Liquid Chromatograph Air Bubble Removal via Pressure Sensor Feedback
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Solution Overview
Problem
In liquid chromatographic apparatuses, air bubbles can interfere with accurate liquid feeding, making it difficult to confirm their removal during preparatory operations, which can lead to liquid feed errors and the need for repetitive purging.
Innovation Solution
A liquid chromatographic apparatus equipped with a pressure sensor to measure pressure changes in the solvent flow channel during purge operations, allowing the controller to determine if air bubbles have been effectively removed by assessing if the pressure change meets a specified threshold.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If purge operation is performed by opening a purge valve and feeding liquid at high flow rate, then air bubbles can be removed from the flow channel, but it is difficult to judge whether air bubbles are completely removed and repetitive purging may be needed
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies feedback by using a pressure sensor to continuously monitor pressure changes in the flow channel during purge operation. The controller receives pressure sensor signals and automatically judges whether air bubbles are completely removed based on pressure change patterns, providing real-time feedback to control the purge process without requiring manual intervention or repetitive operations.
2Measurement precision
If conventional HPLC purge operation is performed and normal liquid feeding is checked for pressure stability, then air bubble presence can be detected, but the detection occurs after the start of analysis and corrective action is delayed
Solution Approach 1:
The patent implements preliminary action by performing air bubble detection during the purge operation itself, before normal liquid feeding and analysis begin. The pressure sensor monitors pressure changes in real-time during purging, allowing air bubbles to be detected and the purge process to be adjusted or completed before analysis starts, eliminating delays and ensuring system readiness.
3Reliability
If manual pipe disconnection and syringe-based air bubble removal is performed, then air bubbles can be removed from the flow channel, but troublesome manual work and pipe disconnection are required
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies self-service by enabling the system to automatically detect and manage air bubble removal through integrated pressure sensing and controller logic. The system monitors pressure changes during purge operation, automatically judges when air bubbles are removed, and controls the purge process without requiring manual pipe disconnection or syringe-based intervention, making the operation simple and automated.
4Quantity of substance
If purge operation is performed with high flow rate several times to tens of times higher than analysis flow rate, then solvent replacement and air bubble removal are attempted, but air bubbles may remain due to pump structure and solvent viscosity
Solution Approach 1:
The patent replaces the mechanical trial-and-error purge approach with a sensing-based control system. Instead of relying solely on high flow rate mechanical purging, the system uses a pressure sensor to detect pressure changes caused by air bubbles and a controller to automatically adjust and monitor the purge process, providing reliable detection regardless of pump structure or solvent viscosity factors.
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
This solution enables the reliable removal of air bubbles during preparatory operations without requiring manual intervention, reducing the risk of liquid feed errors and minimizing the need for repetitive purging.
Implementation Method 1
a pressure sensor to measure a pressure in a solvent flow channel of the liquid feeding pump
Data Source
AI summary
A liquid chromatographic apparatus which removes air bubbles during preparatory operation for apparatus startup includes a liquid feeding pump to feed a solvent, an injector to inject a sample into the solvent, a separation column to receive the solvent and the sample through the injector and separate the sample into components, a detector to detect the components supplied from the separation column, a pressure sensor to measure a pressure in a solvent flow channel of the liquid feeding pump, and a controller to control a purge operation for removing air bubbles in the solvent flow channel by the liquid feeding pump, determine whether a pressure change amount in the solvent flow channel measured by the pressure sensor during the purge operation is a specified change amount or larger, and complete the air bubble removal operation when the pressure change amount is the specified change amount or larger.