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 . <EOS>