Embodiments disclosed herein relate to an apparatus for refining a liquid stream which includes a liquid carrier with a heavier waste and a lighter waste. The apparatus includes a first flow chamber, a second flow chamber, and plates. The first flow chamber is a cone structure and directs the liquid stream downwards in a first direction at a first velocity. The first velocity is greater than a settling velocity of a heavier waste in the liquid carrier. The second flow chamber directs the liquid carrier upwards in a second direction at a second velocity less than the settling velocity. The plates are in the second flow chamber and at a transition between the first and second flow chambers. The plates have an inclined geometry to cause laminar flow in the liquid stream to separate the heavier waste to a lower collection chamber and lighter waste to an upper collection reservoir.