Method for separating particulate matter from a fluid stream

A method for separating particulate matter from a fluid in which the particulate matter is suspended, the method comprising:

• feeding a fluid containing particulate matter into a chamber of a vessel through an inlet, the chamber being at least partially bounded by a peripheral wall and the chamber also communicating with a first outlet and a second outlet;
• rotating the vessel about a rotational axis extending through the vessel such that at least a portion of the particulate matter settles out of the fluid and against at least a portion of the peripheral wall of the vessel;
• disturbing at least a portion of the particulate matter settled against the peripheral wall so that at least a portion of the particulate matter settled against the peripheral wall is resuspended within the fluid;
• removing at least a portion of the fluid having the resuspended particulate matter therein from the vessel through the first outlet;
• and
• removing through the second outlet of the vessel the fluid from which the particulate material has settled out.