Abstract: Plate heat exchanger having mainly rectangular plates mounted in a frame. According to the invention the plates (6, 8) are arranged in at least two groups, the plates having port holes of one size being arranged in one group, while plates having port holes of another size are arranged in another group, the plate group having the largest port holes being arranged closest to the inlet (3) while a plate group having smaller port holes (9) is arranged further away from the inlet (3).

Abstract: In a centrifuge rotor provided with sludge channels (25) for conveying sludge radially inwards to a sludge receiving chamber (15), from which the sludge is discharged by means of a central sludge discharge means, the openings of the sludge channels (25) into the sludge receiving chamber (15) are controlled by a slide member (14) being actuated to move in one axial direction by spring means (28). To cause the slide member (14) to move in the other axial direction, a pressure chamber (18), sealed against the sludge receiving chamber (15), is arranged between the slide member (14) and the rotor, and a fluid channel (33) extends through the rotor to the pressure chamber (18), connecting the pressure chamber with a pressure source (35) located outside the rotor. A position regulator (32) is situated in a cavity of the rotor, and is arranged to operate directly on said slide member (14) for regulation of its position.

Abstract: A plate evaporator of the rising film type and/or the falling film type comprises several heat exchange plates essentially vertically arranged in spaced face-to-face relationship to define evaporation passages alternating with heating medium passages. Evaporation passages with increasing cross-sectioned area and decreasing perimeter in the flow direction of the feed liquid are formed by providing adjacent plates encompassing one evaporation passage with bulges (for example, ridges) which bulges, compared with imaginary planar plates, entail reduced volume of the evaporation passages. The size of said bulges (that is, the volume-reducing effect of said bulges) is gradually reduced in the flow direction of the medium to be evaporated. Thus, the cross-sectional area of the evaporation passages is increased while their perimeter is reduced in said direction.

Abstract: A trap chamber is formed by a cylindrical container and a head sealed to and closing the upper end of the container, which is releasable from the head by actuating a detent. Air and entrained liquid from a milk receiver are sucked into the head through a tangential inlet from which air discharges through a top outlet to a vacuum pump while separated liquid spirals down along the chamber wall to a valved drain outlet. Liquid accumulating in the chamber eventually raises a floating ball valve against a seat to close the air outlet and break the vacuum so that the chamber is drained through the bottom outlet. The ball valve is then released from its seat by an element operable to break the vacuum in the air outlet. Vacuum in the chamber draws the container upward to compress a sealing gasket against the head and thus prevent leakage.

Abstract: A bearing device for a spindle (12), rotatably suspended in a frame (1), comprises a first bearing (4) arranged to transfer radial forces from the spindle to the frame while permitting a certain inclination of the spindle in relation to its intended rotational axis (A), and a second bearing (3) arranged to transfer axial forces from the spindle to the frame. For avoiding mutual inclination of the bearing rings of the axial bearing (3) upon inclination of the spindle during its operation, said axial bearing (3) is arranged to transfer the axial forces through two abutting contact surfaces movable relative to each other, one of which is united with the rotatable bearing ring (13) of the axial bearing, and the other of which is united with the spindle (12).

Abstract: To a previously agitated blend of fruit and sugar is added a water solution of pectin to form a premix which is heated to 90.degree.-125.degree. F. during gentle agitation. After adding an acid solution to the premix, it is heated to 135.degree.-145.degree. F. and passed through an evaporation zone at 145.degree.-160.degree. F. under a vacuum of 20-27 inches Hg., all during gentle stirring, to obtain a concentrated product which is then heated to a sterilizing temperature and passed through a holding zone at such a temperature. The resulting product, after cooling, is a fruit preserve concentrated to a desired degree, such as 65.degree. Brix, and in which the fruit has retained its particulate identity and integrity and is well distributed in the preserve.

Abstract: A method for improving the whipping properties of cream by the addition of a fraction of buttermilk to the cream is disclosed. A concentrate is produced by ultrafiltration of buttermilk, which concentrate is made acid to a pH lower than 4.0, preferably 3.8. This concentrate is mixed with cream with a desired fat content in an amount of 5-15%. The obtained mixture is neutralized and thereafter treated in a desired manner.

Abstract: In a suspension device for a rotatable spindle (1) comprising a bearing housing which encloses two closely adjacent bearings--one radial bearing (3) and one axial bearing (4)--the bearing housing is divided in two parts (7, 8) each enclosing one of the two bearings (3, 4). First spring means (13, 14) are arranged between the frame and the bearing housing part (7) for the radial bearing (3), and second spring means (16) are arranged between the frame and the bearing housing part (8) for the axial bearing (4). The bearing housing parts (7, 8) are free to perform angular movements relative to each other around axes perpendicular to the spindle (1) but engage with each other so that they are prevented from moving relative to each other in the peripheral direction of the spindle.

Abstract: An arrangement for balancing a centrifuge rotor during operation comprises means (5, 8) forming an annular channel (11) which concentrically surrounds the rotational axis of the rotor and in which there are arranged three separately movable balancing bodies (12). The annular channel (11) is partly defined by a slide (8) movable axially by control means (9, 14-17) to and from contact with the balancing bodies (12) for arresting and releasing them in the channel during the rotor operation.

Abstract: An assembly comprises a centrifugal separator (1) with a rotor provided with permanent openings, a circulation pump (2) and lines (6, 7) forming a circulation circuit. From this circuit there is a discharge line (8) for separated solid phase fraction from an incoming mixture of liquid and solid substance. In order to control the content of solid substance in the circulation circuit, there is provided a vortex fluidic device (13) in said discharge line (8).

