US 12,251,714 B2
Method of controlling centrifugal separator and centrifugal separator
Staffan Königsson, Tumba (SE)
Assigned to ALFA LAVAL CORPORATE AB, Lund (SE)
Appl. No. 17/291,659
Filed by Alfa Laval Corporate AB, Lund (SE)
PCT Filed Dec. 9, 2019, PCT No. PCT/EP2019/084152
§ 371(c)(1), (2) Date May 6, 2021,
PCT Pub. No. WO2020/120367, PCT Pub. Date Jun. 18, 2020.
Claims priority of application No. 18211245 (EP), filed on Dec. 10, 2018.
Prior Publication US 2021/0402417 A1, Dec. 30, 2021
Int. Cl. B04B 11/04 (2006.01); B04B 1/14 (2006.01)
CPC B04B 11/04 (2013.01) [B04B 1/14 (2013.01)] 25 Claims
OG exemplary drawing
 
1. A method of controlling a centrifugal separator configured to separate a heavy phase and a light phase from a liquid feed mixture, the centrifugal separator comprising:
a rotor delimiting therein a separation space,
an inlet for the liquid feed mixture leading into the separation space,
a first outlet for the heavy phase having a first outlet valve,
a second outlet for the light phase, and
at least one channel extending from at least one radially outer portion of the separation space towards a central portion of the rotor,
wherein the first outlet is arranged in fluid communication with the at least one channel, and
wherein the method comprises steps of:
rotating the rotor,
commencing supply of the liquid feed mixture into the separation space via the inlet,
separating the liquid feed mixture into at least the heavy phase and the light phase in the separation space, and
determining that a pressure build-up period has passed, and thereafter
determining that a rate of pressure change takes place at the first outlet, and
controlling the centrifugal separator in response to the rate of pressure change exceeding a predetermined value,
wherein controlling the centrifugal separator in response to the rate of pressure change comprises increasing an extent of opening of the first outlet valve.