Centrifugal contactor including central dynamic examination device
Centrifugal contactors that can be used for mixing or separating materials are described. The contactors include a sensing system including a communications fiber within the shaft of the contactors and access ports providing access from the communications fiber to the mixing/separating zone of the contactor. The sensing system can be utilized during operation of the contactor and can provide for detailed and accurate on-line characterization of a protocol, as well as process control and system modification as necessary during operation.
1. A centrifugal contactor comprising:
a housing;
a shaft within the housing, the shaft comprising a cylindrical wall surrounding a hollow core with a longitudinal central axis and an access port within the cylindrical wall;
a plurality of rotor blades configured to revolve about the longitudinal central axis, the plurality of rotor blades defining a zone within the housing;
a communications fiber comprising a first end and a second end, the first end being locatable within the hollow core in communications with the access port; and
a signal generator or signal receiver in communication with the second end of the communications fiber.
2. The centrifugal contactor of claim 1 , wherein the centrifugal contactor is a centrifugal separator.
3. The centrifugal contactor of claim 1 , wherein the centrifugal contactor is an impeller mixed tank.
4. The centrifugal contactor of claim 1 , wherein the communications fiber comprises an optical fiber.
5. The centrifugal contactor of claim 1 , wherein the communications fiber comprises a plurality of optical fibers.
6. The centrifugal contactor of claim 1 , wherein the access port is optically transmissive.
7. The centrifugal contactor of claim 6 , wherein the access port is optically transmissive to one or more wavelengths in the infrared spectrum.
8. The centrifugal contactor of claim 1 , wherein the access port comprises an acoustically responsive diaphragm.
9. The centrifugal contactor of claim 1 , the shaft comprising a plurality of access ports along the longitudinal length of the shaft.
10. The centrifugal contactor of claim 1 , wherein the plurality of rotor blades extend from the shaft.