Abstract: Provided herein are an optical test platform and corresponding method of manufacturing the same. The test platform may include a shell defining a cavity for receiving a sample tube, a first aperture, and a second aperture. The first aperture and the second aperture of the shell may each be configured to optically couple the cavity with an exterior of the shell. The test platform may further include a first window and a second window embedded in the shell. The first window may seal a first aperture and the second window may seal a second aperture. The first window and second window may each permit the optical coupling of the cavity with the exterior of the shell. The first window and the second window may be optically coupled via the cavity, and the shell may prohibit optical coupling between the first window and the second window through the shell.

Abstract: A mixer having a discharge screw centrally located between first and second side walls and disposed in a cavity provided in the bottom. The discharge screw has (a) a shaft with a first end that extends through a first end wall and (b) a driven end opposite the first end of the shaft, with the driven end being connected to a motor shaft for rotating the discharge screw in at least one direction. The driven end has a recessed portion that extends into the second end wall of the vessel. The mixer may include a deflector that is fixed to the second end wall and extends toward the first end wall and is located between the mixing blades and the discharge screw.

Abstract: A rotary milling system includes a body rotatable about its longitudinal axis and pivotable about a pivot axis that is transverse to the longitudinal axis. The system includes an interchangeable discharge grate and a solid cover for attaching to an open end of the body. The discharge grate includes a plurality of holes through which milled product can pass while grinding media is retained. The body is pivotable to a vertical orientation, where the covers can be changed, and to a horizontal orientation where grinding can be performed with the solid cover attached or discharge can be performed with the discharge grate attached. The discharge grate is sealed to a discharge housing during discharge via an annular seal, where the discharge grate and body are rotated relative to the fixed discharge housing. The discharge grate can include a deflector portion that deflects milled product away from the annular seal.

Abstract: A valve for controlling the flow of a solid material from an opening includes a gate having a first face adjacent the opening, a second face opposite the first, and an orifice. A support is disposed adjacent the second face of the gate and is configured so that the gate can move relative to the support from a first position permitting the material to flow from the opening through the orifice and a second position preventing the material from flowing through the opening. The support is movable in a direction substantially orthogonal to the first direction so that the distance from the first face to the opening can be varied.

Abstract: A system for positioning a rotatable vessel includes a rotatable vessel having a target block fixed thereto. A protrusion that is configured to mate with the target block is coupled to a slide plate and moveable relative to the slide plate toward the target block. The slide plate is slidably adjustable relative to a fixed base plate. The precise rotational position of the vessel can be controlled by fixing the slide plate relative to the base plate, such that when the slide plate is locked to the base plate, extension of the protrusion into engagement with the target block will rotationally position the vessel. When the protrusion and the target block are engaged, the vessel and the slide plate are linked, and the position of the slide plate may be adjusted relative to the base plate to set an adjusted desired position of the vessel.

Abstract: A system for positioning a rotatable vessel includes a rotatable vessel having a target block fixed thereto. A protrusion that is configured to mate with the target block is coupled to a slide plate and moveable relative to the slide plate toward the target block. The slide plate is slidably adjustable relative to a fixed base plate. The precise rotational position of the vessel can be controlled by fixing the slide plate relative to the base plate, such that when the slide plate is locked to the base plate, extension of the protrusion into engagement with the target block will rotationally position the vessel. When the protrusion and the target block are engaged, the vessel and the slide plate are linked, and the position of the slide plate may be adjusted relative to the base plate to set an adjusted desired position of the vessel.

Abstract: A valve for controlling the flow of a solid material from an opening includes a gate having a first face adjacent the opening, a second face opposite the first, and an orifice. A support is disposed adjacent the second face of the gate and is configured so that the gate can move relative to the support from a first position permitting the material to flow from the opening through the orifice and a second position preventing the material from flowing through the opening. The support is movable in a direction substantially orthogonal to the first direction so that the distance from the first face to the opening can be varied.

