Chromatography Column Internal Groove for Uniform Cleanout

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Solution Overview

Problem

Traditional slurry ports in chromatography columns are inefficient for uniform cleanout due to spacing along the circumference, forming eddies and affecting cylindricity, leading to maintenance challenges.

Innovation Solution

A chromatography column design featuring a main tube with an internal radial groove, movable bottom plate, and a piston assembly, allowing for efficient cleaning and maintenance through controlled positioning and synchronized hydraulic lifting, along with internal grooves and media ports for uniform access.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Ease of operation

If slurry ports are spaced apart along the circumference of the main tube, then access to the column interior is provided, but eddies form inside the column impeding uniform cleanout

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveaccess to column interiorVSAvoiduniform cleanout

Core Design Contradiction:

Ease of operationVSManufacturing precision

Solution Approach 1:

The slurry ports are divided into multiple openings distributed around the circumference of the main tube, allowing fluid to enter and exit at multiple locations simultaneously. This segmentation eliminates eddy formation by ensuring uniform flow distribution across the entire cross-section of the column, achieving uniform cleanout while maintaining operational access.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #1Segmentation

2Ease of operation

If slurry ports are positioned in the main tube, then access to the interior is provided, but blemishes are created in the cylindricity of the internal wall

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveaccess to column interiorVSAvoidcylindricity of internal wall

Core Design Contradiction:

Ease of operationVSShape

Solution Approach 1:

The slurry ports are extracted from the main tube wall and repositioned to the bottom plate. This relocation eliminates the blemishes in the internal wall cylindricity while maintaining access to the column interior through the bottom plate openings, which serve as effective entry points for slurry and cleaning operations.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #2Taking out (Extraction)

3Adaptability or versatility

If traditional slurry ports are used, then packing and unpacking operations can be performed, but maintenance and cleaning become difficult

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvepacking and unpacking capabilityVSAvoidmaintenance and cleaning

Core Design Contradiction:

Adaptability or versatilityVSEase of repair

Solution Approach 1:

The bottom plate with its multiple slurry ports serves multiple functions: it enables packing operations by receiving slurry, facilitates unpacking by allowing bed removal, and enables efficient cleaning by providing multiple access points for flushing operations. This multi-functional design simplifies maintenance while preserving packing and unpacking capabilities.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #6Universality (Multi-functionality)

Data Source

PatentEP4281765B1Components that facilitate maintenance of chromatography and synthesis columns

Publication Date: 2025.10.01 ASAHI KASEI BIOPROCESS AMERICA INC

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AI summary

A chromatography and synthesis column that includes a main tube, a plurality of lower media ports 300, and an internal groove 304. The internal groove 304 is formed in an interior surface of the main tube 324 and selectively provides an internal flow path between each of the internal lower media ports 300. This, in turn, facilitates quick and easy maintenance of the internal lower media ports and other components of the chromatography and synthesis column.