Including Element Having Helical Blade Patents (Class 494/53)
  • Patent number: 11772104
    Abstract: A decanter centrifuge includes one or more nozzles through which a slurry may be discharged from a feed chamber into a separation zone within a centrifuge bowl. A scroll conveyor may be coaxially aligned in the separation zone within the centrifuge bowl around the circumference of the feed chamber. In the separation zone, the slurry can be separated into at least a light phase and a heavy phase by centrifugal acceleration generated by rotation of the centrifuge bowl, the feed chamber, and/or the scroll conveyor. Each separated phase can discharge from the centrifuge bowl via respective discharge ports. Each nozzle may include a rectangular aperture and differentiated profiles of its leading edge and trailing edge. In some embodiments, the leading edge of the aperture comprises a rounded profile, while the trailing edge comprises an abrupt edge or a less-rounded edge.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 22, 2020
    Date of Patent: October 3, 2023
    Assignee: NATIONAL OILWELL VARCO, L.P.
    Inventors: Floyd Wilder, Neil Mackley, Carlos Garza Gutierrez, Nicholas Kasunic
  • Patent number: 11117338
    Abstract: A waste material compaction device includes an auger cone having a base skirt; a hopper for containing said auger cone; a support located inside the auger cone and fitted to the hopper; an auger flight arranged on an outer surface of the auger cone; a first bearing located adjacent the base skirt of the auger cone; a second bearing positioned inside the auger cone at a distance from the first bearing; and an electric motor and a gearbox for driving the auger cone and the auger flight such that waste material placed in the hopper is compacted in a predetermined direction; the first and second bearings bearing a working load of the waste material compaction device.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 9, 2018
    Date of Patent: September 14, 2021
    Inventor: Gregory Robert Beer
  • Patent number: 10105716
    Abstract: A solid bowl centrifuge has a centrifuge bowl that can be rotated in a rotational direction about a longitudinal axis during operation. An end face of the centrifuge bowl has at least one flow-off opening for the flow-off of clarified material from the centrifuge bowl. A dam edge bounds the flow-off opening in the radially outward direction, and an energy recovery device is located on the dam edge for recovering energy of the clarified material flowing. The dam edge is pivoted toward the rotational direction at least in some sections, as viewed from the longitudinal axis.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 8, 2013
    Date of Patent: October 23, 2018
    Assignee: FLOTTWEG SE
    Inventor: Benno Vielhuber
  • Patent number: 10105715
    Abstract: A solid-bowl screw centrifuge has a centrifuge drum that is rotatable about a longitudinal axis, at least one outlet for discharging clarified material from the centrifuge drum, and an energy recovery device, arranged at the outlet, for recovering energy from the discharged clarified material, when the solid-bowl screw centrifuge is in operation, the centrifuge drum can rotate in a first direction of rotation and in a second direction of rotation opposite to the first direction of rotation. The energy recovery device has a first active surface, via which clarified material can flow out when the centrifuge drum is rotated in the first direction of rotation, and a second active surface, via which clarified material can flow out when the centrifuge drum is rotated in the second direction of rotation.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 16, 2013
    Date of Patent: October 23, 2018
    Assignee: Flottweg SE
    Inventor: Manfred Schlarb
  • Patent number: 9943862
    Abstract: A centrifugal separator includes a bowl with a conical part with a narrow discharge end comprising a radial surface; an end member opposite the radial surface; a number of distance members extending between the radial surface and the end member and providing outlet openings for a separated solid or heavy phase between adjacent distance members; and wear resistance members covering surfaces at the outlet opening. The wear resistance members include plate members and bushing members. The bushing members include mantle portions surrounding respective distance members. The plate members each cover a portion of the radial surface between adjacent bushing members.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 10, 2011
    Date of Patent: April 17, 2018
    Assignee: ALFA LAVAL CORPORATE AB
    Inventors: Willi B. Lendzian, Hans Lauge Joakim Svarrer, Henrik Reiff
  • Patent number: 9931643
    Abstract: A decanter centrifuge includes a rotatable bowl extending along a centrifuge axis of rotation, and a rotatable scroll conveyor with hub mounted coaxially within the bowl. A feed pipe passes centrally within the hub and leads into a feed chamber within the hub. A plurality of circumferentially spaced apart nozzles extend radially outward from a round internal wall of the feed chamber to the outside surface of the hub and extend radially inward beyond the internal wall of the feed chamber. A plurality of discrete accelerator inserts are mounted on the internal wall of the feed chamber, wherein each insert is adjacently mounted between two nozzles and each nozzle is circumferentially fixed by abutment with the radially inward extensions of two of the spaced apart nozzles.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 13, 2016
    Date of Patent: April 3, 2018
    Assignee: ANDRITZ S.A.S.
