Thickener/clarifier feedwell assembly with froth dissipation

A feedwell assembly for a thickener/clarifier, comprising:

• a feedwell body;
• at least one feed channel having a downstream end connected to said body;
• and
• a plate member disposed in said feed channel at a level so that an upstream end of said plate member is disposed at approximately a froth-liquid interface of an incoming slurry stream.

A method for reducing froth and air fed to a feedwell in a thickener/clarifier, comprising:

• disposing, in a feed channel or launder header, a plate member in a position and orientation for separating froth from an incoming slurry stream;
• attaching said plate member in said position to said feed channel or launder header;
• flowing a slurry into said feed channel or launder header;
• and
• diverting the froth from along an upper surface of the slurry onto said plate member, while allowing slurry apart from the froth to flow through to the feedwell.