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WO2025190636A1 - Procédé pour faire fonctionner un séparateur centrifuge - Google Patents

Procédé pour faire fonctionner un séparateur centrifuge

Info

Publication number
WO2025190636A1
WO2025190636A1 PCT/EP2025/054798 EP2025054798W WO2025190636A1 WO 2025190636 A1 WO2025190636 A1 WO 2025190636A1 EP 2025054798 W EP2025054798 W EP 2025054798W WO 2025190636 A1 WO2025190636 A1 WO 2025190636A1
Authority
WO
WIPO (PCT)
Prior art keywords
centrifuge bowl
sensor
radial position
pressure
solid phase
Prior art date
Legal status (The legal status is an assumption and is not a legal conclusion. Google has not performed a legal analysis and makes no representation as to the accuracy of the status listed.)
Pending
Application number
PCT/EP2025/054798
Other languages
English (en)
Inventor
Per-Gustaf Larsson
Current Assignee (The listed assignees may be inaccurate. Google has not performed a legal analysis and makes no representation or warranty as to the accuracy of the list.)
Alfa Laval Corporate AB
Original Assignee
Alfa Laval Corporate AB
Priority date (The priority date is an assumption and is not a legal conclusion. Google has not performed a legal analysis and makes no representation as to the accuracy of the date listed.)
Filing date
Publication date
Application filed by Alfa Laval Corporate AB filed Critical Alfa Laval Corporate AB
Publication of WO2025190636A1 publication Critical patent/WO2025190636A1/fr
Pending legal-status Critical Current
Anticipated expiration legal-status Critical

Links

Classifications

    • B—PERFORMING OPERATIONS; TRANSPORTING
    • B04—CENTRIFUGAL APPARATUS OR MACHINES FOR CARRYING-OUT PHYSICAL OR CHEMICAL PROCESSES
    • B04B—CENTRIFUGES
    • B04B1/00—Centrifuges with rotary bowls provided with solid jackets for separating predominantly liquid mixtures with or without solid particles
    • B04B1/04—Centrifuges with rotary bowls provided with solid jackets for separating predominantly liquid mixtures with or without solid particles with inserted separating walls
    • B04B1/08—Centrifuges with rotary bowls provided with solid jackets for separating predominantly liquid mixtures with or without solid particles with inserted separating walls of conical shape
    • B—PERFORMING OPERATIONS; TRANSPORTING
    • B04—CENTRIFUGAL APPARATUS OR MACHINES FOR CARRYING-OUT PHYSICAL OR CHEMICAL PROCESSES
    • B04B—CENTRIFUGES
    • B04B1/00—Centrifuges with rotary bowls provided with solid jackets for separating predominantly liquid mixtures with or without solid particles
    • B04B1/10—Centrifuges with rotary bowls provided with solid jackets for separating predominantly liquid mixtures with or without solid particles with discharging outlets in the plane of the maximum diameter of the bowl
    • B04B1/14—Centrifuges with rotary bowls provided with solid jackets for separating predominantly liquid mixtures with or without solid particles with discharging outlets in the plane of the maximum diameter of the bowl with periodical discharge
    • B—PERFORMING OPERATIONS; TRANSPORTING
    • B04—CENTRIFUGAL APPARATUS OR MACHINES FOR CARRYING-OUT PHYSICAL OR CHEMICAL PROCESSES
    • B04B—CENTRIFUGES
    • B04B11/00—Feeding, charging, or discharging bowls
    • B04B11/04—Periodical feeding or discharging; Control arrangements therefor
    • B—PERFORMING OPERATIONS; TRANSPORTING
    • B04—CENTRIFUGAL APPARATUS OR MACHINES FOR CARRYING-OUT PHYSICAL OR CHEMICAL PROCESSES
    • B04B—CENTRIFUGES
    • B04B13/00—Control arrangements specially designed for centrifuges; Programme control of centrifuges
    • B04B2013/006—Interface detection or monitoring of separated components

