Separator insert and separator

Abstract

The present invention relates to a separator insert for a separator adapted to separate a fluid suspension (S) into at least two fluid phases (LP, HP) of different densities in a centrifugal field, comprising a housing (1) stationary in operation and configured like a container closed except for a number of openings, formed as at least one feed opening (8) on a first axial boundary wall (6) of the housing (1) for the incoming suspension, and two openings in the outer casing of the housing (1) and in the first axial boundary wall (7) of the housing for discharges (10, 34) of each fluid phase (LP, HP) of different densities, or The system comprises a housing (1) having two openings formed in first and second axial boundary walls (6, 7) of the housing (1) for the discharge sections (24, 34) of the two phases (LP, HP), and a rotor arranged in the housing (1) and rotatable about a rotation axis (D) and having a drum (3) with openings, wherein at least two rotor units (4b, 5b) for magnetic bearing devices (4, 5) are arranged at two axially separated positions of the rotor (2) with the drum (3), by means of which the rotor units can hold the rotor (2) with the drum (3) in a suspended state and can be rotatably mounted so that it can rotate within the housing during operation.

Description

Technical Field

[0001] The present invention relates to a separator insert for a separator as described in the preamble of claim 1, and to a separator including such a separator insert.

Background Art

[0002] The separator defined herein is used to separate a fluid suspension into phases of different densities as a starting product in a centrifugal force field. Steam sterilization of the separator used is necessary for a wide variety of applications. A relatively "small" steam-sterilizable separator with a disk stack introduced to the market through the applicant is the separator "CSC 6" having a comparable cleaning area. However, in a situation such as a laboratory, this machine is still relatively large. Known separators equipped with a disk stack are driven by a spindle, and the spindle is driven directly by a motor or via a gearbox. Further, known machines are made of stainless steel. 2 For these reasons, filters are now very frequently used in laboratories instead of centrifuges. In the case of a separator with a disk stack and disposable plastic elements (single-use technology - single use of pre-approved plastic parts), steam sterilization (SIP - in-place sterilization) is not necessary. This may be particularly suitable for use in the field of biotechnology. From International Publication No. 2014 / 000829, a separator for separating a fluid product into different phases is known, which has a rotatable drum having a lower drum part and an upper drum part, and is arranged in the drum and has means for treating a suspension of solids in a centrifugal force field or for separating a heavy solid-like phase from a light phase in a centrifugal force field, wherein one, several or all of the elements such as the lower drum part, the upper drum part, the cleaning means, etc. are made of plastic or a plastic composite material.

[0003]

[0004] ​ In this way, it is possible to configure part of the drum or preferably the entire drum, preferably together with the inlet and outlet systems or areas, for single use, which is of particular interest and advantageous with regard to the treatment of pharmaceuticals such as fermentation broth, because after operation for the treatment of the corresponding product batch, preferably after continuous operation during the treatment of the product batch, there is no need to clean the contact part of the drum with the product, but the entire drum can be replaced. This separator is very advantageous especially from a hygienic point of view. In order to achieve a physical separation between this disposable drum and the drive device, a contactless coupling between the drive device and the drum is advantageous.

[0005] A further development example is shown in German Patent Publication No. 10 2017 128 027, where the bearing device is configured as a magnetic bearing, and one of the magnetic bearing devices is also preferably used as a drive device for rotating the drum held in a suspended state during operation. Thereby, the replacement of this separator insert can be handled very easily, so that mechanical elements for rotating and supporting the drum are not required, and a configuration as a separator with a separator insert for single use is advantageous. These advantages are also utilized by the present invention.

[0006] Against this background, it is an object of the present invention to configure a general separator insert that can be used or configured as a disposable element so that the separation process can be better controlled. SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION MEANS FOR SOLVING THE PROBLEM

[0007] The present invention solves this problem by the subject matter of claim 1, that is, a separator insert for a separator configured to separate a fluid suspension into at least two fluid phases of different densities in a centrifugal force field, comprising the following. a) A housing that is configured like a closed container, except for a plurality of openings, and that is stationary during operation. These openings are formed as at least one opening on the first axial boundary wall of the housing for the inflow of the incoming suspension, and are formed as two openings on the outer casing of the housing and the first axial boundary wall of the housing, or as two openings on the first and second axial boundary walls of the housing, for discharging each fluidity phase of different densities. b) A rotor disposed within the housing and having a drum that can rotate about a rotation axis and has openings. c) A supply pipe that does not rotate during operation and supplies the suspension to be processed to the drum extends into one of the openings of the drum at the first end of the two axial ends, does not contact the drum, and at least one outlet for the first fluidity phase from the drum is formed by a peeling disk having a discharge pipe that is led out from the drum at the second axial end on the opposite side of the drum and does not rotate during operation. d) Separation means is disposed on the drum. e) At least two rotor units for a magnetic bearing device are disposed at two axially spaced positions of the rotor provided with the drum. By these rotor units, the rotor provided with the drum can be held in a suspended state, can be rotatably attached, and can be rotated within the housing during operation. Can be rotatably attached and can be rotated within the housing during operation.

[0008] With this configuration, it becomes possible to control the separation process particularly skillfully. "During operation" means during the rotation of the rotor or during the centrifugation when the rotor is rotating. It is preferable that the rotor units are located at both axial ends of the drum and two corresponding stator units are formed on the frame of the separator, because it is simple and practical. In this way, the magnetic bearing device is formed at both axial ends of the drum.

