Patent GB-554683-A (GB)
Title: Improvements in or relating to apparatus for the removal of matter in suspension from liquids by settlement or subsidence
IPC: B01D21/00
Filed: 1941-10-13
Abstract: 554,683. Gravity-separation apparatus. PENNING, C. J. H. Oct. 13, 1941, No. 13139. [Class 46] Suspended matter is separated from liquids, particularly sugar juices, as the liquid flows down vertical or inclined small bore tubes 21 carried by a plate 20 disposed towards the top of a vessel 1, the matter settling at the bottom of the vessel where it is withdrawn and the clear liquid rising outside the tubes and being withdrawn at the underside of the plate. As shown in Fig. 1, a rotary shaft 10 carries a circular plate 18 for distributing liquid entering by a pipe 3 over a perforated plate 7, radial arms 5 for stirring the liquid and radial arms 11 for sweeping the scum and foam into a collector 12 leading to a gutter 13 containing an adjustable weir 15 for interrupting liquid. The perforations in the plate 7 are smaller than the bore of the tubes 21 and are kept clear by wire brushes 6 or the like on the rods 5. Glass tubes 21 with a flange 27, Fig. 2, are attached to the plate 20 by means of rubber stoppers or by means of rubber sleeves 26, fitted on metal nipples 22, having a tapering bore 23, so as to permit slight lateral movement. Metal tubes 21 with flanged upper ends may be mounted directly in holes in the plate 20. Clear liquid is discharged through one or more pipes 30 into a gutter 32. The latter is enclosed to conserve heat and the vessel 1 is covered with heat insulating material 1 observation windows 34, 21<SP>1</SP> and a gauge glass 19 being provided. A chimney 16 is provided for escape of vapour and one or more pipes 35 for the escape of gas or are collecting under the plate 20. The solid matter is prevented from adhering to the wall of the vessel 1 by chains 38 attached to members 36, 37 on a rotary shaft 39, and is discharged by a worm 42 through a pipe 43, steam being admitted by a pipe 45 to prevent ingrow of air. In a modification, Fig. 9 (not shown)), the plate 20 is fitted over an aperture in a cover plate of the conical lower portion of the vessel 1 and the liquid discharge pipes are fitted in the cover plate, which forms the bottom of a gutter for reception of the clarified liquid, the upper part of the vessel being of reduced diameter. In a second form, the tubes 51, Fig. 6, are carried by an inclined plate 20 below a perforation plate 49 in a preferably rectangular vessel, provided with an inlet port 48, a vapour outlet port 50, one or more outlet pipes for clarified liquid leading to an enclosed gutter 54 and observation window 55, 60. The solid matter is discharged through a rotary cylindrical valve 61 having a plurality of chambers 65, Fig. 7, each provided with a port 67 adapted to register with a steam inlet port 70, in order to fill the chambers with steam before entering the vessel. A port 73 is provided at the other end of each chamber to register simultaneously with an exhaust port 74. Alternatively, the chambers 65 may be of helical form and the steam exhausted through the outlet 66. Specification 382,711 is referred to.