A multi-layer liquid distribution device for a large-bore chromatography column
Patent Information
- Application Number
- CN202522270236.3
- Authority / Receiving Office
- CN · China
- Patent Type
- Utility models(China)
- Current Assignee / Owner
- Filing Date
- 2025-10-27
- Publication Date
- 2026-09-18
- Estimated Expiration
- 2035-10-27
AI Technical Summary
[0003]层析柱分离效率与产物纯度，直接依赖于流动相在柱截面的均匀分布，即流动相的布液效果，若布液不均，会导致填料利用率下降，甚至出现目标成分分离不完全、产物纯度不达标等问题，现有层析柱最常见的注液方式，是通过不锈钢注液管从层析柱顶中心直接往层析柱的内部注射，管底开口正对填料床层顶部，流动相从注液管顶端泵入后，直接沿管腔垂直下落，从管底开口点状冲击至填料床层中心区域，未设置任何缓冲，易导致软填料出现局部压缩，且中心单点注液的液体仅能在填料床层中心区域扩散，边缘区域液量占比较低，导致流动相在柱截面的径向分布严重不均
该大口径层析柱多层布液装置，通过缓冲扰流组件，能够避免流动相直接冲击填料床层，防止软填料局部压缩，提高了填料的利用率，流动相通过缓冲槽的流通口流出后再经过收纳盒内扰流球的扰流，最终洒落到固定相填料上，大大提高了流动相在柱截面的径向分布均匀性，从而提升了层析柱的分离效率和产物纯度，有效解决了现有技术中布液不均的问题。
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Figure CN224762488U_ABST
Abstract
Description
Technical Field
[0001] This utility model relates to the field of chromatography column application technology, specifically to a multi-layer liquid distribution device for a large-diameter chromatography column. Background Technology
[0002] Chromatography columns are core equipment for achieving efficient separation and purification of mixtures in fields such as biopharmaceuticals, food separation, and environmental treatment. They achieve the separation of target components such as proteins, polysaccharides, small molecule active substances, and impurities through selective adsorption-desorption between stationary phase packing materials, such as agarose gel, ion exchange resin, and activated carbon, and the mobile phase solution to be separated. Due to their high single-pass throughput, large-diameter chromatography columns have become an indispensable key equipment in large-scale production and are widely used in scenarios such as large-scale purification of antibody drugs, deacidification of fruit juice, and deep adsorption of pollutants in wastewater.
[0003] The separation efficiency and product purity of a chromatography column directly depend on the uniform distribution of the mobile phase across the column cross-section, i.e., the liquid distribution effect of the mobile phase. If the liquid distribution is uneven, it will lead to a decrease in the utilization rate of the packing material, and even problems such as incomplete separation of the target components and failure to meet product purity standards. The most common liquid injection method for existing chromatography columns is to inject the mobile phase directly into the interior of the chromatography column from the top center through a stainless steel injection tube. The bottom opening of the tube is directly opposite the top of the packing bed. After the mobile phase is pumped in from the top of the injection tube, it falls vertically along the tube cavity and impacts the central area of the packing bed from the bottom opening of the tube. Without any buffering, it is easy to cause local compression of the soft packing material. Moreover, the liquid injected at the center point can only diffuse in the central area of the packing bed, and the liquid volume in the edge area is relatively low, resulting in a serious uneven radial distribution of the mobile phase across the column cross-section. Utility Model Content
[0004] To address the shortcomings of existing technologies, this invention provides a multi-layer liquid distribution device for a large-diameter chromatography column, which has the advantages of stable and uniform liquid distribution and solves the problems mentioned in the background art.
[0005] To achieve the above objectives, this utility model provides the following technical solution: a multilayer liquid distribution device for a large-diameter chromatography column, comprising a chromatography column body and a top cover installed above the chromatography column body. A buffer turbulence assembly is provided on the bottom surface of the top cover. The buffer turbulence assembly includes a buffer groove. Multiple sets of circumferentially arranged flow ports are opened on the bottom surface of the buffer groove. Each set of flow ports is fan-shaped. A rotating rod is rotatably connected to the upper surface of the buffer groove, and the rotating rod passes through the buffer groove. Multiple circumferentially arranged fan-shaped baffles are fixed at the bottom end of the rotating rod, and the fan-shaped baffles correspond to the flow ports. A storage box is provided below the buffer groove. Filter ports are opened on both the upper and bottom surfaces of the storage box. The interior of the storage box is filled with turbulence-inducing balls.
