An automated chromatography column

Abstract

The utility model provides a kind of automatic chromatography column, including rack;Column barrel is set on rack, the inner diameter of column barrel includes first radial section and second radial section, the diameter of first radial section is greater than the diameter of second radial section, first radial section and second radial section are connected by transition arc, and the bottom wall of column barrel is equipped with column valve;Column head assembly is equipped in column barrel, the diameter of this column head assembly is compatible with the diameter of second radial section, the middle part of column head assembly is equipped with exhaust valve, exhaust valve is equipped with exhaust port and sample inlet;Drive device is transmission connection with column head assembly, and the drive device is used to drive column head assembly to move up and down in column barrel;The column valve, exhaust valve and drive device are connected with a control unit.The problem that the existing large-diameter chromatography column has poor exhaust bubble effect, resulting in poor chromatography effect is solved.

Description

Technical Field

[0001] This utility model belongs to the technical field of separation and purification equipment, and in particular relates to an automatic chromatography column. Background Technology

[0002] Chromatography columns, as a common separation and purification device, separate and purify mixed substances by distributing them between a stationary phase and a mobile phase. They are widely used in chemical, pharmaceutical, and food industries. With the development of automated equipment, automated chromatography columns have become the mainstream equipment for large-scale industrial production due to their advantage of fully automated control throughout the entire process.

[0003] As industrial production scale continues to expand, the diameter of automated chromatography columns will be enlarged proportionally to process larger volume samples. Enlarging the column diameter will have a significant impact on the degassing and distribution effects of the chromatography column. If the structural design is unreasonable, it will affect the separation performance of the chromatography column. Utility Model Content

[0004] In view of the shortcomings of the prior art described above, the purpose of this utility model is to provide an automatic chromatography column to solve the problem that the large-diameter chromatography column in the prior art has poor bubble removal effect, resulting in poor chromatography effect.

[0005] To achieve the above and other related objectives, this utility model provides an automated chromatography column, comprising: a frame; a column barrel disposed on the frame, the column barrel having an inner diameter including a first diameter segment and a second diameter segment, wherein the diameter of the first diameter segment is larger than the diameter of the second diameter segment, the first diameter segment and the second diameter segment are connected by a transition arc, and a column loading valve is provided on the bottom wall of the column barrel; a column head assembly disposed inside the column barrel, the diameter of the column head assembly being adapted to the diameter of the second diameter segment, an exhaust valve being provided in the middle of the column head assembly, the exhaust valve having an exhaust port and a sample inlet; a drive device being drivenly connected to the column head assembly, the drive device being used to drive the column head assembly to move up and down inside the column barrel; and a control unit, the column loading valve, the exhaust valve, and the drive device being connected to the control unit.

[0006] Furthermore, the column head assembly includes a fixed plate, a distribution plate, and a sieve, which are arranged sequentially from top to bottom. The distribution plate has a plurality of flow channel holes in the middle, which are evenly spaced along the circumferential direction of the distribution plate, and all of the flow channel holes are connected to the sample inlet on the exhaust valve.

[0007] Furthermore, the cross-sectional area of ​​the flow channel hole is larger than the cross-sectional area of ​​the sample inlet.

[0008] Furthermore, a plurality of radially extending guide grooves are evenly spaced on the bottom wall of the distribution disk along the circumferential direction of the distribution disk. The number of guide grooves is the same as the number of flow channel holes. The plurality of flow channel holes are respectively and correspondingly arranged at the first end of the plurality of guide grooves, wherein the first end of the guide groove is the end close to the center of the distribution disk.

[0009] Furthermore, a pressure sensor is provided on the exhaust valve, and the pressure sensor is connected to the control unit. The pressure sensor is used to detect the pressure inside the column barrel.

[0010] Furthermore, a support platform is provided above the column barrel, and the driving device is disposed on the support platform. The driving device includes a drive motor and a screw, wherein the screw is threadedly connected to the support platform, one end of the screw is connected to the column head assembly, and the drive motor is connected to the screw to drive the screw to rotate.

