Abstract: A batch centrifuge having a filter screen that can be expeditiously removed and replaced and that is more rigid and more durable than filter screens that are typically employed in current practice. The batch centrifuge may include a centrifuge basket and a cylindrical filter screen disposed within the centrifuge basket, wherein the filter screen is formed of a plurality of curved panels that fit together at adjoining edges. In some embodiments, each of the curved panels may be small enough to fit through an opening in the top of the centrifuge basket without being bent or otherwise deformed.

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 continuous centrifuge (10) has a basket (30) with upper and lower basket portions (43, 44) separated by an intermediate slip portion (45). The lower basket portion (43) has an included angle of 40–50°, to separate “green” molasses from the sugar crystals, while the upper basket portion (44) has an included angle of 50–60°, to separate washed molasses from the sugar crystals. The inner faces of the walls of the basket portions (43, 44) have radial drainage grooves (46), closed at their lower ends and opens at their upper ends, to discharge the molasses.

Abstract: A centrifuge screen clamp comprises a body and a screen retaining portion connected to the body. The screen retaining portion comprises a pressure fitting surface and a clamp interface member engaging surface. In one embodiment, the pressure fitting surface is a substantially planar surface disposable on a screen portion of a centrifuge screen and the clamp interface member engaging surface is disposable on a clamp interface member disposed on the screen. The clamp interface member engaging surface operates to apply a counteractive force against the clamp interface member, which counteractive force is substantially coplanar with an inertial sliding tendency direction of the screen during rotation.

Abstract: A continuous centrifuge of the type comprising a perforated basket of generally frusto-conical configuration which is adapted to rotate about a rotational axis and along whose inner peripheral wall a liquids/solids mix is caused to travel, with solids being discharged over the mouth of the rotating basket at its wider end and liquids being collected via the basket perforations. The basket has at least three separating stages of different inclination relative to the basket rotational axis, with the respective residence time over each separating stage being controlled by the basket angle locally to set the angle to suit the local values controlling the flow at that stage.

Abstract: Centrifugation separations apparatus including centrifugation means having an inlet, a liquids discharge and a solids discharge, a deflector operatively associated with the solids discharge, wherein the solids discharge is adapted to operatively discharge solids being discharged from the centrifugation means at a trajectory and the deflector is adapted to interrupt the trajectory to decelerate and change the direction of travel of the solids, or wherein the deflector is operatively associated with the solids discharge and cooperable with solids being discharged from the solids discharge whereby buildup of solids on the deflector is substantially prevented, or wherein the solids discharge includes a lip configuration which causes the trajectories of the discharging crystals to be relatively independent of their size and/or their residual syrup/moisture content, or including support means, such as a spider like construction having one or more webs substantially parallel to the angular motion of the solids being

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: Centrifugal filtration capable of improving recovery of crystal in a baskey. The basket is so arranged that a central axis thereof is inclined with respect to a horizontal direction to obliqely downwardly orientate a bottom wall of the basket. A crystal recovery auction pipe is arranged which includes a pivotally movable section pivotally moved in the basket, of which a distal end is advanced into crystal in the basket. Crystal in the basket is recovered by suction through the distal end of the suction pipe, which is ultimately displaced to a corner of the basket between a lowermost portion of a peripheral wall of the basket and a bottom wall thereof. This permits crystal collected to a lowermost section of the basket to be substantially recovered by suction through the suction pipe, to thereby improve crystal recovery.

Abstract: A continuously operating centrifuge for spinning sugar massecuite has a perforated basket which widens conically and rotates about a vertical axis. The perforated basket has a throwing-off edge from which the sugar particles are spun off outwardly and are then collected in a further processing device and undergo additional treatment. The further processing device has a removable collecting channel with at least one discharge nozzle at the base thereof. An overflow nozzle can be installed in the discharge nozzle to cause pooling of liquid and convert the centrifuge from magmatizing operation to dissolving operation. An adjustable rebound member and selectable one of two liquid medium conduits further allow reconfiguration between the two modes of operation. For dry centrifuging, the collecting channel can be removed.

Abstract: Apparatus for conditioning freshly ground confectioners' sugar employs a closed vessel with an inlet for unconditioned sugar, an outlet for conditioned sugar, and an agitating unit which is installed in the vessel and not only agitates the admitted material but also conveys it toward the outlet into the range of a feed screw. The bottom of the vessel is permeable to gases and receives air which has been conditioned to have an optimum temperature and moisture content prior to admission into the vessel. Spent air is evacuated through a duct which contains a filter serving to intercept conditioned sugar. The conditioned air can heat or cool, increase the moisture content or reduce the moisture content of sugar in the vessel.

