Westfalia Separator Ag

Willi Ostkamp

Karlheinz Brunner

Theodor Paschedag

Friedrich Wibbelt

Solid-bowl centrifuge with continuously variable liquid level

A continuous, completely jacketed countercurrent centrifugal extractor of the type utilized to mix and separate two liquids that have different specific gravities and enter through separate inlets. The extractor has at least one overflow weir in a mixing zone between the inlet for the specifically lighter and the inlet for the specifically heavier liquid phase and a division of the mixing zone into mixing-and-separation compartments. Access channels empty into the vicinity of the inner surface of a drum jacket and into that of the heavier phase, to conduct the lighter phase out of the compartment inside the hub of a conveyor worm into the initial mixing-and-separation compartment. One or more overflow channels also empty into the vicinity of the heavier phase, in the overflow weir to divert the lighter phase separated in the initial mixing-and-separation compartment into another and subsequent mixing-and-separation compartment. The design creates several highly efficient contact points in the vicinity of the mixing zone that enhance the extracting action.

Continuous, completely jacketed, countercurrent centrifugal extractor

Centrifuge for separation of a mixture of solid particles, a specifically heavier liquid, and a specifically lighter liquid into the three component parts, having a conveyor helix 3 for moving the solid particles to one end of the drum 1, and, at the other end of the drum, a paring system, i.e. a centripetal pump 18, for removing one of the liquids under pressure and a catchment 24 for the removal of the other liquid without pressure. In order to permit removal of either the heavier phase (FIG. 1) or the lighter phase (FIG. 2) by the paring system a separating disk 6, 7 is disposed adjacent each end of the drum. The separator disks project radially outwardly from the helix and extend through the lighter liquid and partially through the heavier liquid. Each disk is provided with a closable opening at the level of the zone of separation. A weir for the overflow of liquid to go to the catchment 24 is provided by a conduit 21 having an open end disposed adjacent the solids discharge end of the drum. In operation, the opening in one of the separating disks is closed while the other is left open, and, depending on which disk has the closed opening, the heavier liquid or the lighter liquid goes to the paring system. The weir 20 of the paring system is replaceable.

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Oelde, Germany

Willi Ostkamp