Method for clarifying a flowable product with a centrifuge

The clarification of beverages including turbid substances is problematic as when measuring the degree of turbidity of the clear phase, limit values have to be prescribed. When these limit values are reached there is often an undesirably high proportion of turbid substances in the beverage. This is due to the difficulty sensors have in determining the turbidity of the clear phase. To alleviate this the following method for clarifying a flowable starting product (AP) with a centrifuge, in particular a separator with a rotatable drum with a feed and at least one liquid discharge for continuously discharging at least one clarified liquid phase - a clear phase - and with discontinuously openable solid-discharge openings for continuously discharging the solid phase has been found successful. The method includes the following steps: a. setting or determining a starting time; b. repeatedly determining at least one actual value of a product parameter of the clear phase (KP) drawn off from the drum; c. determining the calibrating time interval t(K) from the starting point until the time at which the product-parameter actual value or a difference quotient of the determined product-parameter actual values and the respective time intervals between the measurements reaches or exceeds a limit value, in particular a product-parameter limit value; d. preferably initiating a solid discharge as a consequence of reaching or exceeding the limit value, in particular the product-parameter limit value; e. ascertaining and setting an operating time interval t(B) by means of the ascertained calibrating time interval t(K), the operating time interval t(B) being less than or equal to or greater than the ascertained calibrating time interval t(K); and f. initiating at least one or more solid discharges each time the set operating time interval t(B) has elapsed.