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.

A separating column for use with a filling tube to prepare for chromatography is disclosed. The separating column includes an axially movable spring stamp; and a plurality of springs coupled to the stamp. Moreover, the stamp is depressed directly into the column tube during column packing via the filling tube. Additionally, the stamp is fixed in the column tube while maintaining the packing pressure so that the springs are compressed during the packing process and press the stamp permanently and dynamically onto a chromatographic bed.

Superficially porous particles are provided. Aspects of the superficially porous particles include a non-porous inner core and a porous outer shell that includes inner and outer porous regions. The inner porous region can include ordered cylindrical pores substantially perpendicular to the non-porous inner core. The outer porous region can include conical pores which extend to the surface of the particles and which are in fluid communication with the cylindrical pores of the inner porous region. Also provided are methods of making the subject superficially porous particles. Aspects of the methods include subjecting substantially solid inorganic oxide particles to agitation in an aqueous solution in the presence of a first cationic surfactant and a second anionic surfactant, which together form micelles, to pseudomorphically transform the particles.

Chromatography apparatus and methods are described, especially for expanded bed adsorption. A column tube has a process fluid input device at the bottom and a movable piston in the top. The piston is enclosed in the column by a cover plate. The piston body has an inflatable seal, and is connected by a frame to a contact ring which carries another inflatable member to contact the tube wall. Process fluid leaves the operating volume through an opening of the piston and flexible hose, through the enclosed space and out through the cover plate. The space above the piston can be pressurised to control piston movement. The contact ring maintains piston alignment. The inflatable seals are used to fix the piston in position, allow it to slide or allow washing. The piston outlet may include a vortex-inhibitor. Bed and piston levels may be monitored by ultrasound sensors.

Particle loading assembly and method for loading particles into a vessel to form a densely packed particle bed comprising an inner layer of particles and an outer layer of particles. The inner layer of particles is arranged radially and concentric with the outer layer of particles. The inner layer of particles contains at least a first type of particle of different granulometry or range of composition or both granulometry and range of composition from a second type of particles contained in the outer layer.

The invention provides methods for preparing a polymer-grafted and functionalized nonwoven membrane adapted for use in separation processes. The invention further provides so-formed membranes as well as improved separation methods utilizing the membranes. The polymer-grafted and functionalized nonwoven membranes are particularly formed utilizing thermal grafting. In particular, an acrylate or methacrylate polymer can be grafted onto a nonwoven web comprising a plurality of polymeric fibers to form a plurality of polymer segments covalently attached to the polymeric fibers. Thermal grafting particularly can comprise using a thermal initiator and exposing the nonwoven web to heat to initiate polymerization of the acrylate or methacrylate monomer. The grafted polymeric fibers can be functionalized to attach at least one functional group adapted for binding to a target molecule to the polymer segments of the grafted polymeric fibers.

Systems include a chromatography column tube having an inlet and outlet and port assembly arranged in a wall of the column tube between flow distributors that together form a chamber within the tube that is filled with packing medium are described. The port assembly facilitates the removal of resin from the pre-packed column and the port assembly does not affect fluid flow in the normal use of the column for chromatographic separation or ability to maintain sanitary conditions within the column. Also described are methods that include attaching tubing to a pump and to a column inlet and a column outlet, opening the port assembly, attaching tubing to the port assembly and to a second reservoir, and pumping aqueous solution from a reservoir into the chamber and out through the port assembly into the second reservoir, thereby removing packing medium from the column along with the flowing aqueous solution.

Liquid chromatography techniques are disclosed. Specifically, the liquid chromatography technique includes providing a liquid chromatography system having a coated metallic fluid-contacting element, and transporting a fluid to contact the coated metallic fluid-contacting element. Conditions for the transporting of the fluid are selected from the group consisting of the temperature of the fluid being greater than 150? C., pressure urging the fluid being greater than 60 MPa, the fluid having a protein-containing analyte incompatible with one or both of titanium and polyether ether ketone, the fluid having a chelating agent incompatible with the one or both of the titanium or the polyether ether ketone, and combinations thereof.

A lattice and distribution network for a stackable chromatography cassette comprising: a peripheral seal; at least one screen forming the lattice surrounded by the peripheral seal, each at least one screen comprising a plurality of struts in a latticed arrangement; a first internal distribution network fluidly coupled to the lattice and surrounded by the peripheral seal; a second internal distribution network disposed opposite the first internal distribution network, fluidly coupled to the lattice and surrounded by the peripheral seal; wherein a direction of fluid flow is established from the first internal distribution network through the lattice to the second internal distribution network; and wherein preferential streamlines are minimized.

A method of 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.