Chromatography Valve Unit With Membrane Switching for Column Uniformity
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Solution Overview
Problem
Conventional chromatography processes are cumbersome, complex, and time-consuming, especially in continuous chromatography, due to the complexity of column loading, packing, and maintaining identical column conditions, which affects the efficiency and reliability of the separation process.
Innovation Solution
A valve unit for chromatography apparatus featuring a coupling valve assembly with membrane valves that can be controlled by signals to direct fluid between input, output, and column ports, ensuring efficient fluid management and operation in various modes, including continuous flow and packing, thereby simplifying the process.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Productivity
If continuous chromatography is implemented using multiple identical columns, then productivity and resin utilization are improved, but device complexity and operational complexity increase significantly
Solution Approach 1:
The system divides the chromatography process into multiple identical columns (first column, second column, third column) that can be operated independently yet simultaneously. Each column is a separate unit with its own fluid coupling, allowing the system to achieve continuous operation through segmentation while maintaining manageable complexity at the component level.
Solution Approach 2:
The fluid coupling device is designed with universal functionality to connect to multiple columns and perform multiple operations (loading, washing, eluting, regenerating) through the same interface. The coupling valve assembly can direct fluid to different columns based on operational mode, making a single device capable of handling diverse chromatography tasks without requiring specialized components for each function.
2Reliability
If columns are required to be identical for reliable continuous chromatography, then process reliability is improved, but manufacturing complexity and time increase due to complex loading and packing requirements
Solution Approach 1:
The system allows columns to be pre-packed and prepared independently before being connected to the fluid coupling device. The coupling mechanism is designed to accept pre-prepared columns, enabling the manufacturing and packing of individual columns to be performed in advance without requiring complex synchronized operations. This preliminary preparation of columns ensures identical characteristics while simplifying the assembly process.
3Ease of operation
If conventional fluid coupling methods are used for column connections, then ease of operation is maintained, but process time increases and continuous operation becomes cumbersome
Solution Approach 1:
The fluid coupling device incorporates dynamic valve assembly that can rapidly switch fluid pathways between different columns based on operational requirements. The valve mechanism allows for quick reconfiguration of fluid flow without manual disconnection or complex操作步骤, enabling the system to transition between loading, washing, eluting, and regenerating modes efficiently while maintaining ease of operation through automated control.
Data Source
AI summary
The present invention relates to a valve unit (100) for a chromatography apparatus, the valve unit comprising a fluid inlet (110) configured to receive an input fluid, a fluid outlet (120) configured to provide an output fluid, a first pair of fluid ports (131,132) configured to be coupled to a first column, a second pair (141,142) of fluid ports configured to be coupled to a second column, a coupling valve assembly (200) configured to direct fluid between a selection of the fluid inlet (110), the fluid outlet (120), the first pair of fluid ports (131,132) and the second pair of fluid ports (141,142) in response to one or more control signals, wherein the coupling valve assembly is configured to direct fluid using a selection of membrane valves coupled by fluid channels comprised in a body of the coupling valve assembly. The invention further relates to a chromatography apparatus comprising the valve unit and a membrane valve comprised in the valve unit.