The present invention relates to a fluid distributing device for
distributing fluid into a column and to a fluid collecting device for
collecting fluid from a column. The invention relates also to methods of
using the devices of the present invention. The distributing device
and/or the collecting device of the present invention can be used in
fixed or fluidized bed reactors or columns, such as chromatographic
separation columns, ion exchange columns, adsorption columns etc. A fluid
distributing device comprises a) a first fluid conveying system; and b) a
distributing plate, which comprises i) first means for fluid transfer for
dividing the fluid flow coming from the delivering points into several
partial fluid flows and for distributing the partial fluid flows into the
column; and ii) first means for controlling of the partial fluid flows by
differential pressure in the first means for fluid transfer.