Patent ID: 6682631
Filing Date: 2004-01-27
Classification: B01D,B04B,G01N,Y10S

Abstract:
A method of centrifugal evaporation of at least two solvent components having different volatilities and different specific gravities from a mixture of such components and other less volatile materials contained in at least one container and in which the more volatile solvent component has a higher specific gravity than the other less volatile solvent component or components, the at least one container being rotatable about an axis spaced therefrom, comprising the steps of centrifuging the mixture while still under atmospheric pressure, and thereafter progressively evacuating a sealable chamber enclosing the at least one container under the control of a control system, so as to reduce the pressure and cause the volatile components to boil under the reduced pressure conditions, determining the temperature of the mixture by means of a temperature sensor connected to said control system, and before the pressure is reduced below a value at which the more volatile component will boil, rotating the at least one container at a speed sufficiently high so as to generate a centrifugal force of approximately 450 times the gravitational force which gravity exerts on the mixture in the at least one container when at rest, such that any emissions from the surface of the mixture are retained within the confines of the at least one container once boiling occurs.