Abstract: An apparatus and method for providing reduced crystal damage in a sugar centrifugal includes provisions for avoiding scratching and other crystal damage by eliminating asperities and sharp edges at the transition between the screening zone and the discharge zone of a centrifugal basket. In addition, the distance on an upper shroud ring across which high velocity crystals slide is minimized to reduce the likelihood of scratching crystals on the surface of the shroud ring. Finally, the tangential velocity at which crystals are released from the centrifugal basket is minimized to reduce impact damage to the crystals.

Abstract: An apparatus and method for reducing sugar, crystal impact damage and lump formation in a centrifugal provides a resilient barrier ring which absorbs most of the impact energy of the crystals and which deflects the crystals so they are not struck by trailing high speed crystals. An air flow causes vibration of the barrier ring to prevent crystal sticking which could lead to lump formation. This air flow also reduces moisture content in the sugar housing to further reduce lump formation.

Abstract: A sugar centrifugal operates at decreased speed to reduce crystal damage but suffers no loss of sugar crystal/molasses separation rate. This is accomplished by superposing a partial vacuum on the molasses chamber of the centrifugal which promotes removal of syrup and water from the sugar crystals through the centrifugal basket wall. Additional drying of the separated crystals is provided by injection of air above the sugar chamber to replace that which is extracted through the centrifugal basket wall.

Abstract: An apparatus and method for reducing sugar, crystal impact damage and lump formation in a sugar centrifugal includes a resilient deflector ring which absorbs most of the impact energy of the crystals while deflecting the crystals out of the path of trailing high speed crystals. An air flow parallel to the local surface of the deflector ring causes vibration of the deflector ring to reduce the tendency for crystals to stick while addition of a supply of water aspirated and atomized by the air flow maintains the ring surface free of syrup build-up which could cause crystals to adhere to the ring surface and form lumps.

Abstract: A continuously operable centrifuge for spinning off sugar massecuite has an upwardly conically expanded strainer basket (20) mounted for rotation about a vertical axis (16). A downwardly conically expanding massecuite distributor (40) rotating with the basket reaches into a floor region of the strainer basket substantially coaxially to the strainer basket. The lower rim of the distributor forms a throw-off edge. Inside and in the upper region of the massecuite distributor (40), a distributing cup (30) is for distributing massecuite. The peripheral wall of the massecuite distributor (40) is formed by several ring elements (41), (42, 43) which partly overlap in the axial direction leaving an annular gap (44, 45). The product distributor is surrounded by a downwardly conically expanding stationary bell (51) which forms a further gap or gap space between itself and the rotating rings.

Abstract: A water-conducting lance, fitted with a spray nozzle at an end thereof, is fixed to the top of a massecuite-separating centrifuge which has a rotating basket, to dispose the nozzle in adjacency to the top of the basket. The nozzle addresses the top of the basket, perpendicularly, and sprays pre-wetting water onto sugar crystals thereat, to insure a good mix of the crystals with subsequent mixing liquid (also water) in a mixing liquid zone, in order that a lump-free high brix magma will be produced.

Abstract: An annular compartment is disposed below the mixing ring of a rotating-basket, massecuite-separating centrifuge, to receive the magma therein. Eductors arrayed in the compartment receive hot water, and ingest magma, to eject the mix therethrough and to centrifuge the mix, while melting the sugar crystals in the magma. The melted crystals, now high brix sugar liquid, is overflowed into a companion compartment; from thence the liquid is passed over a weir, into a sub-compartment, for subsequent discharge.

Abstract: A scraper for a sugar centrifuge comprises a scraper blade mounted on an arm which is moved down into and pivoted within the centrifugal bowl, such that the edge of the scraper blade is moved against but out of contact with the bowl wall for scraping off the sugar adhering to the bowl wall. After the scraping edge, the scraper blade has an afterscraper in direct or indirect contact with the bowl wall. The afterscraper comprises in one embodiment a block whose boundary plane facing the scraping edge forms an acute angle with the tangential plane along the line of contact of the block with the bowl wall.

