CENTRIFUGAL SEPARATOR AND METHOD OF OPERATING SAME

摘要

CENTRIFUGAL SEPARATOR AND METHOD OF OPERATING SAME A continuous flow device for separation of particles of differing densities in a centrifugal force field. Very small particles of differing densities that are normally very difficult or impossible to separate in the usual commercial gravity separation devices can be separated because of the increased settling force due to the centrifugal force field and also the buoyant force on the particles of lesser density caused by a thickened slurry layer. A thin film of a slurry of solid particles of differing size and density travels over a revolving surface of such configuration that the slurry flows in a substantially laminar manner. As the thin film of slurry flows along the surface, the particles of greater density tend to concentrate in the region next to the surface. While the particles of lesser density remain in or are forced into the fraction of the film closest to the axis of revolution. Before the film of slurry reaches the end of the flow path it is passed over a splitting device to separate the fraction of the film containing particles of greater density from the fraction containing particles of lesser density.