[0009] Accordingly, the opening of the drum is preferably functionally related to the opening of the housing of a). In this context, at least one of the two magnetic bearing devices preferably also represents a rotational drive device for the drum, which is also suitable for driving the drum at a freely adjustable speed or in a freely selectable rotational direction. Preferably, one or both of the magnetic bearing devices act as radial and axial bearings and may be provided so as to be able to hold the rotor suspended in the container away from the container during operation.

[0010] More preferably, the separator insert forms a pre-assembled replaceable unit for insertion into the stator unit on the frame of the separator. In the interaction, the rotor unit and the stator unit form a magnetic bearing device. Thereby, the drum is supported axially and radially and held in a suspended state.

[0011] According to a first variant which is advantageous to implement and in particular structurally easy, a further opening of the drum is configured as a second empty radial outlet for the fluid phase from the drum, and it is provided that the fluid phase can be discharged from this outlet. For this purpose, it is further advantageously and simply provided that the empty outlet is associated with a capture ring chamber of the housing having a discharge part from the housing.

[0012] However, according to another advantageous variant which is particularly easy to implement in terms of construction, it can also be provided in an auxiliary way that a further opening in the drum for discharging the fluid phase from the drum is configured as a second separation disc. Then, advantageously, the second separation disc has a discharge pipe, which is formed coaxially with the supply pipe and is guided coaxially with the supply pipe to exit the drum and through an opening in the first axial boundary wall of the housing.

[0013] In order to control the separation process, i.e., to be able to control or regulate the separation process, a control valve that can be controlled by a control device is provided downstream of the first peeling disk and / or the second peeling disk, on the inflow side or, incidentally, on the discharge side.

[0014] Furthermore, a separation means, in particular a disk stack, is arranged in the drum, and it is preferred that the first peeling disk is arranged in a space-saving and simple manner in the drum below the distributor and below the disk stack, i.e., in an area that is often required for fastening the drive spindle but is not required here.

[0015] It is preferred that a rotor unit for a magnetic bearing device is arranged at two axial ends of the drum, and the supply pipe and the discharge pipe of the first peeling disk axially pass through one of these two rotor units respectively, which is simple and safe in terms of the configuration.

[0016] It is particularly advantageous and practical that the separator insert is configured as a pre-assembled unit. In particular, all elements of the separator insert that come into contact with the product are made of plastic or other non-magnetic materials, and the entire separator insert can be replaced and completely discarded after use. Therefore, the cleaning and associated steam sterilization of the separator insert are no longer necessary.

[0017] Each bearing device provides, in addition to a radial bearing device, an axial bearing device for the drum and / or the rotary drive device, and the bearing device can act permanently and / or electromagnetically. Preferably, on the outer periphery, the supply pipe or the peeling disk shaft surrounding the supply pipe is inserted into the housing in a sealed state or is formed integrally with the housing.

[0018] The drum can be of a single conical or double conical configuration. Further or alternatively, it can also have one or more cylindrical parts. Additionally, the drum may be composed of several parts, particularly the upper and lower parts, which are preferably connected to each other (e.g., by adhesion or welding) after the installation of the internal components and their assemblies. Similarly, the housing can be composed of several parts, particularly the upper and lower parts, which are preferably connected to each other (e.g., by adhesion or welding) after the installation of the internal components - particularly the rotor and their assemblies.

[0019] These discharge parts can have nozzles on the outside of the housing, and since the nozzles are sealed to the outer circumference of the housing, hoses etc. can be easily connected in this way. Also, the hose is pre-assembled on the nozzle and sealed in a complete and incidental manner in a sterile way. The nozzle can extend, for example, radially, tangentially, or obliquely with respect to the radial direction.

[0020] These separators are suitable for variable operation even at relatively high speeds. Further, the separators can also be well used for one-off processes that centrifuge product batches of a fluid fermentation broth such as a suspension from, for example, 100 L to several thousand L, for example up to 4000 L, into different phases and then discard them. Here, a particular advantage is that all the elements of the separator that come into contact with the product can be installed, operated, and then discarded as a pre-manufactured already sterile unit. This pre-manufactured unit consists of at least a rotor with a drum, separation disks, a distributor for the feed, and a rotor magnet or rotor unit as well as a housing with an inlet and an outlet. Further, the unit can include a supply opening and a discharge line (e.g., a hose), as well as measuring equipment or other components that come into contact with the product, which are intended for single use and are discarded together with the separator unit after use. and are discarded together with the separator unit after use.

[0021] A further advantage is that, in addition to the lower thrust bearing in the first vertical arrangement direction of the rotation axis, further thrust bearings are provided, for example, at the opposite end of the drum or, in some cases, also inside the drum. This enables the rotation axis of the drum to be arranged vertically, but instead, advantageously, it can be inclined from the vertical. Any arrangement of the rotation axis is possible. The rotation axis can thus be inclined, for example, at an angle of 30° to 60°, for example 45°, from the vertical, or can be arranged horizontally, i.e., inclined by 90° with respect to the vertical. Furthermore, since the entire arrangement can also be rotated by 180°, the supply opening is arranged at the bottom and the conical separation disk opens upward, which does not cause storage problems for the drum.

[0022] Here or hereinafter, as long as the "first vertical direction of the rotation axis" is considered, it means that the position of the element of the centrifuge in the vertical direction of the described rotation axis can be realized or is realized. However, in practice, the rotation axis can also be directed obliquely with respect to the vertical direction. Then, preferably, the discharge parts for the respective LP and HP are arranged in each case at the lowest vertical position of the respective capture ring chamber.