Abstract: A system for positioning a rotatable vessel includes a rotatable vessel having a target block fixed thereto. A protrusion that is configured to mate with the target block is coupled to a slide plate and moveable relative to the slide plate toward the target block. The slide plate is slidably adjustable relative to a fixed base plate. The precise rotational position of the vessel can be controlled by fixing the slide plate relative to the base plate, such that when the slide plate is locked to the base plate, extension of the protrusion into engagement with the target block will rotationally position the vessel. When the protrusion and the target block are engaged, the vessel and the slide plate are linked, and the position of the slide plate may be adjusted relative to the base plate to set an adjusted desired position of the vessel.

Abstract: A system for positioning a rotatable vessel includes a rotatable vessel having a target block fixed thereto. A protrusion that is configured to mate with the target block is coupled to a slide plate and moveable relative to the slide plate toward the target block. The slide plate is slidably adjustable relative to a fixed base plate. The precise rotational position of the vessel can be controlled by fixing the slide plate relative to the base plate, such that when the slide plate is locked to the base plate, extension of the protrusion into engagement with the target block will rotationally position the vessel. When the protrusion and the target block are engaged, the vessel and the slide plate are linked, and the position of the slide plate may be adjusted relative to the base plate to set an adjusted desired position of the vessel.

Abstract: A rotary milling system includes a body rotatable about its longitudinal axis and pivotable about a pivot axis that is transverse to the longitudinal axis. The system includes an interchangeable discharge grate and a solid cover for attaching to an open end of the body. The discharge grate includes a plurality of holes through which milled product can pass while grinding media is retained. The body is pivotable to a vertical orientation, where the covers can be changed, and to a horizontal orientation where grinding can be performed with the solid cover attached or discharge can be performed with the discharge grate attached. The discharge grate is sealed to a discharge housing during discharge via an annular seal, where the discharge grate and body are rotated relative to the fixed discharge housing. The discharge grate can include a deflector portion that deflects milled product away from the annular seal.

Abstract: A rotary milling system includes a rotatable body having a cylindrical portion and at least one variable diameter portion. The variable diameter portion is tapered toward an opening in a sidewall of the rotatable body a discharge grate. The body can include grinding media for abrading a product when the body is rotated. The product can be milled as a dry product or within a liquid medium. The tapered shape of the body urges milled product toward the opening and the discharge grate. The system can include a discharge housing surrounding the discharge grate and a conveying pipe in fluid communication with the discharge housing, with a valve disposed between the conveying pipe and the discharge to selectively allow milled product to be conveyed through the conveying pipe.

Abstract: A rotary milling system includes a rotatable cylinder, a discharge grate, a movable flap valve into and out of engagement with the grate, a discharge housing surrounding the grate, and a conveying pipe extending from the discharge housing. The cylinder can include grinding media for abrading a product when the cylinder is rotated. The product can be in either a dry form or within a liquid medium. Upon conclusion of the milling, the flap valve can be opened to allow the milled product to pass through the grate and into the discharge housing. A negative pressure can be applied to draw the milled product through the conveying pipe into a separator tank.

Abstract: A rotary milling system includes a rotatable body having a cylindrical portion and at least one variable diameter portion. The variable diameter portion is tapered toward an opening in a sidewall of the rotatable body a discharge grate. The body can include grinding media for abrading a product when the body is rotated. The product can be milled as a dry product or within a liquid medium. The tapered shape of the body urges milled product toward the opening and the discharge grate. The system can include a discharge housing surrounding the discharge grate and a conveying pipe in fluid communication with the discharge housing, with a valve disposed between the conveying pipe and the discharge to selectively allow milled product to be conveyed through the conveying pipe.

Abstract: A rotary milling system includes a rotatable cylinder, a discharge grate, a discharge housing surrounding the grate, a valve moveable between an open and closed position being in fluid communication with the discharge housing, and a conveying pipe extending from the valve. The cylinder can include grinding media for abrading a product when the cylinder is rotated. The product is suspended and ground within a liquid medium. Upon conclusion of the milling, the valve is opened to allow the liquid medium and milled product to pass through the discharge housing and the conveying pipe. The liquid medium can flow back and forth through the grate during the milling operation, with the valve preventing discharge before conclusion. A liquid-drawing apparatus can be used to draw the milled product through the conveying pipe into a separator tank after opening the valve.

