Chromatography column distribution system
A chromatography column distribution system includes a set of first bed support ribs extending radially from an inner, first radial position near the center of the plate to an outer radial position nearer to the periphery of the plate and at least one set of intermediate bed support ribs starting at an intermediate radial position and extending to an outer radial position nearer to the periphery of the plate. Channels are formed between adjacent bed support ribs. The desired local effective channel height varies in accordance with a predetermined formula from the first radial position to the outer radial position. The transverse cross-sectional areas of the ribs or the channels are adapted such that the actual local effective channel height is within 15% of the desired local effective channel height over portions of the distribution system situated between the first radial position and the outer radial position. The length of the portions correspond to at least 80% of the distance between the first and outer radial position and the outer radial position.
1. A chromatography column distribution system comprising:
a plurality of bed support ribs including a first set of bed support ribs and a second set of bed support ribs,
wherein the first set of bed support ribs extends radially from an inner, first radial position near the centre of a plate to an outer radial position adjacent to the periphery of the plate; and
wherein at least one bed support rib from the second set of bed support ribs extends from a second radial position, distant from the centre of the plate, to the outer radial position;
wherein at least one bed support rib from the first set of bed support ribs includes a first tapered portion wherein a width thereof increases outwardly in a direction away from the centre of the plate and tapers in a direction towards the second radial position such that said width decreases, and a second tapered portion adjacent to the second radial position tapers in a direction towards the periphery of the plate, wherein a width of the at least one bed support rib from the first set of bed support ribs is varied by initially increasing its width between the first tapered portion and the second tapered portion, and then, radially outwardly of said increase in width, decreasing the width from the second tapered portion toward the periphery of the plate,
wherein transverse cross-sectional areas of said plurality of bed support ribs are adapted such that a local effective channel height of a channel formed between two bed support ribs is within 15% of a desired local effective channel height over portions of the distribution system situated between said first radial position and said outer radial position, and
wherein a total length of said portions corresponds to at least 80% of the distance between said first radial position and said outer radial position.
2. The chromatography column distribution system of claim 1 , wherein the transverse cross-sectional areas of said plurality of bed support ribs are adapted such that the local effective channel height is within 10% of the desired local effective channel height.
3. The chromatography column distribution system of claim 1 , wherein the transverse cross-sectional areas of said plurality of bed support ribs are adapted such that the local effective channel height is within 5% of the desired local effective channel height.
4. The chromography column distribution system of claim 1 , wherein said local effective channel height varies inversely in proportion to said first radial position.
5. A chromatography column distribution system comprising:
a plurality of bed support ribs including a first set of bed support ribs and a second set of bed support ribs,
wherein the first set of bed support ribs extends radially from an inner, first radial position near the centre of a plate to an outer radial position adjacent to the periphery of the plate; and
wherein at least one bed support rib from the second set of bed support ribs extends from a second radial position, distant from the centre of the plate, to the outer radial position; and
wherein at least one bed support rib from the first set of bed support ribs includes a first tapered portion wherein a width thereof increases in a direction away from a central inlet orifice of the chromatography column distribution system and tapers in a direction towards the second radial position such that said width decreases, and a second tapered portion adjacent to the second radial position tapers in a direction towards the periphery of the plate, wherein a width of the at least one bed support rib from the first set of bed support ribs is varied by initially increasing its width between the first tapered portion to the second tapered portion, and then, radially outwardly of said increase in width, decreasing the width from the second tapered portion to the periphery of the plate.