Abstract: A fiber bed assembly and mist eliminator system operable to collect a liquid phase from a gas stream has a fiber bed with first and second collection layers of dense collection media having randomly positioned fibers. An intermediate drainage layer disposed between and abutting the first and second collection layers has drainage media composed of a highly ordered geometric mesh structure having a high void fraction. The drainage layer forms a lateral drainage channel immediately downstream of the first collection layer and generally perpendicular to the gas flow direction, and the drainage layer is operable to drain the liquid phase collected by the first collection layer, in a lateral flow direction through the drainage layer.