Abstract: A frustro-conical chamber for separating particles in a fluidized bed for blood component or cell separation. The chamber is characterized by an injection-directing surface for directing inflowing fluid along a frustro-conical wall of the chamber. A dam adjacent the cell-injection port may be circumferentially disposed within the chamber and may have its maximum height adjacent an injection port, and the height may diminish away from the injection port. The injection directing surface may comprise a shelf extending into the interior of the chamber from the injection port, thereby impeding fluid flow in the direction of an outlet port.

Abstract: The present invention relates generally to corn dry-milling, and more specifically, to methods for producing a high protein corn meal from a whole stillage byproduct produced in a corn dry-milling process for making ethanol and a system therefore. In one embodiment, a method for producing a high protein corn meal from a whole stillage byproduct includes, in a corn dry-milling process for making ethanol, separating the whole stillage byproduct into an insoluble solids portion and a thin stillage portion. The thin stillage portion is separated into a protein portion and a water soluble solids portion. Next, the protein portion is dewatered then dried to define a high protein corn meal that includes at least 40 wt % protein on a dry basis.

Abstract: The present invention relates generally to corn dry-milling, and more specifically, to methods for producing a high protein corn meal from a whole stillage byproduct produced in a corn dry-milling process for making ethanol and a system therefore. In one embodiment, a method for producing a high protein corn meal from a whole stillage byproduct includes, in a corn dry-milling process for making ethanol, separating the whole stillage byproduct into an insoluble solids portion and a thin stillage portion. The thin stillage portion is separated into a protein portion and a water soluble solids portion. Next, the protein portion is dewatered then dried to define a high protein corn meal that includes at least 40 wt % protein on a dry basis.

Abstract: A drive device for a solid bowl screw centrifuge includes a motor for rotating a drum of the centrifuge, a transmission which is connected between the motor and the drum, and a cooling device for cooling the transmission during operation when the drum is rotating. The cooling device is an annular body which is fitted on the outside of the transmission and has an air guiding device that conducts air from farther outwards radially inwards onto a surface of the transmission.

Abstract: Described are embodiments that include methods and devices for separating components from multi-component fluids. Embodiments may involve use of separation vessels and movement of components into and out of separation vessels through ports. Embodiments may involve the separation of plasma from whole blood. Also described are embodiments that include methods and devices for positioning portions, e.g., loops, of disposables in medical devices. Embodiments may involve use of surfaces for automatically guiding loops to position them into a predetermined position.

Abstract: The present invention provides method for separating contaminants from a liquid mixture comprising the steps of a) providing a feed of said liquid mixture to be purified, b) adding a separation aid to the liquid mixture to be purified, wherein said separation aid is capable of binding said contaminants and c) supplying a flow of compressed air into said feed after step b) has been performed to provide a feed comprising air. The method further comprises steps d) removing air from said feed comprising air to provide a deaerated feed; and e) supplying said deaerated feed to a separator, and f) separating a phase comprising contaminants and said separation aid from said liquid mixture in said separator, wherein the separation aid added in step b) is insoluble in said liquid mixture at the separation conditions in step f). The present invention further provides a system for separating contaminants from a liquid mixture.

Abstract: The present invention provides method for separating contaminants from a liquid mixture comprising the steps of a) providing a feed of said liquid mixture to be purified, b) adding a separation aid to the liquid mixture to be purified, wherein said separation aid is capable of binding said contaminants and c) supplying a flow of compressed air into said feed after step b) has been performed to provide a feed comprising air. The method further comprises steps d) removing air from said feed comprising air to provide a deaerated feed; and e) supplying said deaerated feed to a separator, and f) separating a phase comprising contaminants and said separation aid from said liquid mixture in said separator, wherein the separation aid added in step b) is insoluble in said liquid mixture at the separation conditions in step f). The present invention further provides a system for separating contaminants from a liquid mixture.

