Binary Syringe Pump for Pulsation-Free HPLC Solvent Delivery
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Solution Overview
Problem
Conventional syringe pump systems for HPLC, UHPLC, and nano/micro-HPLC face challenges in achieving pulsation-free solvent delivery and precise mixing, especially at high pressures, due to solvent compressibility and pressure fluctuations, which affect gradient repeatability and accuracy.
Innovation Solution
A binary syringe pump system with independent syringe piston pumps, each connected to a multi-position valve and passive pump outlet valve, allowing for synchronized pressure build-up and solvent mixing at equal pressure, using motors as drive and force sensors to manage solvent compression and mixing.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Speed
If conventional pump systems are used for HPLC, then continuous pumping is achieved, but pulsation occurs causing pressure fluctuations
Solution Approach 1:
The system divides the pumping function into two independent syringe piston pumps, each handling one solvent channel. This segmentation allows independent pressure build-up in each pump head, eliminating the pulsation that would occur in a single pump system while maintaining continuous pumping capability through coordinated operation of both pumps.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent combines two independent syringe piston pumps into a unified binary system with a common outlet line. By merging the outputs of both pumps through a multi-position valve system, the system achieves continuous pulsation-free flow while maintaining the pressure stability benefits of independent pump operation.
2Adaptability or versatility
If solvents with different compressibility are mixed at high pressure, then gradient elution is achieved, but mixing accuracy decreases
Solution Approach 1:
The system performs preliminary compression of each solvent in separate pump heads before mixing occurs. By building up the required pressure independently in each pump head using passive pump outlet valves, the solvents are pre-compressed to their final pressures, ensuring accurate mixing ratios even when solvents have different compressibility characteristics.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent replaces traditional mechanical mixing mechanisms with a pressure-based mixing approach. By using passive pump outlet valves and controlling pressure build-up rather than mechanical mixing, the system achieves accurate solvent mixing despite differences in compressibility, as the mixing occurs at equalized pressures rather than through mechanical agitation.
3Measurement precision
If pressure is increased to achieve small flow rates, then flow precision is improved, but solvent compressibility effects increase
Solution Approach 1:
The system segments the pressure build-up process into independent stages for each solvent channel. Each syringe piston pump builds pressure independently in its own pump head, allowing precise control of pressure and flow rate for each solvent without the compressibility effects that would arise from mixed-pressure mixing.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent changes the pressure parameter dynamically during operation. By using passive pump outlet valves to control pressure build-up and equalizing pressures before mixing, the system maintains high flow rate precision through pressure control while eliminating the negative effects of solvent compressibility on mixing accuracy.
4Device complexity
If conventional syringe pumps are used, then simple structure is maintained, but gradient operation and high pressure capability are insufficient
Solution Approach 1:
The patent creates a universal pump system that can perform multiple functions: isocratic delivery, gradient elution, and high-pressure operation. The binary syringe piston pump system with passive pump outlet valves and multi-position valve integration provides a single platform that handles all these operations, replacing the need for multiple specialized pump systems.
Solution Approach 2:
The system introduces dynamic control capabilities through the passive pump outlet valves and multi-position valve system. This allows the pump to adapt its operation mode dynamically between isocratic and gradient delivery, and to handle varying pressure requirements, transforming a static simple pump structure into a dynamically versatile system.
Applied Scientific Principles
This section explains which scientific principles are used to turn an abstract innovation direction into a practical engineering solution.
Function Achieved in This Case
The system ensures pulsation-free and precise solvent delivery, enabling reproducible gradient profiles even at high pressures, improving chromatographic analysis by quickly reaching target pressures and maintaining consistent flow rates.
Implementation Method 1
The pressure required for a chromatographic analysis is built up for each of the solvents in the pump head via the pump piston
Implementation Method 2
Each outlet connection line is provided with a passive pump outlet valve
Implementation Method 3
Each multi-position valve has a further outlet line, which opens out into a common outlet line via a connecting means
Data Source
Figure 1
Figure 2a~2b
Figure 2c~2d
AI summary
The invention describes a high-pressure syringe pump system for use in the field of HPLC, UHPLC, micro-HPLC and nano-HPLC in gradient operation. The different solvents are compressed independently by passive non-return valves, the solvent combination does not take place until at an identical pressure, and the target pressure for the initialization is achieved by a control setting with a higher delivery capacity, in which the compressibility is also taken into consideration. The changing of solvents and the flushing of the pump heads take place by way of separate inlets and outlets in the throughflow via an active multiple-position high-pressure valve which can also close the pump head and can open it via the passive non-return valve. The regulating unit and the drive motor which also serves as force sensor detect compressibility, air inclusions and leaks. Depending on the embodiment, the syringe pump heads are stabilized thermally.