[0011] Furthermore, the column valve is provided with a packing port and a sample outlet.

[0012] Furthermore, the exhaust valve is provided with two exhaust ports.

[0013] As described above, the automatic chromatography column of this invention has the following beneficial effects: By designing the column barrel into a first diameter section and a second diameter section with different diameters, and connecting the first diameter section and the second diameter section by a transition arc, when venting the large-diameter chromatography column, the air bubbles inside the column barrel, especially the air bubbles on the inner edge of the column barrel, will be quickly discharged outward through the gap between the column head assembly and the inner wall of the first diameter section. Furthermore, by setting an exhaust valve in the middle of the column head assembly, air bubbles that may remain in the middle of the column barrel will also be effectively discharged outward, greatly improving the efficiency and effect of air bubble removal in large-diameter chromatography columns. This effectively solves the problem of poor air bubble removal in existing large-diameter chromatography columns, which leads to poor chromatography results. Attached Figure Description

[0014] Figure 1 The diagram shown is a structural schematic of the automatic chromatography column provided by this utility model.

[0015] Figure 2 The image shown is a cross-sectional view of an autochromatographic column with the column head assembly provided by this invention located in the first diameter section.

[0016] Figure 3 The present invention is shown to provide Figure 2 Enlarged view of point A in the middle.

[0017] Figure 4The image shown is a cross-sectional view of an autochromatographic column with the column head assembly provided by this invention located in the second diameter section.

[0018] Figure 5 The present invention is shown to provide Figure 4 Enlarged view of point B in the middle.

[0019] Figure 6 The diagram shown is a structural schematic of the exhaust valve provided by this utility model.

[0020] Figure 7 The image shown is a bottom view of the distribution plate provided by this utility model.

[0021] Figure 8 The image shown is a perspective view of the distribution disc provided by this utility model.

[0022] Figure 9 The present invention is shown to provide Figure 8 Enlarged view of point C in the middle.

[0023] Explanation of reference numerals in the attached figures

[0024] 10 racks

[0025] 20 column barrels

[0026] 201 First section

[0027] 202 Second section

[0028] 203 Transition Arc

[0029] 30 Column Head Assembly

[0030] 31 Fixed plate

[0031] 32 Distribution Disk

[0032] 320 flow channel hole

[0033] 321 Flow Guide Channel

[0034] 33 mesh

[0035] 40 Drive unit

[0036] 41 Drive motor

[0037] 42 screw

[0038] 50 Control Unit

[0039] 60 Column-mounted valve

[0040] 601 Packing Port

[0041] 602 Sample Export

[0042] 70 Exhaust valve

[0043] 701 Exhaust Port

[0044] 702 Sample Inlet

[0045] 703 Pressure Sensor

[0046] 80 Support Platform Detailed Implementation

[0047] The following specific examples illustrate the implementation of this utility model. Those skilled in the art can easily understand other advantages and effects of this utility model from the content disclosed in this specification. This utility model can also be implemented or applied through other different specific embodiments, and various details in this specification can also be modified or changed based on different viewpoints and applications without departing from the spirit of this utility model.

[0048] In the description of this utility model, it should be noted that, unless otherwise specified and limited, the terms "installation," "connection," and "linking" should be interpreted broadly. For example, they can refer to a fixed connection, a detachable connection, or an integral connection; they can refer to a mechanical connection or an electrical connection; they can refer to a direct connection or a connection through an intermediate medium; and they can refer to the internal communication between two components. Those skilled in the art can understand the specific meaning of the above terms in this utility model according to the specific circumstances.

[0049] In the description of this utility model, it should be understood that the terms "center," "longitudinal," "lateral," "upper," "lower," "front," "rear," "left," "right," "vertical," "horizontal," "top," "bottom," "inner," and "outer," etc., used to indicate the orientation or positional relationship based on the orientation or positional relationship shown in the accompanying drawings, are only for the convenience of describing this utility model and simplifying the description, and do not indicate or imply that the device or element referred to must have a specific orientation, or be constructed and operated in a specific orientation, and therefore should not be construed as a limitation of this utility model. Furthermore, the terms "first," "second," and "third" are used for descriptive purposes only and should not be construed as indicating or implying relative importance.