    Inventors: Jean-Marc Huyghe, Laurentiu Pasol
  • Patent number: 9908125
    Abstract: A centrifuge, including: a flange closing off one axial end of a separation chamber; a plurality of apertures that traverse axially through the flange at a radial distance from a flange axis, wherein at least one aperture is in fluid communication with a first outlet passage; a plurality of weir inserts removably disposed within the plurality of apertures to control a flow of one or more fluids from the separation chamber; wherein at least one weir insert disposed within the at least one aperture in fluid communication with the first outlet passage is changeable to prevent or allow fluid communication between the separation chamber and the first outlet passage.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 30, 2014
    Date of Patent: March 6, 2018
    Assignee: M-1 L.L.C.
    Inventors: Thomas Geehan, Leonardo Renzo Vicentini, Albert Walraven
  • Patent number: 9855565
    Abstract: A solid bowl screw centrifuge for processing drilling muds includes a rotatable drum and a rotatable screw. The centrifuge has a drive device for driving the drum and the screw with a drive motor as well as a gear assembly for producing a differential rotational speed between the drum and the screw when the centrifuge is in operation. A gear input shaft of the gear assembly is rotationally fixed by an overload lever arm that can be triggered in the event of a torque overload. The overload lever arm is directly and detachably connected with one end thereof and at a radial distance from the rotation axis of the gear input shaft to the gear input shaft or to a part that is connected thereto in a rotationally fixed manner. A method is provided for monitoring the torque on the gear input shaft.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 17, 2012
    Date of Patent: January 2, 2018
    Assignee: GEA Mechanical Equipment GmbH
    Inventors: Volker Knospe, Richard Korzinetzki
  • Patent number: 9695381
    Abstract: Methods of and devices for recovering oil and protein and increasing production yields using two centrifuges in series or a centrifuge with dual oil and protein separating functions in a dry mill are provided.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 15, 2013
    Date of Patent: July 4, 2017
    Assignee: Lee Tech, LLC
    Inventor: Chie Ying Lee
  • Patent number: 9579665
    Abstract: A centrifugal separator includes a rotating body rotating in use around an axis. The rotating body comprises a bowl, which comprises a base at one longitudinal end of said bowl, said base defining a rear longitudinal area. An outlet passage extends through the base and an outlet housing is provided in the rear longitudinal area. The outlet housing is communicating with the outlet passage to receive liquid therefrom and the outlet housing has an outlet opening discharging in use liquid from the rotating body. The outlet opening comprises a weir edge defining in normal use a level of a surface of a liquid in the bowl. The outlet housing is rotatable around an adjustment axis and the outlet opening is placed in a side wall offset from the adjustment axis.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 14, 2011
    Date of Patent: February 28, 2017
    Assignee: ALFA LAVAL CORPORATE AB
    Inventors: Bent Madsen, Henrik Reiff
  • Patent number: 9393574
    Abstract: A horizontal decanter centrifuge has a centrifuge bowl with a solids discharge opening, a sleeve having to an interior of the centrifuge bowl and an opposite end opening at an exterior of the centrifuge bowl, and a retainer affixed to the exterior of the centrifuge bowl. The retainer has the sleeve extending therethrough. The retainer serves to removably secure the sleeve in a fixed position with respect to the centrifuge bowl. The sleeve has an interior wall formed of a carbide material.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 12, 2011
    Date of Patent: July 19, 2016
    Inventor: Ray Morris
  • Patent number: 9352338
    Abstract: A centrifugal separator for liquids with two phases of different density includes a bowl with a base defining a first rear area in a casing. At least two outlet passages extend through the base. A first outlet passages communicates with a first outlet opening discharging liquid in the first rear area, and the second outlet passages communicates with a second outlet opening discharging liquid in a second rear area rear of said first rear area. A flange attached to the bowl and a partition of the casing with an annular sealing in between separates the first and the second rear area.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 14, 2011
    Date of Patent: May 31, 2016
    Assignee: Alfa Laval Corporate AB
    Inventors: Henrik Reiff, Bent Madsen
  • Patent number: 9333514
    Abstract: A solid-wall screw centrifuge includes a discharge for discharging a clarified liquid from a drum of the centrifuge. The drum includes a passage in a drum cover associated with a weir plate. The passage, drum cover, and weir plate form an overflow weir on a radial inner edge. A deflecting device is arranged on an outside on the drum cover, the deflecting device is arranged such that an exiting fluid flow from the centrifuge is one of deflected in the circumferential direction and subjected to a twist in the circumferential direction.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 25, 2011
    Date of Patent: May 10, 2016
    Assignee: GEA Mechanical Equipment GmbH
    Inventors: Stefan Terholsen, Jürgen Hermeler, Ludger Horstkötter, Kathrin Quiter, Jürgen Teigeler
  • Patent number: 9333515
