Abstract: Systems and methods are provided for sample processing. A device may be provided, capable of receiving the sample, and performing one or more of a sample preparation, sample assay, and detection step. The device may be capable of performing multiple assays. The device may comprise one or more modules that may be capable of performing one or more of a sample preparation, sample assay, and detection step. The device may be capable of performing the steps using a small volume of sample.

Abstract: Disclosed are a reaction and separation processor and a process for producing biodiesel. The processor is comprised of a stationary casing and a rotor located internal to the casing, with a gap formed between the rotor and casing. A fluid inlet port is located at the upper end of the casing for delivering fluid, which is used to produce the biodiesel, into the reaction zone of the processor, in which the reaction zone is defined as a gap between an upper portion of the rotor and casing. Surface irregularities for inducing fluid turbulence in the reaction zone are located on an inner surface of the casing, an outer surface of the rotor, or both. A rotor inlet port is located at a lower end of the rotor for directing fluid from the reaction zone into the separation zone, which is located within the rotor.

Abstract: To provide a vertical centrifugal separation apparatus which recovers a centrifuged liquid with a reduced loss and is suitable for when a target is the centrifuged liquid, and a method of recovering the centrifuged liquid. In performing centrifugation, the liquid to be processed is supplied from a lower portion of a cylindrical rotational tube which rotates about a vertical axis, and the centrifuged liquid is discharged and recovered from an upper portion of the cylindrical rotational tube. When the centrifugation is stopped for cleaning the cylindrical rotational tube, for example, the cylindrical rotational tube is set to a first overturn position to recover the remaining centrifuged liquid, and then the cylindrical rotational tube is set to a second overturn position to pull the tube out of the casing. Such a structure allows the recovery of the centrifuged liquid as the target with a reduced loss and without waste.

Abstract: A device for separating components of a composition according to density. The device includes a rotatable chamber and a plurality of buoys. The rotatable chamber has an axis of rotation. The plurality of buoys are positioned within the rotatable chamber and about the axis of rotation. The buoys are radially movable between an expanded position in which the buoys are at a first location relative to the axis of rotation and a contracted position in which the buoys are at a second location relative to the axis of rotation. The first location is further from the axis of rotation than the second location is. The buoys are movable in response to force generated during rotation of the rotatable chamber.

Abstract: A vertical centrifugal separator is provided which includes a mechanism for automatically discharging solids produced during centrifugal processing after the centrifugal processing. The vertical centrifugal separator includes a casing 4, a bowl 5 that is rotatably housed in the casing 4 and provided to separate a solution to be processed supplied to the inside of the bowl 5 into a liquid and a solid by the action of centrifugal force and to discharge the liquid and the solid, and a discharge assembly 6 that is rotatably housed in the bowl 5 and provided to discharge the solid in the bowl. The bowl and the discharge assembly each have an engagement portion being engaged or disengaged when the bowl and the discharge assembly are moved relative to each other in an axial direction and a position adjustment mechanism for adjusting the phase between the discharge assembly and the bowl relative to their rotation axis, for example, at a single relative position.

Abstract: A device for separating components of a composition according to density. The device includes a rotatable chamber and a plurality of buoys. The rotatable chamber has an axis of rotation. The plurality of buoys are positioned within the rotatable chamber and about the axis of rotation. The buoys are radially movable between an expanded position in which the buoys are at a first location relative to the axis of rotation and a contracted position in which the buoys are at a second location relative to the axis of rotation. The first location is further from the axis of rotation than the second location is. The buoys are movable in response to force generated during rotation of the rotatable chamber.

Abstract: A centrifuge concentrator bowl has feed deposited onto a base of the bowl and includes a plurality of recesses at axially spaced positions along a peripheral wall of the bowl. The peripheral wall is formed of a rigid metal skeleton frame of rings and upstanding support members on which is molded a urethane liner material to form an integral structure with the rings located at ribs between the recesses. A fluidization water injection system includes an outer container on the bowl, which also acts as a clamping assembly and a plurality of liquid entry openings through the peripheral wall at the base of the recesses allowing flexing of the peripheral wall in response to changes in pressure in the fluidizing liquid. The bowl is formed of separate sections defined by a bottom concave base section and the cast skeleton wall all clamped together to allow replacement of the separate parts.

