Abstract: A continuous self-cleaning centrifuge assembly having a feed inlet for unclarified liquid and first and second outlets for clarified liquid. Solids are discharged out of a solids holding space in the centrifuge in response to comparison of a measured turbidity to a predetermined turbidity parameter of clarified liquid bled in a detection line in communication with the centrifuge at the second outlet. The turbidity is affected by the degree of build up of solids in the centrifuge. A method of optimizing the clarified liquid outflowing from the centrifuge includes the steps of controlling the flow rate of unclarified liquid into the centrifuge in response to the turbidity of the clarified liquid flowing out of the centrifuge and discharging solids out of a solids holding space in the centrifuge in response to the turbidity measurement.

Abstract: A continuous self-cleaning centrifuge assembly has a feed inlet (23) to the centrifuge (10) for unclarified liquid, an outlet (29) for clarified liquid, and means (42,39,38) to discharge solids out of a solids holding space (26) in the centrifuge in response to a monitored turbidity parameter of liquid in a detection line (35) in communication with the centrifuge separately from said outlet (29) so that said turbidity is affected by the degree of build up of solids in the centrifuge. In another aspect, a continuous self-cleaning centrifuge assembly has a feed inlet (123) to the centrifuge (110) for unclarified liquid, an outlet (129) for clarified liquid, and means (143,139,138) to discharge solids out of a solids holding space (126) in the centrifuge in response to a monitored turbidity parameter of liquid in an outflow line (128) connected to said outlet (129), wherein said turbidity parameter is the rate of rate of turbidity increase, or second derivative, of the monitored turbidity.