Abstract: A method for operating a bioprocessing system includes producing a cell culture mixture in a fermentor, conducting a flow of cell culture mixture from the fermentor into an interior of a centrifugal separator including a surface enlarging insert, simultaneously with the step of producing the cell culture mixture, and returning continuously from the interior of the centrifugal separator a flow of liquid to the fermentor, simultaneously with the steps of producing the cell culture mixture and conducting the flow of cell culture mixture.

Abstract: A modular centrifugal separator system is configured for separating a liquid feed mixture into a heavy phase and light phase. The system includes a base unit and a set of a first and a second exchangeable separation inserts. The base unit includes a stationary frame and a rotatable member. The rotatable member delimits an inner space configured for receiving at least one part of the first or second exchangeable separation insert therein. Each of the first and second exchangeable separation inserts includes a rotor casing forming a separation space and separation discs arranged in the separation space. The discs of the first exchangeable separation insert have a first area equivalent and the discs of the second exchangeable separation insert have a second area equivalent, which differs from the first area equivalent.

Abstract: A separation disc for a centrifugal separator is adapted to be included in a stack of separation discs inside a centrifugal rotor for separating a fluid mixture. The separation disc has a truncated conical shape with an inner surface and an outer surface and a plurality of spot-formed spacing members extending from at least one of the inner surface and the outer surface. The spot-formed spacing members are for providing interspaces between mutually adjacent separation discs in a stack of separation discs, and the plurality of spot-formed spacing members are tip-shaped and taper from a base at the surface of the separation disc towards a tip extending a height from the surface. A stack of separation discs, a centrifugal separator and a method for separating at least two components of a fluid mixture are also disclosed.

Abstract: A separation disc for a centrifugal separator is adapted to be included in a stack of separation discs inside a centrifugal rotor for separating a fluid mixture. The separation disc has a truncated conical shape with an inner surface and an outer surface and a plurality of spacing members extending from at least one of the inner surface and the outer surface. The spot-formed spacing members are for providing interspaces between mutually adjacent separation discs in a stack of separation discs. The separation disc further includes at least one elongated rib extending from the inner surface to a height (h) that is less than the height (H) to which the plurality of spacing members extend. Further, at least one elongated rib extends from first position on the inner surface to a second position on the inner surface.

Abstract: A centrifugal separator for separation of a liquid mixture includes a stationary frame, a rotatable assembly and a drive unit for rotating the rotatable assembly relative the frame around an axis of rotation, wherein the rotatable assembly includes a rotor casing enclosing a separation space in which a stack of separation discs is arranged to rotate around a vertical axis of rotation. The rotor casing includes a mechanically hermetically sealed inlet for supply of the liquid mixture to the separation space; a first liquid outlet that is mechanically hermetically sealed and arranged for discharge of a separated liquid phase and a second liquid outlet that is mechanically hermetically sealed and arranged for discharge of a separated heavy phase, the heavy phase having a density that is higher than said liquid phase.

Abstract: The invention relates to a centrifugal separator comprising a casing which delimits and seals off a space in which a rotor is arranged. The rotor forms a separation space which is sealed or isolated from the space, and in which separation space centrifugal separation of a higher density and a lower density component from a fluid takes place. An inlet extends into the rotor for introducing fluid to the separation space, and a first outlet extends from the rotor for discharge of a component separated from the fluid. The space is connected to a pump device which is arranged to remove gas, thereby maintaining negative pressure in said space. The rotor comprises at least one second outlet extending from the separation space to the space for discharge of at least one higher density component separated from the fluid. The invention also relates to a method in such a centrifugal separator.

Abstract: A seal assembly for providing a seal between a first zone and a second zone includes a rotatable sealing member including a first sealing ring, a stationary sealing member including a second sealing ring and a device for bringing the first and second sealing rings into engagement with each other. The first and second sealing rings are arranged so that a double contact seal having at least one chamber arranged at a radial plane is formed upon engagement between the first and second sealing rings. The seal assembly further includes at least one fluid connection to the chamber. A centrifugal separator includes such a seal assembly.