Abstract: A substrate processing apparatus according to the present invention comprises a substrate holding mechanism for holding a substrate and rotating the held substrate; a process liquid supply mechanism for supplying a process liquid to the substrate; a process liquid acquisition section arranged so as to enclose the substrate holding mechanism and having an acquisition port for acquiring the process liquid scattered by the rotation of the substrate; a movement mechanism for changing a relative position between the process liquid acquisition section and the substrate held by the substrate holding mechanism; and a control mechanism for controlling, when the process liquid scattered by the rotation of the substrate is acquired in the acquisition port, a relative position between the substrate and the acquisition port such that the scattered process liquid is acquired in the acquisition port on the basis of predetermined substrate process condition.

Abstract: A centrifuge includes a rotator comprising a receiving unit receiving materials and guiding the materials to move upward by centrifugal force to an upper portion of the receiving unit, and a rotator cover covering the upper portion of the receiving unit. The centrifuge also includes a container that is coupled to the rotator cover to be connected to the receiving unit and that receives the materials moved upward along the receiving unit. The centrifuge and a centrifuging method as disclosed herein are used for separating a fluid to which a large centrifugal force is applied and a fluid to which a smaller centrifugal force is applied by adjusting the rotation speed using the principle that centrifugal force during rotation varies according to specific components of a fluid. Thus, using the centrifuge and the centrifugal method, materials can be centrifuged and layers of the materials can be classified and collected accurately and easily.

Abstract: A cyclone separator useable in a surface cleaning apparatus comprises a cyclone casing defining a cyclone chamber and a dirt collection chamber exterior to the cyclone chamber. The cyclone chamber and the dirt collection chamber are openable such that the entire cross sectional area of the cyclone chamber and the dirt collection chamber may be exposed.

Abstract: A cyclone separator useable in a surface cleaning apparatus comprises a cyclone casing defining a cyclone chamber and having first and second opposed ends and a sidewall extending between the first and second ends. The first end is provided with a fluid inlet and the second end is provided with a dirt outlet. The dirt outlet provides a lateral outlet to a dirt collection chamber in communication with the cyclone chamber via the dirt outlet. The dirt outlet is positioned from about 90 to about 330° around the cyclone casing in a flow direction from the fluid inlet.

Abstract: The present invention relates to systems, methods and apparatus for improving the yield for separating components of fluids, for example biological or sensitive fluids such as blood, and improving the component yield, for example, from donated whole blood by separating its components by density in a centrifuge bowl with a multi-axial lumen. The apparatus, system, and method eliminate the need to batch-type separate blood and can reduce the time needed to treat patients suffering from T-cell or white blood cell mediated diseases or conditions to less than 70 minutes. In one aspect, the invention is a centrifuge bowl (10) comprising an outer housing (100); a core (200); a lower plate (300); a lumen (400); a first bowl channel (420) within said lumen (400) for inflowing said fluid (800); a second bowl channel (410) for removing a first separated fluid component (810); and a third bowl channel (740) for removing a second separated fluid component (820).

Abstract: A centrifugal extractor has a rotor supported rotatably in a housing 10, and an aqueous phase liquid and an organic phase liquid are supplied to the outer circumference of the rotor and mixed between the housing and the rotor. A mixed phrase liquid is sucked into the rotor and is separated into two phases in a centrifugal force field generated in the inside of the rotor, and the separated aqueous phase liquid and organic phase liquid are discharged to an aqueous phase collector 50 and an organic phase collector 44, respectively. A cavity portion is provided in the center of the rotor, and a neutron absorption body 60 is disposed in the cavity portion. Preferably, the rotor has a lower rotating and supporting mechanism (such as a sliding bearing 66), and a neutron absorption material is sealed into the lower rotating and supporting mechanism. By such a centrifugal extractor, criticality safety and durability can be enhanced, even when the extractor is designed to be larger-size and larger-capacity.