[0023] It is further advantageous if one of the bearing and / or the drive unit is configured to support and rotate the drum radially at its lower end in the first vertical direction. Finally, it can be advantageously provided that the housing has only the supply pipe and the discharge opening, and the other parts are hermetically sealed. For this purpose, the supply pipe and the discharge part project outward from the housing in the form of nozzles, and these nozzles are provided to be connected to the housing in a sealed manner or to be formed integrally with the housing.

[0024] The invention also provides a separator with a frame and an exchangeable separator insert, according to one of the claims related to the separator. This facilitates the creation of a separator having a disposable "drum" and "housing" component, while at least the frame and bearing and parts of the drive assembly are reusable.

[0025] The present invention enables the manufacture of a separator that can use a disposable separator insert, which is preferably configured such that all components that come into contact with the product are made of plastic or other non-magnetic material that can be discarded after a single use. Thus, cleaning after use is not necessary. In this way, the machine and its operation can be made significantly less expensive. The magnet can optionally be recycled.

[0026] After manufacture, the entire separator insert is provided as an encapsulated unit so that no impurities can enter. For this purpose, the nozzle is sealed and can be removably closed. In this way, a hose portion can be arranged on the nozzle, which has an openable and closable connector to which the separator module is connected, or in this case, the separator insert can be connected to further elements of the supply and discharge system, such as bags, tanks, hoses, and pipelines.

[0027] It is simple and safe if the bearing devices are mounted on frames spaced apart from each other and the separator insert can be fixedly inserted in the rotational direction between the frames. For this purpose, it is further a condition that the relative distance of the holders on the control panel is adjustable so that the separator insert can be replaced.

[0028] Furthermore, it is also provided that the separator insert is fastened to the frame by a form-fitting and / or press-fitting method to prevent rotation. According to a particularly simple variant, the housing and the holder have corresponding interlocking elements for holding the housing against rotation on the frame or stator unit.

[0029] The positions of these corresponding interlocking elements also define the functionally necessary relative positions of the stator unit and the rotor unit. This relates in particular to the exact centering of the units positioned coaxially to one another. Incidentally, the holding force acts axially on the housing by means of the holder (from above and below), thereby incidentally holding the housing by friction.

[0030] Also provided is a case where at least one control device is provided which can control or adjust the recirculation amount of the light phase or the heavy phase - in particular using one or more measurement results by means of a measuring device. Advantageous configurations of the invention are obtained from the dependent claims.

Brief Description of the Drawings

[0031] Hereinafter, the present invention will be described in more detail by way of exemplary embodiments with reference to the drawings, and further advantageous variations and configurations will also be described. The exemplary embodiments discussed below are not intended to finally illustrate the present invention, but it is emphasized that variations and equivalents not shown are also feasible and are covered by the claims.

Figure 1

Figure 2

Figure 3

Figure 4

Figure 5

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

[0032] Figure 3 shows a separator comprising a reusable frame I and an exchangeable separator insert II as shown in Figure 1, the separator centrifuging the product-suspension S- into phases HP, LP of different densities. The separator insert can also be configured in the manner of Figure 2.

[0033] The separator insert II is preferably configured as a pre-manufactured 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 configured as a pre-assembled unit, which unit is made entirely or mainly of plastic or plastic composite material.

[0034] The separator insert (excluding elements 4a, 5a) is shown separately as an example in Figures 1 and 2. The separator insert is discarded after processing a product batch and can be replaced with a new separator insert II.

[0035] A separator with such an easily exchangeable separator insert is useful and advantageous for product processing, and can very reliably exclude impurities from entering the product (a fluid suspension or its phases) during centrifugation, and is also useful and advantageous when the cleaning and disinfection of the separator is very expensive or impossible at all.

[0036] The frame I has a control panel I-1. The control panel I-1 can be attached to a carriage I-2 equipped with rollers I-3, but this is not necessarily required. Holders I-4 and I-5, which serve to accommodate and hold the separator insert II during operation, are arranged on the control panel I-1. It is preferable that the first axial end of the separator insert II projects into the upper holder I-4 from below, and the lower end of the separator insert II projects into the other holder I-5 from above.

[0037] In each of the holders I-4 and I-5, the stator units 4a, 5a of the two drive devices and the magnetic bearing devices 4 and 5 are arranged. The control and power electronics for this are arranged in the frame I, for example, in the control panel I-1. Here, these holders I-4 and I-5 protrude laterally from the control panel I-1 of the frame I and are arranged on the control panel I-1 in a height-adjustable manner.

[0038] Corresponding interlocking elements are formed on the holders I-4 and I-5 and on the housing 1 of the separator insert II that does not rotate during operation, so that the separator insert II can be inserted into the stator units 4a, 5a in a rotationally fixed state. The upper and lower stator units 4a, 5a each have axes that are aligned in a straight line with each other.

[0039] In order to replace the separator insert II, two holders I-4 and I-5 with the stator units 4a, 5a are arranged on the frame I-1, and it is a condition that these two holders can move relative to each other in the axial direction, and for example, here in the vertical direction, and particularly displaceably.

