Expanded Bed Chromatography Flow Distribution for Uniform Fluidisation
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing expanded bed adsorption chromatography apparatus face challenges in maintaining a stable and uniform flow of process fluid, leading to contamination, reduced target product concentration, and inefficient use of expensive adsorbent media, while being complex and costly to manufacture, with potential sites of contamination.
Innovation Solution
The apparatus features a process fluid inlet with multiple outlet apertures or an annular aperture spaced radially from the central axis, promoting a uniform radial flow profile and efficient use of adsorbent media, combined with a magnetic stirring system to reduce contamination and simplify manufacturing.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Stability of the object's composition
If process fluid is injected downwards towards the base from injection ports spaced along radially extending spokes, then stable plug flow is promoted, but the apparatus becomes complex and costly to manufacture with potential sites of contamination
Solution Approach 1:
The patent extracts the complex rotating disc mechanism with radially extending spokes and injection ports from the apparatus. Instead, it uses a simplified base with a single process fluid inlet having outlet apertures spaced radially from the central axis. This eliminates the rotating components and complex fluid distribution system while maintaining uniform radial flow promotion and reducing contamination sites.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent inverts the traditional approach by having the process fluid inlet located in the base rather than in a rotating disc above the bed. The outlet apertures are spaced radially from the central axis in the base, allowing process fluid to enter from below and flow upwards through the expanded bed, achieving uniform flow distribution without complex mechanical components.
2Productivity
If process fluid flows through the expanded bed, then target product is separated, but flow uniformity is difficult to maintain leading to contamination and reduced product concentration
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies local quality by spacing the outlet apertures radially from the central axis at specific locations in the base. This creates localized flow distribution points that collectively generate uniform radial flow across the entire cross-section of the expanded bed, ensuring consistent process fluid distribution and maintaining reliable separation efficiency.
3Productivity
If traditional packed bed chromatography is used, then target product can be adsorbed, but solids in culture product block the system requiring preliminary centrifugation or filtration
Solution Approach 1:
The patent uses dynamics by operating with an expanded (fluidised) bed of adsorbent media particles rather than a static packed bed. The process fluid flow expands the bed, creating fluid-like properties that allow unclarified culture product to pass through freely while maintaining adsorption capacity. This eliminates the need for preliminary centrifugation or filtration while preserving target product adsorption efficiency.
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 design achieves a uniform flow of process fluid, reducing contamination, enhancing target product concentration and recovery, and optimizing the use of expensive media, while minimizing manufacturing complexity and contamination risks.
Implementation Method 1
In expanded bed adsorption, an unclarified process fluid (mobile phase) containing all the components of the cell cultures flows upwards through a bed of adsorbent media particles in expanded (fluidised) state
Implementation Method 2
Target product is adsorbed onto the particulate media and is subsequently eluted (washed) from it
Data Source
AI summary
The field of chromatography, specifically the field of expanded bed chromatography. The invention is an expanded bed chromatography apparatus 1 which has an elongate tube 4 defining an operating volume 8 and having a central axis 7. The top end of the tube is sealed with a cap 2 having an exit port 3. The other end of the tube 4 is connected to a base 5. The base includes a process fluid inlet having a plurality of outlet apertures 10a, 10b, 10c in fluid communication with the operating volume of the tube and an inlet aperture 11 in fluid communication with the plurality of outlet apertures. Each of the plurality of outlet apertures is spaced radially from the central axis of the tube. In use, a mobile phase of process fluid passes up through a particulate media in the tube from the inlet to the exit port in a cap at the top of the apparatus. Target product is adsorbed onto the particulate media and is subsequently eluted from it. Alternatively, impurities are adsorbed on the particulate media and the target solution passes through the expanded bed for collection.