Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 13
Claim 1
Independent Claim
221 words
A process for the removal of waste metabolites from a metabolite-containing solution by alternately adsorbing and desorbing said metabolites on an adsorbent contained in a plurality of columns, said process coprising alternately delivering said metabolite-containing solution to said first and second adsorbent-containing columns so as to alternately adsorb and desorb said metabolites on said adsorbent in said first and second columns, respectively, said metabolites being adsorbed on said adsorbent during said delivery of said metabolite-containing solution to said columns, and said metabolite-containing solution remaining in contact with said adsorbent during said desorption of said columns, maintaining said first and second columns, respectively, at a first predetermined temperature during said adsorption of said metabolites on said adsorbent, maintaining said first and second columns, respectively, at a second predetermined temperature during said desorption of said metabolite from said adsorbent, said first predetermined temperature being lower than said second predetermined temperature so as to increase the effectiveness of said adsorbent for adsorption of said metabolites therein at said first predetermined temperature, flushing said first and second columns, respectively, with a flushing solution subsequent to desorption of said columns, and terminating the flow of said metabolite-containing solution to said first and second columns, respectively, prior to flushing said columns so that desorption of said columns is carried out substantially without the flow of liquid therein.
Claim 2
Dependent Claim
221 words
A process for the removal of waste metabolites from a metabolite-containing solution by alternately adsorbing and desorbing said metabolites on an adsorbent contained in a plurality of columns, said process coprising alternately delivering said metabolite-containing solution to said first and second adsorbent-containing columns so as to alternately adsorb and desorb said metabolites on said adsorbent in said first and second columns, respectively, said metabolites being adsorbed on said adsorbent during said delivery of said metabolite-containing solution to said columns, and said metabolite-containing solution remaining in contact with said adsorbent during said desorption of said columns, maintaining said first and second columns, respectively, at a first predetermined temperature during said adsorption of said metabolites on said adsorbent, maintaining said first and second columns, respectively, at a second predetermined temperature during said desorption of said metabolite from said adsorbent, said first predetermined temperature being lower than said second predetermined temperature so as to increase the effectiveness of said adsorbent for adsorption of said metabolites therein at said first predetermined temperature, flushing said first and second columns, respectively, with a flushing solution subsequent to desorption of said columns, and terminating the flow of said metabolite-containing solution to said first and second columns, respectively, prior to flushing said columns so that desorption of said columns is carried out substantially without the flow of liquid therein.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
35 words
The process of claim 1 including lowering said second predetermined temperature subsequent to desorbing said columns so as to pre-cool said columns prior to adsorption of said metabolite in said first and second columns, respectively.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
58 words
The process of claim 1 wherein said first and second columns, respectively, are maintained at said first predetermined temperature for a first predetermined time period and said first and second columns, respectively, are maintained at said second predetermined temperature for a second predetermined time period, said second predetermined time period being shorter than said first predetermined time period.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
22 words
The process of claim 3 wherein said second predetermined time period is less than about 75% of said first predetermined time period.
Claim 6
Dependent Claim
23 words
The process of claim 3 wherein said second predetermined time period is from about 20% to 50% of said first predetermined time period.
Claim 7
Dependent Claim
23 words
The process of claim 1 wherein only a minor portion of said metabolite-containing solution contacts said adsorbent during said desorption of said columns.
Claim 8
Dependent Claim
29 words
The process of claim 1 including contacting said metabolite-containing solution with a third adsorbent-containing column prior to said delivery of said metabolite-containing solution to said first and second columns.
Claim 9
Dependent Claim
16 words
The process of claim 7 including maintaining said third column substantially at said first predetermined temperature.
Claim 10
Dependent Claim
13 words
The method of claim 1 or 7 wherein said adsorbent comprises activated carbon.
Claim 11
Dependent Claim
16 words
The process of claim 9 wherein said activated carbon is in the form of cylindrical rods.
Claim 12
Dependent Claim
24 words
The process of claim 1 including pre-cooling said metabolite-containing solution prior to delivery of said metabolite-containing solution to said first and second columns, respectively.
Claim 13
Dependent Claim
13 words
The process of claim 1 wherein the flushing solution comprises said metabolite-containing solution.