a cone - stack centrifuge for separating particulate matter out of a circulating liquid includes a cone - stack assembly which is configured with a hollow rotor hub and is constructed to rotate about an axis . the cone - stack assembly is mounted onto a shaft centertube which is attached to a hollow base hub of a base assembly . the base assembly further includes a liquid inlet , a first passageway , and a second passageway which is connected to the first passageway . the liquid inlet is connected to the hollow base hub by the first passageway . a bearing arrangement is positioned between the rotor hub and the shaft centertube for rotary motion of the cone - stack assembly . an impulse - turbine wheel is attached to the rotor hub and a flow jet nozzle is positioned so as to be directed at the turbine wheel . the flow jet nozzle is coupled to the second passageway for directing a flow jet of liquid at the turbine wheel in order to impart rotary motion to the cone - stack assembly . the liquid for the flow jet nozzle enters the cone - stack centrifuge by way of the liquid inlet . the same liquid inlet also provides the liquid which is circulated through the cone - stack assembly .