Abstract: An apparatus for facilitating particle separation by density includes a separator having an inner surface surrounding a rotation axis and defining a particle path from an input end to an axially spaced output end. The inner surface includes a plurality of axially spaced dividers having respective inner positions, defining at least in part respective axially spaced retainers for collecting particles during rotation of the separator. The retainers each include at least one fluid inlet for fluidizing particles in the retainer during operation. The dividers include a first pair of adjacent dividers and a second pair of adjacent dividers, the first pair nearer the input end than the second pair, wherein a first divider slope of the first pair is greater than a second divider slope of the second pair and wherein each of the first and second divider slopes is zero or positive. Other systems, apparatuses and methods are disclosed.

Abstract: A centrifuge separator device for use in mining gold ore receives bulk quantities of gold bearing materials through a port in a central vertical pipe, diverting the materials through a series of rotating baffles into a multi-tiered bowl, with a variable speed bowl drive system turning the bowl and the baffles at a selected speed while framework, including a channeled bin, gussets and a plurality of blades extending a plurality of upper and lower cutters, remains stationary, forcing the materials to separate by density, forcing the lighter materials up and over the rotating bowl into a channeled bin for further disposal through an exit port in the channeled bin, leaving the heavier gold bearing ores in the lower part of the bowl for collection and further classification.

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: 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 centrifugal concentrator in which there is a common shaft for the drive motor and concentrator bowl. The cost of bearing assemblies is thereby minimized. The bowl is driven and suspended from above to keep the motor out of the slurry area and maximize the simplicity of the design. A fluidizing fluid is delivered through the common shaft.

Abstract: The teachings of the present disclosure provide methods and apparatus for enhanced incineration. A method for improving the performance of an incinerator may comprise separating one or more substances from a process fluid using a classifying centrifuge, ejecting a first substance from the classifying centrifuge, the first substance having characteristics optimized for incineration, incinerating the first substance, and using heat generated from the incineration of the first substance to enhance the combustion efficiency of an additional substance separated from the process fluid.

Abstract: A bucket is provided for use with a centrifuge rotor. The bucket includes a bucket body that has a side wall and a bottom wall. A pair of projections extend from the side wall on opposing sides of the bucket body and are configured for engagement with the centrifuge rotor. The bucket also includes reinforcing material coupled to the projections for restricting movement of the bucket body relative to the projections during centrifugation on the centrifuge rotor. The projections may include bushings that extend outwardly from the side wall for engaging corresponding pins on the centrifuge rotor. The projection may alternatively or additionally include pins for engaging corresponding journals on the centrifuge rotor. The bucket body may include a pair of diametrically opposed apertures, with each of the projections extending through one of the apertures.

Abstract: A centrifugal separator of the type having migration, retention and lip zones of the interior surface of the rotating bowl has a variable diameter lip to increase the amount of target material retained in the retention zone. The lip zone's variable diameter is provided by a flexible cylindrical member having an inner diameter which is selectively and uniformly decreased or increased by variation of the pressure applied to the member. By progressively decreasing the inner diameter of the lip zone the volume of retained material is increased over the cycle of the separator.

Abstract: A centrifugal separator includes devices for light matter extraction and for heavy matter extraction. Each embodiment provides for a plurality, e.g., two or more stacked or layered chambers, and connected to a central compartment of the chambers is a rotating drive shaft. In the light matter extraction, a central conduit feeds fluid input into the lower chamber. An upper portion of the lower chamber communicates with the lower portion of a mid chamber via a port formed in a plate dividing the chambers. The upper portion of the mid chamber communicates with the lower portion of an upper chamber via a port formed in a plate dividing the chambers. The chambers can be fixably connected to one another. In the heavy matter extraction an initial feed conduit feeds fluid into the upper chamber.

Abstract: A centrifuge bowl for separating heavier particles from lighter particles and water comprises a conical lead-in wall leading of the bowl to a single recess or a pair of annular recesses at axially spaced positions. Each recess is generally V-shaped with an upper side wall, a lower side wall and a base. The base contains a plurality of angularly spaced valve controlled discharge ducts each having a mouth projecting through the base into the interior of the bowl for discharging the heavier particles in a continuous operation. The lead-in surface is stepped to cause tumbling of the flowing feed materials. The recess or recesses contain a concentrator ring which projects into the recess toward the base to reduce the amount of concentrate in the recess.

