Method and apparatus for supplying distributing composite liquids to a laminar separation apparatus

In separation apparatus comprising an inlet, a plurality of spaced-apart parallel plates inclined to the horizontal and forming a plurality of separation passages therebetween, and influent distributor means adapted to receive a flow of influent composite liquid flowing in one direction from the inlet and to change the direction of flow of the stream of composite liquid at least once as it passes from the inlet to said separation passages for distributing said influent composite liquid thereto for treatment, the improvement comprising obstacle means disposed in at least one array in said distributor means to intercept the influent composite liquid in the direction of flow in which it is received from the inlet and prior to any change in the flow direction thereof so as to dissipate the kinetic energy thereof and cause the influent composite liquid to be distributed uniformly from the distributor to the plurality of separation passages.

In a method for subjecting an influent composite liquid to separation in laminar separation apparatus comprising a plurality of parallel plates inclined with respect to a horizontal plane and forming a plurality of separation passages therebetween and distributor means communicating with said separation passages for distributing thereto a stream of influent composite liquid received by the distributor means, the distributor means including a fluid flow path in which the direction of flow of composite liquid is changed at least twice, the improvement comprising decelerating the motion of the stream of influent composite liquid received into the distributor means prior to any change in the direction thereof by subjecting said stream as it passes in the direction of flow in which it is received into the distributor means to a plurality of deflections in said distributor means to dissipate the kinetic energy thereof, thereby causing the composite liquid to pass from the distributor means uniformly to the plurality of separation passages.

In separation apparatus comprising an inlet a plurality of spaced-apart parallel plates inclined to the horizontal and forming a plurality of separation passages therebetween, and influent distributor means adapted to receive a flow of influent composite liquid flowing in one direction from the inlet and to change the direction of flow of the stream of composite liquid at least twice as it passes from the inlet to said separation passages for distributing said influent composite liquid thereto for treatment, the improvement comprising obstacle means disposed in at least one array in said distributor means to intercept the influent composite liquid in the direction of flow in which it is received from the inlet and prior to any change in the flow direction thereof so as to dissipate the kinetic energy thereof and cause the influent composite liquid to be distributed uniformly from the distributor to the plurality of separation passages.