Patent ID: 7997414

Claim:
A method for separating particles in hydrous slurry, comprising: using a hindered-bed separator comprising a body defining an inner space, feed well means for introducing hydrous slurry into the inner space of the body, overflow launder means for discharging light particles from the inner space of the body, coarse feed means for discharging heavy particles from the inner space of the body, and teeter water distributor means comprising teeter water pipes arranged in the inner space of the body for introducing teeter water into the inner space of the body; introducing hydrous slurry into the inner space of the body; feeding teeter water into the teeter water distributor means and introducing teeter water into the inner space of the body by means of the teeter water distributor means; discharging light particles from the inner space of the body; discharging heavy particles from the inner space of the body; connecting at least one teeter water pipe of the teeter water distributor means in fluid connection with a teeter water discharging means; discharging teeter water from the at least one teeter water pipe that is in fluid connection with the teeter water discharging means to the teeter water discharging means; arranging a first valve means in fluid connection with the teeter water discharging means; discharging teeter water from the teeter water discharging means; measuring the amount of teeter water flowing into the teeter water distributor means from an intake pipe; measuring the amount of discharged teeter water discharged from the teeter water discharging means into an return pipe; calculating the difference between the amount of teeter water flowing into the teeter water distributor means and the amount of teeter water discharged from the teeter water discharging means; and controlling the first valve means in accordance with the calculated difference to adjust the amount of teeter water discharged from the teeter water discharging means.