Abstract: An exchangeable separation insert for a centrifugal separator includes a rotor casing enclosing a separation space in which a stack of separation discs is arranged, and first and second stationary portions. A feed inlet supplies a fluid mixture to the separation space. The insert includes a light phase outlet and a heavy phase outlet. The feed inlet is arranged at a first axial end of the rotor casing. One of the light phase outlet and heavy phase outlet is arranged at a second axial end. A first rotatable seal seals and connects the feed inlet and a second rotatable seal seals and connects one of the light phase outlet and heavy phase outlet.

Abstract: A centrifugal separation system includes a centrifugal separator, a liquid feed mixture conduit, a light phase conduit, a heavy phase conduit, and a flow control system. The flow control system includes a controller, a counterpressure generating arrangement connected to a heavy phase conduit, a liquid feed mixture measuring device, and a light phase measuring device and/or a heavy phase measuring device. The counterpressure generating arrangement includes a heavy phase receiving vessel and a heavy phase pressure control arrangement connected to the vessel. The controller is configured to control the heavy phase pressure control arrangement based on measurements from the liquid feed mixture measuring device and on measurements from the light phase measuring device and/or the heavy phase measuring device in order to control a heavy phase counterpressure in the heavy phase outlet passage.

Abstract: A method for separating a cell culture mixture utilizes a centrifugal separator including a stationary frame, a rotatable assembly and a drive unit for rotating the rotatable assembly relative the frame around a vertical axis of rotation. The rotatable assembly includes a rotor casing enclosing a separation space in which a stack of separation discs is arranged to rotate around an axis of rotation. The rotor casing includes a mechanically hermetically sealed inlet for supply of the cell culture mixture to the separation space and first and second mechanically hermetically sealed liquid outlets. The second mechanically hermetically sealed outlet is arranged at an axial end of the rotor casing and arranged so that the separated cell phase is discharged at the rotational axis.

Abstract: A centrifugal separation system includes a centrifugal separator, a liquid feed mixture conduit, a light phase conduit, a heavy phase conduit, and a flow control system. The flow control system includes a controller, a flow control valve arranged in a light phase conduit, a liquid feed mixture measuring device, and at a light phase measuring device and/or a heavy phase measuring device. The controller is configured to control the flow control valve based on measurements from the liquid feed mixture measuring device and measurements from the light phase measuring device and/or the heavy phase measuring device.

Abstract: A centrifugal separator for separation of a cell culture mixture includes a stationary frame, a rotatable assembly and a drive unit for rotating the rotatable assembly relative the frame around a vertical axis of rotation. The rotatable assembly includes a rotor casing enclosing a separation space in which a stack of separation discs is arranged to rotate around an axis of rotation. The rotor casing includes a mechanically hermetically sealed inlet and first and second mechanically hermetically sealed liquid outlets. The second mechanically hermetically sealed outlet is arranged at an axial end of the rotor casing opposite and arranged so that a separated cell phase is discharged at the rotational axis. The rotatable assembly includes an exchangeable separation insert and a rotatable member.

Abstract: A centrifugal separator (14) comprises a stationary frame (15), a spindle (16) rotatably supported by the frame, a centrifuge rotor 17 mounted to a first end of the spindle to rotate together with the spindle around an axis (X2) of rotation. A stack (10) of separation discs (1) is arranged to rotate coaxially with the centrifuge rotor The stack of separation discs comprises a set of axially aligned separation discs with an inner surface and an outer surface and a plurality spot-formed spacing members extending from a base from at least one of the inner surface and the outer surface The surface density of said spot-formed spacing members is above 25 spot-formed spacing members/dm2 throughout the inner and/or outer surface of the separation disc. A first region at a bottom of the discs has a higher density of the spot-formed spacing members than a second region.

