Chromatography Blending System Using Segmented Pumping
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Solution Overview
Problem
Current chromatography systems face inaccuracies in blending solutions due to high pressure pumps that overwhelm sensors, making it difficult to determine and control pH and conductivity levels, especially at low percentages, and are costly due to multiple high-pressure pumps.
Innovation Solution
A system utilizing a low-pressure pump to deliver solutions through a switch valve and a T-joint for blending with a buffer solution, allowing sensors to operate within a safe pressure range and enabling accurate determination of blended solution characteristics, while a high-pressure pump collects the blended solution, reducing system costs.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Power
If high pressure pumps are used to deliver solutions through the switch valve, then the solutions can be delivered to the chromatography column, but the pressure overwhelms the sensors making it difficult to determine pH and conductivity levels accurately
Solution Approach 1:
The system divides the pumping function into two separate pumps: a low-pressure pump for delivering solutions through the switch valve to the T-joint, and a high-pressure pump for delivering the blended solution from the T-joint to the chromatography column. This segmentation allows sensors to operate in the low-pressure zone where they can accurately measure pH and conductivity without being overwhelmed by high pressure, while still achieving the required high pressure delivery to the column.
Solution Approach 2:
The T-joint acts as an intermediary blending unit where solutions from the low-pressure pump are mixed with buffer solution. This intermediary structure allows the system to transition from low-pressure solution delivery (where accurate sensing is possible) to high-pressure blended solution delivery (where column injection is required), resolving the contradiction between sensor protection and column delivery requirements.
2Productivity
If multiple high pressure pumps are used to deliver different solutions and buffer solution, then the blending can be performed, but the system cost increases
Solution Approach 1:
The system segments the pumping requirements by using a low-pressure pump for solution delivery and a high-pressure pump for blended solution delivery. This reduces the total number of high-pressure pumps needed from multiple (one for each solution) to just one, thereby reducing system cost while maintaining the capability to deliver multiple solutions and buffer at the required pressure.
Solution Approach 2:
The T-joint merges multiple solution streams (from the low-pressure pump) with the buffer solution stream into a single blended solution stream. This merging capability allows the system to achieve complex multi-solution blending functionality using a single low-pressure pump and a single high-pressure pump, rather than requiring multiple high-pressure pumps for each solution stream.
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 allows for precise and accurate blending of solutions with controlled pH and conductivity levels, enhancing the efficiency of protein separation in chromatography, and reduces the overall cost of the chromatography system by eliminating the need for multiple high-pressure pumps.
Implementation Method 1
a low pressure pump for pumping the one or more solutions through the switch valve
Implementation Method 2
a T-joint capable of receiving the one or more solutions through the low pressure pump and blending the one or more solutions with a buffer solution
Implementation Method 3
A high pressure pump is present for collecting a blended solution
Data Source
Figure 1
Figure 2A
Figure 2B
AI summary
A system for blending solutions and a buffer solution is disclosed. In this system a switch valve is present capable of flowing one or more solutions, a low pressure pump for pumping the one or more solutions through the switch valve and a T-joint capable of receiving the one or more solutions through the low pressure pump and blending the one or more solutions with a buffer solution. A high pressure pump is present for collecting a blended solution.