Abstract Apparatus for separating or extracting liquid phase substances from gel phase substances in a semisolid mobile cellular system wherein there exists a substantial difference in density between the liquid and gel phase substances of the system. The apparatus is particularly useful for separating or deliquoring black liquor soap substances manufactured in a chemical pulping operation. The apparatus, in a preferred form, includes a long tall cylindrical vessel or tank, a vertical rotor mounted on the vertical center axis of the tank interior having a series of press rods radially fixed cantilever fashion on the rotor shaft and projecting toward the cylindrical interior tank wall, a second series of press rods generally cantilever fixed to the tank wall interior and projecting radially toward the rotor axis and alternatingly arranged with the movable radially extending rotor press rods. The semisolid cellular soap substance or the like is pumped into the tank and the rotor driven at a slow speed (3-5 r.p.m.) to cause the cellular substance to be squeezed between the alternatingly arranged fixed and movable press rods. This causes the liquid phase substance to collect on the trailing side of each of the press rods and the liquid to be conducted to a liquid pool formed either at the upper or lower elevation of the tank depending on whether the liquid phase substance is heavier or lighter than the gel phase substance in the semisolid cellular system being processed.
An apparatus as defined in claim 1 wherein substantially each rod of said primary and secondary series of press rods is obliquely arranged relative to a horizontal plane intersecting each rod.
Claim 2
Dependent Claim
67 words
An apparatus as defined in claim 1 wherein said series of primary press rods are arranged in a plurality of vertically aligned rows of press rods angularly spaced circumferentially about the vertical axis of said tank and wherein said series of secondary press rods are arranged in a plurality of vertically aligned rows of press rods angularly intermittently spaced circumferentially about the vertical axis of said tank.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
79 words
An apparatus as defined in claim 1 wherein said means for introducing said semisolid cellular substance into the interior of said tank includes means defining an entry openIng opening into the interior of said tank, feed conduit means for conducting said semisolid cellular substance to and through said entry opening, and force pump feed means arranged in said feed conduit means for continuously moving said cellular substance through said feed conduit means and into the interior of said tank.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
70 words
An apparatus as defined in claim 4 wherein said entry opening for passage of the cellular substance into the interior of said tank is arranged at a lower elevation of said tank and at an elevation substantially a short distance above the elevation of the liquid phase substance exit opening of the tank, and wherein the gel phase substance exit opening is arranged at an upper elevation of said tank.