A rotor assembly (10, 150, 270, 310) and method of using the rotor assembly (10, 150, 270, 310). The rotor assembly (10, 150, 270, 310) includes a bio-process bag (48), a drum (46) that receives a lower portion of the bag (48), and a pressure ring (50). A holder (54, 182) couples an upper portion of the bag (48) to the pressure ring (50). The pressure ring (50) is coupled to the drum (46) to define an interior space that contains the bag (48). A liquid transport assembly (35, 178, 272) passes through an opening in the holder (54, 182) so that liquids can be added to, and removed from, the bag (48) without removing the rotor (16, 154) from the centrifuge. A bearing assembly (190) in the holder (54, 182) couples the liquid transport assembly (35, 178, 272) to the rotor (16, 154), and enables the liquid transport assembly (35, 178, 272) to remain stationary while the rotor (16, 154) rotates around it. One or more seal assemblies (276, 312) provide a fluid-tight seal against the outer portion of the liquid transport assembly (35, 178, 272), and prevent fluids from leaking from the bag (48) during centrifugation.

A rotor for use in a centrifuge, and adapters for coupling one or more processing containers to the rotor. The rotor includes a rotor body having a plurality of receptacles each configured to receive an adapter. Each adapter includes an outer surface configured to interface with one of the receptacles, and one or more cavities each configured to accept a processing container. The rotor may also include a rotor liner positioned between the adapters and the rotor body. The rotor liner engages the receptacles of the rotor body, and provides a plurality of receptacles that receive the adapters, thereby providing an interface between the adapters and the receptacles of the rotor body.

A rotor for use in a centrifuge, and a method for balancing the rotor. The rotor includes a plurality of apertures arranged circumferentially around the rotor's axis of rotation, each configured to selectively receive a weight. A critical speed is determined for the rotor, and an imbalance determined for the rotor at a test speed below the critical speed. A trial weight is installed in a reference aperture, and another imbalance determined at the test speed. The trial weight is repeatedly moved to another aperture angularly displaced from the previous aperture, and the imbalance measured at the test speed until a predetermined number of imbalance measurements have been obtained. A target mass and location for balancing the rotor is determined from the imbalance measurements, and balancing weights installed in apertures based on the target mass and location. The balancing process may be repeated for multiple critical frequencies.

A fixed angle centrifuge rotor is provided including a rotor body having an upper surface and a plurality of tubular cavities extending from the upper surface to respective bottom walls. A pressure plate is operatively coupled to the bottom walls of the tubular cavities and is configured to transfer torque to the bottom walls. The pressure plate is configured to be directly coupled to a rotor hub and to receive torque directly from the rotor hub.

A centrifuge, including a bowl having a composite material, a screw conveyor rotatably mounted within the bowl, and a feed pipe mounted within the screw conveyor for feeding a drilling mud through a feed port in a wall of the screw conveyor to an annular space between the bowl and the wall of the screw conveyor. Also, a method of replacing a centrifuge component, including removing the centrifuge component and installing a new centrifuge component, where the centrifuge components include a bowl and a screw conveyor rotatably mounted within the bowl, and where the new centrifuge component includes a composite material.

A separation device for separating impurities from a fluid to be cleaned has a separation body with a collecting region for impurities. A load determination apparatus determines an impurity load state of the collecting region for impurities. The load determination apparatus has a transmitter emitting electromagnetic waves, a receiver receiving the electromagnetic waves emitted by the transmitter, and an evaluation device. Transmitter and receiver are arranged opposite each other on opposite sides of the collecting region for impurities. The separation body at least in sections is at least partially transmissive for electromagnetic waves emitted by the transmitter. Transmitter and receiver are connected to the evaluation device. The evaluation device determines the impurity load state of the collecting region for impurities based on the electromagnetic waves received by the receiver. Such a load determination apparatus as described as well as a method for determining an impurity load state are provided.

A fixed angle centrifuge rotor includes a rotor body having a circumferential sidewall and a plurality of circumferentially spaced tubular cavities. Each tubular cavity has an open end and a closed end, and is configured to receive a sample container therein. The rotor further includes a pressure plate operatively coupled to the rotor body so that the pressure plate, in combination with the plurality of tubular cavities and the circumferential sidewall of the rotor body, define a hollow chamber within the rotor. The rotor further includes a plurality of elongated torque transfer members supported by the rotor body and an annular containment groove.

A fixed angle centrifuge rotor includes a rotor body having a circumferential sidewall and a plurality of circumferentially spaced tubular cavities. Each tubular cavity has an open end and a closed end, and is configured to receive a sample container therein. The rotor further includes a pressure plate operatively coupled to the rotor body so that the pressure plate, in combination with the plurality of tubular cavities and the circumferential sidewall of the rotor body, define a hollow chamber within the rotor. The rotor further includes a plurality of elongated torque transfer members supported by the rotor body. Each of the plurality of torque transfer members has a first end located between a respective pair of adjacent tubular cavities, and extends radially inward in a direction toward a rotational axis of the rotor.

A separator system includes a base unit and an exchangeable separation insert. The base unit includes a drive arrangement. The exchangeable separation insert includes a rotor casing configured to rotate about a rotational axis and a first stationary portion. The drive arrangement includes an entrainment member through which a portion of the exchangeable separation insert including the first stationary portion extends. The entrainment member engages with the rotor casing. The entrainment member has an axial extension <50%, such as <40% of a total axial extension of the rotor casing. The rotor casing is supported in the entrainment member over a distance <30%, such as <20%, such as <10% of the total axial extension of the rotor casing.

A fixed angle centrifuge rotor includes a rotor body having a circumferential sidewall and a plurality of circumferentially spaced tubular cavities. Each tubular cavity has an open end and a closed end, and is configured to receive a sample container therein. The rotor further includes a pressure plate operatively coupled to the rotor body so that the pressure plate, in combination with the plurality of tubular cavities and the circumferential sidewall of the rotor body, define a hollow chamber within the rotor. The rotor further includes a plurality of elongated torque transfer members supported by the rotor body and an annular containment groove.