Patent ID: 7051758

Claim:
A uniform fluid distribution system ( 2 ) for use with a chromatography column including a cell of circular cross-section or rectilinear cross-section into which liquid may be introduced as discrete phases at an inlet zone occupying a first approximately transverse cross-sectional region of said cell and output at an outlet zone occupying a second approximately transverse cross-sectional region of said cell, said distribution system ( 2 ) comprising at least one liquid inlet ( 24 ) and one distribution outlet ( 32 : 32 ′), which are connected by an internal flow connection system ( 36 ), wherein, said distribution outlet ( 32 ) consists of an annular or rectilinear distribution-slot ( 32 : 32 ′) with a radius or distance to the midpoint r between an inner slot-radius or distance from the cell centre and an outer slot-radius or distance from the cell centre, said radii or distances from the cell centre defining a slot-width w, through which annular distribution-slot ( 32 ) or rectilinear slot ( 32 ′) liquid entering said inlet is distributed to said cell along an approximately horizontal plane, wherein the distribution-slot ( 32 : 32 ′) is arranged between an associated central distribution-area (A 1 ) extending inwards from r to the centre of the cell, and a peripheral distribution-area (A 2 ) extending outwards from r to the edge of the cell, and the radius or distance r of the distribution-slot ( 32 : 32 ′) from the centre of the cell is such that the central distribution-area (A 1 ) is smaller than the peripheral distribution-area (A 2 ).