[0050] Please see Figures 1 to 9 It should be noted that the illustrations provided in this embodiment are only schematic representations of the basic concept of this utility model. Therefore, the drawings only show the components related to this utility model and are not drawn according to the actual number, shape and size of the components. In actual implementation, the form, quantity and proportion of each component can be arbitrarily changed, and the layout of the components may also be more complex.

[0051] This invention provides an automated chromatography column, such as... Figures 1 to 3 As shown, the automated chromatography column includes a frame 10, a column barrel 20, a column head assembly 30, a drive device 40, and a control unit 50. The column barrel 20 is mounted on the frame 10. The inner diameter of the column barrel 20 includes a first diameter section 201 and a second diameter section 202. Specifically, the diameter of the first diameter section 201 is larger than the diameter of the second diameter section 202, and the first diameter section 201 and the second diameter section 202 are connected by a transition arc 203. A column loading valve 60 is provided on the bottom wall of the column barrel 20. The column head assembly 30 is disposed inside the column barrel 20, and the diameter of the column head assembly 30 is adapted to the diameter of the second diameter section 202 of the column barrel 20. An exhaust valve 70 is provided in the middle of the column head assembly 30. The exhaust valve 70 has an exhaust port 701 and a sample inlet 702. The drive device 40 is connected to the column head assembly 30 and is used to drive the column head assembly 30 to move up and down inside the column barrel 20.

[0052] The beneficial effects of the automatic chromatography column of this utility model are as follows: In use, the column head assembly 30 is first moved to the first diameter section 201 of the column barrel 20 by the drive device 40. Since the diameter of the first diameter section 201 is larger than the diameter of the second diameter section 202, and the diameter of the column head assembly 30 is matched with the diameter of the second diameter section 202, there is a gap between the outer circumferential surface of the column head assembly 30 and the inner wall of the first diameter section 201 when the column head assembly 30 is located at the first diameter section 201. Then, the column loading valve 60 is opened by the control unit 50 to inject a certain amount of packing material into the column barrel 20. Then, purified water is injected into the column barrel through the sample inlet 702 on the upper exhaust valve 70. As the liquid level in the column barrel 20 continues to rise, the air bubbles inside the column barrel 20, especially the air bubbles at the edge of the inner wall of the column barrel 20, will be discharged outward through the gap between the column head assembly 30 and the inner wall of the first diameter section 201. After the column barrel 20 is empty... When the internal liquid level rises to the transition arc 203 position, the injection of purified water is stopped. At this time, all the air bubbles inside the second section 202 have been discharged outward through the gap between the column head assembly 30 and the inner wall of the first section 201. Then, the control unit 50 controls the vent port 701 on the vent valve 70 to open, and the drive device drives the column head assembly 30 to move downward, so that the column head assembly 30 and the second section 202 of the column barrel 20 are matched, that is, the outer circumferential surface of the column head assembly 30 is tightly fitted with the inner wall of the second section 202 to achieve a seal. As the column head assembly 30 moves downward, the air bubbles that may remain in the middle of the column barrel will be discharged outward through the vent port 701 on the vent valve 70 located in the middle of the column head assembly. After the air bubbles are discharged, the vent port 701 on the vent valve 70 is closed to form a sealed environment inside the column barrel 20. Then, the packing is compressed and the column head assembly movement is stopped after the packing is compressed to the preset height. During chromatography, the column head assembly remains stationary. The sample enters the column barrel through the upper sample inlet 702 and exits through the lower column loading valve to complete the chromatography. In summary, this invention designs the column barrel into a first diameter section and a second diameter section with different diameters, connecting them with a transition arc. When venting large-diameter chromatography columns, air bubbles inside the column barrel 20, especially those at the inner edge of the column barrel 20, are rapidly expelled through the gap between the column head assembly 30 and the inner wall of the first diameter section 201. Furthermore, by installing an vent valve 70 in the middle of the column head assembly, any air bubbles that may remain in the middle of the column barrel are also effectively vented. This significantly improves the efficiency and effectiveness of air bubble removal in large-diameter chromatography columns, effectively solving the problem of poor air bubble removal in existing large-diameter chromatography columns, which leads to poor chromatography results.