Abstract: A centrifuge bowl for separating heavier particles from lighter particles and water comprises a conical lead-in wall leading of the bowl to a single recess or a pair of annular recesses at axially spaced positions. Each recess is generally V-shaped with an upper side wall, a lower side wall and a base. The base contains a plurality of angularly spaced valve controlled discharge ducts each having a mouth projecting through the base into the interior of the bowl for discharging the heavier particles in a continuous operation. The lead-in surface is stepped to cause tumbling of the flowing feed materials. The recess or recesses contain a concentrator ring which projects into the recess toward the base to reduce the amount of concentrate in the recess.

Abstract: A centrifuge concentrator bowl includes a plurality of fluidized recesses at axially spaced positions along the peripheral wall. Each recess is defined by two side walls which has water injection holes for fluidizing materials collecting in the recess. Some of the recesses are at least partly defined by a removable insert member arranged to be attached to a suitable mounting on the wall of the bowl. Each insert member includes a face portion defining a surface facing toward the axis of the bowl for engaging the slurry and preventing wear. The face portion may include a side portion on one side or both sides located radially inwardly of a rib on a respective side of the recess and at least partly covering the rib so as to prevent the slurry from contacting the rib and causing wear to the rib.

Abstract: A centrifuge concentrator bowl includes a plurality of fluidized recesses at axially spaced positions along the peripheral wall. Each recess is defined by two side walls converging toward a base which has water injection holes for fluidizing materials collecting in the recess. The volume within which collection occurs is defined by a replaceable plastic strip member across the recess spaced from the base so that a water channel is formed inside the bowl between the base of the recess and the strip. Water from the channel is injected through holes in the strip in a generally tangential direction around the recess. The use of the replaceable strip allows the injection openings of the bowl to be tailored to requirements and/or to be cleaned of scale by rapidly removing and replacing the strips in the bowl.

Abstract: A centrifuge bowl has a bottom accelerator for accelerating the materials from a feed duct extending into the bowl. The accelerator is a molded body having a top plate with a central hole arranged to receive the materials from the bottom feed mouth of the duct and a plurality of vanes underneath the top plate, each vane extending generally outwardly from an inner nose underneath an outer edge of the hole to an outer end at an outer edge of the top plate. The vanes each have a bottom surface lying in an imaginary bottom surface of the molded body which is conical and contains fasteners arranged to be fastened to the conical bottom wall of the bowl. A deflector plate lies underneath the hole with a bottom surface spaced from the imaginary bottom surface and intersecting the height of the vanes.

Abstract: A centrifuge bowl for separating heavier particles from lighter particles and water comprises a first conical bowl wall leading to a pair of annular recesses at actually spaced positions. Each recess is generally V-shaped with an upper side wall, a lower side wall and a base. The base contains a plurality of angularly spaced discharge ducts each having a pinch valve by which it can be closed and mouth projecting through the base into the interior of the bowl for collecting the heavier particles. Each recess includes injection openings in the upper and lower side walls of the recess arranged to inject fluidizing water in a direction generally parallel to the base and across the mouth of each discharge duct. An insert member formed by two annular screens can be inserted into the recess radially inwardly of the discharge and injection holes and contains a bed of beads which act to float inwardly while the valves are closed and to collapse outwardly when the valves are opened.

Abstract: A centrifuge concentrator bowl includes a plurality of fluidized recesses at axially spaced positions along the peripheral wall. Each recess is defined by two side walls converging toward a base which has water injection holes for fluidizing materials collecting in the recess. The volume within which collection occurs is defined by a replaceable plastic strip member across the recess spaced from the base so that a water channel is formed inside the bowl between the base of the recess and the strip. Water from the channel is injected through holes in the strip in a generally tangential direction around the recess. The use of the replaceable strip allows the injection openings of the bowl to be tailored to requirements and/or to be cleaned of scale by rapidly removing and replacing the strips in the bowl.

Abstract: A centrifuge bowl has a bottom accelerator for accelerating the materials from a feed duct extending into the bowl. The accelerator is a molded body having a top plate with a central hole arranged to receive the materials from the bottom feed mouth of the duct and a plurality of vanes underneath the top plate, each vane extending generally outwardly from an inner nose underneath an outer edge of the hole to an outer end at an outer edge of the top plate. The vanes each have a bottom surface lying in an imaginary bottom surface of the molded body which is conical and contains fasteners arranged to be fastened to the conical bottom wall of the bowl. A deflector plate lies underneath the hole with a bottom surface spaced from the imaginary bottom surface and intersecting the height of the vanes.