    Abstract: A centrifugal separator includes an inlet chamber inside a conveyor body comprising a proximal cross wall and a distal cross wall. Longitudinal walls extend between the proximal cross wall and the distal cross wall. The proximal cross wall comprises a central opening and feed ports are present between adjacent longitudinal walls. The cross walls and longitudinal walls have internal surfaces. A feed path extends from the central opening, through the inlet chamber and out through the feed ports. Wear resistance members insertable through the feed ports fully screen the internal surfaces of the distal cross wall and the longitudinal walls from the feed path and comprise longitudinal wall members with at least one flange portion.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 29, 2011
    Date of Patent: May 10, 2016
    Assignee: ALFA LAVAL CORPORATE AB
    Inventors: Henrik Reiff, Egon Tandrup
  • Patent number: 9266122
    Abstract: The centrifugal separator has a rotating bowl and a rotating conveyor with an acceleration chamber arranged coaxially within the bowl. The centrifugal separator further has a separation chamber, which is radially limited by the bowl and the conveyor, respectively, and the acceleration chamber is provided with feed ports for inlet of feed material into the separation chamber. A feed accelerator is arranged coaxially within the acceleration chamber and is rotating in use around a common axis of rotation relative to the conveyor at a lower speed than the conveyor. The feed accelerator has a discharge outlet for discharge of feed material into the acceleration chamber of the conveyor. The feed ports extend a first axial area and the discharge outlet extends a second axial area, whereby the first and the second axial area are overlapping.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 11, 2010
    Date of Patent: February 23, 2016
    Assignee: Alfa Laval Corporate AB
    Inventor: Allan Otto Kjær
  • Patent number: 9126208
    Abstract: A centrifugal separator comprises a bowl rotating in use around an axis of rotation. The axis of rotation extends in a longitudinal direction, and a radial direction extends perpendicular to the longitudinal direction. A base plate provided at one longitudinal end of the bowl, said base plate having an internal and external side, an outlet opening being provided in the base plate. A casing is projecting at the outlet opening on the external side of said base plate, said casing comprising a casing side, a normal to said casing side extending at an acute angle relative to a circumferential direction of the bowl at said casing and a discharge opening is provided in said casing side. The discharge opening is radially outwardly limited by a weir with an overflow edge and said discharge opening extending radially inwardly to a position above a highest intended level of liquid in the bowl.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 13, 2013
    Date of Patent: September 8, 2015
    Assignee: Alfa Laval Corporate AB
    Inventors: Bent Madsen, Klaus Dircks
  • Patent number: 8968169
    Abstract: The invention is a decanter centrifuge for separating a first substance and a second substance with different densities, comprising a bowl rotating in use around a horizontal axis of rotation in a direction of rotation, said axis of rotation extending in a longitudinal direction of said bowl, a radial direction extending perpendicular to the longitudinal direction, a base plate provided at one longitudinal end of said bowl, said base plate having an internal side and an external side, an outlet opening provided in said base plate for discharge of one of said substances. A slide valve body is adapted for covering an adjustable part of the outlet opening to delimit an effective area of the outlet opening.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 23, 2009
    Date of Patent: March 3, 2015
    Assignee: Alfa Laval Corporate AB
    Inventor: Jon Eiken
  • Patent number: 8961381
    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.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 5, 2009
    Date of Patent: February 24, 2015
    Assignee: M-I L.L.C.
    Inventors: Albert Walraven, Bradley N. Jones, Leonardo Renzo Vicentini
  • Patent number: 8956272
    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.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 30, 2011
    Date of Patent: February 17, 2015
    Assignee: Vanderbeken Ent. Ltd
    Inventors: Cedric Jean-Luc Vanderbeken, Olivier Hugo Christopher Dany Vanderbeken
  • Publication number: 20150011372
    Abstract: Provided is a centrifugal separator equipped with a separated liquid jet nozzle, capable of reducing energy consumption on the rotational drive of a bowl, and capable of avoiding the problem of the solid contained in the raw liquid being discharged through a jet nozzle to a liquid recovery system, and the problem of the adverse effect being produced on the water content ratio in the discharged solid content when the treatment conditions are changed. A separated liquid jetting device 9, which collects the separated liquid that has overflowed the top of an overflow edge 7a of a dam 7, is attached to a front hub 8 at a position on radially outward of each of the liquid discharge ports 6.
    Type: Application
    Filed: October 11, 2013
    Publication date: January 8, 2015
    Applicant: TOMOE ENGINEERING CO., LTD.
    Inventors: Takao Yoshida, Masaru Nagasu
  • Publication number: 20140315706
    Abstract: A solid bowl screw centrifuge for processing drilling muds includes a rotatable drum and a rotatable screw. The centrifuge has a drive device for driving the drum and the screw with a drive motor as well as a gear assembly for producing a differential rotational speed between the drum and the screw when the centrifuge is in operation. A gear input shaft of the gear assembly is rotationally fixed by an overload lever arm that can be triggered in the event of a torque overload. The overload lever arm is directly and detachably connected with one end thereof and at a radial distance from the rotation axis of the gear input shaft to the gear input shaft or to a part that is connected thereto in a rotationally fixed manner. A method is provided for monitoring the torque on the gear input shaft.