Abstract: A centrifugal extractor wherein a rotor is supported rotatably in a housing 10, an aqueous phase and an organic phase are supplied to the outer circumference of the rotor and mixed between the housing and the rotor, a mixed phase is sucked into the rotor and is separated into two phases in a centrifugal force field generated in the inside of the rotor, and the separated aqueous phase and organic pahse are discharged to an aqueous phase collector 50 and an organic phase collector 44, respectively. A cavity portion is provided in the center of the rotor, and a neutron absorption body 60 is disposed making use of the cavity portion. Preferably, a lower rotating and supporting mechanism (such as a sliding bearing 66) of the rotor is disposed, and a neutron absorption material is sealed into the lower rotating and supporting mechanism. By such a centrifugal extractor, criticality safety and durability can be enhanced, even when it is designed to be larger-size and larger-capacity.

Abstract: A system for dry separation of powders into at least two fractions including a powder to be separated and a separator including a hollow body rotating about an axis and defining a cavity having a powder engaging surface, the surface of the cavity being a surface of revolution which rotates about the axis, an upper edge of the cavity having a greater diameter than a lower edge, a system controlling the rotation of the body, at least one feeder continuously feeding dry powder into a feeding zone adjacent to the cavity surface near the lower edge, the length of the feeding zone being at least an order of magnitude less than a circumference of the cavity surface of the lower edge, at least one discharge device continuously discharging the powder from the cavity surface, the at least one discharge device including a body arranged along substantially the entire length of the generatrix of the cavity surface and located immediately in front of the feeding zone aligned with the rotation of the cavity surface, a first

Abstract: The invention concerns a connection device for a centrifugal separator having a rotor (2) in a casing (1) and a tubular member (7) attached to the casing and forming an inlet passage for media supply into the rotor (2) and an outlet passage (9, 10) for media discharge therefrom. The connection device includes a connection unit (15) forming a first channel (20) connectable to a first one of the passages (8) and a second channel (21) connectable to a second one of the passages (9). The unit (15) forms a recess (16) to receive the tubular member (7) in such a manner that an end portion of the tubular member projects therefrom. Moreover, the unit (15) is releasably mounted in one single piece onto the tubular member (7). A locking member (19) engages the end portion to press the unit (15) axially against the casing to a determined position in relation to the tubular member.

Abstract: A centrifugal separator for separating two components of a dry mixture has an annular surface inclined upwardly outwards and having a vertical axis of symmetry and a drive mechanism for rotating the surface around the vertical axis of symmetry. A centrally located feed mechanism feeds the mixture onto the surface. At least a first part of the surface is configured such that particles of one component are retained on the surface while particles of the other component progress upwards across the surface and over the upper edge. The separation process may be based on ridges or barriers which prevent upward movement of small particles, or on frictional differentials between types or shapes of particles. Multiple concentric surfaces may be used to separate mixtures in multiple components.

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: A centrifugal separator includes a rotor sleeve which reduces the fine scale mixing of liquid components. The rotor sleeve in the annular mixing zone minimizes liquid-liquid shear, but does not adversely affect the pumping action of the rotor. The separator comprises a housing having a generally cylindrical inner surface defining an interior chamber. A hollow rotor is disposed within the chamber for rotation therein, the rotor having upper and lower openings and a generally cylindrical rotor wall with an inner and outer surface. The outer surface of the rotor wall is spaced apart from the inner surface of the housing and thereby defines the annular mixing zone. The rotor sleeve comprises a cylinder only slightly larger than the rotor. The sleeve is fixed relative to the housing, thereby preventing liquid within the annular mixing zone from contacting the rotating outer surface of the rotor. The reduction in mixing action dramatically increases the separation efficiency for shear-sensitive liquid mixtures.

