LIQUID CHROMATOGRAPHY COLUMN ADAPTED FOR IN SITU CHEMICAL STERILIZATION

摘要

A liquid chromatography column (101) well-suited for in situ sterilization effected by washing with a sterilization solution. In a preferred embodiment, the column (101) comprises a liquid chromatography tube (13) packed with a liquid chromatography resin. A piston assembly (15) is mounted within the liquid chromatography tube (13) towards the upper end thereof, the piston assembly (15) including an upper portion (15-1) and a lower portion (15-2), the lower portion (15-2) being shaped to include a fluid distribution channel (23) and a downwardly-extending collar (24), the downwardly-extending collar (24) including an annular slot (29) and defining an orifice (25) in fluid communication with the fluid distribution channel (23). The column (101) further includes a distributor (103) for distributing fluid conducted through the fluid distribution channel (23) over the entirety of the orifice (25), the distributor (103) being positioned over the liquid chromatography resin and a corrugated expanding ring (105) for mounting the distributor (103) within the orifice (25), the corrugated expanding ring being mounted in an annular slot (29).