Abstract: A sealing ring (5) which is intended to seal between two relative to each other axially movable parts (2, 7) of the rotor of a centrifugal separator, and which has edges bevelled such that it can be impressed in its sealing surface only when the recesses formed by the bevelling have been filled up by material from the sealing ring as a result of plastic deformation of the latter by compression between the rotor parts (2, 7).

Abstract: In a process for continuous production of meat meal and fat from an animal raw material by indirect boiling (1) of the raw material and separation (1) of the boiled material partly into solid material, which is dried (2), and partly in stick water, which is partly evaporated (16) and is discharged from the plant or is dried, the novelty consists in the fact that a so called back pressure turbine (6) is operated, the back pressure steam (8) being utilized for boiling (1) and drying (2), while the turbine (6) is allowed to drive a mechanical compressor (7), which compresses steam (23), that is discharged from an expansion vessel (16) in which said stick water (4) is evaporated by stripping, the compressed steam (24) being utilized for heating of the stick water, circulating in a circuit, comprising said expansion vessel (16) and a heat exchanger (25).

Abstract: A centrifugal separator for separating two liquid components from each other normally has continuously open outlets for both liquid components, an interface layer formed in the separating chamber between the separated liquid components being maintained at a predetermined radial level. The present invention concerns a special arrangement for continuous discharge of the light liquid component but intermittent discharge of the heavy liquid component. For this purpose, a first outlet channel (20) in the centrifuge rotor for the heavy liquid component communicates through a calibrated opening (24) with a stationary second channel (23) outside the rotor, said second channel comprising a shut off valve (31). An equipment (28) is arranged to indicate when an interface layer formed in the separating chamber (8) of the rotor between the separated liquid components has moved radially inwards to a certain level (29).

Abstract: For washing a milker unit, the teat cups are inserted in respective flexible receivers which seal around the enlarged end portions of the teat cups and communicate with a distributor having an inlet connected to a vacuum line for washing liquid. During washing, a high vacuum in the milk pipe line raises a valve in the distributor, while closing a drain opening therefrom, and draws washing liquid through the distributor, the receivers, the teat cups therein, the milk claw connected to the teat cups, and then into the milk pipe line for washing the latter. After washing, atmospheric pressure prevailing in the milker unit and distributor allows the valve to drop to a position where excess washing liquid can drain through said opening. For milking, the teat cups are applied to the cow after removing them from the receivers, which are then stored by simply pushing them upwardly onto respective holders where they are automatically closed against entrance of dirt.

Abstract: A process for separation of raw milk by centrifugal separation into cream, which is cooled in a first heat exchanger, and into skim milk which is heated to pasteurization and cooled by regenerative heat exchange in a second heat exchanger, is described. The characteristic feature is that the feed of raw milk is separated into two part streams, of which the first is heated in the second heat exchanger to separation temperature, while the second part stream is heated in the first heat exchanger and is then combined with the first part stream and centrifugally separated.

Abstract: Fat product which is spreadable at refrigerator temperature and contains 35-55% fat, 4-7% protein and 41-58% water. The protein has been obtained from an ultra-filtrated milk product, at which the fat product after mixing the protein concentrate with the fat raw material and homogenization of the fat spheres consists of a stable oil-in-water emulsion. The emulsion is stabilized by the milk protein. The fat product is free from additives in the form of stabilizing agents and emulsifiers. The method to manufacture the fat product is seen from the attached flow-chart, which shows the steps in the process.

Abstract: In an operating system for a centrifuge rotor having valve means being operable by means of so called operating liquid for opening and closing peripheral outlets in the rotor, an injector device for supplying operating liquid to the rotor is used which comprises a chamber divided by a movable wall into an air side and a liquid side. The liquid side of the injector device is maintained in hydraulic contact with an injection inlet to the centrifuge rotor before an opening procedure is to be started, which is effected by opening a time controlled air valve on the air side of the injector device. The air valve is further connected to a compressed air source through a buffer vessel so that a controlled air pressure is used for the injection of operating liquid to the rotor.

Abstract: In a hydrocyclone separator for separating a mixture into one light and one heavy fraction, with a separation chamber consisting partly of one circular cylindrical part and partly of one conical part, the wall of the separation chamber (1, 2) is provided, along a substantial part of its axial elongation, with a means creating a turbulence to a relatively moderate degree and which extends in a screw path (7) opposite to the screw path in which the flow streams along the wall of the separation chamber. Advantageously, at least one guide bar (6) with substantially axial elongation is provided to give the flow, streaming in a screw path along the wall of the separation chamber (1, 2) a radially inwardly directed component. The screw-path-formed limiting surface (7) of said means may form the angle .alpha.=0.degree.-75.degree. to the axial symmetry axis (9) of the separation chamber (1, 2).

Abstract: The invention relates to a method of milking loose-housing cows which find their way individually to one or more feeding stalls where they are automatically identified and fed with the aid of a computer connected to the identification and feeding means.The new feature resides in that the computer is used for recording of the points of time each cow is milked and to activate a device, in connection with the identification of a cow arriving at the feeding stall to eat, and provided that a predetermined time has passed after the preceding milking operation, which device is activated for automatic application of the milking means to the cow's udder and for starting a milking operation.

Abstract: In a centrifuge for the separation of solids from liquid in which concentrated solids are discharged from radial nozzles at the rotor periphery, there is a need for control of the solids concentration by controlling the recycle of solids to the centrifuge. The present invention provides a flow path divided into small cross-sectional areas, as with parallel plates, for the flow of recycled solids therethrough, at an appropriate pressure drop and flow rate to cause a strong dependence on fluid viscosity. A small receiving tank, with a fixed or adjustable weir, is attached to the inlet of the sectional flow path to provide a constant pressure drop through the device by maintaining a volume of concentrated solids at a pre-selected height above the inlet. The cross-sectional area available for flow is manually adjustable by means of a blocking plate at the inlet of the sectioned flow path.