Inverted vortex, particle separation chamber

An apparatus for separating a particle-laden effluent stream comprising a trapezoidal or conical shaped chamber having an upper gaseous portion and a lower liquid portion, a liquid-gas interphase being formed between the upper and lower portions, a liquid inlet within the upper gaseous portion which supplies particle-laden liquid for the apparatus for separation, a gas outlet within the upper gaseous portion which exerts a vacuum pressure so as to remove gas and liquid vapor, an inverted funnel means which is partially submerged in the lower liquid portion, and partially suspended in the upper gaseous portion, an impeller means within the funnel means, the impeller means forming a fluid vortex within the funnel means, the fluid vortex causing particulate matter in the liquid in the funnel means to be driven downward along an internal downward cant of the funnel means into the lower liquid portion below the funnel means and the fluid vortex causing particulate-free liquid to be driven upward into the upper portion of the inverted funnel means, and a liquid outlet located in the upper portion of the inverted funnel means which removes the particulate-free liquid from the apparatus.