Abstract: Systems, methods and devices are provided for the automated centrifugal processing of samples. In some embodiments, an integrated fluidic processing cartridge is provided, in which a centrifugation chamber is fluidically interfaced, through a lateral surface thereof, with a microfluidic device, and wherein the integrated fluidic processing cartridge is configured to be inserted into a centrifuge for centrifugation. A cartridge interfacing assembly may be employed to interface with the integrated fluidic processing cartridge for performing various fluidic processing steps, such as controlling the flow of fluids into and out of the centrifugation chamber, and controlling the flow of fluids into the microfluidic device, and optionally for the further fluidic processing of fluids extracted to the micro-fluidic device.

Abstract: A continuous through-flow settling vessel for adaptive separation of a mixture from gas and/or oil exploration or production, said mixture comprising a varying mixture of liquid and gaseous phases, wherein the vessel is provided with: an inlet for a mixture, and a gas outlet, a water outlet and an oil outlet, the outlets being provided distant from the inlet, and the oil outlet being downstream of the water outlet, a weir downstream of the water outlet and upstream of the oil outlet, which weir functions as a barrier to a free through-flow in the vessel of the liquid phase which comprises a water phase and an oil phase, which phases are separated from each other by settling, the weir having a height lower than the gas outlet, and wherein the vessel is additionally provided with:—an oil draining means capable of controllably draining oil phase from the vessel upstream of the weir, said means being provided at a level below the weir height and above the water phase that is present during operation of the vessel

Abstract: Methods and systems for reducing bacterial contamination of platelets are disclosed. The methods and systems disclosed herein provide for the processing of a pre-determined volume of whole blood so as to reduce the risk that platelets separated and collected from the whole blood have a reduced risk of bacterial contamination.

Abstract: A control method for a centrifuge is performed by a motor drive unit to drive a motor of the centrifuge using pulses from an angle sensor. The method has a start phase, a regulated acceleration phase, a holding phase, a regulated deceleration phase, a regulated gentle deceleration phase, and a position adjustment phase.

Abstract: Systems, methods and devices are provided for the automated centrifugal processing of samples. In some embodiments, an integrated fluidic processing cartridge is provided, in which a centrifugation chamber is fluidically interfaced, through a lateral surface thereof, with a microfluidic device, and wherein the integrated fluidic processing cartridge is configured to be inserted into a centrifuge for centrifugation. A cartridge interfacing assembly may be employed to interface with the integrated fluidic processing cartridge for performing various fluidic processing steps, such as controlling the flow of fluids into and out of the centrifugation chamber, and controlling the flow of fluids into the microfluidic device, and optionally for the further fluidic processing of fluids extracted to the microfluidic device.

Abstract: An automatic cell isolation and collection system for sorting out target cells from a sample includes a crush module, a centrifuge module, a transport module, and a control unit. The centrifuge module includes centrifuge tubes and a magnetic mechanism providing a magnetically attractive force to at least one of the centrifuge tubes. The control unit electrically communicates with the crush module, the centrifuge module, and the transport module, and controls operation of the crush module, transport of the sample via the transport module after the sample is crushed by the crush module, centrifugation of the centrifuge module, and operation of the magnetic mechanism for providing the magnetically attractive force.

Abstract: A storage portion forming a storage space 10, includes an inclined inner wall portion 20 that is connected to a base portion so that the diameter of the inclined inner wall portion gradually decreases; a concave portion 22 is formed at a part of the inclined inner wall portion; and the concave portion 22 includes a concave portion side surface 22b that is connected to a concave portion bottom surface 22a. The concave portion 22 is formed at a position, where the concave portion crosses an interface S between the specimen centrifuged during rotation and air, in a radial direction with respect to the central axis; and the maximum width of the concave portion 22 in a circumferential direction around the central axis is included in a range of 2 mm to a length of 20% of the whole circumference.

