A purification chromatography column ice bath box

Abstract

This utility model discloses an ice bath box for purification chromatography columns, relating to the technical field of protein purification devices. It includes a base, with multiple support columns fixedly connected to the top of the base. A box body is fixedly connected to the top of the support columns, and the top of the box body has multiple column placement slots. Semiconductor cooling chips are fixedly mounted on both sides of the box body, with a thermally conductive silicone grease layer between the box body and the semiconductor cooling chips. A cooling fan is located on the side of the semiconductor cooling chips away from the box body. A circulating water cooling mechanism includes a water tank, a circulating pump, and circulating pipes. The water tank and circulating pump are fixedly mounted on the top of the base. The top of the water tank has an open design, and a lid is movably secured to the top of the water tank. This utility model can effectively improve the heat dissipation efficiency and uniformity of the chromatography columns, significantly improving the practicality of the ice bath box.

Description

Technical Field

[0001] This utility model relates to the field of protein purification device technology, and in particular to an ice bath box for a purification chromatography column. Background Technology

[0002] Protein purification is a crucial step in the biopharmaceutical process, significantly impacting the efficacy, safety, stability, and production costs of biopharmaceuticals. Liquid chromatography (LC) is a core technology for protein purification, especially for monoclonal antibodies, and has a critical influence on purification effectiveness and efficiency. The purification process for monoclonal antibodies primarily consists of affinity chromatography and ion exchange chromatography, supplemented by filtration. LC accounts for 90% of the purification cost and has a major impact on the purification results. During protein purification, high ambient temperatures often result in high column temperatures, leading to protein inactivation, degradation, and significant losses. Therefore, ice baths are frequently used to cool the protein chromatography columns, as shown below.

[0003] A search revealed a patent with authorization announcement number CN219273110U, which discloses an ice bath box for purification chromatography columns, belonging to the technical field of protein purification devices. This utility model's ice bath box for purification chromatography columns includes a square box body, a pre-placed circular cavity for the pre-loaded chromatography column within the box body, and legs fixedly connected to the lower part of the box body. On two symmetrical wide surfaces of the box body, a thermoelectric cooler is attached via a silicone grease layer. A cooling fan is also fixed to the heat dissipation surface of the thermoelectric cooler. This fully utilizes existing thermoelectric coolers, where one of the two symmetrical large surfaces is a heat-absorbing surface and the other a heat-dissipating surface. The silicone grease layer adheres the wide surface of the box body to the heat-absorbing surface of the thermoelectric cooler, absorbing the heat from the protein chromatography column at higher temperatures and conducting it to the thermoelectric cooler. The heat is then dissipated to the outside by the cooling fan fixed to the heat dissipation surface of the thermoelectric cooler, thus maintaining a relatively low temperature environment for the protein chromatography column and achieving the technical objective of reducing protein loss due to inactivation and degradation.

[0004] However, the above-mentioned ice bath box for purification chromatography columns still has the following areas for improvement. For example, when cooling the chromatography column, it only has semiconductor cooling chips on both sides of the box body in conjunction with a cooling fan for heat dissipation. Although the semiconductor cooling chips have a fast response speed, their cooling efficiency is generally low. Therefore, the heat dissipation efficiency of the chromatography column is generally low, and the heat dissipation effect at the bottom of the chromatography column is also poor, resulting in poor heat dissipation uniformity. In summary, its structure needs to be improved and its practicality needs to be enhanced. Utility Model Content

[0005] This utility model discloses an ice bath box for purification chromatography columns. By incorporating a circulating water cooling mechanism, the chromatography column is placed in a matching column placement slot during operation. Then, a semiconductor cooling chip and a cooling fan are activated, allowing the column to transfer heat to the box body. The semiconductor cooling chip and cooling fan provide initial cooling of the box body. Simultaneously, a circulation pump is activated, drawing cooling water from a tank into a circulation pipe for water-cooled circulation. As the cooling water flows through the circulation pipe, it exchanges heat with the box body, further removing heat and improving the cooling efficiency of the chromatography column. When the cooling water returns through the radiator, it is effectively cooled, facilitating subsequent circulating water-cooled heat exchange. Furthermore, because the circulation pipe is S-shaped, penetrating the interior of the box body and the bottom of the column placement slot, it effectively improves the uniformity of heat dissipation for the chromatography column. In summary, this invention solves the problems in the prior art.

