Decanting centrifuge with plural screen support sections

1. A screen bowl decanting centrifuge comprising a rotatable bowl and a conveyor assembly adapted, in use, to separate a slurry into solids and liquids components, and an outlet for the liquids component which outlet communicates with the inlet of a perforated bowl section arranged, in use, to filter the liquids component as it passes through the perforations of a screen or screens, wherein the perforated bowl section is hollow and comprises a plurality of assembled screen support segments, each of which comprises a removably mounted side wall portion having multiple apertures.

2. The screen bowl decanting centrifuge as claimed in claim 1 , wherein the inlet of the perforated bowl section comprises an annular support to which each of the screen support segments is removably mounted.

3. The screen bowl decanting centrifuge as claimed in claim 1 , wherein the perforated bowl section comprises an end plate to which each of the screen support segments is removably mountable.

4. The screen bowl decanting centrifuge as claimed in claim 1 , wherein each screen support segment is part-tubular.

5. The screen bowl decanting centrifuge as claimed in claim 4 , wherein the inlet of the perforated bowl section comprises an annular support to which each of the screen support segments is removably mountable, wherein each screen support segment is part-tubular and wherein the part tubular segments are individually and/or detachably affixed to, and between, the annular support and the end plate.

6. The screen bowl decanting centrifuge as claimed in claim 5 , wherein the or each part-tubular segment, the annular support and/or the end plate comprises a flange.

7. The screen bowl decanting centrifuge as claimed in claim 6 , wherein the or each part-tubular segment is individually and/or detachably affixed to, and between, the annular support and the end plate using screws.

8. The screen bowl decanting centrifuge as claimed in any of claim 4 , wherein the or each part-tubular segment comprises a lip or groove adapted, in use, to engage a groove or lip of the annular support or the end plate.

9. The screen bowl decanting centrifuge as claimed in claim 2 , wherein the distance between the annular support and the end plate is adjustable.

10. The screen bowl decanting centrifuge as claimed in claim 9 , further comprising a jacking screw arranged to cooperate with the part-tubular segment and the annular support ring or the end plate for adjusting the spacing between the annular support and the end plate.

11. The screen bowl decanting centrifuge as claimed in claim 10 , wherein the or each part-tubular segment comprises a lip or groove adapted, in use, to engage a groove or lip of the annular support or the end plate and wherein the jacking screw is adapted to enable the spacing between the annular support and the end plate to be increased to an extent whereby the lip disengages from the recess.

12. The screen bowl decanting centrifuge as claimed in claim 1 , wherein the or each part-tubular segment comprises a through aperture or a plurality of through-apertures.

13. The screen bowl decanting centrifuge as claimed in claim 12 , further comprising a perforated liner overlying the or each through aperture.

14. The screen bowl decanting centrifuge as claimed in claim 13 , wherein the liner is located within the perforated side wall.

15. The screen bowl decanting centrifuge as claimed in claim 13 , wherein the liner comprises any one or more of the group comprising a wire grid, a soap dish and tile.