[0053] Furthermore, in order to improve the efficiency of bubble removal, such as Figure 5 and Figure 6As shown, in this embodiment, the exhaust valve 70 is provided with two exhaust ports 701. Of course, in other optional embodiments, those skilled in the art can provide any number of exhaust ports according to specific needs.

[0054] Furthermore, such as Figure 1 As shown, in this embodiment, the column loading valve 60 is provided with a packing port 601 and a sample outlet 602. When packing the inside of the column barrel 20, the packing port 601 on the column loading valve 60 is used to pack or discharge material into the column barrel 20. The sample precipitated after chromatography can be discharged through the sample outlet 602.

[0055] Furthermore, such as Figures 5 to 9 As shown, in this embodiment, the column head assembly 30 includes a fixed disk 31, a distribution disk 32, and a sieve 33, which are arranged sequentially from top to bottom. Considering that when the sample is injected into the column barrel 20 through the sample inlet 702 on the exhaust valve 70, the sample fluid will have a large axial velocity, resulting in uneven distribution of the sample fluid in the radial direction of the column barrel, i.e., on the column bed surface, it is preferable that, in this embodiment, the distribution disk 32 is provided with a plurality of flow channel holes 320 in the middle. The plurality of flow channel holes 320 are evenly spaced along the circumferential direction of the distribution disk 32, and all of the plurality of flow channel holes 320 are connected to the sample inlet 702 on the exhaust valve 70. With this configuration, when the sample is injected into the column through the sample inlet 702 on the exhaust valve 70, the sample fluid will first be evenly distributed to multiple flow channel holes 320, thereby reducing the axial velocity of the sample fluid. Then, the sample fluid diffuses evenly to the surrounding area through the multiple flow channel holes 320, thereby improving the uniformity of sample distribution on the column bed surface and the radial distribution rate, and thus improving the effective utilization rate of the column bed.

[0056] In order to more effectively reduce the axial velocity of the sample fluid and further improve the sample distribution rate in the radial direction, in this embodiment, the cross-sectional area of ​​the flow channel hole 320 is larger than the cross-sectional area of ​​the sample inlet 702.

[0057] To further improve the uniformity and distribution rate of the sample in the radial direction of the column bed, i.e., the column barrel, such as... Figure 7 and Figure 9As shown, in this embodiment, a plurality of radially extending guide grooves 321 are evenly spaced on the bottom wall of the distribution disk 32 along its circumferential direction. The number of guide grooves 321 is the same as the number of flow channel holes 320. Each of the plurality of flow channel holes 320 is respectively disposed at the first end of the plurality of guide grooves. Specifically, the first end of the guide groove 321 is the end near the center of the distribution disk 32. With this arrangement, after the sample fluid flows out from each flow channel hole 320, it will be guided by the guide groove 321 corresponding to each flow channel hole 320 to flow more effectively in the radial direction, thereby further improving the uniformity of sample distribution on the entire column bed surface and further improving the effective utilization rate of the column bed.

[0058] Furthermore, in this embodiment, as Figure 6 As shown, in this embodiment, a pressure sensor 703 is also provided on the exhaust valve 70. The pressure sensor 703 is used to detect the pressure inside the column barrel 20, and the pressure sensor 703 is connected to the control unit 50. This configuration integrates the pressure sensor and the exhaust valve into one unit, which is convenient for installation and can directly detect the pressure inside the chromatography column. This prevents the chromatography column from being damaged by overpressure due to the lack of an external pressure sensor during use.

