Symmetric Three-Legged Chromatography Support
Find Innovative SolutionsGenerate Solutions
Solution Overview
Problem
Large-scale preparative chromatographic processes face complexities due to factors like column packing, hydrodynamic pressure drop, and flow distribution, which affect the economics and efficiency of the process, and existing solutions do not adequately address the compaction of gel filling materials in gel filtration columns, leading to reduced capacity and pressure issues.
Innovation Solution
A chromatography column support system comprising movable frits and supports with a symmetric, three-legged structure and connectors that can be freely positioned within the column, made of materials like stainless steel, silicone, or polytetrafluoroethylene, to minimize disturbance of the chromatography material and ensure homogeneous packing and flow.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Stability of the object's composition
If additional support elements are added to stabilize column packing, then packing stability is improved, but device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The support structure is divided into multiple legs (at least three) that are distributed around the column circumference, with connectors positioned at different heights. This segmentation provides stable support throughout the column packing while maintaining a relatively simple overall structure that can be easily installed.
2Quantity of substance
If separation walls are arranged parallel to column wall to prevent gel compaction, then column capacity is maintained, but device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
Instead of using vertical separation walls parallel to the column wall, the invention uses horizontal support elements (legs and connectors) positioned at different heights to create support planes. This dimensional change provides the necessary support to prevent gel compaction and maintain column capacity without the complexity of vertical partition walls.
3Reliability
If movable frit is used to support chromatography material, then flow distribution is improved, but positioning precision at desired location is reduced
Solution Approach 1:
The movable frit is positioned on top of the support structure formed by legs and connectors, which act as intermediaries to hold the frit at the desired location. This intermediary support system enables the frit to be precisely positioned while maintaining its movability for good flow distribution throughout the column.
Data Source
Figure 1
Figure 2
Figure 3
AI summary
Herein is reported the use of a chromatography column support comprising at least one plane of symmetry, one axis of symmetry, at least three legs, at least three straight connectors, whereby the connectors define a plane that is perpendicular to the axis of symmetry of the support, whereby the connectors are connected to each other at the axis of symmetry, whereby each leg is connected to a connector, whereby each leg is perpendicular to the plane defined by the connectors, whereby all legs are on the same side of the plane defined by the connectors for stabilizing the packing of a chromatography column.