US3333765A

US3333765A - Centrifuge for separating solids from liquids

Info

Publication number: US3333765A
Application number: US374652A
Authority: US
Inventors: Maurer Oscar
Original assignee: TURBO SEPARATOR AG
Current assignee: TURBO SEPARATOR AG
Priority date: 1963-06-25
Filing date: 1964-06-12
Publication date: 1967-08-01
Anticipated expiration: 1984-08-01
Also published as: CH412719A; DE1970487U; GB1054197A

Description

Aug. 1, 1967 o. MAURER 3,333,765

CENTRIFUGE FOR SEPARATING SOLIDS FROM LIQUIDS Filed June 12, 1964 2 Sheets-Sheet 1 Fig. 1

AWE TOE Use/1R M UREA o. MAURER 3,33

CENTRIFUGE FOR SEPARATING SQLIDS FROM LIQUIDS Aug. 1, 1 967 2 Sheets-Sheet 2 Filed June 12, 1964 m mm m T .w. m :T k M M R m s O m? w United States Patent 3,333,765 CENTRIFUGE FOR SEPARATING SOLIDS FROM LIQUIDS Oscar Maurer, Wattwil, Saint Gall, Switzerland, assignor t0 Turbo-Separator Ag, Wattwil, Switzerland, a corporation of Switzerland Filed June 12, 1964, Ser. No. 374,652 Claims priority, application Switzerland, June 25, 1963, 7,863/63 3 Claims. (Cl. 233-22) The present invention relates to an improved centrifuge for separating solids from liquids in which a liquid film is formed in a centrifugal drum to which liquid is continuously delivered and skimmed or removed from the inner circumference thereof.

It has been seen that with such type centrifuges a greater eificiency of the centrifuge can be obtained by virtue of such liquid removal. Previously, a stationarily arranged removal device was employed for the skimming or removal operation. If, during the course of operation of the centrifuge, a certain quantity of solids has been separated at the outer circumference of the liquid film in the centrifugal drum, then in order to remove the same the centrifuge must be brought to standstill and disassembled; this of course resulting in longer interruptions in operation and being complicated.

This disadvantage is overcome with the centrifuge of the present invention in that at least one removal device is constructed to be displaceable in the radial direction with respect to the liquid film, so that during the rotation of the centrifugal drum there can be optionally withdrawn from the latter clarified liquid and separated solids. In order to remove the separated solids, in this instance, the centrifuge must not be brought to standstill and disassembled, and therefore an economical operation is possible.

Accordingly, a primary object of the present invention relates to the provision of an improved centrifuge capable of continuous operation.

A further extremely important object of the present invention has reference to the provision of an improved centrifuge constructed in such a manner that the purified liquid and separated solids can be removed from the centrifuge without bringing the latter to a standstill.

Another noteworthy object of the present invention concerns providing an improved centrifuge which is relatively simple in construction, economical to manufacture, easy to operate and service, and capable of operating in an eflicient manner.

Other features, objects and advantages of the invention will become apparent by reference to the following detailed description and drawings in which:

FIGURE 1 is a vertical sectional view taken through a first embodiment of inventive centrifuge;

FIGURE 2 is a schematic, partially horizontal sectional view of the apparatus of FIGURE 1;

FIGURE 2a is a side view of the apparatus of FIG- URE 2; and

FIGURE 3 is a vertical sectional view of a portion of a further embodiment of inventive centrifuge.

Describing now the drawings, in the embodiment depicted in FIGURE 1 an electric drive motor 2 is arranged upon a base plate 1. The drive motor 2 drives a belt pulley 4 through the agency of a V-belt drive 3.

This belt pulley 4 is secured to the lower end of a journal box or bushing 5 rotatably mounted by means of roller bearings 6 upon a journal pin or shaft 7 connected to the base plate 1 through the intermediary of a nut 8. A cover member 9 is located at the upper end of the bushing 5, to which is detachably secured a centrifugal drum 12 by means of a screwed nut 10 and ring 11. Stabilizing vanes or impellers 14 are connected to the floor of the centrifugal drum 12 by means of screws 13 or equivalent fastening expedients. Also, a separating ring 15 is mounted to such stabilizing impellers or vanes 14 in the region of the floor of the aforesaid centrifugal drum 12. A cover member 16 is applied to the centrifugal drum 12 and connected thereto via screw 17.

