Column in module with internal or external on-column or flow cell detector with optional heating for liquid chromatography

Abstract

A system and method for separating the functionality of a liquid chromatography (LC) system into physically separate systems that allow a more versatile LC system wherein an LC device provides a liquid solvent, a sample, and a pump and injector that pushes the sample in the solvent to an output port, the present invention relates to a system for detecting a flow cell detector, and provides an attachable module containing a module input port, a column, and a heating unit on the column, where the module provides a transparent, non-transparent column, or a combination of both, and the system provides an on-column detector within the module, or a flow cell detector within the module.

Description

Background Art

[0001] Description of related technology: Liquid chromatography (LC) is performed to analyze chemical species in liquid solutions. FIG1 is a block diagram of components that may be part of an LC system in the prior art, which may include but should not be considered limited to a solvent container 10, a pump 12, a syringe 14, a sample 16, a column 18, a heater unit 20, a detector 22, and a computing device 24 for data acquisition. Other components may also be required, and the arrangement of specific components may be modified from the arrangement shown, but generally these components are used in LC systems.

[0002] The function of an LC system can be performed as follows. An LC system can use a pump to pass a pressurized liquid solvent containing a sample mixture through a column filled with a solid adsorbent material. Each component in the sample interacts with the adsorbent material in a slightly different way, thereby resulting in different mobilities of different substances within the sample and resulting in separation of the substances as they flow out of the column.

[0003] When these instrument components are used in a laboratory or portable environment, the latest technology requires physical connections between the various components of the system. For example, consider the diagram shown in Figure 2. Figure 2 shows that there is a connection 30 between the syringe 14 and the column 18.

[0004] The prior art is improved by providing an LC system wherein an LC device provides a liquid solvent, a sample, and a pump and syringe that pushes the sample in the solvent to an output port, and then providing an attachable module containing a module input port, a column, and at least one detector for on-column detection, and then attaching the module to the LC device using a press-fit connection that enables the sample in the solvent to be pumped through the column to the at least one detector to separate, identify, and quantify the substances in the sample, and the results are transmitted from the at least one detector to the LC system for collection and analysis, thereby integrating the column and detector in a module with an on-column detector.

[0005] One advantage over the prior art is that several improvements are provided that increase the versatility and sensitivity of LC systems. For example, it would be an improvement to provide a system and method for heating a column while it is within a module to thereby provide a controlled, above-ambient column temperature.

[0006] Prior art modules are also limited to providing capillary columns for on-column detection. It would therefore be an additional advantage to have an LC system that provides modules that can contain a variety of different columns, including non-transparent columns and is not limited to using transparent capillary columns for only UV or visible light detection.

[0007] In addition to providing non-transparent columns in the module, a variety of detectors can then be used, including flow cell detectors that were not previously supported. It would be another advantage if the flow cell detector could be placed inside the module, inside the LC device, or outside both, depending on the size of the flow cell detector. Summary of the invention

[0008] The present invention is a system and method for separating the functionality of a liquid chromatography (LC) system into physically separate systems allowing for a more versatile LC system, wherein an LC device provides a liquid solvent, a sample, and a pump and syringe that pushes the sample in the solvent to an output port, and provides an attachable module containing a module input port, a column, and a heating unit on the column, wherein the module provides a transparent, non-transparent column, or a combination of both, and the system provides an on-column detector within the module, or a flow cell detector in the module, the LC device, or external to the module and the LC device, and the module is attached to the LC device using a high pressure compression connection, which enables the sample in the solvent to be pumped through the column to at least one detector for separation, identification and quantification of substances in the sample, and the results are transmitted from the at least one detector to a computing system for collection and analysis.

[0009] In the first aspect of the invention it would be advantageous to be able to have a heating unit over the entire length of the column in a module or only a portion of the length.

[0010] In the second aspect of the invention, non-transparent or opaque columns may also be used in the module to provide a wider range of testing capabilities.

[0011] In a third aspect of the invention, a flow cell detector may be used in the LC system.

[0012] In a fourth aspect of the invention, the flow cell detector will be placed inside the module, inside the LC device, or outside both the module and the LC device.

