摘要 |
A cyclone separator (10) having an elongated tapered separating chamber (25) with tangential inlet pipes (26, 28) thereto, an overflow outlet pipe (34) at the larger diameter end of the separating chamber, for outflow of a less dense component of a liquid mixture to be separated, and an underflow outlet (23) at the smaller diameter end of the separating chamber, for outflow of the denser component of the liquid mixture to be separated. The overflow outlet pipe (34) has an orifice (77) which is variably obstructable by a valve member (80) movable lengthwise of the pipe (34), to vary the flow rate through the outlet pipe (34). The degree of contamination of the denser liquid component emerging from the underflow outlet (23) is monitored by a detector (118) which is connected to a control circuit (108) which controls a motor (110). Motor (110) is coupled to valve member (80) whereby to move the valve member towards and away from the orifice (77), whereby to decrease the flow through outlet pipe (34) when the contamination level drops and to increase flow when the contamination level rises. A further control circuit (140) coupled to detector (118) is effective to control valves (102, 104) whereby to recycle the denser liquid component through the separator in the event that the contamination level is determined to be above a predetermined level. |