The present invention relates to a valve unit (100) for a chromatography apparatus, the valve unit comprising a fluid inlet (110) configured to receive an input fluid, a fluid outlet (120) configured to provide an output fluid, a first pair of fluid ports (131,132) configured to be coupled to a first column, a second pair (141,142) of fluid ports configured to be coupled to a second column, a coupling valve assembly (200) configured to direct fluid between a selection of the fluid inlet (110), the fluid outlet (120), the first pair of fluid ports (131,132) and the second pair of fluid ports (141,142) in response to one or more control signals, wherein the coupling valve assembly is configured to direct fluid using a selection of membrane valves coupled by fluid channels comprised in a body of the coupling valve assembly. The invention further relates to a chromatography apparatus comprising the valve unit and a membrane valve comprised in the valve unit.

Certain embodiments of the invention provides a method for monitoring level of saturation of a chromatography media in a column, which method comprises measuring a first pressure at the inlet of an unloaded column; measuring a second pressure at the inlet from a loaded column; and comparing the first and second pressure measurement to determine the level of saturation of the chromatography media. Embodiments of the invention also provide related methods for controlling a chromatography system and methods for controlling a periodic counter current chromatography system, as well as a chromatography system suitable for use with the novel methods.

Certain embodiments of the invention provides a method for monitoring level of saturation of a chromatography media in a column, which method comprises measuring a first pressure at the inlet of an unloaded column; measuring a second pressure at the inlet from a loaded column; and comparing the first and second pressure measurement to determine the level of saturation of the chromatography media. Embodiments of the invention also provide related methods for controlling a chromatography system and methods for controlling a periodic counter current chromatography system, as well as a chromatography system suitable for use with the novel methods.

Disclosed is a device for chromatographic separations comprising: a manifold comprising a manifold body defining an elongate central duct, the central duct comprising a centrally-located closable duct valve providing selective fluid communication

Go between a first portion of the central duct and an opposed second portion of the central duct, a first plurality of connectors, each connector of the first plurality of connectors for connecting to a distinct chromatographic separation column and/or feed or extraction tubing or to a connector of an adjacent manifold; a second plurality of connectors, each connector of the second plurality of connectors for connecting to a distinct chromatographic separation column and/or feed or extraction tubing or to a connector of an adjacent manifold; wherein said manifold body further defines: a first plurality of branch ducts, each branch duct of which extending from the first portion of the central duct to an individual one of the first plurality of connectors, each of the branch ducts of the first plurality of branch ducts comprising a closable branch valve providing selectable fluid communication between a respective connector and the first portion of the central duct, a second plurality of branch ducts, each branch duct of which extending from the second portion of the central duct to an individual one of the second plurality of connectors, each of the branch ducts of the second plurality of branch ducts comprising a closable branch valve providing selectable fluid communication between a respective connector and the second portion of the central duct; first and second ports in fluid communication with the centrally-located closable duct valve wherein said first port communicates with said first portion of the central duct and said second port communicates with said second portion of said central duct, wherein one of said first and second ports is further positioned to communicate with said central duct at a location between the centrally-located closable duct valve and the first and second plurality of branch ducts, respectively.

A dispersed mobile-phase countercurrent chromatography system is described in which solutes are carried by a stream of dispersed mobile phase solvent through a column, or array of serially-connected columns, of stationary phase solvent with which the mobile phase solvent is immiscible. Solutes carried along by the stream of dispersed mobile-phase solvent will be equilibrated between the mobile-phase solvent and the stationary-phase solvent. Because the mobile-phase is dispersed into mini-droplets much smaller in diameter than the column of stationary phase, the enhanced surface/volume ratio of the droplets expedites countercurrent equilibration of different solutes between the mobile-phase solvent and the stationary-phase solvent in accordance with the distribution-coefficients of the solutes between the two solvents. As a result, a solute with a distribution coefficient that favors its dissolving in the stationary phase will be retarded in its migration through the columns compared to a solute with a distribution coefficient that favors its dissolving in the mobile phase. The different migration rates of different solutes bring about their chromatographic separation on the columns, effectively combining the advantages of countercurrent distribution (e.g., elimination of any solid chromatographic matrix, and therefore losses of solutes due to adsorption to the solid matrix and contamination of separated solutes by impurities leached from the solid matrix) and liquid column chromatography (e.g., continuous mode of operation, and scalable from analytical to large industrial separations without any centrifugal or discontinuous mechanical steps).

