A valve block comprising: a pressure plate comprising: a channel configured to receive a first fluid; and a recess in a surface of the pressure plate, wherein the channel and the recess are fluidly connected; a fluid transfer block comprising: an inlet connection configured to receive a second fluid; an outlet connection; a fluid transfer plate comprising a plurality of valve inlet bores each fluidly connected to the inlet connection, a plurality of valve outlet bores each fluidly connected to the outlet connection, wherein the plurality of valve inlet bores are surrounded, at least in part, by the plurality of valve outlet bores; wherein the valve block further comprises a diaphragm between the pressure plate and the fluid transfer block, wherein the plurality of valve inlet bores and the plurality of valve outlet bores are adjacent to the recess, the valve block being characterized in that the fluid transfer block further comprises a channel plate comprising: an inlet distribution groove and an inlet channel, wherein the plurality of valve inlet bores, the inlet connection, the inlet distribution groove and the inlet channel are fluidly connected; and an outlet groove and an outlet collection groove, wherein the plurality of valve outlet bores are fluidly connected to the outlet connection via the outlet collection groove and the outlet groove. a pressure plate comprising: a channel configured to receive a first fluid; and a recess in a surface of the pressure plate, wherein the channel and the recess are fluidly connected; a channel configured to receive a first fluid; and a recess in a surface of the pressure plate, wherein the channel and the recess are fluidly connected; a fluid transfer block comprising: an inlet connection configured to receive a second fluid; an outlet connection; a fluid transfer plate comprising a plurality of valve inlet bores each fluidly connected to the inlet connection, a plurality of valve outlet bores each fluidly connected to the outlet connection, an inlet connection configured to receive a second fluid; an outlet connection; a fluid transfer plate comprising a plurality of valve inlet bores each fluidly connected to the inlet connection, a plurality of valve outlet bores each fluidly connected to the outlet connection, wherein the plurality of valve inlet bores are surrounded, at least in part, by the plurality of valve outlet bores; wherein the valve block further comprises a diaphragm between the pressure plate and the fluid transfer block, wherein the plurality of valve inlet bores and the plurality of valve outlet bores are adjacent to the recess, the valve block being characterized in that the fluid transfer block further comprises a channel plate comprising: an inlet distribution groove and an inlet channel, wherein the plurality of valve inlet bores, the inlet connection, the inlet distribution groove and the inlet channel are fluidly connected; and an outlet groove and an outlet collection groove, wherein the plurality of valve outlet bores are fluidly connected to the outlet connection via the outlet collection groove and the outlet groove. an inlet distribution groove and an inlet channel, wherein the plurality of valve inlet bores, the inlet connection, the inlet distribution groove and the inlet channel are fluidly connected; and an outlet groove and an outlet collection groove, wherein the plurality of valve outlet bores are fluidly connected to the outlet connection via the outlet collection groove and the outlet groove.