Centrifugal pressurized separators and methods of controlling same

Abstract

A solid-liquid/liquid-liquid separator includes a vessel having a peripheral wall bounding a chamber. The chamber communicates with an inlet port and an outlet port. The vessel is rotatable about a rotational axis extending through the vessel. Disposed within the chamber are a plurality of fins. Each of the fins radially outwardly projecting from the rotational axis in substantially parallel alignment with the rotational axis. The fins interact with the peripheral wall to form a plurality of discrete flow channels that longitudinally extend through the vessel. An exit tube is disposed along a portion of the rotational axis of the vessel. The exit tube has a first end disposed within the chamber and an opposing second end in fluid communication with the exterior of vessel. A plurality of extraction tubes radially outwardly projecting from the rotational axis within the chamber. The extraction tubes have a first end in fluid communication with the exit tube and an opposing second end disposed a distance from the peripheral wall. A solid-liquid or liquid-liquid mixture is fed into the rotating pressure vessel and the elements thereof are separate by centrifugal force. Overflow material exits through the outlet port. Underflow material is drawn into the extraction tubes and exits the vessel through the exit tube.