[0040] In this case, for example, in order to replace the separator insert II, that is, to be able to remove the old separator insert II from the frame I and replace it with a new one, it is advantageous that the holders I-4 and I-5 with the stator units 4a, 5a on the frame I can be moved in the axial direction and away from and towards each other. For this purpose, it is further provided that the relative distance between the holders I-4 and I-5 having the stator units 4a, 5b of the magnetic bearing devices 4, 5 can be adjusted so that the separator insert II can be replaced.

[0041] Furthermore, the separator insert II can be attached to the frame I in a rotationally fixed manner by means of a form fit and / or a press fit. According to a particularly simple variant, the housing 1 and the stator units 4a, 5a can have corresponding interlocking elements, such as projections (for example pins) and recesses (for example holes), in order to hold the housing 1 rotationally fixed on the stator unit and thus on the frame I. In FIG. 4, the corresponding interlocking elements 41 and 42 are arranged in a circumferentially distributed manner in the lower and upper regions of the separator insert II and on the frame.

[0042] However, it is also possible to provide only one interlocking element instead of a plurality of interlocking elements in the lower or upper region of the separator insert II and at the corresponding points of the frame I. The corresponding interlocking elements in FIGS. 3 and 4 are the pin 41a and the recess 41b. It is also possible to form the corresponding interlocking elements directly on the frame I. By arranging the corresponding interlocking elements symmetrically or asymmetrically, it is also possible to ensure that the separator insert can only be inserted in a single direction.

[0043] In the following, with reference to FIGS. 1 and 2, the structure of the preferred separator insert II will be explained in more detail together with the structure of the drive device and the bearing system of the separator, the control system of the separator and the supply and discharge system of the separator.

[0044] According to FIGS. 1 and 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 a rotation axis D, which can be aligned in the vertical direction corresponding to the configuration of the frame I. However, if the frame is designed to be aligned in different directions, the rotation axis will also point in different directions in space.

[0045] The rotor 2 of the separator insert II also has a rotatable drum 3. The rotor 2 is rotatably mounted at two locations axially spaced from each other in the direction of the rotation axis by means of the respective magnetic bearing devices 4, 5. Preferably, the drum 3 is also mounted in this way at two axial ends. The separator insert II has the rotor units 4b, 5b of the magnetic bearing devices 4, 5. In contrast, the stator units 4a, 5a of the magnetic bearing devices 4, 5 are arranged on the frame I-1.

[0046] The magnetic bearing devices 4, 5 act in the radial and axial directions and preferably hold the rotor 2 in a suspended state in the housing 1 at an axial distance. In this context, the rotor units 4b, 5b can essentially be configured in the manner of an inner ring made of magnets, in particular permanent magnets, and the reusable stator units 4a, 5a can essentially be configured in the manner of an outer ring for use in the axial and radial support (for example, at the top) of the rotor 2 or alternatively for use in the rotational drive (for example, at the bottom).

[0047] Thus, the rotor units 4b and / or 5b form part of the separator drive device and also form part of the rotational system or the rotor. In other words, the rotor of the drive device is thus part of the drum of the centrifuge. Therefore, it is further preferred that one or both of the magnetic bearing devices 4, 5 are further used as a drive device for rotating the rotor 2 together with the drum 3 in the housing 1. In this case, each magnetic bearing device forms a combination of a magnetic bearing and a drive device. The magnetic bearing devices 4, 5 can be configured as axial and / or radial bearings and, during operation, support the drum 3 in cooperation at its ends in the axial and radial directions and hold and rotate it in a suspended state as a whole during operation.

[0048] The magnetic bearing devices 4 and 5 can have the same or substantially the same basic configuration. In particular, only one of the two magnetic bearing devices 4, 5 can be used as a drive device. In this way, the corresponding components of the magnetic bearing devices 4, 5 are formed on the separator insert II - on its rotor 2 - and on other corresponding components on the frame I in each case. One or both of the stator units 4a, 5a can also be electrically connected to the control and power electronics for driving the electromagnetic components of the magnetic bearing device. Each of the magnetic bearing devices 4, 5 can operate, for example, according to a principle that combines the electromagnetic principle and the permanent magnetic principle.

[0049] Preferably, at least the magnetic bearing device 5 acting axially downward maintains the rotor 2 in a state of being axially suspended in the housing 1 by levitation. The magnetic bearing device 5 can have one or more first permanent magnets, for example, on the lower side of the rotor, and further have an electromagnet on a holder on a frame that coaxially surrounds the permanent magnet or magnets. The drive of the rotor is achieved electromagnetically. However, drive via a rotating permanent magnet can also be realized.

[0050] Such bearing devices and drive devices are used, for example, by Levitronix (trademark) for driving a centrifugal pump (European Patent No. 2 273 124). Also, the bearing devices and drive devices can be used within the scope of this specification. For example, the first Levitronix motor "Bottom" (trademark) can be used as a drive device, which simultaneously magnetically supports the drum in the radial and axial directions. Furthermore, a second Levitronix motor (for example, having the same structure except for the control during operation) can be provided as the magnetic bearing device 4, and the rotor 2 can be supported in the radial and axial directions by the head.

[0051] The rotor speed can be variably adjusted with the aid of the control device 37 (see FIGS. 1 or 2) or a separate control device for the magnetic bearing devices 4, 5. Similarly, the direction of rotation of the rotor 2 can be specified and changed in this way.