Abstract: A filter may have a housing with an inlet and an outlet. A shaft may be rotatably supported in the housing. A rotor may be attached to the shaft, the rotor having an inlet and an outlet. A plurality of members may be attached to the rotor, and a plurality of chambers may be defined in the rotor. The plurality of chambers are placed relative to the members to direct fluid in successive relation across the plurality of members as the fluid commutes between the inlet and the outlet of the rotor.

Abstract: A method for segregating and transporting heavy particles thrown by centrifugal force from a flowing, spinning column of liquid or gas, whereby an outer cylinder whose inner walls present or face the center core with horizontal, circular bands of pyramidal or conical shaped voids, which bands can be vertically stacked to surround a device of any length, and the voids of which present to the heavy particles being thrown from the fluid a receiving surface consisting entirely of outward sloping surfaces, all of which sloped-surface voids accept, accumulate and gravitationally guide said heavy particles towards exit orifices or nozzles, which nozzles penetrate the outer cylinder and together with the sloped voids, permit the continuous, non-mechanically assisted accumulation and ejection of said heavy particles along the entirety of a centrifugal device of any length and thus for any desired duration (or residence time) of fluid flow.

Abstract: A centrifuge bowl for separating heavier particles from lighter particles and water comprises a first conical bowl wall leading to a pair of annular recesses at actually spaced positions. Each recess is generally re-shaped with an upper side wall, a lower side wall and a base. The base contains a plurality of angularly spaced discharge ducts each having a mouth projecting through the base into the interior of the bowl for collecting the heavier particles. A pinch valve is formed as an integral assembly with the mouth and duct and is mounted within a housing carried within the wall of the bowl. The housing, valve and duct can therefore be removed as a separate assembly by pulling from a chamber within the wall of the bowl. A compression fluid supply duct passes through the wall to communicate with the chamber.

Abstract: A one-pass centrifuge separator for mixtures of two liquids which may also contain gas. The centrifuge uses separation zones on a rotor's inner wall to improve separation efficiency and minimize turbulent mixing. The zones consist of surface and interface vanes, and baffle plates to control flow at the fluid interface. The zones also retain an open concept to facilitate washing by cleaning fluids which are provided by nozzles installed on a stationary feedpipe mounted along the rotational axis of the centrifuge. A fluid accelerator gradually accelerates the fluid from the feedpipe to the inner wall of the rotor.

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 centrifuge concentrator bowl of the type having a plurality of fluidized recesses at axially spaced positions along the peripheral wall of the bowl is modified by providing an increase in width of the area between each fluidized recess and the next. In the area between the fluidized recesses is provided a shallower recess which is non-fluidized which provides some collection of materials. The bowl is of a frusto-conical shape so that the open mouth is larger than the base and a restricting ring is attached at the open mouth to define and inner edge of a diameter less than that of the uppermost recess and approximating that of a recess lower in the bowl. The uppermost recess is a fluidized recess and at least one of the lowermost recesses are non-fluidized.

Abstract: A centrifuge bowl is used for separating particulate materials of different specific gravity and has a first generally frusto-conical portion of the peripheral wall of the bowl over which the materials are caused to flow, and two axially spaced annular recesses downstream of the first portion and prior to an open mouth of the bowl. The feed materials pass over the peripheral wall causing heavier material to collect within the recesses and the lighter material to discharge through the open mouth. Each recess has a series of angularly spaced discharge ports controlled by pulsed valves. In front of each discharge port is provided a spherical body which directs the material to all sides around the body as it moves towards the discharge port in a generally conical shape. The conical shapes of adjacent discharge ports overlap to provide full discharge of all the material. The first recess acts as a main concentrate collector.

Abstract: A centrifugal separator for separating heavy metals from lighter ore includes a bowl rotatable about its axis and defining annular collection areas on the peripheral surface of the bowl at axially spaced positions along the bowl. At the peripheral wall in each area is provided a plurality of angularly spaced discharge openings which are controlled by pinch valves to periodically allow the radial escape of the collected material. The pinch valves of a first area are controlled at different timing to the pinch valves of a second area to vary the concentration of the materials collected in the different areas. The pinch valves are operated by a pressurized liquid system which is fed to the different areas through a swivel coupling mounted at a longitudinal shaft supporting the bowl.

Abstract: A centrifugal separator has a housing with a generally cylindrical inner surface defining an inner chamber. A hollow rotor is disposed within the chamber for rotation therein. At least one inlet is provided for introducing a liquid mixture into the annular volume between the rotor and the housing, where it is then directed into the rotor. An upper rotor assembly separates the liquid mixture by phase densities with the disparate components directed to respective outlets. In one embodiment of the invention, the upper rotor assembly includes an easily removable weir ring to facilitate "tuning" of the separation process. The rotor of the separator is mounted on a unitary rotor shaft that extends axially through the separation chamber to upper and lower bearing assemblies in the separator housing.

