Principles of the design and operational considerations of large scale high performance liquid chromatography (HPLC) systems for proteins and peptides purification

This review introduces concepts of design of large scale HPLC systems for purification of proteins and peptides. It is addressed to users of large scale HPLC systems to aid in system selection and help in customizing the design. Major techniques used for large scale HPLC purification of proteins and peptides are briefly reviewed. Engineering aspects of system design are discussed in detail. The review of selected relevant literature is provided as well as author's experience with the existing designs and his own systems. Commercial publications have been used in preparation of this review but only the most significant are listed as examples. The design process for any new system should be related to the performance of existing systems, if possible of a large scale. Laboratory data are also very useful in aiding the design process since they provide a lead, as to which chromatography techniques may succeed in providing required separation levels. The expertise needed for system design and operation comes from many areas: protein and peptide chemistry, chromatographic theory, mass transfer and hydrodynamics, machine design and material science. All these factors have to be blended together during the system design process. The controls must ensure flexibility in adapting to changing system configuration, depending on the operational requirements for various products. Extensive interfacing with the operator during the process run is essential. This work is focused mostly on system design and operation for reversed-phase chromatography and hydrophobic interaction chromatography, but it also covers aspects associated with other chromatographic techniques. The reviewed design principles would also apply to design other than HPLC large scale chromatography systems for biotechnology and pharmaceutical operations.