Described herein is a continuous-flow centrifuge (CFC) which may be embodied in an automated system for collecting and separating whole blood into its components. The collection and separation system includes a console and a disposable set. Various blood processing procedures which produce specific blood products may be implemented by using a specific disposable set for each process. The disposable set may include a manifold, a CFC, and various components attached by tubing. These components may include one or more solution bags, blood product bags, bacterial filters, leukofilters, and a donor blood collection tube with access needle. The manifold and CFC disk may be included in a cassette that mounts onto the front panel of the console. The console may contain valve actuators, pressure transducers, ultrasonic sensors, a roller pump assembly, a CFC drive system, optical sensors, electronics, software, user interface components, a bar code reader and data acquisition components.