In a housing 18 of the centrifuge there is provided a ring channel or compartment 19 extending about the upper region of the centrifugal drum 12 and in which there is collected the cleaned or purified liquid leaving the aforesaid drum 12, this liquid flowing out through an outlet connection or nipple 20. A stepped or offset delivery tube or pipe 22 extending into the centrifugal drum 12 is mounted to a cover member 21 of the centrifuge housing 18. The delivery tube 22 is provided with an infeed or supply nozzle or pipe 23 for the liquid to be purified. Furthermore, retaining or support rings 24 and 25 are provided at the cover member 21 of the housing 18 in which two skimming tubes or pipe bends 26 and 27 respectively, are rockably or pivotably mounted. Nozzles 28 and 29 are provided at the respective ends of the tube bends 26 and 27 extending into the centrifugal drum 12. As can be seen, the stabilizing vanes or impellers 14 are shortened or interrupted in the region of the bends 26 and 27 and nozzles 28 and 29 respectively, in order to be able to displace such nozzles up to the wall or jacket 12a of the centrifugal drum 12.

Actuating arm means 30 and 31 are operably connected with the tube bends 26 and 27 respectively. These actuating arm means 30 and 31 work together with stop brackets or

guards

32 and 33 respectively, with the bracket 32 further possessing a stop or impact latch or pawl 34 (FIG- URE 2) for retaining the actuating arm means 30 in its normal position. A transparent pipe or conduit 35 is connected at one end to the tube bend 26, the other end of which is connected with a throughpassage socket or nipple 36 provided at the cover member 21. A conduit or line 37 extends from the throughpassage nipple 36 into the ring channel 19 and to its outlet connection 20. Additionally, a conduit 38 is connected to the tube bend 27 through which is removed the sediment or sludge containing the separated solids.

During normal operation of the centrifuge both of the pivotable tube means or bends 26 and 27 are located in the solid or full-time position depicted in FIGURE 2. The liquid to be purified is continuously delivered through the inlet nozzle 23 and arrives beneath the separating ring 15 in the centrifugal drum 12 in which a liquid or fluid ring or film forms at the inner surface of the wall 12a of the aforesaid drum 12. It will be appreciated that the solids collect at the outer circumference of the liquid ring, whereas purified liquid remains at the inner circumference thereof. In FIGURE 2 the liquid ring is assumed to rotate in clockwise direction so that purified liquid at the inner circumference thereof is pressed into the nozzle 28 associated with the tube bend 26. This liquid 3 is conducted to the discharge or outlet connection 20 by means of the tube bend 26 and the

conduits

35 and 37.

If, after longer operation, there has been formed an external sludge or sediment layer from the separated solids at the liquid ring, then the infeed of liquid into the centrifuge is interrupted and the tube bend 26 is gradually displaced towards the outside from the full-line position depicted in FIGURE 2, whereby the liquid film becomes thinner. If the liquid flowing through the transparent pipe or conduit 35 discolors, which can be easily ascertained by visual observation, then such indicates that only sediment is still located in the drum 12. Consequently, the tube bend 26 is then pivotably returned into its innermost position, generally indicated at 26a in FIGURE 2, so that no sediment can flow out through the discharge connection 20. On the other hand, the tube bend 27 is now rocked towards the outside, as indicated at 27a in FIGURE 2, so that the sludge or sediment containing the separated solids is pressed into the nozzle 29 and removed by means of the tube bend 27 and the conduit 38. When the tube bend 27 has been completely rocked or pivoted towards the outside then the nozzle 29 is located at the inner surface of the wall of the drum 12, and practically all sediment, with the exception of a thin layer remaining at the inner wall 12a, is withdrawn from the drum 12. Now, both of the tube bends 26 and 27 are again displaced via their actuating arm means into the illustrated full-line position, and liquid to be purified is again delivered through the inlet nozzle 23, so that the normal operation continues.