Abstract: A centrifuge bowl includes a flat base and a generally conical peripheral wall upstanding from the base. A jacket surrounding the bowl allows injection of water from a chamber between the bowl and the jacket through openings in the peripheral wall into the bowl for fluidization of materials within the bowl. A feed duct extends to the base and discharges feed materials onto the base for moving outwardly onto the peripheral wall and passing over the peripheral wall. A first portion of the peripheral wall is smooth, imperforate and frusto-conical. At the upper edge of the first portion is provided a pair of axially spaced recesses with injection openings at the base of the recesses for the fluidizing water. Heavier materials collect within the recesses and are discharged outwardly through a plurality of controlled discharged openings around the recesses. Lighter materials escape through the open mouth of the bowl.

Abstract: A process for the removal of dispersed contaminants less dense than water from pulp and paper mill process liquids, comprises passing the liquid through a centrifuge and collecting the contaminants as a less dense fraction. The application of this invention to paper industry process liquids provides a means of removing a significant fraction of the wood resin and wood resin soaps from the process stream, thus enabling (1) a greater extent of reuse of filtrates and, hence, less effluents from mills, and (2) fewer problems from wood resin, such as deposit formation, loss of strength of product, and contamination of product with dirt particles.

Abstract: The centrifugal separator for fluids comprises a housing (1a, 1b) in which is mounted a rotatable driving cup (3) of a conical shape widening upwardly, as well as a disposable centrifugal bowl (5) made of an elastomeric material and having a generally conical shape widening upwardly and press fitted in the operative position inside the driving cup. This centrifugal bowl (5) has two annular beads, respectively an upper bead (14) and a lower bead (6), through which extend vertical passages, and it is closed at its upper peripheral end by a metallic bowl cover (11). It further has a cover (16) cooperating with the housing for closing the same above the bowl, a resilient rotatable seal (17) integral with this separator cover and in contact with the bowl cover, and a fluid supply tube (21) extending through the removable cover and integral therewith.

Abstract: A centrifugal separator of the type comprising a bowl having a base and a peripheral wall surrounding a vertical axis about which the bowl rotates and a jacket having a base plate under the base of the bowl and a sleeve surrounding the peripheral wall includes a central bottom discharge for the concentrate. The bowl is mounted on the shaft with a hub connecting the shaft to the base plate of the jacket. Water is supplied through the shaft and into the area of the base of the bowl. Tubular discharge ducts extend from holes in the base plate across the space under the bowl to the base plate of the jacket. These remain open during processing of feed materials supplied to the bowl through a vertical tube feeding onto a base plate carried by the bowl above the tubular ducts, and allow the concentrate washed down from the wall of the bowl to discharge when the feed and the centrifugal action of the bowl are halted.

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: A centrifugal separator of the type including a rotor, which is supported by a driving shaft and which forms a separation chamber and an inlet chamber. The inlet chamber being delimited by a dividing wall. An inlet tube extends axially through the dividing wall at one axial end of the inlet chamber at which the inlet channel in the tube opens. In the inlet chamber there is arranged a number of separating discs. A central part of the inlet chamber is connected to an outside space through an evacuating channel. In order to efficiently and gently separate a supplied liquid mixture without demanding a large space in the centrifugal separator, the inlet device is provided with a baffle which, between the opening of the inlet channel and the discs, extends from the rotational axis of the rotor and delimits a liquid filled inlet space. The liquid in the inlet space flowing during operation from the inlet channel radially outwards into the liquid body.

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 centrifugal separator with substantially continuous discharge of the concentrate comprises a centrifuge drum with axially spaced rings projecting inwardly from the peripheral wall of the drum. The material between the rings is fluidized by injection of water. Each channel between the rings has a number of exit openings at the base of the channel for discharge of the concentrate. Each exit opening includes a pinch valve to restrict the discharge to predetermined time periods. Each exit includes injection openings around the exit for injecting water to replace the material discharged to maintain the fluidization between the channel.