[0006] To solve the above-mentioned technical problems, this utility model is achieved through the following technical solution:

[0007] This utility model discloses a purification chromatography column ice bath box, including a base, a plurality of support columns fixedly connected to the top of the base, a box body fixedly connected to the top of the plurality of support columns, a plurality of chromatography column placement slots opened on the top of the box body, a semiconductor cooling chip fixedly installed on both sides of the box body, and a thermally conductive silicone grease layer provided between the box body and the semiconductor cooling chip, and a cooling fan provided on the side of the semiconductor cooling chip away from the box body.

[0008] The circulating water cooling mechanism includes a water tank, a circulating pump, and a circulating pipe. The water tank and the circulating pump are both fixedly installed on the top of the base. The top of the water tank has an open design, and a cover is movably attached to the top of the water tank. A drain pipe with a valve is provided on one side of the front of the water tank. The pump's suction end is connected to one side of the water tank. One end of the circulating pipe is connected to the pump's outlet end, and the other end of the circulating pipe is S-shaped, penetrating the interior of the housing and connecting to one side of the water tank. The circulating pipe bypasses the outside and bottom of multiple chromatography column placement tanks. A radiator is provided at the circulating pipe, and the radiator is located away from the circulating pump.

[0009] An auxiliary water cooling mechanism is located inside the water tank.

[0010] Furthermore, the box body is made of aluminum, and the plurality of chromatography column placement slots consist of large placement slots and small placement slots.

[0011] Furthermore, the water tank has a transparent observation window on the front, and the circulation pipe is made of copper.

[0012] Furthermore, there is a certain gap between the bottom of the box and the lid, and the gap between the box and the lid is 10cm-20cm. The lateral dimension of the lid is smaller than the gap between two adjacent lateral support columns.

[0013] Furthermore, the auxiliary water cooling mechanism includes stainless steel ice blocks, limiting blocks, and a filter plate. Multiple stainless steel ice blocks are provided, and all of them are movably placed inside the water tank. Two sets of limiting blocks are provided, and the two sets of limiting blocks are respectively fixedly installed on the front and rear sides inside the water tank. A slot is provided between the two limiting blocks in the same set. The filter plate is movably locked between the two sets of limiting blocks, and the filter plate is located between the multiple stainless steel ice blocks and the circulation pump.

[0014] Furthermore, the filter plate is a stainless steel mesh filter plate, the bottom of the filter plate is attached to the bottom of the water tank, and the top of the filter plate is attached to the inner bottom surface of the tank cover.

[0015] The present invention has the following advantages over the prior art:

[0016] 1. This technical solution incorporates a circulating water cooling mechanism. During operation, the chromatography column can be placed in a matching column placement slot. The thermoelectric cooler and cooling fan are then activated, allowing the column to transfer heat to the housing. The thermoelectric cooler and cooling fan provide initial cooling to the housing. Simultaneously, the circulating water cooling mechanism facilitates water-cooled heat exchange with the housing, further removing heat and improving cooling efficiency. Furthermore, the S-shaped circulation pipe in the circulating water cooling mechanism penetrates the interior of the housing and the bottom of the column placement slot, enhancing the uniformity of heat dissipation. Overall, this significantly improves the practicality of the ice bath box.

[0017] 2. This technical solution incorporates an auxiliary water cooling mechanism, which cools the water inside the tank during operation. This improves the heat exchange efficiency of the circulating water during subsequent operations, thereby further enhancing the heat dissipation and cooling efficiency of the cartridge and chromatography column. Furthermore, the auxiliary water cooling mechanism also protects the circulating pump, making it highly practical. Attached Figure Description

[0018] To more clearly illustrate the technical solutions of the embodiments of this utility model, the accompanying drawings used in the description of the embodiments will be briefly introduced below. Obviously, the drawings described below are only some embodiments of this utility model. For those skilled in the art, other drawings can be obtained based on these drawings without creative effort.