    Type: Application
    Filed: April 17, 2012
    Publication date: October 23, 2014
    Applicant: GEA Mechanical Equipment GmbH
    Inventors: Volker Knospe, Richard Korzinetzki
  • Patent number: 8845506
    Abstract: A centrifuge, including: a flange closing off one axial end of a separation chamber; a plurality of apertures that traverse axially through the flange at a radial distance from a flange axis, wherein at least one aperture is in fluid communication with a first outlet passage; a plurality of weir inserts removably disposed within the plurality of apertures to control a flow of one or more fluids from the separation chamber; wherein at least one weir insert disposed within the at least one aperture in fluid communication with the first outlet passage is changeable to prevent or allow fluid communication between the separation chamber and the first outlet passage.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 5, 2009
    Date of Patent: September 30, 2014
    Assignee: M-I L.L.C.
    Inventors: Albert Walraven, Leonardo Renzo Vicentini, Thomas Geehan
  • Patent number: 8808154
    Abstract: A drive apparatus for a scroll centrifuge having a rotating drum and a scroll mounted coaxially therein has a drive motor associated with the drum and a scroll motor that is coupled to the scroll shaft via a gearbox whose housing is nonrotatably connected to the drum drive shaft. According to the invention, the housing of the gearbox for driving the scroll is rotatably mounted in a floor-mounted housing and has a hollow output shaft that is connected via a coupling to the hollow drum drive shaft.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 14, 2011
    Date of Patent: August 19, 2014
    Assignee: Hiller GmbH
    Inventors: Robert Wagenbauer, Christoph Puls
  • Patent number: 8790233
    Abstract: A method for purifying a fluid from contaminating particles in a centrifugal separator with use of a separation aid which is of higher density than the fluid and which binds said particles, the centrifugal separator having a rotor body that rotates about an axis of rotation. The fluid to be purified is led via an inlet into a separation chamber delimited by the rotor body. Separated particles are discharged via a first outlet and clarified fluid cleared is discharged via a second outlet. The fluid being mixed with an amount of separation aid, supplied to the separation chamber. The pollutant particles are bound to the separation aid, which is forced out by the rotation of the rotor body to the periphery thereof. A small flow of separation aid and particles bound thereto are discharged from the separation chamber via the first outlet, and a flow of purified fluid is discharged from the separation chamber via the second outlet.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 9, 2008
    Date of Patent: July 29, 2014
    Assignee: Alfa Laval Corporate AB
    Inventors: Rolf Ridderstrale, Claes Wase
  • Patent number: 8771160
    Abstract: The present invention describes a centrifuge system and method for improving the separation of entrained solids from a solution. The system and method introduces compressed gas to a fluid containing entrained solids to reduce the density and viscosity of the fluid to promote the settling of particles within the solution.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 30, 2009
    Date of Patent: July 8, 2014
    Assignee: F. P. Marangoni Inc.
    Inventor: Daniel Guy Pomerleau
  • Patent number: 8668634
    Abstract: Methods for separating liquids, such as oils from solids, such as drill cuttings, apply a centrifuge to process a solids-enriched output of a fluids/solid separation device. The centrifuge may be a horizontal decanter-type centrifuge. The output may be heated. In example implementations the centrifuge has a bowl angle of four degrees or less and a low fluid depth of two inches or less. The fluids/solids separation device may comprise a shale shaker and/or a main centrifuge for example. The output material may have a relatively high initial solids content, such as 50% or more.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 14, 2012
    Date of Patent: March 11, 2014
    Inventor: Rod Wick
  • Publication number: 20140051565
    Abstract: A solid-wall screw centrifuge includes a discharge for discharging a clarified liquid from a drum of the centrifuge. The drum includes a passage in a drum cover associated with a weir plate. The passage, drum cover, and weir plate form an overflow weir on a radial inner edge. A deflecting device is arranged on an outside on the drum cover, the deflecting device is arranged such that an exiting fluid flow from the centrifuge is one of deflected in the circumferential direction and subjected to a twist in the circumferential direction.