[0013] In a fifth aspect of the present invention, a plurality of pillars may be coupled in series, wherein the pillars are transparent pillars, non-transparent pillars, or a combination of transparent pillars and non-transparent pillars.

[0014] In the sixth aspect of the present invention, the detector may be disposed at a junction between the columns.

[0015] These and other embodiments of the present invention will become apparent to those skilled in the art upon consideration of the following detailed description in conjunction with the accompanying drawings. BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0016] FIG. 1 is a block diagram of components that may be part of a prior art liquid chromatography system.

[0017] 2 is a diagram illustrating a prior art liquid chromatography system requiring manual connections between various components of the LC system.

[0018] 3 is a perspective view of a prior art LC system comprising an LC device and a replaceable module, wherein the module comprises a column and at least one detector or a path to an external detector.

[0019] 4 is a perspective view of a prior art device constructed in accordance with aspects of the present invention.

[0020] Figure 5 is a perspective view of a first embodiment of the present invention with the cover removed to reveal a first arrangement of components inside the module.

[0021] Figure 6 is an alternative embodiment to place the detector in the LC device.

[0022] Figure 7 is an alternative embodiment to place the detector outside the module and LC device.

[0023] Figure 8 is a diagram illustrating the operation of a Z flow cell detector that may be positioned within a module. DETAILED DESCRIPTION

[0024] Reference will now be made to the drawings, wherein various embodiments of the present invention will be given numerical designations, and wherein the embodiments will be discussed to enable those skilled in the art to make and use the present invention. It should be understood that the following description illustrates embodiments of the present invention and should not be considered to narrow the scope of the appended claims.

[0025] The present invention may be used with a liquid chromatography (LC) system for separating, identifying and quantifying each component in a sample mixture.

[0026] 3 is a perspective view of the prior art showing an LC system 36 including an LC device 38 and a module 40. The LC device 38 may include some components such as a pump, a pump reservoir for a solvent, a syringe, a sample, and a battery. The LC device 38 may include fewer components, or may include additional components, and should not be considered limited to the components described above.

[0027] LC system 36 also includes a module 40. Module 40 may include a housing that enables the module to be attached to LC device 38 and protects components disposed within the module.

[0028] In the prior art, the connection system between the LC device 38 and the module 40 is a key aspect of the present invention. In order to provide a reliable and repeatable connection system, a groove 70 is provided in the LC device 38 to achieve pre-alignment between the LC device 38 and the module 40 to guide the module safely to the connection point on the LC device. The groove 70 also enables the connection points of the LC device 38 and the module 40 to intersect in a straight line.

[0029] Before describing these connection points in more detail, it is useful to describe a prior art module 40. Figure 4 is a perspective view of the module 40 with a cover over the components housed inside.

[0030] The housing of module 40 may be used to attach the module to LC device 38, but it should be understood that the attachment points are not dependent on making a leak-free press-fit connection. For example, LC device 38 may have corresponding latches that engage the plurality of latch ports 60 shown in module 40.

[0031] Figure 5 is a perspective view of a first embodiment of the present invention with the cover removed to show a first possible arrangement of components inside module 40. The specific arrangement of components is not critical and should not be taken to limit the scope of the appended claims.

[0032] Module 40 may include connection terminals 72 that seat against corresponding connection terminals of LC device 38 . Figure 5 Also shown is the column 18 that curves toward the detector 74. In this first embodiment, the column 18 may have a portion that is within the cylindrical furnace 76. The column 18 then exits the cylindrical furnace 76 and passes to the detector 74. Typically, the column 18 ends when it exits the cylindrical furnace 76 and is replaced by a transfer line 78. The transfer line 78 transfers the solvent and sample to a detector positioned outside of the module 40.

[0033] The ability to include non-transparent columns in the module 40 means that detectors other than on-column detectors can also be part of the LC system 36. However, other types of detectors are not required. Therefore, adding a non-transparent column does not mean that the LC system 36 cannot continue to perform on-column detection. It will require that the columns are connected in series and at least one of the columns is transparent. However, if only non-transparent columns are used in the module, then a flow cell detector or other non-flow cell type detector must be used.

