Abstract: A system for separating a multi phase mixture into a first liquid phase component, a second liquid phase component and a solid phase component includes a three phase centrifuge and a control system for the centrifuge. The control system includes a fuzzy soft sensor programmed with fuzzy logic rules and a feed forward controller in signal communication with the fuzzy soft sensor. The feed forward controller is configured to adjust a feed rate and a feed temperature of the mixture based on the rules, the cold feed temperature, the percent change of water in the mixture, and the percent change of solids in the mixture. The system also includes a feedback controller configured to adjust the feed rate and the feed temperature of the mixture based on the rules, and the basic water and solid (BS&W) content of the first liquid phase component.

Abstract: A three stage centrifuge especially adapted to the separation of oil, water, and solid particles in an emulsion. As an example, the centrifuge may be used to separate sediment and water from a petroleum product such as crude oil. The three stage centrifuge includes a rotatable bowl that spins the emulsion to separate the fluid oil and water into separate pools within the bowl. The solid particles are also moved radially outward within the rotatable bowl by centrifugal force. A conveyor auger contacts the solid particles and discharges the solids from the rotatable bowl through a solids discharge port. Oil discharge tubes contact the oil pool confined between oil baffle plates on the conveyor auger and allow the oil to be discharged from the rotatable bowl. Water weirs contact the water pool and allow the water to be discharged from the rotatable bowl.