Abstract: An apparatus and a method are provided for separating liquid from small spheres, for example spheres formed by gel precipitation. The apparatus comprises sloping screening decks (12, 14), arranged in stepped relationship so that spheres tumble down onto the lower screening deck (14) after passing along the upper screening deck (12), each screening deck comprising a large number of upright plates (30, 60) spaced apart from each other and extending in the direction of slope, so that the liquid drains down between the plates. Alternate plates might be replaced by rods when separating extremely small spheres from a liquid.The apparatus has no moving parts, and even after inflow of the liquid stops, the spheres still continue to pass through the apparatus.

Abstract: An ejector 110 having an additional nozzle 173 for issuing a fluid at a relatively high pressure through a throat 113 of the ejector 110 into an outlet 114 from the throat 113, so as to clear any material lodging in the outlet 114 and/or the throat 113. The additional nozzle 113 may be co-axial with the main nozzle 140 of the ejector 110, or angularly disposed from it.