Chromatography column

Chromatography columns of different types are used in both gas and liquid chromatography: While small-scale columns range from inner diameters of 0.5 cm and withstand pressures of up to 130 MPa,[2] industrial large scale columns reach diameters of up to 2 m and operate at considerable lower pressures (below 1 MPa).

Medium to large columns are almost exclusively operated together with automated systems to decrease the risk of process failure and loss of product.

There is no sharp cut that defines the end of small- and the beginning of medium/pilot scale.

Small scale chromatography columns are mostly intended for design of experiments (DoE); proof of concept; validation (drug manufacture) or research and development experiments.

Columns of this scale category are distinguished by their small dimensions in comparison to chromatography columns intended for larger scales as well as relatively high pressure tolerance and selection of materials in contact with the liquid phase.