Patent Application
20230302466
Exemplary embodiments of the invention relate to a separator insert for a separator and to a separator comprising such a separator insert. Separators as defined in this document are used to separate a flowable suspension as a starting product in the centrifugal field into phases of different density. Steam sterilization of the separators used is necessary for a wide variety of applications. A relatively “small” steam-sterilizable separator with disk stack introduced to the market via the applicant is the separator “CSC 6” with 6000 m2 equivalent clarifying area. However, in some situations, such as in the laboratory, this machine is still relatively large. The known separators with disk stack available on the market are driven by means of a spindle, which in turn is driven by a motor directly or via a gearbox. In addition, the known machines are made of stainless steel. For these reasons, filters are currently used very frequently in laboratories instead of centrifugal separators. In the case of a separator with a disk stack and with disposable plastic components (single-use technology—single use of pre-qualified plastic parts), steam sterilization (SIP—Sterilization In Place) would not be necessary. It could be particularly suitable for use in biotechnology.
WO 2014/000829 A1 discloses a separator for separating a flowable product into different phases, which has a rotatable drum with a drum lower part and a drum upper part and a means arranged in the drum for processing a suspension in the centrifugal field of solids or for separating a heavy solid-like phase from a lighter phase in the centrifugal field, wherein one, several or all of the following elements consist of plastic or a plastic composite material: the drum lower part, the drum upper part, the means for clarifying. In this way it is possible to design a part of the drum or preferably even the entire drum—preferably together with the inlet and outlet systems or areas—for single use, which is of particular interest and advantage with regard to the processing of pharmaceutical products such as fermentation broths or the like, since after operation for the processing of a corresponding product batch in preferably continuous operation during the processing of the product batch, no cleaning of the product-contacting parts of the drum has to be carried out, but the drum as a whole can be replaced. Especially from a hygienic point of view this separator is thus very advantageous. In order to achieve a physical separation between this disposable drum and the drive, a contact-free coupling between the drive and the drum is advantageous.
A further development is shown in DE 10 2017 128 027, in which the bearing devices are designed as magnetic bearings and one of the magnetic bearing devices is preferably also used as a drive device for rotating the drum, which is held in suspension during operation. This eliminates the need for mechanical components for rotating and supporting the drum, which favors the design as a separator with a separator insert for single use, since replacement of this separator insert is very easy to handle. These advantages are also exploited by the present invention.
Against this background, exemplary embodiments of the invention are directed to a generic separator insert, which can be used or designed as a one-way element, in such a way that the separation process can be better controlled.
According to embodiments of the invention, there is a separator insert for a separator which is designed for separating a flowable suspension in a centrifugal field into at least two flowable phases of different density and, which comprises the following:
This design makes it possible to control the separation process particularly well.
“In operation” means during a or the centrifugal processing when the rotor is turning.
It is preferred, because it is simple and practical, that the rotor units are located at both axial ends of the drum, and that two corresponding stator units are formed on the frame of the separator. In this way, magnetic bearing devices are formed at both axial ends of the drum.
Preferably, the openings of the drum are thus functionally associated with the openings of the housing from a).
In this context, at least one of the two magnetic bearing devices preferably also represents the rotary drive for the drum, wherein this drive is also suitable for driving the drum at freely adjustable speeds or in a freely selectable direction of rotation. Preferably, it may be provided that one or both magnetic bearing devices can act as radial and axial bearings and hold the rotor in a suspended state in the container at a distance from it during operation.
It may be further preferably provided that the separator insert forms a pre-assembled, interchangeable unit for insertion into stator units on the frame of the separator. In interaction, the rotor and stator units form magnetic bearing devices. With these, the drum can be axially and radially supported and held in suspension.
According to a first advantageous and constructively particularly easy to implement variant, it is additionally provided that a further opening of the drum is designed as a free radial outlet for a second of the flowable phases from the drum into the housing, from which it can be discharged. For this purpose, it can be further advantageously and simply provided that the free outlet is associated with a trapping ring chamber of the housing, which has a discharge from the housing.
