Method of retrofitting a decanting centrifuge

• US 7,001,324 B2
• Filed: 01/05/2004
• Issued: 02/21/2006
• Est. Priority Date: 01/08/2003
• Status: Expired due to Fees

• Current Assignee: Hutchison Hayes Separation LLC (ALFA Laval AB)
• Original Assignee: L. P. Hutchison Hayes
• Inventors: Hilpert, Lee, Hensley, Gary L.
• Primary Examiner(s): Cooley, Charles E.
• Application Number:
  US10/751,774
• Publication Number:
  US 20040167005A1
• Time in Patent Office: 778 Days
• Field of Search: 494/37, 494 50- 55, 210/380.1, 210/380.3
• US Class Current: 494/53
• CPC Class Codes: B04B 1/20 discharging solid particles from the bowl by a conveying screw coaxial with the bowl axis and rotating relatively to the bowl

Abstract

A method of retrofitting a centrifuge is provided. The method includes disassembling a known centrifuge and replacing a bowl section of the centrifuge outer body with a longer bowl section. The method further comprises replacing the conical beach section with a shorter beach section, i.e. a beach section having a greater slope. The screw conveyor is replaced with another screw conveyor having outlet nozzles adapted to impart rotational movement to the inlet feed. The retrofitted centrifuge provides enhanced performance through an additional length of cylindrical section, thereby making the clarification length longer, and improving the effectiveness of the centrifuge in removing solids from the inlet feed. The retrofitted centrifuge preferably remains mounted to the same pedestal as the centrifuge prior to retrofit.

Claims

1. A method of retrofitting a decanting centrifuge, comprising the steps of:

a. replacing a bowl section of the centrifuge outer body with a longer bowl section;

b. replacing a conical section of the centrifuge outer body with a conical section defining a greater slope angle; and

c. replacing a screw conveyor of the centrifuge with a screw conveyor having nozzles therein adapted to impart rotation movement to feed liquid.

2. The method of claim 1, wherein the centrifuge is supported on a pair of spaced apart pedestals.

3. A method of retrofitting a decanting centrifuge, comprising the steps of:

a. adding a segment of a bowl section of the centrifuge outer body, thereby making the bowl section longer;

b. replacing a conical section of the centrifuge outer body with a shorter conical section, wherein the combined length of the added segment of the bowl section and the shorter conical section is substantially the same as the replaced conical section; and

c. replacing a screw conveyor of the centrifuge with a screw conveyor having means therein adapted to impart rotation movement to a slurry input to the centrifuge.

4. The method of claim 3, wherein the centrifuge is supported on a pair of spaced apart pedestals.

5. The method of claim 3, wherein the means to impart rotation movement to feed liquid comprises a plurality of nozzles.