Apparatus for separating relatively more dense particulate matter from a relatively less dense fluid flow comprising a separator member mounted for rotation about an axis, and including the following: one or more fluid inlets; one or more particulate matter outlets communicating with an associated fluid inlet and spaced from the axis by a first radius; and one or more fluid outlets, each communicating with an associated fluid inlet and an associated particulate matter outlet and located downstream thereof, each fluid outlet having an opening considerably larger than that of the particulate matter outlet associated therewith and being spaced from the axis by a second radius smaller than the first radius. The apparatus for separating also includes apparatus for rotating the separator member about the axis so as to subject the relatively more dense particulate matter entering through each fluid inlet to a relatively large centrifugal force, thereby causing the particulate matter to travel towards and through an associated particulate matter outlet spaced by the first radius from the axis; the apparatus for rotating also being operative to subject the relatively less dense fluid to a relatively small centrifugal force, thereby causing a major portion of the fluid flow to exit through the fluid outlet associated with and located downstream of the particulate matter outlet.
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