Abstract: A separator for liquids, such as oil and water, is provided. The separator comprises a tangentially-fed, cylindrical vortex generating chamber which communicates axially with a conical accelerating chamber so as to form an axially disposed vortex of the lower density liquid surrounded by the higher density liquid. Both liquids flow generally downwardly in a helical flow pattern and leave the liquid separator by gravity, the lower density liquid flowing freely through an axially disposed vortex finding tube. The axially disposed vortex finding tube may be adjusted in a plane normal to the axis of the accelerating chamber as well as in the direction of the axis of the accelerating chamber. Additionally, the vortex finding tube may contain a flexible section to permit oscillation of the mouth of the vortex finding tube in a plane normal to the axis of the accelerating chamber.