[0034] In this particular example, the detector 74 is a UV absorption flow cell detector. It is too large to fit inside the module 40 and is therefore located outside the module. However, it should be understood that the type of detector may vary without changing the scope of the claims.

[0035] Figure 5The module 40 in has been modified to include other features that are also different from the prior art. First, the prior art module 40 requires a press fit connection between the module and the LC device 38. In contrast, the first embodiment can use any connector 82 that provides a high pressure seal that uses compression and is therefore a high pressure compression connection. This can be a press fit connector or a quick connect type connector. Importantly, the connector is not limited to a press fit connector.

[0036] The module 40 of the first embodiment now includes a heating unit 70 over the entire length of the column 18 or only a portion of the length. The heating unit 70 can be placed in a column furnace 76 of the module 40. The column furnace 76 can be sealed when the cover of the module 40 is attached to the module. The column 18 can include a transfer line 78 that transports the sample to the flow cell detector 74. The module 40 can also include a waste line 80, which returns the sample to the LC device 38 after the sample is passed through the detector 74.

[0037] In order to increase the versatility of the module 40, more and more separation columns and packing media are available from various suppliers. These separation columns and packing media can be placed in series to obtain the benefits of using them to obtain the desired separation and detection characteristics.

[0038] Another feature of the first embodiment is the ability to use many different types of columns available on the market, not just transparent columns as used in the prior art for on-column detection. These other columns include non-transparent or opaque columns that are not suitable for on-column detection. For example, some other columns include opaque coatings or are made of opaque materials. Other columns may have sheaths composed of non-transparent materials. Therefore, most columns with an OD of about 1 mm or less can be used in the first embodiment of module 40. This means that any capillary or near-capillary sized column can be used in module 40.

[0039] As stated previously, while the prior art is limited to on-column UV or fluorescence detectors, the first embodiment can use various flow cell detectors that use the flow of a fluid traveling through the detector beam path. The first embodiment can also use detectors that are not on-column or flow cell detectors. These detectors are detectors such as mass spectrometers or ion mobility detectors.

[0040] Examples of flow cell detectors include, but are not limited to, UV absorption detectors, photodiode array detectors, fluorescence detectors, electrochemical detectors, conductivity detectors, and refractive index detectors. Thus, another aspect of the first embodiment is that the flow cell detector 74 can be disposed inside the module 40, inside the LC device 38, or outside the module and LC device if it is too large.

[0041] It should be noted that when the flow cell detector is disposed external to the module 40 and LC device 38, the transmission line 78 may be coupled to the post 18 and extend out the side or back of the module to reach the detector, which is typically placed nearby.

[0042] One aspect of the first embodiment is that the columns used in the present invention need not be monolithic devices. In other words, two different types of columns can be coupled in series to obtain the benefits of different columns. For example, an opaque column 18 can be coupled to a transparent column in order to perform on-column detection. In addition, detectors can be placed between different columns. For example, this can be used to determine the length of time required for a particular sample to travel through different columns.

[0043] The prior art teaches that the LC system shown in FIG. 3 is divided into only two separate components, LC device 38 and module 40, which together contain all the necessary elements to perform liquid chromatography. Figure 6 In the second embodiment shown in the block diagram in , the LC device 38 now contains at least one detector 74, which was previously shown to be located in the module 40. Thus, the new module 40 may contain only the column 18 and the heater unit 70, and the one or more detectors 74 may be disposed inside the LC device 38 and adjacent to the input port. In this embodiment, the module 40 is used only for the purpose of separating the sample in the column 18. However, the module 40 is now capable of using different types of columns, not just transparent columns.

[0044] In such Figure 7 In the third embodiment of the system shown in , the at least one detector 74 may not be located within the LC device 38 or the module 40 , but rather is separate from both devices 38 , 40 and is now a third separate component of the LC system 36 .

