A method for clarifying a flowable starting product of solids using a self-emptying centrifuge in continuous operation in a centrifugal field in the rotating drum. A continuous draining of at least one clarified liquid phase occurs and solids emptying occurs repeatedly via outlet openings that are intermittently opened and closed. The emptying of solids from the drum of the centrifuge is initiated, the speed of the drum of the centrifuge is reduced, the solids are emptied from the solids collection chamber of the drum after lowering the speed of the drum, and the emptying of the solids from the drum is ended.

A method for clarifying a flowable starting product of solids using a self-emptying centrifuge in continuous operation in a centrifugal field in the rotating drum. A continuous draining of at least one clarified liquid phase occurs and solids emptying occurs repeatedly via outlet openings that are intermittently opened and closed. The emptying of solids from the drum of the centrifuge is initiated, the speed of the drum of the centrifuge is reduced, the solids are emptied from the solids collection chamber of the drum after lowering the speed of the drum, and the emptying of the solids from the drum is ended.

An apparatus (10) for removing particulates from a fluid is described. The apparatus (10) includes a rotatable vessel (12) for receiving a dirty fluid containing the particulates in suspension, the vessel (12) having a plurality of side walls (14) arranged to form a polygonal cross-sectional shape in a plane orthogonal to an axis of rotation of the vessel. The vessel (12) has a fluid inlet port (16) through which the dirty fluid enters the vessel, and a fluid outlet port (18) through which a clean fluid exits the vessel after removal of particulates. The apparatus (10) also comprises a solids discharge port (20) provided at each of the vertices of the polygonal cross-section wherein, in use, when the vessel is rotated the particulates in the fluid entering the vessel (10) migrate to the vertices, from where they can be discharged through the discharge ports.

An apparatus (10) for removing particulates from a fluid is described. The apparatus (10) includes a rotatable vessel (12) for receiving a dirty fluid containing the particulates in suspension, the vessel (12) having a plurality of side walls (14) arranged to form a polygonal cross-sectional shape in a plane orthogonal to an axis of rotation of the vessel. The vessel (12) has a fluid inlet port (16) through which the dirty fluid enters the vessel, and a fluid outlet port (18) through which a clean fluid exits the vessel after removal of particulates. The apparatus (10) also comprises a solids discharge port (20) provided at each of the vertices of the polygonal cross-section wherein, in use, when the vessel is rotated the particulates in the fluid entering the vessel (10) migrate to the vertices, from where they can be discharged through the discharge ports.

A centrifugal separator includes disposable cartridge having a cylindrical bowl, a core tube assembly, and an annular piston disposed around the core tube assembly and inside the inner surface of the bowl. The disposable cartridge may be automatically loaded and withdrawn from the separator. Feed liquid is injected down the core tube assembly into the lower portion of the bowl, raising the annular piston, while the bowl rotates at high speed, separating solids from the feed liquid to accumulate along the inner surface of the bowl, while collecting clarified centrate as it exits the top of the bowl and through the core tube assembly. In a solids discharge mode, the annular piston is urged downward along a vertical axis to force accumulated solids from the bowl.

A centrifugal separator includes disposable cartridge having a cylindrical bowl, a core tube assembly, and an annular piston disposed around the core tube assembly and inside the inner surface of the bowl. The disposable cartridge may be automatically loaded and withdrawn from the separator. Feed liquid is injected down the core tube assembly into the lower portion of the bowl, raising the annular piston, while the bowl rotates at high speed, separating solids from the feed liquid to accumulate along the inner surface of the bowl, while collecting clarified centrate as it exits the top of the bowl and through the core tube assembly. In a solids discharge mode, the annular piston is urged downward along a vertical axis to force accumulated solids from the bowl.

A method for clarifying a flowable starting product of solids using a self-emptying centrifuge in continuous operation in a centrifugal field in the rotating drum. A continuous draining of at least one clarified liquid phase occurs and solids emptying occurs repeatedly via outlet openings that are intermittently opened and closed. The emptying of solids from the drum of the centrifuge is initiated, the speed of the drum of the centrifuge is reduced, the solids are emptied from the solids collection chamber of the drum after lowering the speed of the drum, and the emptying of the solids from the drum is ended.

A blood washing system including a rotor defining an internal chamber and a skimmer assembly configured to move a withdrawal needle within the internal chamber. A multi-component fluid, such as a whole blood sample, can be fed into the internal chamber via a feed tube, where the rotor can be rotated to fractionate the multi-component fluid. A brake can be applied to the rotor to cease rotation or rotated at a slower speed to allow the fractions of the multi-component to settle on a bottom wall of the rotor. The withdrawal needle is moveable within the internal chamber to align an orifice of the withdrawal needle for withdrawing the liquid fractions and isolate the solid fractions. Wash fluids can be added to the internal chamber to repeat the wash cycle without removing the solid fractions. The washed solid fractions can be withdrawn via the feed tube and collected.

A blood washing system including a rotor defining an internal chamber and a skimmer assembly configured to move a withdrawal needle within the internal chamber. A multi-component fluid, such as a whole blood sample, can be fed into the internal chamber via a feed tube, where the rotor can be rotated to fractionate the multi-component fluid. A brake can be applied to the rotor to cease rotation or rotated at a slower speed to allow the fractions of the multi-component to settle on a bottom wall of the rotor. The withdrawal needle is moveable within the internal chamber to align an orifice of the withdrawal needle for withdrawing the liquid fractions and isolate the solid fractions. Wash fluids can be added to the internal chamber to repeat the wash cycle without removing the solid fractions. The washed solid fractions can be withdrawn via the feed tube and collected.

An apparatus (10) for removing particulates from a fluid is described. The apparatus (10) includes a rotatable vessel (12) for receiving a dirty fluid containing the particulates in suspension, the vessel (12) having a plurality of side walls (14) arranged to form a polygonal cross-sectional shape in a plane orthogonal to an axis of rotation of the vessel. The vessel (12) has a fluid inlet port (16) through which the dirty fluid enters the vessel, and a fluid outlet port (18) through which a clean fluid exits the vessel after removal of particulates. The apparatus (10) also comprises a solids discharge port (20) provided at each of the vertices of the polygonal cross-section wherein, in use, when the vessel is rotated the particulates in the fluid entering the vessel (10) migrate to the vertices, from where they can be discharged through the discharge ports.