Abstract: A separation disc for a centrifugal separator is adapted to be included in a stack of separation discs inside a centrifugal rotor for separating a fluid mixture. The separation disc has a truncated conical shape with an inner surface and an outer surface and a plurality of spot-formed spacing members extending from at least one of the inner surface and the outer surface. The spot-formed spacing members are for providing interspaces between mutually adjacent separation discs in a stack of separation discs, and the plurality of spot-formed spacing members are tip-shaped and taper from a base at the surface of the separation disc towards a tip extending a height from the surface. A stack of separation discs, a centrifugal separator and a method for separating at least two components of a fluid mixture are also disclosed.

Abstract: A method of supervising and controlling an E-line position in a centrifugal separator and a centrifugal separator include the E-line positon being continuously calculated based on inter alia, monitored density of light and heavy liquid phases, and monitored pressure at outlet side of light and/or heavy liquid outlet passages. First and/or second valves are controlled to control the E-line position, based on the supervised E-line position.

Abstract: A separation disc for a centrifugal separator is adapted to be included in a stack of separation discs inside a centrifugal rotor for separating a fluid mixture. The separation disc has a truncated conical shape with an inner surface and an outer surface and a plurality of spot-formed spacing members extending from at least one of the inner surface and the outer surface. The spot-formed spacing members are for providing interspaces between mutually adjacent separation discs in a stack of separation discs, and the plurality of spot-formed spacing members are tip-shaped and taper from a base at the surface of the separation disc towards a tip extending a height from the surface. A stack of separation discs, a centrifugal separator and a method for separating at least two components of a fluid mixture are also disclosed.

Abstract: A separation disc for a centrifugal separator is adapted to be included in a stack of separation discs inside a centrifugal rotor for separating a fluid mixture. The separation disc has a truncated conical shape with an inner surface and an outer surface and a plurality of spacing members extending from at least one of the inner surface and the outer surface. The spot-formed spacing members are for providing interspaces between mutually adjacent separation discs in a stack of separation discs. The separation disc further includes at least one elongated rib extending from the inner surface to a height (h) that is less than the height (H) to which said plurality of spacing members extend.

Abstract: A stack of separation discs is adapted to be included inside a centrifugal rotor for separating a liquid including a plurality of axially aligned separation discs having a truncated conical shape with an inner surface and an outer surface and a plurality of spot-formed spacing members extending from a base from at least one of the inner surface and the outer surface for providing interspaces between mutually adjacent separation discs in the stack of separation discs. The plurality of separation discs having spot-formed spacing members are arranged so that a majority of said spot-formed spacing members of a disc are displaced compared to the spot-formed spacing members of an adjacent disc. A centrifugal separator including such a stack of separation discs is also disclosed.

Abstract: A separation disc for a centrifugal separator and a method for manufacturing the separation disc are disclosed. The separation disc is of metal material and adapted to be compressed in a stack of separation discs inside a centrifugal rotor for separating a liquid mixture. The separation disc has a truncated conical shape with an inner surface and an outer surface and a plurality of spacing members extending a certain height above at least one of the inner surface and the outer surface for providing interspaces between mutually adjacent separation discs in the stack. The spacing members are of such small size that each one of them has a width which is less than 2 mm along the surface of the separation disc. The surface of the separation disc is configured with a distribution pattern of the small-sized spacing members, in such a way as to provide equidistant interspaces in the compressed disc stack.

Abstract: The invention relates to a centrifugal separator comprising a casing which delimits and seals off a space in which a rotor is arranged. The rotor forms a separation space which is sealed or isolated from the space, and in which separation space centrifugal separation of a higher density and a lower density component from a fluid takes place. An inlet extends into the rotor for introducing fluid to the separation space, and a first outlet extends from the rotor for discharge of a component separated from the fluid. The space is connected to a pump device which is arranged to remove gas, thereby maintaining negative pressure in said space. The rotor comprises at least one second outlet extending from the separation space to the space for discharge of at least one higher density component separated from the fluid. The invention also relates to a method in such a centrifugal separator.