Definitions

  • the present invention relates to the field of high-speed centrifugal separators, and more specifically to methods for operating a high-speed centrifugal separator.
  • a parameter of a liquid feed mixture or its separated light and heavy phase constituents may be measured.
  • the measured parameter may be utilised for monitoring and/or controlling the separation of the liquid feed mixture into the light and heavy phases.
  • WO202132353 discloses a centrifugal separation system having a first and second pressure sensor arranged at different radii and positioned to be submerged in the process liquid during operation of the centrifugal separator.
  • the separator further comprises a control unit configured to determine a parameter of the process liquid within the separation space during operation of the centrifugal separator based on measurements from the first and second pressure sensors.
  • a main object of the present invention is to provide a method and a centrifugal separator for measuring parameters within the centrifuge bowl and utilize them for an effective discharge of separated solids.
  • the centrifuge bowl further comprises an inlet for supply of the liquid feed mixture, at least one liquid outlet for discharge of a separated liquid phase, a sludge outlet arranged for intermittently discharging a separated solid phase from said centrifuge bowl, and a first sensor arranged at a first radial position in the centrifuge bowl.
  • the first sensor is a pressure or temperature sensor, and the first radial position is within the inner half of the radial extension of the sludge space.
  • step f) further comprises continuing the separation of the liquid feed mixture within the centrifuge bowl.
  • the first sensor is a pressure sensor and wherein the centrifuge bowl further comprises a second pressure sensor arranged at a second radial position in the centrifuge bowl, and wherein step d) comprises d1) measuring a pressure at said first radial position with said first pressure sensor; d2) measuring a pressure at said second radial position with said second pressure sensor, and d3) determining the pressure difference between the first and second radial position.
  • the second radial position may be within the outer half of the radial extension of the sludge space.
  • step d3) Based on the determined differential pressure in step d3), one may determine from if the solid phase has reached the critical position that is within the inner half of the radial extension of the sludge space; and if so, discharging a solid phase from the sludge outlet (steps e) and f)).
  • both the second radial position of the second pressure sensor and the third radial position of the third pressure sensor are advantageously within the outer half of the radial extension of the sludge space, such as within the outer 25 %, such as at within the outer 10 % of the radial extension of the sludge space.
  • the second and third radial positions may be at different radial levels. As an example, the second radial position may be radially outside of the third radial position.
  • step d6) the density is measured on a solid phase that is present between the second and third radial positions, e.g. when both second and third sensors are arranged within the outer half of the radial extension of the sludge space.
  • step d) may thus comprise measuring the individual pressure differences between all sensors. This is used to determine the actual density of the phase, usually the solid phase, which is between the outer sensors, i.e. between the second and third sensors.
  • the second and third sensors may thus be arranged radially close to each other, so both sensors are submerged in the same phase.
  • the density of the solid phase may be calculated based on the measured pressure difference between the second and third sensors, the radial positions of the second and third sensors and the rotational speed of the centrifuge bowl.
  • the density may be calculated utilising the formula:
  • p2 and p3 are the pressures measured by the respective second and third pressure sensors in bar
  • w is the rotational speed in rad/s
  • rp2 and rp3 are the respective radial positions of the second and third pressure sensors in mm.
  • the radial position the interface between the solid phase and a separated liquid phase may be determined with knowledge of the density of the separated liquid phase. This may be known e.g. from a look-up table.
  • the separated liquid phase may for example be water.
  • a level determination in percentage such as. a radial position as a percentage of the distance between the second and first sensor, may be determined.
  • step e) then comprises determining if the radial position of the interface between the solid phase and a separated liquid phase has reached the critical position. If so, solid phase may be discharged (step f)).
  • the measured absolute pressure values from the two pressure sensors could be used as an alternative to measuring the pressure differences between the sensors. However, this may be a less accurate but still functioning way to determine when the sludge should be discharged.
  • the first sensor is a temperature sensor and wherein step d) further comprises measuring a temperature in the liquid feed mixture. Then, step e) may comprise determining the temperature difference between the first sensor and the liquid feed mixture to determine if the solid phase has reached a critical position that is within the inner half of the radial extension (AR) of the sludge space.