The embodiment according to FIGURE v3 differs from that disclosed in FIGURE 1 in that, the centrifuge in this instance exhibits a conical centrifugal drum 39 which widens towards its upper end or top, in lieu of the cylindrical drum 12. Furthermore, in this embodiment there is provided a single pivotal skimming tube means or bend 40 having a nozzle 41 instead of the pair of tube bends 26 and 27 provided with the nozzles 28 and 29 respectively. The tube bend 40 is likewise pivotably mounted and positionable through the agency of an associated actuating arm means 42. A reversing element 43 which is advantageously constructed as a three-way tap or selector valve is operatively connected to the tube bend 40. A transparent conduit or pipe 44 leads from the reversing element 43 to a throughpassage socket 45, and from this location a conduit 46 extends to the discharge or outlet connection 20. Additionally, a conduit or pipe 47 extends from the reversing element 43 to a suitable non-illustrated sediment or sludge container.

During normal operation the tube bend 40 is adjusted to a position corresponding to the solid line position of the tube bend 26 depicted in FIGURE 2. Liquid which is to be purified is continuously delivered to the centrifuge and at the inner surface of the wall39a of the centrifugal drum 39 there appears a liquid ring, from the inner circumference of which purified liquid is continuously withdrawn into the nozzle 41, this liquid then being conducted to the discharge connection 20 via the tube bend 40 and the conduits 44 and 46. When a larger quantity of sludge or sediment has formed at the outer region of the liquid ring, the liquid infeed is shut-oil and the tube bend 40 gradually rocked towards the outside. In so doing there is initially still removed pun'fied or cleaned liquid. As soon as the escaping liquid contains separated solids such can be observed through the transparent eonduit 44 by virtue of its changing color. Then, the reversing element 43 must be reversed or actuated in such a manner that the remaining sludge or sediment is removed through the conduit 47.

In FIGURE 3, the tube bend 40 is depicted in its outermost position in which the nozzle 41 is located at the region of the inner side or surface of the wall 39a of the drum 3% at its widened upper end. As should be appreciated, all of the sludge can be passed out of the centrigal drum 39 due to the conical configuration of the wall 390! of such drum. As soon as such occurs, the tube bend 40 is again returned back into its normal operating position, the reversing element 43 again reversed, and liquid to be cleaned is again infed, so that the normal operation continues.

In order to obtain an automatic operation of the cen trifuge a time-control unit or time switch 50 (FIGURE 1) or 51 (FIGURE 2) can be employed. In the embodiment according to FIGURES l and 2 the time switch 50 controls delivery of liquid to be clarified and adjusts the tube bends 26, 27 of the removal apparatus. With the embodiment according to FIGURE 3, the time switch 51 likewise controls liquid infeed, adjusts the-tube bend 40 and, in addition thereto, reverses or controls the reversing element 43.

While there are shown and described present preferred embodiments of the invention it is to be distinctly understood that the invention is not limited thereto but may be otherwise variously embodied and practiced within the scope of the following claims.

What is claimed is:

1. Centrifuge for the separation of solids from liquids, including: a drum having a bottom and an upstanding side; means substantially vertically mounting said drum for rotation about its axis; a motor drivingly connected to said drum for rotating said drum; at least one skimming tube, said tube including a horizontal end length located within the drum and near the top thereof and having a mouth; means adjacent said drum mounting said tube for movement of said horizontal length through a horizontal are; a lever connected to said tube for arcuately moving said horizontal length; a stop rigidly mounted adjacent said drum for limiting the arcuate movement at one end thereof; a transparent pipe section connected to said tube; at least one eduction conduit connected to said pipe section for removal of material from the skimming tube; a plurality of vertical stabilizing vanes rigidly mounted on said drum bottom; a vertical feed pipe located centrally of andextending into said drum, the discharge opening of said feed pipe being near and spaced from said drum bottom; a horizontal ring mounted on said vanes and in the vicinity of said discharge opening; and the arcuate movement of said horizontal length permi-tting movement of said month between a first position neighboring said feed pipe and a second position spaced therefrom, which second position is determined by said stop.

