An apparatus and system for contacting a mobile elongate solid phase, e.g. a ribbon with a flowing fluid phase, and a method for using the same in, for example solid phase synthesis. A particular apparatus comprises (i) a conduit which is of circular or non-circular transverse cross section and which defines a lumen to contain both the flowing fluid phase and the mobile elongate solid phase; (ii) fluid phase ports in communication with the lumen to allow the fluid phase to enter the lumen, flow through it and exit it; and (iii) solid phase ports in communication with the lumen to allow the mobile solid phase to enter the lumen, move through it and exit it, the apparatus being adapted to prevent fluid egress from its interior through the solid phase ports.

A system and method are disclosed. A system for contacting a mobile solid phase with a flowing fluid phase includes: one or more reaction module, wherein the one or more reaction module comprises a conduit for the passage of a fluid phase and a solid phase, the conduit comprising a fluid input port and a fluid outlet port, and a first service module operably connected to a first side of a reaction module, the first service module for supplying and/or receiving the fluid phase to and/or from the reaction module, wherein the system is configured for passing a solid phase through the reaction module, via the conduit.