discharge openings.

18. 3. A separator according to claim 1 or 2, wherein the cross section of each solids discharge opening (11a, 11b) is circular, slot-shaped, elliptical, triangular, rectangular or polygonal.

19. 3. A separator according to claim 1 or 2, wherein each solids discharge opening (11a, 11b) is adjacent to a respective channel (18a, 18b) extending through a respective wall of the centrifuge drum (1), through which the respective solid phase S is discharged radially outward from the centrifuge drum (1).

20. 20. The separator of claim 19, wherein the channels (18a, 18b) of the solids discharge openings (11a, 11b) each have a horizontal path.

21. 20. The separator according to claim 19, wherein the channels (18a, 18b) of each solids discharge opening (11a, 11b) are arranged in a fan shape, with the inlets of the channels (18a, 18b) facing the piston valve (10) being at a shorter vertical distance than the outlets of the channels (18a, 18b) facing away from the piston valve (10).

22. 3. The method for controlling the solids discharge of a separator according to claim 1 or 2, wherein the one single piston valve (10) is actuated to open and close a first set of solids discharge openings (11 a) and / or a second set of solids discharge openings (11 b) axially completely or partially.

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