Rotatable Chromatography Column With Extendable Legs
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing chromatography columns require heavy lifting gear for maintenance and cleaning due to their large size and complex assembly, making access and manipulation of internal components cumbersome and inefficient.
Innovation Solution
The design incorporates extendable legs and a motor-driven system to raise and rotate the column wall, allowing for easier access to internal components by lifting and rotating the end plate assemblies and distribution systems, reducing the need for heavy lifting gear.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Quantity of substance
If the column is made large in size to handle industrial process liquids, then the chromatography capacity is improved, but the weight increases to several tonnes requiring heavy lifting gear
Solution Approach 1:
The column is divided into separate components: column tube, end plate assemblies, and distribution systems that can be independently handled. The end plate assemblies with distribution systems can be removed and handled separately from the heavy column tube, reducing the lifting requirements during maintenance operations.
Solution Approach 2:
The distribution systems are extracted from the end plate assemblies and made movable towards or away from the end plate assemblies. This allows the distribution systems to be removed and handled separately, reducing the weight that needs to be lifted during maintenance operations.
2Stability of the object's composition
If the end plate assemblies are bolted to flanges for secure connection, then the structural stability is improved, but the complexity of assembly and disassembly increases
Solution Approach 1:
The connection system is segmented into separate components: flanges on the column tube and corresponding connection elements on the end plate assemblies. This allows for simple bolted connections that can be easily assembled and disassembled without complex tools or procedures.
3Ease of repair
If legs are provided to raise the lower end plate assembly for access, then the ease of maintenance is improved, but the device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The support structure is segmented into fixed legs and extendable legs. The extendable legs can be lengthened to raise the lower end plate assembly for maintenance access, then retracted when not needed, providing ease of maintenance without permanently increasing device complexity.
Solution Approach 2:
The legs are made extendable and retractable, transforming from a static support structure to a dynamic one. This allows the column to adapt its height for maintenance operations, providing ease of access while maintaining simplicity during normal operation.
4Strength
If the column wall is made heavy for structural strength, then the strength is improved, but the ease of operation during maintenance deteriorates
Solution Approach 1:
The column wall is segmented from the end plate assemblies and distribution systems. During maintenance, only the lightweight end plate assemblies and distribution systems need to be manipulated, while the heavy column wall remains stationary and provides structural strength.
Solution Approach 2:
The distribution systems are extracted from the end plate assemblies and made removable. This allows the heavy column wall to remain in place providing strength, while the lighter distribution systems can be easily removed and handled for maintenance operations.
Data Source
AI summary
A chromatography column having a longitudinal axis and comprising a column wall with a first end and a second end, a first end plate assembly removably connectable to said first end of the column wall, a second end plate assembly removably connectable to said second end of the column wall, wherein said first end plate assembly, said column wall and said second end plate assembly are arranged along the longitudinal axis of the column wherein the column wall, and/or first end plate assembly and/or second end plate assembly is/are rotatable about an axis of rotation wherein said axis of rotation is parallel to the longitudinal axis of said column and positioned outside the column.