  • AR radial extension
  • the temperature sensor within the bowl is covered in sludge or solids, there will be a difference in measured temperature compared to the temperature of the liquid feed mixture. If this temperature difference is above a certain threshold, it may be determined that the solid phase has reached a critical position that is within the inner half of the radial extension of the sludge space in step e).
  • At least one sensor is positioned to be submerged in the process liquid during operation of the centrifugal separator.
  • all sensors such as a first and second sensor, or a first, a second and a third sensor, may be positioned to be submerged in the process liquid during operation of the centrifugal separator.
  • the sensor or sensors may thus be positioned to be submerged in process liquid, i.e. liquid mixture that is separated or a separated phase, during the separation process.
  • a centrifugal separator for separating at least one liquid phase and a solid phase from a liquid feed mixture.
  • the centrifugal separator comprises a centrifuge bowl arranged to rotate about an axis of rotation and comprising a separation space, in which surface enlarging inserts are arranged, and a sludge space arranged radially outside the separation space.
  • the centrifuge bowl further comprises an inlet for supply of the liquid feed mixture, at least one liquid outlet leading from the centrifuge bowl for discharge of a separated liquid phase, a sludge outlet arranged for intermittently discharging a separated solid phase from said centrifuge bowl, and a first sensor arranged at a first radial position in the centrifuge bowl, wherein the first sensor is a pressure or temperature sensor and said radial position is within the inner half of the radial extension of the sludge space; wherein the centrifugal separator further comprises a control unit that is configured to determine if the solid phase has reached a critical position that is within the inner half of the radial extension of the sludge space based on measurements from the first sensor; and if so, initiating a discharge of a separated solid phase from said centrifuge bowl via said sludge outlet.
  • This aspect may generally present the same or corresponding advantages as the former aspect. Effects and features of this second aspect are largely analogous to those described above in connection with the first aspect. Embodiments mentioned in relation to the first aspect are largely compatible with the second aspect.
  • the centrifugal separator of the second aspect may thus be used for performing the method of the first aspect as discussed above.
  • the centrifugal separator is for separation of a liquid feed mixture.
  • the liquid feed mixture may be an aqueous liquid or an oily liquid.
  • the centrifugal separator may be for separating solids and one or two liquids from the liquid feed mixture.
  • the centrifuge bowl encloses by it walls a separation space and a sludge space.
  • the separation space in which the separation of the fluid mixture takes place, comprises surface enlarging inserts, i.e. separation members that may be in the form of a stack of separation discs.
  • the separation discs may e.g. be of metal.
  • the separation discs may be frustoconical separation discs, i.e. having separation surfaces forming frustoconical portions of the separation discs.
  • the separation discs may be arranged coaxially around the axis of rotation at a distance from each other such that to form passages between each two adjacent separation discs.
  • the centrifuge bowl of the separator may be arranged to be rotated around vertical axis of rotation, i.e. the axis of rotation may extend vertically.
  • the centrifuge bowl is usually supported by a spindle, i.e. a rotating shaft, and may thus be mounted to rotate with the spindle. Consequently, the centrifugal separator may comprise a spindle that is rotatable around the axis of rotation (X).
  • the centrifugal separator may be arranged such that the centrifuge bowl is supported by the spindle at one of its ends, such at the bottom end or the top end of the spindle.
  • the centrifugal separator may further comprise a stationary frame in which the centrifuge bowl is mounted.
  • the frame may comprise an upper hood section that covers the centrifuge bowl.
  • the centrifugal separator may further comprise a drive member that is arranged to rotate the centrifuge bowl around the axis of rotation.
  • the drive member may comprise an electrical motor arranged to drive e.g. a spindle directly or may for example be provided beside the spindle and rotate the rotating parts of the centrifugal separator by a suitable transmission, such as a belt or a gear transmission.
  • the centrifugal separator also comprises an inlet for supply liquid mixture to be separated (the liquid feed mixture).
  • This inlet may be arranged for receiving the liquid feed mixture and be arranged centrally in the centrifuge bowl, thus at the rotational axis.
  • the centrifuge bowl may be arranged to be fed from the bottom, such as through a rotating spindle onto which the centrifuge bowl is mounted. However, the centrifuge bowl may also be arranged to be fed from the top, such as through a stationary inlet pipe extending into the bowl to the inlet.