    Type: Application
    Filed: July 25, 2011
    Publication date: February 20, 2014
    Applicant: GEA MECHANICAL EQUIPMENT GMBH
    Inventors: Stefan Terholsen, Jürgen Hermeler, Ludger Horstkötter, Kathrin Quiter, Jürgen Teigeler
  • Patent number: 8652021
    Abstract: A decanter-type centrifugal separator equipped with a continuous lubricant supply device capable of preventing leakage of lubricating oil along supply pathways, and supplying and discharging lubricating oil. The continuous lubricant supply device has a lubricating oil supply channel formed inside a bowl hub, an annular introduction channel that introduces lubricating oil into the lubricating oil supply channel, a lubricating oil infusion channel formed inside a holder, and an oil collector installed on an outer surface of an outer shaft. The annular introduction channel has a first annular groove formed inside the holder such that the groove is occluded on the inside by the outer surface of the outer shaft. The oil collector can orbitally revolve in a predetermined direction inside the annular introduction channel, thereby moving lubricating oil radially inward in the annular introduction channel so as to flow into the lubricating oil supply channel.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 17, 2010
    Date of Patent: February 18, 2014
    Assignee: Tomoe Engineering Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Takeo Yumoto, Toshio Tagami
  • Publication number: 20140005024
    Abstract: A centrifugal separator includes an inlet chamber inside a conveyor body comprising a proximal cross wall and a distal cross wall. Longitudinal walls extend between the proximal cross wall and the distal cross wall. The proximal cross wall comprises a central opening and feed ports are present between adjacent longitudinal walls. The cross walls and longitudinal walls have internal surfaces. A feed path extends from the central opening, through the inlet chamber and out through the feed ports. Wear resistance members insertable through the feed ports fully screen the internal surfaces of the distal cross wall and the longitudinal walls from the feed path and comprise longitudinal wall members with at least one flange portion.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 29, 2011
    Publication date: January 2, 2014
    Applicant: Alfa Laval Corporate AB
    Inventors: Henrik Reiff, Egon Tandrup
  • Publication number: 20130337991
    Abstract: A straight-drum centrifugal dehydration device, wherein extraction of moisture from heavy phase built up in a bowl is facilitated to improve the dehydration effect, and compression efficiency is improved to achieve a reduced load. The straight-drum centrifugal dehydration device, wherein an outer peripheral surface of a rotary drum (21) of a screw conveyor (20) comprises a straight section (24) and a tapered section (25) that spreads outward and away from the straight section, the straight-drum centrifugal dehydration device having an inorganic flocculant feed path for feeding an inorganic flocculant to an inner peripheral surface of the straight section (24) of the rotary drum, and the straight section being provided with an inorganic flocculant addition nozzle (109) communicating with the inorganic flocculant feed path and projecting into an annular space of the bowl and an orifice (108) for adding the inorganic flocculant.
    Type: Application
    Filed: February 17, 2012
    Publication date: December 19, 2013
    Applicant: KOTOBUKI INDUSTRIES CO., LTD.
    Inventors: Kaoru Yamaguchi, Toshiya Kitakaze, Masashi Uehane, Katsuya Hirano, Isamu Tobita
  • Patent number: 8579783
    Abstract: A centrifuge for separating solid-liquid mixtures including: a rotating bowl having a head wall with at least one drain opening for clarified liquid, said bowl having a rotational axis; a weir plate fixed to the head wall of the bowl and rotating with bowl, wherein the weir plate is aligned with the at least one drain opening; a choke plate coupled to and rotating with the rotating bowl, the choke plate having surface axially aligned with the drain opening or the weir plate, wherein said choke plate is movable axially with respect to the head wall, and a gap having between the drain opening or the weir plate, wherein the gap has a radially inward inlet receiving the clarified liquid from the bowl and a radially outward outlet for discharging the clarified liquid from the bowl.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 3, 2010
    Date of Patent: November 12, 2013
    Assignee: Andritz S.A.S.
    Inventors: Gernot Krammer, Laurentiu Pasol, Jean-Marc Huyghe
  • Patent number: 8529425
    Abstract: A horizontal centrifugal separator is configured such that a groove formed along a joint surface between an upper casing and a lower casing constituting the casing is outwardly bent near an opening of the casing, and that an elastic sealing member is disposed in the groove and an end portion thereof abuts against a sealing surface provided on a ring member which is provided so as to surround the outer circumference of the opening of the casing and is pressed against the casing. In this case, surface sealing is constituted by the end portion of the elastic sealing member and the sealing surface of the ring member. In this manner, the hermeticity can be improved without using a sealing member having a complicated structure.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 7, 2007
    Date of Patent: September 10, 2013
    Assignee: Tomoe Engineering Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Atsushi Onodera, Keishiro Yamazaki
  • Patent number: 8523749
    Abstract: A three-phase solid bowl screw centrifuge includes a rotatable drum, a screw arranged in the drum, a solid material discharge located at the fist axial end of the drum, and two liquid outlets are located at a second axial end of the drum. A first of the liquid is for a lighter liquid phase and a second of the liquid outlets is for a heavier liquid phase. One of the liquid outlets includes a skimmer disk arranged in a skimmer chamber and the other of the liquid outlets is formed as an overflow. Two regulating disks are located in the front of the skimmer disk. The regulating disks extend radially from an outside of the drum toward an inside of the drum. A siphon disk extends between the regulating disks and into the skimmer chamber from a interior circumference of the skimmer chamber to an exterior circumference of the skimmer chamber. An annular chamber is formed during an operation and is located between the siphon disk and the skimmer disk.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 31, 2006
    Date of Patent: September 3, 2013
    Assignee: GEA Mechanical Equipment GmbH
    Inventors: Wolf-Diethard Sudhues, Tore Hartmann, Ulrich Horbach
  • Publication number: 20130210601
    Abstract: A centrifugal separator includes a rotor which is rotatable around an axis of rotation. The rotor includes a separation chamber with an inlet for a liquid mixture containing solid particles, at least one liquid outlet for a separated liquid from the liquid mixture, and a solids outlet for the separated solid particles. A screw conveyor is arranged to rotate inside the rotor around the axis of rotation, at a different speed than the rotor. The screw conveyor has at least one conveyor flight for transporting the separated solid particles in the separation chamber towards and out of the solids outlet. The conveyor flight is provided with wear resistant elements arranged along its edge and the wear resistant elements are spaced apart with an interspace between mutually adjacent wear resistant elements.
