A liquid chromatography column oven capable of heating a mobile phase at a preparative scale prior to sample injection in the mobile phase can include a heat source configured to generate heat; and a heat transfer assembly. The heat transfer assembly can include a heat transfer structure formed of a thermally conductive material in a conductive heat transfer relationship with the heat source and including a recessed pathway in a surface of the heat transfer structure. The heat transfer assembly can further include tubing also formed of a thermally conductive material. A first portion of an exterior surface of the tubing is in a conductive heat transfer relationship with the recessed pathway of the heat transfer structure, and a second portion of the exterior surface of the tubing is in a conductive heat transfer relationship with the heat source.

Exemplary embodiments eliminate the need for column ovens in serial column chromatography arrangements and systems by using insulated sleeves. The insulated sleeves may encase individual chromatography columns or clusters of chromatography columns. The use of the insulated sleeves allows the chromatography columns to be positioned in close proximity to each other. This may decrease the overall size of a serial column chromatography arrangement and may reduce costs by not requiring the column ovens.

A method comprising: introducing a sample volume into an inlet end of a liquid chromatography column, wherein the liquid chromatography column includes a focusing segment proximal to the inlet end of the liquid chromatography column and a separation segment proximal to an elute outlet of the liquid chromatography column; maintaining only the focusing segment at a first temperature as the sample is introduced into the focusing segment; and subsequently heating the focusing segment to a second temperature that is higher than the first temperature after the entire sample volume has been introduced into the focusing segment.