Abstract: A continuous decanter assembly suitable for processing nuclear materials comprises a mechanical assembly for driving a decanter bowl and an Archimedean screw. Sealing structure is provided to enable the decanter bowl and screw to be disconnected from the mechanical assembly and accessed by an operator without risk of nuclear contamination.

Abstract: A method of separately extracting mercury and gold from mine tailings includes a centrifugal separator comprising a centrifuge bowl having a plurality of annular rings on the peripheral surface. An outer bowl or sleeve member provides a jacket from which water is injected through holes in the inner bowl into recesses between the annular rings. Feed materials containing gold and mercury are separated so that the gold and mercury is collected with the heavies in the recesses. The liquid mercury escapes through the holes in the inner bowl onto the inner surface of the outer bowl which is provided with an annular receptacle and is shaped to collect the mercury at the receptacle axially spaced from the open mouth of the bowl. A plurality of outlets in the annular receptacle allow the escape of the mercury into a secondary launder inside the outer launder for the main discharge materials from the open mouth.

Abstract: An enhanced gravity laminar flow separation system is provided by a conical drum which has a plurality of flow channels along the inside surface of the drum. Feed material for separation is fed into the drum and accelerated by an impeller so as to enter the channels at a feed end at the base of the drum and to move along the channels to a discharge end at the mouth of the drum of increased diameter. Heavies are stripped from the base of the channel and the lights escape from the open mouth of the bowl longitudinally of the channel. The channel changes cross-section from the feed end to the discharge end decreasing in width and increasing in depth by the addition of a V-groove at the base. Tangential forces from the acceleration of the material which act on one side of the channel are balanced by the shape of the channel to provide symmetrical flow.

Abstract: A method for mixing and separating immiscible liquid salts and liquid metals in a centrifugal contractor. The method includes introducing the liquids into an annular mixing zone and intensely mixing the liquids using vertical vanes attached to a rotor cooperating with vertical baffles, a horizontal baffle, and bottom vanes attached to the contactor housing. The liquids enter the contactor in the range of 700-800 degrees Celsius. The liquids are separated in the rotor into a dense phase and a light phase which are discharged from the contactor.

Abstract: A centrifuge drum for separating mixtures of liquids, especially for separating refrigerated milk into cream and skim milk, with an intake pipe secured to a stationary housing to supply refrigerated milk to a separation space in the centrifuge drum and a pealing disk for diverting the separated skim milk. The pealing disk is positioned in a pealing chamber that communicates through channels with the periphery of the separation space. A diversion chamber is disposed between the separation space and the pealing chamber that communicates with the center of the separation space and has a diversion channel for diverting the cream into a stationary interception chamber. The pealing chamber is positioned axially between the diversion chamber and the interception chamber and the diversion channel is positioned concentric with the axis of rotation of the drum, whereby the diversion channel extends radially outward from the diversion chamber, through the center of the pealing disk, and into the interception chamber.

Abstract: A centrifuge apparatus (10) for separating multi-phase fluid is disclosed. The centrifuge apparatus (10) includes a bowl-like structure (12) rotatably mounted in a housing (14) for rotation about a vertical axis. The centrifuge apparatus (10) further includes means for introducing multi-phase fluid into the bowl (12) and means for driving the bowl (12) at a predetermined rotation speed. A rotor assembly is coaxially mounted in the bowl (12) for rotation therewith to accelerate or impel the multi-phase fluid such that the fluid is separated into heavier phase fluid and lighter phase fluid with solid particles being collected on the inner surface of a bowl side wall portion (16).A top wall member (18) of the bowl (12) defines axially directed openings (50) therein for discharging the heavier phase fluid. Discharge means positioned in the cylindrical side wall portion (16) extend radially into the interior of the bowl (12) for discharging the lighter phase fluid.