Patent ID: 9316624
Filing Date: 2016-04-19
CPC Classification: G01N

Claim Text:
1. A chromatography system for monitoring a process condition and in real time adjusting a chromatographic operating parameter to the process condition, the chromatography system comprising: a first chromatography column having an inlet end and an outlet end and adapted to contain a porous matrix; a pump having a continuously variable pumping speed and set to pump a fluid at a continuously variable rate from a reservoir into the inlet end of the chromatography column; a main downstream effluent path extending from the outlet end of the chromatography column, the main downstream effluent path for generally directing an effluent flowing out of the outlet end of the chromatography column; a closeable bifurcated fluid path communicatively coupled to the main downstream effluent path, the closeable bifurcated fluid path including: a first flow path for directing at least a first portion of the effluent back to the reservoir; and a second flow path for directing at least a second portion of the effluent to an exit of the chromatography system; a sensor positioned in the main downstream effluent path and configured to detect at least one signal indicative of the presence or absence of a component in the effluent, wherein the component is indicative of a process condition within the chromatography system; a controller operably connected to the sensor, and to the pump; a first valve operably connected to the controller and positioned in the first flow path such that when the first valve is in an open position, effluent can flow back to the reservoir; and a second valve operably connected to the controller and positioned in the second flow path, such that when the second valve is in an open position, effluent can exit the chromatography system, and wherein the position of the first valve and the position of the second valve are each operably controlled by the controller, wherein the operable connection of the controller to the sensor and to the pump is configured such that the controller can signal the opening and/or closing of the first valve and the second valve and/or the speed of the pump in response to the signal from the sensor, such that when the signal from the sensor indicates the presence of the component or a pre-determined concentration of the component in the effluent the controller signals the opening of the first valve and the closing the second valve.