[0052] During operation, the rotor 2 rotates and is thus held axially in a suspended state and centered radially. The rotor 2, together with the drum 3, is operated at a speed between 1,000 revolutions per minute, preferably between 5,000 - 10,000 revolutions per minute, and in some cases up to 20,000 revolutions per minute. The centrifugal force generated by the rotation separates the suspension to be processed into different phases LP, HP of different fluidities and different densities, as will be described later, and leads to its discharge. The product batches are processed in continuous operation, which means that the phases separated from the suspension are completely discharged from the drum again during operation.

[0053] This makes it very possible to produce separator inserts and housings for separators configured for single use, which is particularly interesting and an advantage for the treatment of pharmaceutical products such as fermentation broth. Because after operating to process the corresponding product batch, preferably after continuous operation during the processing of the product batch, the entire separator insert can be replaced, so there is no need to clean the drum. Optionally, individual elements such as magnets can be recycled appropriately (see also German Published Patent Application 10 2017 128 027).

[0054] The housing 1 is preferably made of plastic or a plastic composite material. The housing 1 can be cylindrical, having a cylindrical outer jacket, at the ends of which two radially extending boundary walls 6, 7 (cover and base) are formed. The drum 3 is used to centrifuge a fluid suspension S in a centrifugal force field into at least two phases LP, HP of different densities, for example a lighter liquid phase and a heavier solid phase or a heavier liquid phase.

[0055] In a preferred configuration, although the axis of rotation D of the rotor 2 and its drum 3 is vertical, the housing 1 and the rotor 2 can have different spatial orientations. The following description refers to the vertical direction shown in FIG. 3. When the spatial direction is different, the arrangement changes according to the new direction. Furthermore, one or both of the outlets to be described can be arranged separately as an option.

[0056] The rotor 2 of the separator with a drum is preferably made entirely or mainly of a plastic material or a plastic composite material. The drum 3 is preferably at least partly of a cylindrical and / or conical configuration. The same applies to the other elements of the rotor 2 and the housing 1 (except for the elements of the magnetic bearing devices 4, 5). The housing 1 is configured like a container and is advantageously sealed, except for some openings / opening regions (described below).

[0057] According to FIGS. 1 and 2, one of the openings is formed here, by way of example, in two axial boundary walls 6, 7 located at the upper and lower parts of the container 1. According to FIGS. 1 and 2, one of the openings - here initially the upper axial boundary wall 6 - enables or serves as a supply opening 8 for supplying a suspension to be separated into at least two phases with different densities - LP and HP - in a centrifugal force field, through the housing 1 to the drum 3. Here, the first phase is the light phase LP and the second phase is denser than the first phase and is the heavy phase HP.

[0058] The second opening - here then the lower axial boundary wall 7 - enables or serves to discharge the second, heavier phase HP directly from the drum 3 through the housing 1. The drum 3 also has openings, each of which is functionally related to an opening of the housing.

[0059] The supply pipe 12 for the suspension to be processed extends into the upper opening 12a at one axial end of the drum 3. This passes through the housing 1, in particular one of its - here axially upper - boundary walls 6. On the outer circumference, the supply pipe 12 is inserted into the housing 1 in a sealed form - for example by welding or adhesion - according to FIG. 1, or optionally is integrally formed with the housing as an injection - molded plastic part. The supply pipe 12 may also be made of plastic. The supply pipe 12 has one end protruding outward from the housing 1 at the upper part and extends axially into the drum 3 through the upper boundary wall 6, but does not touch the drum 3. Thus, the supply pipe 12 is an opening of the housing 1 and is functionally related to the opening 12a of the drum 3.

[0060] According to FIG. 1 (but also FIG. 2), the supply pipe 12 passes concentrically with the rotation axis of the rotor 2 through the housing 1 and one of the magnetic bearings 4, and then extends further axially into the rotatable drum 3 within the housing 1 and terminates at its other end - the free outlet end.

[0061] According to FIGS. 1 and 2, in each case the supply pipe 12 opens into the drum 3 within the distributor 13 which is rotatable together with the drum 3. The distributor 13 has a tubular distributor shaft 14 and a distributor foot part 15. One or more distributor channels 16 are formed within the distributor foot part 15. Here, a stack of separator disks consisting of conical separator disks 17 can be arranged on the distributor 13. The distributor 13 and the separator disk 17 are preferably also made of plastic.

[0062] Furthermore, according to both FIGS. 1 and 2, the first peeling disk 33 serves to discharge the heavier - phase HP of the two phases HP and LP from the drum 3. The peeling disk shaft or the central discharge pipe 34 thereby passes through the second axial boundary wall 7 of the housing 1 (see FIGS. 1 and 2) and forms a further opening of the housing 1. Also, the discharge pipe 34 protrudes downward from the opening 34a at the axial lower part of the drum but does not touch the drum.

[0063] Here, the drum 3, according to a configuration that is possible but not essential, has at least two cylindrical portions 18, 19 of different diameters. Adjacent to these, one or more conical transition regions can be formed on the drum 3. Also, the drum 3 can be made into an overall single or double conical configuration in its central axis direction region on the inside (not shown here).

[0064] As shown in the figure, the drum 3 can have a lower cylindrical portion 20 of a smaller diameter, and the rotor unit 5b of the lower magnetic bearing device is also formed on / within this cylindrical portion. This cylindrical portion merges into a conical portion 20a, and then, here, it has a cylindrical portion 19 of a larger diameter, then a conical portion 18a, and then an upper cylindrical portion 18 of a smaller diameter. The rotor unit 4b of the upper magnetic bearing device 4 is formed on the upper cylindrical portion 18. Regarding the discharge of the lighter phase, the separator inserts in FIGS. 1 and 2 are different from each other.

