Patent ID: 8398751

Claim:
A separator for separating particulate-fluid suspensions, comprising: a first section having a first inside diameter; a second section having a second inside diameter; a third section having a frustoconical inner surface, wherein a first end of the third section has an inside diameter equal to the second inside diameter and a second end of the third section has an inside diameter less than the second inside diameter, wherein the second section is disposed between the first section and the first end of the third section, and wherein the first, second, and third sections are disposed coaxially along a common longitudinal centerline; a conical stabilizer disposed coaxially along the common longitudinal centerline between the first and second sections, wherein an apex of the stabilizer is oriented toward the first section, and wherein a base of the stabilizer has a diameter less than the second inside diameter; and a plurality of apertures disposed about the third section, wherein the plurality of apertures are in fluid communication with a fluid distribution channel.