Abstract: A loading control system for a centrifuge used in, for example, a sugar refining operation, optimizes the introduction of product to be centrifuged. A loading system has an ultrasonic loading probe, a sound tube for delivering the sound signals to the sugar wall and returning to the ultrasonic probe, an analog controllable feed valve and a programmable logic controller which is used to control the operation. The logic program implements a control loop which analyses the signal from the probe and controls the position of the gate accordingly. Preferably, the system also implements a control loop for automatic adjustment of the flow rate and amount of sugar in the machine in order to optimize the loading process.

Abstract: A drive control system for a centrifugal used in, for example, a sugar refining operation, optimizes the deceleration and plow-out phases of its operation based on the torque characteristics of its particular drive motor. This is achieved by providing a centrifugal having a pulse-width modulated (PWM) frequency-modulated drive controlled by a programmable logic controller (PLC) running a ladder logic program. The ladder logic program implements a regenerative braking loop which complements the dynamic braking characteristic curve of the drive motor, thereby obtaining an optimal amount of braking torque for the motor over a wide range of motor revolutions or frequencies. Preferably, the system also implements a dynamic plow-out control for the motor when in plow-out mode to enable the centrifugal to be plowed-out in a minimal amount of time.