According to another advantageous variant, which is particularly easy to implement in terms of design, however, it can also be provided in a supplementary manner that a further opening in the drum for discharging the further flowable phases from the drum is designed as a second peeling disk. It can then be advantageously provided that the second peeling disk has a discharge pipe formed coaxially with the feed pipe and is guided coaxially with the latter out of the drum and through the opening in the first axial boundary wall of the housing.
In order to control the separation process, i.e., to be able to control or regulate it, it can also be provided that a regulating valve is connected downstream of the first peeling disk and/or the second peeling disk on the flow side—or, optionally, on the discharge side—which can be controlled by a control device.
It may be further preferably provided that a separating means, in particular a disk stack, is arranged in the drum and that the first peeling disk is arranged in the drum below the distributor and below the disk stack in a structurally space-saving and simple manner, i.e., in an area that is otherwise often required for fastening a drive spindle, which is not required here.
It is preferred—since it is simple and safe in terms of design—that the rotor units for the magnetic bearing devices are arranged at the two axial ends of the drum and that the feed pipe and the discharge pipe of the first peeling disk each pass axially through one of these two rotor units.
It is particularly advantageous and practical that the separator insert is designed as a pre-assembled unit. In particular, it can also be provided that all elements of this insert coming into contact with the product are made of plastic or another non-magnetic material, wherein it can be replaced as a whole and can be completely disposed of after use. Cleaning and, optionally, steam sterilization of the separator insert are thus no longer necessary.
The respective bearing arrangement, which in addition to a radial bearing arrangement also provides an axial bearing arrangement for the drum and/or a rotary drive, can act permanently and/or electromagnetically.
At the outer circumference, the feed pipe or a peeling disk shaft surrounding it is preferably inserted in the housing in a sealed manner or is formed integrally with it.
The drum can be of single-conical or double-conical design. It may additionally or alternatively also have one or more cylindrical sections. It may further be composed of several parts, in particular an upper part and a lower part, wherein these parts are preferably connected to each other (e.g., by gluing or welding) after the installation of internal components and their assembly. Similarly, the housing can be composed of several parts, in particular an upper part and a lower part, wherein these parts are preferably connected to each other (e.g., by gluing or welding) after the installation of internal components—in particular the rotor—and their assembly.
The discharges can have nozzles on the outside of the housing, which are sealed on the outer circumference of the housing, so that hoses or the like can be easily connected in this way. The hoses can also be pre-assembled on the nozzles so that they are completely and, optionally, sealed in a germ-free manner. The nozzles can extend, for example, radially, tangentially, or obliquely to the radial direction.
These separators are suitable for operation at variable, even relatively high speeds. In addition, it can also be used well for one-off processing—for example, for centrifugal separation of a product batch of a flowable fermentation broth as a suspension—from e.g., 100 L to several thousand, e.g., 4000 L—into different phases—and then disposed of. Here, a particular advantage is that all product-contacting components of the separator can be installed, operated, and subsequently disposed of as a prefabricated and already aseptic unit. This prefabricated unit consists at least of the rotor with the drum, the separating disks, the feed distributor, and the rotor magnets or rotor units, as well as the housing with the inlets and outlets. Furthermore, the unit can also contain supply opening and discharge lines (e.g., hoses) as well as measuring equipment or other components that come into contact with the product, which are intended for single use and are disposed of together with the separator unit after use.
A further advantage is that, in addition to a lower thrust bearing in the first vertical alignment of the axis of rotation, a further thrust bearing—e.g., at an opposite end of the drum or possibly also in the drum—is provided. This is because this allows the axis of rotation of the drum to be arranged vertically, but alternatively also advantageously inclined from the vertical. Any arrangement of the axis of rotation is possible. The axis of rotation can thus, for example, be inclined from the vertical at an angle of 30-60°, for example 45°, or it can also be aligned horizontally, i.e., aligned inclined by 90° to the vertical. Furthermore, it is also possible to rotate the entire arrangement by 180°, so that the supply opening is arranged at the bottom and the conical separating disks open upwards, without this causing storage problems for the drum.