    Type: Application
    Filed: August 15, 2011
    Publication date: August 15, 2013
    Applicant: ALFA LAVAL CORPORATE AB
    Inventors: Jie Zheng, Claes Wase, Rolf Ridderstråle
  • Patent number: 8485959
    Abstract: A centrifugal separator comprises a bowl rotating in use around an axis of rotation. The axis of rotation extends in a longitudinal direction, and a radial direction extends perpendicular to the longitudinal direction. A base plate provided at one longitudinal end of the bowl, said base plate having an internal and external side, an outlet opening being provided in the base plate. A casing is projecting at the outlet opening on the external side of said base plate, said casing comprising a casing side, a normal to said casing side extending at an acute angle relative to a circumferential direction of the bowl at said casing and a discharge opening is provided in said casing side. The discharge opening is radially outwardly limited by a weir with an overflow edge and said discharge opening extending radially inwardly to a position above a highest intended level of liquid in the bowl.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 8, 2008
    Date of Patent: July 16, 2013
    Assignee: Alfa Laval Corporate AB
    Inventors: Bent Madsen, Klaus Dircks
  • Publication number: 20130157833
    Abstract: A cleaning apparatus for polluted scrubber fluid from an exhaust gas scrubber fluid loop includes means for bleeding off part of the polluted scrubber fluid from the scrubber fluid loop, a disc stack centrifugal separator for separating a pollutant phase and a cleaned scrubber fluid from said part. The separator includes a rotor enclosing a separation space with a stack of separating discs, a separator inlet extends into the separating space, a first separator outlet for cleaned scrubber fluid extending from said separating space, and a second separator outlet for the pollutant phase extending from the separating space. The cleaning apparatus includes means for conducting the part to the separator inlet, and means for discharging the cleaned scrubber fluid from the first separator outlet, and means for collecting the pollutant phase from the second separator outlet.
    Type: Application
    Filed: June 15, 2011
    Publication date: June 20, 2013
    Applicant: ALFA LAVAL CORPORATE AB
    Inventors: Staffan Königsson, Lena Sundquist
  • Patent number: 8465406
    Abstract: A screw centrifuge including a drum having a rotor, the drum having two axial ends and a horizontal axis of rotation, and a screw arranged in the drum and configured to rotate relative to the drum at a speed different from a rotation speed of the drum. Also included is a bearing device located at each axial end of the drum and configured to bear the drum. Each bearing device includes a housing and a pair of cantilevers extending in opposite directions away from the housing. Further included is a pair of spring elements associated with each bearing device and configured for sprung support of the drum. Each spring is arranged between one of the cantilevers and a frame, the spring elements being located at each axial end of the drum.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 7, 2007
    Date of Patent: June 18, 2013
    Assignee: Westfalia Separator GmbH
    Inventors: Martin Overberg, Stefanos Doudis, Stefan Terholsen, Helmut Figgener, Hans-Joachim Beyer
  • Patent number: 8465405
    Abstract: A solid-bowl centrifuge that includes a drum rotatable about a horizontal axis of rotation and a screw arranged in the drum. Also included are a continuous solids discharge located at a first end of the drum and a continuous liquid discharge located at a second, opposite end of the drum. Further included is at least one discontinuously acting outlet opening including a closure device.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 21, 2007
    Date of Patent: June 18, 2013
    Assignee: GEA Mechanical Equipment GmbH
    Inventors: Ludger Horstkötter, Hans-Joachim Beyer, Ulrich Horbach, Johannes Droste
  • Publication number: 20130133250
    Abstract: A fluid filtration system using a rotating container, comprising a shell having an inlet pipe installation port and an outlet port, the inlet pipe installation port and the outlet port are located on the same or opposite side (end) of the shell, and having some distance from the outermost edge of the shell, such that said rotating container can retain fluid during rotation. Stirring blades are placed inside the shell of said rotating container, which rotate with the shell synchronously. The purification process includes the injection of the fluid into the rotating container, which can withhold liquid during high-speed rotation. When the fluid in the rotating container swirls at high speed, substances of higher densities will accumulate at the internal wall of the rotating container away from the rotation axis, whereas substances of lower densities will accumulate at the inner ring region closer to the rotation axis.