Abstract: A continuously operable sugar centrifugal is equipped with an upwardly opening conical centrifugal drum surrounded by a sugar collecting housing (3). The upper edge of the drum (1) is equipped with a sugar discharge flange which faces a rotatably mounted ring carrying a plurality of sugar crystal deflecting, spring elastically yielding, sheet metal members which may be mounted in a fixed position or in an adjustable position to the rotatable ring. In the embodiment with the adjustable sheet metal members, their angular position relative to the flight direction of the sugar crystals may be selected in accordance with particular requirements. The sheet metal members are so located that they function as sugar intercepting and deflecting elements. A ring conduit for applying a mashing liquid to the sheet metal members is arranged in a stationary position in parallel to the rotatable ring and axially spaced from the ring.

Abstract: A continuously operating centrifugal for mashing and centrifuging of sugar massecuite is equipped with an upwardly, conically opening screen drum (2) which is rotating about a vertical axis (1). The screen drum is carried by a hub (5) reaching into the interior of the drum and supporting at its top a supply and distributing pot (6) for the massecuite and a precentrifuging bell (8) surrounding the distribution pot and reaching into a bottom zone of the screen drum. The precentrifuging bell also has a conical shape opening downwardly. A discharge rim (17) of the precentrifuging bell (8) is surrounded by a mashing ring (9) rotating along with the drum and bell. The mashing ring widens conically and downwardly. Stationary tubular members (14) are provided for supplying the mashing liquid onto the radially inwardly facing surface of the mashing ring (9).

Abstract: A device for extracting a sugar mass from a vacuum cooker, comprising a centrifugal turbine-like rotor equipped with a limited number of blades for the extraction of the sugar mass, said rotor being placed in a housing which may be connected to said cooker and whereon an outer cavity is provided for the introduction of a heating fluid. The sugar mass drops directly into the scroll of the centrifugal rotor, where it is conveyed, under a slight pressure, through a peripheral conduit leading into a tangential outlet duct.

Abstract: The screen drum of a continuously operable sugar centrifuge is divided into three sections along its axial length from the drum bottom to the sugar discharge rim. A first upper section extends from the discharge rim downwardly. This first section has such a wall inclination (.alpha.) relative to the central rotational axis that a layer of material being centrifuged remains stationary on the first section when the supply of massecuite is interrrupted and the supply of covering or wash-water is continued while the centrifuge keeps operating. A second mid-section extends along a mid-portion of the drum and another angle of inclination (.beta.)relative to the rotational axis, whereby the angle (.beta.) is larger by about 3.degree. to 7.degree. than the angle (.alpha.). A third lower section encloses a third angle (.gamma.) with the rotational drum axis. The third angle (.gamma.) is about equal to the first angle (.alpha.).

Abstract: A continuously operating sugar centrifugal is equipped with the following components, a massecuite supply device, a frustum-shaped screen drum which is rotatably drivable, a housing surrounding the screen drum, a distributor and accelerating device arranged for cooperation with the screen drum, cover water nozzles arranged in a fixed position in the drum, and an air guide ring. The air guide ring is located at the widening upper open end of the drum. The air guide ring widens conically and forms an extension or elongation of the screen drum. A passage or exit gap for the sugar to be discharged from the drum, is provided between the upper drum edge and a rim of the air guide ring facing the drum. The air guide ring rim facing away from the drum reaches into a ring-shaped air scoop and collecting space (17) which is open toward the interior of the drum.

Abstract: The invention relates to a continuously operating centrifuge having a centrifuge basket, a feed tube for the charge, reaching into the basket, and an accelerating and heating device arranged at the bottom of the basket, which device has, coaxial to the basket, rings of various diameter arranged concentrically one in the other, the inside walls of which conically widen downwards and before the lower horizontal edge of which the charge is centrifuged to the ring lying further outside. More than two rings are arranged, the spaces between the rings being open upwards and downwards. The rings have an upper free horizontal centrifuging edge, and a steam feed tube is arranged off-center through which steam is brought into the annular spaces from above.

Abstract: A continuously operable sugar centrifuge modified as taught herein is capable of producing quality sugar. For this purpose elastic, spring resilient sheet metal members (11) are attached to a rotatable ring with an adjustable angle of incidence so that the surface of these flexible sheet metal members encloses a selectable incidence angle with the flight path (12) of the sugar crystals, whereby the speed with which the sugar crystals impinge on the flexible sheet metal members may be controlled. Such control may be accomplished, for example, by a closed loop deceleration or braking action of the rotatable ring carrying the metal members.