Abstract: A solid-bowl screw centrifuge has a centrifuge drum that can rotate about a longitudinal axis during operation. The centrifuge drum has a front wall with at least one discharge opening for discharging clarified product from the centrifuge drum. A weir edge is formed at the discharge opening radially toward the outside. An energy recovery device is provided for recovering energy from the clarified product that is being discharged. The energy recovery device defines a discharge pipe through which the clarified product passes as the clarified product flows out. The energy recovery device is situated on the outside of the front wall and in front of the discharge opening that has the weir edge.

Abstract: The invention relates to a method for the operation of a laboratory centrifuge (1), wherein a rotor (2) rotates around a horizontal rotational axis (3). It should be avoided that during the start-up of the laboratory centrifuge (1) or the deceleration of the laboratory centrifuge (1) for small angular velocities and small centrifugal forces resulting therefrom due to the gravitational acceleration the product (6) is biased by resulting components of the acceleration in vertical direction which change their sense of direction. For this purpose the acceleration of the rotor (2) is chosen such that when arriving for the first time in a reversing angular position (twelve o'clock position) there is already a centrifugal acceleration being larger than the gravitational acceleration. The corresponding applies for the deceleration of the rotor after the centrifugation.

Abstract: The present invention comprises methods and systems for manipulation of media and particles, whether inert materials or biomaterials, such as cells in suspension cell culture. The methods and systems comprise use of an apparatus comprising a rotating chamber wherein the actions of the combined forces of gravity, fluid flow force and centrifugal force form a fluidized bed within the rotating chamber.

Abstract: A centrifuge device is provided for the sizing and separation of constituents of a biologic mixture, e.g., adipose tissue. The device provides for the mechanical breaking down of the fibrous structure in the tissue by centrifugation causing the tissue to pass through a mesh element, or a sizing helix, or an extrusion element, whereupon the material is reduced to a slurry. This processed material may then be separated by centrifugation into its constituents, in order to harvest the fraction containing the multipotent cells. These multipotent cells may be utilized for various medical procedures to stimulate healing and tissue regeneration.

Abstract: Disclosed is a method of removing calcium from a hydrocarbon fraction using an extraction agent including 2-oxopropanal or derivatives thereof, the method including (S1) adding a hydrocarbon fraction with an extraction agent including 2-oxopropanal or derivatives thereof to give a mixture, (S2) converting an oil-soluble calcium compound into a water-soluble calcium compound by reacting the hydrocarbon fraction with the 2-oxopropanal or derivatives thereof, and (S3) removing the water-soluble calcium compound.

Abstract: Centrifuges are useful to, among other things, remove red blood cells from whole blood and retain platelets and other factors in a reduced volume of plasma. Platelet rich plasma (PRP) and or platelet poor plasma (PPP) can be obtained rapidly and is ready for immediate injection into the host. Embodiments may include valves, operated manually or automatically, to open ports that discharge the excess red blood cells and the excess plasma into separate receivers while retaining the platelets and other factors in the centrifuge chamber. High speeds used allow simple and small embodiments to be used at the patient's side during surgical procedures. The embodiments can also be used for the separation of liquids or slurries in other fields such as, for example, the separation of pigments or lubricants.

Abstract: A suspension fluid prepared by dispersing polyethylene oxide particles into a solvent including water and one or more types of compounds selected from the group consisting of ethylene glycol and propylene glycol, and a method for manufacturing the same. The phase-change suspension fluid can be a shear-thinning fluid showing a constant newtonian behavior in a low shear rate or low frequency region, but showing a non-newtonian behavior appearing as liquid-like suspension in a high shear rate or high frequency region due to viscosity decrease, and is capable of reversible phase changes by the vibration of a vehicle, and therefore, may provide effects of having advantages of a hydraulic bush in a low frequency region and also having advantages of a solid bush in a high frequency region.