Insofar as “a first vertical orientation of the axis of rotation” is considered here or below, this means that the position of the elements of the centrifuge in a vertical orientation of the axis of rotation as described can be realized or is realized. Practically, however, the axis of rotation can then also be oriented obliquely to the vertical orientation. Then, preferably, the discharge for the phases LP, HP, is placed in each case at a vertically lowest position of the respective trapping ring chambers.
It is further advantageous if one of the bearing and/or drive units is designed to radially support and rotate the drum in a first vertical orientation at its lower end.
Finally, it can be advantageously provided that the housing has only the openings for feed pipes and discharges and is otherwise hermetically sealed. For this purpose, it can be provided that the feed pipes and the discharges project outwardly from the housing in the manner of nozzles, wherein these nozzles are connected to the housing in a sealed manner or are formed integrally therewith.
The invention also provides a separator having a frame and an interchangeable separator insert according to one of the claims related thereto.
This facilitates the creation of a separator having a disposable module with disposable “drum” and “housing” components, whereas at least the frame and parts of the bearing and drive assembly can be reusable.
The invention enables the manufacture of a separator in which a disposable separator insert can be used, which is preferably designed in such a way that all components in contact with the product are made of plastic or other non-magnetic materials which can be disposed of after single use. Cleaning after use is thus not necessary. The machine and its operation can thus be made significantly less expensive. Magnets can optionally be recycled.
After its manufacture, the entire separator insert is provided as a sealed unit into which no impurities can enter. For this purpose, the nozzles can be sealed and detachably closed. Thus, hose sections can be arranged on the nozzles having openable and closable connectors with which the separator module or, in this case, the separator insert can be connected to further elements of the feed and discharge system such as bags or tanks or hose or pipelines.
It is simple and safe if the bearing devices are mounted on the frame at a distance from each other, between which the separator insert can be inserted in a rotationally fixed manner.
For this purpose, it may be further provided that the relative distance of the holders on the console is adjustable in order to be able to change the separator insert.
It can further be provided that the separator insert can be fastened to the frame in a form-fitting and/or force-fitting manner so as to prevent rotation. According to a particularly simple variant, the housing and the holders have corresponding interlocking elements to hold the housing against rotation on the frame or stator units.
The position of these corresponding interlocking elements also defines the functionally required position of the stator units and the rotor units relative to each other. This relates in particular to the precise centering of the respective units lying coaxially in one another. Optionally, a holding force (from above and below) can also be exerted on the housing in the axial direction by the holders in order to optionally hold it frictionally.
It can also be provided if at least one control device is provided with which the amount of recirculation of the light or the heavy phase—in particular using one or more results of measurements with the measuring device—can be controlled or regulated.
In the following, the invention is described in more detail by means of exemplary embodiments with reference to the drawing, wherein further advantageous variants and designs are also discussed. It should be emphasized that the exemplary embodiments discussed below are not intended to describe the invention conclusively, but that variants and equivalents not shown are also feasible and are covered by the claims, wherein:
The separator insert II is preferably designed as a prefabricated unit. In particular, the separator insert II is designed as a disposable separator insert that can be exchanged or replaced as a whole and is designed as a pre-assembled unit, which is made entirely or predominantly of plastic or plastic composite materials.
The separator insert (which does not include elements 4a and 5a) is shown separately as an example in
Such a separator with an easily exchangeable separator insert can be useful and advantageous for processing products for which it can be ruled out with a very high degree of certainty that impurities will be introduced into the product—a flowable suspension or its phases—during centrifugal processing, or for which cleaning and disinfection of the separator would be very costly or not possible at all.
The frame I has a console I-1. This can—but does not have to—be mounted on a carriage I-2 with rollers I-3. Receptacles I-4 and I-5 can be arranged on the console I-1, which serve to accommodate and hold the separator insert II also during operation. Preferably, a first axial end of the separator insert II projects from below into the upper receptacle I-4 and a lower end of the separator insert II projects from above into the other receptacle I-5.