[0006] Furthermore, a rotating sleeve is fitted onto the outer surface of the rotating rod, and a plurality of scrapers arranged in a circular pattern are fixed on the bottom outer surface of the rotating sleeve, the scrapers being in contact with the inner wall of the buffer groove.
[0007] With the above scheme, when the amount of mobile phase injected at one time is small, the rotating rod has already driven the fan-shaped baffle to block the flow port of the buffer tank. The rotation of the rotating sleeve scrapes a small amount of injected mobile phase, allowing the mobile phase to flow into the flow port of the buffer tank. After the rotating rod drives the fan-shaped baffle to rotate and release the obstruction of the flow port, the mobile phase flows out from the flow port and enters the collection box. After being turbulent by the filter port and the turbulence ball, it falls onto the stationary phase packing. This can effectively prevent the mobile phase from directly impacting the packing bed. At the same time, due to the setting of the fan-shaped baffle and scraper, the mobile phase can be more evenly distributed in the buffer tank and then flow out from multiple flow ports, which greatly improves the radial distribution uniformity of the mobile phase in the column cross section.
[0008] Furthermore, a rotating motor is installed on the upper surface of the top cover, and the output end of the rotating motor is connected to the rotating rod.
[0009] With the above scheme, after the rotating motor is started, it can drive the rotating rod to rotate. The rotation of the rotating rod drives the sector-shaped baffle to rotate, realizing the switching between blocking and opening the flow port.
[0010] Furthermore, a scraper motor is installed on the upper surface of the top cover, a gear is installed at the output end of the scraper motor, a gear ring is installed on the outer surface of the rotating sleeve, the gear meshes with the gear ring, and a protective cover is fixedly installed on the bottom surface of the top cover, with both the gear and the gear ring located inside the protective cover.
[0011] With the above scheme, after the scraper motor starts, its output end drives the gear to rotate. Since the gear meshes with the gear ring, the rotation of the gear will drive the gear ring to rotate, which in turn causes the rotating sleeve to rotate. The rotation of the rotating sleeve will drive the scraper to scrape against the inner wall of the buffer groove, ensuring that the flowing phase can flow smoothly into the flow port. The protective cover can effectively prevent external impurities from entering the meshing point of the gear and gear ring, ensuring the stability and reliability of the transmission.
[0012] Furthermore, a sealing design is provided at the contact point between the bottom end of the rotating sleeve and the buffer groove, and a sealing ring is installed at the position where the rotating sleeve penetrates the protective cover.
[0013] The above-mentioned design, with its sealing at the contact point between the bottom of the rotating sleeve and the buffer groove, prevents the mobile phase from leaking through the gap between the rotating sleeve and the buffer groove, ensuring that the mobile phase can enter the subsequent process through the flow port. The sealing ring installed at the position where the rotating sleeve passes through the protective cover further prevents external dust, moisture and other impurities from entering the interior of the protective cover, thus avoiding any impact on the meshing transmission of the gears and gear rings.
[0014] Furthermore, a slider is fixed to the inner wall of the chromatography column body, and a corresponding groove is provided on the outer side of the buffer groove, with the slider and the groove being slidably connected.
[0015] The above scheme allows the sliding connection between the slider and the groove to enable the buffer turbulence assembly to move stably up and down within the chromatography column, facilitating its installation, disassembly, and maintenance. It also ensures the stability of the buffer turbulence assembly during operation, preventing it from shaking or shifting.
[0016] Furthermore, the upper surface of the top cover is provided with a feed pipe and a pressure relief pipe, and the bottom end of the chromatography column body is provided with a discharge pipe.
[0017] With the above scheme, the feed pipe is used to inject the mobile phase into the buffer tank for liquid distribution; the pressure relief pipe can balance the pressure inside and outside the chromatography column to ensure the safe and stable operation of the device.
[0018] Compared with the prior art, the technical solution of this utility model has the following beneficial effects: This large-diameter chromatography column multilayer liquid distribution device, through buffer and turbulence components, can prevent the mobile phase from directly impacting the packing bed, prevent local compression of soft packing, and improve the utilization rate of the packing. After the mobile phase flows out through the flow port of the buffer tank, it is turbulent by the turbulence balls in the receiving box and finally falls onto the stationary phase packing. This greatly improves the radial distribution uniformity of the mobile phase in the column cross section, thereby improving the separation efficiency and product purity of the chromatography column and effectively solving the problem of uneven liquid distribution in the prior art. Attached Figure Description
[0019] Figure 1 This is a three-dimensional structural diagram of the present application; Figure 2 This is a side view of the overall chromatography column body of this application; Figure 3 This is a sectional view of the overall buffer groove side view of this application; Figure 4 This is a side view of the overall sector-shaped baffle of this application.