2. The centrifuge according to claim 1, including a second skimming tube, said tube including a horizontal end length located within the drum and near the top thereof and having a mouth; means adjacent said drum mounting said tube for movement of said horizontal length through a horizontal are; a lever connected to said tube for arcuately moving said horizontal length; a stop rigidly mounted adjacent said drum for limiting the arcuate movement at one end thereof; an eduction conduit connected to said second skimming tube for removal of material from the skimming tube; and the arcuate movement of said horizontal length permitting movement of said month between a first position neighboring said feed pipe and a second position spaced therefrom, which second position is determined by said stop; said second position of one of the two skimming pipes neighboring the drum side for removing solids and of the other being located intermediate said drum side and said feed pipe, for removing liquid; said other skimming pipe being connected to said transparent pipe section; and including means for releasably keeping the mouth of said other skimming pipe in a position intermediate said first and second positions thereof.

3. The centrifuge according to claim 1, wherein said second position neighbors the drum side; and including 5 6 two eduction conduits, one of which is connected through 2,431,142 11/1947 Schutte 23322 X said transparent pipe section to said skimming pipe; and 2,542,456 2/ 1951 Ayres 23319 a valve in said one conduit for selectively connecting 3 09 2 3 7 19 3 i 233 2 said skimming tube to the one or the other conduit.

5 FOREIGN PATENTS References Cited 924,143 3/1947 France.

UNITED STATES PATENTS 349,106 9/1886 Koelkebeck. M. CARY NELSON, Przmary Exammer. 981,681 1/1911 Peck 233 22 X HENRY T. KLINKSIEK, Examiner. 2,242,713 5/1941 Tholl 23322 10

Claims

1. CENTRIFUGE FOR THE SEPARATION OF SOLIDS FROM LIQUIDS, INCLUDING: A DRUM HAVING A BOTTOM AND AN UPSTANDING SIDE; MEANS SUBSTANTIALLY VERTICALLY MOUNTING SAID DRUM FOR ROTATION ABOUT ITS AXIS; A MOTOR DRIVINGLY CONNECTED TO SAID DRUM FOR ROTATING SAID DRUM; AT LEAST ONE SKIMMING TUBE, SAID INCLUDING A HORIZONTAL LENGTH THROUGH A LOCATED WITHIN THE DRUM AND NEAR TOP THEREOF AND HAVING A MOUTH; MEANS ADJACENT SAID DRUM MOUNTING SAID TUBE FOR MOVEMENT OF SAID HORIZONTAL LENGTH THROUGH A HORIZONTAL ARC; A LEVER CONNECTED TO SAID TUBE FOR ARCUATELY MOVING SAID HORIZONTAL LENGTH; A STOP RIGIDLY MOUNTED ADJACENT SAID DRUM FOR LIMITING THE ARCUATE MOVEMENT AT ONE END THEREOF; A TRANSPARENT PIPE SECTON CONNECTED TO SAID TUBE; AT LEAST ONE EDUCATION CONDUIT CONNECTED TO SAID PIPE SECTION FOR REMOVAL MATERIAL FROM THE SKIMMING TUBE; A PLURALITY OF VERTICAL STABILIZING VANES RIGIDLY MOUNTED ON SAID DRUM BOTTOM; A VERTICAL FEED PIPE LOCATED CENTRALLY OF AND EXTENDING INTO SAID DRUM, THE DISCHARGE OPENING OF SAID FEED PIPE BEING NEAR AND SPACED FROM SAID DRUM BOTTOM; A HORIZONTAL RING MOUNTED ON SAID VANES AND IN THE VICINITY OF SAID DISCHARGE OPENING; AND THE ARCUATE MOVEMENT OF SAID HORIZONTAL LENGTH PER-