Centrifugation system using static layer

Claim 1

An improved method of centrifugally separating and recovering a colloidal phase from a fluid suspension, of the type comprising the steps of adding the fluid suspension into a rotating centrifuge bowl whereby desired colloids are separated from the suspension, wherein the improvement comprises: filling a rotating centrifuge bowl with a fluid medium distinct from the suspension, so that a static layer of fluid medium forms adjacent the bowl wall and rotating therewith; and then introducing the suspension into the rotating centrifuge bowl concentrically inside of the static layer, and wherein the colloids are insoluble, such that a size range of colloids is separated from a broader size range of colloids in the fluid suspension into the static layer.

Claim 3

A method of centrifugally separating and recovering a narrower size range of a colloidal phase from a broader size range of colloids in fluid suspension, comprising: (a) activating a bowl-type centrifuge; (b) introducing an amount of a fluid medium distinct from the suspension into the rotating centrifuge bowl, effective to form a static layer of fluid adjacent the centrifuge bowl wall and essentially static with reference thereto; and then (c) introducing the suspension into the rotating bowl at a location concentrically inside of the static layer so that the narrower size range colloids separate from the broader size range of suspended colloids into the static layer.

Claim 4

A method of centrifugally separating and recovering a narrower size range of a colloidal phase from a broader size range of colloids in fluid suspension, comprising: (a) activating a bowl-type centrifuge; (b) introducing an amount of a fluid medium distinct from the suspension into the rotating centrifuge bowl, effective to form a static layer of fluid adjacent the centrifuge bowl wall and essentially static with reference thereto; and then (c) introducing the suspension into the rotating bowl at a location concentrically inside of the static layer so that the narrower size range colloids separate from the broader size range of suspended colloids into the static layer.

Claim 12

A system for centrifugally separating and recovering colloids of a desired size range from a broader range of particle sizes in suspension, the system comprising: a rotating centrifuge bowl; a fluid medium distinct from the suspension and including at least one reagent, introduced into the rotating bowl effective to form a static layer with reference to the rotating bowl wall and adjacent thereto; and feed means for introducing the suspension into the rotating bowl at a feed location concentrically inside of the static layer, so that as the suspension is introduced into the bowl, the suspension forms a layer concentrically within the static layer and the desired size range particles separated from the broader range of particle sizes in the suspension settle into the static layer and react with the at least one reagent as they settle through the static layer.

Claim 13

A system for centrifugally separating and recovering colloids of a desired size range from a broader range of particle sizes in suspension, the system comprising: a rotating centrifuge bowl; a fluid medium distinct from the suspension and including at least one reagent, introduced into the rotating bowl effective to form a static layer with reference to the rotating bowl wall and adjacent thereto; and feed means for introducing the suspension into the rotating bowl at a feed location concentrically inside of the static layer, so that as the suspension is introduced into the bowl, the suspension forms a layer concentrically within the static layer and the desired size range particles separated from the broader range of particle sizes in the suspension settle into the static layer and react with the at least one reagent as they settle through the static layer.

Claim 14

A system for centrifugally separating and recovering colloids of a desired size range from a broader range of particle sizes in suspension, the system comprising: a rotating centrifuge bowl; a fluid medium distinct from the suspension, introduced into the rotating bowl effective to form a static layer with reference to the rotating bowl wall and adjacent thereto; and feed means for introducing the suspension into the rotating bowl at a feed location concentrically inside of the static layer, so that as the suspension is introduced into the bowl, the suspension forms a layer concentrically within the static layer and the desired size range particles separated from the broader range of particle sizes in the suspension settle into the static layer, the system further comprising another fluid medium distinct in composition from both the suspension and the static layer, introduced successively into the spinning bowl to from a second static layer disposed concentrically outside of the feed location.

Claim 15

A system for centrifugally separating and recovering colloids of a desired size range from a broader range of particle sizes in suspension, the system comprising: a rotating centrifuge bowl; a fluid medium distinct from the suspension, introduced into the rotating bowl effective to form a static layer with reference to the rotating bowl wall and adjacent thereto; and feed means for introducing the suspension into the rotating bowl at a feed location concentrically inside of the static layer, so that as the suspension is introduced into the bowl, the suspension forms a layer concentrically within the static layer and the desired size range particles separated from the broader range of particle sizes in the suspension settle into the static layer, the system further comprising another fluid medium distinct in composition from both the suspension and the static layer, introduced successively into the spinning bowl to from a second static layer disposed concentrically outside of the feed location.