Rotary vacuum and screen system and methods for separating solids and liquids

A solids/liquid separation system for separating solids and liquids within a slurry from one another, the separation system comprising:

• a screen connected to a drum having a plurality of openings, the screen supporting the slurry on an upper surface of the screen when the screen rotates about an axis of rotation, the screen and the drum enabling liquids to pass through the screen and the openings;
• a fluid manifold connected to the drum, the fluid manifold providing a vacuum pressure via a vacuum system to be applied in a first direction and to a first portion of the screen and the drum while the screen is rotating to convey fluids through the screen and the openings;
• a cleaning manifold connected to the drum, the cleaning manifold providing an air flow pressure to be applied to a second portion of the screen in a second direction generally opposite to the first direction while the screen is rotating;
• a waste manifold connected to the drum and the vacuum system to convey solids away from the screen;
• wherein the vacuum pressure in the first direction draws fluids through the screen and the openings into the fluid manifold, wherein the air flow pressure in the second direction induces air flow through the screen in the second direction to clean the screen while the screen is rotating, and wherein vacuum pressure through the waste manifold removes solids from the screen.