Chromatography Device Parallel Groove Fluid Distribution
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Solution Overview
Problem
Convection-based chromatography devices face challenges in efficient liquid distribution and collection, leading to uneven flow and residence time distribution, which limits their performance and increases hydraulic resistance, especially at larger scales.
Innovation Solution
A chromatography device with a convection-based chromatography material featuring a substantially rectangular shape and a fluid distribution system with parallel grooves for efficient fluid distribution and collection, providing mechanical support and minimizing liquid holdup volume.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Productivity
If convection-based chromatography materials are used to achieve high flow rates, then productivity is improved, but liquid distribution uniformity deteriorates
Solution Approach 1:
The distribution device is segmented into multiple parallel grooves that distribute liquid across different regions of the chromatography material simultaneously. This segmentation allows high flow rates to be maintained while ensuring uniform liquid distribution across the entire material surface, resolving the contradiction between productivity and distribution uniformity.
2Productivity
If convection-based chromatography materials are used to achieve high flow rates, then productivity is improved, but hydraulic resistance increases
Solution Approach 1:
The parallel groove structure segments the hydraulic flow path into multiple independent channels. This segmentation reduces the hydraulic resistance in each individual channel while maintaining high overall flow rates, as the total flow is distributed across multiple lower-resistance paths rather than forcing high flow through a single path.
Solution Approach 2:
The distribution system transitions from a single-point or single-plane liquid application to a multi-dimensional parallel groove structure that distributes liquid across both the length and width of the chromatography material. This dimensional expansion reduces hydraulic resistance by providing multiple parallel flow paths through the material.
3Stability of the object's composition
If parallel grooves are used for fluid distribution, then liquid distribution uniformity is improved, but device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The distribution device utilizes hydraulic principles where parallel grooves naturally distribute liquid flow based on pressure gradients and flow dynamics. This hydraulic-based distribution achieves uniform liquid application without requiring complex mechanical actuators, sensors, or control systems, thereby maintaining simplicity while improving distribution uniformity.
Applied Scientific Principles
This section explains which scientific principles are used to turn an abstract innovation direction into a practical engineering solution.
Function Achieved in This Case
The device achieves uniform liquid distribution and collection, reducing hydraulic resistance and enhancing chromatographic performance by distributing mechanical loads effectively, while maintaining high flow rates and withstanding high pressures.
Implementation Method 1
The flow through such materials and the mechanism for molecules to interact with the solid phase is convective rather than diffusional
Implementation Method 2
application of a hydraulic pressure difference between the inflow and outflow of the matrix forces perfusion of the matrix
Implementation Method 3
reducing hydraulic resistance and enhancing chromatographic performance by distributing mechanical loads effectively
Data Source
AI summary
A chromatography device (201; 201′) comprising: – at least one chromatography material unit (203), wherein said chromatography material unit comprises a convection-based chromatography material and is of a substantially rectangular shape having a length (L) and a width (W); - at least one fluid distribution system (207) which is configured to distribute fluid into and out from the at least one chromatography material unit (203), wherein said fluid distribution system (207) comprises a distribution device (209a) and a collection device (209b) between which said chromatography material unit (203) is sandwiched, wherein said distribution device (209a) and said collection device (209b) each comprises a number of parallel grooves (255) for distribution and collection respectively of a fluid to be passed through the chromatography material unit (203), wherein said parallel grooves are reaching over substantially the whole length (L) of the chromatography material unit (203) and are distributed over substantially the whole width (W) of the chromatography material unit (203).