Chromatography columns, systems and methods
The present invention relates to axial flow chromatography columns, methods for separating one or more analytes in a liquid by the use of such columns, and systems employing such columns. The column comprises a first port and a second port the first port and said second port being at essentially the same level or elevation above the level of the bed space on the chromatography column.
1. A method for pre-packing a disposable, chromatography column prior to shipping and customer use and comprising:
a) providing media slurry for packing the chromatography column;
b) reducing a microbiological burden or sterilizing of the media slurry;
c) providing the chromatography column including a first valve or filling port and a chromatographic bed space formed by first and second end units and a column side wall which is between the first and second end units;
d) introducing via the first valve or filling port, the media slurry into the chromatographic bed space of the chromatography column;
e) removing via a second valve or port, excess liquid from the media slurry, to thereby provide a packed bed of media filling the chromatographic bed space, wherein the second valve or port comprises a passageway which extends through the second end unit,
wherein the first valve or filling port and the second valve or port are both at a same level or elevation.
2. The method of claim 1 , further comprising:
closing the first valve or filling port, after filling.
3. The method of claim 2 , further comprising:
performing an air purging operation of the chromatography column, before customer use.
4. The method of claim 1 , further comprising holding the first and second end units by tension rods.
5. The method of claim 4 , further comprising adjusting a length of the tension rods.
6. The method of claim 1 , further comprising performing the method within a plurality of disposable chromatography columns each of a different column size.
7. A method for separating one or more analytes in a liquid from each other, comprising:
applying said liquid containing said one or more analytes to a disposable, chromatography column, prepacked according to claim 1 , thereby eluting said one or more analytes with a mobile phase in an upflow or a downflow mode; and
collecting fractions of said mobile phase eluting from the chromatography column.
8. A method according to claim 7 , wherein an efficiency of the chromatography column is determined by a system providing a reduced bed height value h, calculated according to a formula as follows:
h
h
=
HETP
d
p
=
L
d
p
1
5.54
(
w
h
V
R
)
2
where:
h reduced plate height value
d p particle diameter
HETP height equivalent of a theoretical plate
L bed height, packed bed
V R retention volume
W h peak width at 50% of max. peak height.