Preparative Chromatography Columns & Column-Packing Systems
Preparative Chromatography Columns & Column-Packing Systems
Mechotech designs and manufactures preparative chromatography columns and the electrically-driven packing systems that fill them, engineered for peptide, protein, API and natural-product purification. Built around a recyclable, spring-loaded dynamic-axial-compression (DAC) design, each column holds the packed bed under constant, uniform pressure so it stays stable, homogeneous and efficient wash after wash. Available in internal diameters from 25 to 200 mm with adjustable bed lengths of roughly 5 to 40 cm, the columns are compatible with silica and polymeric media across every common separation mode. The matched packing station compresses the bed electrically — with no compressed gas — for a safe, repeatable, high-density pack every time.
A Mechotech chromatography column is a high-pressure, all-media-compatible vessel in which a moving piston keeps the stationary-phase bed continuously compressed, eliminating the voids and channels that degrade resolution over a campaign. Product-contact surfaces are electropolished stainless steel with chemically inert seals, and an optional water jacket lets the whole bed be held at a set temperature for reproducible, temperature-sensitive separations. Columns are rated for a maximum operating pressure of up to about 345 bar yet run at ultra-low column pressure during packing, which protects fragile media and extends resin life. The dedicated packing station uses a pulseless piston with adjustable speed, is offered in an explosion-proof (EX) configuration for flammable-solvent areas, and is built to CE, ISO 9001 and PED practice; Mechotech also provides an on-site column-packing and re-packing service so users can commission or refresh a bed to a verified efficiency specification.
Technical Specifications
| Column Type | Recyclable spring-loaded dynamic-axial-compression (DAC) column |
|---|---|
| Internal Diameter | 25–200 mm (configurable) |
| Bed Length | ~5–40 cm, adjustable |
| Maximum Operating Pressure | Up to ~345 bar (configured to model) |
| Packing Pressure | Ultra-low column pressure, media-protective |
| Media Compatibility | Silica and polymeric, all common modes |
| Separation Modes | Normal phase, RPC, IEX, HIC, affinity, Protein A, chiral |
| Product-contact Material | Electropolished stainless steel with inert seals |
| Temperature Control | Optional water jacket (configurable) |
| Packing Drive | Electrically-driven, gas-free, pulseless piston |
| Packing Speed | Adjustable / variable speed |
| Hazardous-Area Option | Explosion-proof (EX) packing station |
| Compliance | CE, ISO 9001, PED practice (generic) |
| Service | On-site column packing and re-packing to efficiency spec |
Plant Capacities
| Column ID | Scale | Bed Length | Max Pressure |
|---|---|---|---|
| 25 mm | Method development / small prep | ~5–40 cm | up to ~345 bar |
| 30 mm | Method development / small prep | ~5–40 cm | up to ~345 bar |
| 40 mm | Laboratory prep | ~5–40 cm | up to ~345 bar |
| 50 mm | Laboratory / pilot prep | ~5–40 cm | up to ~345 bar |
| 70 mm | Pilot scale | ~5–40 cm | up to ~345 bar |
| 100 mm | Small production | ~5–40 cm | up to ~345 bar |
| 150 mm | Production | ~5–40 cm | up to ~345 bar |
| 200 mm | Process / commercial | ~5–40 cm | up to ~345 bar |
Standard column internal diameters; bed length is adjustable within the piston travel and the maximum pressure rating is configured to each model. The matched electrically-driven packing station, optional water jacket and seal set are scaled to the column — larger and custom diameters on request.
Manufacturing Process
Media & Column Selection
The separation mode, target purity and batch size set the choice of stationary phase and the column internal diameter and bed length — from 25 mm analytical-prep up to 200 mm process scale.
Slurry Preparation
The chosen silica or polymeric media is suspended in a compatible solvent to a controlled slurry concentration, ensuring an even particle distribution before it enters the column.
Electrically-Driven Packing
The packing station drives the piston electrically — with no compressed gas — compressing the slurry into a dense, uniform, void-free bed at a pulseless, adjustable speed.
Dynamic Axial Compression
The spring-loaded piston keeps the packed bed under constant axial pressure throughout operation, so it stays homogeneous and stable even as mobile-phase flow and pressure change.
Efficiency Qualification
The freshly packed bed is tested for plate count, asymmetry and back-pressure so the column is released against a documented efficiency specification.
Purification Run
Sample is loaded and eluted at up to ~345 bar; an optional water jacket holds the bed at a set temperature for reproducible, temperature-sensitive separations.
Cleaning & Regeneration
Between batches the bed is cleaned, sanitised and re-equilibrated in place; the recyclable design lets the same column and media be reused across many campaigns.
Re-Packing Service
When a bed reaches end of life it is unpacked and re-packed — on site or by Mechotech's packing service — restoring efficiency without replacing the column hardware.
Applications
- Preparative and process purification of synthetic and recombinant peptides
- Protein and monoclonal-antibody capture and polishing
- Small-molecule API and intermediate purification
- Isolation of natural-product actives, alkaloids and flavonoids
- Chiral separation of enantiomers for pharmaceutical use
- Desalting, buffer exchange and fraction polishing
- Nutraceutical, food and cosmetic ingredient purification
- Process scale-up from laboratory method to production campaign
Key Features
Recyclable Dynamic-Axial-Compression Design
A spring-loaded piston keeps the bed under constant compression, so it stays void-free and efficient across repeated packs and campaigns.
Gas-Free Electrically-Driven Packing
The column is packed by an electric drive rather than compressed gas, giving a safer, cleaner and highly repeatable high-density bed.
All-Media Compatibility
Columns accept silica and polymeric stationary phases across normal-phase, reverse-phase, ion-exchange, HIC, affinity and chiral modes.
Wide ID & Adjustable Bed Length
Internal diameters from 25 to 200 mm and bed lengths of about 5 to 40 cm cover method development through full production scale.
High Pressure, Low Packing Stress
Rated to a maximum of around 345 bar for demanding separations, yet packed at ultra-low column pressure to protect delicate media.
Optional Water Jacket & EX-Proof Station
A water jacket holds the bed at a set temperature, while the explosion-proof, pulseless, adjustable-speed packing station suits flammable-solvent areas — built to CE, ISO 9001 and PED practice.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is a dynamic-axial-compression (DAC) chromatography column?
Why is the column packed electrically instead of with compressed gas?
What column sizes and pressures are available?
Which stationary phases and modes do the columns support?
What is the optional water jacket for?
Do you provide a column-packing service?
Does Mechotech supply the column and packing system turnkey?
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