A spiral angle adjustable counter current chromatography column

Abstract

The present application relates to the technical field of chromatograph, and discloses a spiral angle adjustable countercurrent chromatograph separation column, which comprises a mounting column and a winding column, the winding column is sleeved on the mounting column, two spiral wire clamping grooves are arranged on the outer wall of the winding column, and the spiral directions of the two spiral wire clamping grooves are opposite. The present application has the advantages that the pitch of the polytetrafluoroethylene pipe wound on the separation column is fixed, axial movement is prevented, and the winding spiral angle of the polytetrafluoroethylene pipe can be changed by replacing the winding column according to requirements, so that the separation performance is enhanced.

Description

Technical Field

[0001] This invention relates to the field of chromatography technology, and in particular to a countercurrent chromatography column with adjustable helix angle. Background Technology

[0002] High-speed countercurrent chromatography (HSCCC), developed in 1982 by Dr. Ito of the National Institutes of Health in the United States, is a novel, continuous, and highly efficient liquid-liquid partition chromatography technique. Unlike other chromatographic techniques, it does not require any solid support, thus avoiding contamination, inactivation, denaturation, and irreversible adsorption caused by reactions between the solid support surface and the sample. It also boasts advantages such as wide applicability, speed, large injection volume, low cost, and high recovery rate. Therefore, it has been widely applied in fields such as biology, medicine, food, materials, cosmetics, and environmental protection, and is particularly valued in the separation and purification of active ingredients from natural products.

[0003] In existing separation columns, PTFE tubes are wound around the column. Because PTFE is a soft, round tube, to prevent loosening and axial movement at high speeds, each layer of tube must be wound tightly along the column's axis, one coil at a time, until one layer is fully wound. This process is repeated to form a tightly packed, multi-layered spiral tube. However, increasing the axial inclination (helix angle) of the PTFE tube helps increase the secondary normal force of the separation column, thereby strengthening the retention of the stationary phase and improving axial mixing efficiency. The existing winding method for PTFE tubes on separation columns has an unadjustable helix angle, which is detrimental to improving column performance. Furthermore, at extremely high speeds, the PTFE tubes may move laterally, affecting the overall dynamic balance. Summary of the Invention

[0004] The purpose of this invention is to overcome the shortcomings of the prior art and provide a countercurrent chromatography column with adjustable helix angle.

[0005] The objective of this invention is achieved through the following technical solution: a countercurrent chromatograph separation column with adjustable helix angle, comprising a mounting column and a winding column, wherein the winding column is sleeved on the mounting column, and two helical wire-locking grooves are provided on the outer wall of the winding column, the two helical wire-locking grooves having opposite helical directions.

[0006] Specifically, a limiting plate is provided at one end of the mounting column, and the limiting plate is connected to the winding column by a first bolt.

[0007] Specifically, one end of the mounting post is provided with a frustum, and an end cap is fitted on the frustum to limit the winding post on the mounting post. The end cap is fixedly connected to the mounting post, and the end cap is fixedly connected to the winding post by a second bolt.

[0008] Specifically, the end cap has two symmetrical notches that connect to two spiral wire grooves respectively.

[0009] Specifically, the mounting post is provided with a feed tube outlet and a feed tube inlet at positions opposite to the two notches, respectively.

[0010] Specifically, the line connecting the intersection points of the two spiral wire grooves, the center line of the notch, the axis of the feed tube outlet, the axis of the feed tube inlet, and the axis of the mounting column are all on the same plane.

[0011] Specifically, in one case, the angle between the line FO connecting the starting point of the spiral wire groove thread to the center of the winding post and the line CD connecting the feed tube outlet and feed tube inlet is 0 degrees; in the other case, the angle between the line EO connecting the starting point of the spiral wire groove thread to the center of the winding post and the line CD connecting the feed tube outlet and feed tube inlet is 90 degrees.

[0012] The present invention has the following advantages: This invention features two helical grooves on the winding post, with opposite helical directions. In use, one end of the PTFE tube is inserted into the head of the helical groove through a notch on the end cap. The tube is wound along one groove from beginning to end, then one layer is added, and the direction is reversed to wind out along the other groove from end to beginning. This winding method ensures the PTFE tube is confined within the helical grooves, preventing axial movement of the PTFE tube during high-speed rotation of the separation post, resulting in good dynamic balance. Furthermore, this winding method can forcibly increase the helix angle of the PTFE tube through the helical grooves, thereby enhancing the retention force of the stationary phase within the helical tube and improving axial mixing efficiency.