In the respective receptacles I-4 and I-5, respective stator units 4a, 5a of two drive and magnetic bearing devices 4 and 5 can be arranged. The control and power electronics for this can be arranged in the frame I, e.g., in the console I-1.
Here, these receptacles I-4 and I-5 project laterally from the console I-1 of the frame I. They can be arranged on the console I-1 in a height-adjustable manner.
Corresponding interlocking elements can be formed on the receptacles I-4 and I-5 and on a housing 1 of the separator insert II, which does not rotate during operation, in order to be able to insert the separator insert II into the stator units 4a, 5a in a rotationally fixed manner. The upper and lower stator units 4a, 5a can each have axes that are aligned with one another.
For changing the separator insert II, it can be provided that the two receptacles I-4 and I-5 with the stator units 4a, 5a, are arranged on the frame I-1 so that they can move axially—and here also vertically by way of example—relative to one another, in particular displaceably.
In this case, for example, it can be advantageously provided that the receptacles I-4 and I-5 with the stator units 4a, 5a on the frame I can be moved axially apart and towards each other again in order to change the separator insert II, i.e., in order to be able to remove the old separator insert II from the frame I and exchange it for a new one. For this purpose, it can be further provided that the relative distance of the receptacles I-4 and I-5 with the stator units 4a, 4b of the bearing devices 4, 5 can be adjusted in order to be able to change the separator insert II.
It can further be provided that the separator insert II can be attached to the frame I in a form-fitted and/or force-fitted manner and in a rotationally fixed manner. According to a particularly simple variant, the housing 1 and the stator units 4a, 5a can have corresponding interlocking elements such as projections (e.g., pins) and recesses (e.g., bores) for this purpose, in order to hold the housing 1 on the stator units and thus on the frame I in a rotationally fixed manner. In
In the following, with reference to
According to
The rotor 2 of the separator insert II also has a rotatable drum 3. The rotor 2 is rotatably mounted at two locations axially spaced from one another in the direction of the axis of rotation by means of respective magnetic bearing devices 4, 5. Preferably, it or also the drum 3 is mounted in this way at the two axial ends. The separator insert II has rotor units 4b, 5b of the magnetic bearing devices 4, 5. In contrast, stator units 4a, 5a of the magnetic bearing devices 4, 5 are arranged on the frame I-1.
The magnetic bearing devices 4, 5 preferably act radially and axially and preferably hold the rotor 2 in suspension in the housing 1 at a distance from the latter.
In this context, the rotor units 4b, 5b can be designed essentially in the manner of inner rings made of magnets, in particular permanent magnets, and the reusable stator units 4a, 5a, can be designed essentially in the manner of outer rings used for axial and radial bearing of the rotor 2 (e.g., at the top) or alternatively also for rotary drive (e.g., at the bottom).
Thus, the rotor units 4b and/or 5b, as part of the separator drive, also constitute part of the rotating system or rotor. In other words, the rotor of the drive is thus a part of the drum of the centrifugal separator.
One or both of the magnetic bearing devices 4, 5 is/are thus preferably also used in addition as a drive device for rotating the rotor 2 with the drum 3 in the housing 1. In this case, the respective magnetic bearing device forms a combined magnetic bearing and drive device. The magnetic bearing devices 4, 5 can be designed as axial and/or radial bearings, which support the drum 3 at its ends during operation in an overall cooperating axial and radial manner and hold it suspended and rotate it overall during operation.
The magnetic bearing devices 4 and 5 can have the same or largely the same basic design. In particular, only one of the two magnetic bearing devices 4, 5 can also be used as a drive device. Corresponding components of the magnetic bearings 4, 5 are thus formed in each case on the separator insert II—on its rotor 2—and other corresponding parts on the frame I. One or both stator units 4a, 5a can also be electrically connected to control and power electronics for driving the electromagnetic components of the magnetic bearing devices.
