Patent GB-933376-A (GB)
Title: Improvements in or relating to gyrofugation method, means therefor and products so obtained
IPC: B04B5/08
Filed: 1962-02-16
Abstract: 933,376. Centrifugal separators. G. A. RUBISSOW. Feb. 16, 1962 [Feb. 16, 1961], No. 6065/62. Class 23. A fluid mixture is separated into heavy and light components by subjecting it to the simultaneous action of two different centrifugal forces and the separated components are conducted while under the action of the centrifugal forces into respective containers, means being provided to co-ordinate the output quantities and speeds of the components. The separation is carried into at least one container 56, Fig. 1, rotatably mounted on a horizontal shaft 54 rigidly secured to a vertical shaft 51 supported in bearings 52, 53 in a protecting frame 50 and rotated about an axis XX by means of an electric motor through a belt and pulley connection 60, a gear chain or a friction connection. The shaft 51 rotates the shaft 54 about an axis YY through bevel gearing 58, 59. The mixture is fed into the container by gravity or by a pump 154 through a valve 155 and conduits 61, 62, the latter conduit being controlled by a valve 63 and opening into the container by one or more outlets 64. Under the action of the centrifugal forces caused by the simultaneous rotation of the container about the axes XX, YY the heavy and light components tend to accumulate respectively in the regions 67, 69 of the container. The heavy components are removed through channels 71, 72, 73, 78 and a control valve 79. The light components leave through openings 80, 81 and channels 82, 83, 84, 85, 88a and valve 89. The channel 84 may be connected through a valve 96 to a channel 90 connected in turn through channels 93, 94 to the channel 88a. The channels 73, 85, 93 are circular and are each defined by a rotary tubular member engaging into a corresponding stationary member. The valves 79, 89, 155 are adjusted to control the continuous output quantities and speeds of the separated components. More than two components of varying specific weights may be separated by providing channels for their evacuation in suitable regions of the container. The separation instead of being continuous may be intermittent ; the valves 79, 89, 155 are closed, the mixture treated during a given time and thereafter the separated components expelled from the container while still rotating about the axes XX, YY. Lubricant may be provided through a conduit 97 in the shafts and/or an oil-feeder conduit 98 to the parts requiring lubrication. The interior of the container may be under vacuum provided by a pump connected to the conduit 65. Similarly the space 156 may be under vacuum provided by a pump 157, in which case the heavy or light separated component could be evacuated from the container 56 through a suitably gauged outlet orifice 158 or 159. The interior of the container may be separated into a number of completely or partially closed compartments. To facilitate separation, the interior of the container may be provided with a high-frequency oscillator, a piezo-electric vibrator, a magnetic separator, an electric cooling or heating device, an X-ray or alpha- or beta-ray emitting device or an electrically charged plate 124, Fig. 19, which may act conjointly with an ionization device 126. These devices may be remotely controlled and may be provided singly or in combination. In Figs. 9 and 21, filter elements 164, 165 are inserted between the exit orifices 70, 80, 81 and the mixture. The axis YY of the shaft 54 supporting the container 56 instead of being horizontal may be parallel to and in the same plane as the axis XX of the shaft 51, Fig. 25, or at an angle thereto, Fig. 7. In the latter case the container is protected by a frame member 111. Alternatively, the axis YY may be parallel to the axis XX but in a different plane; the axis XX may be concentric with the container; the axis YY may be eccentric to the symmetrical axis of the container. In Fig. 9 the container is provided with a central solid part 160A secured to the top 160 of the container and having a spiral feeding channel 116; alternatively, the solid part is keyed on to the shaft 54 or rigid with the bottom of a container wound on a shaft at 45 degrees to the axis XX. In Fig. 10 the feed is through a passage provided between a cone 117 rigidly mounted on the shaft 54 and a spiral-like funnel body 118 rigidly mounted upon the container 56. In another embodiment, outlet channels are provided in a cone-formed funnel on the shaft 54 which co-operates with a spiral funnel on the container to provide inlet channels. In Fig. 26 only one container 56 is mounted on the shaft 54 and is counterbalanced by a weight 133. The apparatus may be used for the separation of: uranium isotopes from a uranium containing fluid; heavy and ordinary water from water; hydrogen isotopes; the constituents of air, blood, urine, plasmas, biological liquids, oils, petroleum, pasty substances and molten metals; and powdered materials intermixed with fluids. Separation may be made in stages through a number of apparatus.