  • the at least one liquid outlet for a separated liquid phase may be in the form of one or two liquid outlets. Such liquid outlets for separated liquid phase or phases may be arranged at the top or the bottom of the centrifugal separator.
  • the centrifugal separator is also arranged for discharging a solid phase, i.e. a separated solid phase - that may also contain some liquid - to the surrounding space around the centrifuge bowl.
  • a solid phase i.e. a separated solid phase - that may also contain some liquid - to the surrounding space around the centrifuge bowl.
  • the sludge outlet which may be in the form of a set of ports arranged to be opened intermittently during operation.
  • the sludge outlets may thus be a number of ports arranged at or near the periphery of the centrifuge bowl.
  • the centrifugal separator may further comprise an intermittent discharge system arranged for intermittently opening and closing the sludge outlet during operation, as known in the art.
  • the centrifugal separator may be arranged for emptying a partial content of the bowl during such an intermittent discharge (partial discharge) or arranged for emptying the whole content of the centrifuge bowl during intermittent discharge (full discharge).
  • the second radial position is also within the inner half of the radial extension of the sludge space.
  • Figure 1 shows a schematic drawing of a centrifugal separator.
  • Figure 2 shows a schematic section drawing of a centrifuge bowl with inlet and outlets.
  • Figure 3 shows a schematic section drawing of the sludge space of a centrifuge bowl according to an embodiment.
  • separated liquid heavy phase is discharged through stationary outlet pipe 6a, whereas separated liquid light phase is discharged through stationary outlet pipe 7a.
  • the separated solid phase is intermittently ejected to the space surrounding the centrifuge bowl 5.
  • the radially outer portion of the disc stack 10 communicates via a first liquid outlet 6 via channels 24 for discharge of a liquid heavy phase axially over the top disc 23.
  • the radially inner portion of the disc stack 10 communicates with a liquid outlet 7 for a separated light phase of the liquid feed mixture. Separated liquid phases may then be discharged to stationary outlet pipes 6a, 7a that are connected to the centrifuge bowl via mechanical seals 50, 30. As this is an airtight design, they are also often called hermetic seals.
  • the inlet channel 4b is also sealed at lower end of the hollow spindle 4a, thus preventing communication between the inlet channel 4b and the surroundings.
  • the mechanical seal at the inlet is not shown in Fig. 2.
  • the centrifuge bowl 5 comprises a first pressure sensor 61 that is arranged at a first radial position R1 in the centrifuge bowl 5 that is within the inner half of the radial extension AR of the sludge space 9b.
  • the centrifuge bowl 5 also comprises a second pressure sensor 62 that is arranged at a second radial position R2 in the centrifuge bowl 5 that is within the outer half of the radial extension AR of the sludge space 9b as well as a third pressure sensor 63 that is arranged at a third radial position R3 in the centrifuge bowl 5 that is within the outer half of the radial extension AR of the sludge space 9b.
  • the density of the solid phase may be calculated utilising the formula:
  • p2 and p3 are the pressures measured by the respective second and third pressure sensors in bar
  • w is the rotational speed in rad/s
  • rp2 and rp3 are the respective radial positions of the second and third pressure sensors in mm.
  • the radial level of the interphase may be calculated. As an example, one may determine how much pressure increase it theoretically should be if the entire space between the pressure is filled with solid phase compared with separated liquid phase. Comparing this with the actual measured differential pressures, a level determination in percentage, such as. a radial position as a percentage of the distance between the second and first sensor, may be determined.
  • step d) may thus comprise measuring the individual pressure differences between all sensors.
  • step d) of measuring 104 a pressure at the first radial position with the first pressure sensor 61 may comprise the sub steps as illustrated in Fig. 9, i.e. the sub steps of d1) measuring 301 a pressure at the first radial position with the first pressure sensor 61 ; d2a) measuring 302 a pressure at the second radial position with the second pressure sensor 62; d2b) measuring 303 a pressure at the third radial position with the third pressure sensor 63; d3) determining 304 the pressure difference between the first and second radial position; d4) determining 305 the pressure difference between the first and third radial position; d5) determining 306 the pressure difference between the second and third radial position; d6) determining 307 the density of a solid phase between the second and third radial positions; d7) determining 308 the radial position Ri of the interface between the solid phase and a separated liquid phase based on the determined density in step
  • At least one or all of the sensors shown may be positioned so that they are submerged in the process liquid during operation of the centrifugal separator, i.e. during separation of the liquid feed mixture into a solid phase and at least one liquid phase.
  • centrifugal separator also comprises centrifugal separators with a substantially horizontally oriented axis of rotation.