The respective magnetic bearing device 4, 5 can, for example, operate according to a combined electro-magnetic and permanent-magnetic principle.
Preferably, at least the lower axially acting magnetic bearing device 5 serves to keep the rotor 2 axially suspended within the housing 1 by levitation. It can have one or more first permanent magnets, for example on the underside of the rotor, and further have electromagnets on a holder on the frame which coaxially surround the permanent magnet or magnets. The drive of the rotor can be achieved electromagnetically. However, a drive via rotating permanent magnets can also be realized.
Such bearing and drive devices are used, for example, by the company Levitronix for driving centrifugal pumps (EP2 273 124 B1). They can also be used within the scope of this specification. For example, a first Levitronix motor “bottom” can be used as the drive, which at the same time magnetically supports the drum radially and axially. In addition, a second Levitronix motor—for example identical in construction except for the control in operation—can be provided, which as the magnetic bearing 4 can radially and axially support the rotor 2 at the head.
The rotor speed can be variably adjusted with the aid of a control device 37 (see
During operation, the rotor 2 rotates, thus being held axially in suspension and radially centered. Preferably, the rotor 2 is operated with the drum 3 at a speed of between 1,000, preferably 5,000 to 10,000, and possibly also up to 20,000 revolutions per minute. The centrifugal forces generated as a result of the rotation lead to the separation of a suspension to be processed into different flowable phases LP, HP of different density, as already described above, and to their discharge, as described in more detail below. The product batch is processed in continuous operation, which means that the phases separated from the suspension are completely discharged from the drum again during operation.
This makes it very possible to create a separator insert and housing for a separator that can be designed for single use, which in turn is of particular interest and advantage for the processing of pharmaceutical products such as fermentation broths or the like, since after operation for processing a corresponding product batch in preferably continuous operation during the processing of the product batch, no cleaning of the drum needs to be carried out, since the entire separator insert can be replaced. Optionally, individual elements such as magnets can be suitably recycled (see also DE 10 2017 128 027 A1).
The housing 1 is preferably made of a plastic or plastic composite material. The housing 1 can be cylindrical and have a cylindrical outer jacket, at the ends of which two radially extending boundary walls 6, 7 (cover and base) are formed.
The drum 3 is used for centrifugal separation of a flowable suspension S in a centrifugal field into at least two phases LP, HP of different density, which may be, for example, a lighter liquid phase and a heavy solid phase or a heavy liquid phase.
In a preferred design, the rotor 2 and its drum 3 have a vertical axis of rotation D. However, the housing 1 and the rotor 2 could also be oriented differently in space. The following description refers to the vertical orientation shown (
The rotor 2 of the separator with the drum is preferably made entirely or predominantly of a plastic material or of a plastic composite material.
The drum 3 is preferably of cylindrical and/or conical design, at least in sections. The same applies to the other elements in the rotor 2 and on the housing 1 (except for elements of the magnetic bearing devices 4, 5).
The housing 1 is designed in the manner of a container, which is advantageously hermetically closed except for some openings/opening areas (to be discussed).
According to
According to
Here, the first phase is a lighter phase LP and the second phase is a denser, heavier phase HP compared to the first phase.
A second of the openings—in the second, here lower, axial boundary wall 7—allows or serves as a discharge for the second heavier phase HP directly from the drum 3 through the housing 1.
The drum 3 also has openings, each of which is functionally associated with the openings of the housing.
A feed pipe 12 for a suspension to be processed extends into an upper opening 12a at one axial end of the drum 3. This passes through the housing 1, in particular its one—here upper—axial boundary wall 6. At the outer circumference, the feed pipe 12 is inserted into the housing 1 in a sealed manner according to
According to
According to
In addition, according to both
According to a possible—but not mandatory—design, the drum 3 here has at least two cylindrical sections 18, 19 of different diameter. Adjacent to these, one or more conical transition areas can be formed on the drum 3. The drum 3 can also be of single or double conical design overall in its central axial region on the inside (not shown here).
