Abstract: An apparatus and method for removing particulate solids from gaseous streams wherein a multi-sectional separator drum rotates at high speed within a casing, there being air seal means effectively sealing each of the sections from each other in the space between the casing and the rotating drum. Within each of the sections, the periphery of the drum is foraminous with an air flow space of diminished radius inwardly of the periphery through which the airstream is withdrawn in a generally axial direction, through fan blades which rotate with the drum, into an annular flow space between the foraminous periphery of the succeeding separator section of the drum and the casing. The dirty airstream is introduced tangentially to the drum in the direction of rotation thereof in the first separator section and proceeds through each succeeding separator section of the drum until it is discharged as a cleaned gas stream from the last of the separator sections.