Verfahren und Vorrichtung zum wenigstens teilweisen Abscheiden in einer Flüssigkeit verteilter Feststoffkörner, Flüssigkeitströpfchen oder Gasbläschen von dieser Flüssigkeit mit Hilfe der Schwerkraft

A feed mixture is provided which comprises a liquid and a particulate component which is dispersed in said liquid and differs in specific gravity from said liquid. Said feed mixture is treated in a plurality of successive stages, each of which comprises a plurality of substantially identical separating spaces defined by inclined collecting surfaces. The particulate component is collected on said collecting surfaces and caused to travel along each collecting surface and from the collecting surfaces of each preceding stage to the collecting surfaces of the next succeeding stage along a predetermined path of travel. The liquid is caused to flow in said separating spaces and from each space along a predetermined liquid flow path, which is separated spaced from said path of travel. Said collected particulate component is withdrawn from the collecting surfaces of each stage in a first withdrawal area. The liquid is withdrawn from the separating spaces of each stage in a second withdrawal area, with is separated from said first withdrawal area. The angle between the horizontal components of the velocity of travel of the collected particulate component along said path of travel is changed by at least 90 DEG as said collected particulate component is transferred from the collecting surfaces of each preceding stage to the collecting surfaces of the next succeeding stage so that said path of travel between successive stages is spaced from said liquid flow path.