Sedimentation machines

The Archimedes number contains parameters that characterize the properties of the heterogeneous system and the criterion establishing the type of settling. The criterion of separation essentially establishes the separating capacity of a sedimentation machine. The product of these criteria is ... 

Capacities. U Itimate capacities and machine operability mest be determined experimentally however, typical ranges for various machines can be given. Tshle 3.4-1 gives capacity-ielated data for various types and sizes of sedimentation machine. Note thet a tubular mechian is inclnded bot not discussed here. It is simply a single rotating tube used to clarify liquids at low flow rates. 

Modem practice is to maintain the white water system as closed as possible, ie, as much water as is compatible with efficient machine operation is recycled. The loss of fibers and inert furnish components, particularly clay, has been gready reduced. Eiber losses, however, stiU occur into the white water, and greater economy of operation may be achieved if these fibers could be recovered. Thus, it is common to design a fiber-recovery system into the white water cycle. The three general types of save-all fiber recovery are based on filtration (qv), dotation (qv), and sedimentation (qv). If these are operated efficiendy, the net fiber loss can be less than 1%. 

A recent trend in particle analysis has been the introduction of personal computer-based automation (3). Sophisticated software packages can be used to automate and speed up the analysis. In some cases these computers can even carry out continuous process control (qv) (see Computer technology). The latest machines also allow the measurements of smaller particles and can detect a wider range of sizes. Machines based on light-scattering principles are being more widely accepted by the industry because of speed. An average analysis takes from 1—2 min, whereas those based on sedimentation principles require from 10—120 min. 

The center-drive mechanism and feed launder are usually supported by a walkway that extends across one-half or the whole diameter of the basin. Devices having drive mechanisms and rakes supported by a tmss across the diameter of the thickener are referred to as bridge machines. The bridge thickeners usually do not exceed 25—45 m in diameter. In thickeners with larger diameters, the drive mechanism is supported by a central column or pier and the rates are driven and supported by a drive cage. The sediment is discharged into an aimular trench around the bottom of the column. 

Centrifugal Sedimentation Equipment. Commercial sedimentation centrifuges are characterized priacipaHy by how soHds are discharged, and the general dryness of these soHds. There are batch and automatic batch soHd bowl machines which coUect the soHds at the bowl wall. SoHds are removed very dry. Almost any soHd is coUectable, even those that are very soft and compressible. 

The principle of the solid bowl centrifuge is illustrated in Figure 4.19. It is essentially a device for enhancing the rate of sedimentation. The application of high G, however, creates stress in the machine and is equivalent to the application of pressure (cf. pressure filtration). There is therefore a balance to be struck between separating effect and stress. 

Once the amino acid has been bound to its tRNA, it can pass to the next phase of protein synthesis, involving its interaction with mRNA, which takes place on the ribosome, a molecular machine of enormous complexity. The ribosome of E. coli is a ribonucleoprotein assembly of molecular weight 2700 kDa, and sedimentation constant of 70S9. It is made up of roughly two-thirds RNA and one-third protein, and can be separated into a small (30S) and a large (50S) subunit. The 30S subunit contains 21 proteins and one 16S RNA molecule, while the large subunit has 34 different proteins and two RNA molecules, one 23S and one 5S. Despite its size and complexity, the structure of both ribosomal subunits has been determined to atomic resolution (Figure 4.32), and very recently the atomic structure of the 70S ribosome has been determined at 2.8 A resolution (Selmer et al., 2006). 

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