Abstract: Methods and systems for recovering a desired co-product from a feedstock to ethanol production process are provided. The methods involve a multi-step separation of a fermentation-derived feedstock, in which an initial separation produces a discharge stream and an output feed stream including the co-product, and a final separation further purifies the output feed stream while also producing a recycle stream that is reintroduced into the separation process. The systems include at least an initial and at least a final separation device which are in fluid communication in both upstream and downstream directions. The initial separation device separates at least a portion of a non-co-product containing phase from a feed stream comprising the non-co-product containing phase and a co-product containing phase, and the final separation device separates at least a portion of the co-product containing phase from a stream comprising the co-product containing phase and a non-co-product containing phase.

Abstract: Dandelion processes, compositions and products are provided. One process is a method of preparing dandelion that utilizes a species of a Taraxacum genus, the process including the steps of extracting and recovering a rubber and a carbohydrate from a dandelion root substantially simultaneously. The process employs a dandelion species that is selected from the group consisting of: Taraxacum officianale, Taraxacum kok-saghyz, a rubber-bearing species of the genus Taraxacum, and a combination of two or more thereof. This Abstract is provided for the sole purpose of complying with the Abstract requirement rules that allow a reader to quickly ascertain the subject matter of the disclosure contained herein. This Abstract is submitted with the explicit understanding that it will not be used to interpret or to limit the scope or the meaning of the claims.

Abstract: A capsule for preparing a beverage or liquid food from a substance, in a centrifugal brewing unit, by passing water through the substance contained in the capsule by using brewing centrifugal forces. The capsule includes an enclosure containing a predetermined dose of substance, an opening member which opens the capsule under the centrifugal effect to allow the brewed liquid to leave the capsule. The capsule may also include externally driving the capsule in a centrifugal brewing device wherein the capsule includes a structure configured to offer resistance to torque during rotation of the capsule for maintaining the capsule in a reference rotational position.

Abstract: A method for processing a product is disclosed. The method includes providing a separator having a rotatable centrifugal drum and a plate assembly arranged in the drum. The product is supplied into the drum. One or more of a solids phase and at least two liquid phases are separated from the product. One or more of the at least two liquid phases and the solids phase is discharged out of the drum. The supplying of the product occurs in one of a continuous and a discontinuous cyclic volume stream performed at a constant cyclic frequency where the constant cyclic frequency has a period duration which is dependent on one or more of the parameters of an inner and outer radius of a plate, an inflow stream in an intermediate space between the plate and an adjacent plate, a plate angle, and a distance of the plate to the adjacent plate.

Abstract: A method for processing a product provides phase separation into two liquid phases and a solids phase. The method includes processing the product in a continuously operating centrifuge arranged as a separator including a rotatable drum having a vertical rotational axis, discharging a lighter liquid phase continuously from the drum, and discharging a heavier liquid phase discontinuously from the drum. The separator has a disk stack having risers arranged in the drum, a product feed tube, a first separation disk for discharging the lighter liquid phase, a second separator disk for discharging the heavier liquid phase, solids discharge openings for discharging the solids phase from the drum, and a separation zone formed between the lighter liquid phase and the heavier liquid phase in the separator.

Abstract: A method for determining the torque of a worm of a solid bowl worm centrifuge. The solid bowl worm centrifuge includes a rotatable drum and a rotatable worm, the rotatable worm being rotatable at a different rotational speed than that of the rotatable drum. The rotatable drum and rotatable worm are driven via a gear arrangement and a common single drive motor via at least one belt drive, a driving belt pulley, a driven belt pulley and a belt coupling the pulley. The method steps include determining a slip of the at least once belt drive and calculating a torque based upon the determination of the slip.

Abstract: The object of the invention is to provide a blood separation device that can reduce the total time for drawing blood to obtain high-concentration platelet liquid, thereby reducing the binding time of the blood donor. The device includes a temporary storage bag (Y2) (also serves as a buffy coat bag) which is a whole blood bag for storing whole blood drawn from a blood donor. The controlling unit of the device controls the device to draw whole blood from the blood donor in parallel with at least either a circulation flow step or an acceleration step, thereby storing the drawn whole blood in the temporary storage bag (Y2).

