GB1328683A - Centrifugal separator - Google Patents

Abstract

1328683 Centrifugal separators GLACIER METAL CO Ltd 6 Jan 1972 [9 Oct 1970] 48052/70 Heading B2P A centrifugal fluid separator comprises a hollow rotor 2 having an inlet 4 for a mixture of fluids of different densities to be separated, at least one drive nozzle 12 for driving the rotor by reaction from fluid emitted from the nozzle, and an outlet 17 for the denser fluid and an outlet 15 for the less dense fluid. The rotor 2 may rotate with or about a spindle 3 and has two chambers 5, 7 separated by a wall 6 having a passage 8 therein. Heavier fluid still containing some light fluid is discharged under pressure through a pair of drive nozzles such as 12 into a housing 1 and thence through a pipe 10. Lighter fluid containing some heavier fluid passes from the chamber 5 through the passage 8 into the chamber 7 from which the lighter fluid is discharged via the outlet 15 which communicates with a pipe 14 extending through the spindle 3. The remainder of the heavier fluid is discharged from the chamber 7 via an adjustable passage 17 and a pipe through the spindle 3 parallel to the pipe 14. The passage 17 is formed between the top of the rotor 2 and a disc 18 and its width may be adjusted by means of a screw, as shown, or, automatically or continuously according to the throughput of the heavier fluid, by means not shown. A spring-biassed member 25 may control a variable thickness passage which controls the rate at which the light fluid escapes from the rotor. Alternatively, a manually operated valve may be used to tap off oil intermittently. In a modification, Fig. 2 (not shown), the heavier fluid fraction leaving through the passage (17) is passed back along a duct (25) positioned along the top face of the rotor 2 and extending into the upper portion of the annular space between the rotor and the housing, this heavier fluid fraction being discharged with the bulk of the heavier fluid through pipe 10. In a further modification, Fig. 3 (not shown) the disc (18) is dispensed with and the heavier fluid fraction is discharged through nozzles (27) adjacent the upper corner of the rotor into the annular space between the rotor and the housing. The separator may be used to separate a small amount of oil from a large amount of water or small quantities of oil from water.