Patent ID: 9463473
Filing Date: 2016-10-11
CPC Classification: B04B

Claim Text:
1. A method for processing a product by phase separation into two liquid phases and a solids phase, the method steps comprising: processing the product, the processing occurring in a continuously operating centrifuge arranged as a separator, the separator including a rotatable drum having a vertical rotational axis, a disk stack having risers arranged in the drum, a product feed tube, a first separation disk for discharging a lighter liquid phase, a second separation disk for discharging a heavier liquid phase, solids discharge openings for discharging a solids phase from the drum, and a separation zone formed between the lighter liquid phase and the heavier liquid phase in the separator; and discharging the lighter liquid phase continuously and the heavier liquid phase discontinuously from the drum; wherein the second separation disk is adjustable and is set to an inner radius such that an inlet opening of the second separation disk will not immerse in the heavier liquid phase during an operation, so that the heavier liquid phase will accumulate outside in the drum, and the radius up to which the heavier liquid phase reaches will rise in the drum from the outside to the inside, and so that when the heavier liquid phase has risen up to the inner radius and has reached the inlet opening, the inlet opening is set to a larger radius, so that the inlet opening immerses in the heavier liquid phase, and the heavier liquid phase will be discharged from the drum; and wherein after the discharge of the heavier liquid phase at such time when the heavier liquid phase reaches the outer radius, the inlet opening is pivoted back to the inner radius, so that the discharge of the heavier liquid phase is interrupted.