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 operatively connected to a supporting frame, the screen supporting the slurry on an upper surface of the screen when the screen rotates about a vertical axis of rotation and where the screen is a generally horizontal circular disk;
• a fluid manifold operatively connected to a lower surface of the screen and wherein the fluid manifold is configured to enable a vacuum pressure to be applied in a first direction and to a first portion of the screen while the screen is rotating to convey fluids through the screen;
• a cleaning manifold operatively connected to an upper surface of the screen and wherein the cleaning manifold is configured to enable 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;
• wherein the vacuum pressure in a first direction draws fluid through the screen into the fluid manifold and the air flow pressure in the second direction induces air flow through the screen in the second direction to clean the rotating screen.