[0065] According to FIG. 1, the openings (which can be provided on the drum 3 so as to be distributed in the circumferential direction, and several openings can be provided on the drum 3 in each case) serve as the radial or tangential outlet 21 of the lighter phase LP from the drum 3. According to the exemplary embodiment of FIG. 1, the opening of the housing outer jacket then serves as an outlet or as the discharge portion 10 of the lighter phase LP of the product formed during centrifugation and discharged from the drum 3.

[0066] The first outlet 21 on the radius ro of the drum 3 is configured in particular as a "nozzle-shaped" opening in the outer jacket of the drum 3. It is also configured as a so-called "free" outlet from the drum 3. Here, the first outlet 21 serves to discharge the lighter phase LP. This phase leaving the drum 3 is collected in the housing 1 in the capture ring chamber 23 at the upper part of the housing 1. This capture ring chamber 23 is configured such that the phase captured therein is directed towards the discharge part 10 of the capture ring chamber 23. This can be achieved by the discharge part 10 being located at the lowest point of the capture ring chamber 23. The capture ring chamber 23 opens radially inwards towards the rotating drum 3, and the liquid jetting out from each outlet 21 is directed essentially only to the associated capture ring chamber 23 which is at the same axial level during centrifugation and is spaced apart.

[0067] A chamber 25 that has no role in discharging the phase can be optionally formed below the capture ring chamber 23. This chamber 25 can optionally have a leakage discharge part (not shown here). The first capture ring chamber 23 and the chamber 25 are separated from each other by a first wall 26 which is conical in this case and extends inwards and upwards from the outer casing of the housing 1 and terminates radially spaced from the drum in front of the drum 3.

[0068] Preferably, at the lowest point of the capture ring chamber, the product phase LP is discharged from the housing 1 via the discharge part 10. In order to enable easy connection of lines etc., a connector can be provided outside the housing 1 in the region of the discharge part 10. These can then be formed directly in the housing 1 or adhered. This nozzle is also desirably made of plastic. The housing 1 can be composed of several plastic parts that are sealed together, for example, by adhesive bonding or welding.

[0069] According to FIGS. 1 and 2, the first separation disk 33 is provided as an outlet for the heavier phase HP (here the second) from the drum (through the housing 1), which essentially extends radially and merges into a discharge pipe 34 extending axially as the separation disk axis, and the discharge pipe 34 penetrates the lower axial boundary wall 7 of the housing 1. The separation disk 33 has an outer diameter ru. Here, ru > ro applies. Thus, the inlet opening 33a of the separation disk 33 is located on a diameter or radius ru that is larger than the outlet 21 for the lighter phase on the radius ro. Thereby, using the separation disk 33, the heavier phase HP can be discharged from the drum 3 with respect to the lighter phase LP. The separation disk 33 remains stationary during the operation of the separator and is immersed in the heavier phase HP that rotates within the drum 3 together with its outer edge.

[0070] The phase HP is directed inwards through the channels in the separation disk 33. Thus, the separation disk 33 serves to discharge the phase HP like a centrifugal pump. The separation disk 33 can be arranged simply and compactly below the distributor 13 and below the disk stack 17 within the drum 3. The radius ru corresponds to the immersion depth of the separation disk 33.

[0071] One end of the discharge pipe 34 is led downward from the housing 1 to the outside of the drum and is led through the lower boundary wall 7 without touching the drum 3. This discharge pipe 34 can be formed integrally with the housing 1 or inserted into the housing in a sealed state. A hose or the like can be connected to the discharge pipe as a discharge line 35. The discharge pipe passes concentrically with the rotation axis D of the rotor 2 through the housing 1 and the lower magnetic bearing device 5 and then extends further axially into the separation disk 33 within the housing 1.

[0072] A controllable, particularly electrically controllable regulating valve 36 can be provided and inserted into the outlet for the heavier phase HP, particularly the discharge line 35 for the heavier phase HP. By means of the regulating valve 36, it is possible to throttle the volumetric flow rate of the heavy phase HP in the discharge section 35 and increase the immersion depth of the associated separation disk. It is preferably provided with a control device 37. The regulating valve 36 is preferably connected to the control device 37 by a wireless or wired method.

[0073] Furthermore, the control device 37 is configured and provided for controlling the magnetic bearings 4, 5 and the drive device. According to FIG. 2, the light phase LP is also discharged via the separation disk. For this purpose, a second separation disk 22 is provided here in the upper region of the drum 3, and the inlet opening 22a can again be located at a radius ro which is smaller than the radius ru of the inlet of the first - lower - separation disk 33 for the heavier phase.

[0074] The axis of this second separation disk 22 can surround the supply pipe 8 like an annular channel, like the outer discharge pipe 24, and can be tightly connected to the housing 1 instead of the supply pipe 8, or can be integrally formed with the housing 1. Thereby, according to FIG. 2, the discharge pipes 24, 34 of the two separation disks 22, 33 are drawn out from the drum 3 at both ends thereof. The discharge pipes 24, 34 are further led out from the housing 1 at both ends thereof. The discharge pipes 24, 34 may be inserted into the housing 1 in a sealed manner. However, the discharge pipes 24, 34 may also be made integrally with the housing 1 from plastic. Also, the supply pipe 12 may be connected to the separation disk shaft 24 at its upper end. A connecting nozzle 24a in the radial or tangential direction may extend from the separation disk shaft 24. A discharge line 40 for discharging the light phase is connected to the connecting nozzle, which can open, for example, into a bag or a tank. Accordingly, the ends of the pipes 12 and 34 can also be configured as nozzles for connecting hoses, etc. (see FIG. 2, but also see FIG. 1).

