Abstract: A centrifuge (2) for separating solids from liquid of a slurry with a conveyor (12) having a hub (14) rotatable about an axis (34) and at a helical blade (16) extending axially and radially from the hub. A bowl (4) including a cylindrical section (6) extending from an upstream end of the conveyor and a conically diverging screen section (10) extending to a downstream end of the conveyor extends about the conveyor and is rotatable about the axis. The conically diverging screen section includes an angle (40) that reduces the coefficient of friction of the solids to allow a cake formed of the solids to slide in a controlled manner forward on the conically diverging screen section with minimal back pressure, but without allowing the solid cake to break loose from the conically diverging screen section and slide out of the centrifuge in an uncontrolled manner.