[0045] Figure 5 The module in the example explained in comprises a UV absorption flow cell detector 74 without on-column detection. Figure 8 is provided as available in Figure 5 Cross-sectional view of the UV absorption Z flow cell detector 74 used in. Figure 8 As shown, the sample is delivered to the Z flow cell detector 74 via a transfer line 78 (or flexible column) at point 80. There may be no capillary column between the input at point 80 and the outlet at point 82. The path between point 80 and point 82 may simply be a hole or channel disposed in the material of the detector 74. The detector 74 is then connected to the waste line 68 at point 82.

[0046] Light source 84 illuminates a longitudinal section through transfer column 78 by entering the path through window 90 and exiting through window 92 to detector 86. This Z flow cell detector 74 is more sensitive than an on-column detector, up to 10 times more sensitive, because as in Figure 8As shown in , the light path length 88 is longer than any on-column detector path length.

[0047] Capillary high performance liquid chromatography (HPLC) provides a large number of benefits in the form of reduced solvent consumption, waste and sample volume requirements. In the past, the scope of application was limited by the availability of columns of appropriate size and configuration. Now, more and more separation columns and packing media can be purchased from various suppliers.

[0048] Figure 5 , 6 The embodiments of the invention shown in 7 teach a compact and portable capillary LC that utilizes a modular system to exchange columns or columns and detectors. Earlier modules required the use of proprietary or custom packed columns, and column heating was not available.

[0049] The heated column module of the first embodiment can accommodate a capillary column having an outer diameter (OD) of 1.0 mm and an inner diameter (ID) of 0.075 to 0.500 mm, a length of typically 5 to 25 cm, stable heating up to 80° C., and a fluid configuration that maintains optimal chromatographic performance. The first embodiment can also achieve stable temperature within 20 minutes, can stabilize the temperature to within 0.1° C., and can include an inlet transfer line. The specific lengths, dimensions, and temperatures are examples only and are not intended to limit the appended claims.

[0050] This new modular design can expand possible applications by enabling controlled column heating and by accepting a wide range of capillary column sizes from multiple open market suppliers. It also enables straightforward column exchange, minimizes the potential for suboptimal fluidic fitting connections, and includes robust use in a range of environments.

[0051] Although the above embodiments may describe a module for use with an on-column or flow cell detection system, it should be understood that the module and connection system may be suitable for use with any measurement device that requires a secure connection for the flow of fluid between different components and should not be considered limited to on-column or flow cell detection systems.

[0052] Embodiments of the present invention are summarized as follows. The first embodiment is a liquid chromatography (LC) system for separating, identifying and quantifying substances in a sample. The system consists of two devices (LC device and module).

[0053] The LC device consists of a pump, a solvent and a sample, a syringe for delivering the sample in the solvent, a docking station for providing a fluid port to enable the syringe to deliver the sample in the solvent to an output port, and a first electrical port.

[0054] A separate module attached to an LC device using a high pressure compression connection consists of: a module input port for forming a high pressure seal to an output port and receiving a sample in a solvent, a second electrical port coupled to the first electrical port, a column coupled at a first end to the module input port for receiving the sample in the solvent, and at least one detector for performing on-column or flow cell detection of substances in the sample in the solvent, wherein the column and the detector perform separation, identification and quantification of the substances, and wherein the results of the separation, identification and quantification of the substances are transmitted from the module to a computing device using the first electrical port and the second electrical port.

[0055] The LC system may be further defined as having an output port of the docking station further comprising a normally open output port. Similarly, the module input port further comprises a normally open module input port.

[0056] Further details regarding a possible output port of the connection dock are that it further includes a recess or a recessed truncated cone, and the module input port further includes a truncated cone protrusion that is complementary and shape-matched with the recess in the output port, wherein the output port and the module input port form a leak-free high-pressure compression connection.

[0057] An important aspect of the present invention is the knowledge that the LC system further forms a high pressure compression connection capable of withstanding pressures greater than 1000 psi. The LC system has been tested at pressures above 10,000 psi and is believed to be capable of going much higher.

[0058] The high pressure compression connection system can be made possible using a knob and a threaded screw. But first, to ensure that the connection is straight, there is at least one guide rail on the LC device 38 for guiding the module when making a high pressure compression connection with the LC device, a ratchet knob disposed in the LC device, and a threaded screw coupled to the ratchet knob. When the ratchet knob is turned, the threaded screw is turned and the threaded screw is seated by the connection dock.