As shown, the drum 3 may have a lower cylindrical section 20 of smaller diameter, on/in which the rotor unit 5b of the lower magnetic bearing is also formed, which merges into a conical section 20a, then here for example a cylindrical section 19 of larger diameter, then again a conical section 18a and then an upper cylindrical section 18 of smaller diameter, on which the rotor unit 4b of the upper magnetic bearing 4 is formed.
With regard to the discharge of the lighter phase, the separator inserts of
According to
The first outlets 21 on the radius ro of the drum 3 are designed in particular as “nozzle-like” openings in the outer jacket of the drum 3. They are also designed as so-called “free” outlets from the drum 3. Here, the first outlets 21 serve to discharge the lighter phase LP. This phase exiting the drum 3 is collected in the housing 1 in an upper trapping ring chamber 23 of the housing 1. This trapping ring chamber 23 is configured such that the phase trapped therein is directed to the discharge 10 of the trapping ring chamber 23. This can be achieved by the discharge 10 being located at the lowest point of the trapping ring chamber 23. The trapping ring chamber 23 is open radially inwards towards the rotating drum 3 and is spaced in such a way that liquid spraying out of the respective outlet 21 is essentially only sprayed into the associated trapping ring chamber 23—which is at the same axial level—during centrifugal separation.
A chamber 25 not serving to discharge a phase can optionally be formed below the trapping ring chamber 23. This chamber 25 can optionally have a leakage drain (not shown here).
The first trapping ring chamber 23 and the chamber 25 may be separated from each other by a first wall 26, which is conical in this case and extends inwardly as well as upwardly from the outer casing of the housing 1 and ends radially in front of the drum 3 at a distance therefrom.
Preferably at the lowest point of the trapping ring chamber, the product phase LP is discharged from the housing 1 through the discharge 10. Connectors can be provided on the outside of the housing 1 in the area of the discharge 10 in order to be able to easily connect lines and the like.
These can in turn be formed directly with or adhesively attached to the housing 1. The nozzles are preferably also made of plastic. The housing 1 can be composed of several plastic parts, which are sealed together, for example, by adhesive bonding or welding.
According to
The phase HP is diverted inwards through the channels in the peeling disk 33. The peeling disk 33 thus serves to discharge the phase HP in the manner of a centripetal pump.
The peeling disk 33 can be arranged in a simple and compact manner in the drum 3 below the distributor 14 and below the disk stack 17. The radius ru corresponds to the immersion depth of the peeling disk 33.
The discharge pipe 34 is guided with one end out of the housing 1 downwards out of the drum and through the lower boundary wall 7, but does not touch the drum 3. The discharge pipe 34 can be formed integrally with the housing 1 or be inserted into it in a sealed manner. A hose or the like can be connected to the discharge pipe as a discharge line 35.
The discharge pipe passes through the housing 1 and the lower magnetic bearing 5 concentrically to the axis of rotation D of the rotor 2, then extends axially further within the housing 1 into the peeling disk 33.
It can be provided that a controllable, in particular electrically controllable, regulating valve 36 is inserted into the outlet for the heavy phase HP, in particular into the discharge line 35 for the heavier phase HP. By means of the regulating valve 36, the volumetric flow of the heavy phase HP in the discharge 35 can be throttled and the immersion depth of the associated peeling disk can be increased. A control device 37 is preferably provided. The regulating valve 36 is preferably connected to the control device 37 in a wireless or wired manner.
The control device 37 may also be designed and provided for controlling the magnetic bearings 4, 5 and the drive.
According to
For this purpose, a second peeling disk 22 is provided in the upper area of the drum 3 here, the inlet openings 22a of which can again be located at a smaller radius ro than the radius ru of the inlet of the first—lower—peeling disk 33 for the heavier phase.
The shaft of this second peeling disk 22 can surround the feed pipe 8 in the manner of an annular channel like an outer discharge pipe 24 and be tightly connected to the housing 1 instead of the feed pipe 8 or be formed integrally therewith. Thus, according to
It may be provided that a controllable, in particular electrically controllable, regulating valve 39 is also inserted into the discharge line 40 for the light phase LP.
