Single-Use Quaternary Diaphragm Pumps Help Optimise Radial Flow Chromatography

Quattroflow is offering a full line of single-use quaternary diaphragm pumps that make them ideal for incorporation into radial flow chromatography (RFC) systems that are used to adsorb and purify APIs during the downstream stage of biopharmaceutical production.

Typical chromatography-column design is axial, wherein the chromatographic media (usually a resin) are packed in a flat, broad, pancake-like cylinder, which is both extremely heavy and space-consuming. RFC, on the other hand, takes the horizontal chromatography cylinder and orients it vertically so that the media is wrapped around it, which reduces both the system’s footprint and weight while maintaining the high level of purification and fractionation of the API that is required.

A critical step in optimising the performance of an RFC column is the packing of the chromatography media (resin). Quattroflow pumps — which are available in QF-150, QF-1200, QF-4400, QF-5050 and QF20K sizes — are perfect for this application because their four-piston/four-diaphragm method of design and operation delivers low pulsation, gentle product handling, a large turndown ratio, high flow-rate accuracy, low noise and a compact construction.

All Quattroflow pump models also offer the option of single-use configurations with replaceable plastic heads, which eliminates the need for time-consuming cleaning between batches. This increases the product’s speed-to-market capabilities, which is a crucial consideration when attempting to maximise the product’s availability within its patent window.

For a real-world example of how Quattroflow pumps can optimise the capabilities of RFC systems, a video has been created that focuses on PROXCYS B.V. Downstream Biosystems of The Netherlands and its successful use of quaternary diaphragm pumps in its Pack & Run RFC system. The video can be viewed here or by going to the Pump Solutions Group (PSG) YouTube channel at www.youtube.com/pumpsolutionsgroup and searching for PROXCYS.

Quattroflow, +49 2842 961 0, frericks@almatec.de, www.quattroflow.com.