[0013] This invention limits the winding post to the mounting post by the end cap. When needed, the winding post can be removed and replaced with winding posts of different helix angles to meet different performance requirements. The separation post has greater applicability. Attached Figure Description

[0014] Figure 1 This is a schematic diagram of the overall structure of the separation column of the present invention; Figure 2 This is a schematic diagram of the mounting column structure of the present invention; Figure 3 This is a schematic diagram of the winding post structure of the present invention; Figure 4 This is a schematic diagram of the connection structure between the winding post and the limiting plate of the present invention; Figure 5This is a schematic diagram of the starting point of the spiral wire groove of the present invention; In the diagram: 1-mounting post, 2-winding post, 3-spiral wire clamping groove, 4-limiting plate, 5-frustum, 6-end cap, 7-notch, 8-second bolt, 9-first bolt, 10-feeding tube inlet hole, 11-feeding tube outlet hole. Detailed Implementation

[0015] To make the objectives, technical solutions, and advantages of this invention clearer, the invention will be further described in detail below with reference to the accompanying drawings and embodiments. It should be understood that the specific embodiments described herein are only for explaining the invention and are not intended to limit the invention; that is, the described embodiments are merely some embodiments of the invention, and not all embodiments. The components of the embodiments of the invention described and shown in the accompanying drawings can generally be arranged and designed in various different configurations.

[0016] Therefore, the following detailed description of the embodiments of the invention provided in the accompanying drawings is not intended to limit the scope of the claimed invention, but merely to illustrate selected embodiments of the invention. All other embodiments obtained by those skilled in the art based on the embodiments of the invention without inventive effort are within the scope of protection of the invention.

[0017] It should be noted that relational terms such as "first" and "second" are used merely to distinguish one entity or operation from another, and do not necessarily require or imply any such actual relationship or order between these entities or operations. Furthermore, the terms "comprising," "including," or any other variations thereof are intended to cover non-exclusive inclusion, such that a process, method, article, or apparatus that comprises a list of elements includes not only those elements but also other elements not expressly listed, or elements inherent to such a process, method, article, or apparatus. Without further limitation, an element defined by the phrase "comprising one..." does not exclude the presence of other identical elements in the process, method, article, or apparatus that includes said element.

[0018] The present invention will be further described below with reference to the accompanying drawings, but the scope of protection of the present invention is not limited to the following description.

[0019] like Figures 1 to 5As shown, a countercurrent chromatograph separation column with adjustable helix angle includes a mounting column 1 and a winding column 2. The winding column 2 is sleeved on the mounting column 1, and two helical grooves 3 are provided on the outer wall of the winding column 2, with the two helical grooves 3 having opposite helical directions. In existing chromatograph separation columns, when winding the PTFE tube, the winding column 2 is wound tightly from beginning to end, layer by layer. After one layer is fully wound, another layer is added, and the winding process is repeated from end to end, forming a tightly wound multi-layered helical tube. However, the axial inclination (i.e., helix angle) of the PTFE tube is closely related to the retention force of the stationary phase and the mixing efficiency along the separation column axis. This winding method results in an unadjustable helix angle for the PTFE tube on the separation column, and at ultra-high column rotation speeds, the PTFE tube may shift laterally and become entangled, affecting the overall mechanical balance performance. In this embodiment, a winding column 2 is sleeved on the mounting column 1. Two spiral grooves 3 are made on the winding post 2, and the spiral directions of the two spiral grooves 3 are opposite. In use, one end of the PTFE tube is wound around one spiral groove 3, and then it is wound out from the other spiral groove 3. This winding method can ensure the uniformity of the PTFE tube winding and meet the separation requirements. In use, the PTFE tube is always stuck in the spiral groove 3, and its winding parameters will not change. There will be no axial movement of the PTFE tube, which will not affect the separation effect. In addition, the winding post 2 with different spiral groove pitches can be replaced according to the experimental needs. It has wide applicability and can be adjusted to meet different usage requirements.

[0020] Furthermore, a limiting plate 4 is provided at one end of the mounting post 1. The limiting plate 4 is connected to the winding post 2 by a first bolt 9. A frustum 5 is provided at one end of the mounting post 1. An end cap 6 is fitted on the frustum 5 to limit the winding post 2 on the mounting post 1. The end cap 6 is fixedly connected to the mounting post 1 and the winding post 2 is fixedly connected by a second bolt 8. In this embodiment, by providing a limiting plate 4 at one end of the mounting post 1 and an end cap 6 at the other end, the winding post 2 is limited and installed on the mounting post 1. To fix the winding post 2, the limiting plate 4 is connected to the winding post 1 by the first bolt 9, and the end cap 6 is connected to the winding post 2 by the second bolt 8. Connecting the end cap 6 to the mounting post 1 with bolts completes the connection of the winding post 2. This connection method makes it convenient to replace the mounting post 1.

[0021] Furthermore, the end cap 6 is symmetrically provided with two notches 7, which respectively connect to two spiral wire-locking grooves 3. In this embodiment, two notches 7 are provided in the end cap 6, and after the polytetrafluoroethylene tube is wound on the winding post 2, both ends pass out from the corresponding notches 7.

[0022] Furthermore, the mounting post 1 is provided with a feed tube outlet 11 and a feed tube inlet 10 at positions opposite to the two notches 7, respectively. In this embodiment, one end of the polytetrafluoroethylene tube enters through the feed tube inlet 10, then winds around the spiral wire groove 3 through one notch 7, and then exits through the feed tube outlet 11 through the other notch 7, thus completing the winding of the polytetrafluoroethylene tube.

