Abstract: A system and method for nondestructive detection of gas in a sealed container. The system includes a light source housed in a light source housing and configured to emit a light beam for absorption in a substance to be measured, a detector housed in a detector housing and configured to detect the emitted light beam, a zone that accepts one or more of the sealed containers, each container being substantially optically transparent and containing the substance to be measured, the zone located between the detector and the light source, the light source configured to transmit the light beam through the zone, and a light source purging system comprising a light source channel surrounding the light source and positioned between the light source and the housing, the light source channel configured to expel purge gas from a purge gas source into the zone.

Abstract: A system and method for nondestructive detection of gas in a sealed container. The system includes a light source housed in a light source housing and configured to emit a light beam for absorption in a substance to be measured, a detector housed in a detector housing and configured to detect the emitted light beam, a zone that accepts one or more of the sealed containers, each container being substantially optically transparent and containing the substance to be measured, the zone located between the detector and the light source, the light source configured to transmit the light beam through the zone, and a light source purging system comprising a light source channel surrounding the light source and positioned between the light source and the detector housing, the light source channel configured to expel purge gas from a purge gas source into the zone.

Abstract: A pleated filter element includes a composite depth filter medium formed into a plurality of pleats. The composite depth filter medium includes a plurality of depth filter media layers. Each of the plurality of depth filter media layers includes adsorber particulate matter. Each of the plurality of depth filter media layers may have a thickness less than about 1300 microns. The plurality of depth filter media layers may have at least 50% by weight of adsorber particulate matter.

Abstract: A pleated filter element includes a composite depth filter medium formed into a plurality of pleats. The composite depth filter medium includes a plurality of depth filter media layers. Each of the plurality of depth filter media layers includes adsorber particulate matter. Each of the plurality of depth filter media layers may have a thickness less than about 1300 microns. The plurality of depth filter media layers may have at least 50% by weight of adsorber particulate matter.

Abstract: An apparatus for use in liquid chromatography involves a column filled with media bounded axially by first and second porous plates. The column has an inlet end with an inflow region between the inlet end and the first porous plate. The column also has an outlet end with an outflow region between the outlet end and the second porous plate. The inflow region may be substantially longer than the outflow region. The porous plates may be moveable under pressure so as to compress the media.

Abstract: An apparatus for use in liquid chromatography involves a column filled with media bounded axially by first and second porous plates. The column has an inlet end with an inflow region between the inlet end and the first porous plate. The column also has an outlet end with an outflow region between the outlet end and the second porous plate. The inflow region may be substantially longer than the outflow region. The porous plates may be moveable under pressure so as to compress the media.

Abstract: An apparatus for use in liquid chromatography involves a column filled with media bounded axially by at least one porous member. The column has an inlet end with an inflow region between the inlet and a porous member. The inflow region may be sufficiently long so that a chromatography sample module may be disposed therein. The column may be sufficiently long so that a chromatography sample module may be disposed therein. The column may also have an outlet end with an outflow region between the outlet end and a second porous member. The inflow region may be substantially longer than the outflow region. The porous members may be moveable relative to the column.

Abstract: A chromatography cartridge assembly includes a cartridge and first and second end caps. A wall of the cartridge defines a chamber for containing chromatography media. The end caps define inlet and outlet passages, respectively, for flow of process fluid. The first end cap defines flow distributor passages for distributing process fluid across a cross-sectional area of the chamber, and the second end cap defines flow collector passages for collecting process fluid from across a cross-sectional area of the chamber. A clamp is circumferentially located about the cartridge wall for applying a radial load through the wall to the first end cap to fix the first end cap in a desired position.

Abstract: An apparatus and method for sealing cartridges used in liquid chromatography. Such cartridges are commonly filled with media beds that are bounded axially by porous plates. The invention involves one or two sealing heads. Each sealing head comprises two slidably connected head pieces and an elastomeric sealing member. The head pieces and the elastomeric sealing member are sized to slide easily into an open end of a cartridge when the elastomeric sealing member is uncompressed. After insertion, relative movement of the head pieces compresses the elastomeric sealing member and causes the elastomeric sealing member to expand laterally so that it forms a seal against the cartridge, when the sealing head is pressed against the media bed or porous plate. An alternate sealing head comprises a plurality of head pieces and a plurality of annular elastomeric sealing members. One of the head pieces contains a body portion on which the other head pieces and the sealing members are slidably mounted.

Abstract: An apparatus and method for sealing a plurality of columns containing media for use in liquid chromatography. The invention involves two sealing assemblies, each having a plurality of sealing heads. The sealing heads are sized to receive ends of the columns and to seal the columns when the heads are compressed. Compressive force is exerted by or through springs to permit the sealing heads to adapt to the length of the media bed within each column. The apparatus may include a pressure containment vessel for subjecting the columns to radial compression.

Abstract: Apparatus for simultaneously supplying solvent to a plurality of chromatography columns using a plurality of pumps. Each pump has a chamber with a movable solvent piston therein and inflow and outflow valves. The outflow valve of each pump is connected to a respective chromatography column. The solvent pistons are simultaneously moved in one direction to pull solvent into the respective chambers until all pistons have achieved an adjustable stop position corresponding to a desired delivery volume. The solvent pistons are then simultaneously moved in the opposite direction to deliver solvent to the respective columns until all pistons have delivered the desired delivery volumes. The solvent pistons are driven by a common pneumatic or hydraulic system.

Abstract: A chromatography cartridge assembly includes a cartridge with a flexible wall defining a chamber, and a porous, polymeric, hydrophilic, chromatography media contained within the chamber. The chromatography media has an operating pressure rating greater than 3 bars. The flexible wall forms a movable diaphragm for compressing the chromatography media. The chromatography cartridge assembly includes a flow distributor, flow collector, and sieves formed from a hydrophilic material. A compression module defines a pressure chamber for containing a pressurized fluid. The pressurized fluid acts to move the flexible wall of the cartridge assembly. The compression module has a pressure ratings greater than 3 bars.

Abstract: Chromatography apparatus including an enclosure having a pressurizable chamber sized to removably receive a chromatography cartridge therein and an opening to the chamber, and a cap that closes the opening and has a flow passage for directing a sample to be analyzed to the cartridge, the cap having a sharp protruding member that surrounds the flow opening and makes sealable engagement with the cartridge by digging into the cartridge.