Disposable Plastic Separator Insert for Hygienic Lab Centrifugation
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing centrifugal separators require complex and costly cleaning processes, and are not suitable for laboratory settings due to their large size and need for steam sterilization.
Innovation Solution
A disposable separator insert made of plastic, designed for easy exchange and disposal, which includes a rotatable drum and a stationary housing with integrated magnetic bearing devices for contact-free operation.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If a separator is designed for steam sterilization and cleaning, then hygiene and reliability are improved, but the complexity of operation and time required for cleaning increase
Solution Approach 1:
The separator insert is designed as a disposable component made of plastic that can be discarded after use, eliminating the need for complex cleaning and sterilization processes. This resolves the contradiction by sacrificing the reusability of the insert while maintaining hygiene through single-use design.
Solution Approach 2:
The separator is divided into a reusable housing and a disposable insert. This segmentation allows the housing to be retained and reused while the insert is discarded, simplifying the overall system operation by separating components with different lifecycle requirements.
2Reliability
If a separator is designed as a complete unit, then reliability is improved, but the ease of replacement and disposal of contaminated parts worsens
Solution Approach 1:
The separator is segmented into a reusable housing and a disposable insert containing all product-contacting components. This allows the insert to be quickly removed and replaced as a single unit, improving ease of replacement while maintaining the reliability of the overall separator system.
3Ease of operation
If magnetic bearing devices are used for contact-free coupling, then ease of replacement is improved, but the device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The magnetic bearing devices are integrated into the disposable separator insert, allowing the entire magnetic bearing system to be discarded with the insert. This resolves the contradiction by eliminating the need for complex maintenance and replacement of magnetic bearings, as the entire assembly is replaced as a single disposable unit.
Applied Scientific Principles
This section explains which scientific principles are used to turn an abstract innovation direction into a practical engineering solution.
Function Achieved in This Case
The solution allows for simplified and contamination-free processing of products, reducing cross-contamination risks and eliminating the need for steam sterilization, making it particularly suitable for laboratory use.
Implementation Method 1
at least two rotor units for magnetic bearing devices at two axially spaced locations of the rotor with the drum, with which the rotor with the drum can be held in suspension during operation
Implementation Method 2
a separator insert for separating a flowable suspension in a centrifugal field into phases of different densities
Data Source
AI summary
A method for operating a separator for reducing cross-contaminations when processing products involves providing a separator insert on a frame or in a housing of the separator as a preassembled, exchangeable unit for insertion in stator units. The separator unit includes at least a rotor which is rotatable about an axis of rotation and has a drum and a drum wall, a separating means arranged in the drum, and at least one product feed line and two product discharge lines, the regions of the separator insert that come into contact with the product are partially or completely made of plastics material. A starting product to be separated is introduced into the separator. A first and a second product flow separated from the product mixture are discharged out of the separator through the two separate product discharge lines during a separation operation of the separator. The separation operation is stopped and residual liquid remaining in the drum is drained. The emptied contaminated separator insert is exchanged from the frame or housing of the separator for an unused separator insert.