[0059] Furthermore, such as Figure 1 As shown, in this embodiment, a support platform 80 is provided above the column barrel 10, and the driving device 40 is disposed on the support platform 80. Specifically, the driving device 40 includes a drive motor 41 and a screw 42. The screw 42 is threadedly connected to the support platform 80, and one end of the screw 42 is connected to the column head assembly 30. The drive motor 41 is connected to the screw 42 to drive the screw 42 to rotate. When the column head assembly 30 moves up and down, the drive motor 41 drives the screw 42 to rotate clockwise or counterclockwise, so the screw 42 will move up or down relative to the support platform 80, thereby driving the column head assembly 30 to move up or down.

[0060] In summary, this invention's automatic chromatography column significantly improves the efficiency and effectiveness of bubble removal in large-diameter chromatography columns, thereby enhancing the chromatography performance. By creating multiple flow channels on the distribution plate to reduce the axial velocity of the sample fluid and by incorporating multiple radial guide grooves to guide the sample fluid radial diffusion, the uniformity and distribution rate of the sample across the entire column bed surface are greatly improved. The integrated design of the pressure sensor and exhaust valve prevents overpressure in the chromatography column due to the absence of a pressure sensor, effectively protecting the column and ensuring it operates within its design pressure range. Therefore, this invention effectively overcomes the shortcomings of existing technologies and possesses high industrial applicability.

[0061] The above embodiments are merely illustrative of the principles and effects of this utility model and are not intended to limit the scope of this utility model. Any person skilled in the art can modify or alter the above embodiments without departing from the spirit and scope of this utility model. Therefore, all equivalent modifications or alterations made by those skilled in the art without departing from the spirit and technical concept disclosed in this utility model should still be covered by the claims of this utility model.

Claims

1. An automated chromatography column, characterized in that, include: frame; A column barrel is mounted on the frame. The inner diameter of the column barrel includes a first diameter segment and a second diameter segment, wherein the diameter of the first diameter segment is larger than the diameter of the second diameter segment. The first diameter segment and the second diameter segment are connected by a transition arc. A column loading valve is provided on the bottom wall of the column barrel. A column head assembly is disposed inside the column barrel. The diameter of the column head assembly is adapted to the diameter of the second diameter section. An exhaust valve is provided in the middle of the column head assembly. The exhaust valve is provided with an exhaust port and a sample inlet. A driving device is connected to the column head assembly in a transmission manner, and the driving device is used to drive the column head assembly to move up and down inside the column barrel; The control unit is connected to the column valve, the exhaust valve, and the drive device.

2. An automated chromatography column according to claim 1, characterized in that, The column head assembly includes a fixed plate, a distribution plate, and a sieve, which are arranged sequentially from top to bottom. The distribution plate has multiple flow channel holes in the middle, which are evenly spaced along the circumferential direction of the distribution plate, and all of the multiple flow channel holes are connected to the sample inlet on the exhaust valve.

3. An automated chromatography column according to claim 2, characterized in that, The cross-sectional area of ​​the flow channel hole is larger than the cross-sectional area of ​​the sample inlet.

4. An automated chromatography column according to claim 2 or 3, characterized in that, Multiple radially extending guide grooves are evenly spaced on the bottom wall of the distribution disk along the circumferential direction. The number of guide grooves is the same as the number of flow channel holes. The multiple flow channel holes are respectively arranged one-to-one at the first end of the multiple guide grooves, wherein the first end of the guide groove is the end close to the center of the distribution disk.

5. An automated chromatography column according to claim 1, characterized in that, The exhaust valve is equipped with a pressure sensor, which is connected to the control unit. The pressure sensor is used to detect the pressure inside the column barrel.

6. An automated chromatography column according to claim 1, characterized in that, A support platform is provided above the column barrel, and the driving device is set on the support platform. The driving device includes a drive motor and a screw. The screw is threadedly connected to the support platform, one end of the screw is connected to the column head assembly, and the drive motor is connected to the screw to drive the screw to rotate.

7. An automated chromatography column according to claim 1, characterized in that, The column valve is equipped with a packing port and a sample outlet.

8. An automated chromatography column according to claim 1, characterized in that, The exhaust valve is provided with two exhaust ports.

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