A dispersed mobile-phase countercurrent chromatography system is described in which solutes are carried by a stream of dispersed mobile phase solvent through a column, or array of serially-connected columns, of stationary phase solvent with which the mobile phase solvent is immiscible. Solutes carried along by the stream of dispersed mobile-phase solvent will be equilibrated between the mobile-phase solvent and the stationary-phase solvent. Because the mobile-phase is dispersed into mini-droplets much smaller in diameter than the column of stationary phase, the enhanced surface/volume ratio of the droplets expedites countercurrent equilibration of different solutes between the mobile-phase solvent and the stationary-phase solvent in accordance with the distribution-coefficients of the solutes between the two solvents. As a result, a solute with a distribution coefficient that favors its dissolving in the stationary phase will be retarded in its migration through the columns compared to a solute with a distribution coefficient that favors its dissolving in the mobile phase. The different migration rates of different solutes bring about their chromatographic separation on the columns, effectively combining the advantages of countercurrent distribution (e.g., elimination of any solid chromatographic matrix, and therefore losses of solutes due to adsorption to the solid matrix and contamination of separated solutes by impurities leached from the solid matrix) and liquid column chromatography (e.g., continuous mode of operation, and scalable from analytical to large industrial separations without any centrifugal or discontinuous mechanical steps).

The object of the invention relates to an extraction cell (100) used in a centrifugal partition chromatograph, which has a cell wall (120) determining a closed extraction chamber (150), as well as an inlet (115) and an outlet (140) ensuring the fluid connection between the extraction chamber (150) and the space outside of the extraction cell (100) formed on essentially opposite parts of the cell wall (120).

The extraction cell (100) according to the invention is constructed asymmetrically from the point of view of the reversibility of the direction of flow used when the centrifugal partition chromatograph is in operation.

The object of the invention relates to an extraction cell (100) used in a centrifugal partition chromatograph, which has a cell wall (120) determining a closed extraction chamber (150), as well as an inlet (115) and an outlet (140) ensuring the fluid connection between the extraction chamber (150) and the space outside of the extraction cell (100) formed on essentially opposite parts of the cell wall (120).

The extraction cell (100) according to the invention is constructed asymmetrically from the point of view of the reversibility of the direction of flow used when the centrifugal partition chromatograph is in operation.

The present invention relates to a chromatography system and a method therefor. The chromatography system comprising an inlet port (102) for receiving a sample, an outlet port (106) for delivering the sample, a detector (201), a column (104), and a valve (202) in fluid communication with the inlet port, the outlet port, the detector, and the column. The valve (202) comprises a first position (304) wherein the inlet port is in fluid communication with the outlet port via a first fluid path comprising the detector and the column, wherein the detector is arranged upstream the column. The valve comprises a second position (404) wherein the inlet port is in fluid communication with the outlet port via a second fluid path comprising the detector and the column, wherein the detector is arranged downstream the column.

The present invention relates to a chromatography system and a method therefor. The chromatography system comprising an inlet port (102) for receiving a sample, an outlet port (106) for delivering the sample, a detector (201), a column (104), and a valve (202) in fluid communication with the inlet port, the outlet port, the detector, and the column. The valve (202) comprises a first position (304) wherein the inlet port is in fluid communication with the outlet port via a first fluid path comprising the detector and the column, wherein the detector is arranged upstream the column. The valve comprises a second position (404) wherein the inlet port is in fluid communication with the outlet port via a second fluid path comprising the detector and the column, wherein the detector is arranged downstream the column.