[0019] Figure 1 This is a schematic diagram of the overall three-dimensional structure of this utility model;

[0020] Figure 2 This is a schematic diagram of the structure of this utility model from another perspective;

[0021] Figure 3 This is a schematic diagram of the internal cross-sectional structure of the box body of this utility model;

[0022] Figure 4 This is a schematic diagram of the internal cross-sectional structure of the water tank of this utility model;

[0023] Figure 5 This is a schematic diagram of the filter plate installation structure of this utility model.

[0024] In the diagram: 1. Base; 2. Support column; 3. Box body; 4. Chromatography column placement slot; 5. Semiconductor cooling chip; 6. Cooling fan; 7. Circulating water cooling mechanism; 701. Water tank; 702. Circulating pump; 703. Circulation pipe; 704. Box cover; 705. Drain pipe; 706. Radiator; 707. Observation window; 8. Auxiliary water cooling mechanism; 801. Stainless steel ice block; 802. Limiting block; 803. Filter plate. Detailed Implementation

[0025] The technical solutions of the present utility model will be clearly and completely described below with reference to the accompanying drawings of the embodiments. Obviously, the described embodiments are only some embodiments of the present utility model, and not all embodiments. Based on the embodiments of the present utility model, all other embodiments obtained by those skilled in the art without creative effort are within the protection scope of the present utility model.

[0026] In the description of this utility model, it should be understood that the terms "surface", "side", "gap", "peripheral", etc., which indicate orientation or positional relationship, are only for the convenience of describing this utility model and simplifying the description, and do not indicate or imply that the components or elements 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. Specific Implementation Example 1:

[0028] Reference Figures 1-4A purification chromatography column ice bath box includes a base 1, a plurality of support columns 2 are fixedly connected to the top of the base 1, a box body 3 is fixedly connected to the top of the plurality of support columns 2, a plurality of chromatography column placement slots 4 are opened on the top of the box body 3, a semiconductor cooling chip 5 is fixedly installed on both sides of the box body 3, and a thermally conductive silicone grease layer is provided between the box body 3 and the semiconductor cooling chip 5, and a cooling fan 6 is provided on the side of the semiconductor cooling chip 5 away from the box body 3;

[0029] The circulating water cooling mechanism 7 includes a water tank 701, a circulating pump 702, and a circulating pipe 703. The water tank 701 and the circulating pump 702 are both fixedly installed on the top of the base 1. The top of the water tank 701 is designed to be open. A cover 704 is movably attached to the top of the water tank 701. A drain pipe 705 with a valve is provided on one side of the front of the water tank 701. The pumping end of the circulating pump 702 is connected to one side of the water tank 701. One end of the circulating pipe 703 is connected to the outlet end of the circulating pump 702. The other end of the circulating pipe 703 is S-shaped and passes through the interior of the box 3 and is connected to one side of the water tank 701. The circulating pipe 703 bypasses the outside and bottom of multiple chromatography column placement tanks 4. A radiator 706 is provided at the circulating pipe 703. The radiator 706 is away from the circulating pump 702. The auxiliary water cooling mechanism 8 is located inside the water tank 701.

[0030] The box body 3 is made of aluminum, and the multiple chromatography column placement slots 4 consist of a large placement slot and a small placement slot; the front of the water tank 701 is provided with a transparent observation window 707, and the circulation pipe 703 is made of copper; there is a certain gap between the bottom of the box body 3 and the box cover 704, and the gap between the box body 3 and the box cover 704 is 10cm-20cm, and the lateral dimension of the box cover 704 is smaller than the lateral spacing between two adjacent support columns 2.

[0031] In the specific implementation process, during operation, the chromatography column can be placed in the chromatography column placement slot 4 of matching size. Then, the thermoelectric cooler 5 and the cooling fan 6 are started, allowing the chromatography column to transfer heat to the housing 3. The thermoelectric cooler 5, in conjunction with the cooling fan 6, performs preliminary heat dissipation and cooling treatment on the housing 3. At the same time, the circulation pump 702 is started, which pumps the cooling water in the water tank 701 to the circulation pipe 703 for water cooling circulation. When the cooling water flows through the circulation pipe 703, it can interact with the housing. 3. Water cooling heat exchange is performed to further remove the heat from the box 3, thereby further cooling the box 3 and effectively improving the heat dissipation efficiency of the chromatography column. When the cooling water flows back through the radiator 706, the radiator 706 can effectively cool the cooling water after heat exchange, which is convenient for subsequent circulating water cooling heat exchange. Since the circulation pipe 703 is S-shaped and runs through the inside of the box 3 and the bottom of the chromatography column placement slot 4, it can effectively improve the heat dissipation uniformity of the chromatography column.

