Column packing method

Abstract

A method for packing a media bed in a column (3). According to the invention the method comprises the steps of: providing data to a control unit (15) connected to the column (3), said data comprising at least a measured slurry concentration, a target bed height, a target packing factor or compression factor and minimum and maximum acceptable values for at least one of target bed height and target packing or compression factor; forcing a movable adapter (9) along a longitudinal axis of the column (3) in order to pack the media; detecting when the media bed is consolidated; the control unit (15) processing the provided data and the information about the consolidated bed height in order to present to the user acceptable bed heights, if there are any, giving acceptable packing or compression factors.

What is claimed is: 
     
         1 . A method for packing a media bed in a column ( 3 ) from a slurry being a dispersion of said media particles and a liquid, comprising the steps of:
 providing data to a control unit ( 15 ) connected to the column ( 3 ), said data comprising at least a measured slurry concentration, a target bed height, a target packing factor or compression factor and minimum and maximum acceptable values for at least one of target bed height and target packing or compression factor;   filling the column ( 3 ) with correct amount of slurry according to the column dimensions and the provided data;   forcing a movable adapter ( 9 ) along a longitudinal axis of the column ( 3 ) in order to pack the media;   detecting when the media bed is consolidated;   the control unit ( 15 ) processing the provided data and the information about the consolidated bed height in order to present to the user acceptable bed heights, if there are any, giving acceptable packing or compression factors.