[0023] Furthermore, the line connecting the intersection points of the two spiral wire-clamping grooves 3, the centerline of the notch 7, the axis of the feed tube outlet 11, the axis of the feed tube inlet 10, and the axis of the mounting post 1 are all on the same plane. In this embodiment, by designing the spiral wire-clamping groove 3 and setting the corresponding angles of the notch 7, the feed tube outlet, and the feed tube inlet 10, the PTFE tube can be wound symmetrically and conveniently. If the angle is not appropriate, the notch and the feed tube inlet / outlet will not align with the spiral wire-clamping groove 3, preventing the PTFE tube from being inserted into the spiral wire-clamping groove 3. Figure 1 Line A is the line connecting the intersection points of the two spiral grooves 3.

[0024] Furthermore, in one embodiment, the angle between the line connecting the starting point of the spiral wire clamping groove 3 to the center of the winding post 2 and the line connecting the feed tube outlet 11 and the feed tube inlet 10 is 0 degrees; in the other embodiment, the angle between the line connecting the starting point of the spiral wire clamping groove 3 to the center of the winding post 2 and the line connecting the feed tube outlet 11 and the feed tube inlet 10 is 90 degrees. This angle design in this embodiment ensures the fit between the spiral wire clamping groove 3 and the feed tube inlet 10 and outlet 11, ensuring that the PTFE tube can accurately enter the head of the winding post along the notch at the feed tube inlet, so as to wind a full layer from beginning to end, and can also reverse direction to wind the next layer from the tail to the head of the winding post. Furthermore, the PTFE tube reaching the head is always aligned with the notch on the other side for smooth insertion into the feed tube outlet. Figure 5 As shown, point O is the center point of the winding post 2, line CD is the line connecting the center of the feed tube outlet hole 11 and the center of the feed tube inlet hole 10, and E and F are the starting points of the threads of the two spiral wire clamping grooves 3 respectively.

[0025] The above description is merely a preferred embodiment of the present invention and does not constitute any limitation on the present invention. Any person skilled in the art can make many possible variations and modifications to the technical solution of the present invention, or modify it into equivalent embodiments, without departing from the scope of the present invention. Therefore, any modifications, equivalent changes, and alterations made to the above embodiments based on the technology of the present invention without departing from the scope of the present invention are within the protection scope of the present invention.

Claims

1. A countercurrent chromatography column with adjustable helix angle, characterized in that: The device includes a mounting post (1) and a winding post (2). The winding post (2) is sleeved on the mounting post (1). One end of the mounting post (1) is provided with a limiting plate (4), and the other end is symmetrically provided with a feeding tube outlet (11) and a feeding tube inlet (10). The outer wall of the winding post (2) is provided with two spiral wire-locking grooves (3). The spiral directions of the two spiral wire-locking grooves (3) are opposite. The outer wall of the winding post (2) is wound with a polytetrafluoroethylene tube. One end of the polytetrafluoroethylene tube is inserted through the feeding tube inlet (10), and wound along one spiral wire-locking groove (3) from beginning to end. Then, it rises one layer, reverses direction, and is wound along another spiral wire-locking groove (3) from end to beginning, and exits through the feeding tube outlet (11). The spiral angle can be adjusted by changing the winding post (2) with different spiral wire-locking groove (3) pitches.

2. The adjustable helix angle countercurrent chromatography column according to claim 1, characterized in that: The limiting plate (4) is connected to the winding post (2) by the first bolt (9).

3. The adjustable helix angle countercurrent chromatography column according to claim 1, characterized in that: The other end of the mounting post (1) is also provided with a frustum (5), and an end cap (6) is fitted on the frustum (5). The end cap (6) limits the winding post (2) on the mounting post (1). The end cap (6) is fixedly connected to the mounting post (1), and the end cap (6) is fixedly connected to the winding post (2) by a second bolt (8).

4. The adjustable helix angle countercurrent chromatography column according to claim 3, characterized in that: The end cap (6) is symmetrically provided with two notches (7) that connect to two spiral wire grooves (3) respectively.

5. A countercurrent chromatography column with adjustable helix angle according to claim 4, characterized in that: The mounting post (1) is provided with a feed pipe outlet (11) and a feed pipe inlet (10) at positions opposite to the two notches (7).

6. A countercurrent chromatography column with adjustable helix angle according to claim 5, characterized in that: The line connecting the intersection points of the two spiral wire grooves, the center line of the notch (7), the axis of the feed tube outlet (11), the axis of the feed tube inlet (10), and the axis of the mounting column (1) are on the same plane.

7. A countercurrent chromatography column with adjustable helix angle according to claim 5, characterized in that: The angle between the line FO connecting the starting point of the spiral wire groove (3) thread to the center of the winding post (2) and the line CD connecting the center of the feed tube outlet hole (11) and the center of the feed tube inlet hole (10) is 0 degrees. The angle between the line EO connecting the starting point of the spiral wire groove (3) thread to the center of the winding post (2) and the line CD connecting the center of the feed tube outlet hole (11) and the center of the feed tube inlet hole (10) is 90 degrees.

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