By means of the regulating valve 39, the volume flow of the light phase LP can be changed, in particular throttled more or less, and thus the immersion depth of the second peeling disk 22 can be changed. The regulating valve 39 is also connected to the control device 37 in a wireless or wired manner, so that it can be controlled by the control device 37.
The respective peeling disk 22, 33 is in each case a cylindrical and essentially radially aligned disk provided with a plurality of channels, for example with one to six, which is stationary in operation and has channels, so that a kind of centripetal pump is formed. The respective peeling disk 22 or 33 dips with its outer edge into the phase LP or HP rotating in the separator. Through the channels in the peeling disk, the respective phase LP, HP is diverted inwards and the rotational speed of the respective phase LP, HP is converted into pressure. The respective peeling disk 22, 33 thus replaces a discharge pump for the respective phase LP, HP. The peeling disks thus each operate as a centripetal pump. They can be made of plastic.
Theoretically, a third peeling disk could also be provided, which could be used to derive a further phase.
In the following, the operation of the separators according to
First, the respective separator with its reusable components is provided. These include the frame I and the drive and stator units 4a, 5a of the magnetic bearing devices. This also includes a control unit 37. A separator insert II is then provided and mounted on the frame I. The stator units 4a, 5a and 5a must be removed from the separator. For this purpose, only the stator units 4a and 5a have to be moved apart. The separator insert is then positively inserted and the stator units are moved towards each other. This holds the housing securely against rotation. Optionally, hoses are now connected to the nozzles, which open into tanks or bags. The respective separator insert of
Then, after connecting the pipes and hoses and the like, a suspension is fed into the rotating drum (supply opening 8) and separated there centrifugally into the light phase LP and the heavy phase HP.
The heavier phase HP of greater density flows radially outward in the drum 3 in the separation chamber. There, the phase HP leaves the drum on a radius ru through the channels of the stationary peeling disk 33.
The lighter phase LP flows radially inward in the drum 3 in the separation chamber and rises upward through a channel 38 on a shaft of the distributor. There, the phase LP leaves the drum at a radius ro as shown in
The regulating valve(s) 36, 39 can be used to influence the separation process in a simple manner. This results in an optimization of the separation process.
The main application of the separator according to the invention is cell separations in the pharmaceutical industry. The performance range is intended for processing of broths from fermenters in the range of 100 L-4000 L as well as for laboratory applications.
Other areas of industry in which separators are used would also be conceivable: Chemical, pharmaceutical, dairy technology, renewable raw materials, oil and gas, beverage technology, mineral oil, etc.
The separators shown enable the production of a separator insert in which preferably all components in contact with the product can be made of plastic or other non-magnetic materials, which can be disposed of after single use or fed into a recycling process. Cleaning after use is thus not necessary. The separator and its operation can thus be implemented cost-effectively.
Although the invention has been illustrated and described in detail by way of preferred embodiments, the invention is not limited by the examples disclosed, and other variations can be derived from these by the person skilled in the art without leaving the scope of the invention. It is therefore clear that there is a plurality of possible variations. It is also clear that embodiments stated by way of example are only really examples that are not to be seen as limiting the scope, application possibilities or configuration of the invention in any way. In fact, the preceding description and the description of the figures enable the person skilled in the art to implement the exemplary embodiments in concrete manner, wherein, with the knowledge of the disclosed inventive concept, the person skilled in the art is able to undertake various changes, for example, with regard to the functioning or arrangement of individual elements stated in an exemplary embodiment without leaving the scope of the invention, which is defined by the claims and their legal equivalents, such as further explanations in the description.
| Number | Date | Country | Kind |
|---|---|---|---|
| 10 2020 121 422.7 | Aug 2020 | DE | national |
| Filing Document | Filing Date | Country | Kind |
|---|---|---|---|
| PCT/EP2021/071878 | 8/5/2021 | WO |