[0059] A threaded hole is also disposed in the connection end of the module. Ensure that the threaded hole is aligned with the threaded screw of the LC device, and when the ratchet knob is turned, the threaded screw rotates through the threaded hole. When the output port of the docking station is coupled to the module input port so that a sample in solvent can travel from the LC device to the module, the ratchet knob prevents the threaded screw from turning.

[0060] There are some other aspects of the invention that should also be addressed. First, detectors are typically placed in the LC device. In contrast, embodiments of the present invention illustrate the concept that both the column and one or more detectors can be placed inside the module 40, inside the LC device 38, or outside both the module and the LC device. Thus, different detectors can be used with the same LC device 38, and there is no longer a reliance on detectors being placed in the LC device for different types of measurements that can be made.

[0061] Another aspect is that any desired length of transparent or opaque column 18 can also be paired with any type of detector 74 that can fit within the module. Thus, using the module 40 and high pressure compression connection system of embodiments of the present invention, the LC device 38 can now be easily and quickly coupled with any desired combination of column length and one or more detectors 74.

[0062] Another aspect of the invention is that due to the recessed and protruding high pressure compression connection system of embodiments of the invention, the embodiments are capable of operating at both low and high pressures. For example, embodiments of the invention are capable of operating at pressures well above 1000 psi. Thus, embodiments of the invention should be considered to operate as both low and high pressure LC systems.

[0063] Another aspect of embodiments of the present invention is that each module 40 may include non-volatile memory. Non-volatile memory enables power to be removed from the module 40 without losing the contents of the memory.

[0064] The contents of the memory in module 40 may be written to and read by LC device 38 or any other device that may make proper connection to electrical port 44. The contents of the memory in module 40 may include, but should not be considered limited to, the length of the column, the type of column, the type of detector, the location of the detector along the column, the number of times the module has been used to make measurements, and any other statistics that may be useful to the user of the module.

[0065] Although it may be apparent from the description described above, it should still be stated that the size of the module 40 and the LC device 38 are relatively small. For example, the LC system 36 may be portable and operated by batteries. However, the LC system 36 may also be a desktop system that still uses the same module 40 that can be used with the portable LC system 36. And although the module 40 may be small, this is not a requirement for the LC system 36.

[0066] The above embodiments relate to an LC system which is divided into two or three separate components, the LC device 38, the module 40 and possibly the external detector 74, which together contain all the necessary elements to perform liquid chromatography.

[0067] An overview of such a device may be as follows. It would be an LC device comprising a pump, a solvent and a sample, a syringe for delivering the sample in the solvent, a docking station for providing an output port to enable the syringe to deliver the sample in the solvent to the output port, an input port for receiving the sample in the solvent from a module, and a first electrical port.

[0068] A separate module is then attached to the LC device using a high pressure compression connection, wherein the module includes a module input port for forming a high pressure compression connection to the output port and receiving a sample in a solvent, a module output port for forming a high pressure compression connection to the input port and sending the sample in the solvent to the LC device, a second electrical port coupled to the first electrical port, and a column coupled at a first end to the module input port for receiving the sample in the solvent.

[0069] The LC system then performs an on-column test inside the module, a flow cell test inside the module, a flow cell test inside the LC device, or a flow cell test in a flow cell detector external to both the LC device and the module.

[0070] Although only a few example embodiments have been described in detail above, it will be readily apparent to those skilled in the art that many modifications may be made in the example embodiments without materially departing from the present invention. Therefore, all such modifications are intended to be included within the scope of the present disclosure as defined in the appended claims. Applicants expressly state that no limitation is imposed on any of the claims herein by invoking 35 U.S.C. § 112, paragraph 6, except for claims where the claim expressly uses the term 'means for ...' in conjunction with an associated function.