[0020] In the picture: 1. Chromatography column body; 2. Top cap; 3. Buffer and turbulence-disrupting assembly; 301. Buffer groove; 302. Flow outlet; 303. Rotating rod; 304. Fan-shaped baffle; 305. Storage box; 306. Turbulence ball; 307. Rotating sleeve; 308. Scraper; 4. Rotating motor; 5. Scraper motor; 6. Gear; 7. Gear ring; 8. Protective cover; 9. Sealing ring; 10. Slider; 11. Feed pipe; 12. Pressure relief pipe; 13. Discharge pipe. Detailed Implementation
[0021] The technical solutions of the embodiments of this application will be clearly and completely described below with reference to the accompanying drawings. Obviously, the described embodiments are only some embodiments of this application, and not all embodiments. Based on the embodiments of this application, all other embodiments obtained by those skilled in the art without creative effort are within the scope of protection of this application.
[0022] Please see Figure 1 - Figure 4 This embodiment of a large-diameter chromatography column multilayer liquid distribution device includes a chromatography column body 1 and a top cover 2 installed above the chromatography column body 1. The bottom surface of the top cover 2 is provided with a buffer turbulence assembly 3, which includes a buffer groove 301. The bottom surface of the buffer groove 301 has multiple sets of circumferentially arranged flow ports 302, each set of flow ports 302 being fan-shaped. The upper surface of the buffer groove 301 is rotatably connected to a rotating rod 303, which passes through the buffer groove 301. The bottom end of the rotating rod 303 is fixed with multiple circumferentially arranged fan-shaped baffles 304, which correspond to the flow ports 302. A storage box 305 is provided below the buffer groove 301. The upper and bottom surfaces of the storage box 305 are provided with filter ports, and the interior of the storage box 305 is filled with turbulence balls 306.
[0023] Please see Figure 2 , Figure 3 and Figure 4 A rotating sleeve 307 is fitted onto the outer surface of the rotating rod 303. Multiple scrapers 308 arranged in a circular pattern are fixed to the bottom outer surface of the rotating sleeve 307. The scrapers 308 contact the inner wall of the buffer tank 301. When the amount of mobile phase injected at one time is small, the rotating rod 303 drives the fan-shaped baffle 304 to block the flow port 302 of the buffer tank 301. The rotation of the rotating sleeve 307 scrapes away a small amount of injected mobile phase, allowing it to flow into the flow port 302 of the buffer tank 301. After the rotating rod 303 drives the fan-shaped baffle 304 to rotate and release the obstruction of the flow port 302, the mobile phase simultaneously flows out of the flow port 302 and into the storage box 305. In the process, after being turbulent by the filter port and the turbulence ball 306, the fluid phase is sprayed onto the stationary phase packing. This effectively prevents the mobile phase from directly impacting the packing bed. At the same time, due to the setting of the fan-shaped baffle 304 and the scraper 308, the mobile phase can be more evenly distributed in the buffer tank 301 and then flow out from multiple flow ports 302, which greatly improves the radial distribution uniformity of the mobile phase in the column cross section. A rotating motor 4 is installed on the upper surface of the top cover 2. The output end of the rotating motor 4 is connected to the rotating rod 303. After the rotating motor 4 is started, it can drive the rotating rod 303 to rotate. The rotation of the rotating rod 303 drives the fan-shaped baffle 304 to rotate, realizing the switching between blocking and opening of the flow port 302.