Abstract: A rotary milling system includes a rotatable cylinder, a discharge grate, a movable flap valve into and out of engagement with the grate, a discharge housing surrounding the grate, and a conveying pipe extending from the discharge housing. The cylinder can include grinding media for abrading a product when the cylinder is rotated. The product can be in either a dry form or within a liquid medium. Upon conclusion of the milling, the flap valve can be opened to allow the milled product to pass through the grate and into the discharge housing. A negative pressure can be applied to draw the milled product through the conveying pipe into a separator tank.

Abstract: A feed pipe mixing system for delivering a homogenous massecuite product to a centrifuge comprising: a vertical feed pipe defining an upper end, and a lower end, the vertical feed pipe comprising: a mixing chamber disposed between the upper and lower ends of the vertical feed pipe and operable to mix a massecuite feed with feed water, surfactants, partially diluted molasses or a combination thereof to produce a massecuite product; a massecuite inlet disposed on the side of the vertical feed pipe above the mixing chamber, wherein the massecuite inlet is configured to deliver a massecuite feed into the vertical feed pipe; a massecuite outlet disposed on the lower end of the vertical feed pipe and configured to discharge the homogenous massecuite product from the feed pipe to a centrifuge; and a feed water pipe configured to deliver feed water, surfactants, partially diluted molasses or a combination thereof to the mixing chamber for mixing with the massecuite feed.

Abstract: A screen clamp with integrated center feed is disclosed. The screen clamp may be rotatably mounted in a continuous centrifuge. The screen clamp may comprise: a feed cone having a base and sidewall, wherein a center of the base has a feed opening and the sidewall has one or more discharge openings; and an outer flange attached to and extending along a bottom edge of the feed cone, wherein the outer flange is configured to secure a basket filtering screen of a continuous centrifuge to a basket. The screen clamp may be configured to direct a massecuite feed entering the feed opening through the one or more discharge openings and onto the basket filtering screen. The screen clamp may also comprise a weir.

Abstract: A screen clamp with integrated center feed is disclosed. The screen clamp may be rotatably mounted in a continuous centrifuge. The screen clamp may comprise: a feed cone having a base and sidewall, wherein a center of the base has a feed opening and the sidewall has one or more discharge openings; and an outer flange attached to and extending along a bottom edge of the feed cone, wherein the outer flange is configured to secure a basket filtering screen of a continuous centrifuge to a basket. The screen clamp may be configured to direct a massecuite feed entering the feed opening through the one or more discharge openings and onto the basket filtering screen. The screen clamp may also comprise a weir.

Abstract: A feed pipe mixing system for delivering a homogenous massecuite product to a centrifuge comprising: a vertical feed pipe defining an upper end, and a lower end, the vertical feed pipe comprising: a mixing chamber disposed between the upper and lower ends of the vertical feed pipe and operable to mix a massecuite feed with feed water, surfactants, partially diluted molasses or a combination thereof to produce a massecuite product; a massecuite inlet disposed on the side of the vertical feed pipe above the mixing chamber, wherein the massecuite inlet is configured to deliver a massecuite feed into the vertical feed pipe; a massecuite outlet disposed on the lower end of the vertical feed pipe and configured to discharge the homogenous massecuite product from the feed pipe to a centrifuge; and a feed water pipe configured to deliver feed water, surfactants, partially diluted molasses or a combination thereof to the mixing chamber for mixing with the massecuite feed.

Abstract: Embodiments of a centrifuge comprise a housing, a rotatable shaft extending upwardly into the housing and comprising a rare earth metal magnet disposed adjacent an upper surface of the rotatable shaft and a centrifuge basket configured to rotate with the rotatable shaft and magnetically coupled to the rare earth metal magnet of the rotatable shaft.