An illustrative valve block includes a pressure plate, a fluid transfer block, and a diaphragm. The pressure plate includes a pressure channel configured to receive a pressurized first fluid and a recess in a surface of the pressure plate. The pressure channel and the recess are fluidly connected. The fluid transfer block includes an inlet connection configured to receive a second fluid and an outlet connection. The fluid transfer block also includes a plurality of valve inlet bores each fluidly connected to the inlet connection. The plurality of valve inlet bores are distributed along at least part of a first circular shape. The fluid transfer block further includes a plurality of valve outlet bores each fluidly connected to the outlet connection.

The present invention relates to the extraction of lithium from liquid resources such as natural and synthetic brines, leachate solutions from clays and minerals, and recycled products.

A method for operating a chromatography setup of a bioprocess installation with a plurality of chromatography columns, each with a column inlet and a column outlet, and a valve switching cassette with a group of inlet ports, a group of outlet ports, a group of column-in ports and a group of column-out ports. It is prosed, that a first liquid stream of concentrated buffer is introduced into a first internal liquid line via a first inlet port and that a second liquid stream of diluent is introduced into a second internal liquid line via a second inlet port, that in a dilution process, the array of valve units is switched as to create a third liquid stream by merging the first liquid stream and the second liquid stream at a merging location within the valve switching cassette.

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 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.

Adsorptive bed devices include a scaffold in housing having a stress absorbing rigid structure and open cells filled with adsorptive beads. The scaffold restricts movement of the plurality of adsorptive beads, absorbs stress induced by a hydraulic pressure gradient along a direction of liquid flow and transfers a portion of the induced compressive stress to the housing. In one embodiment the adsorptive bed is packed into a chromatography column, and in another embodiment the adsorptive bed is sealed in a monolithic block. In another embodiment, the adsorptive bed device includes an adsorptive block, first and second planar distributors and peripheral seal. The adsorptive media includes multiple layers of planarly cohesive media and when operated in a shallow bed configuration possesses significant tensile strength along its planar dimensions enabling it to support the hydraulic pressures that will be generated by the fluids being processed through the adsorptive devices.

An illustrative valve block includes a plate, a fluid transfer block, and a diaphragm. The plate includes a channel configured to receive a first fluid and a recess connected to the channel. The fluid transfer block includes an inlet connection configured to receive a second fluid and an outlet connection. The fluid transfer block also includes a plurality of valve inlet bores connected to the inlet connection. The plurality of valve inlet bores are distributed along at least part of a first curved shape. The fluid transfer block further includes a plurality of valve outlet bores each fluidly connected to the outlet connection. The plurality of valve outlet bores are distributed along at least part of a second curved shape. The diaphragm is between the pressure plate and the fluid transfer block. The plurality of valve inlet bores and the plurality of valve outlet bores adjoin the recess.

A simulated moving-bed type chromatographic separation method including: using a circulation system in which three or more unit packed columns each filled with an adsorbent are connected in series, dividing the circulation system into at least three-sections annularly continuous from an upstream side to a downstream side so that each section has at least one of the unit packed columns, and separating, by using an eluent, a weakly, a strongly, and an intermediately adsorptive component having adsorption performance on the adsorbent, which performance is intermediate between the previous two components, the weakly, strongly, and intermediately adsorptive components being included in a feed solution, wherein positions of supplying the feed solution, extracting the weakly adsorptive fraction, extracting the intermediately adsorptive fraction, and extracting the strongly adsorptive fraction have a specific relationship. A chromatographic separation system carries out the chromatographic separation method.

A simulated moving bed process using dual, parallel rotary valves configured or plumbed to be operated independently in which the step times of the rotary valves are staggered. In embodiments, the second rotary valve is programmed to step about halfway through the step time of the first rotary valve. Staggering the step time of the parallel rotary valves, rather than utilizing simultaneous stepping, results in increased net composite paraxylene concentration of the extract stream, allowing for increased capacity of the simulated moving bed process and/or reduced energy consumption.

Various embodiments are directed to a valve switching system for selectively interconnecting components of a bioprocess installation, comprising a valve switching cassette and an actuator block. It is proposed, that the valve switching cassette comprises a perforated backer plate securing a valve membrane structure to a cassette manifold, that the actuator block comprises a drive membrane structure with at least one drive membrane and a perforated backer plate securing the drive membrane structure to an actuator block body, wherein for selectively switching valve units, an actuator of the actuator block may urge the drive membrane structure through aligned perforation holes of both backer plates into engagement with the valve membrane structure.