[0024] Please see Figure 2 , Figure 3 and Figure 4 A scraper motor 5 is installed on the upper surface of the top cover 2. A gear 6 is installed at the output end of the scraper motor 5. A toothed ring 7 is installed on the outer surface of the rotating sleeve 307. The gear 6 meshes with the toothed ring 7. A protective cover 8 is fixedly installed on the bottom surface of the top cover 2. The gear 6 and the toothed ring 7 are both located inside the protective cover 8. After the scraper motor 5 is started, its output end drives the gear 6 to rotate. Since the gear 6 meshes with the toothed ring 7, the rotation of the gear 6 will drive the toothed ring 7 to rotate, thereby causing the rotating sleeve 307 to rotate. The rotation of the rotating sleeve 307 causes the scraper 308 to scrape against the inner wall of the buffer groove 301, ensuring that the mobile phase can flow smoothly into the flow port 302. The protective cover 8 effectively prevents external impurities from entering the meshing point of the gear 6 and the gear ring 7, ensuring the stability and reliability of the transmission. The bottom end of the rotating sleeve 307 is sealed at the contact point with the buffer groove 301, and a sealing ring 9 is installed at the point where the rotating sleeve 307 passes through the protective cover 8. The sealing design at the contact point between the bottom end of the rotating sleeve 307 and the buffer groove 301 prevents the mobile phase from leaking from the gap between the rotating sleeve 307 and the buffer groove 301, ensuring that the mobile phase can all pass through the flow port 302 and enter the subsequent process. The sealing ring 9 installed at the point where the rotating sleeve 307 passes through the protective cover 8 further prevents external dust, moisture and other impurities from entering the interior of the protective cover 8, avoiding any impact on the meshing transmission of the gear 6 and the gear ring 7.
[0025] Please see Figure 2 , Figure 3 and Figure 4 A slider 10 is fixed to the inner wall of the chromatography column body 1, and a corresponding groove is provided on the outer side of the buffer tank 301. The slider 10 is slidably connected to the groove. The sliding connection between the slider 10 and the groove allows the buffer turbulence assembly 3 to move stably up and down within the chromatography column body 1, facilitating its installation, disassembly and maintenance. It also ensures the stability of the buffer turbulence assembly 3 during operation, preventing it from shaking or shifting. The upper surface of the top cover 2 is provided with a feed pipe 11 and a pressure relief pipe 12, and the bottom end of the chromatography column body 1 is provided with a discharge pipe 13. The feed pipe 11 is used to inject the mobile phase into the buffer tank 301 for liquid distribution. The pressure relief pipe 12 can balance the pressure inside and outside the chromatography column body 1, ensuring the safe and stable operation of the device.
[0026] It should be noted that before the mobile phase is injected, the fan-shaped baffle 304 must block the flow port 302 of the buffer tank 301. Only after the mobile phase is completely injected and the liquid surface in the buffer tank 301 becomes calm can the fan-shaped baffle 304 be released from blocking the flow port 302 of the buffer tank 301. The turbulence ball 306 is made of polyetheretherketone, a hydrophobic polymer material with a water contact angle of up to 85°. This characteristic makes the solution more likely to form rolling rather than stagnant droplets on the surface of the turbulence ball 306. Even if a small amount of solution adheres, its adhesion to the surface of the ball is weak and it is easily washed away by the subsequent liquid flow or peeled off by the dynamically colliding turbulence ball 306.
[0027] The working principle of the above embodiment is as follows: When performing liquid distribution operation, the mobile phase is first injected into the buffer tank 301 through the feed pipe 11. If the amount of mobile phase injected at one time is small, the rotating motor 4 drives the rotating rod 303 to rotate, so that the fan-shaped baffle 304 blocks the flow port 302 of the buffer tank 301. At the same time, the scraping motor 5 is started, and its output end drives the gear 6 to rotate. Since the gear 6 meshes with the gear ring 7, it drives the rotating sleeve 307 to rotate. The scraper 308 at the bottom of the rotating sleeve 307 scrapes the inner wall of the buffer tank 301, scraping a small amount of injected mobile phase into the flow port 302 of the buffer tank 301. If the amount of mobile phase injected at one time is large enough to completely contact the inner wall of the buffer tank 301, it is only necessary to wait for the mobile phase to be completely injected into the buffer tank 301.
[0028] After the mobile phase is injected, the rotating motor 4 drives the rotating rod 303 to rotate, causing the fan-shaped baffle 304 to rotate and release the obstruction of the flow port 302. The mobile phase then flows out evenly from all the flow ports 302 of the buffer tank 301 and enters the collection box 305. Inside the collection box 305, the mobile phase passes through the filter port and interacts with the internally filled turbulence balls 306, further turbulence, and finally falls onto the stationary phase packing. This process effectively avoids the mobile phase directly impacting the packing bed, prevents local compression of the soft packing, and greatly improves the radial distribution uniformity of the mobile phase in the column cross-section.
