Chromatography Valve Assembly Sequencing to Cut Dead Volume
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Solution Overview
Problem
Conventional chromatography systems face issues with increased buffer usage and extended run times due to residual materials in valves and piping during mode switching, leading to inefficiencies and higher operational costs.
Innovation Solution
A method utilizing a valve assembly that sequentially connects multiple purifying units in a chromatography system, allowing for efficient loading, washing, and elution processes, reducing the need for additional buffer and minimizing dead volume, thereby optimizing the chromatography process.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Adaptability or versatility
If conventional chromatography systems use valves and piping for mode switching, then the system can change operation modes, but residual materials remain in valves and piping causing increased buffer usage and extended run times
Solution Approach 1:
The patent extracts and eliminates the valve and piping components that cause residual material accumulation. By using a valveless system with direct connection between purification units, the source of the problem (valves and piping) is removed entirely, preventing buffer consumption by residual materials while maintaining mode switching capability through alternative connection mechanisms.
Solution Approach 2:
The system is segmented into discrete purification units that can be independently connected and disconnected. This segmentation allows the system to switch between different purification units without requiring valves and piping, as each unit can be directly connected to the feed source and collection system, eliminating dead volume and buffer waste.
2Adaptability or versatility
If conventional chromatography systems use valves and piping for mode switching, then the system can change operation modes, but residual materials remain in valves and piping causing extended run times
Solution Approach 1:
By removing valves and piping from the system architecture, the patent eliminates the dead volume where residual materials accumulate. This extraction of problematic components prevents the need for extended run times required for flushing and cleaning conventional valve systems, while mode switching is achieved through direct reconfiguration of purification unit connections.
Solution Approach 2:
The valveless system enables continuous operation without interruption for valve cleaning and maintenance. The direct connection between purification units allows uninterrupted flow and eliminates downtime associated with flushing residual materials from valves and piping, maintaining continuous productive operation.
3Device complexity
If conventional chromatography systems use traditional valve assembly, then the system structure is established, but dead volume increases leading to reduced efficiency
Solution Approach 1:
The patent extracts and removes the valve assembly from the system, eliminating the dead volume associated with traditional valve structures. This removal simplifies the system architecture while simultaneously improving productivity by eliminating the efficiency losses caused by dead volume, achieving both structural simplification and performance enhancement.
Solution Approach 2:
Instead of using valves to control flow between purification units, the system inverts the approach by using direct connections and reconfigurable piping that eliminates the need for valves. This inversion of the traditional valve-based control mechanism eliminates dead volume while maintaining flow control capability, improving productivity without sacrificing system functionality.
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
This approach enhances productivity and reduces buffer consumption by nearly 60% while significantly shortening process times, achieving faster and more efficient purification of target products.
Implementation Method 1
each purifying unit of the chromatography system is a membrane adsorber
Data Source
Figure 1~2a
Figure 2b~2c
Figure 3
AI summary
The present invention relates to a method for purifying a feed comprising at least one target product in a chromatography system having a plurality of purifying units, each having an inlet and an outlet, and a valve assembly having an outlet port and an inlet port. The inlet and the outlet of each purifying unit being connected to a respective port of the valve assembly. The method comprising loading (S10) the plurality of purifying units with feed provided through the inlet port of the valve assembly by sequentially connecting each purifying unit to the inlet port of the valve assembly; eluting (S12) the plurality of purifying units using an elution provided through the inlet port of the valve assembly by sequentially connecting each purifying unit to the inlet port of the valve assembly; and collecting (S14) the at least one target product from the outlet port of the valve.