Centrifuge having a system for controlling the temperature of the liquid to be centrifuged or of one of the components thereof

Claim 1

A centrifuge for separating a specifically heavier material from a specifically lighter liquid phase with means for controlling the temperature of material centrifuged comprising a drum for the centrifuging which is rotatably mounted, a stationary frame jacket surrounding the drum and spaced therefrom, an inlet to the drum for introduction of material to be centrifuged, and an outlet for the liquid phase from which the specifically heavier material has been separated by centrifuging, said temperature control means comprising: a. an insert disposed within and about the drum adjacent the drum periphery and supported on the drum walls at a plurality of circumferentially spaced locations and spaced therefrom providing passages for a heat exchange medium between the drum wall and the insert for controlling the temperature of material being centrifuged, and means sealing said passage from the drum interior, b. inlet means and outlet means communicating with said passage for flow of heat exchange medium through the passage, c. heat transfer means mounted on the stationary frame for controlling the temperature in the space between the drum and frame, d. said outlet means from the insert communicating the passage between the drum and insert with the space between the drum and frame for flow of the heat exchange medium through said space for temperature control thereof, and e. means for circulating said heat exchange medium which has passed through said space from said space to the inlet of said passage between the drum and insert.