[0029] Throughout the operation of the device, the sliding connection between the slider 10 and the chute ensures that the buffer turbulence assembly 3 moves stably up and down within the chromatography column body 1. This facilitates installation, disassembly, and maintenance, while also ensuring the stability of the buffer turbulence assembly 3 during operation, preventing it from shaking or shifting. The sealing design at the contact point between the bottom of the rotating sleeve 307 and the buffer groove 301 prevents leakage of the mobile phase from the gap between the rotating sleeve 307 and the buffer groove 301, ensuring that the mobile phase can enter the subsequent process through the flow port 302. The sealing ring 9 installed at the position where the rotating sleeve 307 penetrates the protective cover 8 further prevents external dust, moisture, and other impurities from entering the interior of the protective cover 8, avoiding any impact on the meshing transmission of the gear 6 and the gear ring 7.
[0030] It should be noted that, in this document, relational terms such as "first" and "second" are used only to distinguish one entity or operation from another, and do not necessarily require or imply any such actual relationship or order between these entities or operations. Furthermore, the terms "comprising," "including," or any other variations thereof are intended to cover non-exclusive inclusion, such that a process, method, article, or apparatus that comprises a list of elements includes not only those elements but also other elements not expressly listed, or elements inherent to such a process, method, article, or apparatus. Without further limitations, an element defined by the phrase "comprising one..." does not exclude the presence of other identical elements in the process, method, article, or apparatus that includes said element.
[0031] Although embodiments of this application have been shown and described, it will be understood by those skilled in the art that various changes, modifications, substitutions and variations can be made to these embodiments without departing from the principles and spirit of this application, the scope of which is defined by the appended claims and their equivalents.
Claims
1. A multilayer liquid distribution device for a large-diameter chromatography column, comprising a chromatography column body (1) and a top cover (2) installed above the chromatography column body (1), characterized in that: The bottom surface of the top cover (2) is provided with a buffer turbulence assembly (3). The buffer turbulence assembly (3) includes a buffer groove (301). The bottom surface of the buffer groove (301) has multiple sets of flow ports (302) arranged in a circle. Each set of flow ports (302) is fan-shaped. The upper surface of the buffer groove (301) is rotatably connected with a rotating rod (303). The rotating rod (303) passes through the buffer groove (301). The bottom end of the rotating rod (303) is fixed with multiple fan-shaped baffles (304) arranged in a circle. The fan-shaped baffles (304) correspond to the flow ports (302). A storage box (305) is provided below the buffer groove (301). The upper and bottom surfaces of the storage box (305) are provided with filter ports. The inside of the storage box (305) is filled with turbulence balls (306).
2. The multi-layer liquid distribution device for a large-diameter chromatography column according to claim 1, characterized in that: The outer surface of the rotating rod (303) is fitted with a rotating sleeve (307), and a plurality of scrapers (308) arranged in a circle are fixed on the bottom outer surface of the rotating sleeve (307). The scrapers (308) are in contact with the inner wall of the buffer groove (301).
3. The multi-layer liquid distribution device for a large-diameter chromatography column according to claim 1, characterized in that: A rotating motor (4) is installed on the upper surface of the top cover (2), and the output end of the rotating motor (4) is connected to the rotating rod (303).
4. The multi-layer liquid distribution device for a large-diameter chromatography column according to claim 2, characterized in that: A scraper motor (5) is installed on the upper surface of the top cover (2). A gear (6) is installed at the output end of the scraper motor (5). A toothed ring (7) is installed on the outer surface of the rotating sleeve (307). The gear (6) meshes with the toothed ring (7). A protective cover (8) is fixedly installed on the bottom surface of the top cover (2). The gear (6) and the toothed ring (7) are both located inside the protective cover (8).
5. The multi-layer liquid distribution device for a large-diameter chromatography column according to claim 4, characterized in that: The bottom of the rotating sleeve (307) is sealed at the contact point with the buffer groove (301), and a sealing ring (9) is installed at the position where the rotating sleeve (307) penetrates the protective cover (8).
6. The multi-layer liquid distribution device for a large-diameter chromatography column according to claim 1, characterized in that: The inner wall of the chromatography column body (1) is fixed with a slider (10), and the outer side of the buffer groove (301) is provided with a corresponding groove, and the slider (10) is slidably connected to the groove.
7. The multi-layer liquid distribution device for a large-diameter chromatography column according to claim 1, characterized in that: The top cover (2) has a feed pipe (11) and a pressure relief pipe (12) on its upper surface, and the chromatography column body (1) has a discharge pipe (13) at its bottom end.