Abstract: A method for separating lean and/or fat from lean meat-containing material, including introducing a fluid containing particles of varying densities into a vessel. The vessel separates the fluid into low density and high density fractions. The material from the low density fraction is removed via an outlet and has a higher percentage of fat than the material introduced into the vessel. The material from the high density fraction is removed via an outlet and has a higher percentage of lean than the material introduced into the vessel. The vessel can be a cyclone having a tangential inlet and a cone-shaped body. The denser particles, which are predominantly lean, are separated, and leave via an outlet at a lower end of the vessel, while the lighter particles, which are predominantly fat, leave via an outlet at an upper end of the vessel.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for separating lean meat and/or fat from lean meat-containing material, including combining a particulate material with fluid carbon dioxide. The material and fluid is introduced into a vessel and is separated into low density and high density fractions. The material from the low density fraction is removed via an outlet and has a higher percentage of fat than the material introduced into the vessel. The material from the high density fraction is removed via an outlet and has a higher percentage of lean meat than the material introduced into the vessel. The vessel can include a centrifuge bowl or an inclined vessel. Separation is achieved via gravity or the application of an artificial force field, such as centrifugal force, to separate particulates high in density from those low in density.