Hot dogs -- A centrifuge-stack intended to separate the oil and water from a spill into five fractions

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In this design, (shown in partial cut-away), the oil-water mix would enter the centrifuge-stack through the pipe at left, where an Archimedes' screw, (rotating independently), could be used to throttle the feed .

It would then pass through channels beneath the, (domed), input shield, to enter the first chamber a little beyond the halfway point of its radius .

Due to centrifugal action, as the first chamber fills, the heaviest hydrocarbons, (asphalt), would be held in its sump .

( To make these free-flowing, the first sump should be heated. )

Once the first chamber is full, the mix, (reduced in or without asphalt), would spill over into the second chamber, with the heaviest remaining fraction to be held in its sump .

This process is intended to continue through the third and the fourth chambers, beyond which gaseous hydrocarbons would be evacuated through the exit pipe .

In each sump, small circles on the leftward wall indicate where two of the intended six holes for servo-controlled, throttle-able taps could be drilled .

When open, these taps would use centrifugal force to throw the fluid into encircling, spill resistant troughs for collection .

Such would be a work of engineering in themselves, and again, the trough for the asphalt fraction should be heated, while that for the lightest fraction might usefully be cooled, (to reduce volatility) .

In operation, fractions are intended to be drawn off so that one chamber is releasing almost entirely, and almost all of, the water and water-soluble .

This could be returned to the Gulf .

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Between the chambers, the centrifuge wall thickens to support the bearings or bushings on which it would turn ; alternately with a drive pulley or helical-gear with which to effect turn .

This may necessitate one or more crankcases, depending on their needs .

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The question of volatility is an important one .

Both the mix within the chambers, and the transfer of volatile fractions from tap to trough, will need to be managed to reduce their potential for fire, and to contain what fires or explosions may occur .

Measures that could be taken inside the centrifuge include introducing carbon dioxide or air depleted of oxygen into the feed stream-- this may be particularly important during initial filling, when airspace is abundant .

Further, the exit pipe should be evacuated from the sides, leaving the direct path open for a positive-pressure valve, which would be opened by an explosion, and would lead to passages channeling fire and force away .

In transferring petroleum from centrifuge to trough, the heavier, low-volatility fractions need little precaution beyond being within the reach of a fire suppression system, (should one break out elsewhere) .

For lighter fractions, the drain pipes leading from the valves, (not shown), could be broadened, flattened and joined at their edges, (with intermediate material),

into a continuous ring which would fit closely within the opening of the catch-trough), minimizing the mixture of fuel and air.

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( All walls are shown as inner and outer surfaces ; the space between them is solid. )