Abstract: A centrifugal blood separation system comprising a rotor, a light source, an optical sensor, a control system, a separation vessel, and an optical cell on the separation vessel. The optical cell has a first extraction port extending radially outwardly into the optical cell, a red blood cell extraction port downstream from the first extraction port and extending into the optical cell beyond the first extraction port; and a dam between said first extraction port and said red blood cell extraction port, having an upper edge and a lower edge, wherein the first extraction port and the red cell extraction port are radially between the upper edge and the lower edge of the dam. Also, a first extraction port having a bore having a first diameter, a lumen having a second diameter smaller than the first diameter, and a frustro-conical passageway coupling the bore to the lumen.

Abstract: A capsule, device, system and method for preparing a liquid food or beverage. The capsule comprises an enclosure containing one or more extractable or infusible ingredients and configured and dimensioned to have a perimeter and be radially symmetrical about a central axis to facilitate rotation; and an opening arrangement that allows liquid food to leave the capsule after passing through the ingredient(s), wherein the opening arrangement is configured and positioned near or upon the perimeter of the enclosure to allow the liquid food to leave the capsule radially due to the application of the centrifugal forces. The method and device introduce liquid into the capsule to form the liquid food while applying centrifugal forces to the capsule to urge the liquid to pass through the ingredient(s).

Abstract: The centrifugation vessel includes an outer wall containing an interior space. A dam defines a barrier which divides the interior space into at least two regions including a catch basin defining a higher gee region and a reservoir defining a lower gee region. These regions are joined together over the dam. The dam includes a face which is preferably tapered to enable optimization of speed of separation of a sample placed within the vessel. The vessel is usable in a biological sample processing method by having the higher gee region of the vessel configured to have an elongate form and the volume optimized for collection of a higher density fraction of the sample. Supply and withdrawal tubes extend into the regions for reliable extraction and separate collection of differing density fractions after separation by centrifugation.

Abstract: The present invention comprises methods and systems for manipulation of media and particles, whether inert materials or biomaterials, such as cells in suspension cell culture. The methods and systems comprise use of an apparatus comprising a rotating chamber wherein the actions of the combined forces fluid flow force and centrifugal force form a fluidized bed within the rotating chamber.

Abstract: The present invention may provide a method of removing red blood cells and a centrifuge tube for blood collection, which method and centrifuge tube can, when cells contained in blood are observed after spreading the cells, improve detection accuracy of rare cells contained in the blood, hardly causing loss of the rare cells. The method of removing red blood cells may include the steps of: (A) fixing cells contained in a blood-derived sample; and (B) subjecting the blood-derived sample obtained in the Step (A) to density gradient centrifugation to separate the sample into at least two layers, one of which contains a large amount of red blood cells and the other of which contains a large amount of cells other than red blood cells.

Abstract: The rotary bowl (1) of this centrifugal separator is lined with conical structures divided into sectors (7) separated by angularly offset gaps (9) so as to promote a regular spiral fluid flow therein, which is laminar and enhances separation efficiency significantly: in the case of two-phase or three-phase suspensions, a “cake” is obtained on the side wall (8). A scraper (15) rotating at a slightly different speed may be added to enable simultaneously routing of the solid cake to the outlet and continuous processing.

Abstract: A centrifuge for high-speed centrifuging, includes: a shaft, mounted for continuous rotation about its axis, the shaft having a working section having a loading end and an unloading end; an acceleration member mounted adjacent to the loading end for rotation with respect to the shaft and; a deceleration member mounted adjacent to the unloading end for rotation with respect to the shaft; auxiliary drive arrangement for accelerating the acceleration member and the deceleration member to the shaft speed; carriages for supporting specimens for centrifugation. The carriages are slideably mounted for traversing from the acceleration member to the working section and from the working section to the deceleration member. A carriage may be accelerated on the acceleration member and then transferred to the working section for a period sufficient to perform centrifuging and then transferred from the working section to the deceleration member.