[0032] The box body 3 is made of aluminum to give it good thermal conductivity, good rigidity, and light weight. The multiple chromatography column placement slots 4 are composed of large and small placement slots to accommodate chromatography columns of different sizes.

[0033] The water tank 701 has a transparent observation window 707 on the front to facilitate users to observe the liquid level inside the water tank 701, and the circulation pipe 703 is made of copper to ensure that the circulation pipe 703 has good heat conduction effect.

[0034] The box body 3 has a certain gap between its bottom and the box cover 704 to facilitate the removal of the box cover 704. The lateral dimension of the box cover 704 is smaller than the gap between two adjacent lateral support columns 2 to facilitate the removal of the box cover 704. Specific Implementation Example 2:

[0036] Reference Figure 4 and Figure 5 In a preferred embodiment, the auxiliary water cooling mechanism 8 includes stainless steel ice blocks 801, limiting blocks 802, and filter plates 803. Multiple stainless steel ice blocks 801 are provided, and all of them are movably placed inside the water tank 701. Two sets of limiting blocks 802 are provided, and the two sets of limiting blocks 802 are respectively fixedly installed on the front and rear sides inside the water tank 701. A slot is provided between the two limiting blocks 802 in the same set. The filter plates 803 are movably locked between the two sets of limiting blocks 802. The filter plates 803 are located between the multiple stainless steel ice blocks 801 and the circulating pump 702.

[0037] The filter plate 803 is a stainless steel mesh filter plate. The bottom of the filter plate 803 is attached to the bottom of the water tank 701, and the top of the filter plate 803 is attached to the inner bottom surface of the tank cover 704.

[0038] In the specific implementation process, during operation, multiple frozen stainless steel ice blocks 801 can be added to the water tank 701. The multiple stainless steel ice blocks 801 cool the cooling water inside the water tank 701, thereby improving the effect and efficiency of circulating water cooling heat exchange during subsequent operation. This further improves the heat dissipation and cooling effect and efficiency of the box 3 and the chromatography column. Meanwhile, the filter plate 803 can effectively prevent particulate impurities attached to the stainless steel ice blocks 801 from entering the circulation pump 702, thus protecting the circulation pump 702.

[0039] The filter plate 803 is made of stainless steel mesh to ensure that it is not easily corroded or damaged, while also having a good filtration effect. The bottom of the filter plate 803 is attached to the bottom of the water tank 701, and the top of the filter plate 803 is attached to the inner bottom surface of the tank cover 704. This is to ensure that the filter plate 803 intercepts and filters particulate impurities attached to the stainless steel ice cube 801 and enters the circulation pump 702. When stainless steel ice cube 801 is added, particulate impurities may adhere to the stainless steel ice cube 801 and then enter the water tank 701.

[0040] Working principle: During operation, the chromatography column can be placed in the chromatography column placement slot 4 of the matching size. Then, the thermoelectric cooler 5 and the cooling fan 6 are started, so that the chromatography column can transfer heat to the housing 3. The thermoelectric cooler 5 and the cooling fan 6 perform preliminary heat dissipation and cooling treatment on the housing 3. At the same time, the circulation pump 702 is started, and the circulation pump 702 pumps the cooling water in the water tank 701 to the circulation pipe 703 for water cooling circulation. When the cooling water flows through the circulation pipe 703, it can perform water cooling heat exchange with the housing 3, further removing the heat on the housing 3, thereby further heat dissipation and cooling treatment on the housing 3, and thus effectively improving the heat dissipation efficiency of the chromatography column. When the cooling water flows back through the radiator 706, the radiator 706 can effectively cool the cooling water after heat exchange, which is convenient for subsequent circulating water cooling heat exchange. Since the circulation pipe 703 is S-shaped and runs through the interior of the housing 3 and the bottom of the chromatography column placement slot 4, it can effectively improve the heat dissipation uniformity of the chromatography column.

