Patent GB-429256-A (GB)
Title: Improvements in or relating to methods of and machines for separating solids from liquids
IPC: B04B3/00
Filed: 1933-08-23
Abstract: 429,256. Centrifugal machines. SHARPLES SPECIALTY CO., 23rd Street, Philadelphia, U.S.A. Aug. 23, 1933, No. 23449. Void [Abridged as open to inspection under Sect. 91 of the Acts, March 1, 1934]. [Class 23] Solids are separated from liquids in a rotor so constructed that while continuous separation is effected during the first part of the travel of the material, the flow of the material is retarded during the next part and the solids are continuously removed from the second part of the rotor. The form shown has two separating parts and two retarding parts. The rotor 10 is carried by a hollow shaft 32 mounted in bearings 35 secured within a tubular extension of the inner casing 27 supported on the shell 19. Webs 18 connect the shell 19 to the lower part 12 of the outer casing. A solid shaft 31 is supported in bearings 33, 34 and rotates inside the hollow shaft 32 ; it carries a head 38 with a number of blades 79 adjustably secured in sockets 80 by screws. The feed also passes through this head. The main driving shaft 20 of the machine is mounted in the casing part 12, and is connected to the two shafts 31, 32 by gearing 22, 23, 29, 30 so that the solid shaft 31 rotates at a slightly higher speed than the hollow shaft 32. The tube from the hopper is perforated at its lower end which passes into the head 38, and the perforations 53 have internal flanges which co-operate with the U-shaped metal strip 54 carried by the head, to break up any clusters of solids which pass in with the feed. Channels 58 in the head convey the material to the rotor, and a diagonal inward flange bounds a chamber to which rinse water is supplied by the pipe 59, and from which it is discharged through openings in the wall. The rotor part forming the bowl has a flange secured by screws 37 to the flange 36 of the hollow shaft 32. The wall is of conical form ; the upper and lower sections are perforated and carry screens 69, 70. The central part of the wall carries an inwardly extending portion 64 which serves to retard the flow of the ascending solids; a similar retarding portion is fixed at the top of the bowl. The material is supplied to the hopper 52 and passes through the perforations 53 and passages 58 to the bowl, the lumps being broken as they pass. As the material rises in the bowl the liquid passes through the screen 69 and the perforations 67 into the trough 44 from which it is discharged by the pipe 46. The solids move slowly over the part 64 and their movement is assisted by the blades 79. During this part of their travel they are rinsed by the water from the pipe 59. They then pass over the second screen 70 and retarding portion 66 where similar operations occur. The solids finally leave the bowl at the top and pass below the hood 50 supported by the cover; they then drop through the space between the inner and outer casings 19, 12 on to a conveyer, or into a storage chamber. An annular shield 77 surrounds the bowl and has inclined ribs 78 upon its inner surface to deflect liquid downwards. Air currents generated by the rotation of the bowl are also deflected downwards and help to prevent liquid or vapours from discharging between the bowl and the flange 49 of the casing.