[0075] A controllable, especially electrically controllable regulating valve 39 is also provided which is inserted into the discharge line 40 for the light phase LP. By means of the regulating valve 39, the volume flow rate of the light phase LP can be varied, especially throttled somewhat, and thus the immersion depth of the second separating disk 22 can be varied. The regulating valve 39 is also connected to the control device 37 either wirelessly or by cable and can be controlled by the control device 37.

[0076] Each separating disk 22, 33 is provided in each case with a plurality of channels, for example one to six, which are stationary during operation and form a kind of centrifugal pump. Each separating disk 22 or 33 is immersed with its outer edge in the rotating phase LP or HP within the separator. Through the channels in the separating disk, the respective phases LP, HP are directed inwards and the rotational speed of the respective phases LP, HP is converted into pressure. In this way, each separating disk 22, 33 serves as a discharge pump for the respective phases LP, HP. The separating disks operate as centrifugal pumps respectively. The separating disks are made of plastic.

[0077] Theoretically, a third separating disk can also be provided and used to direct a further phase. Below, the operation of the separator in FIG. 1 and the separator in FIG. 2 will be briefly described.

[0078] First, each separator with reusable parts is provided. The reusable parts include the frame I and the drive and stator units 4a, 5a of the magnetic bearing device. This also includes the control device 37. Subsequently, the separator insert II is deployed and attached to the frame I. The stator units 4a, 5a, 5a must be removed from the separator. For this purpose, only the stator units 4a and 5a need to be detached. Next, the separator insert is actively inserted and the stator units are moved towards each other. Thereby, the housing is safely held against rotation. Incidentally, a hose is connected to the nozzle, which opens into a tank or a bag. Thus, each separator insert of FIGS. 1 and 2 can preferably also have a hose and a nozzle connectable to further lines (not shown here), similar to containers such as bags, tanks, pumps, etc.

[0079] After connecting pipes, hoses, etc., the suspension is supplied to the rotating drum (supply opening 8), where it is centrifuged into the lighter phase LP and the heavier phase HP. The heavier phase HP with a greater density flows radially outwards within the drum 3 in the separation chamber. There, the phase exits the drum at a radius ro through the channels of the stationary separation disk 33.

[0080] The lighter phase LP flows radially inwards within the drum 3 in the separation chamber and rises upwards through the channel 38 on the shaft of the distributor. There, the phase LP exits the drum at a radius ro, as shown in FIGS. 1 and 2. The regulating valves 36, 39 are used to influence the separation process in a simple way. As a result, optimization of the separation process is achieved.

[0081] The main use of the separator according to the invention is cell separation in the pharmaceutical industry. The performance range is intended for the processing of broth from fermenters in the range of 100 L to 4000 L and for laboratory use. Other industrial fields where the separator is used are also conceivable, namely, chemistry, pharmaceuticals, dairy technology, renewable raw materials, oil and gas, beverage technology, mineral oil, etc.

[0082] The separator shown enables the manufacture of separator inserts where all components in contact with the product are made of plastic or other non-magnetic materials and can be discarded after single use or fed into a recycling process. Therefore, post-use cleaning is not required. Thus, the separator and its operation can be realized at low cost.

[0083] Figure 5 shows a variant of the separator insert II of Figure 4 in a variant of the second embodiment, where the same features have similar reference signs. The special feature of this variant of the second embodiment is that the interlocking element 41b and the corresponding interlocking element 41a provided on the frame I are present only on one side between the frame I of the separator insert II and the housing, thereby enabling axial and torsional locking of the frame I of the separator insert II. In particular, this reduces the structural complexity.

Explanation of Reference Signs

[0084] List of symbols Frame I Control Panel I-1 Carriage I-2 Roller I-3 Holders I-4, I-5 Separator Insert II Housing 1 Rotor 2 Drum 3 Magnetic Bearing Devices 4, 5 Stator Units 4a, 5a Rotor Units 4b, 5b Radial Boundary Walls 6, 7 Supply Opening 8 Discharge Port 10 Water Supply Pipe 12 Opening 12a Distributor 13 Distributor Shaft 14 Distributor Foot 15 Distributor Channel 16 Separator disk 17 Cylindrical parts 18, 19, 20 Conical parts 18a, 20a Outlet 21 Peeling disk 22 Inlet opening 22a Capture ring chamber 23 Discharge pipe 24 Connection nozzle 24a Chamber 25 Conical wall 26 Peeling disk 33 Inlet opening 33a Discharge pipe 34 Opening 34a Discharge line 35 Regulating valve 36 Control device 37 Channel 38 Regulating valve 39 Discharge line 40 Interlocking element 41 Pin 41a Recess 41b Interlocking element 42 Rotation axis D Suspension S Phases LP, HP Radii ro, ru

