GB711252A - Improvements in or relating to centrifugal counter-current exchange apparatus - Google Patents

Abstract

711,252. Centrifugal-machines. PODBI-ELNIAK, W. J., and PODBIELNIAK, W. G. Aug. 1, 1952 [Aug. 2, 1951], No. 19577/52. Class 23 In a centrifugal machine for countercurrent contacting of two liquids of different densities comprising a rotor 'chamber having spaced partition walls forming passages of increasing radius, apertures in the partition walls through which the liquids flow in countercurrent, means to supply the heavier liquid to and withdraw the lighter liquid from the inner portion of the chamber, and means to supply the lighter liquid to and withdraw the heavier liquid from the outer portion of the chamber, the liquid'inlet and outlet in at least one of these portions are arranged at different distances from the axis of rotation so as to form a space in which the liquid to be withdrawn from this portion may separate from the other liquid. The chamber is formed within a rotor 15 having a drive shaft 12 provided with passages and ducts for the supply and withdrawal of liquids from the chamber. Discs 38, 39 spaced from the rotor end-walls support concentric. partition rings 43 having staggered apertures 44. A continuous spiral band may replace the partition rings. The heavier liquid from a passage 19 and duct 45 is discharged by. one or -more nozzles 47 into the inner portion of the chamber, and is withdrawn from the outer portion of the chamber through passages 60, 61, vaned clearances 40, 41 between the discs and the end walls of the rotor, ducts 66, 68, and annular passage 26. The lighter liquid from a passage 25 and duct 50 passes through ducts 51 in the disc 38 to perforated pipes 53 which discharge into the outer portion of the chamber. The lighter liquid is withdrawn from the inner portion of the chamber by one or more ducts 48 and annular passage 20. In a modification, Fig 5 (not shown), the nozzle or nozzles, for the supply of heavier liquid project through passages formed by a perforated spiral band in the inner portion of the chamber within the partition rings, the spacing of the partition rings decreases with increase in distance from the axis of rotation, and the heavier liquid is withdrawn through a single vaned clearance between an internal disc and an end wall of the rotor. The construction of the machine permits treatment of liquids having entrained solids without preliminary clarification. The machine may be used for the solvent extraction of chloramphenical using amyl acetate as the solvent; for the extraction of aureomycin using butyl alcohol as solvent; for the extraction of penicillin using butyl or amyl acetate as solvent; and for the extraction of vitamin A from comminuted fish liver and fish liver oil on alkaline solution using a hexane fraction as solvent. The Specification gives dimensions and states that the machine operates at 2,000-5,000 r.p.m.