Auto-sampling System for Liquid Chromatography
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Solution Overview
Problem
Manual sampling in liquid chromatography systems for bioprocess and chemical reactions is labor-intensive, prone to contamination, and wasteful, making it inefficient for timely monitoring and reducing consistency.
Innovation Solution
An automated sampling system that acquires samples from non-pressurized sources, integrates an external sampling assembly with a process sample manager, and includes a solvent delivery system for in-line dilution, eliminating the need for separate containers and minimizing sample consumption.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Ease of operation
If manual sampling is used to acquire samples from process lines, then flexibility in sampling multiple reactors and processes is maintained, but labor intensity increases and contamination risk rises
Solution Approach 1:
The system enables automatic self-sampling where the sampling valve and pump work autonomously to draw samples from process lines without manual intervention. The valve automatically switches between sampling positions and the pump controls sample withdrawal, eliminating human contact with samples and reducing contamination risk while maintaining operational simplicity.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent replaces manual mechanical sampling operations with an automated electromechanical system. The sampling valve (electromechanical component) and pump (motor-driven device) substitute for manual drawing and transfer operations, providing reliable automated control while reducing labor intensity and contamination risk through consistent, repeatable operations.
2Reliability
If manual sample handling and transfer to liquid chromatography system is performed, then sample analysis can be conducted, but time consumption increases and productivity decreases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent merges the sampling system directly with the liquid chromatography system through integrated fluidic connections. The sampling valve connects to the chromatography injection port, creating a continuous automated flow path that eliminates manual transfer steps. This integration maintains analysis reliability while significantly reducing time consumption and increasing throughput by enabling seamless automated sample introduction.
Solution Approach 2:
The system performs preliminary sample preparation actions automatically before analysis. The pump draws samples and holds them in the sampling loop, ready for immediate injection into the chromatography system. This preliminary automated preparation eliminates manual handling time and ensures samples are ready for analysis without delay, improving both productivity and timing consistency.
3Quantity of substance
If separate containers are used for sample dilution before injection, then sample concentration can be adjusted, but additional washing steps are required and sample waste increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent extracts the dilution function from separate external containers and integrates it directly into the sampling system's fluidic pathway. Dilution occurs in-line within the sampling loop and connecting tubing, eliminating the need for separate dilution containers. This reduces sample and diluent waste by eliminating the washing steps required for external containers while maintaining precise concentration control through automated diluent addition.
Data Source
AI summary
A sampling system comprising an external sampling assembly in fluidic communication with a process sample manager is provided herein. The sampling system can automatically acquire sample from one or more sources of sample to prepare sample for injection into a column or detector. The external sampling assembly has an external sampling valve connected to an external pump and is in fluidic communication with a process sample manager. The external sampling valve has a first configuration and a second configuration useful in three steps of drawing, loading and discharging sample. Two selection valves can be connected to a plurality of external sampling valves for sequential sampling of multiple sources of sample. Sample can also be diluted in the process sample manager and then combined in a solvent composition stream for injection into the column or the detector.