A centrifugal separator is configured for processing a product by separating a relatively, heavy component and a relatively light component therefrom. The centrifugal separator includes a spindle supported by a stationary frame, A drive unit acts on a rotating member mounted on the spindle to rotate the spindle. A centrifuge rotor mounted to the spindle encloses a separation space. An upper bearing housing is mounted to the stationary frame and supports bearings including an outer bearing ring attached to the upper bearing housing and an inner bearing ring attached to the spindle. The upper bearing housing is mounted to the stationary frame via an elastic member permitting the upper bearing housing and the spindle to move radially, and via an upper tilting member permitting the spindle to tilt during operation of the centrifugal separator.

A centrifugal separator is configured for processing a product by separating a relatively, heavy component and a relatively light component therefrom. The centrifugal separator includes a spindle supported by a stationary frame, A drive unit acts on a rotating member mounted on the spindle to rotate the spindle. A centrifuge rotor mounted to the spindle encloses a separation space. An upper bearing housing is mounted to the stationary frame and supports bearings including an outer bearing ring attached to the upper bearing housing and an inner bearing ring attached to the spindle. The upper bearing housing is mounted to the stationary frame via an elastic member permitting the upper bearing housing and the spindle to move radially, and via an upper tilting member permitting the spindle to tilt during operation of the centrifugal separator.

A continuous differential-pressure steam sterilization system for a powder, and belongs to the field of material sterilization includes: a superheated steam generation system, a steam pressure and flow rate control system, a quantitative feeding system, an instantaneous differential-pressure sterilization system, a dust explosion suppression system, a sterile cooling system, a primary gas-solid separation system, a secondary gas-solid separation system, a sterile storage system, a steam recovery and reheating system, and a condensate recovery system. The continuous differential-pressure steam sterilization system shortens the thermal contact time and mainly accumulates the heat on the surface of the powder, rather than in the center of the powder, which reduces the damage to the nutritional quality of the powder. Comprehensive treatment methods such as superheated steam, temperature compensation and non-sticky inner lining are adopted to reduce the problem of powder binding, agglomeration, and even blocking in the pipe of the system.

A continuous differential-pressure steam sterilization system for a powder, and belongs to the field of material sterilization includes: a superheated steam generation system, a steam pressure and flow rate control system, a quantitative feeding system, an instantaneous differential-pressure sterilization system, a dust explosion suppression system, a sterile cooling system, a primary gas-solid separation system, a secondary gas-solid separation system, a sterile storage system, a steam recovery and reheating system, and a condensate recovery system. The continuous differential-pressure steam sterilization system shortens the thermal contact time and mainly accumulates the heat on the surface of the powder, rather than in the center of the powder, which reduces the damage to the nutritional quality of the powder. Comprehensive treatment methods such as superheated steam, temperature compensation and non-sticky inner lining are adopted to reduce the problem of powder binding, agglomeration, and even blocking in the pipe of the system.

A method for controlling the operation of a continuously or periodically operating centrifuge can be employed in the sugar industry for separating crystalline carbohydrates or sugar alcohols from a crystal suspension called a magma or a mother liquor. The magma has a varying content of fine grain that is dependent on the properties of the pretreatment and of the raw material. Variable control values are provided in a control device of the centrifuge. One or plurality of sensors are provided that carry out the measurements in electromagnetic, optical, acoustic, and/or conductive ways. These measurements that are conducted serve for determining the fine grain fraction of the magma. The measurements are supplied as measurement signals to the control device of the centrifuge. The control device automatically analyzes the measurement signals supplied to it and evaluates them with respect to the fine grain content of the magma. The control device changes the variable control values of the centrifuge as a function of this evaluation.

A method for controlling the operation of a continuously or periodically operating centrifuge can be employed in the sugar industry for separating crystalline carbohydrates or sugar alcohols from a crystal suspension called a magma or a mother liquor. The magma has a varying content of fine grain that is dependent on the properties of the pretreatment and of the raw material. Variable control values are provided in a control device of the centrifuge. One or plurality of sensors are provided that carry out the measurements in electromagnetic, optical, acoustic, and/or conductive ways. These measurements that are conducted serve for determining the fine grain fraction of the magma. The measurements are supplied as measurement signals to the control device of the centrifuge. The control device automatically analyzes the measurement signals supplied to it and evaluates them with respect to the fine grain content of the magma. The control device changes the variable control values of the centrifuge as a function of this evaluation.

A process for obtaining soluble functional proteins from plant material includes the steps of: mechanically disrupting the cells of the plant material to obtain a mush stream; subjecting the mush stream to a coarse physical separation step, resulting in a permeate and a retentate; subjecting the permeate P.sub.b to mild treatment, resulting in a treated permeate; subjecting the treated permeate to serial centrifugation steps; subjecting centrate to a microfiltration step resulting in a permeate and a retentate; subjecting the permeate to an ultrafiltration step resulting in a permeate and a retentate; subjecting the retentate to hydrophobic column adsorption to provide a column permeate and a retentate; and drying the column permeate to provide a soluble functional protein isolate.

A process for obtaining soluble functional proteins from plant material includes the steps of: mechanically disrupting the cells of the plant material to obtain a mush stream; subjecting the mush stream to a coarse physical separation step, resulting in a permeate and a retentate; subjecting the permeate P.sub.b to mild treatment, resulting in a treated permeate; subjecting the treated permeate to serial centrifugation steps; subjecting centrate to a microfiltration step resulting in a permeate and a retentate; subjecting the permeate to an ultrafiltration step resulting in a permeate and a retentate; subjecting the retentate to hydrophobic column adsorption to provide a column permeate and a retentate; and drying the column permeate to provide a soluble functional protein isolate.

A processing device includes a pump system, a valve system, a centrifuge, and a controller. A fluid flow circuit is mounted to the device to execute a procedure in which whole blood is processed into a red blood cell product, a plasma product, and a platelet concentrate product. The blood is first separated into red blood cells, buffy coat, and plasma using the centrifuge, with the red blood cells and plasma being removed from the centrifuge, while the buffy coat remains in the centrifuge. The fluid remaining in the centrifuge is circulated through the centrifuge to form a homogenous mixture. Once the mixture is formed, it is separated in the centrifuge into platelet concentrate and red blood cells. A platelet product is then collected by using whole blood or previously collected red blood cells to push the platelet concentrate from the centrifuge to a collection container.

A processing device includes a pump system, a valve system, a centrifuge, and a controller. A fluid flow circuit is mounted to the device to execute a procedure in which whole blood is processed into a red blood cell product, a plasma product, and a platelet concentrate product. The blood is first separated into red blood cells, buffy coat, and plasma using the centrifuge, with the red blood cells and plasma being removed from the centrifuge, while the buffy coat remains in the centrifuge. The fluid remaining in the centrifuge is circulated through the centrifuge to form a homogenous mixture. Once the mixture is formed, it is separated in the centrifuge into platelet concentrate and red blood cells. A platelet product is then collected by using whole blood or previously collected red blood cells to push the platelet concentrate from the centrifuge to a collection container.