Claims

1. A liquid chromatography (LC) system, comprising: An LC device comprising: pumps, solvents and samples; a syringe for delivering the sample in the solvent; a docking station for providing an output port to enable the syringe to deliver the sample in the solvent to the output port, and a first electrical port; and A separate module, which is attached to the LC device, the module comprising: a module input port for making a high pressure compression connection to said output port and receiving said sample in said solvent; a second electrical port coupled to the first electrical port; a first column coupled to the module input port at a first end for receiving the sample in the solvent, wherein the first column is opaque or transparent; Heating unit; a cylindrical furnace disposed around the heating unit and at least a portion of the column; and at least one detector for performing detection of substances in the sample in the solvent, wherein the first column and the detector perform separation, identification and quantification of substances; and The first electrical port and the second electrical port are used to transmit the results of separation, identification and quantification of substances from the module to a computing device.

2. The LC system of claim 1, wherein the at least one detector is selected from the group of detectors consisting of: a UV absorption detector, a photodiode array detector, a fluorescence detector, an electrochemical detector, a conductivity detector, a refractive index detector, an on-column detector, a mass spectrometer, and an ion mobility spectrometer.

3. The LC system of claim 1, wherein the pillar further comprises at least one additional pillar coupled to the first pillar, wherein the at least one additional pillar can be transparent or opaque.

4. A liquid chromatography (LC) system, comprising: An LC device comprising: pumps, solvents and samples; a syringe for delivering the sample in the solvent; a docking station for providing an LC output port to enable the syringe to deliver the sample in the solvent to the output port, the LC input port, and the first electrical port; at least one detector coupled to the LC input port for receiving the sample in the solvent and for performing detection of a substance in the sample in the solvent; and A separate module, which is attached to the LC device, the module comprising: a module input port for making a high pressure compression connection to the LC output port and receiving the sample in the solvent; a second electrical port coupled to the first electrical port; a first column coupled to the module input port at a first end for receiving the sample in the solvent, wherein the first column is transparent or opaque, and wherein the first column is coupled to the module output port at a second end; Heating unit; a cylindrical furnace disposed around the heating unit and at least a portion of the first column; and The first electrical port and the second electrical port are used to transmit the results of separation, identification and quantification of substances from the module to a computing device.

5. The LC system of claim 4, wherein the at least one detector is selected from the group of detectors consisting of: a UV absorption detector, a photodiode array detector, a fluorescence detector, an electrochemical detector, a conductivity detector, a refractive index detector, an on-column detector, a mass spectrometer, and an ion mobility spectrometer.

6. The LC system of claim 4, wherein the first pillar further comprises at least one additional pillar coupled to the first pillar, wherein the additional pillar can be transparent or opaque.

7. A liquid chromatography (LC) system, comprising: An LC device comprising: pumps, solvents and samples; a syringe for delivering the sample in the solvent; a docking station for providing an LC output port to enable the syringe to deliver the sample in the solvent to the output port, the LC input port, and the first electrical port; and A separate module, which is attached to the LC device, the module comprising: a module input port for making a high pressure compression connection to the LC output port and receiving the sample in the solvent; a second electrical port coupled to the first electrical port; a first column coupled to the module input port at a first end for receiving the sample in the solvent, wherein the first column is transparent or opaque, and wherein the first column is coupled to the module output port at a second end; Heating unit; a cylindrical furnace disposed around the heating unit and at least a portion of the first column; and at least one detector coupled to the module output port for receiving the sample in the solvent and for performing detection of substances in the sample in the solvent, and wherein the results of separation, identification and quantification of substances are transmitted from the module to a computing device using the first electrical port and the second electrical port.

8. The LC system of claim 7, wherein the at least one detector is selected from the group of detectors consisting of: a UV absorption detector, a photodiode array detector, a fluorescence detector, an electrochemical detector, a conductivity detector, a refractive index detector, an on-column detector, a mass spectrometer, and an ion mobility spectrometer.

9. The LC system of claim 7, wherein the first pillar further comprises at least one additional pillar coupled to the first pillar, wherein the additional pillar can be transparent or opaque.