[0041] During operation, multiple frozen stainless steel ice blocks 801 can be added to the water tank 701. The ice blocks 801 cool the water inside the tank 701, thereby improving the heat exchange efficiency of the circulating water and further enhancing the heat dissipation efficiency of the chamber 3 and the chromatography column. Meanwhile, the filter plate 803 effectively prevents particulate impurities attached to the stainless steel ice blocks 801 from entering the circulation pump 702, thus protecting the circulation pump 702.

[0042] The preferred embodiments of this utility model disclosed above are merely illustrative of the present utility model. These preferred embodiments do not exhaustively describe all details, nor do they limit the utility model to the specific implementations described. Clearly, many modifications and variations can be made based on the content of this specification. This specification selects and specifically describes these embodiments to better explain the principles and practical applications of this utility model, thereby enabling those skilled in the art to better understand and utilize it. This utility model is limited only by the claims and their full scope and equivalents.

Claims

1. A purification chromatography column ice-bath box comprising a base (1), characterized in that: The base (1) is fixedly connected to a plurality of support columns (2), and the top of the plurality of support columns (2) is fixedly connected to a box body (3). The top of the box body (3) is provided with a plurality of chromatography column placement slots (4). Semiconductor cooling chips (5) are fixedly installed on both sides of the box body (3), and a thermal grease layer is provided between the box body (3) and the semiconductor cooling chip (5). A cooling fan (6) is provided on the side of the semiconductor cooling chip (5) away from the box body (3). A circulating water cooling mechanism (7) includes a water tank (701), a circulating pump (702), and a circulating pipe (703). The water tank (701) and the circulating pump (702) are both fixedly installed on the top of the base (1). The top of the water tank (701) is designed to be open. The top of the water tank (701) is fitted with a cover (704). A drain pipe (705) with a valve is provided on one side of the front of the water tank (701). The circulating pump (702) pumps... The water end is connected to one side of the water tank (701), one end of the circulation pipe (703) is connected to the outlet of the circulation pump (702), the other end of the circulation pipe (703) is S-shaped and passes through the interior of the box (3) and is connected to one side of the water tank (701), and the circulation pipe (703) bypasses the outside and bottom of multiple chromatography column placement tanks (4), and a radiator (706) is provided at the circulation pipe (703), and the radiator (706) is far away from the circulation pump (702). An auxiliary water cooling mechanism (8) is located inside the water tank (701).

2. The ice-bath box for purification chromatography columns according to claim 1, characterized in that: The box body (3) is made of aluminum material, and the multiple chromatography column placement slots (4) are composed of large placement slots and small placement slots.

3. The ice-bath box for purification chromatography columns according to claim 1, characterized in that: The water tank (701) has a transparent observation window (707) on the front, and the circulation pipe (703) is made of copper.

4. The ice-bath box for purification chromatography columns according to claim 1, characterized in that: The bottom of the box body (3) is provided with a certain distance from the box cover (704), and the distance between the box body (3) and the box cover (704) is 10cm-20cm. The lateral dimension of the box cover (704) is smaller than the distance between two adjacent lateral support columns (2).

5. The ice-bath box for purification chromatography columns according to claim 1, characterized in that: The auxiliary water cooling mechanism (8) includes stainless steel ice blocks (801), limiting blocks (802), and filter plates (803). There are multiple stainless steel ice blocks (801), and all of them are movably placed inside the water tank (701). There are two sets of limiting blocks (802), and the two sets of limiting blocks (802) are fixedly installed on the front and rear sides of the inside of the water tank (701), and there is a slot between the two limiting blocks (802) in the same set. The filter plates (803) are movably clamped between the two sets of limiting blocks (802), and the filter plates (803) are located between the multiple stainless steel ice blocks (801) and the circulating pump (702).

6. A column ice bath according to claim 5, wherein: The filter screen plate (803) is a stainless steel screen filter plate, the bottom of the filter screen plate (803) is attached to the bottom of the water tank (701), and the top of the filter screen plate (803) is attached to the inner bottom surface of the tank cover (704).

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