    Type: Application
    Filed: November 1, 2012
    Publication date: May 30, 2013
    Applicant: DR. T LIMITED
    Inventor: Dr. T Limited
  • Patent number: 8444541
    Abstract: A solid-bowl screw centrifuge includes a rotatable drum having a horizontal axis of rotation, which drum surrounds a centrifuging space. Further included is a screw which is arranged within the drum, the screw being rotatable at a different speed relative to the drum. Further included is at least one liquid discharge sealed from its surroundings and at least one solid discharge in a tapering region of the drum. Also included is an immersion disk on the screw which disk lies between a liquid feed and the solid discharge and divides the centrifuging space into a discharge space between the immersion disk and the solid discharge, and a separation space between the immersion disk and the liquid discharge. The centrifuge includes a device for charging the separation space with a gas. A process for operating for the solid-bowl centrifuge is also disclosed.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 7, 2007
    Date of Patent: May 21, 2013
    Assignee: GEA Mechanical Equipment GmbH
    Inventors: Ulrich Horbach, Tore Hartmann, Knud Schöneberg
  • Patent number: 8444542
    Abstract: A gear apparatus for a solid-bowl screw centrifuge. The gear apparatus includes a shaft, a gear, and a bearing. The centrifuge includies a drum and a screw, both of which are configured to be driven. The screw is further configured to be driven at a different rotational speed relative to the drum. The gear apparatus is connected between one or more drive motors and the screw and the drum. The gear apparatus is continuously filled with a lubricant and includes a hollow drive shaft having two hollow longitudinal channels extending in an axial direction. Also included is a lubricant compensating system having a lubricant compensating container connected via a line and a rotary lead-through for lubricating the bearing through the two hollow longitudinal channels.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 17, 2009
    Date of Patent: May 21, 2013
    Assignee: Gea Westfalia Separator GmbH
    Inventors: Wilhelm Ostkamp, Richard Neubauer
  • Patent number: 8402729
    Abstract: A vehicle for harvesting espalier fruit, such as berries or grapes, and for further processing to a must on the vehicle. The vehicle comprises a frame configured to reach over a row of plants to be harvested in an area of a u-shaped recess of the vehicle. Also included are wheels on both sides of the u-shaped recess and arranged on the frame. Further included is a picking device to separate the fruit from a remainder of the plants. A solid-bowl screw-type centrifuge is arranged directly on the vehicle, which solid-bowl screw-type centrifuge separates and clarifies a fruit mash into at least a solids phase and a liquid phase.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 15, 2005
    Date of Patent: March 26, 2013
    Assignees: Westfalia Separator AG, Ero-Geratebau GmbH, Hochschule Wadenswil
    Inventors: Jochen Hamatschek, Frank Schauz, Peter Schöttler, Hans-Joachim Beyer, Dominik Zielke, Michael Erbach, Tilo Hühn
  • Patent number: 8338563
    Abstract: Method for purifying a solution of at least one plastic in a solvent, the said solution comprising insolubles, whereby the solution is purified using a centrifugal settler.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 15, 2005
    Date of Patent: December 25, 2012
    Assignee: Solvay (Societe Anonyme)
    Inventor: Bernard Vandenhende
  • Publication number: 20120267303
    Abstract: The present invention relates to a centrifugal separator for separating solid particles from a liquid mixture, said centrifugal separator comprising a rotor body which is rotatable around an axis of rotation, the rotor body having a separation chamber with an inlet for the liquid mixture, at least one liquid outlet for a separated liquid from the liquid mixture, a sludge outlet for the separated solid particles, a screw conveyor adapted to rotate in the rotor body around the axis of rotation, at a speed differing from the rotational speed of the rotor body, for transporting the separated solid particles in the separation chamber towards and out of the sludge outlet, a drive arrangement adapted to rotate the rotor body and the screw conveyor at their respective speeds, and a control unit which is adapted to control the drive arrangement to rotate the rotor body at a first speed during a separation phase and at a second speed, which is lower than the first speed, during a particle discharge phase.
