Importance

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Abstract

Upper and lower bowl members are mounted on a common linear cylindrical member and a relief valve provides controlled gas pressure within a centrifuge housing in a low speed decanting centrifuge for separating relatively large particulate material (e.g. yeast) from a feedstock. The centrifuge may be clamped to a container and a pressure differential is created between the centrifuge housing and the container to, in turn, force feedstock upwardly into the lower bowl of the centrifuge. A stack of frustonconical discs carry supernatant downwardly and inwardly for vertical transfer to a discharge chamber, Particulate matter is centrifugally discharged continuously between engageable surfaces of the lower bowl member and the upper bowl member. Hydraulic forces generated within the bowl are isolated from a thrust bearing supporting the bowl and transferring drive forces to an intake. The invention further provides for separately collecting and controlling discharge from the centrifuge housing, whereby gas pressure within the housing may be increased further to partially counterbalance hydrostatic forces within the bowls, thus permitting bowl members of low material strength to be used in relatively high speed separation to improve processing capability.

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First Claim