GB657877A - A method and apparatus for centrifuging rubber latex - Google Patents

Abstract

657,877. Concentrating and purifying latex. AKTIEBOLAGET SEPARATOR. March 22, 1949, No. 7771. Convention date, March 22, 1948. [Class 70] [Also in Group II] Rubber latex is concentrated in a centrifugal bowl and is fed into a zone where the concentration is sufficiently low to allow separation of certain impurities, such as yellow protein, the specific gravities of which lie between that of the rubber particles and that of the liquid component of the latex. In the Figure, latex is fed through a nozzle 1, into an inlet chamber 2, and flows through inlets 4, into the discs 5, between which it is concentrated so that most of the rubber particles move inwards to form a layer 6 of concentrated latex. Most of the liquid, together with heavier impurities, moves outwards into a sludge space 7, to a channel 10 and discharge port 11. Concentrated latex passes through outlet 8. Inlets 4 are positioned so that more than 15 per cent, preferably 18-25 per cent, of the total separating effect takes place in the zone inside the inlets. Assuming the radius of the free cylindrical surface of the latex is R 1 , the radius of the holes 4 is R 2 and the outer radius of the chamber is R 3 , this condition is met when R<SP>3</SP> 2 - R<SP>3</SP> 1 is greater than 15/100 (R<SP>3</SP> 3 - R<SP>3</SP> 1 ) ' Preferably, the discs 5 have no inner flanges and the inner edges are placed further away from the bowl axis than usual. The half-top angle of the discs is greater than 40 degrees, preferably 45 degrees.