Improvements in clarifiers and separators

摘要

999,023. Gravity-separation apparatus. J. DIAZ-COMPAIN. April 3, 1963, No. 13201/63. Heading BID. Apparatus for liquid clarification comprises a plurality of compartments having at least one inlet and clarified liquid withdrawal means in each, a mud collection section and a vertical rotatable tubular element passing centrally through the compartments, the element having its interior divided into vertical channels for mud removal, and each of the channels being in communication with a separate mud discharge conduit. As shown, the feed enters through valves 4 into each compartment from a headtank 2 via lines 3 and 31. Alternatively, feed may enter the centre of the compartment via inlet means 331 as in compartment IV of the Figure. Baffles 8 may be positioned vertically in the compartments to increase separation of liquid and mud, the separated liquid being drawn off by pipes 6 and 7 leading to an overflow box 71; the mud, after being raked with rakes 5 attached to a central tubular element 11, settles in a central frusto-conical portion 30 whence it is removed. The tubular element 11 has an upper shaft extension 10 attached to a driving gear 9 and is supported by a ball bearing 91 on a pedestal 911. The interior of the element is divided into a number of vertical channels which are provided with mud intake gateways 12-15 communicating with the mud collection sections. Each of the channels passes the mud to a stationary discharge manifold 111 from which the mud is discharged via conduits 17-20 (one for each channel). The tubular element 11 comprises two sections; the lower section below X-X on Fig. 1 has a central shaft 24 with bolt 27 serving to connect the two sections by holding cover 28 and parts 22 and 23 on to shaft 24. Another embodiment, Fig. 4 (not shown), involves the concept of both introducing the liquid feed centrally and removing the mud centrally to provide a counter-current flow of liquid and mud. All the feed enters inlet 3a and collects in the upper chamber. Near the bottom of this chamber are a number of inlets 7a-7d. The feed passes down the channels in the rotating member 11a and passes to the settling compartments. Mud also leaves centrally down member 11a via the same vertical channel in the member used for the feed inlet, by suitable blocking of certain portions of each channel, Figs. 6-9 (not shown). The clarification of sugar cane juice is referred to.