Method and devices for dry loading of chromatography resins
A module ( 1 ) for dry loading and unloading of a chromatography resin, a chromatography column ( 3 ) and a method for using such a module ( 1 ). The column ( 3 ) comprises an inlet valve ( 39 ) adapted to load dry chromatography resin particles and an outlet port ( 35 ) for pumping the air from de column ( 3 ). The outlet port ( 35 ) is located above the inlet valve ( 39 ).
1. A chromatography column comprising:
an enclosure, a first port and a second port,
said first port being provided with an inlet valve,
said enclosure being in communication with a tank via said inlet valve and with a pump via said second port, said tank comprising a dry chromatography resin made of particles having a size distributed between a minimum size and a maximum size,
wherein said inlet valve comprises a chamber, an inlet duct and a piston,
the chamber communicating with the enclosure through a first aperture,
the inlet duct communicating with the chamber through a second aperture and being connected to the tank, and
the piston being movable in the chamber between a closing position, where it closes the first and second apertures, and an opening position, where it opens the first and second apertures and it lets free substantially all the space of the chamber between the first and second apertures.
2. The chromatography column of claim 1 , wherein the enclosure, when in use, extends vertically between a bottom and a top, the second port being located above the first port.
3. The chromatography column of claim 1 , wherein the valve defines a passage between a pipe connected to the inlet duct and the enclosure, said passage having a minimum section which corresponds to the section of any of the first and second apertures.
4. The chromatography column of claim 3 , wherein the minimum section of the passage is at least 10 000 times as large as the particle section corresponding to the maximum size particles.
5. The chromatography column of claim 1 , wherein the piston when in closing position has an end surface with a tapered shape, said end surface having a portion which is flush with the internal surface of the enclosure.
6. The chromatography column of claim 1 , wherein the first port forms a passage having a minimum section corresponding to at least a minimum internal diameter of 20 mm.