Amoco Corporation

Vikram J Desai

John W Caldwell

Alan G Letki

Centrifugal apparatus for the continuous separation of solids-liquid mixtures and the internal washing of separated solids is provided with one or more conduits to deliver washing liquid into centrifugally sedimented solids tumbling and suspending these solids in washing liquid. A distal end of each wash conduit is positioned in close proximity to the inner surface of the centrifuge bowl near the conveyor blade which is adapted to contact the solids upon separation and propel separated solids toward the solids discharge port. The invention includes centrifugal apparatus provided with plurality of cutting tools such as knife blades adapted to cut and separate the sedimented solids. In another aspect of the invention centrifugal apparatus is provided with one or more dip weirs dividing the centrifugally separated liquid pool in the bowl into axially adjacent zones with suitable a passageway for transfer of liquids and solids between adjacent zones. In another aspect of the invention at least a portion of the leading surface of the conveyor blade is provided with an arcuate surface portion adjacent to the distal edge thereof of defined concavity in the leading surface and shape adapted to contact the sedimented solids and tumbling them in washing liquid. This invention provides improved separation of mother liquor from discharged solids and/or reduction of washing liquid required to achieve desired purity of recovered solid product.

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Naperville, IL, United States of America

Vikram J Desai