A centrifugal, liquid-liquid separator is controlled, first by automatic control of back pressure to position of the dispersion band and equalize the settling lengths of both heavy and light phases. In line testing of a parameter reflecting the BS&W content of output oil controls withdrawal from a tank, and throughput rate through the separator. Output always meets a predetermined specification established on a daily basis by a market price and quality (contamination limit, maximum BS&W) for oil. Control provides assurance that all of a particular load in a tank will meet specification, and that it cannot change significantly before refining. Once the adjustment of the separator system reaches its lowest flow limit, processing halts, to assure that the oil quality is optimized. The controller may be used on any tank of separated oil to assure that no oil is withdrawn out of spec.

A separation rotor having an outer wall defining a separation chamber and an inner annular wall dividing the separation chamber into an inner annular space and an outer annular space. The separation rotor can be rotated to move heavier and/or denser components of the multi-component fluid into the outer annular space. The lighter and/or less dense components of the multi-component fluid can be retained within the inner annular space. The inner annular space and the outer annular space separation rotor can be selectively accessed to withdraw the components retained within the inner annular space and the outer annular spaces.

A separation rotor having an outer wall defining a separation chamber and an inner annular wall dividing the separation chamber into an inner annular space and an outer annular space. The separation rotor can be rotated to move heavier and/or denser components of the multi-component fluid into the outer annular space. The lighter and/or less dense components of the multi-component fluid can be retained within the inner annular space. The inner annular space and the outer annular space separation rotor can be selectively accessed to withdraw the components retained within the inner annular space and the outer annular spaces.

In a method for separating low density particles from feed slurries, a bubbly mixture is formed in a downcomer and issues into a mid region in a chamber. An inverted reflux classifier is formed by parallel inclined plates below the mid region allowing for efficient separation of low density particles which rise up to form a densely packed foam in the top of the chamber, and denser particles which fall downwardly to an outlet.

In a method for separating low density particles from feed slurries, a bubbly mixture is formed in a downcomer and issues into a mid region in a chamber. An inverted reflux classifier is formed by parallel inclined plates below the mid region allowing for efficient separation of low density particles which rise up to form a densely packed foam in the top of the chamber, and denser particles which fall downwardly to an outlet.

In a modular centrifugal separator system and an exchangeable separation insert, a separation aid is arranged in a separation space of the separation insert. The separation aid includes a number of separation sheets, each separation sheet comprising axially extending surfaces. A fluid connection for a separated heavy phase is arranged at a first axial end portion of the insert, and a fluid connection for a liquid feed mixture is arranged at a second axial end portion of the insert.

In a modular centrifugal separator system and an exchangeable separation insert, a separation aid is arranged in a separation space of the separation insert. The separation aid includes a number of separation sheets, each separation sheet comprising axially extending surfaces. A fluid connection for a separated heavy phase is arranged at a first axial end portion of the insert, and a fluid connection for a liquid feed mixture is arranged at a second axial end portion of the insert.

A centrifuge separator device for use in mining gold ore receives bulk quantities of gold bearing materials through a port in a central vertical pipe, diverting the materials through a series of rotating baffles into a multi-tiered bowl, with a variable speed bowl drive system turning the bowl and the baffles at a selected speed while framework, including a channeled bin, gussets and a plurality of blades extending a plurality of upper and lower cutters, remains stationary, forcing the materials to separate by density, forcing the lighter materials up and over the rotating bowl into a channeled bin for further disposal through an exit port in the channeled bin, leaving the heavier gold bearing ores in the lower part of the bowl for collection and further classification.

The present invention provides an apparatus for feeding a feed slurry into a particle separator having a fluidisation source. The feed apparatus comprises a chamber having at least one baffle for dividing the chamber into a first zone and a second zone. A feed inlet feeds the slurry into the first zone and the baffle deflects the slurry away from the second zone and direct fluidisation fluid from the fluidisation source through the second zone to combine with the slurry from the first zone. A particle separator incorporating the feed apparatus and a method of particle separation is also provided.

A centrifugal separator apparatus for separating components of a fluid stream; the apparatus comprising a support structure and a centrifugal separator unit rotatably mounted on the support structure so as to be rotatable about a rotational axis extending through the centrifugal separator unit; a drive element for driving rotation of the centrifugal separator unit; wherein the centrifugal separator unit comprises a centrifugal separation chamber having an inlet which is connected or connectable to a source of fluid requiring separation, a first outlet for collecting a higher density component of the fluid stream, and a second outlet for collecting a lower density component of the fluid stream; the first outlet being connected or connectable to a first collector for collecting the higher density component and the second outlet being connected or connectable to a second collector for collecting the lower density component; the centrifugal separation chamber comprising a curved or inclined guide surface for guiding flow of the fluid from the inlet in a radially outward direction; wherein the centrifugal separator unit is provided with a wall member which is axially movable to provide a selected degree of occlusion of the first outlet and thereby control flow of the higher density component through the first outlet.