Abstract: A centrifuge bowl of the type having a shell including a peripheral wall and a cast inner liner attached to the inside surface of the peripheral wall is modified by the provision of a plurality of punched channel portions which extend inwardly into the bowl from peripheral wall to define a U-shaped channel with severed ends. During the casting process the casting plastics material extends into the recess behind each channel portion and thus when set forms an insert portion which anchors the liner to the channel portion and thus to the peripheral wall. Openings for the entry of fluidizing water are then drilled through the insert portion from the outside of the shell through one end of the channel portion and through the liner into the interior of the bowl.

Abstract: A centrifugal separator of the type comprising a bowl having a base and a peripheral wall surrounding a vertical axis about which the bowl rotates and a jacket having a base plate under the base of the bowl and a sleeve surrounding the peripheral wall includes a central bottom discharge for the concentrate. The bowl is mounted on the shaft with a hub connecting the shaft to the base plate of the jacket. Water is supplied through the shaft and through a pair of ducts passing through the hub and into the area of the base of the bowl. The discharge also extends through the hub through a pair of ducts which diverge from the central discharge opening outwardly and downwardly into a collection chamber. The discharge duct portions through the hub are angularly offset from the water supply duct portions through the hub so that both can be formed in the hub.

Abstract: A centrifugal separator for extracting heavy metals from a slurry comprises a centrifuge bowl having an inwardly facing surface over which the slurry runs. A dam at a discharge end of the surface forms a shallow layer of particles which separate preferentially the heavy metals. The surface includes a portion formed by a plurality of annular membrane portions spaced axially and separated by radial rings extending from the surface to a supporting metal bowl. The membranes are deflated or retracted to gradually form annular cups for receiving the separated metals. The membranes are then inflated to discharge the collected materials while the feed is temporarily halted and the bowl continues to rotate.

Abstract: A separating device which utilizes a centrifuge which is driven by a motor for processing liquids enriched with solids by forcing the solids out of the liquid against a peripheral centrifuge wall as a consequence of centrifugal force characterized that a collecting vessel is the centrifuged container. The collecting vessel or centrifuge chamber has a plurality of axially spaced partitions with concentrically arranged openings to form axially spaced chambers which will collect the solids separated from the liquid as the liquid is discharged from the device. In one embodiment, the collecting vessel and centrifuge chamber are a single molded member. In another embodiment, there are two parts, with one being a container-like part receiving an insert having the parititons.

Abstract: A separator for separating a mixture of two liquids having different specific weights has a transverse wall between upper and lower exterior casing portions having axial openings at opposite axial ends, the axial opening in the upper casing portion having a larger effective diameter than the axial opening in the lower casing portion. An interior casing is spaced inside the upper casing portion and has an upper end. There are at least two openings through the transverse wall, one opening communicating from inside the lower casing portion to the space between the upper casing portion and the interior casing and the other opening being radially inward thereof for communicating between the interior casing and the lower casing portion. An inlet into the upper end of the interior casing lets the mixture into the interior casing while rotating the transverse wall, casing portions and interior casing.

Abstract: Separation device and method for the fractionation and separation of finely divided solid particulate material suspended in a liquid are disclosed. The separation device comprises upper and lower portions which are joined together to form an inner cavity retaining liquid and a capillary gap which extends outwardly radially from said cavity. During rotation solid particles present in the suspending liquid pass outwardly along and/or become entrapped in the capillary gap(s).

Abstract: A centrifugal separator has a rotor with an inlet device comprising means forming a receiving chamber that surrounds a stationary inlet tube extending into the rotor. The inlet tube opens into a receiving compartment of the receiving chamber. The receiving chamber also has an induction compartment which surrounds the inlet tube at some distance from its opening.A deflecting member separates the receiving compartment from the induction compartment and leaves a passage between itself and the inlet tube. Induction members connected with the rotor are operable to induce liquid rotation in the induction chamber radially outside the level of said passage between the deflecting member and the inlet tube, whereas no substantial induction of rotation should take place in the receiving compartment.

Abstract: A centrifugal separator of the type comprising a bowl which is rotated about its axis and which has on the inner surface of the peripheral wall, a plurality of axially spaced radially extending rings and in between the rings, a plurality of openings through which water is injected from outside the bowl, has the openings arranged tangentially to the surface of the bowl and in a direction opposite to the direction of rotation to improve the fluidization of the material on the peripheral surface of the bowl. The openings are manufactured from a plurality of separate wall portions, each of which has projections stamped outwardly which are then drilled to provide tangentially extending holes. The wall portion is then rolled and assembled with a plurality of rings into a bowl where each wall portion is of greater diameter than the previous bowl portion closer to the base. An opening in the base lies under the lowermost ring and extends into a projection from the lowermost peripheral wall portion.