The field of chromatography, specifically the field of expanded bed chromatography. The invention is an expanded bed chromatography apparatus 1 which has an elongate tube 4 defining an operating volume 8 and having a central axis 7. The top end of the tube is sealed with a cap 2 having an exit port 3. The other end of the tube 4 is connected to a base 5. The base includes a process fluid inlet having a plurality of outlet apertures 10a, 10b, 10c in fluid communication with the operating volume of the tube and an inlet aperture 11 in fluid communication with the plurality of outlet apertures. Each of the plurality of outlet apertures is spaced radially from the central axis of the tube. In use, a mobile phase of process fluid passes up through a particulate media in the tube from the inlet to the exit port in a cap at the top of the apparatus. Target product is adsorbed onto the particulate media and is subsequently eluted from it. Alternatively, impurities are adsorbed on the particulate media and the target solution passes through the expanded bed for collection.
This invention relates to the field of chromatography, specifically the field of expanded bed chromatography. The invention is an expanded bed chromatography apparatus (1) which has an elongate tube (4) defining an operating volume (8) and having a central axis (7). The top end of the tube is sealed with a cap (2) having an exit port (3). The other end of the tube (4) is connected to a base (5). The base comprises a process fluid inlet having a plurality of outlet apertures (10a, 10b, 10c) in fluid communication with the operating volume of the tube and an inlet aperture (11) in fluid communication with the plurality of outlet apertures. Each of the plurality of outlet apertures is spaced radially from the central axis of the tube. In use, a mobile phase of process fluid passes up through a particulate media in the tube from the inlet to the exit port in a cap at the top of the apparatus. Target product is adsorbed onto the particulate media and is subsequently eluted from it. Alternatively, impurities are adsorbed on the particulate media and the target solution passes through the expanded bed for collection.
B01D 15/18 - Selective adsorption, e.g. chromatography characterised by constructional or operational features relating to flow patterns
B01D 15/22 - Selective adsorption, e.g. chromatography characterised by constructional or operational features relating to the construction of the column
Chromatography apparatus and methods are described, especially for expanded bed adsorption. A column tube has a process fluid input device at the bottom and a movable piston in the top. The piston is enclosed in the column by a cover plate. The piston body has an inflatable seal, and is connected by a frame to a contact ring which carries another inflatable member to contact the tube wall. Process fluid leaves the operating volume through an opening of the piston and flexible hose, through the enclosed space and out through the cover plate. The space above the piston can be pressurised to control piston movement. The contact ring maintains piston alignment. The inflatable seals are used to fix the piston in position, allow it to slide or allow washing. The piston outlet may include a vortex-inhibitor. Bed and piston levels may be monitored by ultrasound sensors.
B01D 15/22 - Selective adsorption, e.g. chromatography characterised by constructional or operational features relating to the construction of the column
B01D 15/18 - Selective adsorption, e.g. chromatography characterised by constructional or operational features relating to flow patterns
G01N 30/58 - Conditioning of the sorbent material or stationary liquid the sorbent moving as a whole
B01D 15/20 - Selective adsorption, e.g. chromatography characterised by constructional or operational features relating to the conditioning of the sorbent material
Chromatography apparatus and methods are described, especially for expanded bed adsorption. A column tube has a process fluid input device at the bottom and a movable piston in the top. The piston is enclosed in the column by a cover plate. The piston body has an inflatable seal, and is connected by a frame to a contact ring which carries another inflatable member to contact the tube wall. Process fluid leaves the operating volume through an opening of the piston and flexible hose, through the enclosed space and out through the cover plate. The space above the piston can be pressurised to control piston movement. The contact ring maintains piston alignment. The inflatable seals are used to fix the piston in position, allow it to slide or allow washing. The piston outlet may include a vortex-inhibitor. Bed and piston levels may be monitored by ultrasound sensors.
B01D 15/20 - Selective adsorption, e.g. chromatography characterised by constructional or operational features relating to the conditioning of the sorbent material
B01D 15/22 - Selective adsorption, e.g. chromatography characterised by constructional or operational features relating to the construction of the column
A chromatography column comprises a 2-axis inclinometer for determining or monitoring the orientation the axial verticality of the column tube (1) or of a column component such as a piston (3). A column inclinometer (8) may be mounted on the column. A piston inclinometer (9) may be mounted on the piston. Outputs from the inclinometer (8,9) may be fed to a programmable logic controller (10) and used to control the operation of the column, e.g. by adjusting a support stand (4) of the column, or controlling a piston drive mechanism (34).
B01D 15/22 - Selective adsorption, e.g. chromatography characterised by constructional or operational features relating to the construction of the column
Chromatography apparatus and methods are described, especially for expanded bed adsorption. A column tube (1) has a process fluid input device (41) at the bottom and a movable piston (2) in the top. The piston (2) is enclosed in the column by a top cover plate (3). The piston body (21) has a peripheral inflatable seal (23), and is connected by an open frame (85) to a contact ring (81) above which carries another inflatable annular member (83) to contact the tube wall. Process fluid leaves the operating volume (13) through a central opening of the piston and flexible hose (9), through the enclosed space and out through the cover plate (3). The space (77) above the piston (2) can be pressurised to control piston movement. The contact ring (81) maintains piston alignment. The inflatable seals (23,83) can be inflated or deflated to fix the piston in position, allow it to slide or allow washing. The piston outlet may include a vortex-inhibitor. Bed and piston levels may be monitored by ultrasound sensors.
Fluid processing apparatus has a prefabricated branched network of flexible tubing, for conducting process fluid between process elements of the apparatus, and control valves. A tubing support has opposable front and rear plates which define a pattern of support channels between them in which the flexible tubing network lies, so that the support channels limit or prevent expansion of the flexible tubes. Standard non-reinforced tubing can then be used for high-pressure work. The support body plates can be separated to open the channels for insertion or removal of the flexible tubing. The front plate may be transparent. The control valves operate by simply pressing on the tubing in the support channels to block flow, without invasion of the flow path. The tubing sets can be easily replaced, cleaned or sterilized. The invention is useful in a range of controlled-flow processes e.g. chromatography and filtration.
F16K 7/04 - Diaphragm cut-off apparatus, e.g. with a member deformed, but not moved bodily, to close the passage with tubular diaphragm constrictable by external radial force
F16L 11/10 - Hoses, i.e. flexible pipes made of rubber or flexible plastics with reinforcements not embedded in the wall
B01J 19/00 - Chemical, physical or physico-chemical processes in generalTheir relevant apparatus
B01L 3/00 - Containers or dishes for laboratory use, e.g. laboratory glasswareDroppers
F16K 7/07 - Diaphragm cut-off apparatus, e.g. with a member deformed, but not moved bodily, to close the passage with tubular diaphragm constrictable by external radial force by means of fluid pressure
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