Claims

1. A separator insert for a separator configured to separate a fluid suspension (S) in a centrifugal force field into at least two fluid phases (LP, HP) of different densities, a) a housing (1) configured like a closed container, except for a plurality of openings, which is stationary during operation, and these openings are formed as at least one supply opening (8) on the first axial boundary wall (6) of the housing (1) for the inflowing suspension, and for the discharge parts (10, 34) of each fluid phase (LP, HP) of different densities, are formed as two openings in the outer casing of the housing (1) and the second axial boundary wall (7) of the housing, or for the discharge parts (24, 34) of each fluid phase (LP, HP) of different densities, are formed as two openings each in the first and second axial boundary walls (6, 7) of the housing (1); b) a rotor having a drum (3) disposed within the housing (1) and capable of rotating about a rotation axis (D) and having openings; c) a supply pipe (12) that does not rotate during operation and supplies the suspension to be processed into the drum (3) extends into one of the openings (12a) of the drum (3) at the first end of the two axial ends, does not contact the drum (3), and at least one outlet for the first fluid phase from the drum (3) is formed as a peeling disk (33), which does not rotate during operation and has a discharge pipe (34) led out from the drum (3) at the second axial end on the opposite side of the drum (3); d) separation means are disposed on the drum (3); e) at least two rotor units (4b, 5b) for a magnetic bearing device (4, 5) are disposed at two axially spaced positions of the rotor (2) provided with the drum (3), and by means of these rotor units, the rotor (2) provided with the drum (3) can be held in a suspended state, rotatably mounted, and rotated within the housing during operation. A separator insert characterized by this.

2. The separator insert according to claim 1, wherein a further opening of the drum (3) is configured as a free radial outlet (21) for the second fluid phase from the drum (3) to the housing (1), and the second fluid phase is discharged from the outlet (21).

3. The open outlet (21) is associated with the capture ring chamber (23) of the housing (1), and the capture ring chamber (23) has a discharge part (10) from the housing. The separator insert according to claim 2.

4. The separator insert according to claim 1, comprising a second peeling disk (22).

5. The second peeling disk (22) comprises a peeling disk shaft (24) like a discharge pipe. The peeling disk shaft (24) is formed coaxially with the supply pipe (12), exits from the drum coaxially with the supply pipe (12), and is guided to pass through the opening (12a) of the first axial boundary wall (6) of the housing (1). The separator insert according to claim 4.

6. A regulating valve (36) is connected to the downstream side of the flow side of the first peeling disk (33). The separator insert according to any one of claims 1 to 5.

7. A regulating valve (39) is connected to the downstream side of the flow side of the second peeling disk (22). The separator insert according to any one of claims 4 to 6.

8. The separator insert (II) forms a pre-assembled replaceable unit for insertion into the frame (I) of the separator. The separator insert according to any one of claims 1 to 7.

9. The housing (1) and the drum (3) are made entirely or mainly of plastic or plastic composite material. The separator insert according to claim 1 or 2.

10. The rotor units (4b, 5b) for the magnetic bearing devices (4, 5) are arranged at two axial ends of the drum (3), and the supply pipe (12) and the discharge pipe (34) respectively pass through one of the two rotor units (4b, 5b) axially. The separator insert according to any one of claims 1 to 9.

11. One or both of the magnetic bearing devices (4, 5) can also be used for the rotation and speed adjustment of the drum. Also, one or both of the magnetic bearing devices (4, 5) act in the radial and axial directions to maintain the rotor (2) in a suspended state inside the drum (3) and at a distance from the drum (3) during operation. The separator insert according to any one of claims 1 to 10.

12. A stack of separator disks (17) is inserted into a drum (3) as separating means, and a first peeling disk (33) is arranged below a distributor (14) and below the disk stack (17) within the drum (3), the separator insert according to any one of claims 1 to 11.

13. All components are assembled into a pre-assembled unit, wherein all components in contact with the product are made of plastic or other non-magnetic materials, the separator insert according to any one of claims 1 to 12.

14. A supply pipe (12) and a discharge part or discharge pipe protrude outward from the housing (1) in the form of nozzles, and these nozzles are sealed and connected to the housing (1) or are integrally formed with the housing (1), the separator insert according to any one of claims 1 to 13.

15. The housing is in a sealed configuration except for the openings of the supply pipe (12) and the discharge pipe, the separator insert according to any one of claims 1 to 14.

16. A separator comprising a frame (I) and a separator insert (II) according to any one of claims 1 to 15, which is removably arranged on the frame.

17. Spacers (I-4, I-5) are formed together with the stator units (4a, 5a) of the magnetic bearing devices (4, 5), and the separator insert (II) is inserted between the spacers (I-4, I-5) in a non-rotatable and removable manner, the separator according to claim 16.

18. The relative distance between the spacers (I-4 and I-5) and the stator units (4a, 5a) of the magnetic bearing devices (4, 5) is adjustable for replacing the separator insert (II), the separator according to claim 17.

19. The housing (1) of the separator insert (II) is attached to the frame (I) in a non-rotatable manner by form-fitting and / or press-fitting, the separator according to claim 16, 17 or 18.

20. The housing (1) and at least one spacer (I-4, I-5) have corresponding interlocking elements for holding the housing (1) non-rotatably on the spacer, the separator according to claim 19.

21. The separator according to claim 20, having interlocking elements (41a, 41b) corresponding to only the housing (1) and one holder (I-5), and holding the housing (1) so as not to rotate on the holder (I-5).

22. The separator according to claim 20, characterized in that the housing (1) and the holders (I-4 and I-5) have corresponding interlocking elements (41a, 41b, 42) for holding the housing (1) so as not to rotate on the holders.

23. The separator according to any one of claims 16 to 22, comprising a control device (37) connected to at least one or more regulating valves (36, 39).

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