Abstract: A multi-disk rotary filter in which a plurality of disks on a common shaft are partly immersed in a trough containing the suspension to be filtered and each of the filter disks is formed with a plurality of filter sectors or cells each connected to a control disk through which the filtrate is evacuated. According to the invention, each disk is formed with a cell carrier with a radial passage communicating with each sector and merging into an axial passage. The axially extending passages of at least some of the disks are formed at least in part by straight tube sections outwardly of the shaft.

Abstract: A wobble centrifuge has a housing in which a tube shaft is rotatable about a first axis, this tube shaft having a lower tube part centered on the first axis and an upper tube part centered on a second axis that crosses the first axis at an intersection. An at least partially flexible core shaft has a lower core part rotatable in the lower tube part about the first axis and an upper core part rotatable in the upper tube part about the second axis. A downwardly flared sieve drum is carried on the upper core part and is centered generally on the second axis, this sieve drum having a wall tapered upwardly from a lower edge spaced below the intersection in a direction parallel to the second axis by a predetermined distance. A suspension to be centrifuged is introduced into the drum generally radially of the axes at a location spaced above the intersection in a direction parallel to the second axis by a spacing equal to substantially more than the spacing between the lower end of the drum and the intersection.

Abstract: A centrifuge has a drum to which a wobble or nutating motion is applied to discharge the centrifuged material over the edge of a wall of the perforated basket. The wobble or nutation is caused by tilting the axis of this wall relative to the axis rotation of the assembly. According to the invention, the basket is rotatably driven by an inner shaft and ride upon an inclined member driven by an outer shaft. The ratio n.sub.2 /n.sub.1 of the rotating speed n.sub.1 of the inner shaft and the rotating speed n.sub.2 of the outer shaft can be varied between values of -5 and +7 preferably -5 to +6 excluding values of about 0, 0.9, 1 and 2. The ratio determines the effective nutating angle.

Abstract: A method of operating a filter centrifuge or centrifugal filter in which a hydrostatic head is provided at the filtering surface so as to control liquid passage therethrough. The head may promote movement of the liquid through the filter layer or may induce reverse flow of liquid for backwashing or rinsing. In addition, a hydrostatic balance may be provided at this surface through control of the head to limit passage of the liquid through the filter layer. Preferably the head provides a suction augmenting centrifugal filtration.