Abstract: A centrifugal separator of the present invention comprises an upper inlet chamber and separation barrel connected thereto. The upper inlet chamber comprises an inlet through which a solids-laden fluid is introduced. An upper portion of the separation barrel extends into the upper inlet chamber below the inlet, such that the interior wall of the upper inlet chamber and the upper portion of the separation volume define a space, called the vestibular chamber. The vestibular chamber is defined at its upper end by a horizontally disposed plate larger in diameter than the separation barrel, but smaller in diameter than the internal diameter of the upper inlet chamber. The upper portion of the separation barrel comprises a plurality of generally axially-oriented slots which may penetrate through the wall of the separation barrel tangentially, so as to generally induce a tangential flow pattern to fluid entering the separation barrel from the vestibular chamber.

Abstract: A centrifugal separator having a separation chamber and a collection chamber utilizes an axially-oriented structure which extends from the spin structure, or spin plate, up and into the vortex finder. The axially-oriented structure decreases turbulence within portion of the separator in axial adjacency with the spin structure, including the separation chamber in which the solids are collected. The reduction of turbulence substantially reduces the entrainment of solids in the rising stream of liquid flowing to the vortex finder, and thus increases the efficiency of the separator. The spin structure may comprise a truncated cone mounted with a portion of the truncated cone in the separation chamber and the remainder in the collection chamber.

Abstract: A centrifugal separator of the present invention comprises an upper inlet chamber and separation barrel connected thereto. The upper inlet chamber comprises an inlet through which a solids-laden fluid is introduced. An upper portion of the separation barrel extends into the upper inlet chamber below the inlet, such that the interior wall of the upper inlet chamber and the upper portion of the separation volume define a space, called the vestibular chamber. The vestibular chamber is defined at its upper end by a horizontally disposed plate larger in diameter than the separation barrel, but smaller in diameter than the internal diameter of the upper inlet chamber. The upper portion of the separation barrel comprises a plurality of generally axially-oriented slots which may penetrate through the wall of the separation barrel tangentially, so as to generally induce a tangential flow pattern to fluid entering the separation barrel from the vestibular chamber.

Abstract: A centrifugal separator having a separation chamber and a collection chamber utilizes an axially-oriented structure which extends from the spin structure, or spin plate, up and into the vortex finder. The axially-oriented structure decreases turbulence within portion of the separator in axial adjacency with the spin structure, including the separation chamber in which the solids are collected. The reduction of turbulence substantially reduces the entrainment of solids in the rising stream of liquid flowing to the vortex finder, and thus increases the efficiency of the separator. The spin structure may comprise a truncated cone mounted with a portion of the truncated cone in the separation chamber and the remainder in the collection chamber.

Abstract: A system for use with a hot oil fryer of the type which cooks food porducts in hot oil, in which particulates from the food are shed into the hot oil in the fry during the cooking operation, the fryer having an inlet to receive hot oil, and an outlet for recirculation of hot oil.

Abstract: A centrifugal separator comprising a separation barrel with an upper end, a lower end, a central axis, and an internal circularly cylindrical axially extending wall forming a separation chamber, a collection chamber adjacent to the lower end, a spin plate extending across the separation chamber adjacent to the lower end, a solids slot adjacent to the lower end fluidly interconnecting the collection chamber and separation chamber, a closure containing the upper end having a centrally located exit port, an acceptance chamber wall surrounding the separation barrel adjacent to the upper end to form an annular acceptance chamber between the separation barrel and the acceptance chamber wall, a supply nozzle tangentially entering the annular acceptance chamber and forming a circular flow therein, and a plurality of radially spaced apart axially-extending slots passing through the wall of the separation barrel fluidly interconnecting the annular acceptance chamber and the separation chamber, entering the separation c

Abstract: A separator for separating solids from a liquid/solid mixture. The separator has a cylindrical separation chamber in which a stream is subjected to centrifugal forces against a separation wall. An exit port near the bottom of the separation chamber passes solids and some liquid into a filter chamber where the liquid passes through the filter and in response to a negative pressure in the separation chamber the liquid is made to return the separation chamber.

Abstract: A separator for separating solids from a liquid/solid stream. The separator has a cylindrical separation chamber in which the stream is subjected to centrifugal forces against a separation wall. An exit port near the bottom of the separation chamber passes solids and some liquid to a lower sump. A plurality of axially and radially extending vanes in the sump quiet the movement of the solids. Optionally the vanes can extend into a quiescent region above the exit port.

Abstract: A dynamic separator for removing gases from water includes a vortex tube with an internal cylindrical wall along which a stream of water is directed in a downward helical path. A perforated separator tube extends along the center of the vortex tube and receives gases which flow toward the center. The gases rise and are released. The water is drained from the bottom. An injector nozzle injects water tangentially in an injection section from which the whirling stream enters the vortex tube.

Abstract: A system which clarifies a solids-burdened liquid stream from a user device such as a machine tool and returning it clarified to the user device. A tank receives the burdened liquid stream in a first of two regions from which a first centrifugal separator draws. It discharges its clarified stream through an inductor into the second of said regions, said regions being continuously connected. A second centrifugal separator draws from said second region and returns its clarified liquid to the user device. Both separators discharge their solids to collectors.

Abstract: A separator for separating solids from liquids in a liquid/solid mixture. The mixture is injected into a tubular separation barrel in a helical stream which flows to a spin plate. The spin plate reverses the axial direction of flow and forms a vortex whose central portion flows in the opposite axial direction. An exit port adjacent to the spin plate permits flow of solids-enriched liquid into a collection chamber. The collection chamber has a collection region below the exit port to collect solids and a quiescent zone above the exit port into which liquid relieved of much of its solids can rise. A conduit connects the quiescent region to a central point on the spin plate facing into the separation barrel to create a flow path from the quiescent zone to the separation chamber.

Abstract: A separator for removing gases from water. An elongated vortex tube with an interior cylindrical wall houses a concentric separator tube of smaller diameter, leaving a vortex region between them. Perforations through the wall of the separator tube connect the interior of the separator tube to the vortex region. Water containing gas is tangentially injected into the vortex region, flowing downwardly to an exit port. Separated gases in the separator tube collect at its top and are released by a valve.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for removing solid matter from fluid systems which does not require system shutdown and minimizes the loss of system fluids. The invention first isolates the solid matter collection reservoir from the fluid system and then purges the reservoir for external disposal or recovery of the solid matter. The purging sequence is enhanced through the use of a venting system which prevents pressure differential buildup and also prevents the introduction of air into the separation device during the purging sequence. The entire process can be controlled manually or automatically through a control system.