A method and apparatus for isolating a first substance from a mixture by chromatography, the mixture including at least a second substance which in the chromatography is subject to a greater retention than the first substance, and having a third substance which in the chromatography is subject to a lower retention than the first substance. The mixture is supplied to a chromatography apparatus having multiple interconnected chromatography columns. The apparatus is supplied with the mixture and an eluent, and the second substance is withdrawn as an extract and the first substance as a raffinate. The third substance is withdrawn as an extract. Usefully the third substance and the second substance are withdrawn jointly as an extract.

This version will replace all prior versions in the application: A chromatography method in which a starting material is separated into fractions and at least one of the fractions which have at least a predetermined target content of at least one target component of the starting material is derived as a target product fraction. The fractions which do not have the predetermined target content form residual fractions and at least part of at least one of the residual fractions is added to the starting material still to be separated. At least part of at least one of the residual fractions of which the content of the target component differs less from the predetermined target content than the target component content of the starting material is added to the starting material still to be separated. The residual fractions of which the target component content differs more from the predetermined target content than that of the starting material are diverted for further handling.

This version will replace all prior versions in the application: A chromatography method in which a starting material is separated into fractions and at least one of the fractions which have at least a predetermined target content of at least one target component of the starting material is derived as a target product fraction. The fractions which do not have the predetermined target content form residual fractions and at least part of at least one of the residual fractions is added to the starting material still to be separated. At least part of at least one of the residual fractions of which the content of the target component differs less from the predetermined target content than the target component content of the starting material is added to the starting material still to be separated. The residual fractions of which the target component content differs more from the predetermined target content than that of the starting material are diverted for further handling.

An apparatus and method for carrying out continuous true moving bed chromatography using strong magnetic fields. More particularly the invention enables counter-flow moving bed chromatography with much better efficiency than batch chromatography; and with design and operation much simpler than simulated moving bed chromatography.

An apparatus and method for carrying out continuous true moving bed chromatography using strong magnetic fields. More particularly the invention enables counter-flow moving bed chromatography with much better efficiency than batch chromatography; and with design and operation much simpler than simulated moving bed chromatography.

The present invention describes a device for distributing incoming fluid or for collecting fluid being discharged from a column forming part of an assembly of N columns in series intended to be used in a simulated moving bed separation process. The present device can be used to very substantially reduce the non-selective volumes at each column, while at the same time providing the flow with good synchronicity.

A method and a rotary valve in a continuous chromatography system. The rotary valve comprises a stator with an inner stator face, and a rotor with an inner rotor face arranged in sealing contact with the inner stator face. The stator comprises at least a first and a second inlet orifices, at least two first outlet orifices, a second outlet orifice and a third outlet orifice, and the rotor interconnection paths are arranged to: in at least one rotary position connect the first inlet orifice to the second outlet orifice and the second inlet orifice to the third outlet orifice, and in at least two other rotary positions connect the first inlet orifice with any one of the first outlet orifices at the same time as the second inlet orifice is connected to the second outlet orifice.

A method and a rotary valve in a continuous chromatography system. The rotary valve comprises a stator with an inner stator face, and a rotor with an inner rotor face arranged in sealing contact with the inner stator face. The stator comprises at least a first and a second inlet orifices, at least two first outlet orifices, a second outlet orifice and a third outlet orifice, and the rotor interconnection paths are arranged to: in at least one rotary position connect the first inlet orifice to the second outlet orifice and the second inlet orifice to the third outlet orifice, and in at least two other rotary positions connect the first inlet orifice with any one of the first outlet orifices at the same time as the second inlet orifice is connected to the second outlet orifice.

A chromatographic purification method for the isolation of a desired product fraction from a mixture using 2 chromatographic columns, comprises, within one cycle to be carried out at least once, the following steps: a first batch step, wherein said columns are disconnected and a first column is loaded with feed and its outlet is directed to waste, and from a second column desired product is recovered and subsequently the second column is regenerated; a first interconnected step, wherein the outlet of the first column is connected to the inlet of the second column, the first column is loaded beyond its dynamic breakthrough capacity with feed, and the outlet of the second column is directed to waste, a second batch step analogous to the first batch step but with exchanged columns; and a second interconnected step, analogous to the first interconnected step but with exchanged columns.

The invention provides a high-performance liquid chromatography system, said system is controlled in temperature by running a fluid in sleeves that surround the different parts of the system. All parts in contact with the fluid are made in fluoropolymer, carbon-filled fluoropolymer, or carbon-fiber fluoropolymer. The system comprises at least one reagent reservoir; at least one mixing chamber, wherein the contents of the at least one reagent reservoir are combined; at least one pump that transfers the contents of the at least one reservoir to the mixing chamber; and at least one modular elution column, wherein the at least one modular elution column contains a temperature control means; a sample injection system connected to an injection loop or 3-way valve to inject the sample solutions in the modular elution columns, at least one manifold or X-Y moving stage to distribute the eluted volumes in different receptacles; at least one return line to automatically reinject selected elution fractions at the top of the column; wherein all moving components of the said system are fluid actuated.