Abstract: A fluid flow driven apparatus, specifically a gas-powered turbine, which is especially designed to operate on particle laden fluid is disclosed herein along with its method of operation. This apparatus includes a main drive shaft disposed within its own compartment and a plurality of rotor blades fixedly connected to the shaft at axially spaced locations along its length. The apparatus also includes means for directing a continuous fluid stream, laden with particles, into the compartment, and means for causing the fluid stream in the compartment to move axially therethrough along a helical path around the shaft in order to engage the rotor blades in a way which causes the shaft to rotate about its own axis.