Rigid chromatography resin, such as ProSep-vA High Capacity from Merck Millipore, offers the advantage of higher operating flow rates irrespective of column diameter which improves process time and maximizes productivity. However, the rigidity and irregularly-shaped nature often present challenges in achieving consistent and uniform packed beds as formation of bridges between resin particles can hinder bed consolidation. The standard flow-pack method when applied to rigid resins do not result in well-consolidated packed beds, resulting in formation of a head space and increased band broadening during operation. The use of external mechanical force through a vibrating device is recommended to achieve full packed bed consolidation but limitations in manufacturing facilities and equipment may hinder the implementation of such devices. The stop-flow packing method was developed as an improvement over the flow-pack method to overcome these limitations and to improve bed consolidation without the use of vibrating devices. Transition analysis of large-scale columns packed using the stop-flow method over multiple cycles has shown a three-fold reduction of change in bed integrity values as compared to a flow-packed bed demonstrating an improvement in packed bed stability.

Packing large scale chromatography column with rigid and irregularly shaped resin using stop-flow method

247th National Meeting (2014)

The official archive and repository for all ACS Meetings & Expositions abstracts and select posters or presentations.