10. A liquid chromatography (LC) system, comprising: An LC device comprising: pumps, solvents and samples; a syringe for delivering the sample in the solvent; a docking station for providing an output port to enable the syringe to deliver the sample in the solvent to the output port, and a first electrical port; and A separate module, which is attached to the LC device, the module comprising: a module input port for making a high pressure compression connection to said output port and receiving said sample in said solvent; a second electrical port coupled to the first electrical port; a first column coupled to the module input port at a first end for receiving the sample in the solvent, wherein the first column is opaque or transparent; Heating unit; a cylindrical furnace disposed around the heating unit and at least a portion of the column; and at least one flow cell detector for performing detection of substances in the sample in the solvent, wherein the first column and the detector perform separation, identification and quantification of substances; and The first electrical port and the second electrical port are used to transmit the results of separation, identification and quantification of substances from the module to a computing device.

11. A liquid chromatography (LC) system, comprising: An LC device comprising: pumps, solvents and samples; a syringe for delivering the sample in the solvent; a docking station for providing an LC output port to enable the syringe to deliver the sample in the solvent to the output port, the LC input port, and the first electrical port; at least one flow cell detector coupled to the LC input port for receiving the sample in the solvent and for performing detection of a substance in the sample in the solvent; and A separate module, which is attached to the LC device, the module comprising: a module input port for making a high pressure compression connection to the LC output port and receiving the sample in the solvent; a second electrical port coupled to the first electrical port; a first column coupled to the module input port at a first end for receiving the sample in the solvent, wherein the first column is transparent or opaque, and wherein the first column is coupled to the module output port at a second end; Heating unit; a cylindrical furnace disposed around the heating unit and at least a portion of the first column; and The first electrical port and the second electrical port are used to transmit the results of separation, identification and quantification of substances from the module to a computing device.

12. A liquid chromatography (LC) system, comprising: An LC device comprising: pumps, solvents and samples; a syringe for delivering the sample in the solvent; a docking station for providing an LC output port to enable the syringe to deliver the sample in the solvent to the output port, the LC input port, and the first electrical port; and A separate module, which is attached to the LC device, the module comprising: a module input port for making a high pressure compression connection to the LC output port and receiving the sample in the solvent; a second electrical port coupled to the first electrical port; a first column coupled to the module input port at a first end for receiving the sample in the solvent, wherein the first column is transparent or opaque, and wherein the first column is coupled to the module output port at a second end; Heating unit; a cylindrical furnace disposed around the heating unit and at least a portion of the first column; and at least one flow cell detector coupled to the module output port for receiving the sample in the solvent and for performing detection of substances in the sample in the solvent, and wherein the results of separation, identification and quantification of substances are transmitted from the module to a computing device using the first electrical port and the second electrical port.

13. A method of performing liquid chromatography (LC) for separating, identifying and quantifying substances in a sample, the method comprising: providing an LC device comprising a pump, a solvent and a sample, a syringe for delivering the sample in the solvent, a docking station for providing a fluid port to enable the syringe to deliver the sample in the solvent to an LC output port, and a first electrical port, and providing a separate module attached to the LC device, the module comprising: a module input port for forming a high pressure compression connection to the LC output port and receiving the sample in the solvent; a second electrical port coupled to the first electrical port; a column coupled to the module input port at a first end for receiving the sample in the solvent, wherein the first column is transparent or opaque; a heating unit; a column furnace disposed around the heating unit and at least a portion of the first column; and at least one detector for performing detection of substances in the sample in the solvent, wherein the column and detector perform separation, identification and quantification of substances; performing LC by attaching the module to the LC device using the high voltage compression connection; injecting the sample in the solvent into the column in the module; separating the sample in the solvent; identifying a substance in the sample in the solvent based on how the sample interacts with an adsorbent material in the column; quantifying the substance in the sample; and Data regarding the substance is transmitted from the module to a computing device using the first electrical port and the second electrical port.

14. The method of claim 10, wherein the method further comprises selecting the at least one detector from a detector group consisting of: a UV absorption detector, a photodiode array detector, a fluorescence detector, an electrochemical detector, a conductivity detector, a refractive index detector, an on-column detector, a mass spectrometer, and an ion mobility spectrometer.

15. The method of claim 10, wherein the method further comprises providing an additional pillar coupled to the first pillar, wherein the additional pillar may be transparent or opaque.

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