Patent ID: 7431846

Claim:
A method for removing solids from a slurry stream comprising fluids and entrained solids, the method comprising: adding a flocculating agent to agglomerate said solids so as to form agglomerated solids within said slurry stream; introducing said slurry stream having said agglomerated solids and said fluids therein through an inlet to a vessel having an outlet that is below and substantially co-axial with said inlet; directing said agglomerated solids through a guiding member which guides said agglomerated solids directly to said outlet, said guiding member including a plurality of chambers comprising a central chamber and radially disposed chambers, wherein a ratio of fluids to solids increases from said central chamber across each of said chambers radially disposed therefrom; forming and maintaining a substantially conical mass of agglomerated solids substantially co-axial with and over said outlet, thereby upwardly displacing said fluids; withdrawing said agglomerated solids from said mass of agglomerated solids via said outlet; and removing said fluids from said vessel from a location remote from said outlet.