Vacuum degassing apparatus

An apparatus for degassing a continuously flowing liquid stream comprises an air-tight housing (4), in which is mounted for rotation a centrifuge bowl (3) of circular cross-section and having an inner surface for spreading centrifugally impelled liquid to be degassed and an annular peripheral trough (6) for retaining centrifugally impelled degassed liquid. The apparatus further comprises means (1,12) for feeding the liquid stream into the bowl and neans (9,16) for withdrawing degassed liquid which includes a tube (7) extending from an exit line (9) outside the housing to an open end (8) of elongated cross section which is positioned within the trough of the bowl and is positioned within the trough of the bowl and is immersible in the degassed liquid. The apparatus further comprises means (10) for measuring the pressure of the exiting degassed liquid, the pressure measurement being used to regulate the flow of liquid into the bowl so as to maintain a substantially constant level of liquid therein, means of withdrawing gas to maintain a sub-atmospheric pressure within the apparatus housing, and means for regulating the flow of the degassed liquid stream.