Abstract: A device for separating a filler mass into solid and liquid components and, in particular, for converting a highly viscous sugar filler mass into sugar crystals and molasses, includes a centrifuge, a dosaging device for feeding the filler mass and a device for heating the filler mass immediately before centrifuging. The invention is characterized by the fact that the device for heating the filler mass is a high frequency heating device.

Abstract: Continuously operable sugar centrifugals can achieve degrees of sugar purities comparable to those achieved by batch centrifugals if the diameter of the drying stage following the washing stage flares out in steps and/or extends at an opposed angle. Further, the inside of the drying stage is provided with a cover which, together with the upper drop edge of the washing stage, forms such a narrow passage or gap that the mist of contaminated wash liquid developing in the washing stage is kept away from the sugar in the drying stage. Thus, these mists of contaminated wash liquid may be discharged separately from the sugar.

Abstract: The specification discloses a method and apparatus for continuously transferring particulates from a liquid conveying medium to a gaseous conveying medium in which a liquid medium containing solid particulates is injected into a rotating centrifuge basket where the particulates are removed with the aid of centrifugal and pneumatic force. The deliquified particulates are continuously emitted from the centrifuge into a pick-up chamber where they are instantly received by a flowing gaseous conveying medium which transports them to a desired location. The method and apparatus of this invention are particularly useful in the mining industry.

Abstract: An improved basket assembly and method of making same of the type designed for use in a sugar centrifuge that includes an annular mounting flange containing an upwardly-flared frustoconical seat and an open-bottomed conical element adapted to mate in assembled relation with the aforementioned frustoconical flange seat. The apparatus is characterized by shaping the opposed surfaces at the lower end of the cone and base of the seat so as to cooperate with one another in assembled relation to define an upwardly-opening and inwardly-flared continuous annular groove for the reception of a weld. The apparatus also includes a circumferentially-spaced series of apertures in the wall of the cone opening onto the conical surface of the seat when assembled to receive a corresponding number of plug welds.

Abstract: A centrifugal drier comprises a conical bowl mounted in a housing for rotation about a vertical shaft. A circular wall concentrically surrounds the bowl and separates the housing chamber into a first compartment receiving the liquid from the rotating bowl and a second compartment receiving the separated solids therefrom. A skirt surrounds an upper part of the bowl and is affixed thereto. An annular baffle is affixed to the circular wall and extends between the wall and a lower skirt part. The circular wall, the skirt and the baffle define an annular space in communication with the first chamber. Rotation of the bowl and skirt affixed thereto causes the liquid to be forced centrifugally from the bowl into the first chamber and liquid droplets to be suspended in an air current in the annular space. A fibrous mat is disposed in this space and surrounds the skirt to trap the suspended liquid droplets and permit the liquid to run by gravity into the first chamber.

Abstract: A continuously operable sugar centrifugal for mixing and curing sugar massecuites includes an intermediate mixing device between inner and outer centrifugal baskets. The mixing device is formed by a ring housing with an impact zone, retaining zone, and inclined baffles to impart turbulence and transform the kinetic energy of sugar received from the inner basket into the work of mechanical mixing. Mixing liquid is introduced into the received sugar and the mixture eventually passes over the lower edge of the mixing device into the outer basket for final separation and curing. The mixing device is stationary relative to the inner basket or rotates at a slower speed and may assume a variety of advantageous geometries.

Abstract: The present continuously operating centrifuge produces sugar of uniformly high quality from low grade sugar massecuite of uneven consistency by distributing the massecuite to differing selected levels of a centrifugal screening basket. The distribution level depends on the liquid content characteristics of the massecuite. An accelerating cup is mounted for rotation centrally within the basket for receiving and delivering massecuite to a distributing bell opening downwardly and surrounding the accelerating cup. The distributing bell directs the massecuite toward the tapering wall of the centrifugal screening basket. The lower edge of the distributing bell is vertically adjustable relative to a lower zone of the screening basket for said distributing of the massecuite to different levels of the basket. The centrifugal basket may have several zones.

Abstract: A continuously operable sugar centrifuge separates sugar massecuites into syrup portions of differing quality and crystalline sugar. The centrifugal screening basket is mounted for rotation within a housing divided into a plurality of different compartments for receiving syrup portions of differing quality from the screening basket. The housing also includes a first common collecting chamber for green syrup and a second common collecting chamber for high green syrup. Adjustable valves are provided between at least some of the compartments and the collecting chambers for alternatively connecting a compartment to either the first or second collecting chamber for separate discharge of syrup according to the quality of syrup received in the compartment. Mixing of syrup portions of differing quality is prevented by sealing elements even though the transition zone from green syrup to high green syrup shifts up or down along the basket wall.

