Abstract: Plate assembly and method for installing same in a separation device for separating components from a multi-component carrier liquid having components of a specific mass differing from that of the carrier liquid wherein the assembly includes at least two parallel separating plates being separated by spacer members mounted with the top and bottom portion of the separating plates and extending along the plate surfaces thereof for engaging and spacing ajacent separating plates for enhanced separation within the separation device. In practicing the method of the present invention, the plate assembly is established by inserting individual separating plates within the separation device one at a time with each such separating plate having its own spacer member therewith for spacing adjacent plates from one another and for forming a plate assembly for a separation device.