Abstract: A rotor assembly includes a rotor plate to rotate around a first axis; a bucket rotatably attached to the rotor plate and to rotate around a second axis; and a stop plate to rotate around the first axis relative to the rotor plate between an open position and a closed position, when in the closed position, the stop plate is to engage the bucket to fix an angular position of the bucket relative to a plane of rotation of the rotor assembly.

Abstract: Method and Apparatus for predicting the volume of a component separated from a composite fluid by predicting the volume of the composite fluid from sensed pressure and predicting the volume of other separated components from sensed movement of the other components to collection bags.

Abstract: The invention provides a tri-axial centrifuge apparatus for testing of petro-physical properties and gathering of geo-mechanical information, as well as methods of using the tri-axial centrifuge apparatus. The tri-axial centrifuge apparatus includes a tri-axial sample holder, a fluid sample holder, a centrifuge, at least one electrical sensor, at least one acoustic sensor, and an x-ray instrument.

Abstract: A revolver component for a reagent vessel has at least one first chamber that is configured to be filled at least partly with at least one liquid. The first chamber is formed or fitted such that a first chamber filling volume that is configured to be filled with the at least one liquid is delimited by an expansion-variable boundary. The expansion-variable boundary has a spatial expansion that can be reversibly adjusted such that the filling volume is configured to be varied. Reagent vessel insert parts and reagent vessels are also disclosed. Methods for centrifuging a material and for pressure treating a material are also disclosed.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a centrifuge having a compressor cooling device and it also relates to methods for controlling a compressor cooling device of a centrifuge. The centrifuge according to the invention has a controllable throttle device in the refrigeration cycle of the compressor cooling device.

Abstract: The method for separating a dispersion system into constituents, for example, for separating an oil emulsion into oil and water. This invention is based on the problem of, in a known method of dehydrating dispersions by specifying and regulating the output resistance of the liquid constituent of a mixture with a large specific weight, ensuring the following technical result: high-quality separation of the dispersion in accordance with the specific weight into constituents in apparatuses of simplified design. The method for separating a dispersion comprises supplying the liquid mixture for centrifuging, separating and regulating the extraction of the constituents, the extraction of the constituents is regulated by specifying the output resistance of the liquid constituent of the mixture with a large specific weight, and regulation of the extraction is controlled by a specified quantity of the liquid constituent of the mixture with a large specific weight in the centrifuge.

Abstract: Kits and methods provide for the isolation of white blood cells from bodily fluids. In one exemplary aspect, a method for isolating white blood cells from blood includes the act of adding a blood sample to a separation tube having a distal end, a proximal end, and a valve located proximate said proximal end, said valve being configured to transition between at least first, second, and third positions. The method also includes the act of removably attaching a cap to the distal end, centrifuging the separation tube with the valve in the first position, removing the cap at the distal end of the separation tube and removably attaching a first syringe to the proximal end, switching the valve to the second position and withdrawing, via the first syringe, a red blood cell sediment.

Abstract: An improved centrifugal separator system and method for separating a solid portion from a liquid portion, of the type including a chute for introducing material into the separator; a screen rotated on a shaft for allowing a liquid portion of the material to flow through the screen but preventing solids from flowing through the screen; a space between the housing and the screen for allowing the solids to travel through the separator; a rotor portion, further comprising a plurality of blades radiating outward from a hub portion of the rotor to an outer ring portion of the rotor to define the traveling space for the solid material between the rotor blades; wherein each of the blades being circular in cross section along their length to minimize the impact on the solid material which makes contact with the rotating blades and do less damage to the solid material, resulting in better product and a reduction in the energy required to power the separator.

