Patent ID: 8828234

Claim:
A continuous purification method for chromatographic separations comprising: connecting a plurality of connectors of a manifold to one or more chromatographic separation columns and/or feed or extraction tubing; providing at least one central duct between at least two connectors forming an inlet and an outlet to the manifold respectively, the duct comprising a closable duct valve; providing a plurality of branch ducts branching from the central duct to a branch connector; and positioning at least one branch duct between the inlet and the central duct valve and at least one branch duct between the outlet and the central duct valve; further comprising continuously pumping feed and or extraction flow through said columns and tubes; wherein, during chromatographic separation, at least two process steps of a loading, washing, eluting, regenerating and equilibrating are simultaneously carried out in respective process zones formed by columns that may be connected by an open central duct valve in open position; which process zones are separated by a central duct valve in closed position.