Landscapes

  • Centrifugal Separators (AREA)

Abstract

La présente invention concerne un procédé (100) pour faire fonctionner un séparateur centrifuge (1) pour séparer au moins une phase liquide et une phase solide d'un mélange d'alimentation liquide. Le séparateur centrifuge (1) comprend une cuve de centrifugeuse (5) agencée pour tourner autour d'un axe de rotation et comprenant un espace de séparation (9a), dans lequel des inserts d'agrandissement de surface (10) sont agencés, et un espace de boues (9b) disposé radialement à l'extérieur de l'espace de séparation (9a). La cuve de centrifugeuse (5) comprend en outre une entrée (14) pour l'alimentation en mélange d'alimentation liquide, au moins une sortie de liquide (6, 7) pour l'évacuation d'une phase liquide séparée, une sortie de boues (15) agencée pour évacuer par intermittence une phase solide séparée de ladite cuve de centrifugeuse (5), et un premier capteur (61) disposé à une première position radiale dans la cuve de centrifugeuse (5). Le premier capteur (61) est un capteur de pression ou de température et ladite première position radiale se trouve à l'intérieur de la moitié interne de l'extension radiale (ΔR) de l'espace de boues (9b). Le procédé (100) comprend les étapes consistant à a) faire tourner (101) la cuve de centrifugeuse (5) ; b) fournir (102) le mélange d'alimentation liquide à la cuve de centrifugeuse (5) ; c) séparer (103) ledit mélange d'alimentation liquide dans la cuve de centrifugeuse (5) en au moins une phase liquide et une phase solide ; d) mesurer (104) une pression ou une température au niveau de ladite première position radiale avec ledit premier capteur de pression ou de température (61) ; et e) déterminer (105) à partir des mesures à l'étape d) si la phase solide a atteint une position critique qui se trouve à l'intérieur de la moitié interne de l'extension radiale (ΔR) de l'espace de boues (9b) ; et si tel est le cas, f) évacuer (106) une phase solide à partir de ladite sortie de boues (15).
PCT/EP2025/054798 2024-03-11 2025-02-21 Procédé pour faire fonctionner un séparateur centrifuge Pending WO2025190636A1 (fr)

Applications Claiming Priority (2)

Application Number Priority Date Filing Date Title
EP24162751.2A EP4616953A1 (fr) 2024-03-11 2024-03-11 Procédé de fonctionnement d'un séparateur centrifuge
EP24162751.2 2024-03-11

Publications (1)

Publication Number Publication Date
WO2025190636A1 true WO2025190636A1 (fr) 2025-09-18

Family

ID=90364679

Family Applications (1)

Application Number Title Priority Date Filing Date
PCT/EP2025/054798 Pending WO2025190636A1 (fr) 2024-03-11 2025-02-21 Procédé pour faire fonctionner un séparateur centrifuge

Country Status (2)

Country Link
EP (1) EP4616953A1 (fr)
WO (1) WO2025190636A1 (fr)

Citations (5)

* Cited by examiner, † Cited by third party
Publication number Priority date Publication date Assignee Title
SU660716A1 (ru) * 1977-04-18 1979-05-05 Предприятие П/Я А-1097 Центробежный очиститель
US7485084B2 (en) 2005-03-08 2009-02-03 Alfa Laval Corporate Ab Apparatus and method for controlling the radial level of an interface in a centrifugal separator
EP3315205A1 (fr) 2016-10-31 2018-05-02 Alfa Laval Corporate AB Séparateur centrifuge
WO2021032353A1 (fr) 2019-08-19 2021-02-25 Alfa Laval Corporate Ab Système de séparation centrifuge et procédé de fonctionnement d'un séparateur centrifuge
EP4126376B1 (fr) * 2020-04-03 2024-01-10 GEA Mechanical Equipment GmbH Centrifugeuse et procédé pour faire fonctionner la centrifugeuse

Patent Citations (5)

* Cited by examiner, † Cited by third party
Publication number Priority date Publication date Assignee Title
SU660716A1 (ru) * 1977-04-18 1979-05-05 Предприятие П/Я А-1097 Центробежный очиститель
US7485084B2 (en) 2005-03-08 2009-02-03 Alfa Laval Corporate Ab Apparatus and method for controlling the radial level of an interface in a centrifugal separator
EP3315205A1 (fr) 2016-10-31 2018-05-02 Alfa Laval Corporate AB Séparateur centrifuge
WO2021032353A1 (fr) 2019-08-19 2021-02-25 Alfa Laval Corporate Ab Système de séparation centrifuge et procédé de fonctionnement d'un séparateur centrifuge
EP4126376B1 (fr) * 2020-04-03 2024-01-10 GEA Mechanical Equipment GmbH Centrifugeuse et procédé pour faire fonctionner la centrifugeuse

Also Published As

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EP4616953A1 (fr) 2025-09-17

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