Abstract: A centrifuge including a bowl, a bowl drive motor, a screw conveyor, a screw conveyor drive motor, a pump, a pump motor, a bowl VFD to drive the bowl drive motor, a conveyor VFD to drive the screw conveyor drive motor, a pump VFD to drive the pump drive motor, an analysis assembly and a computer electrically connected to the bowl VFD, the conveyor VFD, the pump VFD, and the analysis assembly. The analysis assembly is configured to automatically sample slurry pumped into the bowl and automatically transmit data, characterizing the slurry, to the computer. The computer is configured to calculate control schemes for the bowl VFD, the conveyor VFD, and the pump VFD using the data and, transmit control signals to the bowl VFD, the conveyor VFD and the pump VFD to operate the bowl VFD, the conveyor VFD and the pump VFD according to the control schemes.

Abstract: Centrifuges are useful to, among other things, remove red blood cells from whole blood and retain platelets and other factors in a reduced volume of plasma. Platelet rich plasma (PRP) and or platelet poor plasma (PPP) can be obtained rapidly and is ready for immediate injection into the host. Embodiments may include valves, operated manually or automatically, to open ports that discharge the excess red blood cells and the excess plasma into separate receivers while retaining the platelets and other factors in the centrifuge chamber. High speeds used allow simple and small embodiments to be used at the patient's side during surgical procedures. The embodiments can also be used for the separation of liquids or slurries in other fields such as, for example, the separation of pigments or lubricants.

Abstract: Methods and systems for obtaining platelets are disclosed. Platelets are collected in a pre-determined volume of plasma and a determined amount of a combined storage medium including the pre-determined amount of plasma and a volume of a synthetic additive solution.

Abstract: A dual feed centrifuge system for separating solids from fluids in a drilling mud, the centrifuge system including: a bowl; a screw conveyor rotatably mounted within the bowl; a first feed pipe mounted within the screw conveyor for feeding a drilling mud through a first feed port in a wall of the screw conveyor to a first annular space between the bowl and the wall of the screw conveyor; and a second feed pipe mounted within the screw conveyor for feeding a drilling mud through a second feed port in the wall of the screw conveyor to a second annular space between the bowl and the wall of the screw conveyor. The multiple feed ports may allow the centrifuge to operate more efficiently with both weighted and unweighted drilling fluids.

Abstract: A separator arrangement includes a drum with a vertical axis and which is rotatably mounted in a hooded area and placed on a rotatable drive spindle. The arrangement also includes a sealed drive area containing one or more or all of the components of a separator drive, and a pump that generates negative pressure in the sealed drive area relative to the surroundings outside of the drive area.

Abstract: The invention is a method of processing tarry or resinous liquids. Tarry liquids include wet scrubber liquids containing tars and chars derived from gasification, pyrolysis or drying of biomass. Resinous liquids include those derived from processing coniferous biomass. Tarry or resinous liquid is processed by a horizontal axis centrifuge having a discharge chamber containing a scraper to prevent centrifuge clogging or fouling. The removed tar and char can be used as solid fuel or recycled to the gasification or pyrolysis process. Polymers, for instance cationic polymers, can be added to the tarry or resin containing liquid prior to centrifugation to assist in solids/liquids separation. Removed resin can be recycled for further use. Tar, char or resin depleted wet scrubber liquid can be recycled for further use or more easily treated prior to disposal.

Abstract: A method for removing particulates from a fluid, the method including the steps of: producing a laminar flow of the fluid through a single-flow passageway defined by an interior surface of an outer rotor of a centrifuge; and imparting centrifugal force on the fluid in a direction orthogonal to a direction of the flow of the fluid to capture the particulates from the fluid. The method may further comprise rotation of the centrifuge at a speed of 5,000 to 15,000 revolutions per minute. The method may also or alternatively comprise locating the interior surface between 3 and 5 inches from an axis of rotation of the centrifuge.