Apparatus for separating particulate solids from liquids

Apparatus for the separation of particulate solids from a liquid, the apparatus comprising a container, a first generally planar declivous draining screen located within the container to separate upper and lower regions of the container, means including a subsidiary generally planar declivous draining screen disposed above, inclined in the same sense as, but steeper than, the first screen for feeding a mixture of particulate solids and liquid onto the upper end of the first screen, baffles on the underside of the first screen transverse to the direction of movement of the solids to discourage adherence of liquid beneath the first screen, a weir in the form of a generally vertical barrier upstanding abruptly from and disposed at the lower end of the first screen for allowing the controlled passage of solids thereover, means for withdrawing liquid from the lower region of the container substantially below the lowest part of either screen to ensure that the screens are above the level of any liquid in the container, and means for vibrating the container to move solids along the first screen and over the weir.