Abstract: An improved cyclical centrifugal machine includes a rigid support mounted above the basket of the machine, a bearing housing suspended from the support for gyratory motion, a basket-carrying spindle rotatable in fixed position relative to the housing on bearings therein, and an electric motor for bringing the spindle and basket to rotational speed. The improved centrifugal machine also comprises a system for controlling transmission of torque from the motor to the basket by means of a clutch having relatively rotatable clutch members adapted to transmit torque through liquid films between them. The clutch is operated to vary the torque transmitted from the motor to the basket so as to produce a maximum load to be placed on the motor for producing a desired basket speed.

Abstract: A centrifuge for separating massecuite into solid and liquid fractions has a rotatable drum which includes a circumferential wall having a small and uniform thickness, and top and bottom walls. Sieves for separating massecuite into its constituent liquid and solid fractions are located in an inner chamber which is bounded by the walls of the drum. At least two rows of holes are formed in the circumferential walls through which the liquid fraction is discharged whereas the solid fraction retains in the inner chamber. The drum is reinforced in the regions of the top and bottom walls, for instance by means of two ring members which are fitted on the circumferential wall adjacent to the top and bottom walls. On the other hand, it can be reinforced by means of inclination of the top wall and/or the bottom wall to a horizontal plane. It is also possible to provide the reinforcing ring member adjacent to the bottom wall and to incline the top wall of the drum, and vice versa.

Abstract: A continuously operating centrifugal or centrifuge for centrifuging sugar massecuites and for remashing the centrifuged sugar, comprises a ring conduit with nozzles for mixing liquid directed at the upper wide end of the centrifugal basket. The ring conduit is arranged in a housing having a cover, above a frustum-shaped centrifugal basket equipped with screens and rotating about a vertical axis of rotation. A conical baffle member is arranged radially outside of the upper edge of the centrifugal basket for intercepting the sugar crystals. A cover ring is mounted at the upper end of the centrifugal basket at a small distance from the ring conduit. The radial width of the cover ring corresponds at least to the spraying range of the nozzles for the mixing liquid. The conical baffle member is shaped like a frustum and opens upwardly. The centrifuge includes a mixing compartment enclosed by smooth walls.

Abstract: Process, centrifuge and installation for producing crystallization seeds, as for the sugar industry. A suspension of crystals produced from the seeded solution is subjected to a scheme of centrifugal separations whereby seeds falling within a predetermined size range are obtained for seeding the solution.

Abstract: A conical centrifugal basket suitable for continuously operating sugar centrifuges. The basket has at least two sections connected to each other by screws or the like extending through flanges which extend radially outwardly. The separation screen of the basket section having the larger diameter has a radial extension at the smaller diameter end. The radial screen extension is directed radially outwardly and is clamped between the flanges.

Abstract: A continuously operating sugar centrifuge has a centrifugal basket with three stages including a preseparating stage, an intermediate meshing-in and washing stage, and a separating stage proper. The intermediate stage has three zones, namely a first zone without any perforations or screens and with a cylindrical or somewhat inwardly inclined wall, adjacent to the preseparating stage, a second cylindrical or slightly outwardly inclined intermediate zone with a screening area in which the openings take up 2% maximum and a third zone having a wall with a 10.degree. outward inclination at the most which merges into said separating stage and which carries a screen having the largest possible screen openings. A liquid supply device is arranged to feed liquid into the intermediate stage.

Abstract: A method for releasing compacted sugar crystals from a screen after centrifugation uses braking force for stopping rotation of the centrifuge. The brake stops rotation of the screen without simultaneously stopping rotation of the crystals accumulated adjacent the screen. The centrifuge may include one or more apertures in the base of the drum for exit of the sugar crystals.

Abstract: A centrifuge has a rotatable basket with a vertical axis of rotation and mounted within a housing. In order to prevent liquid moving along the inner walls of the housing from dropping into the basket, an elastic ring is coaxially mounted above the upper flange of the basket, and sealed with respect to the inside of the housing.

Abstract: In a centrifuge, the centrifuge baskets may be conical or cylindrical, and the inner surface of the basket is provided with grooves or a mesh for forming flow-off paths. A screen is supported inside of a centrifugal drum, basket, or cage. The screen may rest on the inner surface of the drum, cage, or basket, or support members may be interposed between the screen, and the drum, basket or cage. In any event, passageways are provided between the screen and the rotating centrifugal member such as a drum, basket or cage. The radially outer surfaces of the screen are at least partially roughened, and corresponding contact areas of the supporting surface are also roughened, in order to increase the friction at said contact areas.

