Preparative Fluid Chromatograph Controller Peak Counting
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Solution Overview
Problem
Conventional preparative fluid chromatograph devices face issues where the set end time for collecting components may differ from the actual time required, leading to incomplete component collection or errors in the system, especially during stack injection where components may be collected in unexpected containers.
Innovation Solution
The device includes a controller that sets a reference number for the number of components in a sample and counts the number of components detected as peaks during fractionation. Once the number of components reaches the reference number, the controller determines that the fractionation operation is complete and ensures all components are collected in the correct containers.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Productivity
If a set end time is used to terminate fractionation operation, then the device can efficiently switch to the next sample, but components may not be fully collected when actual collection time differs from set end time
Solution Approach 1:
The controller continuously monitors the detector signal during fractionation operation and dynamically determines completion based on actual peak detection rather than relying solely on a pre-set end time. This feedback mechanism ensures all components are collected while maintaining efficient operation.
Solution Approach 2:
The fractionation operation completion criterion is made dynamic by adjusting the termination condition from a fixed time-based approach to a real-time peak-counting approach that adapts to the actual chromatographic separation process.
2Quantity of substance
If stack injection is used to collect large amounts of components, then the device can handle complex samples, but components may be collected in unexpected containers when timing varies
Solution Approach 1:
The controller uses real-time monitoring of detector signals to track peak positions and container assignments during stack injection. This feedback ensures that even when timing varies between injections, components are correctly assigned to the appropriate containers based on their actual elution patterns.
Solution Approach 2:
The system performs preliminary peak detection and counting for each sample injection before assigning containers. By counting peaks and determining completion criteria in advance for each stack injection cycle, the system prevents misassignment of components to incorrect containers.
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 approach ensures that all components are reliably collected in the correct containers, preventing incomplete collection or errors, even when the actual time required differs from the set end time, and maintains consistency during stack injection.
Implementation Method 1
a separation column that is provided downstream of the injector on the separation channel and for separating a plurality of components in the sample injected into the mobile phase by the injector from each other
Implementation Method 2
a detector that is provided downstream of the separation column on the separation channel and outputs a signal corresponding to concentration of the components eluted from the separation column
Data Source
AI summary
A fraction collector (14) that is provided downstream of a detector (10) and for separating an eluate eluted from a separation column (8) into a plurality of parts and collecting each of the parts into a plurality of containers respectively, and a controller (16) configured to execute fractionation operation for each sample injected at one time into the mobile phase are provided. In the fractionation operation, the controller detects components separated from each other in the separation column (8) as peaks individually based on a signal output from the detector (10), and controls operation of the fraction collector (14) such that the components detected as the peaks are collected in different containers. The controller (16) is configured to set a reference number of the number of components in a sample injected into the mobile phase, to count the number of components detected as the peaks for each sample injected into the mobile phase at a time by the injector (6), and to determine that the fractionation operation of the sample is completed when the number of components counted reaches the reference number and all components as many as the reference number are collected in the container.