    Type: Application
    Filed: October 13, 2010
    Publication date: October 25, 2012
    Applicant: ALFA LAVAL CORPORATE AB
    Inventors: Tomas Oldebäck, Rolf Ridderstråle, Robert Geiding, Per Fonser
  • Patent number: 8287441
    Abstract: Apparatus for separating liquids, such as oils from solids, such as drill cuttings, comprises a decanter-type centrifuge. In example implementations the centrifuge has a bowl angle of four degrees or less and a low fluid depth of two inches or less. A material conveyor such as an auger is provided to carry material having a relatively high initial solids content, such as 50% or more into the centrifuge. The apparatus may comprise heaters to heat the material. In example implementations the decanter-type centrifuge processes solids from a main centrifuge and/or a shale shaker.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 20, 2008
    Date of Patent: October 16, 2012
    Inventor: Rod Wick
  • Patent number: 8246842
    Abstract: A centrifuge (2) for separating solids from liquid of a slurry with a conveyor (12) having a hub (14) rotatable about an axis (34) and at a helical blade (16) extending axially and radially from the hub. A bowl (4) including a cylindrical section (6) extending from an upstream end of the conveyor and a conically diverging screen section (10) extending to a downstream end of the conveyor extends about the conveyor and is rotatable about the axis. The conically diverging screen section includes an angle (40) that reduces the coefficient of friction of the solids to allow a cake formed of the solids to slide in a controlled manner forward on the conically diverging screen section with minimal back pressure, but without allowing the solid cake to break loose from the conically diverging screen section and slide out of the centrifuge in an uncontrolled manner.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 26, 2009
    Date of Patent: August 21, 2012
    Assignee: Andritz Separation, Inc.
    Inventor: Nicholas Robert Frohlich, Jr.
  • Patent number: 8235882
    Abstract: A centrifuge housing has a lid with a hinge with two hinge parts and a horizontal hinge axis. The lid is able to rotate between a closed position, in which the lid's centre of gravity is positioned on one side of a vertical plane through the hinge axis, and a fully opened position, in which the centre of gravity is positioned on the other side of the vertical plane. A longitudinal spring is connected to a connection member for urging it longitudinally. The connection member is connected at a hinge point at a distance from the hinge axis. The spring assists raising the lid initially during opening and closing the lid initially during closing from the fully opened position. The lid has a position of stable equilibrium in an intermediate position between the closed position and a vertical position.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 17, 2009
    Date of Patent: August 7, 2012
    Assignee: Alfa Laval Corporate AB
    Inventor: Henrik Reiff
  • Publication number: 20120129677
    Abstract: A decanter centrifuge for separating a supplied material in a light phase and a heavy phase comprising an elongate bowl arranged for rotation about its longitudinal axis, the bowl having a separation chamber with a circumferential wall, a screw conveyor being provided in the separation chamber and being coaxial with the bowl, the screw conveyor comprising a conveyor hub. The conveyor hub comprises a longitudinal tubular steel body part and a helical steel conveyor flight attached to the tubular steel body part. The conveyor hub further comprises an inner longitudinal body extending coaxially relative the longitudinal tubular steel body part. The inner longitudinal body is extending through at least a part of the tubular steel body and is made of a first material, such as carbon fibre reinforced epoxy, whose specific modulus is larger than specific modulus of the steel material of the tubular steel body part.
    Type: Application
    Filed: June 11, 2010
    Publication date: May 24, 2012
    Applicant: ALFA LAVAL CORPORATE AB
    Inventor: Erland Grønnegaard
  • Patent number: 8172740
    Abstract: The present disclosure is generally directed to centrifuge systems and methods for controlling centrifuge systems, wherein the systems in certain aspects are adapted for processing material, e.g., but not limited to drilling fluids with solids therein. One illustrative method includes providing a centrifuge system that is made up of, among other things, a bowl, a bowl motor system, a bowl variable frequency drive, a conveyor, a conveyor motor, a conveyor variable frequency drive, a pump, a pump motor, and a pump variable frequency drive. Additionally, the centrifuge system includes a control system that is adapted to control the bowl variable frequency drive, the conveyor variable frequency drive, and the pump variable frequency drive. The method includes controlling the centrifuge system in the G-force differential control mode by controlling the G-force on the bowl as the bowl is rotated by the bowl motor system so that the G-force on the bowl does not exceed a pre-set maximum G-force.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 29, 2008
    Date of Patent: May 8, 2012
    Assignee: National Oilwell Varco L.P.
    Inventors: Khaled El Dorry, George Edward Smith, Mallappa Ishwarappa Guggari, William L. Koederitz
  • Patent number: 8157716
    Abstract: The centrifugal separator comprises a rotatable bowl having a separation chamber defined by a base. The base comprises a first outlet opening defined by a weir at a first level. An outlet chamber communicates with the separation chamber through a first outlet opening. The outlet chamber is connected with an outlet opening, which opens at a second level below the first level into an exterior of the bowl. The outlet chamber outlet opening is provided with an outlet nozzle with an outlet direction opposite the direction of rotation, and an overflow inlet opening is present in the outlet chamber, and is placed at a third level between the first and the second level. The overflow inlet opening communicates with an overflow outlet opening, that opens into the exterior of the bowl.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 15, 2009
    Date of Patent: April 17, 2012
    Assignee: Alfa Laval Corporate AB
    Inventor: Bent Madsen