Abstract: A continuously operating centrifuge for producing a high purity sugar or sugar syrup, has an acceleration bell or cone which acts as a preliminary separator, and a centrifugal basket, the lower portion of which acts as a washing stage. A damming ring is spaced from the upper edge of the basket to form with said upper edge a sugar exit gap. A discharge ring is arranged to cooperate with the damming ring. The discharge ring rotates with the basket, but about an axis extending at an angle relative to the rotational axis of the basket, whereby the actual sugar exit is confined to a predetermined zone along said sugar exit gap. A flow channel cooperates with said zone to receive the sugar without damage to the sugar crystals.

Abstract: An air and massecuite warming device comprising a pair of nested, concentric frusto-conical tubular members positioned above a massecuite separating centrifuge in which steam is directed into the chamber formed between the nested members. The steam is discharged from the inner member by a plurality of nozzles located in the conical wall of the inner member forming a vortex. Before contacting the massecuite, the steam mixes with the air drawn through the centrifuge, raising the air temperature. This warm air reduces the massecuite viscosity by increasing the temperature of the massecuite and the temperature of the centrifuge elements contacting the massecuite thereby increasing the centrifuge separation capacity and improving the purity of the sugar produced.

Abstract: A centrifuge arrangement comprises a rotor mounted for rotation about an axis and a relatively thin-walled, onepiece, conically-shaped container having a circumferential wall and an upper and a lower portion integrally connected with the circumferential wall. The lower portion is adhesively secured to a rotor with a hardenable substance which cures over a period of time, thus permitting adjustment of the connection between the container and the rotor so that they rotate without causing undesirable vibrations. A rolling method of making the conically-shaped container is also disclosed.

Abstract: Sugar is continuously crystallized from a sugar bearing solution in a single stage vacuum pan by a method and apparatus comprising means for and the steps of continuously supplying a sugar bearing solution of a constant, desired purity to the vacuum pan by combining a relatively low purity sugar bearing solution flow stream with a relatively high purity sugar bearing solution flow stream while regulating the ratio of relatively low to relatively high purity sugar bearing solution in the combined flow stream, continuously supplying sugar seed crystals having a relatively uniform crystal size distribution to the vacuum pan, continuously boiling at least a portion of the sugar bearing solution and sugar seed crystals in the vaccum pan to form a boiling massecuite, and continuously removing at least a portion of the massecuite from the vacuum pan.

Abstract: A high concentration sugar solution is produced by contacting sugar crystals as they emerge from a centrifuging basket, with pressurized solvent liquid sprayed from a plurality of nozzles to form a turbulent mist of solvent and to envelope the sugar crystals which are forced to travel through said turbulent mist of solvent to impinge upon a baffle guide ring. The turbulent flow of solvent mist and solvent enveloped sugar crystals is guided along said baffle guide ring to a back-up location, where sugar solution, air, and liquid mist are forced through a gap and over a damming ring wall surrounding the gap. The centrifuge for performing the foregoing process includes a centrifuging basket with an upper rim over which the sugar crystals emerge. A solvent supply ring with nozzles facing toward the rim is arranged above the upper basket rim. The baffle guide ring curves downwardly and surrounds an inner housing which in turn surrounds the basket.

Abstract: A drum for a centrifuge has a shell with a radially outer layer of plastic resin free of fibrous material, a radially inner layer of a fine mesh metal fabric embedded in a plastic resin material, and a plurality of intermediate layers of fibers, such as glass fibers embedded in plastic resin material, with the fibers of adjacent layers extending in different directions. The ends of the drum are thickened, and secured to flanges of end plates by screws having axially extending holes. Radially extending holes at the center of the shell are provided with tubular inserts. The holes axially extending through the screws also extend substantially radially relative to the drum.

Abstract: A centrifuge drum is mounted for rotation about an upright axis and has a bottom wall provided with an opening. A closure member is mounted for movement relative to the bottom wall between a first position in which it sealingly blocks the opening, and a second position in which it unblocks the opening. A fluid-pressure actuated arrangement is operable to move the closure member to its first position and maintain it there as long as desired. A connecting head is provided which connects the fluid pressure-actuated arrangement with a source of pressure fluid.